Buildings are among the world’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Improving how they use energy offers one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to curb climate change.

Alexis Abramson, professor and dean at the Columbia Climate School, is an engineer whose research focuses on making buildings more efficient through data analytics, machine learning and smart design. By studying thousands of buildings and analyzing their electricity use, for example, she has been able to uncover ways to significantly cut energy consumption and emissions.

“We still operate many buildings the way we did many decades ago,” says Abramson. “I saw it almost like a low-hanging fruit opportunity as an engineer to have impact on the system side.”

The changes can be simple, such as replacing lighting with LEDs, or more significant, such as upgrading heating and cooling systems–which can reduce energy use by as much as 50 percent. These improvements not only save money but also lessen the need for large-scale renewable energy infrastructure, Abramson says.

Learn more about Abramson and her research on energy efficient buildings here.
Energy Efficiency Begins at Home: A Conversation with Alexis Abramson

This video is part of the ongoing Science for the Planet explainer series about how Columbia Climate School scientists and scholars are trying to understand the effects of climate change and helping to contribute solutions.