Articles tagged with Global Temperature
A new study finds that reducing emissions of short-lived climate pollutants like methane and ozone can cut the rate of global warming in half by 2050. This approach offers a fighting chance to prevent catastrophic warming and improve our chances of remaining below the 1.5 degree centigrade mark.
A new study in Northern Sweden found that methane emissions from thawing permafrost can be reduced by a factor of 10 due to changes in hydrology, plant community, and microorganisms. As permafrost thaws, new plant species adapt to drier soil conditions, reducing methane transport and allowing bacteria to break it down.
Research suggests that expansion of vegetation in the Northern Hemisphere led to a significant warming of global temperatures between 6,000 and 9,000 years ago. The findings align with paleoclimate proxy records and challenge previous models' limitations in accounting for vegetation changes.
A new study finds that while immediate economic benefits of carbon emissions reductions are limited, most scenarios have net economic benefits after 2050. The benefits are most dramatic for developing countries, with a median net benefit of 6.0% of GDP for a 1.5°C reduction target.
A recent peer-reviewed study reveals that tropical forests play a vital role in maintaining global climate stability by reducing extreme temperatures and promoting local climate stability. The study finds that the entire world benefits from the band of tropical rainforests, which keep the planet cooler by up to 1 degree Celsius.
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.
Research in Africa identified heatwave hotspot regions linked to urban areas, affecting 36% of Northern Hemisphere and 57% of Southern Hemisphere populations in 2019. Climate change likely contributed to these hotspots, with significant implications for human health, energy consumption, and water security.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet projects that a temperature rise of 2 degrees Celsius will increase hyponatremia hospitalizations by almost 14%. Women and elderly are particularly vulnerable to the increased risk, with those over 80 years old facing a 15 times higher chance of hospitalization during heat waves.
Research finds that global warming of 2°C will significantly increase temperature-related mortality rates in England and Wales by 42%, from around 117 deaths per day to 166. The risk further increases beyond 2.5°C, with a potential 75% increase in mortality risk at 3°C.
A fresh analysis suggests that the global cooling effect of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano eruption will be smaller than expected. However, the researchers warn that a one-time-only event may not be sufficient to overwhelm the longer-term global warming tendency.
A new UNSW-led study reveals that global warming has amplified the water cycle, with an estimated 46,000-77,000 cubic kilometers of freshwater transported from the equator to the poles since 1970. This finding suggests broader changes to the global water cycle and highlights the need for improved climate models.
A new Stanford University study reveals that using a 100-year timeframe underestimates methane's importance in achieving Paris Agreement climate goals by up to 87%. The researchers propose using a 24-year timeframe instead, which would ensure emissions of methane are weighted correctly over the time period before temperature thresholds...
Researchers from The University of Tokyo developed a model to predict the occurrence of red snow events, which are associated with the duration of snow melt and the timing of new snowfall. The study found that snow algae blooms can speed up snow melt as they darken the surface.
The upper ocean has reached record-breaking temperatures for the sixth consecutive year, with the latest data showing a significant increase in heat content. This warming trend is primarily driven by human-induced climate change, which affects ocean acidification and marine life.
Researchers from the University of Oxford investigated the behavior of CO2 within a depleted hydrocarbon reservoir in Louisiana, USA. They found that up to 74% of CO2 was dissolved in groundwater, while microbial methanogenesis converted 13-19% of the injected CO2 to methane.
A new UC Riverside-led study reveals that tiny microbes belching toxic gas helped cause and prolong the biggest mass extinction in Earth's history. The heat accelerated microbes' metabolisms, creating a deadly cycle of hydrogen sulfide production.
A Dartmouth team compiled a global-scale dataset to show how uncertainties over determining snow depth can actually improve predictions of water availability. The approach leverages observational and definitional uncertainties to make better assessments of snow droughts and their impacts.
A new study reveals that the Little Ice Age was triggered by an unusually warm episode in the late 1300s, with strong northward transfer of warm water and high solar activity contributing to the phenomenon. The researchers found that this warming event led to rapid arctic ice loss and subsequent cooling of North Atlantic waters.
A new international study by IIASA reveals that rapid emissions cuts in the next few decades can avoid temperature overshoot, plateauing global temperatures around the time of net-zero emissions. This approach also yields long-term economic benefits, with projected GDP increases of up to 2% in scenarios that avoid overshoot.
Extreme heat events are associated with a greater risk of death from ischemic heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. Preventive strategies aim to reduce hyperthermia and dehydration to minimize cardiovascular risk during extreme heat events.
