Articles tagged with Climate Change
Researchers analyze fossil records to understand how past climate changes affected species interactions, potentially revealing patterns for predicting future changes. This study's findings suggest that similar processes drive natural systems' responses to climate change.
A recent study published in Nature found that a single phenomenon of global warming in the Arctic - the release of methane from thawing permafrost - could have an average global price tag of $60 trillion. The authors modeled various methane release scenarios and stressed that the impacts of Arctic warming will be felt worldwide.
Climate scientists warn that the likely rate of change over the next century will be 10 times quicker than any climate shift in the past 65 million years. The rapid pace of modern climate change poses a challenge to species, ecosystems, and human societies.
Researchers from Carnegie Institution review climate models predicting significant warming over most terrestrial regions during the 21st century. The analysis highlights the need to consider uncertainties in greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on future climate change.
Researchers studied temperature-driven changes in tea tortrix population dynamics, finding that desynchronization leads to more synchronous outbreaks. A mathematical model predicts population cycles under constant and seasonally driven temperature regimes, shedding light on how temperature influences insect populations.
Researchers at TUM developed a new method to monitor large plant populations in lakes using aerial images. They created a digital library of plant spectral characteristics to evaluate the images, factoring out image errors and providing early detection of ecosystem risks.
Researchers found a significant correlation between climate conditions and human conflict, with even moderate changes in temperature and rainfall increasing the risk of personal violence and social unrest. A 1 standard-deviation shift in heat or rainfall boosts the risk of riot, civil war, or ethnic conflict by an average of 14%.
A study by the University of New South Wales reveals that global warming may lead to a decline in seasonal water storage capacity for Argentina and Chile. The North Patagonian Ice-field, vital to maintaining this capacity, is expected to shrink due to changes in westerly winds.
A new report examines conditions that foster cooperative use of common resources, including strong group identity, smaller community size, and high trust in leaders. The study highlights factors leading to incongruous use of resources, such as intergroup conflicts, ideology/values, and cognitive disconnection.
Marine scientists have decoded the mechanism for long-term climate fluctuations in the Atlantic, revealing that ocean currents significantly affect long-term climate variability. The study found that heat exchange between ocean and atmosphere influences decadal climate fluctuations, which are superimposed on the general warming trend.
A new study explores how 'Energy Theater' helps learners understand complex physics ideas, including energy flow and conservation. The activity allows students to personify energy and visualize its changes in a dynamic system.
A new study by Oregon State University found that nighttime heat waves are on the rise in the Pacific Northwest, with five occurring between 2006-09 and another since this June. Elevated humidity traps heat at night, unlike daytime events influenced by downslope warming.
Land-clearing blazes in Indonesia are fueled by the palm-oil and pulpwood industries, releasing greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. The fires can remain underground for hours before igniting again, making firefighting difficult.
Researchers have developed a new model that simulates the calving process of icebergs, predicting areas at risk of rapid disintegration due to climate change. The model suggests that stretches of ice on Antarctica and Greenland are vulnerable to catastrophic collapse, potentially exacerbating sea level rise over the next 100 years.
A new study from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center found that climate data can predict crop failures several months before harvest. The team developed a crop model incorporating temperature and precipitation forecasts, which accurately predicted crop yield or failure for about 20% of global cropland.
A new study found that dissolved iron supply to oceans around continental shelves is more variable by region than previously believed, affecting future climate prediction. Iron promotes the growth of microscopic marine plants, which remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Research reveals a significant increase in nighttime heat waves in the Pacific Northwest, with quadrupled events between 1980 and 2013. The study suggests high humidity plays a key role in triggering these extreme temperature events, which can have devastating health effects.
A Michigan State University study reveals that maize trade disruptions could jeopardize food security in nations with limited diversification, such as Mexico, Japan, and South Korea. The study suggests that climate change impacts and non-food uses of maize, like ethanol, could lead to price shocks and supply chain disruptions.
Dr. Steven M. Stanley receives the GSA Penrose Medal for his work on the punctuational model of evolution and its application to fossil data. His contributions focus on major climate change, seawater chemistry changes, and patterns of large-scale evolution and extinction.
Increased precipitation and changes in forest structure in Argentina's forests are leading to higher rates of parasitic fly infection in young birds. This study found that slight changes in precipitation and vegetation structure, coupled with crowding of nests, result in large increases in the number of parasites per chick.
