Articles tagged with Climate Change Mitigation
Volcanologists' unique skillset can help urban governments customize lessons learned globally to address specific geographic, demographic, and economic challenges. By applying global knowledge to individual scenarios, cities can prepare for increasingly dangerous climate perils.
A Dartmouth-led study suggests using clay to convert CO2 into food for zooplankton, which expel it as carbon-filled feces in the deep sea. This method accelerates the ocean's natural cycle for removing carbon from the atmosphere.
A pair of studies analyze specific high-profile projects and a broader range of proposals, providing valuable frameworks for evaluating their effectiveness. The studies identify six primary types of climatopias, with the Reduce and Re-Use categories exhibiting the most profound engagement with sociopolitical transformation.
A new study reveals that lower-quality public housing units are disproportionately located in areas with high flood risk, putting residents at risk of catastrophic damage. The research also highlights the disproportionate impact on people of color and those with limited ability to recover from flooding.
The UN reports that over 77.6% of the world's land experienced drier conditions in recent decades, with drylands expanding by nearly a third larger than India. This trend is driven by human-caused climate change and has dire implications for agriculture, ecosystems, and people living in affected areas.
Researchers found that roof greening in all major Chinese cities could potentially create a large carbon sink, with grass planting scenarios showing approximately 52.2 Tg C a−1 emissions offset, equivalent to fully offsetting household emissions. Prioritizing greenery on low-rise roofs can harvest the most carbon sinks, over 90%.
Researchers found that zooplankton communities remained stable and tolerated moderate chemical changes associated with Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement. However, nutritional quality of particulate matter may deteriorate, potentially affecting marine food web structure and productivity.
A team of scientists, including Binghamton University's Molly Patterson, is drilling into the Ross Ice Shelf to retrieve geological records and gain insights into the ice sheet's response to global warming. The project aims to provide crucial data for adapting to sea-level rise and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
A new UN report highlights the economic benefits of investing in sustainable land and water management to reduce drought costs. The study estimates that nature-based solutions can generate up to $10.1 trillion in business value by 2030, while creating millions of jobs.
A recent study published in Nature found that isoprene, a naturally occurring organic compound emitted by vegetation, significantly contributes to the formation of new particles in the upper troposphere. Isoprene oxygenated organic molecules can rapidly form new particles under certain conditions.
The Antarctic Canyon Experiment (ACE) aims to assess the causes and effects of turbidity currents, also known as underwater avalanches, in the Southern Ocean. Researchers hope to develop a better understanding of Antarctica's role in regulating Earth's climate and mitigating carbon emissions.
Research from the University of Kansas found that American and Canadian universities have made progress in addressing climate change in their curriculum, but vary widely in how they approach it. The majority of programs include climate change as an elective course, with a focus on adaptation rather than mitigation.
Researchers found that brief scientific literacy interventions can undermine conspiracy beliefs, particularly those built on faulty reasoning. These interventions were most effective against novel conspiracies and among high-conspiracy groups.
A new UN University study reveals Hurricane Helene's devastating impacts, with over 31,000 buildings affected and $12.5 billion in threatened property value. The disaster highlights the urgent need for investment in resilient infrastructure and improved land-use planning to mitigate future extreme weather events.
Recent research published in Nature Climate Change highlights the importance of coral reef restoration in responding to smaller-scale disturbances. Leading experts emphasize the need for tailored approaches, incorporating resilience-oriented frameworks to ensure long-term success.
The report charts a course correction for how the world grows food and uses land, highlighting the central role of land in maintaining Earth's stability. Land degradation is undermining the planet's capacity to support humanity, with seven out of nine planetary boundaries negatively impacted by unsustainable land use.
A new paper emphasizes the role of agrifood value chains in supporting climate-smart agriculture at the farm level, highlighting the potential of these chains to empower farmers to adopt climate-resilient practices. The authors propose policy measures to strengthen the vital role of AVCs in driving climate action.
A study by the University of Texas at Austin found that most US states with food-waste laws have failed to reduce landfill disposal, except for Massachusetts, which saw a 7.3% decrease in waste. The researchers attribute Massachusetts' success to strong infrastructure and enforcement.
A study published by researchers from Göttingen University sheds light on the critical role of leaf phenology in trees providing shade and improving climate resilience in cocoa agroforestry systems. The research found that certain shade tree species can significantly influence productivity and environmental stability.
Researchers from 14 scientific journals worldwide are urging governments and industry to collaborate on microbiological research to tackle climate change. They identify six promising fields of action, including binding CO2 and making living organisms more resilient.
