State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

biofuels

  • Synthetic Biology: Creating New Forms of Life

    Synthetic Biology: Creating New Forms of Life

    When leading genomic scientist, J. Craig Venter announced in May 2010 that he’d created the first self-replicating organism with a totally synthetic genome (the genetic material of an organism), it was the first time many people had heard of synthetic biology. Venter did not actually create a synthetic living organism—rather his research team created a…

  • Urbanization, Export Crops Drive Deforestation

    In Reversal, Land Is Cleared for Global Trade and Big Cities, Says Study

  • Global Food Crisis Golden Opportunity for African Farmers

    “The global food crisis is the result of a perfect storm,” said Dr. Pedro Sanchez of the Earth Institute at an event in Nairobi on Thursday, April 24. “The diversion of land for biofuels, the increasing demand for feed grains and the drought in Australia have all contributed to the soaring food prices,” said Sanchez.…

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

  • Synthetic Biology: Creating New Forms of Life

    Synthetic Biology: Creating New Forms of Life

    When leading genomic scientist, J. Craig Venter announced in May 2010 that he’d created the first self-replicating organism with a totally synthetic genome (the genetic material of an organism), it was the first time many people had heard of synthetic biology. Venter did not actually create a synthetic living organism—rather his research team created a…

  • Urbanization, Export Crops Drive Deforestation

    In Reversal, Land Is Cleared for Global Trade and Big Cities, Says Study

  • Global Food Crisis Golden Opportunity for African Farmers

    “The global food crisis is the result of a perfect storm,” said Dr. Pedro Sanchez of the Earth Institute at an event in Nairobi on Thursday, April 24. “The diversion of land for biofuels, the increasing demand for feed grains and the drought in Australia have all contributed to the soaring food prices,” said Sanchez.…