State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

MA in Climate and Society13

  • Will Climate Change Cause More Glacial Lake Outburst Floods?

    Will Climate Change Cause More Glacial Lake Outburst Floods?

    When glacial lakes burst, the sudden and intense flooding can be catastrophic for nearby communities. A new study looks at what role climate change plays in these events.

  • Was the Earth Ever Frozen Solid?

    Was the Earth Ever Frozen Solid?

    Hundreds of millions of years ago, the planet was trapped in a global ice age. But exactly how icy things got is still up for debate.

  • Miriam Nielsen Wants to Share Science with the Masses

    Miriam Nielsen Wants to Share Science with the Masses

    Bringing her media background to the MA Climate and Society program, Miriam Nielsen is ready to spark your interest in science and sustainability.

  • Analyzing Winter Storm Risk and Resilience in a Changing Climate

    Analyzing Winter Storm Risk and Resilience in a Changing Climate

    A new study analyzing storm intensity and impacts in the New York metro area aims to inform how communities can better prepare for winter storms and enhance resiliency as the effects of climate change exacerbate hazards.

  • Record Numbers at the Annual All Ivy Sustainability Career Fair

    Record Numbers at the Annual All Ivy Sustainability Career Fair

    The Annual All Ivy Environmental and Sustainable Development Career Fair brought in a record number of recruiters and students last Friday, making it the largest and most successful fair in the event’s 12-year history.

  • Climate and Society Students ‘Develop’ Research for NASA, IRI

    Climate and Society Students ‘Develop’ Research for NASA, IRI

    Two Climate and Society students are working on a NASA DEVELOP project at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society. Learn about the research and visit their virtual posters.

  • Singing the Blues About Water Scarcity

    Singing the Blues About Water Scarcity

    Otis Redding sang “you don’t miss your water ’til your well runs dry” in 1965 about pining for a lost love. Last week, Climate and Society founder and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory scientist Mark Cane reprised it with a much different, more literal focus: water scarcity in the 21st century.

  • Sustainability Skills Seminar: Lifecyle Assessment

    Sustainability Skills Seminar: Lifecyle Assessment

    Christoph Meinrenken, Associate Research Scientist with the Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy led a seminar on Product Lifecycle Assessment and Carbon Footprinting. This seminar is part of the Sustainability Skills Series available to students in the Earth Institute education programs.

  • Road to Rio Event Engages Columbia Community and Local High School Students

    Road to Rio Event Engages Columbia Community and Local High School Students

    In anticipation of Rio+20, two Columbia University master’s programs, MPA in Environmental Science and Policy and MA in Climate and Society, collaborated on an event to discuss how climate change impacts human rights. Global Kids, a local high school group, participated in preparation for attending Rio+20 in June 2012.

Earth Month Graphic Collage: "Our Power, Our Planet - April 2025"

The first Earth Day in 1970 ignited a movement to stop polluting our planet. This Earth Month, join us in our commitment to realizing a just and sustainable future for our planet. Visit our Earth Day website for ideas, resources, and inspiration.

  • Will Climate Change Cause More Glacial Lake Outburst Floods?

    Will Climate Change Cause More Glacial Lake Outburst Floods?

    When glacial lakes burst, the sudden and intense flooding can be catastrophic for nearby communities. A new study looks at what role climate change plays in these events.

  • Was the Earth Ever Frozen Solid?

    Was the Earth Ever Frozen Solid?

    Hundreds of millions of years ago, the planet was trapped in a global ice age. But exactly how icy things got is still up for debate.

  • Miriam Nielsen Wants to Share Science with the Masses

    Miriam Nielsen Wants to Share Science with the Masses

    Bringing her media background to the MA Climate and Society program, Miriam Nielsen is ready to spark your interest in science and sustainability.

  • Analyzing Winter Storm Risk and Resilience in a Changing Climate

    Analyzing Winter Storm Risk and Resilience in a Changing Climate

    A new study analyzing storm intensity and impacts in the New York metro area aims to inform how communities can better prepare for winter storms and enhance resiliency as the effects of climate change exacerbate hazards.

  • Record Numbers at the Annual All Ivy Sustainability Career Fair

    Record Numbers at the Annual All Ivy Sustainability Career Fair

    The Annual All Ivy Environmental and Sustainable Development Career Fair brought in a record number of recruiters and students last Friday, making it the largest and most successful fair in the event’s 12-year history.

  • Climate and Society Students ‘Develop’ Research for NASA, IRI

    Climate and Society Students ‘Develop’ Research for NASA, IRI

    Two Climate and Society students are working on a NASA DEVELOP project at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society. Learn about the research and visit their virtual posters.

  • Singing the Blues About Water Scarcity

    Singing the Blues About Water Scarcity

    Otis Redding sang “you don’t miss your water ’til your well runs dry” in 1965 about pining for a lost love. Last week, Climate and Society founder and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory scientist Mark Cane reprised it with a much different, more literal focus: water scarcity in the 21st century.

  • Sustainability Skills Seminar: Lifecyle Assessment

    Sustainability Skills Seminar: Lifecyle Assessment

    Christoph Meinrenken, Associate Research Scientist with the Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy led a seminar on Product Lifecycle Assessment and Carbon Footprinting. This seminar is part of the Sustainability Skills Series available to students in the Earth Institute education programs.

  • Road to Rio Event Engages Columbia Community and Local High School Students

    Road to Rio Event Engages Columbia Community and Local High School Students

    In anticipation of Rio+20, two Columbia University master’s programs, MPA in Environmental Science and Policy and MA in Climate and Society, collaborated on an event to discuss how climate change impacts human rights. Global Kids, a local high school group, participated in preparation for attending Rio+20 in June 2012.