Climate Change Research & Outreach
At Michigan State, we pursue excellence in service to the common good, generating new knowledge and applying it in practical ways to address complex societal problems. The MSU 2030 Strategic Plan outlines several research thrusts where Michigan State has the unique expertise and resources to make a big impact, including research and outreach around climate change.
Quoting the Strategic Plan action items:
Lead local and global efforts to enhance food production, distribution, food safety and food security in a changing global climate using our strengths in plant and soil sciences, environmental sciences, animal health and production, agriculture and natural resource interactions, nutrition, big data and machine learning, and geospatial imaging along with our worldwide network of partners.
Strengthen campuswide, interdisciplinary/transdisciplinary solutions to climate/environmental change
To that end, the Office of Research and Innovation is leading a collaborative effort to identify specific climate mitigation and adaption projects. That effort kicked off with a campus convening on April 20, 2022, with over 160 faculty, staff, and students in attendance.
Subsequent meetings on additional topics will be held over the next several months as a white paper and research agenda develop around ideas brought forth at the convening. Please visit often for new resources and event announcements.
Long-drought Experiment Bad News for Plants and Climate Change
Many parts of the world are currently grappling with extreme drought—and that could be bad news for efforts to curb climate change, concludes a new global study of how shrubs and grasses respond to parched conditions.
Where and When Does Water Flow Into the Great Lakes Basin?
MSU researchers could help predict seasonal changes in the Great Lakes Basin by developing a new groundwater model to monitor surface and groundwater flow from a $960K grant from the National Science Foundation.
Forecasting the Future to Protect Monarchs
Michigan State researchers have forecast monarch butterfly population sizes throughout the Midwest to show where conservation efforts could have the most impact in the face of climate change.
MSU’s efforts Toward Sustainability Recognized With Gold Rating
For the second time, Michigan State University has received a gold rating for sustainability achievements through the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, or AASHE.
New Tool to Detect Species Declines Can Help Protect Biodiversity
An MSU research team has developed a unique model to analyze declining biodiversity and understand the changes occurring within individual species and across broader wildlife communities.
Capturing Carbon With Crops, Trees and Bioenergy
MSU researchers find an integrated approach to land management practices can reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere far more than earlier estimates.
Upcoming Events and Deadlines
Climate Justice and Environmental Ethics
Save the date for this upcoming networking event as we discuss the impacts of climate change on our communities.