Research on the consequences of a changing climate. Covers food and water disparities, sea-level costs, forest resilience, and shifting ecosystems.
Recent changes in agricultural practices, such as more irrigation and higher yielding crops, can cool local temperatures by up to 4 degrees Fahrenheit. The study suggests that climate mitigation policies focusing only on carbon sequestration may be too simplistic.
A study by Dr. Davidson examines the factors influencing soil carbon decomposition, particularly in arctic and boreal regions, where warming can release massive amounts of stored carbon. The research aims to establish a common framework for understanding these processes and inform climate change mitigation strategies.
Researchers found that well-informed players contributed the most to a public good, climate preservation. Players who received public recognition also donated more than those who made anonymous contributions.
A study published in Nature finds that climate change created favorable conditions for a pathogenic fungus, leading to widespread extinctions of harlequin frogs. The research highlights the complex relationship between global warming and disease transmission, underscoring the urgent need to understand the impacts on biodiversity.
Researchers used GISS Model E-R to simulate a massive freshwater flood into the North Atlantic around 8,200 years ago and found it had moderate effects on global temperatures. The study suggests that similar events may have occurred in the past and can inform our understanding of future climate scenarios.
A new study published in Geophysical Research Letters found that northern temperate forests can contribute to global warming by absorbing a lot of sunlight without losing much moisture. In contrast, tropical forests help keep the Earth cool by evaporating large amounts of water. The research suggests that planting forests at certain la...
Researchers have underestimated the organic carbon stored in high Arctic soils, with new findings suggesting up to 8.7 billion metric tons of carbon in the polar semidesert. The study's results are significant as the Arctic warms and permafrost thaws, releasing more carbon into the atmosphere.
A climate modeling specialist found that without snow cover, global temperatures could rise by as much as a third due to increased greenhouse gas levels. In contrast, total regions of permafrost are likely to expand in area, leading to potential health risks for ecosystems and construction decisions.
Researchers found three pronounced cooling periods indicating drought, linked to African deforestation and global temperature increases. The study suggests that these changes will disrupt the monsoon system, affecting agriculture and food security in equatorial Africa.
A synthesis report reveals climate change's growing health impacts vary by region, with coastlines and sub-Saharan Africa particularly at risk. The report highlights the need for global leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and sustainable energy policies.
Climate change is expected to shift the suitable ranges of blue oak and valley oak in California, with potential habitats shrinking by nearly half, posing a challenge for conservation planning. The study highlights the importance of regional climate models for accurately predicting species' responses to climate change.
A comprehensive Arctic climate change study examines the cascading effects of warming on various components, including land, vegetation, animals, weather, and human systems. The research highlights the dramatic impacts of warming on Arctic ecosystems, emphasizing the need for policymakers and the public to understand these changes.
A new climate model predicts more extreme temperatures throughout the US, with intense heat waves in the desert Southwest, and more storms along the Gulf Coast and Pacific Northwest. The model, which incorporates many climatic factors in unprecedented detail, suggests that these changes will disrupt national economy and infrastructure.
Researchers found that no-till farming can store up to 868 million tons of carbon in soil, which could help meet the US's goal of reducing carbon-dioxide emissions by one-fifth. Climate change affects soil carbon sequestration varying by region, with some areas experiencing increased storage and others reduced.
The IODP Cascadia margins gas hydrates expedition is underway, exploring the presence of ice-like solids composed of water and natural gas on marine continental shelves. Media representatives are invited onboard the drillship in Victoria port on Oct. 31, 2005 for tours of the ship.
A study by Alex Woods and colleagues suggests that climate change may be behind an unprecedented epidemic of dothistroma needle blight in forests. Increased summer precipitation is believed to have spread the pathogen, which typically thrives in moist conditions.
Climate change could increase crop yields and improve livestock farming in Scotland, but the impact depends on the extent of CAP reform. Regional variations in climate change effects were found, with lowland south-west Scotland likely to benefit most from increased farm income.
The Penn State Regional Center will conduct research on climate change's effects on regional terrestrial ecosystems, including the Northeast region with high population density and urbanization. The center aims to develop models predicting climate change impacts and analyze carbon exchange between ecosystems and the atmosphere.
The study reveals a significant decline in the diversity of tuna, marlin, and swordfish by up to 50% over the past 50 years due to overfishing. The global hotspots map shows that these areas were once characterized by high species richness, but are now experiencing rapid changes
Researchers use stable isotopes in epiphytes to measure changes in photosynthesis and water evaporation, providing indicators of climate change. The findings suggest that these plants could be used as bioindicators of climate change in tropical regions.
