UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Climate Consortium will hold an informational webinar to raise awareness of its activities and associated opportunities for the University community. The webinar is scheduled for 3-4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16. Attendees can expect to learn about how the consortium plans to better align and coordinate the University’s efforts in climate solutions and improve outreach and collaboration with partners across the commonwealth. Attendees must register.
“Since the launch of the Climate Consortium in November 2023, we have been actively creating and implementing ways for Penn State researchers to advance their ideas and science quickly and efficiently,” said Erica Smithwick, distinguished professor of geography and Climate Consortium director. “We are excited to provide insight into what the consortium has been working on since its launch and provide an overview of what we look to accomplish.”
The consortium aims to amplify climate change research activities, internally and externally, and promote excellence in climate change research at Penn State. It looks to empower solutions from local to global scales and lead in national and international climate-energy transitions and climate policy. Lastly, it aims to inspire creativity and collaboration that broadens engagement and impact.
Smithwick said accomplishing these goals requires engagement from individuals in all disciplines as well as meaningful partnerships with foundations, industry, communities, governments and other research and educational institutions.
“I cannot stress this enough: Your work impacts climate regardless of your expertise or discipline,” Smithwick said. “We want to emphasize the interdisciplinarity of the consortium and demonstrate that art, policy, health, finance, engineering, agriculture, psychology, communications — and so many more — are highly encouraged to engage with the consortium. It will take all of us to address climate change.”
The Penn State Climate Consortium is dedicated to fostering collaboration and accelerating climate change research to develop actionable solutions for a sustainable and just world. Through promoting excellence in research, empowering local-to-global initiatives and leading transitions in climate policy, the consortium aims to inspire creativity and broad engagement in addressing the challenges of climate change.