Archaeologist Kristina Douglass Highlights Trash as Key to Climate Adaptation
Kristina Douglass, an archaeologist and associate professor at Columbia University’s Climate School, emphasizes the importance of studying ancient trash to understand past human adaptation to climate change. Douglass, a 2025 MacArthur Fellow, leads the Ola Be Taloha Lab, which focuses on how past communities, particularly in Madagascar, co-evolved with their environment. Her research aims to use historical insights to support modern communities facing climate challenges. Douglass argues that archaeological findings provide a democratic view of history, revealing the everyday lives of average people rather than just the elite. Her work involves collaborating with local and indigenous communities, who are often excluded from sustainability policy discussions, to elevate their voices in decision-making processes. 
