University Climate Coalition Announces Policy Platform to Combat Climate Change
UA President Robert C. Robbins was among the attendees at a University Climate Change Coalition summit, where he was part of a panel of university presidents.
The University of Arizona is banding with the University Climate Change Coalition to support a platform aimed at accelerating research on climate change policy across its 20 member universities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
"We need to crack things open to have any chance of providing real, actionable solutions to the problems of climate change and other environmental issues," Robbins said.
"The climate crisis is like a heart valve patient in need of a sternotomy," said University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins, who also is a cardiothoracic surgeon. "We need to crack things open to have any chance of providing real, actionable solutions to the problems of climate change and other environmental issues."
Robbins was among the attendees at a University Climate Change Coalition, or UC3, summit, where he was part of a panel of university presidents.
Higher education leaders, academics and cross-sector partners convened for the summit, which was held July 21-23 at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. The coalition called upon these partners and leaders to support the Research for Policy Platform, expected to create a pathway for university leaders to take informed action and advocate for effective climate change policy.
The Research for Policy Platform, which was launched at the summit, equips UC3 as a collective to research urgent climate change policy issues and provide recommendations for just and equitable outcomes. UC3 members that endorse the platform have committed to supporting the coalition's research and program longevity. The platform will culminate in discretionary action by university leaders to advance climate policy at all levels of government.
"UC3's Research for Policy Platform will strengthen efforts across sectors with science-informed and evidence-based policy insight towards smart climate solutions," said Tim Carter, president of Second Nature. "UC3 presidents will leave the Vancouver Summit equipped and ready to advance effective climate policy in response to the climate emergency."
Leading North American research universities formed UC3, a program of Second Nature, in 2018 to help their respective communities achieve their climate goals and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future.
