Articles tagged with Climate Change Mitigation
Researchers estimate that restoring all global agricultural peatlands could cut 500 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to one per cent of global GHG emissions. Raising peatland water levels could allow farmers to reduce climate impact while extending soil usage.
A study by Cornell University found that most US adults support soil carbon storage as a climate solution, particularly when framed as a natural approach. The strategy received highest support from Democrats and those who perceive it as 'natural'.
The study introduces a dynamic approach to complement existing climate mitigation scenarios, taking into account the financial system's enabling or hampering role. This framework helps investors adjust their expectations and reallocate capital to low-carbon investments, leading to a smoother transition to a sustainable economy.
A team of researchers explores how Game-theoretic models can optimize value proposition for different stakeholders in renewable energy investments. The study reveals a practical framework for analyzing investor decision-making and investigating feasible tariffs that encourage distributed renewable investment.
Oregon State University researchers argue that socially just population policies can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote human rights. Effective policies, such as improving education for girls and young women, can significantly decline fertility rates in developing countries.
A new study suggests that ambitious climate policies can alleviate poverty reduction challenges by redistributing emission pricing revenues and promoting fair international burden sharing. The research projects that implementing these measures could lead to a small reduction in global poverty of around 6 million people by 2030.
A University of Maine study found that Down East wild blueberry fields are warming at a rate 1.2 degrees Celsius faster than the rest of the state over the past 40 years. This rapid warming is expected to increase evapotranspiration, threatening water supplies and crop health.
A new framework recognizes that response options can be a driver of risk, requiring a more integrated approach to climate risk assessment. This shift in perspective highlights the importance of considering interactions among multiple drivers of risk and responses.
A new study from the University of Illinois finds that US interstate trade can reduce the economic impact of climate change on crop profit, with potential benefits worth up to $14.5 billion by 2050. This approach shifts the paradigm compared to current forecasts, which only consider local drought impacts.
A new study examines the feasibility of ocean alkalinization to simultaneously address global warming and ocean acidification. The research reveals that nearly doubling the carbon-dioxide uptake rate of the Mediterranean Sea after 30 years could mitigate climate change and counteract acidification.
A new analysis by New York University researchers found that the world's largest meat and dairy companies have not made explicit commitments to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Only four companies, including Dairy Farmers of America and Nestle, have made such a commitment.
Research conducted by CNRS and international collaborators reveals that climate change has made the ocean six times stabler over the past 50 years. This increased stability limits oceanic mixing, making it harder for marine organisms to access light and for the ocean to function as a global thermostat.
A new study suggests that floating solar farms could help protect lakes and reservoirs from some of the harms of climate change, such as blooms of toxic blue green algae. However, further research is needed to understand the likelihood of both positive and negative impacts on water temperature and stratification.
Researchers highlight China's success in launching nationwide ecological projects, which have contributed to over half of the country's natural carbon sinks. Implementing natural climate solutions could result in mitigating nearly 15 trillion pounds of greenhouse gases per year.
Researchers surveyed 9,911 people in Germany and the US, finding that emphasizing urgency alone doesn't increase support for high-cost climate plans. However, giving context and communicating effective near-term solutions can boost support, particularly when politicians are transparent, engaging, and authentic.
The Reforestation Hub is an interactive map that color-codes individual counties by reforestation opportunity, revealing a great deal of potential for restoration across the US. The tool identifies trends and quantifies land suitability for forest cover, providing valuable insights for foresters and policymakers.
By 2100, winters are predicted to be shorter than two months and transitional seasons even shorter in the Northern Hemisphere. This shift could exacerbate environmental and health risks such as phenological changes and agricultural disruptions.
A new study reveals that four common assumptions about gender are hindering effective policymaking and action on climate change. The review of literature highlights how these narrow diagnoses of gender inequality have counterproductive consequences, such as overburdening women and obscuring vulnerabilities of other groups.
Residents who experienced the 2018 Camp Fire exhibited measurable increases in PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorders, worsened by proximity and previous adverse experiences. Chronic mental health problems were mitigated by physical exercise, mindfulness, and emotional support.
A study models bird and mammal species distributions under climate scenarios, revealing potential conservation issues across national borders. The authors project that border barriers could obstruct the dispersal of nonflying species as their ranges shift, emphasizing the need to mitigate these impacts.
