201529
-
The Centrality of Sustainability
The most powerful political argument for protecting the planet is that to retain what we have, we must gradually change how we deliver the goods and services that people enjoy. The argument that people must give up what they enjoy does not win elections.
-

Subsurface Discovery Sprouts a New Branch on the Tree of Life
Last week a study published in Nature pulled the veil on a branch of the bacterial tree of life that has evaded detection for nearly a century and a half. The study used cutting edge genome sequencing and savvy bioinformatics techniques to make this remarkable discovery.
-

Apply Now for Fall Curriculum Grading Assistant Posts
The Sustainability Management program is seeking candidates for curriculum and grading assistant positions for the fall 2015 semester. Read on for details.
-

Bringing a Passion for Nature to the Business World
Inspired by his childhood fascination with the outdoors, current Sustainability Management student Zach Bogoshian joined the program to implement lessons from nature to our current environmental challenges. In the program, this hopeful notion has manifested itself as a passion for creating innovative networks to connect people with sustainable solutions that don’t discount financial return. As…
-

Using Social Media for Food Security: Talk to Us
The 2nd International Conference on Global Food Security will feature a social media-savvy Junior Researcher Task Force, responsible for capturing and distributing via Twitter and blog posts the key insights and conversation topics that evolve during the conference. Read on to apply.
-
Earth Institute Director Jeffrey Sachs Awarded Blue Planet Prize
Jeffrey Sachs, director of Columbia University’s Earth Institute, has been awarded the 2015 Blue Planet Prize. The prize is presented each year to two individuals or organizations worldwide to recognize major efforts to solve global environmental problems. Many consider it to be the world’s highest such honor. The other recipient this year is Cambridge University…
-

The Environmental Paradox: Escalating Conflict and Bringing Peace in the Middle East
Throughout history, land has been a source of conflict between different stakeholders who want to control it. Increasingly, environmental issues surrounding land are playing a role in conflict discourse in the Middle East.
-

Anthropocene and Its Victims: Migration as Failure or Adaptive Strategy?
Gemenne argues that climate change is a form of political persecution, that victims of the anthropocene are also victims of political persecution, thus, we should reinstate the term “climate refugee.”
-

MPA Program Congratulates Graduates, Welcomes 52 New Students
The MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program is proud to congratulate the 59 members of the Class of 2015 who graduated from the School of International and Public Affairs on May 21 and welcomed 52 new students only five days later on May 26.

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