New York University has launched the NYU Earth Systems Institute, a multidisciplinary research hub that will use artificial intelligence and computational tools to predict environmental changes and develop solutions to strengthen global food, water, and energy systems. The institute brings together researchers from mathematics, engineering, environmental science, and policy to tackle climate challenges through a unified approach.

What Problem Is the Institute Trying to Solve?

Climate change affects nearly every aspect of human life, from the food we grow to the power grids that keep our cities running. Traditional climate models rely heavily on physics-based simulations, which are accurate but computationally slow. The Earth Systems Institute aims to bridge this gap by combining the reliability of physics with the speed of artificial intelligence, creating what researchers call "smart models" that can forecast future conditions more quickly and accurately than existing methods.

The institute recognizes that understanding climate requires expertise across multiple disciplines. Environmental changes don't happen in isolation; they ripple through food systems, infrastructure networks, and water supplies. By bringing together dozens of researchers from different fields, NYU is positioning itself to develop solutions that address these interconnected challenges.

"Understanding and addressing the rapidly changing nature of environmental forces that affect Earth require both innovative and precise measures. By drawing from AI, engineering, and natural science, the NYU Earth Systems Institute will improve projections of Earth's weather and climate and the conditions our infrastructure will face, while developing measures to strengthen our food, water, and energy systems," said Laure Zanna, Joseph B. Keller and Herbert B. Keller Professor of Applied Mathematics at NYU's Courant Institute School of Mathematics, Computing, and Data Science, who will lead the institute.

Laure Zanna, Joseph B. Keller and Herbert B. Keller Professor of Applied Mathematics at NYU's Courant Institute School of Mathematics, Computing, and Data Science

How Will the Institute Combine AI With Climate Science?

The Earth Systems Institute will focus on four major research areas that leverage AI and computational science to address climate challenges:

• AI-Powered Earth System Models: Researchers are developing next-generation models that combine physics-based reliability with AI speed to create highly accurate virtual replicas of Earth's climate system, exemplified by projects like M²LInES and its AI ocean emulator.
• Food and Land Systems: Scientists are expanding global research efforts and creating novel AI tools to study how food production and land use intersect with environmental change, aiming to secure global food supplies in a shifting climate.
• Infrastructure Resilience: Engineers are combining foundational physics with data-driven, hybrid models to optimize how power grids, water networks, and transportation systems integrate low-carbon technologies and maintain resilience across different geographic regions.
• Open-Source Climate Intelligence: Faculty will expand existing open-source data and AI-powered predictive models to provide real-time insights for decision-makers working on global risk mitigation and adaptation.

This approach reflects a broader shift in climate science toward interdisciplinary collaboration. Rather than treating climate, food security, and energy infrastructure as separate problems, the institute recognizes that solving one requires understanding all three.

"Environmental changes require a comprehensive approach, and that is exactly what we are doing at NYU through the launch of the Earth Systems Institute. Using innovative mathematical methods, advanced computation tools, artificial intelligence, and the wisdom and expertise of faculty across our vast network of schools, NYU will not only be able to better understand and predict climate phenomena, but will also work on the solutions necessary to support humanity in our ever-changing planet," said Juan de Pablo, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Executive Vice President for Global Science and Technology and executive dean of the Tandon School.

Juan de Pablo, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Executive Vice President for Global Science and Technology and executive dean of the Tandon School

Who Is Leading This Effort?

The institute is led by Laure Zanna, a professor of applied mathematics at NYU's Courant Institute School of Mathematics, Computing, and Data Science. She is joined by co-deputy directors Miguel Modestino, Donald F. Othmer Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at NYU's Tandon School of Engineering, and Sonali McDermid, Associate Professor and chair of NYU's Department of Environmental Studies. McDermid has studied climate impacts on food and water security and has served as the climate co-lead for the Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project, bringing expertise in how climate change affects global food systems.

"Bringing tools like artificial intelligence together with the power of engineering solutions will go a long way toward NYU being a leader in the fight against environmental changes. Computational science will serve as the backbone for policy changes and protections," noted Miguel Modestino, director of the Tandon School's Sustainable Engineering Initiative.

Miguel Modestino, Donald F. Othmer Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at NYU's Tandon School of Engineering

Why Does This Matter Now?

The launch of the Earth Systems Institute comes at a critical moment. Climate impacts are accelerating, and traditional approaches to understanding and responding to environmental change are proving insufficient. AI offers a way to process vast amounts of climate data, identify patterns, and generate predictions faster than conventional methods. However, AI alone is not the answer; it must be grounded in rigorous physics and informed by expertise in policy, agriculture, and engineering.

The institute also reflects NYU's broader commitment to science and technology research. It joins other recent initiatives, including the Courant Institute School of Mathematics, Computing, and Data Science, the Quantum Institute, the Institute for Engineering Health, the Urban Institute, the Center for Robotics and Embodied Intelligence, and the Center for Responsible Artificial Intelligence. These efforts position NYU as a major hub for addressing some of humanity's most pressing challenges.

"Armed with cutting-edge science, policymakers can make informed and impactful decisions tackling both present and future sustainability challenges," added Sonali McDermid, chair of NYU's Department of Environmental Studies.

Sonali McDermid, Associate Professor and chair of NYU's Department of Environmental Studies

The Earth Systems Institute represents a shift in how universities approach climate research. Rather than siloing expertise in separate departments, NYU is creating a space where mathematicians, engineers, environmental scientists, and policy experts work together toward a common goal. This interdisciplinary model may become a template for how other institutions tackle the complex, interconnected challenges of climate change and environmental sustainability.