Research on the consequences of a changing climate. Covers food and water disparities, sea-level costs, forest resilience, and shifting ecosystems.
A new study led by Stanford University researchers found that US farmers have largely avoided the impacts of global warming on wheat and corn production. However, with projected temperature increases, it is likely that North American crop yields will eventually be affected.
New research report shows dramatic changes in Arctic climate, including thawing permafrost and reduced snow cover. The carbon stored in permafrost is estimated to be double the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere today.
A new study by the UNH Carsey Institute finds that most Americans agree climate change is occurring, but disagree on its causes, with opinions defined by political party. Beliefs about climate change are strongly related to political party, and polarization increases among those who believe they have the best understanding.
Scientists found that sugarcane has a double benefit: reducing carbon emissions and cooling the local climate. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, shows that expanding sugarcane crops in areas previously occupied by other Brazilian crops can lower air temperatures by up to 1.67°F (0.93°C).
University of Miami scientists studied fossil records of coral communities from nine Caribbean countries to understand reef ecosystems during the Pliocene epoch. They found that free-living corals, well-suited to warm seas, experienced abrupt extinction as seawater cooled and nutrient levels decreased.
Scientists have discovered ancient mollusk fossils that may indicate how warm the planet will become if carbon dioxide levels are stabilized at current values. The findings suggest summertime Arctic temperatures could increase by 2-5 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to a permanent ice cap melting and further heating the planet.
An 18-year study of 27,000 trees found that climate change is more sensitive to tree growth and fecundity than previously thought. Early spring warming and summer drought were identified as key factors affecting tree reproduction and growth. The study provides valuable insights into how climate change impacts specific tree species.
An epidemiological study on trees reveals earlier spring warming and summer drought as significant risk factors for tree reproduction and survival. The study helps scientists predict which species are vulnerable to climate change by analyzing the effects of climate variability on tree growth and fecundity.
A recent European study found that dormice in certain habitats live longer due to fewer predators and successful avoidance methods. The animals' ability to accumulate fat reserves helps them survive harsh winters.
A new review suggests that conservation efforts should focus on protecting vulnerable species and habitats rather than those with lower extinction risk. The proposed 'vulnerability assessment' would use a wider range of data to provide a more accurate picture of which species are most at risk.
A new study predicts significant changes in arable land globally and regionally due to climate change. Regions like China, Russia, and the US are expected to see an increase in farmland area, while Africa, Europe, India, and South America may lose land.
Reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations could increase global precipitation and prevent droughts, according to Carnegie Global Ecology scientists. The team's novel explanation shows that cutting CO2 can lead to an increase in thunderstorms and rainfall.
Operation IceBridge studies changes in Arctic polar ice, glaciers, and sea ice to understand the effects of climate change. The mission aims to monitor ice sheet trends and track changes in glacier mass loss.
A new study using Africa's historical crop yield data reveals that corn production will decline by at least 20% for 1 degree Celsius of warming under drought conditions. The research also highlights the importance of combining existing knowledge and data from climate and agriculture communities to improve crop forecasting.
Researchers have created a global map suggesting climate change will disproportionately affect the world's poorest regions. The study forecasts potential changes in local populations for 2050, predicting that those living in hot, low-latitude areas such as Africa and South America will be most vulnerable to climate-related challenges.
Researchers at Alfred Wegener Institute expand prevailing theory on climate history by showing local climate changes in southern hemisphere can trigger temperature fluctuations in Antarctica. The study, published in Nature, suggests alternative explanation for historical Earth climate data from Antarctica.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B explores how climate change affects ecosystems through ecological adaptation. The research reveals that species' ability to adapt locally can mitigate some impacts of warming temperatures.
A $20 million grant will study the effects of climate change on southern pine forests, a major economic engine in the US economy. The research aims to improve forest health, productivity, and sustainability while providing tools for landowners to adapt to climate change.
A $2 million DOE grant supports collaboration between researchers and modelers to improve climate change policy analysis. The program aims to bridge the gap between empirical analysts and modelers, leveraging joint research and workshops to foster communication and cross-fertilization of ideas.
A team of USDA scientists used infrared heaters to simulate growing conditions expected by 2050 and found that applying heat to wheat planted in September enabled the crop to survive frosts with minimal yield loss. The results provide valuable guidance for growers on how to adjust planting schedules as the climate warms.
