Today we had the joy to celebrate the publication of a brand new Climate University course Living with changing climate. Course is a masters’ level course for those interested in the use of open climate and weather data for real-life climate mitigation and adaptation actions. Course is done in collaboration with the University of Helsinki Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research and Faculty of Educational Sciences, Finnish Meteorological Institute and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. Find out more about the course here.

Figure: Contents of the ‘Living with changing climate’ course. 

The course will be first time taught by the University of Helsinki, in collaboration with Finnish Meteorological Institute, 30.10.-11.12.2023, as a five credits course, open for anyone. University of Helsinki students can register in Sisu with course code ATM389, other Climate University students here and others via open university here.

Figure: Working group members are happy after finishing the work 5.10.2023. 

 

Syksyn alkajaisiksi myös Biodiversiteetti.nyt on julkistettu suomeksi. Itä-Suomen yliopisto on muokannut Biodiversity.now-kurssista suomenkielisen päivitetyn version, joka on nyt avoimesti tutustuttavissa täällä. Kurssi on myös opetuksessa 2.10.2023-31.5.2024 – ilmoittautuminen UEF-opiskelijoille 1.8.2023 – 15.5.2024 täällä ja Avoimen opiskelijoille 7.8.2023 – 9.5.2024 täällä.

 

University of Helsinki has also made a new Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on the Climate University course Biodiversity.now. Course is part of the Una Europa Micro-Credential in Sustainability and can be studied any time here.

 

One more Climate University course is in a production phase. Forests and Climate Change is planned in collaboration with the University of Helsinki, the Natural Resources Institute Finland and the Finnish Meteorological Institute and will be published in autumn 2024.

Welcome to Climate University Annual gathering in Helsinki 6.-7.11.! Meetings are open to all interested in climate and sustainability education.

Programme

Mon 6.11.

12-13 Lunch (at own cost), Think Corner

13-15 Art & Science, Think Corner Stage, online streaming

• Opening of the meeting
• Art and science on the stage
• Panel discussion: How can art & science collaboration help solving sustainability challenges? What do we need to learn from each other?
• Invitation to CU Action Groups

15-17 Launch of CU Action Groups, Think Lounge (Think Corner 2nd floor)

• In CU new action plan, six action groups are established. Welcome to join the groups!

17:30-18:30 Climate.now exhibition, Observatory of Helsinki

• “Help, climate change!” exhibition  is planned by University of Helsinki Climate.now students.

18- Coctails and networking, Observatory of Helsinki

• Free for first 50 registered participants

Tue 7.11.

8:30 Coffee, Helsinki Edu Hub

9-11 Network topics, Helsinki Edu Hub

• Summary of the action group launch, by group chairs
• Recent advances in cross-studies, by Outi Lassi, University of Helsinki
• Opportunity for teacher meetings
• CU next steps

11 Lunch (at own cost), Restaurant Perho

12 Unifi Sustainability Seminar starts, Hanken School of Economics

• Read more here

Registration

Please register here by 19.10.: https://elomake.helsinki.fi/lomakkeet/125294/lomakkeet.html

Practicalities

Locations

Helsinki Think Corner, Yliopistonkatu 4

Helsinki Observatory, Kopernikuksentie 1

Helsinki Edu Hub, Runeberginkatu 14-16

Restaurant Perho, Mechelininkatu 7

Hanken School of Economics, Arkadiankatu 22

Töölö Towers, Pohjoinen Hesperiankatu 23 A

Accommodation

Participants are asked to reserve their own accommodation.

We have pre-booked 30 single rooms at Töölö Towers for those coming for the Climate University 2023 meeting. These rooms are 105€ per night, including a buffet breakfast. Töölö Towers is fairly close to Think Corner and right next to Helsinki Education Hub and Hanken School of Economics. The pre-booking is for 6.-8.11.2023 so those staying for the Unifi-Arene can stay in their accommodation. The discount code for the booking is CU2023 and the booking needs to be made by 2.10. through this link.

 

Several Climate University courses are offered this autumn. Please take a look!

Scheduled courses

Biodiversiteetti.nyt A (2 op) 2.10.2023-31.5.2024 – ilmoittautuminen UEF-opiskelijoille 1.8.2023 – 15.5.2024 täällä ja Avoimen opiskelijoille 7.8.2023 – 9.5.2024 täällä.

Biodiversity.now B (3 ECTS) 9.10.-5.12.2023 –  Registration for UEF students 1.8.2023 – 2.10.2023 here and open university students 7.8.2023 – 26.09.2023 here.

Climate.now (5 ECTS) 31.10.-12.12.2023 – University of Helsinki students can register with the course code ATM302, other Climate University students here and others here.

Ilmasto.nyt/Climate.now (2-5 op/ECTS) 30.10.-30.12.2023, Oulun yliopiston omat opiskelijat ilmoittautuvat Pepissä kurssikoodilla 766383A ja ristiinopiskelijat ilmoittautuvat lomakkeella täällä. / University of Oulu students can register with the course code 766383A in Peppi and other Climate University students using this form.

Living with changing climate (5 op) 30.10.-11.12.2023 – a new Climate University course! University of Helsinki students can register in Sisu with course code ATM389, other Climate University students here and others here.

Lukiolaisen Ilmasto.nyt (2 op) 30.10.-15.12.2023 – ilmoittautuminen Oulun avoimen yliopiston kautta täällä.

Sustainable.now (5 ECTS) 4.9.-22.10.2023 – University of Helsinki students can register with course code ATM378, other Climate University students here and others here.

Courses available on a continuous basis

Biodiversity.now (2 ECTS) available on a continuous basis from September 2023 onwards here (link updated 5.10.2023).

Climate.now (2 ECTS) available on a continuous basis – study and registration here.

Ilmastonmuutos -verkkokurssi / Climate Change -eLearning (2 op) 1.8.2023 – 17.6.2024. UEF:n opiskelijat ilmoittautuvat Pepin kautta (kurssikoodi 3352711) ja muut avoimen yliopiston kautta täällä.

Ilmasto.nyt – ilmastonmuutoksen peruskurssi / Climate.now  – Basic Course on Climate Change (2 op). Turun yliopiston opiskelijat ilmoittautuvat kurssikoodilla MAAN6570-3005 ja muut Turun Avoimessa yliopistossa koodilla MAAN6570-3006 täällä.

Introduction to sustainability (3 ECTS) available on a continuous basis – study and registration here.

Johdatus kestävän tulevaisuuden opintoihin, A-osa (3 op) jatkuvasti suoritettavissa, Ilmoittautuminen UEF-opiskelijoille 1.8.2023 – 31.7.2024 täällä (kurssikoodi 5319404) ja avoimen opiskelijoille 7.8.2023 – 17.6.2024 täällä, sekä Kestävyysopintojen verkoston kautta ao. verkoston kumppanikorkeakoulujen opiskelijoille täällä (hakuajat 1.-14.8.2023 ja 17.-30.11.2023). Opintojakson arvostelu syyslukukaudella 12.11. sekä keväällä 29.2.2024, 31.5.2024 ja 31.7.2024.

Kiertotalous.nyt / Circular.now (3 ECTS) available on a continuous basis – University of Helsinki students can register with the course code MAAT-051B, other Climate University students here and others here.

Kiertotalous.nyt (3 op) opiskeltavissa itsenäisesti – Karelia ammattikorkeakoulun opiskelijat ilmoittautuvat Pepissä kurssikoodilla IE10077 ja muut avoimen ammattikorkeakoulun kautta täällä.

Kiertotalous.nyt (3 op) opiskeltavissa itsenäisesti 14.9.2023 – 15.5.2024 välisenä aikana. Avoinna UEF opiskelijoille täällä (ilm.aika 1.8.2023 – 15.5.2024),  ja avoimen opiskelijoille täällä (ilm.aika 8.8.2023 – 28.4.2024).

