State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Health27

  • Track Mosquitoes with your Smartphone

    Track Mosquitoes with your Smartphone

    Using crowd-sourced data, the Bitebytes app can educate the public on mosquitoes, the diseases they transmit, and mosquito habitat control, while allowing cities to target key areas to help control the potential for the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

  • A Small Senate Victory Maintains Methane Regulation

    A Small Senate Victory Maintains Methane Regulation

    While I see little hope of modernizing the environmental regulatory structure under the current regime, last week provided some hope that the U.S. Senate won’t allow our environmental laws to be dismantled.

  • Can State Environmental Agencies Fill in for a Failing EPA?

    Can State Environmental Agencies Fill in for a Failing EPA?

    There are places where EPA will fail the American people. But while state and local governments cannot perform all the functions that a national environmental agency can, visible local environmental and health impacts will lead mayors and governors to act.

  • Sustainable Development Fall 2016 Workshop Briefings

    By Chandler Precht On December 9, 2016, students in the Undergraduate Program in Sustainable Development presented practical solutions to sustainability issues and challenges faced by real world clients. Under the guidance of Professor Stuart Gaffin and Professor Radley Horton, the Capstone Workshop offers students a chance to convey the knowledge and theories gained throughout their time in the…

  • The New State of Terrorism: How to Prepare

    The New State of Terrorism: How to Prepare

    Here are some other things you should know to help cope with a local terror event caused by a “lone wolf” attacker or active shooter situation, from the National Center for Disaster Preparedness.

  • The World Trade Center Disaster And Our Toxic World

    The World Trade Center Disaster And Our Toxic World

    In a dangerous world we must be vigilant in the face of evil, but we must also do our best to reduce self-inflicted wounds. We can do a better job of detoxifying our technology, and of helping those who are victims of attacks and disasters. We owe it to our children and the planet they…

  • How Safe is the Hudson? Scientists Test the River, Adirondacks to Ocean

    How Safe is the Hudson? Scientists Test the River, Adirondacks to Ocean

    A team of scientists conducted an unprecedented health check of the entire Hudson River system, from its source to New York Harbor. This is what they found.

  • Changing Environmental Values and a Changing World

    Changing Environmental Values and a Changing World

    I believe that concern over tap water is part of the growing movement for locally-sourced food, physical fitness, and what has been termed “wellness.” The underlying source of support for environmental protection is a growing understanding of the relationship between a toxic environment and human health.

  • Study Warns of Surge in Heat-Related Deaths in New York City

    Study Warns of Surge in Heat-Related Deaths in New York City

    A new study projects that as many as 3,331 people a year could be dying from the heat during New York City summers by 2080 as a result of the warming climate. That compares to 638 heat-related deaths on average between 2000 and 2006.

  • Track Mosquitoes with your Smartphone

    Track Mosquitoes with your Smartphone

    Using crowd-sourced data, the Bitebytes app can educate the public on mosquitoes, the diseases they transmit, and mosquito habitat control, while allowing cities to target key areas to help control the potential for the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

  • A Small Senate Victory Maintains Methane Regulation

    A Small Senate Victory Maintains Methane Regulation

    While I see little hope of modernizing the environmental regulatory structure under the current regime, last week provided some hope that the U.S. Senate won’t allow our environmental laws to be dismantled.

  • Can State Environmental Agencies Fill in for a Failing EPA?

    Can State Environmental Agencies Fill in for a Failing EPA?

    There are places where EPA will fail the American people. But while state and local governments cannot perform all the functions that a national environmental agency can, visible local environmental and health impacts will lead mayors and governors to act.

  • Sustainable Development Fall 2016 Workshop Briefings

    By Chandler Precht On December 9, 2016, students in the Undergraduate Program in Sustainable Development presented practical solutions to sustainability issues and challenges faced by real world clients. Under the guidance of Professor Stuart Gaffin and Professor Radley Horton, the Capstone Workshop offers students a chance to convey the knowledge and theories gained throughout their time in the…

  • The New State of Terrorism: How to Prepare

    The New State of Terrorism: How to Prepare

    Here are some other things you should know to help cope with a local terror event caused by a “lone wolf” attacker or active shooter situation, from the National Center for Disaster Preparedness.

  • The World Trade Center Disaster And Our Toxic World

    The World Trade Center Disaster And Our Toxic World

    In a dangerous world we must be vigilant in the face of evil, but we must also do our best to reduce self-inflicted wounds. We can do a better job of detoxifying our technology, and of helping those who are victims of attacks and disasters. We owe it to our children and the planet they…

  • How Safe is the Hudson? Scientists Test the River, Adirondacks to Ocean

    How Safe is the Hudson? Scientists Test the River, Adirondacks to Ocean

    A team of scientists conducted an unprecedented health check of the entire Hudson River system, from its source to New York Harbor. This is what they found.

  • Changing Environmental Values and a Changing World

    Changing Environmental Values and a Changing World

    I believe that concern over tap water is part of the growing movement for locally-sourced food, physical fitness, and what has been termed “wellness.” The underlying source of support for environmental protection is a growing understanding of the relationship between a toxic environment and human health.

  • Study Warns of Surge in Heat-Related Deaths in New York City

    Study Warns of Surge in Heat-Related Deaths in New York City

    A new study projects that as many as 3,331 people a year could be dying from the heat during New York City summers by 2080 as a result of the warming climate. That compares to 638 heat-related deaths on average between 2000 and 2006.