Researchers studying historical collections found that a marine bryozoan's growth doubled between 1990 and the present, indicating an increase in polar carbon sinks. The shift is likely due to ozone losses and increased wind speeds, which boost plankton production.
Climate change is affecting the world's food supply by altering temperature patterns and causing extreme weather events like droughts and heavy rains. As a result, crops are being wiped out, leading to higher prices and health issues.
NIFA awards $20 million each to three research teams to study climate change effects, develop adaptation methods, and train professionals. The projects will monitor soil carbon, greenhouse gas emissions, and crop management practices to inform agricultural decisions.
The University of Idaho will lead a five-year, $20 million USDA-funded project to study the impacts of climate change on Pacific Northwest wheat and barley production. The team will focus on cereal production systems and create a region-wide research, outreach, and education network to address complex issues raised by changing climate.
Aeroecology is a new discipline that focuses on the aerosphere and its influence on airborne organisms. Organisms such as bats, birds, and insects rely on this aerial environment for their existence, but are also affected by human-altered landscapes and climate change.
Scientists discovered an 'atmospheric imprint' in insects, revealing where they can survive under climate change. By analyzing oxygen isotopes, researchers determined the type of atmosphere each insect needs to thrive.
A new analysis of sulfur emissions found global emissions rose after a decade of decline, driven by international shipping and China's growing economy. The study also estimated the accuracy of emissions data, with regional values potentially off by up to 30%.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia estimate that Arctic fisheries catches totaled 950,000 tonnes from 1950 to 2006, significantly higher than previously reported. The study reveals a lack of accurate data on small-scale fisheries and their impact on biodiversity in the region.
Biologists at UC Berkeley have developed a new 'reverse-ecology' tool that analyzes genomes to identify an organism's adaptive traits. The study, using Neurospora crassa bread mold, found variations in two genome regions linked to natural selection and cold tolerance.
Researchers at Hebrew U. warn that climate change may cause many tree species with wind-dispersed seeds to become extinct due to reduced wind speed and increased seed production. This could lead to a slower spread of trees than expected, making them vulnerable to extinction.
Research suggests that organic milk has higher levels of nutritionally beneficial fatty acids compared to conventional milk, regardless of the time of year or weather conditions. This could help farmers adapt to changing climates by improving milk quality.
A recent study found that red deer on the Isle of Rum are rutting earlier in the year, with their calving seasons now up to two weeks earlier than 30 years ago. This change is attributed to warmer spring and summer temperatures, providing rare evidence of climate change's impact on large mammals.
Researchers estimate that marginal land around the globe can produce grass crops for biofuels with minimal impact on agriculture or the environment. The study suggests that low-impact high-diversity perennial grasses could produce bioenergy while maintaining grassland's natural land cover.
Researchers project a catastrophic climate collapse by 3000 due to unstoppable CO2 effects. Zero-emissions scenarios suggest the Northern Hemisphere will recover faster than the South.
A new study will examine the impacts of climate change on biodiversity in the tropical Andes, focusing on four countries: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The research aims to provide a standard methodology for estimating local climate change risks and inform decision-making, adaptation measures, and conservation planning.
Woolly mammoths living north of the Arctic Circle began weaning infants up to three years later than modern African elephants, potentially contributing to their eventual extinction. This adaptation to harsher environment and prolonged nursing may have made them more vulnerable to climate change and human hunting.
A new study by Dr Ole Peters from Imperial College London finds that the use of flawed risk assessment methods can lead to excessive leveraging and market volatility. Time averaging provides a more accurate prediction for real-world investment outcomes, highlighting the need for better risk management strategies.
A 50-year study confirms an increase in jellyfish <i>Pelagia noctiluca</i> size and intensity due to warming winters and over-fishing. This proliferation affects fisheries, fish farming, and tourism with toxic effects from their tentacles.
The fire disaster in the Carmel Mountains near Haifa is a typical example of climate change effect and a taste of the future, says Dr. Guy Pe'er. The frequency, intensity, and extent of the fires would increase due to prolonged droughts, increased water evaporation, and intense heat waves.
