Research on the consequences of a changing climate. Covers food and water disparities, sea-level costs, forest resilience, and shifting ecosystems.
Researchers found that bats with genotypes adapted to hot-dry climates are likely to retain their range and survive climate change, while those adapted to cold-wet climates will lose most of their range. Accounting for adaptive genetic variation is crucial to accurately predict extinction risk from climate change.
A new approach to assessing species vulnerability considers genetic variation, reducing overestimation of extinction risk. The study found that bats can adapt to changing environments, allowing them to breed with populations in different climates.
New research shows that climate change has increased the risk of Black Sigatoka disease in banana crops by over 44% since the 1960s. The fungus spreads via aerial spores and can reduce fruit production by up to 80%.
A study found that climate change may lead to increased fertility due to reduced resources for education, as people allocate time and money for child-rearing. The researchers used a quantitative model to examine the economic channels through which climate change affects fertility, finding that it worsens inequalities in richer countries.
Researchers have cataloged over 200,000 ocean viruses, expanding our understanding of their impact on the environment and climate change. The study found high viral diversity in the Arctic Ocean, which may serve as an 'unrecognized cradle' of biodiversity.
A study by Carnegie ecologists found that climate change is a key factor in increasing nitrogen runoff into US waterways, exacerbating eutrophication. The research analyzed historical trends and found that warming temperatures and precipitation patterns are directly linked to higher nitrogen levels.
Two new studies warn that countries like the US, China, and EU will struggle to meet their emissions targets without significant reductions. The research suggests that even if these high-emitting countries strengthen their commitments, other nations would need to achieve near-zero emissions by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5 degree...
A recent study by the National Institute for Environmental Studies suggests that transitioning from coal to natural gas can help stabilize climate change. The study found that natural gas power plants have smaller short- and long-term impacts than coal power plants, even when considering high methane leakage rates or uncertainty issues.
A new study suggests that extreme heat and precipitation in early childhood can lead to lower educational attainment, even among better-off households. The research found that climatic conditions affect education negatively in multiple ways, particularly in Southeast Asia and West and Central Africa.
Researchers propose introducing strategic interventions to address climate change by identifying sensitive intervention points in socio-economic systems. Such interventions could amplify into radical change, potentially averting a climate catastrophe.
Svalbard reindeer population behaves counterintuitively under harsher climate scenarios, with high density and competition leading to population crashes. However, the population's internal restructuring and age structure buffer the effects of climate change, allowing them to survive in a warming environment.
Increased human activity along the boundaries of protected areas is degrading vegetation, altering grazing opportunities, and cascading down the food chain, favoring less palatable plants. This could make the ecosystem less resilient to future shocks such as drought or climate change.
Researchers developed a new statistical tool to observe interaction among variables influencing phytoplankton abundance over time. They identified a synergistic effect between water temperature and phytoplankton predation, providing insights into spatial synchrony of phytoplankton blooms.
Researchers are studying the effects of climate change on glacier-fed rivers in Peru, which provide water for food, power and industry to remote communities. The study aims to understand the potential impacts on future water resources and develop strategies to mitigate them.
Research from Oregon State University suggests that climate change could lead to a 52% increase in tropical storm-related deaths, mainly affecting vulnerable populations in developing countries. The study's findings are based on analyzing mortality data and simulating the impact of climate change on storm frequency and severity.
A team of scientists analyzed biodiversity patterns in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, revealing that biotic interactions are essential for understanding ecosystem dynamics. The study found that biogeography and species interactions are stronger drivers of biodiversity than previously expected.
Researchers studied how fish adapt to rapid changes in freshwater environments and found they can react quickly when alone or in groups. The study's findings suggest that fish use cues from obstacles to find energetically-beneficial places in the flow.
A new study finds that Inuit communities' regional knowledge and travel skills have helped reduce the effects of Arctic climate change on trail access. Despite significant changes in climate-related conditions, overall trail access has changed by only one or two days over the past 30 years.
A recent study found that climate change is reducing waterbird habitats across the Great Basin, resulting in fewer birds in the region. The research, published in Scientific Reports, examined temperature and precipitation data from over a century and compared it with 50 years of bird surveys.
Researchers used Thoreau's observations to study the effects of climate change on tree leaf-out and wildflower emergence. The study found that wildflowers are now leafing out earlier, while trees are leafing out later, potentially hindering wildflower abundance.
