Research on the consequences of a changing climate. Covers food and water disparities, sea-level costs, forest resilience, and shifting ecosystems.
Researchers found a long-term pattern in salinity-driven sea level changes globally, with increases in the Pacific Ocean and decreases in the Atlantic. This salinity effect accounts for approximately 25% of total sea level change, emphasizing its importance in assessments.
A recent study published in Nature Climate Change found that climate change will slow China's efforts to reduce infectious diseases like diarrheal and vector-borne diseases. The researchers predict that changes to the global climate could delay China's progress by up to seven years by 2030.
Agricultural production contributes to a quarter of the increase in seasonal carbon cycle, with corn accounting for two-thirds of the crop contribution. The study highlights the impact of human activity on the planet and improves models of global climate.
Research reveals that annual plant growth in drylands is severely affected by droughts, but the ability to recover varies depending on the type of ecosystem and grazing regime. The study found that perennial plants dominate areas with higher drought resistance and lower recovery potential.
Researchers found that agricultural production, particularly corn, boosts the productivity of four leading food staples, significantly modifying the annual cycle of atmospheric CO2 in the Northern Hemisphere. This growth contributes up to a quarter of the total increase in seasonal carbon exchange, and possibly more.
Kelly Redmond, a renowned climatologist from the Desert Research Institute, will receive the AGU Tyndall History of Global Environmental Change Lecturer award. He has dedicated his career to understanding the Earth's climate and communicating that knowledge to a general audience.
Researchers found that changing ice sheet height affects global climate differently from freshwater influx alone, with warming sea surfaces and regional changes observed. The study suggests that the role of topography in Heinrich events may be more significant than previously thought.
A new study found that future-oriented women are the voting bloc most strongly motivated to invest in reducing global warming. They tend to be more politically liberal, value the environment, believe in global warming, and are willing to pay more to mitigate climate change.
A new study by WCS found that implementing stricter fisheries management overcame the expected detrimental effects of climate change disturbances in coral reef fisheries. Rapid implementation of fisheries restrictions countered adverse climate effects and increased fisheries catches.
A 1985 mass mortality and a 2012 severe cold snap led to the deaths of nearly one-third of Camargue flamingo population. The study suggests that freezing temperatures increased the birds' energy demands, tipping them into starvation. The researchers found that the 2012 event had a lower death toll due to milder temperatures.
Researchers analyzed Madagascar's lizard, snake, frog, and tortoise populations to understand how biodiversity hotspots come to be. Climate change and land use affect different species differently, with some doing better while others decline.
A recent study by George Wang and Michael Dillon found that climate change has increased daily and annual temperature cycling globally. This altered temperature variability can lead to increased crop damage from pest insects and changes in plant seasonal behavior.
New research suggests that Chicxulub's impact was not the sole cause of the end-Cretaceous mass extinction. Volcanism, climate changes, and other factors also played significant roles in four out of five major mass extinctions in Earth history.
A study found that warmer winters lead to earlier breeding in wood frogs, resulting in fewer eggs and delayed tadpole development. However, more rain and snow appear to increase egg production, potentially counteracting the negative effects of warming.
A Dartmouth study reveals that insects' fear response limits their growth in the face of climate change. Insects exhibit slower growth and reduced food consumption when exposed to predator threats, highlighting the importance of considering fear as a key environmental factor.
The National Science Foundation has awarded over $15 million in grants to study coastal sustainability, addressing key issues like sea-level rise, invasive species, and climate change impacts on coastal ecosystems. The grants aim to improve management of coastal environments and provide ecosystem services that sustain human well-being.
The NSF grant will expand Climate Central's efforts to produce and deliver localized climate science content and professional development opportunities to TV meteorologists. More than 150 weathercasters are participating, and the goal is to add an additional 200 weathercasters to the project.
A Yale study finds that the conversion of forests to cropland worldwide has reduced global BVOC emissions, leading to a net cooling effect on climate temperatures. The loss of dark-colored forests and reduction in emissions of short-lived climate pollutants have offset warming caused by increased fossil fuel carbon dioxide emissions.
A new study reveals that citizen science plays a crucial role in climate change research, with amateur data collectors contributing up to 77% of studies. The lack of recognition for this contribution can lead people to feel they have nothing to contribute to the scientific process.
Researchers analyzed African dust transported to South America, finding large seasonal peaks in winter and spring. Dust concentrations exceeded World Health Organization guidelines, posing respiratory health risks.
