Articles tagged with Climate Change Effects
A study of 156 countries found that climate-related disasters like landslides and floods are associated with an increase in intimate partner violence against women two years after the event. The effect is similar in magnitude to economic factors, suggesting a potential link between climate change and social drivers of violence.
Plant biologists have mapped two paths that plants implement during elevated heat conditions to minimize heat damage. Carbon dioxide sensors play a central role in the stomatal warming-cooling responses, while a second heat response pathway bypasses normal photosynthesis-driven responses, leading to increased water use efficiency.
A new study estimates that cool roofs could have saved up to 249 lives in London during the 2018 record-setting hot summer. If widely adopted, cool roofs would reduce the city's ambient temperature by about 0.8 degrees C on average.
A new study warns that continued investment in carbon-intensive industries could lead to $557 trillion of stranded assets by 2050. Researchers urge policymakers to transform educational and financial systems to create new opportunities, rather than delaying the transition.
Northern elephant seals nearly went extinct due to overhunting but have since recovered to around 225,000 individuals. The recent study found the species' genetic diversity was reduced during this period, which may impair their ability to cope with future environmental changes.
Climate change affects deer populations by altering their physiology, behavior, and distribution. As temperatures rise, some species adapt to milder winters, while others struggle with heat stress and parasites.
Researchers found that dead coral skeletons left after bleaching events protect seaweed from herbivores, enabling its quick colonization and outgrowth over young coral. This complex landscape prevents new corals from settling and surviving on the reef.
A new study reveals that extreme heat significantly alters how people go about their daily lives, reducing outdoor activities and shifting transportation choices. Vulnerable groups, such as low-income individuals without access to cars, face the biggest challenges in coping with extreme heat.
The study found that South America is experiencing a significant increase in the co-occurrence of multiple climate extremes, including heat, drought, and flammable conditions. This has amplified impacts on ecosystems, economies, and human health, particularly affecting vulnerable rural and indigenous populations.
A new study led by University of Illinois Chicago scientist Akintomide Akinsanola found that most Americans can expect wetter winters in the future due to global warming. Winter precipitation and extreme weather events are expected to increase across most of the country, with six regions experiencing more frequent very wet winters.
Coastal forests face uncertain future as sea levels rise, with trees more vulnerable to saltwater flooding than marshes. Tree ring analysis reveals nuanced effects of flooding, temperature, and precipitation on tree growth, highlighting species- and site-specific factors.
A Dartmouth-led study found that air pollution from fossil fuels reaches the remote Arctic, altering its fundamental atmospheric chemistry. The researchers detected declines in methanesulfonic acid, a biomarker linked to phytoplankton productivity, which plummeted in environments high in emissions.
A new study analyzing US data from 1993 to 2005 found that extreme heat disproportionately affects racial minorities, with a higher excess death rate for Non-Hispanic Blacks compared to whites. The study's findings highlight the need for adaptation measures to shield vulnerable populations from growing temperature dangers.
Phytoplankton biomass has increased in subsurface waters due to ocean warming, while surface phytoplankton's total biomass remains stable despite reduced chlorophyll levels. The findings highlight the limitations of satellite observations and underscore the urgent need for improved global monitoring of deep-living phytoplankton.
A new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution found that warmer temperatures and nitrogen fertilization can stabilize soil carbon levels, contradicting earlier predictions. Plant roots and growth add new carbon to the soil, counteracting the loss of carbon due to climate change.
A new study warns that future climate change will intensify wildfires in the Arctic region, leading to an abrupt switch from no fires to very intense ones within just a few years. The accelerated permafrost thawing is expected to increase soil water and vegetation biomass, exacerbating fire fuel.
New research on genetically modified crops reveals potential environmental impacts, including increased pesticide use, deforestation, and greenhouse gas emissions. The study highlights the need for further research to support sustainable agriculture practices.
Researchers found that stored human urine had little impact on soil bacterial communities, increasing nitrifying and denitrifying groups compared to synthetic fertilizers. The study suggests that recycled urine could enhance agricultural sustainability, reduce wastewater pollution, and decrease reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
Researchers found that agricultural practices like planting cover crops and agroforestry could reduce greenhouse gas emissions as much as planting new forests by 2050. These methods also enhance agricultural productivity and resilience to climate change, with potential income of up to $235 billion for farmers.
A recent global assessment by University of Hamburg's CLICCS identifies key conditions for sustainable climate adaptation, including developing measures together with local populations. The study also emphasizes the importance of social movements, climate litigation, and achieving higher levels of social justice in driving change.
