Research on the consequences of a changing climate. Covers food and water disparities, sea-level costs, forest resilience, and shifting ecosystems.
Simulations predict a 22-26% and 37-43% increase in extreme floods on the Karnali River between 2020 and 2099, with high emissions expected to see a 73-84% increase. The study highlights the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate flood hazards.
A new study found that 63% of bird species in four large European mountain ranges have shifted uphill in the past two decades, with an average movement of half a metre per year. This trend is driven by broader climatic trends and is observed in regions such as Scandinavia and the Alps.
Researchers at Colorado State University found that some tropical forest plants are adapting to drought by growing longer root systems, potentially helping reduce vulnerability. The study's findings suggest flexibility under drying conditions may rescue the forest, but long-term implications remain uncertain.
A new study links rising temperatures to reduced sleep quality and length in US adults, particularly those living on the West Coast. The research estimates that by 2099, people could lose up to 24 hours of sleep each year due to heat, highlighting the potential impact of climate change on sleep health.
The 106th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society will focus on the intersection of technology and human decision-making in weather, water, and climate sciences. The meeting will feature keynote presentations, Presidential Sessions, and named symposia highlighting key Earth science topics.
A study of 3,752 health professionals and researchers from 151 countries finds climate change is combining with poverty and drug resistance to create a major health crisis. The top threats include vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue, which are expected to surge without urgent global action.
Research shows that flooding in delta cities like Shanghai can expand by up to 80% and be much deeper by 2100 due to extreme climate events, sea-level rise and land subsidence. A major adaptation effort is required to raise defences and construct mobile flood barriers.
A new study from Rice University and the University of Alberta reveals that flood-driven contamination significantly increases concerns about future flooding in coastal industrial communities. Residents who suspect their neighborhoods are contaminated by floods express higher worry about climate futures.
Researchers found that tropical forests may be less sensitive to climate change than thought. They discovered that dead leaves cool nearby leaves by reflecting more sun energy, reducing heat buildup.
Australian bettong species have developed unique adaptations to crack open hard seeds, including shorter faces and reinforced skulls. This discovery is vital for conservation initiatives, as all four bettong species are threatened by predation and habitat loss.
A modelling study suggests that heat stored in the Southern Ocean could be released, causing a rapid warming of the atmosphere. The ocean acts as a large heat reservoir, mitigating atmospheric warming since the Industrial Revolution.
A calcite deposit in a southern Nevada cave has provided new insight into the region's hydroclimate, revealing significant shifts in temperature and rainfall over the last 580,000 years. The analysis suggests that temperature, availability of water, and vegetation are tightly coupled, with changes in one area impacting others.
A new study reveals a severe decline in recruitment of the American pika on Niwot Ridge, Colorado, with fewer juvenile pikas being born or migrating to take their place. Climate change is predicted to threaten pikas in the American West, with warmer summers affecting their habitats and ability to survive.
Researchers project that Chile's glaciers will only be able to contribute half of today's runoff meltwater during extreme dry summer months. They call for effective water management strategies and coordinated global climate policies to mitigate future megadroughts.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that over 69,000 US deaths were caused by extreme temperature exposure between 1999 and 2024. The majority of these deaths were heat-related, but cold-related deaths are also expected to rise as climate change intensifies.
Global rice yields have suffered significantly due to severe flooding, with losses of approximately 4.3% per year between 1980 and 2015. The study highlights the need for adoption of flood-resistant rice varieties in vulnerable regions to avert future losses.
A study conducted by Brazilian and Uruguayan researchers found that urbanization leads to a decline in biodiversity, with beachgoers being the most impactful factor. The loss of dunes also makes coastal cities more susceptible to sea level rise, threatening homes and ecosystems.
The COP30 climate summit in Brazil has seen countries favoring land-based carbon removal initiatives over emission cuts. However, a new report by the University of Melbourne warns that these efforts may be unrealistic due to global commitments to halt deforestation and forest degradation. The report highlights two essential flaws in na...
A new study reveals that ocean acidification is accelerating at a rate outpacing atmospheric CO2 levels, with the Northeastern Pacific Ocean experiencing rapid acidification. The research analyzed coral skeletons from the past century, showing that CO2 has been accumulating in North American waters faster than in the atmosphere.
A recent study found that rainfall and temperature significantly impact the water volume in bromeliad tanks, which in turn affects mosquito development and species diversity. This knowledge can be useful for predicting malaria transmission risk and estimating the effects of climate change on disease outbreaks.
