Annual Donor Report 2010 The many challenges facing the planet—from poverty to climate change to urbanization— are deeply intertwined, as are their solutions. The Earth Institute’s interdisciplinary approach to sustainable development and its extraordinary contributions in research, education and the creation of real-world solutions are helping pave the way toward a better future.

Cover Images: Alan Orling, Sandy Kaufman, NASA, Millennium Promise, Squared Design Lab Table of Contents Alan Orling

2 Letter From the President of Columbia University 3 Letter From the Director of the Earth Institute 4 A Future for Haiti 6 Playing for the Planet 8 Secrets Beneath the Ice 10 Changing Minds About Climate Change 12 Improving Lives by 2015

14 Recycled CO2 + Sunshine + Water = Fuel 16 Forging Global Connections 18 Predicting Weather-Related Disease Outbreaks 20 Toward Sustainable Cities 22 Training Green Managers 24 A Successful Year for Sustainable Development 26 Our Donors 30 More Earth Institute Projects and Initiatives

annual donor report 2010 1 Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, Jacques Descloitres, From the President of Columbia University

the challenges facing our global community are well known and pervasive. We understand the urgency required in addressing the impact of climate change on the environment, on the oceans, and on human populations living in increasing density that makes them more vulnerable to natural disasters. We know how lack of attention to controlling communicable diseases or eliminating contaminated water sources can undermine sustainable development. We see the critical need to identify and develop cleaner alternative energy sources. Columbia University is uniquely positioned to generate scientifically based solutions to these mounting problems because of the remarkable talent and creativity brought together by the Earth Institute. Since its inception as a collaborative, interdisciplinary group of scholars, researchers, policymakers and students, Columbia’s Earth Institute has been at the forefront of new ideas and insights essential to crafting a more sustainable future on our planet. Columbia has been fortunate to have the participation of a number of loyal and dedicated alumni and friends who, through their generosity and vision, have helped sustain the Earth Institute’s pioneering efforts. In one after another of the major earth science developments of 2009–10—from the natural disasters of the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile to the Copenhagen climate summit and the man-made disaster of the Gulf oil spill—Columbia’s Eileen Barroso Earth Institute and Lamont-Doherty researchers have played critical leadership roles in our understanding of both what has happened and what we can do about it as a society.

“Columbia University is At the same time, under our admired director Jeff Sachs and chief operating officer uniquely positioned to Steve Cohen, the Earth Institute has expanded its mission of teaching and training through the incubation of two new programs formed to respond to the changing generate scientifically landscape of sustainable development: the Master of Science in Sustainability based solutions to these Management and the undergraduate major in sustainable development. mounting problems Columbia University owes our generous donors and supporters a deep debt of gratitude for helping the Earth Institute fulfill its vital mission both within the because of the remarkable University and in the world. In a truly global sense, you are taking an active part talent and creativity in assuring a more sustainable future for life on our planet. This is the mission brought together by the of a great university in our society—and it is exemplified not only by the aston- ishing track record of pioneering breakthroughs by our Earth Institute, but by Earth Institute.” the extraordinary potential for good that we know is yet to be realized by its continued leadership.

Lee C. Bollinger

2 The Earth Institute, Columbia University From the Director of the Earth Institute

our planet faces unprecedented challenges of climate change, energy needs, water and food shortages, pollution, and natural disasters. Together these crises constitute the overarching challenge of sustainable development: how to combine economic progress with responsible stewardship of Earth’s physical resources and biodiversity. This past year, the Earth Institute’s students, scientists and researchers have been working in the classroom, on the ground and with governments around the world to help find answers to these crucial issues. The Earth Institute’s innovative educational programs at Columbia University empower students to be the next generation of leaders. This year saw the continued success of the Master’s in Development Practice and the launch of the new Master of Science in Sustainability Management, which will train professionals to help lead organizations toward greener futures. And this fall, Columbia undergraduates could declare sustainable development as a major for the first time. These unique degree programs, and others we have pioneered, set the stage for Columbia to be a global center for education in sustainable development. With support from Ericsson, The Economist, and donors Charles and Elizabeth Bowlus, we opened doors around the world in March 2010 for our flagship State of the Planet conference. World leaders, including UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Prince Albert II of Monaco and President Felipe Calderón of Mexico, addressed the challenges of climate change, poverty, economic recovery and reform of the Alan Orling international system for managing sustainable development. To expand Columbia’s global reach, the University launched the Columbia Global Center | South Asia in Mumbai, India, which will build on the Earth Institute’s work in South Asia. “The support of our donors

In Africa and elsewhere, our scientists are studying how climate change influences has allowed us to make the spread of diseases like meningitis and malaria. With a grant from Google.org’s Predict and Prevent Program, they are leveraging the expertise of climate and great progress and will health communities and using seasonal forecasting to help save lives. help ensure our planet is The devastation of the earthquake in Haiti highlighted the urgent need for a productive, equitable and cross-disciplinary response to extreme poverty and natural hazards. Before the sustainable for all.” earthquake struck, scientists and experts like Tatiana Wah, supported by the Green Family Foundation, were addressing poverty-related issues in Haiti. Work was stepped up after the earthquake, with several Earth Institute units involved. As a remarkable, thriving and multidisciplinary hub for Columbia University’s vast intellectual resources in sustainable development, the Earth Institute provides extraordinary solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. The support of our donors has allowed us to make great progress and will help ensure our planet is productive, equitable and sustainable for all.

Jeffrey D. Sachs

annual donor report 2010 3 Even before a devastating earthquake hit Haiti in early 2010, it was suffering from environmental problems, such as deforestation and soil erosion, and other challenges related to extreme poverty. Experts from the Earth Institute are working toward solutions.

4 The Earth Institute, Columbia University A Future for Haiti

when a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit “The hurricanes are not going to go on hold. “As longtime supporters Haiti in January 2010, the Earth Institute was The soil erosion is not going to stop. The agri- of Haiti, it was extremely already there, helping to restore the island’s cultural yields are continuing to fall. So it’s beneficial to have a solid natural environment and address issues very important that we remember these long- related to extreme poverty. The shuddering term problems are also quite acute, and if we working partnership in ground left devastation in its wake—more don’t address them, the country as a whole will place with the Earth Institute than 200,000 Haitians lost their lives and remain in very difficult circumstances." and Professor Tatiana Wah over a million were left without homes— About 80 percent of Haiti’s budget relies on but the earthquake itself was not the sole when the earthquake hit in international aid, says Professor Tatiana Wah. cause of the destruction. She was hired as an expert consultant before January. The Earth Institute’s “The well-known finding from studies of the earthquake, with support from our partner initiatives will continue disaster impacts is that poor countries are hit the Green Family Foundation, when President to assist Haiti in building much harder than wealthy countries,” says Prevál asked Director Jeffrey Sachs for a policy Marc Levy, deputy director of the Center for advisor. With international attention focused back stronger and help International Earth Science Information on the island nation, Haiti had the opportu- provide sustainability for Network. Haiti is the poorest country in the nity to lift itself from its troubled past. But the the long term.” Western Hemisphere. When the same size process would take patience and learning on earthquake hit the San Francisco bay area in all sides, and progress would take time. ­­— Kimberly Green 1989, only 63 people died. But Haiti had houses President, Green Family “Those who want too many quick turnarounds Foundation built with inadequate building materials and a to move a whole society in a short amount of limited ability to respond with food, water time can get disappointed,” says Wah. Even and disaster relief. When the earthquake hit, the government offices were destroyed in the its devastation was inevitable. earthquake, and meetings about the future In the months following the earthquake, relief took place under mango trees. efforts became the first priority for work in One of the main priorities was restoring agri- Haiti. Medical practitioners and volunteers cultural productivity in rural areas, according from Columbia flew down to help. The Earth to Wah (whose work is also currently supported Institute set up a Haiti Task Force that met by donors like Betsee Parker, Nancy Best and weekly to discuss how centers and programs Sara Miller McCune), especially because so could help. Scientists from the Lamont- many residents of Port-au-Prince, once the Doherty Earth Observatory set out to study focus of development work, fled to the country- the causes of the earthquake and improve side. Other improvements, like infrastructure, Haiti’s ability to predict a recurrence. would follow. But the long-term goals of addressing Haiti’s underlying issues of poverty and environmental degradation remained important. “The prob- lems that were plaguing the country before the earthquake are not going away,” says Levy. annual donor report 2010 5 Playing for the Planet

