Search Results for: climate change

Harte Lab: Ecology & Global Change

Ecology and global change are the primary topics of research in the Harte Lab. Among the goals are: to characterize ecological feedbacks to climate change, to predict effects of global change on biodiversity, and to develop fundamental theory that predicts the structure of ecosystems across spatial scales.

Climate & Carbon Sciences Program

The research mission of the Climate & Carbon Sciences Program is to advance the understanding and prediction of multiscale climate dynamics, abrupt and extreme climate events, terrestrial feedbacks to climate change, and their impacts on energy and water resources.

Climate Futures Lab

The Climate Futures Lab is a hub of social science research on the impact and equity of climate change responses at the University of California, Berkeley. The lab is led ... Continue Reading »

Courses

All Course Offerings Please note: This is a full list of ERG course offerings; not all courses are offered each term. For current course offerings, please refer to the online ... Continue Reading »

Publications

“Biodiversity Scales from Plots to Biomes With a Universal Species-Area Curve” John Harte, Adam B. Smith, and David Storch“Carbon Cycle Uncertainty Increases Climate Change Risks and Mitigation Challenges” Paul A. ... Continue Reading »

Renewable & Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL)

RAEL is engaged in projects to develop the science, technology, policy needs and to foster engagements that explore the future of energy, specifically the transition to a low-cabon, environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable energy system.

Faculty by Primary Interest

Areas of Interest Climate ChangeEcologyEnergyGovernanceWaterInternational Climate Change ERG CORE David Anthoff David Anthoff is an environmental economist who studies climate change and environmental policy. He co-develops the integrated assessment model ... Continue Reading »

Master’s Degree Curriculum Requirements (MA or MS)

The purpose of the ERG Master’s program is to educate the next generation of interdisciplinary leaders. Specifically, students are taught the range of methods and subjects they should be able ... Continue Reading »

Sustainability Summer Minor and Certificate

The Minor and Certificate in Sustainability provides a comprehensive understanding of the most pressing issues facing the world today. ERG’s Minor/Certificate program offers a practical and relevant interdisciplinary approach at ... Continue Reading »

Summer Instructors

The Energy and Resources Group summer instructors understand the complex and interdisciplinary nature of sustainability. All have significant experience teaching and/or professional experience in the subject areas of their courses. ... Continue Reading »

Sustainability Minor/Certificate FAQs

Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Learning What is the difference between synchronous vs. asynchronous instruction, and online courses vs. remote instruction courses? Courses originally offered online (i.e. Energy and Society and Water ... Continue Reading »

Affiliated Faculty

ERG has a small core faculty but a much larger group of affiliated faculty. Affiliated faculty are based in other departments on campus or at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, ... Continue Reading »

Undergraduate Minor in Energy and Resources

The Minor in Energy and Resources offers under­grad­u­ates basic knowl­edge and skills to address issues arising from the inter­ac­tion of social, eco­nomic, polit­i­cal, tech­ni­cal, and envi­ron­men­tal fac­tors shaping our world. ... Continue Reading »

Minor/Certificate in Sustainability — Courses

Summer 2022 Curriculum ERG’s minor and certificate require a minimum of five courses and 15 total units of coursework, completed over one or two summers (or for a UC Berkeley ... Continue Reading »

Give to ERG

Your donation to ERG provides critical funding and academic opportunities for our graduate students. ERG has a 50-year history of outstanding research, teaching, policy advice and scholar-activism. ERG has researched ... Continue Reading »

Research from ERG’s Esther Shears in Nature Climate Change Compares Models of Climate Governance

January 24, 2023

ERG PhD student Esther Shears is an author of a recently published paper in Nature Climate Change, undertaking a comparative study of national climate governance. To read the full piece, ... Continue Reading »

NBC Features ERG Faculty and Alumni on Bay Area Climate Change Series

March 23, 2021

NBC's new series, titled "Bay Area Climate Change Hotspots", features ERG alumni Heather Cooley, Zeke Hausfather, and ERG adjunct professor Margaret Torn. Watch the full series with the link here.

Adaptation for Climate Change Impacts Researched by ERG Student Szinai and Professor Jones

February 16, 2021

ERG PhD student Julia Szinai and assistant adjunct professor Andrew Jones were recently featured in AGU news for their research on evaluating cross-sectoral impacts of climate change and adaptations on the energy-water nexus.  “How we adapt to climate change in the water sector can exacerbate or offset impacts on the grid,” Szinai states. “And so those interactions shouldn’t be ignored in planning.”

