Urban Environment Lab

Today's Research on the Challenges of Sustainable Development

The current social context surrounding climate change is ushering in a new era of land use, planning, and development, one that reconsiders the role of natural disasters, natural resources, and environmental impacts on the communities in which we live. The Urban Environment Lab engages students, policy-makers, and research partners in collaborative projects and discussions on the determinants of hazard vulnerability, community resilience, sustainable development, and infrastructure adaptation at the intersection of the natural, social, and built environments.

Climate Action Costs More in the Global South. Here’s Why. January 6, 2026
For many countries in the Global South, the cost of transitioning to a low-carbon economy remains disproportionately high.
Guest
SIPA Alumni Champion Wildlife Protection at Major Conference in Uzbekistan December 23, 2025
The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, better known as CITES COP, is one of the strongest international agreements dedicated to protecting wildlife from overexploitation.
Columbia Climate School
Science for the Planet: Engineering a Cooler Future Through Smarter Buildings December 22, 2025
Dean Alexis Abramson explains how she applies engineering, data analytics and machine learning to help dramatically cut energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from buildings.
Francesco Fiondella
Year in Review: Our Top Stories of 2025 December 22, 2025
A look back at the stories and videos that shaped our year at State of the Planet.
Columbia Climate School
Vast Freshwater Reserves Found Beneath Salinity-Stressed Coastal Bangladesh December 22, 2025
Drinking water is often scarce in Bangladesh. These researchers have tapped into a potential solution.
Columbia Climate School

Urban Environment Lab

Today's Research on the Challenges of Sustainable Development

State of the Planet