State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Climate220

  • Epic Wetness in Greater NYC, and What Broadleaf Trees Have to Say About It

    Epic Wetness in Greater NYC, and What Broadleaf Trees Have to Say About It

    2012 is turning out to be an exceptional year in the eastern US. Starting out with what was essentially a #YearWithoutaWinter, followed by a heat wave in March, a hot summer, Macoun and Cortland apples coming in 2-3 weeks early, and the continuation of a severe drought in the Southern US that expanded into the Midwest…

  • Practicum Introduces Students to Earth Institute Research

    Each fall the Earth Institute offers a unique insight into the cutting-edge research of institute centers and units and the policy implications of that research in the Earth Institute Practicum. The practicum provides an opportunity to learn about issues in sustainable development, sustainability management and environmental science from faculty and researchers in these areas.

  • Breaking the Poverty Trap in Ethiopia: Subsistence, Satellites, and Some Other Important Stuff

    Breaking the Poverty Trap in Ethiopia: Subsistence, Satellites, and Some Other Important Stuff

    Two acres of cracked earth. In northern Ethiopia, it can be a trap that keeps farmers tethered to it for generations. Or it can be a springboard to a better life for this and future generations. What impedes it from showing its springier qualities? You could argue the biggest pressure on the land comes from…

  • From Birmingham to Bamako: How Farmers Deal with Drought

    From Birmingham to Bamako: How Farmers Deal with Drought

    A look at the tools and technologies farmers in Mali use to enhance their decision making in the face of droughts and other climate risks.

  • Courses in Conservation & Sustainability

    Courses in Conservation & Sustainability

    Are you interested in cultivating the skills necessary to implement environmental change? Do you want to learn more about conservation and environmental sustainability, including ecosystem services and function?

  • Climate Scientist to Lead International Research Institute for Climate and Society

    Climate Scientist to Lead International Research Institute for Climate and Society

    Lisa Goddard, a leading expert on climate change and El Niño’s influence on climate has been appointed director of the International Research Institute for Climate and Society, part of Columbia University’s Earth Institute.

  • Forest Razing by Ancient Maya Worsened Droughts, Says Study

    Human-Influenced Climate Change May Have Contributed to Society’s Collapse

  • Polar Climate Change Education Partnership Receives $5.6 Million Grant

    Polar Climate Change Education Partnership Receives $5.6 Million Grant

    The Columbia Climate Center led PoLAR Climate Change Education Partnership receives a $5.6 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), one of six awards under the Climate Change Education Partnership-Phase II program.

  • Forecasting Climate’s Effects on Global Food Production

    Forecasting Climate’s Effects on Global Food Production

    The worst drought to hit the U.S. in decades has already brought corn yields to a 17-year low and will almost certainly raise food prices. Wealth will soften the blow in the U.S., but in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, prolonged drought has often had deadly consequences. Is there a better way to anticipate climate’s…

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

  • Epic Wetness in Greater NYC, and What Broadleaf Trees Have to Say About It

    Epic Wetness in Greater NYC, and What Broadleaf Trees Have to Say About It

    2012 is turning out to be an exceptional year in the eastern US. Starting out with what was essentially a #YearWithoutaWinter, followed by a heat wave in March, a hot summer, Macoun and Cortland apples coming in 2-3 weeks early, and the continuation of a severe drought in the Southern US that expanded into the Midwest…

  • Practicum Introduces Students to Earth Institute Research

    Each fall the Earth Institute offers a unique insight into the cutting-edge research of institute centers and units and the policy implications of that research in the Earth Institute Practicum. The practicum provides an opportunity to learn about issues in sustainable development, sustainability management and environmental science from faculty and researchers in these areas.

  • Breaking the Poverty Trap in Ethiopia: Subsistence, Satellites, and Some Other Important Stuff

    Breaking the Poverty Trap in Ethiopia: Subsistence, Satellites, and Some Other Important Stuff

    Two acres of cracked earth. In northern Ethiopia, it can be a trap that keeps farmers tethered to it for generations. Or it can be a springboard to a better life for this and future generations. What impedes it from showing its springier qualities? You could argue the biggest pressure on the land comes from…

  • From Birmingham to Bamako: How Farmers Deal with Drought

    From Birmingham to Bamako: How Farmers Deal with Drought

    A look at the tools and technologies farmers in Mali use to enhance their decision making in the face of droughts and other climate risks.

  • Courses in Conservation & Sustainability

    Courses in Conservation & Sustainability

    Are you interested in cultivating the skills necessary to implement environmental change? Do you want to learn more about conservation and environmental sustainability, including ecosystem services and function?

  • Climate Scientist to Lead International Research Institute for Climate and Society

    Climate Scientist to Lead International Research Institute for Climate and Society

    Lisa Goddard, a leading expert on climate change and El Niño’s influence on climate has been appointed director of the International Research Institute for Climate and Society, part of Columbia University’s Earth Institute.

  • Forest Razing by Ancient Maya Worsened Droughts, Says Study

    Human-Influenced Climate Change May Have Contributed to Society’s Collapse

  • Polar Climate Change Education Partnership Receives $5.6 Million Grant

    Polar Climate Change Education Partnership Receives $5.6 Million Grant

    The Columbia Climate Center led PoLAR Climate Change Education Partnership receives a $5.6 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), one of six awards under the Climate Change Education Partnership-Phase II program.

  • Forecasting Climate’s Effects on Global Food Production

    Forecasting Climate’s Effects on Global Food Production

    The worst drought to hit the U.S. in decades has already brought corn yields to a 17-year low and will almost certainly raise food prices. Wealth will soften the blow in the U.S., but in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, prolonged drought has often had deadly consequences. Is there a better way to anticipate climate’s…