State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

climate change93

  • Iron Fertilization Won’t Work in Equatorial Pacific, Study Suggests

    Iron Fertilization Won’t Work in Equatorial Pacific, Study Suggests

    Over the past half-million years, the equatorial Pacific Ocean has seen five spikes in the amount of iron-laden dust blown in from the continents. In theory, those bursts should have turbo-charged the growth of carbon-capturing algae, but a new study shows that the excess iron had little to no effect.

  • A Major Source of Air Pollution: Farms

    Global Study Shows How Agriculture Interacts With Industry

  • The 2 Million Year Melee: Neanderthals vs. Humans

    The 2 Million Year Melee: Neanderthals vs. Humans

    Given their adaptation to cold climes and their advanced, albeit under-appreciated, skills, how were Neanderthals beaten out by their human counterparts? The answer lies in a combination of culture and genetics that enabled the successful radiation of humans.

  • Columbia, What Is Our Role in Responding to Climate Change?

    Columbia, What Is Our Role in Responding to Climate Change?

    We often think of the fight against climate change on a national or international level, but what can we do as a community?

  • Study Downgrades Groundwater Contribution to Sea Level Rise

    Study Downgrades Groundwater Contribution to Sea Level Rise

    Some research suggests that, along with melting ice sheets and glaciers, the water pumped from underground for irrigation and other uses, on the rise worldwide, could contribute substantially to rising sea levels over the next 50 years. A new study published in Nature Climate Change says the magnitude is substantially lower.

  • Maureen Raymo Elected to National Academy of Sciences

    Maureen Raymo Elected to National Academy of Sciences

    Maureen Raymo, a marine geologist at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory whose name is connected with key theories about how ice ages wax and wane and how sea levels change, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors awarded to scientists in the United States.

  • As Predicted: A Rising Tide of Migration

    As Predicted: A Rising Tide of Migration

    “With sea levels on the rise, several island nations are scrambling to stay above water and ensure citizens will have a place to go when the ocean engulfs their homeland. The humanitarian-crisis phase of climate change has officially begun.”

  • ESP Alumna Joins Climate Leadership Corps

    ESP Alumna Joins Climate Leadership Corps

    Olivia Owre-Bell, a recent alumna of Columbia’s MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program, attended the Climate Reality Leadership Corps 31st training in the Philippines this March.

  • Meet Pepperoni the Robin, and Friends

    Meet Pepperoni the Robin, and Friends

    Natalie Boelman and colleagues are tagging American robins near Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada, as the birds migrate north to nesting grounds. In a recent blog post for NASA, she put up videos about their work. You can watch some of them below, or go to the blog page at NASA’s Earth Observatory to see and…

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.

  • Iron Fertilization Won’t Work in Equatorial Pacific, Study Suggests

    Iron Fertilization Won’t Work in Equatorial Pacific, Study Suggests

    Over the past half-million years, the equatorial Pacific Ocean has seen five spikes in the amount of iron-laden dust blown in from the continents. In theory, those bursts should have turbo-charged the growth of carbon-capturing algae, but a new study shows that the excess iron had little to no effect.

  • A Major Source of Air Pollution: Farms

    Global Study Shows How Agriculture Interacts With Industry

  • The 2 Million Year Melee: Neanderthals vs. Humans

    The 2 Million Year Melee: Neanderthals vs. Humans

    Given their adaptation to cold climes and their advanced, albeit under-appreciated, skills, how were Neanderthals beaten out by their human counterparts? The answer lies in a combination of culture and genetics that enabled the successful radiation of humans.

  • Columbia, What Is Our Role in Responding to Climate Change?

    Columbia, What Is Our Role in Responding to Climate Change?

    We often think of the fight against climate change on a national or international level, but what can we do as a community?

  • Study Downgrades Groundwater Contribution to Sea Level Rise

    Study Downgrades Groundwater Contribution to Sea Level Rise

    Some research suggests that, along with melting ice sheets and glaciers, the water pumped from underground for irrigation and other uses, on the rise worldwide, could contribute substantially to rising sea levels over the next 50 years. A new study published in Nature Climate Change says the magnitude is substantially lower.

  • Maureen Raymo Elected to National Academy of Sciences

    Maureen Raymo Elected to National Academy of Sciences

    Maureen Raymo, a marine geologist at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory whose name is connected with key theories about how ice ages wax and wane and how sea levels change, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors awarded to scientists in the United States.

  • As Predicted: A Rising Tide of Migration

    As Predicted: A Rising Tide of Migration

    “With sea levels on the rise, several island nations are scrambling to stay above water and ensure citizens will have a place to go when the ocean engulfs their homeland. The humanitarian-crisis phase of climate change has officially begun.”

  • ESP Alumna Joins Climate Leadership Corps

    ESP Alumna Joins Climate Leadership Corps

    Olivia Owre-Bell, a recent alumna of Columbia’s MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program, attended the Climate Reality Leadership Corps 31st training in the Philippines this March.

  • Meet Pepperoni the Robin, and Friends

    Meet Pepperoni the Robin, and Friends

    Natalie Boelman and colleagues are tagging American robins near Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada, as the birds migrate north to nesting grounds. In a recent blog post for NASA, she put up videos about their work. You can watch some of them below, or go to the blog page at NASA’s Earth Observatory to see and…