State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

climate and security

  • Framing the Climate Crisis as a Terrorism Issue Could Galvanize Action

    Framing the Climate Crisis as a Terrorism Issue Could Galvanize Action

    A student argues that underlining global warming’s threats to national security could increase the sense of urgency and free up funding to take action.

  • New Program Will Tackle Public Health Threats Around the Globe

    New Program Will Tackle Public Health Threats Around the Globe

    From pandemics to food crises and climate-related disasters, Columbia’s new Global Health Security and Diplomacy program will help prevent, detect, and respond to a wide range of problems.

  • An Admiral Assesses Climate Change

    An Admiral Assesses Climate Change

    Columbia University’s Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate hosted its biggest seminar to date. David Titley presented a talk entitled Climate Risk and National Security: People not Polar Bears. Titley, a retired U.S. rear admiral and now a professor of meteorology at Pennsylvania State University, brought humor to a serious topic and how it affects…

Collage of Turkiye beach scene and Columbia University Campus with text: UN Climate Change Conference COP31, Antalya, Turkiye, Nov 9-20, 2026

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

  • Framing the Climate Crisis as a Terrorism Issue Could Galvanize Action

    Framing the Climate Crisis as a Terrorism Issue Could Galvanize Action

    A student argues that underlining global warming’s threats to national security could increase the sense of urgency and free up funding to take action.

  • New Program Will Tackle Public Health Threats Around the Globe

    New Program Will Tackle Public Health Threats Around the Globe

    From pandemics to food crises and climate-related disasters, Columbia’s new Global Health Security and Diplomacy program will help prevent, detect, and respond to a wide range of problems.

  • An Admiral Assesses Climate Change

    An Admiral Assesses Climate Change

    Columbia University’s Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate hosted its biggest seminar to date. David Titley presented a talk entitled Climate Risk and National Security: People not Polar Bears. Titley, a retired U.S. rear admiral and now a professor of meteorology at Pennsylvania State University, brought humor to a serious topic and how it affects…