Second Nature is committed to accelerating climate action in and through higher education by mobilizing a diverse array of institutions to act on bold climate commitments, scale campus climate initiatives, and create innovative climate solutions. The organization aligns, amplifies, and bridges the sector’s efforts with other global leaders to advance urgent climate priorities. Second Nature envisions all of humanity thriving through a healthy relationship with the planet, with higher education nurturing this future by applying its distinct strengths in teaching, research, and service toward society’s greater good—and Second Nature serving as a critical driver for leaders who commit to this responsibility.
Why It Matters: Higher education institutions possess unique leverage for climate action—they educate future leaders, conduct essential research, manage significant campus operations, and serve as anchor institutions in their communities—yet this potential requires coordination and bold commitments to realize. By mobilizing colleges and universities to act on climate commitments while connecting their efforts with global leaders, Second Nature transforms isolated campus initiatives into a collective movement with amplified impact. The focus on higher education recognizes that teaching, research, and service are not separate from climate solutions but essential infrastructure for creating them, making universities laboratories for the innovations and leaders a thriving future requires.
