The science is indisputable: Our climate is changing, the planet is

warming and sea levels are rising. Weather patterns are shifting, at times
exacting a punishing toll on communities. More and more, taxpayers are
footing the bill for the havoc wreaked by powerful floods, wildfires and
storms made worse by climate change.

With a new administration in Washington, D.C., the future direction of our

nations climate strategy is cloudy, and the potential implications for our
communities, the environment and our economy are profound. Now more
than ever, each of us has a critical role to play in charting our path
forward.

We cannot afford to be silent. Climate change is a global threat that

demands more of our attention, not less.

Scientists and research universities have a responsibility to keep climate

change in the public conscience. We must continue talking about it. We
must continue research that provides scientific data to guide our climate
strategy. We must doggedly hunt for solutions.

For centuries, science and evidence-based research have served us well,

shining a light on the truth and providing a sound foundation on which
vast improvements to our quality of life have been forged. Innovations in
everything from medicine to space exploration to information technology
have been built upon scientific research.

Consider Lawrence Berkeley National Lab scientist Art Rosenfeld, who

died last month but whose legacy lives on in his groundbreaking research
that gave us energy-efficient refrigerators and windows that trap heat,
saving homeowners and businesses billions of dollars in energy costs.

Or consider UC San Diego physicist Veerabhadran Ramanathans

discovery of the greenhouse effect of halocarbons in 1975 and his
accurate prediction of global warming. Last year, he marshaled the work
of scientists across the UC system to formulate 10 solutions to counter
the effects of climate change; his research and advocacy led California to
enact new restrictions on emissions of certain pollutants, including
methane, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and black carbon, to slow the pace
of global warming.

At the University of California, were not slowing down. Were attacking

climate change across multiple fronts:

Cultivating the next generation of climate change leaders: UC

professors in fields from Swahili to music are incorporating climate
change and sustainability into their courses to introduce these
concepts to students, especially those in non-science majors who
 wouldnt normally be exposed to them. To start, 228 UC faculty
members participated in a series of climate curriculum workshops
last year. The first of these new course modules debuted this
academic year.
Harnessing the power of the sun: The first of two solar power
installations in Fresno County totaling 80 megawatts recently came
online, in the largest solar purchase by any U.S. university to date.
The power from these two farms is expected to generate about 14
percent of UCs total electricity use.
Energy Efficiency: Energy efficiency has not only decreased our
greenhouse gas emissions, it has made a real impact on our
finances. In 2016, UC saved $28 million in energy costs, and since
2004 has avoided nearly $200 million as a result of energy
efficiency projects.
Research that builds knowledge and pinpoints solutions: Our
Bending the Curve report offered 10 scalable solutions for moving
the world toward carbon neutrality and was presented at the United
Nations Conference on Climate Change in Paris in 2015. UC
scientists continue to study the impacts of climate change and seek
practical solutions.
Investing in climate solutions: UC is the sole institutional investor
in the 28-member Breakthrough Energy Coalition led by Bill Gates
that is committed to developing technologies to solve the worlds
energy and climate challenges. In addition, UC operates three
dozen incubators and accelerators that nurture young
entrepreneurs, including those working in clean energy and climate
solutions.

If it goes unaddressed, climate change has the potential to unleash

massive economic, environmental and societal ramifications on how and
where we live. It is our responsibility as leaders, as academics, as
scientists, as human beings, to act swiftly and decisively to protect the
planet we call home. Future generations are counting on us.