Fielding Graduate University Launches the Fielding Climate Alliance: A Call to Action for Climate Change

Join us for Fielding Climate Alliance Interest Night
on March 17, 2025, at 5 P.M. PT | 8 P.M. ET
Zoom: 934 657 175

Fielding Graduate University is proud to announce the launch of the Fielding Climate Alliance, a new campus-wide, student-led initiative aimed at positioning Fielding at the forefront of climate action. The initiative, spearheaded by Clinical Psychology doctoral student Andrew Sears, reflects Fielding’s commitment to addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change.

“Never give up trying to build the world you can see, even if others can’t see it. Listen to your drum and your drum only. It’s the one that makes the sweetest sound.” – Simon Sinek

To the Entire Fielding Community,

Andrew Sears, doctoral student Clinical Psychology

I’m honored to introduce Fielding’s Climate Alliance – a new, campus-wide initiative and student-led organization positioning Fielding at the forefront of climate action. The mission is simple: solve climate. And we need everyone at Fielding on board – even if you don’t believe in climate change.

I write this at a pivotal moment in time. History offers us both solace and wisdom, reminding us that humanity has faced great challenges before – moments that demanded courage, action, and change.

Now, we face another defining moment – a call to action that each of us must answer. An ethical obligation because we are running out of time. Take solace in history. Ordinary individuals have risen to extraordinary challenges, even when they didn’t ask for the responsibility.

Take Ruby Bridges.

Just 64 years ago, the idea of Black children attending the same public schools as white children was unthinkable. Yet, a courageous 6-year-old Kindergarten student named Ruby Bridges walked into a segregated school in New Orleans. Young Ruby walked in, head held high, despite facing immense hatred, prejudice, and threats outside. Every day, she put on her white dress and white shoes, prayed for those who hurled insults and objects at her, and continued to learn in a classroom of one.

I don’t know what the future holds for our respective countries or our planet, but I know this: we must embody the spirit of Ruby Bridges. We must become that respectful revolutionary—leaders who see a broader vision for our children, our planet, and each other. Individuals who are willing to lead the way, no matter the obstacles.

Fielding must rise to meet these challenges. We must rethink how we work, research, collaborate, think, learn, and teach as we all adjust to a world that will become increasingly uninhabitable now that we are facing the natural consequences of our collective actions.

The solutions to climate change start with connection and grow through community. Communities bring people together, and schools are the foundation of those communities. It is the students – us – who determine the strength of that foundation. Our values, our scholarly thinking, and our actions define our institution—not the other way around. The answers we seek are not distant; they are within each of us. But the major question remains: will we rise to our moment that history now calls upon us to answer?

Some people say it is impossible. Others say it’s too late or simply lost hope. Many don’t even know what to do because the challenges we face seem insurmountable.

And that is exactly why we are doing this. We are not afraid of the impossible. We know how to climb mountains. One thing is certain: We will not fail. Yes, we will stumble. Complicated, of course. That means, we will make mistakes. But fail? No. Failure is not an option. We cannot fail.

Together, as a Fielding community, we have the power still to turn this moment into a movement – to take this place and this time and build a better place and a better time and a better people. To ensure that life on this planet can continue to exist. In this work, the path forward is unclear. So, we will either find a way or forge our own.

I look forward to seeing you all at our opening event on March 17th at 5 P.M. PT | 8 P.M. ET. Everyone is welcome – students, faculty, support staff, Republicans, Democrats, Clinical Psych, HOD, alums, board members, and anyone who wants to come. This is open to ALL of Fielding. We need all of you.

With hope,

Andrew

PS- A special thank you to Dr. James Vivian (Clinical Psychology) and his class for hosting the event and for their continued commitment to climate action at Fielding.