Author: Guest126

Preparing for Chimborazo

I am staying with a friend’s family in Quito, Ecuador’s capital city, and tomorrow will meet up with my climbing partner, Pablo Puruncajas, to prepare for our expedition. I am here to collect tree ring samples and put up a weather station on Chimborazo, Ecuador’s tallest peak, to provide climate data about this region, which…
Resilience and Flood Risk

As New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo acknowledged last Tuesday, “We have a new reality when it comes to these weather patterns; we have an old infrastructure, we have old systems. That is not a good combination.” This is exactly why the flood insurance market, as a tool for change, is of interest to the mayor’s…
The Zen of Sanding

By Ana Camila Gonzalez “But can’t you see the rings already?” I ask, wondering why I’ve been asked to sand a sample- it sounds to me like one would damage a sample by subjecting it to the mechanical screech of a sander. “Yes, but under the microscope they look foggy if you don’t sand…
Socially Speaking, the State of the Planet

If you wanted to get a sense of the State of the Planet, you didn’t need to be at the Columbia University conference on Oct. 11. You just needed to follow #SOP2012. Six hundred people gathered at the event to think about the future of sustainable development, while 476 people sent 1,300 tweets, making about…
Influencing Students Towards a More Sustainable Path

In a recent interview, Dr. Stuart Gaffin provided his thoughts on the direction that the field of sustainability is moving into. In his words, urban environmental research is the topic of the day: “Many cities, including New York, are putting ambitious plans in place to reduce emissions, and implement adaptation practices, including novel green infrastructure…
Applying Classroom Theory in the Forest

Under-graduate and graduate students from Columbia University joined professors Kevin Griffin and Matthew Palmer in September for the first of 10 field trips outside of the New York City area. Dr. Griffin and Dr. Palmer teach Forest Ecology, a course that combines classroom theory with hands-on experience and training in methods of ecological field work.
Field Trip to the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

Students visit Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, the Earth Institute’s center for scientific research, which housed research facilities in fields ranging from marine geology to climate change.
Restoration Efforts on the Bronx River

It’s not every day one has the opportunity to see river restoration efforts, take water samples, and refine one’s canoeing skills. Students from the Sustainable Development program did all three while exploring the Bronx River with the Bronx River Alliance.
What Is It Like To Be A Green Consultant?

Columbia alumni Jing Chu and William Jaffray speak to students about their work as energy engineers with Associated Renewable, an energy consulting firm focusing on carbon management, training and education, energy and supply, and project financing.

Preparing for Chimborazo

I am staying with a friend’s family in Quito, Ecuador’s capital city, and tomorrow will meet up with my climbing partner, Pablo Puruncajas, to prepare for our expedition. I am here to collect tree ring samples and put up a weather station on Chimborazo, Ecuador’s tallest peak, to provide climate data about this region, which…
Resilience and Flood Risk

As New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo acknowledged last Tuesday, “We have a new reality when it comes to these weather patterns; we have an old infrastructure, we have old systems. That is not a good combination.” This is exactly why the flood insurance market, as a tool for change, is of interest to the mayor’s…
The Zen of Sanding

By Ana Camila Gonzalez “But can’t you see the rings already?” I ask, wondering why I’ve been asked to sand a sample- it sounds to me like one would damage a sample by subjecting it to the mechanical screech of a sander. “Yes, but under the microscope they look foggy if you don’t sand…
Socially Speaking, the State of the Planet

If you wanted to get a sense of the State of the Planet, you didn’t need to be at the Columbia University conference on Oct. 11. You just needed to follow #SOP2012. Six hundred people gathered at the event to think about the future of sustainable development, while 476 people sent 1,300 tweets, making about…
Influencing Students Towards a More Sustainable Path

In a recent interview, Dr. Stuart Gaffin provided his thoughts on the direction that the field of sustainability is moving into. In his words, urban environmental research is the topic of the day: “Many cities, including New York, are putting ambitious plans in place to reduce emissions, and implement adaptation practices, including novel green infrastructure…
Applying Classroom Theory in the Forest

Under-graduate and graduate students from Columbia University joined professors Kevin Griffin and Matthew Palmer in September for the first of 10 field trips outside of the New York City area. Dr. Griffin and Dr. Palmer teach Forest Ecology, a course that combines classroom theory with hands-on experience and training in methods of ecological field work.
Field Trip to the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

Students visit Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, the Earth Institute’s center for scientific research, which housed research facilities in fields ranging from marine geology to climate change.
Restoration Efforts on the Bronx River

It’s not every day one has the opportunity to see river restoration efforts, take water samples, and refine one’s canoeing skills. Students from the Sustainable Development program did all three while exploring the Bronx River with the Bronx River Alliance.
What Is It Like To Be A Green Consultant?

Columbia alumni Jing Chu and William Jaffray speak to students about their work as energy engineers with Associated Renewable, an energy consulting firm focusing on carbon management, training and education, energy and supply, and project financing.