The Waterloo Climate Institute has one of the largest concentrations of climate change researchers in Canada with over 140 faculty members from across 26 different departments at Waterloo, and students and affiliated members from Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Balsillie School of International Affairs, and Wilfrid Laurier University.
With expertise in a broad range of disciplines, and research spanning from fundamental to highly applied, Waterloo climate change researchers push the boundaries of our knowledge to support the transition to a low-carbon resilient future.
Explore the full list of Waterloo Climate Institute Members here.
Institute member expertise and research span three core areas of climate change research:
Deep decarbonization and sustainability transitions
Transitions to sustainability are multi-faceted phenomena, requiring expertise in a range of science, social science and humanities disciplines. Our members are creating the technological advances that are necessary to wean society off of fossil fuels; they are exploring the urban forms and building technologies that contribute to more sustainable futures, and they are applying novel techniques to explore the many opportunities and obstacles along pathways to those futures.
Climate science, modelling and observation
Bringing together Waterloo’s excellence in engineering, computer science, applied math and environmental monitoring, our members are building our understanding of how the climate system works and how it is changing. Through advancements in the application of artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and geospatial modeling, they are discovering important insights about the climate system, and developing the tools and data needed to support governments and the private sector in their climate change planning.
Climate risks, resilience and adaptation
Our members are designing ways we can build resilient communities and economies that will be better able to withstand the accelerating impacts of a changing climate. Risk assessments are shedding light on how climate change will impact our critical infrastructure, businesses and supply chains, public health, and our most vulnerable communities. Research is also pointing to strategies that will help us adapt to these new conditions using nature-based solutions, technology, planning and land use changes, risk communication, and rethinking our financial, health and social support systems.
Are you a faculty member interested in becoming a member? Contact Simon Glauser, Managing Director, for details on becoming a member or affiliate of the institute.