State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

climate change148

  • On the Surface of Climate Change

    Blog Action Day 2009’s theme this year is Climate Change. Thousands of people on blogs all over the world are writing today on this single issue, and the Columbia Water Center is joining them. On Climate In a recent study at Columbia University, correlations were drawn between sea surface temperature on the coast of Africa…

  • Food Security Under Climate Change

    In 2008 the world faced one of its most severe food crises in recent history.  Around the world riots broke out in otherwise food-secure nations — places like Egypt, Russia, Mexico, and Brazil.  The world’s governments responded — a major U.N. conference was held in Geneva.  What they discussed there was the fundamental issue of…

  • ‘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,…

Banner with images representing environmental issues and text "You Asked: Our Scientists and Experts Answer Your Burning Questions."

You Asked invites you to share your most pressing questions about climate, science, and sustainability. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Columbia Climate School experts will respond with clear, evidence-based answers. Pose your questions and story ideas!

  • On the Surface of Climate Change

    Blog Action Day 2009’s theme this year is Climate Change. Thousands of people on blogs all over the world are writing today on this single issue, and the Columbia Water Center is joining them. On Climate In a recent study at Columbia University, correlations were drawn between sea surface temperature on the coast of Africa…

  • Food Security Under Climate Change

    In 2008 the world faced one of its most severe food crises in recent history.  Around the world riots broke out in otherwise food-secure nations — places like Egypt, Russia, Mexico, and Brazil.  The world’s governments responded — a major U.N. conference was held in Geneva.  What they discussed there was the fundamental issue of…

  • ‘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,…