State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

February 20124

  • Year Without a Winter?

    Year Without a Winter?

    No, of course not. Do not suggest anything like that to Alaskans, or Europeans where hundreds have died, or Inner Mongolians, or Koreans. But, turning the clock back to December and January for the New York City region, it was not apparent that winter would arrive as it ‘normally’ does. Yes, we have had significant…

  • Climate Services: Think Local

    Climate Services: Think Local

    “I think we have to get a lot more humble about what we can do with our science, and what is actually going to be useful with our science.” — US AID’s Edward Carr talks about the importance of climate services to local communities, for the first in a series of video interviews.

  • Scientists Drill 2 Miles Down to Ancient Lake Vostok

    Scientists Drill 2 Miles Down to Ancient Lake Vostok

    Russian scientists this week finished penetrating more than two miles through the Antarctic ice sheet to Lake Vostok, a huge freshwater lake that has been buried under the ice for millions of years. But they won’t know what they’ve found until next year.

  • Solar Power Lights Up New Business in Uganda Village

    Solar Power Lights Up New Business in Uganda Village

    One-hundred twenty light bulbs were switched on in Ruhiira for the first time last year, using the innovative Shared Solar system installed by the Millennium Villages Project (MVP). The impact on villagers’ lives has already been tremendous.

  • Online Course – Sustainability and Investing

    Online Course – Sustainability and Investing

    We are excited to let you know that CERC is offering a piloted version of Sustainability and Investing online as part of our Executive Education Program in Conservation and Environmental Sustainability.

  • Biodiversity in the Shawangunk Mountains

    Biodiversity in the Shawangunk Mountains

    Recently ranked highest in biological diversity and as one of the “last great places on Earth”, the Shawangunk Mountains are being actively reintroduced to forest fires in an attempt to preserve biodiversity.

  • Sustainable Development Seniors Put Their Knowledge into Practice

    Seniors in the Sustainable Development program gained real life experience as consultants through their work on projects with the Natural Resource Defense Council, Population Council and Partnership for Parks, while at the same time providing these clients with fresh and innovative ideas.

  • Online Course – Environmental Markets: Business, Regulation, Sustainability

    Online Course – Environmental Markets: Business, Regulation, Sustainability

    We are excited to let you know that CERC is offering a piloted version of Environmental Markets: The Nexus of Business, Regulation and Sustainability online as part of our Executive Education Program in Conservation and Environmental Sustainability.

  • Opening the Door to More Rooftop Farming?

    Opening the Door to More Rooftop Farming?

    The NYC Department of City Planning has proposed new zoning rules to make it easier to retrofit buildings for energy efficiency – including a provision on rooftop greenhouses.

Columbia campus skyline with text Columbia Climate School Class Day 2024 - Congratulations Graduates

Congratulations to our Columbia Climate School MA in Climate & Society Class of 2024! Learn about our May 10 Class Day celebration. #ColumbiaClimate2024

  • Year Without a Winter?

    Year Without a Winter?

    No, of course not. Do not suggest anything like that to Alaskans, or Europeans where hundreds have died, or Inner Mongolians, or Koreans. But, turning the clock back to December and January for the New York City region, it was not apparent that winter would arrive as it ‘normally’ does. Yes, we have had significant…

  • Climate Services: Think Local

    Climate Services: Think Local

    “I think we have to get a lot more humble about what we can do with our science, and what is actually going to be useful with our science.” — US AID’s Edward Carr talks about the importance of climate services to local communities, for the first in a series of video interviews.

  • Scientists Drill 2 Miles Down to Ancient Lake Vostok

    Scientists Drill 2 Miles Down to Ancient Lake Vostok

    Russian scientists this week finished penetrating more than two miles through the Antarctic ice sheet to Lake Vostok, a huge freshwater lake that has been buried under the ice for millions of years. But they won’t know what they’ve found until next year.

  • Solar Power Lights Up New Business in Uganda Village

    Solar Power Lights Up New Business in Uganda Village

    One-hundred twenty light bulbs were switched on in Ruhiira for the first time last year, using the innovative Shared Solar system installed by the Millennium Villages Project (MVP). The impact on villagers’ lives has already been tremendous.

  • Online Course – Sustainability and Investing

    Online Course – Sustainability and Investing

    We are excited to let you know that CERC is offering a piloted version of Sustainability and Investing online as part of our Executive Education Program in Conservation and Environmental Sustainability.

  • Biodiversity in the Shawangunk Mountains

    Biodiversity in the Shawangunk Mountains

    Recently ranked highest in biological diversity and as one of the “last great places on Earth”, the Shawangunk Mountains are being actively reintroduced to forest fires in an attempt to preserve biodiversity.

  • Sustainable Development Seniors Put Their Knowledge into Practice

    Seniors in the Sustainable Development program gained real life experience as consultants through their work on projects with the Natural Resource Defense Council, Population Council and Partnership for Parks, while at the same time providing these clients with fresh and innovative ideas.

  • Online Course – Environmental Markets: Business, Regulation, Sustainability

    Online Course – Environmental Markets: Business, Regulation, Sustainability

    We are excited to let you know that CERC is offering a piloted version of Environmental Markets: The Nexus of Business, Regulation and Sustainability online as part of our Executive Education Program in Conservation and Environmental Sustainability.

  • Opening the Door to More Rooftop Farming?

    Opening the Door to More Rooftop Farming?

    The NYC Department of City Planning has proposed new zoning rules to make it easier to retrofit buildings for energy efficiency – including a provision on rooftop greenhouses.