State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Columbia Water Center8

  • Making Agriculture Sustainable in One of India’s Poorest States

    Making Agriculture Sustainable in One of India’s Poorest States

    Jharkhand, India is one of the nation’s poorest and most most food-insecure states, with over 45 percent of the population living below the poverty line. Can a research team devise sustainable ways to improve livelihoods, productivity and sustainable water use?

  • The Growing Groundwater Crisis

    The Growing Groundwater Crisis

    Groundwater is being depleted at alarming rates, not only in drought-stricken California, but around the world. When groundwater is depleted, it can take tens to hundreds of years to for it to reestablish its sustainable level, if at all. What can be done to avert a water crisis?

  • U.S. Drought Risk Wider than Previously Thought

    U.S. Drought Risk Wider than Previously Thought

    New research from the Columbia Water Center suggests that many more places in the United States are at risk of drought-induced water stress than is commonly thought, including dense metropolitan regions such as New York City and Washington, D.C.

  • Waking up to America’s Water Challenges

    Waking up to America’s Water Challenges

    “Will it take another Dustbowl for Americans to start paying attention to water issues?” asked Water Center Director Upmanu Lall. Or will it be the chance to create the “iPhone technology” of water? Whether the impetus is crisis or opportunity, according to Lall, the time to act is now.

  • AGU 2014: Key Events from The Earth Institute

    AGU 2014: Key Events from The Earth Institute

    Scientists at Columbia University’s Earth Institute will present important talks at the Dec. 15-19 meeting of the American Geophysical Union, the world’s largest gathering of earth and space scientists. Here is a journalists’ guide in rough chronological order.

  • The U.S. Water Challenge: Watch the Video

    The U.S. Water Challenge: Watch the Video

    Most American’s live with the expectation that fresh water will continue to flow freely from their faucets. The reality is that environmental degradation, an aging water infrastructure, water scarcity, job instability, and the ability to provide food for a growing population are now pressing issues.

  • Partnering for Change: Columbia Water Center Collaborates on World Water Day

    Partnering for Change: Columbia Water Center Collaborates on World Water Day

    In celebration of World Water Day 2014, the Columbia Water Center is partnering with several companies to bring attention to water stress and discuss innovative solutions to global water challenges.

  • Science and Solutions for Sustainable Development: 2013 Annual Report

    Science and Solutions for Sustainable Development: 2013 Annual Report

    The Earth Institute is grateful to its many partners for their important role in the effort to develop the science and solutions necessary for sustainable development. Please visit the interactive digital 2013 Annual Report to read more about how we are forging partnerships across disciplines and sectors to advance the global effort to guide our…

  • Partnering to Expand Access to Water: PepsiCo and CWC Announce Achievement of Safe Water Goal

    Partnering to Expand Access to Water: PepsiCo and CWC Announce Achievement of Safe Water Goal

    Earth Institute partner PepsiCo has achieved its stated goal of partnering with organizations, including the Columbia Water Center, to provide access to safe water to three million people in developing countries by the end of 2015.

Columbia campus skyline with text Columbia Climate School Class Day 2024 - Congratulations Graduates

Congratulations to our Columbia Climate School MA in Climate & Society Class of 2024! Learn about our May 10 Class Day celebration. #ColumbiaClimate2024

  • Making Agriculture Sustainable in One of India’s Poorest States

    Making Agriculture Sustainable in One of India’s Poorest States

    Jharkhand, India is one of the nation’s poorest and most most food-insecure states, with over 45 percent of the population living below the poverty line. Can a research team devise sustainable ways to improve livelihoods, productivity and sustainable water use?

  • The Growing Groundwater Crisis

    The Growing Groundwater Crisis

    Groundwater is being depleted at alarming rates, not only in drought-stricken California, but around the world. When groundwater is depleted, it can take tens to hundreds of years to for it to reestablish its sustainable level, if at all. What can be done to avert a water crisis?

  • U.S. Drought Risk Wider than Previously Thought

    U.S. Drought Risk Wider than Previously Thought

    New research from the Columbia Water Center suggests that many more places in the United States are at risk of drought-induced water stress than is commonly thought, including dense metropolitan regions such as New York City and Washington, D.C.

  • Waking up to America’s Water Challenges

    Waking up to America’s Water Challenges

    “Will it take another Dustbowl for Americans to start paying attention to water issues?” asked Water Center Director Upmanu Lall. Or will it be the chance to create the “iPhone technology” of water? Whether the impetus is crisis or opportunity, according to Lall, the time to act is now.

  • AGU 2014: Key Events from The Earth Institute

    AGU 2014: Key Events from The Earth Institute

    Scientists at Columbia University’s Earth Institute will present important talks at the Dec. 15-19 meeting of the American Geophysical Union, the world’s largest gathering of earth and space scientists. Here is a journalists’ guide in rough chronological order.

  • The U.S. Water Challenge: Watch the Video

    The U.S. Water Challenge: Watch the Video

    Most American’s live with the expectation that fresh water will continue to flow freely from their faucets. The reality is that environmental degradation, an aging water infrastructure, water scarcity, job instability, and the ability to provide food for a growing population are now pressing issues.

  • Partnering for Change: Columbia Water Center Collaborates on World Water Day

    Partnering for Change: Columbia Water Center Collaborates on World Water Day

    In celebration of World Water Day 2014, the Columbia Water Center is partnering with several companies to bring attention to water stress and discuss innovative solutions to global water challenges.

  • Science and Solutions for Sustainable Development: 2013 Annual Report

    Science and Solutions for Sustainable Development: 2013 Annual Report

    The Earth Institute is grateful to its many partners for their important role in the effort to develop the science and solutions necessary for sustainable development. Please visit the interactive digital 2013 Annual Report to read more about how we are forging partnerships across disciplines and sectors to advance the global effort to guide our…

  • Partnering to Expand Access to Water: PepsiCo and CWC Announce Achievement of Safe Water Goal

    Partnering to Expand Access to Water: PepsiCo and CWC Announce Achievement of Safe Water Goal

    Earth Institute partner PepsiCo has achieved its stated goal of partnering with organizations, including the Columbia Water Center, to provide access to safe water to three million people in developing countries by the end of 2015.