State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

NYC3

  • The Next New York City

    The Next New York City

    If we are successful in modernizing our economy and greening our infrastructure, and if we do this in a way that expands opportunity, then New York City should seamlessly regain its symbolic and actual place in our economy and in our consciousness.

  • Reviving New York City

    Reviving New York City

    My hope is that when we elect our new mayor during the June Democratic primary, we elect a leader who is ready to ask all of us “not what New York City can do for us, but what we can do for New York City.”

  • Remembering the Honorable David Dinkins

    Remembering the Honorable David Dinkins

    David Dinkins made us stronger, but he also made us and our city better, and we should honor his memory in this difficult time by rededicating ourselves to public service.

  • Institutionalizing Sustainability in New York City Government

    Institutionalizing Sustainability in New York City Government

    Since the city’s term-limited mayor will be replaced by someone else, how do we assure that sustainability policy will continue to be implemented?

  • Urbanization is Cutting Off Life Support to NYC’s Wetlands

    Urbanization is Cutting Off Life Support to NYC’s Wetlands

    New study reveals surprising facts behind a shrinking wetland, and suggests remedies.

  • Tracking Respiratory Infections in NYC, With or Without Symptoms

    Tracking Respiratory Infections in NYC, With or Without Symptoms

    There’s a lot we don’t know about respiratory viruses and how they spread. A study currently underway seeks to unravel these mysteries, in part by studying people who are healthy enough to be walking around in Manhattan.

  • NYC is Suing Five Major Oil Companies Over Climate Change

    NYC is Suing Five Major Oil Companies Over Climate Change

    Columbia University expert weighs in on the potential impacts of the lawsuit.

  • Removing Toxic Electronics From NYC’s Waste

    We need to develop the public policies and standard operating procedures to make certain that discarded electronics are either recycled or carefully discarded. This requires that we abandon the idea that “out of sight is out of mind.”

  • Keeping our Freshwater Fresh: Ecosystem Management Tools

    Keeping our Freshwater Fresh: Ecosystem Management Tools

    We have been harming our hard-earned water resources; is it too late to clean up our act? With the help of the nine principles of ecology we can work towards effectively and sustainably managing these ecosystems, which will help us preserve the quality of New York’s freshwater resources and maintain our high quality drinking water.

Photo of the Earth from space with the text "Lamont at AGU25" on top.

AGU25, the premier Earth and space science conference, takes place December 15-19, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This year’s theme—Where Science Connects Us—puts in focus how science depends on connection, from the lab to the field to the ballot box. Once again, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Columbia Climate School scientists, experts, students, and educators are playing an active role, sharing our research and helping shape the future of our planet. #AGU25 Learn More

  • The Next New York City

    The Next New York City

    If we are successful in modernizing our economy and greening our infrastructure, and if we do this in a way that expands opportunity, then New York City should seamlessly regain its symbolic and actual place in our economy and in our consciousness.

  • Reviving New York City

    Reviving New York City

    My hope is that when we elect our new mayor during the June Democratic primary, we elect a leader who is ready to ask all of us “not what New York City can do for us, but what we can do for New York City.”

  • Remembering the Honorable David Dinkins

    Remembering the Honorable David Dinkins

    David Dinkins made us stronger, but he also made us and our city better, and we should honor his memory in this difficult time by rededicating ourselves to public service.

  • Institutionalizing Sustainability in New York City Government

    Institutionalizing Sustainability in New York City Government

    Since the city’s term-limited mayor will be replaced by someone else, how do we assure that sustainability policy will continue to be implemented?

  • Urbanization is Cutting Off Life Support to NYC’s Wetlands

    Urbanization is Cutting Off Life Support to NYC’s Wetlands

    New study reveals surprising facts behind a shrinking wetland, and suggests remedies.

  • Tracking Respiratory Infections in NYC, With or Without Symptoms

    Tracking Respiratory Infections in NYC, With or Without Symptoms

    There’s a lot we don’t know about respiratory viruses and how they spread. A study currently underway seeks to unravel these mysteries, in part by studying people who are healthy enough to be walking around in Manhattan.

  • NYC is Suing Five Major Oil Companies Over Climate Change

    NYC is Suing Five Major Oil Companies Over Climate Change

    Columbia University expert weighs in on the potential impacts of the lawsuit.

  • Removing Toxic Electronics From NYC’s Waste

    We need to develop the public policies and standard operating procedures to make certain that discarded electronics are either recycled or carefully discarded. This requires that we abandon the idea that “out of sight is out of mind.”

  • Keeping our Freshwater Fresh: Ecosystem Management Tools

    Keeping our Freshwater Fresh: Ecosystem Management Tools

    We have been harming our hard-earned water resources; is it too late to clean up our act? With the help of the nine principles of ecology we can work towards effectively and sustainably managing these ecosystems, which will help us preserve the quality of New York’s freshwater resources and maintain our high quality drinking water.