State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

The Sustainable City

  • An Environmental Agenda for NYC’s New Mayor

    An Environmental Agenda for NYC’s New Mayor

    Our new mayor should let our environmental actions do the talking for the next eight years. It would be a refreshing change.

  • The Necessity of Recycling

    The Necessity of Recycling

    Without recycling, there can be no circular economy. Without a circular economy, we cannot build environmentally sustainable cities. Without sustainable cities, we’d better start looking for another planet.

  • Maintaining Hope in A Horrible Time

    Maintaining Hope in A Horrible Time

    Human ingenuity and persistence give me hope and help me navigate the worst public health catastrophe in a century.

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

  • An Environmental Agenda for NYC’s New Mayor

    An Environmental Agenda for NYC’s New Mayor

    Our new mayor should let our environmental actions do the talking for the next eight years. It would be a refreshing change.

  • The Necessity of Recycling

    The Necessity of Recycling

    Without recycling, there can be no circular economy. Without a circular economy, we cannot build environmentally sustainable cities. Without sustainable cities, we’d better start looking for another planet.

  • Maintaining Hope in A Horrible Time

    Maintaining Hope in A Horrible Time

    Human ingenuity and persistence give me hope and help me navigate the worst public health catastrophe in a century.