A University of Arizona-led study reconstructs Earth's climate since the last ice age, highlighting unprecedented global temperatures and the speed of human-caused warming. The research combines two independent datasets to create a more complete picture of past temperatures.
A new study published in Science assesses updated climate pledges and finds they could limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius with a 34% chance. Even more ambitious targets would increase the likelihood of staying below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Researchers found that during hothouse periods, Earth may have experienced cycles of dryness followed by massive rain storms. This unexpected atmospheric state sheds light on Earth's distant past and far-flung future, potentially helping to understand climates of exoplanets.
A 1.5°C temperature increase affects algae and animal species living on UK coastlines, with significant changes in species abundance and breeding patterns. The study highlights the importance of considering local temperature variations when predicting climate change impacts.
Research finds climate stabilized due to increased rock weathering and erosion, which converts CO2 into insoluble carbonate; this process took 20,000-50,000 years. Lithium isotope analysis supports theory, showing increased weathering and erosion during Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum.
A new Stanford University study suggests that rising oxygen levels may have slowed down ancient ocean extinctions. The research found that oxygen levels beyond 40% of present atmospheric levels expanded viable ocean habitat and reduced extinction rates. This discovery has implications for understanding the fate of ocean creatures in to...
A new study by Oxford academics found that approximately 20% of flies and cockroaches carry carbapenem resistance, while 70-80% carry extended spectrum cephalosporin resistance. Climate change could lead to a doubling of insect populations and an increase in the global spread of antibiotic resistance.
A new study found that four distinct episodes of volcanic activity coincided with significant environmental changes, including the Late Triassic Carnian Pluvial Episode, which drove animal and plant diversification. The research suggests that large volcanic eruptions had a profound impact on global temperature and humidity.
International research reveals that children will face a disproportionate increase in lifetime extreme event exposure due to climate change. The study, led by Prof. Wim Thiery of VUB, quantifies the impact of climate change on children born between 1960 and 2020, showing they will experience more heatwaves, droughts, crop failures, riv...
A new study predicts extreme sea levels will become 100 times more frequent worldwide, with an annual occurrence by the end of the century. The research, led by Claudia Tebaldi, suggests rising temperatures will have a significant impact on coastal regions, particularly in the tropics and lower latitudes.
The Lancet reports that extreme heat is becoming a major health issue, with over 356,000 deaths in 2019 related to heat. Effective cooling strategies are needed to protect vulnerable populations and mitigate climate change.
Researchers measuring the impact of the Montreal Protocol found that banning CFCs preserved plant's ability to absorb CO2, preventing a further acceleration of climate change. The study predicts a 2.5°C rise in global temperatures without the ban, exceeding the 1.5°C limit seen as critical for avoiding climate damage.
Researchers found that climate change will amplify the temporary cooling caused by large eruptions and reduce its effect on small- and medium-sized eruptions. The study used global climate models to simulate how volcanic aerosols might be affected by warming scenarios.
Researchers observed a 'warming bias' in the Earth's ancient history, with more warming events and greater temperature shifts than cooling events. The study suggests that a multiplier effect may kick back in as ice sheets disappear, leading to further amplification of human-induced global warming.
Researchers found a 40-meter fall in sea level increases eruption likelihood at Santorini and possibly other volcanoes worldwide. Climate change impacts volcanic activity, particularly as ice sheets retreat and global sea levels rise.
A new study published in PLOS ONE warns that Kenya's Tana River Basin species will be unable to survive if global temperatures continue to rise. However, remaining within the goals of the Paris Agreement could save many species by protecting refugia from climate change.
A new study evaluates the performance of CMIP6 models in simulating the global warming slowdown observed in the early 2000s. Most models fail to reproduce this phenomenon, despite presenting some improvements over CMIP5 models.
Climate models suggest that offsetting agricultural emissions through CO2 removal could require substantial price increases, potentially up to 41% for beef, 40% for milk, and 14% for rice. Implementing such measures could be crucial in achieving ambitious climate targets.
A newly merged global surface temperature dataset, including reconstructed land and marine measurements, reveals a consistent increased warming trend compared to previous estimations. The study provides evidence that the globe has warmed at a significantly faster rate than previously thought, with improved coverage of the Earth's surface.
A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder reveals that the ocean's surface layer is becoming shallower, making it easier to warm and increasing the likelihood of extreme marine heatwaves. This thinning can lead to drastic swings in ocean temperatures, threatening sensitive marine ecosystems.
