State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

General97

  • A Meeting for the Kullorsuaq Community

    A Meeting for the Kullorsuaq Community

    It seems that many of the local fishermen have gone to hunt Narwal further north but there are several good prospects for boats that Søren will scout further as several of the fishermen are sleeping as the fishing is better right now at night. With 24 hours of daylight day or night fishing doesn’t really…

  • MPA Alum Serves as EDF Climate Fellow

    MPA Alum Serves as EDF Climate Fellow

    MPA in Environmental Science and Policy alum, Olin Berger (’14) is putting his degree to use this summer as a member of the Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps in Chicago, Illinois. Olin is working to analyze energy efficiency projects for high rise office buildings in downtown Chicago.

  • Tale of a Carbon Atom

    Tale of a Carbon Atom

    I am a wild carbon atom, To others I’ve sometimes been bound, Not locked in some hard, rocky stratum, I’m telling you: I get around!

  • ‘Thumbs Up’ for Travel to Kullorsuaq

    ‘Thumbs Up’ for Travel to Kullorsuaq

    At the small airport a smiling woman approaches us asking our plans in one word “Kullorsuaq?” We smile and nod and she grins broadly motioning that she and her daughter are going there too – it is their home she manages to convey.

  • The Changing Upernavik Waterfront

    The Changing Upernavik Waterfront

    Project Background: Changing conditions in Greenland’s northwest glaciers over the last decade have led to a range of questions about water temperature and circulation patterns in the fjords where ocean water meets the glacial fronts.

  • Iron Fingerprints

    Iron Fingerprints

    Metals galore in deep Earth, But at the sea surface, a dearth. Iron is key For greening the sea … To planktic cells, gold has less worth.

  • MPA Students Discover the Gowanus Canal and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

    MPA Students Discover the Gowanus Canal and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

    The students in the newest MPA in Environmental Science and Policy cohort have spent the summer semester focusing on climatology, environmental chemistry, and ecology while supplementing classroom learning with field trips around New York. The field trips allow the 60 students to look at classroom topics in a real-world context.

  • Glacier Marks on Mount Chirripó

    Glacier Marks on Mount Chirripó

    On his sixth day on Mount Chirripo, Lamont’s Max Cunningham finds clues of the mountain’s origins and evolution.

  • Back to Mount Chirripó

    Back to Mount Chirripó

    On their fifth day of fieldwork on Mount Chirripo, Lamont’s Max Cunningham and Mike Kaplan encounter some deeply weathered boulders.

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 for the Kullorsuaq Community

    A Meeting for the Kullorsuaq Community

    It seems that many of the local fishermen have gone to hunt Narwal further north but there are several good prospects for boats that Søren will scout further as several of the fishermen are sleeping as the fishing is better right now at night. With 24 hours of daylight day or night fishing doesn’t really…

  • MPA Alum Serves as EDF Climate Fellow

    MPA Alum Serves as EDF Climate Fellow

    MPA in Environmental Science and Policy alum, Olin Berger (’14) is putting his degree to use this summer as a member of the Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps in Chicago, Illinois. Olin is working to analyze energy efficiency projects for high rise office buildings in downtown Chicago.

  • Tale of a Carbon Atom

    Tale of a Carbon Atom

    I am a wild carbon atom, To others I’ve sometimes been bound, Not locked in some hard, rocky stratum, I’m telling you: I get around!

  • ‘Thumbs Up’ for Travel to Kullorsuaq

    ‘Thumbs Up’ for Travel to Kullorsuaq

    At the small airport a smiling woman approaches us asking our plans in one word “Kullorsuaq?” We smile and nod and she grins broadly motioning that she and her daughter are going there too – it is their home she manages to convey.

  • The Changing Upernavik Waterfront

    The Changing Upernavik Waterfront

    Project Background: Changing conditions in Greenland’s northwest glaciers over the last decade have led to a range of questions about water temperature and circulation patterns in the fjords where ocean water meets the glacial fronts.

  • Iron Fingerprints

    Iron Fingerprints

    Metals galore in deep Earth, But at the sea surface, a dearth. Iron is key For greening the sea … To planktic cells, gold has less worth.

  • MPA Students Discover the Gowanus Canal and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

    MPA Students Discover the Gowanus Canal and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

    The students in the newest MPA in Environmental Science and Policy cohort have spent the summer semester focusing on climatology, environmental chemistry, and ecology while supplementing classroom learning with field trips around New York. The field trips allow the 60 students to look at classroom topics in a real-world context.

  • Glacier Marks on Mount Chirripó

    Glacier Marks on Mount Chirripó

    On his sixth day on Mount Chirripo, Lamont’s Max Cunningham finds clues of the mountain’s origins and evolution.

  • Back to Mount Chirripó

    Back to Mount Chirripó

    On their fifth day of fieldwork on Mount Chirripo, Lamont’s Max Cunningham and Mike Kaplan encounter some deeply weathered boulders.