Articles tagged with Climate Change Adaptation
A USC study has found a drastic increase in building collapses in Alexandria, Egypt, due to rising sea levels and seawater intrusion. The researchers used a three-pronged approach to assess the impact of shoreline changes on the city's buildings.
A new study suggests that up to 70% of suitable habitats for the critically endangered whitefin swellshark will be lost over the next 75 years due to predicted ocean changes. The researchers believe that Australia's proactive conservation measures, such as marine protected areas, offer hope for the species' survival.
A study investigating aquatic species response to environmental stress factors in urban habitats reveals populations adapt and become more resilient. This finding supports the hypothesis that urban habitats provide clues about animal adaptation to future environmental changes.
A £4.25m project will investigate 'tipping points' in marine ecosystems, which could have devastating consequences for the UK's fishing industry and global biodiversity. The TiMBER project, led by the University of East Anglia, aims to develop tools to assess risks and predict changes in marine biogeochemistry.
Grapevines rely on external signals to gain cold hardiness for winter and develop buds in the spring. Warmer autumns and false springs disrupt this process, making NY grape growers vulnerable to late frost damage. Planting diverse varieties is key to adapting to climate change.
A new study finds that restoring degraded grasslands in Chyulu Hills, Kenya, significantly reduces human-wildlife and social conflicts. By expanding restored areas, local Maasai communities experience fewer competitions over limited resources.
A CSU study reveals trees are contracting in response to climate change, failing to regenerate in hottest areas and not expanding into cooler climates. Human-assisted tree migration is proposed as a solution to help forests adapt to climate change.
A new study highlights the risks of climate change on cocoa production, which supports four to six million small-holder farmers. Increasing pollination rates above current levels could boost yields by 20%, according to researchers.
Researchers generated a dataset of water flow beneath the entire Antarctic Ice Sheet, improving projections of sea level rise. The model predicts higher degrees of glacier melt and mass loss by the end of the century.
Researchers identified genetic variants underlying climate adaptation in Marchantia polymorpha, a type of moss that thrives in diverse environments. The study's findings provide insight into the genetic underpinnings of plant climate adaptation and offer a powerful platform for future research on plant growth and development.
A Stanford-led study reveals significant variations in corn varieties' water-seeking abilities, with tropical and subtropical varieties outperforming temperate ones. This finding holds potential for developing more resilient corn varieties to tackle climate change-induced droughts.
Farmers in African mountains report alarming changes in local weather patterns, leading to reduced crop yields and food insecurity. The study highlights the need for tailored adaptation strategies that consider environmental, social, and political dynamics of each region.
A new IIASA study highlights the importance of equal access to education, jobs, and financial services for effective implementation of climate change mitigation solutions. The findings emphasize that understanding trajectories of gender equality is integral to understanding societies' development pathways under climate change.
Research highlights the impact of wind on wildfire growth, with areas in the US Southeast vulnerable to extreme heat and precipitation events. Meanwhile, a study suggests the 'drought' of EF5 tornadoes may be due to stricter ratings rather than changes in tornadoes.
Farmers in African mountains reported increased temperatures, reduced fog, and changes in rainfall patterns, leading to lower crop yields, livestock production, and human health concerns.
A new study of Colorado grasshoppers found that certain species can thrive in a warming world by taking advantage of earlier springs, while others decline in size as vegetation dries up earlier. The research provides insight into how insects respond to climate change and how to predict winners and losers.
Researchers reconstructed past crop repertoires, showcasing how communities diversified their agriculture to ensure food security amidst changing environmental conditions. The study offers valuable lessons for modern agriculture, informing sustainable practices and policies in the face of greater climate variability.
A £2 million project, led by Anglia Ruskin University, is working to identify vulnerabilities in the UK's food system and prioritize areas for improvement. The project will analyze potential pathways leading to civil unrest and work with stakeholders to build resilience and address early-stage problems.
Lithuania is undergoing a significant energy transformation to reduce its reliance on imported fuels and increase the share of renewable energy in its mix. The country has made notable progress in increasing its renewable energy share, with 70% of electricity coming from renewable sources in 2023.
Researchers document butterfly's complete life cycle, including two distinct pupation phases, influenced by environmental conditions. The species may show phenological plasticity in response to climate change, adapting its breeding timing and brood production.
