Stanford University and Climate

Research: Existing Efforts and

Future Directions

Dr. Michael D. Mastrandrea

California Council on Science and TechnologyMay 24, 2007

The Vision of Stanford’s Environmental Initiative

A sustainable world where human needs are met while protecting and restoring Earth’s

life support systems and resources for people today and generations yet to come.

Activities & Mission

Three major activities:

Interdisciplinary Research

Ideas to Action

Educating Leaders

Seeking solutions to major challenges through innovative research

Strategic collaborations with decision makers, stakeholders,

the media, and the general public

Educating and training environmental leaders

Stanford Initiative on the Environment & Sustainability

StanfordSchools

StanfordSchools

Earth Sciences

Engineering Education

Law

Medicine

Humanities

GSB

Decision Makers

Government

OtherBusiness

NGOs

Woods Institute:Interdisciplinary Catalyst, Hub

PIEE

EMF

FSIGCEP

Stanford Indep LabsStanford

Indep. Labs

StanfordIndep. Labs

Woods Institute for

the Environment

Woods Institute for

the Environment

Woods Focal Areas

Four focal areas:• Energy & Climate

• Land Use & Conservation

• Freshwater

• Oceans & Estuaries

Research Action

Spanning the problem-solving spectrum

The Environment & Energy Building

Under One Roof - ‘A Coming-Together Place’

Organized by Research Area• Land Use & Conservation• Energy & Climate• Freshwater• Oceans & Estuaries• Sustainable Built Systems

Interdisciplinary Occupants

Many established climate & energy programs: •Precourt Institute for Energy Efficiency (PIEE)

•Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR)

•Global Climate and Energy Project (GCEP)

•Energy Modeling Forum (EMF)

•Program on Energy and Sustainable Development (PESD)

Climate & Energy Programs and Research

Precourt Institute for Energy Efficiency

Climate & Energy Programs and Research

Many established climate & energy programs: •Precourt Institute for Energy Efficiency (PIEE)

•Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR)

•Global Climate and Energy Project (GCEP)

•Energy Modeling Forum (EMF)

•Program on Energy and Sustainable Development (PESD)

Climate & Energy Programs and Research

Expertise in climate impacts and vulnerability research: •Global / Regional Impact Assessments (IPCC, CAT Report)

•Carnegie Airborne Observatory (CAO)

•Food Security and the Environment Program (FSE)

•Jasper Ridge Biological Reserve (FACE Studies)

•Center for Ocean Solutions – Ocean Acidification

•Existing and New Faculty Research

Climate & Energy Programs and Research

Carnegie Airborne Observatory

Climate & Energy Programs and Research

Expertise in climate impacts and vulnerability research: •Global / Regional Impact Assessments (IPCC, CAT Report)

•Carnegie Airborne Observatory (CAO)

•Food Security and the Environment Program (FSE)

•Jasper Ridge Biological Reserve (FACE Studies)

•Center for Ocean Solutions – Ocean Acidification

•Existing and New Faculty Research

Climate & Energy Programs and Research

Key Future Direction:

Integrated and expanded research in vulnerability and adaptation

Impacts, Vulnerability, and Adaptation

Response Strategies: Climate Risk Management

After Jones, 2003

Key Future Direction:

Integrated and expanded research in vulnerability and adaptation

> Building on and expanding strengths

> Social benefit beyond climate research

> Significant potential for collaboration and partnerships

Impacts, Vulnerability, and Adaptation

Working Solutions:Gaining Traction in ‘The Real World’

“Solving the world’s urgent environmental problems takes bold ideas from leaders and experts in many fields. …Most of all, it takes a conviction that these problems are largely solvable, and a tough-minded commitment to seeking the solutions which gain traction in the real world.”

—Ward Woods