State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Ecology33

  • Paleontologists Are Unzipping Our Genes

    Paleontologists Are Unzipping Our Genes

    Recently, paleontologists have used genomics to delve into the lives of ancient humans. These studies have capitalized on futuristic techniques to reveal the genealogy, travel plans and sex lives of our ancestors.

  • Revising the Toxic Substances Out-of-Control Act

    An unregulated chemical industry is an invitation for disaster. Fortunately, there is at least one place in America where regulation of toxic chemicals is taken seriously—California (of course).

  • The Otherworldly and Elusive Life Beneath Antarctica’s Ice

    The Otherworldly and Elusive Life Beneath Antarctica’s Ice

    While renowned for the penguins, Antarctica is perhaps equally well known for what it doesn’t have: basically, anything else. But scientist Steven Chown says the view that the icy continent lacks life is “simply not true.”

  • Subsurface Discovery Sprouts a New Branch on the Tree of Life

    Subsurface Discovery Sprouts a New Branch on the Tree of Life

    Last week a study published in Nature pulled the veil on a branch of the bacterial tree of life that has evaded detection for nearly a century and a half. The study used cutting edge genome sequencing and savvy bioinformatics techniques to make this remarkable discovery.

  • From the Nile to the Sundarbans: the Undergraduate Capstones

    From the Nile to the Sundarbans: the Undergraduate Capstones

    This spring, students in the Undergraduate Program in Sustainable Development presented innovative solutions to sustainability issues as part of their Capstone Workshop. Their clients ranged from the United States Military Academy at West Point to the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law.

  • The Right Wing’s Endless War on Environmental Regulation

    The right wing attack on environmental regulation is a fundamental political mistake. Conservatives are correct in assuming that Americans mistrust big organizations and powerful institutions, but they should remember that the public counts on these powerful organizations to protect them.

  • Fragile States Use Geospatial Data and Maps to Better Manage Natural Resources

    Fragile States Use Geospatial Data and Maps to Better Manage Natural Resources

    Some of the world’s poorest nations have an abundance of natural resources, but also have suffered under recent conflicts. Learning how to manage these resources strategically and sustainably can help accelerate growth and development. A new web-based mapping tool may be able to help them do that.

  • Paying to Protect the Environment

    Paying to Protect the Environment

    Ecosystems provide humankind with food, fuel and fiber; they help clean the air and water, control flooding and regulate climate. Now, a group of scientists has laid out guidelines to gauge how effective we are at setting a price on such benefits of nature.

  • Geology and Filming in Mizoram

    Geology and Filming in Mizoram

    In the small town of Kolasib, we stayed in Hotel Cloud 9. I had been told since I was a child that I was always off on Cloud 9 and now I was actually here. However, the electricity wasn’t for the first few hours, so showers were cold, but the dinner was hot.

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!

  • Paleontologists Are Unzipping Our Genes

    Paleontologists Are Unzipping Our Genes

    Recently, paleontologists have used genomics to delve into the lives of ancient humans. These studies have capitalized on futuristic techniques to reveal the genealogy, travel plans and sex lives of our ancestors.

  • Revising the Toxic Substances Out-of-Control Act

    An unregulated chemical industry is an invitation for disaster. Fortunately, there is at least one place in America where regulation of toxic chemicals is taken seriously—California (of course).

  • The Otherworldly and Elusive Life Beneath Antarctica’s Ice

    The Otherworldly and Elusive Life Beneath Antarctica’s Ice

    While renowned for the penguins, Antarctica is perhaps equally well known for what it doesn’t have: basically, anything else. But scientist Steven Chown says the view that the icy continent lacks life is “simply not true.”

  • Subsurface Discovery Sprouts a New Branch on the Tree of Life

    Subsurface Discovery Sprouts a New Branch on the Tree of Life

    Last week a study published in Nature pulled the veil on a branch of the bacterial tree of life that has evaded detection for nearly a century and a half. The study used cutting edge genome sequencing and savvy bioinformatics techniques to make this remarkable discovery.

  • From the Nile to the Sundarbans: the Undergraduate Capstones

    From the Nile to the Sundarbans: the Undergraduate Capstones

    This spring, students in the Undergraduate Program in Sustainable Development presented innovative solutions to sustainability issues as part of their Capstone Workshop. Their clients ranged from the United States Military Academy at West Point to the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law.

  • The Right Wing’s Endless War on Environmental Regulation

    The right wing attack on environmental regulation is a fundamental political mistake. Conservatives are correct in assuming that Americans mistrust big organizations and powerful institutions, but they should remember that the public counts on these powerful organizations to protect them.

  • Fragile States Use Geospatial Data and Maps to Better Manage Natural Resources

    Fragile States Use Geospatial Data and Maps to Better Manage Natural Resources

    Some of the world’s poorest nations have an abundance of natural resources, but also have suffered under recent conflicts. Learning how to manage these resources strategically and sustainably can help accelerate growth and development. A new web-based mapping tool may be able to help them do that.

  • Paying to Protect the Environment

    Paying to Protect the Environment

    Ecosystems provide humankind with food, fuel and fiber; they help clean the air and water, control flooding and regulate climate. Now, a group of scientists has laid out guidelines to gauge how effective we are at setting a price on such benefits of nature.

  • Geology and Filming in Mizoram

    Geology and Filming in Mizoram

    In the small town of Kolasib, we stayed in Hotel Cloud 9. I had been told since I was a child that I was always off on Cloud 9 and now I was actually here. However, the electricity wasn’t for the first few hours, so showers were cold, but the dinner was hot.