Articles tagged with Anthropogenic Climate Change
A study published in PNAS found that global warming accelerates biodiversity loss, putting existing and proposed post-2020 biodiversity targets at risk. However, the authors suggest that dynamic responses to climate change through flexible conservation approaches can help protect biodiversity.
Research reveals that many songbird parents displace nestlings too early, reducing the offspring's chances of survival. However, this behavior allows parents to minimize risks and increase their own likelihood of raising at least one offspring to independence.
A study suggests the probability of another 'Day Zero' drought in Cape Town will increase due to anthropogenic emissions. By 2100, the likelihood rises from 0.7% to 25% under an intermediate emission scenario, highlighting emerging drought risk in arid regions.
Scientists have developed a method to detect radical changes in ecosystems, revealing increased risk of extinction and new species creation. The method tracks ecosystem shifts above a certain threshold, allowing researchers to predict and mitigate the impact of environmental changes.
A study estimates that long-term exposure to air pollution increases COVID-19 deaths by 15% globally, with higher proportions found in Europe and East Asia. Air pollution exacerbates health outcomes by aggravating co-morbidities and causing inflammation, leading to increased vulnerability to COVID-19.
Researchers have found that interglacials were more frequently skipped in the past than previously thought. The study used a new approach to analyze climate data, separating temperature and sea level change influences, and found repeated irregularities during the last 2.6 million years.
A new land surface model CAS-LSM was developed to assess impacts of climate change and anthropogenic disturbances on global river temperature and nitrogen transport. The model found increased river temperatures in tropical zones due to climate change, with power plants warming local rivers by up to 60% in Asia.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki found that thawing permafrost releases volatile organic compounds, including monoterpenes and diterpenes, which can be highly reactive and contribute to cloud formation. The study's findings introduce new uncertainties to climate change modeling.
Marine heatwaves have increased significantly due to global warming, with major events becoming more frequent and prolonged. The probability of such events has risen massively, posing a serious threat to marine ecosystems and their ability to recover.
A new study reveals that severe marine heatwaves are more likely to occur now than before human-induced global warming began. The study found that the probabilities of high-impact MHWs occurring have significantly increased due to anthropogenic climate change.
African dust provides essential nutrients for Amazonian soil fertility and helps offset soil losses. The study found significant quantities of dust are deposited in the heart of the Amazon Basin, contrary to previous estimates.
A new global climate reference curve reveals the natural variability and extreme climate events that occurred during warm climate states over the last 66 million years. The study provides context for ongoing anthropogenic change and its potential to exceed natural variability.
A recent study found that human-induced climate change is responsible for changes in global average water availability on land during the dry season. The research analyzed data from 1902 to 2014 and showed a reduction in average water availability at a global level, with some regions experiencing increased humidity.
A study forecasts rates of water-induced soil erosion, finding increased erosion under all climatic conditions across countries. Conservation agriculture is necessary to mitigate future soil erosion and ensure food security, according to the authors.
A study found that national governments resist World Heritage 'in Danger' listings despite the sites being equally or more threatened than those already on the list. Low visibility strategies and industrial lobbying are prevalent in blocking environmental governance.
Scientists are working on establishing an early warning system for sudden changes in the Atlantic Ocean's sea currents. These changes can impact global temperatures and climate patterns. By monitoring temperature and density metrics, researchers aim to detect subtle shifts before they become catastrophic.
Researchers argue that agriculture's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is overstated and may even have a net positive effect on the climate. Per Frankelius proposes seven measures to reduce emissions while advancing sustainable agriculture.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals the South Pole has warmed at a rate three times the global average over the past 30 years. The warming trend was mainly driven by natural tropical climate variability, with greenhouse gas increases likely intensifying the effect.
A recent study suggests that long-distance migratory birds are not declining due to an inability to advance their spring migration timing in response to climate change. Instead, improvements in wind conditions and land-use changes play a major role in shaping bird population sizes.
The new FOCI system allows for high-resolution ocean and climate modelling over centuries to millennia, enabling researchers to study natural climate fluctuations and anthropogenic climate change. With its modular design, FOCI can be configured to investigate various research questions and improve the accuracy of model simulations.
A 50-year drying period in north central India reversed after 1999. Natural variability, including the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO), contributed to changes in rainfall. The study supports robust handling of IPO in climate models for accurate projections.