“Through endowed scott barrett, the Lenfest-Earth Institute that acknowledges complexities, tradeoffs and professorships, the Professor of Natural Resource Economics and hard choices.” an expert in complex international negotiations, Lenfest Foundation has Barrett became interested in international teaches game theory in his Global Collective negotiations on September 17, 1987. “That was invested in the long-term Action class. Using a simple card game, Barrett the day the Montreal Protocol was adopted,” helps his students understand the consequences stability of the Earth Institute, says Barrett. The Montreal Protocol is an of decision making in complex negotiations, which will provide benefits international treaty designed to protect the like those involved in climate treaties, where ozone layer by phasing out the production of to students, faculty and each country’s actions depend on the actions a number of ozone-destroying substances. of others. programs year after year, “I was flummoxed, because the training I had in generation after generation.” Barrett begins the game by giving each student economics up to that point had taught me that two cards—one red, one black. Each player cooperation like that didn’t happen,” says Barrett. — The Lenfest Foundation who keeps the red card and turns in the black Cooperation among nations is essential for gets five dollars. Each player who turns in the such consequential issues as avoiding nuclear red card receives just one dollar, but in this warfare, improving public health, promoting case everyone else in the group also receives sustainable economic development, and ad- one dollar. There is no talking allowed, and dressing the threats of climate change. “Climate students must decide which card to hand in change is the greatest collective action prob- without knowing what the other students lem in human history,” says Professor Barrett. will do. “Reducing greenhouse gas emissions With each country wanting to pursue its own is like handing in your red card,” says Barrett. agenda, it is not an easy problem to address as “Everyone benefits equally, but you’re paying a group, he adds. a cost.” Typically, half of the students decide to keep their red cards the first time they play When Barrett has his students play the black the game. and red card game a second time, close to 85 percent think of the greater good of the group Barrett is the second of two faculty members and hand in their red cards. “I’m teaching stu- whose positions have been endowed in the dents how to change the rules of the game— Earth Institute by Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest. they’re the next generation of decision makers, “Endowment helps spur innovation, and boosts after all,” says Barrett. teaching and research,” says Steven Cohen, executive director of the Earth Institute. As a Lenfest professor, Barrett studies the interactions between economic and natural systems, with the goal of developing a sustain- able and efficient economy. “What I like about economics is that it gives weight to everyone’s voice,” says Barrett. “It also provides a framework

6 The Earth Institute, Columbia University The endowment Economics Scott of faculty positions Barrett, who allows us to teaches students support talented about global scholars like decision making Lenfest-Earth related to climate Institute Professor change and of Natural Resource other issues. Alan Orling NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio NASA-Goddard

annual donor report 2010 7 “It is truly satisfying for me to know that my gifts to Lamont-Doherty’s annual fund enable the director to allocate money for leveraging large federal matching grants and supporting critical initiatives, like the

Antarctic expeditions.”

— Frank Gumper Vice Chair, Lamont-Doherty Advisory Board, ’71GSAS and ’83BUS

Experts at the are studying the Lamont-Doherty behavior of ice in Earth Observatory, Antarctica in an including senior attempt to better research scientist understand what Robin Bell and could happen engineer Nick to it as global Frearson (near left), temperatures climb.

8 The Earth Institute, Columbia University Secrets Beneath the Ice

the ice sheets of antarctica are not to study the edges of Antarctica and the something most people spend much time behavior of the ice there, where warming worrying about. But they have the potential ocean temperatures are causing increasing to significantly impact our oceans. West rates of erosion. Antarctica alone, an increasingly unstable ice Ultimately, this research is “targeted at how sheet that rests on the ocean floor, contains ice sheets grow, shrink and are changing,” enough water to raise global sea levels by says Bell. “We’re trying to catch the whole almost four meters. And the ice sheets of life history of ice sheets.” The work is vital, Antarctica are melting much faster than but also expensive. The logistics of running scientists believed even a few years ago. research planes back and forth across the ice Beneath the ice of the polar ice caps lies a cost millions of dollars. While exploring the world of water—in the form of lakes and Gamburtsev Mountains, Bell and Lamont- transient networks of flowing liquid—that Doherty engineer Nick Frearson started scientists are racing to explain. Water acceler- thinking about a better way. ates the flow and the melting rate of ice, so its The result was IcePod, a project named after presence and its behavior are important to the “pod” they would design to contain a understand. “We’re studying a piece of the suite of measuring equipment that could be plumbing system that nobody’s thought about mounted on New York Air National Guard that will change the way people think about planes already making about 200 regular service the physics of ice sheets,” says Robin Bell, a flights across the continent each year, turning senior research scientist at the Lamont- “delivery machines into science machines,” says Doherty Earth Observatory. Bell. NSF has provided $4 million, and $2 million In order to model the fate of polar ice sheets, in matching funds will need to be raised from we need to better understand what forces are private donors. IcePod will make it possible to acting on them. Achieving this understanding collect important data about the behavior of is fundamental to the work that Bell and others ice sheets more regularly and more cheaply. at Lamont-Doherty are pursuing, from areas where ice forms at the top of ice sheets to regions where it erodes at the edges. When Bell led an international expedition, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), to a range of mountains as big as the European Alps but buried beneath the ice of Antarctica, she was able to explore a place where ice is formed and peer beneath the surface to observe the hidden dynamics of the water below. Not long after, a team of Lamont-Doherty researchers joined a massive NASA expedition

annual donor report 2010 9 Ian Webster/CRED

A new, easy-to- and real-life images read guide helps than technical data scientists and (above), how others think scientists and lay about the most people do not effective ways always speak the to communicate same language about climate (opposite page), change. Cartoons and how humans illustrate issues have the ability to like how people worry about only have an easier so many things at time relating to a time (right). concrete examples

10 The Earth Institute, Columbia University Ian Webster/CRED Changing Minds About Climate Change

how do you motivate and empower Columbia Climate Center in January 2009. people to do something about climate change? “Using affective, emotion-evoking material, Do you show them pictures of polar bears and such as first-person accounts, pictures and melting ice? Or present complex graphics stories can raise attention and is more likely showing CO2 emissions rising over a 50-year to motivate action.” period? According to the guide “The Psychology But while the idea of a drowning polar bear of Climate Change Communication,” published may play on one’s emotions in the short term, by the Center for Research on Environmental appeals such as this “may backfire down the Decisions (CRED), while these methods can road, causing negative consequences that often Ian Webster/CRED resonate with some individuals and groups, prove quite difficult to reverse,” according to communicating climate change effectively to a the guide. This is a concern, especially given broad audience and getting people to act is a the significant drop between2008 and 2009 in lot more complicated. Research has shown the number of people in the United States To help navigate the complexities, the center who said they were convinced human activity that people retain more created the guide as a synthesis of the research was causing the climate to warm, despite over- factual information after on decision making under uncertainty that whelming evidence that it is. viewing photos and it has been pursuing since its inception in Adrian Soghoian, a Columbia College senior 2004. The Charles Evans Hughes Memorial videos, as opposed to who contributed to the guide and went on to Foundation, which supports communication being shown analytical help integrate best practices from it with strategies to address climate change, provided Mayor Bloomberg’s PLaNYC 2030, likes the information alone. the vital support that made it possible to apply way the guide speaks to the importance of years of learning into a timely and engaging recognizing who your audience is and what guide filled with illustrative drawings and they care about. “I believe effective framing is diagrams and intended for very practical what climate scientists and mitigation/adaptation applications. “The guide was a labor of love to advocates need to do better,” says Soghoian. get CRED’s research out to a wider audience … Framing messages for specific audiences can to give people information they could actually help scientists and others communicate the put to use,” says Debika Shome, a former threats of climate change more effectively. assistant director at the center and co-lead writer of the guide. In the first few months after the guide was released, about 15,000 people from 140 countries The center’s research has shown that people requested print copies or downloaded it from the retain more factual information after viewing center’s Web site. “We’ve had requests to translate photos and videos, as opposed to being it into a number of languages,” says Shome. shown analytical information alone. “Most people don’t turn abstract, analytic topics into powerful, vivid images,” said Sabine Marx, associate director of CRED and co-lead writer of the guide, at the launch of the

annual donor report 2010 11 Millennium Promise Millennium Promise

The Millennium production has Villages project, climbed from a partnership 0.8 tons a hectare effort to advance to 5.2 tons a the scale-up of hectare as a result basic, science- of interventions based interventions such as improved aimed at reducing access to fertilizer, poverty, is the distribution of demonstrating hybrid maize progress in seeds, and the sub-Saharan training of farmers Africa. For example, in good agricultural in Mwandama, practices. Malawi, maize Millennium Promise

12 The Earth Institute, Columbia University Improving Lives by 2015

at the turn of the century, world leaders Earth Institute, describes exciting progress in “The Earth Institute’s gathered at the United Nations Millennium the first three years of the project as well as research, education and Summit and committed their nations to some of the challenges faced and priorities outreach toward meeting reducing extreme poverty by 2015. They set needed to reach the MDGs by 2015. out an ambitious set of targets, known as the the Millennium Development “We’ve seen very promising results from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), ‘quick wins,’ namely increased agricultural Goals in sub-Saharan Africa which were aimed at the many facets of poverty, production, improved child nutrition, distri- are what drew me to its from hunger and nutrition to education and bution of insecticide-treated bed nets and health, and signed off on by all 192 UN member work. The profound changes school meals programs,” says Cheryl Palm, a states. “The MDGs are a pledge,” said UN senior research scientist with the Earth that are effected in people’s Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the Earth Institute’s Tropical Agriculture and Rural lives are extraordinary, and Institute’s State of the Planet Conference in Environment Program. “These are all scien- March 2010. “They are a commitment to the I am happy to support these tifically proven interventions that produce world’s most vulnerable people.” results very quickly.” crucial efforts.” Now, five years away from the deadline, where The provision of subsidized fertilizer, improved — Nancy Best does the world stand in terms of achieving the seeds and best practices training has doubled Earth Institute Campaign MDGs? According to the 2009 MDG report Committee Member and even tripled crop yields in the villages. As released by the United Nations, there has been a result, household food security has increased progress, but not enough. The world’s economic and the degree of stunting in children, a sign challenges and the growing effects of climate of chronic malnutrition, has decreased. The change pose additional hurdles to overcome. improved yields are being used to feed children “The global community cannot turn its back daily meals at school, which helps improve on the poor and the vulnerable,” wrote Ban attendance. And since the introduction of Ki-moon in the report’s introduction. “We must insecticide-treated bed nets, the prevalence of strengthen global cooperation and solidarity, malaria has declined, helping to improve health. and redouble our efforts. … Nothing less than “Once food production is increased, people in the viability of our planet and the future of the villages can begin to transition to income- humanity are at stake.” generating agricultural opportunities and The Millennium Villages project, a partnership business development,” says Palm. Other between the Earth Institute, the United Nations priorities for the next five years will include Development Programme and Millennium improving the delivery of health services at Promise, is focused on achieving results in the community level, improving education select villages across sub-Saharan Africa and quality, and increasing access to clean drink- demonstrating that by fighting poverty at the ing water and improved sanitation practices village level through community-led develop- (work that has received support from JM Eagle, ment, rural Africa can achieve the MDGs and the world’s largest manufacturer of plastic pipe). escape extreme poverty. A midterm report, released this year with leadership from the annual donor report 2010 13 Alan Orling

