Author: Brian Kahn

Brian Kahn

Brian Kahn is the Communications Coordinator at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society.

Climate and Society Students ‘Develop’ Research for NASA, IRI

by | 4.12.2013 at 2:07pm
Satellite image courtesy NASA Goddard

Two Climate and Society students are working on a NASA DEVELOP project at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society. Learn about the research and visit their virtual posters.

Singing the Blues About Water Scarcity

by | 4.2.2013 at 10:00am
Mark Cane gives his opening remarks at State of the Planet. Photo credit: Eileen Barroso

Otis Redding sang “you don’t miss your water ’til your well runs dry” in 1965 about pining for a lost love. Last week, Climate and Society founder and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory scientist Mark Cane reprised it with a much different, more literal focus: water scarcity in the 21st century.

Discussing Climate, Cities and Food

by | 3.6.2013 at 1:14pm
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Last week, the Earth Institute and the International Research Institute for Climate and Society hosted a discussion on cities, food and climate. What were people saying? Find out in this Storify recap of reactions from across Twitter!

Cat Puns, Scientists and Social Media

by | 1.29.2013 at 2:53pm | 1 Comment
Beyond Cats

Social media plus scientists plus Chemistry Cat puns is a great formula for a talk, right?

The Truth About Verification

by | 10.18.2012 at 2:20pm | 1 Comment
Verification2

The December 2011 precipitation forecast issued by the International Research Institute for Climate and Society called for a 75 percent chance of above normal precipitation over parts of the Philippines between January and March. As the months played out, storms brought roughly eight inches more rain than usual for the period. That’s about 85 percent more than usual. Does this mean the forecast was right? What if the storms never materialized and the region received eight inches of rain less than normal? Would the forecast then have been wrong?

State of the Planet Conference: Climate Edition

by | 10.17.2012 at 2:34pm
Screen shot 2012-10-15 at 4.26.53 PM

On October 11, the Earth Institute hosted the sixth iteration of the State of the Planet conference. Held every two years, the conference offers an opportunity to assess the state of global, natural and human systems in order to identify those factors central to achieving sustainable development. The International Research Institute for Climate and Society Director [...]

Breaking the Poverty Trap in Ethiopia: Subsistence, Satellites, and Some Other Important Stuff

by | 8.29.2012 at 1:30pm | 1 Comment
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Two acres of cracked earth. In northern Ethiopia, it can be a trap that keeps farmers tethered to it for generations. Or it can be a springboard to a better life for this and future generations. What impedes it from showing its springier qualities? You could argue the biggest pressure on the land comes from the sky above it.

A Cup of Joe for #1000

by | 2.2.2012 at 3:16pm
Screen shot 2012-02-02 at 2.12.51 PM

IRI is offering a token of thanks for helping us reach a Twitter milestone. Care to help us get there?

The Art and Science of Speed Dating

by | 12.5.2011 at 4:00pm | 3 Comments
Yours truly on one of 14 dates last Thursday at PositiveFeedback's Climate Change Art/Science Dating Game

Speed dating can help singles looking for love. Can it help bring artists and scientists closer together, too?

Now is the Time for Climate Services

by | 10.28.2011 at 11:27am
Participants at the opening session of the International Conference for Climate Services. Click on the image to see a set of ICCS images on Flickr.

Last week, IRI organized a conference that brought together nearly 100 individuals from 30 countries to discuss the state and future of international climate services. What was discussed and what were the outcomes?