Author: Renée Cho

Renee Cho is a regular contributor to the Columbia Climate School. She has written over 200 articles for State of the Planet on a broad range of topics. She was previously published by www.insideclimatenews.com, and other environmental magazines. Renee was Communications Coordinator for Riverkeeper, the Hudson River environmental organization. She received the Executive Education Certificate in Conservation and Sustainability from the Earth Institute Center for Environmental Sustainability. Follow me on Twitter: @ReneeCho_ Visit website »

Columbia Climate School Experts on What Gives Them Hope in 2026

Eight experts from the Climate School offer words of encouragement for the new year.
Mercury Rising: Why Emissions of This Deadly Neurotoxin May Soon Increase

The EPA is proposing changes to the Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS), which would weaken mercury emissions limits from U.S. fossil fuel power plants by 70 percent.
NYC’s Composting Rates Are Low. A Sustainability Expert Thinks AI Will Offer a Solution. Eventually.

Steve Cohen, director of Columbia’s M.S. in Sustainability Management program, discusses the present and future of food waste programs in NYC.
Tiny Giants: Marine Microbes’ Pivotal Role in the Ocean’s Future

These “invisible” organisms are key to the question of how much carbon the ocean can hold.
How AI Is Revolutionizing the Recycling Industry

Modern waste facilities are incorporating AI into their systems, using robots guided by AI vision systems and machine learning algorithms, high resolution cameras, hyperspectral imaging, near-infrared sensors and predictive analytics.
Nanoplastics Are All Around (and Inside) Us

How are humans exposed to these tiny and ubiquitous plastics? And is there anything we can do about it?
Why Climate Finance Is Key To Fighting Climate Change

Massive sums of money are needed to mitigate climate disasters and to prepare for what’s on the horizon.
The Earth Is Getting Drier

Desertification is occurring in many parts of the world, including the western U.S., Brazil, most of Europe, Asia and central Africa. Is it too late to reverse it?
How Is Climate Change Affecting Your Valentine’s Day Chocolate?

Professor of Climate Jessica Fanzo explains what cacao trees need to thrive, and how climate change is making chocolate production more challenging.

Columbia Climate School Experts on What Gives Them Hope in 2026

Eight experts from the Climate School offer words of encouragement for the new year.
Mercury Rising: Why Emissions of This Deadly Neurotoxin May Soon Increase

The EPA is proposing changes to the Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS), which would weaken mercury emissions limits from U.S. fossil fuel power plants by 70 percent.
NYC’s Composting Rates Are Low. A Sustainability Expert Thinks AI Will Offer a Solution. Eventually.

Steve Cohen, director of Columbia’s M.S. in Sustainability Management program, discusses the present and future of food waste programs in NYC.
Tiny Giants: Marine Microbes’ Pivotal Role in the Ocean’s Future

These “invisible” organisms are key to the question of how much carbon the ocean can hold.
How AI Is Revolutionizing the Recycling Industry

Modern waste facilities are incorporating AI into their systems, using robots guided by AI vision systems and machine learning algorithms, high resolution cameras, hyperspectral imaging, near-infrared sensors and predictive analytics.
Nanoplastics Are All Around (and Inside) Us

How are humans exposed to these tiny and ubiquitous plastics? And is there anything we can do about it?
Why Climate Finance Is Key To Fighting Climate Change

Massive sums of money are needed to mitigate climate disasters and to prepare for what’s on the horizon.
The Earth Is Getting Drier

Desertification is occurring in many parts of the world, including the western U.S., Brazil, most of Europe, Asia and central Africa. Is it too late to reverse it?
How Is Climate Change Affecting Your Valentine’s Day Chocolate?

Professor of Climate Jessica Fanzo explains what cacao trees need to thrive, and how climate change is making chocolate production more challenging.