Environment

BY Selva Ozelli ·
10·20·26
In this interview with Selva Ozelli, archaeologist Dr Halil Mert Erdoğan shares his journey into archaeology, recent discoveries at Olympos and reflections on Göbeklitepe, alongside efforts to protect Türkiye’s cultural and natural heritage from climate change.

BY Selva Ozelli ·
09·21·26
Margie Turrin of Columbia’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory discusses climate literacy, Hudson River fieldwork, polar science, youth engagement, and the emerging environmental challenges of AI and data centers.

BY Selva Ozelli ·
09·16·26
Lamont-Doherty geophysicist Dr. Michael Steckler has spent 25 years studying Bangladesh, where a locked subduction zone beneath the world's largest delta could one day produce an M8.2 earthquake. He explains how soft sediments amplify shaking, why Bangladesh escaped the 2004 tsunami, and why 2026's deadly quakes reflect where people live rather than a change in […]

BY Selva Ozelli ·
09·15·26
Columbia atmospheric chemist Dr Roisin Commane measures greenhouse gases everywhere from Arctic permafrost to the streets of New York. She explains what changed when the city banned high-sulfur fuel oil, why the 2023 Canadian wildfire smoke was so dangerous to breathe, and why electrifying heating matters more for clean air than electrifying cars.

BY Selva Ozelli ·
09·11·26
Biological oceanographer Sheean Haley explores the hidden importance of marine phytoplankton, the effects of climate change and pollution, and how art, citizen science and ecological stewardship can deepen our connection with the natural world.

BY Selva Ozelli ·
08·07·26
From a 500-million-year-old magma chamber in southwest Nigeria to the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Dr Folarin Kolawole has built a career studying how continents pull apart. We spoke about the mentors who shaped his path, the hidden 200-million-year-old faults that produced the 4.8 magnitude New York/New Jersey earthquake, and whether a warming planet means a shakier […]

BY Selva Ozelli ·
08·06·26
From a pre-dawn CBS News broadcast at the National Lighthouse Museum to Governor Hochul's year-long pause on hyperscale data centres, New York is weighing the environmental cost of AI compute. Wildfire smoke, flash floods and a constitutional green amendment set the scene, while SpaceX, Meta and others look to orbit for power the grid can […]

BY Selva Ozelli ·
06·26·26
Every June 30th, International Asteroid Day marks the anniversary of the 1908 Tunguska event and raises public awareness about asteroid impact hazards, planetary defense, and the global programs tracking near-Earth objects. This year, explore how LDEO's Flags of Science exhibition by Selva Ozelli connects asteroid research, planetary origins, and space-based solar power in honor of […]

BY Selva Ozelli ·
06·03·26
World Oceans Day 2026 arrives under the theme "Reimagine," marking a historic milestone: with the High Seas Treaty now in force, over 10% of the global ocean is officially protected. Explore the treaty's four pillars and discover five art exhibitions by Selva Ozelli celebrating marine biodiversity and conservation.

BY Selva Ozelli ·
05·26·26
Dr. Michael Kaplan — Lamont Research Professor at Columbia's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and newly named 2026 Guggenheim Fellow — reflects on his journey through CU Boulder, decades reconstructing past glacial change from Patagonia to the Laurentide ice sheet, and what accelerating glacier retreat across the Americas means for the climate fight ahead.

BY Selva Ozelli ·
05·07·26
Emilie McGlone, Director of Peace Boat US and United Nations liaison, shares how the organization's "floating university" connects people across borders to advance peace, ocean conservation, and climate action. She discusses the upcoming 123rd Global Voyage, the Ocean Gala in New York City on June 10, 2026, the Youth for the SDGs scholarship, and the […]

BY Selva Ozelli ·
04·07·26
This Earth Month, Selva Ozelli explores how art and science are converging to champion the planet. From Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory's climate research to flag-themed exhibitions at the National Lighthouse Museum, Havre de Grace Maritime Museum, and HMVC Gallery, museums worldwide are spotlighting renewable energy, ocean conservation, and Earth Day's 2026 theme: "Our Power, Our Planet."

