The Ray C. Anderson Foundation has awarded a $300,000 grant to Emory University and its partners for the next phase of the Georgia Climate Project, a state-wide consortium of nine colleges and universities working to strengthen Georgia’s ability to prepare for and respond to a changing climate.  

The Georgia Climate Project was founded in 2018 as a collaborative effort among Emory University, the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Georgia. Its scope has since expanded to include Agnes Scott College, Columbus State University, Georgia Southern University, Georgia State University, Spelman College and the University of North Georgia. 

“This partnership is a great example of what can be accomplished when the colleges and universities of our great state work together toward a common goal,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “UGA is proud to be a part of this important effort to promote the wellbeing of our climate as well as the health, environment and economic vitality of Georgia’s communities.”

With this new grant, the project will engage a diverse network of experts to develop and disseminate knowledge on climate impacts and solutions through webinars, workshops, and an online Georgia climate information portal. Priority topic areas include advancing climate justice and racial equity, identifying opportunities for Georgia to build resilience to climate impacts, and supporting the work of Drawdown Georgia, a statewide carbon reduction roadmap. The project will also expand opportunities for student engagement on climate change through internships, coursework, and projects.

“As institutions of higher education, we’re always thinking about our students. How can they put their talents and their passions towards solutions to our biggest challenges, including climate change, while building valuable networks and skills that will serve them beyond their time at Georgia Tech,” said President Ángel Cabrera of Georgia Tech. 

“The science is clear that climate change is affecting people in regions across the world, and that includes cities, towns, and rural areas throughout Georgia,” said Emory University President Gregory L. Fenves. “By continuing to partner with universities in the Georgia Climate Project, we can harness the expertise of our faculty and students so that our state can take on one of the defining challenges of our time.” 

"As the Georgia Climate Project has already shown, there is so much value that comes from our higher education institutions collaborating on climate - value for students, faculty, businesses, policymakers, and all Georgians,” said John Lanier, executive director of the Ray C. Anderson Foundation. “We hope this grant accelerates their work. Georgia is ready to lead on climate, and our colleges and universities have an opportunity to be at the forefront of that leadership."

More information about the Georgia Climate Project is available at http://www.GeorgiaClimateProject.org.