State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

201624

  • Forecasting Climate, with Help from the Baobab Tree

    Forecasting Climate, with Help from the Baobab Tree

    To improve climate forecasts, scientists study the complex interactions and mechanisms within the climate system. But they also need to hear from potential users of climate information, such as farmers, to get a better understanding of how people may use that information in their decision making.

  • Quiet Moves Toward a Renewable Resource Based Economy

    The transition to a sustainable, renewable resource based economy will take decades to complete. Just as our organizations learned to incorporate occupational safety, financial reporting, performance measurement, customer relations, employment law, social media marketing and many other elements into their standard operating procedures, so too will they need to incorporate a concern for the physical…

  • ESP Student Profile: Arina Larasati Susijo

    ESP Student Profile: Arina Larasati Susijo

    Arina Larasati Susijo has a passion for science, and was drawn to the MPA-ESP program to take advantage of learning the science behind the environmental policy issues facing her native Indonesia and the Southeast Asian region.

  • Climate Game Challenge Finalists Announced

    Climate Game Challenge Finalists Announced

    The Columbia Climate Center-led PoLAR Partnership, together with Autodesk and Games for Change are proud to announce the four finalists in the Games for Change Climate Challenge.

  • Watch Live: Turning CO2 to Stone, Scientists Discuss a Climate Solution

    Watch Live: Turning CO2 to Stone, Scientists Discuss a Climate Solution

    On June 24, a scientist involved in the CarbFix carbon capture and storage project in Iceland will give a live-streamed presentation about the technology and the project’s success at turning CO2 to stone.

  • Get the Facts: Arsenic in New Jersey Well Water

    Get the Facts: Arsenic in New Jersey Well Water

    A new initiative aims to help homeowners in New Jersey cope with arsenic contamination in private wells—a problem that has only come to light in recent years, and about which many homeowners are still unaware.

  • Preparing for Climate-Related Food Shocks

    Preparing for Climate-Related Food Shocks

    Researchers are investigating if the projected increase in climate change-generated droughts, floods, heat waves and other intense short-term occurrences will result in increased shocks that could jeopardize food security worldwide.

  • In an Environmental and Political Conflict Zone, Hope for Peace

    In an Environmental and Political Conflict Zone, Hope for Peace

    The Middle East is the only place on earth where the neighbors are so close and so far at the same time.

  • Trump’s Nonexistent Environmental Platform

    The problem with a Trump White House is we won’t know who owns the house. The argument for taking such a “huge” chance on the most powerful public office in the world is that the country is in such terrible condition that it’s worth the risk.

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

  • Forecasting Climate, with Help from the Baobab Tree

    Forecasting Climate, with Help from the Baobab Tree

    To improve climate forecasts, scientists study the complex interactions and mechanisms within the climate system. But they also need to hear from potential users of climate information, such as farmers, to get a better understanding of how people may use that information in their decision making.

  • Quiet Moves Toward a Renewable Resource Based Economy

    The transition to a sustainable, renewable resource based economy will take decades to complete. Just as our organizations learned to incorporate occupational safety, financial reporting, performance measurement, customer relations, employment law, social media marketing and many other elements into their standard operating procedures, so too will they need to incorporate a concern for the physical…

  • ESP Student Profile: Arina Larasati Susijo

    ESP Student Profile: Arina Larasati Susijo

    Arina Larasati Susijo has a passion for science, and was drawn to the MPA-ESP program to take advantage of learning the science behind the environmental policy issues facing her native Indonesia and the Southeast Asian region.

  • Climate Game Challenge Finalists Announced

    Climate Game Challenge Finalists Announced

    The Columbia Climate Center-led PoLAR Partnership, together with Autodesk and Games for Change are proud to announce the four finalists in the Games for Change Climate Challenge.

  • Watch Live: Turning CO2 to Stone, Scientists Discuss a Climate Solution

    Watch Live: Turning CO2 to Stone, Scientists Discuss a Climate Solution

    On June 24, a scientist involved in the CarbFix carbon capture and storage project in Iceland will give a live-streamed presentation about the technology and the project’s success at turning CO2 to stone.

  • Get the Facts: Arsenic in New Jersey Well Water

    Get the Facts: Arsenic in New Jersey Well Water

    A new initiative aims to help homeowners in New Jersey cope with arsenic contamination in private wells—a problem that has only come to light in recent years, and about which many homeowners are still unaware.

  • Preparing for Climate-Related Food Shocks

    Preparing for Climate-Related Food Shocks

    Researchers are investigating if the projected increase in climate change-generated droughts, floods, heat waves and other intense short-term occurrences will result in increased shocks that could jeopardize food security worldwide.

  • In an Environmental and Political Conflict Zone, Hope for Peace

    In an Environmental and Political Conflict Zone, Hope for Peace

    The Middle East is the only place on earth where the neighbors are so close and so far at the same time.

  • Trump’s Nonexistent Environmental Platform

    The problem with a Trump White House is we won’t know who owns the house. The argument for taking such a “huge” chance on the most powerful public office in the world is that the country is in such terrible condition that it’s worth the risk.