Research shows a significant increase in annual maximum one-day precipitation in North America, with anthropogenic forcing detected across the continent and smaller regions. The study suggests that human-induced warming has contributed to intensifying extreme precipitation events.
Warming temperatures are causing increased aridity across the western United States, leading to declining river flows, tree death, and agricultural stress. Climate scientists warn that this trend will continue eastward, resulting in more frequent and severe dry spells, flash droughts, and interannual droughts.
Using supervised learning algorithm, researchers reduced uncertainty in oceanic N2O emissions by substantial margins. The study reveals a vigorous seasonal cycle dominated by tropical and coastal upwelling regions
New research highlights the crucial role of coastal plants in shoreline defences, which are under threat from climate change-induced rising sea levels and extreme storm events. The study calls for integration of long-term monitoring with flood risk models to predict the impact of storms on coastal ecosystems.
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience found that when people disagree, their brains fail to encode the quality of the other person's opinion, making it harder to change their minds. This type of confirmation bias can lead to polarization and the maintenance of false beliefs.
Research reveals that gentoo penguins adapted to a diet of fish and squid, while chinstrap penguins continued to eat krill exclusively, making them more susceptible to climate change impacts. Human activities since the 1930s have led to significant declines in chinstrap penguin populations.
This study examines how penguin species in Antarctica respond to changes in krill availability due to human activities and climate change. The analysis of nitrogen stable isotope values reveals that gentoo penguins shift their diet towards fish and squid, while chinstrap penguins remain exclusive to krill.
A new study by Berkeley Lab suggests that the East Asian Monsoon will shift geographically as the climate warms, leading to less rainfall in certain regions. The researchers used global climate models to investigate changes in the Hadley cell, resulting in a contraction of monsoon rains towards the equator during summer months.
Researchers report a shift in El Niño onset from the eastern Pacific to the western Pacific, leading to more frequent and intense extreme events. Climate models predict further intensification under anthropogenic climate change.
A new study reveals that climate warming has shifted the onset location of strong El Niño events from the eastern Pacific to the western Pacific, causing more frequent extreme events. This shift is linked to increased sea surface temperatures in the western Pacific warm pool and easterly winds in the central Pacific.
A recent study found a significant increasing trend of flash drought frequency over China during 1961-2005, driven by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. The exposure risk in southern provinces with humid climates is expected to increase by up to 40% in the middle of this century.
Researchers call for standardized protocols in climate experiments to predict ecosystem changes, as most existing studies are unrealistic and fail to account for projected climate scenarios. This lack of reliable data hinders our ability to forecast and plan for the future.
Historical analysis of 9,000 records reveals associations between human disturbance, climate change and local mammalian extinction. Large mammals experienced earlier and larger population declines, highlighting the impact of global cooling and warming on habitat sizes.
Regional climate fluctuations, such as Medieval Warm Period and Little Ice Age, varied across the globe. The study found no evidence of uniform warm and cold periods across the world over the last 2000 years.
A new study by University of Arkansas researcher Linyin Cheng found that a warming climate amplifies the intensity and likelihood of heatwaves during severe droughts in the southern plains and southwest US. In regions with low soil moisture, higher temperatures create a 'feedback loop' that links the land and air, worsening droughts.
A global database of regional plant life has been developed to document and understand global plant diversity. The Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT) collates information about the plant species composition in nearly 2,900 regions, covering about 79% of the global land surface.
A recent study by Duan et al. has shown that human influence on climate change can be traced back to the late 19th century based on summer-winter temperature difference. The amplitude of seasonal temperature fluctuations has been decreasing widely, and this trend can be traced back to the 1860s.
A survey of US adults found a positive correlation between systems thinking and climate change beliefs, suggesting that a systemic mindset promotes environmentally conscious attitudes. The study suggests that systems thinking can help both conservatives and liberals address climate change, regardless of their political views.
A new study reveals that recent intensification of the equatorial Pacific wind system known as Walker Circulation is unrelated to human influences and can be explained by natural processes. The observed strengthening of the Walker circulation from about 1990-2013 was a naturally occurring phenomenon, contrary to projections of anthropo...
A new study reveals how clouds are modifying the warming caused by human-caused climate change in northern Scandinavia. Cloud cover has reduced the impact of natural phases of warmth and is doing so again to moderate the warming.
