Mira Olson

Climate change is a global issue, but its effects are uneven, with vulnerable communities—such as coastal areas prone to flooding and urban low-income neighborhoods suffering from extreme heat—bearing the brunt of the impacts. Climate justice involves identifying these at-risk communities and prioritizing their well-being as we transition to renewable energy and energy efficiency. However, there is limited guidance on integrating climate justice into policy and education, despite its importance.

As an educator in water resources and environmental engineering, I emphasize designing water infrastructure based on future climate scenarios rather than relying solely on historical data. This approach is crucial as climate projections indicate different future storm frequencies, requiring new policies and guidelines. I bring real-world examples into the classroom and use interactive activities to engage students, helping them connect what they learn to their interests and understand engineering’s role within larger socio-political contexts.

I also integrate climate justice into my teaching, particularly in hydrology projects where we analyze how flooding affects different urban communities, like those in Philadelphia, and consider their capacity to respond. I use tools like the C-Roads climate change policy simulator and the US Climate Resilience Toolkit to explore global and local climate impacts, aiming to make justice a critical component of engineering analysis. My goal is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to address complex environmental challenges while understanding the broader implications of their work.