State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

climate change142

  • Amazonians Have Shot at Reducing Greenhouse Gases, Says Study

    Amazonians Have Shot at Reducing Greenhouse Gases, Says Study

    The huge Brazilian Amazon state of Mato Grosso will cut its emissions of greenhouse gases by more than half if it sticks with current plans to reduce deforestation substantially by 2020, says a new study. The research, published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, uses 105 years of historical data…

  • Sustaining Discovery Once Fieldwork Is Complete

    Sustaining Discovery Once Fieldwork Is Complete

    Watch a short video about the research of Lamont-Doherty geochemists and learn how you can support it. Researchers from the Earth Institute’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory study the planet’s dynamic earth processes by venturing to the source, whether it be the submerged mountains of the Antarctic, the volcanoes of Southern Italy, or the stalagmite-rich caves of…

  • Converging Weather Patterns Caused Last Winter’s Huge Snows

    A Warming World Can Still See Severe Storms

  • The Policy Buffet (Part 3): As Kerry-Lieberman Fades, a Fresh Start for Cap-and-Trade?

    The Policy Buffet (Part 3): As Kerry-Lieberman Fades, a Fresh Start for Cap-and-Trade?

    This is the third post in a series that covers the Senates current energy and climate proposals. The introductory post can be found here. The American Power Act (APA), co-sponsored by Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn), has been seen by many as a paradigm for comprehensive energy and climate legislation. The bill…

  • The Policy Buffet (Part 2): Understanding the American Power Act

    This is the second post in a series that covers the Senate’s current energy and climate proposals. The introductory post can be found here. Among the various climate and energy proposals floating through the Senate, the American Power Act (APA) has received the lion’s share of attention. The bill, co-sponsored by Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass) and…

  • Grounding Climate Negotiations in Solution-Oriented Research

    Grounding Climate Negotiations in Solution-Oriented Research

    With the generous support of the Planet Heritage Foundation and the Skoll Global Threats Fund, the Earth Institute is initiating the Global Network for Climate Solutions and evaluating its ability to influence future international climate negotiations by grounding them in shared research that is focused on concrete solutions and action. The effort aims to facilitate…

  • Answer to What Ended Last Ice Age May Be Blowing in the Wind

    A Chain of Past Natural Events May Hold Lessons for the Future

  • The Policy Buffet (Part 1): Making Sense of the Senate’s Climate and Energy Proposals

    Advocates for energy policy reform and legislative action on climate change have long anticipated their opportunity to effect change. This summer may be the turning point they have awaited. In recent weeks, energy and climate policy have taken over the political limelight. The devastating oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has forced Americans to…

  • No Longer Anchored, Antarctic Ice Stream Surges to Sea

    Under-Ice Sub Finds Ridge That May Have Held Back Pine Island Glacier

Colorful icons representing nature, sustainable living, and renewable energy with text "Earth Day 2026"

The first Earth Day in 1970 ignited a movement to stop polluting our planet. Today, our scientists and experts are tackling the most pressing challenges to achieve real-world impact. This Earth Day, join us in our commitment to realizing a just and sustainable future for our planet. Visit our Earth Day website for ideas, resources, and inspiration.

  • Amazonians Have Shot at Reducing Greenhouse Gases, Says Study

    Amazonians Have Shot at Reducing Greenhouse Gases, Says Study

    The huge Brazilian Amazon state of Mato Grosso will cut its emissions of greenhouse gases by more than half if it sticks with current plans to reduce deforestation substantially by 2020, says a new study. The research, published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, uses 105 years of historical data…

  • Sustaining Discovery Once Fieldwork Is Complete

    Sustaining Discovery Once Fieldwork Is Complete

    Watch a short video about the research of Lamont-Doherty geochemists and learn how you can support it. Researchers from the Earth Institute’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory study the planet’s dynamic earth processes by venturing to the source, whether it be the submerged mountains of the Antarctic, the volcanoes of Southern Italy, or the stalagmite-rich caves of…

  • Converging Weather Patterns Caused Last Winter’s Huge Snows

    A Warming World Can Still See Severe Storms

  • The Policy Buffet (Part 3): As Kerry-Lieberman Fades, a Fresh Start for Cap-and-Trade?

    The Policy Buffet (Part 3): As Kerry-Lieberman Fades, a Fresh Start for Cap-and-Trade?

    This is the third post in a series that covers the Senates current energy and climate proposals. The introductory post can be found here. The American Power Act (APA), co-sponsored by Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn), has been seen by many as a paradigm for comprehensive energy and climate legislation. The bill…

  • The Policy Buffet (Part 2): Understanding the American Power Act

    This is the second post in a series that covers the Senate’s current energy and climate proposals. The introductory post can be found here. Among the various climate and energy proposals floating through the Senate, the American Power Act (APA) has received the lion’s share of attention. The bill, co-sponsored by Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass) and…

  • Grounding Climate Negotiations in Solution-Oriented Research

    Grounding Climate Negotiations in Solution-Oriented Research

    With the generous support of the Planet Heritage Foundation and the Skoll Global Threats Fund, the Earth Institute is initiating the Global Network for Climate Solutions and evaluating its ability to influence future international climate negotiations by grounding them in shared research that is focused on concrete solutions and action. The effort aims to facilitate…

  • Answer to What Ended Last Ice Age May Be Blowing in the Wind

    A Chain of Past Natural Events May Hold Lessons for the Future

  • The Policy Buffet (Part 1): Making Sense of the Senate’s Climate and Energy Proposals

    Advocates for energy policy reform and legislative action on climate change have long anticipated their opportunity to effect change. This summer may be the turning point they have awaited. In recent weeks, energy and climate policy have taken over the political limelight. The devastating oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has forced Americans to…

  • No Longer Anchored, Antarctic Ice Stream Surges to Sea

    Under-Ice Sub Finds Ridge That May Have Held Back Pine Island Glacier