New research suggests climate change could devastate painted turtle populations as temperature fluctuations disrupt the sex ratio, potentially leading to population collapse. The study found that warmer temperatures combined with stronger thermal fluctuations increase the risk of drastic shifts in demographics, ultimately threatening t...
New research finds that smaller doses of solar geoengineering could work in tandem with emission cuts to lower the risks of a changing climate. The study suggests that no IPCC-defined region would be made worse off, with big uncertainties remaining but potentially uniform benefits across the globe.
Researchers project timing and location of precipitation changes relevant to agricultural crop production due to climate change. Precipitation patterns are expected to increase in high latitudes like North America and Europe by 2020s or have already emerged in regions such as the Mediterranean.
A new study forecasts changes in fisheries productivity due to ocean warming, with some species expected to thrive and others decline. The research evaluated 235 marine species and found that temperature-driven changes will affect different species differently.
Researchers found that traditional agroecosystems in Hawaii could produce over 1 million metric tons of food annually, comparable to current consumption levels. The study highlights the importance of restoring indigenous agricultural systems to support biodiversity and indigenous well-being under climate change.
Researchers found that reducing carbon emissions through biofuels or increasing domestic food production can increase nitrogen runoff into US waterways, causing water quality problems. However, scenarios involving sustainable growth and conservation proved to be the most successful in minimizing water quality risks.
Deforestation affects lizard populations differently in highlands compared to lowlands, with some highland species facing extinction due to the lack of suitable habitat. The study provides insights into the consequences of climate change and human land-use on biodiversity.
Researchers found that many bird species responded positively to the climate conditions associated with the drought, potentially offsetting negative habitat impacts. The study's results suggest that birds may be more resilient to temperature increases than previously thought, but also highlights the need for further research on their r...
A study from Binghamton University highlights the importance of considering cold-temperature variability when evaluating climate change impacts. Researchers found that cold temperatures make amphibians more susceptible to road salt but less prone to parasites.
Scientists warn that human carbon emissions could match those of the last major greenhouse warming event in fewer than five generations. If current trends continue, Earth's atmosphere could reach PETM-like carbon levels as early as 2159.
Scientists assess how meerkat populations will fare in response to future changes in seasonal rainfall and temperature. The study found that hotter summers may threaten the persistence of meerkat populations, but warmer winters can alleviate negative effects.
Climate change is expected to increase the likelihood of violence through three indirect effects: increased irritability, economic instability, and eco-migration leading to intergroup conflicts. These factors can create a perfect storm for political violence, civil wars, or wars between nations.
The WCS Climate Adaptation Fund has awarded grants to 13 US non-profit organizations implementing on-the-ground projects to help wildlife and ecosystems adapt to climate change. The funded projects, which span various geographies and ecosystems, aim to improve resistance to climate-induced loss of tree canopy, erosion, and invasive pests.
Soil erosion has a profound impact on traditional farming landscapes in developing countries, but an interdisciplinary approach is necessary to address the issue. The study highlights the importance of engaging local communities in finding solutions and overcoming cultural and political barriers.
A new study reveals that climate change could lead to declines of underwater kelp forests, impacting fisheries and potentially affecting food security. The research found that ocean warming and acidification can cause disease-like symptoms in kelp, leading to degradation and photosynthesis impairment.
Scientists warn that rising temperatures could make some species sterile and lead to earlier extinction than thought. The Thermal Fertility Limit, a new measure of how organisms function at extreme temperatures, may help predict which species are most vulnerable.
Research suggests that coral species living alone may survive climate change better than those in reef communities. However, these isolated lifestyles could lead to bleak future ecosystems without reefs.
The Harvard Museum of Natural History announces a new Climate Change exhibit featuring multimedia displays, interactive stations, and real-time ocean monitoring data. The exhibit aims to educate visitors about the global impacts of climate change and provide solutions for reducing fossil fuel emissions.
Daniel Nelson, a University of Oklahoma postdoctoral researcher, has won the Hynes Award for his groundbreaking work on the effects of climate change on freshwater ecosystems. His research, published in Global Change Biology, showed that warming may reassemble invertebrate communities and lower total invertebrate density but have a neu...
A new study published in Nature reveals that the land's capacity to trap carbon may be declining due to changes in soil moisture, potentially accelerating global warming. The research highlights the urgent need for improved modeling of vegetation response to water stress and land-atmosphere coupling.
