Tag: Hunt Institute

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STEM Up Phase 1: Empowering Engineering for Rural STEM Access

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STEM Up Phase 1: Empowering Engineering for Rural STEM AccessThe video above is from SMU’s Giving Day in 2019 when the Hunt Institute’s project focused on the idea of bringing STEM education resources to rural communities. With motivation from personal experience, Cydney Snyder researched the potential of developing STEM camps in rural areas.

STEM Up Phase I: Empowering Engineering for Rural STEM Access focused on place-based education, specifically targeting rural schools that do not have the same support for STEM initiatives as many urban schools do.

The result of Ms. Snyder’s work was a report titled STEM UP: STEM for Rural Communities that proposed the use of place-based education to teach students about STEM in a summer camp setting. In the summer of 2019, STEM Up took on a different shape. After attempts to connect with camps in rural communities, the problem became clear – a growing number of rural areas did not have the resources to support summer camps.

With this revelation, the Institute partnered with the Caruth Center for Engineering Education to implement a STEM Up project, Evie-in-a-Box, with Caruth’s summer campers to test the interest level of the students. It was a huge success. The Institute made an open-sourced how-to video with a PDF containing instructions and dimensions for the project. All supplies are available at a typical hardware store or through Amazon.

In the summer of 2020, due to the global pandemic, summer camps were held virtually. As a result, the Caruth Center used the kits for remote camps, testing the true capabilities of the kits. Similar to the previous year, campers reported the kits being one of their favorite activities.

Snyder said, “Once when jokingly describing how I could see cows grazing outside the window of my US History class, a peer asked me, ‘if you came from a place like that, why are you normal?’ This project is important because millions of students grow up in rural communities and believe that their community is not good enough.”

Snyder’s concluding remarks in her paper sum up the spirit of Phase 1, “In development, growth is seen as an indicator of progress which leads to a lack of understanding of places that choose and rejoice in staying small. When students have to leave their communities in order to find more educational opportunities, they are not taught about subjects that relate to their experiences and their communities. Furthermore, when students leave their communities, they quickly find that people think of small rural communities as lesser. As a result, these students learn to reject small-town values and traditions, deny the good parts of their upbringing, and repress those aspects of their background that make them feel [like the] “other.” This camp, and in general the movement of place-based education, can provide students with a new narrative of what it means to be from rural areas while also giving them the opportunity to have a more well-rounded and adequate STEM education.”

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.

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Innovation in Tintinto, The Gambia

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Janta Pilot project, Global Development lab, The Gambia, rich with natural resources for clean energy
Janta’s pilot project in Tintinto Village, The Gambia in West Africa. The Gambia is rich with natural resources for clean energy.

As the world continues to brace for the unknown while fighting the global pandemic, schools remain closed or partially open all around the world. To make matters worse, in The Gambia, a West African country surrounded by Senegal, just 48% of people have moderate, yet sometimes unreliable, access to electricity (typically in urban areas) and the remaining 52% have no access (typically remote rural areas). For children in rural areas, virtual learning as we define it in the United States is not possible, causing the children to fall behind in their studies during COVID-19 shutdowns.

The Tintinto Primary and Secondary school, founded in 2009, has 936 students enrolled. In December of 2019, they agreed to be a beta test site for Janta’s pilot project, a project designed to bring clean reliable energy to The Gambia. The project was funded by a partnership with the Hunt Institute’s Global Development Lab and the Hart Center for Engineering Leadership.

In January of 2020, a team installed five 330-watt 24-volt solar panels, two 250 amp 12-volt solar batteries, and a 50 amp solar charge controller to power four classrooms and a staff room. The pilot is designed to test the panel’s effectiveness as a solution to bring electrical connections for lights, fans, and eventually computers. All supplies and labor were sourced locally, supporting the local economy.

Shortly after the solar panels were installed, the pandemic made its way to The Gambia. Fortunately for the students in the village of Tintinto, their teachers are innovative. Although they were unable to connect with students through virtual platforms because students do not have laptops or computers at home, nor do they have electricity or the internet. But, they do have cell phones.

