The center will be led by environmental historian William Cronon, the Frederick Jackson Turner Professor of History of the Environment and an internationally recognized expert on climate change and its effects on human societies. Cronon says the center will support interdisciplinary research, foster collaboration between scientists and policymakers, and provide resources to help communities adapt to climate change.
“The effects of climate change are already being felt around the world, and they are only going to get worse,” Cronon said. “We need to understand how these changes are impacting human and natural systems so that we can develop strategies to mitigate their impacts.”
The center will bring together researchers from a variety of disciplines, including environmental studies, climatology, sociology, economics, and public policy. It will also work closely with stakeholders from government, industry, and the non-profit sector.
One of the center's first projects will be a study of how climate change is affecting agricultural production in Wisconsin. The study will examine how changes in temperature, precipitation, and other climate variables are affecting crop yields, livestock production, and farm incomes. The results of the study will be used to develop adaptation strategies that can help farmers cope with the impacts of climate change.
The center will also support research on other topics related to climate change, such as:
* The impacts of climate change on water resources
* The impacts of climate change on human health
* The impacts of climate change on forests and other ecosystems
* The impacts of climate change on coastal communities
* The center will provide resources to help communities adapt to climate change, such as:
* Educational programs for the public
* Technical assistance for businesses and governments
* Funding for climate change mitigation and adaptation projects
* The center is a significant investment in understanding and addressing the impacts of climate change. It is a testament to the University of Wisconsin-Madison's commitment to addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing our planet.
“Climate change is a global problem, but it is also a local problem,” Cronon said. “The Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts will help us to understand and address the impacts of climate change in Wisconsin and beyond.”
