Research on the consequences of a changing climate. Covers food and water disparities, sea-level costs, forest resilience, and shifting ecosystems.
Researchers surveyed 9,911 people in Germany and the US, finding that emphasizing urgency alone doesn't increase support for high-cost climate plans. However, giving context and communicating effective near-term solutions can boost support, particularly when politicians are transparent, engaging, and authentic.
Researchers found that climate change and human disturbances like fire can slow down forest regrowth in the Amazon. The study suggests that protecting these forests is crucial to mitigate climate change.
A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that extreme climate events can increase Aedes aegypti populations in Kenya, but preventative measures may reduce dengue fever cases. The researchers monitored mosquito abundance and dengue infections in a cohort of children.
A new study reveals that marine heatwaves are devastating the function of coraligen habitats in the Mediterranean, leading to a loss of structural complexity and essential ecosystem services. The impact is particularly severe for gorgonian corals, which provide shelter for over 1600 species.
New research from Swansea University found that warmer temperatures help invasive species establish themselves and alter ecosystem structures. The study analyzed the synergistic effects of temperature and invasions on communities, revealing that temperature and invasion act together to increase species loss and create smaller networks.
The Three Gorges project has affected local climate, with a warmer spring and autumn and drier fall in the region. Climate extremes, such as heat waves and flooding, are linked to larger Yangtze River Basin weather patterns.
A new study finds that combining urban development and climate change caused by greenhouse gases will increase extreme precipitation over future US metropolitan regions. Cities like Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix, and Houston are vulnerable to flooding due to these twin forcing agents of environmental change.
The Antarctic peninsula is expected to experience significant warming over the next two decades, with temperatures rising by 0.5 to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2044. Precipitation in the region is also projected to increase by 5% to 10%, posing a threat to the ice shelves and glaciers that cover it.
A new study finds that climate change is the causal driver influencing the magnitude of global river flows. The analysis of thousands of time series from around the world revealed recent spatially complex hydrological trends, with rivers in some regions drying up and flowing less while others are growing wetter.
A University of Illinois study suggests that India's rice farmers can increase production while reducing water usage by adopting conservation practices like direct-seeding and soil conservation technology. The researchers also recommend reducing post-harvest losses to further increase crop availability.
A study published in Nature Communications found that climate change can directly impact malaria transmission in Africa, particularly in highland regions. The research analyzed data from Ethiopia and showed a strong correlation between regional temperatures and malaria cases.
A recent study using citizen science data found that climate warming is driving population declines in butterflies throughout the American West over the past 40 years. The research, published in Science, highlights the need for new approaches to butterfly conservation and suggests that climate change is a key factor in pollinator decline.
A new study estimates that at least 44% of UK seagrasses have been lost since 1936, with losses accelerating in recent decades. The research highlights the urgent need to protect current seagrass meadows and restore degraded or lost ones to mitigate climate change and support marine biodiversity.
Research reveals that prolonged periods of terrestrial invertebrates in rivers lead to monopolization by larger fish, altering food webs and ecosystem functions. In contrast, pulsed periods enable smaller fish to access benthic invertebrates, resulting in reduced leaf breakdown rates.
A study published in Science found consistent annual declines in butterfly populations over the past 40 years in the western United States. The estimated 1.6% per year decline is attributed to increasing fall temperatures and warming landscapes.
A study by Princeton University researchers suggests that climate change can have both positive and negative effects on different groups. Those harmed by climate change should be compensated first, while those benefiting from it may receive payment afterwards. The approach aims to correct incentives and promote fairness in climate policy.
A recent analysis of CMIP6 climate models found that those with high climate sensitivity do not provide a plausible scenario of Earth's future climate. Models with lower climate sensitivity are more consistent with observed differences in temperature between the northern and southern hemispheres.
Research highlights social resilience as key factor in overcoming climate adversity, with aridification sparking development of agriculture and complex social structures. The study shows that population surged around 3,900 to 3,500 years ago due to human adaptations and innovations.
Comparative biologists develop strategies to predict climate change impacts on species and ecosystems, informing conservation policy. Physiological adaptations and interactions between animals and their environments are crucial for building policies to protect keystone and vulnerable species.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers argues that extreme climate forecasts can be counterproductive, leading to public distrust in climate science. The study analyzed 79 climate-caused apocalypse predictions and found that many have expired without consequence, undermining the credibility of such forecasts.
A new study finds that eastern forests are more responsive to climate change, with younger trees increasing their seed production. In contrast, older western trees have been less responsive, which could limit their ability to regenerate after diebacks. The study reveals a continental divide in forest responses to climate change.
A study by German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) found that plant species often respond to climate drivers months or even years later than previously assumed. The research analyzed 76 studies on 104 plant species and discovered that climate conditions during dormant seasons can have significant effects on plants.
This study introduces a new method using terrestrial laser scanning to monitor changes in leaf water content of tree communities. The technique allows for the measurement and monitoring of leaf water content with increased accuracy.
Researchers at New York University list measures the Biden administration should consider in recalculating the social cost of carbon, a decade-old cost-benefit metric. The revised SCC will take into account devastating storms and wildfires, and incorporate inequitable effects within and across countries.
Scientists confirm climate change and fire suppression influence wildfires, but their effects vary within regions. Climate change increases burn probability in wetter areas while decreasing severity in drier locations.
A recent study highlights the complex relationship between climate change and forest management in driving wildfires. Climate change is found to be the primary driver of increasing fires in some ecosystems, while fire suppression dominates in others. The research reveals that local responses to these factors can vary greatly within ind...
Soil organic carbon turnover is linked to temperature and precipitation patterns, suggesting that monitoring riverine carbon can track climate change impacts; this study provides new insights into the relationships between climate, soil carbon, and global carbon cycles.
A new study finds that current protected areas may not be enough to protect biodiversity in a changing climate. Countries have not fully harnessed the potential of protected areas to adapt to climate change, and instead need to identify lands with high levels of biodiversity in areas where climate is changing slowly.
A RUDN University ecologist proposes a two-step approach to minimize greenhouse gas emissions from animal farms by evaluating carbon footprints and analyzing measures to reduce emissions. The method aims to balance soil carbon sequestration with atmospheric CO2 reduction, with potential reductions of up to 5 megatons of CO2 equivalent ...
Researchers found that day-to-day temperature variability reduces economic growth by an average of 5 percentage-points. Economies in low-income regions are more strongly affected, while those with higher incomes are better prepared due to familiarity and resilience.
Researchers at Michigan State University and the University of Hawaii have discovered chemical signatures in corals that indicate resistance to bleaching. The study found that resistant corals host algae with saturated lipids, which differ from those found in susceptible corals with more unsaturated lipids.
A Rutgers-led study has discovered the natural mineral hematite is responsible for the red color in New Jersey rocks and American Southwest formations. The research reveals that hematite concentrations track 14.5 million years of Late Triassic monsoonal rainfall, providing valuable insights into ancient climate change.
Businesses are increasingly required to assess their vulnerability to climate change, but complex climate models pose a challenge for risk assessment and decision-making. A paradigm shift is needed to elevate climate modeling to operational weather forecasting level, providing tangible value to businesses.
Carlos Nobre, a Brazilian climate scientist, will receive the AAAS Award for Science Diplomacy for his work on Amazon biodiversity and Indigenous Peoples. The award recognizes his career-spanning contributions to science diplomacy, including leading the comprehensive scientific assessment of the Amazon Basin.
A global study found that carbon dioxide levels have increased tree photosynthesis efficiency by 40% between 1901 and 2015. The increase is primarily driven by the rise in atmospheric CO2, with additional analysis suggesting enhanced photosynthesis as a key factor.
A new study found that elephants are crop-raiding closer to protected areas in Kenya, more frequently, but causing less damage. This trend is linked to climate change and land-use changes, reducing support for conservation in affected communities.
A $900,000 grant will fund a project to explore kelp aquaculture's impact on ocean acidity and carbon sequestration. The study aims to create a tool to restore ocean health and productivity. Kelp can absorb high levels of CO2, creating temporary 'halo' areas with improved water conditions for other sea life.
Research led by NCAR found that COVID-19 lockdowns caused a slight warming effect on the planet, with temperatures rising by 0.2-0.5 degrees Fahrenheit in some regions. The study highlights the complex influence of aerosol emissions on climate, which can either cool or warm the planet depending on the type and amount.
Increased snow depth in northeastern China led to a continued warming trend in soil temperatures, contradicting observed surface air temperature cooling trends. This finding suggests the importance of snow cover in regulating soil temperatures and its implications for agriculture during periods of reduced global warming.
Global tropical cyclone activity has been drifting closer to land over the past four decades, according to researchers Shuai Wang and Ralf Toumi. The distance between storms and land has decreased by roughly 30 kilometers per decade, increasing the risk of coastal populations.
