Articles tagged with Climate Systems
Researchers discovered rate-induced tipping in Daisyworld, a model that regulates temperature through light and dark daisies. This finding mirrors observations in other models and real-life ecosystems, highlighting the danger of rapid environmental changes.
The study projects a significant increase in wetland and forest areas in China, with potential losses of cropland and shifts in land use patterns. Enhanced protection and management are needed to mitigate the impacts of climate change on food security.
A new study suggests adjusting VAT rates on food groups based on health and environmental impacts could lead to healthier diets, reducing cases of diet-related diseases. The proposal aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions and generate significant revenue for governments.
Human-caused fires in the Western US are growing faster than lightning fires due to climate-driven changes in dryness and heat. The study found that anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions account for 81% of the increases in flammable days, highlighting the need for more accurate fire risk models.
Researchers found that tropical-extratropical interactions induce the end of the rainy (Baiu) season in northern Japan and the Kanto region by enhancing convective activity over the northeast Philippines. The high-potential-vorticity airmass intrusion from mid-latitudes plays a crucial role in this process.
Researchers introduce a trimetallic catalyst supported on defective ceria, achieving extraordinary efficiency in CO2 reduction. The unique metal-support interaction fine-tunes the electronic structure, enabling optimal performance and setting new benchmarks in catalysis.
The study found that transitioning to healthy diets can minimize trade-offs and improve nutrition, health, the environment, and livelihoods in China. By adopting a holistic approach to food system transformation, policymakers can address social and environmental challenges while steering towards SDG targets.
A study published in Science of the Total Environment found that stormwater detention basins in Northern Virginia face significant salt stress due to road salts. Native plant species, such as cattails, showed promise in tolerating high salt concentrations, but their impact on overall salt removal was limited.
The study identifies 14 key impacts of wind energy on various systems, including environmental, socio-economic, and political-legal aspects. Researchers found that public acceptance is a major challenge for wind turbines, but also discovered benefits such as the phasing out of fossil-based energy and job creation opportunities.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that lower access to air conditioning increases the need for emergency care for wildfire smoke exposure. People living in areas with low air conditioning availability are at higher risk, especially children and the Black population.
The 105th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society will address key issues in weather, water, and climate. The meeting features a Presidential Forum on physical, social, cultural, and economic impacts of climate change, with experts from the region of the Mississippi River Delta.
Researchers have created the first-ever meridional profile of Mars' radiant energy budget, showing a polar energy surplus and a tropical energy deficit. This discovery provides critical insights into Martian weather patterns and climate evolution.
A new study warns that human civilization is poised for a significant transformation as industrial civilization declines, giving rise to a postmaterialist, clean energy-based system. Rising authoritarianism poses a threat to this transition.
The integration of ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems with energy piles offers a promising solution to address the growing urban heat island effect and reduce electricity consumption in smart cities. This technology provides efficient heating and cooling, reduces carbon emissions, and promotes sustainable urban development.
A study found that climate- and land use change will alter the availability of wild traditional foods in the Russian Far East, affecting Indigenous Peoples' health and livelihoods. Rural households heavily rely on these foods for income, with losses predicted in central and southern areas.
A nationwide analysis of Japan's plastic litter removal from rivers found that natural disasters and extreme weather events contribute to spikes in collected plastic waste. The study, led by Tokyo University of Science, also identified positive correlations between basin population, plastic litter recovery, and cleanup activities.
A UCF researcher is developing a thermochemical energy storage system to reserve solar energy for future use and contribute to the global transition to clean energy. The system uses chemical reactions to absorb or release heat, making it an advantageous way to store energy at high temperatures.
Mathematicians at University of Leicester applied statistical mechanics to detect human-made and natural causes of climate change, enabling early warnings of potential disasters. The theory provides a more advanced understanding of climate mechanisms driving change.
A new study shows that coordinating the siting of solar farms, wind farms, and storage systems can improve efficiency and reduce costs by aligning renewable power generation with demand. The approach uses fine-grained weather data and energy system modeling to maximize utilization of renewable resources.
An international team of researchers warns that climate change could lead to widespread food shortages and famine if rapid changes are not made to develop climate-resilient crops. The group emphasizes the need for unprecedented collaboration between scientists, farmers, policymakers, and the public to address this crisis.
