Articles tagged with Anthropogenic Climate Change
A Dartmouth-led study suggests using clay to convert CO2 into food for zooplankton, which expel it as carbon-filled feces in the deep sea. This method accelerates the ocean's natural cycle for removing carbon from the atmosphere.
The Amazon rainforest is a significant source of condensation nuclei for clouds, according to two studies. The rainforest's plant transpiration and thunderstorms produce aerosol particles that can be transported thousands of kilometers, influencing marine cloud formation.
Historical records show manatee populations increased alongside human populations in the 1800s and 1900s. The study suggests that Florida manatees are more abundant today than any previous time in North American human history.
A new study by the University of Oxford's Department of Physics shows that relying on natural carbon sinks to offset CO2 emissions from fossil fuels will not stop global warming. Governments and corporations are increasingly turning to these natural sinks to meet climate goals, but this approach is flawed.
Young people face significant obstacles in participating in UN climate conferences due to economic barriers and red tape. The majority of participants are older than 26, and those who do participate often have limited influence on decisions affecting their future.
A new study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health found that more than half of European heat-related deaths in summer 2022 were related to human-induced climate change. The research showed a higher number of heat-related deaths attributed to climate change among women and people aged 80 and over.
Research from multiple ice cores in Greenland provides new understanding of Dansgaard-Oeschger events, which represent 'tipping points' in Earth's climate. The findings suggest interactions between the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation and wintertime sea ice play a key role in these events.
A comprehensive assessment of human activity in the Arctic reveals that over 5% of the region is affected by light pollution, with an annual increase of 4.8%. The study highlights the critical need for monitoring and planning to support sustainable development and conservation in the Arctic.
The world's freshwater lakes are freezing over for shorter periods due to climate change, affecting more than a billion people worldwide. Changes in ice duration have major implications for human safety, water quality, biodiversity, and global nutrient cycles.
Researchers found that rising temperatures accelerate weathering of rocks in the Canadian Arctic, leading to increased CO2 release and a positive feedback loop. This process could contribute significantly to climate change, with predicted emissions doubling by 2100 under moderate emission scenarios.
A new report warns of an unprecedented climate emergency, with key findings including widespread forest dieback and major ice sheet collapse. The authors emphasize the need for decisive action to safeguard the natural world and ensure a livable future.
The 2024 State of the Climate Report reveals a 'critical and unpredictable new phase of the climate crisis,' with many planetary vital signs at record extremes. The report highlights urgent policy changes needed in energy, pollutants, nature, food, and economy to mitigate catastrophic climate change.
The Antarctic Peninsula has experienced a dramatic increase in vegetation cover over the last four decades, with satellite data showing an acceleration of 30% in recent years. This 'greening' trend is attributed to climate change and has significant implications for the region's ecosystem and environmental future.
A University of Maryland-led study found that burying wood in the right environmental conditions can stop its decomposition and help curb carbon dioxide emissions. The researchers analyzed a 3,775-year-old log and surrounding soil, revealing that it had lost less than 5% carbon dioxide thanks to the low-permeability clay soil.
Northern elephant seals nearly went extinct due to overhunting but have since recovered to around 225,000 individuals. The recent study found the species' genetic diversity was reduced during this period, which may impair their ability to cope with future environmental changes.
A Dartmouth-led study found that air pollution from fossil fuels reaches the remote Arctic, altering its fundamental atmospheric chemistry. The researchers detected declines in methanesulfonic acid, a biomarker linked to phytoplankton productivity, which plummeted in environments high in emissions.
A new study finds that future climate change may reduce the Amazon's ability to act as a carbon sink by making it drier and hotter. The Amazon rainforest's carbon storage capacity is threatened by increased frequency and severity of droughts and heat extremes.
A new study reveals that Earth's surface temperature has varied more greatly over the past 485 million years than previously thought. The study, co-led by the Smithsonian and University of Arizona, confirms that carbon dioxide is strongly correlated with global temperatures across geological time.
A Dartmouth-led study projects that Antarctica's glaciers will rapidly retreat and potentially collapse by 2200, increasing global sea levels by up to 5.5 feet by 2300. The researchers used 16 ice-sheet models to refine the projection of ice loss over the next 300 years.
A new study shows that urban forests within walkable distance from residential areas are crucial in reducing heat-related health risks. Researchers found that nearby forests have a pronounced impact on reducing mortality risks, particularly those within 1 kilometre of residential areas.
