Research on the consequences of a changing climate. Covers food and water disparities, sea-level costs, forest resilience, and shifting ecosystems.
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.
Researchers discovered a nearly complete jaw from the hyena-like animal, Palaeonictis wingi, which evolved to half its ancestors' size during a 200,000-year period of global warming. The study suggests other factors may have played a critical role in its evolution.
Engineers at the University of Edinburgh have developed a forecasting method to predict damage caused by weather to historic and modern masonry buildings. This allows conservationists to estimate the impact of long-term climate change on stonework and brickwork, determining the most suitable preservation plan.
Researchers at NC State will use high-performance computing and data analytics to develop new approaches for predicting Atlantic hurricanes and precipitation patterns. The goal is to improve the accuracy and detail of climate forecasts, enabling better decision-making for climate researchers.
Researchers have developed new maps of the Chesapeake Bay's forested wetlands, increasing accuracy by 30% compared to existing maps. The combined data from LiDAR and SAR sensors reveals previously unknown connections between wetlands, drainage ditches, and ponds.
A £1m project will investigate giant desert storms of the Sahara, which can affect weather systems and climate change. The study aims to improve climate prediction models and reduce uncertainties in predicting climate and weather impacts on human health.
A new study finds that traveling by car increases global temperatures more significantly than flying over the long term due to higher carbon dioxide emissions. In contrast, air travel has a greater adverse climate impact in the short run due to its effects on high-altitude ozone and clouds.
A team of scientists mapped global diversity patterns for over 11,000 marine species, finding temperature strongly linked to biodiversity and high overlap between areas of human impact and diversity hotspots. The study suggests ocean warming may greatly affect the distribution of life in the sea.
The Sandia study projects the net effect of climate change on US states' agricultural and industrial bases, with some states like California, Pacific Northwest, and Colorado benefiting from reduced water availability. The study concludes that uncertainty in climate change validates the need to act protectively and proactively.
A recent study reveals that a warming climate may cause African apes to lose up to 50% of their habitats due to increased time spent resting. Researchers found that climate change alone can lead to significant habitat loss, making it crucial to ensure safe havens for conservation efforts.
A 33-year study found that climate change is causing yellow-bellied marmots to grow fatter and healthier due to longer summers. This shift allows them to reproduce earlier and survive the winter, leading to an increase in population size.
Researchers found that ferns in the northern end of the redwood forest ecosystem are better equipped to absorb fog water than those in the southern region. This has important implications for the structure of plant communities and how ecosystems function during drought periods. The study suggests that native ferns may be able to acclim...
A study by ISU researcher Diane Debinski found that drought conditions could lead to a shift from flowering plants to shrubs in montane meadows. This change could impact wildlife populations, including elk, bison, and pollinators like butterflies. Medium-moisture meadows may be particularly vulnerable to climate change.
A new study published in Energy Policy suggests that reducing electricity consumption can have a significant impact on carbon dioxide emissions from power stations, with some studies showing rates as high as 0.69 kilograms of CO2 per kilowatt hour, 60% higher than the current estimated figure.
Researchers found that eliminating soot pollution from diesel engines and coal sources would provide the world with an additional eight years to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This study aimed to standardize estimates of soot's contribution to global warming, emphasizing the need for further research.
Researchers recommend using water conservatively and developing ways to harness energy from the sun, wind, and Earth to cope with projected climate changes in the West and Southwest. The region is expected to experience widespread drought, wildfires, and decreasing snowpack.
A comprehensive synthesis on climate change's effects on global ocean functions has revealed dramatic changes at an unprecedented rate. The report highlights the urgent need for world leaders to limit greenhouse gas growth and reduce the risk of ecological disasters.
Researchers have discovered that coral ecosystems facing pressure from human activities and climate change may find survival clues in their fringed areas. These areas are critical for coral evolution, hybridization, and adaptation, highlighting the need to rethink protection strategies.
A WHOI scientist's comprehensive report evaluates the impact of human activities on ocean chemistry, revealing widespread changes in seawater acidity, oxygen levels, and mercury pollution. The research highlights the need for deeper understanding and coordination to address these issues.
