By Camryn Louder, Student in the M.S. in Sustainability Science Program, School of Professional Studies
Dr. Yushu Xia is a Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory assistant research professor working in the Xia Soil Systems Lab. Xia’s research works to improve soil survey efforts using advanced modeling tools like remote sensing, field data, and spectroscopic measurements. The spring 2025 semester marked the debut of an agroecology course in the M.S. in Sustainability Science (SUSCI) program, introduced and taught by Xia. This addition reflects the program’s expanding curriculum to meet the urgent need for climate-smart, science-driven approaches to food and agriculture.
Michael Jordan, a student currently enrolled in the course, reflects on how students can shape the classroom experience with their diverse backgrounds. Jordan states, “Sometimes [Professor Xia] uses the history of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) as a reference to engage students and show that environmental policies and programs come from all across the United States and not just high-ranking stakeholders like government officials.” Many HBCUs across the nation began as 1890 Land-Grant Universities with a foundational connection to agriculture.
The course prepares students to apply principles of sustainability science to improved soil and agricultural management, addressing the growing need for better adoption of land-based natural climate solutions (NCS). The discussion of the technological aspects of NCS monitoring will help students working in the interdisciplinary fields of conservation and sustainable development. Understanding the skills necessary to evaluate the outcomes of sustainable land management practices will inform future management and policy-making decisions.
In this interview, Xia discusses the new course and shares her perspective on the current agricultural landscape in the face of global climate change.
How does your course, Agroecology: A Natural Climate Solution, help students understand how smart agricultural practices can support the fight against climate change?
Agroecology presents solutions that naturally counteract the impacts of global climate change by improving agricultural management through practices that enhance ecosystem services. By applying agroecological principles to the management of croplands, grasslands, and agroforestry systems, we can achieve multiple benefits, including increased carbon sequestration, improved ecosystem productivity and resilience, and greater environmental sustainability. In my class, Agroecology: A Natural Climate Solution, I explore agroecological principles, their application in agricultural management, and the resulting ecosystem outcomes.
To promote environmental sustainability and improve soil management, we need both a deeper understanding of carbon and nitrogen dynamics and the development of state-of-the-art tools for evaluating ecosystem service outcomes. In my class, I provide examples of how to design management practices using agroecological principles, incorporating data-driven decision support systems and models. My goal is to inspire students to think critically about how to make informed agricultural management decisions by integrating land conservation strategies with data modeling tools.
Can people with varying levels of knowledge about soil science still contribute to sustainable soil management practices? How does the program help prepare students to engage with this work?
People at all levels of expertise can contribute to sustainable soil management. Home gardeners and citizen scientists can engage in simple practices like composting and winter cover cropping to improve soil health on a small scale. Additionally, citizen science initiatives can help raise awareness and collect valuable data for larger-scale soil research.
Farmers and ranchers benefit from access to informed decision-making tools, which allow them to adopt conservation agriculture practices such as rotational grazing, no-till farming, and integrated nutrient and pest management.
Policymakers play a crucial role by leveraging scientific insights and real-world agricultural data to design incentives and regulations that promote sustainable land use on a broader scale. This multi-level involvement can facilitate a more resilient agricultural system that supports soil health and ecosystem resilience.
How would global agriculture look if sustainability principles were adopted on a larger scale?
If sustainable agriculture principles were adopted globally, farming practices would differ from the present day’s in a few ways. First, the focus would shift from high-input industrial farming toward practices that are more regenerative and resilient, like cover cropping, crop rotations, agroforestry, and the use of organic fertilizers. These methods would result in healthier soil and minimized reliance on synthetic inputs, which should be more sustainable for food production in the long run.
Advanced data-driven decision-making tools, including satellite-based remote sensing, drones, robotics, and AI-driven analytics, would be essential for optimizing resource use. For example, I think it is very important to improve the precision of nutrient management by matching nutrient availability with crop needs, which would lead to reduced environmental impact while maintaining healthy crop growth.
However, the widespread adoption of agroecological practices and precision agriculture would require carefully designed economic and policy incentives to ensure both sustainability and profitability. Governments must provide financial support, such as subsidies for regenerative practices and tax incentives for investing in precision farming technologies. Market mechanisms like carbon credits and sustainability certifications could encourage farmers to transition toward more resilient systems. Public and private investments in agricultural research, infrastructure, and education would also be essential to facilitate knowledge transfer and enable farmers to implement these changes effectively.
How does expertise in soil science and climate-smart agriculture strategies strengthen a professional’s career in sustainability science?
A strong foundation in soil science and agroecology is highly valuable in sustainability careers. This expertise is tied to a deep understanding of soil dynamics, including soil health, nutrient cycling, and environmental impacts. Such knowledge allows professionals to design effective regenerative agricultural practices. Additionally, soil science intersects with various fields like environmental policy, agribusiness, and climate science, making these professionals adaptable across different sectors. This versatility opens up diverse career paths, ranging from academia and consulting to business and policymaking, all contributing to key sustainability efforts. With industries and governments increasingly focused on climate resilience and sustainable resource management, these skills are in ever-growing demand.
About the Program
The Columbia University M.S. in Sustainability Science program, offered by the School of Professional Studies in partnership with the Climate School, prepares students for management and leadership positions in which they help organizations address environmental impacts. Students learn strategies to respond to the ever-changing environment and predict future environmental changes—and the impact on corporations, not-for-profits, and the public.
Designed by Research Faculty at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in collaboration with Columbia’s Earth Institute, the program develops a new generation of scientific leaders through a cutting-edge curriculum led by the world’s top sustainability scientists, the majority of whom are Lamont Research Professors. Graduates are well prepared for management and leadership positions, armed with the scientific expertise to drive meaningful environmental change and lead organizations in a rapidly evolving sustainability landscape. With the flexibility to choose from a variety of courses, students can tailor their education to career goals, while New York City serves as a living laboratory for sustainability innovations and connects them with employers actively seeking program graduates.
Learn more about the program here.
