ERG has a small core faculty but a much larger group (100+) of affiliated faculty. Affiliated faculty are based in other departments on campus or at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and share ERG’s commitment to shared learning and interdisciplinary work.  They are advisors, mentors, or employers to ERG students, and serve on master’s project, […]

Climate & Carbon Sciences Program

The research mission of the Climate & Carbon Sciences Program is to advance the understanding and prediction of multiscale climate dynamics, abrupt and extreme climate events, terrestrial feedbacks to climate change, and their impacts on energy and water resources.

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 Schedule of Classes. ENERES 98/198 – Energy DeCal Daniel Kammen (Instructor of Record); class conducted by undergraduate students Introduction to energy topics and explore the social, environmental and […]

Monday, March 16th, 2020   “After several years of professional experience, ERG has given me a new lease on life. Because of the incredible latitude ERG gives its students to explore, I’ve had the opportunity to take classes in law, business, public policy, and data science, above and beyond the core requirements in social science, […]

Areas of Interest Climate Change Ecology Energy Governance Water International 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 FUND that is used widely in academic research and in policy analysis John Harte John Harte’s research interests span ecological […]

Give Big to ERG on Thursday, March 12 during UC Berkeley’s annual Big Give fundraiser! Big Give is UC Berkeley’s annual fundraising blitz—24 hours when we celebrate all of the moments that make Berkeley such a big deal by sharing the love on social media, supporting all of our favorite schools and programs, and competing […]

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.

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 to understand, advance, and critique to address critical issues stemming from the interaction of humans and the environment. To that end, the requirements for the […]

Summer 2021 Curriculum ERG’s minor and certificate require a minimum of five courses and 15 total units of coursework, typically completed over two summers (or for a UC Berkeley student, a summer and a fall semester). All minor or certificate students must take EITHER Energy and Society or Climate Change Economics. UC Berkeley undergraduates may […]

“Biodiversity Scales from Plots to Biomes With a Universal Species-Area Curve” John Harte, Adam B. Smith, and David Storch “Carbon Cycle Uncertainty Increases Climate Change Risks and Mitigation Challenges” Paul A. T. Higgins and John Harte “Insight from Integration” John Harte and Lara Kueppers “Deep Carbon Reductions in California require Electrification and Integration Across Economic […]

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.

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. For course descriptions and schedule, visit our Summer Curriculum and Schedule page. Instructors listed may be subject to change. SAMUEL EVANS Course: Climate Change Economics […]

  Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Learning Minor vs. Certificate? Enrollment and Course Logistics UC Berkeley Graduating Seniors Financial Aid & Scholarships Housing High School Students Career Applicability   Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Learning What is the difference between synchronous vs. asynchronous instruction, and online courses vs. remote instruction courses for Summer 2020? Courses originally offered online (i.e. […]

  The Minor and Certificate in Sustainability provides a comprehensive understanding of the most pressing issues facing the world today. The program offers a practical and relevant interdisciplinary approach at the intersection of environmental, economic, social, political, and cultural issues. Students complete courses in: Global and local environmental change The science, engineering, economics, and policy […]

Adaptation for Climate Change Impacts Researched by ERG Student Szinai and Professor Jones

ERG PhD student Julia Szinai and assistant adjunct professor Andrew Jones were recently featured in AGU news for their research on evaluating cross-sectoral impacts of climate change and adaptations on the energy-water nexus.  “How we adapt to climate change in the water sector can exacerbate or offset impacts on the grid,” Szinai states. “And so those interactions shouldn’t be ignored in planning.”

ERG Alum Kripa Jagannathan Awarded EESA Early Career Development Grant

Congratulations to ERG alumna Kripa Jagannathan for receiving the Early Career Development Grant from Earth & Environmental Sciences (EEPS)! Kripa specializes in the field of climate change adaptation and climate-resilient planning. EEPS describes her most recent research being focused on "improving the ‘usability’ of climate science, and enabling science-based adaptation decision-making for water resources management and agricultural planning."

ERG Adjunct Professor Margaret Torn Conducts Vital Research on Carbon Dioxide Removal

ERG adjunct professor Margaret Torn was featured in EurekAlert for her contributed work on a carbon dioxide removal (CDR) primer. The article cites the research as a valuable resource on CDR technologies and policies, and how such strategies can help create a serious plan to address climate change. "Atmospheric CO2 concentrations are already 50% over historic natural levels - 270 ppm (parts per million) in pre-industrial times vs 414 ppm today," Torn stated. "To slow climate change and avoid its worst impacts, climate scientists tell us that we need to restore atmospheric CO2 concentrations to about 350 ppm or less. To do that, we need CDR technologies and policies to remove excess CO2 from the atmosphere."

Alumni ERG Students

Current ERG PhD student Julia Szinai, alumnus Ranjit Deshmukh, ERG professor Dan Kammen, and assistant adjunct professor Andrew Jones were recently featured by UCSB for their leading research in "Power, Water and Climate". Working with researchers from UC Santa Barbara and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, they developed "a framework evaluating the impacts of climate change on California’s water and energy systems".

ERG Professor Dan Kammen Discusses Climate change in the age of Joe Biden

ERG Professor Dan Kammen was recently interviewed in The Daily Californian, where he discussed what the fight against climate change would look like in 2021 and what he anticipates for President-elect Joe Biden’s administration. “California’s always had a very aggressive plan,” Kammen said. “We’re now in a position where 10 states have joined California and have targets of zero-carbon economies by mid-century, so President-elect Biden is working with a much better deck.”

ERG’s Dan Kammen on How Decreased CO2 Emissions Shape the Future of Electric Vehicles

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 Dan Kammen on What the Biden-Harris Victory Means For COVID-19 & Climate Change

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."

Alum Barbara Haya on MIT Technology Review: the Reality of Amazon’s “net zero” emissions

In a recent MIT Technology Review article, alumna Barbara Haya raises concerns of Amazon's carbon offset programs, providing research depicting that such programs can significantly overstate carbon reductions. She states that this could potentially result in Amazon exaggerating progress towards its goal of "net zero" emissions. "Under the rules for the reduced harvesting practice, landowners would generally only need to account for a 10% leakage rate in their calculations. This suggests that even if the family forest projects do draw down significant additional carbon, much of the benefit could be wiped out by larger harvests elsewhere, limiting the real-world climate benefits," Haya states.

ERG Professor Dan Kammen Optimistic for Advancing California’s Climate Agenda

In a recent San Francisco Chronicle article, ERG professor Dan Kammen was featured discussing how Biden's goals of addressing climate change could potentially be achieved in the near future. While divisions in Congress are likely to slow progress, Kammen remains optimistic for the advancement of California's climate agenda. “It would be easier, of course, if Biden had the Senate. But the Senate does have a way of sensing the mood of the nation. There’s going to be some serious reckoning... There’s going to be increasing amounts of senators on the Republican side that ultimately switch over," said Kammen.

ERG PhD Student Nancy Freitas Featured in New Webinar Series “Midday Science Cafe”

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 Dan Kammen on the Importance of Political Policies Against Climate Change

ERG Professor Dan Kammen was featured on a recent Al Jazeera article, discussing America's progress towards building a greener economy. "The 2020 election in the United States is absolutely critical, because we know on the climate side that we have very few years left to get on an innovative green energy path," Kammen stated.

ERG Alumnus Zeke Hausfather on the Best and Worst Scenarios of Global Warming

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 Alumnus Zeke Hausfather on the Influence of CO2 Levels and the Ice Age

ERG Alumnus Zeke Hausfather recently published "Explainer: How the rise and fall of CO2 levels influenced the ice ages", explaining the powerful influence CO2 levels had on the ice ages as well as the present age.

ERG Professor Kueppers’ Research on Climate-Threatened Forests Published in Science

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. 

ERG Almnus Daniel Sanchez Interviewed in “Breakthroughs” on Climate Change Solutions

ERG Alumnus Daniel Sanchez was recently featured in Breakthroughs, the magazine of the Rausser College of Natural Resources, for his work as a Cooperative Extension specialist. Along with other featured specialists, the article focuses on their work on "tackling climate change's impacts on Californians."

