A university-wide collaboration to address climate change
By harnessing world-class educators and experts working on all aspects of climate change, Colorado State University is making a strategic investment to become a leading educational institution for climate education, research, and engagement in the United States and globally.
Click here to preview and download a quick look at our first year activities.
Mission
The CSU Climate Initiative coordinates CSU’s extensive expertise and assets to address the grand challenge of building a climate-resilient future in Colorado and beyond through knowledge generation, innovation, urban and rural community-based partnerships, and the education of a new generation of climate leaders.
Vision
Our vision is a society in which collaboration across sectors, disciplines, and identities leads to a sustainable, climate-resilient, equitable, and just future for all in Colorado and beyond. By leveraging CSU’s strengths and activities, we aim to drive meaningful change on a global scale.
Goals
Educate thousands of students to be climate leaders
Become the state and region’s go-to university for climate services and analysis
Serve as one of the nation’s leading land-grant universities educating students to tackle climate challenges
Grow the university’s world-class research on climate science, climate adaptation and resilience, and carbon management
What is the CSU Climate Initiative?
Read our 2024 Annual Report
Click here to download our first annual report: CSU_Climate_Initiative_Annual_Report_2024
Activities to Date and Plans for FY2025
Click here to preview and download a quick look at our first year activities: CCI 2-Pager 2024
Leadership Team
Courtney Schultz
Director, CSU Climate Initiative
Professor, Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship
Sarah Badding
Education Lead, CSU Climate Initiative
Nancy Richardson Design Center
Sydney Scholes
Program Support, CSU Climate Initiative
Eliisa Carter
Program Support, CSU Climate Initiative
Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship
Jill Zarestky
School of Education
Peter Backlund
School of Global Environmental Sustainability
Lauren Gifford
Soil Carbon Solutions Center
Pat Keys
Department of Atmospheric Science
Scott Shrake
Institute for Entrepreneurship
Climate Initiative Advisory Council
The Climate Initiative Advisory Council is made up of individuals from across Colorado State University who are committed to advancing the university’s work on climate.
- Kim Stackhouse-Lawson/Sara Place, AgNext
- Patrese Atine, AVP for Indigenous and Native American Affairs
- Jan Leach, College of Agricultural Sciences
- Grace Wright, College of Business
- Rodolfo Valdes Vasquez, College of Health and Human Sciences
- Ken Shockley/Mica Glantz, College of Liberal Arts and the Center for Environmental Justice
- Melinda Smith, College of Natural Sciences and Climate Adaptation Partnership
- Colleen Duncan, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
- Russ Schumacher/Becky Bolinger, Colorado Climate Center
- Steven Miller, Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere
- Alysha Tarantino, CSU Online
- Bryan Willson/Lynsey Bosch, Energy Institute
- Kauline Cipriani/ Bridgette Johnson, Office for Inclusive Excellence
- Meg Suter/Dinaida Egan/Kyle Dunbar, Office of the Vice President for Research
- Tracey Goldstein, One Health Institute
- Jane Zelikova/Lauren Gifford, Soil Carbon Solutions Center
- Hussam Mahmoud, Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering
- Rich Conant, Warner College of Natural Resources
Climate Initiative Information and Resources
Find out about Climate Initiative-related events, updates, and resources.
Introducing the Climate Change & Society Certificate!
Check out the online Climate Adaptation and Risk Management Graduate Certificate!
CSU Climate Initiative Resources
Want to receive updates from the CSU Climate Initiative? Sign-up here!
News and events
Stories/In the News
- Source Story – ‘Green Out’ is not just on game days; it’s a CSU mantra
- Source Story – What’s the biggest climate challenge? The need for interdisciplinary research and education to address climate change
- The Rocky Mountain Collegian – CSU Climate Initiative aims for climate education across all disciplines
- The Rocky Mountain Collegian – CSU proposes climate solutions, empowers future leaders
- KUSA-DEN (NBC) – 9News at 5pm: CSU Launching New Climate Initiative
- CPR News – Rep. De Gette reflects on her experiences at COP28
- Source Story – New CSU Climate Initiative to develop next generation of leaders
Upcoming events
- Climate Across the Curriculum Panel at ClimateCon!, 3:30 – 4:30 pm at Lory Student Center Room 312, November 12, 2024
- Can (Should) We Cool the Planet by Changing the Atmosphere?, 4:15-5:15 pm at Nutrien Room 135, November 19, 2024
Past events
- Climate Change & Ecological Restoration, 4-5:30 pm, April 30, 2024
- Air Quality & Equity, 4-5:30 pm, March 20, 2024
- Climate Justice & Design, 3-5 pm, February 14, 2024
- Methane Reduction Strategies, 3-5 pm, January 24, 2024
- Climate-Democracy Connections, 3-5 pm, November 16, 2023
Our Program Collaborators
