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New link between greenhouse gasses and sea level rise

A new study provides evidence that long-term warming of the Amundsen Sea, a key contributor to global sea level rise, is linked to rising greenhouse gases. The research suggests that ocean temperatures in the region have been rising since before records began and are expected to continue if greenhouse gas emissions increase.

SourceBritish Antarctic Survey·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 5, 2022

Estimates of the carbon cycle - vital to predicting climate change - are incorrect, Virginia Tech researchers show

Researchers at Virginia Tech have found that key parts of the global carbon cycle used to track movement of carbon dioxide in the environment are not correct. The estimate of how much carbon dioxide plants pull from the atmosphere is critical to accurately monitor and predict the amount of climate-changing gases in the atmosphere.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 1, 2022

Study finds reducing carbon emissions won’t hurt economic growth

The study explores how countries can reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 with continued economic growth through 2100. The results suggest that stringent public policies and rapid deployment of low-carbon technologies are necessary to achieve this goal, with the global economy projected to be five times its size in 2100.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalOxford Open Energy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 30, 2022

Chaos to control: Scientists use a ‘butterfly attractor’ to control and change the weather

Researchers at RIKEN Center for Computational Science used computer simulations to show that extreme weather phenomena can be controlled by making small adjustments to variables in the weather system. The study's findings promise multiple applications, including preventing and mitigating extreme windstorms.

SourceEuropean Geosciences Union·JournalNonlinear Processes in Geophysics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 28, 2022

CMIP6 models have improved in simulating sea surface salinity and freshwater flux

Recent studies show that CMIP6 models better simulate the spatial distribution of sea surface salinity and freshwater flux variability associated with ENSO. However, some models still have large uncertainties in simulating interannual variations, requiring further improvement in related physical processes.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateMar 18, 2022

Enhancing historical climate model data using super-resolution technology

Historical climate model data can now be improved using super-resolution technology, a new analysis tool that enhances older meteorological model data. Researchers have successfully reconstructed high-quality and high-resolution data using this method, which was previously used for image and video upscaling.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateMar 18, 2022

Two extremes at the same time

Researchers used a novel model ensemble to study compound hot-dry-events and found that precipitation trends determine their future occurrence. The frequency of these events is expected to increase fourfold in a two-degree warmer climate, with an uncertainty of up to 48% for precipitation trends.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 14, 2022

Predicting tropical fish patterns in Japan

A new study predicts that six tropical fish species in Japan will expand northward due to rising sea temperatures. The model found that minimum sea surface temperature is the most important factor affecting distribution patterns for all species, with potential habitat range changes minimised by stringent mitigation measures.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalFrontiers in Built Environment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 10, 2022

Hurricanes and other tropical cyclones linked to rise in U.S. deaths from several major causes

A landmark study published in JAMA reveals that hurricanes and tropical cyclones in the US are associated with increased deaths from various causes, including injuries, infectious diseases, and cardiovascular conditions. The study analyzed 33.6 million death records and found a significant increase in mortality rates after tropical cyc...

Changes in air pollution linked with dry spells in Asia and summer heatwaves in Europe

New research from the University of Reading found that changes in air pollution levels in Asia and Europe may have driven prolonged European summer extremes and Central Asian dry spells. The study revealed that air pollution reductions in Europe strengthened the jet stream, while increases in Asia weakened it.

