The center will coordinate research, education and outreach related to climate change impacts on human health, agriculture, water resources, ecosystems and more. It will also work with stakeholders to develop adaptation strategies and inform public policy.
“The impacts of climate change are already being felt in Wisconsin and around the world,” said center director Dan Vimont, a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “This center will bring together experts from a variety of disciplines to address these impacts and develop solutions that can help us adapt to a changing climate.”
The center is funded by a $10 million grant from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education. It will be housed in the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies.
“Climate change is a complex challenge that requires a comprehensive approach,” said UW-Madison Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education Steve Ackerman. “This center will provide the resources and expertise needed to address this challenge in a way that benefits both Wisconsin and the world.”
The center will build on the work of the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts, which was established in 2007 to assess the impacts of climate change on the state of Wisconsin. The new center will expand the scope of this work to include the entire Great Lakes region and other parts of the world.
“The impacts of climate change are not limited to any one region,” said Vimont. “This center will allow us to collaborate with experts from around the world to address this global challenge.”
The center will also work to educate the public about climate change and its impacts. It will offer educational programs for students of all ages, as well as public outreach events and workshops.
“It is essential that the public be informed about climate change and its impacts,” said Vimont. “This center will provide the resources and information needed to help people understand this complex issue.”
The center will also work with policymakers to develop adaptation strategies that can help communities cope with the impacts of climate change. It will also provide scientific expertise to inform public policy decisions related to climate change.
“Climate change is a serious threat to our planet, but it is not too late to take action,” said Vimont. “This center will help us to develop the solutions we need to adapt to a changing climate and protect our planet for future generations.”
