Articles tagged with Climate Change Effects
A US study found that increasing nest temperatures affects leatherback hatchling morphology, performance and hatching success. Mid-season nests had the highest hatching success and better physical performance.
A global food system model suggests that consumer choices and climate-smart technologies can help achieve net negative emissions by 2050. The study estimates that a complete transformation could remove up to 33 gigatons of carbon dioxide each year.
A study published in Nature Geoscience found that blowing snow produces fine sea salt aerosols, increasing particle concentration and cloud formation in the central Arctic. These aerosols contribute to Arctic warming by trapping surface long-wave radiation, boosting temperatures.
A study by the University of Leeds found that South American forests lost their ability to absorb carbon from the atmosphere during an extreme El Niño event in 2015-2016. This suggests that tropical forests may no longer be able to mitigate climate change, but conservation efforts can still protect them.
People with asthma and COPD face increased breathing difficulties due to climate change's effects on heatwaves, wildfires, and flooding. Experts urge governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate these risks.
A new study finds that warming temperatures may triple groundwater depletion rates in India under a business-as-usual scenario, with approximately 60% of the country's irrigated agriculture depending on the threatened groundwater. The study calls for policies to conserve groundwater and reduce energy subsidies.
A new study from the University of Washington and Polar Bears International reveals a direct link between cumulative greenhouse gas emissions and polar bear demographic changes. The study shows that reducing greenhouse gas emissions can help protect polar bears, with implications beyond just this species.
Research from Leipzig University shows that reductions in aerosol pollution can cause a delayed warming effect on the climate. The findings suggest that this warming may occur 20-30 years after improvements in air quality are made, particularly in heavily polluted regions.
A team of international scientists found that coral reefs, marshes, and mangroves could be destroyed within the next 30 years from rising sea levels. Coastal habitats are essential for protecting coastlines, trapping carbon, and supporting millions of coastal residents.
A new study published in Nature warns that coastal wetlands and coral reef islands are unlikely to survive at current rates of sea-level rise exceeding 7 millimeters per year. The study suggests that global warming must be limited to less than 2 degrees Celsius for these ecosystems to have a chance.
A new study by WCS found that overhunting of fruit-eating mammals and birds can lead to a shift in forest composition, resulting in lower carbon storage. The loss of these species changes the ecosystem, making it more challenging for forests to sequester and store carbon.
A new study reveals that the decline of Arctic sea ice is altering zooplankton behavior, leading to more frequent food shortages and potential negative effects on larger species. The changing light conditions are affecting the daily vertical migration of zooplankton in the Arctic.
Researchers found that while tourists won't change their near-term plans due to climate change, more than two-thirds will reconsider by 2060 under drastically changed conditions. By 2060, 70% of tourists plan to shorten their trips in response to climate change.
New study finds that up to 67% of future hydropower plants in Africa may not be worth the investment due to economic competition with solar and wind power. However, some new hydropower plants could still provide cheap power in the short-term and help integrate solar and wind energy.
A new climate modeling method called ensemble boosting can simulate a large set of extreme but plausible heat waves, providing a worst-case scenario for planning and preparation. This method helps prepare for the potential loss of tens of thousands of lives in extreme heat waves.
A new study reveals that volcanic eruptions can temporarily weaken the Pacific Walker Circulation, a major driver of global precipitation. The recent strengthening of this circulation suggests that aerosols from human activity may have an opposite effect on its behavior.
A statistically significant increase in heat-related illnesses was found among patients at US Department of Veteran Affairs facilities between 2002 and 2019. Specific groups, such as those with existing health conditions and certain ethnic groups, were more vulnerable to heat-related illness.
Researchers found that climate change and changing water withdrawals have a combined impact on low river flows in Western and Central Europe. The study emphasizes the need for coordinated actions to decrease water withdrawals at regional, national, and international scales to tackle climate change effects.
A new modeling tool called REBURN can simulate large forest landscapes and wildfire dynamics under different management strategies. The tool shows that setting prescribed burns and allowing smaller wildfires to burn can yield more varied and resilient forests over time.
A novel method to monitor range shifts of protected organisms and expanding noxious species has been developed. By marking the average position of the 'connectivity limit' over time, researchers offer a statistically reliable approach to tracking changes in species distributions.
