Articles tagged with Climate Change
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that drilling sumps associated with hydrocarbon extraction can negatively impact aquatic ecosystems. The degradation of these sumps can lead to changes in the community composition of zooplankton, highlighting the need for better climate change mitigation strategies.
Researchers have created a new world map of land use systems, identifying 12 global archetypes that reveal the complexity of land use. The study provides new insights into the environmental impact of land use and suggests opportunities for improving agricultural yields without harming the environment.
Prime Minister Najib Razak emphasizes the need to address poverty and environmental concerns in a unified, people-centered agenda. Malaysia has achieved significant development milestones, but faces challenges like climate change and inequality.
A new study reveals that the Pacific Ocean is absorbing heat at a rate 15 times faster than in the past 10,000 years. This surge in heat absorption may provide scientists with more time to address climate change but is not a solution, according to researchers.
A new study reconstructs Pacific Ocean temperatures over the last 10,000 years and finds that middle-depth waters have warmed 15 times faster than natural fluctuations. This suggests that oceans may be storing heat from human emissions, potentially buying time before climate change accelerates.
A team of bat biologists shed new light on the Mortlock Islands flying fox, revealing its first detailed observations of wild populations and a wider geographic distribution than previously thought. The species is facing threats from rising ocean waters brought on by climate change, posing a serious risk to its habitat and food resources.
A team of bat biologists has reclassified the Mortlock Islands flying fox as Pteropus pelagicus, correcting a naming error made in 1882. The study also found that the species is part of a wider geographic distribution than previously thought, and its conservation status is uncertain due to rising sea levels and climate change.
Researchers have found that El Nino events have been more active and intense over the past 30 years than at any time in the past 600 years. As global average temperatures increase, these extreme events are expected to become even more frequent and severe.
A new approach to analyzing paleo-climate reconstructions reveals that El Niño activity during the 20th century was unusually high compared to past 600 years. The study found ENSO activity to be more active between 1979-2009 than any 30-year period in the past 600 years.
A new study mapping gold mining in the Peruvian Amazon reveals a 400% increase in mining extent from 1999 to 2012 and tripled average annual rate of forest loss. The research used satellite monitoring and field surveys to detect small-scale mining operations, confirming up to 94% accuracy.
A study by ICRAF and European institutions finds that local communities using simple tools can produce accurate forest carbon data on par with results by professional foresters. Community-gathered data is also found to be more legitimate, cost-effective, and improve trust among local communities.
The new Next Generation Science Standards prioritize hands-on experiences and climate literacy, shifting focus from memorization to question-driven learning. Geoscientists stress the need for high-quality resources and professional development to improve educators' ability to teach students about global change and climate change.
Researchers have discovered that plankton shells contain growth bands that record daily variations in magnesium chemistry, providing a proxy for past ocean temperature. This breakthrough allows scientists to study short timescale changes in ocean temperatures hundreds of millions of years ago.
A growing concern is rising algal bloom toxicity due to eutrophication and climate change, impacting aquatic organisms and ecosystem health. Toxic cyanobacteria like Microcystis sp. are becoming more prevalent in nutrient-rich waters, posing a risk to human drinking water safety.
Research shows that people tend to value immediate material rewards over investing in future quality of life, making cooperative behavior in climate protection less likely without strong incentives. Experimental results demonstrate a stark contrast between individual self-interest and collective benefits.
Two pioneering online biology video sites have merged to create a new platform offering world-class biologist videos for free. The new site features an expanded 'iBioEducation' section with microscopy courses, lecture series, and assessments for educators, reaching over 1.4 million views across 180 countries.
Scientists analyzed sediments from Peru to track changes in the deep biosphere's microbial ecosystem under the seafloor. The study reveals that this system is surprisingly dynamic and responds quickly to climate change, with the methane oxidation front migrating rapidly up or down due to changes in oceanographic conditions.
A new study suggests the southern portion of the Amazon rainforest is at a much higher risk of dieback due to stronger seasonal drying, which could lead to large volumes of carbon dioxide release and disrupt biodiversity. The researchers found that global warming is the most likely explanation for the lengthening dry season.
Tufts University geologist Andrew Kemp warns that rising sea levels make coastal areas vulnerable to flooding from smaller storms. He cites glacio-isostatic adjustment and ocean thermal expansion as factors contributing to sea-level rise.
