Sustainability Archives - State of the Planet

The Financial Reality of Regulating Lead and Methane

The path to environmental protection runs through the reality of financial feasibility.

by |December 4, 2023
A smiling young man in front of a wall of photos

Alumni Spotlight: When the Student Becomes the Teacher

A recent graduate of the Master of Science in Sustainability Science program, Reuben Goh hopes to convey his enthusiasm for the environment to future students.

by Olivia Colton |December 1, 2023

Five Ways to Host a More Sustainable Thanksgiving

Food systems researcher Jessica Fanzo offers tips for a more environmentally friendly holiday.

by Jessica Fanzo |November 20, 2023

The Accomplishments and Limits of Environmental Policy

For environmental policy to be effective, it must encourage the transition already underway in many private businesses, focusing on continuous improvement rather than the achievement of symbolic goals, with a broader scope than climate change alone.

by |November 13, 2023
summer interns

Student Spotlight: How the Sustainable Development Program Helped Further My Career

Two sustainable-development students reflect on career-defining internships.

by |November 3, 2023

The Reality of the Transition to an Environmentally Sustainable Economy in New York City

Environmental impact has gone from the fringes to the center of our consciousness. Government, entrepreneurs, individuals, and major institutions play important roles in the transition to environmental sustainability.

by |October 30, 2023

Alumni Spotlight: What It’s Like to Work at SpaceX

Daryush Nourbaha says a master’s degree in sustainability science prepared him well for his role at one of the world’s most high-profile companies. Plus he got to watch a rocket launch.

by Olivia Colton |October 12, 2023

Building Environmental Policy on America’s Support for a Clean Environment

To develop a winning strategy promoting environmental protection, we should look at our many success stories and seek to imitate them. Successful policy has been based on widely shared values: we all like to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and live in a place free of toxics.

by |October 9, 2023

How Can Communities and Developers Work to Mitigate the Impacts of Big Projects?

A new guide aims to helps developers and communities negotiate agreements that will minimize the impacts of large projects on local people and land.

by Matthew Eisenson |October 3, 2023

Adapting to our Warming Planet Despite our Dysfunctional Congress

The renewable energy transition has begun, but it will not happen rapidly. In the meantime, we need to invest in infrastructure and other measures that will enable human settlements to withstand the impact of extreme weather and recover from the damage that inevitably comes.

by |October 2, 2023