A team of scientists, including Binghamton University's Molly Patterson, is drilling into the Ross Ice Shelf to retrieve geological records and gain insights into the ice sheet's response to global warming. The project aims to provide crucial data for adapting to sea-level rise and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
The Antarctic Canyon Experiment (ACE) aims to assess the causes and effects of turbidity currents, also known as underwater avalanches, in the Southern Ocean. Researchers hope to develop a better understanding of Antarctica's role in regulating Earth's climate and mitigating carbon emissions.
Researchers criticize the Digital Twin of Earth concept, highlighting the discrepancy between scientific models and reality. New computer models require new methods for appropriate data analysis and interpretation to ensure accurate knowledge and results.
A new study finds that reversing climate change effects quickly climbs nearly fourfold soon after a tipping point is crossed. The cost of intervention also increases steeply if waiting occurs, with the degree of needed action rising over time. Researchers have quantified these costs for the first time.
Researchers identify a quantum mechanism as key to accelerating ocean temperatures, which current climate models fail to predict. The study proposes a new paradigm that factors in non-thermal energy, suggesting a revised approach to understanding ocean thermal stability and climate change.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft is establishing seven new Collaborative Research Centres (CRC) with a total funding of €92 million. The CRCs focus on innovative research projects in sustainable construction, electronic systems, and ecosystem services. Seven new Transregios are also being funded to tackle long-term challenges.
A study published by researchers from Göttingen University sheds light on the critical role of leaf phenology in trees providing shade and improving climate resilience in cocoa agroforestry systems. The research found that certain shade tree species can significantly influence productivity and environmental stability.
Researchers at University of Arizona discovered a spike in carbon-14 dating to 664 B.C., pinpointing the last known extreme solar storm event. The study provides crucial data for scientists studying sun's activity and offers insights into massive storms' effects on Earth's atmosphere.
Thermochemical materials show potential for load flexibility in building heating systems, enabling reduced electrical requirements and load shifting. The technology's performance is significantly impacted by humidity levels, making indoor air a key factor in its integration.
A new study by the University of Oxford's Department of Physics shows that relying on natural carbon sinks to offset CO2 emissions from fossil fuels will not stop global warming. Governments and corporations are increasingly turning to these natural sinks to meet climate goals, but this approach is flawed.
A resilience index is proposed as a more suitable indicator of policy success than GDP, incorporating social and environmental components. This approach aims to steer decision-makers within the planet's 'safe operating space', balancing competing interests and trade-offs.
A new study warns that Colorado's West Slope basins, supporting a $5 billion agriculture economy, face a potential tipping point due to drought vulnerability. The research suggests that even moderate climate change and streamflow declines can threaten water storage, agriculture, and municipal supplies.
The new system uses AI technology combined with Earth observation data to detect risks of events that might trigger forced displacement, delivering timely alerts ahead of emergencies. It will help humanitarian actors plan and respond more effectively, minimizing response times and avoiding duplication of efforts.
The winners of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards 2024 have been named, including the One Health Microbiome Center at Penn State and researchers Dr. François Thomas and Dr. Helen Onyeaka.
Record-high temperatures in Svalbard and East Finnmark create conducive conditions for tree growth, exceeding the classic 10°C threshold. The growing season and average temperature criteria were met at multiple weather stations, indicating a suitable climate for forest establishment.
The EU's sustainable finance framework urgently needs to expand to address climate goals. The current taxonomy will not meet the Paris Climate Agreement target of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C.
Researchers warn that inadequate funding for climate adaptation measures disproportionately harms vulnerable populations. Maladaptation occurs when strategies backfire and worsen living conditions. Effective funding is crucial to ensure progress in adaptation.
Researchers have found that blocking the protein StCDF1 in potatoes can improve plant performance in low-nitrogen environments. This could be a promising strategy for reducing potato needs of nitrogen fertilizers.
Research shows that power systems with higher weather-dependent renewable energy sources (WD-RESs) tend to have reduced blackout intensities in the US. High WD-RES penetration does not worsen the weather vulnerability of power systems, even during extreme weather events.
