Articles tagged with Climate Change Adaptation
The Climate Adaptation Knowledge Exchange (CAKE) provides foundational knowledge on adaptation, new research, and innovative work from the field. The website enables scientists and practitioners to define and build the field of adaptation.
Researchers find that crop yields are unlikely to meet future demands due to climate change, and that elevated carbon dioxide levels result in only half the expected yield increase. SoyFACE facility is conducting novel studies on this topic using open-field environments.
A study by CSIRO Australia suggests that a more flexible approach to protected areas can improve biodiversity conservation. Replacing the least cost-effective sites with new ones could double the number of vegetation types protected by 15% or more, while reducing management costs.
Researchers have discovered that coral ecosystems facing pressure from human activities and climate change may find survival clues in their fringed areas. These areas are critical for coral evolution, hybridization, and adaptation, highlighting the need to rethink protection strategies.
The New York City Panel on Climate Change (NPCC) reveals the city's comprehensive plan to adapt to climate change, focusing on energy, transportation, water, and communication systems. The report proposes flexible Adaptation Pathways to mitigate risks and provide win-win opportunities for city managers.
A team of climate researchers analyzed geochemical and pollen data from lake sediments in Central and Eastern Europe, discovering a short warming event at the end of the last interglacial period. This finding suggests that such short warm periods may be common during transitions between glacial epochs.
Leading researchers discuss challenges of identifying and protecting vulnerable species amidst unprecedented climate change, covering topics such as vegetation distributions, bird, insect, and marine populations. The collection provides insights into the responses of corals, amphibians, and other organisms to environmental changes.
Stanford biologist Steve Palumbi has discovered a species of coral that can survive in high water temperatures, offering hope for marine species struggling with climate change. The most effective marine protected areas balance preservation of species with human needs, presenting a challenge to designers.
Researchers develop new climate modeling process that considers greenhouse gas emissions, projections of the Earth's climate, impacts of climate change, and human decision-making. The approach will influence the next international scientific assessment and provide tools for policymakers to deal with a shifting climate.
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 developed a new technique to manage dams in the Columbia River basin for a warmer future climate. The approach reduced summer losses in hydropower due to climate change by about a quarter, while bolstering flows for fish and minimizing flooding.
A study of 140 European mammals found that climate niches differ significantly even among closely related species, indicating fast adaptation to changing conditions. Competition between species is the key factor in shaping their distribution, rather than predicted climate change.
Researchers found that tropical forest fragments store significantly less biomass and carbon dioxide than continuous natural forests. The study used a simulation model to analyze the impact of habitat fragmentation on the Atlantic Forest in Brazil.
The report highlights concerns such as ocean warming, acidification, changes in current strengths, productivity, and species distribution. It offers adaptation responses to inform policymakers, scientists, and the community.
Climate change poses a fundamental threat to global health, particularly for vulnerable populations. Strengthening health systems and investing in cheap and proven public health interventions can accelerate progress towards the MDGs and help mitigate climate change.
A new study finds climate change could boost the incidence of civil war in sub-Saharan Africa by over 50 percent. Rising temperatures and crop failures may lead to huge potential costs to human livelihoods, with some regions experiencing a 55% increase in conflict likelihood by 2030.
A NOAA-funded project aims to protect a community by providing decision-support for implementation of stakeholder-driven adaptation. The study will develop a reliable, local-scale adaptation protocol to maintain historical flood protection levels.
An international study predicts a 50-day shift in flowering times of certain plants in specific climates by 2080, driven by global warming. The research used climate records from the past century and plant responses to air temperatures, predicting changes in spring blooming dates across different regions.
A recent Editorial in The Lancet emphasizes the connection between family planning, climate change, and women's health. Implementing contraception can help reduce unintended pregnancies and slow population growth, thereby alleviating demographic pressure on the environment.
Researchers used historical climate data to predict that warmer temperatures will cause plants to flower up to 11 days earlier in Scotland by 2080. This change can lead to desynchronisation between plant and animal life, affecting ecosystems across the globe.
A new study found that species living in restricted environments, like the tropics, lack genetic variation and can't adapt to climate change. This limitation affects many species, including insects, mammals, and fish, making conservation efforts more challenging.
