State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

climate35

  • Photo Essay: High Desert, Deep Earth

    Photo Essay: High Desert, Deep Earth

    In the Arabian peninsula nation of Oman, geologists are studying the Hajar mountains–a range containing rocks that have been thrust up from the deep earth. Accessible to humans in only a few places on earth, these kinds of rocks offer clues to the planet’s deep history–and possible ways that natural processes may be harnessed to…

  • Farmers in Senegal Use Forecasts to Combat Climate Risks

    Farmers in Senegal Use Forecasts to Combat Climate Risks

    Recent trainings in Senegal have improved trust between farmers and researchers, leading to increased use of climate forecasts and other information.

  • Ice Capades

    Ice Capades

    Fieldwork is exciting and inspiring, leading scientists to new ideas, places and observations about how the world works. Spring on Alaska’s North Slope provides an especially productive environment for fieldwork. When the sun never sets, it’s easy to linger in the field and the lab long into the well-lit night.

  • Investigating Life in Arctic Sea Ice

    Investigating Life in Arctic Sea Ice

    Andy Juhl and Craig Aumack, microbiologists from Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, are spending a month in Barrow, Alaska studying algae in and below sea ice, and how our warming climate may impact these important organisms.

  • Climate and Conquest: How Did Genghis Khan Rise?

    Climate and Conquest: How Did Genghis Khan Rise?

    Eight hundred years ago, relatively small armies of mounted warriors suddenly exploded outward from the cold, arid high-elevation grasslands of Mongolia and reshaped world geography, culture and history in ways that still resound today. How did they do it?

  • The Sahel Is Getting Wetter, But Will It Last?

    The Sahel Is Getting Wetter, But Will It Last?

    New research gives a unifying explanation of the Sahel’s past, present and future climate patterns.

  • A Healthy Collaboration

    A Healthy Collaboration

    IRI just renewed an agreement with the World Health Organization to be a collaborative center. Research scientist and center director Madeleine Thomson talks about past successes and future research directions.

  • A Partnership to Promote Change: Climate Ride and the Earth Institute

    A Partnership to Promote Change: Climate Ride and the Earth Institute

    Climate Ride, a national organization promoting climate change awareness, and the Earth Institute recently announced their new partnership.

  • Climate and Society Students ‘Develop’ Research for NASA, IRI

    Climate and Society Students ‘Develop’ Research for NASA, IRI

    Two Climate and Society students are working on a NASA DEVELOP project at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society. Learn about the research and visit their virtual posters.

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

  • Photo Essay: High Desert, Deep Earth

    Photo Essay: High Desert, Deep Earth

    In the Arabian peninsula nation of Oman, geologists are studying the Hajar mountains–a range containing rocks that have been thrust up from the deep earth. Accessible to humans in only a few places on earth, these kinds of rocks offer clues to the planet’s deep history–and possible ways that natural processes may be harnessed to…

  • Farmers in Senegal Use Forecasts to Combat Climate Risks

    Farmers in Senegal Use Forecasts to Combat Climate Risks

    Recent trainings in Senegal have improved trust between farmers and researchers, leading to increased use of climate forecasts and other information.

  • Ice Capades

    Ice Capades

    Fieldwork is exciting and inspiring, leading scientists to new ideas, places and observations about how the world works. Spring on Alaska’s North Slope provides an especially productive environment for fieldwork. When the sun never sets, it’s easy to linger in the field and the lab long into the well-lit night.

  • Investigating Life in Arctic Sea Ice

    Investigating Life in Arctic Sea Ice

    Andy Juhl and Craig Aumack, microbiologists from Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, are spending a month in Barrow, Alaska studying algae in and below sea ice, and how our warming climate may impact these important organisms.

  • Climate and Conquest: How Did Genghis Khan Rise?

    Climate and Conquest: How Did Genghis Khan Rise?

    Eight hundred years ago, relatively small armies of mounted warriors suddenly exploded outward from the cold, arid high-elevation grasslands of Mongolia and reshaped world geography, culture and history in ways that still resound today. How did they do it?

  • The Sahel Is Getting Wetter, But Will It Last?

    The Sahel Is Getting Wetter, But Will It Last?

    New research gives a unifying explanation of the Sahel’s past, present and future climate patterns.

  • A Healthy Collaboration

    A Healthy Collaboration

    IRI just renewed an agreement with the World Health Organization to be a collaborative center. Research scientist and center director Madeleine Thomson talks about past successes and future research directions.

  • A Partnership to Promote Change: Climate Ride and the Earth Institute

    A Partnership to Promote Change: Climate Ride and the Earth Institute

    Climate Ride, a national organization promoting climate change awareness, and the Earth Institute recently announced their new partnership.

  • Climate and Society Students ‘Develop’ Research for NASA, IRI

    Climate and Society Students ‘Develop’ Research for NASA, IRI

    Two Climate and Society students are working on a NASA DEVELOP project at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society. Learn about the research and visit their virtual posters.