State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

economics7

  • Hundreds of Ways to Measure Sustainability

    Hundreds of Ways to Measure Sustainability

    Private companies and organizations in the public and non-profit sectors have begun to embrace the idea of sustainability: How to operate in ways that reduce consumption of water, energy and other resources, and help keep from depleting the planet’s natural resources. But how do we measure progress? Reliable metrics are needed – to understand what…

  • Latest Environmental Performance Index Introduces New Indicators

    Latest Environmental Performance Index Introduces New Indicators

    Innovations in the 2014 EPI include a new wastewater treatment indicator; a new approach to climate change indicators; and two new satellite-derived indicators for air quality and forests.

  • Why Conservation is Not Condescension: A Case Against Eco-imperialism

    Why Conservation is Not Condescension: A Case Against Eco-imperialism

    Western ecologists and conservationists have been portrayed at times as modern imperialists, forcefully imposing a radical ideology of environmentalism on the developing world. These so-called “eco-imperialists” are depicted as arrogant and uncaring elites, concerned with the protection of pristine nature, but indifferent to human welfare. But the future of wild places is entwined with human…

  • New Predictions of Climate Change’s Impact on Agriculture

    New Predictions of Climate Change’s Impact on Agriculture

    Developing countries are more likely to see a drop in agricultural productivity and increased food prices due to climate change, particularly in tropical regions, according to a set of new studies out this week.

  • IRI@AGU: Schedule of Events + Q&As

    IRI@AGU: Schedule of Events + Q&As

    Four scientists and one PhD student from the International Research Institute for Climate and Society are attending the 2013 American Geophysical Union’s Fall Meeting. Below are links to Q&As with each of the presenters and the schedule of their posters and presentations.

  • The State and Future of Congestion Pricing in China

    The State and Future of Congestion Pricing in China

    To combat urban air pollution and traffic problems, some propose congestion pricing as a cost-effective policy to reduce pollution and improve productivity through improved travel speeds. Cities in China could implement this policy and ameliorate some of the negative effects of congestion-caused pollution. So why is congestion pricing dead on arrival in China?

  • Losing Leaf Peepers: the Effect of Climate Change on Fall Color

    Losing Leaf Peepers: the Effect of Climate Change on Fall Color

    The spectacular colors of fall foliage draw throngs of tourists to the Eastern U.S. each year. However, new research from The Chinese Academy of Sciences suggests that climate change may shift the timing of this seasonal event to the detriment of travelers and locals alike.

  • Myanmar: a New Frontier for Sustainable Development

    Myanmar: a New Frontier for Sustainable Development

    The Center on Globalization and Sustainable Development is building a sustainable development program to provide policy support for the government of Myanmar, local NGOs and the donor community, accelerating growth that is both socially inclusive, sustainable and mindful of climate risks and opportunities. This video explains the project.

  • Spring 2014 Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Positions

    The Undergraduate Program in Sustainable Development is currently accepting applications for spring 2014 teaching assistant positions.

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

  • Hundreds of Ways to Measure Sustainability

    Hundreds of Ways to Measure Sustainability

    Private companies and organizations in the public and non-profit sectors have begun to embrace the idea of sustainability: How to operate in ways that reduce consumption of water, energy and other resources, and help keep from depleting the planet’s natural resources. But how do we measure progress? Reliable metrics are needed – to understand what…

  • Latest Environmental Performance Index Introduces New Indicators

    Latest Environmental Performance Index Introduces New Indicators

    Innovations in the 2014 EPI include a new wastewater treatment indicator; a new approach to climate change indicators; and two new satellite-derived indicators for air quality and forests.

  • Why Conservation is Not Condescension: A Case Against Eco-imperialism

    Why Conservation is Not Condescension: A Case Against Eco-imperialism

    Western ecologists and conservationists have been portrayed at times as modern imperialists, forcefully imposing a radical ideology of environmentalism on the developing world. These so-called “eco-imperialists” are depicted as arrogant and uncaring elites, concerned with the protection of pristine nature, but indifferent to human welfare. But the future of wild places is entwined with human…

  • New Predictions of Climate Change’s Impact on Agriculture

    New Predictions of Climate Change’s Impact on Agriculture

    Developing countries are more likely to see a drop in agricultural productivity and increased food prices due to climate change, particularly in tropical regions, according to a set of new studies out this week.

  • IRI@AGU: Schedule of Events + Q&As

    IRI@AGU: Schedule of Events + Q&As

    Four scientists and one PhD student from the International Research Institute for Climate and Society are attending the 2013 American Geophysical Union’s Fall Meeting. Below are links to Q&As with each of the presenters and the schedule of their posters and presentations.

  • The State and Future of Congestion Pricing in China

    The State and Future of Congestion Pricing in China

    To combat urban air pollution and traffic problems, some propose congestion pricing as a cost-effective policy to reduce pollution and improve productivity through improved travel speeds. Cities in China could implement this policy and ameliorate some of the negative effects of congestion-caused pollution. So why is congestion pricing dead on arrival in China?

  • Losing Leaf Peepers: the Effect of Climate Change on Fall Color

    Losing Leaf Peepers: the Effect of Climate Change on Fall Color

    The spectacular colors of fall foliage draw throngs of tourists to the Eastern U.S. each year. However, new research from The Chinese Academy of Sciences suggests that climate change may shift the timing of this seasonal event to the detriment of travelers and locals alike.

  • Myanmar: a New Frontier for Sustainable Development

    Myanmar: a New Frontier for Sustainable Development

    The Center on Globalization and Sustainable Development is building a sustainable development program to provide policy support for the government of Myanmar, local NGOs and the donor community, accelerating growth that is both socially inclusive, sustainable and mindful of climate risks and opportunities. This video explains the project.

  • Spring 2014 Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Positions

    The Undergraduate Program in Sustainable Development is currently accepting applications for spring 2014 teaching assistant positions.