State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

climate change147

  • ‘Killer’ Southeast Drought Low on Scale, Says Study

    Others Were Far Worse; Population, Planning Are the Real Problems

  • WFP and Millennium Villages Unite to Cut Hunger, Malnutrition

    UNITED NATIONS – Highlighting the growing challenge of hunger and malnutrition and the urgent need for solutions and partnerships, the World Food Programme and the Millennium Villages project today announced plans to expand joint action to cut hunger and malnutrition across Africa. At a time when one in six people worldwide do not have enough…

  • Glaciers Have Moved Together in Far-Flung Regions

    Study Links Climate Fluctuations in North with Tropics

  • Warming Climate May Devastate Major U.S. Crops

    Study Suggests Tipping Points for Corn, Soybeans, Cotton

  • 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…

Colorful icons representing nature, sustainable living, and renewable energy with text "Earth Day 2026"

The first Earth Day in 1970 ignited a movement to stop polluting our planet. Today, our scientists and experts are tackling the most pressing challenges to achieve real-world impact. This Earth Day, join us in our commitment to realizing a just and sustainable future for our planet. Visit our Earth Day website for ideas, resources, and inspiration.

  • ‘Killer’ Southeast Drought Low on Scale, Says Study

    Others Were Far Worse; Population, Planning Are the Real Problems

  • WFP and Millennium Villages Unite to Cut Hunger, Malnutrition

    UNITED NATIONS – Highlighting the growing challenge of hunger and malnutrition and the urgent need for solutions and partnerships, the World Food Programme and the Millennium Villages project today announced plans to expand joint action to cut hunger and malnutrition across Africa. At a time when one in six people worldwide do not have enough…

  • Glaciers Have Moved Together in Far-Flung Regions

    Study Links Climate Fluctuations in North with Tropics

  • Warming Climate May Devastate Major U.S. Crops

    Study Suggests Tipping Points for Corn, Soybeans, Cotton

  • 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…