research Archives - State of the Planet

A classroom activity with masked and unmasked participants sitting and standing, looking at a board and presenter

Columbia’s Earth Networks Offer Collaborative and Innovative Opportunities to Address Climate Change

Whether working on plastics, sports, food, or environmental justice, each Earth Network provides a unique approach to a shared challenge.

by Sandra Goldmark |August 29, 2023

How to Adapt to Climate Change, and How Not To

Adapting to climate change might seem to be all to the good, but some adaptations have negative effects that must be weighed against the positives.

by Ben Orlove |August 21, 2023

New Report Highlights the Complex Intersection of Antitrust Law and Sustainability Goals

The purpose of this new report is to provoke and support engagement among policymakers, private firms, and the wider public about the ways that competition policy can support sustainable development.

A scene of the aftermath of a wildfire in California

New Toolkit Models Climate Litigation Risk

A new report from the Sabin Center provides a climate adaptation toolkit for the insurance industry.

people gathered under a tree

Study Highlights 6 Tools for Decolonizing Climate Research

While there’s no quick fix for the legacies of colonization, researchers argue that it starts with recognizing Indigenous knowledge systems alongside Western scientific methods.

by Sofia Fall |June 23, 2023
Map of the US depicting states color-coded by number of bills passed (between 1 and 16)

State Legislatures Continue to Enact Disaster Policies in 2023

States have already filed at least 103 bills related to disaster resilience. Columbia Climate School’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness reports on what has been achieved so far.

by Lucia Bragg, Abigail Menendez, Gillian McBride |June 12, 2023
map of areas restricted from renewable energy development

Report Finds 228 Local Restrictions Against Siting Wind, Solar, and Other Renewables

Renewable energy projects have encountered significant opposition in at least 45 states, according to a new report.

by Matthew Eisenson |May 31, 2023
An iceberg in the Arctic with underside visible

Montreal Protocol Is Delaying First Ice-Free Arctic Summer

New research from Columbia climate scientists shows that the 1987 ozone treaty, designed to protect the ozone layer, has postponed the occurrence of the first ice-free Arctic by as much as 15 years.

by Holly Evarts |May 25, 2023
Storm clouds over a city skyline

New Method Predicts Extreme Weather Events More Accurately

Columbia engineers have developed a machine-learning algorithm that will aid in understanding and mitigating the impact of extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent in our warming climate.

by Holly Evarts |May 25, 2023

California Quake Faults Are Highly Sensitive to Solid Earth Tides, Say Scientists

Oceans have tides, and so does the solid earth. Could they have an effect on earthquake faults? Yes, say scientists, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they cause big quakes.

by |May 10, 2023