Climate change, energy, and environment | Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

Climate change, energy, and environment

Our community recognizes the urgent global climate crisis and is working on interdisciplinary policy solutions rooted in community engagement, economics, political science, psychology, and urban planning. 

It's been described as one of this generation's greatest threats and it bleeds into every facet of our lives—from housing to immigration, to tax policy, and other cross-cutting issues. 

The Ford School's Climate and Energy Policy Faculty Working Group meets regularly to plan curricula and discuss research and current events. Faculty members include: Kaitlin Raimi, Catie Hausman, Devin Judge-Lord, Daniel Raimi, and Jennifer Haverkamp.

Students are involved in and out of the classroom. The Ford School offers a policy concentration for graduate students interested in gaining knowledge and policy analysis skills related to key areas of environmental, climate, and energy policy. Graduate students can also take electives in this area on topics such as Psychology of Climate Change, Government Regulation of Industry and the Environment. In addition to Ford graduate students, many of these electives draw in students from across the university such as from SEAS, Ross, Public Health, and Engineering. 

Ford BA students can also take many related courses, such as writing seminars on Energy and Climate and Climate Politics and electives on Climate ChangePsychology of Climate Change, and Energy and Climate Change: Technology, Markets and Policy.

  • Requirements

    9 credits; no required courses

    *Note: this concentration available to students who will graduate in December 2025 or later

    Courses

    • PUBPOL 563 Politics of Environmental Regulation
    • PUBPOL 564 Government Regulation of Industry and the Environment
    • PUBPOL 750 Psychology of Climate Change
    • PUBPOL 750 / LAW 534 Energy Law
    • PUBPOL 750 / LAW 575 Public Lands and Natural Resources Law
    • BE 527 Energy Markets and Energy Politics
    • EAS 529 Indigenous Sustainability & Environmental Justice
    • EAS 558 Water Policy & Politics
    • EAS 580 Sustainable Transportation
    • EAS 615 Renewable Electricity and the Grid
    • EAS 625 Deep Decarbonization
    • EAS 575 Climate Economics and Policy
    • EAS 677 Economics and Environmental Justice
    • EAS 514 Foundations for Sustainability and Development
    • EAS 525 Energy Justice
    • EAS 582 Program Evaluation for Sustainability and Development
    • LAW 661 International Law of Climate Change
    • URP 620 Energy Planning

More news to explore

The Ford School is consistently ranked as a top-10 public affairs program for environmental policy. Our faculty conducts research and informs policy change related to energy regulation, personal sustainability practices, government cooperation and collaboration, corporate investments, international climate agreements, and more.

 

Research insights

More Michigan communities developing renewable energy goals

CLOSUP finds the percentage of Michigan local governments that say they have or are considering renewable energy goals has doubled since 2019.
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Research insights

Continental transboundary water compacts

Jenna Bednar and others published a report in the journal Nature Communications investigating threats to continental-scale transboundary water treaties, key attributes of these treaties and their vulnerabilities in the coming years.
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Public event

The future of U.S. climate policy

The Brookings Institution partnered with the Ford School to help frame the stakes of the 2024 election in terms of the future of U.S. climate policy, which will shape the ability to address these formidable threats.
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Student experience

James VanSteel (MPP/MURP '21) co-authors electric vehicle report for The Ecology Center

Using research from his summer internship, VanSteel's report analyzed the electric vehicle fee structure as the state of Michigan seeks to support road infrastructure.
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Student experience

Students address climate change migration in Integrated Policy Exercise

Through a virtually simulated UN General Assembly meeting, MPP students considered issues related to the rights of climate migrants and refugees.
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Research insights

Resources Radio podcast

Hosted by Lecturer Daniel Raimi, Resources Radio is a weekly podcast, featuring interviews with leading experts about climate change, electricity, ecosystems, and more.
Listen
Kaltura Video

Ann Lin on how environmental issues affect migration.

Research insights

Hidden costs for a clean energy transition

Energy economist Catherine Hausman and co-author Lucas Davis (UC-Berkeley) find poor urban and rural areas bear the financial burden of legacy natural gas.
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Research insights

A new timeline to shift away from fossil fuels

Daniel Raimi aids energy transition with a map of the U.S. energy economy.
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Policy engagement

Equity considerations must be an integral part of energy research and development

Parthasarathy testified before a key Congressional committee with other experts in a discussion on "Fostering Equity in Energy Innovation."
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Alumni impact

STPP alum Michelle Brechtelsbauer (MPP '16) works to impact zero-carbon energy

Brechtelsbauer is the director of stakeholder relations, strategy, and operations at the Energy Impact Center where she conducts research and explores solutions to climate change.
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Alumni impact

Nick Occhipinti (MPP ‘08) works across differences for the environment

Self-described "friendly neighborhood lobbyist" is the government affairs director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters.
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Alumni impact

Kristy Hartman (MPP ‘13) informs and supports state energy policy

Hartman serves as the director of stakeholder strategy & engagement at the Nuclear Energy Institute, where manages research and outreach to state officials and utility regulators.
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Alumni impact

Laura Bishop (MPA ‘99) ‘leans in’ on environmental sustainability in the public and private sectors.

Bishop is the Commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency for the State of Minnesota.
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Alumni impact

Kenneth McFarlane (MPA ‘14) pivoted from highest profit to greatest outcome

Now with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, McFarlane used the MPA to jumpstart a new career.
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Alumni impact

Interdisciplinary studies and applied learning prepare Fernandes (MPP/MS ‘08) to protect environment

As a policy analyst at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Fernandes sees where multiple sides of policy issues.
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