Professor Leah Stokes Named a Forbes Sustainability Leader

Forbes has honored Professor Leah Stokes, the Anton Vonk Associate Professor of Environmental Politics at UC Santa Barbara, as one of their inaugural Sustainability Leaders. This prestigious award recognizes global innovators who are making real, scalable contributions to combat climate change. The list includes individuals across various fields who are driving solutions to address the climate crisis, chosen by a distinguished panel of experts.

Professor Stokes was recognized for her significant work in designing clean energy policies and her contributions to the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which includes groundbreaking reforms aimed at decarbonizing the U.S. economy. She is also spearheading the 2035 Initiative, a think tank at UCSB that focuses on creating policy roadmaps for decarbonization. Additionally, she serves as a policy advisor for Rewiring America, which recently secured $2 billion in federal funding to accelerate residential electrification.

Beyond her academic work, Stokes is also a public voice in climate advocacy. She co-hosts the popular podcast "A Matter of Degrees," where she discusses climate solutions, and is the author of the award-winning book Short Circuiting Policy, which examines how utilities influence climate regulations. This recognition by Forbes highlights her vital role in shaping sustainable policies for a greener future.