UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES EXTRAORDINARY SOLUTIONS. The Columbia Campaign for the Earth Institute

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1 UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES EXTRAORDINARY SOLUTIONS The Columbia Campaign for the Earth Institute

2 Over the past 100 years, the world s population has grown from less than two billion to nearly seven billion. More than a billion people live below the worldwide poverty line, subsisting on less than $1.25 a day. Close to 10 million children under the age of 5 die each year from preventable causes, and nearly 30 percent of the population of sub-saharan Africa alone is chronically undernourished. The concentration of climate-altering carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased almost 40 percent since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Destruction of coral reefs, rainforests and other critical ecosystems is putting the biodiversity of our planet at immediate risk. Bruce Gilbert UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES EXTRAORDINARY SOLUTIONS Tackling the world s complex challenges from extreme poverty to climate change requires an extraordinary level of commitment and cooperation among people throughout the world. The scientific ingenuity of the last century, which has helped improve the health and prosperity of people in many nations, must now be applied toward advancing the field of sustainable development, which emphasizes environmental protection and social and economic opportunity for all. Columbia University established the Earth Institute in 1996 with the bold vision to advance sustainable development on an unprecedented scale through: Breakthroughs in the earth sciences that improve fundamental understanding of the planet and mitigate the effects of human impacts Scientific innovations that help alleviate extreme poverty Engineering solutions that address issues related to climate change, food production and water scarcity The Earth Institute unites some of the world s brightest minds in areas from biology to business, breaks down traditional barriers among academic specialties, informs and motivates stakeholders ranging from policymakers to the general public, and implements innovative solutions grounded in science. The Columbia Campaign for the Earth Institute is a $200 million initiative that will enable the institution to fulfill its role as a global leader in sustainable development.

3 The Earth Institute advances the understanding of sustainable development challenges and solutions in nine interconnected areas: Water Energy Urbanization Hazards Global Health Poverty Food, Ecology and Nutrition Ecosystems Climate and Society A Powerful Combination of Intellectual Capital, Groundbreaking Research and Real-World Action Ed Stockard The Earth Institute is the world s leading academic center focused on sustainable development. Through our ability to provide systemic, breakthrough responses to Earth s challenges, we have earned a reputation as a mobilizing force for science education and public policy. Our unique approach to research and education creates opportunities for innovative, cross-disciplinary solutions and addresses our planet as an integrated whole. Pioneering Research The Earth Institute brings together more than 500 scientists, including some of the world s foremost experts in fields ranging from ecology and earth science to economics and environmental law. These exceptional scholars work in more than 30 Earth Institute research centers and programs, including world-renowned institutions such as the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and the NASA Goddard Institute of Space Studies. Educational Firsts The Earth Institute is the first institution in the United States to offer a doctoral program in sustainable development and one of the first to offer an undergraduate major in the field. Our specialized master s degree programs in conservation biology, development practice, sustainability management and climate and society serve as models for universities around the world that are working to incorporate sustainable development studies into their curricula. With these offerings, Columbia University is well poised to become an epicenter of sustainability education. From Theory to Action Integrating theory and practice in new and dynamic ways, Earth Institute scholars make a difference in the lives of others today and conduct research that informs future initiatives at Columbia and around the world. Our Millennium Villages project helps people in sub-saharan Africa lift themselves out of poverty, and its methods are spreading throughout the continent. In Everglades National Park, Earth Institute researchers are providing critical scientific expertise as part of the most ambitious ecosystem restoration project in U.S. history. Global Impact Our reach extends from the poorest farmers in Asia to the world s most influential policymakers. The proven effectiveness of our collaborative, multidisciplinary approach has attracted the attention of world leaders, corporations, foundations, individuals and the media. We advise national governments and the United Nations, build awareness of the importance of sustainable development, and inspire people worldwide to support our critical mission.

4 The Columbia Campaign for the Earth Institute No matter how great the challenges we face, human beings have the ability and the responsibility to solve them. The Earth Institute has embraced that responsibility with unparalleled passion, creativity and drive. Our goal is to preserve the vitality of our planet and its people. To do this, we require financial resources to sustain our mission and secure our future. That s why the Earth Institute has embarked on a comprehensive $200 million fundraising initiative as part of Columbia University s ambitious $4 billion campaign and why we are asking you to become a partner in our efforts. Many Hands. One Purpose. Campaign contributions help fund vital projects, ensure the long-term viability of the Earth Institute, and drive the sustainable development solutions of tomorrow. Your support will help us continue to attract the world s most visionary scientists and scholars, establish partnerships with leading organizations and institutions, construct state-of-the-art facilities, and carry out crucial lab- and field-based research. Campaign Priorities Endowment ($100 million) Endowment funds provide salaries and grants for professors and financial aid for researchers. They also support vital programs such as the Earth Institute Fellows Program, which recruits postdoctoral students who focus on exceptionally innovative, cross-disciplinary research. By endowing a professorship, you can help the Earth Institute attract distinguished professors to Columbia. Appointment to such a position is understood throughout the academic world as a confirmation of a professor s broad understanding of the field, important vision for the future, and exceptional ability to communicate that understanding and vision to others. Facilities ($40 million) We seek donors to support the construction of a state-of-the-art headquarters for the Earth Institute. This facility will feature best practices in sustainable architecture, space for collaborative research and public events, and advanced laboratories and classrooms. It will also provide opportunities to enhance partnerships with Columbia s School of International and Public Affairs, which will share the facility. Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Architects/Skidmore Owings & Merrill, Urban Designers Projects and Research ($60 million) Your support of our many projects and research initiatives helps us take visionary ideas into the field at locations around the world. For example, donations bolster the efforts of the Columbia Water Center in its landmark project to effect change in water use and supply in India, China, Africa and Brazil. Contributions also enable the Columbia Climate Center to continue educating policymakers and the public on strategies for mitigating and responding to climate change. Active Participation The Earth Institute encourages donors to become active participants in our work. Whether you fund a specific professor or project, we encourage you to sit in on a class or join students on a field-based research trip, to see firsthand the results of the experiments, surveys and interviews that your contribution supports. As a donor, we welcome you to attend special functions with professors, students and influential world leaders.

5 Our generation has the scientific and technological wherewithal not only to understand what underlies extreme poverty and environmental distress, but also to find practical solutions. We must use the abundant knowledge and resources at our disposal to create a safer, more prosperous and sustainable life for all the world s citizens. Jeffrey Sachs, Director, The Earth Institute, Columbia University Join Us For more information about giving to the Earth Institute, including a list of naming opportunities for endowed gifts, please contact: Teresa S. Karamanos Director, Funding Initiatives The Earth Institute, Columbia University 2910 Broadway MC 3277 New York, N.Y tk2326@columbia.edu