How we adapt

From the time of Arizona’s earliest indigenous settlers 10,000 years ago through the present, life in the desert has demanded adaptation. Amid the unprecedented challenges we face today, from water scarcity to urban heat islands, ASU is finding opportunities not only to solve the complex sustainability issues facing Arizona and the wider Southwest, but to find opportunity for economic development.

ASU works alongside policymakers, citizens and businesses to create solutions that benefit communities across the state and ensure a vibrant, resilient future. These collaborative efforts are propelling Arizona forward as a leader in national and global sustainability. ASU supports this role for Arizona by accelerating research and discovery around resilience, cultivating the next generation of sustainability experts and building high-impact networks for thought leadership in action around the most pressing environmental issues facing humanity.

An epic endeavor in clean energy

ASU is leading the charge in the fight against greenhouse gas emissions, positioning Arizona at the forefront of clean energy innovation. Through the ASU-led Electrified Processes for Industry without Carbon (EPIXC) initiative, which was awarded up to $70 million by the U.S. Department of Energy, the university aims to dramatically reduce emissions from industrial heating. By collaborating with over 100 companies and numerous academic partners to develop and deploy cutting-edge technologies, ASU is leveraging this significant federal investment to drive research, development, and real-world solutions. The university’s efforts, bolstered by federal funding, are fostering public-private partnerships, advancing clean energy innovation, and training the workforce of the future, ensuring that Arizona plays a pivotal role in creating sustainable solutions to combat climate change.

An economic and sustainability engine for the Southwest

Arizona champions a dynamic business climate, and ASU is developing sustainable solutions that leverage our state’s strengths to boost economic prosperity. Through the Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine, led by the Global Futures Laboratory with support from the Fulton Schools of Engineering, we’re building a powerful ecosystem of researchers, innovators, educators and decision-makers to realize the transformative potential of sustainable growth. Spanning Utah, Nevada and Arizona, this bold initiative aims for a thriving future for our region, powered by renewable energy solutions that promote water conservation and security. By taking a comprehensive systems approach, SWSIE will drive equitable progress in clean energy, carbon utilization and negative emissions technologies — not only generating environmental benefits, but also stimulating high-wage green job growth, technology entrepreneurship, and investment. This united effort aligns major utilities, academic institutions, government partners, and philanthropic leaders behind a shared mission to secure sustainable prosperity for communities across the Southwest.

Water technology innovation

ASU’s Global Center for Water Technology, part of the Arizona Water Innovation Initiative, is leading the development, commercialization and deployment of technologies to increase and conserve the water supply and enable effective treatment and reuse of water. The center identifies high-potential technologies to help Arizona confront its water challenges and carries out research, discovery and demonstration of the most promising approaches — from nano-materials for water treatment to smart water sensors, microgrids for water systems, groundwater replenishment projects, household water solutions and desalinization.

Inclusive community engagement

ASU directly engages citizens of Arizona from all walks of life to empower them to co-create solutions and make positive decisions around water in their communities and households. Through Impact Water, the Arizona Water Innovation Initiative fosters learning, community awareness and involvement. Arizona Water for All, another program of the initiative, engages communities facing water insecurity to identify their needs, ensure that water research incorporates their voices, and deploy practical technologies to water scarcity.

Forecasting and decision-making

ASU plays a pivotal role in forecasting and modeling to address water scarcity challenges. The Advanced Water Observatory and Decision Support System leverages a network of sensors and sophisticated models to monitor water resources, providing real-time data to enhance forecasting. ASU’s Decision Center for a Desert City develops water simulation tools for decision-makers, informing data-driven policies to ensure a sustainable water future. And through the Arizona Water Blueprint, an interactive, data-rich platform that visualizes Arizona’s complex water systems and infrastructure, ASU empowers policymakers and residents to understand water resources and make informed decisions.

Developing water policy for Arizona’s future

Drawing on its deep connections and trusted reputation among Arizona’s leaders, ASU is empowering local policymakers with insights and strategic advice to address water challenges. The Kyl Center for Water Policy at ASU’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy champions collaborative solutions to these challenges, giving policymakers and water stakeholders the necessary tools and knowledge to make informed water management decisions.

