Articles tagged with Climate Change Mitigation
Scientists warn of increased river flood risks worldwide due to global warming, with the need for adaptation greatest in the US, parts of India and Africa. The study finds that without additional measures, millions will be exposed to severe flooding, with devastating impacts on communities.
Research found that human-perceived temperature (AP) increased 0.04oC per decade faster than actual air temperature (AT), with projected increases of up to 0.17oC per decade in low-latitude areas. AP is expected to continue rising, posing bigger threats to cities and communities, especially in tropical and sub-tropical regions.
A new set of principles addresses the moral challenge of climate change by providing scientifically-grounded tools for investors and companies to assess corporate strategy. The principles include committing to net zero emissions, developing a profitable net zero business model, and setting quantitative mid-term targets.
Researchers found that Norwegian consumers can reduce their carbon footprint by up to 58% by making conscious choices such as carpooling, cutting back on meat, and buying durable goods. However, this reduction can be offset if the saved money is spent on discretionary items with high climate impacts.
Health professionals, including The BMJ's Editor in Chief Dr Fiona Godlee, back legal action against the UK government for not cutting carbon emissions as required. They argue that climate change has serious implications for human health and wellbeing.
A recent study by UBC researchers found that forest vegetation can have a substantial impact on global water resources, with alterations to ground cover changing annual water yield by up to 31%. The study suggests that both climate change and vegetation loss should be considered when assessing and managing future global water resources.
A new study proposes a generic methodological framework to accurately quantify the greenhouse gas footprints of crop cultivation systems. The framework takes into account direct and indirect contributors, providing example values of emission factors and emphasizing the combination of measurements and model simulations.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has awarded $2.5 million in new grants through its Climate Adaptation Fund to support innovative conservation projects addressing the impacts of climate change on wildlife and ecosystems. The grants aim to help species, ecosystems, and communities adapt to rapidly shifting environmental conditions.
New research by UNC Chapel Hill shows that global GHG reductions will significantly benefit US air quality and human health in 2050. Foreign GHG mitigation efforts contribute substantially to reduced deaths from PM2.5 and O3-related mortality, with co-benefits estimated at $137 per ton CO2.
A study suggests that improving California's land use could negate up to 147 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. This approach could contribute substantially to the state's climate mitigation goals, with potential benefits for ecosystem management and conservation.
Researchers from the University of Seville suggest that green roofs could mitigate climate change effects by reducing maximum temperature rises. Installing these gardens on buildings can provide better insulation, leading to energy savings and improved environmental conditions.
Climate policies aimed at limiting global warming below 2C can reduce air pollution-related deaths by 15-40% annually, while raising crop yields by 2.5-6.6%. The report also finds that these measures could save over 300,000 lives annually by 2030.
A new study finds that reducing greenhouse gas emissions to protect future generations from environmental destruction could save tens of billions of dollars annually, especially in wealthier countries. By valuing human population differently, policymakers can make more informed decisions about climate policy.
A study links population growth to increased social cost of carbon dioxide and potential savings in climate mitigation costs by reducing emissions. The model suggests that minimal population growth can lead to substantial annual savings.
The Lancet Countdown report reveals that climate change is having a significant impact on health, with 125 million adults over 65 exposed to heatwaves, and an estimated 5.3% loss in labour productivity. The report also highlights the increase in mosquito-borne diseases, air pollution, and economic losses linked to extreme weather events.
A new study by University of Kansas researchers found that cities starting with a narrower focus on connections to natural hazards appear to lay a stronger foundation for a more comprehensive approach. This approach includes addressing climate-related impacts beyond just hazards like flooding and severe storms.
A new study clarifies different perspectives on loss and damage from climate change, highlighting four key viewpoints: adaptation and mitigation, risk management, limits to adaptation, and existential. These perspectives will help inform research and policy work on loss and damage.
Researchers have created a new climate risk classification system to account for potential existential threats from rapid global warming. The categories include catastrophic and unknown risks, which could play out by century's end, posing dangers such as species extinctions and human health risks.
Periglacial zones, which cover a quarter of the Earth's land surface, are expected to reduce dramatically by 2050 and almost disappear by 2100 due to climate change. This could trigger significant changes in landscapes and biodiversity, with potential implications for regional climate systems.
