Researchers reconstructed CO2 levels over the past 2.1 million years, revealing that today's levels are 38% higher than the highest recorded levels in history. The study confirms that warmer intervals coincided with higher carbon dioxide levels, shedding new light on the earth's cycles of cooling and warming.
A new study using cosmogenic dating reveals that New Zealand's largest glaciers moved out of step with their northern hemisphere counterparts for the past 7,000 years. The research provides a glacial timeline and shows regional climate variations in both hemispheres.
A team of scientists suggests that shifting winds in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica may have triggered a rapid increase in carbon dioxide levels at the end of the last ice age. This mechanism could amplify manmade warming and has been supported by sediment core analysis, but other climate models disagree.
Scientists have mapped large rock formations in the United States that can absorb CO2, potentially increasing carbon sequestration at a faster pace. The ultramafic rocks contain minerals that react naturally with carbon dioxide to form solid minerals, offering a new technology to store heat-trapping carbon dioxide.
Wallace Broecker, a renowned geochemist, receives the Frontiers of Knowledge Award for his pioneering work on ocean-atmosphere interactions and early warnings about climate change. He will donate the $527,000 prize to support research on climate change.
Climate researchers show that large volcanic eruptions temporarily cooled the tropics over the past 450 years. However, recent eruptions may have been overridden by rising temperatures. The study found that higher latitudes are more sensitive to volcanism and are vulnerable to temperature shifts.
A new US government report suggests that abrupt climate changes could occur within decades, with rapid sea level rise and severe droughts predicted. The report synthesizes the latest evidence on four specific threats for the 21st century, including melting of polar ice sheets and acceleration of seaward flow.
A team of scientists says the globe-warming carbon dioxide level has probably reached a point where world climate will change disastrously unless the level can be reduced. The CO2 needs to be reduced to around 350 parts per million to keep current warming trends from moving rapidly upward.
A type of rock called peridotite reacts naturally with CO2 to form solid minerals at surprisingly high rates. The process could be sped up by drilling and injecting heated water containing pressurized CO2, potentially capturing large amounts of atmospheric carbon.
A $900,000 Google grant will aid the International Research Institute for Climate and Society in predicting disease outbreaks in Ethiopia, a high-risk area for malaria and meningitis. The project aims to develop disease-mapping tools using climate data and improve early-warning systems.
Walter Alvarez, a maverick geologist, has won the prestigious Vetlesen Prize for his groundbreaking work on the link between a massive comet impact and the extinction of dinosaurs. His research, conducted over several decades, challenged conventional wisdom and revealed that life on Earth is affected by cosmic interactions.
Researchers found that reducing coal emissions can keep atmospheric carbon dioxide levels below harmful levels if phased out within the next few decades. The study suggests that oil and gas should be used sparingly as well, but coal must be the main target of reductions.
Researchers analyzed the disappearance of the Laurentide Ice Sheet to shed light on how much the Greenland Ice Sheet will contribute to sea level rise. The study found that rapid melting can happen very quickly, with rates comparable to global sea level rise evidence for this interval derived from coral records.
A recent study suggests that New York City faces a substantial earthquake risk due to the presence of subtle but active faults. The research indicates that magnitude 5 quakes, strong enough to cause damage, should be routinely expected every 100 years, with potentially catastrophic consequences for the densely populated area.
A new study reveals that Amazon River's nutrient-rich outflow supports unexpected plant life, trapping atmospheric carbon dioxide. The discovery may alter climate scientists' calculations and suggest alternative sinks for CO2.
A new study suggests that undersea volcanic rocks could be used to store huge amounts of carbon dioxide, potentially capturing up to 150 years of U.S. emissions. Scientists have identified a vast basalt formation off the West Coast that could be suitable for carbon sequestration through natural chemical reactions.
A new study suggests that closing the ozone hole may reverse Southern Hemisphere climate change, contrary to predictions made by IPCC models. The closure of the ozone hole is expected to decelerate tropospheric winds and potentially lead to a reversal of climate change in the region.
A new analysis combining decades of data from all continents shows that human-caused warming is changing life on a global scale. The study found that physical and biological systems are being affected, including changes in tree leafing, bird migrations, and ocean plankton and fish communities.
Researchers found a special geochemical signature in Arctic volcanic rocks that resembles the one found only in the southern hemisphere. The discovery suggests that processes at work in the Indian Ocean might have an analog in the northern hemisphere, and sheds light on the origin of the Dupal anomaly.
A new study found that dust raised by farmers amplified and spread natural drought, turning an ordinary drying cycle into disaster. The researchers warn that current pressures on farmland could worsen food crises like the Dust Bowl in other regions.
A new study using seafloor cores has found a strong correlation between dust and past climates, suggesting that atmospheric moisture and dust move in tandem with temperature changes. This discovery may inform current ideas to seed oceans with iron-rich dust to mitigate global warming.
The crew will make groundbreaking measurements to explain how huge fluxes of climate-affecting gases move between atmosphere and sea. The Southern Ocean, comprising 30% of global seas, is a source of great uncertainty in the global system.
A new study maps emerging disease hotspots worldwide, revealing that human-wildlife conflict and drug-resistant pathogens are major contributors. The research, which analyzed 335 diseases from 1940 to 2004, shows that disease emergence has roughly quadrupled over the past 50 years.
Researchers have discovered a unique hydrothermal vent system, defying long-held assumptions about volcanism-driven vents. The system involves cold water descending through buried chimneys and emerging at the surface through numerous vents.
Scientific reports predict that global agriculture may decline in some regions due to unconsidered complications from climate change. The authors suggest that temperature rises may lead to crop losses, disease outbreaks, and decreased livestock productivity.