A new study reveals that Earth's surface temperature has varied more greatly over the past 485 million years than previously thought. The study, co-led by the Smithsonian and University of Arizona, confirms that carbon dioxide is strongly correlated with global temperatures across geological time.
A recent study published in PLOSONE reveals that young, bred corals from the Coral Seeding approach are more resistant to bleaching under extreme heat stress. This finding provides evidence that assisted coral recruits can play a crucial role in securing the future of coral reefs.
A coral colony from Fiji has provided a new record of sea surface temperatures in the southwestern Pacific, revealing that 2022 was the warmest year in over 600 years. The reconstruction uses data from the giant coral Diploastrea heliopora, which records long-term climatic and environmental changes.
Researchers found that for most North Atlantic flights, the climate benefit of avoiding contrails outweighs the extra carbon dioxide emitted from flying a different route. Rerouting flights could reduce global warming by up to 29% in 2039 and 14% in 2119, depending on the method used to measure climate impact.
A new study suggests that urban heating and cooling systems will significantly impact future energy demand due to climate change, with smaller-scale city-level waste heat contributing to local microclimates. The research emphasizes the need for comprehensive climate impact assessment and science-based policymaking to address this issue.
A new study by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research confirms that climate change poses significant economic risks to different income groups. The poorest worldwide are particularly vulnerable, but the risk for the wealthy is growing at an alarming rate.
A study published in Brain Communications found that heatwaves can trigger more seizures in individuals with severe epilepsy. Researchers used intracranial electroencephalography to track brain activity during heatwaves and non-heatwave periods, revealing a significant increase in seizure frequency during hot weather.
A recent study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers found that both doctors and patients are interested in discussing the environmental impact of healthcare decisions. The study suggests educating physicians about the environmental costs of treatment can be a first step towards addressing this issue. Patients were open to making...
Researchers harvested climate-smart soybeans in a $5 million USDA project aiming to reduce GHG emissions while increasing crop production. The crop was grown using five climate-smart practices, including earlier planting and soil conservation.
A Dartmouth-led study projects that Antarctica's glaciers will rapidly retreat and potentially collapse by 2200, increasing global sea levels by up to 5.5 feet by 2300. The researchers used 16 ice-sheet models to refine the projection of ice loss over the next 300 years.
A recent study by researchers at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science found that female American lobsters groom their offspring without significant impact from temperature and acidity levels forecasted for Maine's coastal waters. This behavior is crucial in other crustaceans, but its importance for the lobster species remains uncle...
A special issue of the Journal of Health Communication highlights climate change communication challenges, including misinformation, disinformation, and complex nature of climate events. The issue offers strategies for overcoming these challenges through interdisciplinary research on communication strategies, media, message understandi...
Research explores changes in global precipitation patterns and how they relate to climate change. Bird nests are found to predict rainfall in rural India, while heat stress is increasing in the southeastern US, particularly at night. European 'bomb' storms may intensify due to warming climate.
A new study found that soil erosion significantly contributed to devastating desert floods in Libya, claiming over 11,300 lives. The research highlights the urgent need for advanced earth observations programs to monitor arid areas due to climate change.
Grey reef sharks are deserting coral reefs in response to environmental stress caused by warming oceans. The study found that sharks are choosing to move into offshore waters, exacerbating declines in shark populations already threatened by exploitation.
Researchers detected over 120 organic micropollutants in the River Oder, amplifying the effect of algal toxins on fish biomass. The mixture of pollutants caused significant stress and potential harm to aquatic organisms.
A recent study found that actively managed habitats can slow or reverse population declines in at-risk butterflies. Habitat management, such as prescribed burns and planting nectar plants, appeared to dampen the effect of climate change on butterfly timing.
The new journal aims to facilitate constructive dialogues among scholars from diverse disciplines, including social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities. It will publish work by academics globally, promoting informed conversations, bridging divides, and inspiring meaningful climate action.
A study published in Nature Medicine reveals a correlation between high temperatures in the final week of pregnancy and an increased risk of stillbirth and early neonatal mortality. High temperatures were associated with a 34% higher risk of perinatal death, which doubled during the six hottest months of the year.
Research shows that Global South cities have limited urban greenery, resulting in higher temperatures and increased heat-related illnesses. The study suggests vast potential for enhancing urban cooling through green spaces, particularly in slums where the risk of climate change-induced deaths is highest.
