State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Climate189

  • Creating a ‘Safe Space’ for Iconic Ecosystems

    Creating a ‘Safe Space’ for Iconic Ecosystems

    Important global ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest and Great Barrier Reef are in danger of breaking down because of a combination of local pressures and climate change, but better local management could help make these areas more resilient.

  • Frequency of Tornadoes, Hail Linked to El Niño, La Niña

    Study May Aid Seasonal Forecasting

  • Did Climate Change Help Spark The Syrian War?

    Scientists Link Warming Trend to Record Drought and Later Unrest

  • Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate Kick-Off

    Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate Kick-Off

    This week marks the launch of the new Columbia Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate, a cross-disciplinary collaboration between a variety of centers, research groups and individuals from across Columbia University. The Initiative, led by Adam Sobel, kicked off on Monday evening with a World Leaders Forum panel event in Low Library. Panelists discussed a…

  • Webcast Tonight: Focus on Extreme Weather

    Webcast Tonight: Focus on Extreme Weather

    The Columbia Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate brings together experts across the university to integrate research into the physical science of these events with research on their impacts on human society and engineering solutions. The initiative kicks off this evening with a panel discussion, “Preparing for Extreme Weather: Global Lessons from Sandy,” from 6-7:30…

  • Bonjour de Nouméa!

    Bonjour de Nouméa!

    Scientists from research institutions around the world are participating in a research expedition aboard the R/V L ‘Atalante to study how microorganisms in the South Pacific Ocean influence the carbon cycle. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory graduate student Kyle Frischkorn is among them; this is the first in a series of posts in which Kyle shares what…

  • Warming Pushes Western U.S. Toward Driest Period in 1,000 Years

    Study Warns of Unprecedented Risk of Drought in 21st Century

  • Seafloor Volcano Pulses May Alter Climate

    New Data Show Strikingly Regular Patterns, From Weeks to Eons

  • Climate Change Poses Challenges to Plants and Animals

    Climate Change Poses Challenges to Plants and Animals

    Because of climate change, spring, summer, fall and winter in the temperate zones are all arriving on average 1.7 days earlier than they ever have before. The changing climate with its more extreme weather is affecting many plant and animal species, disturbing their habitat and disrupting ecosystem functioning. How will plants and animals deal with…

Composite banner with modern building at night and portrait of Dean Alexis Abramson that reads "Science for the Planet"

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

  • Creating a ‘Safe Space’ for Iconic Ecosystems

    Creating a ‘Safe Space’ for Iconic Ecosystems

    Important global ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest and Great Barrier Reef are in danger of breaking down because of a combination of local pressures and climate change, but better local management could help make these areas more resilient.

  • Frequency of Tornadoes, Hail Linked to El Niño, La Niña

    Study May Aid Seasonal Forecasting

  • Did Climate Change Help Spark The Syrian War?

    Scientists Link Warming Trend to Record Drought and Later Unrest

  • Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate Kick-Off

    Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate Kick-Off

    This week marks the launch of the new Columbia Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate, a cross-disciplinary collaboration between a variety of centers, research groups and individuals from across Columbia University. The Initiative, led by Adam Sobel, kicked off on Monday evening with a World Leaders Forum panel event in Low Library. Panelists discussed a…

  • Webcast Tonight: Focus on Extreme Weather

    Webcast Tonight: Focus on Extreme Weather

    The Columbia Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate brings together experts across the university to integrate research into the physical science of these events with research on their impacts on human society and engineering solutions. The initiative kicks off this evening with a panel discussion, “Preparing for Extreme Weather: Global Lessons from Sandy,” from 6-7:30…

  • Bonjour de Nouméa!

    Bonjour de Nouméa!

    Scientists from research institutions around the world are participating in a research expedition aboard the R/V L ‘Atalante to study how microorganisms in the South Pacific Ocean influence the carbon cycle. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory graduate student Kyle Frischkorn is among them; this is the first in a series of posts in which Kyle shares what…

  • Warming Pushes Western U.S. Toward Driest Period in 1,000 Years

    Study Warns of Unprecedented Risk of Drought in 21st Century

  • Seafloor Volcano Pulses May Alter Climate

    New Data Show Strikingly Regular Patterns, From Weeks to Eons

  • Climate Change Poses Challenges to Plants and Animals

    Climate Change Poses Challenges to Plants and Animals

    Because of climate change, spring, summer, fall and winter in the temperate zones are all arriving on average 1.7 days earlier than they ever have before. The changing climate with its more extreme weather is affecting many plant and animal species, disturbing their habitat and disrupting ecosystem functioning. How will plants and animals deal with…