The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability’s Sustainability Accelerator has awarded grants to 25 new research projects aimed at advancing climate adaptation and planetary intelligence. These grants are designed to rapidly enhance understanding of Earth systems and build resilience against the adverse effects of climate change, such as heat, floods, droughts, storms, and wildfires. Among the 25 projects, 12 are focused on climate adaptation. One team is evaluating and developing strategies for using highly reflective white paint on household roofs in low-income Indonesian coastal settlements to reduce heat-related deaths. Another project aims to create an energy-efficient, low-cost air conditioner alternative that draws moisture from the air to cool homes. A third team is developing disaster preparedness resources for governments and organizations, tailored to local community needs and perceived risks. Shuchi Anand, a nephrologist from Stanford, is leading a project to develop cooling tools for outdoor workers, particularly in vineyards, to protect them from extreme heat. Her team, which includes epidemiologist Julie Parsonnet, physiologist H. Craig Heller, and biostatistician Maria Montez Rath, is piloting interventions like moisture-retaining bandanas and temperature-lowering devices placed on the palms. Anand highlights that the Accelerator’s support has been crucial in finding the right partners and focusing on practical solutions, which is particularly valuable to both workers and employers. The remaining 13 projects are classified under "planetary intelligence," a term used by the Accelerator to describe efforts to improve understanding of natural and human systems through innovative technologies and data-driven insights. Environmental scientist Gretchen Daily’s project, for instance, aims to enhance the Natural Capital Project’s InVEST® software, which models ecosystem services. The software, currently used in over 185 countries, is being made more accessible to decision-makers in government, industry, and development banks, thereby reducing the gap between demand and technical expertise. Gemma Guilera, the managing director of the Accelerator’s work on climate adaptation and planetary intelligence, emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. The selected project teams span more than a dozen departments and five schools, including SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. This cross-disciplinary approach is expected to foster innovative solutions and breakthroughs. In addition to financial grants, the Accelerator provides comprehensive support services, including mentorship, networking, training, and business development. This ecosystem of support is vital for ensuring that the research teams can effectively implement their projects and achieve meaningful impact. Yi Cui, the faculty director, notes that while adaptation is a gradual process, the urgency of climate challenges necessitates swift and collaborative action. The Natural Capital Project’s InVEST® software upgrade, led by Lisa Mandle, is a prime example of how the Accelerator’s resources can facilitate the bridging of technical and practical gaps. Mandle’s team has already begun engaging with interested groups to understand their needs better, a step that enhances the software’s relevance and usability. Mandle is enthusiastic about the potential for cross-pollination of ideas within the Accelerator’s ecosystem, seeing it as a valuable platform for learning and collaboration. In summary, the Sustainability Accelerator at Stanford is taking a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to address the pressing issues of climate change. By providing grants and a robust support system, it is enabling researchers to develop and implement solutions that can make a significant difference in vulnerable communities and ecosystems. Industry insiders commend the Accelerator’s focus on practical, scalable solutions and its ecosystem of support, which they believe is essential for translating research into real-world impact. The Accelerator’s efforts are aligned with the broader goal of enhancing global sustainability through a deeper understanding of both human and natural systems.