A message from President & CEO Dr. Max Holmes
As the calendar flips from one year to the next, I find myself reflecting not only on the many challenges faced in 2025, but also on lessons learned during difficult moments further in the past. One such time was more than a decade ago, deep in the Siberian Arctic, when weather threatened to delay the conclusion of a weeks-long research expedition. As I wrote on July 23, 2012:
“I’m sitting on the barge, drinking a cup of coffee, watching snow whip across the Panteleikha River. More than 24 hours of rain and snow have turned the dirt runway in Cherskiy to mud, threatening to delay our trip home (which is supposed to begin later today as we fly from Cherskiy to Yakutsk, and then to Moscow). A delayed flight out of Cherskiy would have many ripple effects (lots of rebooking of flights, hotels, buses, etc.; lots of disappointment as our reunions with family and friends are postponed; and lots of additional expenses).
There are many easier things to do in life than to lead a group of 33 people to the Siberian Arctic, so why do I do this? I’ve been asking myself that question this morning, intertwined with thoughts about missing my 6-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter, and facing the prospect of missing my wife’s 40th birthday.
Fortunately, there is an easy answer: This is the most important thing I can imagine doing. I’ll keep hoping that our flight departs as scheduled this afternoon, but if not, I–and the larger group–will rally and use our extra time here to pry a few more secrets from this remarkable, challenging, critical, and beautiful environment.”
As it turned out, our flight out of Cherskiy was canceled, we had to spend an additional $30,000 on plane tickets, and I missed my wife’s 40th birthday. Experiences like this are not unusual when working in challenging environments such as the Arctic, and Woodwell scientists have long been tested by such obstacles.
Fast forward to 2025 and all of the challenges it brought. And yes, as in 2012, there have been moments when I’ve asked myself that same question:
“Why do I do this?”
My answer remains exactly what it was then:
“This is the most important thing I can imagine doing.”
I know that most Woodwell staff feel the same way. This is hard work, and at times, there are more losses than wins. But it is essential work, and we will continue to forge ahead.
I’m certain that 2026 will bring new challenges, but I am confident that Woodwell Climate Research Center will continue to stand tall, doing our science, using our voice, and staying focused on charting a course toward a positive future, no matter the obstacles in our way.
In fact, we are doing much more than simply holding our own; we are forging ahead. In the coming months, you’ll hear about Woodwell’s new office in Washington, DC; our new scientific impact strategy; and how we are continuing to pursue our highest priorities without being beholden to federal government agendas.
Thank you to all our friends, supporters, collaborators, and partners. This is a true team effort. We wouldn’t be able to continue to stand tall without you.
Onward.
On January 5, Woodwell Climate submitted public comment to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (Army Corps) proposed rule to update the definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS).
As a result of climate change, flood risk is projected to increase for Leominster. The probability of the historical 100-year rainfall event, a useful indicator of flood risk, is expected to almost triple by mid-century and be more than five times as likely by the end of the century. Streamflow for the North Nashua River is also estimated to rise throughout this century with an increase of 12.2% by 2050 and an additional 12.5% by 2080. Both increases in streamflow and heavier rainfall will translate into greater flood depths and extent for Leominster. The vulnerability of Leominster’s stormwater system was evaluated under the present and future 100-year rainfall event. Here we present our findings on extreme precipitation and flooding to help Leominster in its plans to create a more resilient future for all residents.
As a result of climate change, flood risk is projected to increase for New Bedford. The probability of the historical 100-year rainfall event, a useful indicator of flood risk, is expected to double by mid-century and be more than three times more likely by the end of the century. Heavier rainfall will translate into slightly greater flood depths and extent for New Bedford. Making changes to the land elevation and culverts will help alleviate some of the flooding near Terry Lane and Chaffee Street. Here we present our findings on extreme precipitation and flooding to help New Bedford in its plans to create a more resilient future for all residents.
A message from President & CEO Dr. R. Max Holmes
A few weeks ago, as the temperature here in Falmouth really dropped for the first time, I pulled out my winter coat. In the pocket, I found a folded copy of comments I made at a Stand Up for Science rally back in March. It was a stark reminder of just how much has happened—and how far we have come—this year.
Here at Woodwell, our days are long and full. Attempting to recall any year’s efforts and events can be head-spinning. This year, there was an added intensity, as everything we did felt like it was happening while riding a roller coaster. And yet, as we approach the end of 2025, I am certain that our organization and our work are stronger and more essential than they were a year ago.
That does not diminish the climate policy setbacks—truly immense—we have seen at the federal level here in the U.S. Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the UN climate negotiation process, efforts to roll back the Endangerment Finding, the dismantling of federal climate science programs, the end of IRA incentives for renewable energy and electric vehicles, and a host of regulatory changes that threaten clean air and water—these are just a handful of the moves whose damaging impacts will be felt ever more acutely as we move forward.
