Subscribe · Support · Contact

Staff and Affiliates Directory

Johanna R. Lovecchio

Senior Director, Office of Engagement and Impact, Columbia Climate School

Adjunct , M.A. in Climate and Society

Columbia Climate School

Hogan Hall
2910 Broadway
MC 3277
New York, NY 10025

BIOGRAPHY:

Johanna Lovecchio is Senior Director of Engagement and Impact at Columbia Climate School, where she leads interdisciplinary programs to drive climate action and collaboration. She co-directs the Coastal Resilience and Earth Network, sits on the Steering Committee for the Environmental and Climate Justice Project at Columbia and teaches as Adjunct Faculty of Climate.

She leads the Adaptation Accelerator and Earth Studio in partnership with GSAPP’s Urban Design Program, which brings together design, policy, finance, and climate to plan and more resilient futures in communities facing the most severe impacts of climate change. 

Her work focuses on climate adaptation, environmental justice, and resilience planning. Previously, she served as Associate Director of the Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, where she led the Resilience Accelerator with global partners like the Resilient Reefs Initiative and 100 Resilient Cities. Earlier roles at HR&A Advisors and NYC’s Department of City Planning advanced major coastal infrastructure and recovery efforts in New York City, across the US, and internationally.

Johanna holds a Master of Urban Planning and dual B.A.s from NYU. She serves on the Climigration Network Leadership Council and is happiest near the ocean, playing with her puppy, or learning alongside her students.

PUBLICATIONS

Relevant Sample Speaking and Work Products

  • Rio Climate Hub and Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Partnership Models for Adaptation Action : New York Panel On Climate Change and Resilience Accelerator Project Preparation Program Learnings. Nov, 2024.

  • Columbia University Climate School. Considering Engagement and (PRE)-Covery in Disaster Planning and Policy. June, 2024. 

  • Columbia University Political Science Department. Global Politics of Climate Change. Mar, 2024. 

  • Columbia University Psychology Department. Diverse Discourses: Towards Inclusive Climate Action. Apr, 2024. 

  • ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. Cities and Innovation at COP28: Expanding Climate and Innovation Agendas to Deliver 11 Billion Flourishing Lives. Dec, 2023. 

  • Adaptation Futures Conference 2024 Montreal. Advancing co-production and use of climate risk information for nature based solutions.” Oct, 2023.

  • NYC Future Forum - German Center for Research and Innovation. Climate, Planet, Cities. Oct, 2023. 

  • Center for American Progress. The Climate Adaptation Imperative: Front-Line Lessons for Global Solutions. Sept, 2023. 

  • American Institute of Architecture (AIA). Perspectives in Climate Resilience. Aug, 2023.

  • At What Point Managed Retreat?: Habitability and Mobility in an Era of Climate Change.  Columbia University and Urban Ocean Lab. Beyond Federally-Funded Buyouts – Local Policies, Tools and Funding Streams. June, 2023. 

  • WaterAid International.  Towards Water x Climate Action. June, 2023. 

  • Global Green Growth Institute. Coastal Climate Community Practice. Toward Coastal Resilience. May 2023. 

  • Consulate General of Germany. Shaping climate futures: The social drivers of deep decarbonization. May, 2023.  

  • Boston Consulting Group. Resilience and Adaptation: From Research to Plan to Policy. Apr, 2023.

  • Vagelos Computational Science Center, Barnard College. Building Individual, Societal and Digital Resilience: An interdisciplinary panel discussion. Mar, 2023. 

  • Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, NYU Rudin Center for Transportation. Symposium for the Centennial of The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey: Climate Change, Resilience and Policies for the Future. Oct, 2022. 

  • City of Los Angeles. StreetsLA Cool Committee. Accelerator Climate Action, Policy, and Adaptation in the Public Realm. May, 2022.

  • USAID Green Cities Working Group. Resilience and Climate for Subnational Planning and Policy. March, 2022.

  • Pratt Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment. Climate Adaptation and Resilience: Adaptation Design and Policy Scenarios for Extreme Heat. Feb, 2022. 

  • Rhode Island School of Design. Climate Action and the Design Professions. Feb, 2022. 

  • Resilient Cities Network and World Bank. Coronavirus Speaker Series. Compounding Vulnerabilities: Urban Heat and COVID-19.  June, 2020.

  • Van Alen Sessions at Snøhetta. Turning the Tide in Miami. Nov, 2018.

  • Urban Land Institute (ULI) Asia Pacific Summit, Singapore. Resilience Approach, Sustainable Solutions. June, 2017.

