News

Regrow, Not Reuse: How Restoring Abandoned Farms Can Mitigate Climate Change
June 9, 2022
Author
Written by B. Rose Huber, Princeton School of Public and International Affairs
The Institute Woods near Princeton University’s campus comprises 589 acres of serene walking trails and a wooden footbridge enjoyed by hikers, runners, and birdwatchers. Like many forests in New Jersey, this local landmark was a patchwork of farm fields and orchards as recently as 1940 — before regrowing into the verdant escape seen today.

Extreme Climate Fluctuation Drives South African Domestic Migration
Feb. 28, 2022
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Written by Riis Williams and B. Rose Huber, Princeton School of Public and International Affairs

As the climate crisis worsens, some South Africans are relocating to places with more stable climate conditions, according to a study led by Princeton University researchers. 

Using…

As China Converts to Clean Energy, Households Should Consider Using Heat Pumps to Maximize Climate, Air Quality, Economic, and Health Benefits
Jan. 4, 2022
Author
Written by B. Rose Huber, Princeton School of Public and International Affairs
Many of China’s households still rely on small coal stoves for heat, which causes air pollution that damages health. To address these problems, the Chinese government launched a five-year “Clean Heating Plan” in 2017 with the goal of transitioning 70% of northern households away from coal and toward cleaner heating options.

As the plan…

Policy Interventions Could Help Farmers Economically Survive in Vulnerable Regions
Dec. 1, 2021
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Written by B. Rose Huber, Princeton School of Public and International Affairs

In the grasslands of Nepal’s Chitwan Valley, local farmers rely on the production of rice and other grains to generate household income. But their livelihoods are under threat, as Nepal is experiencing the effects of climate change at a much faster rate than the global average.

As these effects worsen, it’s unclear what smallholder…

Tackling Climate Change’s Most Complex Phenomena
Nov. 9, 2021
Author
Written by Riis L. Williams

A new partnership between Princeton University’s Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment (C-PREE) and the High Meadows Environmental Institute (HMEI) is pairing students and researchers to work on solutions to today…

Princeton Experts Identify Priorities for Glasgow Climate Summit and Global Actions going Forward
Oct. 25, 2021
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Written by Liz Fuller-Wright, Office of Communications

Hundreds of leaders and thousands of climate scholars from around the globe will gather in Glasgow, Scotland, for COP26, the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 12.

Most experts believe this year’s meeting — the biggest climate summit since the Paris Agreement was…

Student Blog: STEP Ph.D. Guide to Picking Courses
Oct. 22, 2021
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Written by Rachel Young and Malini Nambiar, STEP Ph.D.

The Science Technology and Environmental Policy (STEP) PhD program at SPIA aims to leverage multidisciplinary research approaches to address environmental and technological issues facing our world. Students…

Student Blog: Policy Research on Energy & the Environment through STEP Ph.D.
Sept. 16, 2021
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Written by Bing Lin, STEP Ph.D.

The Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy (STEP) PhD program in SPIA has been my actual and virtual home for the past two years, and for those itching to tackle interdisciplinary policy problems in the…

Princeton voices: Speaking out on climate change, heat waves, wildfires and more
Aug. 10, 2021
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Written by Liz Fuller-Wright, Office of Communications

The triple-digit temperatures sweeping across the country this summer go far beyond routine weather fluctuations. Indeed, June 2021 was the hottest June in the history of national weather records, and by the end of July, fully 40% of the nation was experiencing drought, which contributed to a western wildfire season whose smoke reached…

Like China, Japan and the U.S. Continue to Finance Overseas Fossil Fuel Power Technologies
Aug. 4, 2021
Author
Written by Riis L. Williams
Stepping away from carbon-intensive power systems and investing in renewable technologies is critical to decarbonizing the global power sector and reducing global climate change. But the three countries dominating overseas bilateral finance in the power generation sector — China, Japan, and the United States — continue to fund fossil fuel…