The Columbia Climate School turns bold ideas into real-world action, building partnerships to drive tangible change at scale.
Our Impact Goals
Together, we’re co-creating a thriving future for generations to come.
We prepare leaders with the skills, knowledge, and experience to drive transformational change.
We partner with communities, governments, and industry to build climate solutions that improve human livelihoods and protect biodiversity.
We accelerate scalable, science-based initiatives to reduce, avoid, or sequester global emissions.
How We Do It
We tap Columbia expertise, co-create with partners, and prepare climate leaders to drive change.
Our Impact Portfolio
We build deep collaborations to drive systems change.
Our Impact Is Rooted in Scholarship and Education
CORE CURRICULUM AND RESEARCH THEMES
DUAL DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES
Impact Highlights from the Centers
Bold, data-driven responses to global climate challenges.
Cities Climate Law Initiative
Legal resources and analysis for cities and partners shaping the urban climate transition.
Climate Finance Vulnerability Index (CliF-VI)
A data-driven index of national climate vulnerability to guide adaptation finance where it's needed most.
Prosperity for Coffee Producers through SDG Coffee Plans
A handbook enabling SDG-aligned development in coffee-producing regions.
Gridded Population of the World (GPW)
A location-based population dataset supporting environmental, disaster, and development planning.
Environment, Peace, and Sustainability
Actionable tools and guidance on environmental conflict and peacebuilding for communities, governments, and educators.
Our Team
Meet the people driving Columbia Climate School’s impact.
Sandra Goldmark
Associate Dean, Engagement and Impact
Johanna Lovecchio
Senior Director, Engagement and Impact
Erica Matsumoto
Senior Director, Global Impact Lab
Alex de Sherbinin
Director, Earth Institute Hub
Hongying Li
Associate Director of Strategic Operations
Laurel Zaima-Sheehy
Associate Director, Pre-College & Partner Programs
Julia Pienkowska
Project Coordinator
Geneva List
Senior Staff Associate/Impact Lead
Ashley Curtis
Assistant Director of Open Enrollment Programs, Executive Education
Mariella Broyles
Program Manager, Executive Education
Impact News
The shifts shaping our planet and what they mean for impact.
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.
Harlem Week Climate Change Conference Centers Community Voices
Panelists highlighted environmental justice, local partnerships, New York’s climate laws and the need for equitable solutions that protect public health, reduce emissions and build a more resilient city.
Climate School Students Analyze Extreme Heat Risk and Mitigation Efforts at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
A Columbia Climate School student team examined extreme heat, poor air quality and emergency management at MetLife Stadium during the FIFA World Cup in New York/New Jersey.