In May 2019, The Ohio State University and Washington University in St. Louis teamed up to consider the American Midwest region’s contribution to climate change more deeply, expected climate impacts to the region, and the role higher education institutions within the region could play in developing regionally appropriate actions for climate resilience and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions generated within the region.
With the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ American Cities Climate Challenge program, Ohio State and Washington University founded the Midwest Climate Summit and began recruiting additional institutions throughout the region to join the effort, envisioning a carbon neutral, climate resilient, and interconnected Midwest region. That initial effort led to the Midwest Climate Collaborative, which now includes over 75 members, including higher education institutions, municipalities, non-profit and private sector entities – all seeking to develop climate solutions within the region.
As part of its programming, the Collaborative organizes the now annual Midwest Climate Summit, convening researchers, practitioners, and students from throughout the region to learn from each other, present new research, benchmark successful programs, and form new relationships for future collaboration.
Since the initial Summit in fall 2020, Ohio State has provided meaningful staff and student participation to the event every year – from serving on the event’s planning committee, to conducting program presentations, to winning awards presented at the Summit.
Earlier this year, the Sustainability Institute sponsored three Ohio State students to attend and present at the 2024 Midwest Climate Summit.
In their own words, here are brief reflections about the 2024 Summit experience from those student attendees:
Treg Sibert, first year undergraduate student
Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability major / City and Regional Planning minor
SUSTAINS Living-Learning Community member
I am extremely grateful to have had the chance to attend MWCS 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. This opportunity provided much more than I had imagined, offering numerous chances to connect with professionals in climate change advocacy, policy, and related fields. I learned that sustainability and climate change issues are very expansive, and a vast number of sectors exist to address these problems in our region. I realized during this conference that my work as a student engaging in small-scale sustainability initiatives on a college campus does have an impact and is part of a larger network of passionate individuals in the Midwest and around the globe. I had the opportunity to explain my work to others facing similar challenges, participating in constructive dialogues about refining strategies to mitigate human effects on the environment and climate change, involving both youth leaders and seasoned professionals. Through various workshops, compelling speakers, Q&A panels, and small-group casual conversations, I gained immense insight into the importance of sustainability work and our broader impacts as leaders. I now have access to a network of individuals that I can use as a helpful resource for future projects and career interests.
My absolute favorite part of this conference was being able to ask a panel of climate leaders, from smaller initiative organizers to regional green planners, about their experiences and perspectives on the same issue from different scopes. This event made it apparent that regardless of the scale of an individual's contribution toward sustainable futures, all efforts are interconnected and are essential to the broader picture.
Sage Chesser, second year undergraduate student
English major / Spanish minor
SUSTAINS Living-Learning Community member
Attending the Midwest Climate Summit in Indianapolis allowed me to see where myself, my major, and my future fit into the sustainability conversation—I quickly found what I was drawn to during the workshops and what topics I wanted to learn about the most, and starting that discovery early makes a big difference. Therefore, I learned a lot about myself and my interests while meeting other students and professionals who have the same mindset and many creative ideas. Communication and education in climate change are a necessity in every conversation, and my knowledge of rhetoric from my English classes applied to what we discussed at the summit which felt practical and intentional. Not only did I have a wonderful time making memories with the fellow Ohio State students I went with, but I socialized and networked for three days to help me understand the lingo and professional expectations at a conference, even exchanging helpful contact information for the future. It also makes it easier and more exciting to attend conferences now knowing what to expect.
While there, we got the chance to present to a group of summit attendees about student involvement in sustainable programs on our campus, a truly rewarding experience to start conversations and present about Ohio State in front of others. For me, none of this would have been possible without joining SUSTAINS, a living-learning community of like-minded individuals. This is where I dipped my toes in sustainability, made friends, found comfort and support in our program manager, Elizabeth Quigley, and was presented with development opportunities and new information every week in my email. Having someone you trust able to guide you through a conference for the first time heightens the experience. Even though I transitioned back to Ohio State’s Newark campus and wasn’t as close to the living-learning community, I still felt involved and welcomed to a space that embarked on the opportunities I desired. I was very proud to attend a professional conference and to walk away with confidence and hope in my passion for sustainability.
Claire Huffman, fourth year undergraduate student
Environmental Policy and Decision Making major
I had the pleasure of attending the Midwest Climate Summit two years in a row! While similar programs, my experience was very different in Indianapolis. This was due to my preparation of networking skills and workshops that were more geared toward my interests. Prior to the Midwest Climate Summit in Saint Louis in 2023, I had little experience networking with professionals. While the Environmental Professional Network provided me some guidance, working alongside professionals in workshops is another experience. Problem solving and collaborating with one another can give deeper conversations into another's profession that is not possible in another environment.
This year in Indianapolis I also really enjoyed my experience in my workshops. There was more focus on climate communication that brought in real experts like Climate Central, Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, and the Saint Louis Zoo. Each professional had very different backgrounds and perspectives that really showed the numerous avenues of careers in such a niche topic.
Saving my favorite experience for last, was being able to have a one-on-one student conversation with the keynote speaker, Leah Thomas. This was such a special conservation for us students because we were able to learn from someone who was in a similar position. Knowing her impact, it was so satisfying to hear that she too gets overwhelmed by environmental and justice problems and it was okay to save space for self care.
Very sad that I will graduate before the next Midwest Climate Summit because it is such a fun and educational experience that I will always cherish.