A team of researchers recreated climatic conditions 130,000 years ago using a climate model, which showed that it can accurately simulate extreme conditions similar to those caused by man-made carbon dioxide emissions. This study provides more confidence in the reliability of future climate change projections.
Researchers Bette Otto-Bliesner and Jonathan Overpeck base their findings on data from ancient coral reefs, ice cores, and other natural climate records. The Community Climate System Model (CCSM) suggests that Arctic warming could lead to sea level rise of up to 11 feet, while paleoclimate records indicate a rise of 13-20 feet.
Researchers from NASA and Columbia University reproduced an abrupt climate shift 8,200 years ago by simulating a massive freshwater flood into the North Atlantic Ocean. The study used GISS Model E-R to model the impact of the flood, which caused temperatures to drop several degrees in some areas.
A study published by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found that ocean temperatures in the Atlantic region were significantly warmer in the past than current levels, with estimates ranging from 91°F to 107°F. This finding contradicts current climate models and suggests that future warming may be more extreme than predicted.
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.
Research on Martian aurorae reveals localized ultraviolet emissions near magnetic field lines. Air pollution reduction could exacerbate global warming due to increased solar radiation scattering. A new study detects potential oilfield brine leaks in Nueces Bay, Texas, using sediment resistivity and radium isotope analysis.
A study predicts that up to 90% of the Northern Hemisphere's permafrost will thaw by 2100, threatening ecosystems and climate change. Permafrost holds significant carbon emissions, which could accelerate climate change.
Land use changes in the Amazon region could exacerbate global warming due to deforestation, while agriculture in midlatitudes can counteract warming by up to 50%. The study utilized a global climate model to examine two scenarios from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and found contrasting results
Scientists suggest that deep roots, not just surface moisture, affect terrestrial heat and moisture processes in land-atmosphere interaction. This understanding could lead to more accurate climate models and better predictability.
Climate models project significant changes in global water availability by 2050, with varying trends across regions. The study highlights the complex relationship between climate and water resources, noting that warmer temperatures can lead to both increased and decreased water supply in different parts of the world.
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 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.
New research reveals that Mars' mid-latitude glaciers are similar to those on Earth, with features such as lineated valley fill and debris arcs. The findings suggest that Mars is experiencing ongoing climate shifts, allowing ice to leave the poles and accumulate at lower latitudes.
By mid-century, air quality in the Western United States is expected to decline due to climate change, with a doubling of stagnant days in the region. In contrast, the Midwest may see improved air quality thanks to increased cloud cover, which could offset warming temperatures.
Climate models predict a rapid increase in global temperatures and sea level rise of up to 30cm, with severe consequences for agriculture, ecosystems, and extreme weather events. The study also highlights the impact of human activity on the climate, fuelling global warming.
Climate models have significantly underestimated changes in air pressure, leading to a lower estimate of global warming's effect on weather patterns. Air pressure trends have contributed to temperature increases and rainfall changes in regions like Scotland, UK, and Siberia.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that climate change affects the oceans' ability to store carbon dioxide. The best location for injecting CO2 into the deep ocean changes with climate change, with the Atlantic Ocean proving more effective than other locations.
A new study suggests that tropical organisms are highly intolerant to temperature changes, which could lead to mass extinctions. The research implies that climate change will have a devastating impact on the tropics, with organisms struggling to adapt to small temperature shifts.
Recent warming of the tropical troposphere has been confirmed by new observational estimates and state-of-the-art climate models. The warming trend is attributed to an 'amplification' effect caused by moist air rising and condensing into clouds, with temperature changes in the deep tropics larger than at the surface.
Urban areas affect climate, with satellite data showing changes in surface properties like thermal conductivity and vegetation cover. NASA satellites capture these changes, enabling improved simulation of urban effects in climate models.
The newly completed field tests show that the new approach in coupling models can be successful, producing similar temperature and wind outputs globally. The ESMF enables sharing and comparison of alternative scientific approaches from multiple sources, making it easier to develop realistic representations of the Earth as a system.
A study by Oxford Scientists found that climate envelope models are poor at predicting biodiversity changes, with only a 50% success rate in agreeing on direction of change. Using multiple models, however, can increase accuracy to over 75%. This approach may provide a solution for improving environmental policy making.
A peer-reviewed study published in Science finds a complex warming signal in world oceans over the past 40 years. The signal is of human origin and cannot be explained by natural variability or solar/volcanic forcing.
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.
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.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the causes of recent climate change, attributing warming to human influences. By analyzing climate models and observational records, scientists have identified key drivers of temperature changes, including greenhouse gases and solar irradiance.
NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers and the Cassini-Huygens Mission will be discussed, highlighting new discoveries and future exploration plans. The AAAS annual meeting also features presentations on climate change, urban decision-making, and revolutionary engine architectures.
High school and college students can now simulate Earth's climate changes using NASA's EdGCM model, which includes a 3-D climate computer model and scientific visualization tools. The model allows students to conduct experiments identical to those run by scientists, promoting hands-on learning about climate science.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a portable monitoring system to evaluate emission sources from traditional wood-burning cookstoves. The study aims to improve human health and climate modeling by characterizing emissions under various burning conditions.
The University of Victoria has received a new vector-based supercomputer to aid in climate research. The machine will enable faster climate simulations and models that represent economic, social, technological, and biogeochemical factors. This is the first such computer in Western Canada, which can speed up simulations by a factor of 20.
A study by Saint Louis University researchers reveals a region in the Midwestern United States where summer daytime temperatures are not expected to rise as high as elsewhere, contrary to previous climate projections. The finding suggests that the impact of global warming on this region may be more complex than previously thought.
