State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

sustainable development22

  • The Big City, Subdivided for Sustainability

    The Big City, Subdivided for Sustainability

    Two-thirds of people on the planet will live in cities by 2050. But few cities are prepared for this population boom. An upcoming research project will explore new, localized models for urban infrastructure to make cities cleaner, healthier and more enjoyable places to live.

  • The Disaster Profiteers

    The Disaster Profiteers

    In his new book “The Disaster Profiteers,” Earth Institute professor John Mutter argues that natural disasters are bad for the poor–and can be great for the rich, who often seize resources meant for recovery, when no one is looking.

  • How Genomics Can Help Famine-Prone Nations Weather Climate Change

    How Genomics Can Help Famine-Prone Nations Weather Climate Change

    A team of biologists and agronomists has identified genomic signatures in plants indicating they are resilient to stresses such as drought or toxic soils. The multi-year study, expected to help developing-world farmers, was done with sorghum, one of the world’s most common crops.

  • The Centrality of Sustainability

    The most powerful political argument for protecting the planet is that to retain what we have, we must gradually change how we deliver the goods and services that people enjoy. The argument that people must give up what they enjoy does not win elections.

  • Earth Institute Director Jeffrey Sachs Awarded Blue Planet Prize

    Jeffrey Sachs, director of Columbia University’s Earth Institute, has been awarded the 2015 Blue Planet Prize. The prize is presented each year to two individuals or organizations worldwide to recognize major efforts to solve global environmental problems. Many consider it to be the world’s highest such honor. The other recipient this year is Cambridge University…

  • New 5-Year Program in Sustainable Development & Sustainability Management

    New 5-Year Program in Sustainable Development & Sustainability Management

    Columbia University’s Earth Institute and School of Continuing Education, in collaboration with Columbia College and General Studies, are pleased to announce the launch of an Accelerated Program in Sustainable Development and Sustainability Management. Through this new program, majors and special concentrators in sustainable development can earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in just…

  • Getting Started with Sustainable Development

    Getting Started with Sustainable Development

    Later this year, the member states of the United Nations will launch an ambitious set of goals for sustainable development. But how will we get there? The International Conference on Sustainable Development will tackle that question.

  • Beijing Program to Tackle Energy, Environmental Issues

    Beijing Program to Tackle Energy, Environmental Issues

    The Earth Institute is taking an extra step to contribute to China’s environmental future by sponsoring the first Beijing Week on Energy and Environment, a week-long program this summer for emerging leaders and professionals in the fields of energy and environment.

  • 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.

Columbia Climate School is bringing bold ideas, leading experts, and groundbreaking research to Climate Week NYC. Explore our events, stories, and updates as we help shape the conversation on climate action across New York City.

  • The Big City, Subdivided for Sustainability

    The Big City, Subdivided for Sustainability

    Two-thirds of people on the planet will live in cities by 2050. But few cities are prepared for this population boom. An upcoming research project will explore new, localized models for urban infrastructure to make cities cleaner, healthier and more enjoyable places to live.

  • The Disaster Profiteers

    The Disaster Profiteers

    In his new book “The Disaster Profiteers,” Earth Institute professor John Mutter argues that natural disasters are bad for the poor–and can be great for the rich, who often seize resources meant for recovery, when no one is looking.

  • How Genomics Can Help Famine-Prone Nations Weather Climate Change

    How Genomics Can Help Famine-Prone Nations Weather Climate Change

    A team of biologists and agronomists has identified genomic signatures in plants indicating they are resilient to stresses such as drought or toxic soils. The multi-year study, expected to help developing-world farmers, was done with sorghum, one of the world’s most common crops.

  • The Centrality of Sustainability

    The most powerful political argument for protecting the planet is that to retain what we have, we must gradually change how we deliver the goods and services that people enjoy. The argument that people must give up what they enjoy does not win elections.

  • Earth Institute Director Jeffrey Sachs Awarded Blue Planet Prize

    Jeffrey Sachs, director of Columbia University’s Earth Institute, has been awarded the 2015 Blue Planet Prize. The prize is presented each year to two individuals or organizations worldwide to recognize major efforts to solve global environmental problems. Many consider it to be the world’s highest such honor. The other recipient this year is Cambridge University…

  • New 5-Year Program in Sustainable Development & Sustainability Management

    New 5-Year Program in Sustainable Development & Sustainability Management

    Columbia University’s Earth Institute and School of Continuing Education, in collaboration with Columbia College and General Studies, are pleased to announce the launch of an Accelerated Program in Sustainable Development and Sustainability Management. Through this new program, majors and special concentrators in sustainable development can earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in just…

  • Getting Started with Sustainable Development

    Getting Started with Sustainable Development

    Later this year, the member states of the United Nations will launch an ambitious set of goals for sustainable development. But how will we get there? The International Conference on Sustainable Development will tackle that question.

  • Beijing Program to Tackle Energy, Environmental Issues

    Beijing Program to Tackle Energy, Environmental Issues

    The Earth Institute is taking an extra step to contribute to China’s environmental future by sponsoring the first Beijing Week on Energy and Environment, a week-long program this summer for emerging leaders and professionals in the fields of energy and environment.

  • 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.