A comprehensive botanical data set reveals that stable climates and small habitat areas are key factors in the distribution of rare plant species. The study highlights the importance of preserving these regions from human-induced climate changes, which could threaten the survival of many unique species.
The OSNAP program will measure ocean's overturning circulation, a key component of global climate system. It aims to understand changes in this circulation and its impact on temperatures and precipitation.
New research published in Quaternary Science Reviews finds that large rivers, such as the Yellow River, transport sediment from northern Tibet to deserts like the Mu Us desert. This study provides evidence of a previously debated topic, shedding light on climate change and ocean productivity
Researchers at Jülich's Institute of Energy and Climate Research have successfully recreated the natural conditions for isoprene degradation, demonstrating efficient hydroxyl radical regeneration. This process takes place faster than previously thought and produces fewer climate-damaging ozone molecules.
Researchers found that warmer waters increase killifish's metabolic rate, leading to higher methylmercury levels in their tissues. This suggests a global warming impact on mercury bioaccumulation in marine life, posing health risks to people who eat seafood.
Researchers discovered a five-year delay between slow tree growth and increased mortality in a Black Spruce forest, suggesting that older forests may be storing more carbon than previously estimated. This finding has important implications for understanding the impact of climate change on forest health and carbon sequestration.
Melinda Daniels joins Stroud Water Research Center to lead climate-based water-sustainability research project and advise the US Army Corps of Engineers on environmental impacts. She will investigate water sustainability in the Smoky Hill basin and develop a policy optimization strategy.
A study by Penn State researchers links melting sea ice in the Arctic to changes in plant growth timing, which affects caribou calves' nutrition. The findings suggest a trophic mismatch between plants and caribou, leading to lower calf production.
A recent study published in Environmental Research Letters suggests that about half of global warming occurs within the first decade after an instantaneous step increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration, while about one-quarter occurs more than a century later. The research brings together results from leading climate models, revealing...
A long-term study has revealed that the deep Greenland Sea is warming at a rate ten times higher than the global ocean, with potential consequences for European climate. The warming is caused by changes in the interplay of two processes: cooling from above and warming from below.
ASU researchers are part of a $28 million NSF-FESD grant program to study the Great Oxidation Event and ancient climate change. They aim to understand the role of Earth system dynamics in human evolution, using a combination of models, geochemical proxies, and laboratory experiments.
During the Last Glacial Maximum, extreme climate change led to massive changes in Australia's landscape and human populations. Aboriginal communities contracted into localized 'refuges' with reliable water and food supplies.
Researchers found that polar bears have switched to sub-Arctic seals with higher contaminant loads, which contradicts the expected improvement in their condition. The shift is linked to climate change and the melting of Arctic sea ice, posing long-term risks to the polar bears' access to food.
Extreme weather events, such as Hurricanes Irene and Sandy, have been shown to increase support for environmental policies and a belief in human-caused climate change. Researchers found that individuals who were particularly affected by the storms showed a stronger preference for politicians promoting green policies.
Researchers found that African dust particles more than doubled during a major Saharan dust intrusion in Houston, Texas, raising concerns about health risks for vulnerable populations. The study provides new insights into the impact of Saharan air outbreaks on climate and human health, including potential effects on hurricane activity.
A new study finds that replacing coal-fired power plants with wind turbines is the most cost-effective way to cut carbon pollution and reduce health impacts. The switch can also lead to lower electricity generation costs, making clean energy a more economically viable option for powering America's electricity needs.
Researchers at MIT developed a new model of malaria transmission that combines global forecasts with local rainfall data, predicting minimal increase in disease incidence despite projected temperature and rainfall changes. The study aims to provide more accurate predictions for specific variables relevant to society, such as malaria in...
New research reveals that sub-shelf melting is a significant contributor to Antarctic ice loss, accounting for up to 90% of mass loss in some areas. This finding is crucial for understanding how the ice sheet interacts with the climate system and its potential impact on global sea levels.
Research found that tiny plankton thrive under elevated CO2 levels, drawing down nutrients and reducing carbon export to the deep ocean. This could lead to a decrease in ocean's ability to regulate global climate, with significant implications for ecosystem balance and greenhouse gas production.
Researchers at Princeton University found that sea creatures follow 'climate velocity,' or temperature changes, to relocate. The study used 43 years of data on 128 million animals from 360 species in North America, revealing correlations between temperature changes and shifts in depth and latitude.
