State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

General152

  • What’s Holding Water Conservation Back in Rockland County?

    What’s Holding Water Conservation Back in Rockland County?

    Rockland County’s main water provider, United Water NY, wants to build a treatment plant on the Hudson River that would deliver more freshwater to Rockland taps. As the project awaits state approval, a new debate on water consumption has emerged. Should people be encouraged, or even required, to use less? And if so, how?

  • London Olympics: How the Games Help Urban Development

    London Olympics: How the Games Help Urban Development

    The Olympics symbolize unity and friendship: The whole world comes together for the Games, playing by the same rules, honoring the same Olympian spirit of excellence and fair play. But today’s Olympics are notable for another type of collaboration—between the public and private sectors.

  • Climate Scientist to Lead International Research Institute for Climate and Society

    Climate Scientist to Lead International Research Institute for Climate and Society

    Lisa Goddard, a leading expert on climate change and El Niño’s influence on climate has been appointed director of the International Research Institute for Climate and Society, part of Columbia University’s Earth Institute.

  • Sustainability Management Alum Pursues Green Building Dreams

    Sustainability Management Alum Pursues Green Building Dreams

    “On a professional level, I believe that the program’s Workshop course helped me to develop the constructive communication skills that I need in order to be able to effectively connect with my clients.” MS in Sustainability Management alum Jessica Bollhoefer (’12) recently started working as a Senior Sustainability Consultant at Goby L.L.C., a LEED and…

  • MPA Alum Makes Sustainability Fashionable

    MPA Alum Makes Sustainability Fashionable

    “I am constantly confronted by new challenges, ranging from finding eco-friendly packaging and shipping materials to learning the intricate details involved in professional web design. I enjoy these challenges and the freedom to express and share my socially conscious vision through fashion.” MPA in Environmental Science and Policy alum, Adam Batnick (’10), recently started his…

  • Polar Climate Change Education Partnership Receives $5.6 Million Grant

    Polar Climate Change Education Partnership Receives $5.6 Million Grant

    The Columbia Climate Center led PoLAR Climate Change Education Partnership receives a $5.6 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), one of six awards under the Climate Change Education Partnership-Phase II program.

  • MS Students Present Final Analysis on Reporting Standards to NRDC

    MS Students Present Final Analysis on Reporting Standards to NRDC

    On Wednesday, August 8, students in the Master of Science in Sustainability Management program presented their final Capstone Workshop presentations for fellow students, program faculty, and colleagues at Columbia University’s Faculty House. The project, entitled “Environmental Performance Reporting,” required the team to analyze the pros and cons of the most viable reporting systems in order…

  • Join us for the MPA Workshop Final Briefings

    Join us for the MPA Workshop Final Briefings

    Please join us for the Summer Workshop final briefings for the MPA in Environmental Science & Policy program at Columbia University’s School of International & Public Affairs. This will be a unique opportunity to expose yourself to research our students have been conducting this semester. The briefings will be held on Wednesday, August 15 from…

  • MPA Students Learn about Urban Ecosystems in NYC Parks

    MPA Students Learn about Urban Ecosystems in NYC Parks

    On Friday, July 27, the students in the Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy (MPA-ESP) program took a field trip to Randall’s Island and Bronx River Park. The trip was organized and led by Columbia Professor Matthew Palmer who teaches Principles of Ecology and Urban Ecology during the program’s summer semester.

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

  • What’s Holding Water Conservation Back in Rockland County?

    What’s Holding Water Conservation Back in Rockland County?

    Rockland County’s main water provider, United Water NY, wants to build a treatment plant on the Hudson River that would deliver more freshwater to Rockland taps. As the project awaits state approval, a new debate on water consumption has emerged. Should people be encouraged, or even required, to use less? And if so, how?

  • London Olympics: How the Games Help Urban Development

    London Olympics: How the Games Help Urban Development

    The Olympics symbolize unity and friendship: The whole world comes together for the Games, playing by the same rules, honoring the same Olympian spirit of excellence and fair play. But today’s Olympics are notable for another type of collaboration—between the public and private sectors.

  • Climate Scientist to Lead International Research Institute for Climate and Society

    Climate Scientist to Lead International Research Institute for Climate and Society

    Lisa Goddard, a leading expert on climate change and El Niño’s influence on climate has been appointed director of the International Research Institute for Climate and Society, part of Columbia University’s Earth Institute.

  • Sustainability Management Alum Pursues Green Building Dreams

    Sustainability Management Alum Pursues Green Building Dreams

    “On a professional level, I believe that the program’s Workshop course helped me to develop the constructive communication skills that I need in order to be able to effectively connect with my clients.” MS in Sustainability Management alum Jessica Bollhoefer (’12) recently started working as a Senior Sustainability Consultant at Goby L.L.C., a LEED and…

  • MPA Alum Makes Sustainability Fashionable

    MPA Alum Makes Sustainability Fashionable

    “I am constantly confronted by new challenges, ranging from finding eco-friendly packaging and shipping materials to learning the intricate details involved in professional web design. I enjoy these challenges and the freedom to express and share my socially conscious vision through fashion.” MPA in Environmental Science and Policy alum, Adam Batnick (’10), recently started his…

  • Polar Climate Change Education Partnership Receives $5.6 Million Grant

    Polar Climate Change Education Partnership Receives $5.6 Million Grant

    The Columbia Climate Center led PoLAR Climate Change Education Partnership receives a $5.6 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), one of six awards under the Climate Change Education Partnership-Phase II program.

  • MS Students Present Final Analysis on Reporting Standards to NRDC

    MS Students Present Final Analysis on Reporting Standards to NRDC

    On Wednesday, August 8, students in the Master of Science in Sustainability Management program presented their final Capstone Workshop presentations for fellow students, program faculty, and colleagues at Columbia University’s Faculty House. The project, entitled “Environmental Performance Reporting,” required the team to analyze the pros and cons of the most viable reporting systems in order…

  • Join us for the MPA Workshop Final Briefings

    Join us for the MPA Workshop Final Briefings

    Please join us for the Summer Workshop final briefings for the MPA in Environmental Science & Policy program at Columbia University’s School of International & Public Affairs. This will be a unique opportunity to expose yourself to research our students have been conducting this semester. The briefings will be held on Wednesday, August 15 from…

  • MPA Students Learn about Urban Ecosystems in NYC Parks

    MPA Students Learn about Urban Ecosystems in NYC Parks

    On Friday, July 27, the students in the Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy (MPA-ESP) program took a field trip to Randall’s Island and Bronx River Park. The trip was organized and led by Columbia Professor Matthew Palmer who teaches Principles of Ecology and Urban Ecology during the program’s summer semester.