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Our Mission & Focus Areas

Mission<br />Statement
Mission
Statement
The Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy at the University of Utah strives to provide transformative, integrative, and cutting-edge science, education, entrepreneurship, and practical solutions to tackle climate change in Utah, the United States, and the globe. Researchers affiliated with the Wilkes Center are working on the defining issues of our age.
ABOUT US
Climate<br />Solutions
Climate
Solutions
In collaboration with stakeholders and multiple partners, Wilkes Center researchers analyze and innovate on climate solutions, aiming to inform policy in key areas of water resources, climate extremes, and nature-based climate solutions.
Climate<br />Impacts
Climate
Impacts
Wilkes Center scholars are illuminating climate impacts on local communities, economies, ecosystems, and human health in Utah and around the globe and are developing key tools to mitigate, adapt, and manage climate impacts.
Climate<br />Forecasting
Climate
Forecasting
The Wilkes Center aims to support and develop state-of-the-art science around near-term forecasts and longer-term projections of key climate changes with major societal impacts and to make this information available for decision-makers.

Climate Modeling Tools

Carbon Futures<br />Modeling Tool
Carbon Futures
Modeling Tool
This is interactive tool shows carbon storage potential in forests in the US.
Explore This Tool
Global Forest <br />Climate Risk Tool
Global Forest
Climate Risk Tool
This tool projects the relative risk to Earth’s forests globally during the 21st century based on multiple approaches, datasets, and climate change scenarios.
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US Forest Risks<br />Mapping Tool
US Forest Risks
Mapping Tool
This map tool shows harmonized projections of risks to US forest carbon from fire, drought, and insects under a changing climate.
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Utah Greenhouse Gas <br />Monitoring Tool
Utah Greenhouse Gas
Monitoring Tool
This map provides real-time data on CO2 and methane emissions at strategic monitoring sites across northern and eastern Utah.
Explore This Tool
Balsam Woolly Adelgid <br />Monitoring Tool
Balsam Woolly Adelgid
Monitoring Tool
This model predicts current and future exposure to climate-facilitated balsam woolly adelgid damage to subalpine fir trees in Northern Utah.
Explore This Tool
Undergraduate Funding
The Wilkes Scholars Program enables students to explore pressing climate challenges through transformative research.
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Faculty Seed Grants
Apply to receive funding support for impactful research surrounding climate change, as well as the policy impacts.
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Wilkes Dissertation Fellowship Program
This fellowship supports the dissertation writing phase for Ph.D. candidates whose dissertation projects focus around the broad themes of climate science and climate policy.
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Research and Conference Travel Award
Provides graduates and undergraduates travel funding for research OR the opportunity to present their climate science and policy research to the academic community. One-time award, $500 max.
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Events & Partnerships

Climate Solutions Hackathon
The 3rd Annual Wilkes Climate Solutions Hackathon was held Jan 31/Feb 1, 2025. The climate solutions hackathon challenges undergraduate and graduate students from any discipline to team-up and develop proposals in a slide deck within 24 hours.
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Wilkes Summit
The annual Wilkes Climate Summit at the University of Utah brings together leading policymakers, nationally-recognized scientists, foundations, and innovators to discuss the most promising and cutting-edge solutions for climate change.
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Great Salt Lake Strike Team
The Great Salt Lake Strike Team includes researchers from the University of Utah and Utah State University working together with state leads from the Utah Department of Natural Resources and Utah Department of Agriculture and Food and additional experts from other entities. Together, these entities join in a model partnership to provide timely, relevant, and high-quality data and research that help decision-makers make informed decisions about Great Salt Lake.
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Speaker Series
The Wilkes Center Speaker Series provides a welcoming venue for scientists, researchers, and policymakers to discuss challenges and solutions for the defining issue of our age - climate change. The series seeks to create a platform for distinguished researchers to share insights, to foster meaningful opportunities for dialogue and collaboration, and to enhance awareness and motivate effective policy action.
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The $250,000 Wilkes Climate Launch Prize at the University of Utah supports innovative project ideas from organizations at all stages, both for-profits and non-profits, anywhere in the world, to help address the impacts of climate change.
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University of Utah researchers are engaged in a number of projects to develop new technologies and policy mechanisms to advance resilience, prevention, and forecasting ability with wildfires.
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The Wilkes Center Podcast

Conversations about transformative research happening in the fields of climate science and policy at the University of Utah.

From new renewable energy technologies and other potential solutions, to improved forecasting tools, to enhanced understanding of ecological, health, or community impacts, it’s hard to keep up with all of the climate change research and innovation now happening across the U.  Talking Climate brings University of Utah climate change researchers and their work into focus.  Talking Climate is hosted and produced by Ross Chambless, Community Engagement Manager for the Wilkes Center.

29: How Are Plant Ecosystems Adapting to the Shifting Climate?

When it comes to climate change, one big question is how are ecosystems adapting to shifting weather patterns, heavier precipitation events, and hotter temperatures for longer periods of time?  Are...

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28: Conversation with the Water Resources Hackathon 1st Place Team "SmartFLOW"

The Wilkes Center recently hosted its 3rd annual climate solutions hackathon at the end of January.  This year the focus was water resources. The “hackathon” as we’ve come to call...

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27: Could Low-dimensional Perovskites Advance Cleaner Refrigerants and Batteries?

Perovskites are crystal structures that can be manufactured in labs for making solar panels.  They are relatively cost-effective, and efficient, and could provide a reliable thin-film alternative to the more...

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26: Sizing Up the Melting Glaciers of the Himalayas

There are an estimated 54,000 glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalayas. These glaciers cover 60,000 square kilometers and serve as a major source of the water in the region’s rivers,...

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By joining our mailing list you'll stay up-to-date about new Wilkes Center projects, including the Wilkes Prize, upcoming events, climate solutions initiatives and research funding opportunities.

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Founders

Clay and Marie Wilkes have worked on humanitarian projects for decades,
leading education and economic initiatives in Salt Lake City, Peru, and Nepal.

The Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy was created in 2022 as a result of their
desire to urgently address threats created by climate change. Learn more about the donation

Donate to the Wilkes Center

You can help us to catalyze innovative science and solutions to address climate change!

Donations to the Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy at the University of Utah will support our efforts to provide transformative, integrative, and cutting-edge science, education, entrepreneurship, and practical solutions to tackle climate change in Utah, the United States, and the globe. Researchers affiliated with the Wilkes Center are working on the defining issues of our age.