ERG Professor Dan Kammen Discusses Climate change in the age of Joe Biden

December 18, 2020

ERG Professor Dan Kammen was recently interviewed in The Daily Californian, where he discussed what the fight against climate change would look like in 2021 and what he anticipates for President-elect Joe Biden’s administration. “California’s always had a very aggressive plan,” Kammen said. “We’re now in a position where 10 states have joined California and have targets of zero-carbon economies by mid-century, so President-elect Biden is working with a much better deck.”

ERG Dan Kammen on What the Biden-Harris Victory Means For COVID-19 & Climate Change

November 16, 2020

ERG professor Dan Kammen recently published an op-ed on the Daily Californian, discussing the powerful impact the Biden-Harris victory has on addressing the issues of COVID-19 and climate change. Kammen further states that the new leadership's energy and climate platform can be a game-changer for achieving social and climate justice. "Science, social justice and both domestic and global partnerships to address climate change are now back on the agenda in the United States," Kammen writes. "More than any one specific action, the commitment Biden has already shown to a science-driven administration is critically important domestically and worldwide."

ERG Professor Dan Kammen on the Importance of Political Policies Against Climate Change

August 6, 2020

ERG Professor Dan Kammen was featured on a recent Al Jazeera article, discussing America's progress towards building a greener economy. "The 2020 election in the United States is absolutely critical, because we know on the climate side that we have very few years left to get on an innovative green energy path," Kammen stated.

ERG Almnus Daniel Sanchez Interviewed in “Breakthroughs” on Climate Change Solutions

May 29, 2020

ERG Alumnus Daniel Sanchez was recently featured in Breakthroughs, the magazine of the Rausser College of Natural Resources, for his work as a Cooperative Extension specialist. Along with other featured specialists, the article focuses on their work on "tackling climate change's impacts on Californians."

Dan Kammen Captures Media Attention on Green Stimulus Plan Coronavirus and Climate Change

April 22, 2020

ERG Professor Dan Kammen has recently been featured on various news media sources, including The Guardian, KQED, San Francisco Chroncicle and more to discuss how Covid-19 has emphasized the need to fight climate change.

ERG Zeke Hausfather Warns Normalizing “Worst Case” Climate Change

February 10, 2020

In a recent article published by Nature, ERG Alumnus Zeke Hausfather suggests that using a more-realistic baselines for emissions would make for better policy in fighting global warming.

Dan Kammen and Researchers Urge More Aggressive Action Against Climate Change

December 12, 2019

In a new study done by ERG's Dan Kammen and a team of researchers, analysis shows that global warming crisis is worse than previously thought. However, their research also shows how it is completely possible for countries to achieve an increased and sustainable rate of decarbonisation through more aggressive policies against climate change.

Kammen on How Hurricane Dorian Indicates Increasing Climate Change on USA Today

September 11, 2019

USA Today quotes ERG professor Daniel Kammen on how Hurricane Dorian highlights the increasing problem of climate change reducing the amount of affordable housing, especially in coastal areas.

ERG Alumnus Patrick Gonzalez Speaks to Congress on Climate Change

June 27, 2019

ERG alum, Dr. Patrick Gonzalez presents scientific findings to Representative Mike Quigley and other members of the U.S. House of Representatives Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition Members in the U.S. Capitol

Alumnus Jim Williams Speaks at Vatican Climate Change Meeting

June 25, 2019

ERG alumnus and University of San Francisco Professor Jim Williams (MS '86, PhD '95) presented his findings on decarbonization pathways, joined by ERG core faculty member and alumna Professor Margaret Torn (MS '90, PhD '94).

Dan Kammen and Tom Steyer Comment on the Adverse Effects of Climate Change on Biodiversity

June 6, 2019

A recent report released from the United Nations details the threat that climate change and human activities pose to hundreds of thousands of plant and animal species and their biodiversity. ... Continue Reading »

ERG’s Lara Kueppers on Climate Change and CA Wildfires

January 9, 2019

ERG Professor Lara Kueppers recently commented in Bustle on the relationship between climate change and the California wildfires.  “‘Due to climate change, she explains, ‘warm temperatures extend over a larger ... Continue Reading »

Energy New ERG Courses Focus on Data

June 26, 2018

The Energy and Resources Group has announced two new courses this fall addressing current, timely topics in energy and environment. Registration is open.

Food Security Why Climate Change

May 16, 2018

Last month, the Nanaimo and Area Land Trust co-hosted a world-class symposium on water stewardship in a changing climate. Canadian water expert and professor Bob Sandford spoke about “The Hard ... Continue Reading »

Patrick Gonzalez Selected to be a Lead Author of IPCC’s Next Major Climate Change Report

April 17, 2018

ERG alumnus Patrick Gonzalez (PhD ’97) has been selected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to be a lead author for a chapter about freshwater ecosystems in their ... Continue Reading »

What Happens When You Track Climate Change for Over 25 Years in the Rockies?

