CSU launches multi-university Consortium on Climate Adaptation
SDSU conservation ecologist Megan Jennings is part of the new collaboration, which unites the 23 CSU universities to advance climate literacy and research across the system.
The California State University (CSU) announced the launch of the CSU Consortium on Climate Adaptation to enhance the application of climate change adaptation and climate action education and research.
The systemwide collaboration — which will connect faculty experts, staff and students from across the system — will work to enhance student success, career readiness and the impact of climate research while also fostering community and institutional partnerships.
Megan Jennings, a San Diego State University conservation ecologist, will serve as the inaugural interim executive director for the new consortium. With seed funding from the CSU, this consortium is expected to grow sustainably through extramural funding.
“My own research has focused on tackling challenging environmental problems through close partnerships and collaborations with managers, decision makers and communities,” Jennings said. “I'm excited that I now have the opportunity to help build capacity to scale up that solution-oriented work with the talented faculty, students, and staff across the CSU system.”
The consortium will facilitate greater community engagement and partnerships with high schools, community colleges and University of California campuses.
“We are thrilled to establish this groundbreaking interdisciplinary consortium to champion scholarship, research and creative activities in climate adaptation across the university,” said CSU Chancellor Mildred García, who also served as co-chair of the Aspen Institute's Higher Ed Climate Task Force.
“Certainly, California’s recent and historic natural disasters underscore the existential importance of this work to our state and nation. Through innovative partnerships with state agencies, community organizations, the private sector and philanthropic leaders, the CSU will drive transformative change in ecosystem resilience, environmental sustainability and human health,” García said.
The CSU Consortium on Climate Adaptation represents one of 11 systemwide CSU consortia that addresses the most vital needs of California by conducting research on a breadth of topics, from agriculture and biotechnology to desert, ocean life and water, and provides experiential learning opportunities for students, which prepares them for the workforce.
“What sets the CSU apart is the transformative effect of this collaborative research work. For students, engaging in hands-on research and creative projects fosters curiosity, deepens learning and builds critical skills necessary for future careers or graduate study,” said Ganesh Raman, CSU assistant vice chancellor for research.
“For faculty, research opens doors to new innovations and partnerships while mentoring the next generation of leaders,” Raman said. “Together, these experiences create a ripple effect, strengthening California’s economy, uplifting communities and driving progress on the most pressing issues for the state.”
