Climate Change Effects
Articles tagged with Climate Change Effects
AMS Science Preview: “Ornamental twilight,” heat deaths, hurricane eyes
Increasing seasonal fluctuations in sea level are under-reported, but could have a major impact
Combined short-term effects of air pollutants linked to 146,500 premature deaths per year in Europe
Bigger and wetter storms mean drier conditions over time
Scientists reconstruct historical climate trends from diaries
Climate patterns may shape where violent conflict risks are amplified, Rice study finds
A new Rice University study links climate variability to civil conflict and war risk, revealing nuanced relationships between climate patterns and local conflict risk. The research identifies regions susceptible to climate-driven political instability and provides evidence for a 'threat multiplier' effect.
Smartwatches and GPS show promise for tracking environmental impacts on health in real time
Gentoo penguin is actually four distinct species, one new to science. Three are threatened.
Deforestation lessens Amazon rainfall, and climate change hastens that process
How higher temperatures can benefit (or devastate) bumble bee populations
New research finds that higher temperatures can benefit bumble bees with underground nests by allowing them to spend more time foraging, but may devastate those with aboveground nests due to increased cooling costs. The benefits appear to outweigh the costs, but just a few damaging hours of extreme heat could set a colony back.
Deforestation lowers threshold for Amazon degradation to below 2°C warming
Deforestation reduces Amazon's resilience to global warming, with around two-thirds of the forest at risk of degradation at 1.5-1.9°C of warming. Haltting deforestation and restoring forests can strengthen the Amazon's ability to withstand climate change.
Are icebergs less prone to melting in clusters?
Researchers studied how meltwater from one iceberg impacts its neighbor's melting rate. They found that the gap between icebergs determines their final shape and melt rate., Iceberg clusters may be less prone to melting than isolated icebergs due to the protective effect of meltwater.
Climate warms, but under‐ice water temperatures in lakes can become cooler
Research finds that warmer autumns delay lake freezing, leading to colder winter under-ice temperatures. Autumn surface waters have also warmed by an average of 1.85 °C, while large lake size and strong winds influence under-ice bottom water temperatures.
Renewable energy is more cost effective than direct air capture at reducing carbon, new study finds
A new study published in Communications Sustainability reveals that investing in renewable energy yields more combined climate and public health benefits than direct air capture. The analysis models the health and climate benefit of cost-equivalent deployments of DAC, solar, and onshore wind across US grid regions from 2020 to 2050.
Tulane researchers say Louisiana could lead global climate adaptation efforts
Researchers argue that Louisiana's climate-driven land loss and population shifts could position the state as a global leader in planning for climate adaptation. The study combines coastal geology with archaeology, demography, and public policy to outline a long-term vision for the region.
Nature loss brings catastrophic risks – new report
A new report highlights the catastrophic risks of nature loss on food systems, economies and societies. Chronic pressures like soil degradation and water scarcity are already reducing crop yields and increasing food prices.
Western US wildfires have gotten less frequent, though larger
A new study reveals that wildfires in the Western US have decreased by 28% over the past three decades, with fires starting from natural causes declining more than those caused by humans. The findings suggest that higher population densities lead to fewer fires, while adding people to less populated areas makes blazes more common.
Significant rise in valley fever cases in El Paso linked to extreme weather, dust, UTEP study finds
Researchers at UTEP found strong connections between Valley fever and extreme weather, wind, and airborne dust, with the disease risk anticipated based on environmental signals. The study identified seasonal patterns, with peak cases in summer months.
Beavers leave a trail as they head into the Arctic
Researchers use tree rings and satellites to date changes beavers make to the tundra landscape as they spread northwards. The study provides evidence of beaver colonization in the region starting in 2008, with satellite analysis revealing a significant expansion of surface water between 2015 and 2019.
