Columbia Water Center Information

Our mission is to creatively tackle water challenges of a rapidly changing world where water and climate interact with food, energy, ecosystems and urbanization. Combining the rigor of scientific research with the impact of effective policy, the scientists working at CWC aim to design research-based, reliable, and sustainable models of water management and development that can be implemented on local, regional and global levels. The Columbia Water Center (CWC), in collaboration with other Earth Institute units and external partners, is leading intellectual inquiry into the assessment, understanding and resolution of the global crisis of freshwater scarcity. Five themes guide our work in 2017/2018: - America’s Water: America’s water security faces increasing pressures on multiple fronts. Through radical technical innovations and superior management of water systems, CWC provides global leadership in the design of 21st century cities and the structures and management of watercourses for the public good. - Data Science and Multi-Scale Predictions: Successful adaptation to climate change and variability requires an understanding of climate scenarios that accurately represent weather-related uncertainties. CWC researchers are leading innovation in developing novel data-based methods for risk prediction and assessment. Risk management strategists, corporate supply chain managers, and city and national planners tangibly benefit from these methods in their work. - The Columbia Global Floods Initiative: Today floods are the world’s most prevalent natural disaster and a major contributor to the average annual loss of life and property. CWC uses a comprehensive approach to minimize extreme flooding impacts by integrating short- to long-term climate forecasting, reservoir and operations design, and land use considerations. To mitigate the effects of extreme floods, CWC researchers are identifying supply-chain vulnerabilities, examining disaster preparedness and response, and creating new insurance and other financial instruments. - Risk and Financial Instruments: Supply chains depend on both resources and transportation that are subject to challenging conditions such as floods, droughts, earthquakes, and oil spills. CWC researchers are mapping supply-chain exposure pathways and environmental disaster clusters to identify impacts on different sections of the supply chains. Our researchers are developing novel regional financial risk management products to provide businesses, governments and other institutions with the necessary tools to mitigate supply-chain risks. - Water/Food/Energy Nexus: Food and energy production inextricably intertwine with water resources. The largest uses of freshwater are agricultural irrigation, energy extractions, and the thermal cooling of energy-producing power plants. CWC researchers study how the water, food, and energy sectors are interrelated and how climate affects this dynamic. These analyses help guide sustainable regional development, informing agriculture decisions based on water, soil, climate, and the proximity to major demand centers. In addition to research, the Water Center both sponsors a seminar series featuring talks on water-related issues, and develops educational opportunities, such as an internship program and water-related courses and certifications at Columbia.