As the rhythms of late September settled over New York City, a different kind of energy pulsed through its streets. Climate Week NYC, the largest annual gathering outside of COP dedicated to environmental action, drew leaders from across the globe into conversation. Among the voices rising in this collective call for change, Dartmouth College stood out, not for its size, but for the clarity and sincerity of its contribution. Through a series of thoughtfully curated events, Dartmouth faculty, students, and staff brought the Upper Valley’s environmental ethos to the heart of urban discourse, weaving together threads of Arctic justice, sustainable recreation, and cross-border energy cooperation.
At the center of Dartmouth’s presence was a quiet insistence on listening. The Institute of Arctic Studies, in collaboration with the University of the Arctic and the Consulate General of Finland, convened a gathering titled “The Arctic Awakens.” Held at the Cornell Club, the event brought together Indigenous leaders, climate scientists, and policy thinkers to explore how Arctic communities are not only experiencing the sharpest edges of climate disruption, but also leading the way in circular innovation and green finance. The tone was not alarmist, but grounded, an acknowledgment of urgency tempered by respect for local knowledge and lived experience. The Arctic, often portrayed as remote and fragile, emerged here as a place of resilience and ingenuity.
Elsewhere during the week, Dartmouth turned its attention to the ski industry, a sector deeply entwined with both regional identity and environmental vulnerability. In a panel titled “Skiing and Sustainability,” faculty and industry experts examined the path toward net-zero emissions in alpine recreation. The conversation moved beyond carbon offsets and into the realm of systemic redesign, rethinking supply chains, energy sources, and land stewardship. For a college nestled among New England’s slopes, the topic resonated with both personal and institutional relevance. The panel underscored how even leisure industries must reckon with their ecological footprints, and how innovation can emerge from places where tradition meets necessity.
A third event, focused on the U.S.-Canadian energy partnership, offered a broader geopolitical lens. Dartmouth scholars facilitated dialogue on the clean energy transition, emphasizing the importance of cross-border collaboration in decarbonizing power grids and modernizing infrastructure. The discussion was pragmatic, rooted in policy frameworks and technological feasibility, yet it carried an undercurrent of hope. By highlighting shared goals and mutual dependencies, the panel illustrated how climate action can transcend national boundaries and foster a sense of regional solidarity. In a time when global cooperation often feels strained, this conversation offered a glimpse of what constructive diplomacy might look like in the climate era.
Throughout Climate Week, Dartmouth’s contributions reflected a distinctive approach, one that blends academic rigor with community engagement, and global awareness with local grounding. The college did not arrive with sweeping declarations or flashy announcements. Instead, it brought stories, questions, and a willingness to convene. Students who had participated in Arctic immersion programs shared reflections on whale migrations and melting permafrost. Faculty spoke not only as researchers, but as neighbors and mentors. The events felt less like performances and more like invitations to think, to connect, to act.
What makes Dartmouth’s role in Climate Week particularly meaningful is its scale. As a smaller institution, it does not command the same resources or media attention as larger universities. Yet this very quality allows it to operate with a kind of intimacy and intentionality that can be hard to replicate. The college’s environmental initiatives are often rooted in relationships, between students and faculty, between campus and community, between research and lived experience. This relational model, while quieter than top-down mandates, may prove more enduring. It fosters trust, cultivates curiosity, and builds the kind of networks that sustain long-term change.
In the broader landscape of climate discourse, Dartmouth’s presence at Climate Week NYC serves as a reminder that leadership does not always require scale. Sometimes, it requires depth. The college’s focus on Arctic justice, sustainable recreation, and energy cooperation reflects a commitment to areas where it can make a meaningful impact. These are not abstract issues; they are woven into the fabric of campus life and regional identity. By bringing them to a global stage, Dartmouth affirms that even small institutions can shape the conversation, especially when they speak with clarity and care.
As Climate Week drew to a close, the city returned to its usual rhythm. But for those who participated in Dartmouth’s events, something lingered. A sense of possibility, perhaps, or a renewed understanding of how place and purpose can intersect. In the quiet moments after the panels ended and the rooms emptied, the work continued: in classrooms, in field stations, in conversations between students and mentors. Climate action, after all, is not confined to stages or headlines. It lives in the choices we make, the questions we ask, and the communities we build.
In the months ahead, Dartmouth will carry forward the momentum of Climate Week into its own initiatives. Whether through research on Arctic ecosystems, partnerships with local ski areas, or policy dialogues on energy transition, the college remains committed to environmental stewardship. Its presence in New York was not a culmination, but a waypoint—a chance to share, to learn, and to reaffirm its role in the collective journey toward a more sustainable future.
