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Biogeochemistry scientists from around the world, led by the ASC's Margenot, publish position paper on tackling “hidden” phosphorus

Researchers developed a comprehensive roadmap to measure legacy phosphorus accumulation in soils. They identified key priorities and non-priorities, providing a unified vision for future phosphorus use. The study found that accumulated phosphorus is often located in the top 12 inches of soil and transforms into different forms than whe...

Communicating a slow-motion health catastrophe

A special issue of the Journal of Health Communication highlights climate change communication challenges, including misinformation, disinformation, and complex nature of climate events. The issue offers strategies for overcoming these challenges through interdisciplinary research on communication strategies, media, message understandi...

SourceCUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy·JournalJournal of Health Communication·DateSep 11, 2024

When the heat makes you disoriented

Researchers find that heatwaves significantly impair bumblebees' ability to detect floral scents, leading to up to 80% deterioration in female workers. The study highlights the importance of considering climate change's impact on insect-plant interactions for future species conservation initiatives.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateAug 30, 2024

Study finds highest prediction of sea-level rise unlikely

A new study led by Dartmouth researchers questions the rapid polar ice collapse model used in the IPCC's sixth assessment report. The team found that the expected rate of retreat is significantly lower than predicted, making the worst-case scenario less likely, but still dire due to ongoing ice loss from Greenland and Antarctica.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 21, 2024

UCF researcher develops lotus-inspired tech to convert CO2 to fuels, chemicals

A University of Central Florida researcher has developed a nature-inspired filtration and conversion system that extracts carbon dioxide gas from the atmosphere to create fuels and chemicals. The device mimics the lotus surface, capturing carbon dioxide with a microsurface comprised of a tin oxide film and fluorine layer.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 20, 2024

Heat caused over 47,000 deaths in Europe in 2023, the second highest burden of the last decade

A study led by ISGlobal estimates that heat caused over 47,000 deaths in Europe in 2023, with southern European countries being the most affected. The mortality rate was higher in women and people over 80 years old, and without societal adaptation processes, it would have been 80% higher.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalNature Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 12, 2024

Millions of years for plants to recover from global warming

A study by ETH Zurich scientists found that global warming's effects on plant recovery can last for thousands to millions of years. The research team discovered that the severity of climate shifts and the speed at which carbon is sequestered affect the duration of climate warming.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 8, 2024

An overlooked side-effect of the housing crisis may be putting Californians at increased risk from climate disasters

A new study suggests that California's affordable housing crisis is driving increased development in and near wildlands, putting residents at higher-risk for climate-related natural disasters. The research aims to understand the drivers of Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) growth and its impact on environmental dynamics.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 5, 2024

Genome study informs restoration of American chestnut tree

A genome study has identified regional adaptations in American chestnut trees, informing restoration efforts and climate resilience. The research provides guidance for conserving genetic diversity across the Appalachian region, with a focus on preserving the most genetically diverse southern population.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 22, 2024

Enhanced information in national policies can accelerate Africa's efforts to track climate adaptation

African national adaptation policy documents reveal inadequate information on adaptation investments and tracking progress, limiting investment channeling and tracking effectiveness. However, some countries have robust plans, such as Benin and South Africa, which hold lessons for future climate negotiations.

Nature-based solutions to disaster risk from climate change are cost effective, UMmass Amherst study confirms

A global assessment of scientific literature finds that nature-based solutions (NbS) are an economically effective method to mitigate risks from disasters such as floods, hurricanes, heatwaves, and landslides. NbS have been proven consistently cost-effective in mitigating hazards in 71% of the studied articles.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 16, 2024

Study examines urban forests across the United States

Researchers analyzed six US cities and found that tree species in parks were more drought-tolerant and reflected greater native biodiversity than those in residential yards. The study highlights the importance of planting drought-tolerant trees in urban areas to adapt to future climate change.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 12, 2024

Extreme temperatures becoming more common in Ireland, Maynooth University study finds

A recent study by Maynooth University has found that extreme temperatures in Ireland have increased significantly over the past few decades. The research reveals that temperature events of 33 degrees Celsius have become a regular occurrence, with some areas experiencing them every 9 years, up from once every 180 years in 1942.

SourceMaynooth University·JournalJournal Of The Royal Statistical Society·TypeObservational study·DateJul 2, 2024

Disparities in the distribution of flood adaptation resources could be curbed by equity-weighting, research suggests

Researchers found that conventional benefit-cost analyses favor affluent communities, while an equity-weighted approach could reduce bias in hazard mitigation funding. This new method has the potential to improve resource allocation for socio-economically vulnerable areas.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 14, 2024

Western agricultural communities need water conservation strategies to adapt to future shortages

A new study by Desert Research Institute finds that relying on water storage alone is insufficient to address future water scarcity, and that water conservation measures such as crop changes can help restore up to 20% of reservoir capacity. Agricultural communities in the Western US are advised to adopt these strategies to mitigate the...

SourceDesert Research Institute·JournalEarth's Future·DateJun 12, 2024

Case studies show how quasi-governmental organizations could strengthen climate adaptation governance

A new study examines the design characteristics of quasi-governmental organizations (QGOs) to provide insights on how to improve climate adaptation governance. The research finds that some QGOs are useful for overcoming politicization or fostering multi-level stakeholder coordination, but none prove optimal for both simultaneously.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalClimatic Change·TypeCase study·DateJun 10, 2024

Tiny tropical puddle frogs show that protecting genetic variation is essential for animals to survive the climate crisis

Scientists studied genetic variation in African tropical rainforest frogs to identify areas vulnerable to the climate crisis. High environmental variation fosters high genetic variation, but populations with low genetic variation are at risk of extinction. The study suggests preserving habitats with high genomic variation could help sp...

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Conservation Science·DateJun 5, 2024

Climate-smart marine spatial planning in Antarctica can be a model for the global ocean

Researchers propose comprehensive strategy for climate-smart marine spatial planning (MSP) in the Southern Ocean, integrating diverse interests and addressing climate stressors. MSP can serve as a testbed for international waters, informing implementation of the UN Agreement on marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.

U.S. drought-monitoring system outpaced by climate changes

A new study finds that the US Drought Monitor is not keeping pace with climate change, leading to frequent severe droughts being classified as rare. The consequences are dire, with some regions spending more time in extreme drought conditions than federal guidelines allow, potentially leaving them without adequate aid.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalAGU Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 20, 2024

Climate change likely to aggravate brain conditions

A UCL-led team of researchers warn that climate change will aggravate brain conditions such as stroke, migraine, and dementia. The study, which reviewed 332 papers, found that extreme temperatures and weather events can disrupt sleep, exacerbate cognitive impairment, and lead to increased hospital admissions and mortality.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 15, 2024

Island birds more adaptable than previously thought

A recent study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society found that birds on islands are more evolutionarily similar and diverse than expected, with more species thriving in agricultural areas. The research suggests that there may be fundamental principles of ecology at play, influencing bird evolution on islands.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateMay 13, 2024

Limited adaptability makes freshwater bacteria vulnerable to climate change

Climate change threatens freshwater habitats, disrupting microbial communities essential for nutrient cycling and water quality maintenance. Many abundant freshwater bacteria with small genomes experience extended periods of adaptive standstill, limiting their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 8, 2024