Fires, droughts, and windstorms reduce the diversity of Amazonian vegetation
Researchers found that even in degraded forests, tree species can regenerate quickly, but vulnerable species are replaced by more resilient generalists, leading to a loss of diversity. The recovered areas are vulnerable to extreme events and climate change impacts, highlighting the need for forest conservation strategies.
Climate change is already reshaping health, work, and food security in Europe
Climate change is already reshaping health, work, and food security in Europe, with rising temperatures reducing working hours and economic output. Climate extremes are increasing food insecurity primarily through higher prices and diet quality, according to Shouro Dasgupta, a leading expert on the economic impacts of climate change.
Extreme climate events increase heart disease risk, new study reveals
A new study reveals a strong link between extreme climate events and the incidence of heart disease among middle-aged and older adults in 157 Chinese cities. Exposure to extreme heat, cold, and precipitation increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, with higher BMI-related risks associated with temperature intensity and cold-induce...
Too hot to handle? Study explores how heat is reshaping US population shifts
A new study from Florida Atlantic University challenges the narrative that rising temperatures will drive Americans away, finding that heat alone isn't driving large-scale out-migration. Instead, population shifts are shaped more by economic opportunity, housing affordability and local quality of life than climate conditions.
As polar ice changes, so do the rules governing it
Researchers found a tipping point in granular sea ice where fluids can flow vertically through it, altering nutrient replenishment and melt pond evolution. This change has major implications for microbial communities and various geophysical processes, affecting Earth's climate system.
Hurricane-resilient coastal forests in the Northeastern U.S. may be nearing their limits
Researchers found a significant reduction in tree-ring growth after major hurricanes, but these trees can recover quickly within two years. Coastal forests in the Northeastern US are vulnerable to sea-level rise and stand dead or dying trees, posing a threat to densely populated communities.
Europe’s power grid has a big drought problem
A new study finds that when droughts strike, Europe's hydropower and renewables aren't enough to meet energy demand, forcing countries to rely on fossil fuels and increasing CO2 emissions by 180 TWh. The study also reveals that power production from fossil fuels in the EU increased by 7% of total generation in 2022.
Street green space can help cool cities, but it will not be enough on its own
A new study reveals that street greenery can reduce heat stress in cities, but its benefits depend on local conditions. The cooling effect is stronger in tropical and continental climates, but weaker in dry and temperate climates.
Summer is getting longer, and it’s happening faster than we thought
Research by University of British Columbia researchers found that summer weather is arriving earlier, lasting longer and packing more heat. The average summer season has grown about six days longer per decade in the tropics and polar circles since 1990.
Much of humanity may face hot-dry extremes five times more often by end-century
Researchers project that 28% of the global population will face heightened exposure to hot-dry extremes by the 2090s, concentrated in low-income, tropical nations. Limiting emissions could avert a lot of risk, with about 18% of the population facing this level of exposure under current climate action plans.
New study shows rapid hormonal rise in honey bees due to heat shock is mitigated by social conditions
A new study from Michigan State University finds that isolated honey bees experience a rapid hormonal rise when exposed to high temperatures, while those in groups remain stable. The discovery highlights the role of social conditions and chemical signals in shaping bees' ability to withstand environmental stress.
New study pinpoints climate conditions for restoring the endangered butternut tree
Researchers at Virginia Tech used modern data science to guide restoration strategies for the endangered butternut tree. The study mapped climate and soil conditions linked to natural disease resistance, identifying prime regions for resistant butternut trees and hybrids across the eastern United States.
First cataloguing of lakes beneath the Canadian Arctic
A team of researchers has created a map of 33 subglacial lakes in the Canadian Arctic, revealing unprecedented detail about these bodies of water. The discovery helps scientists better understand the rapidly melting region and its implications for glacier loss and climate change.
Wildfires accelerate winter snowmelt in Oregon's western Cascades, PSU study finds
A new study by PSU researchers found that wildfires can intensify midwinter rain-on-snow events, leading to rapid snowmelt and increased flood risk. This threatens the region's critical seasonal water storage, refilling reservoirs and producing hydroelectric power.
