CUSP: Climate & Urban Systems Partnership Preps Us for a Hotter, Wetter City

Just like we introduced the Food Trust as partaking in the new Local Leader Spotlight series, we have another exciting partnership to announce: CUSP. They’ll be penning the Hot City, Cool Science column take to help understand what’s going to happen to Philly amidst all these climate changes.

As we hear reports of 2014 being the hottest year recorded (worldwide) ever and the hourglass is dwindling for the point of no return, climate change can be something we all want to tune out. (Guilty as charged, sometimes…) But how can we make changes beyond a light bulb purchase that will help move us in the right direction? CUSP is here to the rescue.

Wait. What is CUSP?

Founded in 2012, the Climate and Urban Systems Partnership (CUSP) is “a community of local stakeholders who share a passion for engaging residents in climate change issues and interact frequently to learn how to do so better,” according to their website. This collaborative effort between 4 cities has a #1 goal to make connections and get organizations to work together towards climate change solutions. Why split the effort all in silos when more brain power is going to have a bigger effect in the long run?

CUSP wants to ultimately give hope and empower people and organizations to work beyond personal choices to make an impact on a community and city level. They work alongside cities New York City, Washington, DC & Pittsburgh, and collaborating with climate scientists from Columbia University and educational researchers from University of Pittsburgh on subjects ranging from social science (why are people apathetic towards climate change) to learning science (how can people absorb more of these crucial deets?)

Philadelphia Chapter – Climate and Urban Systems Partnership

The Philadelphia chapter of CUSP is led by The Franklin Institute who serve as the entire project lead. Philly CUSP consists of almost 40 organizations around the city, including Clean Air Council, SEPTA & the Food Trust. Ultimately, they want to prepare us to live well in a hotter, wetter Philadelphia – as the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability keeps mentioning, it’s happening.

I chatted with Raluca Ellis, who’s The Franklin Institute’s official Environmental Scientist and CUSP Program Director. Ellis is one of 4 staff scientists at the Franklin (the others covering astronomy, bioscience & a Senior VP) leading community-based and museum-wide projects. She’s excited about the prospect of educating the public about climate change beyond the “doom & gloom” messages we see so often in the media – and will be sharing her perspectives in upcoming columns, too.

Keep your eyes peeled for the various workshops and tabletop activities from CUSP organizations as they educate groups across the city – and in their upcoming blog posts.

Welcome to CUSP – we’re so happy to have you on our Green Philly team!