COVID-19 Shifting the Paradigm— ERG Kammen and Student Vasquez Speak at Live Broadcast

ERG professor Dan Kammen and ERG PhD student Valeri Vasquez have recently spoken alongside a live panel of UC Berkeley experts in the live broadcast "Climate Change and COVID-19: Can this crisis shift the paradigm?".

Dan Kammen Captures Media Attention on Green Stimulus Plan Coronavirus and Climate Change

ERG Professor Dan Kammen has recently been featured on various news media sources, including The Guardian, KQED, San Francisco Chroncicle and more to discuss how Covid-19 has emphasized the need to fight climate change.

CNN Interviews Kammen on COVID-19 and Pollution Levels

ERG professor Dan Kammen was recently featured in a CNN interview discussing the effects of COVID-19 on pollution levels around the world.

Creating a Green Solution⁠— Kammen Contributes to Proposed Coronavirus Bill

ERG professor Dan Kammen has recently joined a group of progressive policymakers to create green policy proposals that includes an economic stimulus package. The bill aims to help the nation recover from the coronavirus pandemic while simultaneously combating climate change.

Scientific American Cites ERG Alumnus Jones on How Coronavirus Impacts CO2 Emissions

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.

Kammen Deems Biden’s Climate Plans as “Not Ambitious Enough”

ERG Professor Dan Kammen was recently cited on The New Republic for an article titled "Joe Biden’s Sketchy Climate Record".

ERG Alum Evan Mills Cited for Xbox Emissions Research

ERG Alumnus Evan Mills' research on the carbon emissions of gaming systems was recently cited on Grist. The article, titled "How the Xbox stands between Microsoft and its climate goals", uses Mills' research to display how gaming consoles like the Xbox have a significant impact on annual emissions.

ERG Zeke Hausfather Warns Normalizing “Worst Case” Climate Change

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.

Valeri Vasquez Returns with the All-Women Expedition from Antarctic Voyage

Valeri Vasquez, an ERG graduate student, has recently returned with the largest-ever delegation of 100 women from a month long expedition in Antarctica. Their journey to the frozen continent was part of an initiative to bring more women into STEMM (science, technology, engineering, math and medical fields), fighting climate change and women empowerment.

Dan Kammen and Researchers Urge More Aggressive Action Against Climate Change

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.

Kammen on the Increasing Normalization of Power Shutoffs on KCBS Radio

Daniel Kammen discusses how power shutoffs and evacuations may become the the new normal as climate change continues to spark deadlier wildfires year after year.

Kammen to Speak at Climate of Action in Napa Valley

Climate of Change is an event dedicated to empowering action on climate change; twelve experts, including Daniel Kammen, were invited to speak on the behalf of such a pressing issue. Hosted at the Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center, these speakers will discuss a wide range of topics that dedicate to the overarching theme of […]

David Anthoff Leads Climate Economics Project Team for Matrix

ERG Assistant Professor David Anthoff was selected to lead a research team on climate economics for Matrix, a UC Berkeley Institute for social science research.

Kammen on How Hurricane Dorian Indicates Increasing Climate Change on USA Today

USA Today quotes ERG professor Daniel Kammen on how Hurricane Dorian highlights the increasing problem of climate change reducing the amount of affordable housing, especially in coastal areas.

ERG Alum Zeke Hausfather Cited by NY Times Regarding Global Warming

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 Alumnus Patrick Gonzalez Speaks to Congress on Climate Change

ERG alum, Dr. Patrick Gonzalez presents scientific findings to Representative Mike Quigley and other members of the U.S. House of Representatives Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition Members in the U.S. Capitol

Alumnus Jim Williams Speaks at Vatican Climate Change Meeting

ERG alumnus and University of San Francisco Professor Jim Williams (MS '86, PhD '95) presented his findings on decarbonization pathways, joined by ERG core faculty member and alumna Professor Margaret Torn (MS '90, PhD '94).

