Research on the consequences of a changing climate. Covers food and water disparities, sea-level costs, forest resilience, and shifting ecosystems.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A new study found that warmer sea surface temperatures cause loggerhead sea turtles to nest earlier and more frequently, but also reduces their reproductive output as ocean productivity declines. This shift has worrying consequences for the long-term resilience of the species.
A new study by Cardiff University reveals how ambitious climate action can save up to 1.32 million lives per year by 2040 by addressing global air quality inequalities. The research highlights the importance of cross-border pollution exchanges in achieving health benefits and reducing inequality between countries.
A new study found that warmer nighttime temperatures during pregnancy may be associated with a higher risk of autism diagnosis in children. Exposure to extreme heat during early and late pregnancy increased the risk by 15% and 13%, respectively.
A recent study led by Smithsonian researchers found that half of the world's coral reefs suffered significant damage due to a global marine heatwave between 2014 and 2017. The analysis also showed that an even more severe event is unfolding now, with 50% of coral reefs experiencing significant damage.
A new study from Queen Mary University of London finds that species turnover in ecosystems has significantly slowed down despite accelerating climate change. This slowdown is attributed to environmental degradation and the depletion of regional life pools, suggesting a loss of momentum in biodiversity.
A study by UC3M and UNIZAR reveals that most US states are warming in specific parts of their temperature distribution, even when the average warming is not statistically significant. Regional differences have varying impacts on agriculture, public health, and climate action.
A new report by Anglia Ruskin University and the University of York identifies key weaknesses in the UK's food system and recommends interventions to prevent disruptions from escalating into a crisis. The study suggests increasing energy security, diversifying food value chains, and promoting varied diets to reduce risks.
Research from the University of East Anglia predicts that tropical cities will experience increased urban heat island effects under 2°C global warming. The study finds that up to 81% of medium-sized cities will warm more than surrounding rural areas, with some experiencing warming rates up to 100% higher.
Researchers from the US and UK have created a method to predict September Arctic sea ice extent with high accuracy, improving monitoring of sea ice health and its impact on global climate. The model captures effects from subseasonal to seasonal timescales and outperforms other models.
Researchers have catalogued 2554 non-native plant species that may pose a threat to Arctic biodiversity. The study used data from over 51 million occurrences of these species to create a map highlighting hotspot areas in the region.
The Chicago Botanic Garden and The Morton Arboretum have pledged to protect endangered species such as Cucharillo and Stone's Paphiopedilum through collaborative conservation strategies. These institutions will co-host the 9th Global Botanic Gardens Congress in 2027 to accelerate crucial conservation work.
The American Meteorological Society has partnered with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to provide IPCC authors with access to peer-reviewed scientific publications. This collaboration ensures equitable access to critical climate science for researchers worldwide, particularly those from developing countries and fac...
The North Atlantic's ocean ventilation has weakened, with water masses aging significantly faster than 30 years ago. This decline in ventilation indicates a slower renewal of deep waters and reduced oxygen transport to depths, potentially impacting marine ecosystems.
McGill researchers found that freshwater browning is stunting some fish species' growth, shrinking others' populations, and altering fish communities. This phenomenon has broad impacts on biodiversity, affecting economically important fish species such as northern pike and walleye.
A 56-million-year-old study found that global warming caused by CO2 emissions led to widespread forest fires and soil erosion. The research team discovered that even small changes in temperature can have significant impacts on ecosystems, leading to the release of more carbon into the atmosphere.
A new study by IIASA researchers offers a pioneering way to understand how climate change affects people's lives over the long term. Using the Years of Good Life metric, the research shows that today's emissions shape future wellbeing, especially for younger generations.
A global study reveals invasive alien species reduce terrestrial insect abundance by 31% and species richness by 21%. Insects are often overlooked victims of invasion, exacerbating population declines and ecosystem disruption.
A new action plan recommends 13 key steps for strengthening Maryland's agriculture in the face of climate change. The plan aims to increase productivity and incomes, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve resilience.