A new survey highlights the need to revive England's hedgerows to meet national restoration targets. While agri-environment schemes have improved hedge condition, overall length remains unchanged. Experts call for increased participation and better incentives among farmers and landowners to rejuvenate the network.
A recent study using satellite imagery analyzed drought dynamics over five years to show increasing droughts in the Arkansas Delta. The user-friendly Arkansas Vegetation Drought Explorer v.2.0 web app provides maps showing drought levels by county, year, and month.
Eighteen microbiologists propose a global science-based task force to develop and implement microbiological solutions grounded in ecological knowledge. Microorganisms can capture carbon, break down pollutants, produce biofuel, and strengthen ecosystems, offering numerous potential solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Researchers surveyed nine European neighborhoods and found that individual motivation to act against climate change outweighs the impact of hyperlocal collective intentions. However, both approaches are worth strengthening, according to the study.
A new study by Iowa State University researchers finds that nearly half of soybean-related emissions come from the natural processes in soil, which can be mitigated through strategies like planting winter cover crops and adjusting planting schedules. These solutions have been found to reduce emissions by one-third while increasing yields.
Geology researchers from UTEP are partnering with Bhutanese scientists to better understand and mitigate the impact of glacial floods on rural mountain villages. The project aims to use geophysical methods to identify changes in water levels and sediment transport, potentially helping vulnerable villages create early warning systems.
A new study by the University of Oxford's Department of Physics shows that relying on natural carbon sinks to offset CO2 emissions from fossil fuels will not stop global warming. Governments and corporations are increasingly turning to these natural sinks to meet climate goals, but this approach is flawed.
A recent study by Sharon Baute found that 95% of German respondents agree climate change is partly man-made, but public approval heavily depends on policy design features. Social components, such as investing in human capital or providing subsidies for low-income households, can significantly increase support for EU climate policy.
Climate change exacerbates systemic inequalities, particularly for women, girls, and gender minorities. Researchers call for greater inclusion of their voices in climate governance discussions to address disproportionate health impacts and promote gender equity.
Climate-induced changes in the Ocean impact how we live alongside it, with development and management plans struggling to keep up. Experts call for better understanding of links between the Ocean and climate to ensure adaptive management plans for housing, food, fresh water, and nature.
Scientists from leading institutions and societies urge governments to adopt scalable, innovative microbial technologies to combat climate change. These solutions have shown promise in carbon sequestration, methane mitigation, bioenergy production, bioremediation, and more.
Scientists argue that tree planting at high latitudes will accelerate rather than decelerate global warming due to the unique characteristics of Arctic ecosystems. Large herbivores like caribou may be a more viable nature-based solution to climate change in these regions.
A study from University of Vermont researchers suggests that some bird species may be more flexible to habitat changes than previously understood, creating new opportunities for supporting populations through city planting efforts. The team found that space-for-time substitutions, a method for predicting future species counts using hab...
A UTEP research team will investigate the impact of climate change on pecan orchards in the US and Mexico, focusing on drought, heat waves, and soil management. The study aims to develop insights for farmers and policymakers on improving water use efficiency and carbon sequestration.
A new study reveals nearly one in five people in Small Island Developing States are exposed to coastal and inland flooding, trebling to over 60% in some countries. Climate change is exacerbating the risk of flooding across these nations, with even a 1.5°C increase projected to affect over 20% of populations.
A new study by Yale University found that asset owners are increasingly aligning financial returns with environmental goals, despite perceived risks and challenges. The researchers propose several interventions, including training financial advisors and engaging beneficiaries on sustainable choices.
Researchers found that coral reef communities persisted under certain conditions, contradicting most projections of their demise. The study's results suggest that effective climate change mitigation measures can help coral reefs adapt and thrive.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have designed a system to improve soil health in hazelnut farms, reducing the impact of climate change. By partnering with 20 farms across the Willamette Valley, they aim to demonstrate the ecological and economic benefits of native wildflowers and basalt dust amendments.
A new study provides a tool for urban planners to set science-based city-wide greening goals, estimating that cities can reduce land surface temperatures by up to 0.23°C with increased tree canopy cover. The research found that the cooling efficiency of urban trees increases at larger scales, but at a slower rate.
Researchers suggest that small cutbacks in higher-income countries could remove 125 billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, allowing forests to regrow and sequester more CO2. This approach would require cutting global cattle herds by less than half, while still maintaining livestock grazing on native grasslands.
