State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Climate218

  • The Science and the Lessons of Hurricane Sandy

    The Science and the Lessons of Hurricane Sandy

    Reports and studies have been imagining events like Sandy for years now; so why were so few people ready to listen? And will this lead to a serious conversation about climate change in the halls of power?

  • Launching the Season with a Key Mission – IceBridge Antarctica 2012

    Launching the Season with a Key Mission – IceBridge Antarctica 2012

    This month, IceBridge Antarctica resumes. The crews have spent the last few weeks in Palmdale, where the DC8 is based, for instrument installation and test flights prior to our move down to Punta Arenas, our home base for IceBridge Antarctica.

  • 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…

  • Watering the World’s Crops, Drop by Drop

    Watering the World’s Crops, Drop by Drop

    Dr. Daniel Hillel was recently honored with the World Food Prize for his pioneering work in sustainable agriculture.

  • The Truth About Verification

    The Truth About Verification

    The December 2011 precipitation forecast issued by the International Research Institute for Climate and Society called for a 75 percent chance of above normal precipitation over parts of the Philippines between January and March. As the months played out, storms brought roughly eight inches more rain than usual for the period. That’s about 85 percent…

  • Columbia-PepsiCo Collaboration Creates Tool for Calculating Carbon Footprints

    Columbia-PepsiCo Collaboration Creates Tool for Calculating Carbon Footprints

    Researchers at the Earth Institute’s Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy working in collaboration with PepsiCo, Inc. have developed new software that rapidly calculates the carbon footprints of thousands of products simultaneously.

  • State of the Planet Conference: Climate Edition

    State of the Planet Conference: Climate Edition

    On October 11, the Earth Institute hosted the sixth iteration of the State of the Planet conference. Held every two years, the conference offers an opportunity to assess the state of global, natural and human systems in order to identify those factors central to achieving sustainable development. The International Research Institute for Climate and Society Director…

  • Sustainable Development Seminar Series: A New Record Low in Arctic Sea Ice Extent

    Sustainable Development Seminar Series: A New Record Low in Arctic Sea Ice Extent

    On September 19th, the Earth Institute’s Sustainable Development Seminar Series began for the 2012-2013 academic year with “A New Record Low in Arctic Sea Ice Extent.” The first seminar topic brought together a group of Columbia University climate experts and gave them the opportunity to respond to recent Arctic ice findings released by the National…

  • New Software Speeds Carbon Footprinting

    New Software Speeds Carbon Footprinting

    Taking a big step towards helping companies accurately label the carbon footprint of their products, researchers at the Earth Institute have developed new software that can calculate the carbon footprints of thousands of products simultaneously.

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

  • The Science and the Lessons of Hurricane Sandy

    The Science and the Lessons of Hurricane Sandy

    Reports and studies have been imagining events like Sandy for years now; so why were so few people ready to listen? And will this lead to a serious conversation about climate change in the halls of power?

  • Launching the Season with a Key Mission – IceBridge Antarctica 2012

    Launching the Season with a Key Mission – IceBridge Antarctica 2012

    This month, IceBridge Antarctica resumes. The crews have spent the last few weeks in Palmdale, where the DC8 is based, for instrument installation and test flights prior to our move down to Punta Arenas, our home base for IceBridge Antarctica.

  • 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…

  • Watering the World’s Crops, Drop by Drop

    Watering the World’s Crops, Drop by Drop

    Dr. Daniel Hillel was recently honored with the World Food Prize for his pioneering work in sustainable agriculture.

  • The Truth About Verification

    The Truth About Verification

    The December 2011 precipitation forecast issued by the International Research Institute for Climate and Society called for a 75 percent chance of above normal precipitation over parts of the Philippines between January and March. As the months played out, storms brought roughly eight inches more rain than usual for the period. That’s about 85 percent…

  • Columbia-PepsiCo Collaboration Creates Tool for Calculating Carbon Footprints

    Columbia-PepsiCo Collaboration Creates Tool for Calculating Carbon Footprints

    Researchers at the Earth Institute’s Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy working in collaboration with PepsiCo, Inc. have developed new software that rapidly calculates the carbon footprints of thousands of products simultaneously.

  • State of the Planet Conference: Climate Edition

    State of the Planet Conference: Climate Edition

    On October 11, the Earth Institute hosted the sixth iteration of the State of the Planet conference. Held every two years, the conference offers an opportunity to assess the state of global, natural and human systems in order to identify those factors central to achieving sustainable development. The International Research Institute for Climate and Society Director…

  • Sustainable Development Seminar Series: A New Record Low in Arctic Sea Ice Extent

    Sustainable Development Seminar Series: A New Record Low in Arctic Sea Ice Extent

    On September 19th, the Earth Institute’s Sustainable Development Seminar Series began for the 2012-2013 academic year with “A New Record Low in Arctic Sea Ice Extent.” The first seminar topic brought together a group of Columbia University climate experts and gave them the opportunity to respond to recent Arctic ice findings released by the National…

  • New Software Speeds Carbon Footprinting

    New Software Speeds Carbon Footprinting

    Taking a big step towards helping companies accurately label the carbon footprint of their products, researchers at the Earth Institute have developed new software that can calculate the carbon footprints of thousands of products simultaneously.