State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

heat island effect

  • Increasing Heat Is Driving Off Clouds That Dampen California Wildfires

    Increasing Heat Is Driving Off Clouds That Dampen California Wildfires

    Sunny California may be getting too sunny. Increasing summer temperatures brought on by a combination of intensifying urbanization and warming climate are driving off once-common morning cloud cover in southern coastal areas of the state, leading to increased risk of wildfires.

  • As Los Angeles Heats Up, Fog Fades

    As Los Angeles Heats Up, Fog Fades

    A new study has found that urbanization around coastal Southern California is driving fog away and causing the low clouds, crucial for providing shade and moderating temperatures in summer, to rise. This trend has important implications for ecosystems and cities.

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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!

  • Increasing Heat Is Driving Off Clouds That Dampen California Wildfires

    Increasing Heat Is Driving Off Clouds That Dampen California Wildfires

    Sunny California may be getting too sunny. Increasing summer temperatures brought on by a combination of intensifying urbanization and warming climate are driving off once-common morning cloud cover in southern coastal areas of the state, leading to increased risk of wildfires.

  • As Los Angeles Heats Up, Fog Fades

    As Los Angeles Heats Up, Fog Fades

    A new study has found that urbanization around coastal Southern California is driving fog away and causing the low clouds, crucial for providing shade and moderating temperatures in summer, to rise. This trend has important implications for ecosystems and cities.