A review of climate change impacts on species and ecosystems reveals a gap in conservation science focusing on indirect effects, such as seasonal changes and extreme weather events. Most studies (89%) exclusively examine direct threats, with no studies solely focusing on indirect threats.
New research suggests that climate change increases the risk of a major slowdown in global crop yields over the next two decades. The odds of such an event are about 1 in 10 for corn and 1 in 20 for wheat, even with a warming climate.
Community forests hold 37.7 billion tonnes of carbon, a critical tool to reduce emissions and fight climate change. Strengthening community rights can prevent deforestation and mitigate climate change by up to 12 billion tonnes of avoided carbon dioxide emissions.
A new study estimates that low-carbon energy options require additional investments of around $800 billion a year from now to mid-century. The researchers found that much of this capital could come from shifting subsidies and investments away from fossil fuels.
A recent study examines how climate change alters species interactions in marine ecosystems, particularly predator-prey relationships. The research found that warming temperatures can lead to decreased energy reserves in prey species, highlighting the need for considering multiple species and their interactions when understanding ecolo...
Researchers found opposing climate change patterns in middle latitude areas of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Stalagmites and flowstones showed growth during interglacial eras when it was warm and moist, contrasting with stagnation during glacial eras.
New research reveals that climate change coverage has overshadowed biodiversity issues in media and funding. Biodiversity conservation experts recommend leveraging climate change awareness to secure more funds and attention for critical conservation efforts.
A new report ranks climate engineering approaches in terms of feasibility and cost-effectiveness. Researchers conclude that reducing greenhouse gas emissions through low-carbon energy sources and behavioral changes is still the most effective way to confront climate change.
A CU-Boulder study found prominent US newspapers using more hedging language in climate change articles, while Spanish papers use less uncertainty about climate change than expected. Researchers examined articles from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, as well as El Mundo and El Pais.
A new study suggests that local factors, such as fungal colonization and terrain, play a more significant role in wood decomposition rates than previously thought. This finding has implications for climate models, which may be weakened by aggregating data across large geographic areas.
A global survey of 350 cities reveals that 75% tackle climate-change issues as part of their planning, with 73% attempting both mitigation and adaptation. However, only 21% report tangible connections between climate change response and achieving other local development goals.
A recent study found that public interest in climate change has remained steady despite negative media reports and scandals, but is not stirred by positive science. The researchers suggest that climate scientists should re-examine how to engage the public more effectively.
The US National Climate Assessment reports that nearly all natural and managed ecosystems are experiencing climate change impacts, threatening biodiversity and ecosystem services. The assessment provides guidelines for responding and adapting to these changes, highlighting the urgent need for policy development.
Climate change impacts vary widely across Africa, with specific regions at high risk due to drought and flooding. The study identifies hotspots in Sudan, Ethiopia, Lake Victoria, and South Africa, requiring adaptive measures to mitigate damage.
Neiker-Tecnalia's research finds climate change reduces anthocyanin content in Tempranillo grapes, leading to lower-quality wines. Climate-induced water stress also delays ripening and reduces polyphenol content.
New research from Carnegie Institution scientists highlights the need for policy decisions based on sound science, rather than anecdotal information about local weather. The study finds that even as extreme weather events influence public opinion and support for climate change mitigation, waiting for people to experience these conditio...
New studies at La Brea Tar Pits reveal significant changes in dire wolf and saber-toothed cat skulls over time, driven by climate change. These adaptations allowed the animals to survive as glaciers receded and climate warmed, providing insights into how species respond to climate change.
Researchers argue that current climate models fail to accurately capture the economic costs of climate change, leading to underestimated damage and ineffective policy decisions. To improve this, scientists must collaborate and update their models more frequently.
New research finds that increased scientific uncertainty in the climate system necessitates even greater action to mitigate climate change. The study shows that as uncertainty in temperature increase expected with a doubling of CO2 rises, so do economic damages and likelihood of exceeding safe temperature limits.
A study by the University of Leeds reveals that global warming of 2°C will negatively impact crop yields in temperate and tropical regions, with reduced yields starting from the 2030s. The impact of climate change on crops will vary from year-to-year and place-to-place, becoming more erratic.