The ForestPaths project evaluates the effects of current legislation on European forests, focusing on climate change mitigation and biodiversity. The study identifies 17 green initiatives with prominent relations to forest conditions, emphasizing conservation, active management, afforestation, and wood processing activities.
Natasja van Gestel, a Texas Tech researcher, has been named Station Science Leader for her work on climate change's impact on glaciers in Antarctica. She will oversee multiple scientific initiatives and ensure compliance with the Antarctic Treaty's regulations.
A new study published in Nature found that up to 215 million hectares of land in tropical regions around the world has the potential to naturally regrow, storing 23.4 gigatons of carbon over 30 years. The study identified areas with high regrowth potential based on factors such as soil quality and proximity to existing forest.
A Dartmouth study has quantified the global economic fallout of El Niño, finding it costs the economy $4.1 trillion and $5.7 trillion in the half-decade after each event. The study's findings are included in the 10 New Insights in Climate Science report ahead of COP29.
A new study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health found that more than half of European heat-related deaths in summer 2022 were related to human-induced climate change. The research showed a higher number of heat-related deaths attributed to climate change among women and people aged 80 and over.
A new study used the 2023 Texas-Louisiana heat wave as a test case to establish processes for evaluating extreme weather events. The researchers found that the heat wave was directly related to climate change and will see even hotter heat waves in the future.
Researchers found that restoring coastal marshes can significantly help protect coastlines at a reasonable cost. A study by MIT graduate student Ernie I. H. Lee and professor Heidi Nepf shows that enhancing salt marshes in front of protective seawalls can reduce construction costs while still providing adequate protection from storms.
A new framework for responsible decision-making and inclusive dialogue has been launched by the American Geophysical Union to address the risks of geoengineering research. The framework proposes five key principles to guide research, funding and policy proposals, including consideration of physical, environmental and social consequences.
A new study predicts that climate change will threaten the survival of up to 2,000 resident bird species in the Neotropics by 2100. However, a more optimistic future scenario suggests that only 90 bird species will be exposed to longer dry seasons.
Researchers at Politecnico di Milano discovered that the ratio of CO2 to methane present in the reaction determines carbon build-up on catalysts. This finding paves the way for more efficient technologies and longer-lasting catalysts.
Researchers will map carbon distribution, identify high-risk areas, and inform fire suppression strategies to maximize carbon storage in the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge. The project aims to address the growing threat of permafrost thaw, which could release 1,700 billion metric tons of carbon.
Forest fires globally emitted half a billion tonnes more CO2 in the last two decades, with increased severity and extent driven by climate change. The study reveals alarming shifts in forest fire patterns, posing significant challenges for global targets to combat climate change.
A new study analyzed climate factors' impact on internal migration, revealing regions prone to drought-induced migration, such as Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. The research highlights the need for policies addressing drivers of migration and consequences for destination regions.
A new study suggests that large-scale adoption of electric vehicles can lead to significant population-level health benefits. The research team used computer simulations to show that aggressive electrification of the US vehicle fleet, coupled with an ambitious rollout of renewable electricity generation, could result in health benefits...
Next-generation passive radiative cooling technology offers an electricity- and refrigerant-free cooling solution, potentially reducing surface temperature by at least 2°C. The innovation has promising application potential in buildings, roads, and clothing, addressing issues such as urban heat islands and greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at Newcastle University successfully bred adult corals to enhance their heat tolerance in a controlled study. The study showed modest improvements in coral offspring's ability to survive intense marine heatwaves, but emphasized the need for rapid reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate warming.
The world's freshwater lakes are freezing over for shorter periods due to climate change, affecting more than a billion people worldwide. Changes in ice duration have major implications for human safety, water quality, biodiversity, and global nutrient cycles.
A new study found that extreme heat increases mortality risk for people experiencing homelessness, particularly in hot-climate US counties like Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Heat exposure is estimated to be 10-100 times greater among unhoused individuals than in the general population.
A new study reveals that the southern boreal forests' ability to recover from climate shocks has significantly decreased over time, threatening Arctic carbon storage. The resilience of many plant communities in these regions is thought to have increased in most of the Arctic tundra, but this may not be sustainable in the long term.
Researchers have developed a natural fabric that reflects sunlight and allows heat to escape, while blocking the sun's rays and lowering temperature. The fabric leverages radiative cooling, with three layers designed to optimize cooling, promising relief to city dwellers experiencing warmer temperatures.