Dr. Deb L. Morrison

I collaborate with community, academy, business, and other parters to mobilize diverse climate and sustainability knowledges, ways of being, and ways of doing in the world to grow brighter and more just futures for humanity. 

Our histories, connections, and cultures influence our actions, beliefs and assumptions about the world. We are a result of where we have been, what we have experienced, and the people who have been central in our lives; and that it is through the transparency of these lived experiences that we come to know each other better, to trust, and to care to work collaboratively towards a better future. We grow a better future together, in ethical collaborations at varied scales.

I dream together with partners of possibilities and support planning to enact these dreams today. All of my work is grounded in respect, compassion, and cooperation to foster collective growth through engaging humanity's rich community cultural wealth. 

Sharing Into The World

Most of the work I do is in sustained collaboration but there are times when I am asked to either moderate discussions (my favourite) or speak on panels to raise awareness and help facilitate work on action for climate empowerment. Some examples of this work are shown below; for a full list of these please see my extended vita.

IUCN, Commission on Education and Communication (CEC). (2024). Building Momentum for a Global Plan of Action on Education for Biodiversity. Co-writer in my role in CLEAR Environmental for this briefing note to advocate, successfully, for A Global Plan of Action for Nature-based Education at the COP16 in Cali, Colombia. Decision 16/10 

Morrison, D. & Wonderlich, D. (2020). Advancing climate science education at the UN. Podcast, January 13, 2020 produced by the College of Education, University of Washington. 

Morrison, D., Halpern-Laff, A., & Moscow, J. (2021). Climate Education: Not Just For Science Class. Podcast for Ethical Schools, December 17, 2021. 

Adaptation and Resilience Day, Capacity Building Hub, Paris Committee on Capacity-Building Network, UNFCCC. Host as part of CLEAR Environmental, facilitated flow of international presentations and summarized learnings from the day in half hour session. Part of COP26, UNFCCC, Glasgow, UK, November 5, 2021. 

New York Times Climate Hub Debate: Migration Is a Sound Adaptation and Reparations Strategy, 2021, UNFCCC COP26, Glasgow, Scotland, Initial Comments (4:40); Rebutal (40:08)

Patterson, L., Morrison, D., & Bowman, T. (2021). Empowering Climate Action in the United States. Invited podcast on Can A Playa Play: Are You at the Top of Your Game, August 15, 2021.



Morrison, D. & Niepold, F. (2020). Equity and justice-centered action for climate empowerment. Environmental Justice Salon talk for Earthlab, virtual on May 14, 2020, Seattle, WA: University of Washington. 



Morrison, D. (2021). Resetting our Future = Empowering Climate Action n the USA. The Daily Decision Podcast by Michael Chabot, October 13, 2021. 

Grady, S., Bowman, T. & Morrison, D. (2021). Empowering Climate Action in the United States with Co-Editors/Authors Dr. Deb Morrison and Tom Bowman. Podcast on The Environmental Transformation Podcast by Sean Grady, March 23, 2021.

Writing with Collaborators

I have had the joy of writing with amazing colleagues across diverse contexts in so many ways: research, policy, practice resources, and for children. Some examples of this work are shown below; for a full list of these please see my extended vita.

Justice and Action for Climate Empowerment.pdf

Justice and Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE): Guidance for Equitable Capacity-Building and Justice-Centered Implementation. (2021). Drafted by Morrison, D., Espinoza H., B. D., Cintron-Rodriguez, I. M., and Sherpa, P. for the UNFCCC Action for Climate Empowerment Activity Series 2021. 

Morrison, D. L. & Jessen, S. (2023). Creating Just and Resilient Sustainability Learning Ecosystems. Diplomatic Courier, Special COP28 Issue, November 22, 2023. 

Morrison, D. L., Fowler, K., & Bell, P. (2024). What is Climate Justice Learning?. University of Washington, STEM Teaching Tools.

More about my life includes Canada World Youth, study of geography and coastal zone management, move into education, motherhood, Doctoral work, expanded work into Learning Sciences, my relationship to place, and the work I've done in the Islands Trust.