State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Author: Brian Kahn

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

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

    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

    Singing the Blues About Water Scarcity

    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

    Discussing Climate, Cities and Food

    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

    Cat Puns, Scientists and Social Media

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

  • The Truth About Verification

    The Truth About Verification

    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…

  • State of the Planet Conference: Climate Edition

    State of the Planet Conference: Climate Edition

    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

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

    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…

  • A Cup of Joe for #1000

    A Cup of Joe for #1000

    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

    The Art and Science of Speed Dating

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

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

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

    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

    Singing the Blues About Water Scarcity

    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

    Discussing Climate, Cities and Food

    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

    Cat Puns, Scientists and Social Media

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

  • The Truth About Verification

    The Truth About Verification

    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…

  • State of the Planet Conference: Climate Edition

    State of the Planet Conference: Climate Edition

    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

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

    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…

  • A Cup of Joe for #1000

    A Cup of Joe for #1000

    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

    The Art and Science of Speed Dating

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