Dan Kammen and Tom Steyer Comment on the Adverse Effects of Climate Change on Biodiversity

A recent report released from the United Nations details the threat that climate change and human activities pose to hundreds of thousands of plant and animal species and their biodiversity. Professor Dan Kammen, appearing on KQED, details the intricate and intertwined relationship between humans and other species on the planet and how this impacts the future of […]

housing policy is climate policy Kammen and Senator Wiener: For America’s cities

In an op-ed today in the New York Times, professor Dan Kammen and state Senator Scott Wiener are blunt: “To solve the climate crisis, we have to solve the housing crisis.”

ERG Alum Patrick Gonzalez Testifies Before Congress as Expert Witness

During a recent House Natural Resources Committee event titled “Climate Change and Public Lands: Examining Impacts and Considering Adaptation Opportunities,” ERG alumnus Patrick Gonzalez (PhD ’97) provided testimony as an expert witness on climate change. As an associate adjunct professor in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management and principal climate change scientist with […]

ERG student Hausfather in Science: Oceans are warming even faster than previously thought

“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.”

ERG’s Lara Kueppers on Climate Change and CA Wildfires

ERG Professor Lara Kueppers recently commented in Bustle on the relationship between climate change and the California wildfires.  “‘Due to climate change, she explains, ‘warm temperatures extend over a larger portion of the year.’ This, in turn, causes vegetation to dry out more quickly and for sometimes longer periods of time. ‘That essentially lengthens the […]

ERG PhD Student Kripa Jagannathan Spotlighted for California Outreach

As a graduate student in the UC Cooperative Extension Program, Kripa Jagannathan has the opportunity to supplement her research at ERG with outreach to California farmers and water utilities officials. Her goal is to evaluate the usability of climate science for adaptation planning in agriculture and water management. This week, the Berkeley Food Institute highlighted […]

ERG Student Zeke Hausfather Maps Global Warming

                  “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 change specifically where people live is, in most cases, a much more important consideration.” – Zeke […]

Carbon Loopholes: Report by ERG Student Cecilia Springer in New York Times

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.

Energy New ERG Courses Focus on Data

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

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 Work of Hope,” the title of his recent book, and the grim outlook of global climate issues, from the water cycle to temperature rise. Also […]

ERGies Contribute to the Green Schoolyard Movement

May is International School Grounds Month, and organizations like Green Schoolyards America are inspiring and enabling communities to enrich their school grounds and use them to improve children’s well-being, learning, and play, while contributing to the ecological health and resilience of their cities. ERG student Alana Siegner contributed to this year’s Living School Yard Activity […]

The Fundamentals of a Clean(er) Economy – Dan Kammen

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. “…As it stands, China is now projected to be able to cap emissions before 2030. Conversely, the United States is currently the only country in […]

Patrick Gonzalez Selected to be a Lead Author of IPCC’s Next Major Climate Change Report

ERG alumnus Patrick Gonzalez (PhD ’97) has been selected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to be a lead author for a chapter about freshwater ecosystems in their next milestone report, “Climate Change 2021: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability.” The IPCC is the scientific panel that produces the authoritative reports on human-caused climate change, […]

How Does Building a New Suburb Affect the Atmosphere?

A team of scientists at the University of Utah as well as several other universities decided to take a closer look at the effects of expanding suburban communities near Salt Lake City, UT over the past decade. The atmospheric researchers found that “carbon dioxide emissions increased as suburban areas developed to the southwest of Salt […]

Transportation Emissions in Mexico City – How Big Data is Driving Change

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 scholar with Energy and Resources Group, along with Dan Kammen and other researchers from UC Berkeley and the National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change […]

What Happens When You Track Climate Change for Over 25 Years in the Rockies?

