Climate272
-
Report: State of Climate Prediction
The U.S. National Research Council recently published a report on the state of medium-term climate prediction and predictability. IRI’s Lisa Goddard, who was a member of the panel that wrote the report, elaborates on some of its key points and recommendations.
-
Climate News Roundup – Week of 9/13
Germany Extends Nuclear Plants’ Life, NY Times, Sept. 13 Germany has signaled its intent to extend the life span of the country’s 17 nuclear power plants. The decision, which stands in contrast to the country’s historic resistance to nuclear power, comes as Merkel’s government pushes for more renewable energy sources in Germany’s energy mix. US…
-
Cyprus: A Case Study in Water Challenges
One tends to think of islands as wet places (surrounded as they are by water) but the island of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean sea belies that characterization. Among many childhood memories I have of that place, some of the most vivid are of the wide-open, piercing blue of cloudless skies and the sun-scorched, dusty…
-
Climate-Security Linkages Lost in Translation
Contrary to recent news stories, the possibility that climate change might trigger conflict remains very real.
-
Climate News Roundup – Week of 8/30 and 9/6
Talks at Geneva Dialogue on Climate Finance constructive, BAFU The Swiss Environment Minister, together with the Mexican Foreign Secretary, concluded an informal 2-day meeting of 46 countries and the EU on the future of climate change finance. The dialogue aimed to discuss the problems surrounding the challenge of raising and distributing $100 billion annually, as…
-
Study Adds New Clue to How Last Ice Age Ended
New Zealand Glaciers Melted as European Glaciers Briefly Expanded
-
Irrigation’s Cooling Effects May Mask Warming–For Now
If Water Runs Short, Some Regions May Suffer Significantly
-
The Pearl of Africa
My cell phone rang in the middle of the night. “Are you in Kampala?” On the other line was my husband informing me that two bombs went off in Uganda’s capital city just several hours before, killing scores of people gathered at public spots to watch the final game of the World Cup. I was…
-
Climate News Roundup – Week of 8/23
Last week: the Obama administration sides with utilities in a case about climate change, a climate change education center is set to be opened in New Orleans, New England trees are under attack by an invasive caterpillar, and under political pressure BP withdraws its application permits for drilling off of the coast of Greenland.
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