Facing escalating climate threats, Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health launched C-ARCH. The “solutions lab” will drive global research, forge partnerships, and develop strategies to combat climate change’s health impacts, prioritising vulnerable communities and practical resilience
In a decisive move to address the escalating health threats posed by climate change, Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health has unveiled the Center for Achieving Resilience in Climate and Health (C-ARCH). This new “solutions lab” will serve as a hub for groundbreaking research, collaborative partnerships, and innovative strategies aimed at mitigating the detrimental health impacts of a rapidly changing climate
The launch comes at a critical juncture, with recent reports indicating that 2024 marked the first year global temperatures consistently exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, underscoring the urgency of immediate action.
Building resilience through rigorous research and global partnerships
C-ARCH’s mission is to bridge the gap between scientific understanding and practical solutions. The center will bring together a team of leading climate and health scientists to conduct rigorous research, identifying the specific pathways through which climate extremes harm human health.
This research will inform the design, deployment, and evaluation of evidence-based interventions, ranging from improved early warning systems for heatwaves to drought-resistant crops for enhanced food security. Furthermore, C-ARCH will prioritise collaboration with governments and communities worldwide, tailoring solutions to meet the unique needs of diverse populations.
“There is overwhelming evidence to support the reality of climate change and its many deleterious effects on human health, direct and indirect,” stated Kiros Berhane, PhD, co-lead of C-ARCH. “What is far from clear is how can societies most effectively safeguard and ultimately improve health in the face of climate change. C-ARCH is interested in practical solutions. We will be identifying specific ways to build resilience even as climate change intensifies and our understanding of what the coming years may bring.”
Columbia Mailman’s legacy in climate and health
C-ARCH builds upon Columbia Mailman’s extensive two-decade legacy in climate and health research. The school has been at the forefront of documenting the links between climate change and a wide range of health outcomes, including extreme weather events, food insecurity, wildfire smoke exposure, and mental health impacts.
Columbia Mailman researchers have also pioneered solutions such as low-emissions stoves and controlled burning techniques to mitigate wildfire risks, and have provided crucial evidence on the health benefits of transitioning to low-emission transportation.
Notably, Columbia Mailman was the first U.S. school of public health to establish a climate and health program in 2008. The school further solidified its leadership by launching the Global Center for Climate and Health Education (GCCHE) in 2017 and the NIH-funded CHART (Climate and Health: Action and Research for Transformational Change) in 2024, demonstrating a sustained commitment to advancing climate and health research and education.
Focusing on key research areas and collaborative initiatives
C-ARCH will initially focus on several key research areas, including uncovering the causal pathways linking climate stressors to health, addressing the behavioural, mental health, and worker productivity impacts of climate change, and leveraging AI and advanced data science tools to develop innovative solutions. The center will also prioritise expanding its global reach, particularly in low-income countries where climate impacts are most severe and adaptive capacity is limited.
“We envision a world where every community—regardless of location or wealth—thrives in the face of a changing climate,” said Darby Jack, PhD, co-lead of C-ARCH. “Through rigorous research and long-term partnerships, C-ARCH will help build a future where the health impacts of climate change are understood and overcome. We will prioritise marginalised communities who bear the brunt of climate impacts and are at the forefront of resilience efforts.”
To foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, C-ARCH will launch a series of core activities this year, including a seminar series, a pilot grants program, and monthly faculty convenings. These initiatives will bring together experts from across Columbia Mailman, CHART, GCCHE, the Columbia Climate School, and other institutions to accelerate progress in climate and health research and action.
“By combining cutting-edge science with deep community engagement, we aim to not only understand the health impacts of climate change but also to equip policymakers and communities with the tools they need to build a healthier, more resilient future,” Berhane concluded.
