Lisa Dilling
Position
Director of CIRES Western Water Assessment and Professor
Department
Environmental Studies Program
Education
- Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara, 1997
Contact
303-735-3678
3037351576
Location
University of Colorado Boulder - Main Campus
Files
Publications on the web
ORCID:
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Also on the web
Research Interests
I am a Professor in the Environmental Studies program and Director of the Western Water Assessment program. My research focuses on understanding how society chooses to respond to environmental risks such as climate change. I use interdisciplinary, empirical methods to study questions such as how different views about the nature of risk affect the outcomes of decision processes. I am also interested in the tradeoffs involved in implementing new policies at the local scale and understanding how science can best support robust decision making in deeply uncertain contexts. My work has recently focused on drought and urban water management, climate change and public lands, geoengineering, and municipal policies regarding natural hazards. My research addresses the following questions that are important for societally-robust decision making for climate change:
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What is needed to build equitable societal resilience in changing social and environmental conditions?
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What are the drivers of adaptation to extreme weather and climate?
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What is the role of knowledge in building adaptive capacity for climate?
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How important are different elements of adaptive capacity, and how do they influence each other?
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How do the dynamics of adaptation decision making play out on the ground and affect concepts of adaptation success and resilience?
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How do we ensure energy decarbonization and climate change mitigation policies are effective, timely, and equitable?
View Publications
- Page, R; Dilling, L (2020), How experiences of climate extremes motivate adaptation among water managers. Version: 1 CLIMATIC CHANGE 161 (3) 499-516, issn: 0165-0009, doi: 10.1007/s10584-020-02712-7
- Daly, M; Dilling, L (2019), The politics of "usable" knowledge: examining the development of climate services in Tanzania. Version: 1 CLIMATIC CHANGE 157 (1) 61-80, issn: 0165-0009, doi: 10.1007/s10584-019-02510-w
- Page, R; Dilling, L (2019), The Critical Role of Communities of Practice and Peer Learning in Scaling Hydroclimatic Information Adoption. Version: 1 WEATHER CLIMATE AND SOCIETY 11 (4) 851-862, issn: 1948-8327, doi: 10.1175/WCAS-D-18-0130.1
- Dilling, L; Prakash, A; Zommers, Z; Ahmad, F; Singh, N; de Wit, S; Nalau, J; Daly, M; Bowman, K (2019), Is adaptation success a flawed concept?. Version: 1 NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE 9 (8) 572-574, issn: 1758-678X, doi: 10.1038/s41558-019-0539-0
- Smith, R; Kasprzyk, J; Dilling, L (2019), Testing the potential of Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithms (MOEAs) with Colorado water managers. Version: 1 ENVIRONMENTAL MODELLING & SOFTWARE 117 149-163, issn: 1364-8152, doi: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2019.03.011
- Dilling, L., J. Berggren, J. Henderson, and D. Kenney (2019), Savior of rural landscapes or Solomon's choice? Colorado's experiment with alternative transfer methods for water ATMs. Water Security Version: 1 6 , doi: 10.1016/j.wasec.2019.100027
