Woodwell Climate’s Dr. Sue Natali appointed to DOI adaptation science council
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Dr. Sue Natali explaining how Permafrost Pathways is addressing current inadequacies in the modeling and monitoring of permafrost thaw during a panel about Arctic methane at Arctic Circle Assembly 2023. Photo courtesy of Arctic Circle/Flickr
Dr. Natali named to esteemed council to advise U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on national adaptation science strategy
Woodwell Climate’s Arctic Program Senior Scientist and Permafrost Pathways Lead Dr. Sue Natali was appointed by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland as a member of the new federal Advisory Council for Climate Adaptation Science.
Left: Dr. Natali during field season in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska. Photo by Chris Linder / Chris Linder Photography
Right: Dr. Natali and former Permafrost Pathways Tribal Liaison Gary Evon in the Alaska Native village of Kuigilnguq. Photo by Greg Fiske / Woodwell Climate Research Center
The Council was established by the U.S. Department of the Interior to advise Secretary Haaland on the operations of the Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) and to provide recommendations on national strategy, including:
- Identifying key climate adaptation science priorities to advance the management of natural and cultural resources;
- How to build capacity and effectively deliver scientific information and tools to support the natural and cultural resource management community and decision-makers in adapting to climate change; and
- The integration of equity within the operations of the national and regional CASCs.
Left: Dr. Natali and Permafrost Pathways Tribal Liaison for Kipnuk Chris Dock collecting water samples.
Right: Maps bringing people together in Golovin. Photos by Greg Fiske / Woodwell Climate Research Center
Dr. Natali is an Arctic scientist whose research examines the effects of climate change, including permafrost thaw and increasing wildfires, on northern ecosystems and the impact these changes have on Arctic communities and the global climate. She has worked extensively in remote regions of Alaska and Siberia, conducting research with Indigenous community partners and training the next generation of Arctic scientists.
As a scientist who is committed to seeing both the human and climate impacts of rapid Arctic change incorporated into public understanding and global policy, Dr. Natali has briefed federal lawmakers, testified before Congress, and presented her work at events associated with international climate negotiations. She frequently speaks with the media, and has been quoted by the New York Times, Washington Post, The New Yorker, and BBC News and has presented her work on the TED stage.
Left: Dr. Natali and Permafrost Pathways Tribal Liaison for Kipnuk Chris Dock collecting water samples.
Right: Maps bringing people together in Golovin.
Photos by Greg Fiske / Woodwell Climate Research Center
“Rapid Arctic warming is creating hazardous conditions in the north, and Arctic Indigenous Peoples—who have been the traditional stewards of the land and water since time immemorial—have been living with and adapting to these impacts for decades ,” Dr. Natali said. “Permafrost Pathways aims to ensure policymakers understand the consequences of thawing permafrost and other climate hazards, and to support adaptation decision-making. I’m thrilled to see the establishment of this council and I feel honored to join such an impressive group of people advancing climate adaptation science.”
You can read more about the ongoing work of the new advisory council on the USGS Advisory Council for Climate Adaptation Science website. To stay connected to Permafrost Pathways and Dr. Natali’s work, you can follow us on Instagram and Twitter, explore our news and updates page, subscribe to our project newsletter, and connect with Dr. Natali on LinkedIn.
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