Research on the consequences of a changing climate. Covers food and water disparities, sea-level costs, forest resilience, and shifting ecosystems.
Researchers found that temperature and tidal patterns vary significantly across 14 sites spanning 14 degrees of latitude along the West Coast. The study suggests that climate change may have a different impact on coastal animals depending on their geographical location.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory confirmed that waters migrating from the surface to the water table in drier regions can take many tens of thousands of years. These waters, which began their migration at the last ice age, hold a scientific and historical record of global climate change.
Climate researchers have made significant progress in understanding Arctic climate change, revealing a seesaw pattern called the Arctic Oscillation that affects global temperatures. The study highlights the importance of accounting for this phenomenon in climate models to accurately predict future changes.
Researchers used bat hibernation physiology to predict climate change effects, finding that warmer winters will allow little brown bats to expand their northern ranges. The study's findings highlight the importance of basic physiological processes in understanding ecosystem changes.
Researchers have calculated that Alaska glaciers contribute significantly to global sea-level rise, with most glaciers losing mass over the past four decades. The study found that Alaska's glaciers raise the level of Earth's oceans by more than one-tenth of a millimeter each year.
Researchers are developing a forecasting technique to predict sea nettle concentrations in Chesapeake Bay using real-time monitoring of environmental factors. The goal is to mitigate the economic impact of sea nettles, which affect tourism and the food web by devouring fish eggs and larvae.
A new analysis suggests that reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2010 could prevent or mitigate some severe climate change effects. However, saving coral reefs is unlikely, while ocean currents and ice-sheet melting are more plausible but uncertain outcomes.
A new study confirms that global warming is affecting Earth's species worldwide, causing disruptions to animals and plants. The research found that even small changes in temperature have significant effects on ecosystems, leading to species migration, breeding, and population shifts.
Researchers predict that global climate change will cause substantial changes in the distribution of Mexican bird, mammal, and butterfly species. The study found that changing climate is predicted to bring about great instability, with some local communities losing up to 40% of their species.
The study predicts that over 50 years, changing climate will bring about great instability for wildlife, reshuffling ecosystems and introducing new diseases and parasites. A majority of species are expected to have smaller geographical ranges than today, with some local communities experiencing up to 40% species turnover.
Professor Ramanathan recognized for his groundbreaking studies on clouds, aerosols, and greenhouse gases in the earth's climate system. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of radiative feedbacks in climate change and ocean temperature regulation.
Scientists tested the Iris effect using CERES instrument on TRMM satellite, finding clouds slightly destabilize climate instead of cooling it. The study challenges recent theory proposing clouds cool the Earth and counteract predictions of global warming.
Researchers used a dynamic global ecosystem model to simulate the response of vegetation to engineered climate conditions, finding a decrease in biomass production in tropical forests and boreal forests but an increase in mid-latitudes.
A new climate model proposes that geographic range changes and body size played a primary role in the extinction of large mammals during the Pleistocene era. The study suggests that as animals' geographic ranges decreased over time, their probability of extinction increased, especially in harsh environments.
Researchers will examine climate change's effects on ecosystems, societal perceptions, and natural resources in the United States. Key findings include vulnerabilities of specific regions and possible coping strategies for adapting to projected water and nutrient shortages.
A Penn State researcher has created a model that explains why flowering plants in Norway bloom earlier after warmer winters. The study incorporates biological factors and provides insight into the ecological responses to climate change.
The NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) Global Change Media Directory 2001 features over 343 scientists from 50 disciplines, including climate change, natural hazards, ozone, water resources, and global warming. The directory contains a list of experts with complete contact information.
The unprecedented fire season in southern Africa produced a thick haze layer that affected regional air quality and provided valuable data for climate change research. Scientists were able to track the movement of the haze layer, measure its impact on clouds, and investigate its effect on greenhouse gases.
A 300-year record of oceanic nitrogen in Alaskan lake bottoms suggests a need for flexible management policies that account for climate and lake nutrient levels. The study found population swings related to known climate changes, with the biggest decline occurring in the 20th century.
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal examines the effects of global warming on world health, highlighting direct and indirect impacts. The authors conclude that reducing fossil fuel combustion and advocating for environmental improvements are essential to mitigate these risks.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found a cyclic contribution to global temperature change that may be masking human effects. The residual factor, which occurs over a 65-70 year period, periodically warms and cools the atmosphere, sometimes counteracting the greenhouse effect.
Researchers studied ancient sediment samples to understand Antarctica's past environmental changes and their impact on global climate. The findings suggest a complex relationship between ocean circulation patterns and ice sheet stability, contradicting previous desert-like conditions in the region.
A study led by Colorado State University scientists reveals that human-caused global changes, such as land-use change and nitrogen deposition, are expected to drive biodiversity loss between now and 2100. The research identifies five primary drivers of global change and assesses their impact on terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.
Integrated Regional Assessment framework considers human activities, climate change impacts, economic responses, and social implications to inform local decisions. The approach aims to mitigate problems and create jobs in regions heavily dependent on coal production.
The Arctic Oscillation is linked to warmer winters in Scandinavia and Siberia, stratospheric ozone layer thinning, and altered surface winds. This phenomenon could be part of human-induced climate change, according to researchers.
The Climate Impacts Group at the University of Washington predicts significant climate changes in the NW region by 2050, including warmer temperatures, wetter winters, and shrinking snowpack. The report highlights the need for regional water management and planning to mitigate these impacts.