February 22, 2018

ERG ecosystems professor John Harte and his team at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory know the answer. They have been tracking wildflower populations and soil moisture in a meadow above Crested ... Continue Reading »

Climate Change Slowing Down Wind Turbines? Kammen Weighs In

December 12, 2017

With global temperatures increasing, researchers analyze the effects of temperature differences on wind patterns. Multiple studies confirm the possibility of wind resources declining across the Northern Hemisphere, reducing the energy ... Continue Reading »

the Effects of Climate Change on Tropical Storms Dan Kammen: Renewable Energy

September 11, 2017

Photo: Lizette Kabré After a few hectic weeks in the news, Energy and Resources Professor Dan Kammen reflects on his resignation as State Department Science Envoy and highlights the continued importance ... Continue Reading »

Dan Kammen Discusses Climate Change Initiative Being Developed by California Universities

August 20, 2017

In a recent Nature article, ERG Professor Dan Kammen comments on the potential establishment of a California-based climate change research institute. The proposal is backed by all University of California ... Continue Reading »

Kammen Comments on What Action Obama Can Take Over Climate Change

November 17, 2016

ERG professor Daniel Kammen joins a discussion of what President Obama should do about climate change before leaving office with Democracy Now!

ERG Professor Anthoff: Climate Change at the International Level

October 26, 2016

ERG Professor David Anthoff discusses climate change at the international level for Berkeley's C&R Breakthroughs magazine.

Kammen: Panelists Consider Potential of Nuclear Power As Climate Change Solution

May 6, 2016

ERG professor Dan Kammen spoke on a Cornell University panel on the potential of nuclear power to address global climate change.

ERG Professor Dan Kammen Speaks at Climate Change Symposium

April 19, 2016

ERG professor Dan Kammen participated in a Climate Change Symposium on Friday, April 15, at a Modesto Area Partners in Science (MAPS) lecture.

Grist Features ERG Climate Change Solutions

July 2, 2014

Professor John Harte and three ERG students are "Hacking the Climate" with featured articles in the popular online publication.

Holdren on Climate Change in the USA

May 6, 2014

Watch Dr. John Holdren, Assistant to the President for Science & Technology and ERG Co-founder, discuss the newly released National Climate Assessment report.

ERG’s Anthoff and Alum Errickson Promote Utilitarian Approach to Global Climate Policy

September 27, 2021

ERG Professor David Anthoff and Frank Errickson, PhD '20, ERG, recently published in Nature Climate Change, proposing a practical way of measuring how different nations should reduce carbon emissions in order to maximize well being in the world. (Photo by Stuart Rankin)

New Climate Equity and Environmental Justice Cluster Brings Faculty Mills-Novoa to ERG

September 15, 2021

Meg Mills-Novoa has joined the Energy and Resources Group as part of a group of new faculty members recruited through Rausser College's Climate Equity and Environmental Justice cluster initiative to further climate justice research.

ERG Alum Gonzalez to Serve as White House Climate Advisor

September 14, 2021

UC Berkeley scientist Patrick Gonzalez has been appointed by the White House as an assistant director for climate and biodiversity. Gonzalez will work to help execute the climate plans declared by President Biden, like the "30 by 30" conservation goal and net zero emissions by 2050. (Photo by Al Golub)

New Research from Alumnus Errickson Connects Animal-based Foods with High Climate Costs

May 4, 2021

ERG alumnus Frank Errickson recently published research on Nature, "Animal-based foods have high social and climate costs", quantifying the climate costs of animal-based agricultural greenhouse gas emissions at a regional level.

Alumni ERG Students

January 21, 2021

Current ERG PhD student Julia Szinai, alumnus Ranjit Deshmukh, ERG professor Dan Kammen, and assistant adjunct professor Andrew Jones were recently featured by UCSB for their leading research in "Power, Water and Climate". Working with researchers from UC Santa Barbara and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, they developed "a framework evaluating the impacts of climate change on California’s water and energy systems".

ERG Professor Dan Kammen Optimistic for Advancing California’s Climate Agenda

November 10, 2020

In a recent San Francisco Chronicle article, ERG professor Dan Kammen was featured discussing how Biden's goals of addressing climate change could potentially be achieved in the near future. While divisions in Congress are likely to slow progress, Kammen remains optimistic for the advancement of California's climate agenda. “It would be easier, of course, if Biden had the Senate. But the Senate does have a way of sensing the mood of the nation. There’s going to be some serious reckoning... There’s going to be increasing amounts of senators on the Republican side that ultimately switch over," said Kammen.

