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Top predators could ‘trap’ themselves trying to adapt to climate change, study shows

Researchers at the University of Washington discovered that African wild dogs, a highly endangered species, shifted their breeding dates later in response to changing temperatures, leading to reduced pup survival rates. The study highlights how large predators can be vulnerable to climate change and its impact on life history events.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 27, 2022

Climate change negatively impacting bumble bees: Study

A new study published in Biology Letters found that climate change is negatively impacting bumble bees, with six species decreasing in population and 22 increasing, while the remaining 18 remained stable. Temperature changes were found to have a primary negative impact on bumble bee populations.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalBiology Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 23, 2022

Maine wild blueberry fields experience warming differently depending on location, season, time, UMaine study finds

A new University of Maine study reveals that temperatures are rising at different rates in various locations across the state's wild blueberry fields, particularly during the fall, winter, and summer. The findings suggest that warmer daytime and nighttime temperatures increase carbon dioxide production and alter the carbon cycle.

SourceUniversity of Maine·JournalAtmosphere·DateJun 22, 2022

Science coverage of climate change can change minds – briefly

A new study suggests that science reporting on climate change can lead to more accurate beliefs and support government action, but these effects are short-lived. Researchers found that factually accurate science reporting changed people's factual understanding and moved their political preferences towards supporting climate action.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2022

‘Alternative facts’ are cons, Illinois Tech philosopher’s paper argues—and journalists can help quash them

Illinois Tech philosopher J.D. Trout argues that journalists should prioritize settled science and dismiss 'alternative facts' as cons. He suggests that reporters should not engage with disputed claims when the scientific consensus is clear, and instead promote epistemic humility and respect for expert knowledge.

SourceIllinois Institute of Technology·JournalFrontiers in Communication·DateJun 14, 2022

New research shows climate change impacts on whale habitat use in the warming Gulf of Maine

A new study found climate change is altering how large whales, including the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, use habitats in the warming Gulf of Maine. The research team analyzed over 20 years of data and found that peak use of Cape Cod Bay had shifted almost three weeks later for right whales and humpback whales.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateJun 9, 2022

Has a beautiful songbird become an invasive species in Britain?

A new study finds the Red-billed Leiothrix, a small songbird native to subtropical Asia, has become an invasive non-native species in Britain. The species' potential impact on local wildlife and ecosystems is being highlighted by researchers, who note that it could cause significant changes if widely established.

SourceWiley·JournalIbis·DateJun 6, 2022

Why confronting invasive species is one of the best ways to prepare for climate change

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that the ecological impact of invasive species alone is comparable to its combined effect with warming temperatures, drought, or nitrogen deposition. This suggests that managing invasive species at a local level can make ecosystems more climate resilient.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 2, 2022

Shifting signatures of climate change reshuffle northern species

A study analyzing long-term monitoring data for 1,478 species in Finland reveals that climate change has led to shifting between 'good', 'ideal', and 'worse' parts of their climatic niches. This impacts biodiversity, with some species benefiting from warmer temperatures while others decline as conditions become too warm.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 2, 2022

At least 2,000 species of reptiles are threatened

The first international study of its kind assesses the status of all reptile species, revealing that at least 2,000 species are threatened with extinction. The study found that 50% of turtle and crocodile species face extinction threats, while 30% of forest-dwelling reptiles and 14% of arid area reptiles are in danger.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalNature·DateJun 1, 2022

Scientists call for decision-making to be transformed to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises together

A new article in BioScience argues that incremental changes are insufficient to address planetary emergencies, and calls for broader system-wide changes to governing interactions between climate, biodiversity, and society. The authors hope their work will inform the setting of biodiversity objectives and targets.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalBioScience·DateJun 1, 2022

Curbing other climate pollutants, not just CO2, gives Earth a chance

A new study finds that reducing emissions of short-lived climate pollutants like methane and ozone can cut the rate of global warming in half by 2050. This approach offers a fighting chance to prevent catastrophic warming and improve our chances of remaining below the 1.5 degree centigrade mark.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 24, 2022

Climate change threatens people's health dramatically but solutions are within reach, say the world’s academies in a new report

A new report from the InterAcademy Partnership highlights the severe impacts of climate change on human health, including increased risk of heat-related illnesses and food insecurity. The report calls for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen disease surveillance systems to mitigate these effects.

SourceThe InterAcademy Partnership (IAP)·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 24, 2022

For wetland plants, sea-level rise stamps out benefits of higher CO2

A new study published in Science Advances reveals that the environmental stress of too much water wipes out the plant growth benefits of higher CO2 levels. Rising sea levels have caused the effects of increased CO2 to disappear in a 33-year field experiment, highlighting the critical need for conservation and adaptation efforts.

SourceSmithsonian·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2022

400 GW wind, solar power per year to meet 1.5 C Paris Agreement

To achieve the EU's climate neutrality goal by 2050 with a maximum temperature increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius, a massive rollout of solar and wind power is required, along with investments in Power-to-X technologies and carbon capture. The model suggests installing 400 GW of new solar and wind energy capacity every year from 2025-2035.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJoule·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 18, 2022

Model pinpoints glaciers at risk of collapse due to climate change

A University of California, Berkeley scientist has created a model that predicts the most vulnerable glaciers in the Arctic and Antarctic are thick and fast-moving ones. The new model incorporates the effects of meltwater lubricating their downhill flow, suggesting these glaciers are more sensitive to climate change.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalThe Cryosphere·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 28, 2022

Warming climate and agriculture halve insect populations in some areas

A new study by University College London (UCL) researchers found that climate change and intensive agricultural land use have already led to a 49% reduction in insect populations in the most impacted parts of the world. Insect declines are linked to rising temperatures and land use changes, with tropical areas seeing the biggest declines.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 20, 2022

Climate change affects landscape freeze-thaw but not in the same way everywhere, a new Concordia study shows

A new Concordia study reveals that climate change affects the province-wide analysis of landscape freeze-thaw cycles, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions in northern regions and transitional days in southern areas. This can have significant impacts on infrastructure and greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceConcordia University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 13, 2022

Climate change demands near perfect weed control in soybean

Research reveals that climate change and drought can cause significant yield losses in soybeans, even with high levels of weed control. To mitigate this, farmers need to adopt integrated weed management strategies, including the use of soil-residual herbicides and late-maturing soybean varieties.

New study shows robust increases in atmospheric thirst across much of U.S. during past 40 years

A new study shows substantial increases in atmospheric thirst across the US Southwest, with warming temperatures accounting for 57% of the changes observed. The largest changes are centered over the Rio Grande region, where crops now require more water and can be expected to require even more in the future.

SourceDesert Research Institute·JournalJournal of Hydrometeorology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 6, 2022

Increased heat and drought stunt tropical trees, a major carbon sink

A recent study published in Nature Geoscience has found that tropical trees' trunk growth is reduced in years with drier and warmer conditions. The researchers also discovered that the effect of climatic fluctuations is more dramatic in arid or warm regions, suggesting climate change may increase the sensitivity of tropical trees.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 31, 2022