carbon
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October Research Roundup: Select Papers
In this month’s research roundup, we explore how delayed climate action could trigger abrupt changes in the Arctic; what ancient ocean sediments reveal about carbon storage during the last ice age; how fiber-optic cables are improving earthquake monitoring at geothermal sites; and a new timeline of Earth’s magnetic reversals.
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Robot Sailboats Will Spend Five Years Measuring Carbon in the Southern Ocean
Led by researchers at NOAA and Columbia University, the Constraining Ocean Carbon with Optimized Observing (COCO2) project will use uncrewed surface vehicles to reduce uncertainty in estimates of the ocean carbon sink.
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A New Study Indicates Forest Regeneration Provides Climate Benefits, but Won’t Offset Fossil Fuels
Effective climate policy must treat forest regeneration and emissions reductions as complementary strategies, not alternatives, according to a new paper.
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Columbia Will Co-Lead Major Project To Study Global Carbon Cycle
Awarded by Schmidt Sciences, a new grant will provide up to $45 million to four interdisciplinary teams of researchers who will seek to improve climate modeling across land, air and sea.
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Ancient Volcanoes Once Boosted Ocean Carbon, But Humans Are Now Far Outpacing Them
A new study of the closest ancient analog to modern carbon emissions finds that massive volcanism was the main cause of high carbon at the time. But nature did not come close to matching what humans are doing today.
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A New Way to Calculate the Price of Carbon Pollution
How to set carbon prices that are consistent with goals of both climate experts and economists.
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New Model for Pricing Carbon Will Help Meet Net-Zero Climate Change Goals
A new approach to carbon pricing avoids the pitfalls of calculating the social costs of carbon.
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Drilling the Seabed Below Earth’s Most Powerful Ocean Current
Starting this month, scientists aim to study the Antarctic Circumpolar Current’s past dynamics by drilling into the seabed in some of the planet’s remotest marine regions.

COP31, the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, aims to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate climate action on a global scale. From November 9–20, 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society will gather to advance efforts in emission targets, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. Once again, our experts, students, and global thought leaders from Columbia Climate School and across Columbia University are contributing to key events, sharing insights, and helping shape the dialogue toward ambitious, science-based solutions. Learn More

