Computer Science
The design, development and application of computer systems and software. Computer science spans theory like algorithms as well as practical skills in programming, software engineering and systems design.
What would you do?
- Design efficient algorithms
- Build models that detect patterns, make predictions or power AI
- Simulate systems, like global climate change
- Process massive datasets for business, science or policy
- Write and debug code with the help of AI
To fight climate change, computer scientists…
Optimize systems
Run city energy use better, improve batteries and EVs, and use AI to match renewable supply and demand.
Track climate change
Pinpoint emission sources from satellites, find trends in data and track deforestation.
Make predictions
Simulate oceans and forests, build digital twins of ecosystems, and predict crop responses.
Capture carbon
Monitor and predict the performance of carbon storage sites in real time.
Relationship to climate change
Computer science is necessary for simulating and solving climate change efficiently, and for enabling high-tech solutions.
Use computer science for these Project Drawdown solutions:
- Abandoned Farmland
- Agrivoltaics
- Agroforestry
- Alternative Insulation Materials
- Alternative Refrigerants
- Annual Cropping
- Appliance & Equipment Efficiency
- Aquaculture
- Aviation Efficiency
- Biochar
- Building Envelopes
- More solutions →
Get started
A great fit if you’re into programming, technology, problem solving, logical thinking, and using computers and data to solve real-world problems.
Recommended classes
High school: Trigonometry, Precalc, AP Calculus BC, Stats, AP Physics C, AP Chemistry, Intro to Computer Science, AP Comp Sci Principles, AP Comp Sci A, Engineering
Project ideas
- Model local temperature changes over time
- Use AI or data analysis to visualize pollution or emissions
- Build an app that helps people cut their carbon footprint
- Simulate solar or wind output under different conditions
- Spot deforestation or ice-melt trends in satellite data
- Interview climate scientists or engineers
More resources
- Computing our climate future
- The untapped potential of computing and cognition in tackling climate change
- 9 ways AI is helping tackle climate change
- How supercomputers are improving climate modeling
Written by Aditya Viswanathan, Los Alamos High School (2027)