A new study found that lobsters' genes respond strongly to ocean acidification and temperature changes, potentially impacting their growth and survival. The research suggests that lobsters may be more vulnerable to the effects of climate change than previously believed.
A new analysis suggests that north-south differences in ticks' host choice, density, and host-seeking behaviors contribute to Lyme disease's prevalence. Southern ticks tend to select lizards as hosts, reducing the spread of Lyme disease-causing bacteria.
New research suggests that aerosol particles may not have as cooling effect on the climate as previously thought. Cloud researcher Franziska Glassmeier and her team created an extensive data set of cloud simulations to better understand this effect, which they found to be overestimated by traditional ship-track data.
Reducing short-lived climate-forcing pollutants (SLCPs) can mitigate climate change, human health issues, and food insecurity by slowing down near-term climate warming and improving crop yields.
Researchers found climate change was behind the decline of Roman settlements in Egypt's Faiyum region, which relied heavily on irrigation. The study linked a volcanic eruption and reduced Nile rainfall to the environmental changes that led to mass migration.
Cold-water coral reefs in the Western Mediterranean have been growing almost continuously for 400,000 years, with major climate swings controlling their development. The study reveals that intense monsoon events also had a detrimental impact on these reefs.
A new study led by Universität Bayreuth researchers found that future climate-related species extinction could be less severe than predictions based only on current global warming trends. The research team used palaeobiological and climate science models to investigate how long-term temperature trends and short-term changes affect spec...
A new study reveals that rare Arctic insect populations are declining, while more common species are thriving due to climatic changes. Climate-driven shifts in growing seasons and permafrost thawing may be key factors contributing to these trends.
A study published in Nature Climate Change finds that climate change will alter the position of the Earth's tropical rain belt, with a northward shift expected in the Eastern Hemisphere and a southward shift in the Western Hemisphere. This shift may lead to increased drought stress in some regions and intensified flooding in others.
A University of Helsinki study reveals how micro-climate shapes insect communities, herbivory rates, and parasitism in the North. Climate change dramatically reshapes northern ecosystems.
Research by University of Pennsylvania biologists Daniel Janzen and Winnie Hallwachs found that climate change has taken a toll on insects in the tropics. Insect biomass and species richness have been decomposing since the mid-1970s, with dramatic drops in moth numbers and species diversity.
A global study of 107,000 children found that higher temperatures are an equal or greater contributor to child malnutrition and low quality diets than poverty, sanitation, and education. Climate change is also associated with increased diet diversity in some regions, but this effect depends on the intensity and distribution of rainfall.
A recent study on octopus rubescens found a significant adaptability to short-term exposure to acidic water, with metabolic rates returning to normal after 1 week. Long-term effects were less pronounced, with reduced oxygen circulation and function in low-acidity conditions.
A study led by Penn State researchers found that climate change poses a significant threat to wild bee communities due to rising temperatures and precipitation patterns. The team's analysis of 14-year data sets revealed that temperature and precipitation were the most critical factors influencing wild bee abundance and species diversity.
A new study found that as ocean temperatures rise, baby sharks are born smaller, exhausted, and undernourished, facing difficult environments for survival. The research suggests the future of these species will be threatened by warming waters.
Researchers identify human societal tipping points to rapidly cut carbon emissions, citing examples of road transport and power generation transitions. Small coalitions of countries could trigger upward-scaling cascades to achieve more, say experts.
A University of Bonn study finds that climate change caused the sudden disappearance of mangroves on Oman's coastlines 6,000 years ago. The researchers suggest that a shift in the Intertropical Convergence Zone led to extreme stress on mangrove ecosystems due to increased salinization and drought.
Researchers studied a 40-year-old bunchgrass prairie in Montana and found that climate change is altering the ecosystem. Annual aboveground primary production increased by 110%, but plant composition changed with a 108% increase in invasive species, while dicot non-grass plants decreased by 65%.
Researchers recommend integrating modelling tools and empirical data to gain a comprehensive understanding of systemic risks. Effective governance requires interdisciplinary cooperation, close monitoring systems, and public stakeholder participation to ensure adaptable and inclusive management of these complex risks.
Scientists found that 86% of land ecosystems globally are becoming progressively less efficient at absorbing CO2 as atmospheric levels increase. This decline, known as the CO2 fertilization effect, is caused by limitations in water and nutrient availability, potentially weakening plants' ability to mitigate climate change.