State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Climate237

  • Monitoring Antarctica’s Changing Glaciers – No Longer Like ‘Watching Paint Dry’

    Monitoring Antarctica’s Changing Glaciers – No Longer Like ‘Watching Paint Dry’

    By Kirsty Tinto & Mike Wolovick As little as a few decades ago you could ask a scientist what it was like to monitor the changing ice in Antarctica and the response might have been “Like watching paint dry” — seemingly no change, with no big surprises and not too exciting. Well times have changed.…

  • Now is the Time for Climate Services

    Now is the Time for Climate Services

    Last week, IRI organized a conference that brought together nearly 100 individuals from 30 countries to discuss the state and future of international climate services. What was discussed and what were the outcomes?

  • Unsettled by Climate Change

    Unsettled by Climate Change

    Climate change already laps at the edges of some communities, disrupting local economies and habitat, and forcing resettlement. But a new study notes that any efforts to offset the effects of shifting climate could lead to even more displacement and disruption for many people, particularly the poor.

  • Methane, Modern Science and the Dalai Lama

    Methane, Modern Science and the Dalai Lama

    Last week, 10 scientists met with the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan Buddhist leaders in Dharamsala, India, to discuss the relation between modern environmental issues and ancient contemplative traditions–the 23rd such annual meeting. Among them was psychologist Elke Weber, codirector of the Earth Institute’s Center for Research on Enivronmental Decisions. Weber, who studies how people think about climate change and…

  • 7 Billion on 10/31: The Numbers Can Be Scary

    7 Billion on 10/31: The Numbers Can Be Scary

    You can now watch the tape of “The World at 7 Billion: Sustaining Our Future,” the Earth Institute’s panel discussion held at Columbia Oct. 17 and featuring the presentation by Professor Joel E. Cohen on the “good and bad news” behind the growing world population.

  • Migration in the Face of Global Environmental Change

    Migration in the Face of Global Environmental Change

    Over the past 40 years, coastal and inland water ecosystems experienced the greatest levels of net in-migration, vs. mountain, forest, cultivated, and dryland ecosystems, which experienced the greatest levels of net out-migration, says a new report.

  • Open House: Earth Institute Graduate Programs

    The Environmental and Sustainable Development Programs Open House is a wonderful opportunity for you to find out more about Columbia’s cutting-edge graduate degrees in sustainable development and environmental studies. We invite you to come explore our diverse offering of programs, have your application questions answered, and meet with current Columbia students and faculty. Attend the…

  • Climate News Roundup: Week of 10/17

    Climate News Roundup: Week of 10/17

    Warming Revives Dream of Sea Route in Russian Arctic; Climate Change: The heat is on; California becomes first state to adopt cap-and-trade program; Millions will be trapped amid climate change, study warns.

  • For Graduate, Applying Skills Got a Foot in the Door

    For Graduate, Applying Skills Got a Foot in the Door

    On September 16th, Oluseyi Fayanju, a graduate of the M.A. in Climate and Society program, spoke with current undergraduate students about his studies at Columbia and the professional experiences that led him to the Environmental Defense Fund. Although he originally planned to focus on climate change and energy after studying at the Earth Institute, Oluseyi…

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

  • Monitoring Antarctica’s Changing Glaciers – No Longer Like ‘Watching Paint Dry’

    Monitoring Antarctica’s Changing Glaciers – No Longer Like ‘Watching Paint Dry’

    By Kirsty Tinto & Mike Wolovick As little as a few decades ago you could ask a scientist what it was like to monitor the changing ice in Antarctica and the response might have been “Like watching paint dry” — seemingly no change, with no big surprises and not too exciting. Well times have changed.…

  • Now is the Time for Climate Services

    Now is the Time for Climate Services

    Last week, IRI organized a conference that brought together nearly 100 individuals from 30 countries to discuss the state and future of international climate services. What was discussed and what were the outcomes?

  • Unsettled by Climate Change

    Unsettled by Climate Change

    Climate change already laps at the edges of some communities, disrupting local economies and habitat, and forcing resettlement. But a new study notes that any efforts to offset the effects of shifting climate could lead to even more displacement and disruption for many people, particularly the poor.

  • Methane, Modern Science and the Dalai Lama

    Methane, Modern Science and the Dalai Lama

    Last week, 10 scientists met with the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan Buddhist leaders in Dharamsala, India, to discuss the relation between modern environmental issues and ancient contemplative traditions–the 23rd such annual meeting. Among them was psychologist Elke Weber, codirector of the Earth Institute’s Center for Research on Enivronmental Decisions. Weber, who studies how people think about climate change and…

  • 7 Billion on 10/31: The Numbers Can Be Scary

    7 Billion on 10/31: The Numbers Can Be Scary

    You can now watch the tape of “The World at 7 Billion: Sustaining Our Future,” the Earth Institute’s panel discussion held at Columbia Oct. 17 and featuring the presentation by Professor Joel E. Cohen on the “good and bad news” behind the growing world population.

  • Migration in the Face of Global Environmental Change

    Migration in the Face of Global Environmental Change

    Over the past 40 years, coastal and inland water ecosystems experienced the greatest levels of net in-migration, vs. mountain, forest, cultivated, and dryland ecosystems, which experienced the greatest levels of net out-migration, says a new report.

  • Open House: Earth Institute Graduate Programs

    The Environmental and Sustainable Development Programs Open House is a wonderful opportunity for you to find out more about Columbia’s cutting-edge graduate degrees in sustainable development and environmental studies. We invite you to come explore our diverse offering of programs, have your application questions answered, and meet with current Columbia students and faculty. Attend the…

  • Climate News Roundup: Week of 10/17

    Climate News Roundup: Week of 10/17

    Warming Revives Dream of Sea Route in Russian Arctic; Climate Change: The heat is on; California becomes first state to adopt cap-and-trade program; Millions will be trapped amid climate change, study warns.

  • For Graduate, Applying Skills Got a Foot in the Door

    For Graduate, Applying Skills Got a Foot in the Door

    On September 16th, Oluseyi Fayanju, a graduate of the M.A. in Climate and Society program, spoke with current undergraduate students about his studies at Columbia and the professional experiences that led him to the Environmental Defense Fund. Although he originally planned to focus on climate change and energy after studying at the Earth Institute, Oluseyi…