State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Energy26

  • Redefining our Relationship to Energy

    Redefining our Relationship to Energy

    MSSM alum Diana McCarthy-Bercury (’16) commuted from New Haven, Conn., to attend the MSSM program from 2012 to 2015. Diana is currently an energy efficiency program manager at Eversource, an electric and natural gas utility in New England, which specializes in energy services. She is determined to leave a mark by not leaving a mark.

  • Microgrids: Taking Steps Toward the 21st Century Smart Grid

    Microgrids: Taking Steps Toward the 21st Century Smart Grid

    Microgrids, networks of linked energy sources that are connected to the main grid, but are able to operate independently if power is lost, are the building blocks of the 21st century smart grid. Why aren’t there more of them?

  • Replacing the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant with Energy Efficiency

    Replacing the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant with Energy Efficiency

    Many people who are concerned about fossil fuels and climate change argue for nuclear power as a viable solution to carbon pollution. I am not one of those people.

  • Will China Take the Green Mantle From the U.S.?

    Will China Take the Green Mantle From the U.S.?

    While President Trump has promised to pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate accord, China’s President Xi Jinxing has vowed to continue to tackle climate change and honor his country’s obligations. Will China become the global leader in combating climate change?

  • Tapping into Ocean Power

    Tapping into Ocean Power

    The oceans of the world are a vast unexploited source of clean, reliable and predictable renewable energy. Could this energy help replace fossil fuels and be a solution to climate change?

  • Renewable Energy With or Without Climate Change

    Renewable Energy With or Without Climate Change

    While renewable energy will go a long way to addressing the climate change issue, its development does not require a concern for climate change. The argument for renewable energy is that it is the logical next phase of technological development.

  • Climate Change Under Trump:    A Q&A with Michael Gerrard

    Climate Change Under Trump: A Q&A with Michael Gerrard

    For those who favor strong action on climate change, the election of Donald Trump is creating plenty of anxiety and concern. Will Trump set our efforts to curb climate change back? How can those who are concerned about climate change best fight back?

  • Putting Garbage to Good Use with Waste-to-Energy

    Putting Garbage to Good Use with Waste-to-Energy

    Burning garbage to produce electricity is a strategy for sustainable waste management that is finding favor in Europe and China. Why isn’t it practiced more in the U.S.?

  • Solar New York

    Solar New York

    Governor Cuomo has set the goal that in less than a decade and a half, 50% of New York State’s energy will come from renewable resources. To some, that goal seems to be a stretch, but the chatter I’m starting to hear indicates we might even do better.

Earth Month Graphic Collage: "Our Power, Our Planet - April 2025"

The first Earth Day in 1970 ignited a movement to stop polluting our planet. This Earth Month, join us in our commitment to realizing a just and sustainable future for our planet. Visit our Earth Day website for ideas, resources, and inspiration.

  • Redefining our Relationship to Energy

    Redefining our Relationship to Energy

    MSSM alum Diana McCarthy-Bercury (’16) commuted from New Haven, Conn., to attend the MSSM program from 2012 to 2015. Diana is currently an energy efficiency program manager at Eversource, an electric and natural gas utility in New England, which specializes in energy services. She is determined to leave a mark by not leaving a mark.

  • Microgrids: Taking Steps Toward the 21st Century Smart Grid

    Microgrids: Taking Steps Toward the 21st Century Smart Grid

    Microgrids, networks of linked energy sources that are connected to the main grid, but are able to operate independently if power is lost, are the building blocks of the 21st century smart grid. Why aren’t there more of them?

  • Replacing the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant with Energy Efficiency

    Replacing the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant with Energy Efficiency

    Many people who are concerned about fossil fuels and climate change argue for nuclear power as a viable solution to carbon pollution. I am not one of those people.

  • Will China Take the Green Mantle From the U.S.?

    Will China Take the Green Mantle From the U.S.?

    While President Trump has promised to pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate accord, China’s President Xi Jinxing has vowed to continue to tackle climate change and honor his country’s obligations. Will China become the global leader in combating climate change?

  • Tapping into Ocean Power

    Tapping into Ocean Power

    The oceans of the world are a vast unexploited source of clean, reliable and predictable renewable energy. Could this energy help replace fossil fuels and be a solution to climate change?

  • Renewable Energy With or Without Climate Change

    Renewable Energy With or Without Climate Change

    While renewable energy will go a long way to addressing the climate change issue, its development does not require a concern for climate change. The argument for renewable energy is that it is the logical next phase of technological development.

  • Climate Change Under Trump:    A Q&A with Michael Gerrard

    Climate Change Under Trump: A Q&A with Michael Gerrard

    For those who favor strong action on climate change, the election of Donald Trump is creating plenty of anxiety and concern. Will Trump set our efforts to curb climate change back? How can those who are concerned about climate change best fight back?

  • Putting Garbage to Good Use with Waste-to-Energy

    Putting Garbage to Good Use with Waste-to-Energy

    Burning garbage to produce electricity is a strategy for sustainable waste management that is finding favor in Europe and China. Why isn’t it practiced more in the U.S.?

  • Solar New York

    Solar New York

    Governor Cuomo has set the goal that in less than a decade and a half, 50% of New York State’s energy will come from renewable resources. To some, that goal seems to be a stretch, but the chatter I’m starting to hear indicates we might even do better.