Columbia Mailman School Faculty at Climate Week 2025
Faculty experts in the Columbia Mailman School Climate and Health program are participating in this year’s Climate Week NYC, covering topics from sustainable food systems and the health impacts of air pollution to how to equip frontline health workers to respond to extreme heat, wildfires, hurricanes, and flooding. The events, which coincide with the annual United Nations General Assembly, will set the stage for the global climate meeting, COP 30, taking place this November in Brazil.
Robbie Parks, assistant professor of environmental health sciences (EHS), is attending events throughout the week. “I’m excited to meet climate leaders this week to hear about the exciting work they’re doing, share some of my own research activities, and potentially find ways to work together,” he says.
Monday, September 22
The Air They Breathe: How Failure to Curb Climate Pollutants Endangers Young Lungs and Brains
Frederica Perera, emerita professor of EHS, is participating in a panel discussion on air pollution and children’s health.
Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 9th Floor
10:00am–12:00pm
Registration required.
Data and Partnerships for Global Clean Air and Climate
Darby Jack, professor of EHS, is participating on a panel discussion organized by the Columbia Engineering on how sensing, data science, and sustainable energy technology can help reduce air pollution.
Columbia Engineering Innovation Hub
2276 12th Avenue, 2nd Floor
3:30pm–5:30pm
Registration required.
Contextualizing the Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health
Jeffrey Shaman, professor of environmental health sciences, will present an overview of numerous ways climate change is impacting human health.
The Forum at Columbia University
601 W. 125th St., Room 229
4:00–5:00pm
Registration required.
Health Workers on the Frontlines: Caring for Communities When Disasters Strike
Cecilia Sorensen, associate professor and director of the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education (GCCHE), will speak on panel about equipping health workers to prepare for and respond to extreme heat, wildfires, hurricanes, and flooding.
Registration required for event details.
Tuesday, September 23
Reimagining Global Health for Equity
Thoai Ngo, chair of Population and Family Health, will host a discussion on reimagining the global health architecture to make it more equitable and sustainable.
Allan Rosenfield Building
722 W. 168 St., 8th Floor Auditorium
4:00–5:00pm
Registration required.
Wednesday, September 24
From Diagnosis to Action: Scaling Weather-Resilient Health Solutions
Ana Navas-Acien, chair of EHS, and Cecilia Sorensen are panelists in a roundtable discussion organized by Economist Impact on adapting chronic disease care in the era of climate disruption.
8:00am–10:00am
Registration required for event details.
Lewis Ziska, associate professor of EHS, is part of a panel discussion presented by Regan House looking at strengthening farmer resilience and sustainable food production.
10:00am–11:15am
Registration required for event details.
A Global Response to Climate Change: Climate School Showcase
Jeffrey Shaman will moderate a panel discussion on how applied research, fieldwork, and new curricula are equipping students to bridge the gap between learning and leadership.
The Forum at Columbia University
601 W. 125th St.
1:00pm–5:00pm
Registration required.
Thursday, September 25
Lew Ziska is a keynote speaker as part of the event on sustainable agriculture.
15 West 38th Street
9:30am–11:00am
Registration required.