BY Selva Ozelli ·
03·17·26
Pioneering marine geologist Bill Ryan recounts a career spent overturning geological assumptions — from his first expedition with Jacques-Yves Cousteau in 1961 to the discovery that the Mediterranean Sea once dried up entirely. He reflects on the hunt for the Titanic, the controversy surrounding the Black Sea Flood hypothesis, and what it takes to defend […]

BY Selva Ozelli ·
02·28·26
Dr. Edward R. Cook, world-renowned paleoclimatologist and Director of LDEO's Tree-Ring Laboratory, discusses his groundbreaking "drought atlases." Discover how ancient tree rings help scientists understand prehistoric megadroughts and their lessons for modern climate change and intensifying wildfires.

BY Selva Ozelli ·
02·28·26
Forests and earthquakes are fundamentally linked by the Earth's shifting structure. Author and artist Selva Ozelli bridges the gap between ancient mythology and modern tectonic science, showcasing how the powerful combination of art and data can drive awareness for global ecosystem conservation.

BY Selva Ozelli ·
01·19·26
For America's semiquincentennial, institutions from New York to Lord Howe Island are showcasing how indigenous knowledge shapes modern wetland restoration. From Lenape ancestral shoreline projects to Māori kaitiakitanga principles, these collaborative exhibits and events highlight cultural heritage as the foundation for ecological stewardship.

BY Jennifer Okafor ·
12·12·25
When the ocean heats up, it harms the marine life we rely on. Fish migrate from their homes. Coral reefs are dying. Ocean food chains break apart. How do these impacts of warmer oceans on marine life impact us? Read this post to learn what big changes we must make right now.

BY Jennifer Okafor ·
09·29·25
We don’t see as many animals as we used to. Bigger farms make it even harder for plants and animals to survive. The effect of agriculture on biodiversity means nature is in trouble. If we know what’s causing these changes, we can do something. Read the post to find out more.

BY Jennifer Okafor ·
09·11·25
Not noticing fractals in nature can make the world feel random—out of order. This problem shows up in everything from cloud shapes to tree branches. Once you spot these repeating patterns, they give you a new lens for understanding nature. Unlock these hidden designs in this post.

BY Selva Ozelli ·
08·08·25
Turkish artist Fatma Kadir transforms avian oil painting into environmental activism. From her Istanbul studio to United Nations exhibitions, her bird paintings raise awareness about air and water pollution's impact on wildlife while earning international recognition and awards.

BY Selva Ozelli ·
08·05·25
Meet Semine Hazar, an internationally acclaimed lighthouse painter. Through her art, Hazar draws attention to ocean conservation, using lighthouses as symbols of hope and guidance while highlighting critical issues like marine dead zones and the need for environmental stewardship. Her work bridges art and activism, always carrying the message that our oceans need protection.

BY Jennifer Okafor ·
06·18·25
Escalating threats to the Amazon rainforest—deforestation, mining, and failed policy—put the planet’s climate and wildlife at clear risk. Left unchecked, these dangers can directly affect lives worldwide. What can reverse this trend and spark progress in conservation? Read the full post to see what’s at stake and where action begins.

BY Jennifer Okafor ·
05·18·25
Packed with wildlife and indigenous inhabitants, the renowned rainforest of South America is full of unexpected wonders and urgent truths. These facts about the Amazon rainforest will change the way you see our planet and reveal why this massive biome deserves worldwide protection.

BY Jennifer Okafor ·
05·02·25
Various places to see a lava flow offer a front-row seat to nature's raw power. Volcanoes, with their flowing lava and eruptive displays, shape the landscape. This guide shares eight prime destinations where witnessing a live lava flow creates memories you'll never forget.

BY Isabela Sedano ·
02·26·25
Explore our collection of Rachel Carson quotes and experience the legacy of this brilliant scientist and writer. We've grouped her words by her books and also included memorable speeches. Let her passion touch you as you reflect on her words.

