Scholars urge universities and UKRI to act on climate change

Open letter calls for new programmes to address ‘climate emergency’

Universities need to act “urgently and swiftly” to support academics and students in addressing climate change, according to an open letter signed by more than 1,000 people—including some of the UK’s most prominent scientists.

The letter is addressed to “vice-chancellors, Universities UK and UK Research and Innovation”, and calls on them to “support scientists, academics and students to help address the climate emergency through a series of new programmes, fellowships, sabbaticals and voluntary placements to help the critical efforts needed to save all life on our planet”.