The report highlights the need for urgent action to reduce pressure on the planet and ensure a basic standard of living for everyone. It recommends a coordinated effort between policymakers, businesses, and civil society to address inequality and transform the economy.
A new study led by Dartmouth researchers questions the rapid polar ice collapse model used in the IPCC's sixth assessment report. The team found that the expected rate of retreat is significantly lower than predicted, making the worst-case scenario less likely, but still dire due to ongoing ice loss from Greenland and Antarctica.
A new study finds that reduced sulfur emissions from shipping industry likely contributed to nearly 20% of record-breaking 2023 warmth, while regulations also accelerated warming. Further research is needed to understand the magnitude of climate response.
Researchers developed a new metric, R_AOD, to detect climate change using aerosols as tracers. They analyzed long-term satellite data and found significant temporal variations in aerosol transport, highlighting shifts in transboundary pollution pathways due to global warming.
Scientists analyzed rock samples from four Andes Mountains glaciers, finding they are smaller now than any time in the past 11,000 years. This suggests the tropics have already warmed beyond predicted limits, crossing a critical benchmark for glacier classification.
Research by the Royal Ontario Museum identifies Great Salt Lake as a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, with 4.1 million tons released in 2020. The study highlights the importance of considering desiccation of lakes and rivers in assessments of global greenhouse gas output.
A recent analysis suggests that the optimal fingerprinting method (OFM) can be improved to enhance its usefulness and accuracy in assessing climate tipping points. The study highlights the limitations of current methods and proposes a new approach that combines theoretical and dynamical reasoning.
Research shows that ocean warming and acidification could lead to catastrophic shark embryo survival decline by 2100. Monthly temperature variation plays a significant role in mortality rates.
A recent study analyzed 333,635 English tweets on man-made climate change, identifying four main narratives and common stances on the topic. The analysis highlights the challenges of addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, as well as the need to counter misinformation and conspiracy theories.
A recent study by Oregon State University found that US adults are fairly confident in linking wildfires and heat to climate change, but less so for hurricanes, flooding, or tornadoes. The survey also revealed significant differences in responses based on politics, personal experience, and demographics.
Human-caused nitrous oxide emissions accelerated globally, reaching a record high in 2022, with the agricultural sector accounting for 74% of emissions. The use of chemical fertilizers and animal manure is particularly significant contributors to this growth.
A study found a strong association between media diet and science-consistent beliefs about climate change, with far-right media having a stronger negative impact on climate change beliefs and support for a carbon tax. Exposure to centrist and science media was positively associated with these beliefs.
A new study finds that the US Drought Monitor is not keeping pace with climate change, leading to frequent severe droughts being classified as rare. The consequences are dire, with some regions spending more time in extreme drought conditions than federal guidelines allow, potentially leaving them without adequate aid.
Research detects declines in bees and butterflies in western and southern North America due to environmental change and habitat loss. The study identifies regions of concern and highlights the need for conservation efforts and improved monitoring methods.
A team of researchers found that the current rate of atmospheric carbon dioxide increase is 10 times faster than at any other point in the past 50,000 years. The study provides new insight into abrupt climate change periods and potential impacts of climate change today.
A new computer algorithm developed by University of Oxford scientist Samar Khatiwala can drastically reduce the spin-up time of Earth System Models, enabling researchers to investigate subtle changes in model parameters and define uncertainty more accurately. This breakthrough could lead to better predictions of future climate change a...
Research reveals that the East Asian Monsoon delivers high levels of pollutants to the upper atmosphere, where they can influence the climate system. The findings raise questions about the pace of ozone layer recovery and highlight the need for further research into the implications of these pollutants.
Oasis growth and loss have been tracked globally over 25 years, with significant increases in Asia due to intentional expansion. However, desertification has led to a substantial loss of approximately 134,000 square kilometers of oasis land worldwide.
New research by Bangor University reveals that summer storms help maintain healthy oxygen levels in deep waters around the UK. The study shows that oxygen mixing can slow the development of a summer oxygen deficit, improving ocean health.
A new report by a team of experts outlines an approach that combines Indigenous knowledge with Western science to develop more resilient forest management practices. The 'braided' approach aims to promote the health and diversity of forests, which are increasingly threatened by climate change.
A new study by Johns Hopkins University reveals that California is the nation's greatest emitter of sulfuryl fluoride, a common pesticide. The majority of emissions come from structural fumigation in just a few counties, contributing to global warming.
