Roger Bales

Roger Bales is an Adjunct Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department at the University of California, Berkeley and a Distinguished Professor of Engineering at the University of California, Merced. His research spans over 40 years, focusing on water resource management, climate change, hydrology, and policy implementation.

• Education: Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering Science (1985) and M.S. in Social Science (1984) from Caltech, M.S. in Civil Engineering (1975) from UC Berkeley, and B.S. in Civil Engineering (1974) from Purdue University.

Bales contributes to California’s climate solutions through initiatives like the Center for Ecosystem Climate Solutions, the Solar Aqueduct Initiative, and the American River Hydrologic Observatory. His work integrates interdisciplinary research in hydrology, glaciology, atmospheric chemistry, and geochemistry to address water scarcity and climate impacts. He also emphasizes data sharing and public engagement through documentaries like California’s Watershed: Healing and Beyond the Brink.

His recent publication (Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, 2023) explores how universities can drive social innovation for carbon neutrality, aligning with his leadership roles in the UC President’s Global Climate Leadership Council and Fossil-Free Task Force.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Fellow of the American Geophysical Union
  • Fellow of the American Meteorological Society
  • Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

Bales collaborates with state agencies, NGOs, and federal land managers to develop climate resilience strategies. His projects include forest restoration, solar-powered canal lids to reduce evaporation, and electrification of residential energy systems. He also contributes to UC system-wide sustainability goals like the 2025 Carbon Neutrality Initiative.