ERG Professor Kueppers’ Research on Climate-Threatened Forests Published in Science

June 5, 2020

ERG Professor Lara Kueppers recently co-authored a research paper titled "Pervasive shifts in forest dynamics in a changing world". The research focuses on how global warming negatively impacts forests around the world, "resulting in shorter and younger trees with broad impacts on global ecosystems." Furthermore, the paper was picked up on various media sources, including Forbes, Science, Berkeley Lab, and others. 

Kammen Deems Biden’s Climate Plans as “Not Ambitious Enough”

March 10, 2020

ERG Professor Dan Kammen was recently cited on The New Republic for an article titled "Joe Biden’s Sketchy Climate Record".

Kammen to Speak at Climate of Action in Napa Valley

September 30, 2019

Climate of Change is an event dedicated to empowering action on climate change; twelve experts, including Daniel Kammen, were invited to speak on the behalf of such a pressing issue. ... Continue Reading »

David Anthoff Leads Climate Economics Project Team for Matrix

September 16, 2019

ERG Assistant Professor David Anthoff was selected to lead a research team on climate economics for Matrix, a UC Berkeley Institute for social science research.

housing policy is climate policy Kammen and Senator Wiener: For America’s cities

March 25, 2019

In an op-ed today in the New York Times, professor Dan Kammen and state Senator Scott Wiener are blunt: “To solve the climate crisis, we have to solve the housing crisis.”

Transportation Emissions in Mexico City – How Big Data is Driving Change

March 8, 2018

Mexico City is one of the most congested cities in the world, and it’s taking a toll on the health of its citizens and the environment. Sergio Castellanos, a postdoctoral ... Continue Reading »

including ERG International Team

July 5, 2017

“The fossil-​​free econ­omy is already profitable.”

Kammen from COP22: Is Trump’s victory game over for climate?

November 10, 2016

Donald Trump, who has described global warming a "hoax", said in May he would "cancel" the climate-rescue Paris Agreement if elected leader of the free world.

Kammen: Are Universities Making a Difference on Climate?

January 27, 2016

ERG Professor, Dan Kammen, comments on the impact University researchers have on Climate Change.

One grad student’s story: from English lit to global climate talks

December 7, 2015

ERG grad student Valeri Vasquez will be at the COP21, acting as a counselor to the co-chair of the United Nations climate negotiations, Daniel Reifsnyder. She has been advising on the mediation and negotiations among the 195 national parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change.

ERG at the Paris Climate Talks

December 1, 2015

The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris has begun and will continue until December 11th. Energy and Resources Group faculty, students and alumni will be playing an active role at the conference and the many peripheral activities.

An Environmental Leader California

November 27, 2015

Professor Daniel Kammen will be joining Gov. Jerry Brown at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris to discuss California's climate initiatives as a model for the world to follow.

RAEL at UN Climate Summit

September 26, 2014

SWITCH model selected as a "Project to Watch" by the UN's Big Data Climate Challenge.

Dr. Holdren Handles House Climate Deniers

September 18, 2014

"If the United States does not [limit carbon emissions], it is unlikely that other major emitters in the world — China, India, Russia, Europe, Japan — will do so either."

Upcoming Certificate Course on Economic Impact of Climate and Energy Policy

August 13, 2014

3-day cer­tifi­cate course Oct 3-5, offer­ing a prac­ti­cal per­spec­tive on the eco­nomic effects of cli­mate and energy policy.

Kammen on UC Climate Advisory Group

June 9, 2014

UC President forms Global Climate Leadership Council including UC professors and climate experts.

ERG Alum Kripa Jagannathan Awarded EESA Early Career Development Grant

February 2, 2021

Congratulations to ERG alumna Kripa Jagannathan for receiving the Early Career Development Grant from Earth & Environmental Sciences (EEPS)! Kripa specializes in the field of climate change adaptation and climate-resilient planning. EEPS describes her most recent research being focused on "improving the ‘usability’ of climate science, and enabling science-based adaptation decision-making for water resources management and agricultural planning."

