October 2025| news.climate.columbia.edu
A recipient of the Stanley Park Climate Finance Scholarship, Chimi Dorji has spent the last seven years working on climate action, environmental conservation and community development in Bhutan.| State of the Planet
In their final briefings, students explored the many ways science can inform policy, from fashion and drinking water to pollinators, animal markets and urban shade.| State of the Planet
Scientists connected to Columbia Climate School and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory received notable accolades from renowned national and international research societies this fall.| State of the Planet
Solar radiation management is gaining traction as a climate intervention—but new research warns that real-world constraints make it riskier and more uncertain than most models suggest.| State of the Planet
Effective climate policy must treat forest regeneration and emissions reductions as complementary strategies, not alternatives, according to a new paper.| State of the Planet
A Canadian mining company is seeking approval to renew gold mining operations in northwestern British Columbia, but they face opposition from First Nations, environmental nonprofits and downstream Alaskan communities.| State of the Planet
How can insurance drive smarter resilience investments? A group of M.A. in Climate and Society students aimed to find out.| State of the Planet
Xia discusses her research projects, mentorship goals, and the importance of staying ahead in a changing scientific landscape.| State of the Planet
A Swiss government report reveals that efforts to locate major hydropower resources on land exposed by glacier retreat are entangled with ecological and legal challenges.| State of the Planet
The issue is no longer whether AI matters for sustainable development, but how to apply it in ways that decrease costs, expand access, improve decision-making and avoid further deepening inequality.| State of the Planet
October 2024| news.climate.columbia.edu
July 2025| news.climate.columbia.edu
A new study finds that a system of lakes under Thwaites Glacier have undergone large drainage events, highlighting underestimates in the melting rate of the glacier.| State of the Planet
Plus: Why they matter for climate change.| State of the Planet
For the first time in almost nine years, the R/V Marcus G. Langseth is back in New York City, stationed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard for some much-needed TLC. State of the Planet got a tour of this impressive seismic vessel, learning how it can help researchers forecast earthquakes and save lives in the process.| State of the Planet
Steve Cohen, director of Columbia's M.S. in Sustainability Management program, discusses the present and future of food waste programs in NYC.| State of the Planet
September 2025| news.climate.columbia.edu
Buddhist monks and scientific researchers came together to commemorate the disappearing Yala Glacier and to raise awareness about glacial loss in the Himalayas.| State of the Planet
Climate models must simulate many overlapping systems to predict or project future climate.| State of the Planet
Join us next week for events on resilient water systems, sustainable fashion, the energy transition and much more.| State of the Planet
MPA-ESP students traveled through the Bronx to learn about why urban rivers, wetlands and forests are crucial to the future of our cities.| State of the Planet
In a signed letter, 170 researchers, including 10 from Columbia University, urged Congress and National Science Foundation to continue the operation of the Nathaniel B. Palmer.| State of the Planet
Aboard the R/V Marcus G. Langseth, 13 teachers traveled from San Diego to the Galápagos Islands this summer, learning about oceanography and collaboration along the way.| State of the Planet
Lamont scientists are working with lumber salvage companies to preserve old timbers from demolished structures that offer rich clues to climate data and human history.| State of the Planet
Yushu Xia's research bridges field-based science and advanced modeling to inform more resilient land management strategies that benefit farmers, ranchers, communities and the planet.| State of the Planet
The new Climate School dean discusses her commitment to climate action and the impact she thinks the school will have on the climate crisis.| State of the Planet
In South Sudan and Uganda, Anyieth Philip Ayuen experienced the devastating effects of natural disasters firsthand. At the Climate School, he hopes to learn how to fight the global climate crisis through disaster management, sustainable agriculture and renewable resources.| State of the Planet
The Imaginarium brings together diverse organizations and individuals to engage the public through climate storytelling and interdisciplinary arts from May to November.| State of the Planet
New research evaluated the feasibility and benefits of transitioning from gas to induction stoves in affordable housing.| State of the Planet
Researchers within the Earth Institute are working to decarbonize New York City’s heat and hot water.| State of the Planet
May 2025| news.climate.columbia.edu
Columbia Climate School students in two classes partnered with global communities and gained hands-on experience in sustainability.| State of the Planet
