Student Organizations
Sunrise Columbia
Sunrise Columbia is dedicated to combatting climate change by holding Columbia accountable for its impact and educating the Columbia community about institutional issues. Sunrise Columbia is part of the greater national Sunrise Movement to combat climate change and create green new jobs in the process. Information about Sunrise Columbia can be found on their website.
EcoReps
Operating since 2005, EcoReps is Columbia's largest sustainability group. Their committees work to improve recycling infrastructure on campus, promote sustainable dining, and educate fellow students on incorporating 'green' practices into their day-to-day lives. Additionally, EcoReps organizes the Youth Climate Summit, which brings together high school students and teachers to learn about and engage in climate action through workshops and educational speaker series. More information about EcoReps can be found here.
The Columbia Policy Institute
The Columbia Policy Institute is a progressive think tank and hosts weekly discussions on pragmatic policy solutions. Members are invited to join one of six policy centers, including the Energy & Environment Center, to work on semesterly and yearly initiatives. Notable successes in recent years include the Economic Recovery Policy Hackathon and a student-led movement to include carbon neutrality in Columbia’s 2020 Sustainability Plan. More information about the Columbia Policy Institute can be found on their website, here.
SDG Hub @ Columbia
Columbia SDG Students is the first U.S. chapter of over 70 international university hubs in the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network Youth program. The SDG Hub is a student-led initiative to learn, engage, and take action on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) locally here in NYC. Learn more about the SDG Hub here.
Columbia Biodiversity Club
Columbia Biodiversity Club aims to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss (‘twin crises”) with local-level action designed to accelerate biodiversity-positive outcomes that meet the urgency called for by the global scientific community, thereby promoting the well-being of New York City residents and beyond. The club serves as an instigator to galvanize multidisciplinary collaboration and innovative problem-solving aimed to halt or reverse biodiversity loss in New York City and its impacts to residents, with prioritization for the needs of communities facing environmental injustice. This hub will serve to mitigate the (5) main drivers of biodiversity loss (climate change, overexploitation, pollution, habitat loss, and invasive species). While focus will be on New York City, localized biodiversity-positive actions can produce broader impacts, thus providing the opportunity to advance biodiversity-positive outcomes beyond New York City.
The Food Pantry at Columbia
The Food Pantry fights hunger on Columbia's campus and aims to combat social stigma surrounding food insecurity. Information about accessing the Pantry as a resource as well as volunteering can be found on their website, here. The Food Pantry has a number of opportunities for student involvement, including joining committees such as Operations, Development, or Events Coordination. They additionally accept volunteers for campus events and projects.
Columbia University Impact Investing Network (CUIIN)
The Columbia University Impact Investing Network (CUIIN) is an undergraduate organization that aims to educate students on sustainable investing and promote environmental consciousness in financial service industries. Information about the organization can be found on their website, here.
Barnard Student Services Committee
The Barnard Student Services Committee is part of the larger Barnard Student Government Association (SGA). Students appointed to the committee are responsible for assessing campus services and sustainability and subsequently recommending policy and infrastructure improvements. They aim to reduce waste on campus, improve dining operations, and promote green initiatives in the College. Information about the Student Services Committee can be found here.