State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Sustainability33

  • The State of Sustainability Management and Measurement in China

    The State of Sustainability Management and Measurement in China

    Sustainability management is more than an emerging field; it is a vital aspect of many organizations and economies across the globe. Today’s leaders have accepted this as fact, and interest in environmental sustainability is increasing at all levels of society, which makes incorporating sustainability into daily operations of great importance.

  • Embracing a New Environmental Era in China

    Embracing a New Environmental Era in China

    As China incorporates environmental considerations into its economic planning process, its government appears to be carefully examining the relationship between sustainability and broader development goals.

  • STARS Summit: Ramping up Sustainability at Columbia

    STARS Summit: Ramping up Sustainability at Columbia

    Columbia University received a gold star rating as part of the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS), a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. In May 2015, the Office of Environmental Stewardship convened a meeting of the first ever Sustainability Summit, to take action on sustainability planning at…

  • Putting Knowledge to Work in the Real World: The Capstone Projects

    Putting Knowledge to Work in the Real World: The Capstone Projects

    The study of sustainability management and environmental policy is put to the test when applied to solving real world problems. Students in Columbia University’s Master of Science in Sustainability Management and Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy programs presented their final capstone projects done for real clients.

  • Unforeseen Dangers in a Global Food System

    Unforeseen Dangers in a Global Food System

    Michael Puma considers what can happen when events such as long-lasting droughts or volcanic explosions interrupt production of these crops. He has begun to assess the fragility of the intricate network of trade relationships that move important basic food items across national borders.

  • Lessons in Sustainability Policy

    Lessons in Sustainability Policy

    On April 7, 2015, the Earth Institute hosted a panel event and reception on ‘Sustainability Policy: Progress and Opportunity.’ Over 170 students, faculty, and local professionals gathered in Low Library to hear a panel of experts speak about sustainability and the role of government. Panelists discussed local-level policy, the role of metrics, and what the…

  • Summer 2015 Internship Openings

    Summer 2015 Internship Openings

    Are you a Columbia or Barnard student seeking an internship for summer 2015? Are you interested in topics of sustainability and environmental policy? Apply to be an Administrative and Research intern in the Executive Director’s Office at the Earth Institute. Interns will provide research and editing support for reports, articles, case studies, and presentations, and…

  • Indian Sundarban

    Indian Sundarban

    We arrived in Kolkata, and filmed by the Hooghly River. While it is no longer the main channel of the Ganges, it is still the Holy Ganges and we saw a funeral procession spreading ashes of a loved one while filming there. Then a 5 hour trip by car, ferry, rickshaw and boat to the…

  • Geology and Filming in Mizoram

    Geology and Filming in Mizoram

    In the small town of Kolasib, we stayed in Hotel Cloud 9. I had been told since I was a child that I was always off on Cloud 9 and now I was actually here. However, the electricity wasn’t for the first few hours, so showers were cold, but the dinner was hot.

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 State of Sustainability Management and Measurement in China

    The State of Sustainability Management and Measurement in China

    Sustainability management is more than an emerging field; it is a vital aspect of many organizations and economies across the globe. Today’s leaders have accepted this as fact, and interest in environmental sustainability is increasing at all levels of society, which makes incorporating sustainability into daily operations of great importance.

  • Embracing a New Environmental Era in China

    Embracing a New Environmental Era in China

    As China incorporates environmental considerations into its economic planning process, its government appears to be carefully examining the relationship between sustainability and broader development goals.

  • STARS Summit: Ramping up Sustainability at Columbia

    STARS Summit: Ramping up Sustainability at Columbia

    Columbia University received a gold star rating as part of the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS), a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. In May 2015, the Office of Environmental Stewardship convened a meeting of the first ever Sustainability Summit, to take action on sustainability planning at…

  • Putting Knowledge to Work in the Real World: The Capstone Projects

    Putting Knowledge to Work in the Real World: The Capstone Projects

    The study of sustainability management and environmental policy is put to the test when applied to solving real world problems. Students in Columbia University’s Master of Science in Sustainability Management and Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy programs presented their final capstone projects done for real clients.

  • Unforeseen Dangers in a Global Food System

    Unforeseen Dangers in a Global Food System

    Michael Puma considers what can happen when events such as long-lasting droughts or volcanic explosions interrupt production of these crops. He has begun to assess the fragility of the intricate network of trade relationships that move important basic food items across national borders.

  • Lessons in Sustainability Policy

    Lessons in Sustainability Policy

    On April 7, 2015, the Earth Institute hosted a panel event and reception on ‘Sustainability Policy: Progress and Opportunity.’ Over 170 students, faculty, and local professionals gathered in Low Library to hear a panel of experts speak about sustainability and the role of government. Panelists discussed local-level policy, the role of metrics, and what the…

  • Summer 2015 Internship Openings

    Summer 2015 Internship Openings

    Are you a Columbia or Barnard student seeking an internship for summer 2015? Are you interested in topics of sustainability and environmental policy? Apply to be an Administrative and Research intern in the Executive Director’s Office at the Earth Institute. Interns will provide research and editing support for reports, articles, case studies, and presentations, and…

  • Indian Sundarban

    Indian Sundarban

    We arrived in Kolkata, and filmed by the Hooghly River. While it is no longer the main channel of the Ganges, it is still the Holy Ganges and we saw a funeral procession spreading ashes of a loved one while filming there. Then a 5 hour trip by car, ferry, rickshaw and boat to the…

  • Geology and Filming in Mizoram

    Geology and Filming in Mizoram

    In the small town of Kolasib, we stayed in Hotel Cloud 9. I had been told since I was a child that I was always off on Cloud 9 and now I was actually here. However, the electricity wasn’t for the first few hours, so showers were cold, but the dinner was hot.