State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Energy42

  • A Chat With Shahid Naeem, CERC’s Director of Science

    A Chat With Shahid Naeem, CERC’s Director of Science

    In candid conversation, wrought with his usual humor and wit, Dr. Shahid Naeem, CERC’s Director of Science, discusses topics ranging from the critical role of life on Earth and trends in sustainability to Taylor Swift, his own personal “Science Hall of Fame” and being called a tree-hugger.

  • Energy and emissions in a post-recession world

    Energy and emissions in a post-recession world

    On November 29th Dr. Fatih Birol, Chief Economist of the International Energy Agency, gave a lecture at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) as part of the school’s “Leaders in Global Energy” lecture series. Dr. Birol presented the highlights of the IEA’s recently released “World Energy Outlook 2011”, an annual analysis of…

  • The Sustainable Development Seminar Series Returns

    The Sustainable Development Seminar Series Returns

    “Natural and Manmade Disasters: Lessons for the Future” kicked off the seminar series on October 18 with presentations about the Haiti Earthquake of 2010, the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico of 2010, and the 2011 tsunami and earthquake that damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan.

  • Larry Burns Elected to the National Academy of Engineering

    Larry Burns Elected to the National Academy of Engineering

    Larry Burns, director of the Earth Institute’s Roundtable on Sustainable Mobility, was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) on Oct. 16, 2011. A self-proclaimed “engineer through and through,” Burns teaches engineering practice at the University of Michigan and visits New York City regularly to lead the Roundtable.

  • Life as an Earth Institute Postdoctoral Fellow

    Life as an Earth Institute Postdoctoral Fellow

    By Daniel Soto About this time a two years ago, I was preparing my own application to be an Earth Institute Postdoctoral Fellow.  I am beginning my second year in the fellowship and would like to share my experience with anyone who is interested in the program. My work here at the Earth Institute explores…

  • 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.

  • 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…

  • Open House: Earth Institute Undergraduate Programs

    Open House: Earth Institute Undergraduate Programs

    Whether you are interested in global poverty alleviation, sustainable development, sustainability management, ecology or environmental policy, Columbia University has a program for you. Attend the Environmental and Sustainable Development Programs Open House from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, Low Memorial Library, Columbia University (116th & Broadway) to learn more.

  • Artificial Trees: Giving Us Time to Act?

    Artificial Trees: Giving Us Time to Act?

    Soon after Klaus Lackner met Allen Wright at Biosphere 2 in Arizona, they began dreaming up a way to pull CO2 out of the air. After years of work, the two have come up with a working laboratory-scale prototype…

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

  • A Chat With Shahid Naeem, CERC’s Director of Science

    A Chat With Shahid Naeem, CERC’s Director of Science

    In candid conversation, wrought with his usual humor and wit, Dr. Shahid Naeem, CERC’s Director of Science, discusses topics ranging from the critical role of life on Earth and trends in sustainability to Taylor Swift, his own personal “Science Hall of Fame” and being called a tree-hugger.

  • Energy and emissions in a post-recession world

    Energy and emissions in a post-recession world

    On November 29th Dr. Fatih Birol, Chief Economist of the International Energy Agency, gave a lecture at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) as part of the school’s “Leaders in Global Energy” lecture series. Dr. Birol presented the highlights of the IEA’s recently released “World Energy Outlook 2011”, an annual analysis of…

  • The Sustainable Development Seminar Series Returns

    The Sustainable Development Seminar Series Returns

    “Natural and Manmade Disasters: Lessons for the Future” kicked off the seminar series on October 18 with presentations about the Haiti Earthquake of 2010, the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico of 2010, and the 2011 tsunami and earthquake that damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan.

  • Larry Burns Elected to the National Academy of Engineering

    Larry Burns Elected to the National Academy of Engineering

    Larry Burns, director of the Earth Institute’s Roundtable on Sustainable Mobility, was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) on Oct. 16, 2011. A self-proclaimed “engineer through and through,” Burns teaches engineering practice at the University of Michigan and visits New York City regularly to lead the Roundtable.

  • Life as an Earth Institute Postdoctoral Fellow

    Life as an Earth Institute Postdoctoral Fellow

    By Daniel Soto About this time a two years ago, I was preparing my own application to be an Earth Institute Postdoctoral Fellow.  I am beginning my second year in the fellowship and would like to share my experience with anyone who is interested in the program. My work here at the Earth Institute explores…

  • 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.

  • 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…

  • Open House: Earth Institute Undergraduate Programs

    Open House: Earth Institute Undergraduate Programs

    Whether you are interested in global poverty alleviation, sustainable development, sustainability management, ecology or environmental policy, Columbia University has a program for you. Attend the Environmental and Sustainable Development Programs Open House from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, Low Memorial Library, Columbia University (116th & Broadway) to learn more.

  • Artificial Trees: Giving Us Time to Act?

    Artificial Trees: Giving Us Time to Act?

    Soon after Klaus Lackner met Allen Wright at Biosphere 2 in Arizona, they began dreaming up a way to pull CO2 out of the air. After years of work, the two have come up with a working laboratory-scale prototype…