Principal Amadou Kinteh spoke of his teachers’ innovation, “Most teachers used their mobile phone, charged them, and tried to create a platform to help the students because face-to-face learning was impossible. But with solar power, they were able to charge their mobile phones. Those platforms [cell phones] helped the students very well. In other schools, students were at home doing nothing, but our teachers … [created their own] online teaching.” This significant effort is a testimony to both the resilience of the people of The Gambia and the indomitable spirit of the teachers in demonstrating their love for their students.

In October, the students were allowed to return to their classrooms and are working hard to catch up with their peers in urban areas. Although the entire school is not powered yet, there are plans to do so. Mohammed Njie, the founder of Janta, explains, “As a pilot project, we were limited to installing a limited amount of panels. We used those panels to provide 100% energy for half of the school. The idea was that after we did a successful pilot project, then we will install more panels to extend the power to the other side of the school.”

Principal Kinteh talked about how the night classes are helping the students to catch up in their studies, “…we benefited from night classes, as children living near or in the village were assisted by the teachers during the night because electricity is now available and the place is quiet, so children would come and read and they would be assisted by the teachers. This has helped our students a lot. They performed extremely well in the grade 9 examinations.”

Njie has been in communication with Principal Kinteh, and both are pleased with the results. Together, they are looking forward to future panel installations, which will expand solar energy access to the rest of the classes. Once that is completed, they will advance to the next phase – STEM Up X Janta Ed.

Mohammed Njie and Manuela Murillo Sanchez were contributors to this blog post. Sam Borton edited and revised this post. Thank you for sharing our post and spreading the word about the work we do in the Hunt Institute’s Global Development Lab.

To read more about Hunter & Stephanie Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate to the work, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.

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Article Summary: Conquering the Great Divide

Article Summary: Conquering the Great Divide

In the Fall 2020 issue of the International Monetary Fund’s Finance & Development journal, Joseph Stiglitz, Columbia University professor and Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences recipient, wrote an opinion piece titled, “Conquering the Great Divide”. In it, Stiglitz shares that the pandemic has exposed and exacerbated the gap between the rich and the poor.

Even prior to the pandemic, Stiglitz had written about inequality in America. His 2016 book, “The Great Divide”, diagnoses what he believes are the causes of this inequity and suggests ways that the U.S. can create a more equal society, one where everyone prospers. Now, Stiglitz persists that the “great divide” has only widened, as COVID-19 has disproportionately affected the poor. He goes on to conclude that, unless action is taken now, inequality will continue on this upward trend.

Stiglitz proposes various solutions to this issue. First, he suggests that we must accelerate upskilling as the job market shifts towards automation. Second, he argues that we need to rewrite the rules of the economy. This includes monetary policies that emphasize low unemployment across all groups, corporate governance laws that focus on providing value for all stakeholders, and globalization rules that protect workers and the environment.

Just as the pandemic has shown the extent of the “great divide” within countries, it has also exposed the vast inequality across countries. Those countries with lesser developed economies have disproportionately been affected by the pandemic, as they have poorer health conditions and less prepared health systems. Moreover, they do not have the necessary resources to respond to the economic aftermath. Thus, Stiglitz calls on the more developed countries to provide assistance to the developing countries in order to expedite the economic recovery process. Specifically, he suggests the use of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs).

Stiglitz maintains that equality is crucial for a growing and stable global economy, and we must adapt our policies and actions to deal with the long-lasting implications of the pandemic.

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.

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Counting Our Breakthroughs

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October is over and November is upon us. Our team at the Hunt Institute continues to push through the normal stress of a college semester, project delays, and constant challenges that seem to pop up out of nowhere – not to mention a historic presidential election and the news of surges in COVID-19 globally.

We choose to count our breakthroughs.

Most students at SMU have completed their midterms, officially marking our halfway point for the semester. With approximately seven weeks to go in this semester, here are some of our breakthroughs. In the Global Development Lab, we have seen projects take off and pick up momentum while others stalled and have been put on hold. Through it all, we have been able to produce several deliverables including The Resilient Shelter Project finalizing their report Seeking Low-Cost Seismic Protection for Urban Masonry in an Unstable Terrain, the Moments that Matter project continuing to host Virtual National Focus Groups in partnership with the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center over the Fall semester, and The Kijiji Project producing their report Building Bridges to Build Connections. 

