Climate scientists have detected human-induced climate change at a regional scale in Canada, southern Europe and China. The study uses four climate models to simulate climates over time periods, reproducing observed temperature changes that can't be explained by natural variability alone.
Researchers predict that climate change will reduce cyclamen's ideal climate range by over 60% within the next 50 years, putting many species at high risk of extinction. Mathematical modeling indicates that the plant may disappear from certain regions by the 2050s.
Rising carbon dioxide levels pose unprecedented risks to climate change, as evidenced by an 800,000-year Antarctic ice core record. Human activity has increased CO2 beyond natural ranges, raising concerns about future sinks' effectiveness.
Climate change is likely to affect health through vector-borne and diarrheal diseases, malnutrition, flood-related conditions, heat and cold deaths. Increasing renewable energy use can improve health by reducing air pollution and addressing climate change.
Climate change is expected to shift the suitable ranges of blue oak and valley oak in California, with potential habitats shrinking by nearly half, posing a challenge for conservation planning. The study highlights the importance of regional climate models for accurately predicting species' responses to climate change.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that climate change affects the oceans' ability to store carbon dioxide. The best location for injecting CO2 into the deep ocean changes with climate change, with the Atlantic Ocean proving more effective than other locations.
As climate change intensifies, humans will become more vulnerable to heat-related mortality, air pollution-related illnesses, infectious diseases, and malnutrition. Developing climate forecasts and warning systems can mitigate future health problems, but it's crucial to avoid maladaptation and take proactive measures to minimize risks.
Researchers warn that economic models of climate change often neglect potential threshold responses, leading to biased policies. The development of observation systems that can detect early warning signals about these events could improve climate policies and have significant economic benefits.
A new study suggests that natural climate change may be more significant than previously thought, with a notable cold period in the 17th century and similarities between historical reconstructions and computer simulations. The findings highlight the importance of considering natural variability in future climate scenarios.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology found that climate change can shape genetic diversity in mammals. Researchers analyzed fossil samples and contemporary data from two mammal species, the Montane vole and northern pocket gopher, and discovered that climate-induced habitat alterations influenced variation in genetic diversity.
A recent study published in Science has found that tropical vegetation changes lagged local tropical climate shifts by 25 to 50 years. This contradicts previous research suggesting a high-latitude trigger for abrupt climate shifts. The researchers used sediment cores from the Cariaco Basin in Venezuela to make their findings.
Researchers analyzed sediment cores to reconstruct climate over the last 5 million years, finding a gradual transition from warmer Pliocene to cooler Pleistocene climates. The climate system became more sensitive to small perturbations, leading to dramatic swings in climate patterns.
A study predicts that climate change will put 15-37% of species in biodiversity-rich regions at risk of extinction by 2050. The study used computer models to simulate the impact of changing temperatures on species distributions, and found that well over a million species could be threatened with extinction.
A new computer model has identified a significant link between high-latitude climate phenomena and tropical regions, warming ocean temperatures by up to 1 degree Celsius. The discovery reveals a hidden climate mechanism that significantly influences global and regional climate change.
A new climate model, ALL, integrated multiple factors into a single experiment, recreating observed temperature records for the 20th century. The model predicts increased global warming of 5.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the 21st century when sulphate emissions reductions are considered.
A new study challenges current climate change understanding by suggesting that aerosols may have a greater cooling effect than previously thought. This could alter projections of future climate change if high-magnitude negative aerosol forcing values are correct, potentially downplaying human activity's role in warming.
Warren Washington predicts that the global climate will continue to warm into the 22nd century, albeit at a slower rate than if emissions are not controlled. Climate extremes such as heat waves, floods, and droughts are expected to become more severe and frequent.
Climate change affects ocean's sequestration capacity, with the Atlantic Ocean proving more effective at storing carbon dioxide. The impact is most pronounced in the Atlantic, where rising sea surface temperatures slow down thermohaline circulation and reduce mixing, exacerbating the problem.
Researchers used a climate change model on Earth to analyze Mars' polar regions, finding a correlation between the layers of ice and dust and changes in climate. The study suggests that Mars' climate changes can be explained by orbital theory, similar to Earth.
The Community Climate System Model, version 2 (CCSM-2) is a new computer model that will help scientists understand the Earth's climate system. It has increased capabilities allowing for more detailed climate projections and will be used to produce improved simulations of average climate and climate variability.
