State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Ecology27

  • Under the Sea Ice, Behold the Ancient Arctic Jellyfish

    Under the Sea Ice, Behold the Ancient Arctic Jellyfish

    A video reveals mature jellyfish under the Arctic sea ice, where they aren’t supposed to be.

  • World Leaders Discuss a Global Pact for the Environment

    World Leaders Discuss a Global Pact for the Environment

    A conference at Columbia University yielded consensus on the need for an international environmental agreement, and advanced discussion on what that agreement could look like.

  • How Will Climate Change Impact Ocean Health?

    How Will Climate Change Impact Ocean Health?

    Three scientists explain what they’re learning about the ocean’s changing conditions. These discoveries will contribute to the sustainable management and conservation of marine resources, helping to secure food for current and future generations.

  • Climate May Quickly Drive Forest-Eating Beetles North, Says Study

    Climate May Quickly Drive Forest-Eating Beetles North, Says Study

    Over the next few decades, global warming-related rises in winter temperatures could significantly extend the range of the southern pine beetle, one of the world’s most aggressive tree-killing insects, through much of the northern United States and southern Canada, says a new study.

  • New York’s Waterways Are Swimming in Plastic Microbeads

    New York’s Waterways Are Swimming in Plastic Microbeads

    Plastic microbeads, common in soap, toothpaste and other consumer products, are flooding waters. A team from Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory is doing the first large-scale assessment of their impact on New York’s waterways.

  • Fighting Ivory Trafficking with Forensic Science

    Fighting Ivory Trafficking with Forensic Science

    Last week, just days before Central Park’s big Ivory Crush, a Lamont-Doherty geochemist and his colleague sawed off samples of the confiscated ivory for DNA testing and radiocarbon dating. Their results could determine where and when each elephant was killed—which could help catch the poachers responsible.

  • Photo Essay: When People Must Make Way for Nature

    Photo Essay: When People Must Make Way for Nature

    The forested Kanha Tiger Reserve, in the highlands of central India, is home to an abundance of rare wildlife. It also used to be home to thousands of people—that is, until they were moved out by the government to make way for endangered creatures.

  • Eavesdropping on the Ocean’s Mighty Microorganisms

    Eavesdropping on the Ocean’s Mighty Microorganisms

    Now, nearing the end of our three-week cruise of the North Pacific off Hawaii, we are working to understand how these tiny bacteria connect and communicate with one another.

  • Setting Off to Explore the Depths

    Setting Off to Explore the Depths

    Yesterday, we set sail at 8am, rounded the Island of O’ahu, and headed north into the blue waters of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre.

Banner with images representing environmental issues and text "You Asked: Our Scientists and Experts Answer Your Burning Questions."

You Asked invites you to share your most pressing questions about climate, science, and sustainability. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Columbia Climate School experts will respond with clear, evidence-based answers. Pose your questions and story ideas!

  • Under the Sea Ice, Behold the Ancient Arctic Jellyfish

    Under the Sea Ice, Behold the Ancient Arctic Jellyfish

    A video reveals mature jellyfish under the Arctic sea ice, where they aren’t supposed to be.

  • World Leaders Discuss a Global Pact for the Environment

    World Leaders Discuss a Global Pact for the Environment

    A conference at Columbia University yielded consensus on the need for an international environmental agreement, and advanced discussion on what that agreement could look like.

  • How Will Climate Change Impact Ocean Health?

    How Will Climate Change Impact Ocean Health?

    Three scientists explain what they’re learning about the ocean’s changing conditions. These discoveries will contribute to the sustainable management and conservation of marine resources, helping to secure food for current and future generations.

  • Climate May Quickly Drive Forest-Eating Beetles North, Says Study

    Climate May Quickly Drive Forest-Eating Beetles North, Says Study

    Over the next few decades, global warming-related rises in winter temperatures could significantly extend the range of the southern pine beetle, one of the world’s most aggressive tree-killing insects, through much of the northern United States and southern Canada, says a new study.

  • New York’s Waterways Are Swimming in Plastic Microbeads

    New York’s Waterways Are Swimming in Plastic Microbeads

    Plastic microbeads, common in soap, toothpaste and other consumer products, are flooding waters. A team from Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory is doing the first large-scale assessment of their impact on New York’s waterways.

  • Fighting Ivory Trafficking with Forensic Science

    Fighting Ivory Trafficking with Forensic Science

    Last week, just days before Central Park’s big Ivory Crush, a Lamont-Doherty geochemist and his colleague sawed off samples of the confiscated ivory for DNA testing and radiocarbon dating. Their results could determine where and when each elephant was killed—which could help catch the poachers responsible.

  • Photo Essay: When People Must Make Way for Nature

    Photo Essay: When People Must Make Way for Nature

    The forested Kanha Tiger Reserve, in the highlands of central India, is home to an abundance of rare wildlife. It also used to be home to thousands of people—that is, until they were moved out by the government to make way for endangered creatures.

  • Eavesdropping on the Ocean’s Mighty Microorganisms

    Eavesdropping on the Ocean’s Mighty Microorganisms

    Now, nearing the end of our three-week cruise of the North Pacific off Hawaii, we are working to understand how these tiny bacteria connect and communicate with one another.

  • Setting Off to Explore the Depths

    Setting Off to Explore the Depths

    Yesterday, we set sail at 8am, rounded the Island of O’ahu, and headed north into the blue waters of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre.