Articles tagged with Anthropogenic Climate Change
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.
A new research project will explore the potential for low-lying coral atoll islands to survive the impact of rising sea levels, contradicting previous forecasts. The five-year £2.8m ARISE project will conduct extensive field tests and laboratory experiments in the Maldives and Pacific.
A new study by Colorado State University reveals that seismic signals show a growing intensity in ocean waves since the late 20th century, attributed to global warming. The research indicates that storms are becoming more intense and wave energy is increasing globally, posing a serious threat to coastal ecosystems and infrastructure.
An international team of scientists has updated its influential report, warning that life on Earth is under siege due to climate change. The authors track 35 vital signs and find 20 at record extremes, including rising temperatures, wildfires, and food insecurity affecting 735 million people.
Researchers have found that water temperatures between 20-25 degrees Celsius are at the greatest risk for developing dangerous levels of microcystin, a common algae-produced toxin. Climate change is expected to increase blue-green algae populations, posing serious health hazards and economic risks.
A new study published in Conservation Physiology identifies the critical limits of plant function under stress, enabling more effective conservation strategies. By understanding these limits, conservationists can identify vulnerable species and allocate resources more wisely.
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey's record flooding, researchers discovered a unique form of evolutionary change called spatial sorting that dominated the evolution of Jadera haematoloma bugs. This rapid adaptation allowed them to access seeds on goldenrain trees, outcompeting native species with longer beaks.
Researchers propose MXene and MBene compounds for capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, leveraging their high selectivity and mechanical stability. These two-dimensional materials can be engineered to selectively capture CO2, offering a potential solution to curb global warming.
Scientists point to non-CO2 emissions, carbon dioxide removal, and halting deforestation as key strategies to slow global warming. Current pledges fall short of the 1.5-degree goal, but adjustments in climate pledges can bring it within reach.
Researchers investigated Japan's market for incorporating greener plastics to achieve carbon neutrality. They found that bioplastics have the lowest global warming potential, while recycled plastics are cheaper but with lower quality and recyclability. A robust recycling system is crucial to ensure quality assurance.
Oregon State University economist Bill Jaeger concludes that 30 years of international treaties on climate change are insufficient due to long delays between cost reduction and benefit realization. Courts recognizing climate rights could add leverage, giving voice to future generations.
A US study found that increasing nest temperatures affects leatherback hatchling morphology, performance and hatching success. Mid-season nests had the highest hatching success and better physical performance.
The State of the Climate report confirms record highs in greenhouse gas concentrations, global sea levels, and ocean heat content. Scientists from over 60 countries contributed to the annual review, providing a comprehensive update on Earth's climate indicators and notable weather events.
Researchers analyzed tree-ring data and historical records to reconstruct rainfall totals in the eastern Amazon. They found that recent extreme floods may not have exceeded natural hydroclimatic variability, but could still pose devastating consequences for a growing population living in high-risk areas.
A new study reveals that volcanic eruptions can temporarily weaken the Pacific Walker Circulation, a major driver of global precipitation. The recent strengthening of this circulation suggests that aerosols from human activity may have an opposite effect on its behavior.
A new modeling tool called REBURN can simulate large forest landscapes and wildfire dynamics under different management strategies. The tool shows that setting prescribed burns and allowing smaller wildfires to burn can yield more varied and resilient forests over time.
The Colorado River Basin has lost approximately 40 trillion liters of water between 2000 and 2021 due to climate change, equivalent to the entire storage capacity of Lake Mead. The rapid reduction in runoff is largely responsible for this water loss, with warming temperatures leading to a 10.3% decrease in flow rates.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara's Climate Hazards Center have made significant advancements in predicting droughts and food shortages in the Eastern Horn of Africa, enabling agencies to take effective actions and provide humanitarian assistance. These early warnings have helped prevent devastating famines and saved millions of people f...
A recent study found significant changes in ocean color over the past two decades, affecting 56% of the world's oceans. The shift in color indicates changes in marine ecosystems, with tropical regions becoming greener due to human-induced climate change.
A study examines over 20,000 newspaper articles from Brazil to understand changes in marine biodiversity over the past 180 years. The research found that high-trophic level species decreased in frequency while low-level organisms increased, reflecting broader trends of overfishing.
A new study reveals that human activity can shape global plant distribution, with slow-growing plants vulnerable to land use effects. Human land use is a significant driver of biodiversity loss and ecosystem change, particularly in areas with high biodiversity.
A University of California, Riverside-led team found that anthropogenic aerosol-driven changes in ocean circulation and interbasin heat transport are more effective in altering oceanic heat distribution than those driven by globally increasing greenhouse gases. This advance in understanding will help develop climate mitigation strategies.
Researchers develop new approach to quantify respiration and its temperature sensitivity in terrestrial ecosystems. Their findings suggest lower temperature sensitivities than previously thought, but caution that natural components alone cannot mitigate climate change.
Scientists tracked activity levels of southern African antelope species to understand their response to higher heat, finding that small springbok are most affected. The study highlights the importance of managing land sustainably to mitigate ecosystem changes.
A new study found that the global food system is responsible for a third of man-made greenhouse gas emissions, with beef and dairy consumption being the largest contributors. The study suggests that adopting a more plant-based diet could help reduce emissions and mitigate climate change.
Current global methane emissions policies are inadequate, covering only 13% of emissions, and are often based on inaccurate data. Stronger social support and political consensus are needed for effective methane mitigation to slow down climate change and improve air quality.
