Research
Earth Day 2024: Protecting our Planet
Join us in celebrating our researchers on Earth Day 2024. Their work is the bedrock of our broad commitment to developing technologies that not only mitigate environmental damage but also promote a sustainable and resilient future for all of us here on Earth.
Columbia Engineering researchers are at the forefront of pioneering solutions to address pressing environmental challenges and protect our planet. Working together with colleagues across the University, including the Climate School, they collaborate on a broad range of projects, from renewable energy and sustainable urban infrastructure to climate resilience and clean water and air.
They lead centers dedicated to achieving a sustainable global society, including Learning the Earth with Artificial Intelligence and Physics (LEAP) Center, which is harnessing data to revolutionize climate projections; Columbia Electrochemical Energy Center (CEEC), which explores the properties of batteries, fuel cells, and electrolyzers to create a sustainable energy future; and the Center for Smart Streetscapes (CS3), which is working to build more sustainable, safe, and inclusive cities.
Their work includes developing carbon capture technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, creating biodegradable materials that offer an alternative to harmful plastics, and engineering filtration systems that remove toxins from water sources. They are also leaders in climate modeling, providing critical data that help predict weather patterns and the impact of climate change on various ecosystems.