Advancing Climate Solutions. Now.

Former vice president and climate activist Al Gore was the inaugural speaker in the Advancing Climate Solutions. Now. The Policy Series. Gore discussed the challenges facing the world in addressing the widespread impact of climate change, while also expressing optimism about the growing momentum towards action, in the event attended by an online audience of more than 1,000 people.

Watch video of the October 26, 2021 event

Noted environmental scientist Katharine Hayhoe says the best way to address the climate crisis is pretty simple: we all should talk about it with people we know. That talk will lead to action, on an individual and then a community level, which will in turn influence governments, businesses, and other organizations to make the large-scale systemic changes necessary to mitigate the potential damage from climate change.

Hayhoe’s presentation was co-sponsored by the Big Ten Conference's Democracy in the 21st Century collaboration, and students from all 14 schools in the conference were invited to participate.

Watch video of the April 4, 2022 event

Distinguished UM Crookston alumnus Marshall Johnson is the chief conservation officer for Audubon, an environmental organization dedicated to the conservation of birds and their natural habitats. He leads strategic direction for hemispheric-wide conservation work at Audubon to address the biodiversity crisis facing birds.

Johnson spoke about the pivotal role that birders can play in addressing the climate crisis.

Watch video of the November 10, 2022 event

Michael Noble is principal of NobleIdeas LLC, a consulting firm serving in climate and energy strategy for industry, philanthropy and governments. He served as executive director of Fresh Energy from 1995 to 2023. Noble offered insider insights into the arc of climate policy history in Minnesota and the U.S. from 1990 to now. He elevated the incredible opportunities that await young people who have changed the course of history with their focus and activism to achieve federal policy action. 

Watch video of the March 13, 2024 event

• MN Public Interest Research Group - Duluth Campus
  Our Planet, Our Future: Environmental Summit
  Students organized a sustainability fair featuring workshops, keynote speaker, and a panel discussion with prominent Midwest climate activists and educators.
• STEM Curriculum and Instruction - Twin Cities Campus
  STEMTelling: Climate storytelling for STEM Curriculum
  University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Spring 2022
  Create climate action storytelling curriculum with UMN students studying to be science teachers to enhance students’ STEM identities and connect them to environmental and climate justice.
• Students for Lake Superior Sustainable Farming, Duluth Campus Land Lab
  UMD (mini) Organic Farming Conference
  The conference featured a student project showcase, skill-building workshops, and a “barnraising” to collaboratively explore local climate issues and solutions, culminating in a student project for the 2022 growing season.
• MN Public Interest Research Group, Masters of Environmental Education - Duluth Campus
  Student Filmmaking using the MMAD Lab
  University of Minnesota Duluth, Spring 2022
  Empower UMD students to connect the local community with local climate change issues and collaborative solutions through filmmaking, using the “Lens on Climate Change” program as a model.
• UMN Morris Office of Sustainability, Campus Student Association
  Water and Climate Film Festival
  The student organized film festival featured water and climate change documentaries and shorts. Following the screenings there was networking and socializing, as well as a panel of experts and leaders in water management.

• 365 Green - Coffman Memorial Union, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, April 2022
  Green Jobs Career Fair and Climate Activist Workshop
  The Green Jobs Career Fair will feature job opportunities working directly with climate action organizations with commitments toward a sustainable future, and opportunities to get engaged across the University. The Climate Activist Workshop will be co-hosted by several University of Minnesota student groups and is designed for students interested in direct action and climate solutions. The workshop will include keynote speakers, small group sessions led by activists, teach-ins, and networking opportunities.
• Institute on the Environment Graduate Scholars Program - Renewable Energy Cohort, Spring 2022
  Energy Experience Center Displays and Partnership
  In partnership with Renewable Energy Partners, the Science Museum of Minnesota, Institute on the Environment, Minneapolis Climate Action, and others, the cohort will design and build several energy exhibits to be displayed at the Energy Experience Center. The exhibits are part of a larger initiative to collaborate and build working relationships between the University and community partners around Minnesota’s renewable energy transition, and to bring education, training, and career opportunities to low-income and BIPOC communities.
• Energy and Environmental Policy Club - Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Spring 2022
  Climate Action Breakfast Briefings
  Inspired by their experience at the Conference of Parties (COP26) in Glasgow last year, the students will emulate the news briefings given by journalists at the conference, review the latest COP26 news and discuss its implications in the climate conversation over coffee and morning snacks. These twice-monthly panels will feature experts and journalists from the University with news updates followed by conversations and networking.
• Students for Climate Justice - University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus, April 2022
  Earth Month: Environmental Justice Spotlight Activities
  A five-week Environmental Justice Spotlight throughout Earth Month, including a suncatcher crafting night; a tour of the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center; an evening Zoom panel discussion of the Stop Line 3 movement; an art build and Earth Day rally; and a visit to the Native American Medicine Garden.
• Students for Lake Superior Sustainable Farming - A partnership initiative at UMN Duluth, starting Spring 2022
  Give Bees a Chance
  A spring program featuring a series of pollinator workshops and activities to engage the UMN community and the public to explore the impacts of climate change on pollinators; a visit to the Twin Cities campus to exchange apiary maintenance and programming expertise and explore the Heroes to Hives program; and a mushrooms and bee health training workshop in collaboration with local farmers.
• UMN Morris Office of Sustainability, Campus Student Association, and Office of Community Engagement - University of Minnesota Morris, April 11-29
  Earth Month Art Contest
  As part of their Earth Month focus on the Division of Humanities’ work surrounding climate change, the art contest will accompany a performance by music faculty at UMN Morris, Ann DuHamel, “Prayers for a Feverish Planet.” Entries will be displayed on campus during April.

Tom Swain is a longtime government, business, community, and University of Minnesota leader who held a variety of influential positions during his distinguished career.

Highlights:

• Chief of staff and economic development commissioner under Governor Elmer Anderson
• Led health policy reform efforts under Governors Arne Carlson and Tim Pawlenty
• Executive director of the Minnesota Statehood Centennial Commission
• Mayor of Lilydale

At the Humphrey School:

• Advisory Council member for nearly 20 years
• Established the Thomas H. Swain Fellowship in Public Leadership to support mid-career master’s degree students. Some 60 students have benefitted to date.
• Trusted counsel to several deans
• Recipient of the 2017 Hubert H. Humphrey Public Leadership Award