ERG Adjunct Professor Margaret Torn Conducts Vital Research on Carbon Dioxide Removal

January 26, 2021

ERG adjunct professor Margaret Torn was featured in EurekAlert for her contributed work on a carbon dioxide removal (CDR) primer. The article cites the research as a valuable resource on CDR technologies and policies, and how such strategies can help create a serious plan to address climate change. "Atmospheric CO2 concentrations are already 50% over historic natural levels - 270 ppm (parts per million) in pre-industrial times vs 414 ppm today," Torn stated. "To slow climate change and avoid its worst impacts, climate scientists tell us that we need to restore atmospheric CO2 concentrations to about 350 ppm or less. To do that, we need CDR technologies and policies to remove excess CO2 from the atmosphere."

ERG’s Dan Kammen on How Decreased CO2 Emissions Shape the Future of Electric Vehicles

November 19, 2020

In a recent Sustainability Times article, ERG professor Dan Kammen explains how pandemic lockdowns resulted in historic drops in our CO2 emissions. Additionally, Kammen's previous study on how exactly COVID-19 lowered said Co2 emissions was featured in a Berkeley News article, arguing that a move towards greater usage of electric-powered vehicles would "reduce the major greenhouse gas responsible for climate change and global warming". "The greatest reduction of emissions was observed in the ground transportation sector. Largely because of working from home restrictions, transport CO2 emissions decreased by 40% worldwide,” Kammen stated. Read how the pandemic lockdowns decreased Co2 emissions here, and what this means for the future usage of electric vehicles here.

ERG PhD Student Nancy Freitas Featured in New Webinar Series “Midday Science Cafe”

September 16, 2020

In the new virtual series "Midday Science Cafe" hosted by Science at Cal, ERG PhD student Nancy Freitas will be speaking in the upcoming episode, "Climate Change Solutions: Managing the Global Carbon Cycle". The event will be taking place on Thursday, September 17th, 12pm – 1:30pm. Freitas will be discussing "how quantifying carbon dioxide and methane emissions released from deep lake sediments in the Arctic can improve Earth system models, advancing the quality of climate model projections."

COVID-19 Shifting the Paradigm— ERG Kammen and Student Vasquez Speak at Live Broadcast

May 1, 2020

ERG professor Dan Kammen and ERG PhD student Valeri Vasquez have recently spoken alongside a live panel of UC Berkeley experts in the live broadcast "Climate Change and COVID-19: Can this crisis shift the paradigm?".

Creating a Green Solution⁠— Kammen Contributes to Proposed Coronavirus Bill

March 25, 2020

ERG professor Dan Kammen has recently joined a group of progressive policymakers to create green policy proposals that includes an economic stimulus package. The bill aims to help the nation recover from the coronavirus pandemic while simultaneously combating climate change.

Valeri Vasquez Returns with the All-Women Expedition from Antarctic Voyage

December 19, 2019

Valeri Vasquez, an ERG graduate student, has recently returned with the largest-ever delegation of 100 women from a month long expedition in Antarctica. Their journey to the frozen continent was part of an initiative to bring more women into STEMM (science, technology, engineering, math and medical fields), fighting climate change and women empowerment.

Kammen on the Increasing Normalization of Power Shutoffs on KCBS Radio

November 4, 2019

Daniel Kammen discusses how power shutoffs and evacuations may become the the new normal as climate change continues to spark deadlier wildfires year after year.

ERG Alum Zeke Hausfather Cited by NY Times Regarding Global Warming

July 10, 2019

Recent ERG Alumnus, Zeke Hausfather (PhD '19) was quoted in the New York Times last week, with two correspondents reaching out to the climate change expert for commentary.

ERG student Hausfather in Science: Oceans are warming even faster than previously thought

January 16, 2019

“If you want to see where global warming is happening, look in our oceans,” said Zeke Hausfather, a graduate student in the Energy and Resources Group at UC Berkeley and co-author of the paper. “Ocean heating is a very important indicator of climate change, and we have robust evidence that it is warming more rapidly than we thought.”

Dan Kammen Featured in Recent WIRED Article

August 17, 2017

ERG Professor Dan Kammen was quoted in a recent WIRED article addressing the effective withdrawal of US funding for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

New Study by ERG Postdoc James Rising Finds Northern States Might Profit as the Planet Warms

July 6, 2017

If you live in the South, climate change could kill your economy.

ERG graduate student Hausfather in LA Times

May 10, 2017

ERG doctoral student Zeke Hausfather comments in this LA Times article on a newly published analysis that reconciles different climate change data sets and confirms dominant human influence in long-term warming.

CFCC15: ERG Students Present at Paris Conference

July 11, 2015

ERG & RAEL students present and engage at scientific conference “Our Common Future under Climate Change” ahead of COP21

China’s Energy Choices To Pave The Way For The World

June 26, 2015

ERG students Anne-Perrine Avrin (MS'15) will be presenting her research at the Our Common Future Under Climate Change conference held in Paris, France from 7-10 July 2015.

