The Climate Consensus is a multi-campus organization involving students, faculty, and alumni who are scientists working together to communicate to the public about climate change. They were founded at Northern Vermont University – Lyndon, but have expanded to multiple other schools and are currently seeking legal status as a nonprofit organization.
The group started in 2014 when two sophomore Atmospheric Science majors at Lyndon approached professor Dr. Janel Hanrahan about starting a group focused on climate change. When discussing the importance of the group, Dr. Hanrahan said, “We’ll be the scientists in the room.” They began by reaching out to local schools to give talks to students on climate change. Those talks expanded to larger audiences at local events and conferences. Climate change is a controversial topic in our country, but the group’s goals were to educate the public more on the science and eliminate misconceptions.
The Climate Consensus is not always giving presentations; the group has participated in several protests and even hosted one themselves. Their first protest participation began at the Rally for The Planet in Montpelier, Vermont. Dr. Hanrahan commented on the inclusion of activism efforts as part of the group’s work, saying, “I saw the energy that came from the students after engaging in that; I got it.” They have also participated in Fridays for the Future, a movement created by climate activist Greta Thunberg. In addition, the Climate Consensus went to a climate march in D.C with around 20,000 other people and hosted their own protest in Lyndon in 2019.
Now, the Climate Consensus has grown to include students and scientists from other universities, including Columbia University, George Mason University, New York University, Purdue University, University of New Hampshire, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. As the group expanded to more campuses, they created a website and several social medias to document all the campuses’ contributions to their work. “I have no idea what it will look like in 5 years for now,” NVU-Lyndon student Maison De Jesus said. And their growth doesn’t stop there.
On September 8, the group announced on Facebook that they were applying to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. While they undergo this process, they are unable to accept donations, but it is the group’s goal to accept grants and philanthropy to support their efforts. Any money they would receive would support faculty, create scholarships, and cover costs for events. As part of the nonprofit process, they have appointed a board of directors representing the Climate Consensus and its other university branches. A notable member on the board is NVU-Lyndon’s provost, Nolan Atkins.
COVID-19 halted their ability to meet; the Climate Consensus only met one time during the entire Spring 2021 semester. Now that it is safer to meet and hold events, the group is back in full swing. They have already held an event on the Lyndon campus this year–a farmers’ market that gave away free produce to college students–and are working on organizing more. Members also recently went down to Island Pond, Vermont to give feedback on the Vermont Climate Action Plan.
The best way to keep track of and support the Climate Consensus is through their social media accounts. Keep an eye on the Climate Consensus throughout the year as their events begin to happen on campus and within the community.
Feature Photo by Carter Lee Toro|| The Climate Consensus members of NVU-Lyndon stand together for a photo. Left to Right, Back Row: Dr. Janel Hanrahan, Gabrielle Brown, Jason Kaiser, Michael Fecca, Patrick Wickstrom, Jonathan Chambers, Joshua Dick, and Andrew McKeen. Left to Right, Front Row: Haley Fiaschetti and Maison De Jesus.