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Rising heat waves tied to fossil fuel and cement production

Research by ETH Zurich reveals human-induced climate change has increased extreme heat wave frequency and severity, with fossil fuel and cement production contributing significantly. The study highlights the responsibility of large carbon emitters, such as oil and gas companies, in exacerbating heat waves.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 10, 2025

“Major floods and droughts every 15 years” ... AI forecasts a crisis

A new study led by Professor Jonghun Kam predicts that Pakistan will experience major floods and severe droughts on a periodic basis, exacerbated by accelerating global warming. The AI model forecasts these extreme weather events every 15 years for the upper Indus River, and roughly every 11 years for surrounding rivers.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateSep 2, 2025

BSC leads development of an early warning system that predicts dengue outbreaks in the Caribbean months in advance

A new dengue prediction model developed by Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) captures the interplay between drought, heat, and extreme rainfall conditions to forecast dengue outbreak risk three months in advance. The model correctly identified 81% of observed outbreaks during validation.

SourceBarcelona Supercomputing Center·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 19, 2025

North Pacific waters are acidifying more rapidly below the surface

A new study reveals that North Pacific waters are acidifying more rapidly below the surface than previously thought. Researchers analyzed a 35-year record of ocean carbon measurements and found increases in carbon from natural decomposition, with accelerated acidification associated with fresher and colder waters.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Oceans·TypeObservational study·DateAug 18, 2025

Tropical systems spin up Mid-South crop insurance rates

A new study published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics found that tropical systems significantly impact crop insurance premium rates in the Mid-South region. The researchers analyzed data from Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, which are more prone to hurricane damage due to their proximity to the Gulf of Mexico.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture·JournalAmerican Journal of Agricultural Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 18, 2025

International “State of the Climate” report confirms record-high greenhouse gases, global temperatures, global sea level, and ocean heat in 2024

The State of the Climate report reveals record-high greenhouse gas concentrations, with CO2 levels reaching 422.8 parts per million, a 52% increase from pre-industrial levels. Global temperatures also reached a new high, with annual growth increasing to 2.4 ppm yr−1.

SourceAmerican Meteorological Society·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateAug 14, 2025

Climate change: Perito Moreno Glacier retreat has recently accelerated substantially

The Perito Moreno Glacier has retreated by up to 800 meters since 2019, with a 16-fold increase in thinning rate, posing a risk of collapse and significant retreat in the near future. Scientists are unsure why this rapid acceleration is occurring, but a large ridge beneath the glacier may have contributed to its pre-2019 stability.

SourceSpringer Nature·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateAug 7, 2025

Climate change is altering nitrogen composition in Arctic rivers, study finds

Research shows that warming temperatures and thawing permafrost are altering the chemistry of Arctic rivers, leading to declines in inorganic nitrogen and increases in dissolved organic nitrogen. The study highlights the importance of understanding these interconnections to protect both human health and ecosystem integrity.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalGlobal Biogeochemical Cycles·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 6, 2025

Energy-efficient strategies may produce 10 times more health benefits in Eastern Europe than in Western Europe

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that energy-efficient strategies can have a significant impact on public health in the European Union. The research reveals dramatic differences in health burdens from electricity use based on the source of energy used, with cou...

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 24, 2025

Barcelona could suffer heat waves up to 6ºC more intense by the end of the century

A study predicts that Barcelona will experience extreme and dry heat periods with temperature increases of up to 4ºC and a general reduction in relative humidity. The research forecasts an increase in average maximum temperatures of 4ºC and average minimum temperatures of 3.5ºC if greenhouse gas emissions are not drastically reduced.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 17, 2025

Beetles under climate stress lay larger male eggs: Wolbachia infection drives adaptive reproduction strategy in response to rising temperature and CO₂

Researchers found that azuki bean beetles infected with Wolbachia bacteria produce larger eggs yielding exclusively male offspring when exposed to elevated temperature and carbon dioxide. This adaptive reproduction strategy enhances the survivability of their offspring.

SourceKyushu University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 10, 2025

Less snow makes trees absorb less carbon, according to new BU study

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that warmer summer temperatures increase tree growth, but less snow on the ground slows this growth significantly. This means that New England forests' ability to store carbon in future climate scenarios is likely overestimated.

SourceBoston University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 8, 2025

Arctic peatlands expanding as climate warms

Research finds Arctic peatlands expanding due to warming climate, with 16 sites showing strong evidence of expansion. Peatlands store about 600 billion tons of carbon, and their expansion could slow climate change but also poses risks if temperatures continue to rise.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateJun 19, 2025

Study finds coastal flooding more frequent than previously thought

A new study from North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reveals that coastal flooding is occurring more frequently than previously thought. The study found major flaws with the widely used approach of using marine water level data to capture instances of flooding.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeObservational study·DateJun 2, 2025

Global warming could be driving up women’s cancer risk

A study found that rising temperatures in the Middle East and North Africa are associated with higher rates of these cancers. The prevalence of the different cancers rose by 173 to 280 cases per 100,000 people for every additional degree Celsius.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateMay 27, 2025

Even weak tropical cyclones raise infant mortality in poorer countries, USC-led research finds

A new study reveals that even weak tropical cyclones significantly increase infant deaths in low- and middle-income countries. The researchers analyzed nearly 1.7 million child records from seven economically disadvantaged countries, finding an average increase of 11% in infant mortality rates.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 22, 2025

How property owners can work to prevent flooding

Researchers from Linköping University provide a severe impacts approach to guide property owners in preventing flooding by identifying design weaknesses, prioritizing worst-case scenarios, and promoting proactive measures such as installing backflow valves and raising entrance thresholds.

SourceLinköping University·JournalBuilding Research & Information·DateMay 22, 2025