State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

International Research Institute for Climate and Society27

  • Chasing Tornadoes: A Close Call with a Deadly Storm

    Chasing Tornadoes: A Close Call with a Deadly Storm

    Tornadoes are rare at any one location, but out of anywhere in the United States, the central Oklahoma area has the greatest risk—and this day would prove no exception.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • IRI to develop climate adaptation tools to help farmers in South and Southeast Asia

    IRI to develop climate adaptation tools to help farmers in South and Southeast Asia

    A new two-year climate change initiative, led by the International Research Institute for Climate and Society aims to help farmers in Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Bangladesh reduce their vulnerability to climate risks.

  • IRI Names New Deputy Director

    IRI Names New Deputy Director

    Haresh Bhojwani will coordinate IRI’s connections with development and humanitarian organizations so that its research can target the needs of those vulnerable to climate impacts, especially through the institution’s international collaborations.

  • Discussing Climate, Cities and Food

    Discussing Climate, Cities and Food

    Last week, the Earth Institute and the International Research Institute for Climate and Society hosted a discussion on cities, food and climate. What were people saying? Find out in this Storify recap of reactions from across Twitter!

  • Cat Puns, Scientists and Social Media

    Cat Puns, Scientists and Social Media

    Social media plus scientists plus Chemistry Cat puns is a great formula for a talk, right?

  • Rosario’s Farm: Rising Tides, Shrimp from the Forest

    Rosario’s Farm: Rising Tides, Shrimp from the Forest

    Rosario Costa-Cabral and her brothers harvest hundreds of fruits, oils and wood products from the stream-laced forest of the Amazon River delta. But the climate here is changing: Tides rise higher, and seasonal floods are growing worse.

Colorful icons representing nature, sustainable living, and renewable energy with text "Earth Day 2026"

The first Earth Day in 1970 ignited a movement to stop polluting our planet. Today, our scientists and experts are tackling the most pressing challenges to achieve real-world impact. This Earth Day, join us in our commitment to realizing a just and sustainable future for our planet. Visit our Earth Day website for ideas, resources, and inspiration.

  • Chasing Tornadoes: A Close Call with a Deadly Storm

    Chasing Tornadoes: A Close Call with a Deadly Storm

    Tornadoes are rare at any one location, but out of anywhere in the United States, the central Oklahoma area has the greatest risk—and this day would prove no exception.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • IRI to develop climate adaptation tools to help farmers in South and Southeast Asia

    IRI to develop climate adaptation tools to help farmers in South and Southeast Asia

    A new two-year climate change initiative, led by the International Research Institute for Climate and Society aims to help farmers in Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Bangladesh reduce their vulnerability to climate risks.

  • IRI Names New Deputy Director

    IRI Names New Deputy Director

    Haresh Bhojwani will coordinate IRI’s connections with development and humanitarian organizations so that its research can target the needs of those vulnerable to climate impacts, especially through the institution’s international collaborations.

  • Discussing Climate, Cities and Food

    Discussing Climate, Cities and Food

    Last week, the Earth Institute and the International Research Institute for Climate and Society hosted a discussion on cities, food and climate. What were people saying? Find out in this Storify recap of reactions from across Twitter!

  • Cat Puns, Scientists and Social Media

    Cat Puns, Scientists and Social Media

    Social media plus scientists plus Chemistry Cat puns is a great formula for a talk, right?

  • Rosario’s Farm: Rising Tides, Shrimp from the Forest

    Rosario’s Farm: Rising Tides, Shrimp from the Forest

    Rosario Costa-Cabral and her brothers harvest hundreds of fruits, oils and wood products from the stream-laced forest of the Amazon River delta. But the climate here is changing: Tides rise higher, and seasonal floods are growing worse.