Congratulations to Columbia Climate Institute Class of 2023
Columbia Climate School Class of 2023
Wearing blue caps and gowns, Columbia Climate Institute’s second class of graduates paraded on a campus-wide stage today class day ceremony. The Class of 2023 includes 79 graduates from MSc Climate and Society program. They come from diverse backgrounds and professions—including arts, policy, mental health, technology—but share a common goal of advancing solutions to climate change.
“The climate crisis and the world need new leaders, and you are those new leaders,” founding dean of the Climate Institute Alex Halliday Tell the graduating students at the graduation ceremony. “I challenge you to use your knowledge and skills to create change in any way you can, whether you work in policy, research, innovative entrepreneurship, advocacy or large corporations. In any field, you have the power to make a difference.”
While most students do not officially graduate until August, when they complete their summer internship, May marks the end of their classes and an opportunity to celebrate graduation on a campus-wide and campus-wide basis. While today’s celebration is for the Columbia Climate Institute, many students will also be attending the May 17 commencement ceremony, which honors all Columbia graduates.
Classroom Day Keynote Presentation by Jamal Bowman, representing New York’s 16th Congressional District, which covers northern Bronx and southern Westchester County. Congressman Bowman highlighted the fact that climate change disproportionately affects poor, black and brown people. He called on graduates to advocate for change and hold their leaders accountable.
“We need bright minds and moral hearts, but we need revolutionary activity in everyday life,” Bowman said.
Climate Academy Co-Founder Dean Maureen Raymo and Founding Dean Alex Halliday with Representative Jamaal Bowman (middle), Class Day keynote speaker.
Class Day celebrates each student’s individual accomplishments, while also recognizing what they have achieved together—and will continue to do together in the future. Community and collaboration were important themes throughout the ceremony.
Addressing climate change “is something we can only do together,” he said Ben Orloffco-director of the Master’s Program in Climate and Society.
“You have learned the importance of collaborating, supporting each other, and being part of something bigger than yourself,” said Mingfang Ting, co-director of the Climate and Society Initiative. “These will be good for you as you continue your journey into the future. We all know climate change is such a big problem that it really takes the world working together….let’s all work together to build a world that’s not only livable , a world that is fair and shared by all.”
