COP28 Landing Page

The University of Arizona produces research and innovation that is changing the world.

COP28: The 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

November 30th to December 12th, 2023

The University of Arizona produces research and innovation that is changing the world.

COP28: The 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

November 30th to December 12th, 2023

University of Arizona named one of the nation's top 'green colleges'

The University was recognized by the Princeton Review for hosting programs and initiatives aimed at reducing waste, developing sustainable energy resources, and fostering community-wide interest in climate-conscious solutions to modern problems.

University of Arizona partners with nonprofit to launch greenhouse gas emissions program

The Carbon Mapper collaboration aims to improve understanding of and accelerate reductions in global methane and carbon dioxide emissions.

Bridging traditional lab facilities and observational field research, the University of Arizona’s Biosphere 2 is the world’s largest controlled environment dedicated to understanding the implication, mitigation, and adaptation solutions for the resilience of our planet (Biosphere 1) due to the global climate crisis.

NASA's University of Arizona-led OSIRIS-REx mission has returned a sample that scientists will study for decades to learn more about the formation of the solar system.

Studying a lizard species in southeastern Arizona, researchers found 70 years' worth of climate-related extinction occurred in only seven years.

The Richard F. Caris Mirror Laboratory has begun fabrication of the seventh segment of the primary mirror necessary to complete the Giant Magellan Telescope, marking a milestone in the search for other potentially Earth-like planets and the exploration of

Tree rings reveal a new kind of earthquake threat to the Pacific Northwest

New University of Arizona center to study housing equity and sustainability

University of Arizona scientists pursue new frontiers of sound with $30M center

University of Arizona addressing food, water, and economic security in a changing climate

University of Arizona virtual city prepares students for future of cybersecurity

Soils under drought stress leak more volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere

University of Arizona researchers studying how to create inclusive STEM learning environments

University of Arizona researchers explore farming at existing solar power sites

Why record-breaking temps don't tell the whole story of cities battling extreme heat

University of Arizona researchers expand humanitarian and resilience efforts

University of Arizona astronomers identify the earliest strands of the cosmic web

University of Arizona studies societal challenges in arid lands

Out of over 135 startups launched at Tech Launch Arizona, close to 10% are in the energy and climate space.

University of Arizona and partners form consortium to address Southwest water concerns

NASA extends University of Arizona-led mission to study second near-Earth asteroid, Apophis

EPA awards the University of Arizona $10M for new environmental justice center

University of Arizona scientists use AI to identify likely drug targets in search for Alzheimer's cure

University of Arizona leads $70M project to turn desert shrub into rubber

Using data from two NOAA satellites, UArizona researchers developed an algorithm for measuring wind via water vapor.

Cities use energy to regulate temperature – just like mammals

University of Arizona researchers use 3D radar scan to provide clues about threats to iconic Alaskan glacier

Optical switching at record speeds opens door for ultrafast, light-based electronics and computers

According to University of Arizona research,Earth was gradually cooling until industrialization kicked off the current warming trend.

Economic impact of University of Arizona space sciences rivals that of Super Bowl

University of Arizona receives USDA award to support 'climate-smart' food production

$10.8M University of Arizona initiative unites engineering and health researchers to improve cancer treatments

James Webb Telescope gives University of Arizona astronomers unprecedented glimpses into stellar nurseries

University of Arizona researchers harness the power of algae to capture carbon

University of Arizona research aids predictions about the future of forests

Becoming a multiplanetary species: Crew completes first mission in pressurized habitat at Biosphere 2

University of Arizona to be carbon-neutral by 2040

Microbes are 'active engineers' in Earth's rock-to-life cycle

University of Arizona to advance molecular-level solar science at $11M center

Tropical cyclones act as 'massive heat pumps that fuel extreme heat

University of Arizona cuts carbon footprint with all-renewable grid-purchased power

$10M award elevates University of Arizona hypersonics facilities to national prominence

University of Arizona earns seventh top 10 global ranking in water resources

Part of Tech Parks Arizona, the UA Center for Innovation is a business incubator network that empowers science and technology startups

University of Arizona desert laboratory answers ‘How does life cope with aridity’?

$10M USDA grant allows University of Arizona to expand agrivoltaics research

Biosphere 2

An ecological laboratory like no other, the University of Arizona’s Biosphere 2 allows researchers to advance our understanding of ecosystems, their natural processes, and how human activity impacts them. The unique facility includes five biomes, including a 700,000-gallon ocean and rainforest, where researchers conduct experiments and create solutions to the challenges presented by global climate change.

Center for Quantum Networks

The Center for Quantum Networks brings together 150 researchers across 10 American universities and 12 corporate partners to take on one of the great engineering challenges of the 21st century: laying the technical and social foundations of the quantum Internet. CQN operates one of the most advanced quantum network demonstrations in the world on the University of Arizona campus, connecting 10 laboratories in six buildings with a combination of optical fibers and free-space optics between rooftops.

Future of Agriculture and Food Production in a Drying Climate

As a rapidly drying climate threatens food and agriculture systems around the globe, the University of Arizona is identifying the most innovative solutions to produce more food using less water. Drawing from experts across the University, and from the agriculture, food production, and water industries throughout the state and beyond, we are taking concrete steps to make Arizona a global leader in creating and applying transformational technologies and climate-resilient sustainable agricultural and food production practices.

