State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

201237

  • Fossil Teeth, Traces of Climate & Evolution

    Fossil Teeth, Traces of Climate & Evolution

    From fossil teeth to carbon traces of plants in the soil, scientists are studying how changes in climate may have influenced early human evolution in Africa. Researchers from around the world gathered for a symposium held recently at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. Watch the videos.

  • Dead Plants Strengthen Beliefs in Global Warming

    Dead Plants Strengthen Beliefs in Global Warming

    Subtle stimuli in the environment exert a strong influence on the way we think about global warming. The notion that surrounding objects unconsciously influence our thoughts and behavior is of interest to individuals who are interested in developing strategies to promote sustainable behavior.

  • Plankton Fishing in the Bering Sea

    Plankton Fishing in the Bering Sea

    As Discovery Channel fans know, the Bering Sea supports one of the world’s most productive fisheries, accounting for more than 50 percent of U.S. fish and shellfish catches. The goal of our study is to understand how climate change is impacting phytoplankton, and ultimately the Bering Sea ecosystem.

  • Sustainability Management Students Present Innovative Solutions to Clients’ Challenges

    Sustainability Management Students Present Innovative Solutions to Clients’ Challenges

    “We are incredibly proud of our work as well as the work of our classmates whose presentations highlighted our ability to use the skills that we have learned in the classroom to address contemporary sustainability challenges in the clearest possible way,” stated Pamela Quinlan, presenter for the Workshop Project “Development of a New Communications Strategy…

  • There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Green Roof, Studies Show

    There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Green Roof, Studies Show

    Two recent studies suggest that grasses or taller shrubs may actually be more effective than such typical green-roof plantings as sedums at reducing storm water runoff, often a major selling point for green roofs. These studies suggest there is no one-size-fits-all green roof.

  • New Course Offered on Global Food Systems

    The Undergraduate Program in Sustainable Development will offer a course in Global Food Systems (SDEV W3200) in Fall 2012, taught by Dr. Cheryl Palm. Concerns about food shortages, land use, climate change and biodiversity have created an urgent need for interdisciplinary researchers, practitioners and policy-makers focused on agriculture. Developing sound solutions that improve agricultural production…

  • Do Urban ‘Heat Islands’ Hint at Trees of the Future?

    Common Oaks Get a Boost in New York’s Central Park

  • The Little Things and Their Influence on Planet Earth

    The Little Things and Their Influence on Planet Earth

    In the last century we have witnessed incredible environmental leaps in our understanding of planet Earth. With a focus on integrated, systems thinking we invite you to register for an interactive online webinar that explores the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment.

  • Upcoming Certificate Course: The Sustainable City

    Upcoming Certificate Course: The Sustainable City

    More than half of the world’s population now lives in urban settings, making sustainable urban management a critical concern. This course introduces you to the fundamentals of urban environmental management and sustainability with a special focus on New York City.

Photo of the Earth from space with the text "Lamont at AGU25" on top.

AGU25, the premier Earth and space science conference, takes place December 15-19, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This year’s theme—Where Science Connects Us—puts in focus how science depends on connection, from the lab to the field to the ballot box. Once again, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Columbia Climate School scientists, experts, students, and educators are playing an active role, sharing our research and helping shape the future of our planet. #AGU25 Learn More

  • Fossil Teeth, Traces of Climate & Evolution

    Fossil Teeth, Traces of Climate & Evolution

    From fossil teeth to carbon traces of plants in the soil, scientists are studying how changes in climate may have influenced early human evolution in Africa. Researchers from around the world gathered for a symposium held recently at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. Watch the videos.

  • Dead Plants Strengthen Beliefs in Global Warming

    Dead Plants Strengthen Beliefs in Global Warming

    Subtle stimuli in the environment exert a strong influence on the way we think about global warming. The notion that surrounding objects unconsciously influence our thoughts and behavior is of interest to individuals who are interested in developing strategies to promote sustainable behavior.

  • Plankton Fishing in the Bering Sea

    Plankton Fishing in the Bering Sea

    As Discovery Channel fans know, the Bering Sea supports one of the world’s most productive fisheries, accounting for more than 50 percent of U.S. fish and shellfish catches. The goal of our study is to understand how climate change is impacting phytoplankton, and ultimately the Bering Sea ecosystem.

  • Sustainability Management Students Present Innovative Solutions to Clients’ Challenges

    Sustainability Management Students Present Innovative Solutions to Clients’ Challenges

    “We are incredibly proud of our work as well as the work of our classmates whose presentations highlighted our ability to use the skills that we have learned in the classroom to address contemporary sustainability challenges in the clearest possible way,” stated Pamela Quinlan, presenter for the Workshop Project “Development of a New Communications Strategy…

  • There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Green Roof, Studies Show

    There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Green Roof, Studies Show

    Two recent studies suggest that grasses or taller shrubs may actually be more effective than such typical green-roof plantings as sedums at reducing storm water runoff, often a major selling point for green roofs. These studies suggest there is no one-size-fits-all green roof.

  • New Course Offered on Global Food Systems

    The Undergraduate Program in Sustainable Development will offer a course in Global Food Systems (SDEV W3200) in Fall 2012, taught by Dr. Cheryl Palm. Concerns about food shortages, land use, climate change and biodiversity have created an urgent need for interdisciplinary researchers, practitioners and policy-makers focused on agriculture. Developing sound solutions that improve agricultural production…

  • Do Urban ‘Heat Islands’ Hint at Trees of the Future?

    Common Oaks Get a Boost in New York’s Central Park

  • The Little Things and Their Influence on Planet Earth

    The Little Things and Their Influence on Planet Earth

    In the last century we have witnessed incredible environmental leaps in our understanding of planet Earth. With a focus on integrated, systems thinking we invite you to register for an interactive online webinar that explores the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment.

  • Upcoming Certificate Course: The Sustainable City

    Upcoming Certificate Course: The Sustainable City

    More than half of the world’s population now lives in urban settings, making sustainable urban management a critical concern. This course introduces you to the fundamentals of urban environmental management and sustainability with a special focus on New York City.