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Drew Todd Shindell

Nicholas Distinguished Professor of Earth Science
Earth and Climate Sciences
9 Circuit Dr, PO Box 90328, Grainger Hall, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


Drew Shindell is Nicholas Professor of Earth Science at Duke University. From 1995 to 2014 he was at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York City and taught at Columbia University. He earned his Bachelor's at UC Berkeley and PhD at Stony Brook University, both in Physics. He studies climate change, air quality, and links between science and policy. He has been an author on >250 peer-reviewed publications, received awards from Scientific American, NASA, the NSF and the EPA, and is a fellow of AGU and AAAS.

He has testified on climate issues before both houses of the US Congress (at the request of both parties), developed a climate change course with the American Museum of Natural History, and made numerous media appearances as part of his outreach efforts. He chaired the 2011 UNEP/WMO Integrated Assessment of Black Carbon and Tropospheric Ozone, and was a Coordinating Lead Author on the 2013 Fifth Assessment Report of the IPCC and on the 2018 IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C. He also chairs the Scientific Advisory Panel to the Climate and Clean Air Coalition of nations and organizations.


Current Appointments & Affiliations


Nicholas Distinguished Professor of Earth Science · 2016 - Present Earth and Climate Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment
Professor of Climate Sciences · 2014 - Present Earth and Climate Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment
Affiliate, Duke Global Health Institute · 2017 - Present Duke Global Health Institute, University Institutes and Centers
Associate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society · 2021 - Present Duke Science & Society, University Initiatives & Academic Support Units

In the News


Published October 25, 2024
Individuals and Groups Collect 19 Climate and Sustainability Awards
Published October 2, 2023
How Nicholas School Faculty Members Are Working to Protect the Seafloor
Published May 2, 2023
Three Faculty Elected to National Academy of Sciences

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Recent Publications


Evolution of Near‐Term Atmospheric Methane and Associated Temperature Response Under the Global Methane Pledge: Insights From an Earth System Model

Journal Article Geophysical Research Letters · January 16, 2026 Abstract Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas with a shorter lifetime than carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), making it an important t ... Full text Cite

Ten New Insights in Climate Science 2025

Journal Article Global Sustainability · January 1, 2026 Full text Cite

Air quality improvement masks global cooling from CO2 reductions under China's carbon neutrality policies for half a century.

Journal Article Nature communications · January 2026 Achieving carbon neutrality and improving air quality are pivotal sustainability strategies for the Global South countries. However, their global climate impacts over a realistic timescale remain unclear. Here we evaluate the climate impacts of China's car ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Economic Assessment of Mitigation Measures of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by United Nations Environment Programme · 2025 - 2026

Supporting SLCP Assessments on Food/Agriculture and Economics

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by United Nations Environment Programme · 2025 - 2026

The Potential Environmental Effects of Lithium Mining and Extraction

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by Albemarle Corporation · 2023 - 2024

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Education, Training & Certifications


Stony Brook University · 1995 Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley · 1988 A.B.

External Links


Drew Shindell