Community colleges are vital to developing the climate mitigation workforce and helping communities adapt to a changing climate. Join community college and economic development researchers during Climate Week NYC 2024 as they discuss the potential of the nation’s community and technical colleges to accelerate energy and economic transitions while building community resilience.

Much of the discussion about climate change focuses on policy and technology, while the critical needs for implementation often receive less attention. Governments at all levels are setting ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These policies and their associated funding will have lasting impacts, not only on how we meet our energy needs but also on the shape of our workforce and the design of our communities.

Changing industry market conditions, advancing technologies, and massive federal investments in energy and transportation infrastructure will dramatically reshape the workforce. Over the next ten years, as many as 9 million high-quality jobs will be created to implement new energy infrastructure and help communities adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change. Without the skilled workforce that community colleges produce, the U.S. cannot transition its economy to green technologies at the scale and speed we need.

Speakers and panelists from leading community college and economic development research groups will discuss the unique capacities of community colleges within the higher education landscape. Their goal is to connect emerging workforce and community adaptation needs with the nearly 1,000 community colleges that span the geographic and socioeconomic diversity of the nation.

Following the panel discussion, there will be an opportunity to network with colleagues interested in advancing work at the intersections of higher education and climate action.

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