welcome to the movement

Dear colleagues, friends, and neighbors,

Imagine a university that has fully mobilized to face the accelerating climate catastrophe and is enacting sweeping changes for climate justice.

This is an idea whose time has come.

Days ago, UN Secretary-General Guterres declared that climate breakdown has begun—we can still avoid the worst of climate chaos but we don’t have a moment to lose. “Surging temperatures demand a surge in action. Leaders must turn up the heat now for climate solutions.”

We’re glad you’re here with Cornell on Fire, the movement that is turning up the heat across our campus and its community. Our growing coalition of actors is calling on Cornell to DECLARE A CLIMATE EMERGENCY and enact comprehensive changes to scale up current efforts for climate justice.

Cornell University has a long tradition of serving the public and the greatest good. That tradition now enters new territory: to maintain relevance, our university must mobilize all its forces for transformative change internally and public service externally. Addressing the root causes of the ecological crisis on campus will require fearless commitment to the change we know is necessary. To call on proverbial wisdom: “Tradition is not the keeping of ashes, but the carrying of the flame.”

Imagine carrying the flame forward so that future generations have a fighting chance to enjoy the kinds of research, livelihood, and educational opportunities we do today.

Scroll down for Notes from the Field and ways to Get Involved Now. In coming weeks, keep your eyes out for events from Cornell on Fire.

Keep your mind open to the possibilities that pessimism can never envision.

Like you, we are realists who feel deeply connected to Cornell, the community, and this living planet we call home. A livable future is possible if we act together now.

Carrying the flame,

Cornell on Fire

Notes from the Field:

• Our Working Group: Our working group meets weekly to organize, envision, research, and carry out evolving task force objectives. The working group includes members of Cornell Faculty | Students | Staff | Alum | Ithaca High School | Climate Activism organizations | Local leaders | and growing.

• Our Alliance Partners: Organizations endorsing our movement include: Sunrise Movement Ithaca | Mothers Out Front Tompkins | Extinction Rebellion Ithaca | Make Cornell Pay | and growing.

• Our Movement Advisors: A network of experts are consulting with our Working Group on everything from Cornell’s current sustainability efforts to the international campus movement for Fossil Free Research.

• Webpage coming soon: Bookmark cornellonfire.org, where you can soon watch our movement’s progress and help shape our vision.

Get Involved Now

• Join or Advise our Working Group: Support us with your participation, research, consultation, or ideas by reaching out to connect@cornellonfire.org.

• Join our Coalition: Advance your organization’s mission by endorsing our movement. Ask us how to get started.

• Next Friday & every Friday, 11a-12:30p on Ho Plaza: Stop by Cornell on Fire “Office Hours” for climate conversation and action. These are not your average office hours.

• Join the March to End Fossil Fuels on September 17: Reserve a seat on the bus to NYC with fellow Cornellians and Ithacans for the March.

• Spread the word: Forward this email to others.