News

A new paper shows that countries' natural gas exports discourage investments in renewables like wind and solar, delaying their transition to clean energy.

A new water market model for the Colorado River basin could improve water security and restore ecosystems amid intensifying shortages.

A sweeping new analysis finds that rising global temperatures will dampen the world’s capacity to produce food from most staple crops, even after accounting for economic development and adaptation by farmers.

With a focus on sustainability issues in China, economist Shanjun Li will be a senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) and a professor in the Environmental Social Sciences department at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.

A new study finds that Americans often misjudge the relative climate impact of behaviors like recycling, biking, and eating less meat. The good news? They’re willing to shift behavior when given more information.

Data on small-scale fisheries have been piecemeal. A systematic assessment of the sector yields insights into some of their most vital contributions to humanity.

Sivas explains the Seven County decision, looking at the question of agency deference and the broader implications of this decision.

To advance meaningful climate action, decision-makers need reliable, accessible data about what’s actually working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new report from Stanford Law School’s Law and Policy Lab.

As water becomes more scarce and demand rises, researchers are pioneering a new management approach that can help avert disastrous drought impacts. By collaborating with experts in Chile, the team aims to provide policymakers with the tools needed to integrate long-term environmental and social changes into water governance and ensure resilience in a warming world.

A SIEPR Policy Forum examined how government, business, and academia can best address the rising economic costs of wildfires.

Scholars discussed the complexities of climate action by individuals, institutions, and companies during a conference organized by the Stanford Graduate School of Business and Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.

Building on past analyses of how political movements and climate change are represented in popular U.S. history textbooks, Stanford scholars find that the rare mentions of Asians and Asian Americans largely use language related to war.

The Bill Lane Center for the American West at Stanford University is pleased to announce the appointment of Zephyr Frank as its new director. A professor of history and environmental social sciences at Stanford, Frank will transition into his role at the Lane Center on September 1, 2025.

Dozens of faculty members at Stanford are working to transform the way the world grows, distributes, and consumes food, with research and scholarship spanning topics including sustainable food systems, food security, health equity, culture, and diet.

At a recent conference co-hosted by the Stanford Graduate School of Business and Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, researchers discussed climate issues in politics, international agreements, carbon taxes, and renewable energy subsidies.

Tiny fragments of plastic that fail to break down have pervaded our water, food, ecosystems, and the human body. Experts explain impacts on our long-term health and what can be done to address the problem on a broader scale.

Stanford researchers find resistance to climate action has become a global movement that strengthens after governments implement climate-related policies. 

Bård Harstad discusses the United States' withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the effectiveness of international climate treaties.

New research shows small-scale fisheries contribute 40% of the global catch and contribute to the livelihoods of nearly 500 million people worldwide. Experts discuss how small-scale fisheries connect to environmental and human health, gender equity, and more.

Expanding Indigenous stewardship of public lands and understanding how one of the American West’s most drought-resilient forests will respond to climate change are among the goals of a collaborative project involving university researchers, tribal nations, and government agencies.

Xavier Basurto explores how small-scale fisheries and other communities come to value the future and their environment ahead of short-term personal gain.

Researchers shared how human behavior, trust, and tailored communication can boost public support for climate action and adaptation strategies during a conference hosted by the Stanford Graduate School of Business and Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.

A study of guaranteed income to low-income households in the Southern California city of Compton finds that direct cash payments with no strings attached can lower household spending, with the extra money likely used to pay down debt. 

Debbie Sivas discusses California's fire crisis and examines how climate change and urban development are making residents more susceptible to the dangers of fires.