Originally published in the Baltimore Banner.
For a five-year period starting this month, a team of scientists will study how atmospheric, climatic and environmental factors interact across Baltimore and develop adaptation strategies to make the city climate-change resilient, and equitable.
Tied to President Joe Biden’s goal of a net-zero carbon economy by 2050 and funded by a $66 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, the program looks to develop “Urban Integrated Field Laboratories ” in three U.S. cities — Baltimore, Chicago and Port Arthur-Beaumont, Texas — through collaborations among universities, government entities and nonprofit affiliates.
The Baltimore integrated lab (BSEC), to be part of the 21st Century Cities Initiative at John Hopkins University and slated to receive $25 million, will involve scientists, academics, researchers, climate modeling specialists and other experts from Hopkins, Pennsylvania State University, Morgan State University and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, among others.