More deliverables are in the making right now, as we continue to find creative ways to work around delays and learn as we go. The Institute’s Assistant Director says about the strength of the team members, “Even more than the pride I feel in our finished work, I have so much pride in our team members. It is hard enough to navigate college, then add working for an Institute that is producing work that is impactful in people’s lives — that is a different level of strength of character. I am very proud of our team, watching them set aside fear and embrace potential.” One example is Sam Borton who is a third-year student. He joined the Institute in January of 2020. He quickly rose to a leadership position, as he naturally reached out to help his teammates over the adjustment period. He co-leads the researcher team and consistently supports the communications team with editing. Borton says, “The research team has faced numerous challenges due to the pandemic —stalled lab research, cancelled travel plans, and staying connected while virtual— but I am proud of each researcher’s resilience to stay productive even while facing challenges out of our control.”

One team has risen to the challenge to keep everyone connected both internally and externally, the communications team. Cullen Blanchfield is the communications team lead and a senior student with a passion for videography. He has been with the Institute since he was a freshman, filming and editing visual content. He was in his study abroad semester when the pandemic hit, resulting in his return to the states, after which he immediately jumped back into working with the Institute to further our mission. He has driven the team to new consistency over the summer months, working with and celebrating the contributions of each team member along with working towards including more visual content via social media and our weekly update. He speaks to the challenges his team continues to push through, “The communications team has had to pivot our internal workflow and adjust our content due to the pandemic, but we’ve stayed very productive and grown tremendously.”

Rachel Levitt is an MBA candidate in marketing at the Cox School of Business. She is the lead for the Social Enterprise and has helped three social entrepreneurs with their business plans by developing business models depending on each person’s need and value proposition. Levitt has written nineteen blog posts during her time at the Institute that started in May 2020. Rachel speaks to her challenges in running the social enterprise, “The social enterprise team has had to postpone on-boarding a new cohort of social entrepreneurs. However, it has given us the opportunity to focus on educating the public about the importance of social entrepreneurship, especially during these trying times.”

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.

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Dallas’ Comprehensive Environmental & Climate Action Plan (CECAP)

Dallas' CECAP

Five months ago, on May 27, 2020, the Dallas City Council unanimously passed the Comprehensive Environmental & Climate Action Plan (CECAP) to outline a plan for addressing environmental issues here in Dallas.

According to the World Bank, in 2015, Texas emitted a total of 626,500,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, the most of any state in the country. The city of Dallas alone contributed to about 3% of those emissions, releasing 19,529,600 metric tons of carbon dioxide. Dallas’ greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mainly come from buildings and energy (64%) and transportation (35%).

If no action is taken, Dallas is expected to experience increasingly severe weather, including hotter temperatures and severe droughts in the summers, and colder, wetter winters. The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas cites that this increased weather variability will negatively impact our food system and water supply. Additionally, the Dallas Fed states that climate change is likely to have significant economic implications in the long term.

Despite the U.S. backing out of the Paris Agreement, Dallas, along with 466 other cities, committed to upholding the agreement’s goal of reaching carbon net neutrality by 2050 in order to limit the level of global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius or less. The CECAP proposes 97 actions that the city can take in order to reach this goal. The actions are organized into 8 sectors – buildings, energy, transportation, waste, water, ecosystems, food & agriculture, and air quality. Some actions include: updating the city’s building code to support solar-ready construction and transitioning the city’s buses to be 100% electric.

In addition to defining actions the city will take, the plan suggests what residents and businesses can do to help the city reach its goals in each of the 8 areas. For example, did you know you can recycle electronics such as computers, TVs, printers, etc.? To find out which items can be recycled and where, check out the Dallas Electronic Recycling Program. Another suggestion is for businesses and individuals to volunteer their time with Texas Trees Foundation to plant trees in order to help keep our community cool.

