Climate and Energy (C&E)

C&E Study Area Leader: Timothy Volk

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our day and is directly linked with the amount and types of energy we currently use and will use. Projected changes in climate will impact critical ecosystems, create challenges for coping with more frequent extreme weather events, and negatively influence health around the world. Those with the fewest resources - particularly people of color, low-income and Iindigenous communities - will be the most affected.

Climate change and energy use are wicked problems that are challenging to resolve due to incomplete information and different perspectives on causes, impacts and solutions. Tackling these challenges requires a transdisciplinary approach, which involves knowledge integration across academic disciplines and with practitioners, managers and other decision makers. The Climate and Energy (C&E) Study Area involves faculty ranging from climate scientists, human dimension experts, ecologists, engineers, landscape designers, policy experts, and renewable energy specialists all of whom are actively involved in addressing climate and energy issues. C&E GPES students work with faculty from multiple disciplines and perspectives to tackle a wide range of research questions related to climate change and energy.

Examples of the tools and concepts that are commonly used in Climate and Energy study area include: