Second Nature Launches “Unify for Climate” to Align Higher Education Around Scalable Climate Solutions
A next-generation call to action to unify higher education’s diverse strengths for climate solutions at scale
Cambridge, MA ( March 31, 2026 ) — At a time when higher education faces mounting pressure—and the climate crisis demands faster, more coordinated action—Second Nature launched Unify for Climate, a sector-wide call to action to align colleges and universities around climate solutions with measurable societal impact, at the 2026 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit earlier this month.
The initiative was unveiled at the Summit in Chicago, where leaders from community colleges, research universities, HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, and other institutions gathered to chart the next phase of action for higher education’s climate leadership.
Unify for Climate represents a strategic shift from individual institutional efforts toward coordinated, sector-wide progress—designed to make climate action more visible, comparable, and scalable across higher education.
“Right now, when distrust is being manufactured and higher education is under coordinated attack, unification is not just a nice idea—it’s a strategic necessity,” said Tim Carter, President of Second Nature. “Unification isn’t uniformity. It’s recognizing that every institution—regardless of type, geography, or role—has a distinct contribution to make. A community college brings something a research university can’t. A rural institution sees what an urban one might miss. That diversity is our strength.”
“Unify for Climate is how we organize around that truth,” Carter added. “It’s about aligning our efforts so institutions can move faster individually, while demonstrating what higher education can achieve together at the scale this moment demands.”
Built on more than 20 years of sector leadership through the Climate Leadership Commitments, Unify for Climate introduces a next-generation framework to accelerate progress across higher education. The initiative is powered by:
- Updated, science-aligned climate guidance to make progress easier to track, compare, and communicate
- A new climate milestones program designed to integrate with existing institutional commitments without adding reporting burden
- Expanded pathways for institutions to engage based on their unique strengths, missions, and community contexts
Together, these elements are designed to reduce barriers to climate leadership while increasing the clarity, credibility, and collective impact of institutional action.
“Second Nature is helping higher education speak and act with greater coherence—linking campus efforts, community partnerships, and sector priorities so climate leadership becomes clearer, stronger, and easier to scale,” said Justin Schwartz, Chancellor of the University of Colorado, Boulder.
“By leveraging distinct institutional strengths across different types of colleges within a geographical region, Second Nature can help create a dynamic ecosystem for scaling climate solutions,” said Cynthia Larive, Chancellor of the University of California, Santa Cruz.
“This approach is valuable because it is not aspirational—it is an operating model,” said Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University. “Second Nature is translating sector-wide insight into actionable, unified pathways that help institutions move from ambition to measurable results, while amplifying collective impact.”
“This moment calls for unified climate action. Second Nature is strengthening the connective tissue that helps climate solutions spread across institutions and reinforces higher education’s ability to deliver public value at scale,” said Joanie Mahoney, President, State University of New York – College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
“The Unification Imperative combines two strengths of higher education,” said David Nelson, President, Catawba College. “Meeting one of the critical needs facing the communities in which we live and work, and by doing so learning and working together for the common good.”
Jonathan Koppell, President, Montclair State University also said, “Institutions of higher education have the resources and capabilities to address society’s greatest challenges, including climate change. Colleges and universities are already doing incredible work, but it is too often fragmented, lessening potential impact.
The only way forward is together. The Unification Imperative brings coherence and momentum, connecting efforts that are siloed so we can learn faster, invest smarter and advance societal climate goals together. By working in close collaboration, institutions can merge innovation, uplifting one another rather than working on iterative projects concurrently.
Second Nature’s efforts will help higher education advance for the betterment of not only our students engaged in hands-on learning, but the many communities we are a part of.”
The launch comes as institutions face increasing expectations to deliver climate solutions that extend beyond campus boundaries. Unify for Climate broadens what climate leadership looks like through higher education, creating meaningful contributions in communities and maintaining high standards for progress. The initiative is designed so each institution can lead in ways that reflect its distinct mission, context, and strengths, while contributing to a shared, sector-wide effort.
Institutions can engage immediately by aligning their climate leadership efforts with Unify for Climate guidance and milestones, with additional support and recognition available by becoming a member of Second Nature.
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- Reprinted from Second Nature's website
