Resources

As the Colorado River Compact is renegotiated, scientists are critically examining historical research on the river’s flow to ensure water users across the western United States and Mexico have the information they need to prepare for a future where drought is the norm.

In order to stay safe and healthy during wildfire smoke events, communities need to understand the health impacts of exposure, know the interventions they can take to mitigate risks, have access to accurate air quality data, and most importantly, have access to clean indoor air. Recent research underscores opportunities to improve smoke readiness across these dimensions.

Wildfires are increasing in intensity, frequency, and size, decimating ecosystems and devastating communities. As worries about the impacts of wildfires grow, researchers are ramping up efforts to understand wildfires’ water quality repercussions. Studies conducted following the Marshall and Camp fires will help lay the groundwork for future water resiliency efforts and community preparedness.

Studies show climate events can have catastrophic consequences for human health including the spread of disease vectors and contaminated food or drinking water supplies, but new research is identifying ways to reduce the risks.

How quickly we reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions critically depends on how fast we learn in the process. New research uses learning curves to explain staggering declines in costs of key climate technologies like solar photovoltaics and batteries, grounding hopes that we can get where we need to go—as long as we don’t delay getting started.

As climate change causes more extreme heat days across the globe, heat has become a critical issue for public health and city planning. Recent research illuminates why extreme heat poses even greater health and economic threats than previously thought, but also points to ways we can build effective solutions to address it.

Many US coastal states are looking to the prospect of ocean renewable energy (ORE), particularly offshore wind, to help meet ambitious emissions reduction goals. Social science offers insight into who supports or opposes ORE and why, and suggests actions that could help promote a more just transition to ORE.

New studies demonstrate how incorporating social systems into climate models is important for creating realistic climate forecasts and making informed policy decisions.

New research showcases how coupling existing state efforts to accelerate renewable energy adoption in underserved low-income communities and to replace aging gas distribution networks with district heating and cooling could transform overburdened communities into high energy-performance communities that are safer and more resilient.

Renewable energy communities (RECs) have the potential to empower communities and benefit energy-vulnerable and energy-poor households. Recent research and review articles look at how this plays out in practice.