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New report shows accelerated adaptation can substantially reduce Egypt’s food production losses from climate change

A new report by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) suggests that accelerated adaptation can substantially reduce Egypt’s food production losses from climate change. Climate change-induced biophysical crop stress could lead to a 10% reduction in food crop yields by 2050, but investing in agricultural research and devel...

SourceInternational Food Policy Research Institute·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 30, 2021

Human behavior sabotages CO2-reducing strategies

A new study by University of Utah researchers found that energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy investments had limited impact on reducing CO2 emissions. However, policies aimed at improving energy efficiency had no effect, while investment in renewable energy sources led to increased levels of CO2 emissions in the residen...

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalGlobal Environmental Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 29, 2021

Dramatic liana increases in old-growth tropical forests associated to natural disturbance and climate change

A 10-year study in Panama's Barro Colorado Island found that liana density increased dramatically due to natural canopy disturbance, with most of the growth attributed to gaps in the canopy. The study suggests that environmental factors like climate change may also be contributing to this phenomenon, but to a lesser extent.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalEcology Letters·DateSep 29, 2021

State-driven emissions controls only slightly more expensive

Researchers found that state-driven emissions controls are only slightly more expensive than federally mandated ones, with nationwide costs being one-tenth higher. This approach relies on technologies like low-carbon electricity and advanced biofuels, which can be traded between states to even out costs.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Climate Change·DateSep 14, 2021

Study provides basis to evaluate food subsectors' emissions of three greenhouse gases

A new study provides a comprehensive framework to evaluate the emissions of three major greenhouse gases from food production and consumption. The research found that animal-based foods emit 57% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while plant-based foods account for 29%, with CO2 being the most important emission factor.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Food·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 13, 2021

Insect protein has great potential to reduce the carbon footprint of European consumers

Researchers found that insect protein has great potential to reduce global warming associated with food consumption in Europe, especially when used in broiler meat production. Using edible insects or low-value food industry side stream products can increase the carbon footprint benefits of using insect protein over soybean meal protein.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·DateSep 7, 2021

Study proposes new ways to estimate climate change impacts on agriculture

Researchers propose new statistical approaches to estimate climate change impacts on US agriculture, focusing on county-level analysis. They suggest that current grouping methods can lead to inaccurate results and recommend using C-Lasso, causal forest algorithm, and geographically weighted regressions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalClimatic Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 20, 2021

Scientists reveal how landmark CFC ban gave planet fighting chance against global warming

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.

SourceLancaster University·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 18, 2021

Indigenous territories fight climate change

Researchers found that Indigenous Territories are as effective as Protected Areas in preserving forest's carbon stocks, with some areas showing up to 10% more carbon storage. The study suggests that securing land titles and formalizing forest co-governance can bring multiple benefits for both indigenous people and national governments.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 17, 2021

Polymer coating accelerates fuel production

Researchers from University of Tsukuba and Osaka University developed a polymer-coated metal catalyst that accelerates CO2 conversion into formate, a useful carbon-based fuel. The PEG-coated Sn catalyst showed a 24 times higher formate production rate than conventional Sn plate electrodes.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalACS Catalysis·DateAug 5, 2021

Rice expert: Using carbon is key to decarbonizing economy

Pasquali proposes splitting hydrocarbons to produce clean hydrogen energy and solid carbon materials, which could replace materials with large carbon footprints. This transition would generate robust growth in manufacturing jobs and improve production efficiency.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 5, 2021

New study exposes big differences amongst Amazonian countries in their rates of forest recovery as well as deforestation

A new study reveals significant differences in forest recovery rates across Amazonian countries, with some experiencing little to no recovery even 20 years after deforestation. The research highlights the need for targeted interventions to protect and restore remaining forests.

SourceBangor University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 4, 2021

Climate adaptation at the department of defense and beyond

New research from the University of Arizona identifies climate-related threats to US Department of Defense facilities in the southwestern United States. The study recommends emphasizing risks to DOD missions, finding champions at individual bases, and integrating climate considerations into existing plans to mitigate these challenges.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalClimate Services·DateJul 27, 2021

Land repair vital for survival

The study highlights the importance of dryland restoration to mitigate climate change and reverse desertification, with seeding efforts showing promising results in nearly a third of treatments. However, the process is also fraught with risks, including high failure rates and declining species populations as projects mature.

SourceFlinders University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateJul 22, 2021

Engineering seeds to resist drought

Researchers at MIT have developed a simple and inexpensive two-layer coating that protects seeds from drying out and provides them with extra nutrition, enabling agriculture on marginal arid lands. The coating, which is engineered to hold onto moisture and contain preserved microorganisms, has shown encouraging results in early tests.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Food·DateJul 8, 2021

Assessing feasibility concerns in climate mitigation scenarios

Researchers develop a framework to identify and evaluate feasibility concerns in climate mitigation scenarios, highlighting institutional constraints and socio-cultural limitations. The study applies the framework to IPCC scenarios, revealing that many assume fast decarbonization rates in regions with low mitigation capacity.

SourceCMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJun 9, 2021

Missing role of finance in climate mitigation scenarios

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.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience·DateMay 21, 2021

Agricultural trade across US states can mitigate economic impacts of climate change

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.

Climate change has reduced ocean mixing far more than expected

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.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·DateMar 24, 2021

Mapping the best places to plant trees

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.

SourceCell Press·JournalOne Earth·DateMar 11, 2021