HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200108_ Letter re Cal Poly's Climate Leadership Institute
January 8, 2020
Erin Pearse
Cal Poly Mathematics Dept.
1 Grand Ave
San Luis Obispo, CA, 93407
RE: Cal Poly Climate Leadership Institute
Dear Ms. Pearse:
I am writing today in support of the “Big Idea” being put forward by Cal Poly faculty and staff to
establish a Climate Leadership Institute. As a concerned citizen and a leader in the community, I
am excited by the prospect of a vehicle on campus to coordinate a multidisciplinary effort to
respond to one of today's most pressing challenges. Given its history, size, and important role in
our region, it is both fitting and necessary for Cal Poly to provide leadership in developing practical
solutions for addressing climate change from multiple perspectives, and for a wide range of
settings.
As Mayor of San Luis Obispo, contending with climate change is one of my top priorities, and as
you may know, our city has set forth a carbon neutrality goal which may be the most aggressive
of any city in America. As part of this program, we have been working in close coordination with
community businesses, concerned citizens, local groups, and other stakeholders.
The fostering of an initiative and the eventual development of a bona fide institute for climate
leadership at Cal Poly provides a unique opportunity for the University to draw upon its strength
as a leading polytechnic institution and on its excellence in numerous fields that will be needed in
the development of effective responses to climate change: agriculture, architecture, engineering,
public policy, regional planning, the sciences, transportation, to name a few. Having a prominent,
sanctioned and dynamic focal point for research and education on the topic of climate change is a
wonderful way to harness growing student and faculty interest and talent in the development of
real, needed solutions. The visibility that such an institute would provide for campus efforts would
also make it easier to form community and regional alliances with external partners wishing to
engage in such activities. The climate leadership initiative/institute offers a valuable avenue for a
two-way exchange of information and resources - both intellectual and financial. Cal Poly has a
key role to play not only in research and education on climate-related issues, but in professional
development, community outreach, and the facilitation of multi-stakeholder projects.
Climate change will clearly be a defining issue for the next generation. Young people already sense
this and are eager to engage on the topic. I am in full support of Cal Poly's efforts to train and
empower the climate leaders of tomorrow.
Respectfully,
Heidi Harmon
Mayor
City of San Luis Obispo