Great Environmental Programs “On Tap”, UF Thompson Earth Systems, in Gainesville

Earth’s natural systems include the atmosphere, oceans, land, polar ice caps and glaciers, and life. Intrinsically connected, these systems affect one another and result in global change that profoundly impacts the future of our planet. Only by understanding the way the Earth’s systems interact, we will be poised to fully understand the ways human activity affects the natural environment in which we live.

Based in Gainesville, at the University of Florida andtarted in 2018, the mission is to advance communication and public understanding of current research discoveries about Earth’s natural systems in Florida, and beyond. The mission will support our strategic impact: to better inform Floridians in the 21st century, including the next generation of decision makers.

Centered at the University of Florida within the Florida Museum of Natural History, the UF Thompson Earth Systems Institute will harness the research discoveries of faculty and students from participating colleges at the University of Florida that will help influence legislation and foster new research with global implications.

Utilizing innovative communication and technology, these discoveries will be made available to K-12 educators, community scientists, and various interested public and private stakeholders. Likewise, through general education courses in Florida’s natural systems and related topics, undergraduates will have the opportunity to graduate from UF empowered to make decisions that directly affect the future of Florida’s natural systems, and beyond.