Articles tagged with Climate Systems
A national study in Canada found that snowmaking requires 17,000 homes' worth of annual energy and 43.4 million cubic meters of water to produce 42 million cubic meters of machine-made snow. Collaboration between ski operators, policymakers, and environmental organizations is needed to develop sustainable practices.
Long-duration energy storage (LDES) is crucial for US states with decarbonization goals to address variable energy generation and customer demands. LDES systems can store renewable energy until needed, providing a reliable solution for a decarbonized grid.
A new study suggests that limiting global warming to 1.5°C could save five times more people from dangerous heat than if warming reaches 2.7°C by 2100. Currently, over 60 million people already live outside the 'climate niche' where humans have thrived.
NERC has invested £25 million in a host of high-risk, high-reward research projects tackling key unanswered questions about our planet. The projects cover geology, atmospheric science, biodiversity and ecology, with research spanning 3-4 years and funding up to £1.3 million.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that some climate mitigation strategies could result in harmful health impacts in specific areas, particularly if significant land use changes are required for bioenergy production. This could lead to worsened respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, resulting in premature deaths.
A new study reveals that high-income countries made more progress than low-income ones in ocean conservation after the adoption of Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. Despite positive results on land, particularly in biodiversity hotspots, the ocean's sustainability progress slowed, causing further global inequality.
A study by the University of Helsinki identifies nature-based solutions that work best as carbon sinks and for biodiversity conservation in urban areas. Community engagement is vital to ensure acceptable plans, according to the researchers.
A new study from Oregon State University found that massive iceberg discharges during the last ice age triggered rapid warming in Antarctica but had no effect on temperatures in Greenland. This discovery challenges current understanding of global climate dynamics and raises more questions than answers.
A recent study suggests that India's recurrent heatwaves have a significant socioeconomic impact on the country, weakening its progress toward achieving sustainable development goals. The study found that nearly 90% of the country is in danger zone from heatwave impact and around 20% is highly vulnerable to climate change.
The Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has been awarded a $9.9 million grant by the Bezos Earth Fund to develop low-cost virtual fencing technology that can benefit farmers, animals, and the environment. The project aims to improve existing virtual fencing technology and combine it with animal-monitoring system...
Researchers found that simultaneous learning of two tasks enhances a deep-learning model's performance on retrieving precipitation information from satellite data. The new framework uses multi-task learning to improve current estimates of precipitation, outperforming existing approaches.
Researchers are developing an alley cropping system to mitigate crop stress and promote soil fertility in organic vegetable production. The system involves planting trees between rows of vegetables, reducing heat extremes and improving biodiversity.
Researchers used a coupled model to simulate ocean circulation and temperature during the MMCO, finding that global average temperature was over 3℃ higher than present. Extensive forest coverage played a significant role in climate regulation, with land temperatures particularly high in the Sahara and high northern latitudes.
A new study predicts that Antarctic deep ocean currents will slow by over 40% in the next 30 years and may collapse, with significant impacts on climate and marine ecosystems. The decline of this circulation could stagnate the bottom of the oceans and trap nutrients, affecting marine life for centuries to come.
A recent study confirmed that a record-high temperature recorded in October 2021 would have been extremely unlikely to occur without the influence of global warming. The team quantified how often such heatwaves may occur during future fall seasons under different greenhouse gas emission scenarios.
A record-breaking heatwave in the Pacific Northwest in June 2021 was attributed to a strong high-pressure ridge, which intensified when an atmospheric river moved into Alaska, releasing massive amounts of moisture. The air was exceptionally hot when brought down to the surface due to its temperature aloft.
Researchers used drones to map large areas of Antarctica, capturing unprecedented high-resolution imagery of vegetation and biodiversity in protected areas. The vision identified areas with moss and lichen not previously picked up by satellite, providing valuable insights into the fragile ecosystem.
Estuaries along the Atlantic coast and eastern Gulf of Mexico are expected to experience significant increases in nutrient loading, posing risks for harmful algal blooms and ecosystem health. The study identified regions with high adaptive capacity as having more resources to mitigate these effects.
Climate change is disrupting Pakistan's natural system, making it challenging to predict future changes. A recent study found that streamflow timing in the country's four major rivers will decrease significantly, with a range of -5 to -20 days in the near future.
River temperature is a critical measure of water quality, regulating physical, chemical, and biological processes in flowing waters. Rising temperatures are linked to climate change and human activities, impacting ecosystems, human health, and industries.
