Climate LIVE K12 is back! We are thrilled to announce the next season of our free, online video series, open to all learners curious about climate and sustainability issues.

From November to June, Columbia Climate School researchers and students will share expertise on topics from coral reefs and blue carbon to youth leadership and pollution solutions. Students in middle school, high school, undergrad and graduate school are invited, along with educators, lifelong learners and the general public.

The 2024-25 season of Climate LIVE will also highlight youth participation in the Young Leaders in Action series, where participants will hear from high school students already making an impact in climate.

Experts will discuss their topic in an accessible, interdisciplinary way through 30-minute live webinars, hosted on Zoom. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and share thoughts at the end of the session.

Mark your calendars now! Climate LIVE sessions are generally scheduled for the second Wednesday of the month, from 4-4:30pm ET, with adjustments in November and June. Dates are included in the session descriptions below.

In the session descriptions, you’ll also find an RSVP link. Sessions are free, but registration is required. Each session has a targeted age range, also indicated in the session description, but all are welcome to any event. Zoom links will be sent to registered participants prior to the start of the programming, and webinar recordings will be available afterwards on the Climate School’s YouTube page.

Explore this season’s topics below and RSVP today!

2024-2025 Climate LIVE K12 Sessions

Bringing Youth Voices to the Climate Conversation

Wednesday, November 6, 2024: 4:00 – 4:30pm ET

Presenters:
Margie Turrin, Director of Educational Field Programs, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

Marisa Annunziato, Education & Outreach Coordinator, Marine and Polar Geophysics, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

High School Polar Climate Ambassadors

Target Audience: Grades 6-12, Educators, Public

How can youth tackle creating change in climate, addressing one of the biggest challenges facing us today? The High School Polar CAP (Climate Ambassador Program) team spent the summer tackling just this question and will share some key takeaways about what they learned and developed over the summer. Join them for a fun conversation!
RSVP here

Polar CAP is a program from youth for youth, which brings together high school-age students interested in learning and communicating about the importance of our polar regions. Photo credit: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

Young Leaders in Action: Coral Research to Advance Reef Restoration

Wednesday, December 11, 2024: 4:00 – 4:30pm ET

Presenter: DaJeong Won, Columbia Climate School Pre-College Program alumnus

Target Audience: Grades 6-12, Educators, Public

Description: Join us for an inspiring talk by a young leader in climate action and marine science, a 2023 Columbia Climate School Pre-College Program alum who founded a marine science club at her school to engage peers in ocean conservation and environmental stewardship. She will also share insights from her coral research, focusing on innovative recruitment methods that can enhance coral restoration efforts and protect marine ecosystems.
RSVP here

Columbia Climate School’s Pre-College programs empower passionate high school students to become future climate leaders, combining expert-driven learning with real-world action to shape solutions for a sustainable future. Photo credit: Columbia University

Climate COP Roundtable: Experiences and Insights on Global Action

Wednesday, January 22, 2024: 4:00 – 4:30pm ET

Presenters:

Haley Crim, MA Climate + Society student, Climate Engagement and Capacity-building Coordinator at NOAA

Amy Campbell, MA Climate + Society student, UNFCCC Climate Negotiator

Kalain Hosein, MA Climate + Society student, Climate Change Consultant at Guardian Media

Target Audience: Grades 6-12, Educators, Public

Description: Have you ever wondered what exactly happens in the different circles at COP events or what purpose these conferences serve? Listen in on a panel conversation with three current Columbia Climate School graduate students, who will share their varied experiences as a negotiator, journalist and advocate at COP. We will discuss the aspirations, realities, successes and challenges present in the global climate negotiation scene, as well as unpack key actions from COP29 in Baku.
RSVP here

Haley Crim has coordinated the US ACE Coalition and worked on the climate justice podium.

Amy Campbell was a part of the UK’s COP28 negotiating team.

Kalain Hosein attended COP28 as a climate journalist.

