State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

acid rain

  • Growing Nitrogen Footprint Threatens Our Air, Water and Climate

    Growing Nitrogen Footprint Threatens Our Air, Water and Climate

    Industrial farming in the temperate climates has been seen as the main cause of nitrogen pollution, but tropical agriculture emissions are catching up.

  • The Catskill Watershed: a Story of Sacrifice and Cooperation

    The Catskill Watershed: a Story of Sacrifice and Cooperation

    It has become so easy for us here in NYC to turn on the tap without realizing the hardship, unimaginable sacrifices and money that have allowed us this incredible resource at the mere flick of a finger. We returned to the downstream end of the aqueducts with a newfound appreciation of the hard work we…

  • Why is Your Nitrogen Footprint Important?

    Why is Your Nitrogen Footprint Important?

    While most people today are aware of the importance of reducing their carbon footprint, far fewer understand the harmful effects of nitrogen pollution. Yet many scientists believe that man’s disruption of the natural nitrogen cycle is a potential global tipping point and a serious threat to biodiversity.

Columbia Climate School Giving Day on October 28, 2026, featuring students and renewable energy imagery

October 28, 2026 is Columbia Giving Day! Your gift to Columbia Climate School helps advance interdisciplinary research, educate the next generation of leaders, and transform bold ideas into real-world solutions for climate, Earth, and society.

  • Growing Nitrogen Footprint Threatens Our Air, Water and Climate

    Growing Nitrogen Footprint Threatens Our Air, Water and Climate

    Industrial farming in the temperate climates has been seen as the main cause of nitrogen pollution, but tropical agriculture emissions are catching up.

  • The Catskill Watershed: a Story of Sacrifice and Cooperation

    The Catskill Watershed: a Story of Sacrifice and Cooperation

    It has become so easy for us here in NYC to turn on the tap without realizing the hardship, unimaginable sacrifices and money that have allowed us this incredible resource at the mere flick of a finger. We returned to the downstream end of the aqueducts with a newfound appreciation of the hard work we…

  • Why is Your Nitrogen Footprint Important?

    Why is Your Nitrogen Footprint Important?

    While most people today are aware of the importance of reducing their carbon footprint, far fewer understand the harmful effects of nitrogen pollution. Yet many scientists believe that man’s disruption of the natural nitrogen cycle is a potential global tipping point and a serious threat to biodiversity.