University of Vermont

09/10/2024 | Press release | Archived content

UVM Awarded $2.7M for National Climate Measurements Center of Excellence

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

UVM Awarded $2.7M for National Climate Measurements Center of Excellence

New Climate Measurements Center of Excellence will provide national leadership on measurement of climate impacts

An overview of a college campus from above
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

By

LAUREN MILIDEO

September 10, 2024

SHARE

"This Center will provide national leadership to ensure that our responses to climate change are science-based, practical, and equitable in diverse communities across the U.S." - Director Gillian Galford

Temperature, precipitation, wind speed-the U.S. government has plenty of ways to measure our climate. But how do we measure the impacts of climate on our communities, economies, and ecosystems? The new Climate Measurements Center of Excellence (LINK) (CMeC) at the University of Vermont (UVM) will answer this need, thanks to a $2.7M investment from the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology.

The new Center at UVM will advance U.S. climate impact assessment and planning by providing national, state, tribal, and local governments with standardized methods and metrics, addressing a lack of standards in regional climate change measurement.

"UVM's new Climate Measurements Center delivers critical tools for the fight against climate change and a new model of leadership for the effort," said UVM President Suresh Garimella. "I thank Senator Peter Welch and our federal partners for their support and recognition of UVM's strengths in climate impact research. This new Center will provide urgently needed solutions for people and planet, driven by the outstanding researchers and students at Vermont's flagship research university."

The Center will mobilize scientists and experts at UVM and nationally to measure and respond to the diverse ways that climate affects U.S. communities, water resources, human health, and food systems. Researchers will work with partners in 13 states and jurisdictions-including Alabama, Nebraska, and Washington-who will provide vital insights during the research and can implement solutions in their communities. More regions will be added over time.

"As the climate crisis creates sweeping challenges for people around the world, we need more reliable tools to help communities prepare," said U.S. Senator Peter Welch. "UVM's new Climate Measurements Center will help local communities make more informed decisions as they design, develop, and complete climate resiliency efforts in the future. I am incredibly proud of the important task UVM is undertaking, and I am proud to secure $2.7 million towards these research efforts."

The Center builds on UVM's leadership in climate measurement, including the Vermont Climate Assessment, says Gillian Galford, inaugural director of the UVM Climate Measurements Center of Excellence.


Professor Gillian Galford will be the new Center's Director.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to apply our experience quantifying the effects of climate change at the state level," said Galford, who led the two most recent Vermont Climate Assessments. "This Center will provide national leadership to ensure that our responses to climate change are science-based, practical, and equitable in diverse communities across the U.S. We will continue to grow a network of experts, stakeholders, and climate assessment leaders to build national expertise in local climate assessment."

"Responding to the worldwide impact of climate change is among the most fundamental scientific and social challenges of our time," said UVM Vice President for Research Kirk Dombrowski. "UVM research spans local and global issues, so we are uniquely positioned to play a leadership role in developing consistent, comparable metrics that can link the climate impacts in one area to those across the country and the globe. "

The new Center will address the lack of consistency across local climate change assessments, which can hinder attempts to mitigate climate change effects on the ground. While most current data on climate change damage covers large geographical areas, local detail is needed to prepare locally for extreme climate events. By connecting experts who can address climate resiliency needs at local levels, the Center will generate and disseminate assessment frameworks and toolkits that officials can use to meet the challenges of a changing climate.

"UVM has led the way in state-level climate impact assessments," said Taylor Ricketts, Director of the Gund Institute for Environment, which will house the new Center. "This new national center has grown from our investments in the Vermont's Climate Assessment. It's wonderful to see this idea blossom into a national effort, in partnership with the federal government. The Vermont Climate Assessment has inspired concrete action in our home state, and now we can scale this up to a national network."