On Friday, May 16th, the fourth class of Columbia Climate School alumni gathered to celebrate their achievements in 2025 Class Day Ceremony. Climate and society The cohort represents academics from around the world, and is equally diverse in academic and professional backgrounds.
“Today, Climate School will be sending 116 new ambassadors for climate action. You are an evidence-based leader driven by data and guided by a deep commitment to equity,” said Alexis Abramson, dean of the Climate School, in her opening remarks. “But you haven’t set out yourself. You’ll move forward together.”
Most Climate and Society MA students will not officially graduate until they complete their summer internships and Capstone projects in August, but class days represent the pinnacle of coursework and the opportunity to celebrate with their loved ones and peers.
“When celebrating today’s achievements with family and friends, look back at this path and why you chose this graduate program,” he said. Lisa DaleDirector of Climate and Social Programs. “What was your reason last year? And what is your reason now? Maybe they’re changing. The world is changing around us, sometimes dramatically. And a passion for a better future is more important than ever.
“It was a pleasure to see you shaping your time here and I look forward to seeing you make our world a better shape.” Jeff ShermanSenior Associate Dean of the Climate School, said he would introduce Columbia Climate Graduate School President Rishabh Jain and University Senior Senior Climate School Representative Karissa O’Donnell before introducing the elected student leaders in the Climate School cohort. Campbell Award Recipient.
“We know that the future is what we build, not what we await.”
“Just a few months ago, we became part of something bigger than ourselves. The days when students concluded, we focused on areas that don’t stop learning. “This year we’ll be taking the lessons and experiences of this year and throwing them into the wider community and creating a wider impact. …This cohort has been my classroom as much as my community.
Jain added: “From this year, it’s our biggest takeaway and I hope you all agree. It means you’re isolated and can’t achieve anything. Looking around this room, looking at students, family, friends, faculty and staff. We’re all part of something urgent.
Class Day student speaker Anyeeth Philip Ayuen told the audience how proud he is of his cohort. Today he said, “We stand at the intersection of celebration and responsibility. …We are not alone in this moment. It’s about the future we have inherited and the future we choose to create.”
From his personal experience as a refugee from South Sudan, Ayuen said, “As a refugee, I know the heartbreak of losing your home, your country, your sense of belonging, and the certainty of tomorrow to extreme events.” But he continues, this history only strengthened his resolve and taught him that “climate change is not just an environmental challenge, it is a human crisis.”
Ayuen said he felt hopeful as he turned to his classmates. [climate] Events;We are the architects of solutions. We are scientists, policy makers, entrepreneurs, consultants and advocates. I spent a year studying not only the “evil” issue of climate change, but also the path to a fair and sustainable future. ”
“We know that the future is something we build, not something we await,” Ayuen says.
The alumni in this room already knows what it takes to solve climate change, musician, educator and climate advocate Adam Mett said in his keynote address. “They know they need to move away from fossil fuels as soon as possible, they know they need to rethink their farming systems, transportation systems, waste systems, how they build things, how they grow things.
When they leave this room, he said he no longer understands the challenges and opportunities for all climate school alumni. what The solution is how To make them happen.
This summer, climate and society students will continue this mission by tackling climate challenges around the world, from resilience planning to sustainability consulting. One student interns with Bloombergnef, supporting research into clean energy transitions. Another has joined GE Vernova’s sustainability team and contributed to corporate climate initiatives. The third works for the New York State Research and Development Bureau, helping to shape the energy future in New York. And through a hands-on role in the 1 Billion Oyster Project, one student is captivating the community with climate education and coastal recovery. some Capstone Project Include program development in the Governor’s Island climate image. Design of a green finance model for India’s circular economy solutions. Analyses of Indigenous-Driven Nature-Based Climate Solutions – Here are just a few ways climate school graduates can translate education into meaningful behaviour.
