I-CARE Launches

The Institute for Climate Action, Research, and Experience officially launched on Earth Day, April 22, 2026.

Wide angle view of people in nature and a large sprawling tree.

Our Start

I-CARE was founded by Damon Watkins, PhD, and Jess Lasoff-Santos, PhD, in response to three converging realities.

First, extreme weather and climate-related disasters are becoming more frequent. Second, much of climate research focuses on environmental systems, while less attention is given to how climate change affects people emotionally, socially, and physically. Third, funding to study and address these issues is limited and hard to secure as communities increasingly need more answers, not fewer. I-CARE exists to help fill that gap in knowledge, funding, and human-centered climate research.

Much of climate research studies the causes of climate change but uses quantitative data to describe its effects. Those numbers matter. But numbers alone are not always the best at explaining what those effects mean in real people’s lives or how to solve nuanced issues. That is why qualitative stories, when studied alongside quantitative data, better illustrate problems and actionable solutions.

Take a moment to imagine what life is like for those he community rebuilding after a hurricane. The farmer in a drought. The low-income mother choosing between food and air conditioning. The fishing family forced inland by flooding. The child wondering what kind of world they will inherit. Each has a unique story that deserves to be heard and incorporated into solutions to their issues.

The Work

Our vision is "a world where people and communities thrive emotionally, socially, and physically despite the planet’s changing climate."

Our mission is to "Fund and conduct scientific research on how climate change impacts people. Advance understanding of how communities experience climate change, cope with its challenges, and turn concern into practical action." To carry out that mission, I-CARE will do two things.

First, we will fund external research. We want to support the broader scientific community by helping researchers study how climate change impacts people and communities. Our first external research grant application window is expected to open in March 2027.

Second, we will conduct one internal study each year. Our research is unique in that we collect the numbers and listen to these stories because stories give context to the numbers. They help us understand not only what is happening, but what people are living through, what they need, and what might actually help. For 2027, we will implement a study addressing the energy burden on low-income households.

The Team

Guiding the structure and health of the organization is our board of directors, with experience across research, clinical care, finance, nonprofit leadership, and sustainability. Our board includes Andreas Miles-Novelo, PhD, Chair; Julie Hassen, MSW, LCSW, Vice Chair; Amel Hammad, MBA, Treasurer; Jeff Jordan, Sr., EdD, Secretary; and Mark Flint, BVSc, PhD, DACAW, Member at Large.

Overseeing the strategy and day-to-day operations of the organization is our staff. Damon Watkins, PhD, serves as Co-Founder and Executive Director, leading strategy, fundraising, governance, and institutional partnerships. Jess Lasoff-Santos, PhD, serves as Co-Founder, leading operations and research projects.

More to Come

This is the beginning. We are building I-CARE to fund research, study people's experiences, and craft practical solutions to real problems faced by frontline communities. There is a lot we hope to learn, and many relationships and opportunities we hope to build within communities.

We are excited to see what the world brings, and what our organization can bring to the world.