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Current Megadrought in the West Could Be One of the Worst in History
A 19-year drought in the American West is one of the most severe in the past 1200 years—and climate change is partially to blame, according to new research.
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American Geophysical Union 2018: Key Events From the Earth Institute
The American Geophysical Union fall meeting takes place Dec. 10-14 in Washington, D.C. Here is a guide to key talks and other events from Columbia’s Earth Institute.
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Yes, Climate Change is Making Wildfires Worse
Park Williams, a bioclimatologist at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, has found that rising temperatures influence wildfires in the American West.
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Researchers Say an 1800s Global Famine Could Happen Again
The Global Famine was one of the worst humanitarian disasters in history, killing as many people as World War II. A new analysis suggests it could happen again, only worse because of climate change.
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Using Tree Ring Records to Decode Earth’s Climate History
An interview with Ed Cook, one of the founding directors of the Tree-Ring Laboratory at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.
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How Climate Change Will Alter Our Food
As the world population continues to grow, global demand for food could increase dramatically by 2050. Yet the impacts of climate change threaten to decrease the quantity and quality of our food supplies.
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Upping Our Game: Crop Insurance Project Proves Wildly Successful
A weather index insurance tool is graduating from research project to commercial product.
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Cape Town Water Crisis Highlights a Worldwide Problem
Upmanu Lall, director of the Columbia Water Center, explains South Africa’s water shortage and why places in the U.S. could be at risk, too.
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What Caused the Great Famine?
Scientists are unraveling the driving forces of one of the worst environmental disasters in human history, in hopes of predicting and preparing for the next global drought.

AGU25, the premier Earth and space science conference, takes place December 15-19, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This year’s theme—Where Science Connects Us—puts in focus how science depends on connection, from the lab to the field to the ballot box. Once again, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Columbia Climate School scientists, experts, students, and educators are playing an active role, sharing our research and helping shape the future of our planet. #AGU25 Learn More