- Dilling, L; Daly, ME; Kenney, DA; Klein, R; Miller, K; Ray, AJ; Travis, WR; Wilhelmi, O (2019), Drought in urban water systems: Learning lessons for climate adaptive capacity. Version: 1 CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT 23 32-42, issn: 2212-0963, doi: 10.1016/j.crm.2018.11.001
- Averyt, K, JD Derner, L Dilling, R Guerrero, L Joyce, S McNeeley, E McNie, J Morisette, D Ojima, R OMalley, D Peck, AJ Ray, M Reeves and W Travis (2018), Regional Climate Response Collaboratives Multi-Institutional Support for Climate Resilience. Bull. Amer. Meteorol. Soc. Version: 1 99 (5) 891-898, issn: 0003-0007, ids: GH8CF, doi: 10.1175/BAMS-D-17-0183.1
- Dilling, L., R. Morss, and O. Wilhelmi (2018), Learning to Expect Surprise: Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Beyond. Journal of Extreme Events Version: 1 4 (3) , doi: 10.1142/S2345737617710014
- Wibeck, V, A Hansson, J Anshelm, S Asayama, L Dilling, PM Feetham, R Hauser, A Ishii and M Sugiyama (2017), Making sense of climate engineering: a focus group study of lay publics in four countries. Clim. Change Version: 1 145 (2-Jan) 1-14, issn: 0165-0009, ids: FM4XI, doi: 10.1007/s10584-017-2067-0
- Smith, R, J Kasprzyk and L Dilling (2017), Participatory Framework for Assessment and Improvement of Tools (ParFAIT): Increasing the impact and relevance of water management decision support research. Environ. Modell. Softw. Version: 1 95 432-446, issn: 1364-8152, ids: FB5JO, doi: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2017.05.004
- Dilling, L, E Pizzi, J Berggren, A Ravikumar and K Andersson (2017), Drivers of adaptation: Responses to weather- and climate-related hazards in 60 local governments in the Intermountain Western US. Environ. Plan. A Version: 1 49 (11) 2628-2648, issn: 0308-518X, ids: FM4PM, doi: 10.1177/0308518X16688686
- Dilling, L, KC Kelsey, DP Fernandez, YD Huang, JB Milford and JC Neff (2016), Managing Carbon on Federal Public Lands: Opportunities and Challenges in Southwestern Colorado. Environ. Manage. Version: 1 58 (2) 283-296, issn: 0364-152X, ids: DQ4FK, doi: 10.1007/s00267-016-0714-2, PubMed ID: 27272016
- Kirchhoff, CJ and L Dilling (2016), The role of US states in facilitating effective water governance under stress and change. Water Resour. Res. Version: 1 52 (4) 2951-2964, issn: 0043-1397, ids: DN9XA, doi: 10.1002/2015WR018431
- Dilling, L (2015), Adaptation. Version: 1 RESEARCH HANDBOOK ON CLIMATE GOVERNANCE 470-479, Ed. Backstrand, K; Lovbrand, E, ids: BE7WF, isbn: 978-1-78347-060-0; 978-1-78347-059-4
- Dilling, L, ME Daly, WR Travis, OV Wilhelmi and RA Klein (2015), The dynamics of vulnerability: why adapting to climate variability will not always prepare us for climate change. Wiley Interdiscip. Rev.-Clim. Chang. Version: 1 6 (4) 413-425, issn: 1757-7780, ids: CK1SK, doi: 10.1002/wcc.341
- Dilling, L and J Berggren (2015), What do stakeholders need to manage for climate change and variability? A document-based analysis from three mountain states in the Western USA. Reg. Envir. Chang. Version: 1 15 (4) 657-667, issn: 1436-3798, ids: CD8VK, doi: 10.1007/s10113-014-0668-y
- Dilling, L, K Lackstrom, B Haywood, K Dow, MC Lemos, J Berggren and S Kalafatis (2015), What Stakeholder Needs Tell Us about Enabling Adaptive Capacity: The Intersection of Context and Information Provision across Regions in the United States. Weather Clim. Soc. Version: 1 7 (1) 5-17, issn: 1948-8327, ids: CA5UN, doi: 10.1175/WCAS-D-14-00001.1
