State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

fossil fuels5

  • Lessons of the Move From Hybrids Back to SUVs

    This shift in consumer attitudes demonstrates that mass behaviors that lead to a sustainable and renewable economy will not come from a simple desire to protect the environment. Hybrids and electric cars are more expensive than traditional autos and as long as that is the case, they will have difficulty competing with them

  • As a Leading Environmental Organization Closes, Its Leader is Upbeat

    As a Leading Environmental Organization Closes, Its Leader is Upbeat

    Lester Brown, the global environmental leader, turned 81 this year and is closing The Earth Policy Institute, the environmental research organization he founded in 2001. His new book “The Great Transition” asserts that the world is shifting from fossil fuels to solar and wind energy.

  • Deep Sea Drilling Rules and the Transition from Fossil Fuels

    The now reorganized Minerals Management Service (MMS) was responsible for generating revenues by leasing federal lands for mining, or drilling, and then regulating the same mining operations it sold leases to. That is an inherent conflict of interest, but it gets worse: The MMS was a revolving door for fossil fuel companies.

  • Cold Facts

    Cold Facts

    Satellites cast their wide gaze At night, on the bright Bakken blaze; Bright as a large, sparkly city, Up close, it’s not quite as pretty.

  • NASA’s Jim Hansen to Retire

    James E. Hansen, director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) and an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s Earth Institute, has announced he will retire as director of GISS this week to devote more time to his campaign to cut global carbon emissions. “Jim Hansen is a one of the true giants of climate…

  • Oceans’ Uptake of Manmade Carbon May Be Slowing

    First Year-by-Year Study, 1765-2008, Shows Proportion Declining

  • Curbing Coal Emissions Alone Might Avert Climate Danger, Say Researchers

    Oil and Gas Seen to Have Lesser Effect

  • Reining in Carbon Dioxide Levels Imperative but Possible

    Business-as-usual approach threatens world energy supplies and environment, but affordable, effective solutions appear within reach

  • Lessons of the Move From Hybrids Back to SUVs

    This shift in consumer attitudes demonstrates that mass behaviors that lead to a sustainable and renewable economy will not come from a simple desire to protect the environment. Hybrids and electric cars are more expensive than traditional autos and as long as that is the case, they will have difficulty competing with them

  • As a Leading Environmental Organization Closes, Its Leader is Upbeat

    As a Leading Environmental Organization Closes, Its Leader is Upbeat

    Lester Brown, the global environmental leader, turned 81 this year and is closing The Earth Policy Institute, the environmental research organization he founded in 2001. His new book “The Great Transition” asserts that the world is shifting from fossil fuels to solar and wind energy.

  • Deep Sea Drilling Rules and the Transition from Fossil Fuels

    The now reorganized Minerals Management Service (MMS) was responsible for generating revenues by leasing federal lands for mining, or drilling, and then regulating the same mining operations it sold leases to. That is an inherent conflict of interest, but it gets worse: The MMS was a revolving door for fossil fuel companies.

  • Cold Facts

    Cold Facts

    Satellites cast their wide gaze At night, on the bright Bakken blaze; Bright as a large, sparkly city, Up close, it’s not quite as pretty.

  • NASA’s Jim Hansen to Retire

    James E. Hansen, director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) and an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s Earth Institute, has announced he will retire as director of GISS this week to devote more time to his campaign to cut global carbon emissions. “Jim Hansen is a one of the true giants of climate…

  • Oceans’ Uptake of Manmade Carbon May Be Slowing

    First Year-by-Year Study, 1765-2008, Shows Proportion Declining

  • Curbing Coal Emissions Alone Might Avert Climate Danger, Say Researchers

    Oil and Gas Seen to Have Lesser Effect

  • Reining in Carbon Dioxide Levels Imperative but Possible

    Business-as-usual approach threatens world energy supplies and environment, but affordable, effective solutions appear within reach