State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

climate policy13

  • The Presidential Candidates on Climate Change

    The Presidential Candidates on Climate Change

    The presidential election of 2016 will determine the United States’ role in confronting the global challenge of climate change, and preparing our nation to manage its impacts for years to come. Where do the presidential candidates stand today on these issues?

  • In 2015: Hot, Wet and Opinionated

    In 2015: Hot, Wet and Opinionated

    This year is shaping up to be the warmest year on record since 1880, according to new data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. And, perhaps not so coincidentally, a new poll says more people in the United States are coming around to the view that climate change is happening.

  • SIPA Students Host Discussion on Climate Change and Divestment

    SIPA Students Host Discussion on Climate Change and Divestment

    In an event jointly hosted by Columbia Divest for Climate Justice and the SIPA Environmental Coalition, students heard three prominent voices in climate science and action: Professor Maureen Raymo from the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, author and activist Bill McKibben and Peggy Shepard, founder and executive director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice.

  • Cuomo’s Commitment to Addressing Climate Change

    Cuomo’s Commitment to Addressing Climate Change

    New York State has taken a progressive stand on climate change, pushing for renewable energy development and promising to curb greenhouse gas emissions. On Thursday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, joined by Vice President Al Gore at Columbia University, announced several new actions to increase New York State’s commitment to fighting climate change.

  • California Takes the Lead on Climate Policy

    While current technology could be used to achieve the new climate policy goals, it will be far easier to meet and exceed the new standards if new technologies are developed and implemented. For California, the key will be the rapid development of the electric car.

  • Hillary Clinton Is Right on Climate Change and the New York Times Is Wrong

    I would argue that given human behavior and organizational inertia it is better to subsidize something new than tax something old. A subsidy, like a sale, sometimes stimulates changed behavior. But a tax may or may not influence behavior.

  • What the World Thinks of Climate Change

    What the World Thinks of Climate Change

    We all know that climate change can generate great debate in the United States. But what about the rest of the world?

  • Under Pressure, a (Simulated) Climate Agreement

    Under Pressure, a (Simulated) Climate Agreement

    Coming up with an international climate agreement is hard work. But the students at the Make It Work simulated negotiations in Paris managed to find a way, though they left disagreeing over just how effective the pact would be.

  • Learning to Compromise

    Learning to Compromise

    After countless hours of workshopping, brainstorming, writing, and rewriting, I thought that a consensus between parties would not be so far off. However, with 220 opinions boiled down into 42 delegations, it was painfully difficult.

  • The Presidential Candidates on Climate Change

    The Presidential Candidates on Climate Change

    The presidential election of 2016 will determine the United States’ role in confronting the global challenge of climate change, and preparing our nation to manage its impacts for years to come. Where do the presidential candidates stand today on these issues?

  • In 2015: Hot, Wet and Opinionated

    In 2015: Hot, Wet and Opinionated

    This year is shaping up to be the warmest year on record since 1880, according to new data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. And, perhaps not so coincidentally, a new poll says more people in the United States are coming around to the view that climate change is happening.

  • SIPA Students Host Discussion on Climate Change and Divestment

    SIPA Students Host Discussion on Climate Change and Divestment

    In an event jointly hosted by Columbia Divest for Climate Justice and the SIPA Environmental Coalition, students heard three prominent voices in climate science and action: Professor Maureen Raymo from the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, author and activist Bill McKibben and Peggy Shepard, founder and executive director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice.

  • Cuomo’s Commitment to Addressing Climate Change

    Cuomo’s Commitment to Addressing Climate Change

    New York State has taken a progressive stand on climate change, pushing for renewable energy development and promising to curb greenhouse gas emissions. On Thursday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, joined by Vice President Al Gore at Columbia University, announced several new actions to increase New York State’s commitment to fighting climate change.

  • California Takes the Lead on Climate Policy

    While current technology could be used to achieve the new climate policy goals, it will be far easier to meet and exceed the new standards if new technologies are developed and implemented. For California, the key will be the rapid development of the electric car.

  • Hillary Clinton Is Right on Climate Change and the New York Times Is Wrong

    I would argue that given human behavior and organizational inertia it is better to subsidize something new than tax something old. A subsidy, like a sale, sometimes stimulates changed behavior. But a tax may or may not influence behavior.

  • What the World Thinks of Climate Change

    What the World Thinks of Climate Change

    We all know that climate change can generate great debate in the United States. But what about the rest of the world?

  • Under Pressure, a (Simulated) Climate Agreement

    Under Pressure, a (Simulated) Climate Agreement

    Coming up with an international climate agreement is hard work. But the students at the Make It Work simulated negotiations in Paris managed to find a way, though they left disagreeing over just how effective the pact would be.

  • Learning to Compromise

    Learning to Compromise

    After countless hours of workshopping, brainstorming, writing, and rewriting, I thought that a consensus between parties would not be so far off. However, with 220 opinions boiled down into 42 delegations, it was painfully difficult.