Scientists have resolved a key climate change mystery, showing that annual global temperature today is the warmest of the past 10,000 years. The study, led by Rutgers University, challenges long-held views on Holocene era temperatures and confirms greenhouse gases drove recent millennia warming.
Researchers have developed a new method to improve estimations of ultimate global warming from complex climate models, relevant for accurate projections of future climate change. By adding another observable on top of traditional ones, the method reduces uncertainties in long-term calculations.
Even if human-induced greenhouse gas emissions are reduced to zero, global temperatures may continue to rise for centuries due to self-sustained melting of permafrost. To prevent projected temperature and sea level rises, all anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions would need to be reduced to zero between 1960 and 1970.
Researchers have determined that the Last Glacial Maximum was approximately 6 degrees Celsius (11 F) cooler than today. The study's findings provide a better understanding of the relationship between atmospheric carbon dioxide and global temperature, allowing for more accurate climate predictions.
International analysis narrows range of climate's sensitivity to CO2, suggesting a likely warming of 2.3-4.5°C with doubled atmospheric carbon dioxide. The study, commissioned by the World Climate Research Programme, uses temperature records, paleoclimate data, and detailed models to converge on the best estimate of climate sensitivity.
A major new paleoclimatology study reveals that global warming has reversed 6,500 years of natural cooling, surpassing 1°C above the mid-19th century average temperature. The study, led by Northern Arizona University researchers, compiled previously published paleoclimate data and statistical analyses to show that the millennial-scale ...
A new study found that climate change will lead to more erratic summer temperatures in Europe, with hotter and colder days becoming more frequent and unpredictable. In contrast, winter temperatures are expected to become less variable, making it harder for humans and nature to adapt.
Researchers analyzed historical climate data to find that suitable climates for humans have remained largely unchanged since the mid-Holocene. By 2070, an estimated 1-3 billion people may live under warmer climate conditions deemed unsuitable for human life.
A new study found that implementing a national household energy strategy in Cameroon to increase adoption of LPG for clean cooking could avert 28,000 premature deaths. The strategy is expected to reduce global temperatures and mitigate climate change.
Researchers found that asteroid impact was primary cause of K/Pg mass extinction, while volcanic outgassing played role in shaping species after event. Volcanic emissions altered carbon cycle, allowing oceans to absorb CO2, limiting global warming and potentially influencing Cenozoic life.
According to NASA and NOAA analyses, Earth's global surface temperatures in 2019 were the second warmest since modern recordkeeping began in 1880. The past five years have been the warmest of the last 140 years. Rising temperatures are contributing to mass loss from Greenland and Antarctica and increases in extreme events.
A new reconstruction of global average surface temperature change over the past 2,000 years identified the main causes for decade-scale climate changes. The researchers found that airborne particles from volcanic eruptions were primarily responsible for several brief episodes of global cooling prior to the Industrial Revolution.
A new study led by the University of Bristol found that limiting warming to the lower Paris Climate Goal could avoid 110-2,720 annual heat-related deaths in major US cities. Strengthening national climate actions is crucial for preventing these deaths and promoting public health.
Researchers at the University of Oxford confirm that human-induced factors such as greenhouse gas emissions and particulate pollution are responsible for long-term changes in global temperature. The study finds no evidence to support the idea that slow-acting ocean cycles drive climate fluctuations.
A new metric called the E2E evaluates the intensification of wet and dry spells under global warming, revealing significant increases in event-to-event hydrological intensification index with rising temperatures.
Researchers found evidence of a massive volcanic eruption on Scotland's Isle of Skye that contributed to the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, a 5-8°C temperature increase around 56 million years ago. The study uses isotope geochemistry and pitchstone analysis to confirm the Red Hills as the likely vent area for the eruption.
Researchers found that dragonflies with darker wings absorb more heat, leading to stronger flight and successful territorial battles. However, at extremely high temperatures, dark-colored wings cause overheating and poor flight, potentially leading to reproductive difficulties.
Researchers disentangled 'hiatus' confusion by analyzing global surface temperature data and comparing model projections to observations. They found no statistical evidence of a pause or slowdown in global warming.
A new study projects that China's drought losses will increase ten-fold under a 1.5°C temperature rise and nearly three-fold under a 2.0°C rise, equivalent to tens of billions of USD in annual losses. The Paris Agreement aims to limit warming to 1.5°C to reduce these risks.
A new study finds that extreme warming could lead to a significant increase in heat-related deaths worldwide, with the risk balanced in cooler regions. If global temperatures rise above 2°C, many parts of the world could experience a dramatic increase in excess mortality due to heat.