Michael Bloomberg Announces Midwestern Collegiate Climate Summit
St. Louis, MO – Today, Michael R. Bloomberg announced the largest expected convening of Midwest universities focused on mitigating the effects of climate change and moving to a 100% clean-energy economy. The Midwestern Collegiate Climate Summit will be held in early 2020, bringing together leaders from Midwestern universities, local government and the private sector to drive measurable, local action on climate by leveraging the partnerships, innovations and talent from institutions of higher education. In parallel to the new global commitments made by federal leaders in line with the Paris Agreement, the Climate Summit will catalyze climate action commitments from all regional leaders and provide a support network to achieve new ambitious goals. Bloomberg Philanthropies will provide support for the operations of the Climate Summit.
“Universities have a critical role to play in fighting climate change,” said Bloomberg. “And Washington University is a great example – as a hub for cutting edge research, as a key partner for the city of St. Louis, and as home to students who want to put their talents to work to build a better future. This summit will fuel new efforts across the Midwest to cut emissions and protect communities from impacts.”
Situated in the heartland of mid-America, Washington University will serve as the anchor for the Climate Summit and the partnership with other higher education institutions throughout the Midwest. In addition to hosting the Climate Summit, through its International Center for Energy, Environment and Sustainability (InCEES), Washington University will steer formalizing a high impact model for regional climate leadership; deploy students and faculty to work beyond the classroom in the city of St. Louis; and disseminate the St. Louis model to other peer institutions, starting with the members of the Climate Summit...