A unique moment in history for “sustainable energy for all”

March 26, 2015

ERG team study showing how off-grid power can improve equality in energy access published in Nature Climate Change. Interview with lead author Peter Alstone.

California could power itself three to five times over with solar

March 17, 2015

ERG postdoctoral fellow Hernandez with Hoffacker and Field from Stanford publish in Nature Climate Change.

Biomass with carbon capture could make western U.S. carbon-negative

February 10, 2015

Paper by ERG team published in Nature Climate Change this month.

50% of U.S. household carbon footprint Suburban sprawl

January 8, 2014

Chris Jones (ERG PhD) and Prof. Dan Kammen point out that U.S. households are responsible for about 20% of annual worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, which are driving climate change.

ERG’s Dan Kammen in TIME on The Case Against Deep Seabed Mining

October 26, 2022

ERG’s Dan Kammen recently published an op-ed in TIME about the hazards of deep-sea mining. Kammen and co-author Sylvia Earle argue that deep-sea mining would greatly disrupt the natural sequestration ... Continue Reading »

New Study by Coalition of ERG Researchers Reveals True Social Cost of Carbon

September 1, 2022

Researchers from Rausser College’s Energy and Resources Group (ERG) and Resources for the Future (RFF) have released a new estimate that the social cost of carbon (SCC), a key metric ... Continue Reading »

ERG Alumnus Zeke Hausfather on the Best and Worst Scenarios of Global Warming

July 30, 2020

In a recent article for The Guardian, ERG Alumnus Zeke Hausfather speaks on climate predictions and adjusting forecasts for global warming — including the best and worst case scenarios.

CNN Interviews Kammen on COVID-19 and Pollution Levels

April 16, 2020

ERG professor Dan Kammen was recently featured in a CNN interview discussing the effects of COVID-19 on pollution levels around the world.

ERG Alum Evan Mills Cited for Xbox Emissions Research

February 11, 2020

ERG Alumnus Evan Mills' research on the carbon emissions of gaming systems was recently cited on Grist. The article, titled "How the Xbox stands between Microsoft and its climate goals", uses Mills' research to display how gaming consoles like the Xbox have a significant impact on annual emissions.

ERG Alum Patrick Gonzalez Testifies Before Congress as Expert Witness

February 21, 2019

During a recent House Natural Resources Committee event titled “Climate Change and Public Lands: Examining Impacts and Considering Adaptation Opportunities,” ERG alumnus Patrick Gonzalez (PhD ’97) provided testimony as an ... Continue Reading »

ERG Student Zeke Hausfather Maps Global Warming

October 4, 2018

“Climate change is often communicated by looking at the global average temperature. But a global average might not mean much to the average person. How the climate is likely to ... Continue Reading »

Carbon Loopholes: Report by ERG Student Cecilia Springer in New York Times

September 6, 2018

In an article examining the costs of carbon pollution "outsourcing" this week, The New York Times featured a report co-authored by ERG student Cecilia Springer.

ERGies Contribute to the Green Schoolyard Movement

May 1, 2018

May is International School Grounds Month, and organizations like Green Schoolyards America are inspiring and enabling communities to enrich their school grounds and use them to improve children’s well-being, learning, ... Continue Reading »

The Fundamentals of a Clean(er) Economy – Dan Kammen

April 25, 2018

ERG Chair Dan Kammen wrote an Op-Ed piece for the Daily Californian this week, outlining the stark global reality of climate change in 2018 and the need for collective action. ... Continue Reading »

How Does Building a New Suburb Affect the Atmosphere?

March 15, 2018

A team of scientists at the University of Utah as well as several other universities decided to take a closer look at the effects of expanding suburban communities near Salt ... Continue Reading »

Zeke Hausfather Cited by the Washington Post on 2017’s Concerning Temperatures

January 25, 2018

Recently, scientists from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that 2017 was among the warmest years in history. While the two agencies approach global temperature measurements differently, both ... Continue Reading »

ERG Professor Emeritus John Holdren and Alum Nicky Sundt Comment on the EPA’s Proposed Red-Team/Blue-Team Exercise

August 18, 2017

In a Climate Science & Policy Article co-authored by Nicky Sundt, an ERG alum (MA ’79), former ERG chair John Holdren criticizes the “red-team/blue-team” exercise proposed by EPA Administrator Scott ... Continue Reading »

Kammen and Hausfather of ERG Respond to Withdrawal from Paris Agreement

June 22, 2017

ERG Professor Dan Kammen and graduate student Zeke Hausfather respond to President Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement

No Pause in Global Warming Says ERG Grad Student Hausfather NOAA Was Right

January 11, 2017

A controversial paper published two years ago that concluded there was no detectable slowdown in ocean warming over the previous 15 years — widely known as the “global warming hiatus” — has now been confirmed using independent data in research led by researchers from UC Berkeley and Berkeley Earth.

