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Towards climate resilient urban energy systems

The article emphasizes the importance of climate resilience in urban energy systems to address climate change and extreme events. Nik and colleagues provide an overview of current progress in adapting urban energy systems to climate change, highlighting limitations in existing approaches.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateJul 8, 2020

Stress testing 'coral in a box'

Researchers have developed a rapid stress test to assess coral thermotolerance, allowing for the identification of resilient corals that can survive ocean warming. The 'Coral Bleaching Automated Stress System' (CBASS) enables on-site testing within 18 hours, compared to months in a laboratory.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateJul 8, 2020

Not so robust: robusta coffee more sensitive to warming than previously thought

A new study suggests robusta coffee production decreases by 14% with each 1C increase above a lower-than-once-thought optimal temperature range. The findings contrast with previous estimates and highlight the need for climate adaptation strategies in the coffee industry.

A study places the origin of a group of trees growing in Africa 50 million years ago

A recent study by the University of Córdoba has pinpointed the origin of a group of trees growing in Africa to 50 million years ago. The research, which used molecular clock and phylogenetic methods, found that these legume plants diversified in response to climate changes and can be found in various parts of Africa and Madagascar.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalMolecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·DateApr 29, 2020

Cool beans: A vertical crop fit for Africa's changing climate and nutritional gaps

A new study proposes climbing beans as an intensification solution to increase yield and meet Africa's growing demand for food. Climbing beans can adapt to Africa's future climates in several ways, including intensifying cultivation in high-producing areas.

SourceThe Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture·JournalMitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change·DateMar 5, 2020

Tropical nations worst hit by climate-related fish shifts

A new study projects significant shifts in fish species distributions due to climate change, with tropical countries losing up to 40% of their species by 2100. The researchers highlight the need for international cooperation and strict greenhouse gas emissions reductions to mitigate the impact on vulnerable nations.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Sustainability·DateFeb 25, 2020

New studies explore how knowledge drives action in climate change decision-making

Researchers at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School explore the importance of learning and knowledge in environmental decision-making. They argue that educational tools can accelerate climate change adaptation and provide actionable knowledge for societies.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalCurrent Opinion in Environmental Sustainability·DateFeb 20, 2020

'Rule breaking' plants may be climate change survivors

Research found that plantains, a small plant native to Europe, have become one of the world's most successfully distributed species by adapting in unconventional ways. The study revealed that multiple introductions into new environments led to high genetic diversity and adaptability, making invasive plants more successful.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 9, 2020

Researchers study the intricate link between climate and conflict

A new study from the University of Notre Dame finds that climate change may not directly lead to more conflict, but rather affects regional instability through variations in income. The research explores the complex relationship between drought, crop failure, and conflict, suggesting that expectations and adaptation can alter predicted...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 3, 2020

Want to know what climate change will do in your back yard? There's a dataset for that

A new, high-resolution climate change dataset has been validated and described, providing valuable data for smallholder farmers and policymakers to devise adaptation strategies. The dataset includes 436 scenarios of future climate conditions at scales as small as 1 kilometer.

Jaw-some wombats may be great survivors

A recent study reveals that wombat jaws appear to change in relation to their diets, allowing them to adapt to tougher plants due to climate change. The research suggests that individual shapes of wombat skulls are related to an individual's diet and feeding preferences, enabling short-term adaptations.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalFrontiers in Zoology·DateNov 5, 2019