State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

traffic congestion

  • Congestion Pricing is Stuck in New York’s Political Traffic

    Congestion Pricing is Stuck in New York’s Political Traffic

    The subway system requires new signals, switches, cars, and expanded routes. While congestion pricing can’t pay for all of that, it can help.

  • Congestion Pricing and a Sustainable NYC

    Congestion Pricing and a Sustainable NYC

    Solving the transit problem is key to New York City’s health and well-being, and a new congestion pricing proposal is serious starting point.

  • A Sustainable City Would Continue to Keep Cars Out of Times Square

    A Sustainable City Would Continue to Keep Cars Out of Times Square

    The trade-off between regulating public behavior and free speech can be difficult, but must be taken on if we are to have public space in sustainable cities. Since we need more of these public spaces rather than fewer spaces, the behavior in Times Square is a challenge of governance that must be taken on by…

  • The State and Future of Congestion Pricing in China

    The State and Future of Congestion Pricing in China

    To combat urban air pollution and traffic problems, some propose congestion pricing as a cost-effective policy to reduce pollution and improve productivity through improved travel speeds. Cities in China could implement this policy and ameliorate some of the negative effects of congestion-caused pollution. So why is congestion pricing dead on arrival in China?

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

  • Congestion Pricing is Stuck in New York’s Political Traffic

    Congestion Pricing is Stuck in New York’s Political Traffic

    The subway system requires new signals, switches, cars, and expanded routes. While congestion pricing can’t pay for all of that, it can help.

  • Congestion Pricing and a Sustainable NYC

    Congestion Pricing and a Sustainable NYC

    Solving the transit problem is key to New York City’s health and well-being, and a new congestion pricing proposal is serious starting point.

  • A Sustainable City Would Continue to Keep Cars Out of Times Square

    A Sustainable City Would Continue to Keep Cars Out of Times Square

    The trade-off between regulating public behavior and free speech can be difficult, but must be taken on if we are to have public space in sustainable cities. Since we need more of these public spaces rather than fewer spaces, the behavior in Times Square is a challenge of governance that must be taken on by…

  • The State and Future of Congestion Pricing in China

    The State and Future of Congestion Pricing in China

    To combat urban air pollution and traffic problems, some propose congestion pricing as a cost-effective policy to reduce pollution and improve productivity through improved travel speeds. Cities in China could implement this policy and ameliorate some of the negative effects of congestion-caused pollution. So why is congestion pricing dead on arrival in China?