Climate change creates extreme conditions that impact railway bridge maintenance, requiring new solutions to mitigate track deterioration and reduce carbon emissions. The study evaluates the effectiveness of eight mitigation measures, recommending elastic rail pads, soft baseplates, and under ballast mats for short-span bridges.
A new study published by a Lancaster University-led team warns that phosphorus losses will increase unless major changes are made to agricultural practices. Climate change will lead to warmer winters, resulting in more phosphorus transferred from agricultural land into rivers and oceans.
By the late 21st century, South Asia is projected to experience deadly heat waves, with wet-bulb temperatures surpassing human survivability limits. Climate change mitigation efforts could reduce population exposure by up to 70%, according to new research.
A new study finds that climate change will lead to a significant increase in nitrogen runoff in the US, with projected increases of up to 19% by 2100. This excess nitrogen can cause algal blooms, harming human health, aquatic ecosystems, and the economy.
Asia and the Pacific face severe impacts from unmitigated climate change, including increased temperatures, extreme weather events, and declining agricultural productivity. The region is projected to experience a 6-degree Celsius temperature increase by 2100, leading to significant economic losses and human suffering.
By 2050, climate change will significantly reduce crop yields in the Southwest due to reduced precipitation and increased water stress. The region's water basins, including those used for cotton and forage production, are projected to experience severe shortages.
Research published in Water Resources and Rural Development finds that access to water is worse now than in 1990, highlighting the need for stronger leadership from governments to implement long-term interventions. The study suggests that current approaches by NGOs, private companies, and other organizations are not aligned strategical...
Three EU-funded projects synthesize research knowledge on high-end climate change impacts and adaptation for key policy sectors. Research highlights potential risks, challenges, and opportunities for transformational change, including innovative solutions for coastal zone adaptation.
Marine reserves can help protect wildlife, support fisheries, and promote carbon storage to slow climate change impacts. The study evaluates existing research on the benefits of large, long-established marine protected areas in reducing the effects of ocean acidification, sea-level rise, and other climate change drivers.
A global assessment reveals that increased leaf abundance in boreal areas warms the environment while in arid regions it cools. The study suggests a buffering effect of greening on warming in about 60% of vegetated areas, but amplifies warming in boreal zones.
A study published in Cognition found that Pope Francis's 2015 encyclical on climate change increased perceptions of his credibility on the issue, particularly among liberals, but did not directly influence people's beliefs about its seriousness or effects on the poor. The study used a panel of 602 U.S. adults who completed surveys befo...
Scientists have created a global map measuring the cooling effect of forests by regulating water and energy exchange between the Earth's surface and atmosphere. This new statistical model allows communities to pinpoint ideal locations for forest protection or reforestation efforts.
A recent study found that cover crops can mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing soil carbon sequestration. The research suggests that cover cropping can be an effective adaptive management tool to maintain yields and minimize nitrogen losses as the climate warms.
A new study identifies the isotopic fingerprint of nitrous oxide produced by Arctic soils, shedding light on climate change mitigation actions. The research opens up new avenues for predicting future trends in atmospheric nitrous oxide and identifying greenhouse gas sources in the Arctic.
Researchers at the Met Office Hadley Centre found that aggressive emission reductions can reduce the risk of extreme seasonal temperatures by half within 20 years. This study challenges previous assumptions that most benefits of mitigation would be delayed until later in the century.
A new study projects a 50% increase in conducive weather conditions similar to those in January 2013, leading to more frequent severe haze events in Beijing. The researchers developed an effective Haze Weather Index (HWI) to represent such conditions, which are influenced by large-scale circulation changes and climate change.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that water temperatures generally remain low despite rising air temperatures, helping to curb greenhouse gas emissions. The research, conducted by Uppsala University, involved nearly 3,500 schoolchildren taking measurements and samples from lakes across Sweden.
A new study by UC Santa Barbara researchers found that adopting healthier diets could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower healthcare costs. The study's results show a significant impact on climate change mitigation through the food system and healthcare systems.
Scientists call for transparent and credible data to track the real mitigation potential of forests. Forests are expected to contribute up to 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 2030.
A study by researchers at the University of East Anglia found that fiscal policies can help lower harmful carbon emissions in developing countries. The research used Brazil as a case study and discovered that even early-stage measures could significantly reduce emissions.
