In photos: How Penn celebrated the fifth annual Climate Week

From October 14-18, the Penn community came together for a series of events highlighting the threats of climate change and encouraging people to take action to create a more sustainable future. From Penn Farm to College Green, dozens of students, faculty and climate activists led discussions, tours and other activities as part of Climate Week. This year’s theme was “Climate Solutions,” and many events focused on helping people find their place in the climate movement.

October 14

As part of Climate Week’s signature “1.5* Minute Climate Lectures,” 11 undergraduate and graduate students delivered speeches on a variety of environmental topics, from research to life experiences. Sophomore Chenyao Liu, a Daily Pennsylvanian staffer and Penn Environmental Innovations Initiative intern, helped organize the event.

October 15

German studies professor Simon Richter led a panel discussion with German climate activists Luisa Neubauer and Helena Marschall at Houston Hall. Neubauer gained notoriety for her leadership of the Fridays for Future movement, encouraging students to strike in schools to raise awareness of climate change.

October 16

Eight Wharton professors from various departments presented five-minute lectures on research at the intersection of business and climate. Topics ranged from homeowners insurance rates in at-risk areas and integrating solar panels in residential buildings to reduce energy insecurity, to how companies can achieve net zero emissions while remaining profitable.

October 17

During Climate Week’s flagship event, professors and researchers from multiple Penn schools gathered in a tent on College Green. Speakers presented innovative technologies, designs and structures that are created to reduce the impact of human activity on the environment and create a future more resistant to climate change.

October 18

University Board of Trustees Chairman Ramanan Raghavendran and philosophy professor Michael Weisberg participated in a “fireside chat” on climate change. Shortly after starting, The session was briefly interrupted by Climate Defiance activists. After protesters were escorted out, the discussion continued as Raghavendran and Weisberg discussed what students taking climate action should value and the role of students and universities in creating a sustainable future.

At Penn Farm, tour participants learned about sustainable agriculture and land sovereignty while participating in group discussions and learning about the history of food production in the U.S. and around the world. Since 2019, the facility has grown pesticide-free produce and distributed it to communities in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia.

In line with the theme of this year’s Climate Week, many events focused on different practices that students can implement today to create a better tomorrow. In more than 50 classes, lectures and tours, presenters emphasized the importance of climate action.