A recent study by Dartmouth researchers finds that global economic losses from El Niño can persist for several years after the event, with a significant impact on the world's poorest nations. The study projects total losses of $84 trillion for the 21st century, highlighting the need for climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
A Bangor University paper quantifies the carbon benefits of ending bottom trawling, finding only a small fraction of seabed carbon reacts to disturbance. The study challenges the validity of previous claims and suggests using 'carbon credits' for banning trawling may actually increase overall CO2 emissions.
Scientists analyzing fossil pollen and geochemical data reveal that Mediterranean forests are susceptible to transformation into steppes under natural conditions. Rising atmospheric CO2 levels may lead to a significant decrease in precipitation, triggering such a shift in the near future if protection measures are not taken.
Research shows that arthropods in high-diversity forests contribute to improved productivity by suppressing herbivores, leading to increased tree species richness and multitrophic diversity. The study highlights the importance of conserving plant diversity to maintain arthropod diversity.
Oceanographers warn of limitations in carbon dioxide removal, emphasizing the need for rapid emission cuts to limit global warming. Clear definitions of marine heatwaves are also crucial for coastal communities to adapt and resource managers to prioritize mitigation strategies.
A Dartmouth College study found that more than 500 home runs since 2010 can be attributed to higher-than-average temperatures due to climate change. Rising temperatures could account for 10% or more of home runs by 2100, with some stadiums experiencing significant spikes in home run totals.
A recent study found that conservatives are not easily persuaded by traditional pro-environmental messages, even when framed in terms of their own moral values. Instead, messages emphasizing loyalty, authority, or purity were equally effective in promoting pro-environmental behavior among conservatives.
New research reveals methane traps heat in the atmosphere but also creates cooling clouds that offset 30% of the heat. Methane absorbs both longwave and shortwave energy, leading to a slight cooling effect.
A new study by Linköping University reveals that climate change alters natural greenhouse gas fluxes from streams and lakes, making landscape carbon sinks less effective. The researchers found that increased precipitation and temperature affect the amount of carbon washed into streams and lakes, leading to greater emissions.
The PaleoJump database offers a crucial tool for scientists to study abrupt transitions in the climate system. By analyzing pre-evaluated, relevant high-quality data archives, researchers can gain a clearer understanding of past climate change and its potential tipping points.
Ozone exposure destroys pheromones essential for fly mating, leading to abnormal behavior and reduced female attraction. The study's findings highlight the devastating impact of air pollution on insect populations.
A new study found that future incidents of simultaneous climate extremes will be exacerbated by human-driven climate change, with the strongest increases in tropical regions. Increasing concurrent temperature extremes will weaken tropical ecosystems' ability to act as carbon sinks, amplifying global climate change.
A study published in PLOS Climate suggests that climate change is significantly affecting land where coffee is cultivated, particularly due to synchronous climate hazards occurring in multiple areas. The researchers found an increase in climate hazards and compound events threatening coffee crops globally between 1980 and 2020.
Researchers from Pusan National University studied compound extreme weather events in northern East Asia and found that a lack of soil moisture led to increased evaporative stress, amplifying heatwaves and triggering compound droughts and heatwaves. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for societal safety.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that the ocean's ability to absorb CO2 will peak by 2100 and become less efficient after 2300 due to a surface layer of low-alkalinity water. This emergence hinders CO2 absorption, leading to faster warming.
A new study reveals climate-driven conflicts between humans and wildlife are on the rise globally, with six continents experiencing exacerbation of these conflicts. The research identifies trends in human-wildlife conflicts linked to climate change, including altered animal habitats, resource availability, and changes in wildlife behav...
Virginia Tech researchers Traci DuBose and Meryl Mims studied 90 species of frogs and toads using publicly available data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. They found that approximately 11% of anuran species are sensitive to climate change but not currently listed as at-risk.
A new study finds that coccolithophores, a common group of marine phytoplankton, dominate the production of calcium carbonate in the surface ocean. This process controls atmospheric CO2 levels and is crucial for understanding climate change and ocean acidification.
A review article in Nature suggests that the Earth was likely warmer 6,500 years ago and followed a cooling trend until human-caused warming began. The study's findings highlight uncertainties in climate models and underscore the need for further research on natural climate variability.
Researchers conclude that social changes, such as consumption patterns and climate protests, are crucial in meeting the 1.5-degree goal, but current efforts are insufficient. A new approach to adaptation is necessary to address the impacts of global warming.
New research reveals that nitrogen released by gas-powered machines causes dry soil to let go of carbon and release it back into the atmosphere. The study found that excess nitrogen acidifies soils, leading to a loss of carbon stored in association with calcium.
A team of researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and other institutions has identified a flexible and user-friendly model for predicting flood frequency in a changing environment. The fractional polynomial-based regression method is more effective than existing models, which often fail to account for factors like climate ...
Scientists analyze past El Niño events to better understand climate patterns over the past 12,000 years. They found that Eastern Pacific events have increased in frequency, while Central Pacific and Coastal events have decreased, resulting in changes in hydroclimate in the tropical Pacific.
Researchers analyzed over 4,500 documents to understand fungal dispersal across spatial scales. They identified four scales of movement, from microscopic to landscape, and found that climate change affects where fungi reside. More data is needed to understand the biodiversity of fungi and their movement in ecosystems.