A recent study by KIT and University of Edinburgh finds that previous measures to reduce greenhouse gases through land use change are insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement's climate goals. The study suggests that countries must find quick, yet realistic solutions to sustainably change human land use to mitigate climate change.
The Crowther Lab's research uses global datasets to understand the global forest system and identify regions of high priority for biodiversity conservation. They find that warming soil will lead to increased carbon emissions, particularly in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, threatening climate change mitigation efforts.
A new review paper by international climate experts highlights the prospects for skilful near-term climate predictions, out to just a few years ahead. These enhanced models feature the effects of man-made greenhouse gases and natural drivers, providing valuable information for policymakers and aid agencies.
The Madden-Julian Oscillation is likely to experience increased precipitation intensity under a warmer climate, while wind variations may slow or even decrease, according to a new study published in Nature Climate Change. This change could impact weather prediction for extreme events like hurricanes and droughts.
A new study reveals that male wild guinea pigs pass on epigenetic modifications to their offspring in response to environmental changes, such as diet and temperature. This discovery suggests that fathers play an important role in shaping the adaptability of future generations.
A high-resolution land surface model improves streamflow and soil moisture simulations over the Sanjiangyuan region. Natural climate change dominates changes in terrestrial hydrology, while anthropogenic climate change mainly affects ground temperature.
A global analysis by Columbia Engineers reveals a significant increase in storm runoff extremes driven by both climate change and human-induced changes. The study suggests that projected responses of storm runoff extremes will dramatically increase, threatening ecosystem resilience and infrastructure systems.
Century-scale climate variability was enhanced when the Earth was warmer during the Last Interglacial period compared to current interglacial conditions. The study reveals series of century-scale arid events in southern Europe and cold water-mass expansions in the North Atlantic.
Researchers Colin Carlson and Christopher Trisos call for caution on climate engineering, citing the need for quantitative evidence and solid data. They hope to shed light on potential health consequences over the next two years, as climate change and geoengineering become increasingly intertwined.
Princeton University researchers have discovered a precise timeline for the Columbia River flood basalts, which they believe caused ancient global warming. The team's use of tiny zircon crystals has provided an unprecedented level of precision, revealing that 95% of the eruptions occurred within a 750,000-year window.
Researchers found pink noise energy signatures in historical climate proxy data before and after the Industrial Revolution, suggesting a possible link between pink noise and Earth's climate dynamics. The study's findings could have implications for understanding 'resonances' that couple and amplify warming processes.
Researchers found that major Arctic rivers have increased alkalinity production over the past 40 years, potentially offsetting the negative effects of climate change. This increase in riverine alkalinity could be triggered by thawing permafrost, changes in acid deposition, and other human activities.
A new OU study shows that climate warming accelerates temporal turnover rates of soil bacterial and fungal communities, affecting ecosystem predictability. The research finds divergent succession of microbial communities under climate warming, with reduced stochasticity and dynamic drivers.
Ben Kirtman, a University of Miami Rosenstiel School professor, has been recognized as an American Meteorological Society Fellow for his outstanding work in weather, water and climate. He is known for developing prediction systems and studying the limits of climate predictability.
Researchers have identified a human 'fingerprint' in the troposphere, indicating significant effects of anthropogenic climate change on seasonal temperature cycles. The study used satellite data for nearly 40 years to isolate the signals of human activity from natural variability.
Changes in land use significantly impact CO2 storage in vegetation and atmospheric concentration. Deforestation can lead to reduced capacity for plants and soil to absorb CO2.
Researchers recorded narwhals in East Greenland, capturing six hours of audio that revealed three types of sounds: clicks, buzzes, and calls. The study found that narwhals produce buzzes at greater depths than clicks, and that a particular fjord had high buzzing rates, suggesting a preferred feeding area.
A new study found that climate change is amplifying the relationship between lightning-ignited fires and rising temperatures across the Southern Hemisphere. The strongest impact on fire activity was attributed to the Southern Annular Mode, which is expected to continue due to increasing greenhouse gas levels.
A new study documents how a North American butterfly evolved complete dependence on an introduced European weed, leading to its local extinction when humans eliminated the plant's availability. The study supports the argument that rapid climate change will prove detrimental to biodiversity.