Climate Institute Mission:
The UC Merced Climate Institute serves as a hub for climate and environmental research, advancing the University of California’s mission of teaching, research, and public service. Our work is dedicated to sustainability, environmental resilience, and the people whose lives are shaped by climate challenges. Through interdisciplinary research and community partnerships, we aim to inform policies, develop innovative solutions, and empower future leaders to drive meaningful change.
Our Research Centers:
Equitable Climate Solutions Center
Led by Dr. Rebecca Ryals, the Equitable Climate Solutions Center addresses urgent challenges at the intersection of human well-being, the natural environment, and climate justice. This initiative is driven by the need to understand and mitigate the impacts of climate change while ensuring equity and justice. Our goal is to develop holistic frameworks, shared strategies, and innovative paradigms that integrate knowledge, theories, and methods to ensure a resilient, equitable, and sustainable future for the San Joaquin Valley. Through community engagement and convergent, actionable research, we seek to create meaningful change for both present and future generations.
Energy Center
Led by Dr. Sarah Kurtz, the Energy Center within UC Merced’s Climate Institute focuses on innovative technologies and system integration that can create a clean and low-cost energy system. The Center supports research and education by facilitating collaboration, scholarly activity, and engagement with both stakeholders and experts. By advancing sustainable energy solutions and fostering partnerships, the Energy Center is working to drive the transition toward a more efficient and environmentally responsible energy future.
Fire Resilience Center
Led by Dr. Crystal A. Kolden, the Fire Resilience Center is dedicated to seeking novel solutions to the wildfire crisis, with a focus on long-term resilience for vulnerable communities. Our work prioritizes addressing the disproportionate impacts of wildfires on low-income and rural areas, shifting the focus from short-term responses to sustainable, lasting strategies. We engage with community partners to tackle the housing crisis, develop wildfire buffer solutions for agricultural lands, and advocate for community-led resilience planning. Our research also emphasizes the small percentage of wildfires that cause the most destruction, informing more effective mitigation efforts. In partnership with NatureBridge and UC Merced Natural Reserves, we are also working to build a "good fire" education pipeline to prepare the next generation with the knowledge needed for fire resilience.