Architectures of Peace: Linking Sustainability, Security, and Stability

Wednesday, February 12, 2025: 4:00 – 4:30pm ET

Presenter: Joan Lopez, Program Manager, Advanced Consortium on Cooperation, Conflict, and Complexity (AC4)

Target Audience: Grades 9-12, Undergraduate and Graduate Students, Educators, Public

Description: Joan Lopez will lead an engaging discussion on the ecologies and geographies of peace, exploring the critical linkages between environmental sustainability, political and economic security, and peace. The conversation will delve into how social-ecological systems function, what factors contribute to their resilience, and how shifts in these systems can impact broader political and economic stability. Learn how these interconnected dynamics are shaping both domestic and international political landscapes.
RSVP here

Joan Lopez is a program manager at AC4, which works to enable and support integrative research and practice on sustainable peace, constructive conflict engagement, and sustainable development. Photo credit: Columbia AC4

Threading the Needle: Tackling Microplastic Pollution from Clothing

Wednesday, March 12, 2025: 4:00 – 4:30pm ET

Presenter: Catherine Prunella, Water Quality Extension Specialist, New York Sea Grant & Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

Target Audience: Grades 9-12, Undergraduate and Graduate Students, Educators, Public

Description: Interested in fashion, waterways, and climate? Catherine Prunella will discuss microplastic pollution, particularly the significant contributions from clothing. We’ll explore cutting-edge technical solutions aimed at mitigating this issue and examine how effective legislation can serve as a multifaceted approach to tackling this complex environmental challenge. Together, we’ll consider actionable strategies to combat microplastics and protect our ecosystems.
RSVP here

Catherine Prunella is an investigator on a Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory project applying AI to reduce microplastic pollution.

Young Leaders in Action: Save Money, Reduce Emissions

Wednesday, April 9, 2025: 4:00 – 4:30pm ET

Presenter: Anna Pajwani, Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains alumnus

Target Audience: Grades 6-12, Educators, Public

Description: This young climate change-maker developed a community-focused website that breaks down the Inflation Reduction Act’s incentives and all the financial tricks that make going green not only the best choice environmentally but also financially. Her project aims to help people save money while reducing emissions, and empower individuals to take action on climate change through accessible resources. Anna Pajwani will share about her climate action journey and inspire participants to support their own communities.
RSVP here

The Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains is a two-week program for high school students hosted in Vermont. Students engage with experts and like-minded students, and develop their own climate action plan.

The Role of Blue Carbon in Combating Climate Change and Restoring Biodiversity

Wednesday, May 14, 2025: 4:00 – 4:30pm ET

Presenter: Laila Shaban, MA Climate + Society student

Target Audience: Grades 9-12, Undergraduate and Graduate Students, Educators, Public

Description: This session will explore the power of blue carbon ecosystems, focusing on the critical role seagrass meadows play in carbon sequestration and coastal resilience. We will dive into real-world examples of restoration projects, including the development of carbon credits and biodiversity markets, which not only help mitigate climate change but also promote the conservation of marine biodiversity.
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Laila Shaban is a master’s student at the Climate School focused on researching marine life and coastal ecosystems.

Soil Solutions: Regenerative Agriculture and Climate Change

Wednesday, June 11, 2025: 4:00 – 4:30pm ET

Presenter: Sarah Wagner, MA Climate + Society student

Target Audience: Grades 6-12, Educators, Public

Description: Regenerative agriculture has the potential to act as a carbon sink and can be a key strategy to mitigate climate change, but must also be combined with other emissions reductions actions. Join us to take a look at farming strategies that can enhance soil health, foster biodiversity, reduce erosion, increase yields, increase drought resilience, and more, all while sequestering carbon in the soil. Finally, consider the relationship between climate change and agriculture—while a changing climate puts new pressures on farmers, farming can also be a powerful part of the solution.
RSVP here

Sarah Wagner is a master’s student at the Climate School interested in the intersections between climate change, education and food.

For more information about the Climate LIVE K12 series, please explore our K12 Events & Resources webpage. Sign up here for our mailing list to stay updated on new opportunities, or contact Laurel Zaima-Sheehy, assistant director of K12 & Continuing Education, with questions.

We also offer seven-week virtual Pre-College workshops, Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains Pre-College Summer Program and seven-week hybrid Professional Learning programs. We look forward to seeing you at a Climate LIVE K12 event this year!