Climate Resilience

Dickinson Climate Resilience Working Group Seeking Support

We have engaged the Dickinson community in reviewing recommendations for next steps for building climate resilience at Dickinson College. Our Climate Resilience Working Group put forth reccommendations to college governance in Fall 2026 and is seeking support for advancing this work. The climate solutions herein will require planning and collaboration from all divisions of the college. As we enter the implementation phase, guided by the Sustainability Subcommittee of the Resource Planning Committee, we continue to seek help in shaping the future of sustainability at Dickinson. Please consider joining other faculty, staff and students in further developing the climate resilience recommendations, finding ways to contribute to priorities, and advancing this work across the college.

• Review the LATEST CLIMATE RESILIENCE ACTION FRAMEWORK from October 2026
• Stay up to date by checking this webpage periodically for progress updates
• Contact sustainability@dickinson.edu to be added to resilience updates or committee work
• Connect recommendations to other plans, projects and committee work at Dickinson

Acting to reduce risks in the climate crisis requires deep cuts in heat-trapping emissions of greenhouse gas pollutants. It also requires adapting and building resilience to the changing climate. Dickinson signed Second Nature’s Resilience Commitment in 2022, acting on a resolution passed by the Dickinson faculty and joining over 100 colleges and universities nationwide that have pledged to make our campuses and communities resilient to climate change.

In signing Second Nature’s Resilience Commitment, we are stepping forward as a partner and leader for climate resilience in Carlisle, Cumberland County, and the world. The resilience initiative complements and will be integrated with Dickinson’s continuing commitment to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and support emission reductions in Carlisle, Cumberland County, and elsewhere.

Since 2022, Dickinson students, faculty and staff have worked together to inform engage stakeholders, assess climate risks to the college, evaluate resilience building strategies, and develop recommendations for action. This work is highlighted in the documents and resources section. We are still moving forward.

As a signatory of the Resilience Commitment, Dickinson is:

• Engaging the Community. We have convened Dickinson, Carlisle, and Cumberland County community members to design and launch a campus-community climate resilience initiative.
• Assessing Risks and Resilience. We have assessed climate risks and resilience for our campus and region.
• Investigating Options. We have investigated and prioritized options for building climate resilience.
• Planning for Action. We are developing a prioritized plan for action factoring in resources and assigning responsibilities.
• Re-Engaging the Community. Our students, faculty and staff will be able to provide input to planning and priorities.
• Act and Implement. We will begin implementation of the action plan across the college and the community.

Dickinson students, along with faculty & staff, will participate in all these activities, building their capacities to support climate action on campus, in communities, and in their future workplaces.

What is climate resilience?

The capacity to prevent, limit, and recover from impacts of the changing climate and adapt to flourish in an uncertain future.

What are some examples of actions to build resilience?

• Improve stormwater management
• Improve planning to reduce risks from natural hazards
• Provide more shade and green spaces
• Build social capital that connects people and organizations for effective action
• Provide equitable access for all to good jobs, health care, quality housing, nutritious food, clean water, clean air, and green spaces.

Source: U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit, Steps to Resilience