State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

World Happiness Report

  • Amid War and Disease, World Happiness Report Shows Bright Spot

    Amid War and Disease, World Happiness Report Shows Bright Spot

    The pandemic brought not only pain and suffering but also an increase in social support and benevolence.

  • In a Lamentable Year, Finland Again is the Happiest Country in the World

    In a Lamentable Year, Finland Again is the Happiest Country in the World

    The 2021 World Happiness Report marks a somber moment as COVID-19 continues to rage on a little more than a year since it was declared a pandemic by the WHO.

  • Data Visualization: World Happiness Trends

    Data Visualization: World Happiness Trends

    Could the number of women in a nation’s government have an impact on its happiness? Can air quality effect the mood of a population? Do trains make people happier? Explore World Happiness Report data and trends that might also contribute to a country’s overall well-being.

  • First World Happiness Report Launched at the United Nations

    The happiest countries in the world are all in Northern Europe (Denmark, Norway, Finland, Netherlands). Their average life evaluation score is 7.6 on a 0-to-10 scale. The least happy countries are all poor countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (Togo, Benin, Central African Republic, Sierra Leone) with average life evaluation scores of 3.4. But it is not…

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

  • Amid War and Disease, World Happiness Report Shows Bright Spot

    Amid War and Disease, World Happiness Report Shows Bright Spot

    The pandemic brought not only pain and suffering but also an increase in social support and benevolence.

  • In a Lamentable Year, Finland Again is the Happiest Country in the World

    In a Lamentable Year, Finland Again is the Happiest Country in the World

    The 2021 World Happiness Report marks a somber moment as COVID-19 continues to rage on a little more than a year since it was declared a pandemic by the WHO.

  • Data Visualization: World Happiness Trends

    Data Visualization: World Happiness Trends

    Could the number of women in a nation’s government have an impact on its happiness? Can air quality effect the mood of a population? Do trains make people happier? Explore World Happiness Report data and trends that might also contribute to a country’s overall well-being.

  • First World Happiness Report Launched at the United Nations

    The happiest countries in the world are all in Northern Europe (Denmark, Norway, Finland, Netherlands). Their average life evaluation score is 7.6 on a 0-to-10 scale. The least happy countries are all poor countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (Togo, Benin, Central African Republic, Sierra Leone) with average life evaluation scores of 3.4. But it is not…