Managing the risks of anthropogenic climate change poses significant challenges at the nexus of natural and social sciences, ethics, engineering, and mathematics. Penn State has the critical mass to become a world leader in this area. Realizing this potential, however, requires integrated assessment of system interactions leading to societal change.  This will in turn require investments in mission-oriented basic research across the involved disciplines.

Major initiatives within this theme include, but are not limited to:

• Climate variability and change.  
• Ecosystem productivity and biodiversity; stressors and resilience.
• Food and water security.
• Polar science.