Researchers found that glaciers in the tropical Andes Mountains retreated several thousand years earlier than North American glaciers during a wet period, indicating temperature change was the primary cause of glacial retreat. This challenges conventional wisdom that high northern latitudes drive global climate change.
A new climate study found that glaciers in the tropical Andes Mountains retreated several thousand years earlier than North American glaciers during a period of wet climate conditions. The research contradicts traditional thinking on global glaciation and suggests an alternative trigger for climate change.
Dr. Richard B. Alley suggests that past climate records indicate abrupt changes, particularly near poles and away from them. He proposes a threshold-based approach to climate change, which could lead to more realistic predictions of future climate shifts.
Researchers used computer models to simulate the effects of elevated carbon dioxide on cotton crop yields, predicting a 26-36% increase in yields. The study's findings suggest that climate change may have a positive impact on US cotton production.
A new study by UI atmospheric scientists reveals a 54% chance that climate sensitivity exceeds the IPCC's upper bound, posing significant risks to humanity. The researchers propose an adaptive-decision strategy to mitigate uncertainty and facilitate robust climate-change policy.
Researchers will examine climate change's effects on ecosystems, societal perceptions, and natural resources in the United States. Key findings include vulnerabilities of specific regions and possible coping strategies for adapting to projected water and nutrient shortages.
A team of top experts from the University of California will participate in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP-6) in The Hague, Netherlands. The scientists will present a special event on global climate change issues, providing objective scientific discussions and updates.
Scientists have found that the tropical Pacific Ocean played a key role in driving past ice ages, cooling by at least 3 degrees Celsius during each of the last five ice ages. This discovery challenges the long-held theory that high latitude and North Atlantic processes were the primary drivers of climate change.
A study led by Colorado State University scientists reveals that human-caused global changes, such as land-use change and nitrogen deposition, are expected to drive biodiversity loss between now and 2100. The research identifies five primary drivers of global change and assesses their impact on terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.
A 2,000-year-old climate warming event was discovered in East Africa by analyzing sediment cores from a high-altitude lake. This study suggests that the climate can warm up suddenly without human activity, providing new insights into past climate fluctuations and potentially informing predictions about future climate change.
A team of researchers, led by Maureen E. Raymo, have discovered millennial-scale climate instabilities that existed much further back in time than previously thought. These rapid climate fluctuations were found to be tied to changes in ocean circulation and heat transfer.
Penn State researchers investigate climate change's effects on the Susquehanna River Basin, examining vulnerabilities to flooding, waterborne diseases, and policy decisions. They find that effective measures like increased filtration, boiling water, and balanced expenses can mitigate these risks.
Researchers at Penn State used global and regional climate models to investigate climate change differences. They found that regional models produced warmer temperatures, leading to more rain and less snowfall in the Northeastern United States.
A new report from Cornell University predicts climate change will have a significant impact on US workplaces, with potential job losses of up to 1.6 million. The report identifies numerous strategies for unions and workers to improve environmental performance and create sustainable jobs.
A new RFF issues brief highlights the potential impacts of climate change on agriculture, with estimates suggesting a modest reduction in grain production in developing countries and improvements in industrialized nations. However, the author notes that regional changes are highly uncertain due to varying climate models.
A new RFF issues brief highlights the potential impacts of climate change on water supplies, including increased precipitation, evapotranspiration, and extreme weather events. The report emphasizes the need for more efficient water management and use to mitigate these effects.
A new study suggests that an adaptive-decision strategy can reduce costs and damages associated with climate change. By observing the climate system and making mid-course corrections, policymakers can make more reasonable and defensible choices about climate-change policy.
The RFF briefing papers provide topical, timely, and non-technical information and analysis on climate change policies. Key policy lessons and economic implications are outlined, including the role of economics in addressing climate change risks and costs.
Researchers investigate how climate change affects vulnerable populations, including access to public water supply and education levels. The study aims to understand the potential regional-scale effects of climate change on social groups in specific regions.
The program aims to increase understanding of climate change policy issues, focusing on economic and environmental consequences, policy design, interactions with other policies, equity and efficiency, and development of analytical tools. RFF will conduct research projects and issue papers on selected topics.