Environment and Climate

Page 9 of 9
Two firefighters surrounded by burning forest

Where Climate Adds Fuel to the Fires

Wildland Fires Ben Hannon ’13Science, Technology, and Society Ben Hannon ’13 has seen one of the most referenced consequences of climate change up close. He’s felt the searing heat and been engulfed by the billowing smoke. He’s seen flames leap from treetop to treetop, vaulting…
Rainforest floor with water and moss

As Forests Return, Justin Becknell is watching

Forest Ecology Justin BecknellAssistant Professor of Environmental Studies Once a patch of tropical forest is razed, it isn’t necessarily gone forever. Trees and wildlife often return, if given a chance. As trees grow, the forest resumes its role as an air filter, drawing planet-warming carbon dioxide…
Clouds in evening sky

Putting Climate Science into Perspective

Atmospheric Science Jim FlemingCharles A. Dana Professor of Science, Technology, and Society Climate change in today’s terms can often feel like a precipice: a 2°C limit for warming; 410 parts per million carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; 100-year weather events. Carbon budgets. Thresholds. Milestones. Tipping points.
Traffic and air pollution in Beijing

Seeking a Smarter City

Environmental Studies and Computer Science Sola Zheng ’17Environmental Studies – Computation As a young student in Shanghai, Sola Zheng ’17 wanted a college experience that would bring her closer to nature. She found it on Mayflower Hill, but one aspect of rural America jolted her.
Allen Island, Maine

Seeing Light Amidst the Gloom

Environmental Connections Sandy Buck ’78 Sandy Buck ’78 was in the office of the Horizon Foundation, on Commercial Street in Portland’s Old Port, talking about climate change. He also wanted to talk about a Colby alumna, Maggie Parrish ’15. Buck, a Colby trustee who, with his wife,…
Flooding of housing in Thailand

Inspiring Students to Step Up

Public Health and Climate Change Gail CarlsonAssistant Professor ofEnvironmental Studies Just four or five years ago, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Gail Carlson found that her first-year students arrived at Colby pessimistic about the future of the planet. “Students were like, ‘I might not have kids. ……
Observation tower in jungle forest

Mapping a Clearer Picture of Air Pollution’s Effects

Atmospheric Chemistry Karena McKinneyAssociate Professor of Chemistry On a smoggy day, when it’s harder to see the skyline, we get a glimpse of something else: The complex story of our air. From driving cars to spraying chemicals to making electricity, modern life sends a cocktail of gases…
Large hurricane seen from outer space

On the Forefront of Climate Policy

Renewable Energy Tyler Clevenger ’16 As international climate talks convened last November, an unofficial cadre arrived in Bonn to affirm support from the United States. Cities, states, and businesses promised to honor the 2015 Paris Agreement under an effort dubbed America’s Pledge, despite President Donald Trump’s…
Glacier

Time-Traveling Through Antarctic Ice

Earth and Climate Sciences Bess KoffmanAssistant Professor of Geology From the outside, a plug of ice extracted from the depths of an Antarctic glacier might look like just that: ice. But that cylinder of frozen water contains an invisible layer cake of data about Earth’s atmosphere…