What might the climate crisis mean for higher education’s future?
I’m writing this post very much in the present, as parts of the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean are reeling from multiple, literally extraordinary hurricanes. Helene trashed several American states, which haven’t fully recovered. Milton is storming into Florida now, where debris left over from Helene adds potential projectile threats to the looming disaster. Disaster piles on disaster.
The speed and devastation of these hurricanes is historically unusual. Milton’s size and speeds grew beyond all expectations. Indeed, some have considered opening up a new hurricane category – 6 – to describe it.
And that’s not all. As climate change hero Bill McKibben observes,
For the first time ever recorded, October finds three hurricanes spinning simultaneously in the Atlantic. Hot new world
(Meanwhile, the least cold bit of Antarctica saw vegetation grow fourteen times over the past generation. “Hot new world” indeed. Global weirding, my preferred term, again.)
When it comes to higher education, Hurricane Helene hit a series of colleges and universities in North Carolina (among other things and people), causing all kinds of damages: downed trees, broken buildings, cut power lines, roads washed out or blocked, cell phone service out. Sample announcements from administrations include:
“Road conditions vary and many roads in the area are treacherous or impassible,” a message from Appalachian State officials said. “Please limit travel and use extreme caution if you are traveling on foot or by vehicle.” None of the residence halls were “structurally compromised,” but the university is asking students to conserve water.
….
“Significant tree damage has occurred and parts of campus are inaccessible. Everyone is safe. Cell and internet coverage is nonexistent at this point.”
From one university: “UNC Asheville has been without electricity, running water, and internet since Friday.” Recovery is under way.
What colleges and universities are in Milton’s path? Here’s a quick Google Maps check:
I have more climate change and higher ed research to share, in addition to a big announcement next week, but I want to focus today on the devastation and suffering we’re seeing – and experiencing – right now, and what they signify for what’s to come.
How are these colleges and universities planning and acting for the enormous stress just starting to hit? Are other academic institutions preparing to assist the Tampa area, such as by hosting refugees, supporting faculty/staff/students in traveling to the zone to assist, providing academic resources, and so on? How well prepared are the relevant people, departments, and offices?
Remember that this situation of worsening storms is not just the new normal. Things will get weirder, more dangerous, and worse, and not just in the Yucatan and the American southeast. How are academics thinking about these rising storms? What are colleges and universities doing as the climate crisis ratchets up?
Please be safe, readers in the storms’ paths.
