News from the Columbia Climate School

Author: Katie Horner

Katie graduated from Middlebury College with a B.A. in Environmental Studies with a focus in Policy. In addition to water issues, she is interested in sustainable agriculture and food security. Katie was an intern at CWC.

Wild Oysters Deemed ‘Functionally Extinct’

A recent Valentine’s Day-inspired article in the Grist pointed out that oysters are the only delicacy that enhances The Mood and water quality. Don’t get too excited, though: a new study published this week in BioScience revealed that oysters are “functionally extinct” in many parts of the world where they were once abundant, and nothing…
In the Arctic More Than Elsewhere, Things Are Heating Up

According to a new international study, water flowing into the Arctic Ocean from the North Atlantic is the warmest it has been in the past 2,000 years.
Michigan Case Demonstrates Growing Importance of Courts for Water Issues

According to a recent report by Deutsche Bank, the number of US lawsuits related directly or indirectly to climate change rose by nearly 300% between 2009 and 2010. In addition to cases focused more broadly on climate change, there have also been a growing number of cases focused specifically on water regulations. Examples of the…
Despite Grim Water Futures, China and US Discuss Everything but Water

Notably absent from this week’s program is any planned dialogue regarding energy demand and water supply, two issues whose inverse trajectories are threatening the environmental and economic futures of both nations.
Could East River Tides Help Power NYC?

Typically, discussions about hydropower center around hydroelectric dams and ocean wind turbines. That could change, however, if Verdant Power – an energy company based out of New York – succeeds in its latest venture.
E.P.A. Sued for Trying to Protect the Environment

Early last month, Florida sued the US Environmental Protection Agency in an effort to block new clean water regulations that the agency announced last month and which it plans to begin enforcing in 2012.
Parched for Peace: The Fertile Crescent Might Be Barren

This past October, the Levant Desalination Association and Nosstia, an organization of expat Syrian scientists, arranged a conference in the capital city of Damascus to discuss Syria’s water crisis.
Parched for Peace: A Slight Digression, Just for Kicks

Yesterday, FIFA announced that the 2022 World Cup would be held in Qatar, the first Middle Eastern country ever chosen to host the tournament.
Parched for Peace: The UAE has Oil and Money, but No Water

One of the greatest challenges to sustaining 1.8 million people in an extremely arid locale is water, which in the coastal city of Dubai is abundant but not potable.

Wild Oysters Deemed ‘Functionally Extinct’

A recent Valentine’s Day-inspired article in the Grist pointed out that oysters are the only delicacy that enhances The Mood and water quality. Don’t get too excited, though: a new study published this week in BioScience revealed that oysters are “functionally extinct” in many parts of the world where they were once abundant, and nothing…
In the Arctic More Than Elsewhere, Things Are Heating Up

According to a new international study, water flowing into the Arctic Ocean from the North Atlantic is the warmest it has been in the past 2,000 years.
Michigan Case Demonstrates Growing Importance of Courts for Water Issues

According to a recent report by Deutsche Bank, the number of US lawsuits related directly or indirectly to climate change rose by nearly 300% between 2009 and 2010. In addition to cases focused more broadly on climate change, there have also been a growing number of cases focused specifically on water regulations. Examples of the…
Despite Grim Water Futures, China and US Discuss Everything but Water

Notably absent from this week’s program is any planned dialogue regarding energy demand and water supply, two issues whose inverse trajectories are threatening the environmental and economic futures of both nations.
Could East River Tides Help Power NYC?

Typically, discussions about hydropower center around hydroelectric dams and ocean wind turbines. That could change, however, if Verdant Power – an energy company based out of New York – succeeds in its latest venture.
E.P.A. Sued for Trying to Protect the Environment

Early last month, Florida sued the US Environmental Protection Agency in an effort to block new clean water regulations that the agency announced last month and which it plans to begin enforcing in 2012.
Parched for Peace: The Fertile Crescent Might Be Barren

This past October, the Levant Desalination Association and Nosstia, an organization of expat Syrian scientists, arranged a conference in the capital city of Damascus to discuss Syria’s water crisis.
Parched for Peace: A Slight Digression, Just for Kicks

Yesterday, FIFA announced that the 2022 World Cup would be held in Qatar, the first Middle Eastern country ever chosen to host the tournament.
Parched for Peace: The UAE has Oil and Money, but No Water

One of the greatest challenges to sustaining 1.8 million people in an extremely arid locale is water, which in the coastal city of Dubai is abundant but not potable.