State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Undergraduate Major in Sustainable Development15

  • Watershed Management Takes Sustainable Development Students to the Catskills

    Watershed Management Takes Sustainable Development Students to the Catskills

    Six reservoirs in the Catskills Mountains provide about 90% of New York City’s safe drinking water, or one billion gallons of water a day. Studying the complexities of effectively managing the watershed led 30 Sustainable Development undergraduate students to spend a weekend in the Catskills exploring the water system.

  • Finding the Right Graduate Program

    “It is important to be present, interested and passionate in a Master’s program.” Taking time off to travel and work helped Meg Sutton to realize that the M.A. Climate and Society program has what she was looking for in a graduate program.

  • The Center for Career Education Speaks with Students

    The Center for Career Education Speaks with Students

    Here are four questions to ask yourself if you’re a student about to start searching for a post-graduate job or internship: What do you like to do? How do you like to work? What sort of environment do you best work in? What things will you most value in a job? Financial security, prestige, helping…

  • Students See Freshkills Park as Urban Redesign Project

    Students See Freshkills Park as Urban Redesign Project

    The first fall field trip took students in the Undergraduate Program in Sustainable Development outside of the city limits, through the Narrows and into Staten Island to learn about Freshkills Park, the place once known as the world’s largest landfill. Upon arriving at St. George ferry terminal on Sept. 24, students were greeted by Doug…

  • Mixer Brings Students and Faculty Together

    Students from the Undergraduate Sustainable Development Program and members of the Earth Institute faculty were able to put aside readings and assignments in exchange for a few hours of socializing and networking during the Fall 2011 Welcome Mixer on Sept. 22nd. The event was held on campus in the beautiful Maison Francaise, where students enjoyed…

  • For Graduate, Applying Skills Got a Foot in the Door

    For Graduate, Applying Skills Got a Foot in the Door

    On September 16th, Oluseyi Fayanju, a graduate of the M.A. in Climate and Society program, spoke with current undergraduate students about his studies at Columbia and the professional experiences that led him to the Environmental Defense Fund. Although he originally planned to focus on climate change and energy after studying at the Earth Institute, Oluseyi…

  • A Global Fellows Program for Sustainable Development Undergraduates

    A Global Fellows Program for Sustainable Development Undergraduates

    The sustainability challenges faced by our planet require responses based on solid knowledge of the human/environment interface, proven technological mitigation and adaptation techniques and the means to translate this knowledge into action. It has never been more important to educate a new generation of thought leaders and practitioners with keen understanding of the links between…

  • Sustainable Development Concentrators Celebrate Graduation at Special Breakfast Reception

    Students from the undergraduate special concentration in sustainable development celebrated their graduation from Columbia College and the School of General Studies on May 18 at a special breakfast held for them in Columbia’s Faculty House. Family, friends and faculty gathered with students who reflected on the achievements of the last four years and recalled sustainable…

  • Watershed Management Takes Sustainable Development Students to the Catskills

    Watershed Management Takes Sustainable Development Students to the Catskills

    Six reservoirs in the Catskills Mountains provide about 90% of New York City’s safe drinking water, or one billion gallons of water a day. Studying the complexities of effectively managing the watershed led 30 Sustainable Development undergraduate students to spend a weekend in the Catskills exploring the water system.

  • Finding the Right Graduate Program

    “It is important to be present, interested and passionate in a Master’s program.” Taking time off to travel and work helped Meg Sutton to realize that the M.A. Climate and Society program has what she was looking for in a graduate program.

  • The Center for Career Education Speaks with Students

    The Center for Career Education Speaks with Students

    Here are four questions to ask yourself if you’re a student about to start searching for a post-graduate job or internship: What do you like to do? How do you like to work? What sort of environment do you best work in? What things will you most value in a job? Financial security, prestige, helping…

  • Students See Freshkills Park as Urban Redesign Project

    Students See Freshkills Park as Urban Redesign Project

    The first fall field trip took students in the Undergraduate Program in Sustainable Development outside of the city limits, through the Narrows and into Staten Island to learn about Freshkills Park, the place once known as the world’s largest landfill. Upon arriving at St. George ferry terminal on Sept. 24, students were greeted by Doug…

  • Mixer Brings Students and Faculty Together

    Students from the Undergraduate Sustainable Development Program and members of the Earth Institute faculty were able to put aside readings and assignments in exchange for a few hours of socializing and networking during the Fall 2011 Welcome Mixer on Sept. 22nd. The event was held on campus in the beautiful Maison Francaise, where students enjoyed…

  • For Graduate, Applying Skills Got a Foot in the Door

    For Graduate, Applying Skills Got a Foot in the Door

    On September 16th, Oluseyi Fayanju, a graduate of the M.A. in Climate and Society program, spoke with current undergraduate students about his studies at Columbia and the professional experiences that led him to the Environmental Defense Fund. Although he originally planned to focus on climate change and energy after studying at the Earth Institute, Oluseyi…

  • A Global Fellows Program for Sustainable Development Undergraduates

    A Global Fellows Program for Sustainable Development Undergraduates

    The sustainability challenges faced by our planet require responses based on solid knowledge of the human/environment interface, proven technological mitigation and adaptation techniques and the means to translate this knowledge into action. It has never been more important to educate a new generation of thought leaders and practitioners with keen understanding of the links between…

  • Sustainable Development Concentrators Celebrate Graduation at Special Breakfast Reception

    Students from the undergraduate special concentration in sustainable development celebrated their graduation from Columbia College and the School of General Studies on May 18 at a special breakfast held for them in Columbia’s Faculty House. Family, friends and faculty gathered with students who reflected on the achievements of the last four years and recalled sustainable…