Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy

Wildfire smoke exacerbates ozone pollution - @theU U research modeled smoke produced in epic 2020 wildfire season to demonstrate how it drives ozone formation, further degrading air quality.

New research from @utah.edu finds wildfire smoke significantly increases ozone concentrations. The research concludes wildfire smoke increases ozone concentrations by 21 parts per billion, or by roughly 20 to 30% higher on average. attheu.utah.edu/research/wil...
@uofu-science.bsky.social

Carbon ‘offsets’ aren’t working. Here’s a way to fix nature-based climate solutions - @theU U-led research results in roadmap for harnessing Earth’s natural processes to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide

The study’s authors say a contribution approach would be more scientifically accurate and legally defensible than the current system, potentially resulting in higher quality projects.

attheu.utah.edu/research/car...

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

To be effective, corporations should financially contribute to climate mitigation, as opposed to claiming credit for actions that may ultimately provide little climate benefit.

Successful forest carbon credits should:

1. Lead to net global cooling;
2. Result in additional climate benefits;
3. Avoid carbon “leakage;”
4. Store carbon long enough to make a difference

Over the past few years, U Biology Professor Dr. William Anderegg assembled a Wilkes Center Working Group of leading scientists from other US universities to identify the specific problems and propose solutions.

But forest carbon credits have widespread problems that are undermining the potential for companies to invest in Nature-based Climate Solutions (NbCS). Better science and policies are needed.

Globally, forests have the biggest potential to mitigate climate change. Trees absorb vast amounts of carbon that would otherwise be in the atmosphere exacerbating the climate crises.

Ever wonder how an EV stacks up against a gas car? - @theU U student Adrian Martino partners with Utah Clean Energy to develop handy online tool that compares long-term costs of driving and CO2 missions of EVs...

Ever wondered about the long-term costs of driving an EV versus a similar gas-powered vehicle? 🔌⚡🚗

U student Adrian Martino just made an app for that! This interactive tool for Utah Clean Energy lets you compare the cost of ownership and emissions side-by-side.
attheu.utah.edu/science-tech...

University of Utah professors working with NASA to get fire crews real time information Thousands of acres of land, homes and structures are in jeopardy, as active fires continue to rage on throughout Utah. That's why wildfire prevention is top of mind for a research team at the Universi...

@utah.edu Professors Phil Dennison (Geography) and Derek Malia (Atmospheric Sciences) recently showed off new tech they’re developing to help combat wildfires
@ksl5tv.bsky.social #WildfireWorkingGroup

ksltv.com/local-news/u...

Wilkes Center names leadership team for expanded climate mission | College of Science Wilkes Center names leadership team for expanded climate mission June 19, 2025 Above: Fielding Norton, John Lin. Credit: Todd Anderson Climate physicist Fielding Norton and U atmospheric scientist Joh...

The Wilkes Center is excited to announce a leadership transition! Fielding Norton will be the new managing director, while John Lin the scientific director.
science.utah.edu/wilkes-cente...
@utah.edu
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@uofubiology.bsky.social

William Anderegg Passes Wilkes Center Leadership Baton Forward - The Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy Anderegg has established a legacy of communicating science and convening innovators at The Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy After three years as the...

Wilkes Center founding director William Anderegg will step down on June 30 after three years of establishing the center as a national leader in climate research and collaboration.
wilkescenter.utah.edu/spotlight/wi...
@uofu-science.bsky.social
@utah.edu

Utah’s energy future - @theU Leaders from a national laboratory, academic research, non-profit advocacy and private industry reveal how Utah is positioned to lead in the clean energy transition at the 2025 Wilkes Climate Summit.

Leaders from a national laboratory, academic research, non-profit advocacy and private industry reveal how Utah is positioned to lead in the clean energy transition at the 2025 Wilkes Climate Summit.

Third Prize, $500 – Yarong Cao⁠
Revealing disparities and drivers of compound exposure to urban heat and PM 2.5 pollution using low-cost sensors⁠
Mentor: Alexandra Ponette-González, associate professor, City & Metropolitan Planning, College of Architecture

Second Prize, $1000 – Rylie Gagne⁠
Walking on Thin Ice: Polar Bear Navigation in a Warming Arctic⁠
Mentor: Jody Reimer, assistant professor, School of Biological Sciences and the Department of Mathematics, College of Science

First Prize, $1500 – Nathan Murthy⁠
Satellite-Tracking data reveals migratory pathways of Steppe and Booted Eagles in the African-Eurasian Flyway⁠
Mentor: Cagan Sekercioglu, professor, School of Biological Sciences, College of Science⁠

Congratulations to the research poster contest winners!⁠
⁠
Wilkes Center-funded graduate and undergraduate students showcased their climate-related research projects and competed for cash prizes at the Wilkes Summit. Attendees were invited to vote on their favorite posters throughout the day. ⁠

Gracyn Lia Hinojosa is another one of our spectacular Wilkes Scholars! She is currently researching the impacts of climate induced drought on Ranching Culture in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Navigate here to read all about her! wilkescenter.utah.edu/spotlight/gr...

The finalists will present their solutions during the morning of the upcoming Wilkes Climate Summit on May 15 at the Eccles Alumni House. Register at this link to attend: wilkescenter.utah.edu/summit/

The seven finalists are:
· Mlinda Charitable Trust (India)
· Shamsina (Egypt; New York)
· De Novo Foodlabs (North Carolina)
· Symmetry Wood, PBC (California)
· Build up Nepal Engineering (Nepal)
· OGA Street Tech (Louisiana)
· Roca Water, Inc. (California)

The annual Climate Launch Prize supports innovative ideas from organizations at all stages, both for-profits and nonprofits—anywhere in the world—to help fund and accelerate solutions to climate change.

We are thrilled to announce this year’s finalists for the $250,000 Wilkes Climate Launch Prize at the University of Utah!

Bennett Davenport - The Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy Not many University of Utah students are eligible for a Silver Play Button on YouTube, but Bennett Davenport is. Bennett owns and runs the YouTube…

Navigate to this link to read all about him (and his hit YouTube Channel)!
wilkescenter.utah.edu/spotlight/be...

Bennett Davenport is another one of our incredible undergraduate Wilkes Scholars! He is currently researching small mammal fossils found in caves surrounding the U to learn more about Utah's changing ecology over time.

Melanie Osuna is another one of our incredible undergraduate Wilkes Scholars! She is currently researching a sediment core that potentially has a lot to tell us about the ancient people of the Great Salt Lake Desert.
Navigate to this link to read all about her!
wilkescenter.utah.edu/spotlight/me...

Entrepreneurs, faculty, staff, and students from across Utah are eligible to participate in the hackathon. No coding experience needed! Prizes include cash and perks from sponsors. Read full details at rai.utah.edu/hackathon

The DEADLINE to REGISTER is APRIL 15th.

During the hybrid event held online and on campus at the University of Utah, student-led teams will create AI-powered solutions for air quality prediction and improvement across the Wasatch Front.

One-U Responsible Artificial Intelligence Initiative is partnering with AWS and NVIDIA to hold an air quality hackathon in June 2025!

Check out our interactive map to see all 2025 Wilkes Launch Prize application geographic origins. wilkes-center.github.io/2025WilkesPr...

wilkescenter.utah.edu/prize/2025-c...

#WilkesPrize #climatesolutions

Applicants who advance to round 2 will be notified by the middle of April. Selected finalists will be invited to pitch their ideas at the Wilkes Climate Summit May 15th.

WOW! We received over 1,100 Submissions for the 2025 Wilkes Climate Launch Prize! The amount of innovation and enthusiasm for climate solutions across the world is truly inspiring.