Natural Disasters Archives - State of the Planet

Global map showing wet bulb temperatures

Putting This Summer’s Record Global Heat Into Context

A roundup of articles aimed at explaining what is happening, and why.

by |September 7, 2023
Woman in blue Columbia graduation robe points up at a weather machine

Katie Tutrone: From Yesterday’s Weather to Today’s Climate Stories

Katie Tutrone uses her platform as a producer, climate educator, and reporter to inspire more people to pay closer attention to the weather.

by |July 25, 2023

Adapt or Retreat? Conference Will Explore Questions of Habitability in a Changing World

At Columbia Climate School’s Managed Retreat conference, local and international academics, scientists, and community members will join representatives from different sectors to discuss managed retreat, habitability, and climate justice.

by |June 14, 2023
Map of the US depicting states color-coded by number of bills passed (between 1 and 16)

State Legislatures Continue to Enact Disaster Policies in 2023

States have already filed at least 103 bills related to disaster resilience. Columbia Climate School’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness reports on what has been achieved so far.

by Lucia Bragg, Abigail Menendez, Gillian McBride |June 12, 2023
Thick smoke from Canadian wildfires darkens the sky in New York City.

How Wildfire Smoke Can Travel Thousands of Miles, and How to Protect Yourself

Columbia Climate School experts comment on the dangerous air pollution from Canadian wildfires.

by |June 8, 2023
wildfire california

State Farm’s California Pullout: What It Means for Climate Adaptation and Communities

Do decisions like State Farm’s aid in moving people out of harm’s way? Climate School experts discuss.

by |June 7, 2023
map of us in shades of red, orange, and yellow

New Tool Helps Communities Prepare for Natural Hazards

A revamped map lets you zoom in to check the climate, weather, and geological hazards in your own backyard and then learn how to protect yourself.

by Emily Halnon |May 19, 2023
Display image from the NYS FIDSS mapping tool shows a zoomed-in area of Newburgh, New York, in the lower Hudson River Valley, shows critical infrastructure along the river, vulnerable to flooding.

New Mapper Opens Up Access to Flood Planning in New York State

An easy-to-use flood planning tool visualizes building footprint data for nearly all New York State, except New York City.

by |May 18, 2023

Upcoming Scientific Fieldwork, 2023 and Beyond

Climate School researchers are carrying out fieldwork on every continent and every ocean. A guide to upcoming projects.

by |May 9, 2023
jeff schlegelmilch in washington dc

Why It’s So Hard to Be Prepared for Disasters

Disaster expert Jeffrey Schlegelmilch discusses February’s devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, the challenges to building resilience, and how emergencies can reveal the inner workings of a society.

by Daniella Zandi |March 15, 2023