Climate Impacts

Colorado Climate Week – RASEI Fellows Discuss AI, Data Centers, and the Future of Clean Energy

Daniel Morton — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 23:56:10 +0000

Colorado Climate Week – RASEI Fellows Discuss AI, Data Centers, and the Future of Clean Energy Daniel Morton Thu, 04/02/2026 - 17:56

Daniel Morton

During Colorado Climate Week 2026, leaders from across academia, industry, and policy came together to explore some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the energy transition. The week’s events highlighted the value of collaboration across sectors, bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, utilities, and students to exchange ideas and share emerging solutions.

Among the many themes discussed, one area that drew particular attention was the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), data centers, and clean energy. As AI technologies continue to scale rapidly, so too does the energy demand required to support them. This growing demand raises important questions about how to power digital infrastructure sustainably, and how these same technologies might also accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy grid system.

��ñ�� researchers and faculty played an active role in these conversations throughout the week. Panel discussions featuring RASEI Fellows Kyri Baker and Bri-Mathias Hodge offered different perspectives around the impact of integrating datacenters into the grid.

The discussion centered on a key tension: while AI and data centers are driving significant increases in electricity demand, they also present new opportunities to improve how energy systems are planned, operated, and optimized. Rather than viewing data centers solely as a challenge for the grid, the panel explored how they could become more flexible and responsive participants in the energy system.

One area of focus was the potential for better alignment between data center operations and the availability of renewable energy. As more wind and solar resources come online, managing variability becomes an ongoing challenge. Panelists discussed different ways in which the combination of renewable energy and the rise of demand with datacenters can be considered as complimentary in approaches for balancing the grid.

Throughout the discussions, Baker and Hodge emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary approaches. Addressing the energy impacts of AI is not only a technical problem, it also involves community engagement, policy frameworks, and collaboration between traditionally separate sectors. Their insights reflected a broader theme of Colorado Climate Week: that complex climate and energy challenges require integrated solutions.

For attendees, the session provided a great opportunity to learn more, dispel some myths, and gain insights into the concerns and areas of growth that those in the industry are considering.

More broadly, Colorado Climate Week provided a valuable forum for connecting these kinds of conversations across disciplines and organizations. Events throughout the week underscored the importance of continued dialogue and partnership in advancing climate solutions, particularly as new technologies reshape the energy landscape.

As AI continues to evolve and energy systems become more complex, discussions like these will play an important role in shaping how the two intersect.

April 2026

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Investigating how political polarization impacts efforts to address climate change

Daniel Morton — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 19:22:40 +0000

Investigating how political polarization impacts efforts to address climate change Daniel Morton Wed, 02/25/2026 - 12:22

February 2026

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The Long Shadow of Partisan Hostility: How Affective Polarization Hinders Democracies’ Ability to Mitigate Climate Change

Daniel Morton — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 18:13:03 +0000

The Long Shadow of Partisan Hostility: How Affective Polarization Hinders Democracies’ Ability to Mitigate Climate Change Daniel Morton Mon, 12/29/2025 - 11:13

AMERICAN SOCIOLOGICAL REVIEW, 2026, 91, 1

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RASEI Fellow Kyri Baker Interviewed on PBS

Daniel Morton — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 17:38:22 +0000

RASEI Fellow Kyri Baker Interviewed on PBS Daniel Morton Tue, 12/16/2025 - 10:38

December 2025

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RASEI Fellow Merritt Turetsky takes the TEDx Boulder Stage to discuss how Bogs are the real superheroes

Daniel Morton — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 22:32:31 +0000

RASEI Fellow Merritt Turetsky takes the TEDx Boulder Stage to discuss how Bogs are the real superheroes Daniel Morton Fri, 12/05/2025 - 15:32

December 2025

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Impacts of novel wildfire disturbance on landcover and wildlife in boreal North America

Daniel Morton — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 17:50:25 +0000

Impacts of novel wildfire disturbance on landcover and wildlife in boreal North America Daniel Morton Thu, 11/13/2025 - 10:50

FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, 2025, 13

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Boulder Climate Ventures Ignites Climate Tech Momentum with Fall Series

Daniel Morton — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 14:32:00 +0000

Boulder Climate Ventures Ignites Climate Tech Momentum with Fall Series Daniel Morton Thu, 10/16/2025 - 08:32

October 2025

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Methane emission hotspots in a boreal forest-fen mosaic potentially linked to deep taliks

Daniel Morton — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 23:18:26 +0000

Methane emission hotspots in a boreal forest-fen mosaic potentially linked to deep taliks Daniel Morton Tue, 09/09/2025 - 17:18

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS, 2025, 20, 104029

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A Review of Abrupt Permafrost Thaw: Definitions, Usage, and a Proposed Conceptual Framework

Daniel Morton — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 19:39:52 +0000

A Review of Abrupt Permafrost Thaw: Definitions, Usage, and a Proposed Conceptual Framework Daniel Morton Thu, 07/24/2025 - 13:39

CURRENT CLIMATE CHANGE REPORTS, 2025, 11, 7

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Plant Community Shifts as Early Indicators of Abrupt Permafrost Thaw and Associated Carbon Release in an Interior Alaskan Peatland

Daniel Morton — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 19:46:11 +0000

Plant Community Shifts as Early Indicators of Abrupt Permafrost Thaw and Associated Carbon Release in an Interior Alaskan Peatland Daniel Morton Tue, 07/22/2025 - 13:46

JGR BIOGEOSCIENCES, 2025, 130, 7, e2024JG008639

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