- Archie, KM, L Dilling, JB Milford and FC Pampel (2014), Unpacking the information barrier: Comparing perspectives on information as a barrier to climate change adaptation in the interior mountain West. J. Environ. Manage. Version: 1 133 397-410, issn: 0301-4797, ids: AA8JH, doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.12.015, PubMed ID: 24440587
- Dilling, L and R Hauser (2013), Governing geoengineering research: why, when and how?. Clim. Change Version: 1 121 (3) 553-565, issn: 0165-0009, ids: 256OH, doi: 10.1007/s10584-013-0835-z
- Dilling, L and E Failey (2013), Managing carbon in a multiple use world: The implications of land-use decision context for carbon management. Glob. Environ. Change-Human Policy Dimens. Version: 1 23 (1) 291-300, issn: 0959-3780, ids: 099JL, doi: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2012.10.012
- Archie, KM, L Dilling, JB Milford and FC Pampel (2012), Climate Change and Western Public Lands: a Survey of U.S. Federal Land Managers on the Status of Adaptation Efforts. Ecol. Soc. Version: 1 17 (4) , Art. No. 20, issn: 1708-3087, ids: 069EF, doi: 10.5751/ES-05187-170420
- McNeeley, SM, SA Tessendorf, H Lazrus, T Heikkila, IM Ferguson, JS Arrigo, SZ Attari, CM Cianfrani, L Dilling, JJ Gurdak, SK Kampf, D Kauneckis, CJ Kirchhoff, J Lee, BR Lintner, KM Mahoney, S Opitz-Stapleton, P Ray, AB South, AP Stubblefield and J Brugger (2012), Catalyzing Frontiers in Water-Climate-Society Research A View from Early Career Scientists and Junior Faculty. Bull. Amer. Meteorol. Soc. Version: 1 93 (4) 477-484, issn: 0003-0007, ids: 930BO, doi: 10.1175/BAMS-D-11-00221.1
- Ellenwood, MS, L Dilling and JB Milford (2012), Managing United States Public Lands in Response to Climate Change: A View From the Ground Up. Environ. Manage. Version: 1 49 (5) 954-967, issn: 0364-152X, ids: 934WO, doi: 10.1007/s00267-012-9829-2, PubMed ID: 22437431
- Morss, RE, OV Wilhelmi, GA Meehl and L Dilling (2011), Improving Societal Outcomes of Extreme Weather in a Changing Climate: An Integrated Perspective. Annu. Rev. Environ. Resour Version: 1 36 1-25, Ed. Gadgil, A; Liverman, DM, issn: 1543-5938, ids: BYP43, isbn: 978-0-8243-2336-3, doi: 10.1146/annurev-environ-060809-100145
- Dilling, L and MC Lemos (2011), Creating usable science: Opportunities and constraints for climate knowledge use and their implications for science policy. Glob. Environ. Change-Human Policy Dimens. Version: 1 21 (2) 680-689, issn: 0959-3780, ids: 784SC, doi: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2010.11.006
- Hale, B and L Dilling (2011), Geoengineering, Ocean Fertilization, and the Problem of Permissible Pollution. Sci. Technol. Hum. Values Version: 1 36 (2) 190-212, issn: 0162-2439, ids: 719GJ, doi: 10.1177/0162243910366150
- Failey, EL and L Dilling (2010), Carbon stewardship: land management decisions and the potential for carbon sequestration in Colorado, USA. Environ. Res. Lett. Version: 1 5 (2) , Art. No. 24005, issn: 1748-9326, ids: 618PZ, doi: 10.1088/1748-9326/5/2/024005
- Moser, SC and L Dilling (2007), Toward the social tipping point: creating a climate for change. Version: 1 CREATING A CLIMATE FOR CHANGE: COMMUNICATING CLIMATE CHANGE AND FACILITATING SOCIAL CHANGE 491-516, Ed. Moser, SC; Dilling, L, ids: BXV80, isbn: 978-0-52186-923-2, doi: 10.1017/CBO9780511535871.035
- Dilling, L and B Farhar (2007), Making it easy: establishing energy efficiency and renewable energy as routine best practice. Version: 1 CREATING A CLIMATE FOR CHANGE: COMMUNICATING CLIMATE CHANGE AND FACILITATING SOCIAL CHANGE 359-382, Ed. Moser, SC; Dilling, L, ids: BXV80, isbn: 978-0-52186-923-2, doi: 10.1017/CBO9780511535871.026