A new study by CMCC Foundation investigates sustainable land management options to reduce GHG emissions from livestock, which contribute to 60% of agricultural emissions in Europe. The approach aims to enhance carbon sink function in soils and biomass through targeted land-use strategies.
A University of Otago study found that while 74% of Americans are concerned about climate change, only 29% discuss lower carbon options when asked to describe future travel. The study suggests actively envisioning a sustainable future could lead to increased adoption of low-carbon systems and mitigate efforts.
Reducing short-lived climate-forcing pollutants (SLCPs) can mitigate climate change, human health issues, and food insecurity by slowing down near-term climate warming and improving crop yields.
Researchers found that tidal wetlands accumulate ~54 Tg C yr-1, which is ~30% of the organic C buried on the ocean floor. The study highlights the potential for preserving and rehabilitating mangroves and salt marshes to offset up to 0.6% of current CO2 emissions.
A recent study found that dams can decrease the number of people globally exposed to historical once-in-100-year floods by approximately 15% downstream of dams. Integrating dam landscapes into existing flood modeling frameworks is crucial for realistic assessments of population exposure to present and future floods.
Scientists found that 86% of land ecosystems globally are becoming progressively less efficient at absorbing CO2 as atmospheric levels increase. This decline, known as the CO2 fertilization effect, is caused by limitations in water and nutrient availability, potentially weakening plants' ability to mitigate climate change.
A study published in PNAS found that global warming accelerates biodiversity loss, putting existing and proposed post-2020 biodiversity targets at risk. However, the authors suggest that dynamic responses to climate change through flexible conservation approaches can help protect biodiversity.
A new study from the University of Leeds finds that rapid and deep emissions cuts can significantly slow down global warming over the next twenty years. Reducing emissions in line with the Paris Agreement aims to limit temperature rises and prevent unprecedented near-term warming rates.
The study found that preserving and planting trees could cost as much as $393 billion per year by 2055 to achieve more than 10% of total emissions reductions. Forest management in temperate regions will play a significant role, especially under higher price scenarios.
A new study suggests that widespread forest management and protections against deforestation can help mitigate climate change, but will come with a steep cost. The research found that planting and protecting trees could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 6 gigatons a year, but would cost $393 billion annually.
Research shows that restoring degraded grasslands in tropical semi-arid regions can replenish soil organic carbon, restore herbaceous biomass, and improve plant biodiversity. This effort can also help regulate water flows, provide fodder for livestock, and support the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide.
A collaborative study led by researchers from the University of Nevada, Reno, found that meadows throughout the region are both gaining and losing carbon at high rates. Meadows with wetland plant communities and dense root mats were large net carbon sinks during the year measured.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that species diversity is optimal for equatorial and tropical rainforests, while abundance of trees is key to carbon storage in colder regions. The findings have substantial practical relevance for climate change mitigation strategies.
Scientists propose genetically engineered organisms to remove CO2 from the atmosphere irreversibly. Bioengineered plants can be designed to increase crop productivity, fix nitrogen, and process energy more efficiently.
A new report from UCSF links climate change to a significant increase in global cancer rates, particularly lung, skin, and gastrointestinal cancers. The study highlights the need for urgent action to mitigate climate change and reduce air pollution to prevent cancer cases and deaths.
A new study from the University of Utah reveals that mixed landscapes, comprising both trees and grass, are the most effective way to cool temperatures in the Salt Lake Valley. Lawns actually outperform trees in reducing daytime and nighttime temperatures by acting as a swamp cooler, while more open areas allow for better heat escape.
A new study examines the effects of future climate change on over 137,000 nature reserves worldwide, revealing severe local impacts, especially in tropical countries. The research highlights the importance of informed management to mitigate climate change effects and preserve biodiversity.
A study by Indiana University researchers finds that 31 million people living on river deltas worldwide are at high risk of experiencing flooding and other climate-related impacts. River deltas contain 4.5% of the global population, but only 0.5% of the earth's land surface.
Despite high hopes, the Amazon's regrowing forests have been found to absorb less than 10% of the carbon dioxide released from widespread deforestation. Secondary forests, which form a key part of climate policies, are also subject to repeated deforestation, limiting their effectiveness as carbon stores.