Klaus Lackner, turn solar energy director of the and recycled carbon Lenfest Center for dioxide into liquid Sustainable Energy, fuel. Allen Wright and researcher (right), senior staff Christoph associate, is helping Meinrenken (above) design methods are part of a team for filtering carbon exploring ways to dioxide from the air. Alan Orling

14 The Earth Institute, Columbia University Recycled CO2 + Sunshine + Water = Fuel

the search is on for cleaner, better together a production process that builds on ways to fuel our future, while cutting emissions innovations in the capture of carbon dioxide of climate-altering greenhouse gases. Scientists from the air, desalination to produce large at the Earth Institute have long been investigating amounts of fresh water, photovoltaics to power ways to capture and sequester carbon dioxide the whole process with low-cost solar electricity, produced as a byproduct of human activity. and electrolyzers connected to fuel synthesis Now they are looking at ways to put that reactors to convert carbon dioxide and water carbon to use in the form of liquid fuel, instead into liquid hydrocarbon fuel. of just storing it away underground. The process also makes use of the principles of Carbon is one of the basic useful ingredients mass production. “When you get smaller, and in biofuels, which are created from CO2- when you mass produce,” says doctoral candidate The demand for capturing plants such as corn. But standard Tom Socci, whose work is focused on refining liquid hydrocarbons biofuels have some disadvantages, like requiring the production of fuel from synthesis gas, a lot of land and the use of fertilizers to grow “things can get cheaper and more efficient.” is predicted to the crops from which they are made. Typically, energy production happens at big expand and could scales, with large machines performing many “We’re working to accomplish the same goals double by 2050. complicated production steps. But the team is as plants,” says Chris Graves, who did his proposing a strategy that would break the doctoral work at the Lenfest Center for entire process into smaller units, so that pieces Sustainable Energy. “But the process will look could be produced more cheaply and replaced very different.” Graves’ thesis was on recycling more easily as technology improves. carbon dioxide and water into hydrocarbon fuels by electrolysis, which produces synthesis “What attracted me to this work is literally gas, the precursor to liquid fuel. “When you reusing and recycling the carbon out there, want to store things compactly and conve- rather than mobilizing new carbon,” says niently, liquid hydrocarbon fuels are the way Socci. Although traditional energy sources to go,” he says. “Batteries can inherently never will likely be used in some form for years to be as energy dense as liquid fuel.” come, the demand for liquid hydrocarbons is predicted to expand and could double by 2050. Graves is part of a larger group of scientists— So finding new and novel ways to produce headed by Klaus Lackner, director of the center, liquid fuels is an important focus for science and including others like Lenfest Junior —to say nothing about all that carbon dioxide Professor in Applied Climate Science Alissa that could be removed from the atmosphere Park—that is working to make more environ- and recycled. mentally friendly fuels. The group is putting

annual donor report 2010 15 “What is heartening is that the Earth Institute and Columbia University transcend academics and engage with issues that concern mankind. The

Aditya Birla Group is proud to support the great efforts of the Columbia Global

Center | South Asia, which will help make sustainable development in India a reality.”

— Mrs. Rajashree Birla Aditya Birla Group Kuni Takahashi

A new Columbia UN Secretary- Global Center in General Ban Mumbai, India, will Ki-moon (right) build on the Earth spoke at our Institute’s work to State of the Planet address issues 2010 conference, ranging from which brought public health to together experts water scarcity. and leaders from around the world to address critical international challenges, from climate change to poverty.

16 The Earth Institute, Columbia University Forging Global Connections

thinking and working globally are The new Columbia Global Center in Mumbai, fundamental to the Earth Institute’s approach. to be the hub of the University’s presence in The activities of March 2010 were no South Asia, is the fourth in a group of centers exception. For example, the biennial State of the University has established to increase its the Planet conference, held in partnership research and academic network abroad. Bajpai’s with The Economist and Ericsson and sup- current focus is the Model Health District ported by Charles and Elizabeth Bowlus, was project, which involves the Indian government, more global than ever before, with speakers state governments, UNICEF and a number of joining live from sites on four continents. UN other organizations. The goal is to put together Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke from interventions to improve human health at New York, President Felipe Calderón spoke several pilot sites around the country such as a from Mexico, and the panel debates on globally new structure for health management at the relevant issues—climate change, poverty, eco- ground level, the training of community nomic recovery and international systems— health workers, a focus on higher public transcended boundaries, like the international spending by federal and state governments, event itself. and the integration of health with sectors like nutrition, water and sanitation. Only a few days before, Earth Institute Director Jeffrey Sachs (who is also special advisor to the Other Earth Institute projects currently UN secretary-general), Columbia President underway in India address monsoon forecasting Lee C. Bollinger and others were in Mumbai, to benefit agriculture and rural livelihoods, the India, to announce the opening of a new growing scarcity of fresh water (work supported Columbia Global Center, which will build on with generous funding from the PepsiCo the Earth Institute’s past work in the country. Foundation), environmental concerns in the As President Bollinger said in a press release redevelopment of Mumbai’s eastern water- about the event, “…we are committed to front, and the effects of deforestation on providing new opportunities to deepen our India’s ecosystems. Such issues are not unique engagement with scholars, ideas and challenges to India, and the insights and strategies devel- across the globe.” oped will be relevant in other places the Earth Institute works around the world. Why base a center in India? “You really can’t do development without looking at India,” From motivating global debate among experts says the Earth Institute’s Nirupam Bajpai, and world leaders at State of the Planet to founding director of the center. “It’s one-sixth forging global connections and fostering on- of humanity. It’s the largest democracy in the the-ground sustainable development work world. There have been huge gains since the through the new Columbia Global Center in reforms, but there is much still to be done … South Asia, the Earth Institute is advancing And that’s where the Earth Institute has a good progress toward a healthy, sustainable planet fit to work with policymakers there, [the private and global population. Eileen Barroso sector] and other academic institutions.”

annual donor report 2010 17 Predicting Weather-Related Disease Outbreaks

“The climate forecasting the spread of many diseases in africa “We’re building capacity in the climate com- work of the International is linked to patterns of wet and dry weather. For munity to help the health community,” says instance, at the margins of transmission, malaria Madeleine Thomson, a senior research scientist Research Institute for can spread through lowland arid and semi-arid at IRI. “And we’re building capacity in the health Climate and Society will regions when rainfall increases or through community so they know what they need to ask help link weather and cooler highland areas when temperatures for from the climate community.” warm. Bacterial meningitis can spread rapidly climate experts to health Judy Omumbo, an associate research scientist in the dusty dry season in the semi-arid belt with experience in disease risk mapping, works specialists, which will between Senegal and Ethiopia. Epidemics of on the ground to help local health teams use these and other climate-sensitive diseases can provide early warnings of climate forecasting tools and acquire the data significantly affect the health and productivity infectious disease outbreaks they need. “A lot of monitoring information is of entire regions. and help save lives.” not available in the public domain,” she says. The earlier health experts know about seasonal At the same time, Tufa Dinku, also an associate

— Dr. Amy Luers weather extremes that can lead to disease out- research scientist at IRI, is working with Ethiopia’s Google breaks, the earlier they can respond, bringing national meteorological service to put together in insecticide to kill mosquitoes or stockpiling a 30-year time series of rainfall and use satellite meningitis vaccine. “Seasonal forecasting is data to fill in the many data gaps not covered not just an academic exercise,” says Simon by existing rain gauges. Mason, a research scientist at the International Malaria and meningitis alone kill thousands of Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), people each year across sub-Saharan Africa. which is known for its expertise in forecasting They can also have significant effects on already and its applications to agriculture, health and weakened economies and health systems. other sectors. Implementing better seasonal forecasting sys- Seasonal forecasting works only in certain re- tems and teaching people how to use them are gions of the world, like the tropics, where rainfall important steps in the fight against these diseases. is significantly affected by ocean temperature. Each year, IRI hosts a training session in New Scientists can predict air temperature and rainfall York for health and climate professionals from extremes of approaching seasons up to six months around the world. “IRI is trying to build a in advance. When an already warm ocean warms climate-smart community—to create a health up a bit more, evaporation can increase signifi- community that can use climate information cantly, making more water available to fall as to promote good health,” says Thomson. rain. If the same ocean cools, evaporation drops and there is less water for rain. Scientists at IRI are helping put forecasting to work in Ethiopia, thanks to a grant from Google.org’s Predict and Prevent Program.

