At Climate Week New York City 2025, two themes resonated throughout Duke University’s presence: innovation and connections. Duke experts participated in nearly a dozen events across the week — connecting climate to finance, health, oceans, technology and more.

Dive into this story and video featuring Climate Pathfinder Lizzy Glazer, who is researching the sounds of animals like whales, dolphins and porpoises — and how monitoring their acoustics can help conservation efforts.

Two hurricanes and a global pandemic exposed a need to support coastal North Carolina youth struggling with upheaval in their lives. Harnessing lessons from nature, a team of Duke and North Carolina State University researchers, students and staff, North Carolina teachers and community partners created a school program that now guides kids across the state through turbulent times. Read the Nicholas Narratives story and also watch the WRAL coverage.

Mauricio Hernandez, Ty Roach, and Shannon Parker (with Toddi Steelman, second from right) of Duke are among eight inaugural Climate Tech Fellows honored by the NY Climate Exchange to participate in a tailored climate tech venture curriculum taught by industry experts. They each presented their work at Climate Week NYC.

The Office of the Provost and the Office of Climate and Sustainability (OCS) are soliciting internal proposals for the new Scholars for Climate and Advanced Leadership in Environment and Sustainability (SCALES) Postdoctoral Fellows Program, an initiative designed to accelerate interdisciplinary research and leadership in climate, environment and sustainability.

Interdisciplinary teams of faculty members are invited to propose research projects that address a significant research question in climate, environment or sustainability in alignment with the Duke Climate Commitment. Selected proposals will receive funding to support one postdoctoral fellow and research funds for up to three years. Drop-in office hours are available Oct. 15 from 12 to 1 p.m. Proposals are due Nov. 3. 

A new exhibit at the Rubenstein Arts Center at Duke University features a tree sculpture made of cardboard boxes collected on Duke’s campus. The Merx Tree, an installation by Colombian artist and engineer Miler Lagos, is on view through Nov. 25 at The Ruby. The boxes are stacked and carved to resemble the base of an ancient Ceiba tree, a sacred symbol in Mesoamerican and Amazonian cultures.

Sponsored by Duke Arts, the Office of Climate and Sustainability, Art,
Art History and Visual Studies, Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University, and the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS).

The Duke community gathered in September for the gallery opening of a new environmental photo exhibit at the Nicholas School of the Environment. The photo exhibit explores the intersection of art and the environment, and documents climate risk and resilience at Duke and beyond. Ten images were selected for the exhibition and are displayed in Hug Commons and Grainger Hall.

From a waste sorting competition, to planting on a living wall, and even more, students at Duke Kunshan University got a hands-on look at what sustainable living means during the school’s annual Sustainability Day in August.

Vice President and Vice Provost for Climate and Sustainability at Duke University Toddi Steelman is one of five recognized this year as a Forbes Local Leader in climate action. Learn more about Steelman and her fellow honorees. 

On Oct. 8, Duke’s newest Climate Leader in Residence, Jeff Hughes, will moderate a panel of industry leaders with unique perspectives on the challenges utilities face and how they might address those challenges. 

Join the Duke University School of Nursing on Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. in Pearson 1026 or virtually for a keynote by Jessica Castner, PhD, RN-BC, Duke Climate Leader in Residence. Dr. Castner's talk, “From Crisis to Catalyst: Community Health Nurses Leading the Climate and Health Response,” will explore the vital role nurses play in addressing climate-related health challenges.

Oct. 1 - Health Reform and Climate Change: A Duke Climate Collaboration Symposium

Oct. 2 - Into the Clear Blue Sky: Restoring Our Forests and Atmosphere 

Oct. 8 - The Role of Utilities in an Uncertain Future

Oct. 8 - Do True: Boundary Spanning to Impact in Climate and Health

Oct. 8 - The Case for Climate Optimism

Oct. 10 - Summit for Oceans Stewards with Jill Tiefenthaler of National Geographic

Oct. 22 - From Crisis to Catalyst: Community Health Nurses Leading the Climate and Health Response

Oct. 23 - Nicholas Institute 20th anniversary event

Oct. 29 - Climate Commitment Town Hall for Duke community

Nov. 3-7 - Energy Week at Duke