Research found that deciduous tree dominance reduces wildfire carbon losses in boreal forests, storing more carbon above ground and releasing less in deep organic soils. This shift could help slow climate warming by reducing carbon emissions per unit area burned.
A new study suggests that avocado growing areas in India will moderately expand northward and to higher elevations under low to moderate global emissions. However, if global emissions continue to rise, suitable zones may fragment and destabilize by 2070. The researchers call for conservation and climate-resilient cultivation strategies.
Research finds that temperature spikes are associated with increases in interpersonal and self-inflicted violence, particularly among low-income communities. Warmer temperatures increase outbursts of temper and negative reactions to others, contributing to a rise in arguments, confrontations, and assaults.
A recent study reveals that the Circum-global Teleconnection Pattern (CGT) weakens under global warming, leading to changes in regional heatwave duration. The research found a significant increase in heatwave duration over Eastern Europe, Tibetan Plateau, and North America, while a decrease was observed over the Middle East.
Researchers at the University of Michigan analyzed nearly 200,000 Twitter posts between 2012 and 2022 to understand why people perceive pollen seasons as getting worse. They found a partisan gap in how liberals and conservatives attribute pollen season changes to climate change.
A new study from GreenDrill reveals that the Prudhoe Dome ice cap melted approximately 7,000 years ago due to mild Holocene-era temperatures. This finding highlights the region's vulnerability to human-induced climate change and has significant implications for sea level rise predictions.
A new model by researchers at Duke University explains how trees grow differently under rising carbon dioxide levels. The study found that an engineer's view of water movement in leaves can help explain tree growth patterns in a carbon-rich atmosphere.
A University at Buffalo researcher has developed a framework to help scientists incorporate community input into Earth system models, providing more accurate and relevant regional climate data. The framework outlines four levels of co-design, allowing modelers to incorporate local knowledge and observations directly into the model.
The report debunks the 'climate war' theory, revealing that Syria's civil war was rooted in policy and socioeconomic failures. The agricultural sector rebounded quickly after a severe drought, with satellite imagery showing cropland activity returned to near-record levels just before the war began.
Recent research reveals that volcanic eruptions can cause unpredictable weather patterns, including volcanic rain, dust storms, and unstable Antarctic air. The study also found that the Antarctic surface atmosphere has become less stable and more prone to gravity waves since the 1950s.
A comprehensive review highlights the urgent need to transform unsustainable food systems, which drive both obesity and environmental harms. The authors recommend subsidies for healthy foods, taxes on unhealthy products, and restrictions on aggressive marketing to address these twin crises.
A major review in Frontiers in Science highlights how unsustainable food systems contribute to both health and climate crises. Experts examine evidence-based strategies to tackle industrial food systems promoting overconsumption and environmental pressures.
Research finds that Category '6' tropical cyclones are increasingly common in hot spots such as the Western Pacific and North Atlantic, fueled by warmer subsurface water. Human-caused climate change is responsible for up to 70% of the growth of these storm-brewing hotspots.
A new climate study reveals that extreme weather events starting in 2064 will have catastrophic impacts on food production, water management, and clean energy systems. The research predicts a significant increase in 'subseasonal whiplash' events characterized by extreme downpours and dry spells in Asia and broader tropical regions.
Research from University of Vermont reveals exposure to Canadian wildfire smoke worsened asthma symptoms in children in the US Northeast. The study found that smoke from hundreds of miles away affected children's health, highlighting growing health risks for the region as climate change fuels more smoke-filled summers.
A new study found that rising temperatures are driving changes in polar bear DNA, which may help them adapt to increasingly challenging environments. The researchers discovered that genes related to heat-stress, aging, and metabolism are behaving differently in polar bears living in southeastern Greenland.
The Amazon is shifting to a hotter, drier climate with more intense droughts, stressing trees and increasing mortality rates. By 2100, hot drought conditions could occur up to 150 days per year, affecting tree species that are vulnerable to heat stress.
Researchers at Stockholm School of Economics and Harvard University found that localized messaging can boost climate resilience in vulnerable communities. Homeowners who received emails mentioning their suburbs were twice as likely to seek more information on protective measures compared to those who received generic communications.