State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Earth Sciences54

  • Meltwater Lakes Existed Under Antarctic Ice in Ancient Times

    Meltwater Lakes Existed Under Antarctic Ice in Ancient Times

    In recent years, scientists have discovered hundreds of lakes lying hidden deep beneath the Antarctic ice sheet. Now a team of researchers has found the remains of at least one sub-ice lake that existed when the ice was far more extensive, in sediments on the Antarctic continental shelf.

  • In a Warmer World, Expect the Wet to Get Wetter, and the Dry, Drier

    In a Warmer World, Expect the Wet to Get Wetter, and the Dry, Drier

    As the world warms due to human-induced climate change, many scientists have been projecting that global rainfall patterns will shift. In the latest such study, two leading researchers map out how seasonal shifts may affect water resources across the planet.

  • Lamont Scientists Are Focus of NY Times Multimedia Series

    Lamont Scientists Are Focus of NY Times Multimedia Series

    This past winter, reporters from the New York Times went along for the ride with scientists from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory as they flew their mission of discovery over Antarctica.

  • Coring Arctic Lakes to Study Vikings

    Coring Arctic Lakes to Study Vikings

    Billy D’Andrea, a Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory paleoclimatologist and Center for Climate and Life Fellow, is investigating the relationship between environmental change and characteristics of early settlements in Norway’s Lofoten Islands.

  • Researchers Model Differences in East Coast Sea Level Rise

    Researchers Model Differences in East Coast Sea Level Rise

    For years, scientists have been warning of a so-called “hot spot” of accelerated sea-level rise along the northeastern U.S. coast. But accurately modeling this acceleration as well as variations in sea-level rise from one region to another has proven challenging. Now new research offers the first comprehensive model for understanding differences in sea level rise…

  • Why I Decided to Stand Up for Climate Science

    Why I Decided to Stand Up for Climate Science

    A young researcher explains why she is taking to advocacy for science.

  • Rock Samples Indicate Water is Key Ingredient for Crust Formation

    Rock Samples Indicate Water is Key Ingredient for Crust Formation

    By examining the cooling rate of rocks that formed more than 10 miles beneath the Earth’s surface, scientists led by The University of Texas at Austin Jackson School of Geosciences have found that water probably penetrates deep into the crust and upper mantle at mid-ocean spreading zones, the places where new crust is made.

  • Webcast Today: Rich and Poor, and the Essence of El Niño

    Webcast Today: Rich and Poor, and the Essence of El Niño

    How does El Niño work, and how does it affect our climate, food supplies and water availability? The two men whose scientific work has been key to solving these puzzles will be honored Wednesday with the Vetlesen Prize, marking a major achievement in Earth sciences. And this afternoon, they’ll have something to say about it…

  • Our Economy Depends on Earth Observation and Scientific Research

    Our Economy Depends on Earth Observation and Scientific Research

    If we are to continue to grow our economy without destroying the planet’s basic systems that sustain human life, we need to learn a great deal more about our planet and the impact of human activities on natural systems.

Overhead view of Columbia campus with text Columbia Climate School Class Day 2026: Congratulations Graduates

Congratulations to our Columbia Climate School Class of 2026 and all of our 2026 Columbia University graduates! Learn more about our May 15 Climate School Class Day celebration. 💙 #Columbia2026 #ColumbiaClimate2026

  • Meltwater Lakes Existed Under Antarctic Ice in Ancient Times

    Meltwater Lakes Existed Under Antarctic Ice in Ancient Times

    In recent years, scientists have discovered hundreds of lakes lying hidden deep beneath the Antarctic ice sheet. Now a team of researchers has found the remains of at least one sub-ice lake that existed when the ice was far more extensive, in sediments on the Antarctic continental shelf.

  • In a Warmer World, Expect the Wet to Get Wetter, and the Dry, Drier

    In a Warmer World, Expect the Wet to Get Wetter, and the Dry, Drier

    As the world warms due to human-induced climate change, many scientists have been projecting that global rainfall patterns will shift. In the latest such study, two leading researchers map out how seasonal shifts may affect water resources across the planet.

  • Lamont Scientists Are Focus of NY Times Multimedia Series

    Lamont Scientists Are Focus of NY Times Multimedia Series

    This past winter, reporters from the New York Times went along for the ride with scientists from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory as they flew their mission of discovery over Antarctica.

  • Coring Arctic Lakes to Study Vikings

    Coring Arctic Lakes to Study Vikings

    Billy D’Andrea, a Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory paleoclimatologist and Center for Climate and Life Fellow, is investigating the relationship between environmental change and characteristics of early settlements in Norway’s Lofoten Islands.

  • Researchers Model Differences in East Coast Sea Level Rise

    Researchers Model Differences in East Coast Sea Level Rise

    For years, scientists have been warning of a so-called “hot spot” of accelerated sea-level rise along the northeastern U.S. coast. But accurately modeling this acceleration as well as variations in sea-level rise from one region to another has proven challenging. Now new research offers the first comprehensive model for understanding differences in sea level rise…

  • Why I Decided to Stand Up for Climate Science

    Why I Decided to Stand Up for Climate Science

    A young researcher explains why she is taking to advocacy for science.

  • Rock Samples Indicate Water is Key Ingredient for Crust Formation

    Rock Samples Indicate Water is Key Ingredient for Crust Formation

    By examining the cooling rate of rocks that formed more than 10 miles beneath the Earth’s surface, scientists led by The University of Texas at Austin Jackson School of Geosciences have found that water probably penetrates deep into the crust and upper mantle at mid-ocean spreading zones, the places where new crust is made.

  • Webcast Today: Rich and Poor, and the Essence of El Niño

    Webcast Today: Rich and Poor, and the Essence of El Niño

    How does El Niño work, and how does it affect our climate, food supplies and water availability? The two men whose scientific work has been key to solving these puzzles will be honored Wednesday with the Vetlesen Prize, marking a major achievement in Earth sciences. And this afternoon, they’ll have something to say about it…

  • Our Economy Depends on Earth Observation and Scientific Research

    Our Economy Depends on Earth Observation and Scientific Research

    If we are to continue to grow our economy without destroying the planet’s basic systems that sustain human life, we need to learn a great deal more about our planet and the impact of human activities on natural systems.