  • American Water Resources Association Annual Conference, Orlando. Maximizing Resilience Value Across Design and Implementation: Engineering and Design Decision Making. Nov, 2016.

Sample Engagement Design Leadership and Expert Facilitation 

  • Understanding the Impacts of Climate Change on Vulnerable Populations and Promoting Climate Resilience in Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro. Nov, 2024. 

  • Seeds of the Mangroves: Cartagena and Comuna 6. Climate and Urban Design, Finance, and Policy Workshop. Colombia. Mar, 2024.  

  • Toward a Regenerative and Resilient East Portland, Jamaica Workshop. Jamaica. Mar, 2024. 

  • COP28  Carbon Markets, Nature, Rights and Climate Justice Round Table Policy Recommendations, Launch and Discussion. Dubai. Dec, 2024. 

  • Carbon Markets, Nature, Rights and Climate Justice Roundtable. New York. Sept, 2023.

  • Accelerating Action and Adaptation Finance in APAC: Research to Practice Program Design. New York. Sept, 2023.

  • COP27 Talanoa Dialogue, Accelerating Climate Breakthroughs in Small Island Nations. Sharm El-Sheikh. Nov, 2022.

  • Resilient Reefs Initiative Solution Exchange: Resilient Project Design and Resilience-Based Management. Melbourne. Oct, 2022. 

  • Resilient Coastal Development in Belize: Urban Design Studio and Accelerator Workshop. Belize. Jan, 2022. 

  • Healing Sea Country and Restoring the Reef: Workshop with Ningaloo Traditional Owners. Western Australia. Oct, 2021. 

  • Framing Resilient Reef Restoration and Adaptation Trialing in Ningaloo. Western Australia. Oct, 2021.

  • A National Strategy for Urban Heat, Israeli Ministry of Energy. Jerusalem. Jan, 2020.

  • Southern California Resilience Initiative Wildfire Resilience Workshop. Los Angeles. Dec, 2019.

  • Resilience Accelerator Tel Aviv-Yafo: Urban Heat, Equity, and the Future of the Public Realm. Tel Aviv- Yafo, Israel. Nov, 2019.

  • Envisioning Nature-Based Solutions and Water Urbanisms: Can Tho Vietnam and the Mekong River Delta Region. Can Tho, Vietnam. Jan, 2019.

  • Great Barrier Reef Foundation Resilient Reefs Initiative Program Design. Airlie Beach, Australia. May, 2018.

  • Red Cross Community Coalition Resilience Academy. Semarang, Indonesia. Mar, 2017. 

  • Asian Development Bank Resilience Academy. Bangkok, Thailand. Mar, 2017.

  • Africa Partners of The Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Academy. Nairobi, Kenya. Dec, 2016.

  • World Bank Human Development Resilience Academy: Resilient Social Services and Cross-Sector Systems Delivery. Washington, DC. Oct, 2016.

  • Asian Cities for Climate Change Resilience Forum. Semarang, Indonesia. May, 2016.

  • Community Development Finance Initiative Resilience Academy.  Washington, DC. Oct, 2016.

Publications and Work Products 

2025

Marques, C., de Sherbinin, A., Lovecchio, J., Briggs, A., Fontes, L.. Understanding the Impacts of Climate Change on Vulnerable Populations and Promoting Climate Resilience in Rio de Janeiro - Workshop Report and Findings. 2025. 

Lovecchio, J., Sahay, S., Economics and Valuation of Nature Based Solutions. in Rosenzweig, C., W. Solecki, Pathak, M., Barata, M., Salisu Barau, A., Dombrov, M., Climate Change and Cities: Third Assessment Report of the Urban Climate Change Research Network. Cambridge University Press. New York. 2024.

Orff, K., Lovecchio, J., Pawlowski, T., Chavez, A., Da Cunha, D., Mehta, G., Herasme, C. Earth Studio: Climate Adaptation from Ridge to Reef in the Caribbean. 2024. Columbia Climate School Climate and Society Program, Columbia GSAPP Urban Design Program Water Urbanisms Studio. [Forthcoming] 

Climigration Network. Who owns the land? Exploring possibilities and limitations of collective land and housing models to respond to climate driven displacement and relocation. 2024. [Forthcoming] 

Lovecchio, J., Madero, M.,  Tochterman, J.,  Zack, K. More than a Roof and Four Walls: Exploring Principles, Process, and Possibilities for Climate Justice and Resilience through Housing and Land Rights in Cartagena in Karunaratne, G., Resilient Urbanisms. Routledge Books. London. 2024. 

