LDEO December 2024 Newsletter: Earth & Climate Science News
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Strength in Science
As a young seismologist in the 1960s, Lynn Sykes made crucial observations of earthquakes under the ocean floors that helped solidify the theory of plate tectonics, the foundation of modern geology. Later, he helped identify zones prone to great earthquakes. He also went on to assess the risks that earthquakes pose to nuclear power plants, and to advance the use of seismology to detect nuclear-bomb tests, leading to the 1996 nuclear test ban treaty. Today, Sykes continues to challenge ideas about the way Earth works. Childhood experiences and high school teachers "nourished in me the concept of science in the public interest and the notion that one individual can make an impact on issues of great importance," he says. Here, Sykes with an old-fashioned rotating-drum seismograph, circa 2015. Credit: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Some of the most newsworthy presentations at the world's largest yearly gathering of Earth and space scientists.
AGU24, the world's largest gathering of Earth and space scientists, takes place in Washington, DC and online across the globe December 9-13, 2024. Our Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory scientists and other Columbia Climate School experts will be there to present their research. Check out our guide American Geophysical Union 2024: Key Research from the Columbia Climate School.
Lamont and DEES alumni, students, and staff, join us for a reception on December 10 6:30-8:30pm ET! Learn More/Register
Be sure to stop by our booth, #423, in the Exhibit Hall. And if you’re on social media, we’d love to hear from you during AGU! Share your experiences by tagging us on X, Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Unexplained Heat-Wave 'Hotspots' Are Popping Up Across the Globe
Distinct regions are seeing repeated heat waves so extreme, they cannot be explained by climate models.
Did the World's Best-Preserved Dinosaurs Really Die in 'Pompeii' Events?
A new study throws cold water on the long-accepted dogma that exquisitely preserved fossils found in China were the result of cataclysmic volcanic eruptions.
New Opportunities at Columbia’s Climate School to Shape Sustainable Development and Drive Climate Action
New undergrad programs and a change in leadership underscore the Climate School's multidisciplinary and collaborative approach to sustainability.
Discover Climate LIVE K12 Sessions for 2024-2025
In the Climate LIVE video series, experts from across the Columbia Climate School discuss topics in climate and sustainability for grade school and university students, educators, parents and the public.
Events
Our recent Public Lecture, The Influence of Climate Change on Hurricanes, focuses on our current understanding of how anthropogenic climate change is modifying the characteristics of hurricanes with Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory climate scientist Suzana Camargo. Watch the Recording
Education
Explore Summer 2025 Pre-College Program at the Columbia Climate School 🌎
Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains is a 2-week campus-based program for high school students taking place from June 29 to July 11, 2025 in Castleton, Vermont to mobilize action and drive impact in response to our warming planet. Students will complete the program feeling empowered to address a climate challenge in their own communities.
Watch the mini-documentary Empowering Youth to Lead Climate Solutions and see how we're inspiring the next generation of changemakers.
Don’t wait for change — lead it!
Ready to take action? Apply now and become a climate leader!
Stay solution-focused! This is the message the Polar Climate Ambassadors (CAP) team shared during their November Young Leaders in Action webinar, part of our Climate LIVE K12 series. Throughout their interview, the team shared their experiences as Polar CAPs. They discussed the resources they developed, such as educational games about polar climate, videos they developed focused on messages the poles are sending us about the changes they are undergoing, and visits with groups of youth where they connected the polar regions to local impacts, as well as the outreach work they had done in the community. Throughout their time as Polar CAPs, they said that two important messages resonated with them: 1) the need to stay solution-focused in both your own approach to the topic, and in your communications and outreach; and 2) there are people in the polar regions who on the frontlines of climate change and need to be central in the conversation.
Climate LIVE K12 features live lectures and interactive activities with our scientists and experts for K-12 students, educators, families, and the public! FREE!
Up Next: On December 11 4-4:30pm ET, join us for Young Leaders in Action: Coral Research to Advance Reef Restoration, ideal for students, educators, and families grades 6-12. Columbia Climate School Pre-College Program alum DaJeong Won will share about her journey inspiring peers to engage in ocean conservation and researching coral restoration. RSVP today (free but registration required)!
And check out our YouTube archive of all past workshops.
Hudson River Field Station
The Hudson River Field Station strives to provide a variety of learning opportunities and experiences for the public, students, and learners of all ages. One way we accomplish this mission is through hosting different school groups for hands-on learning experiences. We host groups from May-October annually for fun-filled trips where students can learn about the Hudson River, its biodiversity, chemistry, physical properties and explore potential threats to the Hudson’s health such as marine debris and microplastics. Learners of all ages (elementary school, middle school, high school, undergraduates & graduate students) are welcome at the Field Station for trips. Please contact Marisa Annunziato for further information about activities offered at the Hudson River Field Station and to book a trip!
Lamont in the Media (Select Stories)
Mysterious 'Hotspots' Are Appearing in US and Around the World
Newsweek
The Northeast Is Becoming Fire Country
The New Yorker
Scientists Solve Riddle of World’s Best-Preserved Dinosaurs
Forbes
Cretaceous 'Pompeii' of China Isn't What We Thought
LiveScience
The Future of Superstorms
WRCR Tough Times with Lou Young
Dinosaurs Discovered in ‘Chinese Pompeii’ Actually Died in Extremely Boring Ways
Popular Science
Africa’s Breaking Heart
Science
In a Record, All but Two U.S. States Are in Drought
New York Times
More Hurricanes Are Slamming the Gulf Coast. Is This the New Normal?
Tampa Bay Times
Is the Evolution of Dinosaurs Fueled by Ice and Not Fire? Here's the Truth
Times of India
Paleoclimate Graph Misused to Deny Global Warming
AFP Fact Check