Una Europa Micro-Credential in Sustainability (10 ECTS) available on a continuous basis – find more info here.

Courses with restricted registration

Ilmastonmuutos (3-5 op) Jyväskylän yliopiston opiskelijoille kurssikoodilla BENA4036.

Ilmastonmuutos / Climate Change (5 op) 23.10.2023 – 11.12.2023. UEF:n opiskelijat ilmoittautuvat Pepin kautta, kurssikoodi 3352703.

Kiertotalous.nyt / Circular.now (5 ECTS) available on a continuous basis – University of Helsinki students can register with the course code MAAT-051.

Leadership for Sustainable Change as part of the course Leadership and Intercultural Communication in Master Programme in Circular Economy and Risk Management, 8.9.-15-12. 2023. TAMK students can register in Peppi with course code 5F00FY54-3002.

Sustainable.now (5 ECTS) available for UEF students on a continuous basis, course code YH00DJ30, grading 12.11.2023 29.2.2024 and 31.5.2024.

Sustainable.now (3-5 ECTS) 30.10.2023-15.12.2023 – LUT students can register with course code BH60A6801.

 

In spring 2024 at least the following courses will come available for cross-studying

Leadership for sustainable change (5 ECTS) Jan-Mar 2024

SystemsChange.now (5 ECTS) Jan-Apr 2024

Solutions.now (5 ECTS) Mar-May 2024

Climate University, together with the Una Europa alliance, decided to pitch a parallel session to the 2023 Sustainability Science Days -conference, organised in Helsinki in May. The pitch was for a session like none before; ranging across multiple sessions, aiming to host several different discussion topics, and foremost letting the discussions around sustainability education and learning emerge as they did in the event. As the event started to resemble a café, with several tables for people to convene and talk, we asked for Oatly—a global leader in vegan products and Cafetoria roastery—a local pioneer of sustainable coffee to help us. 

The cafe took place over 2 days, consisting of 6 parallel sessions and 22 hosted discussions, with topics ranging from university staff sustainability training to utilising gaming in sustainability teaching to business and technology opportunities in sustainability learning. Along the days, there must have been more than 200 people visiting the café, of whom some appeared to engage with several different discussions and sessions and some just popped by to get a cup of coffee and vegan soft serve to go. As there were so many discussions parallelly ongoing, we asked for the table hosts to submit a report of their session, which we have collected to this separate blog. As the blog may hint, we are planning to reorganise such Sustainability Learning Café events in the future too. 

While going through the reports, one theme appeared prevalent; an aim for a more critical approach to sustainability learning and education. From suggesting that companies in their aims to drive the sustainability transformation ought to challenge the existing policies; to confirming that climate experts are needed in various fields and locations and university students and alumni can act as bridges for societal collaboration—and from realising the necessity of reflecting the effect of the existing culture to sustainability change to stating that there is a risk of academic greenwashing and that students ought to approach critically the information they are given. Although, this surely is just one theme—go read the session reports and see what you can find there!

Text: Janne Salovaara, University of Helsinki

Photos: Bernhard Reischl, University of Helsinki 

Over the last couple of years, the Climate University has created high-quality online learning materials through multidisciplinary collaboration and established a large network of developers, teachers and users of Climate University courses. To ensure the continuity of our activities and identify new goals for the Climate University, we created a strategy working group at the CU Annual Meeting in Tampere in December 2022. The Climate University strategy 2023-2027 has been workshopped with the Climate University coordinators from each member institutions and accepted in coordinator meeting 24.5.2023. We decided to establish six Action Groups open for anyone and led by the CU coordinators.

We invite you to join us at the Learning Café at the Sustainability Science Days in Helsinki on 24.5.2023 to learn more about the vision and strategy and contribute to shaping the future of the Climate University!

Vision 2023-2027

Mission – why

We educate competencies the society needs to tackle the challenges of climate change and the sustainability crisis.

Values

• Re-think and respect for planet and people
• Science-based trustworthiness
• Openness and sharing
• Interdisciplinary and cross-boundary collaboration
• Bravery

Vision – what

Climate University is a brave forerunner in educating active sustainability makers for the society and business.

From vision to strategic aims

1. Being a brave forerunner
   • Climate University is visible and recognized as an expert network and actor in climate and sustainability education in Finland.
   • Climate University courses are recognized as top-level material in climate change and sustainability education.
   • Climate University is a wanted partner in collaboraiton.
   • All HEIs in Finland join our network.
   • New international partners collaborate with us.
2. Educating active sustainability makers
   • Network recognizes competence needs in the society.
   • Network co-designs education and provides quality materials for online teaching and learning.
   • Climate University has easy-access clear practices and a welcoming community.
   • Climate University provides students opportunities for action and networking.
3. For the society and business
   • Our network promotes climate and sustainability actions in collaboration with society and business.

 

Actions

Action group 1: Coordination

Aim: Keeping CU up and running

Actions: Coordinator meetings, agreements, annual meetings, internal communications, network development, funding

 

Action group 2: Courses

Aim: CU courses are top-level material in climate change and sustainability education

Actions: Update courses (content and teaching methods + structure), new course initiatives, develop the platforms (student enrolment, digicampus…), pedagogical development

 

Action group 3: Communication

Aim: Inspiring people to participate

Actions: Develop website, blog, course advertisement, visual material; create a welcoming and lively atmosphere

 

Action group 4: Societal collaboration

Aim: CU is a wanted partner in collaboration

Actions: Societal collaboration with public, private and citizen sector organisations, as well as lower levels of education [schools]; life-long learning initiatives (including climate expert specialization education); preparing for funding opportunities

 

Action group 5: Academic collaboration

Aim: Sparking academic discussions around climate change and sustainability topics

Actions: Develop teacher network, find new ways for student engagement; mapping competencies and needs (for new CU courses); research done at CU and about CU

 

Action group 6: International collaboration

Aim: CU becomes international

Actions: Develop a strategy to expand beyond Finnish HEIs

 

Join the action groups

Here you can indicate your interest in joining one, or several, of the action groups: bit.ly/CUaction

 

Karelia University of Applied Sciences has joined Climate University network – warmly welcome! We are now a network of 28 Higher Education Institutions. All students from these institutions can take Climate University courses from each other’s curricula for free.

– Joining the network is a way to offer all Karelia students, as part of their studies, the opportunity to increase their understanding of very important and current themes, such as circular economy systems. We also encourage our teachers to participate in courses and increase their knowledge of these issues, says vice-rector Pekka Auvinen.

Climate University coordinators in Karelia UAS are Salla Anttila and Kim Wrange.

Please find here Climate University courses you can study in summer 2023!

Courses with scheduled lectures:

Ilmasto.nyt tutustumiskurssi 2.5.–13.6.2023

Kurssi on ensisijaisesti suunnattu lukiolaisille sekä yliopistossa opintonsa aloittaneille opiskelijoille, mutta kaikki muutkin aiheesta kiinnostuneet ovat lämpimästi tervetulleita kurssille! Kurssilla ei ole esitietovaatimuksia. Ilmoittautuminen täällä.

Lisäksi Savonia-ammattikorkeakoulussa on mahdollista opiskella 31.7.2023 mennessä alla näkyvät opintojaksot koodeineen:

JD00BA30-3001 Ilmasto.nyt 5 op
JD00BA31-3001 Kestävyys.nyt 5 op
JD00BA32-3001 Kiertotalous.nyt 5 op

Opintojaksot ovat tarjolla Savonian Avoimessa ammattikorkeakoulussa osana Ilmastoturvallisuus 30 op osaajakoulutusta.

