State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

201523

  • Dennis E. Hayes, Mapper of the World’s Ocean Beds

    Dennis E. Hayes, Mapper of the World’s Ocean Beds

    Dennis E. Hayes, a marine geophysicist who advanced mapping of the world’s ocean floors, died at his home in New York City on Aug. 6. He was 76.

  • The Environment and the 2016 Elections

    The environment holds the potential to emerge as a political issue in the 2016 presidential election in part because it has gone from being a non-partisan consensus issue to a deeply partisan ideological issue. The battleground will be for the heart and mind of the independent voter.

  • The Disaster Profiteers

    The Disaster Profiteers

    In his new book “The Disaster Profiteers,” Earth Institute professor John Mutter argues that natural disasters are bad for the poor–and can be great for the rich, who often seize resources meant for recovery, when no one is looking.

  • Faculty Profile: Stephen E. Zebiak

    Faculty Profile: Stephen E. Zebiak

    Dr. Zebiak is a Senior Research Scientist and is the head of the Climate Services Partnership, which is housed at the IRI. The Climate Services Partnership is an information collaborative platform to advance knowledge, tools, and capacities in the delivery of science-based climate services to inform practical decision and policy making. Previously, Dr. Zebiak was…

  • Recent MS Graduate Brings Sustainability to L’Oreal

    Recent MS Graduate Brings Sustainability to L’Oreal

    Master of Science in Sustainability Management graduate Tara Helms (’15) has a background in supply chain management in the energy sector and was drawn to the program as a way to shift her focus towards sustainability. Throughout her time in the program, Tara took advantage of various networking and certification courses and served as a…

  • Student Profile: Andrew Cummings

    Student Profile: Andrew Cummings

    For Andrew Cummings, the MPA ESP program is providing him the opportunity to marry science and policy with the experience he gained as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in Burkina Faso. Cummings credits his experience as a volunteer for giving him the skills he needs to succeed in a fast-paced environment.

  • Sandy’s Impact Lingers, Particularly for Children

    Researchers Find Increased Chances of Mental Health Issues

  • 2015 Sustainable Development Departmental Honors

    2015 Sustainable Development Departmental Honors

    This past spring, two outstanding students, Noeleen Advani and Alyssa Menz, were selected for departmental honors in the Undergraduate Program in Sustainable Development.

  • MPA Students Take Their Learning Outdoors

    MPA Students Take Their Learning Outdoors

    As part of their Urban Ecology course, students in the MPA-ESP program take part in a series of field trips, applying classroom learning to real-world issues. From hiking to the top of a landfill reclamation site, to paddling the murky waters of the Bronx River, students were immersed in the challenges and complexities associated with…

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

  • Dennis E. Hayes, Mapper of the World’s Ocean Beds

    Dennis E. Hayes, Mapper of the World’s Ocean Beds

    Dennis E. Hayes, a marine geophysicist who advanced mapping of the world’s ocean floors, died at his home in New York City on Aug. 6. He was 76.

  • The Environment and the 2016 Elections

    The environment holds the potential to emerge as a political issue in the 2016 presidential election in part because it has gone from being a non-partisan consensus issue to a deeply partisan ideological issue. The battleground will be for the heart and mind of the independent voter.

  • The Disaster Profiteers

    The Disaster Profiteers

    In his new book “The Disaster Profiteers,” Earth Institute professor John Mutter argues that natural disasters are bad for the poor–and can be great for the rich, who often seize resources meant for recovery, when no one is looking.

  • Faculty Profile: Stephen E. Zebiak

    Faculty Profile: Stephen E. Zebiak

    Dr. Zebiak is a Senior Research Scientist and is the head of the Climate Services Partnership, which is housed at the IRI. The Climate Services Partnership is an information collaborative platform to advance knowledge, tools, and capacities in the delivery of science-based climate services to inform practical decision and policy making. Previously, Dr. Zebiak was…

  • Recent MS Graduate Brings Sustainability to L’Oreal

    Recent MS Graduate Brings Sustainability to L’Oreal

    Master of Science in Sustainability Management graduate Tara Helms (’15) has a background in supply chain management in the energy sector and was drawn to the program as a way to shift her focus towards sustainability. Throughout her time in the program, Tara took advantage of various networking and certification courses and served as a…

  • Student Profile: Andrew Cummings

    Student Profile: Andrew Cummings

    For Andrew Cummings, the MPA ESP program is providing him the opportunity to marry science and policy with the experience he gained as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in Burkina Faso. Cummings credits his experience as a volunteer for giving him the skills he needs to succeed in a fast-paced environment.

  • Sandy’s Impact Lingers, Particularly for Children

    Researchers Find Increased Chances of Mental Health Issues

  • 2015 Sustainable Development Departmental Honors

    2015 Sustainable Development Departmental Honors

    This past spring, two outstanding students, Noeleen Advani and Alyssa Menz, were selected for departmental honors in the Undergraduate Program in Sustainable Development.

  • MPA Students Take Their Learning Outdoors

    MPA Students Take Their Learning Outdoors

    As part of their Urban Ecology course, students in the MPA-ESP program take part in a series of field trips, applying classroom learning to real-world issues. From hiking to the top of a landfill reclamation site, to paddling the murky waters of the Bronx River, students were immersed in the challenges and complexities associated with…