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Diversified cropping systems boost nitrogen supply but not soil carbon, study finds

A new study has found that diversified cropping systems can increase nitrogen supply in the soil, but do not lead to increased soil carbon levels. The study, published in Nature Sustainability, used stable carbon isotopes to analyze soil core emissions and found that decomposition rates were higher in longer rotations.

SourceIowa State University·JournalNature Sustainability·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2025

China makes progress in carbon neutrality and clean air efforts, report finds

China has achieved significant progress in reducing PM2.5 concentrations by 35.6% since 2015, while also increasing non-fossil energy consumption to 17.5%. However, rising ozone levels and extreme weather events pose new challenges, emphasizing the need for adaptive measures and stricter air quality standards.

SourceEurasia Academic Publishing Group·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 15, 2025

Explainable deep learning model provides new understanding of harmful algal blooms in china’s lakes and reservoirs

Researchers developed an explainable deep learning model to predict and analyze HABs in Chinese lakes and reservoirs, achieving significant improvement over conventional machine learning methods. The model identified water temperature as the most influential factor driving algal bloom dynamics.

SourceEurasia Academic Publishing Group·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2025

Wind turbines impair the access of bats to water bodies in agricultural landscapes

The study found that wind turbines hinder the ability of bat species to access drinking sites, particularly during hot and dry summers. This can lead to reduced survival rates among female bats and their young, highlighting the need for careful consideration in wind turbine siting to avoid conflicting with species conservation.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalBiological Conservation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 13, 2025

Climate change linked with worse HIV prevention and care

Climate change is associated with poorer HIV prevention outcomes, including reduced testing and increased risk behaviors, leading to higher new infections and poorer treatment adherence. Researchers identified links between extreme weather events and HIV-related challenges, emphasizing the need for innovative interventions and strategies.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalCurrent Opinion in Infectious Diseases·DateJan 8, 2025

New research reveals insights on climate-inspired urban design projects

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.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalEnvironmental Research Climate·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 9, 2024

Study finds American, Canadian universities vary widely in preparing future urban planners for climate change

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.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalPlanning Practice and Research·TypeSurvey·DateDec 3, 2024

Planetary boundaries: Confronting the global crisis of land degradation; Potsdam institute report opens UNCCD COP 16

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.

Building climate resilient cocoa farming in West Africa

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.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalAgriculture Ecosystems & Environment·TypeObservational study·DateNov 22, 2024

Emergency bulletin from science

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.

Growing soybeans has a surprisingly significant emissions footprint, but it’s ripe for reduction

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.

SourceIowa State University·JournalNature Sustainability·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 20, 2024

Microbiologists join the battle against climate change

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.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateNov 20, 2024

What determines support for EU-climate policy?

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.

Pioneering research reveals some of the world’s least polluting populations are at much greater risk of flooding fuelled by climate change

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.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateNov 7, 2024

UVM scientists find space-for-time substitutions exaggerate urban bird–habitat ecological relationships

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...

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 7, 2024

How many trees does it take to cool a city?

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.

SourceCary Institute of Ecosystem Studies·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 4, 2024

Small reductions to meat production in wealthier countries may help fight climate change, new analysis concludes

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.

SourceNew York University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 4, 2024

Study shows natural regrowth of tropical forests has immense potential to address environmental concerns

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.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 30, 2024