18 The Earth Institute, Columbia University Tufa Dinku and to improve the Judy Omumbo health community’s (left), associate ability to predict research scientists and prepare for at the International outbreaks of Research Institute climate-sensitive for Climate and diseases like Society, are working malaria. in Ethiopia (above) Alan Orling

annual donor report 2010 19 From Harlem, New Along with local York, (above) to partners, the cities in developing Urban Design countries, research Lab is looking centers at the at strategies and Earth Institute policies to balance are addressing environmental issues facing and economic an increasingly concerns in the urban world. redevelopment of the eastern waterfront in Mumbai, India (left).

20 The Earth Institute, Columbia University Toward Sustainable Cities

more than half of the world's population Supported by the Volvo Research and “The Earth Institute’s work lives in urban areas, and this number is rising Educational Foundation and the Rockefeller in urban issues will allow rapidly. Cities will have to think creatively about Foundation, CSUD works with the University for the development of ways to address problems ranging from the of Nairobi on a variety of urban issues. It threats of climate change to general public fosters research, education and dialogue to economically dynamic, health and infrastructure. The Earth Institute help stakeholders effectively address the socially harmonious and is working with local organizations, universities problems of rapid urbanization. It is also environmentally sustainable and governments to help cities prepare, both working domestically on transportation and here and abroad. land-use planning issues. societies today and in In Harlem, New York, the corridor running The Millennium Cities Initiative (MCI), funded the future.” east to west along 145th Street experiences by donors such as the Bill and Melinda Gates — Kenneth Hung noticeably high carbon emissions and poor air Foundation, the Tides Foundation, Charles and Winnington Land Ltd. quality due to an abundance of traffic, in Elizabeth Bowlus, and Ann Kaplan, is collabo- addition to other urban issues such as lack of rating with the University of Ghana, the World walkability, a heat island effect that raises local Bank, Cities Alliance, UN-HABITAT, UDL, temperatures and poor access to healthy food CSUD, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and options. The Urban Design Lab (UDL) is Mayor Alfred Vanderpuije on urban issues in working with local community groups such as Accra, Ghana. Work addresses the coastal city’s WE ACT for Environmental Justice to help response to issues like flooding, erosion, climate address these issues and implement solutions change, access to clean water, transportation, like planting more trees, installing green roofs, health facilities, schools, energy and jobs. and making improvements to transportation The largest of 11 Millennium Cities in sub- and building infrastructure. Saharan Africa, Accra provides the opportunity Many of the impacts of urbanization are felt in to help devise creative, comprehensive solutions the developing world, where population growth to seemingly intractable urban problems. “We is highest. Two of the key challenges that drive can’t fix the city alone,” says Susan Blaustein, the work of the Center for Sustainable Urban director of MCI, “but what we can do is bring Development (CSUD) are transportation and in partners, both local and multinational, and land use. In Nairobi, Kenya, highways are educational institutions that can start to think being built without concern for land use, about cities as holistic organisms.” displacing people and their businesses. “Along Accra will benefit from lessons learned in the the new Thika Highway you see people selling China 2049 project—a partnership between the fruits and vegetables,” says Nicole Volavka- Earth Institute, the Brookings Institution, and Close, associate director of CSUD. There is China’s National Development and Reform nowhere else for them to go. “They are inches Commission—which is conducting research, from the cars, and many have been killed.” with support from General Electric and Win- And without an efficient public transportation nington Land Ltd., to guide economic growth system, increased mobility cannot be achieved. and improve environmental sustainability. annual donor report 2010 21 Training Green Managers

as organizations move toward a greener, Dedicated to transforming knowledge and more sustainable future, they require the skills understanding in service of the greater good, of management professionals trained in sus- the School of Continuing Education is uniquely tainability issues such as energy efficiency and placed to offer a degree that meets the needs of managing water resources. Where can an orga- a rapidly changing society. “Our programs nization find such a unique combination of typically start with compelling and complex skills? A new degree developed by the Earth issues that concern the world and that cross

Michael Dames Institute and Columbia’s School of Continuing many sectors of human activity,” says Kristine Education, the Master of Science in Sustainability Billmyer, dean of the School of Continuing Management, which launched this fall, will Education. “The very interdisciplinary approach The Earth Institute prepare students to become invaluable members of of the Earth Institute as well as its vast academic and Columbia’s organizations looking to integrate sustainability resources and the deep research it is doing make measures into their operations. it the perfect partner for us.” School of Continuing Education have Directed by Steven Cohen, executive director To give students hands-on training, the program of the Earth Institute, the degree will utilize will place them in real-life settings, working developed a new environmental measurement tools, cutting- with organizations. “We won’t just talk about degree to train edge environmental science, and management solutions,” said Steven Cohen at an information sustainability and policy studies to help students fully session for the degree. “We will train you to find understand the role of sustainability in any and implement solutions. In the near future, professionals. organization. “There are not many programs, all traditional management education will especially part-time programs geared toward need to include study of the physical dimensions working adults, training people in sustainability of sustainability. Before long, all managers will management,” says Louise Rosen, director of the need to be sustainability managers.” Office of Academic and Research Programs. “There Incoming students have high-level backgrounds is a very real understanding that sustainability in finance, the automotive industry, the military issues are key to the success of any organization.” and other fields. One student, Grace Arnold, The Earth Institute has excelled in providing is the sustainability manager for over one programming in sustainable development thousand branches of Citibank, North America. education—from the doctoral level to the She expects that having this degree will allow undergraduate level. This fall, the eagerly her to better communicate with the engineers, anticipated undergraduate sustainable devel- financial managers, policymakers and others opment major was offered for the first time to she works with daily. “My job looks to me to Columbia College and School of General make the right sustainability decisions,” says Studies students. Like these degrees, the M.S. Grace. “This program will help me become the in Sustainability Management draws from the resident expert.” rich intellectual resources of the Earth Institute and the University.

22 The Earth Institute, Columbia University Training Green Managers Michael Dames

Students in the program (above), new M.S. in which will train Sustainability professionals Management who can help gathered in June organizations 2010 to meet increase the each other and sustainability of professors in the their operations.

annual donor report 2010 23 A Successful Year for Sustainable Development

while the turn of a new decade brought to donors like Sue and Bill Gross, Nancy and more economic challenges for everyone, the Randy Best, and the Bill and Melinda Gates confidence our donors have shown in the Foundation, this critical work will continue. Earth Institute’s initiatives, projects, events and Another milestone this year was the successful educational programs has kept the momentum conclusion of a landmark $1.9 million challenge toward sustainable development charging for- gift from the Tides Foundation, which provided ward, both here on campus and around the a 1:1 match of all donations made to the world. We ended the fiscal year having raised Millennium Cities Initiative. The gift supports $26 million in gifts from individuals, corporations, the initiative’s work to assist selected mid-sized foundations, foreign governments and multi- cities across sub-Saharan Africa in promoting lateral organizations, which puts us at 90 percent sustainable development and achieving the toward our $200 million campaign goal. Millennium Development Goals. This year Matt Berg, information and commu- Sime Darby, a multinational corporation nications technology director for the Millennium

Alan Orling based in Malaysia, bolstered our Tropical Villages project, was named by Time as one of Agriculture and China 2049 programs with the world’s 100 most influential people. Berg a $500,000 gift. The company created an oversees an initiative that puts cutting-edge international advisory panel to enhance its technology in the hands of community health sustainability initiatives across its core business workers who examine and treat children in operations worldwide, and it became a member some of the poorest villages in Africa, using of the Earth Institute’s Corporate Circle. mobile phones to send and receive real-time information, which allows for better health The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory secured monitoring and faster interventions. Thanks two highly competitive federal infrastructure

Financial Statement July 1, 2009–June 30, 2010 Direct Expenses Direct Revenue $109,774 $110,631

Research General Administration Government Grants Gifts $66,221 $12,699 $71,298 $12,534 60% 12% 64% 11% Foundation Grants Instructional and $20,355 Educational Activities 19% $23,064 21% Endowment Income, Net Tuition and Fees Operations, Maintenance, $6,444 Equipment, Other 6% $7,790 7%

Dollar amounts in thousands. Source: Office of Finance and Administration, The Earth Institute

