Sarah Labowitz

Sarah Labowitz is a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in the Sustainability, Climate, and Geopolitics Program. Her work focuses on climate change security, disaster recovery policy, and geopolitical risks associated with climate shocks. She co-founded the NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights and directed the documentary Texas, USA (2023).

• Education: MA in Law and Diplomacy from Tufts University’s Fletcher School; BA in History from Grinnell College.
• Expertise: Climate change security, federal disaster management (FEMA), and adaptation strategies.

Her research emphasizes creating resilient systems through practical tools like the Disaster Dollar Database, which tracks federal funding for disaster recovery. Recent work analyzes FEMA reforms under the Trump administration, climate-driven economic shocks, and misinformation during disasters.

Scientific Awards:

• Included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 (Law & Policy, 2012)
• Recognized for volunteer work during Hurricane Harvey (2017)

She serves on Houston’s Human Rights Subcommittee for the 2026 World Cup and previously held leadership roles at the ACLU of Texas and the U.S. Department of State.