ERG ecosystems professor John Harte and his team at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory know the answer. They have been tracking wildflower populations and soil moisture in a meadow above Crested Butte since the early 1990’s, using a warmer climate mimicked by electric heaters suspended above the meadow. The team’s findings have confirmed their predictions for […]

Zeke Hausfather Cited by the Washington Post on 2017’s Concerning Temperatures

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 confirmed that “the 2017 results make the past four years the hottest period in their 138-year archive.” ERG’s Zeke Hausfather, a PhD student studying climate […]

Climate Change Slowing Down Wind Turbines? Kammen Weighs In

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 potential of wind turbines. Familiar with the studies, Dan Kammen adds that the phenomenon is “a disturbing but entirely expected consequence of climate change.” However, […]

ERG Student Jose Daniel Lara Joins UC’s Carbon Neutrality Initiative as a 2017 Fellow

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 reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability through his research on the use of biomass feed stocks to generate electric power. To learn more about the Carbon […]

the Effects of Climate Change on Tropical Storms Dan Kammen: Renewable Energy

Photo: Lizette Kabré After a few hectic weeks in the news, Energy and Resources Professor Dan Kammen reflects on his resignation as State Department Science Envoy and highlights the continued importance of renewable energy sources. Read his most recent statements to UC Berkeley News and Vox. Kammen has also commented on the effects of climate change […]

Adds Plug for Impeachment Kammen Resigns State Department Science Envoy post

ERG Professor Dan Kammen resigned as US State Department Science Envoy on Wednesday morning, August 23. His letter is attached below. Read more about his resignation at the following links: UC Berkeley News CNN CNBC The Washington Post Scientific American Facebook USA Today Highlight Hollywood Sacramento Bee TIME Heavy KQED KQED Radio The Guardian Vox […]

Dan Kammen Discusses Climate Change Initiative Being Developed by California Universities

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 campuses, Stanford University, the California Institute of Technology, amongst others. The leading panel of researchers hopes to have a proposal to the California state legislature prepared […]

ERG Professor Emeritus John Holdren and Alum Nicky Sundt Comment on the EPA’s Proposed Red-Team/Blue-Team Exercise

In a Climate Science & Policy Article co-authored by Nicky Sundt, an ERG alum (MA ’79), former ERG chair John Holdren criticizes the “red-team/blue-team” exercise proposed by EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and DOE Secretary Rick Perry, amongst others. He claims that the exercise would serve not to reach a consensus on climate change, as Pruitt […]

Dan Kammen Featured in Recent WIRED Article

ERG Professor Dan Kammen was quoted in a recent WIRED article addressing the effective withdrawal of US funding for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

New ERG Chair Daniel M. Kammen

We are pleased to announce the appointment of the new Energy and Resources Group Chair, Professor Daniel M. Kammen. His appointment began July 1, 2017. Daniel Kam­men is a Pro­fes­sor of Energy with appoint­ments in the Energy and Resources Group, The Gold­man School of Pub­lic Pol­icy, and the Depart­ment of Nuclear Engi­neer­ing at the Uni­ver­sity of Cal­i­for­nia, Berke­ley. […]

New Study by ERG Postdoc James Rising Finds Northern States Might Profit as the Planet Warms

If you live in the South, climate change could kill your economy.

including ERG International Team

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

Kammen and Hausfather of ERG Respond to Withdrawal from Paris Agreement

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

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.

No Pause in Global Warming Says ERG Grad Student Hausfather NOAA Was Right

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.

Introducing New ERG Faculty Lara Kueppers

The Energy and Resources Group is delighted to announce the arrival of new core faculty member Lara Kueppers.

The Elephant and Matinale On the Radio: Kammen in KQED

ERG professor Daniel Kammen was featured on a KQED Radio Forum segment in addition to a podcast and French radio station.

Kammen Comments on What Action Obama Can Take Over Climate Change

ERG professor Daniel Kammen joins a discussion of what President Obama should do about climate change before leaving office with Democracy Now!

Kammen from COP22: Is Trump’s victory game over for climate?

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 Professor Anthoff: Climate Change at the International Level

ERG Professor David Anthoff discusses climate change at the international level for Berkeley's C&R Breakthroughs magazine.

ERG Professor Kammen: We’re Placing Far too much Hope in Pulling Carbon Dioxide Out of the Air

ERG professor Dan Kammen commented for the Washington Post on the uncertainty of negative emissions as a viable fix for the planet's warming.

