Columbia Climate School’s First Class Day and Commencement: Photos and Videos

The Columbia Climate School celebrated its first-ever Class Day, a ceremony that honors the school’s 2022 graduates, on May 13. The 92 students in the MA in Climate and Society program are the first group to graduate from the recently launched Climate School. Below: photos from before, during, and after the Class Day ceremony, and more from the university-wide Commencement ceremony on May 18.

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Photo: Michael DiVito

In typical fashion here’s @columbiaclimate co-deans @JasonBordoff rolling in on his ebike with Alex Halliday for commencement celebrations @columbia. Congratulations graduates! pic.twitter.com/nlMqbt31a0

— Columbia U Energy (@ColumbiaUEnergy) May 13, 2022

Photo: Michael DiVito

Climate School Founding Dean delivering opening remarks. “This event marks the completion of your studies here at Columbia,” he said. “More importantly, it marks the beginning of the vital work you will undertake in the world, equipped with an understanding of how the climate system works, the challenges it brings, and the ways to think about the kinds of solutions that are needed.” Photo: Michael DiVito

Mingfang Ting, co-director of the MA in Climate and Society, congratulated the students and said, “The task of fighting the climate crisis can be daunting. But you are definitely ready for the challenge and ready to make a difference. So please be bold and be creative. The world needs you, and we need you.” Photo: Michael DiVito

“I look forward to seeing the distinct contributions that each of you will bring to this community as you journey out into the world,” said Ben Orlove, co-director of the MA in Climate and Society program. Photo: Michael DiVito

Class speaker Brianna Carbajal gave a powerful speech about the inextricable nature of climate change and social justice, including a reading from the poem “I Am My Planet’s Keeper,” by Francisco Ferreyra. Watch the speech below. Photo: Michael DiVito

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The keynote speaker was Peggy Shepard, co-founder and executive director of the not-for-profit WE ACT for Environmental Justice. “Those of us who have been privileged to achieve education, skills and experiences, and even power, we must be role models,” she said. “We must be changemakers with the spirit of justice, collaboration and ethical leadership. We can all be changemakers. That is our challenge for you today.” Photo: Michael DiVito

Photo: Michael DiVito

Climate School Co-founding Deans Maureen Raymo and Ruth DeFries. Photo: Michael DiVito

Photo: Michael DiVito

See more Class Day highlights in the video below.

Climate and Society students wave their Climate School pinwheels while waiting for the university-wide Commencement ceremony on May 18. Photo: Omar Herrera

Photo: Omar Herrera

It’s time! Huge congratulations to the @Columbia Class of 2022–including the first-ever graduating class of @columbiaclimate 🍾🎊👏—at the first in-person Commencement ceremony in two years. #RoarLions2022 pic.twitter.com/91m2ZHZtdO

— Jason Bordoff (@JasonBordoff) May 18, 2022

View of the Commencement ceremony from behind the podium. Photo: Caroline Adelman

Climate School Founding Dean Alex Halliday speaking at Commencement. “Climate change is the challenge of this generation standing before us,” he said. “the Climate School’s first graduates have dedicated themselves to tackling this unprecedented challenge, learning how the climate system functions, and how to work with societies to achieve the kinds of solutions needed for a just and equitable transition.” Image: Commencement livestream