Michael Prather, a renowned atmospheric scientist from UCI, has been awarded the Jefferson Science Fellowship to provide expertise on environmental issues. He will spend a year in Washington, D.C., advising the US Department of State and discussing science with non-specialists.
A study by Purdue University climatologist Noah Diffenbaugh suggests that vegetation changes can significantly affect extreme weather events. In regions like California and the Great Basin, vegetation feedbacks may lead to more or fewer extreme events depending on the location.
Researchers Drs. Melanie Vile and David Velinsky are studying the effects of sea level rise and saltwater intrusion on tidal marsh ecosystem services in the Delaware Estuary. Tidal marshes provide crucial functions such as storm buffering, shoreline stabilization, and fish nursery habitats.
Gray wolves help regulate elk populations, providing a steady food source for scavengers like bears and eagles during severe winters. The study highlights the importance of wolves in mitigating the effects of climate change on ecosystems.
A new study from PLOS Biology shows that reintroduced gray wolves in Yellowstone Park provide a crucial safety net for scavengers during climate change. Wolf kills temper the devastating effects of climate-related carrion shortages on scavengers.
A study by Lee Hannah predicts that climate change and land-use changes will increase the risk of extinction for most protea species, with up to 15% expected to lose their range entirely. The Cape region's protected areas may offer lessons for global conservation efforts.
As climate change intensifies, humans will become more vulnerable to heat-related mortality, air pollution-related illnesses, infectious diseases, and malnutrition. Developing climate forecasts and warning systems can mitigate future health problems, but it's crucial to avoid maladaptation and take proactive measures to minimize risks.
A new study reveals that a world without fire would see closed forests more than double in extent, while tropical grasslands and savannas shrink significantly. The findings highlight the crucial role of fire in shaping vegetation and ecosystems worldwide.
Scientists at Georgia Tech have developed a new instrument to measure conditions needed for particle to become a cloud droplet, improving predictions of cloud formation. The new method provides accurate predictions thousands of times faster than existing models.
Scientists developed simple, physics-based equations to address limitations of current cloud formation methods. A new instrument measures conditions needed for a particle to become a cloud droplet, helping determine how emissions affect cloud formation.
The September 2004 sea-ice loss was especially evident in extreme northern Alaska and eastern Siberia, with the decline averaging about 8 percent over the past decade. Climate change is likely playing a significant role, with some models indicating complete disappearance of summer sea ice by 2070.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology found that climate change can shape genetic diversity in mammals. Researchers analyzed fossil samples and contemporary data from two mammal species, the Montane vole and northern pocket gopher, and discovered that climate-induced habitat alterations influenced variation in genetic diversity.
Researchers found that even minor temperature shifts in the deep sea can rapidly alter species richness and functional diversity. The study highlights the vulnerability of deep-sea fauna to environmental alteration, providing new insights into climate change's potential consequences.
Climate models project a significant impact on Alaska's tundra ecosystem, with up to 90% loss of tundra area by 2100. Increased precipitation and temperature changes will lead to shifts in vegetation, insect and pathogen attacks, and potential forest fires.
Researchers link warmer temperatures to earlier flowering times in plants, with a significant trend observed over the past century. The study suggests that existing collections of herbarium records can be used to measure regional effects of climate change on phenological events.
Scientists explore new explanations for auroral lights, elephant communication, and the impact of volcanic eruptions on global climate change. Researchers analyze electron interactions with nitric oxide molecules and propose a new method for monitoring small-scale flow variations in the Earth-space boundary.
Researchers analyzed fossil records and found dinoflagellates in ancient sea, indicating a sudden cooling event. The team's discovery confirms climate models and suggests prolonged feedback effects kept ocean depths cold for centuries.
A new study by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers found that China's rapid urbanization has led to a significant increase in the region's surface temperature, with a mean rise of 0.09 degrees Fahrenheit per decade since 1979. The nighttime low temperatures have also risen faster than daytime high temperatures, resulting in an ...
A study found that people increasingly expect standardised temperatures and levels of ventilation, driving industry trends towards air conditioning. Design decisions early on shape future comfort regimes, suggesting a need for changes throughout the design process to promote sustainable environments.
