State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

ocean and climate physics

  • Key Ocean Current Contains a Warning on Climate

    Key Ocean Current Contains a Warning on Climate

    A new study shows that a giant current circling Antarctica has speeded up during past warm periods, eating away at the polar ice. It’s doing it again now.

  • Carbon Lurking in Deep Ocean Threw Ancient Climate Switch, Say Researchers

    Carbon Lurking in Deep Ocean Threw Ancient Climate Switch, Say Researchers

    A million years ago, a longtime pattern of alternating glaciations and warm periods dramatically changed, when ice ages suddenly became longer and more intense. Scientists have long suspected that this was connected to the slowdown of a key Atlantic Ocean current system that today once again is slowing. A new study of sediments from the…

  • How Does the Ocean Drive Weather and Climate Extremes?

    How Does the Ocean Drive Weather and Climate Extremes?

    Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory scientists Ryan Abernathey and Richard Seager are investigating how processes in the ocean create extreme weather and climate conditions over land.

Composite banner with modern building at night and portrait of Dean Alexis Abramson that reads "Science for the Planet"

By studying thousands of buildings and analyzing their electricity use, Columbia Climate School Dean Alexis Abramson has been able to uncover ways to significantly cut energy consumption and emissions. Watch the Video: “Engineering a Cooler Future Through Smarter Buildings

  • Key Ocean Current Contains a Warning on Climate

    Key Ocean Current Contains a Warning on Climate

    A new study shows that a giant current circling Antarctica has speeded up during past warm periods, eating away at the polar ice. It’s doing it again now.

  • Carbon Lurking in Deep Ocean Threw Ancient Climate Switch, Say Researchers

    Carbon Lurking in Deep Ocean Threw Ancient Climate Switch, Say Researchers

    A million years ago, a longtime pattern of alternating glaciations and warm periods dramatically changed, when ice ages suddenly became longer and more intense. Scientists have long suspected that this was connected to the slowdown of a key Atlantic Ocean current system that today once again is slowing. A new study of sediments from the…

  • How Does the Ocean Drive Weather and Climate Extremes?

    How Does the Ocean Drive Weather and Climate Extremes?

    Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory scientists Ryan Abernathey and Richard Seager are investigating how processes in the ocean create extreme weather and climate conditions over land.