Keeling Curve

Primary Project Category:

Name of Project:

Year Project Originated:

Project Summary / Description:

Over nearly five years, the Climate Toolkit (www.climatetoolkit.org) has established an effective proof of concept for supporting cross-institutional partnerships, collaborations, and forums which convene experts and stakeholders to explore current and emerging issues around climate change and museums. This programming takes shape primarily through the forums of a quarterly webinar series, interactive working groups, regenerative workshops, and a network of youth climate advocacy. 
The Toolkit initiative utilizes a peer-reviewed climate commitment framework of nine focus areas and 33 climate action goals to support the implementation of climate-positive actions in museum operations and programming. Within the focus areas of Energy, Water, Transportation, Food Service, Waste, Landscapes and Horticulture, Investments, Engagement, and Research, partners of the Climate Toolkit are offered an ongoing suite of climate resources, case studies, frameworks with measurable objectives, and myriad opportunities for peer-to-peer connection in engaging with systems thinking climate action.

How Project Affects Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

['Reduces GHGs (e.g., projects that reduce sources of GHGs, such as through efficiency or other changes in consumption)']

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

The Climate Toolkit is a world-wide network, aiming to bring together cultural institutions from around the globe to resource-share with each other. Currently, the Climate Toolkit serves 215 institutions in 25 different countries. All content on the website is translated into our partners’ respective international languages to empower more institutions to make use of our resources. The platform celebrates the work that others have done, large or small, and aims to empower institutions of any size, nation, or economic status to have the tools and resources necessary to create change in their institutions and surrounding communities. 
One of our Toolkit goals is empowering youth to take climate action, and we support other institutions in this goal through the Climate Toolkit Youth Network. Our own Youth Climate Advocacy Committee (YCAC) serves 40 high school and college-age youth in Pittsburgh, PA. We have a strong focus on environmental justice, including prioritizing marginalized groups such as people of color, climate vulnerable communities, women, and the LGBTQ+ community in our application process. In this year’s cohort, 42% of youth are BIPOC (17/40), 28% are openly LGBTQ+ (11/40), 65% are women or nonbinary (26/40), and 21 different high schools and colleges are represented.