Climate & Environment

  • Researchers conduct water sampling.
    The Marshall Fire spurred researchers—many of them personally affected by the fire—to pivot and apply their expertise to the aftermath. One year later, dozens of ongoing research projects continue to explore the science behind what happened that day, the widespread impacts on people, pets and the environment and how we can mitigate future catastrophes amid a changing climate.
  • miniature satellite about the size of a shoebox
    Since July 2022, a miniature satellite about the size of a shoebox has been orbiting Earth and monitoring how much solar energy reaches the atmosphere, one of the "most important" Earth science measurements. Now, scientists are finalizing their analysis of the first five months of the testing.
  • The ash cloud from the submarine volcanic eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai photographed by an astronaut
    At the American Geophysical Union meeting in Chicago through Dec. 16, LASP researchers are presenting the results of recent studies on the massive 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption.
  • Coronado National Forest
    CIRES co-authored work shows tribal practices blunted wildfires’ impacts in the American Southwest. Bringing “good fire” back to the U.S. and other wildfire-prone areas, as Native Americans once did, could potentially blunt the role of climate in triggering today’s wildfires.
  • Plastic bag on green grass
    Of all the troubles in the world, why should single-use shopping bags and straws concern you? Ask Associate Professor Phaedra Pezzullo, who spells out the chilling ramifications of plastic use in her new podcast and book.
  • CMCI instructor and student work at a computer in the classroom
    The College of Media, Communication and Information received a $25,000 donation from the climate-action organization Mission Zero to further climate-focused work. Faculty and students undertook seven grant projects, tackling climate issues through innovative storytelling.
  • Floods that cuts the Raya Bintara Rd. in Jawa Barat, Indonesia on Jan. 1, 2020
    Extreme weather and ocean events are on the rise around the world, due largely to human-caused climate change. But to fully understand these changes—and, ideally, to predict when and where they may occur in the future—researchers and policymakers must also take into account naturally occurring climate variability, suggests new research.
  • Distinguished CU Professor James S. Anaya addresses the audience during the closing ceremony
    After three days of dynamic and thought-provoking panels and keynotes at the inaugural Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit co-hosted by United Nations Human Rights and ñ, the work now begins on moving the talk about the human rights crisis that climate change is to action. 
  • Panelist Ewi Stephanie Lamma addresses the audience during the Developing Climate Solutions with the Human Rights of Future Generations in Mind panel in the Glenn Miller Ballroom as part of the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit at the ñ. (Photo by Casey A. Cass/University of Colorado)
    Four panelists at the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit, all young women, expressed the same sentiment: Women and youth are most burdened by climate change, but they are also key to solutions needed now.
  • Audience members listen to keynote speaker Kumi Naidoo as he provides the keynote speech on the third day of the Right Here Right Now Climate Summit at the Glenn Miller Ballroom in the University Memorial Center on the ñ campus on Dec. 4, 2022. Photo by Patrick Campbell/University of Colorado)
    Day three of the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate summit at ñ was filled with discussions of concrete solutions and urgent calls for collective action to reduce the human toll of the climate crisis today and fend off a catastrophic future.
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