CLIMATE CHANGE A University of Miami Special Report
The University of Miami is marshaling t of all its schools and colleges, as well as and institutes, to help answer a mosaic science of climate change and its count
Researchers, engineers, architects, mar scientists, artists, and geologists are exp ways to live in this changing world. Edu to share the latest science with young le against climate change.
Much is known, and much remains to b about the changing climate and how we
“No longer can we, as a society, disregar on the world around us,� says University President Julio Frenk.
the collective problem-solving muscle a number of interdisciplinary centers of complex questions about the tless implications.
rine scientists, chemists, public health ploring new technologies and new ucators are reaching out to local schools earners, the next line of defense
be discovered e adapt.
rd its impact y of Miami
The Complex Climate The University of Miami is unraveling the complicated forces behind climate change and what they mean for the earth’s oceans, atmosphere, land, ecosystems, and people. n Researchers are bringing focus to our
complex climate by studying a spectrum of issues, from melting glaciers and changing ocean currents to Florida’s unique geology and rising sea levels. n Scientists are digging into ancient sediments,
examining impacts of warming ocean waters and acidification on fragile corals, and studying intricate modeling to better predict changing weather patterns, hurricanes, and storm surge. n Schools and colleges are harnessing the power of advanced
technology and tools, from satellite imaging and sensors to a one-ofa-kind hurricane simulator to a specially equipped helicopter that measures chemical, physical, and biological processes at the earth’s surface.
Built Environment The University of Miami is discovering ways for cities and towns to be more resilient and adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as sea-level rise threatening our coastal communities. n Researchers and scientists are collaborating closely with
local and regional governments on strategies to improve infrastructure and plan for the future.
n Architects and engineers are advancing sustainable living
solutions and incorporating the “Internet of things” into everyday decisions. n The campus of the University of Miami, through its Green U
program, is becoming more environmentally friendly, with more solar power, energy conservation programs, and wastediversion strategies.
Renewable Energy Reducing dependence on fossil fuels and embracing renewable energy sources are critical to a sustainable future in the face of a changing climate, and the University of Miami is making discoveries to meet these goals. n Innovators are designing and
investigating organic photovoltaics, supercapacitors, spin batteries, and innovative methane gas uses in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions . n Researchers are working with local governments
and businesses to assess residential energy use and find ways to make buildings more energy efficient. n Faculty and UM students are talking with local educators
and young students about solar and other energy-saving options, along with sustainability and conservation techniques.
Impact on Health One of the more understated impacts of climate change is its effect on healthy living, and the University of Miami is exploring the issue both locally and globally. n  Public health researchers are investigating
the spread of vector-borne diseases, such as Zika and malaria, as climate shifts are leading to insect migrations. n  Climate change is causing
more extreme weather, and nursing and public health students are trained to react to natural disasters and deal with the threat of disease that follows. n  Researchers are developing monitoring systems
for air pollution and warning systems for heatrelated dangers.
Politics of (Climate) Change Climate change is one of the most defining issues of this and future generations, and the University of Miami is examining the political, social, and economic ramifications. n  Economists, psychologists, and legal
scholars are looking at the kind of measures that will motivate action and bring about policy changes. n  Faculty and alumni are creating and
studying a range of art and communication techniques to visually convey climate change and its impacts. n  The Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy seeks to bridge the
gap between the natural sciences, social sciences, and policy solutions on a host of environmental concerns amplified by climate change.
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