Tackling extreme heat in Arizona communities

In Arizona, extreme heat is not just an inconvenience, but a serious threat that takes hundreds of lives every year. ASU is taking action to address this critical issue. Our experts are working with state and community leaders to develop research-based strategies to adapt to extreme heat and protect Arizona residents to ensure our state thrives even as our climate becomes hotter.

Arizona’s go-to resource for heat policy

ASU played a critical role in helping to develop the governor’s Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan, a comprehensive approach to prepare for and mitigate the effects of extreme heat across the state. Experts at ASU’s Knowledge Exchange for Resilience gathered recommendations and perspectives from a wide range of stakeholders including members of the public, businesses, and academic and nonprofit sectors to ensure the state’s plan is not only effective, but also representative of the interests of all Arizonans.

ASU also co-leads the Arizona Heat Resilience Workgroup, which brings together organizations from around Arizona to monitor heat forecasts and collaboratively design solutions for heat response and relief. Members include heat policy leaders from the City of Phoenix and Maricopa County, the National Weather Service, the City of Phoenix and the University of Arizona.

Protecting our most vulnerable from heat risk

ASU partners with the City of Phoenix and Maricopa County in support of the Heat Relief Network, which provides cooling centers, hydration stations, and other aid during extreme heat events. The network includes over 200 locations across Maricopa County, such as libraries, community centers and faith-based organizations that provide air-conditioned spaces and water for those in need. ASU helps to coordinate the network, provide training for staff and conduct research on the effectiveness of the program.

Preparing Arizonans for heat emergencies

Through HeatReady, ASU works with a network of experts across heat and health disciplines and draws upon local knowledge and experiences to develop community-specific plans for heat resilience. HeatReady’s initiatives target not only cities, neighborhoods and schools—now reaching more than 35 schools across the valley.

Finding hotspots to protect at-risk communities

ASU researchers are mapping how heat risk is distributed across neighborhoods and communities in Phoenix and other cities and helping to identify places and populations with greater exposure to heat due to factors such as lack of green space, poor housing quality and limited access to air conditioning. By engaging residents to collect data and analyzing satellite imaging and census data, our researchers enable solutions to protect the health and wellbeing of people who are most at risk.

Leading the nation in heat research and solutions

At ASU, we apply the lessons we’re learning in one of America’s hottest climates to develop solutions for the whole country. The U.S. government, along with scientific leaders nationwide, are turning to ASU for our nationally renowned research and expertise in extreme heat.

Taking on extreme heat across America

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Department of Commerce selected ASU, along with the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Arizona, for a $2.25 million grant to establish the Center for Heat Resilient Communities—a resource for supporting communities around the country in developing strategies to mitigate and manage the negative impacts of extreme heat, especially among disadvantaged communities that are most vulnerable. The center also supports community engagement and sharing of knowledge and resources across municipalities to increase heat safety and resilience.

ASU also partnered with the Federation of American Scientists to convene the Extreme Heat Policy Innovation Summit in 2024, bringing together more than 200 stakeholders for the first time to discuss policy solutions for heat resilience at all levels of government: local, state, tribal, territorial and federal. ASU is continuing to support this community of researchers, policymakers and leaders in working toward better heat preparedness and mitigation across the U.S.

Cool research for beating the heat

ASU scientists are at the cutting edge of heat research and technology development. One example is the Cool Pavement Pilot Program, where ASU researchers partnered with the City of Phoenix to test a new asphalt sealant that reflects more sunlight than traditional pavement and reduces surface temperatures by 10°F or more to reduce the heat island effect.We’re also working to understand the effects of heat through novel tools that accurately measure the impact of extreme heat on the human body—even including a high-tech mannequin that perspires and uses advanced sensors to determine the biological impact of high-temperatures. And at the Urban Climate Research Center, scholars from across disciplines— including geography, engineering and social sciences— are working to understand the effects of urban heat islands and design strategies to mitigate heat impacts.