ERG Alum Receives Microsoft Grant for Ugandan Micro-grid Systems

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 electricity to communities, health clinics, and education centers in remote and challenging environments. New Sun Road designs, builds and installs SolPower™ micro-grid systems with broadband […]

ERG’s Siegner Presents National Farm to Cafeteria Conference

ERGie Laney Siegner (MA ’16) presented her research at the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference in Madison, WI held throughout June 4-5th.  Along with practitioners of this field, Laney spoke about integrating climate change education in with school food reforms. Read more about ERGie Laney Siegner here.    

ERG’s Energy Research Featured in Multiple News Outlets

“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 emitting the majority of anthropogenic greenhouse gases, they could become the building blocks of sustainability. In this week’s inaugural special issue of Science Magazine on […]

Kammen: Panelists Consider Potential of Nuclear Power As Climate Change Solution

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

ERG professor Dan Kammen participated in a Climate Change Symposium on Friday, April 15, at a Modesto Area Partners in Science (MAPS) lecture.

ERG Alum Dr. Peter Gleick on Arctic Warming

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

ERG Summer Courses Available

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

Kammen: Are Universities Making a Difference on Climate?

ERG Professor, Dan Kammen, comments on the impact University researchers have on Climate Change.

One grad student’s story: from English lit to global climate talks

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.

ERG at the Paris Climate Talks

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.

An Environmental Leader California

Professor Daniel Kammen will be joining Gov. Jerry Brown at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris to discuss California's climate initiatives as a model for the world to follow.

Feeding people on our stressed planet will require a “revolution”

ERG Professor John Harte was featured on Environmental Health News speaking of how the implementation of sustainable energy will play an important role in future food security.

CFCC15: ERG Students Present at Paris Conference

ERG & RAEL students present and engage at scientific conference “Our Common Future under Climate Change” ahead of COP21

China’s Energy Choices To Pave The Way For The World

ERG students Anne-Perrine Avrin (MS'15) will be presenting her research at the Our Common Future Under Climate Change conference held in Paris, France from 7-10 July 2015.

Siegner finalist in Feeding the Planet’s Storyfest

Signer writes about the potential of urban foraging

BOOK: Applying Anthropology and Physics to Sustainability

New book by Dove and Kammen released this week.

A unique moment in history for “sustainable energy for all”

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.

Solidarity and Survival on the Roof of the World Fire and Ice: Soot

Read the adapted excerpt in Slate of a new book by ERG alum Jonathan Mingle (MS'09).

California could power itself three to five times over with solar

ERG postdoctoral fellow Hernandez with Hoffacker and Field from Stanford publish in Nature Climate Change.

Zoë Chafe leads new WHO Report

"We wanted to help policymakers and members of the general public understand that household heating with biomass is a complicated issue," says ERG PhD candidate Zoë Chafe.

23-year experiment finds surprising global warming impacts

Professor John Harte and team's paper on results of a 23-year ecosystem experiment in Rocky Mountain meadowlands featured in Guardian.

Biomass with carbon capture could make western U.S. carbon-negative

Paper by ERG team published in Nature Climate Change this month.

ERG Grad Student Selected To Represent UC Berkeley in Sacramento

Rachel Golden will share her views in the state capital in April.

Calculating the Footprint of the Caribbeans

The carbon footprint of the Virgin Islands by Dr. Daniel Kammen and PhD candidates Rebekah Shirley & Christopher Jones cited in St Croix news.

Jessica Reilly Awarded Fellowship to Sail Pacific Coast

ERG PhD candidate awarded the Institute of Current World Affairs Fellowship.

Anthoff & Team in Science on Social Cost of Carbon Pizer

Which way forward for the social cost of carbon? Environmental economists explain next steps in Science Magazine.

UC Berkeley Ranks 1st in the World for Environment

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

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

Water Quality: Woelfle-Erskine’s Search for Salmon

“As the dry season becomes more intense and rainfall more erratic, we’d expect to see this pattern propagating northward.”

RAEL at UN Climate Summit

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

Dr. Holdren Handles House Climate Deniers

"If the United States does not [limit carbon emissions], it is unlikely that other major emitters in the world — China, India, Russia, Europe, Japan — will do so either."

