Hurricane Harvey Archives - State of the Planet

downed power lines

In Florida and Texas, Keeping the Lights on Means Planning for Climate Change

New York’s lessons from Hurricane Sandy can help in the wake of Harvey and Irma.

by |September 15, 2017
Soldiers help a family evacuate their flooded home in Houston, Texas.

Hurricanes Harvey and Irma Show That It’s Time for Companies to Disclose Climate Risks to Investors

How a business contributes to and is impacted by the changing climate is becoming increasingly important for shareholders.

by |September 7, 2017

Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction is a National Security Issue

National security is about protecting the safety and way of life of the American people. It is the single most important responsibility of government. We need to get past dysfunction and treat natural and human made disaster response and recovery as a national security issue.

by |September 5, 2017
heat map of globe

How Will Scientists Find Out Whether Climate Change Made Hurricane Harvey Worse? [Video]

It’s too soon to say there’s a connection, but searching for the fingerprints of climate change shouldn’t take too long.

by |September 1, 2017
flooded streets of friendswood, texas

11 Questions Hurricane Harvey Raises About Climate Change Law and Policy

From managing flood insurance to controlling toxic pollutants, these policy issues will influence how well Texas can bounce back from the disaster, and how we’ll handle such storms in the future.

Hurricane Harvey, as seen from space

Earth Institute Experts Break Down the Causes and Impacts of Hurricane Harvey

As Texas reels in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, our scientists are helping to make sense of how this storm became so destructive, and what’s needed for recovery.

by |August 30, 2017
soldiers move through flooded street

Recovery from Hurricane Harvey Could Take 15 Years

The director of Columbia’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness weighs in on the heartbreaking devastation in Texas.

by |August 29, 2017
wind farm

Why Climate Change Matters

Climate change is a test of our ability to identify, understand and act on critical global environmental issues. It tests our ability to work across national borders and across academic and professional fields of knowledge.

by |August 28, 2017