State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

International Research Institute for Climate and Society35

  • Water Expert Wins Presidential Award

    Water-resources expert Casey Brown has been named one of 56 recipients of the 2006 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor given by the U.S. government that recognizes outstanding scientists and engineers in the early stages of their career. Brown is a scientist at the International Research Institute for Climate…

  • Climate Information Can Be Used to Improve Lives of Most Vulnerable, Says New Publication

    In Africa, millions rely directly on rainfed agriculture for their livelihoods; climate-sensitive diseases are a major public health problem; and climate-related disasters regularly threaten development gains. Yet climate information often fails to reach them. The partners behind the publication Climate Risk Management in Africa: Learning from Practice would like to see this change. Case studies in this…

  • In Philippines, El Niño Means Drought

    Casey Brown arrived in Manila in early November on the heels of Typhoon Cimaron, a “super typhoon” that clocked 125-mile-per-hour winds. It was the second deadliest typhoon to hit the island nation since 1998. But for Manila, home to more than 10 million people, it is drought — not typhoons — that has led to…

Collage of Turkiye beach scene and Columbia University Campus with text: UN Climate Change Conference COP31, Antalya, Turkiye, Nov 9-20, 2026

COP31, the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, aims to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate climate action on a global scale. From November 9–20, 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society will gather to advance efforts in emission targets, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. Once again, our experts, students, and global thought leaders from Columbia Climate School and across Columbia University are contributing to key events, sharing insights, and helping shape the dialogue toward ambitious, science-based solutions. Learn More

  • Water Expert Wins Presidential Award

    Water-resources expert Casey Brown has been named one of 56 recipients of the 2006 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor given by the U.S. government that recognizes outstanding scientists and engineers in the early stages of their career. Brown is a scientist at the International Research Institute for Climate…

  • Climate Information Can Be Used to Improve Lives of Most Vulnerable, Says New Publication

    In Africa, millions rely directly on rainfed agriculture for their livelihoods; climate-sensitive diseases are a major public health problem; and climate-related disasters regularly threaten development gains. Yet climate information often fails to reach them. The partners behind the publication Climate Risk Management in Africa: Learning from Practice would like to see this change. Case studies in this…

  • In Philippines, El Niño Means Drought

    Casey Brown arrived in Manila in early November on the heels of Typhoon Cimaron, a “super typhoon” that clocked 125-mile-per-hour winds. It was the second deadliest typhoon to hit the island nation since 1998. But for Manila, home to more than 10 million people, it is drought — not typhoons — that has led to…