Research on the consequences of a changing climate. Covers food and water disparities, sea-level costs, forest resilience, and shifting ecosystems.
A new study examines the impact of warming and increased precipitation on seeds in the Tibetan Plateau's soil seed banks. The research finds that these changes can harm the seeds, affecting their ability to germinate, grow, and survive due to factors such as temperature, moisture levels, and pathogens.
A study reveals a cyclical link between high-intensity Asian wildfires and dry glacial periods, with fires associated with increased dust loads and decreased CO2 levels. The findings hint at potential climate effects through the iron cycle, suggesting a connection between fires, dust, and global climate system.
Climate change is projected to reduce the suitable area for growing most olive varieties in Andalusia, particularly Nevadillo, Manzanilla, Lechín, and Picudo, due to less rainfall and soil humidity loss. However, the Picual variety may see an increase in suitable areas in higher regions like Alpujarra.
A new study proposes a methodology for identifying effective hedging strategies based on weather derivatives to protect ski tourism operators' profits despite climate change. The research uses historical snowfall and temperature data to design useful weather derivatives payoff contracts.
A two-degree Centigrade increase in global average temperature could lead to catastrophic consequences for the planet. The study found that countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia face major deviations from precipitation norms, with southern areas expected to experience more frequent droughts and heatwaves.
A recent study published in PNAS found that fires have a significant impact on plant survival and distribution, often exceeding the effects of climate change. The research highlights the importance of considering other environmental factors, such as human land use practices, in understanding biodiversity.
Researchers found that altering aircraft altitudes could significantly reduce contrail-caused harm to the climate, with a potential reduction of up to 59%. The study suggests targeting flights responsible for the most climate forcing and using cleaner engine technology to achieve a total reduction of up to 90%.
A new study reveals that tropical cyclones can create drying effects in the Maritime Continent due to induced zonal wind anomalies. Observational data shows that these events decrease precipitations in the region not directly affected by typhoons, highlighting their role in regional climate patterns.
A new research review argues that societal adaptation to climate change should focus on collective action and systems-level thinking, rather than individual coping strategies. The authors propose transformational change to ensure society's resilience in the face of increasing hazards.
A recent study found that a reduction in air pollution in Europe has led to fewer extremely cold days, as the decrease in aerosol particles caused changes in the wintertime Northern Hemisphere polar jet stream. This suggests that aerosols have a stronger impact on extreme winter weather than greenhouse gases at regional scales.
A new study from the University of Notre Dame finds that climate change may not directly lead to more conflict, but rather affects regional instability through variations in income. The research explores the complex relationship between drought, crop failure, and conflict, suggesting that expectations and adaptation can alter predicted...
A year-round acoustic study in the northern Bering Sea recorded over 30,000 calls from whales, walruses, and seals, providing valuable insights into climate change's effects on these species. The study supports previous scientific knowledge with a finer-scale resolution, revealing consistent seasonal distribution and movement patterns.
Researchers analyzed fossil foraminifers from marine sediment to understand past ocean temperatures during the MIS19 period. The study found extreme changes in water temperature equivalent to 7°C repeated every few thousand years, offering insights into future climate predictions.
A new study reveals that intensifying tropical land use is causing forests to contribute less to carbon dioxide uptake, affecting the global carbon cycle. Researchers used satellite data and dynamic vegetation models to estimate carbon dioxide absorption by different ecosystems worldwide.
Research highlights negative health effects of climate change on children's health outcomes, including increased mortality, morbidity, and psychological trauma. The crisis can begin while a child is still in utero, due to maternal stress, poor nutrition, and exposure to air pollution.
The 2018 Four Corners drought in the US was exacerbated by human-induced warming, with temperatures rising 2 degrees Celsius. The region's vegetation turned brown due to increased evaporation, resulting in economic losses of over $3 billion and impacts on Native American communities.
Research reveals that cumulative flooding damage to earthen levees often goes unnoticed due to invisible signs of distress. The study highlights the need for prioritized rehabilitation efforts and accurate identification of high-risk levees.
Researchers at the University of Würzburg have discovered modified plants capable of absorbing excess carbon dioxide more effectively. The plants' metabolic networks can be modulated to increase CO2 absorption by five times, which could help mitigate global warming.
Researchers at Columbia University found that ozone-depleting substances caused about a third of all global warming from 1955 to 2005 and half of Arctic warming and sea ice loss during this period. The Montreal Protocol, which phased out these substances, has been instrumental in reducing their impact on climate change.
