State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Sustainability23

  • MPA-ESP students visit the Gowanus Canal to learn about urban contamination

    MPA-ESP students visit the Gowanus Canal to learn about urban contamination

    The newest cohort of MPA Environmental Science and Policy students went on a field trip to the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn with professors Benjamin Bostick and Michael Musso to learn about the challenges of a dense mixed-use urban landscape.

  • When People Must Make Way for Nature

    When People Must Make Way for Nature

    It is the black before dawn at the gate to the Kanha Tiger Reserve, in the highlands of central India. The still air carries a dank, penetrating chill. But it is hardly quiet. A buzzing line of tourists is forming at the ticket booth, peddlers are pouring steaming cups of tea.  Groups of green-uniformed rangers chat…

  • Photo Essay: When People Must Make Way for Nature

    Photo Essay: When People Must Make Way for Nature

    The forested Kanha Tiger Reserve, in the highlands of central India, is home to an abundance of rare wildlife. It also used to be home to thousands of people—that is, until they were moved out by the government to make way for endangered creatures.

  • MPA-ESP Students tour world-class earth science research campus

    MPA-ESP Students tour world-class earth science research campus

    The newest cohort of MPA Environmental Science and Policy students received a faculty-led tour of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory to learn about the innovative climate and environment research being carried out at one of the world’s leading research facilities.

  • Steering Wealth Towards Sustainable Investing

    Steering Wealth Towards Sustainable Investing

    Sustainability Management student Dazzle Bhujwala has over 15 years of global Wealth Management experience with leading international banks. He believes financial institutions need to incorporate sustainable investing.

  • SUMA Alumna Travels A Different Sustainability Path in Brooklyn

    SUMA Alumna Travels A Different Sustainability Path in Brooklyn

    Agustina Besada (SUMA 2015) is the Executive Director of Sure We Can, a nonprofit recycling facility, community center and grassroots sustainability testbed wrapped into one.

  • MSSM Alum Named to 2017 GreenBiz ’30 Under 30′

    MSSM Alum Named to 2017 GreenBiz ’30 Under 30′

    Sustainability Management alum Courtney Small has been identified as a rising leader in the field of sustainable business and has been named to the Green Biz “30 Under 30” list.

  • It’s Time for New York to Save its Mass Transit System

    It’s Time for New York to Save its Mass Transit System

    The economic heart of the city cannot beat without an effective subway system. It’s time for the mayor and governor to develop a fully funded, well thought through strategy for mass transit in New York City and its nearby suburbs.

  • Getting the Tools to Get Hired

    Getting the Tools to Get Hired

    Alan Burchell is the founder and principal of Urbanstrong, which he started shortly after graduating from Columbia’s Master of Science in Sustainability Management program in 2014. When choosing courses, Alan encourages MSSM students to fill up their tool belts. In his experience, “Knowledge is great, but tools get you hired.” Alan recommends to take classes…

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

  • MPA-ESP students visit the Gowanus Canal to learn about urban contamination

    MPA-ESP students visit the Gowanus Canal to learn about urban contamination

    The newest cohort of MPA Environmental Science and Policy students went on a field trip to the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn with professors Benjamin Bostick and Michael Musso to learn about the challenges of a dense mixed-use urban landscape.

  • When People Must Make Way for Nature

    When People Must Make Way for Nature

    It is the black before dawn at the gate to the Kanha Tiger Reserve, in the highlands of central India. The still air carries a dank, penetrating chill. But it is hardly quiet. A buzzing line of tourists is forming at the ticket booth, peddlers are pouring steaming cups of tea.  Groups of green-uniformed rangers chat…

  • Photo Essay: When People Must Make Way for Nature

    Photo Essay: When People Must Make Way for Nature

    The forested Kanha Tiger Reserve, in the highlands of central India, is home to an abundance of rare wildlife. It also used to be home to thousands of people—that is, until they were moved out by the government to make way for endangered creatures.

  • MPA-ESP Students tour world-class earth science research campus

    MPA-ESP Students tour world-class earth science research campus

    The newest cohort of MPA Environmental Science and Policy students received a faculty-led tour of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory to learn about the innovative climate and environment research being carried out at one of the world’s leading research facilities.

  • Steering Wealth Towards Sustainable Investing

    Steering Wealth Towards Sustainable Investing

    Sustainability Management student Dazzle Bhujwala has over 15 years of global Wealth Management experience with leading international banks. He believes financial institutions need to incorporate sustainable investing.

  • SUMA Alumna Travels A Different Sustainability Path in Brooklyn

    SUMA Alumna Travels A Different Sustainability Path in Brooklyn

    Agustina Besada (SUMA 2015) is the Executive Director of Sure We Can, a nonprofit recycling facility, community center and grassroots sustainability testbed wrapped into one.

  • MSSM Alum Named to 2017 GreenBiz ’30 Under 30′

    MSSM Alum Named to 2017 GreenBiz ’30 Under 30′

    Sustainability Management alum Courtney Small has been identified as a rising leader in the field of sustainable business and has been named to the Green Biz “30 Under 30” list.

  • It’s Time for New York to Save its Mass Transit System

    It’s Time for New York to Save its Mass Transit System

    The economic heart of the city cannot beat without an effective subway system. It’s time for the mayor and governor to develop a fully funded, well thought through strategy for mass transit in New York City and its nearby suburbs.

  • Getting the Tools to Get Hired

    Getting the Tools to Get Hired

    Alan Burchell is the founder and principal of Urbanstrong, which he started shortly after graduating from Columbia’s Master of Science in Sustainability Management program in 2014. When choosing courses, Alan encourages MSSM students to fill up their tool belts. In his experience, “Knowledge is great, but tools get you hired.” Alan recommends to take classes…