Research on the consequences of a changing climate. Covers food and water disparities, sea-level costs, forest resilience, and shifting ecosystems.
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.
A $2 million NSF award will support research on identifying and functionalizing dozens of different types of RNA modifications in diverse model and crop species. The project aims to develop resources that make it easier for plant scientists to utilize and expand upon the discoveries.
The Econometric Society and Bocconi University Virtual World Congress brought together 2,500 participants, 1,300 presentations, and over 300 sessions to discuss key topics in economics. The event featured two Nobel laureates, Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee, as well as experts from top companies like Amazon and Microsoft.
A global meta-analysis led by UNSW scientists found that biocrusts reduce water erosion by an average of 68% and increase water storage in upper layers, supporting the world's shrinking water supplies. Biocrusts are critical for fixing nitrogen and carbon, stabilizing surface soils, and providing a home for soil organisms.
A new study predicts a 50% rise in coastal flooding globally over the next 80 years due to climate change. This would expose an additional 77 million people to flooding risks, with up to $US14.2 trillion in infrastructure exposed.
A new study uses satellite data to understand global cloud composition during the industrial revolution, finding that early-industrial aerosol concentrations were much higher than estimated by climate models. This could mean human-generated atmospheric aerosols are not having as strong a cooling effect as previously thought.
International trade can compensate for regional food shortages and reduce hunger due to climate change. Eliminating protectionist measures and barriers to trade can relieve these differences.
A doctoral student at Virginia Tech has been awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to research how migratory birds transmit diseases and carry pathogens. She aims to screen birds for various diseases in Trinidad and Virginia, determining which vectors and viruses are introduced during the winter months.
New research from Lund University suggests that COVID-19 has exposed the tourism industry's lack of resilience to downturns and its vulnerability to the climate crisis. The study advises destinations to prioritize shorter stays, increase local profits, and rethink food services to reduce carbon emissions.
A new study reveals that dehydration increases amphibian vulnerability to climate change, with rising temperatures and dry conditions posing a dual threat. By 2080s, habitats may become too hot or dehydrating for many species, forcing them to adapt by moving between habitats more often.
A new study by Cornell University and Washington State University found that climate change will force farmers to choose between lower yields and higher revenue volatility. The research team used a model to explore the impact of drought-tolerant crop varieties, which can improve average yields but also increase revenue fluctuations.
Researchers created a super white paint that reflects up to 98% of incoming solar radiation, potentially reducing indoor temperatures and air conditioner use by radiative cooling. The innovative paint formula replaces titanium oxide with barite and Teflon, offering improved reflectivity and reduced heat absorption.
Researchers found that climate change positively impacts yellow-bellied marmot survival during short, wet summers and negatively affects it during harsh winters. This study suggests that certain species may benefit in one season while facing unfavorable conditions in another due to climate change.
Researchers advocate for a holistic approach to global resilience by integrating natural, human, social, built and financial capitals. The 'Five Capitals' framework aims to break down silos and anticipate risks more effectively.
Fish are highly sensitive to heat during mating and embryonic stages due to temperature-dependent cardiovascular strain. Climate change may force up to 60% of all fish species to abandon traditional spawning areas.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals the South Pole has warmed at a rate three times the global average over the past 30 years. The warming trend was mainly driven by natural tropical climate variability, with greenhouse gas increases likely intensifying the effect.
Researchers used high-resolution data to identify environmental factors shaping redwood distribution, finding habitat suitability varies with moisture availability and fog across different landscape elevations. Redwood habitats are consistently more suitable near streams, with suitability ranging from 22-75% within a single landscape.
Research highlights human activity and climate change as major stressors to river systems, compromising their resilience and vulnerability to extreme events. The study emphasizes the need for urgent governance at local and international levels to address these issues.
Researchers at MIT found that a combination of warmer ocean temperatures and changes in air pressure patterns contribute to the Mediterranean region's projected drought. The study could refine global climate models and provide greater certainty for water resource management and agriculture in the affected areas.
Researchers developed new engineering models that consider different sand grain shapes, leading to more accurate assessments of sand movement and impacts on coastal areas vulnerable to sea-level rise. The models, published in Scientific Reports, correct overestimation of transport rates by 35 percent for carbonate sands.
