State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

climate change146

  • East African Drought Linked to Climate Change?

    When African finance and environmental ministers met last month to discuss climate-related challenges to the Millennium Development Goals, East African rains were on the agenda. Millions of Kenyans currently face food shortages as a result of successive failed rains, and periodic droughts cost the region 5-8% of GDP. A look at the climatology reveals that…

  • CO2 Higher Today Than Last 2.1 Million Years

    Study Offers Detailed Look at Past Greenhouse Gas Levels

  • Climate & Terrorism – Linked?

    Dennis Blair is a serious man. A retired, four-star admiral with a legendary knack for water skiing behind his warships, the multi-talented Blair currently serves as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) under President Obama. This position oversees the 16 national intelligence agencies, coordinating their efforts while informing the policy makers – including the President,…

  • Climate Change Could Drive Vast Human Migrations

    Displacements Already Underway, Says Report

  • Adaptive Strategies in Managing Climate Change Risk

    With the threat of rising sea level due to thermal expansion (water increases volume as it gets warmer) and melting of land-based ice (such as glaciers and polar ice sheets), coastal cities are planning ways to minimize the impacts of flooding on city infrastructure. The Thames Barrier (pictured) is one such engineering solution. It is…

  • IPCC Chief Pachauri Heads Board of Climate-Risk Center

    International Research Institute Focuses on Practical Adaptations

  • Southern Glaciers Grow Out of Step With North

    New Dating Technique Points to Differences Over 7,000 Years

  • Periodic Megadroughts Hit West Africa, Says Study

    Global Warming Could Worsen Newly Seen Pattern

  • Launch of new climate science book to take place at Columbia tomorrow

    Be sure to check out the launch of Climate Change: Picturing the Science, to be hosted by the Columbia Climate Center tomorrow. The book, which the Earth Institute’s Kevin Krajick blogged about recently, features essays addressing the different aspects of climate change alongside stunning climate-related photographs. Here are the event details: Columbia Climate Center: Book…

Photo of the Earth from space with the text "Lamont at AGU25" on top.

AGU25, the premier Earth and space science conference, takes place December 15-19, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This year’s theme—Where Science Connects Us—puts in focus how science depends on connection, from the lab to the field to the ballot box. Once again, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Columbia Climate School scientists, experts, students, and educators are playing an active role, sharing our research and helping shape the future of our planet. #AGU25 Learn More

  • East African Drought Linked to Climate Change?

    When African finance and environmental ministers met last month to discuss climate-related challenges to the Millennium Development Goals, East African rains were on the agenda. Millions of Kenyans currently face food shortages as a result of successive failed rains, and periodic droughts cost the region 5-8% of GDP. A look at the climatology reveals that…

  • CO2 Higher Today Than Last 2.1 Million Years

    Study Offers Detailed Look at Past Greenhouse Gas Levels

  • Climate & Terrorism – Linked?

    Dennis Blair is a serious man. A retired, four-star admiral with a legendary knack for water skiing behind his warships, the multi-talented Blair currently serves as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) under President Obama. This position oversees the 16 national intelligence agencies, coordinating their efforts while informing the policy makers – including the President,…

  • Climate Change Could Drive Vast Human Migrations

    Displacements Already Underway, Says Report

  • Adaptive Strategies in Managing Climate Change Risk

    With the threat of rising sea level due to thermal expansion (water increases volume as it gets warmer) and melting of land-based ice (such as glaciers and polar ice sheets), coastal cities are planning ways to minimize the impacts of flooding on city infrastructure. The Thames Barrier (pictured) is one such engineering solution. It is…

  • IPCC Chief Pachauri Heads Board of Climate-Risk Center

    International Research Institute Focuses on Practical Adaptations

  • Southern Glaciers Grow Out of Step With North

    New Dating Technique Points to Differences Over 7,000 Years

  • Periodic Megadroughts Hit West Africa, Says Study

    Global Warming Could Worsen Newly Seen Pattern

  • Launch of new climate science book to take place at Columbia tomorrow

    Be sure to check out the launch of Climate Change: Picturing the Science, to be hosted by the Columbia Climate Center tomorrow. The book, which the Earth Institute’s Kevin Krajick blogged about recently, features essays addressing the different aspects of climate change alongside stunning climate-related photographs. Here are the event details: Columbia Climate Center: Book…