“Climate Smart: Cities Working Together” won the Regional Emmy® award for outstanding content in the science/environment category at the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences – Upper Midwest Chapter Emmy® awards ceremony on October 6. The documentary is a collaboration between the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment and Twin Cities PBS following the creative and powerful work of five Minnesota cities that are leading the way to a more sustainable future.

Directed by Leya Hale, an award-winning Twin Cities Television film producer, “Climate Smart” follows the efforts and goals of local government, politicians, business leaders, and educators, creating energy efficiency and sustainability solutions that are economically beneficial for communities.

The documentary features some of Minnesota’s most creative and collaboration-minded leaders: Emily Larson, Mayor of  the City of Duluth; David Senjem, Minnesota State Senator; Will Seuffert, Environmental Quality Board Director; Mark Kotschevar, Rochester Public Utilities Manager; and Shannon Mortenson, City Manager of Warren, along with German partners who have been essential to the success of the continuing project.

Climate Smart Municipalities is an environmental solutions project – organized by the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment – that fosters international collaboration and development of renewable, sustainable solutions through local policy change and education. The cities of Duluth, Elk River, Morris, Rochester, and Warren have been partners of the program for three years now – partnered with like-minded cities in Germany that can help advance the renewables revolution in Minnesota.

“Together, we are smarter,” says Sabine Engel, director of international partnerships at IonE and leader of the project. “The University of Minnesota is proud to be a partner that enables an unusual international exchange benefiting local communities, both in Minnesota and Germany.”

Ujjoyini Bhowmik is the International Partnerships project assistant at IonE and a sophomore at the University of Minnesota studying psychology and communication studies.