State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

government2

  • The Value of Public Service

    The Value of Public Service

    In a world where we are constantly interacting and competing, we also need to nurture and generate the value of cooperation and compassion. This is a value I call public service.

  • Houston’s Post-Harvey Toxic Mess

    Houston’s Post-Harvey Toxic Mess

    If we are to maintain the way of life we enjoy while maintaining a safe and healthy environment, we need to require more careful management of toxic substances.

  • The Myth That Regulations Kill Jobs

    The Myth That Regulations Kill Jobs

    In a real world of complex new technologies, crowded cities, multiple interests, and exponential information growth, we need regulations.

  • Responding to the Attack on Environmental Regulation

    Responding to the Attack on Environmental Regulation

    Last week, the new EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt attacked his own agency in an address to the Conservative Political Action summit. The attack on environmental regulation by the head of EPA is a remarkable nightmare. Fortunately, in our federal system, state and local officials will be able to fill in if the federal government refuses…

  • Paying for Infrastructure

    Paying for Infrastructure

    Privatization is seen by some as a way of rebuilding America’s infrastructure more efficiently than public sector reconstruction, but experience with privatization is mixed. Sometimes it works well; sometimes it doesn’t.

  • Anchor Institutions Task Force Holds Annual Conference

    Anchor Institutions Task Force Holds Annual Conference

    In November 2016, the Anchor Institutions Task Force held its annual conference in New York City. Over 150 representatives from a variety of anchor institutions and partner organizations came together to discuss how anchor institutions can make valuable contributions to community and economic development through local partnerships.

  • The Role Of Government In Rebuilding After Disasters

    The Role Of Government In Rebuilding After Disasters

    The fundamental job of government is to provide security and safety for its people. Natural disasters may be predictable to some degree, but they are unavoidable. What is avoidable is the sense of economic hopelessness that follows these events.

  • The Right Wing’s Endless War on Environmental Regulation

    The right wing attack on environmental regulation is a fundamental political mistake. Conservatives are correct in assuming that Americans mistrust big organizations and powerful institutions, but they should remember that the public counts on these powerful organizations to protect them.

  • EPA’s Upcoming Carbon Rules: A Primer

    EPA’s Upcoming Carbon Rules: A Primer

    On Monday, June 2, President Obama will announce proposed federal rules aimed at curbing carbon emissions from existing U.S. power plants–possibly a landmark in U.S. climate policy. It is uncertain how far the rule will go, and the announcement is being closely watched around the world.

  • The Value of Public Service

    The Value of Public Service

    In a world where we are constantly interacting and competing, we also need to nurture and generate the value of cooperation and compassion. This is a value I call public service.

  • Houston’s Post-Harvey Toxic Mess

    Houston’s Post-Harvey Toxic Mess

    If we are to maintain the way of life we enjoy while maintaining a safe and healthy environment, we need to require more careful management of toxic substances.

  • The Myth That Regulations Kill Jobs

    The Myth That Regulations Kill Jobs

    In a real world of complex new technologies, crowded cities, multiple interests, and exponential information growth, we need regulations.

  • Responding to the Attack on Environmental Regulation

    Responding to the Attack on Environmental Regulation

    Last week, the new EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt attacked his own agency in an address to the Conservative Political Action summit. The attack on environmental regulation by the head of EPA is a remarkable nightmare. Fortunately, in our federal system, state and local officials will be able to fill in if the federal government refuses…

  • Paying for Infrastructure

    Paying for Infrastructure

    Privatization is seen by some as a way of rebuilding America’s infrastructure more efficiently than public sector reconstruction, but experience with privatization is mixed. Sometimes it works well; sometimes it doesn’t.

  • Anchor Institutions Task Force Holds Annual Conference

    Anchor Institutions Task Force Holds Annual Conference

    In November 2016, the Anchor Institutions Task Force held its annual conference in New York City. Over 150 representatives from a variety of anchor institutions and partner organizations came together to discuss how anchor institutions can make valuable contributions to community and economic development through local partnerships.

  • The Role Of Government In Rebuilding After Disasters

    The Role Of Government In Rebuilding After Disasters

    The fundamental job of government is to provide security and safety for its people. Natural disasters may be predictable to some degree, but they are unavoidable. What is avoidable is the sense of economic hopelessness that follows these events.

  • The Right Wing’s Endless War on Environmental Regulation

    The right wing attack on environmental regulation is a fundamental political mistake. Conservatives are correct in assuming that Americans mistrust big organizations and powerful institutions, but they should remember that the public counts on these powerful organizations to protect them.

  • EPA’s Upcoming Carbon Rules: A Primer

    EPA’s Upcoming Carbon Rules: A Primer

    On Monday, June 2, President Obama will announce proposed federal rules aimed at curbing carbon emissions from existing U.S. power plants–possibly a landmark in U.S. climate policy. It is uncertain how far the rule will go, and the announcement is being closely watched around the world.