A new NASA study suggests that Earth's climate will continue to warm during this century, with a possible 20% increase in warming compared to previous estimates. The research focuses on improving the understanding of how airborne particles drive climate change, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere.
African smallholder farmers can benefit from agroforestry practices to increase storage of carbon, enhance agricultural productivity, and improve resilience to climate change impacts. Agroforestry is a win-win solution that addresses both mitigation and adaptation needs in food-focused production systems.
A study of 36 species found that climate change increases extinction risk by 28% by 2100, but existing conservation methods can identify vulnerable species. The research identifies key factors such as small range and population size that predispose species to high extinction risk.
Two UK start-ups, AdFerTech and Straw Fuels, have won €20K Climate-KIC prizes for their innovative solutions to mitigate climate change. AdFerTech's technology converts waste liquor into organic fertiliser, while Straw Fuels produces eco-friendly fire logs made from straw.
A new statistical hierarchical Bayesian model consolidates climate change information from various sources, including observation-based data sets and climate models. The approach provides an ensemble estimate of current and future climate along with a measure of uncertainty.
Chris Field, a leading climate expert, will discuss the state of climate science and emerging challenges related to climate change. Analysis of 27 climate models reveals accelerated pace of climate change, posing significant risks for the future.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) will host a panel discussion on climate change research challenges, led by atmospheric scientist Donald J. Wuebbles. The session will explore issues such as downscaling predictions, reliably predicting extreme weather events, and adapting to climate change impacts.
The study creates maps of habitat corridors connecting protected areas in the tropics to conserve biodiversity and mitigate climate change. The corridors provide opportunities for carbon sequestration and avoiding emissions from deforestation.
A new CU-Boulder study analyzed over 1,000 scientific studies on North American mammal responses to human-caused climate change, finding that only 52% of species responded as expected. Large mammal body size and restricted times during a day were key traits tied to climate change responses.
A team of New York University scientists has found that the warming of the North and Tropical Atlantic Ocean is contributing to climate change in Antarctica. The study, published in Nature, reveals a previously unknown force behind Antarctic climate change.
A recent analysis suggests that reducing livestock emissions can help mitigate climate change, particularly methane and nitrous oxide. Ruminants, such as cattle, produce copious amounts of methane in their digestive systems, with greenhouse gas emissions from these animals being 19-48 times higher than plant-based protein sources.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds that climate change will increase global water scarcity, affecting millions of people worldwide. The study estimates that 40% more people will be at risk of absolute water scarcity due to climate change, with significant regional differences in impacts.
Research teams compared climate simulations to assess drought, water scarcity and river flooding impacts. The study found that frequency of drought may increase by over 20%, while 40% more people are at risk of absolute water scarcity without reduced greenhouse-gas emissions.
A new study predicts that climate change will lead to a decline in the spread of snail fever in Africa, with up to 19% reduction in infectious areas. The parasite's host snails are expected to lose suitable habitats due to rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns.
A new paper by James Hansen and colleagues assesses the impacts of global warming, concluding that drastic emission reductions are needed to stabilize the climate. A call for papers on responses to climate change has been issued, with a focus on alternative energy development, environmental preservation, and ecosystem restoration.
A study of 200 urban areas in eleven European countries found that one in every three cities has no plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while seven in ten have no formal adaptation plans. Cities are crucial in addressing climate change due to their significant emission contributions and vulnerability to climate hazards.
Researchers emphasize the need for better engagement between scientists and stakeholders in addressing climate-related issues such as sea level rise, severe storms, and declining snowpack. A comprehensive approach to research is proposed to develop effective measures for establishing adaptation science.
Researchers developed a simple rule to evaluate co-evolving relationships between species and their interactions with climate change. The study found that conflicting species interactions reduce climate change effects, while non-conflicting interactions amplify them.
New research reveals that groups cooperate less for climate change mitigation when rewards are in the future, especially for future generations. Despite initial investment, none of the groups achieved the target due to instant gratification.