Research reveals over half of global groundwater flows won't respond to climate change until after 100 years, posing long-term water security risks for millions. This finding emphasizes the need for proactive water management policies and climate adaptation strategies.
A new study by the University of British Columbia found that people with higher incomes and more education tend to have greater access to urban green spaces than their less privileged neighbors. The study highlights the need for wider distribution of trees, shrubs, and pocket parks as cities continue to expand.
Seafloor predators like starfish and jellyfish will benefit from the opening up of new habitats due to climate change, while those associated with sea ice for food or breeding, such as emperor penguins and humpback whales, are most at risk. This study assesses biodiversity under unprecedented change using risk assessments.
The new grant will support activities at four partner institutions, including the University of Delaware, to build up the state's research expertise and workforce for future jobs. The project aims to improve water quality, focusing on salinization and its effects on drinking water and freshwater habitats.
An international team of biodiversity modelers has developed best-practice standards framework with detailed guidelines. The standards enable scoring of studies based on species distribution models for use in biodiversity assessments, ensuring transparency and consistency in policy recommendations. The framework proposes four levels of...
Researchers found a direct association between ocean warming and increased wave energy globally. The study revealed a long-term trend of growing wave energy, particularly during extreme storm seasons, with devastating impacts on coastal areas.
A new study identifies four key areas to combat climate misinformation: public inoculation, legal strategies, political mechanisms, and financial transparency. The research proposes coordinated strategies to counter false content and expose the institutional network enabling its spread.
Scientists warn of increased bluetongue risk in the UK due to climate change, with larger outbreaks predicted under warmer conditions. Existing control measures can still prevent largest outbreaks, but ongoing vigilance is crucial.
Researchers found that climate change leads to increased aggression between great tits and pied flycatchers, resulting in higher mortality rates for flycatchers. Great tits' earlier arrival due to warmer temperatures gives them an advantage over flycatchers, leading to more conflicts.
A comprehensive review of air pollution effects in children reveals adverse birth outcomes, cognitive and behavioral problems, asthma incidence, and potentially childhood cancer. The study estimates that over 40% of environmental disease burden is borne by children under five.
Researchers predict a shift in the sex ratio of green turtles, with warmer temperatures leading to more female hatchlings and increased nesting females. Climate change is expected to submerge key nesting areas, threatening the species' survival.
New research by University of Alberta biologists found that wolves decrease their movement rates and travel shorter distances during snowfall events. The effects were most pronounced at night, when wolves hunt, and behavior returned to normal within a day.
Research by Heather Watts found that house finch breeding seasons are shifting approximately four-and-a-half days earlier with every degree Celsius increase in temperature. This shift may be beneficial for the birds if they can time breeding with seed availability, but could become problematic as climate change continues.
Researchers at Ohio State University warn that climate change is causing widespread and consistent warming in glaciers across the Andes and Himalayas, leading to a decline in water supply for millions of people. The melting glaciers can trigger hazards like avalanches and floods, and have long-lasting effects on regional water supplies.
Researchers found that climate-driven economic losses can offset natural warming feedbacks, but this comes with increased inequality and reduced resources for mitigating climate change. The study suggests that climate-related economic activity slowdowns can temporarily reduce atmospheric CO2 levels.
A new study from Florida State University finds that climate change could significantly reduce hawksbill hatching success due to extreme temperature fluctuations, increased rainfall, and soaring solar radiation. Researchers project a 11% reduction in overall hatching success by 2100.
A comprehensive review assesses growing climate change science, strengthening the Endangerment Finding's conclusion on public health risks. The study highlights new evidence on climate change impacts, including extreme weather events, ocean acidification, and national security threats.
A study using long-term data from 'Butterfly Monitoring Germany' found more butterfly species in Natura 2000 areas, but a significant decline in species numbers regardless of location. The network appears to protect valuable habitats, but its overall effectiveness remains unclear.
Researchers found that diets in wealthy nations have far higher greenhouse gas consequences than typically calculated. Shifting to plant-based diets or careful management of grazing can reduce emissions by up to 70%. The study provides a 'carbon benefits index' to assess the impact of land use changes on climate change.
A study on climate change and its effects on animal mimicry found that seasonal shifts alter the relationship between mimics, models, and predators. Climate change affects the emergence timing of different species in a Batesian mimicry system, leading to changes in predator-prey interactions.