January 2024
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Science for the Planet: Why We Need to Preserve Maritime Forests
Tree-ring scientist Nicole Davi explains the critical role maritime forests play in protecting our coastal communities from storms. The tree-ring records she’s building will help us understand how these ecosystems are responding to climate change.
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Climate School Report Details 2023 State Policy Trends in Disaster Resilience
Every U.S. state passed some kind of disaster resilience policy in 2023, according to the National Center for Disaster Preparedness, which released a report examining over 600 U.S. state disaster resilience bills enacted last year.
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Lessons from Applications to Columbia’s Master’s Programs in Environmental Sustainability
I am constantly inspired and motivated by applicants to Columbia’s MPA in Environmental Science and Policy and MS in Sustainability Management programs, applicants who are community-minded, creative, and have a sense of mission and determination in the face of the challenges of achieving environmental sustainability.
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Increase in West Antarctic Ice Sheet Melting Inevitable in 21st Century
Significant ocean warming and associated ice-shelf melting is unavoidable, even under the most ambitious future climate scenario, according to new research.
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‘Hot Drought’ Unprecedented Across Western North America Since the 16th Century, Study Suggests
Increased heat due to human-induced climate change, not just lack of rain, is driving the continued drying of soils, say researchers.
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Science for the Planet: Why We Need Legal Frameworks for Carbon Dioxide Removal
Ocean-based techniques to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere could help the US and other countries reach their climate goals, but they need to be advanced in a safe, just and responsible manner, says climate law expert Romany Webb.
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How Best to Educate People About Climate Change?
A new primer from the Earth Institute explores best practices for educating people of all ages about climate change.
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The Jobs Vs. Environment False Tradeoff Rises Again
Political polarization has become a way of life here in America. Information and data take a back seat to ideology and tribalism. But the world we live in is getting more complicated and to navigate the complexity we need to find our way back to a factual basis for public policy.
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Dungeons, Dragons and Environmental Justice: Games Teach Kids Climate Action
A youth organization in Oakland, CA, is transforming a popular role-playing game into a vehicle for climate education and inspiration for the next generation.

AGU25, the premier Earth and space science conference, takes place December 15-19, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This year’s theme—Where Science Connects Us—puts in focus how science depends on connection, from the lab to the field to the ballot box. Once again, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Columbia Climate School scientists, experts, students, and educators are playing an active role, sharing our research and helping shape the future of our planet. #AGU25 Learn More