New research found that plant water use efficiency has stalled since 2001 due to climate change, contradicting earlier hopes it would help improve water consumption. The study's findings suggest that rising temperatures and atmospheric CO2 may be undermining nature-based methods to achieve carbon neutrality.
The University of Cambridge team warns that Africa's lack of hydromet infrastructure will lead to a surge in climate-related disasters and deaths. The continent has just 6% of the number of radar stations as Europe and North America, making it vulnerable to floods, droughts, and heatwaves.
A new computer model quantifies the black market for drinking water in Jordan, revealing that 91% of traded water is extracted illegally. The study predicts a significant increase in household dependence on private water suppliers due to decreasing public water supply infrastructure.
A new study investigates whether artificially dimming the sun could prevent the melting of West Antarctic ice sheets. The results show that artificial influence does not work without decarbonization and entails high risks, highlighting the importance of rapid climate mitigation measures.
Researchers in East Europe have recalculated the carbon sinks in the region, finding that they stored most of Europe's carbon between 2010 and 2019. However, data shows a decline in carbon absorption over time, with timber extraction having the biggest influence on the land-based carbon sink.
Researchers from the University of Bonn have developed a new method to calculate global water distribution, combining satellite data with hydrological models. The study reveals that droughts are significantly more common across the world than previously thought, with localized droughts often missing from satellite data.
A study of highly migratory fish predators finds widespread losses of suitable habitat and redistribution in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico by 2100 due to climate change. The impacts are already observable, with potential loss of up to 70% of suitable habitat for some species.
Coral reefs benefit from reduced land-sea impacts under ocean warming, with pollutants and over-fishing putting immense stress on ecosystems. Human-caused threats were most clearly demonstrated in 2015's record-breaking marine heatwave, which showed coral cover remained unchanged despite extreme heat stress.
New research suggests that rising temperatures may offset the impact of increased precipitation on nitrogen runoff, which could lead to reduced aquatic pollution. The study found that warmer temperatures reduce evaporation, allowing more nitrogen to enter waterways, while also affecting microbial life in soil and sediment.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis discovered that wildfires emit dark brown carbon, a potent climate-warming particle that absorbs solar radiation. This finding has broad implications for climate models and highlights the need to revise existing approaches to account for the unexpected effects of brown carbon.
A new study found that the Pacific Ocean's western boundary current significantly strengthened due to global warming, contributing to intensified equatorial undercurrents and increased sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific. This change has been linked to enhanced El Niño events.
Researchers studied 21 lowland meandering rivers on Earth and ancient Martian riverbeds to understand how climate change impacts river sinuosity. The study found that variable-sinuosity rivers continue changing, while constant-sinuosity rivers reach a steady state.
New research from the University of Surrey found that over 60% of nature-based solutions (NBS) are located in Europe, with poor adoption in other regions. The study analyzed over 500 NBS case studies and found that green solutions, hybrid solutions, and addressing water-based hazards were common uses of NBS.
A new study using nearly a century of seismic data suggests that the average heights of winter waves along California's coast have increased as climate change has heated up the planet. This could amplify the effects of sea-level rise, leading to significant coastal impacts and erosion.
Researchers highlight the importance of tropical montane ecosystems and their limited data availability. The study proposes refining models to include socio-ecological diversity, emphasizing the need for a transdisciplinary network to quantify ecosystem services.
A University of Maryland study found that tree species diversity increases spider populations, providing a natural pest regulation service. Spider populations in diverse plots increased by 23-50% compared to single-species plots during late summer months.
A study by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that institutional investors demand disclosure of climate risk due to its impact on a company's health and performance. The survey of 439 institutional investors showed that mandatory disclosure has an effect on investors' decisions.
A new study suggests that Arctic terns, which fly on the longest migrations of any animal, may be resilient to climate change due to their vast habitats. However, researchers warn that multiple small effects could harm this long-lived species and other species unable to adapt.
Researchers found no directional change in Arctic spring timing over the past 25 years, instead observing extreme year-to-year variation due to climate variability. This shift is attributed to fluctuating temperatures and snow cover, pushing species to their limits.
The Colorado River Basin has lost approximately 40 trillion liters of water between 2000 and 2021 due to climate change, equivalent to the entire storage capacity of Lake Mead. The rapid reduction in runoff is largely responsible for this water loss, with warming temperatures leading to a 10.3% decrease in flow rates.