The U.N. and international organizations have set ambitious forest restoration targets, but data shows that many countries in the global South are struggling to meet their commitments. Local communities' involvement is crucial for success, but current efforts often lack this essential element.
Researchers suggest four strategies to change the minds of climate deniers: reframing solutions as social system stabilizers, reducing ideological divide by emphasizing Earth's purity, having conversations with trusted individuals, and discussing values before engaging climate info. Self-affirmation is challenged when facing climate ch...
A recent study by Stony Brook University confirms that climate change affected Hurricane Florence's intensity and rainfall patterns. The research found that the storm was 80 kilometers larger due to climate change, with increased rainfall amounts of up to 50% in certain areas.
A study in Nature Climate Change predicts Madagascar's entire eastern rainforest habitat will be eliminated by 2070 unless strict protections are implemented. The research identifies priority areas for protection, highlighting the critical role of ruffed lemurs as seed dispersers and their sensitivity to habitat degradation.
Research reveals Pacific Ocean infiltration into the Southern Ocean around 6,000-7,000 years ago, possibly due to weakened westerly winds. This finding may signal potential impacts of climate change on the region.
Chinese scientists made significant contributions to climate studies, including statistical analyses of temperature and precipitation changes. They studied the formation mechanisms of climate disasters and extreme events, laying the physical foundation for climate disaster prediction in China.
A study estimated the cumulative effects of shale gas production in the Appalachian basin on air quality and employment, finding negative impacts on both with some positive effects. The study also found persistent climate change effects that may last for generations.
A study by Princeton University researchers found that climate change could lead to more frequent and earlier outbreaks of RSV respiratory infection in North America. The virus' spread is influenced by humidity and rainfall, which are expected to shift northward due to changing weather patterns.
Researchers have discovered that the Canadian tundra was once home to a vibrant, temperate forest, featuring plants such as birch, alder, and elms. The ancient plant fossil record provides valuable insights into how ecosystems responded to greenhouse climates in the past.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that a geostationary satellite can obtain more cloud-free observations than polar-orbiting satellites, allowing for continuous monitoring of vegetation changes. The Himawari-8 AHI sensor captured seasonal vegetation changes in Central Japan with greater frequency and accuracy.
The study reviews a new method called emergent constraints, which uses current climate information to constrain future climate evolution. This approach aims to reduce uncertainties in climate sensitivity and improve the accuracy of climate model projections.
Researchers found that direct urban expansion leads to significant habitat destruction, but the broader environmental impacts of urbanization are much greater, with climate change and land-use change driving global biodiversity loss. The study highlights the need for more research on indirect effects in developing countries.
Scientists discovered that greenhouse gas emissions from volcanic rocks can create massive global warming effects, with calculations suggesting the largest temporary global warming of the past 65 million years. Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) are linked to spikes in climate change and the carbon cycle.
The experience of Arctic peoples can help with regional adaptation measures. A seminar brought together researchers, local residents, and government officials to discuss climate change problems and find solutions.
An international team of scientists found that adopting the Paris Agreement's emission reduction scenario would significantly limit global productivity losses for both fishing and agriculture. In contrast, a no-action scenario would lead to significant declines in productivity for most countries.
A new University of Arizona study found that 36.5% of all land plant species are very rare, with many clustered in hotspots like the Northern Andes and Southeast Asia. These regions face a disproportionate risk of climate change and human disruption, threatening their survival.
A new study found that as ocean warming increases, cold-water species are replaced by warm-water species in marine communities. This shift is driven by species' thermal affinities and can be predicted based on regional temperature changes.
A new study projects that urban expansion will trigger 'extra' warming due to the urban heat island effect, increasing extreme heat risks for half of the world's future urban population. The study forecasts temperatures may rise up to 3 degrees C in some locations, particularly in tropical regions.
A team of scientists predicts that emperor penguin colonies will decline drastically due to global warming, with 5-6°C temperature increase leading to near-total collapse. Climate models show that sea ice melting will deprive the birds of habitat and food sources, threatening their survival.
A University of Queensland-led study found that healthy mangroves can support coral reef fisheries by providing alternative nurseries for fish. This allows them to grow larger and head out to the reef as adults, increasing their chances of survival.
A CMAJ editorial argues that Canada's government should adopt a holistic approach to address climate change, health, and taxes. The author suggests that framing these issues together can help people understand and support practical policies aimed at stalling climate change.
