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Bringing a Problem-Solving Mindset to Climate Action

Here’s a simple truth that every med student knows: For a cure to be effective, the patient must live long enough to receive it.

The CO2 Foundation was founded on the belief that the same principle should inform the global response to climate change.

As we look at the current pace of change in global weather patterns, we see symptoms of an underlying disease that must be addressed immediately. For that reason, we are dedicated to providing catalytic funding for bold, proof-of-concept solutions to the most urgent aspects of the changing climate.

Our Guiding Principles

Our Mission

The mission of the CO2 Foundation is to execute impactful grant-making and communication about the urgent societal risks from extreme weather and the urgent need for evidence-based and effective carbon removal approaches that create a safe, just, and resilient future for all.

Our Vision

The Vision of the CO2 Foundation is a near-future of effective climate action, to reduce the risks of catastrophic weather and to catalyze community climate resilience strategies.

What We Value

  • Work that is evidence-based
  • Work that advocates for action
  • Work that is rooted in justice
  • Work that values connection

Co2 Foundation Founders

William Calvin

William H. Calvin is a theoretical neurophysiologist and professor emeritus at the University of Washington School of Medicine. With a Ph.D. in Physiology and Biophysics from the University of Washington following studies at MIT, Harvard Medical School, and Northwestern University, he ran a neurophysiology research lab at UW, shifting into theoretical biology in the 1980s. The author of 17 books translated into 16 languages, he invites a general audience into conversations about complex scientific subjects such as higher intellectual functions and ape-to-human evolution; for climate, the books include A Brain for All Seasons: Human Evolution and Climate Change, Global Fever: How to Treat Climate Change, and Extreme Weather (and what to do about it). He brings a unique perspective to the climate crisis grounded in human evolution, how physicians think about emergencies, the framing of the difficulties that we currently face, and (when sufficiently focused)the human capacity to rise to even the most daunting challenges.

Katherine Graubard

Katherine Graubard is a marine invertebrate physiologist and professor emerita at the University of Washington in Seattle, Department of Biology. With an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Smith College, a Ph.D. in physiology & biophysics from the University of Washington, and postdoctoral studies at UCSD and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Katherine created and ran a neurobiology research lab at UW, which was affectionately known as the “CrabLab.” Together with a team of graduate researchers, she used the advantages of crab and lobster nervous systems as models for the study of the mechanisms underlying the functional plasticity of neurons and of animal behaviors. She has dedicated her professional life to the advancement of scientific inquiry as a means of understanding the world and solving complex problems.

Katherine Graubard

Katherine Graubard is a marine invertebrate physiologist and professor emerita at the University of Washington in Seattle, Department of Biology. With an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Smith College, a Ph.D. in physiology & biophysics from the University of Washington, and postdoctoral studies at UCSD and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Katherine created and ran a neurobiology research lab at UW, which was affectionately known as the “CrabLab.” Together with a team of graduate researchers, she used the advantages of crab and lobster nervous systems as models for the study of the mechanisms underlying the functional plasticity of neurons and of animal behaviors. She has dedicated her professional life to the advancement of scientific inquiry as a means of understanding the world and solving complex problems.

Our Team

Karen Wolfgang, MA (she/her)

Executive Director

Karen brings over a decade of organizational leadership experience to the CO2 Foundation, where she looks forward to partnering with high-quality climate solutions projects. Send her an email at karen@co2foundation.org to get a conversation started!