State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

New York City15

  • This Earth Day, Commute Another Way

    This Earth Day, Commute Another Way

    This Earth Day, April 22, 2016, New York City residents and commuters are encouraged to leave their car at home and use another means of travel as part of the city’s first year of Car-Free Day. Find out what Columbia University is doing in support of #CarFreeNYC.

  • Philanthropy and Inequality

    Philanthropy and Inequality

    In the field of philanthropy, foundations have been confronted with how to address structural racism and various forms of systemic inequities. How can foundations play a greater role in reducing racial disparities, promoting criminal justice reform, and tackling any range of manifestations of inequality?

  • NYC’s Public-Private Partnerships to Fight Climate Change

    NYC’s Public-Private Partnerships to Fight Climate Change

    New York City’s Carbon Challenge is helping to foster public-private partnerships that are crucial in any city’s attempt to combat climate change.

  • Zero Waste in San Francisco and New York: A Tale of Two Cities

    Each city is different, and New York’s pace, diversity, and size make comparisons to San Francisco difficult. Still, large-scale behavior changes can be achieved with leadership, strategy and creativity.

  • April 18 Deadline for SEE-U Summer Programs

    April 18 Deadline for SEE-U Summer Programs

    A new summer study program will focus on agricultural ecosystems in and around New York City.

  • Come on Mr. Mayor, Leave the Central Park Carriage Horses Alone

    The mayor seems almost desperate to complete this carriage deal and move on, but in the process is simply giving his enemies more ammunition to do battle with him. In the process, he has managed to antagonize park advocates, pedicab workers, and good government advocates.

  • How Sustainable is Vertical Farming? Students Try to Answer the Question

    How Sustainable is Vertical Farming? Students Try to Answer the Question

    Vertical farming is touted as a solution to the drawbacks of traditional agriculture, but how sustainable is it really? A team of students attempts to design a certification system to assess the sustainability of vertical farms.

  • The Catskill Watershed: a Story of Sacrifice and Cooperation

    The Catskill Watershed: a Story of Sacrifice and Cooperation

    It has become so easy for us here in NYC to turn on the tap without realizing the hardship, unimaginable sacrifices and money that have allowed us this incredible resource at the mere flick of a finger. We returned to the downstream end of the aqueducts with a newfound appreciation of the hard work we…

  • Your Choices Matter

    Your Choices Matter

    The Earth Institute and Emerald Brand recently co-hosted “Your Choices Matter,” a sustainability awareness event at Columbia University’s Alfred Lerner Hall.

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!

  • This Earth Day, Commute Another Way

    This Earth Day, Commute Another Way

    This Earth Day, April 22, 2016, New York City residents and commuters are encouraged to leave their car at home and use another means of travel as part of the city’s first year of Car-Free Day. Find out what Columbia University is doing in support of #CarFreeNYC.

  • Philanthropy and Inequality

    Philanthropy and Inequality

    In the field of philanthropy, foundations have been confronted with how to address structural racism and various forms of systemic inequities. How can foundations play a greater role in reducing racial disparities, promoting criminal justice reform, and tackling any range of manifestations of inequality?

  • NYC’s Public-Private Partnerships to Fight Climate Change

    NYC’s Public-Private Partnerships to Fight Climate Change

    New York City’s Carbon Challenge is helping to foster public-private partnerships that are crucial in any city’s attempt to combat climate change.

  • Zero Waste in San Francisco and New York: A Tale of Two Cities

    Each city is different, and New York’s pace, diversity, and size make comparisons to San Francisco difficult. Still, large-scale behavior changes can be achieved with leadership, strategy and creativity.

  • April 18 Deadline for SEE-U Summer Programs

    April 18 Deadline for SEE-U Summer Programs

    A new summer study program will focus on agricultural ecosystems in and around New York City.

  • Come on Mr. Mayor, Leave the Central Park Carriage Horses Alone

    The mayor seems almost desperate to complete this carriage deal and move on, but in the process is simply giving his enemies more ammunition to do battle with him. In the process, he has managed to antagonize park advocates, pedicab workers, and good government advocates.

  • How Sustainable is Vertical Farming? Students Try to Answer the Question

    How Sustainable is Vertical Farming? Students Try to Answer the Question

    Vertical farming is touted as a solution to the drawbacks of traditional agriculture, but how sustainable is it really? A team of students attempts to design a certification system to assess the sustainability of vertical farms.

  • The Catskill Watershed: a Story of Sacrifice and Cooperation

    The Catskill Watershed: a Story of Sacrifice and Cooperation

    It has become so easy for us here in NYC to turn on the tap without realizing the hardship, unimaginable sacrifices and money that have allowed us this incredible resource at the mere flick of a finger. We returned to the downstream end of the aqueducts with a newfound appreciation of the hard work we…

  • Your Choices Matter

    Your Choices Matter

    The Earth Institute and Emerald Brand recently co-hosted “Your Choices Matter,” a sustainability awareness event at Columbia University’s Alfred Lerner Hall.