A new study finds that extreme tropical cyclone rainfall is increasing across the continental US, while climate warming restricts 'outdoor days' for people living in developing countries. Additionally, air pollution increases mortality risks from heat, especially when combined with other factors like wildfires and reduced aerosols.
A young researcher from the University of Copenhagen has made a surprising discovery of high concentrations of methane in meltwater from three Canadian mountain glaciers. The findings challenge previous assumptions that methane in meltwater could only be found in oxygen-free environments under large ice masses.
A major research programme found that climate change risks to human and natural systems greatly increase with global warming, leading to droughts, flooding, crop yields decline, and loss of biodiversity. Limiting global warming to 1.5 ºC could reduce these risks by up to 61% in some countries.
Research suggests polar climates are adjusting to a warming climate with changes in regional climate dynamics. Altered ocean-sea ice interactions may be driving recent fluctuations in sea ice extent, according to new studies.
Research by Dr. Armineh Barkhordarian finds that Arctic marine heatwaves will become a regular occurrence, with average temperatures rising 2.2 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms. The study suggests that annual heatwaves will be the norm, with significant negative impacts on the ecosystem.
A new study reveals that introducing a simple, renewable chemical to the pretreatment step can make next-generation biofuel production cost-effective and carbon neutral. A CELF biorefinery can more fully utilize plant matter than earlier methods, resulting in sustainable aviation fuel at a break-even price of $3.15 per gallon.
New research reveals permafrost's dominant role in shaping Arctic rivers and storing massive amounts of carbon. Thawing permafrost could unleash billions of tons of CO2, exacerbating climate change.
Researchers uncover key mechanisms behind 2021's Pacific Northwest 'Heat Dome', attributing it to human-caused warming and natural systems. The study reveals the interplay between atmospheric dynamics, soil moisture, and climate change shapes extreme weather conditions.
A new Dartmouth study finds that seasonal snowpacks have shrunk significantly over the past 40 years due to human-driven climate change. The sharpest global warming-related reductions are in the Southwestern and Northeastern United States, as well as in Central and Eastern Europe.
A new study by ICTA-UAB shows that pursuing higher economic growth may jeopardise the Paris goals and leave no viable pathways for humanity to stabilise the climate. Slower growth rates make it more feasible to achieve the Paris goals, with lower economic growth reducing CO2 emissions by 10-13% by 2030.
A 1916 study by Eugene Clyde La Rue estimated the Colorado River discharged just 15 million acre-feet of water, but was ignored in favor of a higher estimate. Today, the river's actual flow is around 13 million acre-feet per year, prompting calls for improved estimates and Indigenous involvement in managing the water.
New data analysis reveals that regional temperature patterns are crucial for evaluating climate models, with warmer temperatures in the North Atlantic and a cooler North Atlantic found to be more accurate. This approach provides better insights into the spatial impact of climate change and its effects on ecosystems and human societies.
A new study of 600 years of tree rings from the San Joaquin Valley reveals that climate extremes have been more severe and lasted longer than modern records, highlighting flood and drought risks in California. The research combines paleo information with synthetic weather generation to help understand and anticipate these risks.
Researchers found a tradeoff between fast growth and heat tolerance in corals, with thermally sensitive algae dominating faster growth but only in cooler water. This study helps predict reef futures and inform conservation strategies, highlighting the complexity of coral growth on a reef.
A study led by Indiana University researchers explores the potential of climate engineering to slow Antarctic ice loss through stratospheric aerosol injection. The approach could buy time to address climate change and avoid catastrophic sea-level rise.
Research by Dominik Stolzenburg reveals that aerosols from volatile organic substances can cluster together to form condensation nuclei for water vapor. This process affects cloud density and global warming, potentially offsetting the effect of CO2 increases on climate change.
Researchers found that anthropogenic climate change heightens risks of spatially compounding flooding and heatwave events, with likelihood increasing tenfold by mid-21st century under high-emissions scenario. Adopting low-emissions scenario could reduce this likelihood to seven times more probable.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in studying species evolution by using robotic video microscopes and computer vision to measure embryo characteristics. The study found huge changes in an embryo's observable traits before and after developmental events, suggesting that measuring timings of development is just the tip of the iceberg.
Researchers found that green spaces alleviate extreme heat's negative impacts on human health, while densely packed buildings increase mortality risk. Urban design strategies incorporating different types of greenery are recommended to mitigate heatwave-associated mortality.