Articles tagged with Anthropogenic Climate Change
A study found that climate change can rapidly alter plant genetic diversity, but also enable an 'evolutionary rescue' through increased adaptability. The research suggests that genetic diversity may buffer plants against harmful effects of climate change.
Dogs evolved to pursue-pounce predators in response to climate change, shifting from ambushing to endurance running, according to a new fossil study. The research suggests that predators adapt to changing habitats rather than their prey's anatomy.
A recent study from the University of Edinburgh found that a slow-down in global warming is likely due to natural variation and not a sign of climate change ending. The research analyzed over 200 years' worth of temperature data and supported previous findings that short-term pauses are temporary.
Researchers found a connection between climate and airline flight times, suggesting a feedback loop between carbon emissions and warming climate. The study suggests that climate variability determines flight times, with faster winds resulting in shorter flights and increased fuel consumption.
Researchers found indications of a 6-million-year interruption in the interglacial period in the Arctic Ocean during the Cretaceous period. The team analyzed glendonites and sediment cores to reconstruct climate conditions, including a severe cold snap that interrupted the warmest era of the past 145 million years.
Scientists analyzed 1,350 congressional testimonies and found that experts generally agree on global warming and human causation. Despite Republican-controlled congresses featuring skeptical scientists, the majority still support action to combat climate change.
Ecosystems subjected to disturbances like fires or insect outbreaks are more sensitive to climate change, research finds. The study suggests that reducing disturbance intensity and frequency can help make ecosystems less vulnerable to climatic change.
A study by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research reveals that climate change is weakening summer storms in the Northern hemisphere mid-latitudes, resulting in more persistent heat extremes. This reduction in storm activity allows warm weather conditions to endure, leading to an increase in heat waves and droughts.
Climate scientists found that natural oscillations in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans contributed to a 'false pause' in global warming. The researchers discovered a sharply down-trending Pacific multidecadal oscillation (PMO) was the primary driver of this slowdown.
Urbanization leads to more thunderstorm initiation events, posing dangers like lightning and flash floods with little warning. The risk is higher on weekdays due to increased aerosol levels from commuters.
A study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research found that forest protection policies alone will not reduce CO2 emissions from land-use change. Implementing comprehensive conservation schemes covering all land types is crucial, as intensifying agriculture can generate higher yields to compensate for reduced land availability.
Breeding salt-tolerant crops could be a game-changer in addressing soil salinity issues, threatening 3 hectares of usable land every minute. Researchers propose using 'salt bladders' to deposit excess salt, inspired by naturally salt-loving plants.
A recent study reveals that human activity is a significant contributor to glacier mass loss, with a notable increase in recent decades. The research suggests that only about one quarter of global glacier mass loss between 1851 and 2010 was due to anthropogenic causes, but this fraction rose to two-thirds during the last two decades.
The Great Barrier Reef is under severe threat due to the combined effects of natural El Nino phase, anthropogenic climate change and coastal development. The reef's resilience will be significantly impacted by degraded conditions caused by dredging activity and river runoff.
A recent study reveals significant resonance cycles between solar activity and Earth's surface temperature, providing a possible explanation for recent global warming. The research uses wavelet analysis and cross-correlation methods to investigate the periodicities of solar activity and its correlations with the Earth's temperature dur...
A study published in Avian Conservation and Ecology reveals that the iconic Blue-footed Booby population has declined by over 50% in less than two decades. The drastic drop is attributed to a lack of sardines in their diet, leading adult birds to elect not to breed, which in turn causes the population to shrink.
A US Forest Service study reveals that five anthropogenic factors, including urbanization, invasive species, and lack of forest management, will significantly alter northern forests over the next 50 years. The report highlights the need for proactive conservation efforts to ensure resilient and healthy forests.
A new study by McGill University professor Shaun Lovejoy uses statistical analysis to determine the probability that global warming since 1880 is due to natural variability. The study concludes that the natural-warming hypothesis can be ruled out with confidence levels greater than 99%, and most likely greater than 99.9%.
Researchers found that climate change is shrinking Antarctic Bottom Waters, a massive current that 'hides' heat and carbon from the atmosphere. This reduction in convection could lead to increased heat trapping in the deeper ocean, contributing to global warming.
Research suggests that decreasing winter winds are a primary driver of streamflow declines and reduced precipitation in the Pacific Northwest mountains. This decrease can lead to increased wildfire risk, earlier and lower streamflows, and decreased water availability for communities and industries.
