Research on the consequences of a changing climate. Covers food and water disparities, sea-level costs, forest resilience, and shifting ecosystems.
A study found that herbivorous insects from lower elevations can alter alpine plant communities when introduced to higher elevations, leading to changes in biomass structure and composition. This disruption can favor the growth of small-stature plant species.
Developing nations can keep global warming to 0.3 degrees Celsius with careful planning, according to a new study. Prioritizing fossil fuel-burning infrastructure for economic development risks long-term dependence on fossil fuels.
A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that climate change, not Genghis Khan, led to the decline of Central Asia's medieval river civilizations. The research found that decreasing river flow due to drought was equally important for the abandonment of these city-states as the Mongol invasion.
A study challenges the notion that Mongol invasions led to the demise of medieval riverine civilizations in Central Asia. Decreasing river flow was equally important for their decline as climate change and abandonment of irrigation systems were.
The carbon dioxide fertilization effect has declined globally since 1982, impacting climate change projections. This decline is linked to changes in nutrient concentrations and soil water availability.
A recent study by UFZ researchers highlights the importance of both crop diversity and temporal production patterns in ensuring food security. The analysis reveals that countries with high production stability and asynchrony, such as India and China, are better equipped to mitigate the impact of global market uncertainties.
Researchers discovered that some corals can survive prolonged heatwaves and recover their food source, providing a glimmer of hope for coral reef survival. The study's findings suggest that protection from local stressors may help corals recover, offering an innovative strategy for conservationists to support coral survival.
A recent study analyzing daily temperatures and mortality in Turin, Italy, found that women with low educational levels are most at risk of heat-related mortality. The research also reveals that individuals living alone, regardless of gender, are more susceptible to heat stress than those who share a home.
Several post-2020 biodiversity targets are at risk due to climate change, even if habitat exploitation is removed; flexible approaches could help mitigate effects on habitats and species. Climate change imperils international organizations' biodiversity goals, necessitating dynamic responses.
A recent study by the CMCC Foundation suggests that Australia could become a major hub for hazelnut production due to its favorable climate. Climate change is expected to increase hazelnut yields in southeastern Australia, with potential increases of 18-52% projected between 2020 and 2039.
A new study warns that the Greenland ice sheet will experience irreversible melting if global warming exceeds 2°C, leading to significant sea-level rise and permanent changes. The ice sheet's decline could be reversed with actions to counteract global warming before it's too late.
A new study by Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg reveals that Bavarian groundwater has warmed considerably over the past few decades. The findings show that groundwater temperatures at depths of 20 metres are almost one degree warmer on average than in the 1990s, correlating with a 1.05 degrees Celsius rise in air temperature.
Researchers found unprecedented magnitude of summer heatwaves and droughts in inner East Asia, tightly coupled by anthropogenic climate change. Tree-ring data suggests abrupt shift to hotter and drier climate over the past two decades.
A study found that nearly half of the global population lacks knowledge about climate change's effect on infectious diseases. The survey revealed marked differences in awareness among nationality and educational background. Knowledge of climate change is unrelated to educational level, indicating a need for increased public awareness.
A comprehensive expedition reveals decades of glacier mass changes, accelerating ice loss and meltwater predictions. Climate change also increases oxygen availability on the mountain, posing a new challenge for human climbers.
Research led by KAUST scientists Evgeniya Predybaylo and Georgiy Stenchikov found that volcanic eruptions have a stronger effect on the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in summer. The study, which analyzed over 6,000 climate simulations, shows that seasonal timing of eruptions matters for predicting climate responses.
A University of Kansas researcher found that media coverage incorporating emotion can influence how people think about climate change, making it a more significant issue. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) also play a crucial role in creating resonance with audiences through their social media activism.
A study modeled the effects of solar geoengineering and rising greenhouse gas concentrations on subtropical stratocumulus clouds. The results suggest that solar geoengineering alone may not be sufficient to prevent strong warming from direct CO2 effects.
Scientists propose genetically engineered organisms to remove CO2 from the atmosphere irreversibly. Bioengineered plants can be designed to increase crop productivity, fix nitrogen, and process energy more efficiently.
A virtual reality forest created by geographers can let people walk through a simulated forest of today and see potential future scenarios. The researchers used data on a typical Wisconsin forest to create a more organic, natural feel, allowing visitors to experience the changes brought on by climate change.
