State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

water matters11

  • Indian Government Takes Steps on Agriculture, Water, Climate

    Indian Government Takes Steps on Agriculture, Water, Climate

    In terms of the urgent need to reform agriculture, address climate change and promote sustainable watershed development, the Indian government’s new budget provides for a number of promising initiatives.

  • In India, Reducing the Dependency on Monsoon Precipitation

    In India, Reducing the Dependency on Monsoon Precipitation

    The Centers for International Projects Trust has undertaken various low cost technological innovations to reduce the amount of water used for the production of rice and wheat in India. Such innovations not only reduce water usage in agriculture but also make farmers less vulnerable to climate variability, especially as it relates to the monsoon season.

  • US Groundwater Declines More Widespread Than Commonly Thought

    US Groundwater Declines More Widespread Than Commonly Thought

    Groundwater levels are dropping across a much wider swath of the United States than is generally discussed, according to a new report, suggesting that the nation’s long-term pattern of groundwater use is broadly unsustainable.

  • The End of Cheap Water?

    The End of Cheap Water?

    Americans are paying more for water than they did a decade ago, even as water utilities fall into debt and water infrastructure deteriorates, according to a Columbia Water Center report.

  • Aquanaut Summer Interns Dive Deeper into Research

    Aquanaut Summer Interns Dive Deeper into Research

    This summer, the Columbia Water Center Aquanaut interns addressed a variety of water-related questions affecting the United States, with funding and guidance provided by Veolia Foundation, Veolia Water and members of Growing Blue. Nelson Dove, Christine Wen, Mary Williams, Christopher Economides and Daniel Shi were selected to expand the repertoire of data-driven tools the Columbia…

  • Water Risk in Unexpected Places

    Water Risk in Unexpected Places

    A new report by the Columbia Water Center, produced with Veolia Water and Growing Blue, could help expose the real nature of water risk–even in places that most people think of as having plenty of water.

  • Trouble in America’s Water Paradise

    Trouble in America’s Water Paradise

    America’s strong water infrastructure has been key to its success as a nation. Yet the nation’s continual waste of water and lack of commitment to long-term water investments has halted its progress.

  • Water Security: Finding Solutions for a World at Risk

    Water Security: Finding Solutions for a World at Risk

    “This is a mess, and it is a mess that we have not attended to yet,” Earth Institute Director Jeffrey Sachs said at a conference on water security held today at Columbia University. “Humanity is the driver, but we don’t have our hands on the steering wheel very much.”

  • Columbia University to Monitor NYC Waterways

    Dr. Wade McGillis of Columbia University’s Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory is the Lead Principal Investigator on a new project entitled “NYC Sustainable Urban Water Quality: the Earthwatch Institute Freshwater Program”, set to take place through January 2017. Dr. McGillis and his staff will be working in partnership with the Earth Watch Institute to deliver this…

Banner: Climate Week NYC 2025, September 21-28, 2025
  • Indian Government Takes Steps on Agriculture, Water, Climate

    Indian Government Takes Steps on Agriculture, Water, Climate

    In terms of the urgent need to reform agriculture, address climate change and promote sustainable watershed development, the Indian government’s new budget provides for a number of promising initiatives.

  • In India, Reducing the Dependency on Monsoon Precipitation

    In India, Reducing the Dependency on Monsoon Precipitation

    The Centers for International Projects Trust has undertaken various low cost technological innovations to reduce the amount of water used for the production of rice and wheat in India. Such innovations not only reduce water usage in agriculture but also make farmers less vulnerable to climate variability, especially as it relates to the monsoon season.

  • US Groundwater Declines More Widespread Than Commonly Thought

    US Groundwater Declines More Widespread Than Commonly Thought

    Groundwater levels are dropping across a much wider swath of the United States than is generally discussed, according to a new report, suggesting that the nation’s long-term pattern of groundwater use is broadly unsustainable.

  • The End of Cheap Water?

    The End of Cheap Water?

    Americans are paying more for water than they did a decade ago, even as water utilities fall into debt and water infrastructure deteriorates, according to a Columbia Water Center report.

  • Aquanaut Summer Interns Dive Deeper into Research

    Aquanaut Summer Interns Dive Deeper into Research

    This summer, the Columbia Water Center Aquanaut interns addressed a variety of water-related questions affecting the United States, with funding and guidance provided by Veolia Foundation, Veolia Water and members of Growing Blue. Nelson Dove, Christine Wen, Mary Williams, Christopher Economides and Daniel Shi were selected to expand the repertoire of data-driven tools the Columbia…

  • Water Risk in Unexpected Places

    Water Risk in Unexpected Places

    A new report by the Columbia Water Center, produced with Veolia Water and Growing Blue, could help expose the real nature of water risk–even in places that most people think of as having plenty of water.

  • Trouble in America’s Water Paradise

    Trouble in America’s Water Paradise

    America’s strong water infrastructure has been key to its success as a nation. Yet the nation’s continual waste of water and lack of commitment to long-term water investments has halted its progress.

  • Water Security: Finding Solutions for a World at Risk

    Water Security: Finding Solutions for a World at Risk

    “This is a mess, and it is a mess that we have not attended to yet,” Earth Institute Director Jeffrey Sachs said at a conference on water security held today at Columbia University. “Humanity is the driver, but we don’t have our hands on the steering wheel very much.”

  • Columbia University to Monitor NYC Waterways

    Dr. Wade McGillis of Columbia University’s Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory is the Lead Principal Investigator on a new project entitled “NYC Sustainable Urban Water Quality: the Earthwatch Institute Freshwater Program”, set to take place through January 2017. Dr. McGillis and his staff will be working in partnership with the Earth Watch Institute to deliver this…