impact stories8
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A New Tool for Coastal Planners Preparing for Sea Level Rise
Globally, the tool estimates at least 11 inches of sea level rise this century with ambitious efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions and as much as 52 inches if greenhouse gas emissions continue to grow unchecked.
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Working with Facebook to Create Better Population Maps
Knowing how settlements are distributed across the landscape—e.g., in clusters, along roads or waterways, or scattered widely—has important implications for designing infrastructure, improving access, and promoting sustainability.
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Flint Crisis Opens Door on Water Problems Around U.S.
Experts from the Columbia Water Center, the Earth Institute and affiliates talk about the municipal water crisis in Flint, Mich., the nature of the crisis and what it means for America’s Water.
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Ready for Natural Disasters? Not So Much
A new survey of American households finds two-thirds lack adequate plans and supplies for a disaster, and half of them are not confident in the ability of government to meet the needs of children in a disaster.
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Uncovering Impacts of Gold Mining in Papua New Guinea
From late December 2015 through January, a team of Earth Institute scientists and human rights lawyers from Columbia University worked in the highlands of Papua New Guinea to deliver the results of an independent study of water quality and human rights to the indigenous communities living near an industrial gold mine.
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Fast-Building Storms Play Key Role in Tropical Cyclone Risk
In studying climate and tropical cyclones, researchers find a weather phenomenon at play.
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A New Global Team Tracks Temperature Change Through Time
A new international consortium of scientists is bringing the history of temperature fluctuations across the entire Northern Hemisphere to life.
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Students Help an Urban Farm Rethink Its Future
In the Fair Haven section of New Haven, Conn., rates of obesity and diabetes are high, and access to healthy fresh food can be limited. For some residents, the New Haven Farms wellness program is just the prescription, but the organization is struggling to grow. Now, students studying sustainability management through the Earth Institute have…
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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.
