State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Climate174

  • Climate Change and the Complexity of Science

    Climate Change and the Complexity of Science

    The diplomatic debate about phasing out HFCs has been underway for seven years, but the technology of refrigerant coolants appears to have finally caught up with the need for replacement technology. Once replacement technology is available, diplomacy becomes possible.

  • For Climate Change, Carbon Pricing is No Silver Bullet

    For Climate Change, Carbon Pricing is No Silver Bullet

    Many economists and policy experts believe carbon pricing is the most effective way to deal with global warming. But others argue that carbon pricing is not a silver bullet for dealing with climate change. Here’s why.

  • Connecting Space to Village in West Africa

    Connecting Space to Village in West Africa

    A new project, SERVIR-West Africa, will use space-based climate, weather land cover, and other NASA satellite data to address issues such as food security and the availability of fresh water in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Niger.

  • Tropical Cyclones on Track to Grow More Intense as Temperatures Rise

    Aerosols have compensated for greenhouse gases, but won’t in future

  • The World’s First Seasonal Lightning Forecast

    The World’s First Seasonal Lightning Forecast

    At about 250 lightning flashes per square kilometer per year, the Lake Maracaibo Basin in northwestern Venezuela has the highest annual lightning rate of any place in the world.

  • Ocean Circulation Implicated in Past Abrupt Climate Changes

    Circulation Slowed with Every Cooling During Last Ice Age

  • Learning From Volkswagen’s $10 Billion Sustainability Mistake

    The market and government regulators are sending a message that is clear and ought not be misunderstood: people care about the environment and the quality of their air. If people did not support air pollution regulations they would not have cared about Volkswagen’s disregard of environmental law.

  • Carbon Pricing for the Climate: How It Could Work

    Carbon Pricing for the Climate: How It Could Work

    Most economists and policy experts agree that the most effective and cheapest way to curb the carbon dioxide emissions that are warming the planet is to “put a price on carbon.” How effective are carbon taxes and cap and trade programs?

  • Forecasting Climate, with Help from the Baobab Tree

    Forecasting Climate, with Help from the Baobab Tree

    To improve climate forecasts, scientists study the complex interactions and mechanisms within the climate system. But they also need to hear from potential users of climate information, such as farmers, to get a better understanding of how people may use that information in their decision making.

Blue banner with kids and Earth photos. Text: "Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Open House, Saturday, October 17, 2026, 10am-4pm.

On Saturday, October 17, 2026 from 10am to 4pm, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Open House—our biggest, best science fun and discovery event of the year—will take place on our beautiful campus in Palisades, NY. Mark your calendar and join us for this free, family-friendly celebration of science! RSVP Today!

  • Climate Change and the Complexity of Science

    Climate Change and the Complexity of Science

    The diplomatic debate about phasing out HFCs has been underway for seven years, but the technology of refrigerant coolants appears to have finally caught up with the need for replacement technology. Once replacement technology is available, diplomacy becomes possible.

  • For Climate Change, Carbon Pricing is No Silver Bullet

    For Climate Change, Carbon Pricing is No Silver Bullet

    Many economists and policy experts believe carbon pricing is the most effective way to deal with global warming. But others argue that carbon pricing is not a silver bullet for dealing with climate change. Here’s why.

  • Connecting Space to Village in West Africa

    Connecting Space to Village in West Africa

    A new project, SERVIR-West Africa, will use space-based climate, weather land cover, and other NASA satellite data to address issues such as food security and the availability of fresh water in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Niger.

  • Tropical Cyclones on Track to Grow More Intense as Temperatures Rise

    Aerosols have compensated for greenhouse gases, but won’t in future

  • The World’s First Seasonal Lightning Forecast

    The World’s First Seasonal Lightning Forecast

    At about 250 lightning flashes per square kilometer per year, the Lake Maracaibo Basin in northwestern Venezuela has the highest annual lightning rate of any place in the world.

  • Ocean Circulation Implicated in Past Abrupt Climate Changes

    Circulation Slowed with Every Cooling During Last Ice Age

  • Learning From Volkswagen’s $10 Billion Sustainability Mistake

    The market and government regulators are sending a message that is clear and ought not be misunderstood: people care about the environment and the quality of their air. If people did not support air pollution regulations they would not have cared about Volkswagen’s disregard of environmental law.

  • Carbon Pricing for the Climate: How It Could Work

    Carbon Pricing for the Climate: How It Could Work

    Most economists and policy experts agree that the most effective and cheapest way to curb the carbon dioxide emissions that are warming the planet is to “put a price on carbon.” How effective are carbon taxes and cap and trade programs?

  • Forecasting Climate, with Help from the Baobab Tree

    Forecasting Climate, with Help from the Baobab Tree

    To improve climate forecasts, scientists study the complex interactions and mechanisms within the climate system. But they also need to hear from potential users of climate information, such as farmers, to get a better understanding of how people may use that information in their decision making.