Research led by the University of Exeter finds that climate change is increasing hazard risks in mountainous regions, including glacier loss and rock-fall activity. The study's findings highlight the need for increased public awareness and preparedness to mitigate the impacts of climate-related hazards.
Researchers explored how prolonged droughts may affect California's water supply system. The study also revealed the first images of Saturn lightning, providing new insights into the planet's atmosphere. These findings suggest improved water management strategies could mitigate the effects of severe droughts on ecosystems and economies.
The Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean at the University of Washington will focus on 10 critical areas, including climate change, ocean acidification, and marine ecosystems. The institute aims to expand its research efforts with a potential $100 million award over five years.
A new study from the University of Gothenburg reveals that climate change could lead to a decrease in river runoff and an increase in salinity in the Baltic Sea. This change could have significant consequences for the region's sensitive ecosystem, which relies on a delicate balance between salt and fresh water.
Researchers explore alternative visual strategies to engage the public with climate change, highlighting the need for inspirational motifs and renewable energy icons. Climate scepticism and knowledge gaps pose significant challenges in addressing climate change, requiring creative communication approaches.
Nine new species of handfish have been described by CSIRO, bringing the total to 14 known species. The discovery deepens concerns about declining populations and environmental vulnerability.
A recent study suggests that current malaria interventions could have a more dramatic positive effect on reducing the spread of malaria than negative effects caused by climate change. The research found that disease control measures such as insecticide-treated bed nets and modern antimalarial drugs can potentially counteract the effect...
A new global approach reveals that climate change played a major role in causing mass extinction of mammals in the late quaternary era. The study shows that continents with larger 'climate footprints' experienced more extinctions, supporting the idea that past climate changes contributed to global extinctions.
The project will investigate the lower reach of the river and its offshore plume, measuring elements such as carbon, nutrients, and microorganisms. The goal is to develop a carbon cycle model that links the upriver microbial system with the offshore plume.
A study published in Nature Geoscience found that soil microbes release decreasing amounts of climate-warming greenhouse gases as they overheat and grow more slowly
A new study finds that complex mountainous terrain can significantly change the effects of global warming over small distances. Researchers used Oregon's H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest data to predict variations in temperature caused by steep hills and valleys.
Volunteers in Project BudBurst are tracking plant blooms across the US, providing a baseline for studying climate change impacts. Key findings include some plants blooming earlier than usual, which could be related to rising temperatures.
A new model forecasts Atlantic croaker population increases and shifts due to climate change, with potential for higher yields. The study demonstrates the importance of considering environmental factors in fisheries management.
The HSBC Climate Partnership has made significant progress in understanding the effects of climate change on forest ecosystems and carbon storage. Researchers have found rapid increases in tree growth, proposed a novel biodiversity theory, and examined the impact of changing climate on white-tailed deer and mosquitoes.
The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) has selected Meredith Niles, Ryan Richards, and Leslie Smith to receive the 2010 AIBS Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award. The awardees will meet with their Congressional delegations and attend a briefing on the federal budget for scientific research.
Researchers propose limiting longline fishing in summer months and areas over 35 nautical miles from land to drastically reduce accidental loggerhead turtle captures. Using fish as bait may also help, but could affect swordfish catches.
Leading researchers discuss challenges of identifying and protecting vulnerable species amidst unprecedented climate change, covering topics such as vegetation distributions, bird, insect, and marine populations. The collection provides insights into the responses of corals, amphibians, and other organisms to environmental changes.
Recent research suggests that dust storms in the Arctic, possibly caused by receding glaciers, may be depositing soil in northern Europe and North America. This phenomenon could impact local climates and potentially affect human health due to the presence of small particles in the air.
A Review of hot weather health effects highlights the need for more awareness on how certain drugs are affected by heat. The authors also question commonly given advice, such as avoiding alcohol consumption, and emphasize the importance of gradual acclimatisation for elderly individuals to build up their physiological defences.
Researchers develop new climate modeling process that considers greenhouse gas emissions, projections of the Earth's climate, impacts of climate change, and human decision-making. The approach will influence the next international scientific assessment and provide tools for policymakers to deal with a shifting climate.
