Join Cornell's Climate Action Month this November, a call to build community and generate action on climate change. Engage in critical conversations and educational events across campus, hosted by university departments and student organizations.

To start, check out Cornell's Climate Action Plan, our overarching plan for achieving carbon neutrality in campus operations and discover ways students, staff, and faculty can take action within our community. 

HOW TO HOST AN EVENT
Events for Climate Action Month can be hosted by anyone. Simply create an event and follow the instructions below to have your program featured in campus-wide publicity. 

• Post your event in the Cornell Events Calendar
  • Events hosted from mid-October through mid-December will be included
• Tag "Sustainability" under Departments and as a University Focus Area. Use Ctrl button to choose multiple departments.

Events can be submitted anytime before and throughout November. Submit your event by October 30th to be considered for inclusion in our initial campus-wide promotions. 

Featured Event

Cornell Energy Connection
Friday, November 21,2025 · 10:00am - 4:30pm
Verizon Center, Cornell Tech, NYC
One-day event in NYC- to engage with professionals and influencers across the energy landscape on emergent trends and challenges facing the industry. This is a great opportunity for both undergraduate and postgraduate students interested in energy, finance, climate tech, or sustainability to engage directly with industry experts. Register now for early bird pricing and to reserve a seat on the Cornell student charter bus!

Lectures & Seminars

Climate Impact Speaker: James Balog (Visionary Environmental Photographer) | Registration Required: In Person | Livestream
Thursday, October 30, 2025 · 5:00 p.m.
121 Atkinson Hall
Balog invites us to confront the human story within the Anthropocene and consider how creativity can illuminate paths toward environmental sustainability.

Less for More: Collective Visions for a Climate Conscious Future
Sunday, November 2, 2025
E. Sibley Hall, Room 140
A discussion on reimagining design, policy, and community planning for a climate-conscious future.

ENVS 4941: Sustainability in Athletics (Hybrid)
Monday, November 3, 2025 · 2:55–4:10 p.m.
Warren Hall, B02
A seminar exploring sustainability strategies and challenges within collegiate athletics programs.

MAE Colloquium: Scott Schiffres, M.Eng. ’07 (Binghamton)
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 · 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Kimball Hall, B11
Advances in energy systems and mechanical engineering innovation from a Cornell alum researcher.

Cornell Soft Matter Discussions
Weekly · Wednesdays, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Olin Hall 128 (lunch provided)
A cross-disciplinary seminar series exploring innovations in functional materials, recyclable plastics, and living systems.

Jeff Chusid: The World Through a Preservation Lens
Friday, November 21, 2025 12:20pm
Abby and Howard Milstein Auditorium · 12:20 p.m. EST
Cornell architecture professor Jeff Chusid explores how preservation and design intersect to sustain cultural heritage and the built environment.

Campus & Community Activities

Mindful Botany Walk
Friday, October 24, 2025 · 12:00 p.m.
Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center
A guided walk through Cornell Botanic Gardens exploring mindfulness and our connection with nature.

Guided Nature Walk with Nature Rx + Big Red Barn Wellness
Fridays, October 24 – December 5, 2025 · 3:30 p.m.
Big Red Barn
A recurring wellness walk series promoting reflection, balance, and connection to the natural environment.

Falling for the Arboretum (Family Program)
Saturday, October 25, 2025 · 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Cornell Botanic Gardens Arboretum
A hands-on fall exploration event for families celebrating seasonal change, trees, and local wildlife.

Bokashi Composting Class ($)
Saturday, November 15, 2025, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE -Tompkins Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, NY 14850-3555
This Japanese composting technique involves natural fermentation and offers a way for people to manage food scraps. The liquid produced can be used to water houseplants while the food scraps are pre-digested, and can then be composted or buried in the soil to finish. Join local bokashi enthusiasts to learn about the practice and go home with your own bokashi starter kit.
Register online through the link below, or by calling (607) 272-2292, .

Film & Special Screenings

Special Event Screening: “CHASING TIME” (2024)
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
A Cornell Cinema special screening of the award-winning environmental documentary exploring time, change, and climate.

Exhibits

“From the Brink” Exhibit Series
Thursday, November 6 – Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Cornell University Library (multiple locations)
A series of exhibits titled From the Brink: Contributions to a Sustainable Future from across Cornell, hosted across campus libraries in collaboration with departments and student groups.

The series includes: 

Hello Human! The Emerging Science of Plant Communication & Smart Agriculture
Mann Library | November 2025 – March 2026

Music of the Natural World: Music in Responses to Climate Change, Pollution & Threats of Extinction
Music Library | February –August 2026

Last Call: Bird Decline & the Threat of Extinction
Mann Library  | April – December 2026

Weathering the Storm: The Role of Labor in an Era of Climate Change
Kheel Center | September 2026 – April 2027

Languages At the Brink: Threatened Languages & How We Protect Them
Kroch Library | October 2026 –April 2027