The University of Waterloo has released a high-resolution Antarctic map created using RADARSAT-2 satellite imagery. This mosaic provides unprecedented accuracy and confidence in mapping ice cover changes, offering valuable information on the effects of climate change.
A study suggests that climate change will reduce hydrologic connectivity in the Verde River Basin by mid-century, forcing fish to travel longer distances for resources. The decrease in connectivity will also impact spawning, as fish are more mobile during this period.
A new approach measures the combined impact of climate and land use on biodiversity risk, highlighting areas vulnerable to losses in ecosystem function. The study suggests that regions like the Great Plains and Northeast US will face increased risks due to the combined effects of climate and land use change.
The symposium highlights climate's effects on predators, leading to trophic cascades that alter ecosystem structure and function. Sea otters' keystone predator role maintains healthy kelp forests, supporting diverse marine species.
Climate change is having a direct negative effect on the Great Lakes, affecting recreational value and drinking water potential. Researchers are calling for increased understanding of the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and developing technology for real-time monitoring and management of water systems.
The report presents regional findings from ten regions, highlighting major impacts of climate change on ecosystems, including shifts in biodiversity and location of species. The assessment provides guidelines for how to respond and adapt to climate change, emphasizing the importance of protecting biodiversity and natural resources.
A special journal section assesses regional interactions between climate change, fire, and forests in the US, providing insights into projected changes and ecosystem services. The goal is to inform forest management choices and policy responses to mitigate these impacts.
A review of climate change impacts on species and ecosystems reveals a gap in conservation science focusing on indirect effects, such as seasonal changes and extreme weather events. Most studies (89%) exclusively examine direct threats, with no studies solely focusing on indirect threats.
A study by Helmholtz Munich found that extreme heat and cold increase mortality rates, particularly among the elderly with pre-existing medical conditions. The researchers observed a significant rise in cardiovascular events and stroke during hot temperatures and up to two weeks after cold weather.
The deep sea provides essential services to humans, including nutrient-rich fish stocks, waste management, and reserves of oil, gas, precious metals, and rare minerals. Its unique ecosystems also host life forms with potential for new antibiotics and anti-cancer chemicals.
A new study suggests that the synchronization of North Atlantic and North Pacific climate variability preceded abrupt warming and the end of the last ice age. The researchers found that the combined warming of the two oceans provided a tipping point for rapid melting of northern ice sheets.
Researchers at University of Southampton found a link between increasing temperatures and reduced wheat yield in India. Warmer nighttime temperatures had the most significant impact on crop yield, highlighting the vulnerability of Indian wheat production to climate change.
A genetic study reveals that climate change has significantly impacted Antarctic fur seals, leading to a decline in the population due to changes in food availability. The seals' ability to adapt is hindered by the lack of heritability of 'fitness genes', resulting in a decrease in survival and breeding success.
A $600,000 grant will study the effects of climate change on water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. The research team aims to clarify the implications of continued threats from agricultural lands, urban sprawl, and climate change.
A new study by University of Arizona researchers found that plant size and age control most of the variation in plant productivity, not temperature and precipitation as traditionally thought. Climate still plays an important role, but its influence on ecosystem functioning has been revised.
Researchers found that Kellet's whelk hosts living beyond their historic Point Conception boundary have neither the amount nor diversity of parasites as those in southern counterparts. This suggests that the northern whelks may have escaped their parasites due to low host densities and limited parasite transmission.
A Princeton University study of 7,000 Indonesian families found that increasing temperatures, rather than natural disasters, lead to permanent migration. The researchers discovered that a one-degree increase in temperature can result in a significant decline in household assets and economic wellbeing.
A comprehensive study by University of Chicago climatologist Raymond Pierrehumbert finds that reducing CO2 emissions is essential for mitigating climate change. The study shows that efforts to reduce other, shorter-lived greenhouse gases are insufficient and may even distract from the urgent need to address CO2 emissions.
A recent study examines how climate change alters species interactions in marine ecosystems, particularly predator-prey relationships. The research found that warming temperatures can lead to decreased energy reserves in prey species, highlighting the need for considering multiple species and their interactions when understanding ecolo...
Researchers are conducting a groundbreaking experiment in Puerto Rico's El Yunque National Forest to study the impact of global warming on tropical forests. The goal is to determine how sensitive these ecosystems are to temperature changes and what physiological changes they may undergo.
