Dr. Christopher Schwalm sees the impacts of climate change in his daily life and envisions a world in which all decisions are made with climate risk in mind. He leads Woodwell Climate’s Risk Program, which assesses physical climate risk to human and natural systems. Dr. Schwalm is an internationally-recognized global change ecologist and Earth system modeler. His research focuses on climate extremes, with emphasis on drought impacts, as well as understanding how carbon, water, and plant nutrients move through land ecosystems.
Dr. Schwalm leads Woodwell Climate Research Center’s work with Wellington Management, connecting climate risk to capital markets. He also directs our initiative with McKinsey & Company, which led to the January 2020 report Climate risk and response: Physical hazards and socioeconomic impacts. His research has been published in leading scientific journals and has been featured by the New York Times, CBS News, and NPR.
Dr. Schwalm is based in Arizona. He is an avid hiker who enjoys the physical challenge and dramatic beauty of the Grand Canyon.
