A man in winter clothes carefully drips water from a syringe into a test tube. Snowy mountains and pine trees are in the background

CESD scientists focus on improving our understanding of the complex system of interconnected components that influence Earth’s climate. Through extensive field research and innovative modeling, the division aims to translate scientific insights into long-term solutions for environmental challenges such as drought, water shortages, and extreme events such as tornadoes.

 A scientist in a head net working on the Alaskan tundra while being swarmed by mosquitos

CESD research spans a wide range of topics, from examining how agricultural soils will react to environmental changes, to unraveling the forces influencing watersheds like the Colorado River Basin, and developing models using powerful supercomputing to predict future weather patterns.

 Three people with two leashed dogs look at a metal structure in a grassy field with trees and mountains in the background

CESD scientists collaborate with a wide range of partners and stakeholders to inform their research and increase its impact. Our work bridges private and public sectors, academia and government, and scientists and non-scientists alike.