A new map reveals that the USA's impervious surface area equals Ohio's, with significant environmental implications. Increased ISA affects ecosystems, alters stream channels, and degrades wetlands, impacting biodiversity and climate change mitigation.
A new study finds that the transition from Pliocene to Pleistocene climates was a gradual process, with shifts occurring at different times and regions. The findings suggest that regional responses played a key role in this transition, leading to a modern climate system more sensitive to small perturbations.
Rising carbon dioxide levels are altering Amazonian forest ecosystems, leading to faster growth and changes in species composition. Large trees are outcompeting smaller ones, with the latter's decline posing concerns for the entire ecosystem.
A new study predicts that global warming will diminish Western US mountain snow cover by up to 70% by 2050, leading to increased flooding and drought. The loss of snowpack will disrupt the region's agriculture, fisheries, and hydropower industries.
Researchers conclude that large pools of carbon on land may shrink in the coming century, affecting carbon removal. Planting trees remains an effective way to sequester carbon, but growth rates are unlikely to be supercharged.
Recent research on aerosols suggests they can have substantial impacts on local heat budgets, exceeding those of greenhouse gases. Aerosol compositions and effects are being studied for their implications on regional climate change and human health.
Research shows that regional governments can effectively curb air pollution by working with neighboring countries to monitor and address the issue. Local involvement in solving global environmental problems is critical, as many of the same activities causing global climate change also produce local pollution. Experts believe that regio...
A study published in Conservation Biology found that climate change is consistently correlated with extinction among desert bighorn sheep. The researchers identified higher temperatures and decreased precipitation as key factors contributing to the decline of these populations, which are already living on a knife's edge.
Computer simulations show that wind-driven upwelling along the California coast will intensify over the next 50 years due to increased carbon dioxide concentrations. The upwelling season is expected to extend further into the fall, supporting some of the observational work showing a trend toward increased upwelling intensity.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that sulfuric acid combines with methanol to form methyl sulfate, which can contribute to cloud formation and trapping of heat. This interaction may have a significant impact on global climate change, but the conditions required for its formation are still not fully understood.
A study of 27 top wine regions' temperatures and wine quality over the past 50 years reveals rising temperatures have impacted vintage quality. Climate modeling predicts a 2°C temperature rise in the next 50 years, which may improve cool-growing regions but harm warm regions.
A recent study found that the Arctic warmed significantly over the last decade, with the largest temperature increases occurring in North America. The study's results have direct connections to other NASA-funded research on declining sea ice extent, which could lead to positive feedbacks and further climate change.
A new study challenges current climate change understanding by suggesting that aerosols may have a greater cooling effect than previously thought. This could alter projections of future climate change if high-magnitude negative aerosol forcing values are correct, potentially downplaying human activity's role in warming.
Researchers found signs of marked environmental changes in Arctic lakes over the past two centuries, consistent with warmer conditions. The study uses fossil markers to track ecosystem changes and predicts these effects will be seen farther south.
Researchers found that Arctic clouds and climate conditions produce a cooling effect, possibly offsetting global warming's effects. Cloud forcing, which depends on interactions among climate factors, played a crucial role in this process.
A study by Pascual and coworkers reveals that climate variability from ENSO influences cholera cycles, with a stronger link during warm events. Understanding this connection is crucial as ENSO predictions suggest a potential increase in disease variability under global warming.
Rain-on-snow events are projected to affect reindeer herds in northern regions, causing food shortages and potentially devastating impacts. Climate change is predicted to increase the frequency and duration of these events, with a 40% increase in land area affected by 2080-89.
A four-year field study by K-State researchers found that altering rainfall patterns in a tallgrass prairie led to decreased physiological vigor of grasses, lower plant productivity, and reduced water availability. The team discovered significant reductions in carbon cycling and below-ground activity under variable rainfall conditions.
Dr. Richard B. Alley, a leading expert on abrupt climate change, cautions that current models may underestimate the severity of future climate changes. He suggests policymakers should plan for contingencies to address resource scarcity and conflicts.
Climate change affects ocean's sequestration capacity, with the Atlantic Ocean proving more effective at storing carbon dioxide. The impact is most pronounced in the Atlantic, where rising sea surface temperatures slow down thermohaline circulation and reduce mixing, exacerbating the problem.
Climate change is expected to exacerbate existing water problems in the West, impacting hydroelectric power, salmon runs, and water supply deliveries. The region's water resources are already stretched to their limits, with little room for changes in current allocations.