Scientists found that repeated strong atmospheric rivers played a crucial role in forming massive holes in sea ice. These holes can influence regional and global ocean circulation, affecting phytoplankton blooms and contributing to global sea-level rise.
A team led by Doug MacMartin will model the effects of introducing reflective aerosols into the stratosphere to reduce Earth's temperature and limit climate change impact. The research aims to better understand the benefits and risks of this approach, with the goal of informing society's decisions.
A recent study using CRISPR-Cas technology identified a key gene responsible for heat tolerance in corals, providing insights into their response to climate change. The research found that modifying this gene made coral larvae more susceptible to heat stress.
A recent analysis suggests that California's CalEnviroScreen 3.0 index may identify only 25% of at-risk communities, while other indices reveal an additional 12.6% vulnerable to heat-related health impacts. This highlights the need for a more holistic approach to quantify vulnerability to extreme heat and other climate hazards.
A new study examines 12,000 years of sea-level rise and finds that changes in land area and human cultures happened at variable rates, out of step with the prevailing rate of sea-level rise. Researchers warn that future sea-level rise will not always be simple and that human responses will be equally localized.
New research suggests that a 2°C warming would release 230 billion tonnes of carbon from the world's soil, more than four times China's total emissions over 100 years. This 'positive feedback' effect contributes to further climate change.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki found that thawing permafrost releases volatile organic compounds, including monoterpenes and diterpenes, which can be highly reactive and contribute to cloud formation. The study's findings introduce new uncertainties to climate change modeling.
A new study suggests that restrictive border policies could exacerbate the effects of climate change on vulnerable regions, limiting their ability to emigrate. In contrast, open borders have a positive impact on developing countries, providing an important source of income through remittance and reducing vulnerability to climate change.
Researchers assessed the impact of international border policy on migration flows and climate change exposure from 2015 to 2100. They found that most migrants move to areas experiencing less severe climate change impacts when allowed to migrate.
Researchers exposed blue mussels to current and future levels of ocean acidification and warming, finding that warming alone led to increased shell growth, while both together resulted in decreased growth. Warming also caused increased brittleness, threatening the mussels' survival, but acidification mitigated some effects.
Researchers are using climate projection studies to understand the impact of changing temperatures and precipitation on snail populations, which carry the parasite causing schistosomiasis. The study aims to inform strategies for reducing the spread of this debilitating infection, affecting 220 million people globally.
Researchers developed a new climate model to predict water needs, combining land use projections with future climate data. The model accurately projects hydrological response and identifies dominant pathways for water loss in the Southeast.
A Purdue University team has created a mobile docking system for AUVs, enabling them to perform longer tasks without human intervention. The system uses algorithms to optimize trajectories, allowing robots to autonomously dock mid-mission to recharge and transfer data.
A new study examines the effects of future climate change on over 137,000 nature reserves worldwide, revealing severe local impacts, especially in tropical countries. The research highlights the importance of informed management to mitigate climate change effects and preserve biodiversity.
A new study found that China's success in reducing air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, black carbon, and organic carbon may exacerbate global warming. The reductions, achieved through stringent measures, led to notable public health benefits but also changed the radiative forcing of the earth's temperature.
A study found that tundra vegetation regenerated rapidly after a major landslide event, but took decades to recover. High-resolution satellite data revealed small changes in land cover and permafrost thawing.
A global-scale meta-analysis found that diverse leaf litter increases decomposition rates by 34.7%. This could be crucial for predicting future changes in biogeochemical cycles and climate feedbacks on Earth.
Researchers used tree rings to create a precise yearly record of summer temperatures in North America and Eurasia, revealing colder and warmer periods. The study shows that the effect of volcanoes on global temperature changes is even greater than previously thought.
Butterfly species that rely on finding a shady location to keep cool are at risk of population decline due to climate change. Landscapes with diverse features and microclimates can help conserve butterfly populations.
A new climate modeling study simulates the dramatic impacts of accelerated Antarctic ice melt on future climate conditions. The research reveals that higher greenhouse gas emissions could slow warming around Antarctica, but may not prevent serious warming and sea level rise globally.
