- NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Climate Change Impacts on Water Availability in Namibia
Imagery analysis suggests a native melon species in the Namib Desert may be a quantifiable proxy for the intensity of rain events due to climate change. This intensity in turn may be a leading indicator of economic and political unrest in the Namib Desert region because the melon is a primary source of food for the Topnaar people.
Russia's Arctic Dilemma: Permafrost Thaw Threatens Russia's Ambitions
Climate change in the Arctic is impacting Russia's Arctic plans. As temperatures rise, thawing permafrost has increased the cost of repairs to existing facilities and infrastructure, especially runways. The rate of construction of new facilities more suited to the changing climate situation has also increased Russia's expenditures, which impacts the execution of their strategy.
Part I: Analyzing China's Continued Expansion of Coal-Fired Power Capacity
In September 2020, against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic and with the global economy still reeling, China pledged that it would achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. In this two-part series, researchers from the Columbia School of International and Public Affairs explore China's progress towards that goal along two vectors: "brown" and "green". Part I ("brown") identifies 5 coal-fired power plants, approved in March 2020, and tracks their construction and continued development.