Sustaining earth and human systems in a time of urgency.

Woodwell Climate Research Center conducts science for solutions at the nexus of climate, people, and nature—solutions that are urgently needed to propel us toward a more equitable, healthy, and sustainable world. Originally founded as the Woods Hole Research Center in 1985, we have a track record of partnering with a global network of communities and leaders for just, meaningful impact to address the climate crisis.

left: Woodwell Climate researchers have worked with local scientists for over a decade to monitor water quality along the Congo River. / photo by Chris Linder

right: water samples collection closeup. / photo by Chris Linder

A collaborative approach to solutions.

Woodwell Climate Research Center’s leading scientists are dedicated to creating breakthrough insights that can directly inform policy and decision-making. We bring to bear a comprehensive toolkit—field and laboratory science, remote sensing, and computer modeling—to understand the interplay between human activities and natural systems with the potential to make or break our climate future. Together with collaborators, stakeholders, and government officials in more than 20 countries across six continents, we’re turning knowledge into action and far-reaching impact.

The climate crisis demands that we bring to bear all of the learning, expertise, innovation, and creativity that we can collectively muster. That’s why we cultivate partnerships at every level, across continents and fields of study—from international organizations and national governments to public and private institutions, as well as Indigenous peoples and local communities. We collaborate throughout the research process to ensure that our discoveries can be integrated into real-world decision-making.

Our strategic plan reflects our focus on the work with the greatest potential for impact.

PIONEERING CLIMATE SCIENCE AND SOLUTIONS SINCE 1985.

Beginning a dialogue

Woodwell Climate Research Center was originally founded as Woods Hole Research Center (WHRC) by the renowned ecologist Dr. George Woodwell in 1985, when climate change was just entering public discourse. The organization was established to put the insights of climate science into the hands of global decision makers. Since then, our researchers and dedicated staff have worked to advance understanding and meaningful action across sectors at the local, national, and international levels.

Paul Mann taking samples in the Amazon. Photo by Chris Linder

above: Collecting water samples from a tributary of the Congo River. / photo by Chris Linder

Leading by example

Through our rigorous research and innovative partnership model, we have developed a decades-long legacy of leadership in climate science, policy, and education.

Woodwell Climate holds an important place in the history of the environmental movement. In 1986, founder Dr. George M. Woodwell was one of the first scientists to testify before the US Congress about the dangers of climate change. Our scientists helped to launch the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992. Our staff and Board includes experts who were recognized as contributors to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. And two Woodwell Climate presidents, Dr. Philip B. Duffy and Dr. John P. Holdren, have served in White House science advisory positions.

Summer intern Fidaa Janoudi prepares soil samples for analysis.

above: Preparing soil samples for analysis.

Rising to the challenge

More than three decades since our founding, climate change continues to intensify, affecting more communities around the globe.

In 2020, to redouble our commitment to helping societal leaders face these urgent realities, Woods Hole Research Center became Woodwell Climate Research Center. This name honors our founder and one of the foremost scientific voices of our time, and more clearly embodies who we are: a group of scientists and a global network of partners singularly devoted to finding just, effective solutions to the imminent threat of climate change.

Now more than ever before, we are resolved in that pursuit—to bring decades of research, expertise, and partnership to bear so that, together, we might solve the greatest challenge of our time.

Global reach, local presence

Woodwell Climate is a hybrid workplace with staff living and routinely working in more than twenty states and several countries. With long-term field work on four continents, partners across six continents, and satellite remote sensing data at our fingertips, our science and impact truly spans the globe.

Wherever we work, we recognize it is someone’s home. We strive to build meaningful relationships within those communities, to value local knowledge and culture, and to support the sovereignty of Indigenous people.

Starting at home

While we work all over the world, our main campus is located in Falmouth, Massachusetts, on the traditional and sacred land of the Wampanoag people who still occupy the land, and whose history, language, traditional ways of life, and culture continue to influence this vibrant community.

Our Gilman Ordway Campus encompasses eight acres of land and two historic estate buildings that were renovated to use sustainable materials, natural light, and renewable energy. The George M. Woodwell Building was completed in 2003, and the Carriage House in 2010. Roof-mounted solar panels and a wind turbine offset a significant portion of electricity used on-site. To reduce our power and cooling requirements, we use cloud-based services for much of our scientific computing, focusing on those relying on or moving to renewable energy.

Driven by mission, guided by values

Woodwell Climate conducts its science, external engagement, and internal operations in accordance with our values.

RESPECT We treat others with dignity, understanding that people are our greatest strength.

INTEGRITY We conduct our work ethically and honestly. We set clear, realistic expectations with each other, as well as with our collaborators, partners, and funders to ensure the independence and merit of our work.

INCLUSION We cultivate collaboration, community, and belonging within and beyond our organization. We value diverse experiences, perspectives, and ways of knowing.

COURAGE We say and do what is needed, not what is easy. We honor and encourage independent thought and bold, creative ideas, and support learning through experimentation and failure.

IMPACT We strive to make a meaningful, positive difference in the world. We prioritize work with the greatest potential for societal and environmental benefit and seek opportunities to amplify our influence.

JUSTICE We strive to create a just and equitable working environment within our organization and the communities where we operate; locally and throughout the world.

TRANSPARENCY We conduct our science, operations, and communications in an open and accountable way. We share our methods, learnings, and work products for the greater good.

EXCELLENCE We hold ourselves and our collaborators to the highest standards of rigor, innovation, equity, and inclusion.

Deepening our commitment

The questions we ask, the ways we seek answers, and the strategies we put forward—all are stronger when shaped by a diversity of knowledge, perspectives, and experiences. We strive to welcome, respect, and amplify differing voices. We value individuals as they are, with all their differences in race, age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, language, and mental and physical abilities.

We have a long way to go in living up to these ideals. We are actively engaged in building and sustaining an equitable, inclusive culture within our organization, in deepening our working relationships with Indigenous people and under-resourced communities, and in fostering greater diversity in climate science—this is one of our top priorities over the next few years. We will inevitably make mistakes, but we will continue to listen, learn, and do this critical work.

Dr. Nigel Golden works with Polaris Project 2022 students.

Haydee Hernandez and Colleen Smith doing fieldwork locally.

left: Dr. Nigel Golden works with Polaris Project 2022 undergraduate students. / photo by Greg Fiske

right: Haydee Hernandez-Yanez and Colleen Smith collaborating on Cape Cod field work. / photo by Nichole Chapman

below: Tanguro Ranch field work. / photo by Paul Lefebvre

Working within community

Woodwell Climate Research Center is one of six scientific institutions in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Since 2004, staff and leadership from these organizations have been working together through the Woods Hole Diversity Initiative and Diversity Advisory Committee to build a more diverse, inclusive research community. Together, we have developed the highly successful Partnership Education Program and built a tradition of celebrating diversity in science through public events and educational opportunities. Woodwell Climate staff also come together on our Diversity, Inclusion, Retention, and Equity Committee to work on a range of issues, from recruitment strategies to accessibility guidelines for scientific presentations.

Bringing data to bear

In 2017, the Woods Hole Diversity Initiative commissioned Dr. Robert Livingston, Lecturer of Public Policy at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and author of The Conversation, to conduct an assessment of the six institutions. That report shined light on persistent and pervasive problems, and galvanized subsequent action by individuals, each organization, and the community at large.

As part of Woodwell’s efforts to improve inclusivity, we conducted a cultural climate survey in 2021. The survey results included a number of actionable recommendations to support employee inclusion and engagement. These were incorporated into our DEIJ action plan and many have been implemented.