State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

extinction2

  • Some Do Not Like It Hot

    Some Do Not Like It Hot

    The Great Dying, The Big One — The Permo-Triassic! (In a time machine, not sure if that’s where I’d aim …) As extinctions go, this one’s a blockbuster classic, When most of Earth’s species dropped out of the game.

  • Extinction Exposed – The Giant Panda

    Extinction Exposed – The Giant Panda

    Captive breeding and species protection are helping the panda recover, but fewer than two thousand still remain.

  • Extinction Exposed – The Sea Otter

    Extinction Exposed – The Sea Otter

    Despite being a keystone species in important ecosystems that span the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean, sea otters have historically had a complex and sometimes troubling relationship with humans.

Photo of the Earth from space with the text "Lamont at AGU25" on top.

AGU25, the premier Earth and space science conference, takes place December 15-19, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This year’s theme—Where Science Connects Us—puts in focus how science depends on connection, from the lab to the field to the ballot box. Once again, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Columbia Climate School scientists, experts, students, and educators are playing an active role, sharing our research and helping shape the future of our planet. #AGU25 Learn More

  • Some Do Not Like It Hot

    Some Do Not Like It Hot

    The Great Dying, The Big One — The Permo-Triassic! (In a time machine, not sure if that’s where I’d aim …) As extinctions go, this one’s a blockbuster classic, When most of Earth’s species dropped out of the game.

  • Extinction Exposed – The Giant Panda

    Extinction Exposed – The Giant Panda

    Captive breeding and species protection are helping the panda recover, but fewer than two thousand still remain.

  • Extinction Exposed – The Sea Otter

    Extinction Exposed – The Sea Otter

    Despite being a keystone species in important ecosystems that span the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean, sea otters have historically had a complex and sometimes troubling relationship with humans.