Research on the consequences of a changing climate. Covers food and water disparities, sea-level costs, forest resilience, and shifting ecosystems.
Researchers at Cornell University have characterized volcanic ash samples from 40 explosive eruptions to provide a comprehensive dataset. The study found that the composition of volcanic ash varies significantly with grain size, tectonic setting, and chemistry, particularly in finer particles where salts increase and glass and iron oxi...
A study by the University of Exeter found that hot weather reduces workers' productivity even in climate-controlled factories. Productivity dropped by 0.83% for every 1°C increase in outdoor temperature, resulting in a worker producing 22.6 to 33.4 fewer wafers.
A recent University of Helsinki study reveals that bird communities inside and outside protected areas are converging due to climate change, posing challenges for conservation. Southern species are accelerating community-level change, spreading northward in search of suitable climates.
A new study by Caroline Hachem-Vermette and Kuljeet Singh analyzed the design and energy characteristics of various neighborhoods to assess their vulnerabilities to power outages. The researchers found that thoughtful design can reduce a neighborhood's energy vulnerability during disruptions, and they recommend modifications to shelter...
A new study by UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain finds that climate change is limiting the use of prescribed fires to prevent wildfires. The research projects a 17% reduction in favorable days across the Western US, with most reductions coming in spring and summer.
Scientists point to non-CO2 emissions, carbon dioxide removal, and halting deforestation as key strategies to slow global warming. Current pledges fall short of the 1.5-degree goal, but adjustments in climate pledges can bring it within reach.
Researchers studied ancient aquatic plant waxes to understand how global warming affects methane production in Arctic lakes. They found that past warming led to an intensified methane cycle lasting thousands of years, and that ongoing warming could lead to previously under-appreciated fluxes in methane emissions.
A new study reveals alarming findings on climate change effects on Amazon's carnivorous mammals and protected areas effectiveness
A new study published in Nature Climate Change assesses the last 24 years of ocean acidification research and finds that negative effects remain consistently observed. The researchers' efforts to reproduce early results have shown improvement over time, with sufficient data contributing to a rebuilt confidence in the community.
A new study defines systemic cooling poverty as a multidimensional concept that considers climate, thermal comfort infrastructures, social inequality, health, and education. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing heat exposure risks with effective coordination between sectors like housing, healthcare, and agriculture.
Researchers found that climate change can cause a shift from high to low biomass fungal species, leading to simpler networks between trees. This disruption can have cascading effects on tree performance and ecosystem function. The study suggests that warming and drought may harm forest resilience by breaking down ectomycorrhizal networks.
The study predicts that climate change will lead to the loss of 99% of plant species in the Caatinga biome by 2060, resulting in a decrease in vegetation diversity and complexity. Biotic homogenization is expected to affect approximately 40% of plant assemblages, simplifying their composition due to the loss of rare species.
Research on sea-level rise's impact on freshwater mussels reveals that high salt concentrations can be toxic to young mussels. The study provides guidance for conservation programs addressing climate-induced sea level rise and saltwater intrusion, affecting numerous vulnerable species.
Oregon State University economist Bill Jaeger concludes that 30 years of international treaties on climate change are insufficient due to long delays between cost reduction and benefit realization. Courts recognizing climate rights could add leverage, giving voice to future generations.
A new study found that multiyear La Niña events have become more common over the last 100 years, with warming in the western Pacific Ocean being a key factor. The study suggests that long-lasting La Niñas will exacerbate adverse impacts on communities around the globe.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that 72% of US-managed cetacean and pinniped stocks are highly or very highly vulnerable to climate change. The researchers used a trait-based climate vulnerability assessment framework to evaluate the impacts on marine mammals.
A new study reveals that people with high social vulnerability are more exposed to wildfires in Oregon and Washington, with the number of exposed individuals tripling between 2011 and 2021. The study highlights the need for tailored wildfire preparation and response strategies for individual communities with different risk factors.
Researchers analyzed over 150 past crises, revealing that not every ecological shock or climatic anomaly leads to collapse or severe crisis. Societies' cultural, political, and economic dynamics interact with environmental forces to shape their responses.
Researchers found that climate-related extinction occurred in just seven years, tripling the average extinction rate over the past 42 years. The study used genomic data from Yarrow's spiny lizards to understand how genetic variation affects adaptation to climate change.
A team of geo-scientists identified a melting ice sheet as the trigger for a major climate-change event over 8,000 years ago. The research found that rapid ice-sheet retreat from the Hudson Bay Ice Saddle caused significant changes to ocean currents and global rainfall patterns.
Climate change exacerbates cardiovascular disease through poor air quality and extreme temperatures, according to a special issue of the Canadian Journal of Cardiology. Experts review environmental influences, exposures, and practical tips for healthcare providers to mitigate these effects.
Research reveals how global warming is changing river networks in the Canadian High Arctic, influencing erosion and sediment transport. The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding Arctic river evolution to predict future changes.
A review of almost 1000 studies found climate change negatively impacts water quality globally, increasing salinity and pollutant concentrations. The research highlights the need for improved understanding and management strategies to mitigate these effects.
Researchers have developed a new method to calculate the health and climate impacts of reducing buildings' energy consumption. The tool estimates co-benefits under different energy use scenarios, providing insights into the economic value of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and premature deaths caused by air pollution.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and others have developed new analytical frameworks to measure climate change impacts and adaptation. Their studies suggest that correcting market failures can incidentally induce climate adaptation, with significant welfare benefits.
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.