State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Year: 2012

  • Transiting the Pacific

    Transiting the Pacific

    Today marks our sixth day aboard the R.V. Melville on a journey to a remote region of the Pacific to retrieve seismic instruments that have been quietly recording earthquake signals on the ocean floor for the past year. We have covered more than 2,600 km thus far but must cruise for another two and a…

  • One Year Later – Return to the NoMelt Site

    One Year Later – Return to the NoMelt Site

    On December 18, 2012, the Research Vessel Melville departed San Diego to recover remainder of the NoMelt instruments and data. The expedition includes two scientists from Columbia’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory: Post-doctoral scientist Patty Lin and graduate student Natalie Accardo. Natalie is sending regular reports from the ship.

  • We Need to Put All Coastal Electricity Underground — NOW

    We Need to Put All Coastal Electricity Underground — NOW

    As shocking as the coastal devastation caused by Mega-Storm Sandy was, the prolonged electrical blackouts in the region were much more troubling. They never should have happened, and if any did, power should have been restored sooner.

  • 10 Reasons to Make a Gift to the Earth Institute by Dec. 31

    10 Reasons to Make a Gift to the Earth Institute by Dec. 31

    Thanks to the support and advocacy of our donors, partners, volunteers and students, the Earth Institute made great strides toward sustainable development in 2012. We wanted to share a list of ten accomplishments made possible through our combined efforts.

  • Smaller Colorado River Projected for Coming Decades, Study Says

    Smaller Colorado River Projected for Coming Decades, Study Says

    Some 40 million people depend on the Colorado River Basin for water but warmer weather from rising greenhouse gas levels and a growing population may signal water shortages ahead.

  • Capstone Workshop in Sustainable Development Presentations by Seniors

    Impressive seniors in the Capstone Workshop in Sustainable Development delivered their final presentations for the Fall 2012 to fellow students and faculty at Columbia University. The workshop is a required course for students in the Sustainable Development major or special concentration. The workshop is unique in that it requires students to work collaboratively on a specific, client-based…

  • Head of IDDRI to Teach Sustainability Management Course

    Head of IDDRI to Teach Sustainability Management Course

    This semester, visiting professor Laurence Tubiana, head of the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) in France, will be bringing her professional experience to bear as the instructor for two courses in the Earth Institute’s education programs, Political Economy of Energy and Climate Policy at the School of Continuing Education (SCE) and the…

  • New Spring 2013 Courses in Conservation & Sustainability

    New Spring 2013 Courses in Conservation & Sustainability

    The Earth Institute provides executive training in environmental sustainability through science, policy, and economics; we invite you to learn from our leading experts and practitioners to become an effective environmental leader and decision-maker.

  • Using Spatial Analysis to Help Manage Conflict

    Using Spatial Analysis to Help Manage Conflict

    Peri-urban areas are particularly vulnerable to land use conflicts due to their geographic and socio-economic characteristics: They are transitional zones in transforming societies, where various economic activities associated with each urban setting try to co-exist. In this context, peri-urban agriculture plays a key role for the multiplicity and diversity of stakeholders providing environmental and economic…

Science for the Planet: In these short video explainers, discover how scientists and scholars across the Columbia Climate School are working to understand the effects of climate change and help solve the crisis.
  • Transiting the Pacific

    Transiting the Pacific

    Today marks our sixth day aboard the R.V. Melville on a journey to a remote region of the Pacific to retrieve seismic instruments that have been quietly recording earthquake signals on the ocean floor for the past year. We have covered more than 2,600 km thus far but must cruise for another two and a…

  • One Year Later – Return to the NoMelt Site

    One Year Later – Return to the NoMelt Site

    On December 18, 2012, the Research Vessel Melville departed San Diego to recover remainder of the NoMelt instruments and data. The expedition includes two scientists from Columbia’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory: Post-doctoral scientist Patty Lin and graduate student Natalie Accardo. Natalie is sending regular reports from the ship.

  • We Need to Put All Coastal Electricity Underground — NOW

    We Need to Put All Coastal Electricity Underground — NOW

    As shocking as the coastal devastation caused by Mega-Storm Sandy was, the prolonged electrical blackouts in the region were much more troubling. They never should have happened, and if any did, power should have been restored sooner.

  • 10 Reasons to Make a Gift to the Earth Institute by Dec. 31

    10 Reasons to Make a Gift to the Earth Institute by Dec. 31

    Thanks to the support and advocacy of our donors, partners, volunteers and students, the Earth Institute made great strides toward sustainable development in 2012. We wanted to share a list of ten accomplishments made possible through our combined efforts.

  • Smaller Colorado River Projected for Coming Decades, Study Says

    Smaller Colorado River Projected for Coming Decades, Study Says

    Some 40 million people depend on the Colorado River Basin for water but warmer weather from rising greenhouse gas levels and a growing population may signal water shortages ahead.

  • Capstone Workshop in Sustainable Development Presentations by Seniors

    Impressive seniors in the Capstone Workshop in Sustainable Development delivered their final presentations for the Fall 2012 to fellow students and faculty at Columbia University. The workshop is a required course for students in the Sustainable Development major or special concentration. The workshop is unique in that it requires students to work collaboratively on a specific, client-based…

  • Head of IDDRI to Teach Sustainability Management Course

    Head of IDDRI to Teach Sustainability Management Course

    This semester, visiting professor Laurence Tubiana, head of the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) in France, will be bringing her professional experience to bear as the instructor for two courses in the Earth Institute’s education programs, Political Economy of Energy and Climate Policy at the School of Continuing Education (SCE) and the…

  • New Spring 2013 Courses in Conservation & Sustainability

    New Spring 2013 Courses in Conservation & Sustainability

    The Earth Institute provides executive training in environmental sustainability through science, policy, and economics; we invite you to learn from our leading experts and practitioners to become an effective environmental leader and decision-maker.

  • Using Spatial Analysis to Help Manage Conflict

    Using Spatial Analysis to Help Manage Conflict

    Peri-urban areas are particularly vulnerable to land use conflicts due to their geographic and socio-economic characteristics: They are transitional zones in transforming societies, where various economic activities associated with each urban setting try to co-exist. In this context, peri-urban agriculture plays a key role for the multiplicity and diversity of stakeholders providing environmental and economic…