The Planet’s College

“We are for the green hills, rivers, lakes, snow valleys, and all the places that have shaped and held us.”

Initiative Seven: The Planet’s College

We are going to:

1. Develop a comprehensive new climate action and resilience plan building on Energy2028. Through Energy2028, Middlebury has made significant progress in the transition to renewable energy. Continuing this essential work beyond 2028 requires a comprehensive climate action plan aligned with operations, capital planning, facilities, dining, transportation, and technology. We will update this plan every five years in response to evolving developments in science and technology.
    
2. Support faculty in strengthening climate and energy education across the curriculum and engage Middlebury’s local and global networks for climate solutions, community partnerships, and policy and technology innovations. Integrating climate and energy issues into Middlebury’s educational mission is a key commitment of Energy2028 and will continue as part of our next climate action plan. We must ensure that faculty have the resources—including time and funds—to develop climate-centered courses and partnerships for experiential learning with a meaningful impact in our extended communities.
    
3. Explore a reimagined School of the Environment as a School of Climate Solutions for students and working professionals integrating science and technology to inform effective climate policy and implementation. We envision potentially transforming the School of the Environment into a School of Climate Solutions that will focus on teaching our undergraduate students and working professionals to develop science- and technology-informed climate policy, innovations, and actions.