Climate change is expected to lead to a significant increase in methane emissions from lakes and reservoirs, with current emissions potentially doubling by the end of the century. This would contribute to faster climate change than currently predicted, highlighting the urgent need for reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
A recent study finds that artificial intelligence has a negligible effect on global greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers' analysis of US energy consumption and AI use across industries revealed that the energy usage from AI in the US equals the energy consumption for all of Iceland, but not noticeable on a global scale.
A new study by NC State University researchers found that areas in the northeastern US have lost nearly 1.5 weeks of temperatures below freezing, while regions like Arizona gained almost 1.5 weeks of temperatures above 86F. This data can help inform climate adaptation planning and justify changes to address regional climate change.
Researchers developed a Climate BioStress model to detect biological signatures of climate change. A Sentinel System (CBS3) is proposed to track climate stress indicators across biological, built, and social infrastructures.
Experts warn that climate change and conflict have synergistic effects, leading to more severe and complex outcomes. Strengthening health systems is key to reducing vulnerability and supporting climate adaptation.
A new study models the impact of climate change on the GBR, forecasting a rapid coral decline before the middle of this century. However, curbing emissions and strategic management can help improve coral resilience, especially in well-mixed waters with good larval replenishment.
A Weill Cornell Medicine investigator outlines measures to ensure children's health is accounted for within climate change goals. The author suggests adopting 17 standardized indicators related to childhood mortality rates, nutrition, and vaccination coverage to support other targets like the Sustainable Development Goals.
A new study by the University of Michigan reveals that climate change is causing smaller fish in Michigan's inland lakes. Researchers found that old and young fish were significantly smaller than their typical size in 1945.
The G20 science academies recommend measures to address climate change consequences in health, ecology, and technology. The One Health approach is highlighted as a strategy to mitigate climate change, emphasizing sustainable land, water, and energy resource use.
Researchers found that elevated CO2 levels can cause leaf temperatures to rise by up to 1.3°C in forests, with a greater impact during extreme heatwaves. This change is likely caused by reduced transpiration and could have significant effects on the water cycle globally.
A recent study by Oregon State University and the US Forest Service analyzed satellite imagery to assess the impact of the 2021 'heat dome' on western Oregon and Washington's forests. The analysis revealed that 293,546 hectares of forest were damaged, with iconic species like western redcedar and hemlock being disproportionately affected.
A landmark study by Swansea University reveals the Hektoria Glacier lost nearly half its length in two months during 2023, a pace similar to the end of the last ice age. The rapid retreat was boosted by the shape of the land beneath it, leading scientists to identify vulnerable glaciers and prioritize their monitoring.
Scientists at UC Riverside are using advanced technology to understand how corals regain life-giving algae after suffering from heat stress. By studying the cellular and genetic mechanisms of algae reestablishment, researchers aim to develop practical tools to help reefs survive ocean warming.
Researchers evaluate ways to redesign land use and nature conservation using integrated approaches to meet ecological, social, and economic goals. Multifunctional landscapes can promote biodiversity, food production, climate regulation, and human well-being.
Scientists will study moisture-driven mechanisms of ice sheet growth during the Miocene Climatic Optimum, a warmer climate period. The team aims to understand how increased moisture transport affects ice accumulation and mitigate sea level rise.
Research highlights the challenges of maintaining fat bike trails due to climate disruption and volunteer burnout. The study calls for seasonal strategies to distribute workload, create binational events, and implement recognition programs.
Researchers warn that global warming breaching 1.5°C could create a vicious cycle where dealing with climate impacts hinders action to tackle the underlying problem, leading to 'derailment'. The report highlights the need for a strategy to navigate this 'climate storm' and avoid derailment.
A new study reveals that climate change is driving many native Australian reptiles toward extinction. The research uses fossil evidence and genetic data to show how the endangered Australian Mountain Dragon has responded to major environmental changes in the past.
A new study reveals that rising temperatures are causing widespread reductions in sleep duration across the globe, with warmer nights resulting in an average loss of 15-17 minutes of sleep. This is particularly concerning as the likelihood of experiencing short sleep increases by approximately 40% during heatwaves.
A new study reveals that the Arctic climate system is experiencing a 'pushing and triggering' mechanism, leading to an increase in extreme events such as heatwaves, sea ice loss, and ice sheet melt. The probability of these events has increased by 20-83% since 2000, with severe consequences for the region's future.
