State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

resource management

  • 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.”

  • Student Spotlight: From Marine Biology to Environmental Policy

    Student Spotlight: From Marine Biology to Environmental Policy

    MPA in Environmental Science and Policy student Shirley Binder aims to incorporate environmental policy fundamentals into her marine biology background.

  • Garbage: The Back End of the Renewable Economy

    Many cities around the world are implementing innovative measures to deal with waste, and are increasingly incorporating waste management into sustainability plans. Some cities are setting positive examples through aggressive recycling and zero waste programs.

  • New Initiative Launched to Help Manage Oil in Timor-Leste

    The Open Society Foundations have awarded $800,000 to the Vale Columbia Center on Sustainable International Investment to promote integrated development in Timor-Leste in collaboration with the Revenue Watch Institute (RWI). Though rich in oil and gas, the island nation of Timor-Leste remains one of the least developed countries in the world. To use its revenues…

Collage of Turkiye beach scene and Columbia University Campus with text: UN Climate Change Conference COP31, Antalya, Turkiye, Nov 9-20, 2026

COP31, the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, aims to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate climate action on a global scale. From November 9–20, 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society will gather to advance efforts in emission targets, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. Once again, our experts, students, and global thought leaders from Columbia Climate School and across Columbia University are contributing to key events, sharing insights, and helping shape the dialogue toward ambitious, science-based solutions. Learn More

  • 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.”

  • Student Spotlight: From Marine Biology to Environmental Policy

    Student Spotlight: From Marine Biology to Environmental Policy

    MPA in Environmental Science and Policy student Shirley Binder aims to incorporate environmental policy fundamentals into her marine biology background.

  • Garbage: The Back End of the Renewable Economy

    Many cities around the world are implementing innovative measures to deal with waste, and are increasingly incorporating waste management into sustainability plans. Some cities are setting positive examples through aggressive recycling and zero waste programs.

  • New Initiative Launched to Help Manage Oil in Timor-Leste

    The Open Society Foundations have awarded $800,000 to the Vale Columbia Center on Sustainable International Investment to promote integrated development in Timor-Leste in collaboration with the Revenue Watch Institute (RWI). Though rich in oil and gas, the island nation of Timor-Leste remains one of the least developed countries in the world. To use its revenues…