State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Water41

  • Natural Processes Can Limit Spread of Arsenic in Water, Says Study

    Wells From Asia to North America Vulnerable

  • Imagining the Hudson before Humans

    Imagining the Hudson before Humans

    Pollution is just one way that humans have transformed the Hudson River. A small way, it turns out. We have altered the Hudson’s shape, the speed of its flow and the mix of plants and trees along its banks. In a new book, Environmental History of the Hudson River, two Lamont-Doherty scientists who contributed chapters—Frank…

  • Using Tree Rings to Understand and Protect New York’s Water

    Using Tree Rings to Understand and Protect New York’s Water

    The upper Delaware River Basin System is one of the largest water supply systems for the city of New York. Today our understanding and management of these reservoir systems is based on the short historical records of data, which are limited. Scientists need to find a way to look further into the past. One of…

  • Pharmaceuticals in the Water Supply: Is this a threat?

    Pharmaceuticals in the Water Supply: Is this a threat?

    According to the GAO, a “study focused on untreated source water used by public drinking water systems” found that 53 of 74 sites tested had at least one pharmaceutical present, and in 2010 the EPA showed that 54 active pharmaceutical ingredients and 10 metabolites, the product of biological changes to a chemical, had been found…

  • In Dry Texas, Recycled Water Looks Better and Better

    In Dry Texas, Recycled Water Looks Better and Better

    As the drought in Texas continues with no end in sight, some cities are turning to innovative water alternatives in an attempt to maintain quality of life as they know it. The new mindset includes viewing waste water as an asset.

  • Mosquito Traps for the Future

    Mosquito Traps for the Future

    The New York Times reported yesterday on a new, simple approach to mosquito control that—if accurate–could be a game changer in the world’s efforts to eradicate mosquito-borne diseases.

  • Community Associations and Sustainable Development in Rural Brazil

    Community Associations and Sustainable Development in Rural Brazil

    After spending two days back in the big city of Fortaleza learning about the finer points of water management in the state of Ceará, I’ve returned to the rural municipality of Milhã, ground zero for the Columbia Water Center’s project to improve water access in Brazil’s semi-arid sertão region. Our group is now just three:…

  • Can Canadian Water Slake America’s Need for Power?

    Can Canadian Water Slake America’s Need for Power?

    At a time when the world is abuzz with talk of reducing carbon dioxide emissions to stem the tide of climate change, Canada’s surfeit of hydropower production appears an attractive option to people south of the border who still rely on fossil fuel-generated electricity.

  • Cruising up the Brahmaputra

    Cruising up the Brahmaputra

    Rejoining the ship, we sailed up the Padma and Jamuna (Brahmaputra) Rivers. Hurrying to our primary area with the help of pilots, we finally collected good seismic data.

Photo of the Earth from space with the text "Lamont at AGU25" on top.

AGU25, the premier Earth and space science conference, takes place December 15-19, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This year’s theme—Where Science Connects Us—puts in focus how science depends on connection, from the lab to the field to the ballot box. Once again, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Columbia Climate School scientists, experts, students, and educators are playing an active role, sharing our research and helping shape the future of our planet. #AGU25 Learn More

  • Natural Processes Can Limit Spread of Arsenic in Water, Says Study

    Wells From Asia to North America Vulnerable

  • Imagining the Hudson before Humans

    Imagining the Hudson before Humans

    Pollution is just one way that humans have transformed the Hudson River. A small way, it turns out. We have altered the Hudson’s shape, the speed of its flow and the mix of plants and trees along its banks. In a new book, Environmental History of the Hudson River, two Lamont-Doherty scientists who contributed chapters—Frank…

  • Using Tree Rings to Understand and Protect New York’s Water

    Using Tree Rings to Understand and Protect New York’s Water

    The upper Delaware River Basin System is one of the largest water supply systems for the city of New York. Today our understanding and management of these reservoir systems is based on the short historical records of data, which are limited. Scientists need to find a way to look further into the past. One of…

  • Pharmaceuticals in the Water Supply: Is this a threat?

    Pharmaceuticals in the Water Supply: Is this a threat?

    According to the GAO, a “study focused on untreated source water used by public drinking water systems” found that 53 of 74 sites tested had at least one pharmaceutical present, and in 2010 the EPA showed that 54 active pharmaceutical ingredients and 10 metabolites, the product of biological changes to a chemical, had been found…

  • In Dry Texas, Recycled Water Looks Better and Better

    In Dry Texas, Recycled Water Looks Better and Better

    As the drought in Texas continues with no end in sight, some cities are turning to innovative water alternatives in an attempt to maintain quality of life as they know it. The new mindset includes viewing waste water as an asset.

  • Mosquito Traps for the Future

    Mosquito Traps for the Future

    The New York Times reported yesterday on a new, simple approach to mosquito control that—if accurate–could be a game changer in the world’s efforts to eradicate mosquito-borne diseases.

  • Community Associations and Sustainable Development in Rural Brazil

    Community Associations and Sustainable Development in Rural Brazil

    After spending two days back in the big city of Fortaleza learning about the finer points of water management in the state of Ceará, I’ve returned to the rural municipality of Milhã, ground zero for the Columbia Water Center’s project to improve water access in Brazil’s semi-arid sertão region. Our group is now just three:…

  • Can Canadian Water Slake America’s Need for Power?

    Can Canadian Water Slake America’s Need for Power?

    At a time when the world is abuzz with talk of reducing carbon dioxide emissions to stem the tide of climate change, Canada’s surfeit of hydropower production appears an attractive option to people south of the border who still rely on fossil fuel-generated electricity.

  • Cruising up the Brahmaputra

    Cruising up the Brahmaputra

    Rejoining the ship, we sailed up the Padma and Jamuna (Brahmaputra) Rivers. Hurrying to our primary area with the help of pilots, we finally collected good seismic data.