The 2015 Paris Climate Summit Archives - State of the Planet

Court Ruling on Clean Power Plan a Setback, But…

The Supreme Court’s decision Tuesday to postpone implementation of the Clean Power Plan represents a setback for efforts to combat climate change; but the damage to the U.S. ability to meet pledges it made at the Paris climate summit in December “is less than it might seem,” says Michael Gerrard.

by |February 10, 2016

Listen in: Sachs & Cohen on the Paris Agreement

Earth Institute Director Jeffrey Sachs sat down with Brian Lehrer at WNYC on Tuesday to talk about the Paris climate agreement and what happens now.

by |December 16, 2015

Understanding the Paris Climate Accord and Its Implications

On Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, 195 countries reached a history-making agreement to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in order to avert the direst effects of climate change. Here are some of the best and most reliable resources to help you understand the Paris accord and its implications.

by |December 15, 2015

What is the U.S. Commitment in Paris?

The United States has joined 185 countries in promising to curb carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, develop other ways to mitigate the impacts and to make communities more resilient to climate change. So what exactly is the United States proposing to do?

by |December 11, 2015
kiribati beach

Optimism, But Also a Hard Bottom Line for Island States

“Reaching an agreement would firstly mean an increase in awareness for the particular situation faced by small island developing states. States such as Kiribati are on the front line of climate change since they are already experiencing its effects, and an agreement would enhance recognition of [their] vulnerability.”

by |December 10, 2015

Sea Level Rise: How Much, How Fast?

By studying modeled climate evidence from the last interglacial period, the team concluded that the warming going on today risks setting off “feedbacks” in the climate system.

by |December 10, 2015

What Is Ocean Acidification & Why Does It Matter?

Excess carbon dioxide absorbed into the oceans is starting to have profound effects on marine life, from oysters to tiny snails at the base of the food chain. Our scientists explain the changes and what they are learning about ocean acidification in the past.

by |December 9, 2015

Jeffrey Sachs Talks About the Talks in Paris

At Le Bourget outside Paris, the site of the UN climate talks, Earth Institute Director Jeffrey Sachs talks to FRANCE 24 English TV about what’s likely to happen at the climate negotiations in Paris.

by |December 9, 2015

World Wildlife Fund, Earth Institute Form New Partnership

The World Wildlife Fund will collaborate with the Earth Institute’s Center for Climate Systems Research to advance adaptation to the impacts of climate change around the globe. The partners will create new ways of generating climate risk information and embedding it into the World Wildlife Fund’s conservation and development planning, policies and practice.

by |December 9, 2015

The Changing Climate of Security

In the November Democratic presidential primary debate, Sen. Bernie Sanders said that the greatest threat to national security was climate change. But is there actually a link between national security and climate change, and if so, what is it?

by |December 9, 2015