It wouldn’t make sense to have a student make the pitch, standing near the Grotto with St. Mary’s lake in the background, as that setting is not identified as ground zero for climate change. Hence, the student was standing on a beach, with the ocean in the background.
Notre Dame was speaking on behalf of the planet. That is called leadership.
Keep in mind that advertisements are often part of a campaign of ads, centered around a theme. We have seen Notre Dame run a series of ads of Notre Dame students, faculty, and alumni serving the poor around the globe. I gather those ads did not strike you as “political” — as the University was endorsing the idea that serving the needy in poor nations lifts all of us, — and certainly befitting of the University’s Catholic values.
Isn’t the idea of protecting God’s planet (and vulnerable people) from the threat of climate change a worthy priority?