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Climate change induced refugee crisis and chronic war in ancient Peru

Researchers found that favorable local climate change led to chronic warfare in ancient Peru, as neighboring regions experienced droughts and migrants put pressure on the agricultural economy. The study suggests that climate change can harm all populations, either directly or indirectly, through destabilization and refugee crises.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 18, 2022

Life in the freezer

A new study provides evidence of growth limitations in Antarctic fish, which have adapted to survive in freezing temperatures. Despite similar ecological conditions, these fish consume less food and grow at half the rate of temperate water cousins when held at the same temperature.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeObservational study·DateMar 8, 2022

Large future changes in climate variability

The study found that climate change impacts are apparent in nearly all aspects of climate variability, including temperature extremes, precipitation patterns, and ecosystem changes. These changes have important implications for sustainable resource management and future adaptation strategies.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalEarth System Dynamics·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 9, 2021

Anthropogenic emissions and urbanization increase risks of compound hot extremes in cities

A new study reveals that compound hot extremes, where days and nights are simultaneously extreme, pose significant health risks, especially for female and older residents. Urban compound hot extremes have increased by 1.76 days per decade in eastern China, driven by anthropogenic emissions and urbanization.

People may prefer climate change policies that give incentives, find energy alternatives

Participants preferred policies that used incentives to encourage eco-friendly choices, particularly when they targeted businesses. In contrast, policies that focused on energy alternatives and used incentives were also supported. The researchers found that policy support was influenced by the type of change targeted, who was targeted,...

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Environmental Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2021

The Arctic Ocean’s deep past provides clues to its imminent future

A team of scientists from Princeton University found that the Arctic Ocean's nitrogen supply is limited by strong stratification, preventing plankton growth and potentially affecting fish populations. The research used fossilized plankton to study the history of nitrogen sources and supply rates in the western and central Arctic Ocean.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 16, 2021

Bushfires, not pandemic lockdowns, had biggest impact on global climate in 2020

A study found that the Australian bushfires had a more significant impact on global climate than pandemic lockdowns, cooling the planet by about .06 degrees Celsius. The fires injected sulfates and other particles into the atmosphere, disrupting the climate system and influencing storm tracks.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 27, 2021

Climate change influences river flow

A recent study by ETH Zurich reveals that climate change has a globally visible influence on rivers, with complex patterns emerging worldwide. The research analyzed data from 7,250 measuring stations and found that river flow changed systematically between 1971 and 2010.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateMar 11, 2021

Man-made borders threaten wildlife as climate changes

Climate change is altering habitats, forcing animals to migrate across national borders, which are fortified with walls and fences. The study highlights the potential ecological damage of 32,000km of borders, including the USA-Mexico border wall, China-Russia border fence, and India-Myanmar border fencing.

SourceDurham University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 8, 2021

Human-induced climate change caused the northwestern Pacific warming record in August 2020

A new study reveals that human-induced climate changes have increased the occurrence probability of record-high SSTs in the northwestern Pacific Ocean from once-in-1000 years to once-in-15 years. The warming trend, accelerated since the 1980s, may intensify tropical cyclones and cause severe damages to East Asian countries.

SourceNational Institute for Environmental Studies·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 14, 2021

Social media messages help reduce meat consumption

A new study from Cardiff University shows that direct messages sent via Facebook chat can significantly reduce the amount of red and processed meat consumed by individuals. Participants reported a significant decrease in their meat consumption, with some even expressing a desire to reduce other types of meat they consume in the future.

SourceCardiff University·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateDec 9, 2020

A new land surface model to monitor global river water environment

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.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems·DateOct 14, 2020

Marine heatwaves are human made

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.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalScience·DateSep 25, 2020