Welcome
Mission
The mission of the Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy (LCSE) is to develop innovative technologies to ensure a sufficient supply of environmentally sustainable energy for all humanity. To meet this goal, LCSE supports research programs in energy science, engineering and policy across Columbia University to develop technical and policy solutions that will satisfy the world’s future energy needs without threatening to destabilize the world’s natural systems.
LCSE focuses primarily on the three energy sources sufficient to support the world’s projected population in 2100 without increased carbon emissions: solar energy, nuclear power, and fossil fuels used in combination with carbon capture and storage. Although each of these options has the theoretical potential to satisfy global demand, they face a combination of technological and institutional obstacles that require research and development before they can be further expanded and employed at their full capacity.
Learn more about carbon capture and storage, and the Earth Institute's research through an animated video here.
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Links
Positive Feedback USA : an innovative, inter-institutional initiative aimed at encouraging collaboration between artists and scientists on climate related research and issues
Earth Institute: the encompassing center of sustainable development at Columbia University, of which the Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy is a part.
News & Events
Upcoming PositiveFeedback Event, February 12th, 2012: Artist/Scientist Mixer
Find out more about our next event fostering relationships between artists and scientists here!
December 5th, 2011: Klaus Lackner on ABC News
Why the World Meteorological Organization calls carbon capture "one hope."
PositiveFeedback event, December 1st, 2011: Art/Science Dating Game
What brings scientists and artists together on climate change? More information on this event made possible by the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center and Parsons The New School for Design on PositiveFeedback.
PositiveFeedback event, November 7th, 2011: Klaus & Klaus
Geophysicist and LCSE Director Klaus Lackner joined artist Klaus Schafler for a Climate Manipulation Station event presented by the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center at Parsons The New School for Design.
October 27th, 2011: The Future of Carbon Capture
Sponsored by EcoGreen Connect: Green in the City, Hogan Lovells is hosting a panel on "The Future of Carbon Capture Technology" featuring Professor Lackner.
October 26th, 2011: Artificial Trees: Giving Us the Time to Act?
Hosted by the Institution for Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) in London, Dr. Tim Fox and Professor Klaus Lackner discuss and give a live demonstration of air capture technology. Tune in!
October 25th, 2011: Air Capture Summit
The IMechE hosted with LCSE an Air Capture Summit, featuring a live demonstration of air capture technology by Lackner and Wright.
October 18th, 2011: State of the Planet Blog
Derek Sylvan's piece on Lackner's artificial trees is now on State of the Planet.
August 25th, 2011: Lackner & Wright on NatGeo
Check out the clip from NatGeo's "Earth Overhaul."
August 4th, 2011: Lackner interviewed by Allianz
Lackner discusses air capture on Allianz Knowledge Site.
July 31st, 2011: Lackner and Wright on EnergyNOW!
Klaus Lackner and Allen Wright describe their air capture technology and closing the carbon loop on ABC's EnergyNOW.
June 9th, 2011: Klaus Lackner on Academic Minute
Klaus Lackner discusses the imperative for air capture on WAMC's Academic Minute.
May 11th, 2011: Klaus Lackner on APS Study
Read Klaus Lackner's response to the APS study in Nature.
April 28th, 2011: Klaus Lackner on Reuters
Klaus Lackner and Allen Wright speak and demonstrate air capture technology on Reuters TV.
April 22nd, 2011 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm: The Civilians' The Great Immensity (Excerpts)
An Earth Day showing of The Civilians' The Great Immensity, a play exploring climate change issues. A discussion followed the play, moderated by Lenfest Center Assistant Director Lisa Phillips. This event was presented with support from PositiveFeedback, the Center for Creative Research at NYU, and the CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities. For more information, visit the website.
April 14 & April 15, 2011: Capture and Conversion of CO2 into Sustainable Hydrocarbon Fuels
The Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy and the Risø National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy, DTU in Denmark hosted this workshop focused on current CO2 capture and conversion technologies held in Roskilde, Denmark. A program of events is available here.
For more information, please visit the workshop's website.
April 11, 2011 from 6:00-7:00: Cafe Science: Towards Sustainable Energy: Carbon Capture and Storage
Assistant Professor Alissa Park spoke at Cafe Science from 6-7 pm on April 11th. The discussions are held at the Picnic Market Cafe at 2665 Broadway between 101 and 102. No RSVP necessary, but seating is first come, first served. For more information, visit the event website.
March 1, 2011: Klaus Lackner on OnEarth's LISTEN: What Can We Do with All That CO2?
Listen here to Lenfest Center Director Klaus Lackner discuss why carbon capture and storage (CCS) is necessary in today's world with Climate Central and OnEarth magazine.
February 2, 2011 from 4:00-5:30 pm: The Evolution of UK Policy on CCS and Air Capture
The Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy in collaboration with Columbia Law School's Center for Climate Change Law and Columbia Climate Center welcomed Dr. Tim Fox of the Institution for Mechanical Engineers to speak on "The Evolution of UK Policy on CCS and Air Capture" in Lerner Hall. To view the presentation, click here.
January 5, 2011: Klaus Lackner & Allen Wright on Innovation Nation
Check out Klaus Lackner and Allen Wright demonstrate air capture technology on Innovation Nation TV.
September 29, 2010: Klaus Lackner at Stony Brook
View Klaus Lackner's full Provost Lecture at Stony Brook on "CO2 Capture from Air."