Amanda Cobbs-Russell, a junior majoring in conservation biology at UC Riverside, is part of an international group trekking across Baffin Island. She will investigate the geology and climatology of the region, with a focus on the impact of climate change on the Canadian Arctic.
New research by the UK's National Centre for Atmospheric Science suggests that targeted investments in climate science can improve climate predictions by 10-20% globally and up to 20% in specific regions. This could lead to significant economic savings by reducing the costs of adapting to a changing climate.
A study found substantial changes in rodent size and shape over the past century, tied to human population density and climate change. Rodents from around the world, including Channel Island deer mice and white-footed mice, exhibited significant anatomic changes, with increases and decreases in 15 traits measured.
Researchers warn that African farmers lack access to climatically suitable crop varieties due to neglect of genebanks, threatening food security. Six countries face unique challenges as temperatures rise beyond historical experience, highlighting the need for immediate action to develop new crop varieties.
The new report emphasizes the urgent need for climate action, citing the Southwest as a region particularly susceptible to the effects of global warming. Rising temperatures and water scarcity are projected to exacerbate issues like wildfires, invasive species, and flooding, threatening agriculture, recreation, and urban areas.
Climate change models project 500,000-1 million sq km of marginal African farmland will no longer support crop cultivation by 2050. However, livestock production could be a sustainable alternative for millions of poor farmers in Africa.
The Inuit community faces significant threats from climate change, including rising sea levels and permafrost thaw. A new study calls for urgent support to help these communities adapt, with a proposed 'vulnerable people's adaptation fund' that requires global state actors' involvement.
A new study examines how past Caribbean communities coped with rising sea levels, crop failures, and extreme weather. Researchers found that people adapted by building houses on stilts, diversifying food production, and relocating to cave complexes during hurricanes.
Notre Dame researchers have developed a new tool to assess the effectiveness of 'managed relocation' strategies for preserving species threatened by climate change. The tool uses multi-disciplinary criteria to score proposed relocations, considering factors such as ecosystem impact and social importance.
A new tool helps decision-makers determine when and how to use managed relocation, a strategy considered too radical for serious consideration in the past. The approach involves moving species into more accommodating habitats where they are not currently found.
Researchers found that some corals can adapt to higher temperatures by hosting heat-resistant symbionts, potentially helping them survive global warming. The discovery suggests that with time, many corals may be able to match hotter environments.
The Lancet report warns that climate change will exacerbate traditional diseases like malaria and dengue fever, as well as heat-related mortality. The authors propose three action points: emphasizing the health threat, focusing on health systems, and developing win-win solutions for mitigation and adaptation.
Researchers highlight the importance of indigenous peoples' traditional knowledge and resourcefulness in mitigating climate change. They are already adapting to climatic variation and can contribute to enhancing ecosystem resilience with their active responses.
A new study suggests that human behavior, such as installing large domestic water tanks, may enable the dengue mosquito Aedes aegypti to re-emerge in Australia and expand its range of possible infections. By 2050, the risk of dengue fever is expected to be high in all capital cities around the country.
The Indigenous Peoples' Global Summit on Climate Change brings together 400 delegates from 80 nations to discuss traditional knowledge and its role in mitigating and adapting to climate change. The summit aims to strengthen communities' participation in climate negotiations and promote their inclusion in a post-Kyoto regime.
Bowman Global Change advocates for standardized greenhouse gas measurements and clear scientific communication to empower policymakers and the public. The initiative aims to reduce confusion and inform sustainability choices based on accurate science.
A mathematical algorithm has been devised to address population relocation due to climate change, taking into account various costs and planning priorities. The multi-objective optimization approach aims to ensure fair and economically viable relocation decisions.
Aarhus University's conference emphasized the need for integrated policies to mitigate climate change and protect biodiversity. The '7 Aarhus Statements' call for increased agricultural productivity, sustainable energy solutions, and citizen empowerment in addressing climate change.
A new study by Stanford University scientists updates IPCC findings, suggesting even smaller temperature increases could cause significant problems in unique ecosystems, extreme weather events, distribution of impacts, aggregate damages, and risks of large-scale discontinuities. The research highlights increased evidence of climate cha...
