State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

General116

  • Splicing the Role of Genetics in Conservation

    Splicing the Role of Genetics in Conservation

    Genetics hold the secret to understanding evolutionary processes. They also hold the secret to how ecological and climatic factors influence the course of evolution. In fact, recent research—ranging in topics from butterfly speciation to the genetic diversity of immune systems in giant pandas—has found that genetics play a vital role in the outcome of conservation…

  • Research Questions in Urban Ecological Sustainability

    Research Questions in Urban Ecological Sustainability

    Despite having been regarded as a series of “externalities” by conventional systems of economic thinking, our natural environment is not merely a backdrop to human activities, but is the very base upon which all human systems are built. This reality is certainly not new to sustainability science, but it is easy to lose sight of…

  • ESP Program Partners with AmeriCorps

    ESP Program Partners with AmeriCorps

    This year, in order to draw top applicants, the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program has developed a partnership with Americorps and AmeriCorps Alums to help their alumni achieve success in graduate school. Each year, more than 80,000 Americorps volunteers engage in in service at nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community and faith-based groups…

  • Spring 2014 Undergraduate Research Assistant Opportunities

    The Earth Institute, Columbia University is pleased to announce 7 research assistant opportunities for undergraduate students during the spring 2014 semester. Undergraduates from Columbia and Barnard will be able to serve as research assistants on exciting research projects related to sustainable development and the environment with distinguished faculty and researchers at the cutting edge of…

  • Training for Best Sustainable Practices in Extractive Industries

    Training for Best Sustainable Practices in Extractive Industries

    Large investments in extractive industries such as oil, gas and mining have the potential to be a springboard for development, but these investments often have been a source of corruption, social degradation, resource dependency and environmental catastrophe. How can resource-rich countries faced with this double-edged sword make informed decisions about how to effectively leverage these…

  • ESP Alum Focuses Career on Clean Energy Solutions

    ESP Alum Focuses Career on Clean Energy Solutions

    MPA in Environmental Science and Policy alumnus James Vener (‘07) entered the program with the intention of transitioning his career from environmental engineering to environmental policy, but was surprised to discover an interest in clean energy.

  • Students and Staff Discuss Environmental Stewardship for Campus

    The Undergraduate Program in Sustainable Development was pleased to host representatives from Columbia’s Office of Environmental Stewardship on Friday, December 6, for its final Speaker Series event of 2013.

  • AGU 2013: Social Science Perspectives on Natural Hazards

    AGU 2013: Social Science Perspectives on Natural Hazards

    Learn about improving communication of and planning for natural hazards from a social science perspective at AGU2013.

  • The R/V Marcus G. Langseth: Ocean Explorer

    The R/V Marcus G. Langseth: Ocean Explorer

    The Marcus G. Langseth, a research vessel operated by Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, traverses the world’s oceans conducting marine seismic studies that contribute to new understanding of Earth systems. The ship typically spends half the year or more on research expeditions led by Lamont-Doherty scientists and colleagues from other research institutes.

Collage of Turkiye beach scene and Columbia University Campus with text: UN Climate Change Conference COP31, Antalya, Turkiye, Nov 9-20, 2026

COP31, the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, aims to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate climate action on a global scale. From November 9–20, 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society will gather to advance efforts in emission targets, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. Once again, our experts, students, and global thought leaders from Columbia Climate School and across Columbia University are contributing to key events, sharing insights, and helping shape the dialogue toward ambitious, science-based solutions. Learn More

  • Splicing the Role of Genetics in Conservation

    Splicing the Role of Genetics in Conservation

    Genetics hold the secret to understanding evolutionary processes. They also hold the secret to how ecological and climatic factors influence the course of evolution. In fact, recent research—ranging in topics from butterfly speciation to the genetic diversity of immune systems in giant pandas—has found that genetics play a vital role in the outcome of conservation…

  • Research Questions in Urban Ecological Sustainability

    Research Questions in Urban Ecological Sustainability

    Despite having been regarded as a series of “externalities” by conventional systems of economic thinking, our natural environment is not merely a backdrop to human activities, but is the very base upon which all human systems are built. This reality is certainly not new to sustainability science, but it is easy to lose sight of…

  • ESP Program Partners with AmeriCorps

    ESP Program Partners with AmeriCorps

    This year, in order to draw top applicants, the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program has developed a partnership with Americorps and AmeriCorps Alums to help their alumni achieve success in graduate school. Each year, more than 80,000 Americorps volunteers engage in in service at nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community and faith-based groups…

  • Spring 2014 Undergraduate Research Assistant Opportunities

    The Earth Institute, Columbia University is pleased to announce 7 research assistant opportunities for undergraduate students during the spring 2014 semester. Undergraduates from Columbia and Barnard will be able to serve as research assistants on exciting research projects related to sustainable development and the environment with distinguished faculty and researchers at the cutting edge of…

  • Training for Best Sustainable Practices in Extractive Industries

    Training for Best Sustainable Practices in Extractive Industries

    Large investments in extractive industries such as oil, gas and mining have the potential to be a springboard for development, but these investments often have been a source of corruption, social degradation, resource dependency and environmental catastrophe. How can resource-rich countries faced with this double-edged sword make informed decisions about how to effectively leverage these…

  • ESP Alum Focuses Career on Clean Energy Solutions

    ESP Alum Focuses Career on Clean Energy Solutions

    MPA in Environmental Science and Policy alumnus James Vener (‘07) entered the program with the intention of transitioning his career from environmental engineering to environmental policy, but was surprised to discover an interest in clean energy.

  • Students and Staff Discuss Environmental Stewardship for Campus

    The Undergraduate Program in Sustainable Development was pleased to host representatives from Columbia’s Office of Environmental Stewardship on Friday, December 6, for its final Speaker Series event of 2013.

  • AGU 2013: Social Science Perspectives on Natural Hazards

    AGU 2013: Social Science Perspectives on Natural Hazards

    Learn about improving communication of and planning for natural hazards from a social science perspective at AGU2013.

  • The R/V Marcus G. Langseth: Ocean Explorer

    The R/V Marcus G. Langseth: Ocean Explorer

    The Marcus G. Langseth, a research vessel operated by Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, traverses the world’s oceans conducting marine seismic studies that contribute to new understanding of Earth systems. The ship typically spends half the year or more on research expeditions led by Lamont-Doherty scientists and colleagues from other research institutes.