A new study estimates that climate change will lead to a significant increase in heat-related deaths across Europe, surpassing any decrease in cold-related deaths. The study suggests that swift cuts to carbon emissions are necessary to mitigate this trend and prevent millions of additional deaths.
Researchers identified an unknown family of microbes uniquely adapted to tropical peatlands, with a dual role in the carbon cycle. These microbes can either stabilize or intensify climate change by releasing greenhouse gases like CO2 and methane.
Climate change may lead to increased production of legumes such as chickpeas and soybeans, while oranges and okra become more widely grown. This could support shifts towards a more balanced diet and lower carbon footprint, but also poses economic and environmental risks.
Researchers found that white-faced capuchin monkeys who showed a stronger stress response were more likely to survive extreme droughts. The study, led by UCLA's Susan Perry, used natural experiment of an El Niño drought in Costa Rica to investigate the adaptive nature of stress response.
Researchers from UCalgary and around the world have discovered that early humans, Homo erectus, were able to thrive in extreme environments, including hot and dry periods. This finding changes our understanding of human adaptability and suggests that ancient humans had a wider range of survival capabilities than previously thought.
A new study by researchers at the University of Minnesota found that the benefits of corn-soybean crop rotation are extremely sensitive to climate change. The study suggests that increasing crop rotation can improve overall yields and highlight its potential as a climate adaptation strategy in the US Midwest.
A recent study published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction found that US homeowners take proactive steps to protect their properties before and after hurricanes, but often fall short due to inadequate regulations. The study's methodology provides a framework for future research on incentivizing comprehensive prote...
Researchers at the University of Southampton have proposed that certain wild plant species possess key genetic and morphological traits making them more suitable for domestication. The study aims to inform future work on adapting species to improve food security in a changing climate.
A University of Oklahoma researcher is monitoring farm ponds across Oklahoma to understand their response to human- and climate-based changes. Daily satellite data will provide near real-time updates on the effects of climate change and human activities on these sensitive water bodies.
The study analyzes 40 years of climate data to identify trends in six metrics impacting apple growth, including extreme heat and cold days. The top three largest apple producing counties in the US are among the most impacted, with Yakima County facing significant challenges.
The 105th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society will address key issues in weather, water, and climate. The meeting features a Presidential Forum on physical, social, cultural, and economic impacts of climate change, with experts from the region of the Mississippi River Delta.
Researchers aim to develop resilient soybean plants resistant to southern root-knot nematodes, causing $160 billion in damages annually. The project will screen hundreds of genetically diverse soybean lines worldwide to identify potential new sources of resistance.
A new study published in Scientific Reports reveals that Aldabra Atoll's shoreline has maintained its net shoreline and total land area over 51 years, with an average change rate of 25 cm per year. The lagoon shoreline underwent more rapid changes than the ocean shoreline, particularly in areas exposed to wind and waves.
A new report assesses water resources in the southern US states, finding that forestry best management practices can mitigate climate and land use effects on water quality. The study projects future scenarios of water stress due to extreme precipitation events, emphasizing the importance of adaptive management.
A study found that wild hedgehogs in the same area have varying hibernation patterns, with some starting as early as mid-September and others not entering until December. This flexibility could help them adapt to changing environmental conditions.
A Dartmouth-led study suggests using clay to convert CO2 into food for zooplankton, which expel it as carbon-filled feces in the deep sea. This method accelerates the ocean's natural cycle for removing carbon from the atmosphere.
Researchers trained an AI system to predict future warming based on climate model simulations and historical temperature data. The study suggests that even in the best-case scenario, global warming will likely exceed 2 degrees Celsius, with severe impacts expected in regions such as South Asia and Central Europe.
A recent study by the University of Geneva and the United Nations found that 30% of hackathons contribute significantly to the SDGs, particularly climate change. These events attract new participants and generate long-term collective engagement, making them a promising tool for global cooperation.
Scientists emphasize the need for gene editing and plant domestication to protect food supplies due to the climate crisis. Researchers propose two strategies: introducing genes that support resistance to environmental stress into existing crops or domesticate wild plants with lower yields but higher resilience.
A team from the University of Illinois has engineered a potato crop that can thrive in elevated temperatures, resulting in a 30% increase in tuber mass under heatwave conditions. This adaptation aims to improve food security for families dependent on potatoes, which are often affected by changing climate conditions.
