EarthLab News
Climate Impacts Group releases new strategic plan
The Climate Impacts Group has released a new strategic plan to guide the next five years of their work. Among several key priorities, the strategic plan reflects a commitment to centering equity in climate adaptation, with particular attention to environmental justice and community resilience. “This marks a really important moment for the Climate Impacts Group,” Jason Vogel, interim director of the Climate Impacts Group, says. “Demands for climate services are both increasing and evolving, and there is increasing acknowledgement of the need to center the priorities of frontline and marginalized communities. We have an exciting opportunity to push the boundaries of climate services and define for ourselves and others what it looks like to work in partnership to support equitable climate adaptation. Our strategic plan will help us rise to meet this important moment.”
Read more
Announcing the Climate Justice Visual Arts Contest Winners
Today, EarthLab announced the winners of our inaugural UW Undergraduate Visual Arts Competition, celebrating unique artistic interpretations of environmental and climate justice. This contest encouraged University of Washington students across all campuses and disciplines to create art that reflects their perspectives on these critical issues. The competition aimed to elevate awareness of environmental justice, promote diverse student voices, and highlight the intersection of art, environment, and community.
Read more
Dr. Guillaume Mauger named Washington State Climatologist
Dr. Guillaume Mauger has been named the next director of the Office of the Washington State Climatologist. Mauger’s appointment began earlier this month. Mauger succeeds Dr. Nick Bond, who retired from the role in February after nearly 14 years. Karin Bumbaco, deputy state climatologist, served as interim state climatologist from February to May.
Read more
Athena Bertolino awarded for outstanding community impact
The UW College of the Environment awarded Athena Bertolino, Future Rivers program manager and member of EarthLab core team, the 2024 award for outstanding community impact. The Awards Committee was impressed with the breadth and depth of Athena’s work and the impact that she has, which was highlighted in her nomination letters. Her nominators note that she is absolutely essential to the success and impact of Future Rivers; she is completely dedicated to making the UW and College of the Environment a world leader in transdisciplinary environmental science research and education; her extraordinary commitment to excellence; and her ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice through programs, trainings and continuous improvement opportunities.
Read more
UW EarthLab Announces 2024-25 Innovation Grants Projects for Climate & Social Justice
UW EarthLab awards $400,000 to develop actionable research at the intersection of climate change & social justice, making a positive impact on people’s lives and livelihoods
March 28,2024
Today EarthLab announced that five community-centered teams have been selected for the 2024-25 Innovation Grants program. Each team will receive $80,000 to research and develop new and actionable knowledge on community-driven projects at the intersection of climate change and social justice.
EarthLab Presents: Visual Arts Contest
I have always wanted my art to service my people — to reflect us, to relate to us, to stimulate us, to make us aware of our potential. We have to create an art for liberation and for life” – Elizabeth Catlett
EarthLab is excited to announce our first-ever UW Undergraduate Art Competition! This is your opportunity to participate in one of the original forms of human expression through art by creating an original piece of art that answers the question: What does environmental and/or climate justice mean to you and your community?
Apply Today! Science Justice Summer School
Are you a grad student or postdoc interested in applying climate and environmental justice frameworks in your work? Consider applying to the Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative’s first-ever Science Justice Summer School! This two-week program will dive into a range of justice-related topics through lectures, discussion groups and more. Applications close Monday, March 4 at 11:59 p.m.
The Science Justice Summer School will run from July 10-24, 2024, on the University of Washington campus in Seattle. The summer school is open to second-year master’s students, Ph.D. students, and postdoctoral fellows from Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields as well as those in the social sciences and humanities.
Read more
Office of the Washington State Climatologist Releases New Strategic Plan
The Office of the Washington State Climatologist has released a new strategic plan to guide their future work. Among several key priorities, the strategic plan emphasizes engaging with decision makers and communities and co-producing applied research. In summer 2023, the Office of the Washington State Climatologist joined the Climate Impacts Group and became a member organization of EarthLab; the strategic plan further aligns the goals of the Climatologist’s Office and their new host organizations.
Read moreListen to the NCA5 Companion Podcasts
The Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) Companion Podcast is a limited series intended to introduce the report, showcase the perspectives of NCA5 authors and staff, and demonstrate how the Assessment can help inform decisions. In this edition of the NCA5, several members of the Climate Impacts Group contributed. NCA5, which was released in fall 2023, is the US. Government’s preeminent report on climate change impacts, risks, and adaptation across the Nation. It is a congressionally mandated, interagency effort that brings together hundreds of experts from federal, state, and local governments, as well as the academic, non-profit, and private sectors.
Read more
Application Now Open for Future Rivers 2024/25
Future Rivers is extending their grant and offering their program at least one more year! Any current or prospective Masters or PhD student with an interest in freshwater science from any department at the University of Washington can apply. Application review and decisions will happen in late winter (Feb/March) 2024; applications received by the January 26 deadline will be eligible for funding consideration.
Read more