24 The Earth Institute, Columbia University grants in 2009. One of these, from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is a $1.4 million challenge grant to aid in the construction of the world’s most sophisticated ultra clean geochemistry lab in the Gary C. Comer Geochemistry Building. In order to meet the NIST deadline, an anonymous donor has pledged to match every dollar given during

the fundraising campaign, up to $400,000. David Wentworth

The undergraduate major in sustainable advancement of the academic field of sustainable The fundraising team for the Earth Institute development, championed by donors Joe and (above) includes the Lamont-Doherty Earth development. The Earth Institute provides a Observatory and the Lenfest Center for Barbara Ellis, was offered for the first time at university-wide platform for tackling the core Sustainable Energy. Top row, left to right: Columbia College this fall, adding to our Lisa Phillips, Urania Mylonas, Stacey challenges of global sustainability and has Vassallo, Gregory Fienhold, Ivy S. Morgan, diverse educational programming in sustainable effectively developed a new area of knowledge. Jasmina Metjaic. Bottom row: Ronnie development. There are now almost 100 students Anderson, Barbara Charbonnet, Dove enrolled in the special concentration in With a tenth of our $200 million campaign Pedlosky, Teresa S. Karamanos, Jennifer Swift-Morgan, Megan Winston. sustainable development. Given the interest goal to go, the continued commitment of expressed by current and prospective students, we donors like you will help us meet our 2011 anticipate a good number will have declared it deadline, thus ensuring the continuity of as a major by the end of the academic year. research and educational programs that promote the creation of a more sustainable planet. Finally, the establishment of the Earth Institute faculty in 2009 was a major milestone in the

Thanks to the generosity of our donors and 200 partners, we have raised 150

90 percent of our 100 campaign goal of $200 Millions 50 million to fund research, 0 professorships, facilities, 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Projected fellowships, scholarships Actual and educational initiatives.

annual donor report 2010 25 Our Donors

Benefactors United Health Foundation Google.org We are deeply grateful to those Volvo Stiftelseforvaltning Green Family Foundation who have shown extraordinary The William and Flora Hewlett JM Eagle (Walter Wang and Shirley generosity and commitment to the Foundation Wang ’93BUS) Earth Institute since our foundation. Individuals and organizations whose KGH Nature gGmbH cumulative gifts and pledges have $1,000,000 and Above (Karl G. Homberg ’69BUS and exceeded $1 million or more are Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Elizabeth L. Homberg) recognized below. Sue and Bill Gross MAC AIDS Fund Anonymous (2) International Center for Tropical Mayor’s Fund to Advance New The Albert B. Sabin Vaccine Institute Agriculture York City Ambrose Monell Foundation John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur The Merck Company Foundation Michael Dames Nancy K. and Randy Best Foundation Ministero Ambiente e Tutela del Territorio et Mar Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation The Lenfest Foundation (H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest, Esq. ’58LAW Monsanto Company The Ceil & Michael E. Pulitzer and Marguerite Brooks Lenfest) Thank You to Foundation Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs PepsiCo Foundation Our Donors Gary C. Comer and the Comer Sci- Novartis Foundation for Sustainable ence and Education Foundation The Prince Albert II of Monaco Development Foundation We greatly appreciate our The Countess Moira Charitable Oxfam America The Principality of Monaco Foundation Betsee Parker donors: the individuals, Stichting IKEA Foundation Estate of Esther C. Dauch PepsiCo corporations, foundations, UNICEF The David and Lucile Packard Planet Heritage Foundation Foundation foreign governments and The Rockefeller Foundation Joseph Ellis ’64CC and Barbara Ellis $500,000–$999,999 multilateral organizations who ’64BC, ’65GSAS Anonymous Schlumberger-Doll Research Center Sime Darby Berhad have supported us and The G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation The Albert B. Sabin Vaccine Institute Glaser Progress Foundation Nancy K. and Randy Best Skoll Global Threats Fund partnered with us in our work. Sue and Bill Gross The Ceil & Michael E. Pulitzer United Nations Office at Nairobi With their help, we continue The Henry L. & Grace Doherty Foundation Winnington Capital Limited Charitable Foundation The G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation (Kenneth Kam Biu Hung and to advance the science, Jocelyn Hung P: ’10CC, ’13CC) International Center for Tropical Glaser Progress Foundation technologies and policies Agriculture The World Bank The Tides Foundation John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur needed to develop practical Foundation United Nations Development $50,000–$99,999 Programme solutions for our planet’s H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest, Esq. ’58LAW Anonymous Volvo Stiftelseforvaltning and Marguerite Brooks Lenfest Nicole Alger and Zachary Eli complex challenges. This MAC AIDS Fund Karabell, Ph.D. ’88CC $100,000–$499,999 invaluable group of supporters Sara Miller McCune Becton Dickinson and Company Anonymous (2) MSST Foundation Charles and Elizabeth Bowlus has been instrumental in ALAS Foundation The Overbrook Foundation The Brinson Foundation allowing us to continue to Asian Development Bank Palisades Geophysical Institute The Countess Moira Charitable Baltimore Community Foundation Foundation find solutions to achieve Betsee Parker Baton Rouge Area Foundation (Irene Deutsche Bank AG sustainable development. Jerome M. Paros ’63GSAS W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation) G.D.S. Legacy Foundation PepsiCo Foundation Comer Science and Education GlaxoSmithKline The following is a summary The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Foundation The David and Lucile Packard Ann F. Kaplan ’72SW, ’77BUS and list of the 2010 fiscal year Robert A. Fippinger The Principality of Monaco Foundation The McKnight Foundation (July 1, 2009–June 30, 2010) V. Kann Rasmussen Foundation Doris Duke Charitable Foundation The Morton K. and Jane Blaustein The Rockefeller Foundation DSM Nutritional Products donors to the Earth Institute (SIGHT AND LIFE) Foundation Stephen Lewis Foundation and all of its affiliated units, Joseph Ellis ’64CC and Barbara Ellis Pfizer Stichting IKEA Foundation ’64BC, ’65GSAS Bonnie M. Potter ’73SIPA including the largest, Lamont- The Tides Foundation Ericsson Kenya Limited Santa Maria Foundation Doherty Earth Observatory. UNICEF Find Foundation for Innovative New (Patrick Peyton Grace ’86BUS) United Nations Development Diagnostics Stephen Lewis Foundation Programme