A nationwide study in Sweden reveals that short-term exposures to lower air temperature and cold spells are associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction hospitalization after two-six days. Researchers found that this delay in hospitalizations suggests a delayed onset of cold-related impacts on MI risk.
A study by Florida Atlantic University and the University of Tübingen found that rainfall cools beach surfaces and enhances moisture for egg development, making it a crucial factor in determining hatchling body size. The research suggests that global warming may shorten incubation periods and disrupt growth, affecting sea turtle survival.
New research finds women make up 50% of post-harvest fisheries and aquaculture workforce, yet often remain invisible, unpaid or underpaid. The study calls for policy changes to address social justice dimensions of technology development.
A new study has reconstructed virus DNA from glacial ice cores, revealing nearly 1,700 viral species with adaptations that influenced their hosts' survival in extreme conditions. The findings suggest a connection between viruses and climate change, shedding light on the impact of global temperature shifts.
A recent study found that emphasizing the scientific consensus on climate change can clear up misperceptions and strengthen beliefs about its existence and causes. Researchers surveyed over 10,500 people across 27 countries and observed a similar response to the consensus message.
An international study found that as environmental stressors increase, terrestrial ecosystems' ability to resist global change decreases significantly. This is especially true when stress is sustained over time, highlighting the need to reduce global drivers of change.
The ocean's twilight zone plays a crucial role in regulating marine phytoplankton productivity, which is essential for the marine food chain. Researchers have found that warming temperatures can strengthen the recycling of nutrients between the ocean layers, with significant implications for climate change projections.
Researchers have developed a bioinspired process to make marine sand more durable and resistant to erosion by applying a mild electric current. This natural cement reduces the need for expensive protection structures and provides a sustainable solution for strengthening global coastlines.
A new study led by Dartmouth researchers questions the rapid polar ice collapse model used in the IPCC's sixth assessment report. The team found that the expected rate of retreat is significantly lower than predicted, making the worst-case scenario less likely, but still dire due to ongoing ice loss from Greenland and Antarctica.
A new AI approach accurately links heat waves to global warming, estimating that record-setting heat waves could occur multiple times per decade under higher warming levels. The method uses actual historical weather data and machine learning to predict the magnitude of extreme events.
A new study suggests that climate change and ageing populations will widen regional disparities in death risk from hot and cold temperatures in Europe. By 2100, heat-related deaths are projected to increase significantly, mostly in southern regions, while cold-related deaths are expected to decline slightly.
Researchers found that a refutational approach can help overcome misinformation, leading to fewer misconceptions and improved emotional responses. The study tested students' knowledge of fluoridation and found that those who read an article with a refutation had more positive emotions toward the subject.
Climate change is projected to increase hydropower generation in the US, with a 5% rise in near-term production and 10% increase in midterm. However, seasonal changes and regional variations may lead to significant decreases in some areas, such as the Southwest.
A University of Central Florida researcher has developed a nature-inspired filtration and conversion system that extracts carbon dioxide gas from the atmosphere to create fuels and chemicals. The device mimics the lotus surface, capturing carbon dioxide with a microsurface comprised of a tin oxide film and fluorine layer.
Research reveals that deforestation in Africa's montane forests has induced a higher warming and cloud level rise than climate change alone, leading to decreased water supply. The study found that air temperature increased by 1.4°C and cloud levels rose by 230 meters over the last 20 years.
Researchers at USC Dornsife introduce a new method to measure mercury released from permafrost, estimating the total amount awaiting release. The study finds that sediment samples provide a reliable measure of mercury content and offer deeper insight into the permafrost's hidden dangers.
New research reveals a dangerous combination of warming waters and nutrient overload is degrading freshwater ecosystem functioning. This simplification leads to shorter food chains and vulnerable top predators, emphasizing the urgent global need to reduce pollution levels.
A new study estimates that soil stores substantially more mercury than previously thought, with climate change potentially adding even more. The researchers predict that as temperatures increase, vegetation growth will promote the deposition of mercury in the soil, outweighing current control schemes.
The study finds that agricultural expansion could lead to a 26% decline in biodiversity and emit almost half of current annual global CO2 emissions. Conservation policies can also have economic benefits, with minimal impact on GDP and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
The State of Wildfires report found that carbon emissions from wildfires globally were 16% above average, with Canada and Amazonia experiencing unusually high numbers of fires. Climate change increased the likelihood of extreme wildfires in these regions by at least three times and up to six times.