A new study published in Scientific Reports has investigated the impact of long-term changes in ocean wave and storm surge conditions on sandy coastlines over the past 30 years. The research found no clear linkages between these changes and shoreline recession, with sediment supply, human management, and other factors likely playing a ...
A new study highlights the diverse impact of climate change on animal welfare across five domains: nutrition, environment, behaviour, physical and mental health. The review examines how animals respond to stress and provides a tool for researchers to evaluate the effects of climatic variability.
Researchers study the impact of climate change on bird populations in fragmented forests, assessing effects of microclimate variation and temperature changes on survival and reproduction. The team analyzes dietary specialization, stress, and behavioral adaptations to understand how these factors affect bird demographic responses.
A soil transplant experiment found that soils with a history of salinity and inundation are more resistant to changes in water properties and movement. The study suggests that disturbance legacies shape coastal forest soil responses to changing salinity and inundation, varying across landscapes.
Scientists have deciphered the Arctic flora's evolution over time, discovering its roots date back to the Early Late Miocene. The study reveals a complex dispersal corridor between the Arctic and western North America, with both immigration and in situ speciation contributing to biodiversity.
A NASA space laser has provided a detailed structure of the world's rainforests for the first time ever. The study reveals that most tropical forests have a simpler, more exposed canopy than previously thought, with a peak in leaves at 15 meters instead of the top.
Researchers tracked eastern wild turkey nesting in five southern U.S. states over eight years, finding slight changes in nest timing linked to temperature and rainfall. However, these shifts were minimal and less than three hours, suggesting turkeys may be inflexible in their reproductive activities.
Butterflies with smaller or lighter-colored wings, such as those in the Lycaenidae family, are likely to face greater threats from climate change. These species have poorer thermal buffering abilities, which could lead to dramatic declines if temperatures rise.
A study found that even no-take MPAs in California and globally are vulnerable to marine heatwaves, leading to mass species mortality and displacement. The research revealed that ecological communities shift dramatically after such events, regardless of protection status.
A study led by the University of Konstanz warns that human-induced salinity changes could have devastating impacts on marine organisms and ecosystems. Salinity is a critical factor in many metabolic processes, and its effects are often underestimated due to its complex interactions with other physical and chemical properties.
A recent study found significant changes in ocean color over the past two decades, affecting 56% of the world's oceans. The shift in color indicates changes in marine ecosystems, with tropical regions becoming greener due to human-induced climate change.
The study found that adding CO2 to temperate terrestrial exoplanet atmospheres intensifies warming in non-irradiated regions, altering global circulation patterns. This effect is seen on both Earth and the exoplanet TRAPPIST-1e, with implications for habitability and climate research.
A Northwestern University study links underground climate change to shifting ground beneath urban areas, causing building foundations and surrounding ground to move excessively and crack. The researchers also found that past building damage may have been caused by rising temperatures, which will continue for years to come.
Researchers found that most US forests have the potential to adapt to hotter, dryer conditions, but are not changing quickly enough. The study suggests that biodiversity can buffer the impact of climate change on forests.
A recent study published in PNAS found that global cooling is the major driving factor behind the diversification of terrestrial orchid species. The research analyzed over 1,500 species and discovered that most new species emerged within the last 10 million years, coinciding with global cooling trends.
A study published in Nature Medicine estimates that the intense heat waves during the European summer of 2022 led to more than 61,000 deaths. The highest mortality rates were found in Italy and Spain, with women being 63% more likely to die from heat than men.
Research found that seeing bad news about climate change can make people more afraid over time, but also may encourage audiences to think about what society can do to address the problem. Repeated exposure to threatening messages can lead to increased efficacy beliefs and a greater sense of control.
A new study suggests that while winter cover crops can reduce nitrogen pollution by up to 30%, their effectiveness will decrease under future climate scenarios. Illinois' corn yields are expected to suffer more than soybean yields, especially in southern regions, as warmer temperatures and changing rainfall patterns impact crop growth.
A Stanford-led study found ways for frontline communities to gather data and improve outcomes through surveys, air quality monitoring, and interventions. The research highlights the importance of community-led science and structural systems in creating climate hazard exposure.
A new study reveals that human activity can shape global plant distribution, with slow-growing plants vulnerable to land use effects. Human land use is a significant driver of biodiversity loss and ecosystem change, particularly in areas with high biodiversity.