MANHATTAN (NEW YORK): At the NYC Green School Conference, Dr. James Shope, Assistant Extension Specialist in Climate Services at Rutgers University, highlighted New Jersey’s multi-university initiatives to advance climate education.
Speaking during the session “Regional Climate Education Initiatives – Lessons from State-Level Innovation,” Shope shared insights into how state-level collaboration can strengthen student learning about climate change.
He explained, “The grant that funds this initiative is called Expanding Access to Climate Change in New Jersey Student Learning through Climate Change Learning Collaborative. Four universities across New Jersey participate, each serving a specific region and set of counties. While each university operates independently, together we support climate change education across the state.”
Shope emphasized that the program leverages diverse expertise from multiple disciplines, showing that climate education is not limited to university researchers alone. “We represent a swath of different expertise relevant to climate change, which allows us to provide students with comprehensive learning experiences,” he said.
The session illustrated how regional collaborations among universities can serve as local climate hubs, connecting education, research, and community engagement.
Panelists explored strategies for scaling initiatives from the ground up, reinforcing the critical role of regional ecosystems in achieving national and global climate goals.
Through these discussions, Shope and fellow educators underscored the value of integrating interdisciplinary knowledge into climate education, preparing students to engage thoughtfully with environmental challenges.
