State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

General176

  • A Meeting of Science and Human Impact

    A Meeting of Science and Human Impact

    A talk Monday by Cynthia Rosenzweig of the Center for Climate Systems Research serves as a good example of how some of the hard science being discussed at the American Geophysical Union’s fall meeting intersects directly with human welfare. She outlined the progress of a new global project that will help scientists produce more accurate…

  • Ancient Dry Spells, Future Risk?

    Ancient Dry Spells, Future Risk?

    The last major drought to hit the northeastern U.S. lasted three years and shrunk New York City’s reservoirs by nearly three quarters. But as bad as that drought was, the region has seen at least three dry spells in the last 6,000 years that were far worse, says Dorothy Peteet, a climate scientist at Columbia…

  • The Art and Science of Speed Dating

    The Art and Science of Speed Dating

    Speed dating can help singles looking for love. Can it help bring artists and scientists closer together, too?

  • Environmental Science and Policy Students Focus on Management Issues

    Environmental Science and Policy Students Focus on Management Issues

    On Wednesday, November 30, students in the Master of Public Administration program in Environmental Science and Policy presented their final Workshop briefings for fellow students and staff at the School of International and Public Affairs. Students in the program conduct research and analysis in the Workshop course for each of the three semesters they spend…

  • Gates Gift to Work Toward Millennium Development Goals

    Gates Gift to Work Toward Millennium Development Goals

    The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation recently renewed its support for science and policy innovation to help impoverished countries achieve the Millennium Development Goals with a $15,000,000 multi-year grant.

  • Greenbuilding in Riverside Park

    Greenbuilding in Riverside Park

    Preview of carbon-neutral facility, built of recycled materials that will operate entirely off the grid in Riverside Park.

  • Environmental Sustainability Fellowship Awards – Deadline Extension

    Environmental Sustainability Fellowship Awards – Deadline Extension

    The School of International and Public Affairs, Environmental Sustainability Fellows will be awarded for the first time by the Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy program for the academic year 2012-2013. Environmental Sustainability Fellows will receive $20,000 each toward their tuition. We have extended the application deadline for the award to January…

  • Crossing Barriers for Women in Uganda and Tajikistan

    Crossing Barriers for Women in Uganda and Tajikistan

    From Central Africa to Central Asia, women are helping other women to continue attending school and to begin their own businesses, sometimes in conflict with local customs. Yet what does it really mean to break down cultural barriers to work toward these types of gender equality?

  • Rethinking Our Food System to Combat Obesity

    Rethinking Our Food System to Combat Obesity

    The Earth Institute’s Urban Design Lab and MIT Collaborative Initiatives joined to investigate the issue of obesity through the prism of design. Their conclusion: “No single effort to curb childhood obesity will be sustainable or effective on a broad scale if the larger food system is not addressed.”

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

  • A Meeting of Science and Human Impact

    A Meeting of Science and Human Impact

    A talk Monday by Cynthia Rosenzweig of the Center for Climate Systems Research serves as a good example of how some of the hard science being discussed at the American Geophysical Union’s fall meeting intersects directly with human welfare. She outlined the progress of a new global project that will help scientists produce more accurate…

  • Ancient Dry Spells, Future Risk?

    Ancient Dry Spells, Future Risk?

    The last major drought to hit the northeastern U.S. lasted three years and shrunk New York City’s reservoirs by nearly three quarters. But as bad as that drought was, the region has seen at least three dry spells in the last 6,000 years that were far worse, says Dorothy Peteet, a climate scientist at Columbia…

  • The Art and Science of Speed Dating

    The Art and Science of Speed Dating

    Speed dating can help singles looking for love. Can it help bring artists and scientists closer together, too?

  • Environmental Science and Policy Students Focus on Management Issues

    Environmental Science and Policy Students Focus on Management Issues

    On Wednesday, November 30, students in the Master of Public Administration program in Environmental Science and Policy presented their final Workshop briefings for fellow students and staff at the School of International and Public Affairs. Students in the program conduct research and analysis in the Workshop course for each of the three semesters they spend…

  • Gates Gift to Work Toward Millennium Development Goals

    Gates Gift to Work Toward Millennium Development Goals

    The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation recently renewed its support for science and policy innovation to help impoverished countries achieve the Millennium Development Goals with a $15,000,000 multi-year grant.

  • Greenbuilding in Riverside Park

    Greenbuilding in Riverside Park

    Preview of carbon-neutral facility, built of recycled materials that will operate entirely off the grid in Riverside Park.

  • Environmental Sustainability Fellowship Awards – Deadline Extension

    Environmental Sustainability Fellowship Awards – Deadline Extension

    The School of International and Public Affairs, Environmental Sustainability Fellows will be awarded for the first time by the Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy program for the academic year 2012-2013. Environmental Sustainability Fellows will receive $20,000 each toward their tuition. We have extended the application deadline for the award to January…

  • Crossing Barriers for Women in Uganda and Tajikistan

    Crossing Barriers for Women in Uganda and Tajikistan

    From Central Africa to Central Asia, women are helping other women to continue attending school and to begin their own businesses, sometimes in conflict with local customs. Yet what does it really mean to break down cultural barriers to work toward these types of gender equality?

  • Rethinking Our Food System to Combat Obesity

    Rethinking Our Food System to Combat Obesity

    The Earth Institute’s Urban Design Lab and MIT Collaborative Initiatives joined to investigate the issue of obesity through the prism of design. Their conclusion: “No single effort to curb childhood obesity will be sustainable or effective on a broad scale if the larger food system is not addressed.”