State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

World map showing colored regions of climate change temperature anomalies.

Climate Change

Climate change — caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrialization — is one of the most urgent challenges facing our planet. These activities increase greenhouse gas emissions, trapping heat in the atmosphere and disrupting global climate systems. The impacts are far-reaching, from more frequent extreme weather events to rising sea levels and ecosystem shifts. Tackling climate change will require a sustained commitment to cutting emissions, transitioning to renewable energy, and strengthening resilience in vulnerable communities worldwide.


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Upcoming Events

  • Wednesday, January 28, 2026 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM Where: Accenture – One Manhattan West, 395 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10001 Description: The Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA’s Women in Energy initiative and Accenture invite you to join us for an evening of conversation and networking focused on how nuclear energy could fuel the age of AI and change the energy industry.  As data centers […]
  • Monday, January 12, 2026 9:00 AM – Tue , January 13, 2026 5:00 PM Where: Teachers College Columbia University, 525 W. 120 St., New York, NY 10027 Description: LEAP’s Winter 2026 Momentum Bootcamp is a hands-on event designed to foster convergence of climate science and data science; vertically integrate research and education; and forge a LEAP research and learning community including K-12 teachers, PhDs, postdocs, faculty, and other stakeholders. The […]

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