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August 22, 2024

Nearly two decades after Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf Coast, what policies have changed?

A look at some key legislation since Hurricane Katrina. By Zayna Syed  Streets that looked like canals, the Superdome surrounded by water, scores of displaced people on highway overpasses—these are some of the historic images that emerged from the floodwaters of Hurricane Katrina. As we approach the hurricane’s 19th anniversary, it is worth looking at how …

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Columbia Climate School Showcase: Insights and Future Steps

A high school intern reflects on the Columbia Climate School Showcase and its key takeaways. Written by Michelle Rozenfeld, High School Intern at NCDP, Senior at Bergen County Academies As a society, it is evident that we are experiencing more exceptional extremes, both environmentally and socially, than we could have previously imagined for this time …

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Training Solutions: Enhancing Tribal Nations’ Readiness and Resilience

U.S. Tribal Nations have historically been disproportionately affected by disasters but without access to vital resources before, during, and after calamitous events. The risks to Tribal Nations only increase in the face of climate change, which will further exacerbate inequities and pose new challenges for Tribal communities. The National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP) of …

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NCDP 20th Anniversary Reflections and Impacts

Shortly after the 9/11 attacks and the anthrax exposures, centers throughout the United States were set up to prepare for and make our nation more resilient. In 2003, the National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP), Columbia University, was founded to provide an academically based, interdisciplinary center focused on the capacity to prevent, respond to, and …

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Executive Action Alone Won’t Save Us from Climate Change

President Biden stopped short of declaring a national emergency for climate change in his most recent executive actions. But he may still do so in the future, and some of his advisors have indicated that he will do so, although it is unclear if this is still in play with the recent passage of the …

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Deadly extreme weather is the new normal

This piece was originally published on May 23, 2019, in The Hill. The extreme weather events this week in the Midwest are both alarming and tragic. It is estimated that at least 30 tornados touched down in Kansas, Missouri, and elsewhere on Tuesday alone. Unfortunately, there have also been at least four fatalities, with more injuries reported. Flooding …

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The water shortage may be coming to your neighborhood

This post was originally published on March 5, 2018 in CNN. Cape Town, South Africa, is set to run out of fresh water for its 4 million citizens on July 15. On that day — known as “Day Zero” — the city plans to set up 200 water access points for gathering 6.6 gallons of water per …

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