Measurements analyzed by an international research team indicate the global ocean absorbed significantly less CO₂ than anticipated during the unprecedented marine heatwave in 2023.| State of the Planet
It’s time to treat subway heat like the climate adaptation issue and public health hazard that it is.| State of the Planet
Growing threats have increased environmental awareness and the prominence of our efforts to ensure sustainable economic growth.| State of the Planet
August 2025| news.climate.columbia.edu
A new initiative will unite globally renowned leaders to drive bold, collaborative action on the most urgent challenges facing our climate, Earth and society.| State of the Planet
An increasing risk of flooding in Hunts Point could upend a large share of the city food distribution.| State of the Planet
Clean Crop is an ambitious startup project that blends policy, economics, sustainability and development.| State of the Planet
Alison Miller, a senior leader at the Nature Conservancy, reflects on her time in Columbia’s MPA-ESP program and how it helped shape her career path.| State of the Planet
Three students traveled across the globe this summer to work on projects in global policy, climate vulnerability, and urban research and fieldwork.| State of the Planet
In partnership with a local NGO, Canada will finance climate adaptation projects throughout Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.| State of the Planet
In the Green Mountains of Vermont, pre-college students tackled questions about climate change and its effects on different communities.| State of the Planet
Tsunami early warning systems save lives not just when they are fast or accurate, but when they are trusted, understood and acted upon.| State of the Planet
In its new season, the Food Pod for Humanity podcast explores plant-based diets and alternative proteins to reduce food-related climate impacts.| State of the Planet
A Q&A with the accomplished legal scholar and educator known for her pioneering work on environmental and climate justice.| State of the Planet
Harrison Gerson and Emine Taha exemplified the spirit of service, leadership and community engagement during their four years at Columbia.| State of the Planet
Students from around the globe spent two weeks in Vermont learning about current issues and solutions in climate change.| State of the Planet
A new class in the Undergraduate Program in Sustainable Development aims to educate students on effective climate-adaptation planning through collaboration with community partners.| State of the Planet
Artificial intelligence has the potential to develop game-changing ways to fight climate change — but only if we can find ways to cut its carbon emissions.| State of the Planet
What are geoengineering and cloud seeding, and what are their implications for future climate mitigation strategies?| State of the Planet
An earthquake on April 5, 2024, was felt at surprisingly long distances. What does it mean for assessing regional hazard?| State of the Planet
Long ago, melting glaciers dropped giant boulders onto surfaces in the New York City exurbs, and many seem to remain in their original, delicately balanced positions. Can they be used to judge the maximum sizes of past earthquakes?| State of the Planet
Because renewable energy sources depend on the environment, both the supply of and demand for renewables are affected by climate impacts such as high heat, drought, altered precipitation patterns, flooding, extreme weather and wildfires.| State of the Planet
The Sabin Center identified and examined the 33 most pervasive false claims about renewable energy.| State of the Planet
A warning system, which might involve integrating older technology like weather radios with new AI products and local knowledge, is key to preventing future loss of life.| State of the Planet
A new study finds that some forms of air pollution in the atmosphere have helped shade the Earth’s surface from the sun’s energy.| State of the Planet
In June, a group of students stepped out of the classroom and into one of New York City’s most environmentally complex sites.| State of the Planet
A new study offers insight into natural hazards and river restoration, potentially guiding infrastructure projects ahead of disasters like the recent Texas flooding.| State of the Planet
Four graduating students were selected for their outstanding academic achievements in sustainable development.| State of the Planet
A collaborative exhibit between artist Patricia Maurides and scientist Karina Yager explores how humans perceive changes in the natural world.| State of the Planet
Robin Bell has been named the Marie Tharp Lamont Research Professor and Richard Seager the Ewing Lamont Research Professor.| State of the Planet
As AI expands its global reach, how can we ensure its just and inclusive use when applied to climate science?| State of the Planet
Documentary film “The Color of Ice” explores the voices impacted by climate change.| State of the Planet
High school senior Michelle Rozenfeld reflects on what she learned interning with the National Center for Disaster Preparedness.| State of the Planet
On May 16, M.A. in Climate and Society students gathered to celebrate their accomplishments.| State of the Planet
The Climate School dean shares her tips on how to reduce both your energy bills and carbon footprint.| State of the Planet
