Beginning April 22, the first-ever Dartmouth Climate Week will spotlight multidisciplinary research, showcase the campuswide energy infrastructure transition, and present perspectives from nationally recognized leaders in climate resilience.
"Climate Week aligns beautifully with Dartmouth's mission to create lifelong learners and future leaders," says Professor of Earth Sciences Erich Osterberg, a leading researcher in snow and ice chemistry in polar regions. "Throughout the world, our students are going to be dealing with a changing climate, and we want to give them the tools to make positive impacts in whatever ways they choose."
On April 22, Jordan Marie Brings Three White Horses Whetstone, a professional runner, filmmaker, and founder of Rising Hearts—an Indigenous-led organization dedicated to amplifying community voices through kinship, movement advocacy, and storytelling—will literally kick off the week by leading a fun run through Pine Park, followed later in the day by film screenings.
Also that afternoon, an Earth Day celebration will feature refreshments and activities in the Fairchild Atrium.
An April 23 poster session will showcase diverse climate research. In addition, two career panels co-hosted by the Climate Collaborative with the Revers Center for Energy, Sustainability and Innovation at the Tuck School of Business and the Dartmouth Center for Career Design will provide information and networking opportunities for students interested in climate-related professions.
"I'm excited about connecting students and alums who carve out pathways in sustainability," says Meredith Kelly, the Frederick Hall Professor in Mineralogy and Geology in the Department of Earth Sciences and faculty director of the Dartmouth Climate Collaborative, primary sponsor of Climate Week.
"Often, when people think about tackling climate change, they focus mostly on science, policy, and advocacy, but solutions can also come through through psychology and brain sciences, through film and media studies, through writing and communicating across the world, so we want to highlight a breadth of possibilities for students," Kelly says.
Members of the Upper Valley community are also invited to participate in Climate Week, including, on April 25, a tour of new campus energy systems either in place or under construction.
On April 27, Ayanna Elizabeth Johnson, marine biologist, policy expert, and author of the bestselling climate anthology All We Can Save and What If We Get it Right?: Visions of Climate Futures, will give the keynote address, followed by a community potluck supper.
Katharine Morley '28 has been listening to the audio version of What If We Get It Right and finds inspiration in Johnson's message: that it's not too late to take meaningful action in the face of an existential threat.
"Political and climate doomerism are not helpful," says Morley. "We have to work within the mindset that there is hope, that things can change. But we also have to understand that we have to be that change, and we need to take action in our own lives."
Marine biologist Ayanna Elizabeth Johnson, author of the bestselling All We Can Save and What If We Get it Right?: Visions of Climate Futures, will give the keynote address on April 27. (Photo By Julia Kokernak)
With a major in government modified with economics, and a double minor in human-centered design and environmental studies, Morley will participate in a student panel about experiential learning, drawing on what she says was an eye-opening field trip to coal-rich communities in Appalachia co-sponsored by the Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society and the Sustainability Office.
"In West Virginia, we saw deep emotional ties and pride in coal mining and natural gas and oil extraction," she says.
Morley also saw promising inroads into recreational tourism, including white water rafting, climbing, and fly-fishing.
"But if there's a lot of pollution from coal and natural gas drilling, there's not that same potential, " says Morley. "State regulators and industry seem to have chosen coal and natural gas to be the primary industry there, but I believe a transition to tourism could occur, which would result in safer jobs for West Virginians."
In addition to the student discussion, April 28 brings a climate and health lunchtime panel. Another panel will focus on an immersion trip to Arctic Finland, followed by a reception hosted by the Institute of Arctic Studies.
On April 29, a climate and AI event will be led by Rakib Anam, a Bangladeshi-American climate activist, youth diplomat, and public speaker working at the intersection of AI and sustainability.
Osterberg hopes Climate Week will motivate attendees to do everything in their power to promote and implement practical, sustainable solutions to climate change. He says there's a misconception that we are on a "runaway train" toward disaster; U.S. carbon emissions have in fact fallen by 18% since 2005.
To accelerate that progress, Osterberg says, people from all walks of life and political persuasions must swiftly combine resources and talents in strategic ways.
"Let's not be bogged down by doomsday possibilities. Let's imagine the future we want. That starts with envisioning it right here at home, connecting with our local community, and thinking about how we can scale solutions for the whole globe," Osterberg says.