EXPERTS ADVISORY

Negotiators from nearly 200 countries have gathered in Belém, Brazil, for the annual international climate change conference—known this year as COP30—in an effort to advance global climate solutions. University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) experts are available to comment.

CLIMATE ACTION

Jonathan Overpeck, professor and dean of the School for Environment and Sustainability, is an expert on climate and weather extremes, sea-level rise, and the impacts of climate change and options for dealing with it. He served as lead author on the authoritative Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2007 and 2014 reports.

“COP30 needs to continue the acceleration of climate action globally in several important ways. The first is to be clear that the goal of global decarbonization is more important than ever, and that every country needs to increase efforts to transition to low-carbon energy. The second is to strengthen efforts by wealthy countries who have contributed the most to climate change to help low- and middle-income countries decarbonize their energy systems and mobility. And the third is for wealthy countries to increase their ‘loss and damage’ funding to help low- and middle-income countries recover from the increasing rate of disasters due to the global climate change they did little to cause.

“Despite a new fossil fuel-friendly administration, the U.S. continues to deploy low-carbon energy and mobility solutions. These solutions are becoming more affordable and less polluting than fossil fuels everywhere around the globe, and COP30 needs to make it clear that the nations of the world are committed to halting climate change and helping those who need assistance. Climate action must continue to accelerate even more starting with COP30.”

Contact: [email protected]

Greg Keoleian is a professor of environment and sustainability and co-director of the Center for Sustainable Systems and of MI Hydrogen, U-M’s hydrogen initiative. He develops life-cycle models to analyze decarbonization pathways and accelerate sustainability solutions for clean energy transitions, alternative vehicle technologies, buildings and infrastructure, and food systems.

“Lack of participation by high-level officials from the White House is irresponsible and represents a major setback for COP30 and climate action. Climate change is a global threat and requires international cooperation and trust. The Trump administration withdrew from the Paris Agreement and has attacked multiple policies that curb climate pollution. Deeply rooted in the president’s false declaration that ‘climate change is a hoax,’ there has been a major assault on science-based policy and climate action. Challenges to the Endangerment Finding, termination of EV tax credits and stoppage of offshore wind farm developments highlight just a few examples.

“Despite the White House’s alarming actions, industry, state and local governments, NGOs, communities and individual households are continuing to play a vital role in implementing solutions to curb climate pollution. These stakeholders are continuing to stand up for climate along with the other national governments committed to COP30.”

Contact: [email protected]

Kai Zhu, associate professor of environment and sustainability, examines the ecological responses to climate change, with a particular focus on biodiversity. His recent study highlights the rapid shifts in grassland communities driven by climate change, offering crucial insights for restoration strategies and conservation efforts in these ecosystems.

“This past year, we have witnessed record-breaking heatwaves, wildfires and floods, which highlight that climate change is not a distant threat but a present-day crisis. To tackle these escalating impacts, we must urgently focus on both mitigation (reducing emissions and conserving carbon-storing ecosystems) and adaptation (supporting communities and biodiversity in adjusting to rapidly changing conditions). Scientific evidence demonstrates that healthy, resilient ecosystems play a crucial role in both strategies. It is more important than ever to invest in solutions that protect both nature and people, ensuring a sustainable future as climate risks intensify.”

Contact: [email protected]

Mike Shriberg, professor of practice and engagement in environment and sustainability, directs the U-M Water Center. He is an expert on environmental policy and planning, with a focus on the intersection of water and climate issues.

“The way many people in the region and around the world are experiencing the impact of climate change is through changes in water access, availability and variability. Our water cycle is changing rapidly, leading to increasing flooding, drought and other forms of extreme weather. The impacts for people, communities and wildlife are extreme.

“The COP process represents our best chance to turn the tide globally and to head off the increasingly severe water-based impacts of climate change. While we can’t stop the changes already taking place and those already destined to happen due to current emissions, we can lower the consequences and move toward a more resilient and equitable future through making and following through on global commitments to reduce pollution and fund adaptive measures.”

Contact: [email protected]

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

Tony Reames, associate professor of environment and sustainability, founded the Urban Energy Justice Lab and the Energy Equity Project and currently serves as director of the U-M SEAS Detroit Sustainability Clinic. His research centers on advancing fair and equitable access to affordable, reliable and clean energy, and on examining the root causes and persistence of energy disparities across race, income and geography. Prior to joining U-M, he was a presidential appointee in the Biden administration, serving in several senior roles within the U.S. Department of Energy, including deputy director for energy justice.

“The hope for climate and environmental justice activists and advocates is that COP30 becomes a real opportunity to translate pledges into real action. COP30 appears to be making climate and environmental justice central themes, focusing on community-led adaptation, increased financing, the protection of environmental defenders, and greater inclusion and participation of marginalized communities, Indigenous peoples and civil society in climate negotiations and decision-making.

“The Justice and Human Rights thematic day at COP will continue the growing emphasis on integrating justice and human rights into climate action discussions. Although the U.S. government has pulled back from climate action and environmental justice under the Trump administration, these issues maintain salience on the global stage. Despite this shift in federal posture, the hundreds of state and local leaders and other attendees representing the U.S. will highlight that many Americans and decision-makers remain committed to climate and environmental justice aligned policies.”

Contact: [email protected]

Read the full experts advisory on the Michigan News website.