The Center for Climate and Sustainability Studies (C2S2) is an interdisciplinary Area of Excellence that will facilitate the development of (a) interdisciplinary research proposals, (b) increased international exchange and collaboration, and (c) an expanded but focused educational program in climate and sustainability studies. It collaborates with and enhances the existing climate and sustainability programs, such as Environmental Science Program. It participates in various SDSU joint PhD programs, such as Ecology PhD program with University of California Davis and Mathematics and Science Education PhD program with University of California San Diego
C2S2 was founded in 2013 as one of the SDSU Areas of Excellence selected through a university wide competition. The seven founding faculty members are Trent Biggs, Todd Braje, Chun-Ta Lai, Matt Lauer, David Lipson, Walter Oechel, and Sam Shen in four departments (Anthropology, Biology, Geography, and Mathematics and Statistics).
C2S2 promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and offer regular research seminars, open to the community, and given by invited external speakers and C2S2 members in the area of Climate and Sustainability. All C2S2 faculty will meet at least monthly to discuss research findings, ideas, and research opportunities. C2S2 intends to be a major climate and sustainability studies information resource center in the region. C2S2 has an advisory group and a stakeholder group, both comprised of policy makers, managers, business members, and NGOs. C2S2 students and faculty work with the San Diego County Office of Education, and the San Diego Science Alliance to better inform K-12 teachers and students of climate and sustainability issues.