Lovecchio, J., Cintron, I., Girithian, A. Coastal Resilience Earth Network: Harnessing Columbia’s Resources to Drive COP28 Breakthroughs. Coastal Resilience Earth Network, Columbia University. 19 Feb. 2024. https://bit.ly/3yIexuz

Envisioning a Regenerative, Resilient, and Just East Portland, Jamaica: A Collaborative Strategy Workshop.  Columbia University Climate School, Alligator Head Foundation, TBA21 Academy. Jan. 2024.  https://bit.ly/3SVPD1o

2023 

Lovecchio, J., Cintron, I., Girithian, A. Blue Economy and Ocean Justice? What Can We Expect from COP28? Coastal Resilience Earth Network, Columbia University. 29 Nov. 2023. https://bit.ly/46Mo4gR

Columbia Climate School Releases Carbon Markets, Nature, Rights, and Climate Justice Roundtable Report Ahead of COP28. State of the Planet, Columbia Climate School, 28 Nov. 2023. https://bit.ly/3M64xP3 

Carbon Markets, Nature, Rights and Climate Justice – Intersectional Roundtable Report and Policy Recommendations. Columbia University Climate School, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, Namati, Grassroots Justice Network, Columbia World Projects. Nov. 2023. https://bit.ly/46MOy1P 

Orff, K., Lovecchio, J., Pawlowski, T., Chavez, A., Da Cunha, D., Mehta, G., Imagining Climate Justice and Resilience - Colombia: Double Displacement at the Water’s Edge. Columbia University. Columbia Climate School Climate and Society Program, Columbia GSAPP Urban Design Program Water Urbanisms Studio. May. 2023. https://bit.ly/3MbCNbO

Climate Ready Uptown Plan. WE ACT for Environmental Justice. Feb. 2023. https://bit.ly/3Tg3rnV 

2022

Trialing Reef Restoration for Resilience: A Framework for Experimental Research, Co-Design, and Management in the Case of Ningaloo. Columbia University Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes with Resilient Reefs Initiative, Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Resilient Cities Catalyst, Yirrganydji Traditional Owners, Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).  Jun. 2022. https://bit.ly/3yIjmUG 

Healing Sea Country and Restoring the Reef: Workshop with Traditional Owners. Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, Ningaloo Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions (DBCA), MARS Sustainable Solutions, Minderoo Foundation, Resilient Reefs Initiative. Nov. 2021. https://bit.ly/4fLrIM1 

Defining Resilient Coastal Development in Belize, Resilient Reefs Urban Design Studio and Accelerator Workshop. Columbia University Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, Coastal Zone Management Authority of Belize, National Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation of Belize, Belize National Ministry of Fisheries, Resilient Reefs Initiative, University of Belize, Columbia Center for Climate Systems Research. Mar. 2022.  https://bit.ly/4dMjD7X

Orff, K., Lovecchio, J., Pawlowski, T., Chavez, A., Da Cunha, D., Mehta, G., Resilient  Belize, Resilient Reefs Urban Design Studio. Columbia University Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, Columbia University GSAPP, Coastal Zone Management Authority of Belize, National Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation of Belize, Belize National Ministry of Fisheries, Resilient Reefs Initiative, University of Belize. Mar. 2022. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/dad148563c6041269894fc00ef42d405

2021

Orff, K., Lovecchio, J., Pawlowski, T., Basic, G. Redefining Resilience. Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes 2020 Annual Report. 2021. https://bit.ly/4dwhbmn 

Lovecchio, J., Basic, G., Pawlowski, T. "Urban Heat, Vulnerability, and the Public Realm: Lessons from Tel Aviv-Yafo and Implications for COVID-19 Recovery." Geography Research Forum, vol. 40, 2021, p. 108. https://bit.ly/4csr2bx 

2020

Resilient Development Through Urban, Social and Ecological Infrastructure in South Tel Aviv-Yafo, Great Rift Valley. Columbia GSAPP Urban Design Program Water Urbanism Studio. May 2020. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/c5c8a61829b54523bafcb87d575ffd91 

Resilience Accelerator: Tel Aviv-Yafo Urban Heat, Equity, and the Future of the Public Realm. Columbia University Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, Columbia Center for Climate Systems Research, Tel Aviv University Urban Climatology Lab, TLV-Y Resilience Office, TLV-Y Office of the City Architect, Resilient Cities Catalyst. Jan. 2020.  https://bit.ly/46Pej1j 

Urban Heat, Equity, and the Future of the Public Realm. Resilience Accelerator Tel Aviv-Yafo. ESRI Story Map.  Jan. 2020. https://www.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=f713e4b