A new study reveals that the Amazon rainforest is threatened by global warming and deforestation, which can trigger a domino effect on the entire system. The analysis of residual pollen and carbon residues suggests that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) plays a crucial role in shaping the Amazon ecosystem.
The US Department of Energy is launching Climate Resilience Centers to develop science and talent addressing climate resilience challenges, particularly in vulnerable communities. These centers will enhance the availability and utility of research, data, models, and capabilities to inform policies and strengthen critical infrastructure.
A Dartmouth study has quantified the global economic fallout of El Niño, finding it costs the economy $4.1 trillion and $5.7 trillion in the half-decade after each event. The study's findings are included in the 10 New Insights in Climate Science report ahead of COP29.
The Lancet's Countdown report reveals record-breaking human costs of climate change, including heat-related deaths increasing by 167% globally in 2023. The report calls for trillions of dollars spent on fossil fuels to be redirected towards protecting people's health and lives.
The Atlantic Marine Energy Center (AMEC) will develop new research projects, infrastructure, and educational programs using the funding. Lehigh University will lead two research projects focused on tidal turbine blades and real-time stable marine energy microgrid power management.
Three interconnected projects will address complex food system challenges through education, research, and practical application. The projects aim to foster a learning environment that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, preparing students for careers in agriculture.
A new type of prototype water harvester uses temperature-sensitive materials to pull more water out of the atmosphere in 30 minutes on average than an alternative dehumidifier system using only half the energy. The device is also portable, making it suitable for regions where access to clean drinking water is limited.
A new CABI-led research study reveals low access to plant health services in South Sudan, hindering agricultural productivity. The findings highlight the need for strengthening government-led initiatives, service accessibility, and inclusivity in plant health systems to address climate change-induced pests.
Researchers at Rice University develop OpenSafe.AI, a system that leverages responsible AI and hazard models to provide timely insights for emergency response organizations and communities before, during, and after tropical cyclones and coastal storm events. The goal is to enable better preparation and navigation for severe weather.
A new study found that extreme heat increases mortality risk for people experiencing homelessness, particularly in hot-climate US counties like Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Heat exposure is estimated to be 10-100 times greater among unhoused individuals than in the general population.
A new study published in Nature highlights the risks of exceeding 1.5°C warming, which may result in irreversible climate damage, including rising sea levels. The researchers emphasize that ambitious emissions reductions and carbon dioxide removal technologies are necessary to limit damages.
A new study reveals that green education can nurture a generation of eco-leaders to tackle climate change and environmental issues in the Middle East and North Africa. The study recommends integrating sustainability into national curricula, providing sustainable funding for education initiatives, and monitoring evaluation systems.
The system removes salt from water at a pace that closely follows changes in solar energy, maximizing the utility of solar power. It produces large quantities of clean water despite variations in sunlight throughout the day, making it an attractive solution for communities with limited access to seawater and grid power.
New research reveals methane emissions from slurry stores on dairy farms may be up to five times greater than official statistics suggest. Capturing and converting methane into biogas could reduce emissions and save farmers over £400 million a year in fuel costs.
Scientists have found that the Pinnacles in Western Australia were formed about 100,000 years ago during a wet period, distinct from the current Mediterranean climate. The iron-rich nodules trapped helium from radioactive decay, providing a precise record of their formation.
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.
A new study reveals the flood insurance program's effects differ greatly among communities, with higher-population and wealthier areas benefiting more from discounts on premiums. Lower-income communities also see benefits, but only in areas with less racial and ethnic diversity, realizing a gain of about $6,000 per household.
The SUPERSLUG initiative aims to forecast the impact of sediment slugs on river catchments and communities. The project will use a range of sensors and numerical models to provide comprehensive predictions of where and how long-term effects might be felt, up to decades or centuries after an event.
A researcher at UTA is developing a tracer tool to help water suppliers ensure safe and reliable drinking water during extreme weather events. The tool will enable better management of drinking water in Tarrant County, addressing concerns about water flow and distribution.
A new study has identified key factors to build food resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa, including diversifying suppliers, empowering local farmers, and promoting sustainable practices. The proposed blueprint aims to enhance self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on external sources.
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.