Stewarding Earth’s Resources

Scientists in the Earth & Environmental Sciences Area of Berkeley Lab are tackling critical environmental and energy challenges of the 21st Century. Their work explores the natural cycles and basic aspects of Earth sciences that underpin the growing need for energy and water resources.

A woman in a hard hat and gloves kneels on a hillside within a recently-burned forest, inserting a probe into the soil while surrounded by blackened trees. A sputtering pile of mud in the foreground spurts gray gloop into the air, while an industrial-looking power plant in the background releases steam

EGD scientists focus on advancing tools and capabilities to help support novel and judicious use of Earth’s energy resources, especially as it relates to energy infrastructure, water resource management, and innovations to help expand promising energy sources of the future.

 A long, windy portion of a river flowing through a blooming green mountainous landscape with clear skies

CESD scientists focus on enhancing understanding of the complex system of integrated components influencing Earth’s climate. We conduct extensive field research and develop innovative approaches to climate modeling, with the goal of translating scientific understanding into long-term solutions to environmental challenges such as drought, water shortages, and extreme weather events.
  • Director’s Award
  • 2026

For helping develop the field of reactive transport modeling worldwide and advancing Earth science research at Berkeley Lab for more than 20 years.
  • Director’s Award
  • 2026

For his multidisciplinary approach to advancing critical minerals research and technology at Berkeley Lab.

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  • Director’s Award
  • 2026

For supporting early-career scientists over her long, distinguished career at Berkeley Lab.

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  • Director’s Award
  • 2026

For contributions that include establishing EESA’s Earth AI & Data program, and leading open-science efforts through ESS-DIVE

Congratulations to EESA Director's Award Recipients

Improving Earthquake Preparedness with Generative AI

EESA To Lead Six DOE Genesis Mission Projects

Recent Publications
The forest floor of a recently-burned forest surrounded by charred trees, with a vibrant green fern emerging from the ashes

EESA has taken on 5 ambitious, but achievable, Earth and Environmental Grand Challenges. These challenges embody our most urgent research objectives for the coming decade.