Continuously available online courses:

Una Europa Micro-Credential in Sustainability, 10 ECTS

Una Europa Micro-Credential in Sustainability is a 10-cr module, consisting of five continuously available courses: Introduction to sustainability, Climate.now, Biodiversity.now, Political Economy of Sustainability and Sustainability and the Arts.

Introduction to sustainability, 3 ECTS

Introduction to sustainability (based on Climate University course Sustainable.now) is continuously available as Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) via University of Helsinki. Registration via course learning platform.

Johdatus kestävän tulevaisuuden opintoihin, 3 op

A osa jatkuvasti auki etäsuoritteinen UEF tutkinto-opiskelijat ilmoittautuvat kurssikoodilla 5319404 .  Kestävyysopintojen verkoston kumppanikorkeakouluille (Jyväskylän yliopisto, Itä-Suomen yliopisto ja Turun yliopisto): kurssi suoritettavissa ilmaiseksi, ilmoittautuminen verkoston www-sivun kautta. Muut ilmoittautuvat avoimen yliopiston kautta  19.6. mennessä.

Climate.now / Ilmasto.nyt, 2 ECTS

Climate.now (2 ECTS) is continuously available as Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) via University of Helsinki here.

Climate.now / Ilmasto.nyt (2 ECTS) can also be studied in University of Eastern Finland with course code 3352711, either in English or in Finnish. Course is also open via open university here.

Kiertotalous.nyt / Circular.now, 3 ECTS

Kiertotalous.nyt / Circular.now course is available on a continuous basis – University of Helsinki students can register with the course code MAAT-051, other Climate University students here and others here (see the last link also for more info). The course is available both in English and in Finnish.

Leadership for sustainable change, 2 ECTS

Leadership for sustainable change is also available on a continuous basis for University of Helsinki students (course code ATM383, see course page for more info) and for Climate University students (registration here).

Year 2022 has been full of action in Climate University community. Nine new members joined the network and we launched a new course Biodiversity.now, as well as Una Europa Micro-Credential in Sustainability.

In September 2022 a new coordination team started to work for Climate University. Please find our introductions here:

“Hi! I am Laura, coordinator of the Climate University network from the very beginning. We started to build Climate.now course in 2015 and have grown ever since. I am a university lecturer in atmospheric sciences at the University of Helsinki Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research.”

“Hi, I’m Bernhard, a university lecturer in Computational Aerosol Physics at the Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research at the University of Helsinki. I help coordinate the Climate University network and search for opportunities for new international collaborations. I’m teaching in the CU courses Sustainable.now and Climate Communication, and I am also involved in developing a Joint Bachelor in Sustainability programme within the Una Europa alliance.”

“Hi I’m Janne, a late-stage PhD student of sustainability science and one of the (Finnish) coordinators of the Climate University network. My engagement with CU began with being part of the authoring team behind Leadership for Sustainable Change -course and I have ever since been sharing some teaching responsibilities of this and other CU courses as well. I firmly believe education is our one sure recipe for the sustainability transformation, and that is why I am part of CU and also a researcher of sustainability science and education.”

“Hello! My name is Janina, a PhD student from INAR (Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research), University of Helsinki, Finland. I am the one who helps and operates with Digicampus in the Climate University network.  My background is in meteorology, but I had a shift towards climate change topics in my PhD and this led me to teaching one of the Climate University courses (high school version of Climate.now). I have worked with Digicampus for a few years now and I am happy to help however I can!“

We wish you relaxing holidays! And for the next year – put into your calendars Climate University Annual Meeting 6.-7.11.2023 in Helsinki!

Please find here many opportunities to study Climate University courses this spring!

Courses with scheduled lectures:

Leadership for sustainable change, 5 ECTS, 17.1.-5.3.2023

University of Helsinki students register with course code ATM373, Tampere University students register with course codes HAL.YPAL.341 or KAT.VAST.328 or LFC.360, University of Jyväskylä students register with course code CEMS2610 and Hanken stundents register with course code 22089-E. Other Climate University students register here and others via open university here.