James Webb Space Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope is the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space. It follows in the footsteps of the Hubble Space Telescope as the next great space science observatory, designed to answer outstanding questions about the Universe and to make breakthrough discoveries in all fields of astronomy. The University of Arizona is the only university to have participated in four major NASA infrared astronomy space projects, the latest being the Webb.

Laboratory of Tree Ring Research

The University of Arizona’s Laboratory of Tree Ring Research is one of the preeminent centers of dendrochronology worldwide, using the information stored in the annual rings of trees to understand and quantify interactions among our climate, ecosystems, and societies. The LTRR excels in developing and advancing novel approaches to solve scientific questions of societal relevance.

Lunar and Planetary Lab

Home to numerous NASA missions, including OSIRIS-REx and the Phoenix Mars Lander, the University of Arizona’s Lunar & Planetary Laboratory has supported a diverse mix of planetary science research since the 1960s and played a pivotal role in solidifying the University of Arizona's position as a national leader in space science, ranking first among all public universities for space-related research and development expenditures for the 33rd year in a row.

Mirror Lab

The University of Arizona’s Richard F. Caris Mirror Laboratory manufactures giant, lightweight mirrors that support leading-edge astronomical discoveries. The lab cast all seven mirrors for the Giant Magellan Telescope, which will produce images up to 10 times sharper than those of the Hubble Space Telescope, enabling astronomers to study the depths of the universe with more clarity and sensitivity than ever before.

New Frontiers of Sound

The $30M University of Arizona-led National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center, New Frontiers of Sound, brings together researchers from many partner institutions using topological acoustics to see and exploit properties of sound that were not previously visible. Having such a precise level of control over soundwaves could revolutionize areas including computing, telecommunications, and sensing. Applications include quantum-like computing speeds, improved battery life for electronics, and sensing changes in aging infrastructure or the natural environment due to climate change.

OSIRIS-REx

The University of Arizona-led NASA mission OSIRIS-REx marked a historic success for the United States when it successfully returned a sample of rubble from the surface of the near-Earth asteroid Bennu in September of this year. NASA has now extended the mission, dubbed OSIRIS-APEX, to study Apophis, another near-Earth asteroid slated to have a close encounter with Earth in 2029.

Phoenix Mars Lander

The University of Arizona-led NASA mission, Phoenix Mars Lander, successfully studied the history of water on Mars and the planet’s local habitability. Remaining operational months after accomplishing its goals, the lander was the first NASA mission to Mars led by a public university.

Related University of Arizona strength areas

These links provide a deeper look into ways the University of Arizona is a leader in areas critical to understanding and addressing climate change.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Education/Skills Building

Energy Resources

Environmental Sciences

Food, Agriculture, Water Intersection

Precision Agriculture

Technology and Innovation

Transportation

Urbanism

Water Resources

University of Arizona startups addressing energy and climate change Issues:

AlgaeCell: Photobioreactors used to produce a variety of cell cultures including algae, cyanobacteria, fungi, bacteria, viruses plant cells or tissues. The bioreactor has advantages over current technology by offering a low-cost and high-volume production mechanism for microorganism growth.

Auxilium Technology Group: Unlocking valuable mining resources using sustainable solutions and minimizing the negative environmental impacts.

CarbeniumTec: Organic-based redox flow battery technology for large scale, long duration energy storage.

Clean Earth Tech: Biocompatible material for dust control.

Clean Resources: 3-ingredient concrete replacement using waste fly-ash. Product is lighter, stronger, and less expensive to produce than concrete.

Fontana Systems: Leverages energy cost data, utility rates and future weather probabilities to put homeowners in control of heating and cooling usage and costs with patented behavioral learning algorithm.

GenetiRate: Improved aquaculture with technology that selects fish and shellfish that grow more quickly and have improved feed efficiency.

MetOxs Electrochemicals: Using molten salts to extract metal and store energy involved in refining and smelting.

Metropia: High-performance and mobile computing technologies to help commuters and cities function more efficiently.

SolarSpace: The next generation of concentrated solar power technology.

Resource Library

Marketing materials designed to showcase University of Arizona strengths

A selection from RII's latest publication, Data Connects Us, these seven stories focus on the environment.

Read the articles online.

AIR's giving priorities include expanding research capacity, enhancing experiential learning, and advancing sustainable water management.

Learn more about these priorities.

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Mission

Read the mission statement.

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Building Wireframe

View the wireframe.

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Biosphere 2's 5-year Strategic Plan is built on five pillars:

Sustainability Research
Resilience Solutions
Tomorrow’s Leaders
International Networks
Arid Lands

Learn more about the plan.

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The University of Arizona Biosphere 2 Industry Affiliates Program offers unique collaboration opportunities for both the the university and its industry partners, including the potential for research testbeds for rapidly advancing prototype and product development.

Learn about the benefits of membership.

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The Biosphere 2 Research Experience for Undergrads (REU) Summer Program allows students to gain experience in research firsthand, training and preparation for careers in science, and opportunities to communicate science to diverse audiences.

Learn more about this transformational program.

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