Yale alumni from across the country and around the world joined scholars, students, University affiliates, and thought leaders for Yale @ Climate Week NYC, organized and hosted by Yale Planetary Solutions.
The two-day summit, held at the Yale Club of New York City, consisted of multiple panels, discussions, and programs, ranging from Co-Drivers for the Implementation and Scaling of Climate Solutions to International Trade and Climate Change: From Challenges to Alignment Opportunity to Strategies that Optimize for Climate Risk Realities: Case Studies in Banking and Insurance.
According to Sara Smiley Smith ’07 MESc/MPH, ’16 PhD, assistant provost for Yale Planetary Solutions, the summit seeks to offer attendees new and novel ways to think about and consider solutions for the world’s most pressing environmental issues, both on a collective and individual basis.
“It may be that they were inspired to think about ways they could shift practices in their own workplace, that they identified new potential collaborators they hadn’t known about before, or that they learned of different fields of knowledge that could contribute to the efforts they are championing.”
Smiley Smith shared her optimism on advances being made in devising and working toward those solutions.
“As we discuss difficult realities, and wicked problems, we see new connections being made and nascent solutions launching that can have great impact,” she said. “To maintain the optimism needed for this important work, it is critical that we nurture these communities of problem solvers and support this creative and difficult work.”
She noted the ongoing progress happening across campus in sustainability.
“We are excited about new projects underway this year, from expanding impact potential to cultivating our doctoral fellow cohort,” she said, adding that alumni can contribute much to bolster Yale’s sustainability efforts. “And we will work to ensure that our great alumni community is kept informed!”
Among the summit participants were leaders and representatives of Yale Blue Green (YBG), an alumni shared interest group that serves as a hub for thought leadership, collaborative action, lifelong learning, and social impact on matters relating to the environment and sustainability.
Bob Smith ’75, a retired attorney and YBG co-vice chair, who organized and moderated the summit panel session on The Electric Grid: Challenges and Opportunities, emphasized the significance of such gatherings in bringing together people for a shared purpose.
“Those who attended will have left with a heightened appreciation for the challenges we face in trying to achieve sustainability and gratitude for all those who dedicate their careers to the crafting of technological and policy solutions,” he said. “Yale alumni, in particular, should take great pride in the fact that Yale and its faculty across many disciplines are taking a leading role in these efforts.”
Smith voiced his strong support of Yale Blue Green’s involvement in the summit and other events during Climate Week NYC.
“Yale Blue Green has proudly contributed to Yale @ Climate Week NYC since it began several years ago,” he said. “We are blessed to be able to draw on a membership that includes educators, scientists, lawyers, corporate sustainability officers, community activists, architects and artists, all working together to advance the goal of sustainability at Yale and beyond.”
Martin Man ’19 M.Arch, who is chair of the YBG-London chapter and works at the intersection of urban innovation and climate tech, echoed sentiments that Yale and other universities play an increasingly important role in the environmental space.
“The current political climate in the US can paint a grim picture but it further highlights the need for institutions like Yale to step up and take up the slack so that crucial work on climate can continue,” he said. “I hope alumni attendees appreciate the wide breadth of work by Yale researchers and alumni who are addressing sustainability and climate issues from all angles.”
Man noted that Yale Blue Green serves as a robust convener in engaging and galvanizing the alumni community—a prime reason for his voluntarism as a regional YBG leader.
“What I appreciate most is being able to bring together alumni over our shared interest and concern over climate issues,” he said. “It’s been rewarding to see alumni meet at Yale Blue Green events and go on to become friends, help each other with projects or jobs, and support each other in many ways.”
Amber Garrard, director of the Yale Office of Sustainability, highlighted the importance of the summit in raising awareness and understanding of the progress and strides on campus toward becoming a more sustainable institution.
“I hope attendees left with a better sense of how Yale is advancing sustainability on campus and beyond and are optimistic that we’re not afraid to engage in tough conversations in pursuit of tangible solutions,” she said. “Our faculty, staff, students are inspired and undaunted by the challenges ahead. And, as was demonstrated at the event, our graduates are out in the world leading change in meaningful ways to address the climate and biodiversity crises and build stronger communities.”
Garrard enthusiastically encouraged alumni to wade in with their thoughts, ideas, and insights to support and amplify Yale’s efforts.
“Share your thoughts with us! We want to know what you’re passionate about, what creative solutions you think Yale should explore, and where you think Yale can best leverage its impact,” she said. “We are stronger and more effective when we can work together, as a community, to leverage our strengths and our spheres of influence.”