SystemsChange.now, 5 ECTS, 18.1.-10.5.2023

University of Helsinki students register with course code ATM379, Tampere University students register with course code HAL.YPAT.341, University of Turku students register with course code MAAN7741 and Aalto students register with course code MS-EV0008. Other Climate University students register here and others here.

ClimateComms.now, 2 ECTS,  16.1.-5.3.2023

University of Helsinki students register with course code ATM382, other Climate University students register here, and others here.

Statistical tools for climate and atmospheric science, 5 ECTS, 11.1.-31.5.2023

University of Eastern Finland students register with course code 3352755 (”Sovelletun fysiikan tilastollinen data-analyysi / Statistical Data Analysis for Applied physics”), other Climate University students here and others here. Registration ends 3.1.2023 at 23:59.

Solutions.now, 5 ECTS,  March-May 2023 

LAB students register with the course codes LA00BU68-3002 /AMK or LA00BU68-3003 /YAMK, Metropolia students with the course code XX00DW15-3005 (registration period 28.11.2022-28.2.2023), Turku UAS students register with the course code TE00BR31-3002, University of Helsinki students with the course code ATM380. Other UAS students in Finland register via Campus Online here, other Climate University students register here. Please note that Climate.now, Sustainable.now or similar knowledge is required as pre-requisites.

Kestävyys.nyt / Sustainable.now 

1. Oulun yliopistossa on tarjolla Kestävyys.nyt nimellä Kestävän kehityksen perusteet: NP00AF43 Kestävän kehityksen perusteet, 3-5 op, 1.1.-13.3. Lisätiedot täällä, hakuohjeet ja -lomake täällä. Also available in English: Principles of Sustainable Development, 3-5 ECTS. Further information from here, application guideline here.
2.  Itä-Suomen yliopistossa: Johdatus kestävän tulevaisuuden opintoihin A osa (3 op) ja B osa (2 op). UEF tutkinto-opiskelijoille: A osa jatkuvasti auki etäsuoritteinen (kurssikoodi 5319404 ); B osa 27.03.2023 – 19.05.2023, vaatii läsnäoloa, A osa vaaditaan edeltävinä opintoina, (kurssikoodi 5319406). Avoimen kautta saatavilla: Avoin yo: A-osa ; Avoin yo: B-osa. Kestävyysopintojen verkoston kumppanikorkeakouluille (Jyväskylän yliopisto, Itä-Suomen yliopisto ja Turun yliopisto): kurssi suoritettavissa ilmaiseksi, ilmoittautuminen verkoston www-sivun kautta.

Continuously available online courses:

Una Europa Micro-Credential in Sustainability, 10 ECTS

Una Europa Micro-Credential in Sustainability is a 10-cr module, consisting of five continuously available courses: Introduction to sustainability, Climate.now, Biodiversity.now, Political Economy of Sustainability and Sustainability and the Arts.

Introduction to sustainability, 3 ECTS

Introduction to sustainability (based on Climate University course Sustainable.now) is continuously available as Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) via University of Helsinki. Registration via course learning platform.

Biodiversity.now, 2 ECTS

The course is continuously available between 2.1. and 31.5.2023. Course registration is free for all and open via UEF open university here.

Climate.now / Ilmasto.nyt, 2 ECTS

Climate.now (2 ECTS) is continuously available as Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) via University of Helsinki here.

Climate.now / Ilmasto.nyt (2 ECTS) can also be studied in University of Eastern Finland with course code 3352711, either in English or in Finnish. Course is also open via open university here.

Kiertotalous.nyt / Circular.now, 3 ECTS

Kiertotalous.nyt / Circular.now course is available on a continuous basis – University of Helsinki students can register with the course code MAAT-051, other Climate University students here and others here (see the last link also for more info). The course is available both in English and in Finnish.