26 The Earth Institute,The Earth Columbia Institute, UniversityColumbia University The Tinker Foundation United Nations Foundation Joseph H. Graziano, Ph.D. and Joshua Nailbow Ruxin ’94PH Dr. Mary Velesca Gamble ’94GM, and Alissa C. Ruxin United States Israel Binational Alexander Van Geen and Alessandra ’95GSAS, ’99GSAS Science Foundation Casella Dr. William B.F. Ryan ’71GSAS Dr. James D. Hays ’64GSAS and Judy Ryan ’65SW Wildlife Conservation Society Walmart Stores Drs. Thomas J. Herron ’66GSAS and Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church Ellen M. Herron ’67GSAS, ’74GSAS $10,000–$49,999 $1,000–$9,999 Schlumberger Houston Offshore Anonymous Anonymous (3) Matthew Leon Hill ’02SEAS Services American Cancer Society Drs. Dennis M. Adler ’77GSAS, Charles Hirschler ’81BUS and Dr. Kathleen Semergieff ’79GSAS, ’82GSAS and Robin Marianne Rosenberg Samuel Amoako-Poku William H. and Renee C. Sherer Aronow Jennifer C.J. Hsieh Alan Orling Assist International St. James Episcopal Church Walter and Mildred M. Alvarez International Center for Research Botwinick-Wolfensohn Foundation St. Mark’s Episcopal Church John Vincent Amore ’05BUS, in Agroforestry Patrick J. O’Reilly St. Peter’s Episcopal Church CARE ’05SIPA Jamner Family Foundation Donna J. Pantin The Salisbury Forum Michael Cembalest ’86SIPA and The Amy Klette Newman Foundation The Julius Stulman Foundation Shirley S. Passow ’69GSAPP, P: Rachel Hines (Marc and Judy Joseph) (Stephen L. Stulman) Verizon Foundation ’70CC The Charities Advisory Trust Professor O. Roger Anderson Teresa S. Karamanos Dr. David Walker Dr. Walter C. Pitman III ’67GSAS Gary and Lori D. Cohen The Atkinson Family Foundation Kim A. Kastens and Dale Chayes Suzan Kotler Wasserman and Richard Reckmeyer Matthew Wasserman Consolidated Edison Company of Dr. William F. Baker P: ’00NRS, Daniel Lehrfeld ’64SEAS, ’65SEAS, Brian B. Rigney ’00SIPA and Megan New York ’05NRS and Jeannemarie Baker ’89BUS and Lynn Lehrfeld Charles C. Windisch ’60GS and E. Rigney ’90NRS, P: ’00NRS, ’05NRS Louise W. Windisch Enel SpA The Lemmon Foundation The Roberts Charitable Foundation Barbara A. Becker and David John E. Fetzer Institute (Courtney Lemmon McCrea ’97PH) Adam Wolfensohn Bolotsky Joanna Mary Saporito Geographic Planning Collaborative The Lucius N. Littauer Foundation George L. Becker Jr., M.D. and $500–$999 Dr. Jason E. Smerdon Lawrence Lynn P: ’13CC and Global Climate Change Foundation Family Arthur E. Smith Jr., Esq. ’71CC Wendy Epstein, M.D. ’75BC, ’83PS, Anonymous (2) Frank J. Gumper ’71GSAS, ’83BUS and Janis O. Smith John R. Bermingham, Esq. ’49LAW P: ’13CC Drs. Suzana J. Camargo and and Joanne M. Gumper Phyllis Teicher Black Rock Forest Consortium M & T Weiner Foundation Michael K. Tippett Dr. John K. Hall ’70GSAS Brookswood Secondary School (Professor Joan W. Konner ’61JRN) Dr. Suzanne Marie Carbotte Dr. Nickolas John Themelis The Henry L. & Grace Doherty Dr. Mark Cane P: ’92BC, ’96CC and Dr. Florentin J-M.R. Maurrasse Haley Cassidy Mary Louise Turner Charitable Foundation ’73GSAS Barbara H. Cane ’69GSAS, P: ’92BC, Dr. Mary Ann Chapman Tamara and Frank Van Egmond Hudson River Foundation ’96CC Collen Mayer Barbara Charbonnet Joyce O’Dowd Wallace and Richard The Jacquelyn and Gregory Zehner Charitable Trust Sara Miller McCune van Duzer Wallace Foundation Dr. Kenneth W. Ciriacks ’62GSAS Chevron Products Company W. Barnabas McHenry, Esq. ’57LAW, and Linda Ciriacks Johnson & Johnson P: ’82CC, ’88CC, ’92GSAPP and $499 or Less Ernest W. Chung Steven A. Cohen and Donna E. Robert S. Kaplan Bannon McHenry Anonymous (5) Church of the Nativity Fishman ’81GS, ’84SIPA Harvey M. Krueger, Esq. ’51CC, Dr. Robert Moyer and Catherine Ian Abbott Dr. Millard F. Coffin ’81GSAS, Dartmouth College ’53LAW and Constance A. Krueger A. Lee ’82GSAS, ’85GSAS and ’53BC Bruce and Laurie Davidson Dr. Geoffrey Abers Stephanie Paige Ingle Constance M. Hoguet Neel ’69TC Aaron J. Lebovitz ’92CC and and Richard Neel, Esq. ’61CC, Dawn Durning-Hammond Leonard J. Adams ’61CC and Phyllis Gilles de Sitter Donna Teresa Myers ’92CC, ’96BUS ’64LAW Adams ExxonMobil Foundation Dr. Jishu Deng ’93GSAS, ’96GSAS, Terri Lecamp ’87BUS Dr. Virginia McConn Oversby Dr. Robert S. Agatston ’52GSAS and ’97GSAS and Yuan Yuan ’67GSAS, ’69GSAS and Lars Werme Dr. Thomas Jelstrup Fitch ’71GSAS Anna Drew Agatston John Maguire and Rosemary M. Fitch Jeffrey Chunjou Do ’96CC Pamela Omidyar Trust James J. Alberino ’63BUS and Tuula The MAIA Foundation Limor Geller and Eliot Harris Geller Pasola-Alberino Estelle E. Ellis-Rubinstein James Joseph Periconi, Esq. ’70CC, ’04BUS Nestlé P: ’02CC and Alice McCarthy Charles P. Alexander ’77JRN and Barbara Engel Sarah Hancock Frank Thomas O’Keefe and Ashley Periconi P: ’02CC Cathy Anne Alexander ’78GSAS, Peter Q. and Pauline S. Eschweiler ’80GSAS T. O’Keefe The Pew Charitable Trusts Robert Louis Hoguet III ’73BUS Exxon Mobil Corporation and Laura B. Hoguet Julia Pershan and Jonathan Cohen (Alexander M. de Sherbinin) Paula M. and Robert J. Alexander Freeman/Kelly Family Fund Dr. Ge Hu ’93GSAS, ’94GSAS P: ’09SEAS Portales Partners LLC Plainfield Asset Management LLC (Mary Spitzer and Dr. Alan B. Spitzer and Guangze Wang AllianceBernstein LP The Robert and Cama Merritt Helene Presskreischer ’55GSAS) IBM International Foundation Charitable Fund Dr. David Allred The George W. & Amy Newman Rinehart Capital Partners LLC Stanley Jacobs Dr. Michael Amdurer ’73CC, E. Kwame Sarpong ’70BUS Foundation (Marc and Judy Joseph) (Andrew E. Cunagin) Captain Howard H. Kaminsky, MC ’78GSAS, ’83GSAS and Barbara S. Stuart Family Fund (Edward M. The Ripple Foundation Dr. Steven L. Goldstein ’76CC, USN ’61CC, P: ’87CC Amdurer Stuart) ’81GSAS, ’86GSAS, P: ’11CC Dr. James H. Robertson ’75GSAS Dr. Anyi Li ’01GSAS, ’02GSAS Dr. Thomas F. Anderson ’67GSAS Swiss Lung Foundation Jeffrey Stuart Gould and Virginia E. Robertson and Nancy Anderson William and Olga Ludwig United Nations Environment Francis John Rodriguez ’83BUS Eleanor S. Applewhaite ’62LAW Programme Trust Fund and Judith Rodriguez ’57PRM Robert McKinnon

annual donorannual report donor 2009 report 2010 27 Our Donors

Philip D. Carmichael ’56CC and Dr. Wolfgang E. Elston ’53GSAS David K. and Ellan A. Heit Laurence J. Kotlikoff and Dayle Brigitte Carmichael and Lorraine Elston Ballentine Lisa Ann Heptinstall and Wes Dr. Helene Carton Lynn A. and Patrick English Heptinstall William G. and Joan P. Kuhns Jeffrey Caruso Robert A. Esser, M.D. Mark Hilberman, M.D. ’60GS and Paul Laking and Anne Clarke Brigitte Hilberman Debra Cassano Greg Evans Jeffrey M. and Annette Langer Kyle M. Himmerick and Stacy Cinzia Cervato Dr. Rodger T. Faill ’61GS, ’66GSAS Dr. Gary V. Latham ’65GSAS and Moscow and Carol E. Faill Karen N. Latham Dr. Robert S. Chen and Meredith Ka Yu Eric Ho ’01SEAS L. Golden Judith E. Famellette Andrew Thomas Lehman ’80GSAS Craig Joseph Hobin Thomas F. Chisena Dr. Emma Christina Farmer Harry V. Lehmann ’00GSAS, ’03GSAS, ’05GSAS Karen L. Hobson Dwight K. Clark Jason Wayne Lemieux JoAnn H. and James Fawcett Lee A. Hoffman and Miriam A. Thea R. Clark Heber Marvin Longhurst and Hoffman ’74SW Joel D. Fedder Edlira Longhurst Dr. Bradford M. Clement ’81GSAS, Dr. Hans J. Holland ’52GSAS and ’83GSAS, ’85GSAS and Gail P. Melvin M. Feldman, D.D.S. ’53DM Dr. Donald W. Lovejoy ’58GSAS Charlene Holland Clement and Claire Feldman Brenda J. Lowe and Sidney Hollander Jr. Lorraine Cohen Marci E. Fiedler ’09SIPA William Douglas Lowe ’87BUS Lawrence L. Hope Henry P. Cole Jr. Bruce Fiegler Cassandra Ludington Dave Horlick Jake B. and Rachel R. Commer Edward J. Fitzgerald Richard L. and Susan K. Lunde Xiaoxing Hu ’93GSAS Alan Orling David A. Conant ’72GSAS Jay W. and Linda D. Fleischauer Robert Lundquist Dr. Joseph P.D. Hull Jr. ’55GSAS and Genevieve G. Conroy and Richard J. Dr. Myron H. Fliegel ’72GSAS and Dr. Ntungwa Maasha ’75GSAS Renate Hull Renee L. Aubry and Michael J. Conroy, M.D. ’50PS Madeline Fliegel and Arnetia S. Maasha ’72SW Dr. Kenneth J. Hurst ’82GSAS, Rodriquez Janet L. Coombs ’76SOA and Dr. John H. Foster ’70GSAS and Peter Madsen-Mygdal ’87GSAS Kenneth D. Carbone Mana-Jean Wagnon Luz Maria Aveleyra Virginia Maher J.P. Morgan Chase Foundation Anthony J. Costantini, Esq. ’72LAW Nico Frandi Dr. Emil S. Bahary ’57BUS, ’62SEAS, Ruth R. Maier Dr. Robert D. Jacobi ’74GSAS, ’69SEAS Sharon L. Coviak Rosemary and Eric Free ’80GSAS Maurcie and Juliet Malin Dr. Muawia Barazangi ’71GSAS Dana Jean Coyle and Dr. Kenneth Dr. Hubert Gabrielse ’55GSAS and Miriam and Sherman Jaffe Albon P. Man, Esq. ’40CC, ’50GSAS, and Nimat Hafez Barazangi Watkins Hudnut ’86GSAS, ’89GSAS Jean Freeman Gabrielse ’54OT ’50LAW John Hancock Financial Services Matthew C. Baum Kathleen Joy Cue and Ken Cue James F. Gallagher ’67CC and Ann Dr. Stephen Marshak ’81GSAS, M. Gallagher Drs. Tracy L. Johnson ’74GSAS and Dr. Norman Bauman Julian Mauro D’Ambrosi ’96BUS ’83GSAS and Kathryn G. Marshak Lucille Lewis Johnson ’67GS and Janine Kietrys ’96TC Nathaniel William Gardenswartz Christopher Beale P: ’10CC and William S. Marshall ’54GSAS Anne D. Joseph Francesca M. Beale, Esq. P: ’10CC Sue Robin Davenport Dr. Edward A. Garvey ’83GSAS, Elaine F. and Carlo J. Marzorati ’89GSAS, ’90GSAS Dr. Andrew Robert Juhl Mary H. Beaven Candace Dawn ’89GS, P: ’04CC Lawrence J. and Antoinette Dr. Daniel T. Georgi ’73GSAS, Dr. Alexey Kaplan Ellen Kappel Berman ’82GSAS, Michael DeBaets Marzorati ’74GSAS, ’77GSAS ’85GSAS and Stuart A. Berman Dr. Zvi Karcz ’02GSAS, ’05GSAS Barbara Dege Bau Maurizio and Francesca Alice H. and Robert D. Gerard George J. Berry Ruth Katz and Neil Chan Maggian Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation Hans Gesell ’95CC, ’98LAW Pierre E. and Nedaleine R. Biscaye Hamilton F. Kean, Esq. ’54LAW and Richard May ’51CC and Joan Carsten Dewitt Nicole Bizzarri Lauren Gingerich and Edith Williamson Kean Martinson May The Doggett Corporation Muhammad Mian M. Whitney Keen ’73GS Lauren and Ronald Mazzola David G. Black Jr. (Roger Mellick) Global Energy Network International Jeanette H. Kellogg ’65LS and Carol G. McCann Dr. Dorothy Anne Black ’59GSAS Dr. H. James Dorman ’61GSAS (Peter Meisen) Professor Herbert H. Kellogg and Sally Dorman Betsy McCully, Ph.D. Lloyd R. Blackledge George E. Goldman ’41SEAS, ’43SEAS Krunoslav Draganovic and Ana Matthew McCumber Robert O. Bonnell Jr. Professor Walter Goldstein Francoise A. Kelz ’49GSAS Draganovic Dr. Arthur F. McGarr ’68GSAS and Dr. J. Ernest Breeding Jr. ’72GSAS Shira Goodman Dr. Dennis V. Kent ’74GSAS and Eyal Dror, Esq. ’02CC, ’07LAW Annette McGarr and Rebecca D. Breeding Carolyn Kent Dr. Cheryl L. Greengrove ’82GSAS, Kyle Drummond Dr. Stephen Russell McNutt Dr. Hannes Brueckner and Mary Ann ’86GSAS Dr. M. Dean Kleinkopf ’55GSAS ’82GSAS, ’84GSAS, ’85GSAS Brueckner Lucy Drummond Steven D. and Joyce L. Grimm David M. Knowles, Ph.D. ’67GSAS Estelle K. Meislich, Ph.D. ’52GSAS John Buffington Robin Chandler Duke Judith L. Gutow Jena Knudsen Regina M. Mendez Thomas K. Burch ’80GSAS and Junette Marcia Earl Cleveland M. Guy Daniel A. and Lois Z. Kobal Cathryn G. Burch Richard D. Mikelinich Dr. Frank Donald Eckelmann Dr. David Haas and Sandra Haas Theodore R. Koerner II and Sandra Sandra Busselot ’54GSAS and Beverly Jean Rhoda A. Milgrim M. Koerner Eckelmann Dr. Douglas E. Hammond ’75GSAS Dr. John V. Byrne ’53GSAS Divenea Miller and Stuart A. Robinson Dr. Mikhail G. Kogan Dr. Norman Terence Edgar ’68GSAS Alan Harper ’78GSAS Kathy C. Byrnes Edith B. Miller Judith H. Kohlbach Drs. Walter Ehrlich and Timothy B. Harwood Romel Campbell Dr. Maynard M. Miller ’48GSAS Francine Schrijen Kenneth Daniel Kostel ’03JRN, Has III Partners Dr. Steven C. Cande ’77GSAS ’03GSAS and Anne-Marie Runfola Bonnie Joan Milne Robert Eisenstadt, Esq. ’66LAW Betty J. and Ira M. Hedges

28 The Earth Institute,The Earth Columbia Institute, UniversityColumbia University John Minardo Dr. Elizabeth Pretzer Rall and R.W. Rall Barbara A. and Wayne C. Thoen Maya E. Zaitzevsky David Samuel Modrow Krishna Rangarajan Dr. Julian A. Thorne ’78CC, ’80GSAS, Adinew Zeleke ’85GSAS John Mollica Beatrice Rasmussen Tiffany & Co. In Honor Of Dr. Martin W. Molloy ’55CC, Michael Rawson ’75GS and ’58GSAS, ’60GSAS Martine Rawson Dorothy R. Tilson Patrick Michael Alexander ’09SEAS Dr. Sally Bishop Montgomery Dr. Michael R. Rodman ’78GSAS Daniel Lloyd Timmons ’03CC Joyce Amoo ’65GSAS and Lorraine Banyra Susan P. Tippett and J. Royall Wedding of Aylin Tugberk ’07GSAS McKenna Moreau Dr. Peter John Michael ’77GSAS, Tippett Jr. and John Amore ’05SIPA, ’05BUS ’78GSAS, ’83GSAS and (21) Megan E. Morytko Dr. Don G. Tobin ’66GSAS and In Memory Of Rebecca P. Roe Mary L. Tobin ’66GSAS Connie Annick and Debby Pearse Irma Aubrey Carol S. Mountain ’74GS, ’79GS and Carey Rogers Dr. Gregory S. Mountain ’76GSAS, Professor Seymour Topping David Baarschers Grace Broecker ’80GSAS, ’81GSAS Daniel M. Rogge and Audrey Topping George L. Becker Jr., M.D. Dennis H. Carmichael “Digger” Urania N. Mylonas ’97JRN Louise Alexis Rosen ’99JRN Anthony R. Torres Helen Bertels William Maurice “Doc” Ewing Jeanne D. and Robert J. Nelson Ellen M. Rosenberg ’66GSAS Eliot F. Tozer Jr. ’49GSAS Dr. Nora Besanksy Saerree K. Fiedler Dr. Lawrence D. Neuman ’63CC, Martine S. Rossignol-Strick Truist Brookswood Secondary School (73) Albert S. Fulton ’66GSAS, ’73GSAS, P: ’98CC and Dr. Joanna Rubinstein Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker ’81GSAS, Ursula Neuman P: ’98CC Ken, Katie and Kaleb Cue Dr. Paul W. Gast ’57GSAS ’85GSAS and John A. Grim Dr. William F. Ruddiman ’69GSAS George B. and Margaretha W. John Daniel and Chuck Biersworth Robert “Sam” Gerard (8) and Virginia C. Ruddiman Carl E. Tugberk Newton Patty Davenport John Imbrie Nona J. Russell ’85SIPA Ami Avitsur Tureczek Arturo Noriega Sevilla Alexander M. de Sherbinin Sara Langer Constance A. Sancetta Dr. Jan Van Donk ’70GSAS and Kennedy B. Norungolo Carol Louise Van Donk Earth 2 Class Saturday Seminars May Maguire Lester and Joan Saporta Donald A. Offinger Alison Van Dyk Joyce Edgar Juliet Malin Robert C. Schneider ’75CC, P: ’07CC Junghoon Oh and Regina Marie Mullahy P: ’07CC Harry S. Van Santford Jr. Nathaniel Gardenswartz George and Amy Newman (2) Joachim Oppenheimer Dr. Richard Seager ’86GSAS, The Vanguard Group Foundation Meredith Golden Don and Jean Peterson Clifford and Antoinette Ossman ’90GSAS Stacey L. Vassallo Pat and Erin Hobin Lester Potter James C. Ossman Cary M. Seidman P: ’04CC and Coert Visser Alanna Jamner Bud Weisberg Karen M. Seidman P: ’04CC Mahdad Parsi Brenda J. Vivelo and Julian Kane ’50GSAS Sheth Family Foundation Myrna A. Pascal Donald G. Vivelo Jr. (Jagdish Sheth) Thomas Laffont Dr. Michael J. Passow ’70CC and Susan and Samuel J. Votta Dr. Donna Shillington Lamont Development Team Nancy Reinish Passow ’72SEAS John G. Vrysen Charles Shimel ’50SEAS and M. Onno and Marion Leyds Barbara and David B.K. Peck Harriet Joyce Hyams Meris S. Walton Lisa and Matt’s Wedding Craig Pedersen ’92SOA Mark A. Shulman, M.A., D.C. Xuejin Wang, Ph.D. ’95GSAS, Andrew and Amelia Lunde Joseph Pedlosky and Holly Smith ’96GSAS, P: ’11SEAS and Sylvia S. Shultz Pedlosky Dr. Lingqiao Ying Ma ’96GSAS, Joan W. Miller James Salvatore Signorelli ’97GSAS, P: ’11SEAS Dr. Tsung-Hung Peng ’73GSAS and Dr. John C. Mutter ’82GSAS Helen T. Peng John H. Sindt Ellen Weeks The O’Connell Family Alvin J. Perlmutter and Professor Jeffrey C. Slade and A. Ruth Diem Alfred Weinberg Dr. Michael J. Passow Joan W. Konner ’61JRN Charlotte K. Sorger Anita I. Weinstein Joal Payne Daniel Peterson In addition to the generous support St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Linda and Andrew Wendel The Pintado Family we received from the individuals Richard N. Pierson Jr., M.D. ’55PS, Philip Staropoli Dr. Kevin Thad Wheeler ’04GSAS, and organizations in the preceding P: ’83PS and Alice R. Pierson P: G. Michael Purdy (68) ’05GSAS, ’07GSAS list, we are grateful for support ’83PS William Steinmetz Paul G. Richards from United States federal entities William M. Wilcox ’73GSAS Judith Ann Pietrasiewicz Joseph N. Stennett and and Shirley Wilcox Dr. William B. Ryan such as the National Science Dr. Margaret A. Winslow ’73GS, Foundation (NSF), the National Dr. Terry A. Plank ’93GSAS Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs (2) ’75GSAS, ’76GSAS, ’80GSAS Stephen Wilkowski ’85SEAS Oceanic and Atmospheric Boon Keong Poh and Debbie K. Wilkowski Dr. Oscar Strongin ’58GSAS and Joan Sachs Administration (NOAA), and the Christine A. Pointon Amy Strongin Winegar/Broussard Fund Christine Stearn and Joshua Ingber National Aeronautics and Space (Brian Broussard Winegar ’06PH) Administration (NASA). Amy Pollack P: ’87CC, ’92PH and Dr. Yongjun Su ’97GSAS, ’00GSAS, Dr. Lynn Sykes Dr. Robert Elliot Pollack ’61CC, P: ’02GSAS and Wen Xiong Thilo Burkhard Wrede ’04BUS We have made every effort to ’87CC, ’92PH and Sarah Griffith Wrede ’04BUS Pat Temple Eric T. and Holly F. Sundquist ensure this listing of contributors Rachel Posner and John Kurth Professor Frederick F. Wright ’59GS, Joshua Vrysen is complete, and we apologize for Martha M. Synnott ’61GSAS any errors or omissions. To report Dr. Michael J. Previdi Taj Walton Marissa Szczepaniak corrections, please e-mail us at George Yourke ’54CC, ’57GSAPP Dr. Richard C. Quittmeyer ’77GSAS, Jon Zimmerman [email protected] or call Dr. Lisa Tauxe ’80GSAS, ’82GSAS, and Gertrude Gray Yourke ’78GSAS, ’82GSAS and Denise 212-854-7878. ’83GSAS Packer Quittmeyer ’82BUS Morton G. Yuter

annual donorannual report donor 2009 report 2010 29 More Earth Institute Projects and Initiatives

The Earth Institute is composed of more than 30 research centers and programs. Here are a few more highlights of the many projects we have conducted during the last year. Visit us online at earth.columbia.edu for regular updates on our work.

The Problem In the 1970s, millions of affecting human health. water in rural Bangladesh. of Arsenic simple pipe wells were drilled Scientists from the Lamont- They are fostering the in Bangladesh to increase Doherty Earth Observatory installation of deep, low- access to clean water. But and the Mailman School of arsenic wells and studying many of the wells were found Public Health are developing ways that certain nutrients to be contaminated with practical ways to reduce the can help eliminate arsenic arsenic, and long-term threat of arsenic poisoning and from the human body. exposure is significantly meet the need for safe drinking

Designing Automobiles enhance our transportation technologies together key private and public the Future of personal freedom and are a offer opportunities to reinvent sector leaders to develop a Transportation critical component of modern automobiles for safer and roadmap for the way forward. infrastructure. However, they more efficient personal travel. The Prince Albert II of Monaco are unsustainable in terms To make this new vision a Foundation, a world leader of energy, the environment reality, the Earth Institute in the promotion of ecological and congestion. Modern launched the Roundtable on vehicles, has become an communication, energy and Sustainable Mobility, bringing early supporter.

30 The Earth Institute, Columbia University Projects at the finding ways to Earth Institute improve the range from sustainability of strategizing about agriculture and transportation food systems alternatives (far right).

(near right) to Design Lab, Cover of “Reinventing the Automobile”/MIT Press Squared

A Global With the support of the the world tasked with Nations climate negotiations Network Skoll Global Threats Fund and designing country-based in Cancún, Mexico, with for Climate the Planet Heritage Foundation, action plans for climate concrete proposals for how Solutions Inc., the Earth Institute mitigation and adaptation. to solve the climate crisis. initiated a low-cost, open- The goal of the Global Network architecture, online network for Climate Solutions is to of research centers around inform the 2010 United

Feeding a The global population could Monsanto support Earth minimizing negative environ- Growing reach 9 billion by 2050, Institute projects to improve mental and climate impacts; Population increasing food demand and the sustainability of agriculture mapping the world’s soils stressing ecosystems. Donors and food systems from Africa digitally; and linking food like the Bill and Melinda Gates to America. Work includes systems to improved nutrition Foundation, the Packard optimizing the use of fertilizers— to tackle undernutrition in Foundation, the Doris Duke both mineral and organic— developing countries and fight Charitable Foundation, and for food production, while obesity in developed countries.

Corporate Launched in the fall of 2009, objectives. Partnering with sustainability and sustainable Circle the Corporate Circle is the the Earth Institute allows development worldwide. At Earth Institute’s new program corporations to take advantage the time of the printing of this for engaging corporations of the latest information, report, we have 21 members dedicated to sustainable tools and networks in the in the Circle and counting. development in ongoing, field. Together we are For an updated list of members, mutually beneficial relation- building strong links between visit earth.columbia.edu/ ships that further our shared transformative corporate corporatecircle.

annual donor report 2010 31

Research Centers Affiliates and Consortiums Doctoral Programs and Programs The Earth Institute is a member of or Ph.D. in Sustainable Development is closely affiliated with the following Ph.D. Earth and Environmental four entities. Engineering Advanced Consortium on Cooperation, Research Units of the Ph.D. Earth and Environmental Sciences Conflict and Complexity (AC4) Earth Institute Ph.D. Atmospheric and Planetary Black Rock Forest Consortium Center for Climate Systems Research Science (APS) Center for Climate Change Law (CCCL) (CCSR) Ph.D. Environmental Health Sciences NASA Goddard Institute for Space Center for Environmental Research Ph.D. Programs, Department of Studies (GISS) and Conservation (CERC) Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Center for Global Health and Biology (E3B): Economic Development (CGHED) Ph.D. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Center for Hazards and Risk Research Ph.D. Evolutionary Primatology (CHRR) Educational Programs Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) Affiliated With the Certificate Programs Center for National Health Earth Institute Environmental Policy Certificate Development in Ethiopia (CNHDE) Conservation Biology Certificate Center for Rivers and Estuaries Certificate in Conservation and Center for Sustainable Urban Undergraduate Programs Environmental Sustainability Development (CSUD) Majors in: Center for the Study of Science and Sustainable Development Fellowships Religion (CSSR) Earth and Environmental Sciences Center on Globalization and Earth Institute Fellows Program Sustainable Development (CGSD) Earth and Environmental Engineering Columbia Climate Center Environmental Biology (Barnard) Other Graduate Credit-Bearing Columbia Water Center Environmental Science (Barnard) Programs Earth Engineering Center (EEC) Environmental Policy (Barnard) Teacher Training Institute International Research Institute for Concentration in Environmental Biology Climate and Society (IRI) Special Concentration in Sustainable Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Development (LDEO) Summer Ecosystem Experiences for Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy Undergraduates (SEE-U) Directorate (LCSE) Postbaccalaureate Programs Programs of the Earth Institute Jeffrey D. Sachs Postbaccalaureate Program in Director Cross-Cutting Initiative (CCI) Environmental Biology Steven Cohen Earth Clinic Postbaccalaureate Program in Ecology, Executive Director and Evolution and Environmental Biology Millennium Cities Initiative Chief Operating Officer Millennium Villages Project Peter Schlosser Master’s Programs Associate Director and Program on Science, Technology, Director of Research and Global Development M.A. Conservation Biology Roundtable on Sustainable Mobility M.S. Earth Resources Engineering Tropical Agriculture and Rural M.S. in Sustainability Management Environment Program M.A. Climate and Society Management Team M.P.H. Environmental Health Sciences Joint Units of the Earth Institute M.P.A. Environmental Science and Policy The following five units were established M.P.A. in Development Practice jointly by the Earth Institute and a Steven Cohen second entity. M.I.A./M.P.A Energy and Environment (Chair) Center for Research on Environmental David C. Dvorak Decisions (CRED) Teresa S. Karamanos Cooperative Institute for Climate Louise Rosen Applications and Research (CICAR) Joanna Rubinstein Laboratory of Populations Erin Trowbridge Urban Design Lab (UDL) Vale Columbia Center on Sustainable International Investment Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC MODIS Rapid Response Team, Jacques Descloitres,

32 The Earth Institute, Columbia University

Credits

Sarah Wakefield Adhya Managing Editor/ Lead Writer

Teresa S. Karamanos Executive Editor

Urania Mylonas Co-writer/Editor

Rita Augustine Copy Editor

Kevin Krajick Editorial Advisor

Ivy Morgan Gift Data Manager

Stislow Design Designer

Sunghee Kim Senior Art Director

This report was printed at Brilliant Graphics, an FSC-certified printer, on paper that contains 30 percent postconsumer recycled content and was made with renewable energy. 405 Low Library, MC 4335 535 West 116th Street New York, NY 10027 earth.columbia.edu