Scientists at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory report that the Transantarctic Mountains formed from the remnants of a gigantic high plateau. The study reveals that the adjacent land sank, and glaciers accentuated the topography, leading to peaks up to 4.5 kilometers high.
A study found that climate swings brought great CO2 pulses up from the deep sea, contributing to further warming. The researchers discovered ancient carbon dioxide in sediment cores from the Pacific Ocean, indicating that massive amounts of CO2 were released into the atmosphere during ocean circulation changes.
Researchers discovered four large subglacial lakes beneath miles of ice that contribute to the formation of fast-flowing ice streams in Antarctica. These lakes appear to lubricate the bed of the stream, facilitating ice flow and preventing the base from freezing.
Maya Tolstoy and colleagues were thrilled to discover that two-thirds of their ocean bottom seismometers were trapped in fresh lava flows, giving them a unique opportunity to study the process of seafloor spreading. Preliminary analysis reveals signs of recent volcanic eruptions and suggests that future eruptions may be forecastable.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded $15 million to the Earth Institute at Columbia University to advance scientific research and efforts to end poverty, disease, and hunger in Africa. The grant supports a dynamic strategy for achieving sustainable development in some of the world's poorest countries.
Researchers created a 'Poverty Atlas' using geographic information system applications to visualize poverty-related indicators. The maps provide a visual context for understanding the connection between poverty and geography, including factors like climate, soil fertility, and access to transportation networks.
Researchers will investigate the health effects of arsenic exposure in groundwater, particularly in New England and South Asia, with a focus on children's health. The grant renewal aims to mitigate public health problems associated with arsenic contamination.
A study of extraterrestrial dust in Antarctic ice cores found that the amount of cosmic dust falling to Earth has remained largely constant over the past 30,000 years. This finding could help refine efforts to understand the timing and effects of changes in the Earth's past climate.
The Mapping the Future map shows significant population growth in developing countries and increases in coastal populations exposed to sea level rise. Meanwhile, parts of Eastern Europe, Asia, and Japan are expected to experience widespread population decline.
A nationwide study found that there is no consensus across the US on whether to teach K-12 students about human-environmental interactions. Research suggests that most states prioritize teaching about human impacts on the environment over environmental impacts on humans and society.
A new study found that most of the Earth began warming at the same time around 17,500 years ago, despite Greenland remaining in a deep-freeze for 2,500 years. This finding is consistent with temperature records and global atmospheric CO2 records from Antarctica.
A recent study found that factors such as development, population growth, and failing water supply systems contribute significantly to water emergencies in Rockland County, N.Y. The researchers' findings suggest that the balance between water demand and supply is becoming increasingly fragile due to human activities.
The report suggests that coal liquefaction could satisfy the country's energy needs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and costs. Global efforts to capture and sequester carbon dioxide could also mitigate environmental impacts.
Scientists detect a seasonal pattern in glacial earthquakes in Greenland, with over one-third occurring during July and August. The increased frequency of these events may be a response to global warming, with significant implications for climate change.
Researchers studied the retreat of a massive Scandinavian Ice Sheet to gain insights into its dynamics and potential implications for Greenland and Antarctica. The study found that ice sheets in different parts of the world can react differently to global warming, with some growing larger while others rapidly disappear.
The world's growing energy needs could be met without destabilizing the climate through affordable, effective solutions like carbon capture and sequestration. The authors propose large-scale technologies such as solar energy, clean coal technology, and nuclear power to reduce emissions.
Global studies on natural hazards can inform disaster prevention and preparedness measures, but require downscaled approaches to customize risk-conscious economic development. A new Global Risk Identification Program aims to provide evidence-based frameworks for national hazard mitigation strategies.
The study highlights the co-dependence of mortality risk and poverty, with lower-income countries suffering greater losses due to inadequate infrastructure and emergency response systems. The Earth Institute at Columbia University is a leading academic center for integrated study of the Earth's environment and society.
Researchers explore how science can help understand and alleviate poverty, with a focus on biophysical parameters and energy services. They find strong correlations between disaster vulnerability, soil fertility, drought frequency, and malaria exposure, highlighting the need for tailored solutions.
Researchers developed an early-warning system that uses population vulnerability, rainfall, and health surveillance to predict changes in seasonal disease patterns. The system provides health service managers with warnings of changes in epidemic risk five months before the peak malaria season.
Scientists have identified two large subglacial lakes beneath the Antarctic ice sheet, 90ºE and Sovetskaya. These lakes are estimated to be around 2,000km2 and 1,600km2 in size, respectively, and are sealed beneath over two miles of ice.
Researchers used GISS Model E-R to simulate a massive freshwater flood into the North Atlantic around 8,200 years ago and found it had moderate effects on global temperatures. The study suggests that similar events may have occurred in the past and can inform our understanding of future climate scenarios.
A recent study by Columbia Climate School researchers found two genetically distinct populations of Asian elephants in northeast India, separated by the Brahmaputra River. This discovery is significant for future conservation planning, highlighting the importance of preserving genetic diversity to protect the endangered species.
A new study reveals that tree diversity in tropical forests plays a crucial role in determining their ability to store carbon and provide other essential ecosystem services. The researchers simulated different extinction scenarios and found that the types of trees remaining had a significant impact on carbon storage capacity.
Researchers analyzed seismic wave data from 30 earthquakes and found waves passing through the inner core arrived earlier when separated in time, indicating material had moved into the path taken by waves traveling through the inner core. The study's findings suggest a dynamic planet with significant changes over millions of years.