Santa Clara University-based climate activism group tUrn is gearing up to host their biannual climate crisis awareness and action week from Monday, Oct. 12 to Sunday, Oct. 18. Featuring a total of 15 events with speakers from all over the world, tUrn aims to highlight diverse voices, and provide a space for students, faculty and the general public to learn more about the climate crisis and get involved in taking action.
This will be the 15th climate crisis awareness and action week put on by the organization, founded by professor Kristin Kusanovich ’88 in 2019. The 2025-27 Sinatra Chair in the Performing Arts, Kusanovich teaches courses in theatre and dance as well as child studies at the University.
“We’re resisting hopelessness, resisting pessimism, resisting inaction,” said Kusanovich about tUrn week.
Anthony Diaz ’29, a student volunteer for tUrn, emphasized the importance of climate education.
“Without education, we are doomed to repeat history,” said Diaz. “So by this organization, educating college students can get people to make the best decisions they can based on credible sources.”
The first day of the action week falls on Monday, Oct. 12—Indigenous People’s Day. Aiming to highlight indigenous voices regarding the climate crisis, tUrn will host an indigenous keynote via Zoom that afternoon from 4:15pm to 5:45pm, including a Q&A at the end. Shannon Rivers, a member of the Akimel O’odam people, is the speaker.
“We want to support indigenous sovereignty,” Diaz said.
tUrn also aims to emphasize the importance of student voices in the climate movement throughout the week. On Thursday, Oct. 15 at 6 p.m., students will present speeches on their own chosen topics at a student-led advocacy panel. Lauren Rossi ’29 plans to present a talk on nature based solutions for the climate struggle, specifically regarding carbon sequestration.
“In an age where we keep trying to make new technologies to tackle climate change, it’s important to remember that we have these natural resources,” said Rossi. “We have to remember to work closely with the nature that we already have at our fingertips before we just keep trying to build new solutions.”
tUrn will host 15 separate events throughout the week, featuring experts in climate issues such as water conflicts, disinformation, sustainability and more. All events are free and open to the public, on the Santa Clara University campus and over Zoom.