Researchers attribute Arctic surface temperature variation from 1900 to present to a combination of greenhouse gas emissions, anthropogenic sulfate aerosols, and volcanic eruptions. The study demonstrates the importance of aerosols in climate forcing and sheds light on the environmental and economic impacts of Arctic climate change.
By 2040, heat extremes are expected to increase substantially due to climate change, affecting 85% of the global land area. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions could prevent this, but current trends suggest a near-term inevitability.
A University of Iowa study analyzed 70 years of flood records in Texas and found that human modifications, such as river regulation, contribute significantly to the state's flood-prone nature. Tropical cyclones are less responsible for major floods in Texas than in other regions.
A new study by Richard Zeebe suggests that amplified and prolonged warming due to unabated fossil fuel burning raises the probability of large ice sheets melting, leading to significant sea level rise. Climate sensitivity may change over time, potentially making future climate change more severe and longer-lasting.
A new study finds that atmospheric rivers are projected to increase in frequency and intensity under future climate change scenarios, leading to more severe and frequent winter floods in the UK. The research suggests that thermodynamic changes in the atmosphere, rather than natural climate variability, are driving these changes.
A multidisciplinary study investigates the effects of anthropogenic influences on coral reefs, focusing on microbial dynamics and their impact on coral health. The research explores intricate interactions between microbes, coral, algae, and fish, revealing key insights into the delicate balance of these ecosystems.
A new study estimates that human-caused outdoor air pollution causes around 470,000 premature deaths each year due to increased ozone levels. Additionally, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is linked to an estimated 2.1 million annual deaths. The effects of past climate change on air quality and health are found to be relatively small.
A team of scientists and citizen-scientists analyzed 12,000 peer-reviewed papers on climate change, finding that over 97% of authors support human-caused climate change. The study aims to raise public awareness of the scientific consensus on climate change.
A study analyzing over 4000 summaries from peer-reviewed articles finds that 97% endorse the consensus that recent global warming is human-caused. The findings starkly contrast public perceptions, highlighting the need for increased awareness and action on climate change.
A recent study found that urbanization significantly affects surface warming in eastern China, particularly in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region. The study revealed a remarkable summer warming rate of 0.132-0.250°C per decade, accounting for 36%-68% of regional warming. In contrast, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region experienced...
A study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research suggests that man-made climate change traps giant waves in the atmosphere, leading to extreme weather events. The researchers found that prolonged periods of heat stress can occur when warm air is unable to escape, resulting in devastating consequences.
A new kind of fluctuation analysis reveals three atmospheric regimes: weather, macroweather, and climate. Macroweather has different types of variability than both weather and climate, making climate modeling more precise. This recognition may open up new approaches for predicting the climate.
Researchers are using statistical approaches to analyze climate change risks, including the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. Bayesian statistics is a key tool in quantifying uncertainty and predicting future events. Collaboration between disciplines is essential for advancing climate science and risk management.
A recent study by Michael O'Brien and colleagues found that certain climate change terms entered the popular vocabulary at varying rates, with some gaining popularity in a few years and others taking decades. The study analyzed word usage in popular literature using Google's Ngram database and suggests that better science communication...
Scientists warn of a growing threat from emerging zoonotic diseases as human activities such as land use change, globalization, and social upheaval drive their emergence. The disease burden can be eased by combining efforts between clinicians and public health officials to address the ecological drivers of transmission.
A new approach enables scientists to use past climate data to improve future projections, reducing divergent results. The method classifies and compares over 20 studies, providing a consistent framework for calculating climate sensitivity.
Researchers found a correlation between low solar activity and cold Central European winters, with the Rhine River serving as a proxy. The study suggests that periods of low sunspot numbers lead to regional cooling, with implications for climate research and the debate on anthropogenic climate change.
A new study reveals a correlation between low solar activity and unusually cold winters in Central Europe, particularly along the Rhine River. The researchers used historical records of riverboat shipments and found that ten out of fourteen freezing episodes occurred during years with minimal sunspots.
The Central Maya Lowlands collapsed due to a combination of natural climate change and human-made environmental stress. The researchers developed a complex systems theory that highlights the role of commerce and choice in the collapse.
Researchers have successfully reconstructed ancient climate change records over the last 1.5 million years by separating ocean temperatures from changes in global ice volume. This new dataset provides a more accurate picture of the Earth's climate system, shedding light on major shifts in climate patterns.
