General168
-
Changing Ocean Chemistry: the Poem
A study published earlier this month indicated that due to manmade emissions of carbon dioxide, the earth’s oceans are tipping toward acidity faster than at any time in the last 300 million years. It made world headlines, and this week the study was the subject of Sunday New York Times editorial, “Changing the Chemistry of Earth’s Oceans.” And now, the poem.…
-
At the Bottom of the Bottom of the World
As we in North America emerge from a remarkably mild winter, the brief and sunny summer in the world’s deep south is drawing to a rapid close. Antarctica’s days are becoming shorter, and come the vernal equinox the South Pole will enter into its yearly hibernation—six months of dusk and night. Researchers from Columbia University…
-
Our Newest SEE-U Field Site in Jordan
In partnership with Columbia’s Global Center in Amman, the Columbia University Middle East Research Center, undergraduate students of all majors have the unique opportunity to study ecosystems and environmental sustainability in Jordan.
-
A Controversy: Fracturing in the Marcellus Shale
The organic-rich source rock of the Marcellus Shale is an on-going target for massive gas extraction. Advances in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, or hydrofracking, have made this extensive area of Marcellus black shale one of the largest unconventional and widely controversial gas operations in the United States today.
-
A New Spring Course: Bangladesh: Life on a Tectonically Active Delta
During the Spring 2012 semester, the Undergraduate Program in Sustainable Development is offering a new and unique senior Capstone Workshop that explores the world’s largest delta in Bangladesh as an example of development challenges in the 21st century.
-
ESP Students Present Initial Findings for Clients at Midterm Presentations
“The midterm briefings showcase each Workshop’s central analytic challenge and progress to date, but what I like best is the students’ palpable excitement at working for a real world client on a pressing problem,” stated Professor Sara Tjossem, who is the faculty advisor for the Workshop project “Building the First Sustainability Rating System for Local…
-
“The Population Bomb: Defused or Still Ticking?” Seminar Recap
“Thank you for coming on this gorgeous day, to sit in an airless, lightless room and discuss how to save the world,” said John Mutter, director of Columbia’s PhD in Sustainable Development and a member of the Earth Institute faculty, in welcoming the audience of the Sustainable Development Seminar, “The Population Bomb: Defused or Still…
-
Bottom Up or Top Down? Another Way to Look at an Air Quality Problem
While not all countries have the financial wherewithal and capacity to deploy ground-based instruments for air-quality monitoring, and for some countries monitoring information is not available to the public, for example, through health advisories, another way exists to assess air pollution levels: through satellites.
-
GrowNYC Speaks to CU Undergrads about Environmental Education Efforts
Amanda Gentile, Development and Communications Manager for GrowNYC, talks to undergrads about the non-profit that has been improving NYC’s environment for forty years.
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
