Food in a Changing Climate: UNESCO & Italian Cooking; Waste; Sustainability

Schedule

Fri Oct 09 2026 at 05:30 pm to 06:30 pm

UTC-04:00
Location

Italian Academy | New York, NY

Advertisement
The Value of Food in a Changing Climate: From the UNESCO Recognition of Italian Cooking to Food Waste Prevention and Sustainable Food System
About this Event

Title: The Value of Food in a Changing Climate: UNESCO & Italian Cooking; Waste Prevention; Sustainable Systems

A fireside chat between Andrea Segrè and Michael J. Puma, co-sponsored by the Food for Humanity Initiative at Columbia Climate School.

Welcoming Remarks:
Barbara Faedda, Interim Director, Italian Academy, Columbia University

Speakers:
Andrea Segrè, Professor of Circular Economy and Sustainable Development Policies, University of Bologna
Michael J. Puma, Director of the Center for Climate Systems Research and Professor of Climate, Columbia Climate School, Columbia University

ABOUT THE EVENT

Starting from the recent UNESCO recognition of Italian cooking as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, the conversation will explore how food culture can become a driver of sustainability, circular economy, and climate responsibility.

Food is one of the most powerful lenses through which to understand the climate crisis: it connects land, water, energy, agriculture, transport, consumption, waste and social justice.

In a world marked by global warming, geopolitical instability and growing food insecurity, preventing food waste is not only an environmental priority, but also a concrete way to reduce emissions, protect resources and build more resilient food systems.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Andrea Segrè (links: https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/andrea.segre and https://www.andreasegre.it) is Professor of Circular Economy and Sustainable Development Policies, Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna. He is the scientific director of Waste Watcher International Observatory – Spreco Zero Campaign, founder of Last Minute Market (an academic spin-off of the University of Bologna), special advisor to the Mayor of Bologna for Urban and Metropolitan Food Policies, and president of the Fondazione Casa Artusi.

Michael J. Puma is Professor of Climate and Director, Center for Climate Systems Research, Columbia Climate School, Columbia University as well as Interim Director, Food for Humanity Initiative.

CO-SPONSORS

Lead co-sponsor: Food for Humanity Initiative at Columbia Climate School
With: Columbia Climate School’s Office of Engagement and Impact

Registration does not guarantee a seat. Check-in for registrants begins 30 minutes before the event. (Any open spots are offered to the stand-by line 10 minutes before the event).
This event is in-person only; there will be no video recording for publication.

Image courtesy of Casa Artusi

Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Italian Academy, 1161 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 0.00

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
The Italian Academy of Columbia University
Host or PublisherThe Italian Academy of Columbia University

Ask AI if this event suits you