A new UC Davis study finds that sudden shifts in Earth's natural systems can occur with no warning, making it difficult to prevent or prepare for major changes. The study suggests that some effects of climate change on ecosystems may only be seen once the effects are dramatic, making return to a desirable state nearly impossible.
Researchers argue that biologically diverse plantations can alleviate social, economic and ecological pressures on natural forests. These plantations can sequester carbon, mitigate climate change and restore ecological services. Well-planned plantations can help preserve high diversity old-growth forests.
The US Department of Energy has awarded 1.6 billion supercomputing hours to 69 cutting-edge research projects through the INCITE program. These projects focus on accelerating discoveries in areas like climate change, alternative energy, life sciences, and materials science.
A nearly $1.9 million grant from the National Science Foundation will support research on the potential effects of climate change on infectious diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, which annually infect 500 million people worldwide. The project aims to quantify how environmental temperature influences disease transmission and risk.
Climate scientists suggest that Himalayan heat and moisture are crucial for the South Asian monsoon. The research implies that changes in land use over the Indian subcontinent could influence albedo and moisture levels.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg suspect climate change is behind the shipworm's emergence in the Baltic Sea, posing a threat to 100,000 well-preserved shipwrecks. The group aims to develop methods to protect these treasures, including covering them with geotextile and bottom sediment.
A University of Exeter study shows coral reefs located in marine reserves can recover from the devastating effects of global warming. The research found that reducing fishing levels is a viable way to protect delicate aquatic ecosystems.
A special issue on climate justice explores the global implications of climate change on human health and the environment in disadvantaged communities. The collection of articles examines the disproportionate effects of energy production, environmental consequences, and healthcare utilization in low-income populations.
A new study led by the University of Michigan reveals that polar bears get their nutrition from two main food webs: phytoplankton-based and ice algae-based. The research found that those who primarily eat phytoplankton have higher mercury concentrations, highlighting the importance of understanding Arctic ecosystems.
Climate change is projected to exacerbate existing mental illness and increase overall burden of mental disorder worldwide. This is due to factors such as natural disasters, heat-related deaths, and mass migration, which disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
A delegation of indigenous teens, women, elders and shamens present video evidence of drought, deforestation and unseasonal downpours in Africa, Asia and the Americas. They highlight the unintended consequences of climate change mitigation efforts on local livelihoods.
Researchers reconstructed spatial patterns of ocean and land surface temperature over the past 1500 years using diverse climate proxies. They found dynamic connections between natural phenomena like El Niño and regional temperature changes.
The medical profession is urged to accelerate its role in the climate change debate. A low carbon development fund of at least $150 billion is proposed to support global health. The authors emphasize the need for clear communication with patients, politicians, and the public about the risks of inaction.
New research highlights the importance of controlling short-lived greenhouse pollutants like sulphates, methane, and black carbon to reduce global warming and improve health. The study finds that sulphates can have negative health effects while ozone pollution has a significant impact on cardiovascular mortality.
Researchers estimate that swimming animals generate extensive 'biogenic' mixing in the ocean, which may impact climate models. The effect is primarily due to animal displacement, not turbulence, and affects even deep-sea creatures.
A new study by researchers at the University of Maryland and Purdue University found that most land-use changes contribute to warming, except for conversion to agricultural use, which results in relative cooling. The study used a novel analytical approach called OMR and confirmed its robustness.
The Lancet Editorial highlights the global undernutrition crisis, affecting over 1 billion people, particularly in Asia and Africa. The world currently produces enough food to feed everyone, yet inequitable distribution and lack of national safety nets hinder access to nutritious food.
Experts Dr. David B. Rutledge and Robert C. Milici present opposing views on US coal peak production, with Rutledge estimating ultimate production at 665 billion metric tons and predicting mitigation of CO2 emissions from climate change. Milici's model predicts a range of 2062-2105 for peak production, citing uncertainty in reserve est...
A study by George Mason University found that watching TV does not significantly improve viewers' knowledge about climate change. In contrast, reading newspapers and using the web are linked to increased concern and education about global warming.
Researchers will develop a system for conducting climate-impact assessments for international market systems, focusing on the tart-cherry industry. The study aims to provide detailed information for industry stakeholders to plan for future investments.