The Columbia Climate School at Columbia University, established in 2020, is a leading institution advancing knowledge, education, and solutions to the global climate crisis. It integrates expertise across Earth system science, engineering, public health, economics, finance, law, and public policy to address complex environmental and societal challenges. Its research model is multidisciplinary by design and impact-focused, linking fundamental science with real-world decision-making in government, industry, and communities.
The Climate School’s research enterprise is built around real-world climate, energy, Earth, and sustainability challenges, from sea-level rise and extreme weather to food security, energy transition, climate finance, environmental justice, and many others. Its interdisciplinary work examines climate dynamics, environmental change, and impacts on natural and human systems, while advancing resilience, risk reduction, and community preparedness, which are critical for Arctic and northern regions experiencing rapid change.
A cornerstone of the School is the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), its largest research unit and a world leader in Earth and environmental science. For over 75 years, LDEO has advanced understanding of the Earth system, from the deep interior to oceans and atmosphere, through research in ocean and atmospheric science, solid Earth science, climate science, and environmental health. It is renowned for pioneering contributions to plate tectonics, ocean circulation, and climate science, and continues to inform global climate policy and environmental risk management.
The Columbia Climate School also brings together a network of over 20 research centers and programs, including Advanced Consortium on Cooperation, Conflict, & Complexity (AC4), Center for Climate Systems Research (CCSR), Center for Integrated Earth System Information (CIESIN), Center for Sustainable Development (CSD), Center for Sustainable Urban Development (CSUD), Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI), and National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP).
Through its academic programs and applied initiatives, the Climate School educates future leaders and supports evidence-based solutions across sectors. With a strong commitment to international collaboration and inclusive approaches, it engages diverse knowledge systems, including Indigenous and local perspectives, to build resilient and sustainable futures worldwide.
