State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Climate201

  • Coastal Erosion and Adaptation to Climate Change

    Coastal Erosion and Adaptation to Climate Change

    Increasing understanding of the extent of coastal erosion and its interaction with other naturally existing geographical features such as mangrove vegetation is one of the areas of research that may help reduce vulnerability of small-island developing states to climate hazards.

  • Latest Environmental Performance Index Introduces New Indicators

    Latest Environmental Performance Index Introduces New Indicators

    Innovations in the 2014 EPI include a new wastewater treatment indicator; a new approach to climate change indicators; and two new satellite-derived indicators for air quality and forests.

  • Earth’s Climate History, Written in Dust

    Earth’s Climate History, Written in Dust

    Dust blowing onto the oceans can help algae grow and pull CO2 out of the atmosphere. It influences the radiative balance of the planet by reflecting sunlight away. Scientists want to know what role this plays in the coming and going of the ice ages, and how it affects our climate.

  • 2013 Ranks in Top 10 Warmest Years

    2013 Ranks in Top 10 Warmest Years

    Last year was one of the warmest on record, according to analyses of global temperature data by NASA and NOAA. Both federal agencies placed 2013 among the top 10 warmest years since records began in 1880, continuing a longer-term trend of global warming.

  • New Initiative to Focus on Climate and Extreme Weather

    New Initiative to Focus on Climate and Extreme Weather

    Superstorm Sandy expert Adam Sobel is getting ready to launch a new initiative on extreme weather, thanks to a €250,000 two-year AXA Award in Climate and Extreme Weather he has just received from the AXA Research Fund.

  • Why Do We Run Hot and Cold on Climate Change?

    Why Do We Run Hot and Cold on Climate Change?

    People’s views on climate seem easily swayed, or in some cases manipulated, by daily weather. In a new study, researchers drilled into what goes on in people’s minds when they respond to these smaller-scale stimuli.

  • Lamont-Doherty Dedicates New Geochemistry Facility

    Lamont-Doherty Dedicates New Geochemistry Facility

    In late 2013, the dream of creating a uniquely powerful facility for the Lamont-Doherty Geochemistry Division became a reality upon completion of the Comer Building’s Ultra Clean Laboratory. On the afternoon of November 20th, this new laboratory was dedicated in front of an audience of Observatory Advisory Board members, donors, scientists and other members of…

  • Psychology of Environmental Decision Making and Sustainable Behavior

    Psychology of Environmental Decision Making and Sustainable Behavior

    Countries vary dramatically in their records of environmental responsibility. Some nations such as Switzerland and Norway are well known for their willingness to sacrifice for the future good, while countries such Iraq and South Africa lag far behind. There are certainly socio-economic reasons for these stark differences, but is it also possible that human psychology…

  • Can Eco-Tourism Lead to an ‘Eco-Civilization’?

    Can Eco-Tourism Lead to an ‘Eco-Civilization’?

    Does blending a group of respected business professionals, academics, spiritual leaders, media, policy specialists and artists in a custom eco-tourism experience provide a pathway to developing a passionate and committed group of individuals?

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

  • Coastal Erosion and Adaptation to Climate Change

    Coastal Erosion and Adaptation to Climate Change

    Increasing understanding of the extent of coastal erosion and its interaction with other naturally existing geographical features such as mangrove vegetation is one of the areas of research that may help reduce vulnerability of small-island developing states to climate hazards.

  • Latest Environmental Performance Index Introduces New Indicators

    Latest Environmental Performance Index Introduces New Indicators

    Innovations in the 2014 EPI include a new wastewater treatment indicator; a new approach to climate change indicators; and two new satellite-derived indicators for air quality and forests.

  • Earth’s Climate History, Written in Dust

    Earth’s Climate History, Written in Dust

    Dust blowing onto the oceans can help algae grow and pull CO2 out of the atmosphere. It influences the radiative balance of the planet by reflecting sunlight away. Scientists want to know what role this plays in the coming and going of the ice ages, and how it affects our climate.

  • 2013 Ranks in Top 10 Warmest Years

    2013 Ranks in Top 10 Warmest Years

    Last year was one of the warmest on record, according to analyses of global temperature data by NASA and NOAA. Both federal agencies placed 2013 among the top 10 warmest years since records began in 1880, continuing a longer-term trend of global warming.

  • New Initiative to Focus on Climate and Extreme Weather

    New Initiative to Focus on Climate and Extreme Weather

    Superstorm Sandy expert Adam Sobel is getting ready to launch a new initiative on extreme weather, thanks to a €250,000 two-year AXA Award in Climate and Extreme Weather he has just received from the AXA Research Fund.

  • Why Do We Run Hot and Cold on Climate Change?

    Why Do We Run Hot and Cold on Climate Change?

    People’s views on climate seem easily swayed, or in some cases manipulated, by daily weather. In a new study, researchers drilled into what goes on in people’s minds when they respond to these smaller-scale stimuli.

  • Lamont-Doherty Dedicates New Geochemistry Facility

    Lamont-Doherty Dedicates New Geochemistry Facility

    In late 2013, the dream of creating a uniquely powerful facility for the Lamont-Doherty Geochemistry Division became a reality upon completion of the Comer Building’s Ultra Clean Laboratory. On the afternoon of November 20th, this new laboratory was dedicated in front of an audience of Observatory Advisory Board members, donors, scientists and other members of…

  • Psychology of Environmental Decision Making and Sustainable Behavior

    Psychology of Environmental Decision Making and Sustainable Behavior

    Countries vary dramatically in their records of environmental responsibility. Some nations such as Switzerland and Norway are well known for their willingness to sacrifice for the future good, while countries such Iraq and South Africa lag far behind. There are certainly socio-economic reasons for these stark differences, but is it also possible that human psychology…

  • Can Eco-Tourism Lead to an ‘Eco-Civilization’?

    Can Eco-Tourism Lead to an ‘Eco-Civilization’?

    Does blending a group of respected business professionals, academics, spiritual leaders, media, policy specialists and artists in a custom eco-tourism experience provide a pathway to developing a passionate and committed group of individuals?