State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Press Release28

  • Hurricane Harvey: Resources for Journalists

    Hurricane Harvey: Resources for Journalists

    Earth Institute experts are on-hand to answer media questions about hurricane physics, rapid intensification, emergency response, and more.

  • East Antarctic Ice Sheet Should Remain Stable Even if the West Melts

    East Antarctic Ice Sheet Should Remain Stable Even if the West Melts

    A new look inside the ice sheet validates predictions that it probably won’t melt as quickly as its neighbor—good news, since East Antarctica contains enough water to raise sea levels by 200 feet.

  • New Images From Under Alaska Seafloor Suggest High Tsunami Danger

    New Images From Under Alaska Seafloor Suggest High Tsunami Danger

    Scientists probing under the seafloor off Alaska have mapped a geologic structure that they say signals potential for a major tsunami in an area that normally would be considered benign.

  • Surging Heat May Limit Aircraft Takeoffs Globally

    Surging Heat May Limit Aircraft Takeoffs Globally

    Rising temperatures due to global warming will make it harder for many aircraft around the world to take off in coming decades, says a new study. During the hottest parts of the day, 10 to 30 percent of fully loaded planes may have to remove some fuel, cargo or passengers, or else wait for cooler…

  • Fueled by Melting Glaciers, Algae Bloom Off Greenland

    Fueled by Melting Glaciers, Algae Bloom Off Greenland

    Iron particles catching a ride on glacial meltwater washed out to sea are likely fueling a recently discovered summer algal bloom off the southern coast of Greenland, according to a new study. Microalgae, also known as phytoplankton, are plant-like marine microorganisms that form the base of the food web in many parts of the ocean.…

  • As Climate Stirs Arctic Sea Ice Faster, Pollution Tags Along

    As Climate Stirs Arctic Sea Ice Faster, Pollution Tags Along

    A warming climate is not just melting the Arctic’s sea ice; it is stirring the remaining ice faster, increasing the odds that ice-rafted pollution will foul a neighboring country’s waters, says a new study.

  • Malaria Risk Increases in Ethiopian Highlands as Temperatures Climb

    Malaria Risk Increases in Ethiopian Highlands as Temperatures Climb

    The highlands of Ethiopia are home to the majority of the country’s population, the cooler climate serving as a natural buffer against malaria transmission. New data now show that increasing temperatures over the past 35 years are eroding this buffer, allowing conditions more favorable for malaria to begin climbing into highland areas.

  • Vegetation Can Strongly Alter Climate and Weather, Study Finds

    Vegetation Can Strongly Alter Climate and Weather, Study Finds

    A new analysis of global satellite observations shows that vegetation can powerfully alter atmospheric patterns that influence climate and weather.

  • Climate Change Litigation Growing Rapidly, Says Global Study

    Climate Change Litigation Growing Rapidly, Says Global Study

    A new global study has found that the number of lawsuits involving climate change has tripled since 2014, with the United States leading the way.

Banner with images representing environmental issues and text "You Asked: Our Scientists and Experts Answer Your Burning Questions."

You Asked invites you to share your most pressing questions about climate, science, and sustainability. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Columbia Climate School experts will respond with clear, evidence-based answers. Pose your questions and story ideas!

  • Hurricane Harvey: Resources for Journalists

    Hurricane Harvey: Resources for Journalists

    Earth Institute experts are on-hand to answer media questions about hurricane physics, rapid intensification, emergency response, and more.

  • East Antarctic Ice Sheet Should Remain Stable Even if the West Melts

    East Antarctic Ice Sheet Should Remain Stable Even if the West Melts

    A new look inside the ice sheet validates predictions that it probably won’t melt as quickly as its neighbor—good news, since East Antarctica contains enough water to raise sea levels by 200 feet.

  • New Images From Under Alaska Seafloor Suggest High Tsunami Danger

    New Images From Under Alaska Seafloor Suggest High Tsunami Danger

    Scientists probing under the seafloor off Alaska have mapped a geologic structure that they say signals potential for a major tsunami in an area that normally would be considered benign.

  • Surging Heat May Limit Aircraft Takeoffs Globally

    Surging Heat May Limit Aircraft Takeoffs Globally

    Rising temperatures due to global warming will make it harder for many aircraft around the world to take off in coming decades, says a new study. During the hottest parts of the day, 10 to 30 percent of fully loaded planes may have to remove some fuel, cargo or passengers, or else wait for cooler…

  • Fueled by Melting Glaciers, Algae Bloom Off Greenland

    Fueled by Melting Glaciers, Algae Bloom Off Greenland

    Iron particles catching a ride on glacial meltwater washed out to sea are likely fueling a recently discovered summer algal bloom off the southern coast of Greenland, according to a new study. Microalgae, also known as phytoplankton, are plant-like marine microorganisms that form the base of the food web in many parts of the ocean.…

  • As Climate Stirs Arctic Sea Ice Faster, Pollution Tags Along

    As Climate Stirs Arctic Sea Ice Faster, Pollution Tags Along

    A warming climate is not just melting the Arctic’s sea ice; it is stirring the remaining ice faster, increasing the odds that ice-rafted pollution will foul a neighboring country’s waters, says a new study.

  • Malaria Risk Increases in Ethiopian Highlands as Temperatures Climb

    Malaria Risk Increases in Ethiopian Highlands as Temperatures Climb

    The highlands of Ethiopia are home to the majority of the country’s population, the cooler climate serving as a natural buffer against malaria transmission. New data now show that increasing temperatures over the past 35 years are eroding this buffer, allowing conditions more favorable for malaria to begin climbing into highland areas.

  • Vegetation Can Strongly Alter Climate and Weather, Study Finds

    Vegetation Can Strongly Alter Climate and Weather, Study Finds

    A new analysis of global satellite observations shows that vegetation can powerfully alter atmospheric patterns that influence climate and weather.

  • Climate Change Litigation Growing Rapidly, Says Global Study

    Climate Change Litigation Growing Rapidly, Says Global Study

    A new global study has found that the number of lawsuits involving climate change has tripled since 2014, with the United States leading the way.