Stepping Forward as Leader
Dickinson Climate Resilience Forum: An Interactive Update & Listening Workshop: What Matters Most?
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | 4:30-6:00 pm | Social Hall
Help shape the future of sustainability at Dickinson. Please consider joining this unique event to hear the latest updates on Dickinson’s plans for climate resilience (faculty, staff & students). Contribute your priorities, ideas and concerns to the working group through interactive tables focused on liberating structures that will help our community review the draft resilience plan. Come check it out, no rsvp required and we will provide FREE food and drink.
- Status update of resilience planning at Dickinson
- Meet & greet members of the Climate Resilience Working Group
- Discover what progress has been made to date
- Provide critical feedback on DRAFT Resilience Action Plan
- Participate in liberating activities to help Dickinson prioritize next steps
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