Research Overview

The Columbia Climate School powers innovative research in the science, consequences, and human dimensions of climate change. We are the research institution where the phrase "global warming" originated, and we unite the sciences, engineering, finance, humanities, arts, and policy to achieve a more sustainable and just world.

RESEARCH AT-A-GLANCE

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500+

PhD-level researchers

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200+

Active research projects

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25+

Transdisciplinary research centers

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$1B+

Total research sponsorship since 2013

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490+

Funding partners since 2013

Office of Research

Our Office of Research nurtures our community of established and future environmental leaders through proposal development, programmatic engagement, and compliance support.

Research Partners & Projects

Research Centers & Programs

Bringing together high-impact centers, institutes, and initiatives, we support a continuum of research, from basic discovery to societal solutions.

Research Projects

Explore our diverse Earth, climate, environmental, and sustainability research projects around the world.

Engage with Our Research Community

Student Research Opportunities

Research News

How a Massive Ancient Ice Shelf Stabilized Glaciers—and What It Means for Antarctica
October 26, 2026

New research could lead to more accurate predictions about how quickly Antarctic glaciers might retreat and raise sea levels.

Microplastics Are Chemically Active, and Could Cause Biological Harm
October 14, 2026

A new study found that when microplastics contact water, their surfaces can become chemically reactive. This could be how they get us sick.

Study Links NYC Congestion Pricing Policy to Cleaner Air In Lower Manhattan
October 7, 2026

One year after NYC launched its congestion pricing policy, fine particulate pollution inside Manhattan’s congestion relief zone was 13 percent lower, according to a new analysis.