Environmental Justice
Many consider climate change to be a “threat multiplier,” in the way that it interacts with and exacerbates pre-existing social, political, and economic risks1. In order to limit, or even prevent the exacerbation of these risks, it is necessary to develop climate solutions that serve both people and planet. Thus, environmental justice and climate justice must be integrated in tandem into Columbia’s Plan 2030.
The New York City’s Mayor’s Office defines environmental justice (EJ) as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all persons, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, policies and activities and with respect to the distribution of environmental benefits.”
Climate justice (CJ) is defined as “the recognition that it is these same historically-overburdened communities that are most vulnerable to a rapidly changing climate. Disparities that are persistent in our society, from social, to economic and health inequities, can be exacerbated by impacts of climate change like extreme heat, flooding, and catastrophic weather events. The pursuit of climate justice also means holding those with the most responsibility for the climate crisis accountable.” 2
1. “Climate Change Recognized as ‘Threat Multiplier’, UN Security Council Debates Its Impact on Peace.” United Nations, January 25, 2019.
2. “Environmental Justice.” NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice, November 22, 2022.
Plan 2030 is an innovative and strategic ten-year plan that outlines Columbia’s sustainability goals. The Office of Sustainability (OoS) aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 through six key commitment areas: electrification and 100% renewable energy, sustainable transportation, responsible design and construction, responsible materials management, campus as living lab, and water conservation and capture.
With regard to environmental justice, Plan 2030 currently acknowledges that reducing emissions will have “broad positive impacts” to our neighboring communities, yet more needs to be done.
Through its commitment to using Columbia’s campus as a “Living Lab,” the Office of Sustainability already offers students several opportunities to integrate environmental justice into their personal, professional, and academic lives.
OoS will continue to partner with Columbia faculty to integrate environmental justice into academic programming. Certain undergraduate capstone projects serve as a compelling illustration of the seamless integration between environmental justice principles and academic coursework.
Workshop for Sustainable Development
In Fall of 2022, for example, Professor Joyce Klein-Rosenthal’s class successfully partnered with the Staten Island Coalition for Wetlands and Forests. A team of students collaborated closely with Graniteville residents to analyze the uneven distribution of ecological and human harm caused by the construction of a BJ’s store in the Graniteville Swamp and Forest. Opportunities like this not only allow students to learn about environmental justice in their academic work, but also give them the opportunity to practice EJ principles as they directly apply to the lived experiences of our neighboring communities.
OoS will also continue to partner with student organizations that are committed to upholding environmental justice in their organizational operations. Columbia University has a number of currently active environmental justice-oriented groups that are listed on this page.