Barnard College Barnard College
Sustainability & Climate Action

Student Opportunities

Barnard students teach environmental education in elementary schools with Sprout Up
Barnard students teach environmental education in elementary schools with Sprout Up 

On Campus Opportunities

Get involved with student groups on campus and engage with sustainability and climate action through research, education, activism, or volunteering.

  • SGA Committee on Sustainability works with students and administrators in developing policies and building infrastructure to increase campus sustainability, including energy consumption, waste reduction, and water conservation. Learn more. 
  • Sprout Up NYC provides college student-led environmental education to public elementary schools across the city. Become a Sprout Up educator and help inspire young students with an appreciation for nature. Contact the Columbia chapter at directorcu@sproutup.org or learn more. Cover of 2019 Sustainability guide
  • The Barnard Community Garden launched in the summer of 2018, and consists of a small raised bed in the quad. We are currently expanding the garden, so if you are interested in gardening, food justice, or managing outdoor spaces on campus, reach out to the garden at BarnardGarden@gmail.com to get involved. 
  • The Barnard Outdoor Adventure Team is a student-led group that embarks on hikes and overnights in the wilderness of New York state. Learn more or reach out to them at barnardboat@gmail.com. 
  • The Athena Fellows Program is a great opportunity to imagine and launch your own climate action project

Explore the new Columbia Climate School and sustainability related student groups offered at Columbia as well! 

Student Activism 

  • Sunrise Columbia/Barnard is a chapter of the greater national Sunrise Movement to combat climate change. Learn more. 
  • Extinction Rebellion Columbia is an affinity group of Extinction Rebellion NYC whose aim is to compel world's governments to address the climate and ecological emergency. Learn more.

Student Climate Action Grant 

In the fall of 2019 we launched our Student Climate Action Grant program. Ambitious proposals from students were awarded funding to support projects relating to climate action on campus. Check back for updates on our next application period.

2019 Recipients:

  • Emma Palmer ’20 and Grace Palmer ’20 received $1,500 to create an interdisciplinary, site-specific performance at Black Rock Forest
  • SGA Sustainability Committee members Maggie Pahl ’20, Isabel Ocampo ’22, and Linda Chen ’23 received $350 to host a campus CSA potluck
  • Barnard Garden Club leader Natasha Reich ’21 received just over $1,000 to install new planter beds on the Milstein Garden Terrace
  • Isabel Kovacs ’20, Molly Shapiro ’20, and Wanja Waweru CC’20 received $660 to support Sprout Up
  • Rachel Gates ’20 and Anabella Barocas ’23, members of the SGA Sustainability Committee, received $400 to host a public talk by Jennie Romer 
  • Rachel Gates ’20 also received $250 to help the College create and manage Zero Waste Party Packs

Read more about the projects here. Due to the rapid closing of the campus due to COVID-19, several of these projects were canceled or put on hold.

Off Campus Opportunities 

Use Beyond Barnard to find off-campus internships and opportunities related to the fields of environment and climate justice. Examples include: 

  • Harlem Grown is a local non-profit aimed at educating youth about food justice and healthy living. 
  • Climate Museum is a new museum that uses science, art, and design to evoke dialogue and innovation surrounding the challenges of climate change. 
  • We ACT is a local non-profit based in Harlem that expands political participation in communities of color to impact environmental decision making. 
    Barnard students work at Harlem Grown
    Barnard students working at Harlem Grown
  • Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory is a center at Columbia for research into the origin, evolution, and future of the natural world. 
  • 412 Food Rescue partners with food retailers non-profits to aid those experiencing food insecurity. 
  • Fossil Free Indexes analyzes carbon emissions data in order to support the transition to a low carbon economy through responsible investing. 

Other Helpful Resources 

Check out Rheaply, our free exchange platform! A great opportunity to practice reuse on campus! 

Sustainability Guide 2021; distributed to incoming first year students during NSOP, but great for everyone!