As the University of Michigan marks Earth Day, planning is underway for the return of Climate Week, a weeklong series of events designed to engage the campus community and advance solutions to today’s most pressing environmental challenges.
U-M Climate Week 2026, or UMCW26, will take place Sept. 26 through Oct. 3 across the Ann Arbor, Flint and Dearborn campuses. Building on the momentum of its inaugural year, the initiative will bring together students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners to align around shared priorities, highlight work across the university and expand opportunities for engagement.
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The week is supported by the university’s Sustainability Leadership Council, a cross-campus leadership and coordination group launched in 2025 to align sustainability efforts across U-M’s campuses and Michigan Medicine.
“In this decisive decade on climate, universities must continue to lead. As a public university, we hold a unique role,” said Shalanda Baker, vice provost for sustainability and climate action. “U-M’s second-ever climate week will continue to position the university as a global leader on issues of climate change, sustainability, and environmental justice. Given this year’s focus on public engagement, we aim to drive ever deeper community impact.”
Programming will highlight partnerships across the university and with local and state leaders, with a focus on advancing practical, equitable climate solutions. Efforts are underway to expand participation across academic, operational and community-facing areas, including law, health care, athletics and civic engagement.
Climate Week includes participation from nearly every U-M school and college in Ann Arbor, with Planet Blue Ambassadors helping lead efforts at the Flint and Dearborn campuses, alongside partnerships with organizations such as the city of Ann Arbor, the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development and Green Living Science.
Programming will span a wide range of topics and disciplines, reflecting the breadth of sustainability work underway across the university. Early highlights include:
- Sept. 27: Harvest Fest, a celebration of student-driven food initiatives that emphasize sustainability, social justice and creativity.
- Sept. 30: The School for Environment and Sustainability and Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum will host a talk and book signing with Alexis Nikole Nelson, known as TikTok sensation “Black Forager” in Rackham Auditorium. Additional details will be announced.
- Oct. 1: EarthFest, which showcases sustainability initiatives across U-M and surrounding communities and offers opportunities for attendees to learn, connect and get involved.
Additional programming will explore topics ranging from environmental and energy law to sustainability in athletics and operations, while also connecting researchers across Michigan Medicine working at the intersection of climate and health.
A full schedule is in development and will be available on the Climate Week website as details are finalized.
Members of the university community are encouraged to save the date, explore opportunities to attend or host events, and visit the website to view highlights from last year’s Climate Week and stay updated as programming is announced.
Nicholas Shipman
I love this! Very important things UM is doing for climate week in the Ann Arbor community as they railroad a data center into Ypsi, creating environmental problems that they can solve later! Or maybe not at all since it’s Ypsi.
Tamara Kutter
Can you please verify the dates of the talk by Alexis Nikole Nelson (your article lists 9/30, Climate Week website [https://climateweek.umich.edu/calendar/#event-8dfcb7d7-2971-4172-bc89-c77530dabc55] lists 9/29) and EarthFest (your article lists 10/1, Climate Week website lists 9/30) ?