Managing Water in a Dry Land

by | 6.17.2013 at 4:55pm
The Puclaro Reservoir is at around 10% of it's peak in 2009, indicated by lines on the mountain in the background. The dam is in the distance. Without the reservoir, farmers, mines and other water users have lost one of their key buffers against drought. Francesco Fiondella

Since 2010, the Earth Institute’s International Research Institute for Climate and Society along with UNESCO and their colleagues in Chile have been working with Elqui’s water authority to help them use seasonal forecasts as way to better allocate water and prepare for droughts.

Farmers in Senegal Use Forecasts to Combat Climate Risks

by | 5.21.2013 at 10:22am
Participants in the December 2012 Scaling Up Climate Services for Farmers in Africa and South Asia workshop in Senegal visit farmers in Kaffrine that received climate forecasts for the first time in 2011. Photo by Alexa Jay, CCAFS

Recent trainings in Senegal have improved trust between farmers and researchers, leading to increased use of climate forecasts and other information.

Measuring the Effect of China’s Arctic Interests

by | 5.15.2013 at 2:52pm
Arctic Sunset

Of non-Arctic states, China has shown the most interest in the Arctic as climate change opens up the region to new economic development. The ways in which China attempts to balance its economic interests and environmental responsibilities within its energy policy may provide a predictor of its future behavior in the Arctic.

The Sahel Is Getting Wetter, But Will It Last?

by | 5.9.2013 at 7:58am
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New research gives a unifying explanation of the Sahel’s past, present and future climate patterns.

A Healthy Collaboration

by | 4.25.2013 at 11:11am
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IRI just renewed an agreement with the World Health Organization to be a collaborative center. Research scientist and center director Madeleine Thomson talks about past successes and future research directions.

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.

Where’s My Seasonal Tornado Forecast?

by | 3.29.2013 at 9:00am
John Allen/IRI

Tornadoes, derechos and other violent storms can kill hundreds each year and cause billions in damages. How well can we predict them? How will climate change influence their occurrence? Experts from around the country discussed these issues at a recent workshop.

GHG Emissions From the Comfort of Home

by | 3.12.2013 at 8:36pm | 1 Comment
CC Image courtesy of Stocktoc on Flickr

The residential home sector is the third largest contributor to GHG emissions when energy use is included. As the housing market is showing signs of recovery and new home construction is beginning to increase, there is opportunity to address the emissions from residential homes with green building techniques that will have the added benefit of reduced energy costs and increased comfort.

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!