Pharr Andrews, Senior Climate Coordinator at the City of Dallas, says that the city’s focus for the first year of implementation is around capacity building. “The city cannot achieve these goals on our own. We need businesses and the community to join us in making this plan a success.”

To read more about the city’s plan to address climate change and what you can do to help combat its effects, see the full CECAP here.

 To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.

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Social Entrepreneurs Critical to COVID-19 Response

Social Entrepreneurs Toolbox of Resources

Communities across the world are facing numerous challenges today, from racial injustice to climate change to economic inequality and, of course, the coronavirus. Do you have a sustainable idea that can address one of these issues? Why not start a social enterprise – an organization that uses business methods to achieve a social or environmental mission?

Social entrepreneurs are crucial to solving some of society’s most pressing issues. As Schwab and Milligan of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship explain in their article, “What is a social entrepreneur?”, social entrepreneurs are innovative, open to learning, and driven by values. These characteristics uniquely position social entrepreneurs to address the challenges we are facing today. In fact, Kyle Westaway, Harvard Law School lecturer and contributor to Forbes among other publications, tweeted a month ago on September 16, 2020 that, “We need social entrepreneurs now more than ever.”

However, as we discussed in a previous blog post, social entrepreneurs face momentous obstacles, especially in the early stages of starting their enterprises. With this in mind, the World Economic Forum created the COVID Response Alliance for Social Entrepreneurs. The goal of the alliance is to “raise awareness of the vital role these front-line entrepreneurs play and to mobilize greater support for them.”

Additionally, the Inclusive Economy Consortium, a interdisciplinary network of diverse stakeholders dedicated to creating a climate-smart, inclusive economy, in partnership with the Hunt Institute’s Social Enterprise Program, has put together a toolbox of resources to support social entrepreneurs in starting and scaling their enterprises. The toolbox has links that can assist social entrepreneurs with creating a business plan, getting access to funding, or obtaining legal advice.

The Hunt Institute recognizes the importance of social entrepreneurs and seeks to support their efforts. If you are a current or aspiring social entrepreneur, check out the toolbox and let us know in the comments what resources you find helpful. If you know of any other useful resources, please share as well.

To learn more about the Social Enterprise Program, visit smu.edu/socialenterprise. For more case studies and examples, stay tuned to the Hunt Institute Digest.

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.

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Improving Engagement with Veteran Women Entrepreneurs

Improving Engagement with Veteran Women Entrepreneurs

The Hunt Institute’s Global Development Lab project with the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center (VWEC) in Dallas, Texas called Moments that Matter is hosting virtual focus groups with the goal to improve engagement with women veteran entrepreneurs. In order to obtain first-hand information, the project seeks to find veteran women business owners to inform the creation of a national assessment tool. The shift from in-person to online due to the COVID-19 response has resulted in an unexpected benefit – the focus group can have national representation. 

Undergraduate research analyst Scott Zuo reflects on his experience working on the project, “So far, after inputting data and transcription from the past focus groups, I realized that most of the data is really valuable and meaningful for analysis purposes. The questions are so well developed that all the responses and answers to them perfectly represent the background of each participant. And it helps a lot for us and our affiliate to find patterns and moments that matter the most from the data.”

The sessions are open to veteran women entrepreneurs who are currently in business and have owned that business for at least one year. Eligible candidates can USE THIS LINK to register for a focus group that coordinates with their schedule. Focus groups will run through the end of November 2020 and are small by design to afford a depth of conversation and feedback over the course of an hour that would not be possible with larger groups. 

In this era of COVID-19 economic disruption, real-time data-driven decisions are critical to the recovery, stabilization, and growth of small business communities that help build local economies. The tool will reflect first-hand feedback that will help chart the pivotal moments of running a business and finding the most important needs in those critical intersections. Because the groups are national, this tool will be able to study the recurring business patterns that women veteran entrepreneurs have in common and how their experiences may differ from non-veterans. The perspective provided by participants in the focus groups will inform decisions made by veteran support agencies, like the VWEC, to better provide the resources needed to overcome their challenges and contribute to their successes.

