A week of workshops, keynote talks and more to advance climate actions and solutions

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

DATE: Sept. 27-Oct. 5, 2025

EVENT: The University of Michigan will host its first-ever Climate Week, a series of engaging and innovative events focused on collaboration, engagement and collective action aimed at building momentum and hope for a sustainable future.

The universitywide initiative is designed to bring together U-M students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to address the urgent environmental challenges of our time. Its goal is to develop innovative solutions and drive meaningful climate action, demonstrating how one university, working together with its broader community, can help shape a better, healthier world for all.

Keynote speakers include:

• Wawa Gatheru, founder and executive director of Black Girl Environmentalist, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sept. 29 at the Pendleton Room, Michigan Union (530 S. State St.). Sponsors: School for Environment and Sustainability, Office of the Vice Provost for Sustainability and Climate Action, Poverty Solutions. Registration, livestream.
• Jennifer Granholm, former U.S. Secretary of Energy and governor of Michigan, for the 23rd Annual Peter M. Wege Lecture on Sustainability, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 30.
  Space is limited. Members of the media who want to attend must RSVP with Matt Davenport at [email protected]. Sponsors: School for Environment and Sustainability, Center for Sustainable Systems. Livestream.
• Diana Hernández, associate professor of sociomedical sciences at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, 8:30-11 a.m. Oct. 1 at the Michigan League Ballroom (911 N. University Ave.). Sponsor: Office of the Vice Provost for Sustainability and Climate Action. Registration.

Other featured events include:

• Harvest Fest, a free public celebration of sustainable food systems, 1-4 p.m. Sept. 28, at Matthaei Botanical Gardens (1800 N. Dixboro Road). Sponsors: U-M Campus Farm, U-M Sustainable Food Program, Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Nichols Arboretum, Student Life Sustainability.
• Refugia Festival, musical performances and educational programming to highlight environmental conservation and preservation, Noon-7 p.m., Sept. 28, at Nichols Arboretum (1610 Washington Heights). Sponsors: Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Nichols Arboretum. Registration.
• Earthfest, a free celebration of sustainability initiatives across U-M and surrounding communities, 10 a.m.-noon, Sept. 30, at The Diag, Ann Arbor Central Campus. Sponsors: Office of Campus Sustainability, School for Environment and Sustainability, Student Life Sustainability, Graham Sustainability Institute.
• Nigamon/Tunai, immersive performance art by Émilie Monnet and Waira Nina centered on Indigenous knowledge and the natural world, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2-4, Oct. 7-8; 2 p.m. Oct. 4-5, at the Power Center (121 Fletcher St.). Sponsors: Caitlin Klein, Joe Malcoun, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, U-M Arts Initiative. Tickets.