Lessons from Valencia’s Deadly Floods and the Role of AI in Disaster Preparedness

Source: Iván Portugués and Luis del Romero LEAP Wallerstein Panel Series: AI + Extreme Weather Preparedness Based on panel presentations and discussions by Gustau Camps-Valls, Félix Francés, Luis Gómez-Chova, and Ana Ruescas. On October 29, 2024, Spain’s Valencia region was devastated by an extreme weather event: one year’s worth of rain fell in a period …

AI for Early Warning Systems and Anticipatory Action

Source: Google Flood Hub LEAP Wallerstein Panel Series: AI + Extreme Weather Preparedness Based on panel presentations and discussions by Dr. Shruti Nath, Isaac Obai, Dr. Grey Nearing, and Dr. Josh DeVincenzo. Early warning systems and anticipatory action can help to dramatically reduce the negative impacts of extreme weather events on vulnerable populations around the …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …