Climate Change Indicators

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GW students are exploring and developing climate change indicators and working towards a durable, credible and accessible indicators system.

GW’s Climate and Health Institute is exploring and advancing climate change indicators 
 

Climate change indicators translate observed, empirical data into clear, accessible signals of how climate change is affecting people and natural systems in the United States. They distill complex science into information that resonates with the public and supports evidence‑based decisions. Viewed together, indicators offer a powerful, data‑driven picture: climate impacts are happening now, and they carry real consequences for communities and public health.

The Climate and Health Institute (CHI) at the George Washington University is exploring ways to revive, advance and develop climate change impact indicators. Led by former EPA staff who developed and launched climate change indicators and supported by a team of GW students at undergraduate, master’s and Ph.D. levels, the CHI is leveraging previous efforts and examining a modernized climate change and climate-health indicators initiative that reflects today’s science and works toward rebuilding a durable, rigorous, and easily accessible system of environmental and health indicators. Engagement is central and the CHI will coordinate with a range of stakeholders and data providers to help shape the indicators and ensure they reflect real‑world needs.

As the science linking climate and health continues to strengthen, the opportunity to expand and deepen health‑focused indicators has never been greater. This opportunity leverages the growing foundational science supporting our understanding of climate impacts and fosters the next generation of climate and health scientists by connecting students with scientists and practitioners and ensuring indicators remain durable, transparent and accessible.

Updating and maintaining climate change indicators and producing future reports depend on credible, transparent data and standards for transparency and accuracy. We’re building on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’)* climate indicators resource as our foundation. Click below to view the archived EPA project page: 

Climate Change Indicators in the United States | US EPA

*This is not the current EPA website.This website is historical material reflecting the EPA website as it existed on January 19, 2025. This website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work.