Introducing New ERG Faculty Lara Kueppers

January 11, 2017

The Energy and Resources Group is delighted to announce the arrival of new core faculty member Lara Kueppers.

ERG Professor Kammen: We’re Placing Far too much Hope in Pulling Carbon Dioxide Out of the Air

October 20, 2016

ERG professor Dan Kammen commented for the Washington Post on the uncertainty of negative emissions as a viable fix for the planet's warming.

ERG Alum Receives Microsoft Grant for Ugandan Micro-grid Systems

June 27, 2016

New Sun Road is a California technology company directed by ERGie Jalel Sager (MS’11 , PhD’15). They are committed to implementing solutions to climate change and global energy poverty, provide ... Continue Reading »

ERG’s Siegner Presents National Farm to Cafeteria Conference

June 24, 2016

ERGie Laney Siegner (MA ’16) presented her research at the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference in Madison, WI held throughout June 4-5th.  Along with practitioners of this field, Laney spoke about integrating ... Continue Reading »

ERG’s Energy Research Featured in Multiple News Outlets

May 25, 2016

“Research at the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory [ERG Professor Daniel Kammen’s lab] at the University of California Berkeley highlights that while cities currently contribute to global climate change by ... Continue Reading »

ERG Summer Courses Available

February 28, 2016

ERG is offering four of its most popular courses this summer! Enroll Today!

Feeding people on our stressed planet will require a “revolution”

August 7, 2015

ERG Professor John Harte was featured on Environmental Health News speaking of how the implementation of sustainable energy will play an important role in future food security.

Siegner finalist in Feeding the Planet’s Storyfest

May 3, 2015

Signer writes about the potential of urban foraging

BOOK: Applying Anthropology and Physics to Sustainability

March 30, 2015

New book by Dove and Kammen released this week.

Solidarity and Survival on the Roof of the World Fire and Ice: Soot

March 25, 2015

Read the adapted excerpt in Slate of a new book by ERG alum Jonathan Mingle (MS'09).

Zoë Chafe leads new WHO Report

March 12, 2015

"We wanted to help policymakers and members of the general public understand that household heating with biomass is a complicated issue," says ERG PhD candidate Zoë Chafe.

23-year experiment finds surprising global warming impacts

February 11, 2015

Professor John Harte and team's paper on results of a 23-year ecosystem experiment in Rocky Mountain meadowlands featured in Guardian.

ERG Grad Student Selected To Represent UC Berkeley in Sacramento

February 6, 2015

Rachel Golden will share her views in the state capital in April.

Jessica Reilly Awarded Fellowship to Sail Pacific Coast

December 10, 2014

ERG PhD candidate awarded the Institute of Current World Affairs Fellowship.

Anthoff & Team in Science on Social Cost of Carbon Pizer

December 6, 2014

Which way forward for the social cost of carbon? Environmental economists explain next steps in Science Magazine.

UC Berkeley Ranks 1st in the World for Environment

October 29, 2014

Subject-specific rankings from US New & World Report are based on academic research performance in those subjects.

Water Quality: Woelfle-Erskine’s Search for Salmon

October 10, 2014

“As the dry season becomes more intense and rainfall more erratic, we’d expect to see this pattern propagating northward.”

Brown Schwarzenegger

September 10, 2014

Kammen speaks at Schwarzenegger's climate pep rally where both parties agree that it's time to fight the dark side.

Obama’s Carbon Rules Bring Urban Flooding Closer to Home

June 17, 2014

"It seems as if after years of feet dragging the United States is finally willing to walk its climate talk," Dr. Malini Ranganathan (MS'05, PhD'10), Assistant Professor at American University.

Holdren Sets New Course for US Energy

March 20, 2014

President Obama's top science advisor and ERG Co-founder, John Holdren, is confident that America's next energy plan "will make a difference."

ERG students win United Nations award

November 13, 2013

Jalel Sager (PhD candidate) and Austin Cappon (Minor) head to Nairobi, Kenya to pick up UN prize for a sustainable energy development project in Vietnam.

