State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Water Access

  • A New Tool for Matching Water Solutions to Community Needs

    A New Tool for Matching Water Solutions to Community Needs

    Sustainable development alum Dylan Dettloff used his Columbia Climate School Collaborative Research Grant to develop a Python-based decision tool to help rural and water-scarce communities identify the most suitable desalination technologies.

  • Shannon Márquez: Empowering Women and Girls Through Access to Water and Sanitation

    Shannon Márquez: Empowering Women and Girls Through Access to Water and Sanitation

    The engineer and environmental health researcher studies the intersections of gender, water, sanitation, and hygiene.

  • California Dreaming: Drought and Development

    California’s water crisis is further proof that environmental issues must be fully integrated into economic development plans and projects. Sustainability management requires that we factor these physical resources and constraints into our designs for new homes, businesses and institutions.

  • Reflections on Haiti

    Earlier this month, I was lucky enough to travel to Haiti to install a weather monitoring station, as well as conduct streamflow measurements and water quality assessments with Water Center employee Lior Asaf.  Traveling to Haiti gave me my first exposure to how water and climate issues are affecting poor and developing countries, as well…

Blue banner with kids and Earth photos. Text: "Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Open House, Saturday, October 17, 2026, 10am-4pm.

On Saturday, October 17, 2026 from 10am to 4pm, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Open House—our biggest, best science fun and discovery event of the year—will take place on our beautiful campus in Palisades, NY. Mark your calendar and join us for this free, family-friendly celebration of science! RSVP Today!

  • A New Tool for Matching Water Solutions to Community Needs

    A New Tool for Matching Water Solutions to Community Needs

    Sustainable development alum Dylan Dettloff used his Columbia Climate School Collaborative Research Grant to develop a Python-based decision tool to help rural and water-scarce communities identify the most suitable desalination technologies.

  • Shannon Márquez: Empowering Women and Girls Through Access to Water and Sanitation

    Shannon Márquez: Empowering Women and Girls Through Access to Water and Sanitation

    The engineer and environmental health researcher studies the intersections of gender, water, sanitation, and hygiene.

  • California Dreaming: Drought and Development

    California’s water crisis is further proof that environmental issues must be fully integrated into economic development plans and projects. Sustainability management requires that we factor these physical resources and constraints into our designs for new homes, businesses and institutions.

  • Reflections on Haiti

    Earlier this month, I was lucky enough to travel to Haiti to install a weather monitoring station, as well as conduct streamflow measurements and water quality assessments with Water Center employee Lior Asaf.  Traveling to Haiti gave me my first exposure to how water and climate issues are affecting poor and developing countries, as well…