Faculty Letter

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We, the faculty of the University of Maryland, College Park, stand in support of UMD climate strikers. As mentors and friends of the generation facing climate catastrophe, we are committed to joining our students in the fight for a livable world.

 

As higher education professionals, our mission is to empower young people to transform knowledge into meaningful action. It is clear that the global student strike is a key part of that mission. Climate change is the single most important collective action problem faced by the next generation. The September 20th climate strike, and the global call to action that it represents, is a learning opportunity just as important as anything we could teach in class.

 

Because of this and the urgency of the climate crisis, we are committing to cancelling our sections on Friday, September 20th, and participating in the strike for climate. 

 

Alternatively, we will excuse absences from course sections on September 20th and urge our students to join the demonstration in Washington, D.C.

We demand that the University of Maryland accelerate its action to combat climate change. The University must invest in fossil-free energy, divest our holdings from the destructive fossil fuel industry, and commit to educating current and future students on environmental sustainability. Our full list of demands is located here.