Natural Disasters7
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A Climate Change Adaptation Expert on How To Reduce Fire Risk
Reducing fire risk will require a foundational rethinking of where we build and how.
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Climate School Experts on the Los Angeles Fires: Causes, Impacts and Recovery
As California battles devastating wildfires, our researchers are helping to make sense of how they became so destructive, and what’s needed for recovery.
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A Disaster Expert Explains Why the L.A. Fires Have Been So Catastrophic
Jeffrey Schlegelmilch, director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness, discusses why these fires have been so devastating and what can be done about wildfires going forward.
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From Cornwall to Columbia: One Climate and Society Student’s Interdisciplinary Worldview
Amy Campbell reflects on her journey to the Climate School, where she is currently a Fulbright scholar, focusing on climate risk and disaster preparedness.
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Improving U.S. Coastal Protection and Resilience
How can the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers work with communities and agencies to create more effective coastal protection projects?
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Ensuring Emergency Management Training Translates into Action
Researchers at the National Center for Disaster Preparedness and the New School discuss an approach for evaluating the effectiveness of disaster management training.
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A Climate and Society Student on Environmentalism and Collaboration With Local Communities
Olivia Palma is passionate about understanding the link between people, the environment and climate change, especially for at-risk communities.
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A New M.S. in Climate Program Focuses on Disaster Management
A Q&A with Jeffrey Schlegelmilch, director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at the Columbia Climate School, about the unique certificate program and its holistic approach to disaster management.
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Twelve Years After Sandy, Have We Gotten Better at Preparing for Disaster?
Jeffrey Schlegelmilch, the director of Columbia’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness, reflects on applying lessons from Hurricane Sandy to more recent disasters.

COP31, the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, aims to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate climate action on a global scale. From November 9–20, 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society will gather to advance efforts in emission targets, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. Once again, our experts, students, and global thought leaders from Columbia Climate School and across Columbia University are contributing to key events, sharing insights, and helping shape the dialogue toward ambitious, science-based solutions. Learn More
