State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

climate change113

  • Psychology of Environmental Decision Making and Sustainable Behavior

    Psychology of Environmental Decision Making and Sustainable Behavior

    Countries vary dramatically in their records of environmental responsibility. Some nations such as Switzerland and Norway are well known for their willingness to sacrifice for the future good, while countries such Iraq and South Africa lag far behind. There are certainly socio-economic reasons for these stark differences, but is it also possible that human psychology…

  • Climate Training for Development Professionals

    Climate Training for Development Professionals

    The International Research Institute for Climate and Society and the U.S. Agency for International Development will launch a new set of training webcasts geared for development professionals who want to be more fluent in the science that underpins their climate change adaptation projects.

  • The Rebuild by Design Challenge

    The Rebuild by Design Challenge

    When Hurricane Sandy hit last October, the vulnerabilities of the New York/New Jersey region to extreme weather were made all too clear. The Rebuild by Design challenge was launched to find the most innovative ways to make the region more resilient and sustainable.

  • Is Sustainability Sustainable in a Post-Bloomberg NYC?

    Is Sustainability Sustainable in a Post-Bloomberg NYC?

    With the end of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s tenure drawing near, many are speculating which of his policies will survive the next administration. New York City’s comprehensive environmental plan, PlaNYC 2030: A Greener, Greater New York, has been championed politically by Bloomberg, but is grounded in science and data, and performance management. It has demonstrated progress,…

  • Is Global Heating Hiding Out in the Oceans?

    Parts of Pacific Warming 15 Times Faster Than in Past 10,000 Years

  • The Arctic’s Secret Garden

    The Arctic’s Secret Garden

    Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory marine biologists Craig Aumack and Andy Juhl spend a month each spring in Barrow studying the algae dwelling in and under the sea ice. Their goal is to learn more about the different species of algae that compose these communities and their role in the Arctic marine food web.

  • Lessons From Front Lines of Climate Change

    Lessons From Front Lines of Climate Change

    Cities already lead the action on responding to climate change. And cities are utilizing groups such as the Urban Climate Change Research Network to share lessons from implementation and scholarly research on urban climate change.

  • Resource Consumption — the Ultimate Bubble?

    Resource Consumption — the Ultimate Bubble?

    “Basically, the instinct of civilizations in the past has been to run off a cliff. This time it’s different. We have one global civilization, so we have to be very careful not to run off a cliff.”

  • Wind and Rain Belts to Shift North as Planet Warms, Says Study

    Redistribution of Rainfall Could Make Middle East, Western U.S. and Amazonia Drier

Composite banner with modern building at night and portrait of Dean Alexis Abramson that reads "Science for the Planet"

By studying thousands of buildings and analyzing their electricity use, Columbia Climate School Dean Alexis Abramson has been able to uncover ways to significantly cut energy consumption and emissions. Watch the Video: “Engineering a Cooler Future Through Smarter Buildings

  • Psychology of Environmental Decision Making and Sustainable Behavior

    Psychology of Environmental Decision Making and Sustainable Behavior

    Countries vary dramatically in their records of environmental responsibility. Some nations such as Switzerland and Norway are well known for their willingness to sacrifice for the future good, while countries such Iraq and South Africa lag far behind. There are certainly socio-economic reasons for these stark differences, but is it also possible that human psychology…

  • Climate Training for Development Professionals

    Climate Training for Development Professionals

    The International Research Institute for Climate and Society and the U.S. Agency for International Development will launch a new set of training webcasts geared for development professionals who want to be more fluent in the science that underpins their climate change adaptation projects.

  • The Rebuild by Design Challenge

    The Rebuild by Design Challenge

    When Hurricane Sandy hit last October, the vulnerabilities of the New York/New Jersey region to extreme weather were made all too clear. The Rebuild by Design challenge was launched to find the most innovative ways to make the region more resilient and sustainable.

  • Is Sustainability Sustainable in a Post-Bloomberg NYC?

    Is Sustainability Sustainable in a Post-Bloomberg NYC?

    With the end of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s tenure drawing near, many are speculating which of his policies will survive the next administration. New York City’s comprehensive environmental plan, PlaNYC 2030: A Greener, Greater New York, has been championed politically by Bloomberg, but is grounded in science and data, and performance management. It has demonstrated progress,…

  • Is Global Heating Hiding Out in the Oceans?

    Parts of Pacific Warming 15 Times Faster Than in Past 10,000 Years

  • The Arctic’s Secret Garden

    The Arctic’s Secret Garden

    Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory marine biologists Craig Aumack and Andy Juhl spend a month each spring in Barrow studying the algae dwelling in and under the sea ice. Their goal is to learn more about the different species of algae that compose these communities and their role in the Arctic marine food web.

  • Lessons From Front Lines of Climate Change

    Lessons From Front Lines of Climate Change

    Cities already lead the action on responding to climate change. And cities are utilizing groups such as the Urban Climate Change Research Network to share lessons from implementation and scholarly research on urban climate change.

  • Resource Consumption — the Ultimate Bubble?

    Resource Consumption — the Ultimate Bubble?

    “Basically, the instinct of civilizations in the past has been to run off a cliff. This time it’s different. We have one global civilization, so we have to be very careful not to run off a cliff.”

  • Wind and Rain Belts to Shift North as Planet Warms, Says Study

    Redistribution of Rainfall Could Make Middle East, Western U.S. and Amazonia Drier