State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

education news63

  • Motivating Sustainable Action on the Ground

    Motivating Sustainable Action on the Ground

    MSSM student Ajay Ranjith Vempati believes that the most important skill he has acquired is understanding the needs of stakeholders and their influence on the implementation of sustainability practices and translating sustainability solutions into dollar impacts.

  • Entrepreneurial Alum Creates Healthier Living Spaces

    Entrepreneurial Alum Creates Healthier Living Spaces

    “In the mainstream market, sustainability is seldom a selling feature. … This makes it challenging for sustainable manufacturers to thrive and provides little incentive for traditional manufactures to green their materials and processes. The market will change when mainstream consumers demand sustainable goods.”

  • MPA-ESP Students Attend UN World Wildlife Day

    MPA-ESP Students Attend UN World Wildlife Day

    Columbia MPA Environmental Science and Policy Program students were excited to attend the celebration of World Wildlife Day on March 3 at the UN Headquarters here in New York.

  • Alum Brings Solar Expertise to the Classroom

    Alum Brings Solar Expertise to the Classroom

    Master of Science in Sustainability Management professor Dan Giuffrida believes that understanding energy, water, and raw material usage with both a technical and financial acumen is imperative. As the instructor for Solar Project Development, professor Giuffrida will prepare students to fully evaluate the technical and financial aspects of a solar project.

  • Competition Challenges Students to Limit Global Warming

    Competition Challenges Students to Limit Global Warming

    Can the global community devise a solution to save the planet from the worst impacts of global climate change? How about doing it in seven hours?

  • Helping Brands Navigate Realistic Sustainable Goals

    Helping Brands Navigate Realistic Sustainable Goals

    MSSM student Kwesi Blair has more than 10 years working in fashion and retail developing strategy. He is concerned by the industry’s lack of awareness and action around sustainability. Kwesi was drawn to the program because of its multidisciplinary approach and the range of academic areas related to sustainability.

  • Thinking Beyond a Job with ‘Sustainability’ in the Title

    Thinking Beyond a Job with ‘Sustainability’ in the Title

    Sustainability Management alum James Ossman (’15) is the Global Operations Manager at Etsy. He believes the MSSM program has been the difference between being interested in and passionate about sustainability, and being able to lead sustainability initiatives with authority.

  • Faculty Profile: Vance Merolla

    Faculty Profile: Vance Merolla

    MS in Sustainability Management faculty member Vance Merolla has worked over the past thirty years as an environmental and sustainability professional for the private sector. As the instructor for SUMA K4170 Sustainable Operations, Merolla focuses on the importance of incorporating sustainability at each step along the value chain, including product design, procurement, distribution, manufacturing, product/service…

  • Improving Buildings to Reduce Energy Demand

    Improving Buildings to Reduce Energy Demand

    Maya always had an interest in sustainable cities and passive building design. Because buildings make up a third of the world’s energy consumption, she believes that focusing on improving our buildings can have a significant effect on our global energy demand.

Overhead view of Columbia campus with text Columbia Climate School Class Day 2026: Congratulations Graduates

Congratulations to our Columbia Climate School Class of 2026 and all of our 2026 Columbia University graduates! Learn more about our May 15 Climate School Class Day celebration. 💙 #Columbia2026 #ColumbiaClimate2026

  • Motivating Sustainable Action on the Ground

    Motivating Sustainable Action on the Ground

    MSSM student Ajay Ranjith Vempati believes that the most important skill he has acquired is understanding the needs of stakeholders and their influence on the implementation of sustainability practices and translating sustainability solutions into dollar impacts.

  • Entrepreneurial Alum Creates Healthier Living Spaces

    Entrepreneurial Alum Creates Healthier Living Spaces

    “In the mainstream market, sustainability is seldom a selling feature. … This makes it challenging for sustainable manufacturers to thrive and provides little incentive for traditional manufactures to green their materials and processes. The market will change when mainstream consumers demand sustainable goods.”

  • MPA-ESP Students Attend UN World Wildlife Day

    MPA-ESP Students Attend UN World Wildlife Day

    Columbia MPA Environmental Science and Policy Program students were excited to attend the celebration of World Wildlife Day on March 3 at the UN Headquarters here in New York.

  • Alum Brings Solar Expertise to the Classroom

    Alum Brings Solar Expertise to the Classroom

    Master of Science in Sustainability Management professor Dan Giuffrida believes that understanding energy, water, and raw material usage with both a technical and financial acumen is imperative. As the instructor for Solar Project Development, professor Giuffrida will prepare students to fully evaluate the technical and financial aspects of a solar project.

  • Competition Challenges Students to Limit Global Warming

    Competition Challenges Students to Limit Global Warming

    Can the global community devise a solution to save the planet from the worst impacts of global climate change? How about doing it in seven hours?

  • Helping Brands Navigate Realistic Sustainable Goals

    Helping Brands Navigate Realistic Sustainable Goals

    MSSM student Kwesi Blair has more than 10 years working in fashion and retail developing strategy. He is concerned by the industry’s lack of awareness and action around sustainability. Kwesi was drawn to the program because of its multidisciplinary approach and the range of academic areas related to sustainability.

  • Thinking Beyond a Job with ‘Sustainability’ in the Title

    Thinking Beyond a Job with ‘Sustainability’ in the Title

    Sustainability Management alum James Ossman (’15) is the Global Operations Manager at Etsy. He believes the MSSM program has been the difference between being interested in and passionate about sustainability, and being able to lead sustainability initiatives with authority.

  • Faculty Profile: Vance Merolla

    Faculty Profile: Vance Merolla

    MS in Sustainability Management faculty member Vance Merolla has worked over the past thirty years as an environmental and sustainability professional for the private sector. As the instructor for SUMA K4170 Sustainable Operations, Merolla focuses on the importance of incorporating sustainability at each step along the value chain, including product design, procurement, distribution, manufacturing, product/service…

  • Improving Buildings to Reduce Energy Demand

    Improving Buildings to Reduce Energy Demand

    Maya always had an interest in sustainable cities and passive building design. Because buildings make up a third of the world’s energy consumption, she believes that focusing on improving our buildings can have a significant effect on our global energy demand.