- Moser, SC and L Dilling (2007), CREATING A CLIMATE FOR CHANGE Communicating Climate Change and Facilitating Social Change Preface. Version: 1 CREATING A CLIMATE FOR CHANGE: COMMUNICATING CLIMATE CHANGE AND FACILITATING SOCIAL CHANGE IX-XII, Ed. Moser, SC; Dilling, L, ids: BXV80, isbn: 978-0-52186-923-2, doi: 10.1017/CBO9780511535871.001
- Dilling, L and SC Moser (2007), CREATING A CLIMATE FOR CHANGE Communicating Climate Change and Facilitating Social Change Introduction. Version: 1 CREATING A CLIMATE FOR CHANGE: COMMUNICATING CLIMATE CHANGE AND FACILITATING SOCIAL CHANGE 1-27, Ed. Moser, SC; Dilling, L, ids: BXV80, isbn: 978-0-52186-923-2, doi: 10.1017/CBO9780511535871.003
- Dilling, Liso (2007), Toward carbon governance: Challenges across scales in the United States. GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS Version: 1 7 (2) 28-+, issn: 1526-3800, doi: 10.1162/glep.2007.7.2.28
- Dilling, L (2007), Towards science in support of decision making: characterizing the supply of carbon cycle science. Environ. Sci. Policy Version: 1 10 (1) 48-61, issn: 1462-9011, ids: 132ZI, doi: 10.1016/j.envsci.2006.10.008
- Miller, J. B. (2005), Book Review: ‘The Global Carbon Cycle: Integrating Humans, Climate, and the Natural World’. Bull. Amer. Meteorol. Soc. Version: 1 87 (4)
- Dilling, L and MA Brzezinski (2004), Quantifying marine snow as a food choice for zooplankton using stable silicon isotope tracers. J. Plankton Res. Version: 1 26 (9) 1105-1114, issn: 0142-7873, doi: 10.1093/plankt/fbh103
- Moser, SC and L Dilling (2004), Making climate hot - Communicating the urgency and challenge of global climate change. Environment Version: 1 46 (10) 32-46, issn: 0013-9157, ids: 891RY, doi: 10.1080/00139150409605820
- Dilling, L, SC Doney, J Edmonds, KR Gurney, R Harriss, D Schimel, B Stephens and G Stokes (2003), Therole of carbon cycle observations andknowledge in carbon management. Annu. Rev. Environ. Resour. Version: 1 28 521-558, issn: 1543-5938, ids: 801NN, doi: 10.1146/annurev.energy.28.011503.163443
- Dilling, L and AL Alldredge (2000), Fragmentation of marine snow by swimming macrozooplankton: A new process impacting carbon cycling in the sea. DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART I-OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PAPERS Version: 1 47 (7) 1227-1245, issn: 0967-0637, doi: 10.1016/S0967-0637(99)00105-3
- Dilling, L, J Wilson, D Steinberg and A Alldredge (1998), Feeding by the euphausiid Euphausia pacifica and the copepod Calanus pacificus on marine snow. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES Version: 1 170 189-201, issn: 0171-8630, doi: 10.3354/meps170189
- DILLING, L and AL ALLDREDGE (1993), CAN CHAETOGNATH FECAL PELLETS CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO CARBON FLUX. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES Version: 1 92 (2-Jan) 51-58, issn: 0171-8630, doi: 10.3354/meps092051
Graduate Students
Will Crawford
MS student, Environmental Studies Program
Natalie Bennett
MS student, Environmental Studies Program
Rebecca Page
MS Student, Environmental Studies Program
Graduated 2018
John Berggren
PhD Student, Environmental Studies Program
Graduated 2017
Meaghan Daly
PhD Student, Environmental Studies Program
Graduated 2016
Rachel Hauser
MS Student, Environmental Studies Program
Graduated 2013
Kelli Archie
PhD Student, Environmental Studies Program
Graduated 2012
Ron LaCross
MS Student, Environmental Studies Program
Graduated 2011
Elizabeth (Failey) Wagner
MS Student, Environmental Studies Program
Graduated 2011
Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Photo: Daniel Mayer, Wikimedia
