The Earth Institute at Columbia University convened the fourth biennial State of the Planet Conference to discuss the feasibility of sustainable development for billions worldwide. Throughout the two-day forum, internationally renowned scholars and opinion leaders discussed ideas which sought to explore the fundamental requirements of science, economy, governance and human behavior needed to achieve sustainable development. Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute, gave a stirring keynote address to the conference. Serageldin explained that the world has produced more information in the last 30 years than in the previous 5,000. He asserted that market-driven standards are driving up the conditions of both the wealthy and of the poor. Other conference speakers addressed other aspects of the question of sustainability.