Between Oct. 14 and Oct. 18, the Penn community gathered for a series of events highlighting the dangers of climate change and encouraging people to take action to create a more sustainable future. From the Penn Farm to College Green, dozens of students, faculty, and climate activists led discussions, tours, and other activities for Climate Week. This year’s theme was “Climate Solutions,” and many of the events focused on helping people find their place in the climate movement.

Oct. 14

For Climate Week’s signature “1.5* Minute Climate Lectures,” 11 undergraduate and graduate students presented speeches on a variety of environmental topics, from research to lived experiences. College sophomore Chenyao Liu, a Daily Pennsylvanian staffer and an intern for Penn Environmental Innovations Initiative, helped to organize the event. 

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 Oct. 15

Professor of Germanic Studies Simon Richter led a panel discussion with German climate activists Luisa Neubauer and Helena Marschall in Houston Hall. Neubauer gained prominence with her leadership in the Fridays for Future movement — encouraging students to strike from school to raise awareness about climate change. 

 Oct. 16

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Eight Wharton professors from various departments each presented five-minute lectures on research at the intersection of business and climate. Topics ranged from homeowner insurance rates in risk-prone areas and the integration of residential solar panels to reduce energy insecurity, to how companies can achieve net-zero emissions while remaining profitable.

Oct. 17

At a flagship event for Climate Week, professors and researchers from multiple schools at Penn gathered in a tent on College Green. Speakers presented innovative technologies, projects, and designs which are created to limit the impact of human activities on the environment and create a more climate-resilient future. 

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 Oct. 18

The University Board of Trustees Chair Ramanan Raghavendran and Philosophy professor Michael Weisberg participated in a “fireside chat” about climate change. Shortly after beginning, the session was briefly interrupted by activists from Climate Defiance. After the protesters were escorted out, the discussion continued as Raghavendran and Weisberg discussed what students should value when taking climate action and the roles of both students and universities in creating a sustainable future.

At Penn Farm, participants in a tour learned about sustainable agriculture and land sovereignty by participating in group discussions and learning about the history of food production in the U.S. and around the world. The site has been growing pesticide-free produce and distributing it to members of the Penn and Philadelphia communities since 2019. 

In accordance with this year’s Climate Week theme, many events focused on different practices students can adopt today in order to create a better tomorrow. Across over 50 activities, lectures, and tours, presenters spotlighted the importance of climate action.