State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

March 20162

  • The Damaging Effects of Black Carbon

    The Damaging Effects of Black Carbon

    Air pollution, both outdoors and indoors, causes millions of premature deaths each year. The deaths are mainly caused by the inhalation of particulate matter, especially black carbon. But black carbon not only has impacts on human health, it also affects visibility, harms ecosystems, reduces agricultural productivity and exacerbates global warming.

  • The Presidency and Sustainability

    The president’s accomplishments are particularly noteworthy given the toxic political environment he must operate within. Flint, Michigan’s water crisis provides an example of how partisan politics is dominating federal environmental policy.

  • Scientists Say Many Plants Don’t Respond to Warming as Thought

    From Tundra to New York Exurbs and Tropics, New Data Lowers Estimates of Carbon Release

  • Global Warming Pushes Wines Into Uncharted Terroir

    Heat Has Decoupled French Grapes from Old Weather Patterns

  • Finding Microfossils off Southern Africa

    Finding Microfossils off Southern Africa

    Expedition 361’s newest sediment cores brought up spectacular foraminifera—translucent, glassy and “very pretty” throughout the ocean sediment.

  • Californians Are Ready for Recycled Water

    Californians Are Ready for Recycled Water

    Water reuse is a proven technology that can produce a drought-proof sustainable water supply. Yet historically, there has been some reluctance to adopt it here in the United States. Xylem commissioned a poll to try to better understand perceptions about recycled water in drought-stricken California. And the findings were eye-opening.

  • MPA-ESP Students Attend UN World Wildlife Day

    MPA-ESP Students Attend UN World Wildlife Day

    Columbia MPA Environmental Science and Policy Program students were excited to attend the celebration of World Wildlife Day on March 3 at the UN Headquarters here in New York.

  • Alum Brings Solar Expertise to the Classroom

    Alum Brings Solar Expertise to the Classroom

    Master of Science in Sustainability Management professor Dan Giuffrida believes that understanding energy, water, and raw material usage with both a technical and financial acumen is imperative. As the instructor for Solar Project Development, professor Giuffrida will prepare students to fully evaluate the technical and financial aspects of a solar project.

  • The Impact of the Internet in China

    The Impact of the Internet in China

    On March 7, 2016, Charles Chen, co-founder of China’s largest internet service portal, Tencent, gave a presentation on the impact of the internet on Chinese society. He talked about everything from the economic impacts of the internet, to education models that use mobile internet platforms.

Composite banner with modern building at night and portrait of Dean Alexis Abramson that reads "Science for the Planet"

By studying thousands of buildings and analyzing their electricity use, Columbia Climate School Dean Alexis Abramson has been able to uncover ways to significantly cut energy consumption and emissions. Watch the Video: “Engineering a Cooler Future Through Smarter Buildings

  • The Damaging Effects of Black Carbon

    The Damaging Effects of Black Carbon

    Air pollution, both outdoors and indoors, causes millions of premature deaths each year. The deaths are mainly caused by the inhalation of particulate matter, especially black carbon. But black carbon not only has impacts on human health, it also affects visibility, harms ecosystems, reduces agricultural productivity and exacerbates global warming.

  • The Presidency and Sustainability

    The president’s accomplishments are particularly noteworthy given the toxic political environment he must operate within. Flint, Michigan’s water crisis provides an example of how partisan politics is dominating federal environmental policy.

  • Scientists Say Many Plants Don’t Respond to Warming as Thought

    From Tundra to New York Exurbs and Tropics, New Data Lowers Estimates of Carbon Release

  • Global Warming Pushes Wines Into Uncharted Terroir

    Heat Has Decoupled French Grapes from Old Weather Patterns

  • Finding Microfossils off Southern Africa

    Finding Microfossils off Southern Africa

    Expedition 361’s newest sediment cores brought up spectacular foraminifera—translucent, glassy and “very pretty” throughout the ocean sediment.

  • Californians Are Ready for Recycled Water

    Californians Are Ready for Recycled Water

    Water reuse is a proven technology that can produce a drought-proof sustainable water supply. Yet historically, there has been some reluctance to adopt it here in the United States. Xylem commissioned a poll to try to better understand perceptions about recycled water in drought-stricken California. And the findings were eye-opening.

  • MPA-ESP Students Attend UN World Wildlife Day

    MPA-ESP Students Attend UN World Wildlife Day

    Columbia MPA Environmental Science and Policy Program students were excited to attend the celebration of World Wildlife Day on March 3 at the UN Headquarters here in New York.

  • Alum Brings Solar Expertise to the Classroom

    Alum Brings Solar Expertise to the Classroom

    Master of Science in Sustainability Management professor Dan Giuffrida believes that understanding energy, water, and raw material usage with both a technical and financial acumen is imperative. As the instructor for Solar Project Development, professor Giuffrida will prepare students to fully evaluate the technical and financial aspects of a solar project.

  • The Impact of the Internet in China

    The Impact of the Internet in China

    On March 7, 2016, Charles Chen, co-founder of China’s largest internet service portal, Tencent, gave a presentation on the impact of the internet on Chinese society. He talked about everything from the economic impacts of the internet, to education models that use mobile internet platforms.