Lakes forming next to Greenland’s melting ice sheet are speeding up glacier flow
The formation of freshwater lakes at the edge of Greenland's melting ice sheet is accelerating glacier flow, potentially increasing global sea-level rise. The lakes can destabilize glaciers, triggering movement and heightening ice loss.
Does fighting climate change put the economy at risk?
Researchers find that investing in climate adaptation can coexist with fiscal stability, but institutional quality and interest costs play crucial roles. The study analyzed data from 172 countries between 1995 and 2020 and found no structural conflict between the two goals.
Increasing risk of ice avalanches due to climate change
A recent study compares two devastating ice avalanches in the Indian Himalayas and Switzerland, revealing drastically different consequences despite similar physical characteristics. Climate change is destabilizing high mountain slopes due to glacier retreat, permafrost thaw, and extreme precipitation, making such hazards more frequent.
March research news from the Ecological Society of America
Recent ESA research studies explore supply and demand of bird migration routes, scavenging by mid-sized carnivores, and polar bear adaptation to a thawing Arctic. A new metric compares bird demand with habitat supply to assess stopover sites along migratory routes.
The forest for the trees: Why mass planting doesn't always lock away soil carbon
A 50-year study in Kerala, India found that expanding tree plantations can result in zero net carbon gains underground. The research highlights the importance of considering the type of plantation and historical soil profile when designing climate mitigation strategies.
Reading the mud: Central Asia's rivers hold a hidden timeline of human pollution
Researchers from Beijing Normal University decode historical chemical footprint in Mongolia's Orkhon River Basin to track toxic emissions drivers. The study reveals a link between economic booms and traffic jams and chemical fallout, providing insights for rewriting water management policies across Central Asia.
Iron, carbon, and the art of toxic cleanup
Researchers at Tongji University have discovered that ferrihydrite is a highly effective mineral in trapping chromium and storing organic carbon. This finding has significant implications for environmental remediation, enabling the development of nature-based solutions to clean up contaminated mine soils while sequestering carbon.
California communities’ recovery time between wildfire smoke events is shrinking
A study by UC San Diego finds that California wildfire smoke events are becoming more frequent, with communities in Southern and Central California experiencing shorter recovery times between smoke events. These communities are also disproportionately vulnerable, with higher proportions of racial and socioeconomic minority residents.
Heat does not reduce prosociality
A study found that high heat stress does not reduce prosocial behavior, but cultural and gender differences significantly impact egalitarianism, resource maximization, and competitiveness. Women tend to exhibit more egalitarian behavior than men, while cultural differences affect specific elements of prosociality.
Glacial lakes are growing rapidly in Alaska, and research shows where growth will continue
Research shows glacial lakes in Alaska expanding 50% faster than previously recorded, posing significant hazards and altering ecosystems. The study identifies areas where lakes may form and grow, helping with infrastructure planning and predicting changes to ecosystems, hazards, and recreation.
Exposure to life-limiting heat has soared around the planet
A new study finds that the amount of time per year that extreme heat makes it unsafe to go about daily life has doubled since the 1950s, with younger adults facing 2x more hours of heat-related limitations, while older adults face 50% more
Climate projections warn 20% of Colombia’s cocoa-growing areas could be lost by 2050, but adaptation options remain
Climate projections warn that nearly 20% of Colombia's cocoa-growing areas could lose suitable climate conditions by 2050, particularly in the Caribbean region. However, adaptation options such as wild cocoa, agroforestry systems, and conservation of native forests may help mitigate these impacts.
Forest damage in Europe to rise by around 20% by 2100 even if warming is limited to 2°C
Forest damage in Europe is projected to increase by up to 20% by 2100 under all climate scenarios. Annually disturbed forest area could rise from 180,000 to 370,000 hectares per year, increasing pressure on other sectors to reduce emissions.
