State of the Planet - Page 2 of 630 - News from the Columbia Climate School

A sepia-toned photo of a woman with short hair wearing an early 20th century dress posed for a portrait.

How an Adventurous Schoolteacher in the Washington Backcountry Launched the Pacific Crest Trail

New investigations bring the trail’s originator, Catherine Montgomery, into focus nearly a century later.

by |March 21, 2023

The False Trade-off Between Green Energy and Toxic Chemical Regulation

The long and tortuous effort to regulate toxic chemicals in America has now come up against an ironic obstacle: anti-environmental lobbying by the manufacturers of batteries and other renewable energy technologies that rely on toxic substances.

by |March 20, 2023

Across the Ganges to Southwest Bangladesh and the Sundarbans

Our group of 23 American and Bangladeshi students and professors traveled from the Jamuna River to the Ganges and Gorai Rivers, and then down to an island on the edge of the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest.

by |March 18, 2023

Cutting Confederate Ties, the U.S. Navy Names Ships for a Pioneering Female Oceanographer and a Daring Enslaved Pilot

Marie Tharp was a marine scientist in a man’s world. Robert Smalls was a skilled sailor, but held as a slave. Both are now being honored by the U.S. Navy.

by |March 16, 2023

Meet Two Instructors of the Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains Program

Learn about Climate School experts and their goals and plans for the program this summer.

by Laurel Zaima-Sheehy and Christina Deodatis |March 16, 2023
jeff schlegelmilch in washington dc

Why It’s So Hard to Be Prepared for Disasters

Disaster expert Jeffrey Schlegelmilch discusses February’s devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, the challenges to building resilience, and how emergencies can reveal the inner workings of a society.

by Daniella Zandi |March 15, 2023

Taking My Class to Bangladesh

My undergraduate Sustainable Development course is in Bangladesh for a Spring Break trip to see what they have been learning about. We will be touring the country by bus and boat to learn about the environment and people of Bangladesh.

by |March 15, 2023
Flooding in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Should We Stop Using the Term ‘Natural Disaster’?

The words we use to describe events matter. Would a different term elicit more substantial change?

by Ella Jacobs |March 14, 2023

Students and Faculty Gather at Sustainable Development Spring Mixer Event

Over 100 students, faculty, and alumni were able to set aside readings and assignments in exchange for a few hours of socializing and networking.

by Kayley Beard |March 13, 2023

Organizations Ignoring ESG Issues Are Asleep

The attack on an ill-defined concept called “woke” public policy has now been extended to attacking managers and investors who have the “nerve” to pay attention to a company’s environmental footprint, organizational governance practices and social and community impact.

by |March 13, 2023