The capacity to create equitable, vibrant, sustainable communities in San Diego is threatened by climate change related threats, such as catastrophic fires, drought, food and water insecurity, disease and environmental injustice. This is especially true for underserved, under resourced communities.

A team of experienced scientists and communicators is embarking on a new initiative to address these challenges, by catalyzing community climate adaptation and resilience. 

The Community Climate Action Network will leverage SDSU’s expertise in public health, sciences, arts education, and business in a three-phased approach. Each phase will focus on strategic steps to achieve this goal, from building a community practice to cutting-edge, actionable research and scholarship that will result in community driven transformation.

The Community Climate Action Network (CCAN) is led by Rebecca Lewison, an associate professor in the Department of Biology, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Geography Doug Stow, research ecologist Megan Jennings and Jessica Barlow, a speech language professor and director of the Phonological Typologies Laboratory. CCAN will draw on the university’s expertise in public health, sciences, arts, education and business to create actionable research and scholarship to transform community climate impact.  

Team Members:

  • Isaac Ullah, Ph.D., Anthropology
  • Matt Lauer, Anthropology
  • Amy Quandt, Ph.D., Geography
  • Arielle Levine, Ph.D.,Geography
  • Piotr Jankowski, Ph.D., Geography
  • Amanda McClain, Ph.D., Exercise & Nutritional Sciences
  • Eric Smigel, Ph.D., Music
  • Iana Castro, Ph.D., Marketing
  • Meredith Vaughn, Ph.D.,Teacher Education
  • Roger Whitney, Ph.D., Computer Science
  • Madison Swayne, Ph.D., Public Affairs