Telling the Story of the Duke Climate Commitment

Kirsten Khire on what does the Duke Climate Commitment mean and who is telling the story?

stream runs through Duke Forest
Duke Forest is not just a popular public recreation area; it's a place for climate professionals to conduct research that advances our understanding of environmental change. Photo by Kirsten Khire

Since the launch of the Duke Climate Commitment in 2022, faculty, students and staff from academic and administrative units across the university have been involved in strengthening educational programs, research, scholarship, operations and external engagement related to climate change and sustainability.

But much of this giant effort goes unnoticed, even within the Duke community. And a project this large can be difficult to define.

Since Nov. 25, Kirsten Khire (pronounced Keer-sten Kheer-ay) has taken on the challenge of describing and promoting this work as director of marketing and communications for climate and sustainability. She reports to both Toddi Steelman, vice president and vice provost for climate and sustainability, and Frank Tramble, vice president for communications, marketing and public affairs.

Kirsten Khire on one of her frequent trips to Duke Forest. Photo by Chrissy Johnson Dykeman
Kirsten Khire on one of her frequent trips to Duke Forest. Photo by Chrissy Johnson Dykeman

Khire previously led communications for the Sanford School of Public Policy from 2019-2024. Before Duke, she served in communications leadership roles at Michigan State University, UNC Charlotte and the organization Bioversity International.

Her background is in journalism; Khire earned her master鈥檚 degree in digital communication from UNC Chapel Hill and her bachelor鈥檚 degrees in journalism and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Two months into her job, Khire discusses with Duke Today what she hopes the Duke and external communities understand about the Duke Climate Commitment.

What is the most common question you hear?

The question I hear most is: What exactly is the commitment? The Duke Climate Commitment is a widespread invitation for the whole Duke community to address the climate challenge through innovations in education, research, operations, external engagement and community partnerships. The 鈥渢hrough鈥 is Duke鈥檚 point of difference in how we are committing to climate and sustainability action. In every pillar of its work, Duke is creating sustainable and equitable actions that place society on the path toward a resilient, flourishing, thriving world.

What does it mean to teach students to be climate fluent?

Duke is working to train and empower the next generation of climate leaders, and this includes students, staff, faculty, and alumni. The eventual goal is for all Duke students to graduate with climate and sustainability fluency, and a vital sense of agency and hope to implement positive climate and sustainability action, regardless of their academic program of study. Through the Office of Climate and Sustainability, many schools and faculty, and our Climate Commitment Advisory Council, this effort is well under way.

Climate hope is one of my biggest challenges to communicate, but the Climate Commitment is the greatest expression of optimism because of tangible and meaningful actions in education, research, engagement, partnerships and our operations.

Take the Duke Climate Commitment Pop Quiz

1. What are the five pillars of the Duke Climate Commitment?

2. When was the Duke Climate Commitment launched?听

3. Who is the leader of the Duke Climate Commitment?听

4. Which school leads the Duke Climate Commitment?

5. What are Duke鈥檚 climate strengths?听

6. How many Green Devil students are there this semester at Duke?听

7. What percentage has Duke reduced greenhouse gas emissions through on-campus projects since our baseline year of 2007?
听
8. Are alumni involved in the Duke Climate Commitment?听

9. How many students at Duke will be climate fluent over time?听

10. Is Duke involved in community partnerships in climate and sustainability?

Answers are below

What have you learned that might surprise Duke readers?

I have learned so much about what has been done already, what is happening right now and what the future holds. The Duke Climate Commitment will be prominent this spring with major events, new education opportunities and stories around climate changemakers at Duke. I have already met many inspirational students involved in Energy Week, COP29, Green Devils, clubs, Duke Athletics and all of our schools at Duke. Now it鈥檚 time to tell their stories 鈥 they are so inspiring.

Why were you interested in the role?

Climate and sustainability are two of my passions personally and professionally, and a thread over several decades of my communications career. I am thrilled to connect with the entire university on climate and sustainability 鈥 including students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends.

I want to help bring together communicators and leaders across the Duke network and the world to help tackle climate and sustainability in tangible ways. I want Duke to reach new audiences who need hear Duke鈥檚 climate and sustainability story. I want to provide the Duke community with valuable information to advance climate action. Through my new position, I want to support the future of Duke.

Plus, I relish working with the teams of Duke Forest, Duke Campus Farm, Duke Gardens, the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability. These are all part of the Office of Climate and Sustainability at Duke, which also includes a team of climate and sustainability professionals working every day at Duke and with our community at large.

How have your past roles contributed to this one?

Each role in my career has built upon the next, leading me to precisely to this opportunity.

For more than five years, I led communications at the Sanford School of Public Policy, navigating through complexity including the pandemic, world crises, transitions, elections, the school鈥檚 strategic priorities and Duke鈥檚 Centennial and campaign preparation.

I also worked for 10 years at Michigan State University, collaborating with colleagues across many units to engage stakeholders statewide and worldwide. I served at MSU through several capital campaigns.

And before I moved to North Carolina, I was the former head of communications for Bioversity International, a research organization focused on agricultural biodiversity, environment and climate change, affiliated with the three Rome-based United Nations agencies and the global research for development organization CGIAR.

Each previous role has led me to my new role here at Duke, and I am thrilled to tell the university stories to inform and inspire others.

I am looking forward to engaging our community in the work of the Duke Climate Commitment. Please reach out anytime: kirsten.khire@duke.edu. 

Pop Quiz Answers

  1. Education, research, operations, external engagement and community partnerships. about the goals.
  2. 2022
  3. , vice president and vice provost for climate and sustainability
  4. Trick question! All of Duke鈥檚 schools are contributing.
  5. As an interdisciplinary powerhouse, Duke has strengths in climate in every school, and throughout its centers and institutes. Climate is also immersed in our libraries, Duke Athletics and Duke Health 鈥 every part of Duke and every campus.
  6. Currently about 20 students involved. advances student leadership in sustainability by connecting their learning to collaborative action.
  7. 31%
  1. Yes. A group of alumni advocates works with the Climate Commitment team to support the work on campus and beyond.
  2. The Duke Climate Commitment aims for every Duke student to graduate with climate and sustainability fluency and a sense of agency and hope to implement positive climate and sustainability action, regardless of their academic program of study.
  3. Yes. Duke is committed to authentic, purposeful partnerships, grounded in an understanding of community needs. Community partnerships are woven through all the pillars of the Climate Commitment and integrated with the work of Duke Community Affairs. Here are