Scientists have developed a new computer model predicting climate-driven shifts in commercially important fish species. The study suggests that most fish will migrate towards the Pole, with devastating consequences for developing countries' fishing industries.
A recent study by the University of Leeds found that China's agricultural stability is fragile and vulnerability to drought has increased with urbanization. The country's reliance on low-quality land for high-profit crops poses a significant threat to global food supply, particularly for developing nations.
A new USGS report highlights the potential for abrupt climate changes in the US, including rapid sea ice loss, increased drought, and decreased ocean circulation. Further research is needed to improve understanding of these changes and develop effective adaptation strategies.
Climate risk insurance solutions can reduce financial risks caused by natural catastrophes, experts say. A proposed risk management module includes a prevention pillar and an insurance pillar to promote adaptation to climate change.
A comprehensive analysis by CIFOR offers options to address forest destruction and degradation's role in global greenhouse gas emissions. The report suggests integrating REDD with tighter emissions targets for a more ambitious climate strategy.
The report warns of devastating effects on forests and communities due to climate change; adaptation measures, such as improving forest management and conserving ecosystems, are crucial to mitigate the impacts. Forests provide vital ecosystem services and income for millions of people.
The American Journal of Preventive Medicine special issue on climate change highlights the impact on human health, with experts emphasizing a need to communicate accurate information and take action. The papers examine various aspects of climate change, including heat waves, vectorborne diseases, waterborne diseases, and air quality.
A special issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine examines the intersection of climate change and health, highlighting various impacts including heat-related illnesses, vectorborne diseases, and air quality issues. The issue emphasizes the need for a systems approach to address climate change and its effects on public health.
Researchers from Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research and Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research found that climate change may impact the distribution of European plant species. Under moderate climate change and limited land use changes, up to 11% of species could lose more than two-thirds of their current ranges.
A new study reveals that most US health department directors view climate change as a significant public health issue, with threats such as heat waves and reduced air quality expected to increase in severity. However, few departments have implemented activities to detect, prevent, or adapt to these health threats.
Scientists propose a framework for deciding when and how to intervene in species relocation due to climate change. They suggest bolstering conservation efforts, maintaining species in captivity, or finding new habitats may be inadequate alternatives. The study emphasizes the need to minimize climate change through mitigation.
A new study by Syracuse University and the University of Sheffield found that certain plant species can adapt to long-term climate changes in Northern England's grasslands. The experiment, which spanned 13 years, revealed that these plants can respond to slow-paced environmental shifts, thriving in their existing location.
The CSIRO report highlights the importance of building adaptive capacity among farm managers and agri-businesses. It suggests that incremental changes may be sufficient for some regions, while others will need more transformative adaptations.
The EPA report identifies strategies to protect the environment as climate change occurs, using a unique approach that considers management goals for protected areas. The report finds that existing best practices can be applied to reduce the impacts of climate change on ecosystems.
Marine ecosystems face significant threats from climate change, including warming temperatures, nutrient supply disruptions, and ocean acidification. The paper calls for increased research funding to better assess these impacts and develop adaptation options.
A novel gas sensor system based on diffusion principle enables large-scale monitoring of CO2 concentrations over areas. The system replaces multiple sensors, reducing costs and improving data accuracy for environmental remediation, landfill monitoring, and indoor air quality.
Climate change affects indigenous people through increased diseases, droughts, and extreme weather events. They face displacement, human rights violations, and loss of land and resources due to biofuel production and renewable energy projects.
A new study by CSIRO scientists warns that climate change will force environmental scientists to rethink their approach to conservation. Temperatures over Australia are projected to rise by about 1 ºC by 2030, and 1.8 ºC by 2070, relative to 1990 levels.
Climate change is projected to cause significant crop losses in the world's poorest regions, including Southern Africa and South Asia, with potential losses of up to 30% and 10% or more respectively. Adaptation investments are crucial to mitigate these impacts.
A UCLA summit published in Molecular Ecology highlights the need for additional research on human-caused ecological changes. The study reveals that climate change is outpacing species' ability to adapt, leading to increased disease threats, reduced biodiversity and loss of natural heritage.