Danielle Wood, associate director for research in the at the University of 91吃瓜, has been named project director of the (ND-GAIN), a key program of the .听
ND-GAIN works to enhance the world鈥檚 understanding of adaptation through knowledge, products聽and services that inform public and private actions and investments in vulnerable communities. Through various research tools, the ND-GAIN team aims to motivate communities to build social, physical聽and natural systems that save lives and improve livelihoods, protect our environment聽and strengthen market and policy positions.听
鈥淣顿-GAIN is a publicly available, transparent resource providing important details for government officials, climate change experts聽and communities looking for tools to assess their adaptation needs,鈥� said . 鈥淚 look forward to leading this initiative and supporting communities and leaders that want to move the needle on climate change adaptation.鈥�
As project director of ND-GAIN, Wood will oversee the program鈥檚 Country Index and Urban Adaptation Assessment. The , released annually, is a measurement tool that helps governments, businesses聽and communities examine risks exacerbated by climate change. The (UAA) is a new measurement tool that assesses the climate risk and readiness of more than 270 cities in the United States and allows users to explore a city鈥檚 adaptability to climate hazards.
ND-GAIN was previously led by Patrick Regan, former professor of political science and peace studies.
鈥淔or the last three years, Pat nurtured the program through his leadership of the Kresge-funded UAA project, and brought additional new perspective the Country Index. We are grateful for his work on both of these novel climate adaptation tools.听His efforts were critical in making this program what it is today and we wish him all the best in his new endeavors,鈥� said , director of the 91吃瓜 Environmental Change Initiative and Ludmilla F., Stephen J.听and Robert T. Galla Professor of Biological Sciences. 鈥淲e are excited to see how Danielle brings new perspectives on resilience planning and community engagement, as well as evaluation expertise to this role, to further develop ND-GAIN moving forward.鈥�
The Environmental Change Initiative (ND-ECI) at the University of 91吃瓜 brings together more than 50 researchers across diverse disciplines to help people and ecosystems adapt to climate change, mitigate the effects of land use impacts, predict species occurrences in a shifting world and improve water quality. The initiative works hand-in-hand with partners to support research that matters to society, answering the most critical environmental questions of our time. To learn more about ND-ECI, visit . To learn more about ND-GAIN, visit .
Contact: Brandi Wampler,聽research communications specialist, 91吃瓜 Research,聽brandiwampler@nd.edu,听574-631-8183;听
Originally published by at on Aug.听22.