State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

opinion2

  • Why Conservation is Not Condescension: A Case Against Eco-imperialism

    Why Conservation is Not Condescension: A Case Against Eco-imperialism

    Western ecologists and conservationists have been portrayed at times as modern imperialists, forcefully imposing a radical ideology of environmentalism on the developing world. These so-called “eco-imperialists” are depicted as arrogant and uncaring elites, concerned with the protection of pristine nature, but indifferent to human welfare. But the future of wild places is entwined with human…

  • Dazed but Mostly Confused: Why Americans don’t know what to think about climate change

    A string of recent polls have heralded the decline of American interest in climate change: fewer people believe in it, fewer people see it as a serious problem, and more people think scientists don’t agree about it. Coupled with recent scandals over hacked emails and allegations of inaccuracy in the IPCC, these polls seem to…

Colorful banner with city: "MR 2025: Mobility, Adaptation, and Wellbeing in a Changing Climate."
  • Why Conservation is Not Condescension: A Case Against Eco-imperialism

    Why Conservation is Not Condescension: A Case Against Eco-imperialism

    Western ecologists and conservationists have been portrayed at times as modern imperialists, forcefully imposing a radical ideology of environmentalism on the developing world. These so-called “eco-imperialists” are depicted as arrogant and uncaring elites, concerned with the protection of pristine nature, but indifferent to human welfare. But the future of wild places is entwined with human…

  • Dazed but Mostly Confused: Why Americans don’t know what to think about climate change

    A string of recent polls have heralded the decline of American interest in climate change: fewer people believe in it, fewer people see it as a serious problem, and more people think scientists don’t agree about it. Coupled with recent scandals over hacked emails and allegations of inaccuracy in the IPCC, these polls seem to…