State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

climate science27

  • Frequency of Tornadoes, Hail Linked to El Niño, La Niña

    Study May Aid Seasonal Forecasting

  • Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate Kick-Off

    Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate Kick-Off

    This week marks the launch of the new Columbia Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate, a cross-disciplinary collaboration between a variety of centers, research groups and individuals from across Columbia University. The Initiative, led by Adam Sobel, kicked off on Monday evening with a World Leaders Forum panel event in Low Library. Panelists discussed a…

  • Webcast Tonight: Focus on Extreme Weather

    Webcast Tonight: Focus on Extreme Weather

    The Columbia Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate brings together experts across the university to integrate research into the physical science of these events with research on their impacts on human society and engineering solutions. The initiative kicks off this evening with a panel discussion, “Preparing for Extreme Weather: Global Lessons from Sandy,” from 6-7:30…

  • Report Forecasts Worsening Climate Hazards for Region

    Report Forecasts Worsening Climate Hazards for Region

    A new report gives a worrisome picture of climate-related problems the New York region will likely face this century. Temperatures are projected to rise, extreme precipitation and heat waves will be more frequent, and sea level could rise as much as 6 feet.

  • 2014 Was Warmest Year in Modern Record, Say Two U.S. Reports

    Data in Accord With Other Nations’ Studies

  • Exploring Antarctica by Sea, Air and Land

    Exploring Antarctica by Sea, Air and Land

    Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory scientists are among the many researchers currently doing fieldwork in Antarctica. They’re participating in expeditions near, above and on the continent, doing critical studies that will advance understanding of Antarctica’s land and sea processes.

  • Ice Loss in West Antarctic is Speeding Up

    Ice Loss in West Antarctic is Speeding Up

    Glaciers in one part of West Antarctica are melting at triple the rate of a decade ago and have become the most significant contributor to sea level rise in that region, a new study says. The study found that the glaciers in the Amundsen Sea Embayment of West Antarctica have shrunk by an average of…

  • AGU 2014: Key Events from The Earth Institute

    AGU 2014: Key Events from The Earth Institute

    Scientists at Columbia University’s Earth Institute will present important talks at the Dec. 15-19 meeting of the American Geophysical Union, the world’s largest gathering of earth and space scientists. Here is a journalists’ guide in rough chronological order.

  • Why are Past Surface Temperatures and CO2 Concentrations Important?

    Why are Past Surface Temperatures and CO2 Concentrations Important?

    By burning fossil fuels for heating, electricity, transportation and other purposes, humans add CO2 to the atmosphere. Yet, by comparing ways in which the Earth’s temperature, CO2 concentration, sea level and ice sheets have changed in the past, we are able to learn valuable lessons about the climate system of today and tomorrow.

Composite banner with modern building at night and portrait of Dean Alexis Abramson that reads "Science for the Planet"

By studying thousands of buildings and analyzing their electricity use, Columbia Climate School Dean Alexis Abramson has been able to uncover ways to significantly cut energy consumption and emissions. Watch the Video: “Engineering a Cooler Future Through Smarter Buildings

  • Frequency of Tornadoes, Hail Linked to El Niño, La Niña

    Study May Aid Seasonal Forecasting

  • Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate Kick-Off

    Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate Kick-Off

    This week marks the launch of the new Columbia Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate, a cross-disciplinary collaboration between a variety of centers, research groups and individuals from across Columbia University. The Initiative, led by Adam Sobel, kicked off on Monday evening with a World Leaders Forum panel event in Low Library. Panelists discussed a…

  • Webcast Tonight: Focus on Extreme Weather

    Webcast Tonight: Focus on Extreme Weather

    The Columbia Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate brings together experts across the university to integrate research into the physical science of these events with research on their impacts on human society and engineering solutions. The initiative kicks off this evening with a panel discussion, “Preparing for Extreme Weather: Global Lessons from Sandy,” from 6-7:30…

  • Report Forecasts Worsening Climate Hazards for Region

    Report Forecasts Worsening Climate Hazards for Region

    A new report gives a worrisome picture of climate-related problems the New York region will likely face this century. Temperatures are projected to rise, extreme precipitation and heat waves will be more frequent, and sea level could rise as much as 6 feet.

  • 2014 Was Warmest Year in Modern Record, Say Two U.S. Reports

    Data in Accord With Other Nations’ Studies

  • Exploring Antarctica by Sea, Air and Land

    Exploring Antarctica by Sea, Air and Land

    Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory scientists are among the many researchers currently doing fieldwork in Antarctica. They’re participating in expeditions near, above and on the continent, doing critical studies that will advance understanding of Antarctica’s land and sea processes.

  • Ice Loss in West Antarctic is Speeding Up

    Ice Loss in West Antarctic is Speeding Up

    Glaciers in one part of West Antarctica are melting at triple the rate of a decade ago and have become the most significant contributor to sea level rise in that region, a new study says. The study found that the glaciers in the Amundsen Sea Embayment of West Antarctica have shrunk by an average of…

  • AGU 2014: Key Events from The Earth Institute

    AGU 2014: Key Events from The Earth Institute

    Scientists at Columbia University’s Earth Institute will present important talks at the Dec. 15-19 meeting of the American Geophysical Union, the world’s largest gathering of earth and space scientists. Here is a journalists’ guide in rough chronological order.

  • Why are Past Surface Temperatures and CO2 Concentrations Important?

    Why are Past Surface Temperatures and CO2 Concentrations Important?

    By burning fossil fuels for heating, electricity, transportation and other purposes, humans add CO2 to the atmosphere. Yet, by comparing ways in which the Earth’s temperature, CO2 concentration, sea level and ice sheets have changed in the past, we are able to learn valuable lessons about the climate system of today and tomorrow.