By Selva Ozelli

The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) is a world-renowned research institution at Columbia University, founded in 1949 to study Earth's natural systems. LDEO scientists were among the first to map the seafloor, provide proof for the theory of plate tectonics, continental drift, and develop a computer model that predicted El Niño events. LDEO's research covers everything from formation of the Earth, moon, and solar system, as well as the movement of carbon and other materials through the Earth System, including its atmosphere, oceans, and land, using different types of Earth materials from sediments to cave deposits to tree rings to identify past climate shifts and changes.

Using Science & Art to promote COP30

Columbia University, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ryYqv2WJ_M

Ahead of this year's United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil with a "Forests to Sea" theme that recognizes the interconnectedness of these two vital ecosystems, during September, LDEO's Tree Ring Lab celebrated its 50th anniversary. The Tree Ring Lab held a colloquium to highlight its contributions to climate and environmental research over the past five decades that focuses on using tree rings to understand past and future climate change. This includes creating global climate records, developing new quantitative methods, and analyzing how forests respond to events like heat waves, and droughts, with a specific emphasis on their role in the forest carbon cycle.

Climate Disasters Inspired by Great Masters an AI Art Show by Mary Tiegreen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj4_ICdUC84

Mary Tiegreen explained the inspiration for her exhibition at LDEO, which is featured at COP30's Climate Heritage Network event: "Over the past eight years, I have had the opportunity to work as art director at ClimateChangeResources.org, an extensive not-for profit website dedicated to climate change issues. I began exploring Bing's AI text-to-image creator to create images of climate impacts depicting the range of ecosystems and environmental issues that span from terrestrial (forests, wildfires, drought) to marine (sea-level rise, ocean acidification, plastic pollution) environments that complement COP30's "Forest To Ocean" theme.

Working with AI, I am able to create an image that seems to have been painted by a master artist from a distant past, depicting an environmental crisis from the future. And that was how my art project began."

LDEO's Research of the Amazon

At LDEO scientists are conducting extensive studies of the Amazon rainforest that align with the COP30's "Forests to Sea" theme. They are concerned about current deforestation rates in the Brazilian Amazon, since ongoing deforestation and climate change are driving substantial transformations, increasing water stress and potentially pushing the Amazon towards a critical tipping point or large-scale dieback, which would have global climate implications. Because forests are critical habitats for over 80% of terrestrial species, including numerous bird, butterfly and rabbit species, which is the focus of artist Hunt Slonem's art work.

Hunt Slonem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn5ZLvHOoK0

Hunt Slonem explained the inspiration for focusing his paintings on butterflies, birds and rabbits that are on exhibit at COP30's Climate Heritage Network event: "My focus on butterflies, birds, and rabbits is rooted in a blend of personal experiences, a deep spiritual connection to nature. This strong bond with nature and its symbolism offers a beautiful foundation for artistic expression. My life experiences living in tropical places like Hawaii and Nicaragua have given me a unique perspective, allowing the shapes, colors, and forms of these beautiful living creatures to continuously fuel my creativity with a profound influence on my life and art."

The Amazon is home to at least 35% of the world's known butterfly species, with estimates of at least 7,00...