A new report by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre analyzes the impacts of climate change in 9 sectors, predicting significant economic losses, heat-related deaths, and coastal damage. The study finds that the northern Europe region would experience the lowest welfare losses, while southern Europe would bear the most burden.
Researchers found that competing with sheep had a far greater effect on Chamois than predicted effects of future climate change. The study reveals an alternative strategy to help threatened species adapt to climate change by restricting competitor expansion.
A new study at LMU Munich finds that day-length, rather than temperature, determines the timing of leaf emergence in many plant species. This adaptation helps plants avoid late frosts and allows them to thrive in warmer climates.
Researchers report a significant decline in Antarctic species due to increased iceberg activity, leaving only a single dominant species, Fenstrulina rugula. The study finds that climate change has reduced spatial competition and complexity in shallow waters, allowing nonindigenous species to colonize.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks' Institute of Arctic Biology is welcoming European Union scientists to conduct research at the Toolik Field Station and Barrow Environmental Observatory. The scientists will study various topics, including climate change, biodiversity, and carbon cycling in Arctic environments.
Researchers discovered that subseafloor microbes have adapted to live in harsh conditions by increasing expression of DNA repair genes and cellular stress response mechanisms. This adaptation allows them to survive in environments with high pressure and nutrient scarcity, enabling them to play an important role in global elemental cycles.
Harvard researchers found forests in the Eastern US are showing signs of spring growth earlier than ever, enabling them to store up to 26 million metric tons more CO2. However, continued climate change may lead to more dramatic negative consequences, such as changes in precipitation patterns and reduced water availability for forests.
A new study reveals that habitat loss on breeding grounds in the United States is the main cause of recent and projected population declines of migratory monarch butterflies in eastern North America. The research found that industrial farming has contributed to a significant decline in milkweed plants, which are essential for monarch c...
A new report ranks climate engineering approaches in terms of feasibility and cost-effectiveness. Researchers conclude that reducing greenhouse gas emissions through low-carbon energy sources and behavioral changes is still the most effective way to confront climate change.
Over 2300 British rivers have shown significant improvements in cleanliness, with many clean-water organisms returning to previously polluted areas. Improved water quality has helped offset the negative impacts of climate change on river ecosystems.
A new study reveals that heat favours the production of male progeny in parasitoid insects, while cold temperatures impair gender selection. The research found an 80% increase in male offspring at high temperatures.
A recent study found that public interest in climate change has remained steady despite negative media reports and scandals, but is not stirred by positive science. The researchers suggest that climate scientists should re-examine how to engage the public more effectively.
A new study from Johns Hopkins University found that warmer indoor temperatures are linked to increased COPD symptoms, rescue medication use, and decreased lung function in patients. The research also suggests that even short periods of outdoor exposure to high temperatures can exacerbate the condition.
Researchers used fossil beetles to determine winter temperatures in 50-million-year-old uplands of British Columbia and Washington, revealing mild, frost-free winters. This discovery may help scientists understand how natural communities are impacted by climate change.
A study suggests that nitrogen pollution can be reduced by 50 percent through targeted fertilizer application, recycling animal dung, and changing consumer habits such as reducing food waste and meat consumption. The findings highlight the importance of addressing nitrogen pollution to mitigate both health and climate impacts.
The US National Climate Assessment reports that nearly all natural and managed ecosystems are experiencing climate change impacts, threatening biodiversity and ecosystem services. The assessment provides guidelines for responding and adapting to these changes, highlighting the urgent need for policy development.
Scientists propose new climate adaptation tools to reduce threats to amphibians, prioritizing habitat restoration in Western North America's mountainous regions. Removing non-native fish is a key strategy to restore resilience to landscapes.
Researchers develop tools to help land managers and biologists identify areas where fish removal can protect amphibians from climate-induced habitat loss and predation. New hydrologic models and remote-sensing techniques can be used to map wetlands and evaluate the effects of projected climate change.
A new study analyzes climate change impacts on biodiversity across different regions, revealing severe threats to species adapted to specific climates. The tropics face novel climatic conditions and extreme events, while polar regions experience shrinking habitats.
Neiker-Tecnalia's research finds climate change reduces anthocyanin content in Tempranillo grapes, leading to lower-quality wines. Climate-induced water stress also delays ripening and reduces polyphenol content.