Currents of Change

Michael H. Glantz was a Senior Scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), where he researched from 1974 to 2009. Since then, he has been the director of the University of Colorado's Consortium for Capacity Building (CCB). His research publications relate to understanding how extreme climate, water and weather affect societies and how societies affect climate. Since 1976, Glantz has conducted joint research in the former Soviet Union and in the Central Asian Republics on desertification and on the disappearing of the Aral Sea. In 2013 he was recognized by China as a pioneer in desertification studies. Glantz is a member of the Advisory Committee of the international Integrated Risk Governance Program, headquartered at Beijing Normal University. He has lectured on the Climate Affairs concept in several Chinese cities at universities and meteorological centers. He has numerous publications on climate, water and weather issues. Glantz and Professor Qian (BNU and executive director of the IRG) co-authored Usable Thoughts: Climate, Water and Weather in the 21st Century. His current multiyear research is El Niño Ready Nations, supported by USAID/OFDA. Many Belt and Road countries are affected by El Niño's impacts. In 1990 he received the Global 500 Award of the UN Environment Program (UNEP) that recognizes people working in diverse ways to protect and enhance the planet's natural resources. Glantz received the 2009 Clinton Global Initiative and Rockefeller Foundation Commitment. He has a BS in Metallurgical Engineering (1961) and an MA (1963) and PhD (1970) in Political Science/ International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania.