About
Our integrated approach
Grounded in Clark University’s legacy as a small research university with leading graduate programs and a robust liberal arts curriculum, the School of Climate, Environment, and Society advances integrative research, education, and engagement to understand and sustain the earth’s natural and human systems amidst profound climate and global change.
What guides us
Positive impact in the world is our guiding mission. We prioritize adaptable, problem-centered outward engagement, challenging business-as-usual and preparing next-generation leaders to address complex 21st-century problems.
At the core of the school’s identity are five interconnected imperatives that transcend traditional departmental silos to reflect a problem-focused integration of diverse perspectives. These imperatives interconnect the social sciences, natural sciences, and environmental humanities.
History
The School and its academic programs build on a legacy of leadership and pioneering work in climate and global change.
Legacy of leadershipSustainable and Climate-Resilient Development
How can we improve the quality of life of people around the world in ways that protect our planet’s future, recognizing the ways that people make decisions in their daily lives?
Governance, Equity & Justice
How can global, national, and local policies and institutions ensure that the most vulnerable communities will not bear the greatest cost of our changing Earth system?
Urban Systems & Livelihoods
How can we plan and build green, resilient, and livable cities to ensure the flourishing of humans and nature in urban spaces?
Socioeconomic Systems & Sustainability Transitions
What are the social and economic transformations necessary to slow climate change and adapt to a changing earth system, and what is necessary to promote widespread adoption of new perspectives and behaviors?
Earth Systems, Conservation & Ecosystem Services
How are human actions endangering planetary systems including climate, how is human welfare connected to ecosystem health and conservation, and what alternative pathways conserve natural systems and sustain valued ecosystem services?