Columbia Students Continue Climate Engagement Despite Program Cut
Global · Published May 14, 2026
Columbia College Chicago's environmental and sustainability studies program was discontinued in 2024 due to low enrollment, leaving students to explore climate-related topics through individual courses rather than a formal major.
Faculty members, such as Professor Elizabeth Davis-Berg, emphasize that while the program's elimination has shifted the structure of climate education, students still have access to relevant courses.
The program's teach-out phase ensures that most classes remain available, except for specialized capstone and methods courses.

Why It's Important?

The discontinuation of the environmental and sustainability studies program may reduce structured opportunities for students to deeply engage with climate science. However, individual courses and campus initiatives provide alternative avenues for learning and action. Students are increasingly aware of the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events and temperature fluctuations, which are expected to affect regions like the West and South of the U.S. from April through July. The lack of a formal program could make climate education more dependent on personal interest, potentially limiting broader student participation in sustainability efforts.

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