During my five years teaching a short course to an elite group of high school students, I emphasized the power of opposites. That is, learning is facilitated in the social sciences and unsettled physical sciences by understanding each side of the debate. And not at a shallow level but in-depth. One exercize is like in debate–be able to debate each side of the issue.
I thought of this when I received this email from Grist under the byline: “Ready to drive climate solutions for the future? Start here.,” Grist then shared this invitation from Alfred Ayoub, Senior Director of Admissions, Columbia Climate School
In a world facing urgent climate, ecological, and societal challenges, Columbia University launched its first new school in 25 years: the Columbia Climate School. Created to break down silos and accelerate innovation, we’re dedicated to preparing the next generation of climate leaders through applied, interdisciplinary programs.
Columbia Climate School empowers you to transform climate concern into real-world impact. Our master’s programs, including the MS in Climate Finance, MS in Climate, and MA in Climate and Society, blend academic excellence with hands-on, interdisciplinary learning. You’ll join a global network that advances innovative solutions and strengthens partnerships to tackle today’s most pressing challenges.
Located in New York City, the School brings together world-class faculty from across Columbia’s renowned centers, including Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. Here, you’ll have opportunities for hands-on learning, collaborate with experts, and engage in a vibrant community committed to climate action. Gain the knowledge, experience, and network to lead the climate transition and help shape a just, sustainable future.
The note ends with “Are you ready to make a difference? Apply today.“
Questions
Columbia University in New York City has a reputation of being hostile to a free market, classical liberal view of the world. On energy and climate, the fix has been in since the beginning. Climate alarm. Climate action. Wind, solar, and batteries. And global government central planning to address the global “problem.”
Am I wrong? I challenge anyone to alert me to any faculty member whose publications and teachings are on the other side. Or tell me/us about a debate series on campus on the key issues. After all, climate mitigation policy has failed. The Paris Accord of 2015 (called by James Hansen, formerly with Columbia, “a fraud really, a fake…. just worthless words” is unsalvable. Little doubt that the parties at COP31 will put on a happy face because the Climate-dependents cannot say, “we lost. Move on.” The parasite class needs paychecks, and that requires alarm and continued activism. [1]
[1] One can wonder if this failure was behind the suicide of climate activist Joe Romm, whose decades of alarm and spite toward his opponents went for naught. (Elsewhere, I made a case that Romm’s personality and antics were hurting, not helping, his cause.)