Search Results for: global 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.

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 »

Programs

ERG Program Directory The information below is a directory of ERG programs. Please read through and contact us at erggrad@berkeley.edu for graduate program questions and ergdeskb@berkeley.edu for all other questions.  ... Continue Reading »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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.

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 »

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)

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 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.

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.

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 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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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.

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.

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.

Sea Change Radio: Electricity For All with Dan Kammen

April 23, 2015

Dr. Dan Kammen speaks with Sea Change Radio on getting energy sustainably to those without access.

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.

Professor Harte Featured in DOE’s Symmetry

August 20, 2014

He transitioned from physics to ecology. And at ERG, he's not the only one.

Advocating for Women on World Water Day

March 22, 2023

New commentary published in the Lancet on World Water Day (March 22) calls on researchers, policy makers, and professionals to strengthen their commitment to addressing gender inequities in global water delivery systems. Co-authored ... Continue Reading »

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 »

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.

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."

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. 

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.

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 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.”

Campus and Alumni Mourn the Passing of ERG Professor Gene Rochlin

November 28, 2018

It is with a very heavy heart that I have to pass on the news that University of California Berkeley Energy and Resources Group (ERG) core faculty emeritus Gene Rochlin passed away this weekend. 

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.

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 »

Isha Ray Recognized as a Trailblazer for Her Impact on Developing Economies

March 22, 2018

“Gamechangers. Engineers. Innovators. Researchers. Entrepreneurs. These are just a few of the words that describe the outstanding women of the Blum Center ecosystem. In honor of National Women’s History month, ... 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 »

What Environmental Policy Options Does the U.S. Have in 2018?

January 16, 2018

In a Knowledge @ Wharton public policy podcast, Dan Kammen joins Eric Orts, legal studies and business ethics professor, and director of the school’s Initiative for Global Environmental Leadership. Kammen and ... 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 »

including ERG International Team

July 5, 2017

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

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

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.

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.

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 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 Grad Student in Journal of Geophysical Research

April 26, 2016

ERG graduate student Zeke Hausfather co-authored a research article in Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres

ERG Alum Dr. Peter Gleick on Arctic Warming

March 1, 2016

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

ERG Summer Courses Available

February 28, 2016

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

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.

NSF & More ERG Awards: Switzer Fellowships

May 14, 2015

3 current Switzer fellows, 2 more NSF fellows, and more. See the list of awards ERG students have received.

BOOK: Applying Anthropology and Physics to Sustainability

March 30, 2015

New book by Dove and Kammen released this week.

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.

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.

Profs. Leach & Ray Launch UN Gender Equality Report

October 24, 2014

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

RAEL at UN Climate Summit

September 26, 2014

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

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.

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.

Kammen on UC Climate Advisory Group

June 9, 2014

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

ERG PhD awarded as Ashoka Fellow

April 21, 2014

Fermin Reygadas receives top international award for social entrepreneurs.

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."

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 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.