Brown Schwarzenegger

Kammen speaks at Schwarzenegger's climate pep rally where both parties agree that it's time to fight the dark side.

Upcoming Certificate Course on Economic Impact of Climate and Energy Policy

3-day cer­tifi­cate course Oct 3-5, offer­ing a prac­ti­cal per­spec­tive on the eco­nomic effects of cli­mate and energy policy.

Grist Features ERG Climate Change Solutions

Professor John Harte and three ERG students are "Hacking the Climate" with featured articles in the popular online publication.

Obama’s Carbon Rules Bring Urban Flooding Closer to Home

"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

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

Are Obama’s Carbon Rules Enough?

The New York Times calls the EPA's emission proposals "modest." Professor Dan Kammen points out the challenge.

Holdren on Climate Change in the USA

Watch Dr. John Holdren, Assistant to the President for Science & Technology and ERG Co-founder, discuss the newly released National Climate Assessment report.

Holdren Sets New Course for US Energy

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

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

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.

Assessing Transitions in Overlying Rights to California’s Groundwater Basins (MA ’20) An interest in the human dimensions of climate change – in particular, in understanding the dynamics of power and agency in responses to climate change – has always been at the heart of Ella’s work. She graduated from McGill University with a B.A. Joint […]

Michelle Levinson

Harnessing Financial Motivation to Drive Transportation Electrification: a Resource for Electric Utility Regulators (MA ’19) Michelle is a concurrent degree student at the Goldman School of Public Policy and the Energy Resources Group. Prior to graduate school, she worked in political, legal, and regulatory advocacy at the Natural Resources Defense Council and NextGen Climate America. […]

Samira Siddique

Development for the Stateless: the Displacement-Development Nexus and Implications for the Future (MS ’19) Samira is a PhD student in the Energy and Resources Group and researcher at the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory. Her research focuses on development for stateless people and migrants, most recently on energy access and the development priorities of UN […]

Lara Kueppers

Lara Kueppers is an Associate Professor in the Energy and Resources Group, with a Faculty Scientist appointment at Berkeley Lab. She is an interdisciplinary environmental scientist, whose research focuses on ecological responses and feedbacks to climate change.

Frank Errickson

The Joint Effect of Uncertainty and Inequality on Global Climate Policy (PhD ’20) Frank grew up on the central New Jersey coast, completing a B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in Environmental Policy & Sustainability from the Richard Stockton College. He went on to earn an M.A. from Columbia University’s Climate and Society Program, […]

Patricia Hidalgo-Gonzalez

Learning and Control Systems for the Integration of Renewable Energy into Grids of the Future (PhD ’20) Patricia is a Ph.D. candidate at UC Berkeley co-advised by Daniel Kammen and Claire Tomlin. She obtained an M.S. from the Energy and Resources Group, UC Berkeley (2016). She graduated with highest honors as an Industrial and Electrical […]

Jason MacDonald

Jason is interested in optimization and control of distributed energy resources to support renewable energy integration into the electricity grid. He works at Lawrence Berkeley National lab researching wholesale electricity market integrated demand response and electric vehicles, particularly to provide fast reliability services. He graduated with from University of Michigan with an MS in Natural […]

Adrienne Marshall

Adrienne works on climate change adaptation and mitigation in the public and private forests and wild lands of California. She is interested in understanding how the natural resources in these areas, particularly water, are affected by climate change. How can we manage our forests and wild lands in order to reduce both the magnitude of […]

Julia Szinai

Julia studied economics and Spanish at UC Berkeley as an undergraduate, and realized her interest in energy and environmental issues while a research assistant at the UC Energy Institute. After consulting in the energy and finance sectors, she worked at Pacific Gas & Electric forecasting electric generation and its cost for customer rates. For the […]

Cecilia Han Springer

Policies for an Ecological Civilization: China, Carbon, and Economic Reform (PhD ’19) Cecilia is a PhD candidate at ERG. Her dissertation uses economic modeling and social science to critically analyze several of China’s flagship energy and climate policies. She is a research affiliate at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s China Energy Group, where she works […]