State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Water56

  • Newsweek Takes on Water

    Newsweek Takes on Water

    Last week Newsweek Magazine took up the water issue – a sure sign that awareness of the global water crisis is growing.

  • In New York City, 2010 is All About the Water

    In New York City, 2010 is All About the Water

    Has New York City hit a critical mass that will make it truly a green city? I’m beginning to suspect so, at least in terms of water issues. There have been an increasing number of initiatives both to remediate past damage and to prevent future water quality problems, that are worth looking at together.

  • Understanding the Crucial Connection Between Water and Energy

    Understanding the Crucial Connection Between Water and Energy

    While awareness of the water-energy nexus is growing, in many parts of the world policy affecting both energy and water remains shortsighted at best and dangerously counterproductive at worst.

  • DIY Superfund Cleanup?  Jerko the Water Vacuum Goes to Gowanus

    DIY Superfund Cleanup? Jerko the Water Vacuum Goes to Gowanus

    Last Saturday, October 2nd saw the maiden voyage of “Jerko, the Gowanus Water Vacuum” in a classic expression of the burgeoning, grandly ambitious Do-it-Yourself environmental cleanup movement. Jerko is intended to move up and down the canal, cleaning water through biological filtration and reminding us of what have done to the earth—and what, in theory,…

  • Understanding the ‘Rain’ in Rainforest

    Understanding the ‘Rain’ in Rainforest

    There is increasing evidence that forests – and subsequently, deforestation – may have impacts on global water cycles.

  • Peruvians Fight for Their Right to Water

    Peruvians Fight for Their Right to Water

    On September 17, one man was killed and 18 others injured when police attempted to break up demonstrators protesting an irrigation project recently approved by the Peruvian government.

  • Another Superfund Site in New York City: Newtown Creek to Get a Makeover

    Another Superfund Site in New York City: Newtown Creek to Get a Makeover

    The March designation of the Gowanus Canal in New York City as a SuperFund clean up site was an important step forward, and is now being followed by another leap: on Monday Newtown Creek, which runs between Queens and Brooklyn received the same designation.

  • The Earth Institute Raises $3.8 Million to Support the Millennium Cities Initiative

    The Earth Institute Raises $3.8 Million to Support the Millennium Cities Initiative

    The Earth Institute successfully completed a $1.9 million landmark challenge grant, awarded by the Tides Foundation, to benefit the Millennium Cities Initiative (MCI). Because of the Tides challenge and our generous donors, a total of $3.8 million has been raised to support the project’s work to help targeted mid-sized cities across sub-Saharan Africa promote sustainable…

  • Fear and Thirst in Las Vegas (and Phoenix, and Los Angeles . . .)

    Fear and Thirst in Las Vegas (and Phoenix, and Los Angeles . . .)

    Unless the 11-year drought that has parched the southwestern United States suddenly ends, emergency water provisions may have to be put in place to reduce water deliveries to Nevada and Arizona.

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

  • Newsweek Takes on Water

    Newsweek Takes on Water

    Last week Newsweek Magazine took up the water issue – a sure sign that awareness of the global water crisis is growing.

  • In New York City, 2010 is All About the Water

    In New York City, 2010 is All About the Water

    Has New York City hit a critical mass that will make it truly a green city? I’m beginning to suspect so, at least in terms of water issues. There have been an increasing number of initiatives both to remediate past damage and to prevent future water quality problems, that are worth looking at together.

  • Understanding the Crucial Connection Between Water and Energy

    Understanding the Crucial Connection Between Water and Energy

    While awareness of the water-energy nexus is growing, in many parts of the world policy affecting both energy and water remains shortsighted at best and dangerously counterproductive at worst.

  • DIY Superfund Cleanup?  Jerko the Water Vacuum Goes to Gowanus

    DIY Superfund Cleanup? Jerko the Water Vacuum Goes to Gowanus

    Last Saturday, October 2nd saw the maiden voyage of “Jerko, the Gowanus Water Vacuum” in a classic expression of the burgeoning, grandly ambitious Do-it-Yourself environmental cleanup movement. Jerko is intended to move up and down the canal, cleaning water through biological filtration and reminding us of what have done to the earth—and what, in theory,…

  • Understanding the ‘Rain’ in Rainforest

    Understanding the ‘Rain’ in Rainforest

    There is increasing evidence that forests – and subsequently, deforestation – may have impacts on global water cycles.

  • Peruvians Fight for Their Right to Water

    Peruvians Fight for Their Right to Water

    On September 17, one man was killed and 18 others injured when police attempted to break up demonstrators protesting an irrigation project recently approved by the Peruvian government.

  • Another Superfund Site in New York City: Newtown Creek to Get a Makeover

    Another Superfund Site in New York City: Newtown Creek to Get a Makeover

    The March designation of the Gowanus Canal in New York City as a SuperFund clean up site was an important step forward, and is now being followed by another leap: on Monday Newtown Creek, which runs between Queens and Brooklyn received the same designation.

  • The Earth Institute Raises $3.8 Million to Support the Millennium Cities Initiative

    The Earth Institute Raises $3.8 Million to Support the Millennium Cities Initiative

    The Earth Institute successfully completed a $1.9 million landmark challenge grant, awarded by the Tides Foundation, to benefit the Millennium Cities Initiative (MCI). Because of the Tides challenge and our generous donors, a total of $3.8 million has been raised to support the project’s work to help targeted mid-sized cities across sub-Saharan Africa promote sustainable…

  • Fear and Thirst in Las Vegas (and Phoenix, and Los Angeles . . .)

    Fear and Thirst in Las Vegas (and Phoenix, and Los Angeles . . .)

    Unless the 11-year drought that has parched the southwestern United States suddenly ends, emergency water provisions may have to be put in place to reduce water deliveries to Nevada and Arizona.