Tiantian Yang aims to develop an integrated solution addressing precipitation variability and uncertainty with a novel AI and data mining tool. His research will be tested in collaboration with U.S. agencies, aiming to better inform water management decisions.
Researchers found a signal of extreme climate change from 50 million years ago in turbidite deposits, which are evidence of ancient rapid submarine water currents. This suggests that extreme weather events and exacerbated global climatic conditions can amplify delivery of sand into the deep ocean.
A study suggests that the collapse of West Antarctica's ice sheet could stabilise the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which distributes heat to Western Europe. This finding could help prevent a catastrophic cascading effect on climate tipping points.
Researchers are using AI to assess soil datasets and measurements, aiming to build an automated data-driven decision support system for European soils. The goal is to create an effective soil health certification system that can be used by farmers, landowners, and policy makers.
Jay W. McDaniel, assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma, receives a CAREER Award to develop a custom UAV-based radar suite for measuring snow depth and distribution. The project aims to improve understanding of snow characteristics and their impact on thermal balance between terrain and atmosphere.
Researchers analyzed over 4,500 documents to understand fungal dispersal across spatial scales. They identified four scales of movement, from microscopic to landscape, and found that climate change affects where fungi reside. More data is needed to understand the biodiversity of fungi and their movement in ecosystems.
The study reveals that the Dust Bowl's extreme heating influenced temperatures across North America and beyond, suppressing cloud formation in some regions. The research suggests that the hot, exposed land in the central US triggered a wave-5 teleconnection pattern, which spread record-breaking heat to Europe and East Asia.
A new study by researchers from the University of Oldenburg found that particles from central South America were the primary source of iron in the South Pacific during the last two glacial periods. The team's theory suggests that jet stream circulation picked up fine mineral particles on the east side of the Andes and transported them ...
A new study models likely future cliff retreat rates of two rock coasts in the UK, finding that rock coasts are likely to retreat at a rate not seen for 3,000-5,000 years. The researchers predict that rock coast cliffs will retreat by at least 10-22 meters inland due to accelerating sea level rise.
Scientists have found early warning signals for climate tipping in the Amazon Rainforest, West-Central Greenland ice sheet, and Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. The study provides a clear mathematical understanding of increased variability, sensitivity, critical slowing down, and being close to a tipping point.
A new analysis by researchers at Duke University proposes a four-step science-based framework to overcome barriers and enhance the success of early warning systems. The framework involves understanding potential barriers, engaging key stakeholders, identifying promising strategies to overcome barriers, and measuring outcomes.
A research team at UNIST has identified subtropical low cloud feedback as a key mechanism driving teleconnections between the Southern Ocean and tropical precipitation. Their findings suggest that this impact is stronger than previously thought, with implications for mid-latitude climate predictions.
Global carbon emissions have reached a record high, with no indication of a decline to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The Global Carbon Project projects total global CO2 emissions of 40.6 billion tonnes in 2022, fueled by fossil CO2 emissions that are projected to rise 1.0% compared to 2021.
A new study combining GPS, satellite data, and numerical modelling indicates that existing models have underestimated ice loss from northeast Greenland, which could contribute up to 15.5mm to global sea levels by 2100. The Northeast Greenland Ice Stream's contribution will be six times greater than previously thought.
A new study proposes a scalable, bottom-up approach to developing energy-saving initiatives at the individual level by analyzing real-time energy usage data. The research team developed an energy calculator that can be scaled up to the building- and community-level, enabling more accurate occupant-level measurements.
A new study warns that climate change will negatively impact mountain landscapes and human activity, increasing risks of natural hazards like avalanches and river floods. Mountain communities are also affected, with traditional practices like transhumance and agriculture dying out due to changing weather patterns and water scarcity.
The ASU-led SW-IFL aims to understand complex relationships between extreme heat, atmospheric pollutants, and limited water supply on vulnerable urban subpopulations. The integrated field laboratory will combine high-resolution data, advanced computer modeling, and community engagement to create regionally specific predictive tools.
Climate change is exacerbating health crises among migrant workers in the US agriculture sector, with extreme heat and chemical exposure posing significant risks. The Lancet report highlights the unequal burdens of climate change, particularly on vulnerable populations.
The Lancet Countdown report highlights the compounding effects of fossil fuel dependence on climate change, leading to severe health impacts worldwide. The report emphasizes the need for immediate action to shift to clean energy and energy efficiency to mitigate these harms.
