Climate Week at Columbia Engineering 2026

Our faculty and students are engineering practical solutions to the planet’s most urgent challenges. In celebration of Climate Week NYC 2026, we hosted a series of events to share our progress and start conversations on topics ranging from climate forecasting and plasma fusion to clean air and grid-scale energy storage.

See how we’re building a more sustainable world and a more secure future.

News + Insights

Dean Shih-Fu Chang speaks at a podium during the Gotham Foundry Symposium at Columbia Engineering.

Climate Week 2026 in Photos

In celebration of Climate Week NYC, Columbia Engineering convened conversations on the breakthroughs reshaping our path to sustainability.

Dean Shih-Fu Chang and Helen Lu pose with representatives from Gotham Foundry, Green Economy at NYCEDC, the CUNY Graduate Center, and Genspace at the Gotham Foundry symposium.

Gotham Foundry Symposium Showcases the Future of Materials

Gotham Foundry convened its inaugural annual symposium Sept. 23 on Columbia University's Morningside campus, one year and a day after its launch during Climate Week NYC 2025.

Four panelists sit at a table during a panel discussion, with one speaking and gesturing.

The Future of Fusion Depends on Collaboration

At the Columbia Fusion Research Center, leaders charted the path forward while students highlighted their work in plasma physics.

Dan Esposito speaking into a small wired microphone while standing beside three seated panelists, a projected presentation, and a Climate Week at Columbia Engineering banner.

Remaking the Energy System with Electrochemistry

At its annual symposium, the Columbia Electrochemical Energy Center (CEEC) focused on the tremendous scale required to deploy new technologies.

George Deodatis, Matthias Preindl, and Navid Rahbariasr stand beside a blue Columbia University model race car and an IEEE/CCAE Symposium poster.

CCAE Expands Climate Week Program with IEEE

The Columbia Center for Advanced Electrification brought together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and energy experts for three days of programming focused on the future of electrification

Greeshma Gadikota moderating a panel during the Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy at Columbia University.

Critical Minerals, New Energy Sources, and the Race for Resilience

Climate Week at Columbia Engineering kicked off with a symposium convening members of government, industry, and academia to examine critical mineral supply chains and emerging energy sources.

Greeshma Gadikota posing with arms crossed in a dark blue suit in a glass-lined hallway.

Mining is Essential. It Doesn't Have to be Wasteful.

Greeshma Gadikota lays out new approaches in mining, refining, and recycling that stand to revolutionize how the U.S. acquires essential resources.

Dark blue looping lines with glowing white orbs on a light blue and white abstract background.

Why Fusion was Always 30 Years Away

Carlos Paz-Soldan shares about the work his team does at Columbia’s Fusion Research Center, including making sure that fusion is part of the mix for new sources of energy.

Large group of attendees, some wearing name badges, posed in rows outdoors in front of a building with autumn foliage in the background.

Five More Years: NSF Renews Funding for AI-Powered Earth System Modeling Center

The National Science Foundation renewed funding for the AI-powered Earth system modeling center LEAP, aimed at improving Earth system projections through Earth system modeling and data science.

“Climate Week brings together leaders, researchers, policymakers, and climate-focused professionals from various sectors to collaborate and advance solutions. With gatherings such as these, we can work toward a more sustainable world and a more secure future.”

Dean Shih-Fu Chang

Engineering for Humanity