Connecting Research to Action
20x20 | Informing congress on climate change mitigation and adaptation
In June 2020, the U.S. House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis released a landmark report laying out a comprehensive plan for government action on climate change. The nearly 500-page report, which drew on a year of expert testimony and input, included critical contributions from Stanford scholars. One of the top-cited scientific sources was research by Stanford Woods Institute fellows Marshall Burke and Noah Diffenbaugh. Burke and Diffenbaugh also met with key committee staff in Washington, D.C.
The Woods Policy & Engagement Program played an important role in connecting Woods researchers and policymakers. The team had maintained regular communication with committee staff, providing critical resources to bridge the gap between academia and Congress. As a result of the portfolio of activities that led to Woods becoming a trusted resource, Diffenbaugh was invited to testify before the committee and speak directly to members of Congress, ensuring Stanford research would inform national climate strategies.
Burke and Diffenbaugh’s research, focused on the economic impacts of climate change and the potential for adaptation and mitigation to reduce those costs, provided valuable evidence in support of stronger climate policies. Their findings, particularly on the economic risks posed by climate inaction, underscored the urgency of addressing climate change not only as an environmental issue but as a critical economic and public health challenge.
Woods’ work through its Policy & Engagement program demonstrates the power of connecting academic research with real-world decision-making. By facilitating a pathway for Burke and Diffenbaugh’s research to be included in the Select Committee’s report, the program helped secure a platform for Stanford expertise to influence national climate policy. This tangible impact showcases the critical role the Stanford Woods Institute plays in translating scientific findings into actionable solutions for policymakers.
Related
- Noah Diffenbaugh testifies in Congressional climate hearing (Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability)
- Solving the Climate Crisis: The Congressional Action Plan for a Clean Energy Economy and a Healthy, Resilient, and Just America (House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis)
- Hearing Before The Select Committee On The Climate Crisis, House Of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, First Session Hearing (May 23, 2019) | (House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis)
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