The USC-led CLIMA Center will investigate the combined impacts of climate-related exposures and adaptation capacity on human health, using a transdisciplinary approach. The center aims to inform policies that protect vulnerable communities and strengthen climate resilience.
Marine plankton's ability to absorb CO2 is influenced by ocean density, with denser waters leading to reduced calcification and increased alkalinity. This discovery reframes our understanding of the complex interplay between marine life and the global climate system.
Research from the University of Kansas found that American and Canadian universities have made progress in addressing climate change in their curriculum, but vary widely in how they approach it. The majority of programs include climate change as an elective course, with a focus on adaptation rather than mitigation.
The report charts a course correction for how the world grows food and uses land, highlighting the central role of land in maintaining Earth's stability. Land degradation is undermining the planet's capacity to support humanity, with seven out of nine planetary boundaries negatively impacted by unsustainable land use.
A recent study suggests coral heat tolerance adaptation may not keep pace with ocean warming, and some sensitive species may face extinction. The research modelled different climate scenarios, revealing that natural selection may be insufficient to ensure coral survival under expected warming levels.
A new study suggests that coral heat tolerance adaptation via natural selection may be insufficient to overcome the impacts of ocean warming, unless Paris Agreement commitments are realized.
A new paper emphasizes the role of agrifood value chains in supporting climate-smart agriculture at the farm level, highlighting the potential of these chains to empower farmers to adopt climate-resilient practices. The authors propose policy measures to strengthen the vital role of AVCs in driving climate action.
A mathematical model reveals a critical threshold for anthropogenic CO2 emission, beyond which crop yield starts to decrease significantly. Developing temperature-tolerant crops is crucial in maintaining agricultural productivity and ensuring food security.
A study published by researchers from Göttingen University sheds light on the critical role of leaf phenology in trees providing shade and improving climate resilience in cocoa agroforestry systems. The research found that certain shade tree species can significantly influence productivity and environmental stability.
A new study by Umea University researchers found that mixed forests with multiple tree species are less prone to damage from fungi, insects, and fires. The results suggest that increasing the number of tree species in production forests could reduce forest damage risk and financial losses.
A recent study has found that climate change is closely linked to global conflict crises, particularly in understudied regions such as South America, Oceania, and Southeast Asia. The research highlights the need for integrated peacebuilding and climate adaptation efforts to address these compounding issues.
Many planktonic foraminifera species may face unprecedented environmental conditions by the end of this century, leading to further extinctions and impacting marine ecosystems. Despite shifts in migration patterns and depth, foraminifera populations have declined by 25% over the past 80 years.
Researchers warn that inadequate funding for climate adaptation measures disproportionately harms vulnerable populations. Maladaptation occurs when strategies backfire and worsen living conditions. Effective funding is crucial to ensure progress in adaptation.
Researchers at Brown University identified key growth cycle phases and molecular mechanisms that make some tomato varieties more heat tolerant. The discovery could inform a strategy to protect the food supply in the face of climate instability.
A new international study found that even wind-adapted albatrosses struggle to find food during very stormy weather, highlighting the impact of climate change on these birds.
A new study warns of potential water shortages in Brazil's agricultural frontier region, MATOPIBA, as climate change exacerbates overuse of water resources. The study predicts that crop irrigation demand may not meet local requirements by up to 40% by 2025-40.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have designed a system to improve soil health in hazelnut farms, reducing the impact of climate change. By partnering with 20 farms across the Willamette Valley, they aim to demonstrate the ecological and economic benefits of native wildflowers and basalt dust amendments.
A new genetic web tool, Reef Adapt, assists in bolstering the resilience of marine habitat-forming species. The tool harnesses genetic data to map out areas suitable for restoration under current and future environmental conditions.
A new study published in Nature found that up to 215 million hectares of land in tropical regions around the world has the potential to naturally regrow, storing 23.4 gigatons of carbon over 30 years. The study identified areas with high regrowth potential based on factors such as soil quality and proximity to existing forest.
A Dartmouth study has quantified the global economic fallout of El Niño, finding it costs the economy $4.1 trillion and $5.7 trillion in the half-decade after each event. The study's findings are included in the 10 New Insights in Climate Science report ahead of COP29.