State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Climate239

  • Asia’s Motown Meets Waterworld–The Global Water Supply Chain Crisis

    Asia’s Motown Meets Waterworld–The Global Water Supply Chain Crisis

    Since July, an almost unceasing torrent of rain has soaked Thailand, flooding farms, roads, factories, and finally Bangkok itself, a city of some 12 million people; so far at least 500 people have died. To date the government has ordered evacuations of 12 of the city’s 50 districts, even as water continues to creep through…

  • Monitoring Antarctica’s Changing Glaciers – No Longer Like ‘Watching Paint Dry’

    Monitoring Antarctica’s Changing Glaciers – No Longer Like ‘Watching Paint Dry’

    By Kirsty Tinto & Mike Wolovick As little as a few decades ago you could ask a scientist what it was like to monitor the changing ice in Antarctica and the response might have been “Like watching paint dry” — seemingly no change, with no big surprises and not too exciting. Well times have changed.…

  • Now is the Time for Climate Services

    Now is the Time for Climate Services

    Last week, IRI organized a conference that brought together nearly 100 individuals from 30 countries to discuss the state and future of international climate services. What was discussed and what were the outcomes?

  • Unsettled by Climate Change

    Unsettled by Climate Change

    Climate change already laps at the edges of some communities, disrupting local economies and habitat, and forcing resettlement. But a new study notes that any efforts to offset the effects of shifting climate could lead to even more displacement and disruption for many people, particularly the poor.

  • Methane, Modern Science and the Dalai Lama

    Methane, Modern Science and the Dalai Lama

    Last week, 10 scientists met with the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan Buddhist leaders in Dharamsala, India, to discuss the relation between modern environmental issues and ancient contemplative traditions–the 23rd such annual meeting. Among them was psychologist Elke Weber, codirector of the Earth Institute’s Center for Research on Enivronmental Decisions. Weber, who studies how people think about climate change and…

  • 7 Billion on 10/31: The Numbers Can Be Scary

    7 Billion on 10/31: The Numbers Can Be Scary

    You can now watch the tape of “The World at 7 Billion: Sustaining Our Future,” the Earth Institute’s panel discussion held at Columbia Oct. 17 and featuring the presentation by Professor Joel E. Cohen on the “good and bad news” behind the growing world population.

  • Migration in the Face of Global Environmental Change

    Migration in the Face of Global Environmental Change

    Over the past 40 years, coastal and inland water ecosystems experienced the greatest levels of net in-migration, vs. mountain, forest, cultivated, and dryland ecosystems, which experienced the greatest levels of net out-migration, says a new report.

  • Open House: Earth Institute Graduate Programs

    The Environmental and Sustainable Development Programs Open House is a wonderful opportunity for you to find out more about Columbia’s cutting-edge graduate degrees in sustainable development and environmental studies. We invite you to come explore our diverse offering of programs, have your application questions answered, and meet with current Columbia students and faculty. Attend the…

  • Climate News Roundup: Week of 10/17

    Climate News Roundup: Week of 10/17

    Warming Revives Dream of Sea Route in Russian Arctic; Climate Change: The heat is on; California becomes first state to adopt cap-and-trade program; Millions will be trapped amid climate change, study warns.

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

  • Asia’s Motown Meets Waterworld–The Global Water Supply Chain Crisis

    Asia’s Motown Meets Waterworld–The Global Water Supply Chain Crisis

    Since July, an almost unceasing torrent of rain has soaked Thailand, flooding farms, roads, factories, and finally Bangkok itself, a city of some 12 million people; so far at least 500 people have died. To date the government has ordered evacuations of 12 of the city’s 50 districts, even as water continues to creep through…

  • Monitoring Antarctica’s Changing Glaciers – No Longer Like ‘Watching Paint Dry’

    Monitoring Antarctica’s Changing Glaciers – No Longer Like ‘Watching Paint Dry’

    By Kirsty Tinto & Mike Wolovick As little as a few decades ago you could ask a scientist what it was like to monitor the changing ice in Antarctica and the response might have been “Like watching paint dry” — seemingly no change, with no big surprises and not too exciting. Well times have changed.…

  • Now is the Time for Climate Services

    Now is the Time for Climate Services

    Last week, IRI organized a conference that brought together nearly 100 individuals from 30 countries to discuss the state and future of international climate services. What was discussed and what were the outcomes?

  • Unsettled by Climate Change

    Unsettled by Climate Change

    Climate change already laps at the edges of some communities, disrupting local economies and habitat, and forcing resettlement. But a new study notes that any efforts to offset the effects of shifting climate could lead to even more displacement and disruption for many people, particularly the poor.

  • Methane, Modern Science and the Dalai Lama

    Methane, Modern Science and the Dalai Lama

    Last week, 10 scientists met with the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan Buddhist leaders in Dharamsala, India, to discuss the relation between modern environmental issues and ancient contemplative traditions–the 23rd such annual meeting. Among them was psychologist Elke Weber, codirector of the Earth Institute’s Center for Research on Enivronmental Decisions. Weber, who studies how people think about climate change and…

  • 7 Billion on 10/31: The Numbers Can Be Scary

    7 Billion on 10/31: The Numbers Can Be Scary

    You can now watch the tape of “The World at 7 Billion: Sustaining Our Future,” the Earth Institute’s panel discussion held at Columbia Oct. 17 and featuring the presentation by Professor Joel E. Cohen on the “good and bad news” behind the growing world population.

  • Migration in the Face of Global Environmental Change

    Migration in the Face of Global Environmental Change

    Over the past 40 years, coastal and inland water ecosystems experienced the greatest levels of net in-migration, vs. mountain, forest, cultivated, and dryland ecosystems, which experienced the greatest levels of net out-migration, says a new report.

  • Open House: Earth Institute Graduate Programs

    The Environmental and Sustainable Development Programs Open House is a wonderful opportunity for you to find out more about Columbia’s cutting-edge graduate degrees in sustainable development and environmental studies. We invite you to come explore our diverse offering of programs, have your application questions answered, and meet with current Columbia students and faculty. Attend the…

  • Climate News Roundup: Week of 10/17

    Climate News Roundup: Week of 10/17

    Warming Revives Dream of Sea Route in Russian Arctic; Climate Change: The heat is on; California becomes first state to adopt cap-and-trade program; Millions will be trapped amid climate change, study warns.