Articles tagged with Climate Systems
The University of Bath has launched a new Centre for Earth System Governance to investigate how societies govern environmental change. Researchers from across disciplines will work with policymakers and practitioners to develop effective responses to global sustainability challenges.
Researchers have found high-altitude glacier in Tibet preserved fragments from the last ice age, extending Earth's glacial record by over 100,000 years. The analysis of ice cores from the Guliya Plateau reveals consistent oxygen isotope patterns, suggesting that the environmental signals they contain are reproducible.
Researchers found that realistic seafloor topography can sustain and reshape the key features of climate system even when continents are removed. The study revealed that ocean bathymetry plays a crucial role in driving the modern Earth's climate in the absence of land surfaces.
A new study by Colorado State University reveals that ag irrigation prevents higher greenhouse gas emissions by avoiding land conversion, saving 363 years' worth of emissions. Irrigation allows the US to grow more food on less land, reducing land-use change and its associated emissions.
Leading scientists warn of unaccounted climate feedback loops that could amplify global warming by 20–30% this century, with natural systems amplifying warming-induced emissions. Cutting emissions can reduce these risks and limit the severity of feedbacks.
The Arctic melt season has extended by seven and a half days since 1979, driven by sea ice forming later in the fall, with implications for the global climate system. The changing sea ice properties also impact the ecosystem, including the health of algae, which affects the entire food web and fisheries in the sub-Arctic and Arctic.
A new review highlights key knowledge gaps in Antarctic coastal observations, limiting estimates of ice loss and future sea-level rise. The authors emphasize the need for improved observations at a pan-Antarctic scale to predict future change.
A new study found that El Niño events have become nearly 40% stronger in the last 40 years than they were in the pre-industrial era. The researchers used coral reconstructions from the Galápagos Islands to examine historic El Niño patterns and confirm that the current El Niño event is superimposed on global warming, likely to superchar...
A University of Michigan study found that El Niño events have become nearly 40% stronger in the last 40 years than in the pre-industrial era. The study, which examined modern and ancient corals in the Galápagos Islands, found that El Niño events in the last four decades were stronger than any in the 1,000 years prior to about 1850.
A recent study published in Nature found that Antarctica's brief rebound in 2021-2023 was caused by climate variability, not a new normal. The researchers linked the extra precipitation to the tropical warm pool, a warm patch of ocean in the western Pacific and eastern Indian oceans, which made an outsized contribution to extreme weath...
Researchers analyzed ice cores from the Andes in Peru, revealing a 2,000-year-old record of global methane evolution. The findings support the hypothesis that tropical methane emissions dominated the Earth during the pre-industrial period, with human-driven agricultural and industrial emissions contributing to increases in later periods.
Scientists propose a colossal cliff across ancient North America may have exposed Grand Canyon's oldest rocks nearly a billion years before it was carved by the Colorado River. The study suggests the 'great escarpment' of steep rocky cliffs formed when the supercontinent Rodinia broke apart 800 million years ago.
Climate researchers have discovered a significant increase in neighborhood-level hurricane warnings, widespread wildfires in the US, and unprecedented changes in Earth's energy budget. These findings suggest that greenhouse gases are driving these trends, with smoke and fire-related carbon emissions rising due to increased aridity.
A weakening Atlantic Ocean current system, known as the AMOC, could exacerbate global warming by distributing heat unevenly around the planet. During periods with a strong AMOC, the global ocean loses heat, while weak AMOC periods lead to a net increase in heat stored by the ocean.
The 36th annual State of the Climate report reveals record highs in greenhouse gas concentrations, global sea level, and ocean heat content. Greenhouse gas concentrations reached a 53% increase from preindustrial levels, with fossil fuel emissions reaching a record high in 2025.
New research suggests that collecting and spraying rainwater on rooftops during hot weather can significantly reduce energy demand for air conditioning and lower urban temperatures. The study found that this approach could cut the number of heatwave days overall and lessen the intensity of extreme heat events.
Biochar researchers explore how changing reactor atmospheres can tailor materials for carbon storage, pollution control, and industrial applications. Alternative gases like CO2, steam, and ammonia can shape the production process and resulting materials.
Researchers provide a framework to assess cumulative heat exposure from marine heatwaves and preceding/post-warming anomalies, revealing underestimation by historic assessments. The study finds that prolonged warm water exposure can create conditions that species may not survive.
Researchers at Rice University found a connection between droughts in mainland Southeast Asia and extreme precipitation in Central Asia. The study used paleoclimate records to reconstruct historic moisture patterns and climate model simulations to investigate the mechanisms driving these events.
