State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory103

  • Wonder Woman: Lamont Polar Pioneer Robin Bell

    Wonder Woman: Lamont Polar Pioneer Robin Bell

    Lamont’s Robin Bell is living proof of the importance of encouraging young women to study STEM disciplines. Her breakthrough research, fueled by passionate intellectual curiosity, has been critical to understanding our planet.

  • Dying Reefs Bigger Threat to Coasts Than Rising Seas, Study Says

    Dying Reefs Bigger Threat to Coasts Than Rising Seas, Study Says

    If coral reefs continue to degrade, waves on coastlines may substantially increase, leading to greater coastal erosion.

  • ‘X-Snow’ Project Needs Your Help To Unlock The Secrets of Snow

    ‘X-Snow’ Project Needs Your Help To Unlock The Secrets of Snow

    Citizen scientists can gather data to help uncover how snow is changing over time.

  • Finishing Up in Bangladesh

    Finishing Up in Bangladesh

    In the final push, we split into multiple teams, and caught up and completed all the seismometer installations on time.

  • Installing the seismometer array

    Installing the seismometer array

    Helping Jim’s team, I assisted in installing stations and scouting locations. While some stations go quickly, others took multiple trips to find a good site. Time is growing short for getting all the seismometer installations done on time.

  • Researchers Map High Levels of Drugs in the Hudson River

    Researchers Map High Levels of Drugs in the Hudson River

    In a new study, researchers have mapped out a large variety of discarded pharmaceuticals dissolved throughout the Hudson River. They say that in some places, levels may be high enough to potentially affect aquatic life.

  • Transition to Seismology Scouting

    Transition to Seismology Scouting

    As we finished scouting and installing the GPS stations, we started to assist the seismology team in getting permission to install there instruments in Tea Estates.

  • Finishing the GPS Scouting

    Finishing the GPS Scouting

    We drove through the hills of Sylhet passed rice fields and tea plantations, and through woods looking for appropriate spots to install our GPS systems.

  • Exploring the Microbiome of an Ocean Bacteria

    Exploring the Microbiome of an Ocean Bacteria

    Braving the high seas and a curious shark, a team of scientists taps into the secret social life of a microbe that’s crucial for marine ecosystems.

Banner with images representing environmental issues and text "You Asked: Our Scientists and Experts Answer Your Burning Questions."

You Asked invites you to share your most pressing questions about climate, science, and sustainability. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Columbia Climate School experts will respond with clear, evidence-based answers. Pose your questions and story ideas!

  • Wonder Woman: Lamont Polar Pioneer Robin Bell

    Wonder Woman: Lamont Polar Pioneer Robin Bell

    Lamont’s Robin Bell is living proof of the importance of encouraging young women to study STEM disciplines. Her breakthrough research, fueled by passionate intellectual curiosity, has been critical to understanding our planet.

  • Dying Reefs Bigger Threat to Coasts Than Rising Seas, Study Says

    Dying Reefs Bigger Threat to Coasts Than Rising Seas, Study Says

    If coral reefs continue to degrade, waves on coastlines may substantially increase, leading to greater coastal erosion.

  • ‘X-Snow’ Project Needs Your Help To Unlock The Secrets of Snow

    ‘X-Snow’ Project Needs Your Help To Unlock The Secrets of Snow

    Citizen scientists can gather data to help uncover how snow is changing over time.

  • Finishing Up in Bangladesh

    Finishing Up in Bangladesh

    In the final push, we split into multiple teams, and caught up and completed all the seismometer installations on time.

  • Installing the seismometer array

    Installing the seismometer array

    Helping Jim’s team, I assisted in installing stations and scouting locations. While some stations go quickly, others took multiple trips to find a good site. Time is growing short for getting all the seismometer installations done on time.

  • Researchers Map High Levels of Drugs in the Hudson River

    Researchers Map High Levels of Drugs in the Hudson River

    In a new study, researchers have mapped out a large variety of discarded pharmaceuticals dissolved throughout the Hudson River. They say that in some places, levels may be high enough to potentially affect aquatic life.

  • Transition to Seismology Scouting

    Transition to Seismology Scouting

    As we finished scouting and installing the GPS stations, we started to assist the seismology team in getting permission to install there instruments in Tea Estates.

  • Finishing the GPS Scouting

    Finishing the GPS Scouting

    We drove through the hills of Sylhet passed rice fields and tea plantations, and through woods looking for appropriate spots to install our GPS systems.

  • Exploring the Microbiome of an Ocean Bacteria

    Exploring the Microbiome of an Ocean Bacteria

    Braving the high seas and a curious shark, a team of scientists taps into the secret social life of a microbe that’s crucial for marine ecosystems.