Water Archives - State of the Planet

A close-up image of Sargassum seaweed on sand in Crane Beach, Barbados.

What Is Blue Carbon and How Can It Help Fight Climate Change?

Researchers at Columbia Climate School discuss the benefits and challenges of working with carbon from ocean and coastal ecosystems.

by |January 25, 2023

The Revival of Tibbetts Brook: An Environmental Victory for the Bronx

The 21st century has seen enormous progress in understanding the importance of adding green space and utilizing ecosystem services in New York City. The Tibbetts Brook project will keep our water cleaner and provide a new mile-long green space in the southern Bronx.

by |January 23, 2023
aerial view of reservoir

New Project Will Develop Climate Action Plan to Ensure New York City Water Quality

With nearly $3 million in federal funding, Climate School researchers will help develop a climate action plan to mitigate the effects of climate change on the city’s water supply.

by |January 13, 2023
artificial wetland inside a building

With Historic Droughts on the Rise, We Must Reclaim Our Water

Droughts are becoming much more severe and widespread, disrupting industry and sustenance around the world. To combat water scarcity, neighborhoods must reconsider the design of their wastewater systems.

by Joshua Nodiff |December 14, 2022

How Do We Clean Up All That Ocean Plastic?

A number of organizations are attempting to clean up the water, but solving the problem of ocean plastic pollution will also require big changes on land.

by |October 13, 2022
upmanu lall headshot

Exploring Actionable Solutions for Water Security

America’s water systems face many challenges, including climate change and aging infrastructure. An upcoming event will focus on ways to solve multiple problems at the same time, with the same funding.

by Emily Halnon |September 7, 2022

Jackson Mississippi and America’s Infrastructure Crisis

The collapse of the public water system in Jackson is far from unique. The combination of climate-accelerated extreme weather and infrastructure disinvestment ensures there will be many more Jacksons in our future.

by |September 6, 2022

Glacier Retreat in the Andes is Bankrupting a Billion Dollar Corporation

The developer of a controversial hydroelectric project in Chile has filed for bankruptcy, blaming Andean glacier retreat and droughts for low water flows.

by |April 15, 2022
evapotranspiration map

Space Station Instrument Provides Newly Detailed Look at Plants’ Drought Resistance

Plants in the same groups often show similar drought resistance independent of the climate in which they grow.

by |April 14, 2022

Struggling With Towed Equipment, Repairing GPS, and Home

We switched to a towed electromagnetic system to image the fresh and saline groundwater in Bangladesh, and ran into a variety of problems, including high winds, strong currents and running aground.

by |April 1, 2022