State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

World Trade Center

  • A Morning That Shook the World: The Seismology of 9/11

    A Morning That Shook the World: The Seismology of 9/11

    Seismologist Won-Young Kim heard the first reports of the World Trade Center attacks while driving to work. Soon, he would be enmeshed in helping figure out exactly what happened, and when.

  • The World Trade Center Disaster And Our Toxic World

    The World Trade Center Disaster And Our Toxic World

    In a dangerous world we must be vigilant in the face of evil, but we must also do our best to reduce self-inflicted wounds. We can do a better job of detoxifying our technology, and of helping those who are victims of attacks and disasters. We owe it to our children and the planet they…

  • World Trade Center Ship Traced to Colonial-Era Philadelphia

    World Trade Center Ship Traced to Colonial-Era Philadelphia

    Four years ago this month, archeologists monitoring the excavation of the former World Trade Center site uncovered a ghostly surprise: the bones of an ancient sailing ship. In a new study, scientists at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory say that an old growth forest in the Philadelphia area supplied the white oak used in the ship’s frame,…

Earth Month Graphic Collage: "Our Power, Our Planet - April 2025"

The first Earth Day in 1970 ignited a movement to stop polluting our planet. This Earth Month, join us in our commitment to realizing a just and sustainable future for our planet. Visit our Earth Day website for ideas, resources, and inspiration.

  • A Morning That Shook the World: The Seismology of 9/11

    A Morning That Shook the World: The Seismology of 9/11

    Seismologist Won-Young Kim heard the first reports of the World Trade Center attacks while driving to work. Soon, he would be enmeshed in helping figure out exactly what happened, and when.

  • The World Trade Center Disaster And Our Toxic World

    The World Trade Center Disaster And Our Toxic World

    In a dangerous world we must be vigilant in the face of evil, but we must also do our best to reduce self-inflicted wounds. We can do a better job of detoxifying our technology, and of helping those who are victims of attacks and disasters. We owe it to our children and the planet they…

  • World Trade Center Ship Traced to Colonial-Era Philadelphia

    World Trade Center Ship Traced to Colonial-Era Philadelphia

    Four years ago this month, archeologists monitoring the excavation of the former World Trade Center site uncovered a ghostly surprise: the bones of an ancient sailing ship. In a new study, scientists at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory say that an old growth forest in the Philadelphia area supplied the white oak used in the ship’s frame,…