Earth Institute Center for Environmental Sustainability Archives - State of the Planet

Can We Feed Billions of Ourselves Without Wrecking the Planet?

A new Earth Institute primer lays out the basics of achieving sustainable agriculture on a global scale.

by |January 7, 2022

Columbia Professor Shahid Naeem to Head Ecological Society of America

The Columbia ecologist will serve as the society’s president in 2023-2024.

by |December 9, 2021

Declining Biodiversity in Wild Amazon Fisheries Threatens Human Diet

New research suggests that declines in wild fish species may compromise nutrition in an already poor region. Substituting cultivated species may not help.

by |May 28, 2021

La Pérdida de la Biodiversidad en las Pesquerías continentales de la Amazonía Amenaza la Dieta Humana

Una nueva investigación sugiere que una disminución de especies de peces silvestres puede comprometer la nutrición en una región que ya padece de inseguridad alimentaria. Es posible que la sustitución de especies cultivadas no ayude.

by |May 28, 2021
The Science of Why Nature and Parks Are Good for Us

Why Nature Is Good for Us: An Illustrated and Animated Guide

Earth Day is a time to celebrate the natural world. Being in nature can improve our mood and our mental and physical health. Plus, natural areas do a lot of work for us.

by Sunghee Kim, Jeremy Hinsdale, and Sarah Fecht |April 22, 2021
man in sunglasses near baby elephant

Protecting Biodiversity Requires Action at All Levels

As the U.N. gathers for a biodiversity summit, an alum reminds us that citizens’ actions and voices can make a difference, too.

by Andrés Córdova |September 29, 2020
teak plantation in india

Biodiverse Forests Better at Storing Carbon for Long Periods, Says Study

Supports policies that protect and regenerate natural forests instead of planting new ones.

by |January 3, 2020

Out on the Farm With SEE-U NYC

This summer, the Summer Ecosystem Experiences for Undergraduates gave students an in-depth look at the food systems in and around NYC.

by |October 11, 2019

Why You Should Shop at the Farmers Market

In honor of National Farmers Market Week, a staffer who used to work at the market tells us why farmers markets are valuable community resources.

by |August 9, 2019
prairie wildflowers in restored ecosystem

Nature-Based Solutions: The Missing Ingredient in Climate Adaptation?

Restoring natural ecosystems can make communities more resilient to climate change while offering other benefits along the way.

by |June 28, 2019