State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

MPA in Environmental Science and Policy News7

  • Faculty Profile: Michael Puma, Professor of Hydrology

    Faculty Profile: Michael Puma, Professor of Hydrology

    Dr. Michael Puma, a Climate and Life Fellow at Columbia University and the Director of the Center for Climate Systems Research at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, teaches hydrology in the summer semester for the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy Program.

  • MPA-ESP students visit the Gowanus Canal to learn about urban contamination

    MPA-ESP students visit the Gowanus Canal to learn about urban contamination

    The newest cohort of MPA Environmental Science and Policy students went on a field trip to the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn with professors Benjamin Bostick and Michael Musso to learn about the challenges of a dense mixed-use urban landscape.

  • MPA-ESP Students tour world-class earth science research campus

    MPA-ESP Students tour world-class earth science research campus

    The newest cohort of MPA Environmental Science and Policy students received a faculty-led tour of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory to learn about the innovative climate and environment research being carried out at one of the world’s leading research facilities.

  • It’s Time for New York to Save its Mass Transit System

    It’s Time for New York to Save its Mass Transit System

    The economic heart of the city cannot beat without an effective subway system. It’s time for the mayor and governor to develop a fully funded, well thought through strategy for mass transit in New York City and its nearby suburbs.

  • Students Design Communications Plan for Conservation Organization

    Students Design Communications Plan for Conservation Organization

    Students in the MPA Environmental Science and Policy program consulted with the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to create a strategic communications plan, raising awareness of elephant and rhino conservation efforts.

  • The Evolution of Sustainability Education

    The Evolution of Sustainability Education

    The most fundamental evolution of the field from environmental policy to sustainability management is that our profession is no longer limited to advocates, lobbyists and policy makers, but now includes entrepreneurs, green financiers, builders, managers and owners.

  • Microgrids: Taking Steps Toward the 21st Century Smart Grid

    Microgrids: Taking Steps Toward the 21st Century Smart Grid

    Microgrids, networks of linked energy sources that are connected to the main grid, but are able to operate independently if power is lost, are the building blocks of the 21st century smart grid. Why aren’t there more of them?

  • Students Travel to Israel to Experience Current Impacts of Climate Change

    Students Travel to Israel to Experience Current Impacts of Climate Change

    Current MPA-ESP Student Tiara Cunningham writes about her experience traveling to Israel with SIPA’s Israel Environmental Delegation.

  • How to Get Your Head Around the ‘Circular Economy’

    How to Get Your Head Around the ‘Circular Economy’

    Vincent Aurez, an economist and circular economy consultant for Ernst & Young’s Paris office, spoke about how companies have drawn on intelligent eco-design, and developed or identified new markets for their waste products, to improve profitability while reducing global footprint.

Banner: Climate Week NYC 2025, September 21-28, 2025
  • Faculty Profile: Michael Puma, Professor of Hydrology

    Faculty Profile: Michael Puma, Professor of Hydrology

    Dr. Michael Puma, a Climate and Life Fellow at Columbia University and the Director of the Center for Climate Systems Research at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, teaches hydrology in the summer semester for the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy Program.

  • MPA-ESP students visit the Gowanus Canal to learn about urban contamination

    MPA-ESP students visit the Gowanus Canal to learn about urban contamination

    The newest cohort of MPA Environmental Science and Policy students went on a field trip to the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn with professors Benjamin Bostick and Michael Musso to learn about the challenges of a dense mixed-use urban landscape.

  • MPA-ESP Students tour world-class earth science research campus

    MPA-ESP Students tour world-class earth science research campus

    The newest cohort of MPA Environmental Science and Policy students received a faculty-led tour of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory to learn about the innovative climate and environment research being carried out at one of the world’s leading research facilities.

  • It’s Time for New York to Save its Mass Transit System

    It’s Time for New York to Save its Mass Transit System

    The economic heart of the city cannot beat without an effective subway system. It’s time for the mayor and governor to develop a fully funded, well thought through strategy for mass transit in New York City and its nearby suburbs.

  • Students Design Communications Plan for Conservation Organization

    Students Design Communications Plan for Conservation Organization

    Students in the MPA Environmental Science and Policy program consulted with the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to create a strategic communications plan, raising awareness of elephant and rhino conservation efforts.

  • The Evolution of Sustainability Education

    The Evolution of Sustainability Education

    The most fundamental evolution of the field from environmental policy to sustainability management is that our profession is no longer limited to advocates, lobbyists and policy makers, but now includes entrepreneurs, green financiers, builders, managers and owners.

  • Microgrids: Taking Steps Toward the 21st Century Smart Grid

    Microgrids: Taking Steps Toward the 21st Century Smart Grid

    Microgrids, networks of linked energy sources that are connected to the main grid, but are able to operate independently if power is lost, are the building blocks of the 21st century smart grid. Why aren’t there more of them?

  • Students Travel to Israel to Experience Current Impacts of Climate Change

    Students Travel to Israel to Experience Current Impacts of Climate Change

    Current MPA-ESP Student Tiara Cunningham writes about her experience traveling to Israel with SIPA’s Israel Environmental Delegation.

  • How to Get Your Head Around the ‘Circular Economy’

    How to Get Your Head Around the ‘Circular Economy’

    Vincent Aurez, an economist and circular economy consultant for Ernst & Young’s Paris office, spoke about how companies have drawn on intelligent eco-design, and developed or identified new markets for their waste products, to improve profitability while reducing global footprint.