Climate LIVE K12 is back! We are thrilled to announce the next season of our free online series, open to all learners curious about climate and sustainability issues.

From October to June, Columbia Climate School researchers and students will share expertise on topics ranging from climate justice, biodiversity systems, fashion and energy, to youth-focused climate solutions. Students in middle school, high school, undergrad and graduate school are invited, along with educators, lifelong learners and the general public.

The 2025-26 season of Climate LIVE will also highlight youth participation in the Green Mountains Programs at the Climate School, where participants will hear from program alumni already making an impact in climate.

Experts will discuss each topic in an accessible, interdisciplinary way through 30-minute live webinars, hosted on Zoom. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and share thoughts at the end of the session.

Mark your calendars now! Climate LIVE sessions are scheduled for the second Wednesday of the month, from 4-4:30pm ET. Dates are included in the session descriptions below, along with an RSVP link.

Sessions are free, but registration is required. Each session has a targeted age range, also indicated in the session description, but all are welcome to any event. Zoom links will be sent to registered participants prior to the start of the programming, and webinar recordings will be available afterward on the Climate School’s YouTube page. Explore this season’s topics below and RSVP today!

Exploring Biodiversity: Life on Land and in the Water

Recorded on Wednesday, October 8, 2025: 4:00–4:30pm ET

Presenters: Kierra Holowachuk, Lucia Macagno and Ines Saintemarie from Columbia University’s Biodiversity Club

Target Audience: Grades 6-12, Educators, Public

Columbia University’s Biodiversity Club presented an introduction to the wonders of biodiversity. Through stories of life on land and in water, students discovered how species interact, why they matter, and how caring for ecosystems can shape future opportunities. Watch the recording here!

Student learns about biodiversity in Vermont. Credit: Anna Marandi

When Collective Action Works: Revisiting the Montreal Protocol

Wednesday, November 12, 2025: 4:00–4:30pm ET

Presenter: Ben Baraga from the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment

Target Audience: Grades 6-12, Educators, Public

Join Ben Baraga from the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment as he recalls a time when international coalition-building brought the world back from the brink of global climate disaster…and how their success bodes well for our newest bout with global warming. RSVP here!

Inside College Life: Students’ Perspective on Sustainability

Wednesday, December 10, 2025: 4:00–4:30pm ET

Presenters: Lylia Saurel and Ashley Young from the Office of Undergraduate Programs at Columbia Climate School

Target Audience: HS Students, Teachers/Counselors, Public

Join Columbia University’s Office of Undergraduate Programs for an inside look at college life as a sustainability student. In this session, current sustainable development students will share firsthand experiences of applying to college, studying sustainability, and navigating the dynamic, interdisciplinary world of sustainable development. From field research to internships, discover how undergraduates are shaping real-world solutions and building careers that make a difference. RSVP here!

Students in a climate justice class. Credit: Paul Gallay

When Waters Rise: How Flash Flood Preparedness Strengthens Communities

Wednesday, January 14, 2026: 4:00–4:30pm ET

Presenter: Olivia Carey from the Green Mountains Programs at Columbia Climate School

Target Audience: MS, HS, Teachers/Counselors, Public

In this session, we’ll examine the devastating Texas floods of July 2025, which claimed the lives of 165 adults and children. Together, we’ll explore the science behind flash floods and how climate change is intensifying these extreme weather events. Participants will hear from a Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains Pre-College alumna who turned her concern into action. She will explain how to develop a community action plan that drives meaningful change in response to climate-related disasters. RSVP here!

Students attend the Green Mountains Program. Credit: Columbia Climate School

Fashion, Energy, and Climate Earth Network: The Secret Life of a Dress

Wednesday, February 11, 2026: 4:00–4:30pm ET

Presenter: Sally Qiu from the Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP)

Target Audience: HS, Undergrad, Teachers, Public

What happens before a dress lands on a store shelf, and after it leaves our closet? This session traces the journey of a single garment to reveal the global story behind what we wear—the energy it consumes, the people who make it and the waste it leaves behind. Learn how small actions and big ideas can help reimagine fashion’s future. RSVP here!

Credit: pexels

Voices for the Future: Climate Communication that Connects and Empowers

Wednesday, March 11, 2026: 4:00–4:30pm ET

Presenter: Francesco Fiondella from the Columbia Climate School

Target audience: HS, Undergrad, Teachers, Public

This session will explore the power of storytelling and the role of social media in shaping climate communication that mobilizes. We’ll explore how young people can use their voices to raise awareness and spark meaningful change in their communities and beyond. RSVP here!

Students connect at a university fair. Credit: Columbia Climate School

Careers for a Changing Climate: Starting Your Journey in Sustainability

Wednesday April 8th, 2026: 4-4:30pm ET

Presenter: Francesca Edralin from the London School of Economics and Political Science and formerly of the World Wildlife Fund

Target Audience: HS, Teachers, Public

From volunteering and local projects to internships and advocacy, there are many ways for young people to begin shaping a sustainable future and turn their passions into action. In this session, we’ll explore how K12 students can build meaningful experiences today that open doors to careers in conservation and climate action. RSVP here!

Students present their workshop projects in sustainable development. Credit: Lylia Saurel

The Heart of Climate Justice: A Just Transition Toward Collective Care

Wednesday, May 13, 2026: 4:00–4:30pm ET

Presenter: Samira Siddique, director of strategic initiatives at the Center for Earth Ethics and lecturer at the Columbia Climate School

Target Audience: Grades 6-12, Educators, Public

Join us for this session that explores how the pursuit of climate justice must also center human and ecological well-being, challenging extractive systems that harm both people and the planet. Drawing from global movements and lived experience, it asks what it means to build a future where justice is measured not only in emissions reductions, but in the depth of our care, the dignity of our relations, and the flourishing of life in all its forms. RSVP here!

The National Wildlife Federation’s Youth-focused Climate Solutions in Action

Wednesday, June 10, 2026: 4:00–4:30pm ET

Presenter: Abby Jordan, SIPA alumna (MPA-ESP) and climate education program manager at National Wildlife Federation

Target Audience: Grades 6-12, Educators, Public

The National Wildlife Federation has two climate education programs based in NYC and New York State working to engage the next generation in climate solutions. The Resilient Schools and Communities (RISC) program empowers middle and high school students through hands-on experiential learning in seasonal climate solution field trips where students help build nature-based solutions to mitigate coastal climate hazards, shoring up coastal resilience in Coney Island, Brooklyn. The Climate Resilience Education Task Force (CRETF) Youth Steering Committee (YSC) empowers New York State high-school students through a year-long climate education and civic engagement program, where students advocate at the state and local level for policy improvements dictating their climate education while learning and networking with experts in the climate sector. Join this session to learn best practices and adaptation potential from RISC and the CRETF YSC! RSVP here!

Youth gather at UNICEF climate week event. Courtesy of National Wildlife Federation

For more information about the Climate LIVE K12 series, please explore our K12 Events & Resources webpage. Sign up here for our mailing list to stay updated on new opportunities, or contact Laurel Zaima-Sheehy, assistant director of K12 & Continuing Education, with questions.

We also offer seven-week virtual Pre-College workshops, Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains Pre-College Summer Program and seven-week hybrid Professional Learning programs. We look forward to seeing you at a Climate LIVE K12 event this year!