The world is desperate for action on climate. Atmospheric carbon levels continue to climb, triggering increased incidents of extreme weather, environmental catastrophe, and political and societal upheaval. We’re well past the point of looking for answers in the same old places. The Aspen Institute—long the seeker of big ideas—believes that the best places to look for climate solutions are among those who are most affected and marginalized.

While climate change affects all of us, girls and women account for 80% of those displaced by climate-related factors. Women are not merely victims of climate change; with access to resources, they deliver solutions at local and global levels. Richenda Van Leeuwen and the team at the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs are giving them the support they need.

A virtuous convergence of regulation, investor focus, and consumer preferences has created a business environment that’s friendlier to our natural environment. With these pieces in place, post-pandemic spending on infrastructure and clean energy may finally push the world to take meaningful climate action. Riddhima Yadav of the Energy and Environment Program outlines the path forward.

In the News

Schools: The Next Step in Solving the Climate Crisis

Could American schools hold lessons for solving climate change? Yes, suggests K12 Climate Action Initiative's Laura Schifter in an op-ed for the Hechinger Report. She notes that the 480,000 public school buses are the largest mass transit fleet in the country. "Public schools have enormous energy, infrastructure and transportation needs,” she writes, and the "decarbonizing" of schools could demonstrate replicable improvements throughout society. Read the piece.

The Aspen Institute is excited to announce the launch of our online store!

Sales from the store support the Institute’s essential, unrestricted resources that advance our mission. Share your passion and pride for the Aspen Institute’s mission with some new, sustainable gear from Patagonia, S’well, and others.

Aspen Leadership Forum on Retirement Savings

Apr. 15 at 10:30 am EST

Join this free, public dialogue hosted by the Financial Security Program on how retirement savings must be part of an equitable recovery from COVID-19 and incorporated into a truly inclusive savings system.

Women Reimagining Pro Sports

Apr. 16 at 12:00 pm EST

The Sports and Society Program, in partnership with Axios Sports, takes measure of the growth of women’s sports, where it’s headed, and how female-driven innovations could create new opportunities for the sports industry broadly. What can be learned about pro sports as women take control of their games?

Growing the Movement for Climate Action in Schools

Apr. 21 at 1:00 pm EST

This listening session, part of the K12 Climate Action initiative, will focus on how students, parents, educators, and activists can grow a movement for widespread, sustained changes at all levels to support the education sector in moving toward climate action, solutions, and environmental justice.

Aspen Literary Prize Awards Ceremony

Apr. 21 at 7:30 pm EST

Aspen Words presents Aspen Words Literary Prize in a virtual awards ceremony. The hour-long program will include a conversation with finalist authors Susan Abulhawa, Rumaan Alam, Louise Erdrich and Danielle Evans, moderated by Mary Louise Kelly, co-host of NPR's “All Things Considered.”

Aspen Ideas Health

Apr. 27 - 29

Big thinking. Bold approaches. Inspiring leadership. That’s what you can expect from the 2021 Aspen Ideas: Health speaker line-up! From April 27-29, join Marcella Nunez-Smith, Atul Gawande, Anthony Fauci, and other experts and innovators for powerful conversations on health’s biggest topics. Explore the speaker list and register today!

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