State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

NYC4

  • 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.

  • On Nov. 12, Meet Climate Models in New York City

    On Nov. 12, Meet Climate Models in New York City

    Who’s studying Earth’s climate? Why? Where? How? And what are they learning? Panelists will explore these questions and discuss creative methods that can be used to better communicate climate science to the public.

  • Ideas for the Sustainable City: Green Buildings

    On March 23, the Environmental Protection Agency released a list of the 40 cities with the highest percentage of energy-efficient buildings. While Los Angeles, Washington and San Francisco made the top three, NYC came in at number ten. When we think about carbon emissions, we often think of cars, trucks, factories, and power plants. We think…

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!

  • 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.

  • On Nov. 12, Meet Climate Models in New York City

    On Nov. 12, Meet Climate Models in New York City

    Who’s studying Earth’s climate? Why? Where? How? And what are they learning? Panelists will explore these questions and discuss creative methods that can be used to better communicate climate science to the public.

  • Ideas for the Sustainable City: Green Buildings

    On March 23, the Environmental Protection Agency released a list of the 40 cities with the highest percentage of energy-efficient buildings. While Los Angeles, Washington and San Francisco made the top three, NYC came in at number ten. When we think about carbon emissions, we often think of cars, trucks, factories, and power plants. We think…