Research reveals that even native ecosystems can't adapt to extreme drought conditions, leading to significant impacts on plant growth and productivity. Productivity declines by up to 77% in four years under consecutive extreme droughts.
A global research effort by Colorado State University reveals that extreme, prolonged droughts in grasslands and shrublands result in more than twice the loss of plant productivity compared to moderate droughts. The study suggests that these ecosystems lose their ability to recover over time under prolonged dry conditions.
The world has reached its first climate tipping point, with warm-water coral reefs passing their threshold and facing widespread dieback. This catastrophic event is part of a series of Earth system tipping points that could have devastating consequences unless humanity takes urgent action.
Coccolithophores are microscopic ocean organisms that regulate Earth's climate by drawing carbon out of seawater, producing oxygen, and creating chalk and limestone that preserve climate history. Climate change is altering their survival and the ecosystems they support, making International Coccolithophore Day a crucial awareness campa...
Climate-driven oxygen loss can trigger expansion of microorganisms producing methylmercury, a potent neurotoxin. Ancient DNA analysis shows similar processes occurred in the past; modern warming oceans risk similar conditions.
Researchers found compound drought-heatwave events rippling and persisting through the night, exacerbating heat-related health risks. Soil dryness plays a key role in triggering these extreme events, which can affect crops, wildfires, and daily life.
Climate change is predicted to increase suitable land for tea cultivation in China, with the overall range shifting northwards. Machine learning models were used to analyze China's four major tea-producing regions.
Scientists have discovered that gray tree frogs prepare for winter by responding to shorter days rather than colder temperatures, allocating energy resources unnecessarily. This 'ecological trap' could affect critical behaviors like breeding cycles and migration patterns in species adapted to seasonal cues.
A new survey of over 6,000 Europeans reveals that trusting politicians is crucial for accepting climate policies, especially those involving taxes. Regulations and subsidies tend to receive more support than environmental taxes or bans.
A new Concordia-led study links algal blooms in Canadian lakes to both nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff and climate change. The research, using DNA sequencing of lakebed microbes, found that these two drivers amplify each other in ways that profoundly affect lake ecosystems.
A new study by Florida Atlantic University researchers found that heat does not significantly affect the cognitive ability of sea turtle hatchlings. However, higher incubation temperatures negatively impact their physical traits, including shorter incubation durations, lower hatching success, and more frequent scute anomalies. The stud...
Researchers at UC Riverside discovered a carbon burial process in the ocean that can cause Earth's temperature to overshoot and cool down, potentially triggering an ice age. The study suggests that the planet's thermostat is not functioning as expected due to changes in atmospheric oxygen levels.
A new study estimates that tropical cyclones cause the death of 850,000 children under five from 2000 to 2020. The research found a significant link between cyclone exposure and child mortality, emphasizing the urgent need for disaster preparedness in vulnerable regions.
The US Climate Collection aims to publish U.S.-focused climate assessment science and research synthesis papers to inform future national and sub-national assessments. The collection welcomes studies that advance the evidence-based design of future U.S. assessments of climate risks and solutions.
A study published in PLOS Climate predicts that unchecked climate change could lead to significant economic losses globally, with lower-income and hotter countries facing substantial drops in GDP per capita. By 2100, these countries may face losses of 30-60% above the global average.
Researchers from Japan developed a new statistical method to increase accuracy of flood risk projections across 70% of the Earth's landmass. This approach merges climate scenarios with different socioeconomic pathways, offering policymakers powerful insights for adaptation and preparedness strategies.
A study by ISGlobal and published in Nature Medicine estimated that over 181,000 heat-related deaths occurred in Europe between 2022 and 2024. Italy experienced the highest number of heat-related deaths, with an estimated 19,038 deaths in 2024.
A new study estimates that US wildfires could cause up to 70,000 deaths annually by 2050 due to increased smoke pollution. The researchers also found that no community is safe from smoke exposure and estimated economic damages could reach $608 billion annually.
A new study predicts significant increase in mosquito-borne disease risk in Brazil by 2080, with higher temperatures and changing rainfall patterns contributing to the issue. Climate action could help mitigate this risk, reducing future disease outbreaks.
Researchers conducted a survey of published studies on the transmission risk of 39 pathogens and diseases, finding that only 7.4% consider hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. The study recommends integrating these components for reliable models and guiding public policies.