A study published in Nature suggests that ocean heating in the western tropical Pacific will make the East Asian monsoon season wetter. The researchers found a correlation between increases in monsoonal rain in eastern China and the heat content of the Indo-Pacific Warm Pool over the past 360,000 years.
A new study suggests that rising air temperatures amplify the effects of ocean warming on the Greenland ice sheet, leading to greater ice loss. The combination of warmer liquid and movement accelerates melting, similar to ice cubes in a drink being stirred.
Researchers found that the return of radiolarians, a tiny marine organism, helped restore habitable conditions after the massive extinction event. The study suggests that every microorganism plays a vital role in regulating biogeochemical cycles and conservation of the planet.
A new report highlights the importance of recognizing Indigenous Peoples' and local communities' knowledge systems to address climate change. The authors argue that these knowledge systems bring alternative ways of understanding and addressing complex global problems, such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
The global survey highlights intense exposure to extreme heat, water scarcity, and flooding due to climate change, with cities in developing countries facing significant infrastructure gaps. City leaders also report challenges related to private automobiles, biking, and walking, as well as budgetary concerns and mental health issues.
A £7M NIHR award will scale clean energy access to improve health, gender equality and climate in sub-Saharan Africa. The project aims to address household air pollution, a significant risk factor for global disease, and will focus on informing national strategies to meet the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 7.
A study by the University of Exeter and Greenpeace Research Laboratories reveals that synthetic nitrogen fertilisers contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers estimate that the supply chain for these fertilisers is responsible for emitting the equivalent of 1.13 gigatonnes of CO₂ in 2018.
A £1 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund will support a new initiative aimed at identifying and activating 'positive tipping points' to accelerate decarbonization and limit climate change. The project will focus on improving assessment, forecasting, and activation of positive tipping points across various sectors.
Scientists used centuries-old clam shells to study the North Atlantic's evolution and response to external changes. The findings indicate that the system destabilized and lost resilience prior to the Little Ice Age, potentially causing it to 'tip' into a new, colder state.
Realizing net-zero food systems necessitates the adoption of new technologies and diet shifts to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. The goal is to achieve a net-zero emission global food system by 2050, with a roadmap outlining milestones for implementation by 2030 and 2040.
Researchers confirm that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is approaching a tipping point, where its strength will inevitably weaken in the coming decades and centuries. This transition could have dramatic consequences on societies and ecosystems.
Climate change affects European agriculture in distinct ways across regions, with southern Europe experiencing the highest number of initiatives and adaptations. Northern Europe expects a longer growing season, while central and southern Europe struggle with drought and erratic rainfall.
Wheat yields are projected to alter unevenly due to climate change, leading to price spikes in Global South and exacerbating existing inequalities. Global warming could deepen trade positions, causing more frequent and steep wheat price spikes in low-latitude regions.
A new study suggests that using propane as a refrigerant in air conditioners could significantly reduce the global temperature increase from space cooling, with a potential decrease of up to 0.09°C by the end of the century. This is due to propane's low global warming potential score of less than 1.
A new model suggests Antarctica's ice shelves are melting at an accelerated rate due to the Antarctic Coastal Current. Freshwater from melting ice can trap warm ocean water beneath the shelves, causing them to melt further. This mechanism could increase sea level rise predictions by up to 40%.
A study found that concurrent heat and drought events can have devastating effects on multiple sectors, including human health, energy, and agriculture. The research highlights the importance of considering compound extreme events in adaptation efforts to improve resilience.
Researchers at Princeton University used artificial intelligence to simulate ice formation by individual atoms and molecules with quantum accuracy. This breakthrough enables tracking of hundreds of thousands of atoms over longer timespans than previous simulations.
New research suggests that plant-based beef alternatives could reduce US carbon footprint by 2.5-13.5%, mostly by decreasing cow numbers. However, this shift could disrupt the agricultural workforce, threatening up to 1.5 million industry jobs and exacerbating issues like fair wages and health equity.
A new study found that the global forest area per capita has declined by over 60% from 1960 to 2019, due to 81.7 million hectares of loss. This decline threatens biodiversity and affects the lives of 1.6 billion people worldwide.
Research suggests that climate change is causing dryland mechanisms to affect temperate regions, leading to changes in vegetation distribution and ecosystem processes. The study predicts that by the end of the century, an estimated 17 million km2 of non-dryland areas will experience average topsoil temperatures above 40°C.
A new resilience sensing system can identify areas in danger of collapse and measure the success of conservation efforts. Global average resilience has declined over the last 20 years, with regions such as the Amazon rainforest showing signs of loss of resilience.