This guide aims to provide resources covering the many efforts taking place at Rutgers to study climate change and the environment as well as combat climate change at the local, national, and global level. We also offer resources from Rutgers libraries, agencies, and other credible online resources to help you find even more information and tools on climate change.
Video: Record-breaking climate trends in 2016 (NASA)
Climate change: How do we know? (NASA)
Graphic: Carbon Dioxide Concentration (NASA)
Images courtesy of NASA.
Climate is usually defined as the average weather - patterns of temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind and seasons. Climate patterns play a fundamental role in shaping natural ecosystems and the human economies and cultures that depend on them. But the climate we’ve come to expect is not what it used to be, because the past is no longer a reliable predictor of the future. Our climate is rapidly changing with disruptive impacts, and that change is progressing faster than any seen in the last 2,000 years.
Rising levels of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere have warmed the Earth and are causing wide-ranging impacts, including rising sea levels; melting snow and ice; more extreme heat events, fires and drought; and more extreme storms, rainfall and floods. Scientists project that these trends will continue and in some cases accelerate, posing significant risks to human health, our forests, agriculture, freshwater supplies, coastlines, and other natural resources.
Climate change is a complex scientific and social problem. Interdisciplinary research and collaboration both between scientific disciplines, between physical and social scientists and with other stakeholders will be needed to solve this societal challenge..
Envisioning Rutgers' Climate Future
November 11 and 12 from 6–8 p.m
Rutgers students, faculty, and staff are invited to join us from 6–8 p.m on November 11 and 12 for Envisioning Rutgers’ Climate Future: A Two-Night Town Hall Event. A panel of Task Force members will present key findings from the Phase 2 report and answer questions from the Rutgers community. Each meeting will conclude with a breakout visioning session based on the night’s theme.
Learn more about the future of the climate task force and stay tuned for more town hall events!
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