A new study found that some parts of Europe have experienced a significant warming trend in extreme temperatures, with the hottest days getting 4 times hotter than the global average. This research has important implications for decision-making and planning, highlighting the need for local climate knowledge to address climate change.
A recent Duke University-led study found that climate change is causing trees to speed up their life cycles, rather than migrating to cooler climates. Most species are staying in their current geographic locations, but growing more rapidly due to warmer temperatures and longer growing seasons.
New research reveals that warmer waters impact plankton's ability to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, leading to a vicious cycle of climate change. Phytoplankton play a crucial role in marine ecosystems, producing oxygen and serving as the base of the food chain.
A new study by Stanford scientists found that extreme weather events, such as record-breaking heat, are more likely to occur in the US due to global warming. The researchers analyzed historical weather data and climate models to quantify the increased risk of severe heat events.
Overgrazing by millions of sheep and goats is causing degradation of the Mongolian Steppe, a significant grassland ecosystem. About 12% of biomass has disappeared, with 70% of the ecosystem considered degraded.
Conservationists at the Zoological Society of London have devised a novel method to identify suitable new homes for animals under threat from climate change. The research uses habitat suitability maps and correctly identifies sites that will remain viable in the future.
A new study by University of Florida researchers highlights the need for more effective methods in storing genetic data. The study finds that about 70 percent of published genetic sequence comparisons are not publicly accessible, hindering research efforts worldwide.
A new study reveals that global warming is causing crop pests to spread towards the North and South Poles at an alarming rate. Currently, 10-16% of global crop production is lost to pests, with losses from fungi alone amounting to enough to feed nearly nine percent of today's global population.
Researchers found that the Amazon rainforest's stability and resilience to widespread deforestation may be lower than previously thought. Deforestation-induced precipitation changes can trigger a forest-to-grassland shift in different zones of the Amazon, with some areas experiencing sharp declines in rainfall. Meanwhile, scientists al...
A new study by Prof. Sarah Kang found a significant relationship between ozone depletion and extreme daily precipitation in the Austral summer. The research used two global climate models to analyze the impact of stratospheric ozone depletion on precipitation patterns.
Indigenous groups from 17 countries deploy powerful mapping tools combined with traditional knowledge to mark and safeguard their lands. The technology helps document history, catalog natural resources, and bolster fights against destruction of forests, peatlands, and waterways.
A team of 8 researchers from Kansas State University is studying the Smoky Hill Watershed to improve Great Plains water sustainability, focusing on human activity and climate change impacts. The project aims to build resiliency in both human and natural systems for economic, cultural, and ecological benefits.
A new study estimates that the global cost of flooding could increase from $6 billion to $52 billion per year, with some cities facing losses exceeding $1 trillion if inaction is taken. The top 10 most at-risk cities are in developed and developing countries, with high wealth but low protection levels.
A rare combination of atmospheric patterns drove heavy rains over Australia in 2010-11, causing seas to drop measurably. The event, linked to La Niña and the Southern Annular Mode, was a unique complex pattern that temporarily halted rising sea levels caused by climate change.
Researchers employed a unique approach to study the Greenland ice sheet, discovering that current models may not accurately predict its movement. The team found that as the ice sheet accelerates, it opens up space between the ice and bedrock, expanding the drainage network.
A new study published in Nature reveals that Antarctic warming began around 22,000 years ago, significantly earlier than previously thought. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that West Antarctica waited for cue from the Northern Hemisphere to start warming.
New research shows Antarctic warming began at least two millennia earlier than previously thought, contradicting the long-held idea of a passive continent. The findings suggest that changes in Earth's orbit may not have been as influential in driving climate change as once believed.
Researchers project heat waves will increase in frequency and severity, covering 85% of the global land area by 2100 under a high emission scenario. The study found that extreme heat waves will be more damaging to society and ecosystems, causing heat-related deaths, forest fires, and losses to agricultural production.
Research suggests climate change induced drought, famines and invasions led to the collapse of Eastern Mediterranean civilizations. The study analyzed pollen grains and sediments to uncover environmental changes that likely drove this crisis.
A study finds that seasonal carbon dioxide variations have substantially changed during the last 50 years, with a 50% increase in high latitude regions. This is due to increased carbon emissions from fossil fuels and land-based ecosystems taking deeper breaths.
Key findings highlight the need to distinguish between facts and values in science communication. Experts emphasize that values are subjective and require constructive discussion. Effective decision-making involves considering both facts and values.