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Oversight Unit

Climate Crossroads

The climate is changing in ways that pose increasing risks to people and ecosystems. We are in a crucial window for taking steps to protect the planet and its people. Climate Crossroads harnesses the breadth of the National Academies’ expertise, resources, and advice to catalyze actions to meet the climate crisis.

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You can find more of our climate work on the National Academies climate change page.

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News and Updates

Extreme Heat and Health: Ramanathan Climate Conversation 2026

Update

On October 20, join us for this hybrid event to explore the global health impacts of extreme heat, lessons from communities worldwide, and strategies to strengthen climate resilience.

Oct 8, 2026
San Francisco from Treasure Island.

National Academies Launch Global Climate and Environmental Research Fellowship Program

Program News

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine have launched a new fellowship program, the Global Climate and Environmental Research Fellowship (GCERF).  The pilot program will be in partnership with several Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT). The first agreement was finalized at a recent meeting in Washington, D.C., which was attended by a delegation from IIT Kanpur led by its Director, Manindra Agrawal, along with National Academy of Engineering President Tsu-Jae Liu and National Academies Executive Officer Greg Symmes.

Oct 5, 2026
The signing of a memorandum of understanding between the National Academy of Sciences and the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur establishing the Global Climate and Environmental Research Fellowship. September 18, 2026. Event took place at the NAS Building in Washington, DC

How the Heat Can Go to Your Head

Program News

Extreme heat is difficult to ignore. On July 4, Washington, D.C., reached 103 F, breaking a daily record that had stood since 1919. Throughout the summer, all of the contiguous United States witnessed above-average temperatures. Heat at this magnitude places added demands on brain and body functions.

Sep 17, 2026
Neuron system

Our Mission

For decades, the National Academies have studied climate issues and advised policymakers and organizations on approaches to build resilience, decarbonize, and explore new or emerging solutions to complex and interconnected challenges. The global community is in a crucial window for taking steps to address the numerous threats that climate change poses to the planet and society. 

In 2023, Climate Crossroads was established to serve as a nexus point within the National Academies, allowing the organization to chart new pathways for sustained national and global leadership over the coming decades. Climate Crossroads seeks to leverage the disciplinary breadth of the organization, provide space to be responsive to new challenges, and expand the impact of the Academies’ work to a more diverse range of stakeholders and decision-makers. 

The Climate Crossroads Advisory Committee is charged to provide high-level guidance on emerging needs and opportunities for cross-Academies climate-related activities, including:

  •  cultivating a strategy for sustained funding, including assessing and managing risk with new funders and new types of activities, and helping to make connections with potential new sponsors and partners, and

  • crosscutting capacities and activities as appropriate (e.g., communications, Congressional engagement) that support climate-related activities across the Academies.

Statement of Task

Climate Crossroads (CCX) is a major initiative that will harness the full complement of expertise and skills across the National Academies to catalyze actions to meet the unprecedented challenges and opportunities of climate change. CCX will partner with existing divisions, boards, and other units with a goal to enhance cross-Academies strategy and coordination, program development and fundraising, communications and engagement, and collaborations.

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Keck building

Contributors

Committee

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Sponsors

BESI Fund

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

Internal Funding

National Academy of Sciences Arthur L. Day Fund

Private: Non Profit

Waverly Street Foundation

Staff

K. John Holmes

Lead

Amanda Purcell

Lead

Amy Mitsumori

Nikita Uberoi

Lauren Kalinosky

Joanne Morse

Ryan Gallasch

Major units and sub-units

Organizational Initiatives

Lead

Climate Crossroads

Lead

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