The ECOTIP project aims to advance understanding of the impacts of climate change on Arctic biodiversity and its cascading effects on marine ecosystems and human societies. The four-year initiative will conduct pioneering assessments of changes to Arctic marine ecosystems and societies, from melting ice to shifting fisheries.
A special issue of Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment synthesizes climate-change refugia science developments, highlighting conservation successes and future directions. The article highlights the importance of 'slow lanes' to protect native species and ecosystems from climate change impacts.
The mesopelagic zone, or Twilight Zone, holds the largest and least exploited fish reserves in the oceans, crucial for global carbon cycle and sustainability. Climate change and growing population demand threaten this ecosystem.
A new study by ISGlobal found that heat is now more lethal than cold for people with respiratory diseases in Spain, particularly women and older adults. The study analyzed data on over 1.3 million deaths between 1980 and 2016 and found a significant decline in temperature-attributable mortality during the colder months.
A new study suggests that aggressive carbon taxation in the US could help meet its Paris Agreement targets by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The research found that only limited opportunities for decarbonization exist outside of the electricity sector, but significant revenue can be generated from carbon taxes.
Researchers found that shrub encroachment on slopes can increase focused groundwater recharge, even under conditions of reduced rainfall due to climate change. This process counterbalances the expected decrease in annual rainfall amounts.
A study by University of Alberta scientists found that alpine butterflies with specialized diets are more vulnerable to climate change, while those with diverse diets are less likely to be affected. Climate change models suggest that fluctuations in food resources will have a significant impact on these butterfly populations.
A new study reveals that climate change is causing a significant loss of water from peatlands, which can accelerate global warming by releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere. This can lead to more intense fires and worsen the boreal landscape.
Researchers developed an AI algorithm using Probabilistic Generative Modelling to classify underwater environments from simulated sonar measurements. The technique achieved an average accuracy of 93% and has potential applications for climate change monitoring and sustainability of human activities in fragile environments.
Researchers found that cyclone frequency decreased in the southern Indian Ocean and western North Pacific but increased in the North Atlantic and central Pacific. The study suggests that climate change is driving these changes.
A study of 10 tree species found significant year-to-year variation in the effect of warming on tree leafing. Warming in early spring advanced leafing more than in late spring, and climate change may lead to increased risk of mistimed leafing and altered interactions between species.
A new study reveals a dramatic decrease in cold-water plankton during the 20th century, replaced by warmer subtropical species. The change is linked to shifting ocean circulation patterns, driven by freshwater input from melting ice and climate change.
Microalgae in coral cells may compensate with other metals when iron is limited, potentially affecting vital biological functions. Research found that different species of microalgae acquire other trace metals in unique quantities, which could have cascading effects on coral health.
A new database, FiCli, has been created to track the impacts of climate change on freshwater fish. The searchable directory of peer-reviewed journal articles provides information on projected or documented effects of climate change on inland fishes.
The University of Helsinki has established a new standard procedure for analyzing fine particles in experimental chambers, enabling researchers to better understand the mechanisms associated with fine particle formation and its impact on global warming. This standard will help simulate past and future atmospheric conditions, providing ...
A new study by an international team of researchers finds that improving educational attainment leads to a large improvement in population's vulnerability to climate change. However, it also tends to increase emissions driving climate change, suggesting a tradeoff between these goals.
A recent study on Uganda finds that climate change can lead to a 20% decline in economic output due to reduced labor supply and increased food consumption. The analysis suggests that households will need to adapt to changing temperatures through strategies such as crop diversification and irrigation.
Vegetation growth in the Third Pole, driven by CO2 fertilization globally and global warming locally, may slow rapid local warming. This 'greening' phenomenon also has remote impacts on Asian climate.
A new study published in Global Environmental Change journal found that climate-related disasters enhance armed conflict risks in vulnerable countries. Researchers discovered that almost one-third of all conflicts onsets in these countries are preceded by a climate-related disaster within seven days.
A new study found profound long-term changes in plankton communities, which are the base of the marine food web. Changes in sea surface temperature have led to a significant reorganisation of plankton populations, with some species increasing in abundance while others decrease.
