The International Center for Climate and Global Change Research (ICCGCR) recently held a meeting at the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment. This group seeks to generate collaborative research outcomes through interdisciplinary gatherings — ultimately helping people understand and prepare for climate and global changes.
Established in 2010, the ICCGCR’s mission is to understand and envision various ecosystem processes, the impacts of climate and global change on these processes and the corresponding implications for human populations and societies.
The International Center for Climate and Global Change Research discusses their collaborative goals in the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment.
“The reason for this meeting is to get experts together to find funding opportunities to make great work happen,” said Li An, Solon & Martha Dixon Endowed Professor and director of the ICCGCR.
Current center members represent two Alabama universities (Auburn and Tuskegee) and several research groups within the colleges.
The first meeting of 2024 included an introduction of each member, their respective colleges or institutions, and their current research as it relates to climate and global change. Following meetings will aim to initiate collaborative projects and identify potential funding opportunities.
“By nature, climate and global change research is interdisciplinary,” An said. “We need people and efforts from different expertise areas. For example, the center engages scientists with expertise in various disciplines, including geography, hydrology, ecology, computer sciences, political sciences, wildlife science and engineering.”
An adds that outcomes will always be more successful when people come together for a common goal. The big picture is that global factors are affecting people, and outcomes from the ICCGCR will benefit not only those in academia but also communities and people of all ages and backgrounds.
“We are working together on studies that will enable us to better adapt to changes in our climate and environment and ultimately make our planet a better place to live,” said An.
Ruiqing Miao, associate professor of agricultural economics and rural sociology at Auburn University, says the meeting provided an opportunity to become more knowledgeable about numerous aspects of research and other expertise on campus.
Ruiqing Miao, associate professor of agricultural economics and rural sociology at Auburn University, presents at the ICCGCR meeting.
“I learned a lot,” Miao said. “I am excited to see so many experts from different departments and colleges getting together to share inspirational research projects and ideas.”
Some of Miao’s research at the College of Agriculture includes risk management strategies for farmers and ecosystem services and policy analysis and design. He hopes to serve the ICCGCR by providing experience in benefit and cost analysis, techno-economic analysis and socioeconomic impact analysis.
“While listening to everyone’s presentations, ideas kept popping up in my mind,” Miao said. “I’d love to reach out to other experts to talk more and to collaborate by writing grant proposals and papers together in the future. This is extremely helpful.”
An says that, in the future, the ICCGCR plans to extend its reach to more stakeholders. These additions may include teachers, students and community leaders.
In the near term, the group intends to focus on collaborative efforts to improve society’s resilience and adaptability to climate and global changes.
