State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Sustainability101

  • A Carbon Tax Is Not Feasible or Practical

    The idea behind the carbon tax is that by raising the price of fossil fuels, one promotes energy efficiency and, as fossil fuels become more expensive, renewable energy technologies will become more competitive. I am certain this is true. But few elected officials are going to advocate higher fossil fuel prices.

  • Sustainable Shipping and EPA’s Truck Mileage Standards

    The huge vertically integrated companies and large factory complexes of the 20th century have been replaced by the networked organization of the 21st. This enables more specialized and efficient production because the cost of shipping is low enough to be easily covered by the reduced costs of production. Shipping of finished products is also increasing…

  • The Right Wing’s Endless War on Environmental Regulation

    The right wing attack on environmental regulation is a fundamental political mistake. Conservatives are correct in assuming that Americans mistrust big organizations and powerful institutions, but they should remember that the public counts on these powerful organizations to protect them.

  • Meet the Students Studying Trans-Boundary Sustainability Issues in the Middle East

    Meet the Students Studying Trans-Boundary Sustainability Issues in the Middle East

    This summer, nine Columbia University students and nine students from Tel Aviv University will take part in a fieldwork course focused on environmental sustainability in the Middle East.

  • Lessons of the Move From Hybrids Back to SUVs

    This shift in consumer attitudes demonstrates that mass behaviors that lead to a sustainable and renewable economy will not come from a simple desire to protect the environment. Hybrids and electric cars are more expensive than traditional autos and as long as that is the case, they will have difficulty competing with them

  • Donor Communications and Research Summer-Fall Internship Opportunity

    The Office of Funding Initiatives is seeking an intern to provide research and communications support for the summer and fall 2015 terms. Tasks will include donor/prospect research, database maintenance, mailing support and communications and writing.

  • Preparing Future Leaders through Partnerships

    Preparing Future Leaders through Partnerships

    The latest Clinton Global Initiative University conference in March brought together students and influential world leaders to discuss projects in such areas as reforestation in Haiti, coastal resilience in Florida, mobile food trucks for disadvantaged areas and new mobile apps to address issues of public health.

  • A Reason to Be Optimistic: The New Generation of Sustainability Professionals

    The task before sustainability educators is to take the inspiring energy and enthusiasm of our students and channel it into an effort to develop the conceptual and analytic tools needed to conduct high quality management and policy analyses. I’ve been involved in this work for many years and I find that while my students often…

  • Putting Knowledge to Work in the Real World: The Capstone Projects

    Putting Knowledge to Work in the Real World: The Capstone Projects

    The study of sustainability management and environmental policy is put to the test when applied to solving real world problems. Students in Columbia University’s Master of Science in Sustainability Management and Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy programs presented their final capstone projects done for real clients.

Composite banner with modern building at night and portrait of Dean Alexis Abramson that reads "Science for the Planet"

By studying thousands of buildings and analyzing their electricity use, Columbia Climate School Dean Alexis Abramson has been able to uncover ways to significantly cut energy consumption and emissions. Watch the Video: “Engineering a Cooler Future Through Smarter Buildings“

  • A Carbon Tax Is Not Feasible or Practical

    The idea behind the carbon tax is that by raising the price of fossil fuels, one promotes energy efficiency and, as fossil fuels become more expensive, renewable energy technologies will become more competitive. I am certain this is true. But few elected officials are going to advocate higher fossil fuel prices.

  • Sustainable Shipping and EPA’s Truck Mileage Standards

    The huge vertically integrated companies and large factory complexes of the 20th century have been replaced by the networked organization of the 21st. This enables more specialized and efficient production because the cost of shipping is low enough to be easily covered by the reduced costs of production. Shipping of finished products is also increasing…

  • The Right Wing’s Endless War on Environmental Regulation

    The right wing attack on environmental regulation is a fundamental political mistake. Conservatives are correct in assuming that Americans mistrust big organizations and powerful institutions, but they should remember that the public counts on these powerful organizations to protect them.

  • Meet the Students Studying Trans-Boundary Sustainability Issues in the Middle East

    Meet the Students Studying Trans-Boundary Sustainability Issues in the Middle East

    This summer, nine Columbia University students and nine students from Tel Aviv University will take part in a fieldwork course focused on environmental sustainability in the Middle East.

  • Lessons of the Move From Hybrids Back to SUVs

    This shift in consumer attitudes demonstrates that mass behaviors that lead to a sustainable and renewable economy will not come from a simple desire to protect the environment. Hybrids and electric cars are more expensive than traditional autos and as long as that is the case, they will have difficulty competing with them

  • Donor Communications and Research Summer-Fall Internship Opportunity

    The Office of Funding Initiatives is seeking an intern to provide research and communications support for the summer and fall 2015 terms. Tasks will include donor/prospect research, database maintenance, mailing support and communications and writing.

  • Preparing Future Leaders through Partnerships

    Preparing Future Leaders through Partnerships

    The latest Clinton Global Initiative University conference in March brought together students and influential world leaders to discuss projects in such areas as reforestation in Haiti, coastal resilience in Florida, mobile food trucks for disadvantaged areas and new mobile apps to address issues of public health.

  • A Reason to Be Optimistic: The New Generation of Sustainability Professionals

    The task before sustainability educators is to take the inspiring energy and enthusiasm of our students and channel it into an effort to develop the conceptual and analytic tools needed to conduct high quality management and policy analyses. I’ve been involved in this work for many years and I find that while my students often…

  • Putting Knowledge to Work in the Real World: The Capstone Projects

    Putting Knowledge to Work in the Real World: The Capstone Projects

    The study of sustainability management and environmental policy is put to the test when applied to solving real world problems. Students in Columbia University’s Master of Science in Sustainability Management and Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy programs presented their final capstone projects done for real clients.