impacts
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Climate Risk Meets Retail: Inside Princess Polly’s SoHo Flagship
This M.A. in Climate and Society capstone team worked closely with Princess Polly to assess climate risks and identify opportunities to strengthen its sustainability and resilience.
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A New Tool for Matching Water Solutions to Community Needs
Sustainable development alum Dylan Dettloff used his Columbia Climate School Collaborative Research Grant to develop a Python-based decision tool to help rural and water-scarce communities identify the most suitable desalination technologies.
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Alex de Sherbinin Named Director of New Earth Institute Hub
The new initiative at Columbia Climate School is designed to strengthen university-wide collaboration on issues spanning climate, Earth, society and sustainability.
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From Marie Tharp to Seabed 2030: Marine Geophysicist Vicki Ferrini on Mapping the Ocean Floor
In honor of Tharp’s birthday, Ferrini discusses the geologist’s pioneering work and how it paved the way for her own collaborative efforts to map the ocean floor.
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Better Data, Better Maps: Supporting Ebola Response in Eastern Congo
An effective Ebola response depends on knowing not only where cases are being reported, but also where people live, where health facilities are located and which health areas are responsible for reaching them.
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Columbia Climate School and Sciences Po To Launch Dual Degree Focused on Climate Action
Columbia Climate School and the Paris Climate School at Sciences Po are launching a new dual master’s program at the intersection of climate science and ecological governance.
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Regenerative Travel: Students Field Test What’s Next in Climate-Conscious Tourism
The Wild Tomorrow capstone workshop and Cuttyhunk Practicum are two examples of Climate School initiatives that focus on climate-conscious travel.
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New York Lets a Thousand Bioswales Bloom
In an effort to curb sewage overflows, New York City has turned to green infrastructure: right-of-way bioswales, green roofs and rain gardens, among other practices. These measures help decrease stormwater runoff by increasing pervious areas and introducing water-loving plants that can absorb some of the water and encourage evaporation.
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Designing a Sustainability Framework for China
Earth Institute Executive Director Steven Cohen traveled to Beijing to formalize a partnership with the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, the preeminent think tank in China, to design sustainability metrics based on China’s unique development conditions.
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
