State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

climate science22

  • Climate and Cod

    Climate and Cod

    A new study finds that the climatological phenomenon known as the North Atlantic Oscillation contributes to fluctuations in the cod population off the New England coast, and could help fishery managers protect the population from future collapse.

  • A Summer of Hands-on, Minds-On Science

    A Summer of Hands-on, Minds-On Science

    Twelve students from New York and New Jersey are spending July in laboratories at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, working with the scientists. The internship program enables students to spend four weeks exploring what it means to be an earth scientist.

  • Linking Climate Forecasts, Soil Testing for Smarter Farming

    Linking Climate Forecasts, Soil Testing for Smarter Farming

    A new project combines cutting edge climate science and mobile soil labs for African farmers and service providers.

  • Science And Sustainability Management: 20 Years of Columbia’s Earth Institute

    This fall, Columbia University’s Earth Institute will mark its 20th anniversary. There were two central ideas that animated the creation of this university-wide institute. The first was to promote basic understanding of earth system science, and the second was to apply that knowledge to decisions made by governments and businesses around the world.

  • Forecasting Climate, with Help from the Baobab Tree

    Forecasting Climate, with Help from the Baobab Tree

    To improve climate forecasts, scientists study the complex interactions and mechanisms within the climate system. But they also need to hear from potential users of climate information, such as farmers, to get a better understanding of how people may use that information in their decision making.

  • The Connection Between Climate and Public Health

    The Connection Between Climate and Public Health

    International Research Institute for Climate and Society and the Mailman School of Public Health will hold a two-day meeting to talk about how climate influences issues of public health, from heat waves to infectious diseases. The event will be livestreamed, and you also can follow it on Twitter at #healthclimate2016.

  • Study Downgrades Groundwater Contribution to Sea Level Rise

    Study Downgrades Groundwater Contribution to Sea Level Rise

    Some research suggests that, along with melting ice sheets and glaciers, the water pumped from underground for irrigation and other uses, on the rise worldwide, could contribute substantially to rising sea levels over the next 50 years. A new study published in Nature Climate Change says the magnitude is substantially lower.

  • Open Dialogue and Sustainability Education

    Among the academics I find a mix of optimism and dire pessimism. It’s a recurring theme—can we build an economic life that can preserve the planet, or is it already too late? My responsibility is to ensure that our students hear both perspectives.

  • The Climate Crisis and the Transition to a Renewable Economy

    What I am betting on is the growing sense of awareness and understanding of environmental issues among the people of the world. It could be that my personal perspective is a little warped. I’ve seen the environmental issue move from the outer fringes to the center of our political agenda.

Overhead view of Columbia campus with text Columbia Climate School Class Day 2026: Congratulations Graduates

Congratulations to our Columbia Climate School Class of 2026 and all of our 2026 Columbia University graduates! Learn more about our May 15 Climate School Class Day celebration. 💙 #Columbia2026 #ColumbiaClimate2026

  • Climate and Cod

    Climate and Cod

    A new study finds that the climatological phenomenon known as the North Atlantic Oscillation contributes to fluctuations in the cod population off the New England coast, and could help fishery managers protect the population from future collapse.

  • A Summer of Hands-on, Minds-On Science

    A Summer of Hands-on, Minds-On Science

    Twelve students from New York and New Jersey are spending July in laboratories at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, working with the scientists. The internship program enables students to spend four weeks exploring what it means to be an earth scientist.

  • Linking Climate Forecasts, Soil Testing for Smarter Farming

    Linking Climate Forecasts, Soil Testing for Smarter Farming

    A new project combines cutting edge climate science and mobile soil labs for African farmers and service providers.

  • Science And Sustainability Management: 20 Years of Columbia’s Earth Institute

    This fall, Columbia University’s Earth Institute will mark its 20th anniversary. There were two central ideas that animated the creation of this university-wide institute. The first was to promote basic understanding of earth system science, and the second was to apply that knowledge to decisions made by governments and businesses around the world.

  • Forecasting Climate, with Help from the Baobab Tree

    Forecasting Climate, with Help from the Baobab Tree

    To improve climate forecasts, scientists study the complex interactions and mechanisms within the climate system. But they also need to hear from potential users of climate information, such as farmers, to get a better understanding of how people may use that information in their decision making.

  • The Connection Between Climate and Public Health

    The Connection Between Climate and Public Health

    International Research Institute for Climate and Society and the Mailman School of Public Health will hold a two-day meeting to talk about how climate influences issues of public health, from heat waves to infectious diseases. The event will be livestreamed, and you also can follow it on Twitter at #healthclimate2016.

  • Study Downgrades Groundwater Contribution to Sea Level Rise

    Study Downgrades Groundwater Contribution to Sea Level Rise

    Some research suggests that, along with melting ice sheets and glaciers, the water pumped from underground for irrigation and other uses, on the rise worldwide, could contribute substantially to rising sea levels over the next 50 years. A new study published in Nature Climate Change says the magnitude is substantially lower.

  • Open Dialogue and Sustainability Education

    Among the academics I find a mix of optimism and dire pessimism. It’s a recurring theme—can we build an economic life that can preserve the planet, or is it already too late? My responsibility is to ensure that our students hear both perspectives.

  • The Climate Crisis and the Transition to a Renewable Economy

    What I am betting on is the growing sense of awareness and understanding of environmental issues among the people of the world. It could be that my personal perspective is a little warped. I’ve seen the environmental issue move from the outer fringes to the center of our political agenda.