Researchers assess the accuracy of ocean general circulation models in representing deep convection in the Labrador Sea. They found that while one model simulated data more faithfully, it still suffered from problems, and further study is needed to improve understanding of this process.
Researchers found that summer temperature is the most important variable in predicting fire extent, with increases expected in Montana, Wyoming, and New Mexico. Global warming could lead to more frequent and extensive fires, reducing old forests and habitat corridors for threatened species.
A recent NCAR study found a significant decrease in frost days worldwide over the last 50 years, with greatest reductions in the western US and Canada. The factors at work are attributed to changes in atmospheric circulation, including increased mild air from the Pacific and cold Canadian air from the east.
The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research has purchased a large-scale Linux-based computing system, adding significant computing capacity to NCAR's arsenal. The system will enable the evaluation of major community climate and weather codes in a full-scale Linux environment.
The Community Climate System Model version 3 (CCSM3) predicts higher global temperatures if societies continue to emit large quantities of carbon dioxide. With improved accuracy, CCSM3 will be used to study climate patterns and chemical processes, shedding light on the impacts of climate change.
A new climate model, LDEO5, has been developed by scientists at Columbia University that accurately predicted every major change in the tropical Pacific Ocean temperature over the past 150 years. The model suggests that ENSO is largely driven by internal relationships between ocean temperature and tropical winds.
Alpine tree lines are shifting up-slope due to global warming, threatening regional plant populations. The study suggests that pine trees could help protect drinking water catchments from erosion and pollution in the City of Vienna.
Scientists studying an Antarctic 'cod' are gaining insights into how its unique physiology helps it survive in icy waters. By understanding how the fish adapts to environmental change, researchers hope to develop new treatments for human heart conditions.
Research found that changes in land cover, particularly vegetation, have impacted regional temperatures and precipitation in the US. Land cover changes produced a significant cooling effect of more than one degree Fahrenheit in parts of the Great Plains and Midwest.
A new generation of researchers will unravel the Earth's complexity using powerful cyberinfrastructure tools. This includes advanced data analysis, intelligent sensing systems and collaborative platforms.
New evidence reveals urban areas are altering rainfall patterns and daily precipitation trends, with higher rates during summer months downwind of large cities like Houston and Atlanta. Cities tend to be warmer than surrounding suburbs and rural areas due to urban heat islands.
Researchers use climate models to analyze past solar energy changes and test regional climate predictions under global warming scenarios. The study reveals smaller background trends in solar energy are in better agreement with long-term climate records, providing insights into Earth's changing climate.
A study by scientists at PNNL and UC-Irvine clarifies the role of sea salt in sulfur chemistry, enabling more accurate predictions of acid deposition and global climate. Sea salt particles can absorb substantial amounts of sulfur dioxide, converting it to sulfuric acid.
A new climate model, ALL, integrated multiple factors into a single experiment, recreating observed temperature records for the 20th century. The model predicts increased global warming of 5.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the 21st century when sulphate emissions reductions are considered.
Scientists at MIT found that vegetation growth and decay are crucial for accurate climate models. The Sahara desert's transformation from fertile to arid was only explained when including vegetation as a variable.
Researchers predict a significant warming trend in global temperatures, with the greatest impact felt in winter hemispheres, due to retreating snow and ice in high latitudes. The range of predicted temperature changes is 1.5-6 degrees centigrade, with most models predicting a 2-4 degree rise.
A new study suggests that future extreme rain events could cause significant crop losses and damages, particularly in the US Corn Belt. The researchers used a modified crop model to simulate the effects of excess soil moisture on corn crops, finding potential damages up to $3 billion per year by the 2030s.
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.
The Community Climate System Model, version 2 (CCSM-2) is a new computer model that will help scientists understand the Earth's climate system. It has increased capabilities allowing for more detailed climate projections and will be used to produce improved simulations of average climate and climate variability.
A NASA study suggests that mixed croplands can lead to a cooler and wetter climate in certain regions. The researchers used satellite measurements of vegetation to simulate regional climate and found that this type of land use can alter atmospheric circulation, leading to increased convection and precipitation.
Satellite observations show northern regions experiencing a 'greening' trend over the past two decades, with spring advancing by about a week and summer maximum leaf cover increasing. The LPJ model confirms this trend, attributing it to warming caused by climate change, while also highlighting other factors such as increased carbon dio...
A new climate study reveals California's increased risk of warmer temperatures, smaller snowpacks, and altered water supplies due to rising carbon dioxide levels. The research offers precise regional specificity and statistical analysis, providing a more reliable basis for planning climate change mitigation strategies.
Researchers aim to better understand West Africa's climate trends and model potential impacts on the region's water resources, agriculture, and energy sector. The study's findings could help inform regional plans for adapting to climate change and ensure the long-term sustainability of hydroelectric power.
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.
Climate models predict significant temperature increases and sea level rise over the next century. The effects of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels will last for at least 100 years, regardless of current reductions.
Researchers at NSF Longterm Ecological Research in Antarctica found a cooling trend on the continent, contradicting global warming expectations. The study indicates that most of the continent is cooling, posing challenges to climate models and potentially affecting unique ecosystems.
Dr. Richard B. Alley suggests that past climate records indicate abrupt changes, particularly near poles and away from them. He proposes a threshold-based approach to climate change, which could lead to more realistic predictions of future climate shifts.
Researchers used computer models to simulate the effects of elevated carbon dioxide on cotton crop yields, predicting a 26-36% increase in yields. The study's findings suggest that climate change may have a positive impact on US cotton production.
A new NASA climate model suggests that low solar activity during the Little Ice Age (1400s-1700s) triggered regional cooling in Europe and North America. The study found that a dimmer sun reduced westerly winds, leading to cold temperatures during winter.