Worldwide Climate and Justice Education Week!
Last week, Kalamazoo College celebrated Worldwide Climate and Justice Education Week! Joining 100 universities and over 40,000 faculty and staff from around the world, the week was all about facilitating discussion about the climate crisis, and encouraging environmental justice on campuses and in educational spaces.
Faculty and staff from K helped to #MakeClimateAClass in over 40 different classes, programs, social media posts, and events last week! From documentary students creating new films about climate action, to creative writing workshoppers writing climate fiction stories, to statistics classes learning how to effectively model climate change, students all across the campus had the opportunity to integrate climate education into their every day lives. For a complete list of the Climate Week offerings around campus, click here.
Events on Campus
We also hosted some great events outside of classes to celebrate climate action!
On Wednesday afternoon, members of the campus community gave input on the Climate Action Plan’s Learning Goal! They discussed how to incorporate environmental themes into the classroom and into campus life, and what future steps might be necessary for students to graduate with climate literacy.
Despite the snow, we also took students out to the Arboretum for a chilly hike! It was great to celebrate one of our beloved living learning labs even in the throes of Michigan spring.
On Thursday evening, students gathered with Kennedy Williams, a WMU alum, and Donna McClurkan, a member of the Kalamazoo Climate Crisis Coalition, in a Climate Anxiety Forum. Climate cafes are an opportunity to discuss our anxieties and fears about the climate crisis, and to make connections with others who share the same worries. It was a much-needed opportunity to build community and find a little peace in the rush of spring term!
Next Steps
Although the official event lasted a week, climate education remains important all year round. In fact, it’s central to Kalamazoo College’s Climate Action Plan – under the guidance of the Plan, all students should be able to engage with climate education in their fields, and have an understanding of how to build a life and career in the midst of a changing climate.
These goals help guide the environmental work that goes on around campus and beyond. If you missed the Climate Education Week this year, don’t worry! It’ll be back next year, and there are plenty of ways to participate – while it’s up to faculty and staff to participate, students’ voices can help jumpstart the movement and provide much-needed inspiration. Want to get involved with other environmental action happening around campus? Check out what the Environmental Stewardship Center has in store this term!