New analysis reveals Arctic winter sea ice coverage declined significantly due to record lows in 2025 and 2026, reversing a brief slowdown. The study suggests that Arctic winter sea ice loss is continuing in a warming climate.
A new study finds that a slowing Atlantic Ocean current will strengthen powerful storms in California while reducing snowfall over Greenland. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation's weakening is projected to increase atmospheric moisture and high-altitude winds, creating more destructive atmospheric rivers.
A study reveals that natural cooling of coral reefs varies with large-scale climate oscillations, including ENSO and IOD. Coral skeletons provide a record of past subsurface temperatures and biological responses to heat stress, highlighting the dynamic relationship between climate refuges and their effectiveness in protecting corals fr...
A new pantropical carbon database synthesizes data from 146 studies to better understand the effects of forest degradation and regeneration on the global carbon cycle. The study reveals that degraded forests recover faster than fully cleared land, accumulating more above-ground carbon over time.
The University of Bath's Centre for Climate Adaptation & Environment Research has joined the STRIVE mission, a NASA Earth System Explorer project aiming to improve weather forecasting and climate modeling. The team will focus on understanding atmospheric waves and their impact on energy transport.
Research Scientists Edward Vizy and Professor Kerry Cook analyzed a storm that caused catastrophic flooding in Central Texas. They found that warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures weakened the Great Plains low-level jet, resulting in weaker storms and less intense rainfall.
Arctic Ocean 2050 brings together over 500 researchers and advanced technologies to generate fundamental and applied knowledge. Paul E. Renaud, new program director, will lead the initiative from October 2026, focusing on balancing conservation with resource use.
A new project aims to create an early warning system for climate impacts like flooding or droughts, helping insurers react quickly. Researchers will develop models of insurer responses to different levels of climate change, combining climate science with behavioral and political sciences.
Researchers found that carbon from land was eroded and transported into the ocean, locking some carbon away for long periods. This process may have acted as a stabilising climate feedback, helping to gradually reduce atmospheric carbon levels over thousands to tens of thousands of years.
Researchers found that warm South Atlantic Ocean temperatures influence atmospheric blocking patterns, leading to more frequent and intense snowfall events in East Antarctica. The study's findings highlight the importance of global climate connections across vast distances.
A new study finds that approximately 15% of current global warming is attributed to 'indirect greenhouse gases,' including carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. The authors call for integrating these gases into climate policy frameworks, emphasizing their significant impact on warming.
A new study by Tulane University researcher Sönke Dangendorf found that human-caused sea-level rise has significantly increased the frequency of extreme coastal flooding worldwide. Coastal flooding events expected once every 100 years now occur on average about 12 times more likely to occur globally.
Research from the University of Gothenburg has found that spring storms in Europe are becoming more common, with a shift towards more intense and frequent winter storms. The study, which analyzed historical weather data from 1940 to 2024, suggests that Arctic sea ice reduction is a key factor contributing to these changes.
Researchers will measure particulate matter, ozone, wind, humidity, and temperature to understand environmental response to large-scale human activity. The study aims to find a balance between development and clean air, supporting sustainable growth in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Mangrove forests worldwide are no longer in net decline and are now growing overall, driven by natural regeneration and expansion. The research highlights a more hopeful trajectory for these ecosystems, which play a critical role in protecting coastlines and storing climate-warming carbon.
Scientists have discovered a previously unknown mechanism that transfers heat into the deep ocean, even when surface water temperatures remain stable. The study reveals an abrupt 5°C warming in intermediate waters at 800 meters depth over the past 11,000 years, linked to changes in Southern Hemisphere ocean-atmosphere circulation.
A new Oxford study models the impact of compound shocks on global grain supplies, highlighting countries with diverse suppliers and flexible trade networks as more resilient. The analysis suggests that producing all food domestically is unfeasible for many countries, leaving them exposed to global food crises.
Rising ocean temperatures cause corals to struggle with oxygen uptake due to disrupted ciliary motion. At moderate temperatures, corals accelerate ciliary motion to meet increased oxygen demand, but this compensatory mechanism fails at higher temperatures.
A high-resolution model developed by University of Pennsylvania researchers shows that river levels once expected every 50 years now occur every few years due to climate change. The 1-in-100-year threshold marks a tipping point when flooding spreads rapidly across the urban landscape.
Researchers caution that weakening core safeguards in carbon markets risk worsening climate impacts and increasing net carbon emissions. Indigenous land stewardship is vital for maintaining intact ecosystems and vital carbon sinks, but alternative support mechanisms are needed to preserve the integrity of climate action.
A new study reveals Antarctica's sea ice collapse is driven by a triple whammy of climate chaos, resulting in record-breaking lows. The Southern Ocean's transformation led to the loss of vast areas of ice equivalent to Greenland, destabilizing global ocean currents and accelerating global warming.
