State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

geospatial data

  • Better Data, Better Maps: Supporting Ebola Response in Eastern Congo

    Better Data, Better Maps: Supporting Ebola Response in Eastern Congo

    An effective Ebola response depends on knowing not only where cases are being reported, but also where people live, where health facilities are located and which health areas are responsible for reaching them.

  • 35 Years of Harnessing the Power of Geospatial Data for Decision Making

    35 Years of Harnessing the Power of Geospatial Data for Decision Making

    CIESIN’s mission is to make complex environmental, social and economic data easy to access and use so that people can make better decisions about pressing issues like climate change, disaster response and sustainable development.

  • A Life Well Mapped

    A Life Well Mapped

    Mark Becker believed in the power of geospatial data and analysis to motivate our stewardship of the environment and guide development of sustainable approaches that balance human and environmental needs.

  • The Intersection of Population and Elevation Examined

    The Intersection of Population and Elevation Examined

    This map shows the estimated number of people in 2010 living at different elevation levels across several Southern Asian countries. The database it’s taken from lets users without specialized geospatial training or software compare populations in various environmental contexts in different countries.

Collage of Turkiye beach scene and Columbia University Campus with text: UN Climate Change Conference COP31, Antalya, Turkiye, Nov 9-20, 2026

COP31, the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, aims to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate climate action on a global scale. From November 9–20, 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society will gather to advance efforts in emission targets, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. Once again, our experts, students, and global thought leaders from Columbia Climate School and across Columbia University are contributing to key events, sharing insights, and helping shape the dialogue toward ambitious, science-based solutions. Learn More

  • Better Data, Better Maps: Supporting Ebola Response in Eastern Congo

    Better Data, Better Maps: Supporting Ebola Response in Eastern Congo

    An effective Ebola response depends on knowing not only where cases are being reported, but also where people live, where health facilities are located and which health areas are responsible for reaching them.

  • 35 Years of Harnessing the Power of Geospatial Data for Decision Making

    35 Years of Harnessing the Power of Geospatial Data for Decision Making

    CIESIN’s mission is to make complex environmental, social and economic data easy to access and use so that people can make better decisions about pressing issues like climate change, disaster response and sustainable development.

  • A Life Well Mapped

    A Life Well Mapped

    Mark Becker believed in the power of geospatial data and analysis to motivate our stewardship of the environment and guide development of sustainable approaches that balance human and environmental needs.

  • The Intersection of Population and Elevation Examined

    The Intersection of Population and Elevation Examined

    This map shows the estimated number of people in 2010 living at different elevation levels across several Southern Asian countries. The database it’s taken from lets users without specialized geospatial training or software compare populations in various environmental contexts in different countries.