State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

201547

  • Arsenic Stubbornly Taints Many U.S. Wells, Say New Reports

    New Light on a Neglected Threat to Health, Child Development

  • Summer Program Opens Door to the Life of a Scientist

    Summer Program Opens Door to the Life of a Scientist

    For Destiny Torres, a biology major at Brown University and a Gates Millennium Scholar, the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory’s Secondary School Field Research Program in 2010 offered her the perfect combination of research, mentorship, lab work, and a glimpse into the daily life of a scientist.

  • Photo Essay: Fire and Ice off Cascadia

    Photo Essay: Fire and Ice off Cascadia

    A team of scientists traveled to the Pacific Northwest aboard the R/V Atlantis last fall to investigate whether the waxing and waning of ice ages and volcanic eruptions are somehow related.

  • Education, Sustainability and the post-2015 Development Agenda

    Education, Sustainability and the post-2015 Development Agenda

    Starting in 2016, a new series of global monitoring reports will examine the state of education, using the framework of the anticipated Sustainable Development Goals that are to be finalized by the UN in September 2015. The first report in this series, the 2016 Report, will focus on “Education, Sustainability and the post-2015 Development Agenda.”

  • MS Student Aims for Career in ESG Measurement

    MS Student Aims for Career in ESG Measurement

    Current Master of Science in Sustainability Management (MSSM) student Divya Bendre had just completed postgraduate work in Policy Studies and was working in management consulting in Singapore when she stumbled upon an article by Steve Cohen entitled “Educating Sustainability Professionals” that changed the trajectory of her career path. Divya joined the program because she felt…

  • Rebuilding After Hurricane Sandy

    Rebuilding After Hurricane Sandy

    In June 2013, the Rebuild by Design competition was launched to find innovative solutions to the vulnerabilities of the region that Sandy exposed. The six winning projects were chosen for their excellence in design and resilience, and engagement with local communities. How will they protect their communities?

  • Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Honors Recipients of Science Awards

    Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Honors Recipients of Science Awards

    From October 2013 to December 2014, a total of 49 professors, scientists and students who are part of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory community were recognized for outstanding achievements in their field. The acknowledgements in education and research included fellowships, medals and awards from many of the top science institutions in the world.

  • Geologist Who Modernized Volcanology Wins the 2015 Vetlesen Prize

    Volcanoes can have multiple personalities, peaceful one minute, explosive the next. A geologist who has untangled these complicated states on land and at sea, improving our ability to see deadly eruptions coming, will receive the 2015 Vetlesen Prize. Stephen Sparks, a volcanologist at the University of Bristol, will be awarded a medal and $250,000 at…

  • Sustainable Development through the Lens of NYC Government

    Sustainable Development through the Lens of NYC Government

    Have you ever wondered about how sustainability plans develop within local government? Michael Freedman-Schnapp, director of the New York City Council’s Policy & Innovation Division, recently spoke with students about this topic at a Sustainable Development Speaker Series event.

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

  • Arsenic Stubbornly Taints Many U.S. Wells, Say New Reports

    New Light on a Neglected Threat to Health, Child Development

  • Summer Program Opens Door to the Life of a Scientist

    Summer Program Opens Door to the Life of a Scientist

    For Destiny Torres, a biology major at Brown University and a Gates Millennium Scholar, the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory’s Secondary School Field Research Program in 2010 offered her the perfect combination of research, mentorship, lab work, and a glimpse into the daily life of a scientist.

  • Photo Essay: Fire and Ice off Cascadia

    Photo Essay: Fire and Ice off Cascadia

    A team of scientists traveled to the Pacific Northwest aboard the R/V Atlantis last fall to investigate whether the waxing and waning of ice ages and volcanic eruptions are somehow related.

  • Education, Sustainability and the post-2015 Development Agenda

    Education, Sustainability and the post-2015 Development Agenda

    Starting in 2016, a new series of global monitoring reports will examine the state of education, using the framework of the anticipated Sustainable Development Goals that are to be finalized by the UN in September 2015. The first report in this series, the 2016 Report, will focus on “Education, Sustainability and the post-2015 Development Agenda.”

  • MS Student Aims for Career in ESG Measurement

    MS Student Aims for Career in ESG Measurement

    Current Master of Science in Sustainability Management (MSSM) student Divya Bendre had just completed postgraduate work in Policy Studies and was working in management consulting in Singapore when she stumbled upon an article by Steve Cohen entitled “Educating Sustainability Professionals” that changed the trajectory of her career path. Divya joined the program because she felt…

  • Rebuilding After Hurricane Sandy

    Rebuilding After Hurricane Sandy

    In June 2013, the Rebuild by Design competition was launched to find innovative solutions to the vulnerabilities of the region that Sandy exposed. The six winning projects were chosen for their excellence in design and resilience, and engagement with local communities. How will they protect their communities?

  • Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Honors Recipients of Science Awards

    Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Honors Recipients of Science Awards

    From October 2013 to December 2014, a total of 49 professors, scientists and students who are part of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory community were recognized for outstanding achievements in their field. The acknowledgements in education and research included fellowships, medals and awards from many of the top science institutions in the world.

  • Geologist Who Modernized Volcanology Wins the 2015 Vetlesen Prize

    Volcanoes can have multiple personalities, peaceful one minute, explosive the next. A geologist who has untangled these complicated states on land and at sea, improving our ability to see deadly eruptions coming, will receive the 2015 Vetlesen Prize. Stephen Sparks, a volcanologist at the University of Bristol, will be awarded a medal and $250,000 at…

  • Sustainable Development through the Lens of NYC Government

    Sustainable Development through the Lens of NYC Government

    Have you ever wondered about how sustainability plans develop within local government? Michael Freedman-Schnapp, director of the New York City Council’s Policy & Innovation Division, recently spoke with students about this topic at a Sustainable Development Speaker Series event.