Researchers explore two popular metaphors for describing climate-related issues: the ocean conveyor belt and tipping point metaphors. While they have scientific origins and helped foster interdisciplinary communications, oversimplification can lead to misunderstanding. Dr. Gerrit Lohmann suggests integrating communication research with...
A new study reveals that around two-thirds of the Amazon rainforest could shift into degraded ecosystems at 1.5-1.9°C of global warming due to increased deforestation. The study highlights the critical role of the Amazon in regulating moisture recycling and stabilizing the Earth system.
A two-decade slowdown of a critical Atlantic Ocean current has been found, potentially reshaping weather patterns across the globe. The weakening Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) may lead to more extreme storms, changes in rainfall, and colder winters in some regions.
A new report highlights the catastrophic risks of nature loss on food systems, economies and societies. Chronic pressures like soil degradation and water scarcity are already reducing crop yields and increasing food prices.
A UCLA-led study reveals that airborne desert dust traps about twice as much heat as previously estimated, leading to improved climate and weather models. This increase in precision will help forecasters predict regional temperature shifts, rainfall patterns, and atmospheric motions.
A global paradigm shift is needed to protect intact ecosystems and prioritize Nature Positive framework, integrating Indigenous knowledge and finance. The webinar series on May 28, 2026, will explore effective actions for people and nature, guided by the Three Conditions Framework.
Researchers have forecasted a super El Niño event toward the end of 2026, driven by a rare and extreme surface annular warming pattern in the tropical Pacific. The current heat content buildup alone would generate a moderate El Niño, but adding the influence of annular warming intensifies it into the super category.
A new study explores potential options for Venice to adapt to sea-level rise, including relocating the city, movable barriers, ring dikes, and closing the Venetian Lagoon. The research suggests that no single approach is optimal, requiring a balance of factors such as resident wellbeing, economic prosperity, and cultural heritage.
A new paper warns that halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 is urgent to avoid destabilizing the Earth's vital systems. The authors call for a unified 'Nature Positive' approach to global environmental goals and governance.
Researchers predict that glaciers in High Mountain Asia may threaten future water security due to rapid melting caused by warming temperatures. The study found significant losses in glacier mass between 2002 and 2023, which could intensify short-term flood risks and reduce long-term meltwater availability.
A recent study reveals that Alaskan permafrost is thawing rapidly, leading to increased runoff, carbon releases, and altered coastal ecosystems. The research focused on a Wisconsin-sized area of Alaska's North Slope, simulating daily river flows and coastal exports over 44 years.
A new study finds that the North Atlantic's exceptional warmth played a key role in the Valencia DANA storm's intensity, with precipitation 40% lower without it. The research highlights the importance of oceanic context in extreme weather events, reinforcing the need for global climate simulations.
A research team analyzed 2.2 million thunderstorm events to identify a physical explanation for their formation. The study found that differences in soil moisture generate near-surface winds, leading to intense thunderstorms. High-resolution satellite measurements of soil moisture were crucial for this analysis.
A new study by Lund University reveals that large forest fire emissions occur below the ground surface, in peat and organic soils, rather than above-ground. This affects climate impact assessments, as traditional methods risk missing significant carbon releases.
Leading climate scientists, including Prof Benjamin Santer, reiterate the role of humans in global warming and warn against using an inaccurate government report to inform legal decisions. The report's claims are factually incorrect, contradicting decades of research on human-caused temperature changes.
A new study by Manchester researchers argues that directional terms like 'upcycling' and 'downcycling' can skew perceptions of plastic sustainability. The study suggests that a more nuanced approach is needed to evaluate the environmental impact of recycling technologies.
Researchers have shown that ocean temperature patterns limit the global spread of droughts, with synchronised droughts affecting only 1.8% to 6.5% of global land. The study identified 'drought hubs' in regions like Australia, South America, and southern Africa.
Scientists warn that synchronised extreme fire weather, characterized by warm and dry conditions, has increased worldwide since 1979, straining international firefighting cooperation. The number of high-risk days with simultaneous fires is more than doubling, making wildfires harder to tackle and increasing air quality issues.
The REST-COAST project presented scientific advances, practical tools, and governance insights developed throughout its lifetime. Researchers explored pathways for upscaling from site-specific demonstrations to broadly adaptable frameworks, linking high-resolution modelling with broader decision-support tools.
The all-virtual Cal Poly Climate Solutions Now conference will address a wide range of climate topics, including energy, water, waste, business sustainability, agriculture, education, and more. Presenters from various industries will share strategies, tools, and information to help mitigate climate change.