Climate242
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New York Roofs: Brighter, Whiter, Cooler
The results are in for the first study to systematically measure the effects of the city’s fledgling effort to introduce more reflective rooftops in order to reduce cooling costs and the overall heat burden on the city.
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One Planet, Too Many People?
Can we manage the needs of 9 billion people for water, food and energy without depleting our resources and ruining the environment? “The solutions,” says Tim Fox, “are all within the capability of existing technology.”
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A Model for Improving Climate Services in Africa
A groundbreaking set of new online climate data maps for Ethiopia gives users free access to 30 years of rainfall and temperature data for the entire country at the click of a button. This is unprecedented anywhere in Africa.
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What Really Sways Public Opinion on Climate Change
Being part of the Columbia Climate Center, which endeavors to improve public understanding of climate change as part of its mission, I was dismayed, but not surprised to read a study confirming that dissemination of scientific information on climate change to the public has a minimal effect on public opinion. A recent analysis shows that…
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Climate Services: Global Framework
Jerry Lengoasa, Deputy Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organization — How do we bridge the gap between those who have the knowledge and those who don’t, those who have the capacity and those who don’t have the capacity, and the capability?
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Ocean Acidification: Geologic Record Adds New Warning
A new study in Science finds that the oceans may be acidifying faster today from industrial emissions than they did during four major extinctions in the last 300 million years when carbon levels spiked naturally.
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Climate Services: A Private-Sector Perspective
For the private sector, climate services need to be framed in terms of business risks and drivers, says Jean-Cristophe Amado, Risk Manager at Acclimatise North America.
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Ocean Acidification Rate May Be Unprecedented, Study Says
Few Parallels in 300-Million Year Geologic Record
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Watch an Antarctic Iceberg in the Making
What does a glacier about to spawn an iceberg the size of New York City look like? A new animation from NASA flies you through the 19-mile crack that is slowly tearing Antarctica’s Pine Island Glacier apart.

COP31, the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, aims to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate climate action on a global scale. From November 9–20, 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society will gather to advance efforts in emission targets, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. Once again, our experts, students, and global thought leaders from Columbia Climate School and across Columbia University are contributing to key events, sharing insights, and helping shape the dialogue toward ambitious, science-based solutions. Learn More
