Climate, environment and sustainability

Newswise — CU Boulder scientists explore ways to help people and communities around the world become more resilient to a changing climate. We develop technologies to reduce emissions and slow the rate of climate change.

Our research is foundational, with our earth and atmospheric science disciplines ranking No. 1 and No. 2 respectively around the world in 2023. We collaborate closely with federal agencies such as NOAA and NASA to address society's most pressing challenges, because creating climate solutions requires connections, partnerships and cross-disciplinary approaches.

Learn more about our equitable approach to solutions.

Research shows the Arctic could become ‘ice-free’ within a decade

5 innovative approaches to addressing climate change

Colorado prisons may be ill-prepared for natural disasters

Why the first Earth Day went viral (pre-social media)

If you were at CU Boulder in April 1970, you were likely aware―very aware―of the first Earth Day. Two CU Boulder professors explain Earth Day’s history, impact, what it’s become and if it’s still relevant. Read more

Earth Day: 7 ways CU Boulder researchers are driving change

April 22 is Earth Day, and this year's theme is “Planet vs. Plastics.” Read about seven exciting research projects at CU Boulder as you ponder the importance of Earth Day. Read more

We’re drowning in single-use plastics. Here’s why and what we can do about it

Just in time for Earth Day, CU Boulder Professor Phaedra Pezzullo discusses her new book “Beyond Straw Man,” on the online and offline controversies regarding the global social movement to ban plastics. Read more

Mountain chickadees have remarkable memories. A new study explains why

Mountain chickadees have among the best spatial memory in the animal kingdom. New research identifies the genes at play and offers insight into how a shifting climate may impact the evolution of their memory skills. Read more

The cicadas are coming! A CU entomologist’s take on a once-in-200-years event

This summer in 15 states across the Southeast and Midwest, two cicada broods will emerge simultaneously for the first time since 1803. CU Boulder’s Sammy Ramsey offers insight on these singing, red-eyed bugs and how they benefit the planet. Read more

Ants in Colorado are on the move due to climate change

Ant species living in Boulder’s foothills have shifted their habitat over the last six decades, potentially affecting local ecosystems, suggests a new CU Boulder study. Read more

Faculty experts on climate change and environmental issues

Faculty experts from CU Boulder are available to discuss climate change and its potential solutions. To arrange an interview, contact CU Boulder media relations at [email protected]:

Natural Hazards

Jennifer Balch

Associate Professor, Department of Geography; Fellow, the Cooperative Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES)
Expertise: Fire and ecosystem dynamics, fire and global climate

Merritt Turetsky

Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Fellow, the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI)
Expertise: Arctic security, permafrost thaw, carbon cycling and wildfire

Pedro DiNezio

Associate Professor, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Expertise: Extreme weather events, impacts of global climate fluctuations, El Niño and La Niña

Lori Peek

Professor, Department of Sociology; Director, Natural Hazards Center
Expertise: Equity in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery

Water

Balaji Rajagopalan

Professor, Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering; CIRES fellow
Expertise: Sustainable water quantity and quality for the growing populations under climate change

Nikki Lovenduski

Associate Professor, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences; Interim Director, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research
Expertise: Oceanic CO2 uptake, climate change in the polar regions

Keith Musselman

Assistant professor, Department of Geology; INSTAAR fellow
Expertise: Climate change impacts on water availability, snow water resources

Conservation and biodiversity

Joanna Lambert

Professor, Department of Environmental Studies
Expertise: Species interactions, coexistence and animal resilience in the Anthropocene, wolf reintroduction in Colorado.

Colleen Scanlan Lyons

Associate Research Professor, Department of Environmental Studies
Expertise: Forest conservation, sustainable development in tropical forest regions

Sammy Ramsey

Assistant Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Expertise: Entomology, pollinator health, parasites and diseases in bees

Renewable energy and sustainability

Lucy Pao

Professor, Department of Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering
Expertise: Hurricane-resistant wind turbine design

Kyri Baker

Assistant Professor, Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering; RASEI fellow
Expertise: Power systems, electric grid, the challenges of integrating renewable energy to the grid under climate change