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. 
  • Sunrise Columbia/Barnard is a chapter of the greater national Sunrise Movement to combat climate change. Learn more. 

Explore the sustainability related student groups offered at Columbia as well! 

Student Climate Action Grant 

This spring, ambitious proposals from students were awarded funding to support projects relating to climate action on campus. Awarded projects include: a site specific performance at Black Rock Forest, a regular CSA potluck, new planter beds for the Barnard Community Garden, and more. 

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 

Search for the Facebook group, Barnard Buy Sell Trade, where students sell and exchange items such as clothes, books, and dorm goods. Great opportunity to buy used right on campus! 

Sustainability Guide 2019; distributed to incoming freshman during NSOP