With the current heatwave gripping the eastern U.S., we're revisiting this story—originally published back in May—on practical ways to stay comfortable and cut energy costs during extreme weather.| State of the Planet
Columbia undergraduates spent three days learning about sustainable development on a local scale and immersing themselves in life on Cuttyhunk Island.| State of the Planet
Anyieth Philip Ayuen reflects on his Climate School experience while sharing a message of hope and resilience.| State of the Planet
Carissa O’Donnell talks about her connection to nature, and how that led the way to the Climate School and a career in environmental policy.| State of the Planet
Our Power, Our Planet is the theme of Earth Day 2025, and it invites the world to join together in support of renewable energy.| State of the Planet
Continuing on our journey, we visited the shrine and former home of Bangladeshi cultural icons, continued our interviews, and boarded a boat to take us to the embanked islands known as polders.| State of the Planet
U.N. delegates and glaciologists convened to address the profound impacts of accelerating glacial melting, particularly for freshwater resources, mountain communities and small island states.| State of the Planet
In Bangladesh, a large and growing population lives in one of the most dynamic and sensitive environments on Earth, subject to multiple natural disasters and threatened by climate change.| State of the Planet
Fatou Kiné Gueye shares her perspective on climate action and how she plans to translate her coursework into meaningful action in her home country of Senegal.| State of the Planet
Recent Chinese approval to construct the world’s largest hydropower dam in Tibet has sparked concerns on local displacement, downstream impacts and infrastructure longevity.| State of the Planet
An M.S. in Sustainability Science graduate reflects on the pros and cons of running marathons—for people and the planet.| State of the Planet
Desertification is occurring in many parts of the world, including the western U.S., Brazil, most of Europe, Asia and central Africa. Is it too late to reverse it?| State of the Planet
Much research focuses on people fleeing climate risks and natural hazards. What about those who can't move?| State of the Planet
Once considered a crazy idea, solar geothermal engineering is gaining acceptance in some circles. But it's not without drawbacks.| State of the Planet
Part of the inaugural Columbia AI Summit, this session addressed how AI is emerging as a powerful tool in climate science, disaster preparedness, and building resilience across interconnected systems.| State of the Planet
Laundry is the biggest source of microplastic fibers in our waterways. These Columbia researchers are working on a solution.| State of the Planet
Using a new technique, scientists have been able to identify extremely minute plastic fragments in bottled water, 10 times more than previously counted.| State of the Planet
Scientists have identified systematic meanders in the northern jet stream that cause simultaneous crop-damaging heat waves in widely separated regions—a previously unknown threat to global food production that could worsen with warming.| State of the Planet
Since 2017, the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law has documented policies that restrict or expand initiatives in science and climate.| State of the Planet
Artists Peter Bremers and Jim Schantz discuss their glacial artworks inspired by a journey to Iceland’s Vatnajökull National Park.| State of the Planet
The Attribution Science and Climate Law Conference brought together scientists, legal experts, policymakers and advocates to explore how advancements in climate attribution science can shape litigation, policy and governance.| State of the Planet
As California battles devastating wildfires, our researchers are helping to make sense of how they became so destructive, and what's needed for recovery.| State of the Planet
Earth's temperature exceeded the previous record set in 2023.| State of the Planet
Jeffrey Schlegelmilch, director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness, discusses why these fires have been so devastating and what can be done about wildfires going forward.| State of the Planet
The author discusses the essential role of culture in fighting climate change.| State of the Planet
How can the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers work with communities and agencies to create more effective coastal protection projects?| State of the Planet
Italy and Switzerland redrew a small section of their Alps boundary in response to melting glaciers shifting the geographic features.| State of the Planet
The Food Pod for Humanity podcast explores topics at the intersection of food systems and climate change.| State of the Planet
The event featured films and speakers from around the world who spotlighted humanity’s essential relationship with water and how it continues to evolve in our changing climate.| State of the Planet
Distinct regions are seeing repeated heat waves so extreme, they cannot be explained by climate models.| State of the Planet
Climate change is altering a centuries-old Shinto ritual in Japan, highlighting the importance of addressing the less visible signs of a changing planet.| State of the Planet
New undergrad programs and a change in leadership underscore the Climate School's multidisciplinary and collaborative approach to sustainability.| State of the Planet
