State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Year: 20143

  • A Texas-Sized Block of Ice…

    A Texas-Sized Block of Ice…

    The Ross Ice Shelf is the largest of the Antarctic ice shelves, measuring just under the size of the state of Texas. It is several hundred meters thick, although most of this is below the water surface. Along the ~ 600 kilometer front edge of the shelf, the ice towers up to 50 meters in…

  • A Who’s Who of Sustainability Practitioners Headed to Campus

    A Who’s Who of Sustainability Practitioners Headed to Campus

    Sustainability is often about changing how organizations work. The Practicum in Innovative Sustainability Leadership course, added to the M.S. in Sustainability Management curriculum this spring, provides a forum where some of the world’s leading practitioners teach students how to make these changes.

  • MS Alum Constructs Career for the Built Environment

    MS Alum Constructs Career for the Built Environment

    M.S. in Sustainability Management alum Steve Burke (’14) has always had a passion for the built environment. Prior to joining the MSSM program, Steve interned at a sustainable design firm focused on residential retrofits, worked for a commercial sustainable flooring retailer and installer, and spent a year on an organic farm. Steve is also a…

  • AGU 2014: Key Events from The Earth Institute

    AGU 2014: Key Events from The Earth Institute

    Scientists at Columbia University’s Earth Institute will present important talks at the Dec. 15-19 meeting of the American Geophysical Union, the world’s largest gathering of earth and space scientists. Here is a journalists’ guide in rough chronological order.

  • Matching Funds Boost Contributions through Dec. 31

    Matching Funds Boost Contributions through Dec. 31

    The Earth Institute will benefit this holiday season from a matching gift from dedicated donor Betsee Parker, who will match your contributions dollar for dollar up to $300,000 this holiday season.

  • Student Profile: Jessica Cunningham

    Student Profile: Jessica Cunningham

    For Jessica Cunningham, the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program offers the ideal tools for a successful career in environmental policy. By combining an innovative science curriculum with professional experience in project management, Jessica is preparing to launch a career in urban planning policy following graduation.

  • Why are Past Surface Temperatures and CO2 Concentrations Important?

    Why are Past Surface Temperatures and CO2 Concentrations Important?

    By burning fossil fuels for heating, electricity, transportation and other purposes, humans add CO2 to the atmosphere. Yet, by comparing ways in which the Earth’s temperature, CO2 concentration, sea level and ice sheets have changed in the past, we are able to learn valuable lessons about the climate system of today and tomorrow.

  • This Bird Flies South for the Winter

    This Bird Flies South for the Winter

    Migrating south in the winter is a behavior that Antarctic scientists share with many species of birds, although the scientists fly just a bit further south. For the IcePod team it was time to join the migration so they could test their equipment in the most challenging environment the Earth has to offer.

  • MPA Alumnus Honored with NASPAA Spotlight Award

    MPA Alumnus Honored with NASPAA Spotlight Award

    Todd Miner, a 2011 alumnus of the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program, was honored by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration for his work as the Director of Friends of Rockaway, an organization devoted to recovery after Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

  • A Texas-Sized Block of Ice…

    A Texas-Sized Block of Ice…

    The Ross Ice Shelf is the largest of the Antarctic ice shelves, measuring just under the size of the state of Texas. It is several hundred meters thick, although most of this is below the water surface. Along the ~ 600 kilometer front edge of the shelf, the ice towers up to 50 meters in…

  • A Who’s Who of Sustainability Practitioners Headed to Campus

    A Who’s Who of Sustainability Practitioners Headed to Campus

    Sustainability is often about changing how organizations work. The Practicum in Innovative Sustainability Leadership course, added to the M.S. in Sustainability Management curriculum this spring, provides a forum where some of the world’s leading practitioners teach students how to make these changes.

  • MS Alum Constructs Career for the Built Environment

    MS Alum Constructs Career for the Built Environment

    M.S. in Sustainability Management alum Steve Burke (’14) has always had a passion for the built environment. Prior to joining the MSSM program, Steve interned at a sustainable design firm focused on residential retrofits, worked for a commercial sustainable flooring retailer and installer, and spent a year on an organic farm. Steve is also a…

  • AGU 2014: Key Events from The Earth Institute

    AGU 2014: Key Events from The Earth Institute

    Scientists at Columbia University’s Earth Institute will present important talks at the Dec. 15-19 meeting of the American Geophysical Union, the world’s largest gathering of earth and space scientists. Here is a journalists’ guide in rough chronological order.

  • Matching Funds Boost Contributions through Dec. 31

    Matching Funds Boost Contributions through Dec. 31

    The Earth Institute will benefit this holiday season from a matching gift from dedicated donor Betsee Parker, who will match your contributions dollar for dollar up to $300,000 this holiday season.

  • Student Profile: Jessica Cunningham

    Student Profile: Jessica Cunningham

    For Jessica Cunningham, the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program offers the ideal tools for a successful career in environmental policy. By combining an innovative science curriculum with professional experience in project management, Jessica is preparing to launch a career in urban planning policy following graduation.

  • Why are Past Surface Temperatures and CO2 Concentrations Important?

    Why are Past Surface Temperatures and CO2 Concentrations Important?

    By burning fossil fuels for heating, electricity, transportation and other purposes, humans add CO2 to the atmosphere. Yet, by comparing ways in which the Earth’s temperature, CO2 concentration, sea level and ice sheets have changed in the past, we are able to learn valuable lessons about the climate system of today and tomorrow.

  • This Bird Flies South for the Winter

    This Bird Flies South for the Winter

    Migrating south in the winter is a behavior that Antarctic scientists share with many species of birds, although the scientists fly just a bit further south. For the IcePod team it was time to join the migration so they could test their equipment in the most challenging environment the Earth has to offer.

  • MPA Alumnus Honored with NASPAA Spotlight Award

    MPA Alumnus Honored with NASPAA Spotlight Award

    Todd Miner, a 2011 alumnus of the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program, was honored by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration for his work as the Director of Friends of Rockaway, an organization devoted to recovery after Superstorm Sandy in 2012.