Small step to yield a big coastal protection win
A global study found that safeguarding 7.3% more mangrove areas can increase their resilience by 13.3%, with climate-smart conservation being achievable and affordable
GRACE: A new Horizon Europe project empowering Europe’s remote rural communities to become drivers of transformative climate action
The GRACE project co-develops, tests, and scales climate adaptation solutions with local communities in 10 European regions. It addresses diverse climate challenges through community-led adaptation, digital tools, and capacity-building, ensuring locally relevant and transferable solutions.
FAU Harbor Branch awarded $900,000 for Gulf of America sea-level research
The FAU project will integrate high-resolution modeling, observational data, and advanced machine learning to improve understanding of regional sea-level variability in the Gulf of America. The team aims to produce decision-relevant scenario outputs and empower stakeholders with actionable information for future-oriented decisions.
Surviving the extreme temperatures of the climate crisis calls for a revolution in home and building design
As climates become more extreme, traditional building designs are failing to keep people safe and comfortable. A new generation of architects is creating climate-ready buildings that can maintain comfortable temperatures independently from the grid, using local natural resources like sun, wind, and ground-sourced energy.
Unique analysis shows air-con heat relief significantly worsens climate change
A new study reveals that air-conditioning use will more than double by 2050, causing up to 8.5 GtCO₂‑eq per year in the worst-case scenario. This is equivalent to around 74–183 billion transatlantic return flights and adds 0.03°C to 0.07°C of global warming.
Climate change could fragment habitat for monarch butterflies, disrupting mass migration
A study predicts that climate change will shift suitable habitat for monarch butterflies southwards, disrupting their mass migration. The results show a decline in suitable habitat of between 8% and 40% by 2070, fracturing existing migrating routes.
Access to safe water fails in the face of extreme heat, even in wealthy cities
A recent study highlights the link between water security and adaptability of homes in urban centers of the Global North to extreme heat. Household water security is not universal, even in the wealthiest cities, forcing vulnerable households to limit their water consumption, compromising their ability to adapt to extreme heat.
New computation method for climate extremes: Researchers at the University of Graz reveal tenfold increase of heat over Europe
Climate researchers developed a new method for computing hazards from extreme events, finding a tenfold increase in extreme heat over Europe. The study provides a basis for better quantifying damage to people, ecosystems, and infrastructure.
What freezing plants in blocks of ice can tell us about the future of Svalbard’s plant communities
Svalbard's polar willow plant community, a critical food source for reindeer, was found to be resilient to icing due to consistent production above-ground during summer warming. The study suggests that even with extensive winter ice encasement, some plants can thrive through increased above-ground production and seed dispersal.
Rising simultaneous wildfire risk compromises international firefighting efforts
Scientists warn that synchronised extreme fire weather, characterized by warm and dry conditions, has increased worldwide since 1979, straining international firefighting cooperation. The number of high-risk days with simultaneous fires is more than doubling, making wildfires harder to tackle and increasing air quality issues.
Long-term warming transforms mountain meadows above and below ground
Climate change alters high-elevation meadows, causing plant communities to shift towards shrub-dominated landscapes. The changes also affect the soil ecosystem, with declines in mycorrhizal fungi and increases in decomposers.
AMS releases statement regarding the decision to rescind EPA’s 2009 Endangerment Finding
The American Meteorological Society (AMS) expresses deep concern over the repeal of the EPA's 2009 Endangerment Finding, which concluded that greenhouse gas emissions harm human health and well-being. AMS reaffirms key scientific conclusions on climate change, including its impacts on people and nature.
AMS Science Preview: Hurricane slowdown, school snow days
A new study finds that U.S. tornado activity is shifting southeastward due to the relationship between extratropical cyclones and low-pressure systems. Additionally, global warming has led to a fourfold increase in tropical cyclone rapid slowdown events in coastal areas.