California Taps Top Scientist to Guide State Through Climate Crisis

SACRAMENTO, CA – January 14, 2026 – In a move signaling a deeper commitment to science-informed policy, California has embedded a leading climate scientist directly within its executive branch. The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) announced today the launch of its innovative Science Residency Program, appointing Dr. Andrew D. Jones, a research scientist from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, as the inaugural Science Advisor to the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA).

The appointment, which began on January 5, places Dr. Jones in a key advisory role to Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot. The initiative aims to provide independent, real-time scientific expertise to help the state navigate its escalating portfolio of environmental crises, from catastrophic wildfires and biodiversity loss to chronic water scarcity. This partnership between CCST, the state agency, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation represents a novel experiment in governance, one that could become a blueprint for other states confronting the complex realities of a changing climate.

A New Model for Evidence-Based Governance

The Science Residency Program is designed to systematically bridge the often-cited gap between academic research and public policy. By placing a scientist directly in the office of executive leadership, the program seeks to ensure that the latest evidence and data are integral to the decision-making process, not an afterthought.

“We are thrilled to launch the CCST Science Residency Program with this first appointment at the California Natural Resources Agency,” said Julianne McCall, PhD, CEO of the California Council on Science and Technology. “Embedding trusted scientific expertise directly in support of executive leadership ensures that the best available evidence is part of crafting solutions for California’s most complex environmental and natural resource priorities.”

This residency is not California's first foray into integrating science with governance. It builds on the success of CCST's own Science & Technology Policy Fellowship, a nearly decade-old program that places PhD scientists in the State Legislature and Executive Branch, with over half of its fellows continuing in public service careers. This model is part of a growing national movement, with at least a dozen other states, including Colorado, New York, and Virginia, establishing similar fellowships. These programs, often inspired by the long-running AAAS fellowship at the federal level, are increasingly seen as vital "policy laboratories" for developing and testing innovative, science-backed solutions to regional challenges.

What makes the Science Residency unique is its focus on providing high-level, sustained advisory capacity to a cabinet-level secretary. Instead of a short-term fellowship, this role is structured to provide ongoing, strategic counsel, directly shaping the direction of an agency with over 25,000 employees responsible for managing the state's vast natural resources.

A Scientist for a State in Crisis

Dr. Andrew D. Jones brings a wealth of relevant expertise to a state grappling with multifaceted environmental emergencies. As a research scientist at Berkeley Lab and an Adjunct Professor at UC Berkeley, his work focuses on the intricate interactions between human and Earth systems. He specializes in using quantitative models to understand climate impacts at scales that are directly relevant to policymakers and resource managers.

His appointment comes at a critical time. California is facing an onslaught of challenges, including intensifying wildfire seasons that are expanding into more populated areas, as shown by updated 2026 Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps. The state is also contending with a severe biodiversity crisis, with more threatened species than any other state, prompting the ambitious "30x30" initiative to conserve 30% of its lands and coastal waters by 2030. Simultaneously, chronic water management issues persist, highlighted by recent legal battles over Governor Newsom’s plan for a major water conveyance tunnel.

Dr. Jones’s background is tailor-made for these issues. His research on the resilience of energy, water, and food systems, along with his leadership on projects like Cal-Adapt—California’s primary climate data platform—and Project Hyperion, which refines climate projections for water managers, positions him to provide actionable insights.

“I am honored to serve as the inaugural Science Advisor to Secretary Crowfoot and to partner with CCST and the Natural Resources Agency,” said Dr. Jones. “California’s environmental challenges are urgent and multifaceted. I look forward to supporting CNRA’s mission by helping integrate rigorous scientific insight into cross-agency collaboration and policymaking that advances resilience, equitable outcomes, and sustainable resource stewardship.”

Secretary Crowfoot echoed this sentiment, calling the appointment a "watershed moment." He stated, “At this important moment, science must guide how we tackle climate change and other pressing environmental challenges... Dr. Jones’ renowned expertise and leadership will strengthen how we use science to protect Californians and build a bright future for our state.”

The Philanthropic Catalyst

This pioneering program was made possible through a three-way partnership, with crucial financial and strategic support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The foundation, established by the Intel co-founder and his wife, has a long history of advancing scientific discovery and environmental conservation, backed by substantial assets of over $8.7 billion.

The foundation's involvement is not merely financial; it reflects a strategic investment in a new model of governance. By providing catalytic funding, the organization aims to help create durable, replicable systems that embed evidence into public institutions. This aligns with its history of supporting CCST in helping other states establish their own science policy fellowships.

“Partnerships like this, launched in this case thanks to CCST and the Natural Resources Agency, can accelerate progress and enable evidence-based decision-making on urgent issues,” said Genevieve Biggs, a Program Director at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. She added that it offers "a model for how scientific expertise and public institutions can together make a tangible, positive difference.”

The role of major philanthropic foundations in funding public sector innovation is a growing trend. By underwriting programs that government agencies might not have the initial budget or risk appetite for, foundations like Moore can help pilot new approaches to complex problems, accelerating the adoption of best practices in public administration.

As Dr. Jones begins his residency, the scientific, policy, and environmental communities will be watching closely. His role will be to translate complex climate projections and ecological data into practical policy advice for an agency on the front lines of California's fight for a sustainable future. The success of this bold experiment could not only help California navigate its immediate crises but also light a path for how governments everywhere can more effectively integrate science into the art of governing.