The Moments that Matter focus groups are the passion project of VR Small. She speaks to her motivation, “Why I am so determined to drive the collection and application of real-time data about women veteran entrepreneurs is because I know the impact; I know we are not just building businesses; we’re transforming lives. When we help a women veteran owner’s business succeed, we strengthen our family structures, create community resources, and fuel our nation’s economy. My personal slogan is changing the way we see the world and do business, and as a leader that’s what I strive to achieve every day.”

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.

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Restorative Farms, AHA Foodscape Innovation Finalist – Vote Now!

The Seedling Farm at MLK Community Center

We are excited to share that Restorative Farms, one of the first social entrepreneurs in the Hunt Institute’s Social Enterprise Program, has been selected as a finalist for the American Heart Association Foodscape Innovation Awards based on their meaningful work in the South Dallas community. A panel of expert judges selected the top 3 of 26 innovative leaders across the nation that are working to build a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable food system. Now, it is up to the voters to decide which of the finalists will win. Vote for Restorative Farms here, and then pass the link along to your friends and family so that they can do the same! Support Restorative Farms in expanding their impact by making sure to vote before 10/15/20! 

According to a 2017 City of Dallas report from the Office of Economic Development, “Almost 20% of the Dallas County population faces food insecurity and lacks needed fruits and vegetables in their diet.” Restorative Farms is addressing this issue by establishing a sustainable urban farming system in South Dallas.

At the core of this system is the Seedling Farm at the MLK Community Center, which offers professional advice to local growers and provides them with a reliable source of affordable seedlings. Those in the greater Dallas area can purchase seedlings from the farm through Restorative Farm’s GroBox program. All proceeds from the sales of Groboxes are reinvested back into the system, thus supporting the sustainability of the nonprofit’s efforts. Due to the popularity of their GroBoxes, Restorative Farms has been able to subsidize boxes for community members and local churches to grow fresh produce in their own backyards. Moreover, the Seedling Farm’s various initiatives have created several jobs for community members, including a seedling manager, farm manager, seedling growers, and GroBox delivery drivers.

The second phase of Restorative Farm’s multi-stage plan is the Hatcher Station Training and Community Farm, which launched in March 2020. Hatcher Farms will serve as an aggregation hub that will package and sell CSA boxes with produce from local farmers. This will provide farmers with easier access to the market and help them reap more value for their product. Restorative Farms will offer CSA boxes to community members for a reduced price, and one of their partners will provide guidance on healthy ways to cook the produce. Additionally, the Farm will act as a training ground to teach local citizens how to grow and harvest nutritious food.

Looking ahead, Dr. Owen Lynch, co-founder of Restorative Farms and a Hunt Institute Senior Fellow, says that the goal is to scale the organization by creating multiple farms in the South Dallas area, similar to Hatcher Farms, that will be a sustainable source for both jobs and local production of food.

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.

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Celebrating the 2020 UN Day Global Leadership Award Recipient, Dr. Candice Bledsoe

Candice L. Bledsoe, PhD. as the recipient of the 2020 UN Day Global Leadership Award, in the category of Sustainable Development Goal 4, Quality Education.

The Hunt Institute proudly recognizes the accomplishment of Candice L. Bledsoe, PhD. as the recipient of the 2020 UN Day Global Leadership Award, in the category of Sustainable Development Goal 4, Quality Education. This prestigious award reflects the bold, transformative work Bledsoe has done to advance the United Nations goals for sustainable development, shifting the world onto a more resilient path through quality education. UNA-USA is the largest grassroots organization dedicated to educating, inspiring, and mobilizing Americans to support the principles and vital work of the United Nations. In celebration of UN Day each year, a network of 200 Chapters across the country host events to highlight the critical role played by the UN in today’s world – even in the most challenging of situations.

