State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

snow on ice

  • The Story of Lake Gus

    The Story of Lake Gus

    For this early part of the season the goal is to tease apart a record of historic precipitation and temperature for this region using isotopes from leaf waxes collected in the lake sediments.

  • Scientists Are Superheroes With Super Powers

    Scientists Are Superheroes With Super Powers

    Superheroes are identified by their unique powers and skills, allowing them to see and act in ways that inspire awe in the rest of us. Do scientists have superhero powers?

  • An Icy Irony in Greenland

    An Icy Irony in Greenland

    We awoke to messages that a towering iceberg is threatening the local waterfront settlement of Innaarsuit. There is perhaps a bit of irony in the fact that a massive looming block of ice is a potential threat to the start of our field season.

  • Exploring Greenland With Wings, Boats and Drones

    Exploring Greenland With Wings, Boats and Drones

    Snow on Ice is launching into the field with two teams of scientists this summer. The first group, an ‘advance team’ of six women, will focus on lakes where meltwater has collected on the southwestern flank of Greenland bedrock.

  • Will Loss of Arctic Sea Ice Cause More ‘Snow on Ice’ in Greenland?

    Will Loss of Arctic Sea Ice Cause More ‘Snow on Ice’ in Greenland?

    Scientists are collecting lake sediment, rock, water and plant samples to tease apart linkages between Arctic sea ice, atmospheric uptake, and changes in snowfall on the Greenland Ice Sheet.

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

  • The Story of Lake Gus

    The Story of Lake Gus

    For this early part of the season the goal is to tease apart a record of historic precipitation and temperature for this region using isotopes from leaf waxes collected in the lake sediments.

  • Scientists Are Superheroes With Super Powers

    Scientists Are Superheroes With Super Powers

    Superheroes are identified by their unique powers and skills, allowing them to see and act in ways that inspire awe in the rest of us. Do scientists have superhero powers?

  • An Icy Irony in Greenland

    An Icy Irony in Greenland

    We awoke to messages that a towering iceberg is threatening the local waterfront settlement of Innaarsuit. There is perhaps a bit of irony in the fact that a massive looming block of ice is a potential threat to the start of our field season.

  • Exploring Greenland With Wings, Boats and Drones

    Exploring Greenland With Wings, Boats and Drones

    Snow on Ice is launching into the field with two teams of scientists this summer. The first group, an ‘advance team’ of six women, will focus on lakes where meltwater has collected on the southwestern flank of Greenland bedrock.

  • Will Loss of Arctic Sea Ice Cause More ‘Snow on Ice’ in Greenland?

    Will Loss of Arctic Sea Ice Cause More ‘Snow on Ice’ in Greenland?

    Scientists are collecting lake sediment, rock, water and plant samples to tease apart linkages between Arctic sea ice, atmospheric uptake, and changes in snowfall on the Greenland Ice Sheet.