A new study reveals that land-use changes such as deforestation and expanded agriculture significantly increase CO2 emissions, but also reveal a higher rate of carbon uptake among terrestrial ecosystems.
A new study investigates how cookstove emissions contribute to both indoor air quality issues and global climate change. The research reveals that reducing cookstove use in certain countries, such as Azerbaijan and Ukraine, could have the largest positive impact on climate change, despite not being major users of residential cookstoves.
The Berkeley Tsinghua Joint Research Center on Energy and Climate Change has received a $5 million donation to support its scientific research and analysis on clean energy solutions for China. The gift also establishes the first endowed chair at Berkeley Lab, the Nat Simons Chair in China Energy Policy.
A recent study suggests that climate engineering cannot be used as a substitute for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, due to significant uncertainties associated with the technique. Climate engineering would allow very little additional emissions during the coming decades.
Researchers assess environmental costs of electric vehicles, identifying material trade-offs to mitigate climate change. A new framework guides developers in choosing sustainable materials for batteries and fuel cells.
A new study by Cornell University researchers reveals that moral values like compassion, fairness, and purity influence individuals' willingness to take climate change action. The findings suggest that both liberals and conservatives value these moral principles, with compassion and fairness being the strongest predictors of action.
The Lancet Countdown is an international research initiative that tracks the impacts of climate change on public health and informs decision-making. It aims to accelerate policy responses to address the growing health risks associated with climate change.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) should include ocean variability and regional projections in its reports to better understand the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. Experts from the University of Bristol and Tasmania recommend incorporating local stressors and regional projections into policy decisions.
A new study by University of Miami researchers found that the Agulhas Current, a major Indian Ocean current, has broadened since the early 1990s due to increased turbulence from intensifying winds. This widening of the current has significant implications for global climate change and ocean heat transport.
Experts predict that soils will lose a significant amount of their carbon content, leading to increased soil erosion and flood damage. Land use changes and management practices are crucial to mitigate this trend and protect soil functions.
New research reveals EU's transport sector faces significant challenges in achieving emission reduction targets. The study highlights a lack of ambition and internal disagreement over responsibility, as well as scarcity of data and bias towards industry interests.
Researchers warn that economic growth will not be able to counterbalance hurricane losses under unchecked global warming. Historical losses due to tropical cyclones have been found to increase less than linearly with a nation's affected GDP, but per capita income does not protect against hurricane losses.
The study reveals significant productivity losses due to heat stress, with potential GDP losses of up to $2 trillion by 2030. Climate change exacerbates health risks from disasters like floods, cyclones, and landslides, affecting millions in the Asia Pacific region.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has announced $8.4 million in funding to study and develop new approaches for the US agriculture sector to adapt to climate change. The funding will support research on reducing energy, nitrogen, and water use, as well as training community-based volunteers to become 'climate masters,'
A new study found that major green donors allocate most of their climate mitigation funding to developing countries with large carbon sinks and good governance. This funding often overlooks least-developed countries, diverting public finance from poor nations and exacerbating global inequality.
A new study finds that sustained high or low oil prices could have a significant impact on future carbon dioxide emissions. The magnitude of the impact depends on various uncertainties, including energy supply and demand technologies, alternative resources, and climate policy.
A leading physician argues that family planning is highly cost-effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advocates for voluntary family planning as a crucial strategy. Studies show that having one less child can reduce carbon legacy by up to 9441 tonnes, more than other eco-actions.
A new journal by Princeton University and Brookings Institution highlights the need for children to be central to climate change debates due to their larger stake in the outcome. The issue outlines policies to mitigate harm caused by climate change on children's health and wellbeing.
A recent study published in Nature Climate Change reveals significant greening of a quarter to one-half of the Earth's vegetated lands due to CO2 fertilization. The increase in leaves on plants and trees has the potential to fundamentally change the cycling of water and carbon in the climate system.
A new study suggests that Americans' skepticism towards climate change may be partly due to the perception of milder winters and dryer summers. This cognitive dissonance between self-experienced changes and long-term threats makes it challenging for people to make climate-conscious decisions.
Climate change will have devastating consequences for public and individual health unless aggressive, global action is taken to curb greenhouse gas emissions. ACP recommends that medical schools incorporate climate change-related coursework into curricula.