Columbia Climate School was named a university partner for New York Climate Week 2021
The Climate Group has selected Columbia Climate School as the university partner for this year’s New York Climate Week. From September 20 to 26, New York Climate Week convened key climate leaders to accelerate climate action and discuss ambitious commitments before the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow later this fall.
Now in its 13th year, New York Climate Week is a critical time for businesses, governments, civil society and a wider global audience to come together to showcase leading climate solutions and discuss how to do more things faster. It has played an important role in creating momentum for global climate action.
Established last year, Columbia Climate Institute represents Columbia University’s historic commitment to respond to the climate crisis. As the first new school established by the university in 25 years, it will become a center of research, learning and action. As the window to avoid the potentially catastrophic effects of climate change closes, the Climate School builds on the strengths of Columbia University to solve problems, educate future climate leaders and generate the knowledge needed to design and inspire solutions. The first batch of freshmen from the school will arrive on campus this month.
“At a time of increasing urgency to address climate change, Columbia is honored to be cooperating with New York Climate Week to host this agenda-setting series of events,” said University President Li C Bollinger. “The kind of cooperation and collective action promoted by New York Climate Week is in line with our institutional values and our efforts to guide our academic resources in a manner consistent with the severity of the global climate crisis.”
Hundreds of events are scheduled this week, many of which will feature experts and partners from the Columbia Climate Institute.Information about speakers, representatives and event plans can be found in the new New York Climate Week websiteLast year, New York Climate Week hosted more than 500 events in more than 30 countries around the world. This year, this week will continue this momentum, and the event plan covers ten themes: built environment, energy, industry, food, environmental justice, transportation, finance, sustainable living, nature and policy.
“We are very happy to work with Columbia Climate School to participate in this year’s New York Climate Week,” said Helen Clarkson, CEO of The Climate Group. “As one of the first schools to focus on climate education and solutions, it comes at the right time because we are in a critical climate decade. Universities are educating the public, providing clear analysis of science-based progress and goals, and nurturing The next generation of activists has a key role to play. They can ensure that climate action is integrated into all sectors so that we can create a better future for all.”
Before the next round of global climate negotiations, Colombia has set its own goal of reducing its carbon footprint. 2030 plan It outlines a series of goals to be achieved in the next ten years, so that all Columbia University campuses are on the road to reduce carbon emissions to zero net value by 2050. Columbia University has also adopted a policy of not investing in publicly traded oil and gas companies.
“Columbia University is responding to the urgency of the moment by making the greatest promise a great research university can make: building a school dedicated to this existential threat,” said Jason Bo, co-founder of the Climate Institute. Erdorf said. “Columbia Climate Institute will seek groundbreaking scholarships to advance new knowledge in countless disciplines needed to solve the climate crisis in science, engineering, policy, finance, society, and other aspects. A more sustainable, just and safer future will measure success. It will develop innovative programs to educate the entire society and train future leaders on how to contain and respond to climate change.”
Daniel Zarrilli, Special Adviser on Climate and Sustainability at Columbia University, said: “This is a critical decade for achieving a deep reduction in carbon pollution and avoiding the most catastrophic impact of climate change.” The Columbia Climate Institute has been named a university partner for New York Climate Week 2021, and the Climate Group has affirmed the important role of universities like Columbia in advancing climate science, accelerating evidence-based climate solutions, and empowering the next generation of climate leaders. Looking forward to working together on another successful climate week, as we are all working hard to achieve the Paris Agreement and ensure a livable climate for the next generation.”
Leading the Columbia Institute of Climatology is the university’s four top climate experts: Alex Halliday, director of the Columbia Earth Institute; Jason Bordoff, founding director of the Columbia Center for Global Energy Policy; Ruth DeFries, University Professor and Denning Family Professor of Sustainable Development; and Columbia University Maureen Raymo, director of the Earth Observatory of Monte-Doherty.