Heat Vulnerability in Los Angeles County: Resources and Methodology Review. Columbia University Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, Los Angeles County Department of Sustainability, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Mar. 2019. https://bit.ly/46RXMcU 

2019

Orff, K., Lovecchio, J., Pawlowski, T., Basic, G. Toward Resilient Cities and Landscapes: Selected Works. Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, 100 Resilient Cities. Apr. 2019. https://bit.ly/3YMtSow 

"Understanding Risk: Coral Reefs Under Stress." Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, 100 Resilient Cities, Great Barrier Reef Foundation. Sept. 2019. https://bit.ly/3SU65zj 

Nature-Based Infrastructure and Policy: Can Tho River Delta. Columbia University Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, 100 Resilient Cities, Can Tho City Resilience Office, The Delta Research and Global Observation Network, Mekong Institute. Jun. 2019. https://bit.ly/3X8b9Tl 

A Step Up: Designing for Regional Resilience, Governance, and Finance. Columbia University Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, 100 Resilient Cities, RiverLA, City of Los Angeles, Office of Mayor Eric Garcetti. Sept. 2019. https://bit.ly/3WREdND 

Designing for Regional Climate Resilience: Southwest Florida Resilience Accelerator, Workshop Report. Columbia University Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, 100 Resilient Cities, The Miami Foundation, Resilient 305, Southeast Florida Climate Change Compact. Aug. 2018. https://bit.ly/3WHj2h2 

2018

Resilient by Design Bay Area Challenge: The Grand Bayway. 

TLS Landscape Architecture , Exploratorium, Guy Nordenson & Assoc, Michael Maltzan Arch, HR&A Advisors, Sitelab Urban Studio, Lotus Water, Rana Creek. Dr. John Oliver, Richard Hindle, UC Berkeley, Fehr & Peers Transportation Consultants.  Jul. 2019. https://rebuildbydesign.org/work/projects/the-grand-bayway/ 

Lower Manhattan Climate Resilience Study. New York City Economic Development Corporation, NYC Mayor’s Office of Resilience.  Mar. 2019. https://edc.nyc/sites/default/files/filemanager/Projects/LMCR/Final_Image/Lower_Manhattan_Climate_Resilience_March_2019.pdf 

Resilient Los Angeles. Office of Mayor Garcetti, City of Los Angeles, 100 Resilient Cities. Mar. 2018. 

https://resilientcitiesnetwork.org/downloadable_resources/Network/Los-Angeles-Resilience-Strategy-English.pdf 

Pre- 2018

Preliminary Outcome Evaluation The National Disaster Resilience Competition’s Resilience Academies. The Urban Institute, Rockefeller Foundation. Dec. 2016. https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/88886/ndrc_resilience_academies_evaluation_0.pdf 

City of Boulder Resilience Strategy. City of Boulder, 100 Resilient Cities. 2016.  https://resilientcitiesnetwork.org/downloadable_resources/Network/Boulder-Resilience-Strategy-English.pdf 

Place-Based Community Brownfield Planning Foundation Report on Existing Conditions. Stapleton, Staten Island. NYC Office of Environmental Remediation, NYS Department of State, NYC Department of City Planning. Mar. 2016. https://www.nyc.gov/assets/oer/downloads/pdf/stapleton.pdf 

Place-Based Community Brownfield Planning Foundation Report on Existing Conditions: Red Hook, Brooklyn. NYC Office of Environmental Remediation, NYS Department of State, NYC Department of City Planning. Sept. 2014.  https://www.nyc.gov/assets/oer/downloads/pdf/red-hook-brooklyn.pdf

Place-Based Community Brownfield Planning Foundation Report on Existing Conditions: Harlem Gateway. NYC Office of Environmental Remediation, NYS Department of State, NYC Department of City Planning. Dec. 2015. https://www.nyc.gov/assets/oer/downloads/pdf/harlem-gateway.pdf 

“Step 1 Prenomination Study, Brownfield Opportunity Area Program." NYC Department. of City Planning, NYS Department of State, Northfield Community LDC, 1 Jun. 2013, Port Richmond, NY. Public Presentation. https://www.nyc.gov/assets/planning/download/pdf/plans-studies/port-richmond-boa/presentation_0613.pdf 

CONTACT

jlovecchio@climate.columbia.edu

NETWORK AFFILIATION(S)

Environmental Justice and Climate Just Cities Network Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems Network Foundations for the Social Climate Earth Network Nature-based Solutions Earth Network

EDUCATION

Masters of Urban Planning from the Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service

Bachelor of Arts degrees in Environmental Studies and Metropolitan Studies from the New York University College of Arts and Sciences