How the CSU Climate Hub at Spur turns research into impact

Contact for reporters:
Allison Sylte 
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More than 530 researchers are listed in a Colorado State University Climate Initiative directory as experts on the challenges facing the environment. A big part of Veera Mitzner’s job is connecting them with businesses, governments and communities that can turn knowledge into tangible impact. 

“This is the generation that will make the difference in the climate crisis; this is our window,” Mitzner, the director of the CSU Climate Hub at Spur, said. “There is a need for new and unique climate coalitions, and we need to bring the most unlikely of partners to the table together to come up with solutions. Our work will help make that happen.” 

Set to officially launch in October, the CSU Spur Climate Hub is part of the university’s larger effort to become a global leader in climate education, research and engagement. Based at the CSU Spur campus in the regional economic epicenter of Denver, it offers a menu of climate services meant to help everything from local governments to industries find sustainable solutions to their problems. 

In addition, the CSU Spur Climate Hub will act as a conduit for bringing together the University’s researchers to combine their knowledge and innovate new ways to turn research into action. 

“The CSU Climate Hub is our newest effort to connect Colorado’s communities and businesses with the science, training and services they need to plan for a changing climate,” said Courtney Schultz, the director of the CSU Climate Initiative and School of Global and Environmental Sustainability. “From data analysis to hands-on workshops, we’re bringing CSU’s expertise to serve the people and places that make Colorado thrive.” 

Mitzner said the CSU Climate Hub aims to bring diverse perspectives to the table as people navigate climate-related challenges. That includes tapping the expertise of faculty members from a wide range of disciplines. 

For example, Jordan Kraft Lambert, the director of the CSU Spur Ag Innovation Center, recently worked with the Climate Hub to convene CSU experts in soil science, artificial intelligence, climatology and entrepreneurship to discuss unique ways to use machine learning for agriculture. 

She said 60% of the people in that room had never interacted before, and by the end of the meeting, they had developed a pitch for a technology that could be used by a major grocery store chain. 

“My job is about incubating and accelerating ag tech startups that make it possible for producers to feed everyone while keeping our natural resources intact, which is a big job,” Lambert said. “The CSU Climate Hub at Spur offered a broad scope of experts with unique insights into what that technology is and how we can get it into the hands of more people.” 

She added: “It’s more important than ever to get people out of their silos and combine their knowledge to come up with the real world solutions that we need.” 

Mitzner said the CSU Climate Hub is an extension of CSU’s land-grant mission to support the community in Colorado and beyond through research and practical, science-based training. 

According to the Pew Research Center, 64% of Americans say climate change has at least some impact on their local community. Mitzner explained that the CSU Spur Climate Hub is uniquely equipped to respond to those challenges while working with people on the ground. 

“CSU has so much to offer in the climate space. I invite everyone interested in the CSU community to reach out and engage with us. I also hope to work with anyone and everyone outside the university who is genuinely committed to reducing climate impacts through evidence-based work,” Mitzner said. “I would work with an oil company CEO. I would work with a green organization. Really, what we want the CSU Spur Climate Hub to do is be an accessible and transformative platform for people from different backgrounds and experiences to have that space to come together.” 

She added: “That’s the only way we can solve these grand challenges.” 

Colorado Climate Futures: CSU Climate Hub at Spur Launch 

What: Join Colorado’s leading climate scientists, innovators and community voices for an engaging conversation about climate and celebrate the launch of the CSU Spur Climate Hub. This free public event invites a bold discussion that includes an update on future climate scenarios by Colorado scientists and encourages participants to imagine alternative futures. 

When: 3-5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14. 

Where: CSU Spur, 4777 National Western Drive, Denver. 

Registration: Register and find the event program here.