The Hunt Institute’s Global Development Lab supported the Action Research Center’s Young Social Innovators & Social Entrepreneurs Program by helping to develop a young entrepreneurial toolkit called Youth Up Next primarily focused on reaching high school age entrepreneurs seeking to be change agents for social good. Cambria Lewis, Hunt Institute undergraduate research analyst, worked on this project over the Summer 2020 semester. Lewis said, “What motivates me while working on this project with Dr. Bledsoe is amplifying young people’s voices and a platform to make changes in their communities and society. Shaping youths’ mindset and building their confidence regarding business building is critical. I am happy to be a part of this project and movement.” With the assistance of the Hunt Institute’s Social Enterprise program, during the 2020 – 2021 academic year, the Action Research Center will continue to provide virtual meetings to support Young Social Innovators & Young Social Entrepreneurs.

When reflecting on the connection of her work with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals she states, “The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice. With innovation and community building we can make our world a better place.”

Bledsoe is a Faculty member at Simons School of Education & Human Development’s Graduate Liberal Studies Program, a professor at Cox School of Business, serves on the Leadership Council in the Inclusive Economy Consortium, and Fellow in the Hunt Institute. Bledsoe is the executive director of the Action Research Center, an organization designed to enhance equity in our communities. She is also the founder of the Collective, a group comprised of community leaders, writers, scholars, and entrepreneurs who share the stories of minoritized women in America.

To attend the 2020 UN Day Global Leadership virtual event on Saturday, October 24, register here.

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn,Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu

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Climate Week NYC 2020

Climate Week NYC 2020

Climate Week NYC, hosted by the Climate Group in collaboration with the United Nations and New York City, took place last week, Sept. 21-27, 2020. This year’s annual summit featured over 450 panels, workshops, art shows, and film screenings focused around 10 themes: clean energy transition; transport and infrastructure; industry and built environment; finance, investment, and jobs; food and land use; nature and science; US and international policy; youth, public mobilization and justice; sustainable travel and tourism; and climate impacts and adaptation. The event brought together more than 20 countries, including Colombia, India, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Climate Clock NYC
Climate Clock NYC, picture from climateclock.world

To kick off Climate Week, artist-activists Gan Golan and Andrew Boyd revealed the Climate Clock. Displayed on the Metronome in Union Square, the Climate Clock shows how long until Earth burns through its carbon budget based on current rates of emissions. The clock expresses the urgency with which we must take action in order to keep the Earth from reaching the 1.5 degree Celsius global warming threshold. At a level greater than 1.5 °C, the world would experience even more frequent and intense weather extremes, including droughts, rainfall, heatwaves, floods, and more. This would significantly impact our health as well as our ecosystems, water supply, and food production systems. In fact, we are already seeing the effects of climate change today with the wildfires blazing across the West Coast and the especially active 2020 Atlantic hurricane season.

Throughout the week, many new promises were made by governments across the globe. China will aim for carbon neutrality by 2060, and the European Union pledged to reach the same goal by 2050. Corporations also committed to reducing their emissions of greenhouse gases. Walmart announced it will target net-zero emissions by 2040, with Morgan Stanley aiming for the same mark by 2050, and General Mills outlined a plan to reduce food waste by 50% over the next 10 years.

In speaking to the responsibility of corporations to be a part of the solution, Maria Mendiluce, CEO of the We Mean Business coalition, said:

“Business only has a short window of time left to prepare for the zero-carbon future, so now is the time to step up. For business, climate action builds resilience, increases innovation, cuts costs and attracts investment. We are seeing companies from even the most challenging sectors taking climate action and reaping the rewards. We now need to see this new level of leadership from business across the board – increasing its level of ambition, action and advocacy to drive us forward at the pace needed.”

The We Mean Business coalition, a group of nonprofit organizations fighting climate change, issued a new guide last week outlining what corporate climate leadership looks like in the 2020s. The three main tenets, which Mendiluce eluded to in the above quote, are that business leaders must respond to the climate crisis ambitiously, deliver on their goals through action, and promote widespread change through advocacy.

To learn more about global warming and the impacts of reaching a level of warming greater than 1.5 °C, check out this Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report. Stay tuned to the Hunt Institute Digest for next week’s post about the Dallas Climate Action Plan and resources you can use to combat the effects of climate change in your own community.

To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.