FIERCE

FIERCE projects target the Columbia River Basin in the Pacific Northwest, focusing on creating a climate-smart economy in rural and underserved communities. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between climate action and economic growth by fostering collaboration among scientists, industry, tribes, NGOs, government agencies, and local communities, ultimately generating STEM jobs and halting climate change.

FIERCE projects are leveraging the Columbia River Basin’s natural resources to develop innovative products, solutions, and a skilled workforce for a resilient economy. As a premier think tank and accelerator, FIERCE is consulting on climate-smart solutions with a focus on creativity and innovation in the workforce. By creating integrative and transformative partnerships across various sectors, the program seeks to establish a robust pathway for rural resilience and economic prosperity, positioning the region as a leader in sustainable development and climate-smart solutions.

The FIERCE engine focuses on three major efforts to generate a climate-smart economy:

  • Development of climate-smart natural and technological solutions through the integration of chemistry, biology, natural resources, and engineering research.
  • Development of partnerships with climate-smart investors and corporations to scale-up solutions and products through investment in existing and new regional businesses.
  • Creation of a STEM workforce development program that transcends traditional disciplinary, vocational, and educational boundaries for creation, implementation, monitoring, and assessment of solutions that have an actual impact on the atmosphere.