Articles tagged with Climate Change Mitigation
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
A conference of over 400 scientists highlights the need for transformative change in energy systems and lifestyles to combat climate change. They emphasize the importance of framing sustainability as a shared goal that benefits health and the environment, rather than just addressing climate change alone.
A comparative study by researchers from RIFS finds that both Germany and the UK can do more to mitigate climate change in the heating sector. The authors recommend introducing a commitment to phasing out high-carbon heating and embedding it in planned policy interventions.
New research highlights the importance of legally protecting large indigenous territories in Brazil to preserve biodiversity, traditional livelihoods, and cultural heritage. Almost 90% of indigenous territories retain higher native vegetation cover than their surroundings, safeguarding over 100 million hectares of forests and savannahs.
Scientists propose integrating oceans into climate policies, highlighting four areas of investment: energy, transportation, food security, and habitat restoration. Aquaculture and sustainable fisheries also hold potential for reducing emissions and enhancing the food supply.
A new study predicts that future 'blobs' will exacerbate climate change impacts on fish stocks, causing biomass to decrease and distribution shifts. This could lead to significant declines in fisheries sectors along the west coast of Canada and USA.
A landmark study published in Nature outlines a roadmap for rebuilding marine life to full abundance by 2050. The research identifies nine key components and six complementary interventions that can accelerate recovery within two to three decades, provided climate change is tackled.
A new study reveals that soil has a significant role in mitigating climate change, with up to 25% of global potential for natural climate solutions. The research highlights the importance of agroforestry and improved agricultural practices in enhancing soil health and carbon sequestration.
A study by UCI researchers found that reductions in ground ozone resulted in $600 million in increased production annually, with yields projected to rise by 5-20% for certain crops like wine grapes and table grapes. The study highlights the benefits of air quality standards for California's high-value crops.
Researchers used ensemble simulations to quantify uncertainty caused by internal variability in SASM rainfall projections. They found a linkage between the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) phase and the spread in projected SASM rainfall, identifying IPO as a leading internal mode influencing near-term projection.
A new study reveals that clearing acacia-dominated bushland for farming can raise land surface temperatures by up to 1.8°C, comparable to forest clearing. The findings suggest that preserving these ecosystems could mitigate climate change in the region.
A study analyzing Barcelona's 'Superblocks' program reveals how political struggles for municipal power hindered its implementation. The program aimed to reduce car traffic and emissions, but resistance from local forces and public participation issues threatened its success.
A new study published in Energy and Environment found that despite high awareness of climate change, people are hesitant to take action due to differing worldviews. The study identifies four major worldviews influencing opinions on policy interventions and individual responsibility.
A new study finds that warming temperatures have been substantially mitigated by the migration of rainfed corn, wheat, and rice. However, continued migration may result in significant environmental costs, including biodiversity loss and increased carbon emissions.
A new study reveals that implementing available technology can significantly reduce methane emissions and mitigate climate change. The study estimates that between 30% and 50% of future global methane emissions can be removed at a cost below 50 €/t CO2eq, but acknowledges the need for regional- and sector-specific approaches to mitigat...
A recent study using satellite data reveals that abandoned cropland in Europe can moderate temperatures, with seasonal cooling of up to one degree C. The research found that forested areas increased by about 23 million hectares after agriculture abandonment, contributing to regional climate benefits.
A new study projects significant shifts in fish species distributions due to climate change, with tropical countries losing up to 40% of their species by 2100. The researchers highlight the need for international cooperation and strict greenhouse gas emissions reductions to mitigate the impact on vulnerable nations.
Researchers argue that current disjointed approaches may harm strategies to reduce food emissions and safeguard food from climate impacts. A comprehensive approach is needed to track emissions beyond the farm gate and understand how different components work together.
Scientists are developing new ways to mitigate climate change while enabling people and ecosystems to survive and thrive. Researchers are reengineering crops to increase yield and resist disease, modifying coral DNA to make reefs more resilient, and creating innovative solutions for cities to protect infrastructure from extreme weather.
A large study found daily exposure to ground level ozone in cities worldwide is associated with an increased risk of death. The study suggests that more than 6,000 deaths each year could be avoided if countries implemented stricter air quality standards.
New research suggests that cleaning up ozone precursors in energy, industrial, and transportation sectors can mitigate climate change by increasing the land's ability to remove carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. This could result in a 15% increase in the size of the current land sink for carbon.
A new IIASA study examines how collective behavior patterns emerge from personal, social, and environmental factors. The research highlights the importance of infrastructure in shaping sustainable behaviors, such as cycling, and demonstrates that even minor changes can have significant effects on adoption rates.
The study identifies six social tipping interventions that can trigger rapid change leading to decarbonization by 2050. These interventions include building carbon-neutral cities, divesting from fossil fuels, and increasing climate change education.