Partnerships to Connect Research and Communities
The Haury Program believes in strong partnerships to support initiatives within the University of Arizona and in the wider community. These partnerships leverage the resources of the University to promote excellence in research, collaboration, education, and programs. The Program encourages innovation in all areas and invests in networks and programs which educate and implement, especially those which give voice to and work on solutions for those populations most vulnerable to environmental and social justice challenges.
Current Initiatives
Climate Change Adaptation Science and Solutions (CCASS) Native Nations Climate Adaptation Program (NNCAP)
Haury Program funding helped initiate the Native Nations Climate Adaptation Program program (NNCAP) in January 2015. CCASS is forging teams among local and regional tribal, Hispanic, other vulnerable populations, and the University to create effective practices and increase communities’ resilience as the climate warms. The CCASS/NNCAP team has met with individuals, tribal representatives, and groups to determine the needs of vulnerable populations and assess how NNCAP and CCASS can help them build resiliency to climate change. Forging networks with vulnerable populations, researchers, educators and government representatives, and private industry is building stronger collaborations to better address the needs of vulnerable populations.
Consortium for Arizona – Mexico Arid Environments/Consorcio Arizona-México para Ambientes Áridos CAZMEX
Arizona and Mexico are experiencing rapid growth and pressing social problems, which are exacerbated by climate change. Building on longstanding partnerships between the University of Arizona and Mexican institutions, CAZMEX addresses shared challenges and responses in the border region. With Haury Program funding, CAZMEX pursues three objectives:
Generate basic scientific knowledge and monitor physical, biological, and social dynamics in the Sonoran Desert and other arid environments,
Create strategies to improve the quality of life and to sustainably adapt to changes, and
Strengthen and forge new binational groups and partnerships of scientists to study the binational socio-ecological region.
Annual competitive grants are supported in seven strategic them areas: climate extremes, especially drought; water resource management; ecosystem processes and services; food systems; renewable energy; social and institutional dynamics and governance; and economic development. Learn more.
Southwest Climate Justice Network SCJN
The southwestern US and northern Mexico is a literal ‘hotspot’ for climate change. Observed temperatures have already increased across the region by up to 2ºF contributing to increases in drought, wildfires, heat waves and disease. This region has a high incidence of poverty, especially among the relatively large Hispanic and Native American populations. These populations are especially vulnerable to climate stress.
The unequal impacts of climate change on poor, indigenous, female, elderly and Hispanic populations are clear examples of climate injustice in the southwest US and Mexico. Researchers, environmental and humanitarian groups, social welfare and resource management agencies are responding to citizens’ calls for help, policies and solutions.
The Haury initiative in climate justice at the UA Institute of the Environment will lay the foundations to address injustice through a network in collaboration with other centers around the world and other groups working on environment and social justice in the southwest and Mexico. It will bring together faculty, students, and the community in Tucson and the southwest to address questions of climate justice, provide policy briefs for local and regional decision makers, develop guidelines for neighborhoods and planners, increase awareness amongst the public, incorporate climate justice issues into curricula from elementary schools through university, and contribute research and advice to national and international publications and conferences.
Completed Initiatives
Supporting Student Voices – Increasing Diversity in the UN Climate Negotiations
In December 2015, the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change will host its 21st Conference of the Parties in Paris. Nations from around the world will gather to finalize and sign the new climate change agreement that will replace the Kyoto Protocol in 2020. It is important that individuals, as well as world leaders, participate in these talks to discuss with negotiators the needs, challenges, and perspectives of their communities.
Although efforts occur to include youthful voices, most young attendees come from privileged backgrounds rather than from the marginalized groups of societies. Sierra Club Student Coalition, SustainUS, Energy Action Coalition work to increase the diversity of youthful voices in the discussions about climate change.
The Haury Program invests in efforts to increase the diversity of voices for more just and effective policymaking. The Program also supports education to broaden knowledge and skills. Supporting five students to attend the two-week conference has potential to increase the voices heard and empower young people to work for a sustainable future.
EdgeMakers
EdgeMakers’ goal is to empower young innovators to change the world. EdgeMakers held a multi-day Sustainability, Innovation and Social Justice program at Biosphere 2 to teach young people from around the world how to start creating innovative solutions to environmental and social problems. EdgeMakers also held a three-day workshop for regional youth in summer 2016 at Biosphere 2.
Youth can be a part of the global movement for solutions to environmental and social problems. The key is learning how to bring new ideas to life. Youth with interests in business, science, social activism, government, and arts will work together to learn about sustainability, social justice and to develop the capacity to make meaningful change happen.
The Haury Program invests in initiatives such as EdgeMakers because we need powerful new ways to connect with the next generation to develop the capacity to adapt to and overcome environmental challenges, especially as they impact the more marginalized of society.