Sustainability & Climate
We’re pioneering solutions to the most daunting global challenges, helping to create a more livable future for us all.
Challenge and Opportunity
How can the earth support a projected population of 9 billion people in 2050? How do we balance the desire for a high quality of life with the preservation of ecological functions critical to our planet’s survival? In other words, how can we provide the material conditions that promote a flourishing life for everyone on the planet in a way that is sustainable for those who will live here long after we are gone?
This is a fundamental challenge that becomes more pressing with each passing year. It is also an exciting opportunity, as breakthroughs in technology will be at the center of addressing it. Columbia Engineering is already leading the way. Below, discover the exciting research going on today and our plans for leveraging our current success for even greater impact in the coming years.
Ask Us Anything: Pierre Gentine Highlights
Pierre Gentine is the director of our National Science Foundation center called LEAP: Learning the Earth with Artificial Intelligence and Physics. His research investigates the continental hydrologic cycle using multi scale modeling and big data in the context of rising CO2 concentrations.
Related Faculty
View Related FacultyAlan West
Alexander Urban
Oscar Nordness
Markus Schläpfer
Marianna Maiarù
Jeffrey W. Kysar
Adeyemi Adeleye
Daniel Bienstock
Ioannis (John) Kymissis
Adam H. Sobel
Shaina Kelly
Matthias Preindl
Hoe I. Ling
Daniel Steingart
Michael P. Burke
Raymond Farinato
Daniel Esposito
George Deodatis
Ioannis A. Kougioumtzoglou
Gerald A. Navratil
Pierre Gentine
Haim Waisman
Clifford Stein
Vijay Modi
Nickolas J. Themelis
Keren Bergman
Xiaofan (Fred) Jiang
Marco Giometto
Lauren Marbella
Bianca Howard
Marc W. Spiegelman
Shiho Kawashima
V. Faye McNeill
Asaf Cidon
Sharon Di
D. R. Nagaraj
Ngai Yin Yip
Robert J. Farrauto
Lorenzo M. Polvani
Yuan Yang
Carlos Paz-Soldan
Bolun Xu
Andrew W. Smyth
Huiming Yin
Christopher James Durning
Maria Q Feng
Michael K. Tippett
Raimondo Betti
James Anderson
Kartik Chandran
Leading Innovation for a Sustainable Future
At Columbia Engineering, we’ve had our sights set on sustainability for a long time. We’ve assembled an incredible team of researchers developing key technologies in areas like power storage and carbon capture, and we’ve built relationships across the university to complement and extend our work.
Multidisciplinary Depth
The problems associated with sustainability are complex, requiring the perspectives of multiple disciplines to create viable solutions.
Explore DepartmentsRobust Ongoing Research
We’re making important progress in sustainable technologies with developments in cheaper electrochemical materials for energy storage, creating better batteries, decarbonizing concrete and more.
News on Sustainability & ClimateStrategic Collaborations
Researchers within Columbia Engineering collaborate with other schools and centers at Columbia University to gain a broader perspective in developing and deploying sustainable technology.
Office for ResearchEntreprenurial Ecosystem
We have a well-established track record of translating technological discoveries and developments into practical solutions that make an impact in the real world.
Innovation, Design & EntrepreneurshipInstitutes, Centers, & Initiatives
Learning the Earth with AI and Physics (LEAP)
Aligning physics and machine learning to revolutionize near-term climate projections.
Sustainable Computing Initiative
Creating sustainable and carbon-aware data centers, in collaboration with IBM.
Partnerships & Strategic Collaborations
Earth Institute
The Earth Institute was established in 1995 to advance our understanding of Earth science and apply that knowledge to decisions made by governments and businesses around the world.
Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy
The mission of the Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy (LCSE) is to advance science and develop innovative technologies that provide sustainable energy and materials for all humanity.
School of International and Public Affairs
At Columbia SIPA, we are driving change through policy research, teaching, and partnerships in the global public interest
Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation
GSAPP develops new forms of pedagogy, research, and practice to engage the crucial issues of our time across all scales of the built environment.
Columbia Business School
To achieve our vision of developing innovative ideas and inspiring leaders that transform the world, Columbia Business School is closely partnering with Columbia Engineering
The Engineering for Global Sustainability and Climate Action Initiative
In the years ahead, we will build on current strengths and harness additional resources to create solutions in several key areas:
- Energy Storage: One of the most important catalysts for a greener future will be cheaper, more efficient energy storage that relies upon safe and renewable materials. We will pioneer improved battery technology, novel storage methods, and more efficient means of energy conversion.
- Carbon Reduction: A movement towards green energy is an important part of reducing CO2 emissions. Just as important, however, will be improving carbon capture technology and developing low-carbon methods of industrial and resource production.
- Smart and Resilient Systems: We need smarter cities, infrastructure, and transport networks that are more connected, more efficient, and more resilient in the face of climate change.
- Business Models: The market is a powerful instrument for change. We will help create models that facilitate the adoption of sustainable technologies, in areas like distributed power generation and storage and electric vehicles.
- Energy Poverty: Abundant, affordable energy is a primary driver of economic development. We will continue to work on innovative technologies for meeting energy needs in emerging markets.
As part of the initiative, we will be constructing new facilities on the Manhattanville campus to act as both a hub of interdisciplinary research and a living laboratory that will showcase and investigate sustainable building and energy technologies.
We will continue to strengthen relationships with current partners and expand our work with entities like the Lenfest Center for the Arts, the Data Science Institute, Columbia Global Centers, and the Columbia Climate School. Collaborations with the neighboring community and the City of New York will advance initiatives for sustainable and resilient urban communities.
Together, we’ll make a decisive contribution to a more sustainable future to the benefit of all who share our planet.
Related Degrees & Programs
Undergraduate Programs
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
- Earth & Environmental Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering and Operations Research
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Graduate Programs
- Biomedical Engineering, MS
- Biomedical Engineering, PhD
- Chemical Engineering, MS
- Chemical Engineering, PhD
- Civil Engineering, MS
- Civil Engineering, PhD
- Computer Science, MS
- Computer Science, PhD
- Electrical Engineering, MS
- Electrical Engineering, PhD
- Materials Science and Engineering, MS
- Materials Science and Engineering, PhD
- Mechanical Engineering, MS
- Mechanical Engineering, PhD
- Operations Research, MS
- Operations Research, PhD