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Dwight School New York hosted two events in honor of NYC Climate Week, each highlighting uplifting, positive approaches to climate change, thanks to The Dwight School Foundation. 

Students in grades 4 through 12, teachers, and parents were excited to hear from Dr. Thomas Crowther, author of Nature’s Echo, professor of global ecology, and founding chair of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Dr. Crowther generously devoted his entire day, meeting with the global network, discussing ideas with the science faculty, and presenting his work to Lower, Middle, and Upper School, through compelling presentations and dynamic dialogues. 

“I'm in New York for New York Climate Week to speak to politicians and business people all over the world, but speaking to the Dwight Network was the highlight of my week. I love the level of commitment that Dwight has to this movement that is just fundamental to our future,” said Dr. Crowther.

At an afternoon book talk open to the public, attendees had the opportunity to ask him questions about changes in the environment and ways to appreciate the nature around us, and received a signed copy of Nature’s Echo. Dr. Crowther, known for the Trillion Trees Campaign, wrote the book in part as a way to combat the over-simplification that took place by the media around the campaign, which was always more than just planting trees — the campaign was ultimately about nature returning under its own momentum, aided by people who benefited from its return. 

Dr. Crowther’s insights were fascinating, and Dwight’s community members of all ages felt inspired and motivated to learn more. He was able to connect with our youngest students by telling stories of how animals — and in particular snakes! — fascinated him as a child, and, with the help of a teacher, encouraged him to nurture that passion into a career focused on nature. His message to students was to find something you love, and then you’ll want to do it more and more — a message that resonates with our Spark of Genius ethos.

Alma K. ’34 received his message loud and clear, saying, “When you make something fun, it makes people think ‘oh that’s fun; I want to do that as well.’”

He further discussed how human beings are intrinsically linked to nature, how everyday choices can affect climate and biodiversity in the form of “feedback loops,” and emphasized that young people, especially in diverse communities like Dwight, can create meaningful change by using creativity, optimism, and systems thinking. 

High-level connections were also made with our older students. Adrian Sadelain ’27, a Research Assistant for a NASA Goddard Professor at Columbia University, has been working on analyzing the effect of cloud fraction and aerosol production on absorbed solar radiation. He was eager to learn about Dr. Crowther’s findings. 

“The topic of feedback loops and climate regeneration is totally connected to what I've been working on,” he said. “Essentially, how are our habits on earth affecting how much power we're taking in versus giving back out of our atmosphere and our planet and how that's affecting global warming. So hearing about nature's feedback loops from a slightly more theoretical point of view and then getting to see the film was invaluable,” he said. 

Dwight’s commitment to educating young minds and creating leaders who change the world does not stop after Climate Week. Emma Ryan, Head of Middle School Science, who organized Dr. Thomas Crowther’s visit said, “We go beyond simply just teaching the students about climate change and sustainability. Students don’t just hear about climate change from a textbook. They actually engage with a scientist, such as Dr. Crowther, who works in the field of biodiversity, ecosystems and restoration… And the large part of our approach is giving the students the opportunities to do that, investigate authentic problems, and go out into ecosystems.”

The second event brought a similar optimism to life, proposing inspiring solutions to protect our planet. In collaboration with The Dwight School Foundation and the Villars Institute, Dwight hosted a powerful Q&A with Field Biologist Dan O’Neill and Food Entrepreneur and Former White House Chef Sam Kasswith, both of whom appeared in the documentary “How to Live on Earth.” This was followed by a screening of the film from Open Planet Studios, in association with the Villars Institute Foundation and Silviana. Presented by Benedict Cumberbatch, the film explores how we can build a thriving future by working with nature. 

Villars’ Director of Leadership and Learning Emma Benamuer, who was in attendance, said, “We wanted to bring this sense of hope and possibility into the film. And so that was the goal of this film and we want it to reach as many boardrooms as we do classrooms. We love partnering with Dwight because there is great intent to really show the connections in the classroom and into the core.”

Dwight is proud to be a Learning Partner at the Villars Institute. Every year, students are chosen to represent Dwight in Switzerland as “Fellows,” where they attend plenary sessions with scientists and world leaders. Head of Design and Global Spark Programs Director Lesa Wang, who organized the events of the day with Emma Ryan, said “What's unique about this partnership is the ability to tap into the growing network of the Villars Institute. Giving our students and faculty access to these incredible resources and community members and their intergenerational approach to solving some of the world's biggest problems is so important.”

Both James Harber ’28 (a former fellow) and Andrew Hur ’28 attended the events during Climate Week, and a major highlight for them was the film screening. Andrew said, “I learned that everybody could take little steps like throwing something out in a recycling bin or helping out in volunteering services, that could really help our planet.” That same philosophy, with a single person doing something to positively effect change, was reflected in the film.

Events during Climate Week represented what Dwight aims to do daily — giving students new ways to understand real-world challenges, question how systems work, and consider how they can contribute. So the  conversation continues well beyond Climate Week, shaping how students learn, collaborate, and envision the future they want to help create, spark by spark…