A new study finds that climate change has shifted the centers of North American turtles' ranges by an average of 45 miles per degree, with temperate forest and grassland species being more affected. This trend indicates that many endangered turtle species face uncertain futures due to their inability to adapt to changing climates.
A recent study published in Environmental Research Letters suggests that about half of global warming occurs within the first decade after an instantaneous step increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration, while about one-quarter occurs more than a century later. The research brings together results from leading climate models, revealing...
A UA-led international collaboration studies how microbes release greenhouse gases as they access nutrients in thawing permafrost soils. The team aims to explain the relationships between microbial processes and climate change, with potential implications for solving the 'big biology problem' in climate change.
Scientists have created a vulnerability map to help governments and organizations invest in protected area establishment and restoration efforts in the most vulnerable regions. The map assesses ecosystems' intactness and stability under future climate change predictions, identifying southern Asia, Europe, and Australia as high-risk areas.
A new study found that some parts of Europe have experienced a significant warming trend in extreme temperatures, with the hottest days getting 4 times hotter than the global average. This research has important implications for decision-making and planning, highlighting the need for local climate knowledge to address climate change.
Conservationists at the Zoological Society of London have devised a novel method to identify suitable new homes for animals under threat from climate change. The research uses habitat suitability maps and correctly identifies sites that will remain viable in the future.
A new analysis suggests that reducing only short-lived climate pollutants like soot and methane will have a smaller impact on limiting global warming. Focusing on all greenhouse gases is necessary to stabilize the climate system.
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System faces increasing climate-related stressors, threatening coastal ecosystems and human communities. Climate sensitivity was highest in southern East Coast reserves, which provide ideal locations to assess climate change impacts.
Researchers analyze fossil records to understand how past climate changes affected species interactions, potentially revealing patterns for predicting future changes. This study's findings suggest that similar processes drive natural systems' responses to climate change.
Climate change is affecting infectious diseases worldwide, causing human health and biodiversity conservation impacts. The study proposes modeling disease systems to predict and mitigate the spread of lethal diseases.
Researchers from Carnegie Institution review climate models predicting significant warming over most terrestrial regions during the 21st century. The analysis highlights the need to consider uncertainties in greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on future climate change.
Climate scientists warn that the likely rate of change over the next century will be 10 times quicker than any climate shift in the past 65 million years. The rapid pace of modern climate change poses a challenge to species, ecosystems, and human societies.
The Iberian lynx, the world's most endangered cat species, is threatened by climate change and may go extinct in 50 years. Climate change must be incorporated into strategies to reintroduce the species to new habitats for survival.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that up to 83% of birds, 66% of amphibians, and 70% of corals are highly vulnerable to climate change but not currently listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List. This means they may not be receiving focused conservation attention, putting their survival at risk.
A University of Maryland-led team is developing new models to understand the relationship between conflict, socio-economic conditions and climate. The research aims to project future conflicts and develop interventions to reduce civil disorder under climate change scenarios.
A new study by researchers from IIASA and CICERO estimates that personal travel impacts the climate, with air travel having the biggest impact per distance traveled. The study suggests that choosing trains, buses, or carpooling can significantly reduce an individual's carbon footprint.
A new 100,000-year climate record from Borneo provides insights into the tropical Pacific's sensitivity to abrupt climate change events. The study found that climate feedbacks in tropical regions may amplify and prolong these events, which were previously discovered in the North Atlantic.
A team of scientists and citizen-scientists analyzed 12,000 peer-reviewed papers on climate change, finding that over 97% of authors support human-caused climate change. The study aims to raise public awareness of the scientific consensus on climate change.
A recent study found that people with negative feelings towards climate change actively seek out more information, while those with positive emotions tend to avoid it. The researchers suggest that improving risk communication about climate change could benefit from approaches such as arousing curiosity and promoting optimism.
The report outlines how climate change could affect habitats, plants and animals within the sanctuary, as well as adjacent coastal areas. Climate change poses a grave threat to the health of the ocean, with impacts felt in marine protected areas like the Olympic Coast sanctuary.
Researchers are using fossilized tree pollen and mammal fossils to understand how plants and animals responded to past climate changes. They aim to develop better models to predict forest responses to future climate changes.