A study by Washington University in St. Louis researchers found that consumers across the US and Europe prefer a constant-cost plan to fund climate action, reducing opposition compared to ramp-up approaches. The constant-cost plan also encourages energy reduction over time, even with high average household costs.
Researchers use natural seafloor earthquakes to determine ocean temperature across vast distances and depths, overcoming previous limitations. The technique, called seismic ocean thermometry, reveals a decadal warming trend exceeding previous estimates in the East Indian Ocean.
A new study by the University of Tokyo's Institute of Industrial Science found that limiting warming to 1.5°C rather than 2°C above pre-industrial levels would significantly reduce global aridity, particularly in Mediterranean regions and western Europe. The research highlights the importance of considering regional impacts and suggest...
A new study warns that climate change could drive Komodo dragons to extinction due to habitat loss and sea-level rise. The research suggests that conservation strategies are not enough to protect the species in the face of global warming.
Michael E. Mann, a leading climate researcher, has received the 2020 World Sustainability Award for his groundbreaking work on climate change and sustainability. He is recognized for his contributions to understanding human impact on climate change and advancing climate modeling and statistical methods.
Researchers found climate change impacts parasitoid wasps and flies, altering ratios between warm- and cold-adapted species. This study provides insights into how global warming affects ecosystems, increasing understanding of ecology and potential solutions.
New research reveals that climate change is exacerbating the decline of sea otters, which in turn are destroying Alaskan kelp forests. The loss of sea otters is allowing sea urchins to overgraze the coralline algae that form the reefs.
A new UC Riverside study finds that climate change will significantly decrease good weather days in the Palm Springs area, impacting tourism and outdoor attractions. The number of suitable snowbird days is projected to increase by up to 150% by the end of the century.
A new study reveals that multinationals' supply chains account for 18.7% of global carbon dioxide emissions, with the majority generated by investments in developing countries. The research highlights the need for companies to take responsibility for their global emissions and encourages greater energy efficiency among suppliers.
New research reveals aviation's significant impact on climate change, with non-carbon dioxide emissions making up two-thirds of its effects. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of the sector's contribution to global warming.
Research monitored 30 Chinese lakes between 2008 and 2018, showing increases in total phosphorus and chlorophyll a across 47% and 70% of lakes, respectively. Climate change and internal loading from sediments also pose significant challenges to lake restoration efforts.
A new study models trade growth and port demand until 2050 under different climate policy scenarios, finding that port expansion will be necessary to meet increasing demand. The cost of building new port capacity is projected to exceed sea-level rise adaptation costs, with estimated costs ranging from $750 billion.
A recent study found that human-induced climate change is responsible for changes in global average water availability on land during the dry season. The research analyzed data from 1902 to 2014 and showed a reduction in average water availability at a global level, with some regions experiencing increased humidity.
Soil loss due to water runoff is projected to increase significantly by 2070, with potential losses of over 28 billion metric tons annually. Sustainable land cultivation practices can mitigate this threat and ensure food security for the world's population.
A Concordia student has created detailed range maps for over 400 primate species, showing how warming temperatures are losing their habitats. The study reveals that a 2°C temperature increase could lead to over a quarter of species experiencing temperatures above pre-industrial levels.
A new study estimates that 50% of the world's oceans are already being affected by climate change, with changes in temperature and salt levels detectable since the 1980s. The Southern Hemisphere oceans are being impacted more rapidly, highlighting the importance of this region for global heat storage.
A study analyzing 30 years of data predicts significant ice loss and sea-level rise due to climate change. Greenland's ice sheet is expected to warm 4-6 degrees Celsius by 2100, leading to 10-12.5 centimeter increases in global sea level.
A new study projects significant changes in fish stocks in the UK due to climate change, including increased abundance of warm-adapted species and declining populations of cold-adapted species. The findings highlight the need for flexible management approaches to adapt to these changes and ensure sustainable fishing practices.
Tropical fisheries face significant threats from climate change, with global seafood trade and distant-water fishing linked to extratropical natural systems. This telecoupling effect generates cascades of impacts that affect not only local economies but also distant regions.
Marine heatwaves are displacing habitats for marine life by thousands of kilometers, a phenomenon known as thermal displacement. This metric measures the degree of change species may be responding to, highlighting potential ecosystem changes and management questions.