n a study McCord co-authored last year, which explored how the El Niño Southern Oscillation can be used to predict child undernutrition and food insecurity in the developing world, he and fellow researchers emphasized that climate variability is increasingly recognized as a key determinant of health outcomes. . . .
SDG Policy Initiative Director
Gordon McCord
Associate Teaching Professor & Associate Dean
Gordon McCord has an extensive background in sustainable development and works at the intersection of development economics, public health and the environment. His research often employs spatial data analysis and remote sensing to explore topics such as the evolving role of geography in economic development, the burden of infectious diseases in a changing climate, the impact of agricultural technology diffusion, and the spatial patterns of violent conflict. Gordon is also Senior Advisor to the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the United Nations. He does extensive policy work promoting the Sustainable Development Goals, including leading the SDSN-USA network of U.S. universities, and is deeply involved in the global FABLE project bringing together interdisciplinary teams to chart sustainable land use pathways for the largest countries around the world. Gordon has advised developing country governments on poverty reduction, health systems and economic growth. Prior to his doctoral work in sustainable development at Columbia University, Gordon was Special Assistant to Jeffrey Sachs at the Earth Institute and at the United Nations Millennium Project.
Engagement
Co-Chair

Senior Advisor
Latest
Report spells out the balancing act local leaders must perform to make over the way the region powers its homes, roads and businesses . . .
Aug 16, 2022
SDGPI Director Gordon McCord joined Globus, a podcast from the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Youth USA to discuss data as the future of SDG work, the necessity to localize SDG solutions, and how to bridge questions of communication. . . .
May 7, 2022
GPS alum Mario Rodriguez-Heredia ‘21 and associate teaching professor Gordon McCord use cutting-edge remote sensing technology to help provide an innovative path for monitoring progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals . . .
Apr 1, 2022
Switching San Diego off fossil fuels onto green energy will require careful efforts to preserve and create high quality jobs, experts told the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Wednesday. . . .
Mar 17, 2022
On Monday Nov 8, the SDSN launched the very first Sustainable Development Report for Paraguay. The project came out of a year-long collaboration between SDSN and Paraguay’s Finance Ministry with support from UNDP Paraguay. . . .
Nov 22, 2021
San Diego County supervisors got a glimpse of a more climate-friendly future when briefed on a regional plan designed to de-carbonize the county. The idea driving the effort is to reach a net carbon neutral goal, essentially only releasing as much carbon into the air, that can be balanced . . .