A journey through Columbia's new climate course

Ben Flanner of Brooklyn Grange Visits Our Class:

As a newcomer to the faculty at Columbia University, I've embarked on an exciting journey teaching a course I've developed, entitled "Smart Agriculture for a Changing Climate." This course serves as an introduction to the current global agricultural landscape, emphasizing the role of both low-tech and high-tech solutions in adapting to climate changes that pose a threat to crop production worldwide. It's been a fulfilling experience to engage with the 26 students enrolled, directing them toward discovering their interests across the broad spectrum of sustainable agriculture and technology. With the course reaching its midpoint tomorrow, I felt it was an opportune moment to share an update on our progress and the subjects we've delved into.

First, let me briefly share the premise of the course. Here is the course description from the syllabus:

Agriculture is at a pivotal point in addressing climate change, facing the dual challenge of being both a victim and a contributor to it. As other sectors reduce their carbon footprints, agriculture's emissions could rise without intervention. This sector must now embrace transformative actions, including regenerative practices and smart technologies, to adapt and mitigate climate impacts. This urgency was highlighted in global discussions, like at the COP28 meetings in the UAE, focusing on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA).

This course is tailored for future sustainability leaders, offering a deep dive into the intersection of climate change and agriculture. With climate change threatening to reduce global crop yields significantly, understanding and addressing these challenges is critical. The course explores CSA solutions, from AI and IoT to hydroponics and urban agriculture, emphasizing adaptive strategies for diverse environments. Students will analyze key agricultural regions and crops, assess real-world challenges, and discuss successful adaptation strategies.

The course demands analytical thinking and practical application of climate-smart solutions in assignments reflecting real-world challenges. Through this, students will enhance their ability to convert theory into actionable strategies, preparing them for roles in the $1+ trillion US agriculture sector or the global sustainable agriculture industry.

What is climate smart agriculture? What are we investigating in the course?

Over the first five weeks, we've concentrated on the fundamental principles and technological advances relevant to climate-smart agriculture and food security. Our exploration has ranged from the meanings of climate-smart agriculture and food security to specific areas such as urban agriculture, controlled environment agriculture, precision agriculture, regenerative agriculture, and agrivoltaics. To add depth and practical insight to these topics, I invited some leading figures in AgTech from my network to deliver guest lectures.

Expert Guest Lectures

• Christine Gould: A vanguard in the fusion of technology and agriculture, Christine shared insights from low-tech biochar methods to cutting-edge alternatives in meat production. She emphasized agriculture's potential for digitization and innovation, highlighting the current underutilization of technology. Central to her message was the acronym "WTF" – "Where's the Farmer?" – underscoring the necessity of centering farmers in the innovation process.

• Ben Flanner: The CEO of Brooklyn Grange, an icon in urban farming, discussed the realities of cultivating crops atop city buildings. He highlighted diverse funding streams, including green infrastructure grants and event hosting, as essential for urban farming's growth. His practical insights offered a grounded perspective on the innovative adaptations needed for success in urban agriculture.

• Felipe Villela: Formerly of reNature and now with The Landbanking Group, Felipe brought a global view of regenerative agriculture from Brazil. His lecture focused on enhancing biodiversity, soil health, and ecosystem services, while addressing financial challenges in supporting widespread adoption.

• Allison Kopf: In her session, Allison discussed AI and IoT in agriculture, detailing how IUNU integrates these technologies to optimize farming. She highlighted the hurdles in technology adoption and her transition to Tract in the Netherlands, where she now focuses on sustainability analysis.

• Aaron Magenheim: From AgTech Insight, Aaron shared his skepticism about the hype around climate-smart agriculture and certifications. His lecture emphasized practical irrigation strategies and resource management based on real-world experiences.

Each guest speaker brought unique perspectives, enriching the curriculum with their expertise. These sessions broadened the students' understanding of the multifaceted challenges and opportunities in sustainable agriculture.

What comes Next

Before moving to a virtual global tour covering climate change's impacts on agriculture across six continents, students were asked to share reactions to their readings. Here are some of their insights:

• Lucía Ávila Martín del Campo: Developed nations must support developing countries in climate adaptation, creating a resilient global food system that benefits all.

• Taylor Cohen: Urban food forests offer environmental, health, and social benefits but require more research to assess their role in climate-smart solutions.

• Akshay Malhotra: Bamboo biochar can significantly improve soil health and resilience, aiding sustainable agriculture.

This article is also published on the author's blog. illuminem Voices is a democratic space presenting the thoughts and opinions of leading Sustainability & Energy writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of illuminem.