Researchers found a direct solar-climate linkage on centennial timescales using sediment analysis from Lake Meerfelder Maar. The study suggests a mechanism explaining the relation between weak sun and climate change, with positive feedback effects.
Researchers argue that focusing on short-lived climate pollutants, such as soot and ozone, could deliver tangible local benefits and generate swift global benefits. The authors believe a combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches can implement this new strategy.
Researchers attribute decline of Caribbean coral reefs to historical land clearing and overfishing, not climate change. The study used novel excavation techniques to reconstruct the timeline of historical change in coral reefs, finding damage from these activities occurred decades before climate-related damage.
The Arctic is already experiencing the effects of dangerous climate change, with ecosystems and populations at risk. Experts demand rapid alarm signs to prevent abrupt changes and advocate for adaptive strategies.
An international team of scientists found that human-induced CO2 emissions have increased ocean acidity far beyond natural variations, potentially reducing calcification rates of corals and other aragonite shell-forming organisms. The study projects severe reductions in coral reef diversity, structural complexity, and resilience by the...
Researchers identified six consecutive waves of mammal species diversity in North America, linked to climate change and temperature fluctuations. The study found correlations between species diversity and global paleotemperatures, shedding light on the impact of climate change on mammal evolution over millions of years.
A new mathematical model simulates the effect of climate change on plant-pollinator relationships. In some cases, evolution can rescue mutually dependent species from extinction, but density and distribution of other species play a crucial role in their survival.
The Census of Marine Life project has identified human activities affecting deep-sea habitats, including waste dumping, resource exploitation, and climate change. The study predicts that these impacts will lead to biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruption in the short and mid-term.
A new review suggests that conservation efforts should focus on protecting vulnerable species and habitats rather than those with lower extinction risk. The proposed 'vulnerability assessment' would use a wider range of data to provide a more accurate picture of which species are most at risk.
Researchers at Alfred Wegener Institute expand prevailing theory on climate history by showing local climate changes in southern hemisphere can trigger temperature fluctuations in Antarctica. The study, published in Nature, suggests alternative explanation for historical Earth climate data from Antarctica.
Researchers report a lower value of total solar irradiance than previously measured, demonstrating improved accuracy and consistency. The new findings will help resolve the question of how significant a contributor solar fluctuations are to global warming.
Research scientist Alessandra Giannini wins NSF CAREER award to advance understanding of climate model projections in the African Sahel. She aims to identify mechanisms attributed to natural variability, land use change, or global warming, using data from global models and atmospheric observations.
A Stanford-led analysis of over 900 climate researchers found that those unconvinced of human-caused climate change had significantly less research publications and citations. The study also found that top climate researchers who endorsed the IPCC's assessment were 97% of the top 100 surveyed scientists.
A comprehensive synthesis on climate change's effects on global ocean functions has revealed dramatic changes at an unprecedented rate. The report highlights the urgent need for world leaders to limit greenhouse gas growth and reduce the risk of ecological disasters.
Research by Tel Aviv University's Prof. Yoram Yom-Tov reveals that animals at higher latitudes are adapting to rising temperatures by altering their diets and body sizes. This adaptation is seen in birds getting smaller and mammals getting bigger, allowing them to cope with warmer temperatures.
Researchers found that the current interglacial period has lasted 2.0-2.5 millennia longer than predicted by dominant theory, raising questions about natural climate trends and human impact. The study suggests that orbital changes may still influence climate for another two thousand years or so.
Monsoon rainfall has decreased over the past 50 years in rural areas with increased irrigation in northern India, while urban areas have seen an increase in heavy rainfall. This shift is attributed to landscape changes and cooling effects on low-pressure systems necessary for monsoons to progress.
Experts Peter Cox and Hazel Jeffrey examine potential geoengineering initiatives, including carbon-dioxide removal and solar-radiation management, as a crucial alternative to common mitigation methods. The schemes have different benefits, costs, and risks associated, but may offer a better benefit-to-cost ratio than conventional methods.
This book delves into the science of climate study and its impact on human societies, exploring how weather has influenced civilizations throughout history. The author uses a detective story approach to examine the role of weather in shaping human societies, from ancient Sahara to modern-day New York City.
Researchers at University of British Columbia have developed a formula to predict the impact of climate change on Pacific salmon stocks. The study found that high temperatures push certain sockeye salmon stocks beyond their thermal window, resulting in cardiovascular failure and death.