State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

education news79

  • Sustainability Management Alum Works to Bring Electric Vehicles to NYC

    Sustainability Management Alum Works to Bring Electric Vehicles to NYC

    Master of Science in Sustainability Management alumnus Stephen Marlin (’12) has always been a “car guy.” Now, as the Senior Business Development Manager in the East Region for BYD Motors, he works to bring electric vehicles into New York City livery services. He credits the MSSM program’s integrated approach to sustainability with allowing him to…

  • Managing Energy Efficiency: Translating Policy into Action

    Managing Energy Efficiency: Translating Policy into Action

    It seems logical that conserving energy is good for everyone: reducing carbon pollution is good for the environment, and conserving resources makes financial sense. Yet, getting customers to participate in cost-saving, energy-efficient programs is not as straightforward as one might think. To examine this issue further, on March 13, the Earth Institute co-hosted, with the…

  • MS Students Tackle Tough Environmental Problems

    MS Students Tackle Tough Environmental Problems

    Working on real-world sustainability projects for actual clients is integral to the Master of Science in Sustainability Management program. Students made presentations earlier this week about projects that they are conducting on renewable energy, climate resilience, sustainable investment, urban agriculture, and environmental management systems. The clients range from the Federal Transit Administration to the Newark…

  • ESP Students Present Initial Findings for Clients

    ESP Students Present Initial Findings for Clients

    On March 5, students in the Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy presented their initial findings for the Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Policy Analysis to fellow students, staff, and invited guests at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs.

  • Alums Recruit Students at All-Ivy Fair

    Alums Recruit Students at All-Ivy Fair

    On Feb. 28, the All-Ivy Environmental and Sustainable Development Career Fair marked its 11th year. The eight Ivy League schools – Brown, Cornell, Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania and Yale – teamed up once again to host the fair at Columbia University in New York City. This year’s event attracted 69 recruiting…

  • MS Student Takes Sustainability to the Skies

    MS Student Takes Sustainability to the Skies

    As head of sustainability for JetBlue Airways, current Master of Science in Sustainability Management student Sophia Mendelsohn is responsible for reducing the environmental impact of one of the largest airlines in North America. While this can be a challenge, the financial and scientific skills she has gained through the program provide her with a solid…

  • Students Design Energy Retrofit Program for Montenegro

    Students Design Energy Retrofit Program for Montenegro

    When four Master of Science in Sustainability Management students landed in Podgorica, Montenegro in January, they were carrying an energy efficiency plan that promised to save the country money and energy, and to create jobs. These benefits would come from the energy retrofitting of some 100,000 buildings that have sprouted without permits in the last…

  • ESP Student Expands Skillset

    ESP Student Expands Skillset

    After three years working with the Peace Corps in Madagascar, Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy student Jonathan Mason came to Columbia with a strong background in research and writing, but limited experience in quantitative analysis. As he begins his final semester, he reflects that the quantitative and project management skills he…

  • MS Alum Applies Technical Skills to Renewable Energy

    MS Alum Applies Technical Skills to Renewable Energy

    Prior to joining the Master of Science in Sustainability Management program in the fall of 2011, Katrina Prutzman (’14) worked as a manufacturing process engineer for 3M Purification, Inc. where she implemented manufacturing improvements and developed new production processes in the making of a variety of filtration products. While a student in the program, Katrina…

Collage of Turkiye beach scene and Columbia University Campus with text: UN Climate Change Conference COP31, Antalya, Turkiye, Nov 9-20, 2026

COP31, the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, aims to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate climate action on a global scale. From November 9–20, 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society will gather to advance efforts in emission targets, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. Once again, our experts, students, and global thought leaders from Columbia Climate School and across Columbia University are contributing to key events, sharing insights, and helping shape the dialogue toward ambitious, science-based solutions. Learn More

  • Sustainability Management Alum Works to Bring Electric Vehicles to NYC

    Sustainability Management Alum Works to Bring Electric Vehicles to NYC

    Master of Science in Sustainability Management alumnus Stephen Marlin (’12) has always been a “car guy.” Now, as the Senior Business Development Manager in the East Region for BYD Motors, he works to bring electric vehicles into New York City livery services. He credits the MSSM program’s integrated approach to sustainability with allowing him to…

  • Managing Energy Efficiency: Translating Policy into Action

    Managing Energy Efficiency: Translating Policy into Action

    It seems logical that conserving energy is good for everyone: reducing carbon pollution is good for the environment, and conserving resources makes financial sense. Yet, getting customers to participate in cost-saving, energy-efficient programs is not as straightforward as one might think. To examine this issue further, on March 13, the Earth Institute co-hosted, with the…

  • MS Students Tackle Tough Environmental Problems

    MS Students Tackle Tough Environmental Problems

    Working on real-world sustainability projects for actual clients is integral to the Master of Science in Sustainability Management program. Students made presentations earlier this week about projects that they are conducting on renewable energy, climate resilience, sustainable investment, urban agriculture, and environmental management systems. The clients range from the Federal Transit Administration to the Newark…

  • ESP Students Present Initial Findings for Clients

    ESP Students Present Initial Findings for Clients

    On March 5, students in the Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy presented their initial findings for the Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Policy Analysis to fellow students, staff, and invited guests at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs.

  • Alums Recruit Students at All-Ivy Fair

    Alums Recruit Students at All-Ivy Fair

    On Feb. 28, the All-Ivy Environmental and Sustainable Development Career Fair marked its 11th year. The eight Ivy League schools – Brown, Cornell, Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania and Yale – teamed up once again to host the fair at Columbia University in New York City. This year’s event attracted 69 recruiting…

  • MS Student Takes Sustainability to the Skies

    MS Student Takes Sustainability to the Skies

    As head of sustainability for JetBlue Airways, current Master of Science in Sustainability Management student Sophia Mendelsohn is responsible for reducing the environmental impact of one of the largest airlines in North America. While this can be a challenge, the financial and scientific skills she has gained through the program provide her with a solid…

  • Students Design Energy Retrofit Program for Montenegro

    Students Design Energy Retrofit Program for Montenegro

    When four Master of Science in Sustainability Management students landed in Podgorica, Montenegro in January, they were carrying an energy efficiency plan that promised to save the country money and energy, and to create jobs. These benefits would come from the energy retrofitting of some 100,000 buildings that have sprouted without permits in the last…

  • ESP Student Expands Skillset

    ESP Student Expands Skillset

    After three years working with the Peace Corps in Madagascar, Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy student Jonathan Mason came to Columbia with a strong background in research and writing, but limited experience in quantitative analysis. As he begins his final semester, he reflects that the quantitative and project management skills he…

  • MS Alum Applies Technical Skills to Renewable Energy

    MS Alum Applies Technical Skills to Renewable Energy

    Prior to joining the Master of Science in Sustainability Management program in the fall of 2011, Katrina Prutzman (’14) worked as a manufacturing process engineer for 3M Purification, Inc. where she implemented manufacturing improvements and developed new production processes in the making of a variety of filtration products. While a student in the program, Katrina…