Climate

There are many ways to engage with issues related to climate change, both on campus and in the greater Richmond community. Whether it's advocating for cleaner energy, supporting sustainability initiatives on campus, or learning about climate change modeling in class, we hope that this page helps you find opportunities to learn and contribute to a greener, more sustainable Earth.

Photo: Mark Buckawicki

  • Campus Connection

    There are currently no campus groups working specifically on climate issues. If you would like to start one, click here to learn more about starting a student organization! You can also check out the many sustainability organizations on Office of Sustainability’s Get Involved page.

  • Learn

    Here are some resources and classes that dive deeper into the issues surrounding climate:

    • ENVR 322 The Global Impact of Climate Change: Rapid climate change is causing an increase in the temperature of the atmosphere and oceans. This is a truly global problem that requires international research and collaboration to resolve. The aim of this course is to introduce students to the global environmental impact of anthropogenic climate change, and to challenge students to think about the possible impact of the way we live in the USA on poor, marginalized and at risk communities around the world.
    • GEOG/IS 210 Geographic Dimesions of Human Development: Introduction to geographic approaches to study of cultural, societal, economic, political, and environmental change. Topics include: spatial analysis techniques and theories; population distributions and migration; cultural geographies; global economic development and its distribution; urbanization; political geography; and human-environment relations.
    • ENVR 269/PHIL 269 Topics in Environmental Ethics: Introduces students to the moral issues and ethical approaches that characterize interaction with our natural environment. Topics will vary but will typically include issues such as our moral obligation to nonhuman species and to future human generations, and ethical analysis of contemporary environmental issues such as climate change and species extinction.
    • PPEL 261 PPEL Seminar in Theory and Public Policy: Aims to bring into contact and conflict various normative theories developed by philosophers, political scientists, and economists - that is, their different accounts of what makes acts right, outcomes good, or societies just - with significant attention paid to the implications these theories have for some issue of public policy such as climate change healthcare reform, or global poverty reduction.

    For more information about the different ways to study climate at UR, please contact Dr. David Kitchen at dkitchen@richmond.edu.

  • Community Action

    Want to get a more hands-on experience? Here are some organizations and groups that are actively working on these issues and with which you can engage!

    • Sierra Club: The Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club is 15,000 members strong. Every day, dozens of volunteers are taking action with the Sierra Club in Virginia. From speaking out for a cleaner environment, to exploring every nook and cranny of our beautiful Commonwealth, we think globally and act locally.
    • Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN): CCAN is the first grassroots, nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to fighting global warming in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Their mission is to build and mobilize a powerful grassroots movement in this unique region that surrounds our nation’s capital to call for state, national and international policies that will put us on a path to climate stability.
    • City of Richmond Office of Sustainability: City of Richmond Sustainability Office is working to meet the current environmental, social and economic needs of the Richmond community without compromising the ability of future generations to meet those same needs. Part of their mission is to emphasize and promote sustainability among Richmond residents, families, and businesses in order to make the community more viable and attractive.