Climate models suggest that tropical and subtropical southern hemisphere countries, including Brazil, may experience longer droughts and reduced rainfall by the end of the century. The mid-Pliocene period, which occurred 3 million years ago, shares characteristics with modern warming, indicating a possible future scenario.
Aleutian Reef decline is driven by the absence of sea otters, which prevents urchin population growth. Ocean warming and acidification exacerbate this issue, reducing the alga's resistance and leading to reef erosion.
A new study suggests that a reversal in global biodiversity trends is feasible through integrated conservation and restoration efforts combined with food system transformations. This requires rapid stepped-up action in two key areas: bold conservation and restoration, and food system transformation.
New research reveals aviation's significant impact on climate change, with non-carbon dioxide emissions making up two-thirds of its effects. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of the sector's contribution to global warming.
A new study from Oregon State University found that natural disasters alone are not enough to motivate local communities to engage in climate change mitigation or adaptation. Policy change appears to depend on a combination of factors, including fatalities, media coverage, and community politics.
A new study emphasizes the importance of involving local communities in global forest restoration efforts, which could provide benefits to millions of people living on lands suitable for forest restoration. The research highlights opportunities for tropical countries to remove atmospheric carbon, promote biodiversity conservation, and ...
A recent study led by NUS researchers found that financial, land-use, and operational constraints can limit the climate mitigation potential of reforestation in Southeast Asia. The study estimated that 121 million hectares of land are suitable for reforestation, but only a fraction may be achievable due to these constraints.
Tropical fisheries face significant threats from climate change, with global seafood trade and distant-water fishing linked to extratropical natural systems. This telecoupling effect generates cascades of impacts that affect not only local economies but also distant regions.
Scientists have made a major breakthrough in predicting North Atlantic pressure patterns, which drive European and eastern North American winter weather. The study suggests that decadal variations in atmospheric pressure are highly predictable, enabling advanced warnings of extreme weather events.
A new study predicts a 50% rise in coastal flooding globally over the next 80 years due to climate change. This would expose an additional 77 million people to flooding risks, with up to $US14.2 trillion in infrastructure exposed.
A new UNLV study provides a 13,000-year climate history from stalagmite specimens, showing that Nevada was even hotter and drier in the past than it is today. The research warns of potential permanent aridity in the region due to human-induced Arctic and tropical Pacific warming.
A new study from Columbia University provides a blueprint for using genomics to help combat climate change by identifying corals that can adapt to warmer seas. Researchers analyzed genetic data from 237 samples collected at 12 locations along the Great Barrier Reef, finding multiple genetic variants associated with bleaching tolerance.
A recent study found that tree planting on heather moorland in Scotland did not increase carbon storage, but instead led to a decline in soil organic carbon stocks. The research suggests that planting trees may not be an effective strategy for mitigating climate change in certain areas.
A large-scale study found that communication increases the likelihood of reaching a target by almost two-fold, confirming its role in promoting cooperativeness. Players who communicate are more persistent and refuse to give up, while genuine free riders pay little attention to communication.
A Rutgers-led study examines 40 options to tackle interrelated problems of climate change, food security and land degradation. The research finds that integrated water management and agroforestry have fewer trade-offs than well-known options like planting trees.
A new study reveals that focusing on both climate change and air pollution can lead to more effective upgrades in the US electricity system. In a county-by-county approach, researchers found that prioritizing health concerns in policies can alter optimal locations for cleaner technologies.
A new study predicts a significant decrease in US snowstorms due to climate change, with a potential 28% reduction in frequency and size of snowstorms. The study suggests that winters will start later, end earlier, and experience fewer extreme snowfall events.
A new study reveals significant land-use changes in Bangladesh, driven by biophysical and socioeconomic factors. The research identifies areas where forests have shifted to shrub land and urban areas, highlighting the need for policies to mitigate their impact on climate change.
A global survey of health professions schools reveals that 63% offer climate change education, with most commonly integrated into core courses. However, many schools face institutional challenges and limited resources in developing curricula.
A climate game developed by Max Planck researchers shows that global cooperation can be possible -- although not without effort. The study found that richer countries rarely stopped climate change and migration, while poorer countries supported a minimum level of climate protection.
A new analysis suggests that no more than 2,700 Gigatonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) would be needed to meet the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's global warming targets. This is less than leading estimates of available storage space globally.