Jeffrey Schlegelmilch Archives - State of the Planet

Thick smoke from Canadian wildfires darkens the sky in New York City.

How Wildfire Smoke Can Travel Thousands of Miles, and How to Protect Yourself

Columbia Climate School experts comment on the dangerous air pollution from Canadian wildfires.

by |June 8, 2023
jeff schlegelmilch in washington dc

Why It’s So Hard to Be Prepared for Disasters

Disaster expert Jeffrey Schlegelmilch discusses February’s devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, the challenges to building resilience, and how emergencies can reveal the inner workings of a society.

by Daniella Zandi |March 15, 2023

Flooding in California: What Went Wrong, and What Comes Next

Climate School experts help to explain this devastating weather and what it means in the broader conversation of climate change and disaster response.

by |January 12, 2023

2023 Climate Resolutions: How Will You Make a Difference Next Year?

Our elected officials, community leaders, experts, and students discuss their 2023 climate resolutions. What will yours be?

by |December 27, 2022

2022 Climate News You Should Know

Climate School experts weigh in on the past year’s most noteworthy events and developments within their fields.

by Elise Gout |December 19, 2022
Hurricane Ian flooding aftermath

Hurricane Ian’s Aftermath: A Rising Death Toll and Questions About Preparedness

A disaster preparedness expert weighs in on the many factors that can complicate decisions around evacuations and preparedness.

by |October 5, 2022

Training for Dixie Fire Survivors Sheds Light on the Long Road to Recovery

One year after the devastating wildfire, residents of Greenville, Calif., are working to rebuild. Experts from the National Center for Disaster Preparedness co-hosted a training to facilitate the process.

by Elise Gout |September 15, 2022
house with boarded-up windows

How to Prepare for a Hyperactive Hurricane Season

What an “above average” hurricane forecast means, and how individuals and communities can be ready to ride out the possible storms to come.

by |June 16, 2022
jeff schlegelmilch in washington dc

Disaster Expert Testifies in Congress Regarding Future Pandemics

Columbia Climate School’s Jeffrey Schlegelmilch spoke to members of Congress about how better preparedness before disasters strike can save money and lives.

by |January 20, 2022
A giant sandstorm pummels northern South Sudan

Double Trouble: The Importance of Thinking About Compound Risk

Compound risk — when multiple risks occur simultaneously, or one after another — was the topic of a recent discussion as part of the Resilience Media Project, a part of the Initiative on Communication and Sustainability at the Earth Institute.

by |August 11, 2020