Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory3
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On Ancient Madagascar, Large Native Herbivores Paid the Price as Introduced Livestock Spread
New analyses of ancient cattle, sheep and goat bones suggest that the rapid spread of introduced livestock 1,200 years ago coincided with forest loss and population declines among large native herbivores.
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A Career Spent Collecting Earth’s Seismic Clues
Göran Ekström tracks incidents like landslides and glacier collapse using tools once used only to monitor earthquakes.
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Robot Sailboats Will Spend Five Years Measuring Carbon in the Southern Ocean
Led by researchers at NOAA and Columbia University, the Constraining Ocean Carbon with Optimized Observing (COCO2) project will use uncrewed surface vehicles to reduce uncertainty in estimates of the ocean carbon sink.
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New Report: Ocean Carbon Removal Shows Promise, But Big Questions Remain
Marine carbon dioxide removal could support climate action but faces major scientific, technical and governance challenges, according to a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report.
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Unused Natural Gas Behind NYC’s $300 Million Waste of a Potent Greenhouse Gas
New research may offer cities an overlooked pathway for reducing methane emissions while potentially saving consumers millions of dollars lost to wasted natural gas.
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August Research Roundup: Select Papers
This month, we covered a long-term analysis suggesting that landfill methane emissions may be far higher than estimated, as well as new research on unexpected trends in U.S. extreme rainfall. Here are additional studies worth noting.
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A Polar Climate Ambassador Visits an Arctic Museum in Maine
Josie Brooks reflects on an exhibit at Maine’s Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum, which explores Inuit food traditions, hunting, art and community.
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The Changing Shape of Extreme Rain in the U.S.
A recent study led by researchers at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory asks how and why the spatial footprint of extreme rainfall in the U.S. has changed since 1980.
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Accounting for Compounding Climate Events in Emergency Management
Climate researchers Marco Tedesco and David Sathuluri reflect on how a single week of heat, smoke and flooding exposed the vulnerability of NYC.

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
