State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

201412

  • What Everyone Should Know About Climate Change

    What Everyone Should Know About Climate Change

    Climate scientist William D’Andrea of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory asked young scientists attending a symposium last October, “What do you wish everyone knew about climate change?” He turned the responses into this video, which covers the topic pretty well.

  • Is the Highest Climb Sustainable, and Who Pays the Price?

    Is the Highest Climb Sustainable, and Who Pays the Price?

    The Khumbu Icefall on Mount Everest is perhaps the most well-known and notoriously dangerous glacial feature on the planet. In a fresh post on the Glacier Hub blog, the Earth Institute’s Ben Orlove, writing with anthropologist Pasang Yangjee Sherpa of Penn State, recounts a recent workshop held in Kathmandu to address the issues raised by…

  • MPA ESP Alumni Discuss Success After Graduation

    MPA ESP Alumni Discuss Success After Graduation

    As the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy Class of 2015 starts their second semester of courses, we invite you to learn more about the 682 alumni of the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program.

  • Join the Earth Institute for Climate Week NYC

    Join the Earth Institute for Climate Week NYC

    From heads of state to ordinary citizens, thousands of people will gather for more than 100 events during Climate Week NYC. The Earth Institute and its centers will be engaged in several events; read on to find out how you can participate.

  • The Columbia Geology Tour: Stories in the Stones

    The Columbia Geology Tour: Stories in the Stones

    For the last decade or so, Columbia University geologist David Walker has led students and colleagues on a tour of the geologic gems hiding within Columbia’s campus. Along the way, Walker finds evidence of how life on Earth has evolved over 4.5 billion years.

  • Graceful, Tiny, Toothy Ancestors

    Graceful, Tiny, Toothy Ancestors

    With body spry, tail curly, This mammal showed up early.

  • Larry Gibson and the Lobster Boat

    Larry Gibson and the Lobster Boat

    There are many brave people who recognize the climate crisis and are beginning to stand up and take personal risks to try to stop expansion of the fossil fuel industry, across the United States, in Canada, and in other nations. Their courage is remarkable and I hope it has an awakening effect.

  • Sustainability Management Alum Transitions to Career in Public Sector

    Sustainability Management Alum Transitions to Career in Public Sector

    Master of Science in Sustainability Management alum Harry McLellan (’14) has always had an interest in the built environment. Prior to joining the program, he worked as a construction lawyer for 25 years. Now, working as a Senior Counsel in the Law Department of the City of New York’s Commercial and Real Estate Litigation Division,…

  • How Can Federal and City Governments Cooperate? The Case of Green Infrastructure

    How Can Federal and City Governments Cooperate? The Case of Green Infrastructure

    With support from the Earth Institute, writers Caswell Holloway, Carter Strickland, Michael Gerrard, and Daniel Firger recently published “Solving the CSO Conundrum: Green Infrastructure and the Unfulfilled Promise of Federal-Municipal Cooperation” in Harvard Environmental Law Review. The authors propose regulatory and policy reform to develop comprehensive, locally led infrastructure and sustainability initiatives that improve public…

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

  • What Everyone Should Know About Climate Change

    What Everyone Should Know About Climate Change

    Climate scientist William D’Andrea of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory asked young scientists attending a symposium last October, “What do you wish everyone knew about climate change?” He turned the responses into this video, which covers the topic pretty well.

  • Is the Highest Climb Sustainable, and Who Pays the Price?

    Is the Highest Climb Sustainable, and Who Pays the Price?

    The Khumbu Icefall on Mount Everest is perhaps the most well-known and notoriously dangerous glacial feature on the planet. In a fresh post on the Glacier Hub blog, the Earth Institute’s Ben Orlove, writing with anthropologist Pasang Yangjee Sherpa of Penn State, recounts a recent workshop held in Kathmandu to address the issues raised by…

  • MPA ESP Alumni Discuss Success After Graduation

    MPA ESP Alumni Discuss Success After Graduation

    As the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy Class of 2015 starts their second semester of courses, we invite you to learn more about the 682 alumni of the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program.

  • Join the Earth Institute for Climate Week NYC

    Join the Earth Institute for Climate Week NYC

    From heads of state to ordinary citizens, thousands of people will gather for more than 100 events during Climate Week NYC. The Earth Institute and its centers will be engaged in several events; read on to find out how you can participate.

  • The Columbia Geology Tour: Stories in the Stones

    The Columbia Geology Tour: Stories in the Stones

    For the last decade or so, Columbia University geologist David Walker has led students and colleagues on a tour of the geologic gems hiding within Columbia’s campus. Along the way, Walker finds evidence of how life on Earth has evolved over 4.5 billion years.

  • Graceful, Tiny, Toothy Ancestors

    Graceful, Tiny, Toothy Ancestors

    With body spry, tail curly, This mammal showed up early.

  • Larry Gibson and the Lobster Boat

    Larry Gibson and the Lobster Boat

    There are many brave people who recognize the climate crisis and are beginning to stand up and take personal risks to try to stop expansion of the fossil fuel industry, across the United States, in Canada, and in other nations. Their courage is remarkable and I hope it has an awakening effect.

  • Sustainability Management Alum Transitions to Career in Public Sector

    Sustainability Management Alum Transitions to Career in Public Sector

    Master of Science in Sustainability Management alum Harry McLellan (’14) has always had an interest in the built environment. Prior to joining the program, he worked as a construction lawyer for 25 years. Now, working as a Senior Counsel in the Law Department of the City of New York’s Commercial and Real Estate Litigation Division,…

  • How Can Federal and City Governments Cooperate? The Case of Green Infrastructure

    How Can Federal and City Governments Cooperate? The Case of Green Infrastructure

    With support from the Earth Institute, writers Caswell Holloway, Carter Strickland, Michael Gerrard, and Daniel Firger recently published “Solving the CSO Conundrum: Green Infrastructure and the Unfulfilled Promise of Federal-Municipal Cooperation” in Harvard Environmental Law Review. The authors propose regulatory and policy reform to develop comprehensive, locally led infrastructure and sustainability initiatives that improve public…