New study reveals ocean deoxygenation as a critical factor in coral reef degradation, highlighting the need for improved data collection and management practices. Researchers warn that reduced oxygen availability exacerbates the impact of climate change and pollution on reefs.
A recent study reveals that marine species are shifting their populations towards the poles in response to ocean warming, with significant implications for global biodiversity and coastal ecosystems. The research found a consistent pattern of species abundance increases at poleward edges and declines at equatorward edges.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that hotter temperatures increase the probability of reporting bad mental health in the US. People are willing to pay several dollars to avoid each additional hot day in terms of its impact on self-reported mental health.
New research measures cloud changes caused by ship pollution, revealing a measurable regional impact on global temperatures. The study found that globally, cloud changes due to industrial pollution block 1 Watt of solar energy per square meter.
A second Dust Bowl would severely impact global wheat stocks, with a 31% initial loss and up to 75% depletion by the end of four years. Global trade and supply chains would be affected, leading to price increases for consumers worldwide.
A study on three-spined stickleback fish found that epigenetic modifications affect adaptation to salinity changes, but inducible markers improve response to environmental change. The research suggests organisms will eventually reach their limits to respond to climate change despite epigenetic modes of adaptation.
A new study by UCL and Harvard researchers found that halving warming by adding aerosols to the stratosphere could moderate important climate hazards in almost all regions, with only a small fraction experiencing increased climate change. The approach should be considered as a complementary measure to emissions cuts.
A new Stanford study found that diversified farms in Costa Rica provide a more secure habitat for birds and shield against the impacts of climate change. Diversified farms are more stable in supporting bird populations and offer refuge to threatened species.
A new study suggests a nuclear conflict anywhere on Earth would lead to a decade of global cooling and a severe decline in crop production, compromising global food security. The study found that the sudden change in climate would cause significant crop losses, particularly in northern breadbasket regions.
Researchers at Princeton University have created a framework to understand and compare cities' food systems and their effects on climate change, water use, and land use. The study highlights the impacts of differences in meat consumption between Indian and U.S. cities, as well as differences in food processing.
A new study reveals that clearing acacia-dominated bushland for farming can raise land surface temperatures by up to 1.8°C, comparable to forest clearing. The findings suggest that preserving these ecosystems could mitigate climate change in the region.
Research reveals large ecosystems like Amazon forests can collapse in 49 years and Caribbean coral reefs in just 15 years. This accelerated rate of transformation is attributed to the modular structure of larger ecosystems, which initially provides resilience but ultimately accelerates unraveling when a threshold is passed.
A new study reveals that analyzing large-scale ecological patterns can help predict changes in ecosystems. Ecologists are using decades of weather data to forecast bird migrations and wildlife population fluctuations, which can inform conservation measures. The research aims to improve understanding of the climate-ecology link, enablin...
Scientists have developed a global system to predict future warming of lakes, which could threaten cold-water species like salmon and trout. By 2100, average lake temperature is expected to rise by 4 degrees Celsius under extreme climate change scenarios.
A new study finds that warming temperatures have been substantially mitigated by the migration of rainfed corn, wheat, and rice. However, continued migration may result in significant environmental costs, including biodiversity loss and increased carbon emissions.
A new study warns that coastal erosion and rising sea levels will accelerate due to climate change, threatening the world's sandy beaches. Effective climate action could prevent 40% of erosion, but societies will still need to adapt and protect these ecosystems.
A new framework reconciles model simulations with laboratory and empirical observations, providing a more accurate understanding of black carbon's climate forcing effect. The study finds that black carbon particles are not uniformly coated, resulting in lower absorption rates than models suggest, but still contribute to climate warming.
Researchers at KAUST found that Middle East dust has a positive cooling effect on the land and Red Sea, with the largest radiative cooling effect in the world. This discovery highlights the complex role of dust aerosols in shaping global climate patterns.
Research on dunes in northern China reveals that neighboring dunes can remain in different states despite similar climate conditions, complicating efforts to stabilize the dunes. The study found that changes are not always smooth and uniform, with some dunes remaining active while others become stabilized by vegetation.
A new study by researchers at University of California San Diego identified a strong link between heatwave exposure and increased risk of preterm delivery. The study found that longer duration heatwaves were associated with the highest risk of preterm birth, while ambient humidity also played a role in exacerbating the issue.