The Woods Hole Research Center addresses issues of environment through scientific research and education and through applications of science in public affairs.
Climate change and the warming of the earth are at the core of the research, and they specialise in global forests because of their controlling influence on climate. The Center maintains research projects in the tropical rainforest of Brazil, in the boreal forest of Siberia, and in the forests of New England.
Their Policy Program works in the international arena in an attempt to foster agreement on ways to safeguard the health of the planet. The treaty on climate change was drafted by Center staff. They are also involved in the implementation of the treaty on biodiversity. The World Commission on Forests was also established through their initiative
Their Education Program involves training in environmental science in Brazil and Russia and post-doctoral research by American scholars.