Global Change is re-shaping Earth’s ecosystems and redefining the local context of society. Changes in the components of climate, the response of the living systems to those forcings, and our modifications of natural resources are rapidly changing. Biologists have tackled these problems with a focus on ‘undisturbed, natural’ settings, but have more-and-more been compelled to contemplate the consequences and coupling of the human experience. This talk will cover the contemporary history of global change research in the western US, the emergent impacts relevant to society (fire, drought, etc.), and the need for interdisciplinary training to tackle future challenges. Our ability to develop a robust understanding of the Earth system and rapidly translate those findings to policy with traditional academic approaches is lacking. We desperately need to contemplate our frameworks for research and programs for training scholars to more effectively move knowledge to action.

Light lunch will be provided.