State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Natural Disasters35

  • Why People Often Don’t Properly Prepare for Hurricanes

    Why People Often Don’t Properly Prepare for Hurricanes

    A new study looks at the mental biases that prevent people from taking adequate safety measures when a hurricane is on the way.

  • Breaking New Ground in Hurricane Modeling

    Breaking New Ground in Hurricane Modeling

    Researchers create first model for hurricane hazard assessment that is both open source and capable of accounting for climate change.

  • Improving Tropical Cyclone Risk Assessment

    Improving Tropical Cyclone Risk Assessment

    Chia-Ying Lee, a scientist at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society, studies the structure and intensity evolution of tropical cyclones and how these are influenced by climate change.

  • Rivers Predicted to Jump Banks More Often as World Warms

    Rivers Predicted to Jump Banks More Often as World Warms

    Rainfall changes caused by global warming will increase river flooding risks across the globe by the 2040s, says a new study.

  • Seismic Sensors Record Hurricane Intensity, Study Finds

    Seismic Sensors Record Hurricane Intensity, Study Finds

    New line of information could help predict the storms’ future strength under climate change.

  • Puerto Rico Faces a Long Road to a Sustainable Future

    Puerto Rico Faces a Long Road to a Sustainable Future

    Puerto Rico suffered an estimated $94 billion or more in damage, on top of an already sagging economy and $74 billion in debt. The island needs a total reboot. Can it do it sustainably?

  • Why Do Floods Sometimes Happen on Sunny Days?

    Why Do Floods Sometimes Happen on Sunny Days?

    Some towns and cities can get soaked even when the skies are dry—and these so-called sunny day floods are on the rise thanks to climate change.

  • Catastrophe and Community

    Catastrophe and Community

    Natural disaster reconstruction will not be easy, but our greatest assets in the rebuilding efforts are our communities and our common values.

  • The Disaster of Disaster Reconstruction

    The Disaster of Disaster Reconstruction

    First responders have learned how to reduce the death toll from natural disasters, but America’s long-term response and approach to reconstruction suffers from uncertainty, bureaucracy and inadequate resources of every kind. Until we understand that disaster reconstruction is not part of emergency response, it will remain a disaster.

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“

  • Why People Often Don’t Properly Prepare for Hurricanes

    Why People Often Don’t Properly Prepare for Hurricanes

    A new study looks at the mental biases that prevent people from taking adequate safety measures when a hurricane is on the way.

  • Breaking New Ground in Hurricane Modeling

    Breaking New Ground in Hurricane Modeling

    Researchers create first model for hurricane hazard assessment that is both open source and capable of accounting for climate change.

  • Improving Tropical Cyclone Risk Assessment

    Improving Tropical Cyclone Risk Assessment

    Chia-Ying Lee, a scientist at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society, studies the structure and intensity evolution of tropical cyclones and how these are influenced by climate change.

  • Rivers Predicted to Jump Banks More Often as World Warms

    Rivers Predicted to Jump Banks More Often as World Warms

    Rainfall changes caused by global warming will increase river flooding risks across the globe by the 2040s, says a new study.

  • Seismic Sensors Record Hurricane Intensity, Study Finds

    Seismic Sensors Record Hurricane Intensity, Study Finds

    New line of information could help predict the storms’ future strength under climate change.

  • Puerto Rico Faces a Long Road to a Sustainable Future

    Puerto Rico Faces a Long Road to a Sustainable Future

    Puerto Rico suffered an estimated $94 billion or more in damage, on top of an already sagging economy and $74 billion in debt. The island needs a total reboot. Can it do it sustainably?

  • Why Do Floods Sometimes Happen on Sunny Days?

    Why Do Floods Sometimes Happen on Sunny Days?

    Some towns and cities can get soaked even when the skies are dry—and these so-called sunny day floods are on the rise thanks to climate change.

  • Catastrophe and Community

    Catastrophe and Community

    Natural disaster reconstruction will not be easy, but our greatest assets in the rebuilding efforts are our communities and our common values.

  • The Disaster of Disaster Reconstruction

    The Disaster of Disaster Reconstruction

    First responders have learned how to reduce the death toll from natural disasters, but America’s long-term response and approach to reconstruction suffers from uncertainty, bureaucracy and inadequate resources of every kind. Until we understand that disaster reconstruction is not part of emergency response, it will remain a disaster.