Articles tagged with Climate Change Mitigation
A proposed four-pillar strategy aims to drastically change consumption patterns, ensuring agricultural production and supply chains play a greater role in sustainable development. The transformation hinges on renewing food system governance, prioritizing human development, food security, and rational resource management.
A new study predicts a significant increase in heatwave-related deaths globally, particularly in tropical and subtropical countries, with Australia, Europe, and the US expected to be among the hardest hit. The study suggests that if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced, heatwaves will become more frequent, intense, and deadly.
A new IIASA-led research suggests that climate mitigation schemes in agriculture could lead to more widespread hunger and food insecurity than the direct impacts of climate change. The study highlights the need for smarter, inclusive policies that prioritize development goals alongside emissions reduction.
A study by researchers at the University of Waterloo found that flood losses in the Halifax, Nova Scotia area could increase by up to 300% if steps are not taken to address climate change. The study suggests that governments need to plan for rare but high-impact flood events and warn citizens about growing flood risks.
Climate change is projected to severely hinder conservation efforts for the Nassau grouper and other Caribbean Reef fish. Breeding habitats are expected to decline by 82% by 2100 if no action is taken to mitigate climate change.
A new research alliance in Bavaria is investigating the impact of climate change on ecosystems, focusing on four subprojects: measuring biodiversity and ecosystem performance, simulating climate scenarios and drought stress, landscape types and adaptability, and investigating vegetation with satellite data.
A regional climate model found that deforestation could lead to a slight annual cooling overall, but with big differences locally. Northern and eastern Europe cooled while western and central Europe warmed. Deforestation also increased summer temperature extremes.
The European Academies' Science Advisory Council calls for a 'food systems approach' to address negative impacts of climate change on food systems. The report highlights the need for policy coherence, consumer behavior changes, and technological innovations to improve food sustainability.
Scientists studied China's terrestrial ecosystems, revealing significant carbon stock changes driven by climate change, ecological restoration projects, and land-use practices. The study identified four major ecosystems with varying carbon sink or source capabilities.
A new study from Stockholm University shows that prescribed burning in southern Ethiopia's tree heather heathlands maintains biodiversity and habitats for alpine plant species. The practice, which has been used for at least 2000 years, is recommended to be maintained but regulated to protect local ecosystems and societies.
Australia is joining the Lancet Countdown, a global health and climate change initiative. The country will track its progress on 40 indicators across five categories, including adaptation planning, mitigation actions, and public engagement.
Experts propose using biological essential ocean variables to assess changes in marine ecosystems and support the Sustainable Development Goals. A new global observing system could help galvanize support for implementing effective measures to address the detrimental impacts of climate change on oceans.
A study by Colorado State University found that 19 megacities worldwide depend on evaporation from surrounding lands for more than one-third of their water supplies. Cities such as Karachi and Shanghai are among those most dependent on moisture recycling, while others like Cairo and Paris have less vulnerable systems.
A new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health finds that implementing the Paris Climate Agreement could lead to significant health savings due to reduced air pollution-related disease and death. Estimated costs range from 0.5-1% global GDP, while potential health benefits could be as high as 2.5 times greater than these costs.
Scientists at Rothamsted Research have found that modern carbon emissions cannot be locked in the ground to halt global warming. The study analyzed long-term soil data and concluded that even significant increases in soil organic carbon are unrealistic over large areas of the planet.
A study using climate models found that limiting warming to 1.5C instead of 2C can reduce extreme heat events in East Asia by 35-46%. This means that reducing global warming would have a significant impact on the region, with Mongolia experiencing the greatest benefits.
A new study finds that climate change can cause political and diplomatic problems at US military bases, including unexpected cleanup costs and conflict between the US and countries hosting the bases. Rising temperatures and sea levels threaten to remobilize toxic waste, putting personnel and local inhabitants at risk.
A study by University of South Florida researchers found that animal species are shifting the timing of their seasonal activities in response to changing temperatures and precipitation patterns. This shift can have adverse effects on ecosystems, human food supplies, and diseases.
Agroforestry systems have been shown to significantly increase soil organic carbon stocks, with an average increase of 34% from agriculture to agroforestry. The transition also showed increases in deeper layers, especially when including perennial plants.
Researchers developed a practical approach combining clever land use and urban radiation management to cool extreme summer temperatures locally. The measures can lower temperatures in agricultural regions and densely populated areas by up to two degrees Celsius.
Researchers argue that current emissions pathways are insufficient, requiring broader scenarios with rapid decarbonization and careful consideration of negative emissions technologies. The new scenarios aim to address potential environmental and social consequences of large-scale carbon removal.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.