State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

General96

  • Climate Change or Public Health: Which Matters More?

    Climate Change or Public Health: Which Matters More?

    A new study by Earth Institute researchers suggests that talking about the human health impacts of air pollution related to burning fossil fuels might make a more convincing argument for action among conservatives, who are generally more skeptical of the scientific evidence for climate change.

  • Conference on Sustainable Development Practice Sept. 17-18

    Conference on Sustainable Development Practice Sept. 17-18

    The Global MDP Association and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network are hosting the 2nd Annual International Conference on Sustainable Development Practice at Columbia University.

  • Investigating Water Quality and Arsenic in Bangladesh

    Investigating Water Quality and Arsenic in Bangladesh

    Postcard from the Field: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory graduate student Rajib Mozumder, who works with Lamont scientists Lex van Geen and Ben Bostick, has spent part of his summer drilling water wells and collecting samples in Bangladesh.

  • Exploring Ecology and History in Bermuda

    Exploring Ecology and History in Bermuda

    I learned about the coral reef ecology course in Bermuda offered through the Earth Institute Center for Environmental Sustainability (EICES) at Columbia University after developing an interest in marine science over the past year. My background is in newspaper journalism, but I’m now a communications professional at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), devoted to promoting…

  • Sustainable Development Spring 2014 Workshop Briefings

    Sustainable Development Spring 2014 Workshop Briefings

    Last spring, students in the Undergraduate Program in Sustainable Development identified real solutions for sustainability issues as part of their Capstone Workshop in Sustainable Development. Under the guidance of professors Stuart Gaffin and Radley Horton, students worked as consultants for the United States Military Academy at West Point and McEnroe Organic Farm. On May 8,…

  • A ‘Bumper-Car’ Ride in the Ice Mélange

    A ‘Bumper-Car’ Ride in the Ice Mélange

    Today’s plan is to extend the sampling to include a wider region of the water exchange between Alison (Nanatakavsaup), the surrounding ocean and the connection to Hayes glacier. At the Village Meeting we had queried the local fisherman about the iceberg exit pathways for both Alison and Hayes to confirm or correct information we have…

  • When North Itself Wanders

    When North Itself Wanders

    I love thinking about why my compass points north. The deep, molten-metal motions, rising And falling … gargantuan currents of iron Conceiving vast magnetic fields, revealed In my hand, by a tiny, quivering red needle.

  • Pedal Power: The Earth Institute and Climate Ride

    Pedal Power: The Earth Institute and Climate Ride

    Once again this year the Earth Institute is a beneficiary of Climate Ride, the national bike ride to raise charitable donations for and awareness about sustainability, active transportation, and environmental causes. Participants can select the Earth Institute as a grant recipient when riding in any 2014 Climate Ride event, and anyone can support one or…

  • View from an Iceberg

    View from an Iceberg

    The science goal for today is to complete 8 CTD casts. We load into our vessel, a Poca 500GR. We have discussed a 6 to 8 hour window of boat time with Gabriel the captain and Magnus our navigator and stocked up on 40 liters of benzene.

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

  • Climate Change or Public Health: Which Matters More?

    Climate Change or Public Health: Which Matters More?

    A new study by Earth Institute researchers suggests that talking about the human health impacts of air pollution related to burning fossil fuels might make a more convincing argument for action among conservatives, who are generally more skeptical of the scientific evidence for climate change.

  • Conference on Sustainable Development Practice Sept. 17-18

    Conference on Sustainable Development Practice Sept. 17-18

    The Global MDP Association and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network are hosting the 2nd Annual International Conference on Sustainable Development Practice at Columbia University.

  • Investigating Water Quality and Arsenic in Bangladesh

    Investigating Water Quality and Arsenic in Bangladesh

    Postcard from the Field: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory graduate student Rajib Mozumder, who works with Lamont scientists Lex van Geen and Ben Bostick, has spent part of his summer drilling water wells and collecting samples in Bangladesh.

  • Exploring Ecology and History in Bermuda

    Exploring Ecology and History in Bermuda

    I learned about the coral reef ecology course in Bermuda offered through the Earth Institute Center for Environmental Sustainability (EICES) at Columbia University after developing an interest in marine science over the past year. My background is in newspaper journalism, but I’m now a communications professional at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), devoted to promoting…

  • Sustainable Development Spring 2014 Workshop Briefings

    Sustainable Development Spring 2014 Workshop Briefings

    Last spring, students in the Undergraduate Program in Sustainable Development identified real solutions for sustainability issues as part of their Capstone Workshop in Sustainable Development. Under the guidance of professors Stuart Gaffin and Radley Horton, students worked as consultants for the United States Military Academy at West Point and McEnroe Organic Farm. On May 8,…

  • A ‘Bumper-Car’ Ride in the Ice Mélange

    A ‘Bumper-Car’ Ride in the Ice Mélange

    Today’s plan is to extend the sampling to include a wider region of the water exchange between Alison (Nanatakavsaup), the surrounding ocean and the connection to Hayes glacier. At the Village Meeting we had queried the local fisherman about the iceberg exit pathways for both Alison and Hayes to confirm or correct information we have…

  • When North Itself Wanders

    When North Itself Wanders

    I love thinking about why my compass points north. The deep, molten-metal motions, rising And falling … gargantuan currents of iron Conceiving vast magnetic fields, revealed In my hand, by a tiny, quivering red needle.

  • Pedal Power: The Earth Institute and Climate Ride

    Pedal Power: The Earth Institute and Climate Ride

    Once again this year the Earth Institute is a beneficiary of Climate Ride, the national bike ride to raise charitable donations for and awareness about sustainability, active transportation, and environmental causes. Participants can select the Earth Institute as a grant recipient when riding in any 2014 Climate Ride event, and anyone can support one or…

  • View from an Iceberg

    View from an Iceberg

    The science goal for today is to complete 8 CTD casts. We load into our vessel, a Poca 500GR. We have discussed a 6 to 8 hour window of boat time with Gabriel the captain and Magnus our navigator and stocked up on 40 liters of benzene.