A study on Isle Royale National Park found that wolves' increased hunting efficiency in snowy winters led to a decline in moose populations, reducing browsing pressure on balsam fir saplings. This cascade of ecological responses highlights the potential impact of apex predators' behavioral adaptations to climate change.
A UNC-CH study explains that variations in Earth's orbit over tens of thousands of years account for the timing of ice ages, providing a more complex understanding of long-term climate change. This new research confirms a theory from the 1920s and sheds light on predicting future global climate change.
A landmark study assessing New York City's metropolitan area for climate change challenges has been presented by Cynthia Rosenzweig. The project pairs scientists with local governments to inform decisions on aging roads, public health, and coastal erosion.
The regional climate change model suggests a 50% decrease in snow cover over Washington state and warmer temperatures, while also increasing winter precipitation. The impacts on water resources could be significant, with less snow melt in the spring and reduced stream flow for irrigation.
Researchers can now forecast long-term climate cycles, such as the El Niño Southern Oscillation and Pacific Decadal Oscillation. By understanding these cycles, policymakers can develop strategies to lessen climate-related effects, potentially ensuring cultural survival.
A Colorado State University study found that warmer nights are extending the growing season, favoring cool-season grasses and weeds over native warm-season plants like blue grama grass. This shift could lead to a decline in blue grama, which is essential for the shortgrass steppe ecosystem.
Researchers found that global climate change could lead to dramatic increases in California wildfires and economic losses. The study analyzed the potential effects of climate change on wildfires in California and found that changes would occur despite enhanced fire suppression resources.
Research by University of Cincinnati geologist Thomas Lowell reveals that the ice sheet advances over land marched in step with the iceberg calving events over the ocean. The findings suggest that both land and sea events are responding to global cooling, reinforcing the pattern rather than initiating the change.
The Duke scientists analyzed past climate changes and found that the region rapidly changed with even short-term climate fluctuations, making it susceptible to drastic ecological changes. The researchers expect that global warming will significantly increase temperatures worldwide over the next century, leading to shifts in air masses ...
The Global Change and Terrestrial Ecosystems Project and the Land-Use/Cover Change Program present experimental and theoretical findings on global environmental changes. The conference aims to document and understand global land-use and land-cover change, its relationship to climate and biogeochemistry.
Experimental data suggests that elevated CO2 may not stimulate agricultural yield as much as previously thought, with potential losses due to temperature increases and increased pest pressure. Computer models are being used to simulate the effects of climate change on crop yields in various regions.
Penn State researchers investigate climate change's effects on the Susquehanna River Basin, examining vulnerabilities to flooding, waterborne diseases, and policy decisions. They find that effective measures like increased filtration, boiling water, and balanced expenses can mitigate these risks.
A University of Michigan model reveals that carbon and sulfur emissions can cool the planet by up to -4.4 Wm-2, potentially offsetting human-caused warming. However, the models' uncertainty due to poorly known estimates for natural aerosol sources may limit the findings.
African climate has abruptly turned from wet to dry in short time spans, every 1,500 years, according to Columbia University paleoclimatologist Peter deMenocal. This cycle matches a pattern of abrupt changes in the North Atlantic region and points to a persistent, naturally occurring cycle of climate change.
A new study has confirmed that the Earth's surface temperature has increased by about 1 degree C over the last five centuries, with the majority of this warming happening in the last 100 years. The study used data from 300 underground boreholes across four continents to find a global average temperature increase since 1900.
A Columbia University scientist warns that global warming could cause the abrupt collapse of ocean currents, sending European temperatures plummeting by 20 degrees Fahrenheit within 10 years. This could lead to a drastic change in climate, with devastating consequences.
A new study found significant climatic change in the Arctic without human influence, contradicting previous assumptions. The research, led by Dr. Marianne Douglas, analyzed diatom assemblages in lake and pond sediments, revealing warming trends that began in the 1840s and ended the Little Ice Age.
A new RFF issues brief highlights the potential impacts of climate change on agriculture, with estimates suggesting a modest reduction in grain production in developing countries and improvements in industrialized nations. However, the author notes that regional changes are highly uncertain due to varying climate models.
A new RFF issues brief highlights the potential impacts of climate change on water supplies, including increased precipitation, evapotranspiration, and extreme weather events. The report emphasizes the need for more efficient water management and use to mitigate these effects.
A half-million-year record of ostracodes shows that biodiversity declines during glacial periods and increases during interglacial periods. Global climate change may further affect the richness of life on Earth beyond habitat degradation.
Researchers investigate how climate change affects vulnerable populations, including access to public water supply and education levels. The study aims to understand the potential regional-scale effects of climate change on social groups in specific regions.
Researchers investigated urbanized watersheds in four US regions over 50 years, comparing stream flow data with population growth. They found that higher population densities led to increased stream flow despite lower precipitation levels.
Researchers found the ancient Sahara was much wetter 12,000 to 5,000 years ago, with stronger summer monsoons producing more vegetation and increased water content in the soil. The vegetation and soil changes enhanced the effects of orbital shifts, leading to a 10% increase in annual precipitation.
The program aims to increase understanding of climate change policy issues, focusing on economic and environmental consequences, policy design, interactions with other policies, equity and efficiency, and development of analytical tools. RFF will conduct research projects and issue papers on selected topics.
Experts argue that global change research should focus on predicting rainfall patterns rather than temperature changes. Changes in rainfall can have significant effects on human activities and structures, such as road design and agriculture. By prioritizing rainfall prediction, researchers can help mitigate severe floods and droughts.