The Columbia Climate School Showcase brings together leaders whose decisions shape climate action across borders and sectors. This year’s program will feature the Attorney General of California, Vice Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability of the Dominican Republic, and the CEO of Impossible Foods, alongside Columbia faculty and researchers at the forefront of climate solutions.
Taken together, the day offers a rare opportunity to see international leadership, U.S. policymaking, industry innovation, and Columbia scholarship presented side by side. Each session adds a vital perspective to the conversation, reflecting the School’s commitment to convening voices that shape the global response to climate change.
01:00PM - A Conversation with Armando Paíno Henriquez Dajer, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Dominican Republic. Moderator, Jeff Schlegelmilch Director of National Center for Disaster Preparedness and Professor of Practice at the Climate School. Co-hosted by Columbia World Projects
02:00PM - Keynote Address: California’s Climate Leadership — The Honorable Rob Bonta, Attorney General of California
Break — Snacks (provided by Impossible Foods) and refreshments served
03:10PM - Fireside Chat — Peter McGuinness, Chief Executive Officer, Impossible Foods with Columbia Climate School's Dean Alexis Abramson
03:55PM - Shaping the Next Generation of Impact -Join us for the pitches, panel, and networking to see how the next generation is transforming climate education and research into global impact.
Pitch for Impact: Impact Scholar Lightning Talks
Student teams pitch innovative solutions on plastics policy, alternative proteins, adaptation in the built environment, disaster preparedness, and critical minerals.
Moderator: Sandra Goldmark
- Plastics Policy – Belle Arenson, Ethan Hackmeyer with Faculty Radley Horton and Beizhan Yan
- Adaptation Accelerator- Vanessa Brieva with Faculty Johanna Lovecchio and Kate Orff
- Disaster Genome Project – Kalain Hosein, Olivia Johnson, Bhumi Sharma with Faculty Jeff Schlegemilch
- Critical Minerals and Communities – Samantha Dady, Pia Morrow with Faculty Alan West
- Alternative Proteins – Zoe Adamopoulos with Faculty Jess Fanzo
Panel Discussion: Impact in the Classroom, the Lab, and the World
Applied research, fieldwork, and new curricula are equipping students to bridge the gap between learning and leadership
Moderator: Jeff Shaman
Panelists: Radley Horton , Vicki Ferrini, Johanna Lovecchio, Kristina Douglass