AI-Climate Institute
AI-CLIMATE (National AI Research Institute for Climate-Land Interactions, Mitigation, Adaptation, Tradeoffs and Economy) is one of seven National AI Research Institutes (NAIRIs) announced on May 4, 2023, under the Biden-Harris Responsible AI Initiative. The NAIRIs aim to catalyze collaborative efforts across institutions of higher education, federal agencies, industry, and others to pursue transformative AI advances that are ethical, trustworthy, responsible, and serve the public good.
These institutes will also bolster AI R&D infrastructure, support the development of a diverse AI workforce, and drive breakthroughs in critical areas, including climate, agriculture, energy, cybersecurity, and education. At AI-CLIMATE, we are combining knowledge from agriculture and forestry sciences with unique new methods in artificial intelligence (AI), working to curb the effects of climate change while also lifting rural economies.
Cornell University is one of six universities fostering the work of the AI-Climate Institute. Cornell Climate Smart Farming team members Allison Chatrchyan, Johannes Lehmann, and Candace Hulbert are collaborating with the AI-Climate Institute on research, education, public engagement, and extension to advance AI-technology in climate-smart agriculture and forestry.
Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Fellowship
The Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Fellowship (CAMF) is a peer-to-peer learning program that builds climate resilience across farms, forests and communities. CAMF is partnership USDA Northeast Climate Hub and Cornell University designed to empower farmers and agricultural advisors to gain and share knowledge and tools needed to be resilient in the face of climate uncertainty.
In 2024, members of the Cornell Climate Smart Farming team (Allison Chatrychan, Candace Hulbert, Kitty O’Neil, Lindsay Ferlito, and Janice Degni) will be helping to facilitate a Climate Adaption Fellowship for dairy farmers in New York, Vermont, and Maine. This program is for dairy producers who are thinking about climate change, interested in learning about climate impacts, and motivated to pursue climate adaptation and/or mitigation within their operation. This program is also for service providers who work with dairy farmers and are interested in strengthening their abilities to provide climate-focused support.
Applications for the 2024 Dairy CAF cohort are due December 31, 2023. If you are interested in participating, please fill out an application.
Cornell Climate Stewards Program
The Cornell Climate Stewards Program trains NYS residents on the science, impacts, and solutions to climate change – so that they can support municipalities taking part in NYS Climate Smart Communities – and helps residents plan and implement volunteer projects – related to climate change education, mitigation, and adaptation – in an effort to inspire and support community-based climate action.
The Cornell Climate Stewards Program was developed by researchers, Extension specialists, and students from Cornell University, NY Sea Grant, and Cornell Cooperative Extension through a rigorous three-year process involving many partners and funding from the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA), federal Extension Smith-Lever dollars, and a pilot grant from the NYS Energy Research Development Agency (NYSERDA).