Climate
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Sea Levels Are Rising—But in Greenland, They Will Fall
Even as global warming causes sea levels to rise worldwide, sea levels around Greenland will likely drop, according to a new paper.
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Get Ready for Smokier Air: Record 2023 Wildfire Smoke Marks Long-Term Shift in North American Air Quality
A new analysis of air quality data from the past 70 years shows a broader, continent-wide trend toward smokier skies.
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It’s Been One Year Since Wildfires Devastated Los Angeles. What Have We Learned?
In the wake of the fires, our disaster expert says that “we have the lessons we need to do better and recover better, but there is a stubbornness to learning and applying them.”
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Can Mayor Mamdani Turn Climate Action Into an Affordability Win for NYC?
Columbia Climate School experts discuss the opportunities and challenges ahead for NYC’s new mayor.
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Columbia Climate School Experts on What Gives Them Hope in 2026
Eight experts from the Climate School offer words of encouragement for the new year.
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SIPA Alumni Champion Wildlife Protection at Major Conference in Uzbekistan
The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, better known as CITES COP, is one of the strongest international agreements dedicated to protecting wildlife from overexploitation.
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Science for the Planet: Engineering a Cooler Future Through Smarter Buildings
Dean Alexis Abramson explains how she applies engineering, data analytics and machine learning to help dramatically cut energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from buildings.
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Year in Review: Our Top Stories of 2025
A look back at the stories and videos that shaped our year at State of the Planet.
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Can Generative AI Help Strengthen Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Among Youth?
New research indicates that GenAI chatbots, if thoughtfully designed and equitably implemented, can serve as a transformative tool for strengthening youth participation in disaster risk reduction.

By studying thousands of buildings and analyzing their electricity use, Columbia Climate School Dean Alexis Abramson has been able to uncover ways to significantly cut energy consumption and emissions. Watch the Video: “Engineering a Cooler Future Through Smarter Buildings“
