Perspectives on climate impact and inspiration

2025 marks the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, observed in more than 190 countries as an opportunity to learn about environmental issues and participate in climate action. This year’s global theme focuses on renewable energy, highlighting its potential to create millions of jobs, improve health outcomes, and power a sustainable future.

At the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and across campus, scholars are deepening our knowledge of Earth, climate, and society and creating solutions to complex challenges. In honor of Earth Day, we asked members of our school community what energizes them about their work. Here are some of their perspectives.

Understanding hazards affecting my family’s home country

What drives me is being able to contribute to research on geological hazards that affect impacted communities. I’ve had the beautiful opportunity to do research on geohazards like landslides and soil erosion in Puerto Rico and Guatemala. My family is from Guatemala, so it’s been very special to be able to research landslides that affect people from my family’s home country. – Jason Navarro-Lopez, Earth and Planetary Sciences, ’26

Vision and ideas from young people

Africa has the fastest-growing population, and there’s a tremendous amount of new ideas about sustainability coming from the youth, who have a clear vision of how lives can be transformed by innovating. I work with a team in Ghana, where we’re building renewable energy systems that are local and decentralized. With the creative innovation and participation of young engineers, I’m very optimistic that we can see fundamental change happening soon. – Dena Montague, Environmental Justice Lecturer, Earth Systems Program

Collaborating to translate knowledge into action

My research is about how to make the energy transition fair and equitable, particularly for communities that have been affected by the fossil fuel industry. I’m passionate about electrification and the tangible, practical ways of advancing knowledge – co-producing knowledge with the communities I’m working with so that it’s actionable and usable. – Sergio Sánchez, PhD student, Emmett Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources (E-IPER)

The power of infrastructure

Being a part of the field of civil and environmental engineering, what energizes me is the power of infrastructure. It has shaped our world today, and while it has often led to issues and disparity, it has the power to help as well. I'm motivated by the intersection of public health and environmental engineering, and the ability to provide safe and healthy environments for all. – Madison Ly, master’s student, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Inspired by nature’s beauty

I have always been inspired by nature’s beauty, and that has played a part in my research. I study the Earth’s landscapes – seeing how things change in real time and using that to prevent further hazards. For example, I’m researching the community and infrastructure impacts of melting permafrost riverbanks, working with partners to understand the process and address its impacts. – Raisha Abubo, Earth and Planetary Sciences, ’25

Expanding access to information about energy

Energy is the number one contributor to climate change. I’m excited to be bringing free energy education to the world through work such as the Understand Energy Learning Hub. I believe everyone should have access to this kind of knowledge to help them make better, more sustainable decisions, personally and professionally. – Diana Gragg, Managing Director, Explore Energy