State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Urbanization30

  • Cities at a Turning Point

    Scientists warn that many cities around the world may soon face big climate-change challenges: rising seas; shrinking water supplies; killer summer heat waves; rises in water-borne diseases as temperatures go up and sewers are swamped. No one is predicting that, say, London or Miami will simply drop beneath the waves–but these and other cities will probably have to be redesigned if…

  • Does Access to Public Transportation Increase Property Values?

    Student researcher examines bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Bogota, Colombia

  • Urban Design Lab to Help Promote Sustainability and Environmental Justice in New York City

    New Earth Institute center will provide practical assistance to community groups working to improve and develop their neighborhoods

  • Environmental Thesis Project: Green Roofs Could Help NYC Sewage System

    Using a computer model she built herself, Debra Tillinger, an environmental science major, came up with a prediction as to how much better New York City’s sewage system would function if plant-covered roofs throughout the city slowed the flow of rainwater to the sewers. Tillinger’s research, which was part of her theses project for her…

Colorful banner with city: "MR 2025: Mobility, Adaptation, and Wellbeing in a Changing Climate."
  • Cities at a Turning Point

    Scientists warn that many cities around the world may soon face big climate-change challenges: rising seas; shrinking water supplies; killer summer heat waves; rises in water-borne diseases as temperatures go up and sewers are swamped. No one is predicting that, say, London or Miami will simply drop beneath the waves–but these and other cities will probably have to be redesigned if…

  • Does Access to Public Transportation Increase Property Values?

    Student researcher examines bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Bogota, Colombia

  • Urban Design Lab to Help Promote Sustainability and Environmental Justice in New York City

    New Earth Institute center will provide practical assistance to community groups working to improve and develop their neighborhoods

  • Environmental Thesis Project: Green Roofs Could Help NYC Sewage System

    Using a computer model she built herself, Debra Tillinger, an environmental science major, came up with a prediction as to how much better New York City’s sewage system would function if plant-covered roofs throughout the city slowed the flow of rainwater to the sewers. Tillinger’s research, which was part of her theses project for her…