Leadership for sustainable change, 2 ECTS

Leadership for sustainable change is also available on a continuous basis for University of Helsinki students (course code ATM383, see course page for more info) and for Climate University students (registration here).

Courses with restricted access:

Climate.now for University of Jyväskylä students (course code CEMY5120) 9.1.-30.1.2023

Society needs new competences to tackle the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and the sustainability crisis – Representatives from 27 Higher Education Institutions met in Tampere

In the beginning of November, it was time to get together with the Climate University community for an annual meeting. In the meeting the network news were discussed, and future plans workshopped. The meeting was especially aimed at Climate University coordinators and course teachers, but everyone interested to get to know more and to be involved was warmly welcomed. The event was organized prior to the Unifi and Arene sustainability and responsibility seminar in Tampere.

Figure 1. Participants posed for a group photo in the end of the meeting. 

The aim of the Climate University network is to foster climate and sustainability teaching and learning in higher education as well as in society. Climate University provides free, high-quality online courses for universities and everyone who wants to make the sustainability transition in the society real. Currently, there are 27 Finnish higher education institutions as partners in the network. Climate University has developed materials to altogether ten courses, some of them in Finnish and English languages. In addition to these, the first course is now available also in Swedish (Klimat.nu). 

New network members and future plans

In the meeting we celebrated the two new members of the network, Högskolan på Åland and Åbo Akademi. Iryna Herzon from the University of Helsinki, representing Biodiversity education network and the new Biodiversity.now course, discussed the importance of the biodiversity to life and introduced the new course. Natalia Korhonen from Finnish Meteorological Institute presented a new course topic: Living with changing climate and Anna Lintunen from the University of Helsinki introduced another new course theme Forests and climate change, both courses in preparation by several collaborators.  

Figure 2: 27 Higher Education Institutions in Finland involved in the Climate University network. 

Laura Riuttanen from the University of Helsinki coordinates the entire network.  Laura presented the new initiatives and collaboration possibilities.  

The workshops focused on developing current courses and sharing experiences from the past implementations of Climate University courses. In addition, initiatives made on new Climate University courses were discussed. New ideas, inspiring discussions and future plans were designed. The discussions will continue and as an example, network wide framework about vision, goals and action plan will be sent to the network coordinators by the end of the year. 

Sanomisen Paikka at Tampere-talo

In the evening, an open Sanomisen paikka -panel discussion was held at Tampere-talo in Finnish. Panelists discussed biodiversity, which is being depleted at an alarming rate due to the unsustainable use of natural resources, climate change, habitat fragmentation, and other human activities. What does this mean for the future? What can each of us do? This event was named as ‘Katoava Luontomme’. In the end, Idän Proffa, which is the alter ego of post-doctoral researcher Samuli Junttila from University of Eastern Finland, performed a song, which pulled together the entire discussion. Junttila strives to convey researched information and increase awareness of the deteriorating state of the environment. Understanding the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss requires, in addition to knowledge, empathy and feelings, which can be conveyed through music. Idän Proffa’s story started with the need to communicate his doctoral research and a music video, which was later also awarded with Science Magazine’s Dance your PhD award, however the project has become an important personal tool for him to deal with the emotions caused by climate change. 

Figure 3. Sanomisen paikka event was organzed at Tampere-talo in collaboration with Biodiversity education network. 

Feelings and atmosphere during the meeting

Although online education and tools provide many resource efficient and climate friendly opportunities for collaboration, it was very much appreciated to meed in person and have the opportunity to share views and discuss together. Thank you to Atmosphere and Climate Competence Center for the servings and very nice dinner at Telakka. 

Next meeting

Next Climate University network meeting will be held in November 2023 attached to Unifi & Arene sustainability seminar in Helsinki. Before that, we hope to meet at Sustainability science days in May, and at coming courses! 

Authors: Mika Nieminen and Eija Syrjämäki (TAMK), Laura Riuttanen (UH)