Federal actions have also directly impacted Woodwell’s operations, from the loss of (a small number of) government grants and collaborations to concerns about future funding priorities and criteria. For a time, even the security of our non-profit status was in question. The first third of this year felt like an unrelenting assault. Uncertainty, even fear, was a constant theme. But as the months have passed, the frenetic pace has eased and we have shifted from crisis footing to a risk-aware but forward-looking stance.
Through it all, Woodwell’s experts have stood strong and spoken up for science—whether in public comments on proposed rule changes or in personal reflections shared at a Moth-style story slam. We have shared our strength in mapmaking with Indigenous communities around the globe—from women’s firefighters in the Amazon, to Alaska Native villages, and traditional reindeer herding communities—so that they can leverage the power of geospatial data. We have supported the launch of an innovative new international mechanism to fund tropical forest conservation, the Tropical Forests Forever Facility. And I, along with more than a dozen Woodwell experts, were among those attending COP30 and making sure the rest of the world knows not all Americans have turned away from the UN climate agenda. Indeed, Woodwell’s delegation contributed to some of the top items, from forest finance and Indigenous leadership, to increasing ambition and monitoring resilience.
Onward,
As a result of climate change, flood risk is projected to increase for Holyoke. The probability of the historical 100-year rainfall event, a useful indicator of flood risk, is expected to more than double by mid-century and be nearly five times as likely by the end of the century. Streamflow for the Connecticut River is also projected to rise throughout this century with an increase of 9% by 2050 and an additional 5% by 2080. Both increases in streamflow and heavier rainfall will translate into greater flood depths and extent for Holyoke. Here we present our findings on extreme precipitation and flooding to help Holyoke in its plans to create a more resilient future for all residents.
A message from President & CEO Dr. R. Max Holmes
I am writing from Belém, Brazil, a city at the edge of both the Amazon forest and the Atlantic Ocean and host of COP30—the thirtieth annual meeting of the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change treaty, what is often referred to as the UN climate conference.
The location of this year’s meeting is significant in multiple ways. The treaty was adopted in Rio de Janeiro, so returning to Brazil is something of a homecoming. And Belém’s location puts particular emphasis on the importance of tropical forests and nature-based climate solutions more broadly.
Woodwell Climate has more than a dozen science and policy experts at COP30 sharing our science, informing negotiations, deepening relationships, and exploring new possibilities. We are advocating for more ambitious climate goals that take into account emissions from permafrost thaw, wildfires, and other ecosystem changes; for equitable, effective finance mechanisms that can get money flowing to the people best positioned to protect tropical forests; for science-based national adaptation plans and indicators that will enable us to track our progress toward global resilience.
It is exciting, even exhilarating, work. And yet, the “30” in COP30 raises uneasy questions. This is the thirtieth time the nations of the world have come together to chart a path toward a just, livable climate future. Why is progress so slow? What can possibly be left to negotiate? Is it all worth the effort?
As these questions were bouncing around in my head, I started to wonder what the originators of the process think of where we are. One of those originators, Kilaparti Ramakrishna (known to many as Rama), was among Woodwell Climate’s first employees and is currently a member of our Board of Directors. So I reached out and asked him. In response, he shared an essay he was working on which began this way:
“When we were drafting the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1991–1992, few of us could have imagined that the negotiations we began would still be unfolding three decades later. But we did know that we were creating something designed to last. The Convention was never meant to be a one-off agreement that “solved” climate change; it was conceived as a living framework, a foundation for continuous, evolving cooperation guided by science, equity, and common purpose.”
That is, in itself, a lofty goal. And by that measure, the UNFCCC has been a resounding success. It has weathered numerous, dramatic, often rapid, geopolitical shifts over the past three decades. Particularly now, in an era of rising nationalism around the world, it is remarkable that any multilateral process should persist for so long. It is an enormous testament to the many negotiators and advocates who have held to that vision and worked tirelessly to advance, however incrementally, a truly global framework for addressing climate change.
Obviously, it has not been without setbacks. One front of mind for many right now is the fact that the U.S. has withdrawn—not just once, but twice. And on that note, Rama had another frameshift to offer. Each time the U.S. has stepped back, progress has slowed. There is no denying that. But the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement have continued nonetheless. That is because others have stepped into greater leadership and responsibility, and that makes the process, as a whole, stronger in the long run.
And this is a long run. Climate change is a challenge of unprecedented scope and import. It has been decades in the making, and the consequences will span every aspect of society for decades, if not centuries, to come. The U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change is a correspondingly unprecedented response that cannot be expected to yield results overnight. It remains the only forum for truly global discourse and collaboration on climate issues, and that is invaluable.
So let’s celebrate that this is the thirtieth COP, acknowledging that progress has been slower than any of us would want but recognizing that we are in a much better place than we would be without the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change. Let’s also look ahead to COP40, COP50, and even COP60, imagining the world we want in the future and resolving to do everything we possibly can to realize that vision.
That is what keeps me going. That is what keeps Woodwell going. On behalf of all of us, thank you for the privilege of doing this work.
Onward,
On October 29, Woodwell Climate submitted public comment to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed amendments to the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP).