SourceUniversity of Reading·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 3, 2022

Swiss rivers on track to overheat by the end of the century

According to a new EPFL study, Swiss rivers are at risk of overheating by the end of the century. If greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, river temperatures may only rise by 1°C and discharge decreases by 5% in mountain catchments. Inaction could lead to extreme consequences, including glacier loss and decreased biodiversity.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalHydrology and Earth System Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 25, 2022

Machine learning helps to identify climatic thresholds that shape the distribution of natural vegetation

A study using machine learning identifies climatic thresholds driving vegetation distribution, highlighting the importance of extreme climate conditions for savannas and deciduous forests. The findings provide valuable insights for improving process-based vegetation models and their coupling with Earth System Models.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateFeb 25, 2022

A novel method to diagnose model uncertainties in projecting the South Asian summer monsoon

Researchers revealed key sources of uncertainty in projecting the South Asian summer monsoon's circulation under global warming, attributing it to tropospheric meridional thermal contrast. A novel diagnostic method identified atmospheric dynamics, cloud radiation effects as dominant contributors to uncertainty.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateFeb 17, 2022

How politics, society, and tech shape the path of climate change

A study from the University of California, Davis, simulated 100,000 future policy and emissions trajectories to identify relevant variables that impact climate change. The results indicate that public perceptions, technological improvements, and political institution responsiveness are crucial determinants of future emissions.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 16, 2022

How climate change is destroying Arctic coasts

Scientists at the University of Hamburg have calculated for the first time the future balance of Arctic coastal erosion, which increases by up to three meters per year with each degree of temperature increase. A shift towards greater sustainability could slow this process, but it's unlikely to stop land loss entirely.

SourceUniversity of Hamburg·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 14, 2022

Closing in on the carbon costs of wildfires

A new study suggests that wildfires can lead to increased soil carbon stocks in savannahs and grasslands, potentially offsetting short-term emissions. The research found that fires could store up to 90 million tonnes of carbon per year, but the breakdown rate of charcoal in soils remains uncertain.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 10, 2022

Even the smallest pollution particles change the rainfall regime in the Amazon

Researchers found nanoparticles from human activities rapidly grow in atmosphere and influence cloud formation, affecting raindrop formation and changing rainfall regime. The study provides new insights into the impact of small aerosols on precipitation and improves climate change studies based on mathematical models.

Major gaps in understanding of climate impacts on tropical cyclones identified

Researchers identify significant gaps in knowledge about climate impacts on tropical cyclones, including the dynamics of storm formation and track changes. To address these limitations, they recommend extending historical datasets and improving understanding of natural variability to inform adaptive strategies.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJan 23, 2022

New simulations can improve avalanche forecasting

Researchers developed a new avalanche forecasting method using computer simulations of snow cover, which can detect weak layers and identify hazard in a different way. The approach showed consistent results with observed frequencies over 16 years, offering potential to support forecasting in the future.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalCold Regions Science and Technology·DateJan 19, 2022

Shifting conferences online cuts carbon footprint 94%

A new study by Cornell University found that moving professional conferences online reduces the global event industry's carbon footprint by 94%, and shifting to a hybrid model cuts it to 67%. The annual carbon footprint of the industry is comparable to the yearly greenhouse gas emissions of the entire US.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 16, 2021

Time lag between intervention and actual CO2 decrease could still lead to climate tipping point

A simplified mathematical model found a 'lag time' between human intervention and an actual decrease in CO2 levels, which could still lead to climate tipping points. The researchers used a system of stochastic delay differential equations to analyze various emission reduction and carbon capture strategies.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 15, 2021

Large future changes in climate variability

The study found that climate change impacts are apparent in nearly all aspects of climate variability, including temperature extremes, precipitation patterns, and ecosystem changes. These changes have important implications for sustainable resource management and future adaptation strategies.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalEarth System Dynamics·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 9, 2021

Natural variability in Pacific Ocean drives decade-long intensification in Pacific walker circulation

A new study reveals that natural decadal variability related to the Pacific Ocean played a significant role in modulating the Pacific Walker circulation change. The research found that the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) could explain 63% of the observed strengthening trend in the Walker circulation between 1980-2015.

Modeling emissions pathways for India’s climate amid COVID-19 recovery

A new study models India's climate change impact from varying emissions strategies during the COVID-19 recovery. The research finds that greener scenarios may drive a positive feedback loop, while extreme temperature and precipitation events are expected to increase in magnitude and frequency regardless of the emissions commitments.