ERG’s Dan Kammen on How Recent Fusion Breakthroughs Could Pave the Way for Clean Energy

December 14, 2022

A recent breakthrough in fusion energy technology is a landmark achievement in the development of clean energy.

and Solutions Easier ERG’s John Harte: Risks of Warming Greater

July 1, 2022

ERG’s John Harte was recently featured in an Environmental Health News article discussing the tremendous risks of global warming, and how the solutions to address this crisis could be simpler ... Continue Reading »

ERG’s Dan Kammen on How Putin’s Invasion of Ukraine Underscores the Urgency of Shifting to Renewable Energy

March 7, 2022

ERG's Dan Kammen was featured in a recent article in the Los Angeles Times proposing that Russian aggression has hastened the need for America and other nations to transition away from relying on fossil fuels. (Photo by Karsten Würth)

ERG’s Bodie Cabiyo on How Innovative Use of Low-Value Wood Can Advance Carbon-Beneficial Forest Management

December 8, 2021

A new research paper exploring the potential for the innovative use of low-value wood was recently published in PNAS by Bodie Cabiyo, a PhD candidate at ERG, with corresponding author Daniel Sanchez (PhD '15). Their research supports that the innovative use of low-value wood has the ability to reduce wildfire risk, and reduce California's net emissions. (Photo by Olena Sergienko)

Alum Barbara Haya on MIT Technology Review: the Reality of Amazon’s “net zero” emissions

November 12, 2020

In a recent MIT Technology Review article, alumna Barbara Haya raises concerns of Amazon's carbon offset programs, providing research depicting that such programs can significantly overstate carbon reductions. She states that this could potentially result in Amazon exaggerating progress towards its goal of "net zero" emissions. "Under the rules for the reduced harvesting practice, landowners would generally only need to account for a 10% leakage rate in their calculations. This suggests that even if the family forest projects do draw down significant additional carbon, much of the benefit could be wiped out by larger harvests elsewhere, limiting the real-world climate benefits," Haya states.

ERG Alumnus Zeke Hausfather on the Influence of CO2 Levels and the Ice Age

July 14, 2020

ERG Alumnus Zeke Hausfather recently published "Explainer: How the rise and fall of CO2 levels influenced the ice ages", explaining the powerful influence CO2 levels had on the ice ages as well as the present age.

Scientific American Cites ERG Alumnus Jones on How Coronavirus Impacts CO2 Emissions

March 17, 2020

ERG alumnus Christopher Jones was recently cited in both Scientific American and Global News articles.  In both articles, he discusses how Coronavirus is effecting global carbon emissions and the general environment.

ERG PhD Student Kripa Jagannathan Spotlighted for California Outreach

November 1, 2018

As a graduate student in the UC Cooperative Extension Program, Kripa Jagannathan has the opportunity to supplement her research at ERG with outreach to California farmers and water utilities officials. ... Continue Reading »

ERG Student Jose Daniel Lara Joins UC’s Carbon Neutrality Initiative as a 2017 Fellow

September 19, 2017

Jose Daniel Lara was recently selected to represent UC Berkeley as a fellow for the University of California’s Carbon Neutrality Initiative (CNI). Jose will foster communication about UC-wide goals to ... Continue Reading »

Adds Plug for Impeachment Kammen Resigns State Department Science Envoy post

August 23, 2017

ERG Professor Dan Kammen resigned as US State Department Science Envoy on Wednesday morning, August 23. His letter is attached below. Read more about his resignation at the following links: ... Continue Reading »

New ERG Chair Daniel M. Kammen

July 25, 2017

We are pleased to announce the appointment of the new Energy and Resources Group Chair, Professor Daniel M. Kammen. His appointment began July 1, 2017. Daniel Kam­men is a Pro­fes­sor of Energy with ... Continue Reading »

The Elephant and Matinale On the Radio: Kammen in KQED

November 23, 2016

ERG professor Daniel Kammen was featured on a KQED Radio Forum segment in addition to a podcast and French radio station.

ERG Alum Dr. Peter Gleick on Arctic Warming

March 1, 2016

ERG Alum Dr. Peter Gleick warns about catastrophic artic warming.

Calculating the Footprint of the Caribbeans

December 23, 2014

The carbon footprint of the Virgin Islands by Dr. Daniel Kammen and PhD candidates Rebekah Shirley & Christopher Jones cited in St Croix news.

Profs. Leach & Ray Launch UN Gender Equality Report

October 24, 2014

Dr. Isha Ray at UN Headquarters discussing report on gender equality.

Are Obama’s Carbon Rules Enough?

June 3, 2014

The New York Times calls the EPA's emission proposals "modest." Professor Dan Kammen points out the challenge.