Researchers at the Niels Bohr Institute find that hurricanes have increased in size and destructive force, with a clear climate signal behind the trend. The new calculation method reveals a significant increase in the frequency of the most destructive hurricanes, which now rival those from the past century.
A new study from the UBC Sauder School of Business reveals that homes projected to be underwater due to climate change sell for roughly 7% more than comparable homes in areas where people don't believe in climate change. The difference is significant, with implications for real estate investors and homeowners.
A global team of scientists declares a climate emergency, warning of 'untold human suffering' without drastic shifts in human activities contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. The declaration outlines six areas of action, including energy conservation, reducing short-lived pollutants, and stabilizing the global population.
A long-term study of red deer on the Isle of Rum has found that genetic change due to natural selection is contributing to the species' shift towards earlier birth times. This trend is linked to increased reproductive success and the spread of genes associated with breeding earlier.
A new study challenges the long-held assumption that climate change will make the world wetter due to plant responses. Plants are expected to consume more water in the future, leading to less water availability for people in mid-latitudes.
A study of 993 Brazilian protected areas found 258 moderately vulnerable and 17 highly vulnerable to climate change. The Amazon and Atlantic Rainforest biomes are at greatest risk due to climate-driven changes in vegetation and native species distribution.
Researchers from McGill University project abrupt changes in the Arctic climate and permafrost, potentially leading to increased wildfires. The study suggests a doubling of wildfire severity over one year in regions like the Northwestern Territories and Yukon.
Researchers found a significant link between daily mean temperatures and hospitalisations for undernourishment in Brazil. The study estimated that 15.6% of undernutrition hospitalisations could be attributed to heat exposure, with the greatest impact on individuals aged over 80 and those between 5-19 years.
A new study finds that relaxing U.S. energy regulations and considering climate change would increase ozone precursors in the air, leading to more counties failing to meet air quality standards. The research used a computer model to simulate the effects of relaxed policies and climate change on ozone levels through 2050.
A new study found higher local earthworm diversity in temperate regions than in the tropics, with patterns not matching aboveground biodiversity. The researchers created a global map of earthworm diversity, abundance, and biomass, highlighting climate change's potential impact on earthworm communities.
A new study reveals that climate warming has shifted the onset location of strong El Niño events from the eastern Pacific to the western Pacific, causing more frequent extreme events. This shift is linked to increased sea surface temperatures in the western Pacific warm pool and easterly winds in the central Pacific.
Researchers uncover a previously unknown survival mechanism in corals that allows them to recover from mass mortality episodes caused by heatwaves. This 'rejuvenation' process enables some polyps to survive extreme conditions and eventually form new colonies, providing new perspectives for the survival of Mediterranean reef corals.
A recent study published in Nature Genetics explores the potential of genomic selection to boost wheat yields and quality. By analyzing genomic data from diverse environments, researchers found that this approach can predict disease resistance, grain quality, and climate resilience with varying degrees of accuracy. The findings provide...
Researchers found fairy-wrens start breeding earlier in milder nights and stop breeding later in hot conditions. The study's long-term data on the birds' life history may help scientists understand climate change effects on wild animal populations globally.
A novel approach developed by Lehigh University researchers combines four steps: climatology, hydrology, structural engineering, and risk assessment to predict the impact of climate change on bridges. The model reveals that a 20-year flood may become a 13-year flood at the end of the century, nearly doubling the frequency of flooding.
A new study from the University of Notre Dame found that coastal homeowners' attitudes towards climate change have little to no impact on their actions to protect their homes. Despite high confidence in climate change, many homeowners fail to take steps to mitigate vulnerabilities due to limited communication and awareness.
The article emphasizes the need for cross-disciplinary research on renewable energy storage and solar energy conversion. Scientists discuss ways to remove carbon from energy sources, crucial to avoiding climate change's worst consequences.
A team of researchers led by Penn State's Ming Xiao is studying the effects of permafrost degradation on Alaskan communities and the world. The project aims to understand how ground changes, infrastructure, and social systems interact as temperatures rise.
Repeated disasters and environmental changes are rapidly eroding the land in Southeastern Louisiana, affecting the tribe's ability to sustain its culture, health, and livelihoods. Tribe members express a deep sense of grief about the lost land and lack of agency in decisions impacting them.
A study by University of California - Berkeley researchers finds that the New York Times' climate change coverage often fails to present basic facts about global warming, including its causes, effects, and permanence. This lack of fact-based reporting can lead to public confusion and skepticism.