Climate scientist Lonnie Thompson warns of impending environmental, societal, and economic consequences of climate change. He cites evidence of glacier retreat, rising sea levels, and diminished ice cover as indicators of the urgent need for action to forestall global warming's effects.
A Yale University study found that the risk of dying from a heat wave is highest when they occur early in the summer and are hotter and longer than usual. The average daily risk of non-accidental death increased by an average of 3.74 percent during heat waves.
Swiss researchers found that mountain ranges offer habitat diversity that may be crucial for species survival under changing climate conditions. The study suggests that these regions are 'safer' places to live, with only a small percentage of temperature conditions disappearing.
A 20,000-year-old reversal of the Atlantic Ocean's circulation occurred during an ice age, influenced by changes in salt balance and deep convection. The new study's findings offer valuable insights for calibrating ocean and climate models to predict future changes.
A study by Lisette Cantú-Salazar and Kevin J. Gaston found that large protected areas are crucial for preserving natural species assemblages, while also being vulnerable to inadequate management and human activities such as logging and mining. The researchers suggest that these areas should be prioritized for conservation efforts
A new study reveals climate change impacts low-elevation mountain plants more significantly than expected, with increased drought stress observed in forests below 4,000 feet. The findings inform local conservation strategies by predicting biological responses to climate change.
The University of California, Davis is part of a consortium co-hosting the new Southwest Climate Science Center. Researchers say signs of climate change are prevalent in the region, including rising temperatures, earlier snowmelt, and increasing precipitation intensity.
Researchers will analyze climate change and human-driven changes in hydrology's effects on agricultural production and land use in Asia. The study aims to estimate how climate change affects downstream water resources and food production.
A new study finds that car travel has a higher long-term impact on global warming than plane travel, with a fourfold increase in temperature rise over time. In contrast, air travel has a more significant short-term effect due to its high-altitude emissions.
Researchers found that while some plant populations show stable responses to climate change, others experience rapid declines in survival and growth when warmed above a certain threshold. Long-term studies are crucial for understanding these complex effects.
Researchers will investigate microbial community diversity, structure, and responses to climate change in two ecosystems. The studies could inform U.S. policy on climate change and advance the field of microbial ecology.
A new study published in Nature found that a decline in the Sun's activity may cause the Earth to become warmer, contrary to previous expectations. The research suggests that an increase in solar activity may actually cool the planet, rather than warm it.
The University of Nottingham leads a new knowledge exchange network focusing on Earth observation technology for various scientific applications. The cluster aims to develop and promote cutting-edge technologies to monitor environmental changes and their implications.
The £40 million Ecosystems Services for Poverty Alleviation programme aims to benefit developing countries by adapting to climate change. Experts from these nations will be trained in new farming techniques and infrastructure development.
A WCS study found that higher temperatures and rainfall in Argentina result in more parasitic fly larvae, leading to increased mortality and impaired growth for chicks. The researchers also found a positive correlation between climate variables and parasite loads on nestlings.
Researchers found that 150-year-old pressed plants tell the same story about warmer springs and earlier flowering as field-based observations. The study provides first direct proof that pressed plants in herbarium collections can be used to study relationships between phenology and climate change.
Researchers found that pristine rainforests in the Amazon produce aerosol particles that act as seeds for cloud formation and precipitation. These particles are formed from organic molecules emitted by trees and other biological matter, and play a crucial role in sustaining the hydrological cycle.
The risk of beetle outbreaks in western North America's forests is expected to increase significantly due to rising temperatures. Climate change is projected to boost spruce and mountain pine beetles' populations, leading to widespread tree mortality.
Scientists found that irrigation can have a significant cooling effect on regional temperatures, with some areas experiencing up to 3 degrees C cooling. However, the study also warns of impending water scarcity due to overuse of groundwater aquifers, which could exacerbate food shortages and temperature increases.
Research at Collier Glacier has found a significant decline of over 20% in size since the late 1980s, consistent with global glacial retreat. The glacier's mass has shrunk to about half its peak size in the 1850s, and studies suggest it will continue to lose mass, particularly during El Nino events.
Despite evidence of ecosystem decline, global well-being shows improvement due to past food production increases and technological innovations. However, time lags and potential future effects on food production and personal security suggest that complacency is unwarranted.