ABSTRACT
Over the last 150 years, the buildup of greenhouse gases has turned climate change from a scientific problem to an existential societal problem. People living in places affected by wildfires, coastal flooding, storms, droughts, and other natural disasters are particularly at risk. As the repercussions of climate change ricochet globally—impacting food prices, supply chains, and exacerbated inequities— universities are beginning to respond. Much as in prior centuries, this will mean a multidisciplinary approach that leverages future technologies to help to monitor, analyze, and ameliorate the numerous impacts of climate change. This includes training professionals to incorporate climate as essential element of finance, artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics, disaster response and preparation, land use planning and architecture, healthcare, and public administration, among other areas. Key competencies within all of these areas include: Systems approach to assess interactions between climate and society; the ability to collaborate to solve problems; depth of knowledge within a specific area to contribute to problem-solving collaborations; and a sensitivity for justice and equity concerns that permeate the climate problem.
