With an interdisciplinary approach, this includes research in climate change, geology, global health, economics, management, agriculture, ecosystems, urbanization, energy, hazards, and water.
The center advances research focused on how climate change affects access to basic resources such as food, water, shelter and energy.
The center aims to design reliable, sustainable models of water management and development that can be implemented on local, regional and global levels.
[4] The center is divided into three main areas of research:[5] maintenance of the Hudson River and New York Harbor, finding solutions to use the water system without harming the ecosystems of the watershed, and maintaining the diverse estuary fisheries for commercial and recreational use.
The EEC aims to find solutions to achieve sustainable development of Earth's resources including water, energy, minerals, materials, and the environment at large.
[citation needed] Lenfest research areas include advanced fuel concepts, carbon sequestration, and small scale energy conversion systems (e.g., Fischer–Tropsch process).
[6] The Center for Sustainable Development is a research unit of The Earth Institute of Columbia University charged with managing social science activities.
The center collaborates with the faculty of the social science departments of Columbia University and is primarily focused on interdisciplinary research and policy application.
The Center for the Study of Science and Religion is a collaborative forum designed to examine the issues "lying at the boundary of scientific and religious ways of comprehending the world.
The center's work is based upon a theory of capitalism where entrepreneurs and financiers are the key actors and the discovery of viable ideas is the essential activity.
The Center for International Earth Science Information Network was established in 1989 as an independent NGO to research the interaction between man and the environment.
CIESIN provides a large amount of data and information about the Earth to meet the needs of both scientists and decision makers by means of education, consultation, and training.
[9] The IRI's mission is to enhance society's capability to understand, anticipate and manage the impacts of climate in order to improve human welfare and the environment, especially in developing countries.
(see Effects of global warming) The IRI conducts this mission through strategic and applied research, education, capacity building, and by providing forecasts and information products, with an emphasis on practical and verifiable utility and partnership.
The center's 20 affiliated faculty represent a broad range of disciplines including, public health, medicine, engineering, nursing, and The Earth Institute.
The Urban Design Lab is an interdisciplinary research unit of Columbia University’s Earth Institute in New York City.
CCSI conducts research, performs policy and advisory work, facilitates multi-stakeholder dialogues and teaches about issues related to sustainable investment.
The Columbia Electrochemical Energy Center (CEEC) at SEAS is using a multiscale approach to discover groundbreaking technology and accelerate commercialization.
CEEC joins faculty and researchers from across the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences who study electrochemical energy with interests ranging from electrons to devices to systems.
The Center for Earth Ethics at Union Theological Seminary (UTS) envisions a world where value is measured according to the sustained well-being of all people and our planet.
The center works to cultivate the public consciousness needed to make changes in policy and culture that will establish a new value system that is based on this vision of the world.