A new study suggests that using free market platforms to combat climate change can be as effective as mandatory emissions cap and trade schemes. Researchers monitored the European Climate Exchange and found it efficient in reducing carbon emissions.
Scientists discovered a new, extinct family of insects in British Columbia and Washington state that helps understand how animals responded to global climate change. The Eorpidae family's extinction raises questions about the impact of evolutionary diversification and climate change on communities.
The Wellcome Trust launches a global funding scheme to investigate the impact of climate change, urbanization, and nutrition on human health. Researchers can apply for up to £250,000 support for pilot projects addressing behaviour change, global nutrition, and ecological public health.
Measurements from the 2011 Las Conchas fire show that 'tar ball' effect significantly degrades air quality and contributes to global warming. The team found spherical carbonaceous particles called tar balls dominate emissions, which can increase climate warming by increased light absorption.
A new study by UC Santa Barbara's NCEAS found that tropical forests are sensitive to small changes in temperature, producing more flowers. The study analyzed global data and satellite information, indicating that clouds mainly affect short-term growth, while longer-term changes are due to temperature.
Researchers found that earthworms retain a memory of temperature in calcite granules, offering a new method to reconstruct past climates. This discovery has the potential to enhance and benchmark climate change models.
A recent study by Florida State University researcher Stephanie Pau found that tropical forests produce more flowers in response to only slight increases in temperature. This is the first study to combine long-term flower production data with direct estimates of cloud cover based on satellite information.
A new study suggests that increased atmospheric CO2 levels are altering the types of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria in the ocean, with implications for ocean productivity and fisheries. The research found that certain strains of these bacteria thrive in high CO2 environments, while others may struggle to survive.
Ecologists Monica Turner and Jiangxiao Qiu mapped ecosystem services in the Yahara River watershed, finding complex interactions between provisioning, cultural, and regulating services. The study identifies areas with high levels of multiple services, suggesting a holistic approach to land management.
The study identifies regions with severe climate impact changes in various sectors, including water availability in the Mediterranean. It reveals that locations with strong model agreement are more reliable hotspots than those identified by a single projection, highlighting the need for risk management.
As climate change induces large changes to plant communities, disequilibrium will become the norm, with plants taking an extremely long time to adapt. This shift will challenge natural forest management, preservation status, and human introduction of new species, ultimately altering ecosystem balance.
A new tree-ring record reveals El Niño was unusually active in the late 20th century, suggesting a response to global warming. This finding has implications for climate models and predictions of future ENSO activity.
Researchers will use 30-meter resolution satellite images to identify eight different crops and changes in acreage over four decades, providing insights into climate change implications and carbon storage.
Predicted climate changes may hinder conifer regeneration after major forest fires on dry, low-elevation sites, leading to conversion of forests to grass or shrub lands.
A research report in Ecology suggests that climate change, exacerbated by droughts, is causing declining migration rates among Yellowstone's migratory elk. The study attributes this decline to the return of predators like bears and wolves, as well as human choices such as irrigation in nearby fields.
The UK chemical industry must radically transform its production processes to achieve absolute emission reductions by 2050, according to a new report. The sector's energy intensity and reliance on high-emission feedstocks pose significant challenges to meeting the Government's 80% greenhouse gas reduction target.
A new study reveals climate change is altering Southern Hemisphere circulation patterns, with mid-latitude high pressure zones being pushed further into the Southern Ocean. Rising global temperatures are driving winds south, contradicting expectations from strong El Niño events.
A University of Maryland-led team is developing new models to understand the relationship between conflict, socio-economic conditions and climate. The research aims to project future conflicts and develop interventions to reduce civil disorder under climate change scenarios.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that climate change is likely to reduce the nutritional quality of grasses, causing bison to grow more slowly and weigh less. This could have significant economic implications for cattle producers, with a potential loss of $1 billion in income due to reduced weight gains.
African birds use protected areas as stepping stones to survive amidst climate and environmental changes, according to a new study. The research found that protected areas are becoming increasingly valuable as land degradation exerts pressures elsewhere.
Researchers in the Southern Oxidant and Aerosol Study (SOAS) investigate how chemical reactions between human-related pollution and plant-emitted VOCs affect air quality in the U.S. Southeast. The project aims to uncover the controlling processes of biosphere-atmosphere interactions, which can impact regional climate and air chemistry.
Researchers found that the southeastern US region could experience heavier animal movements in response to a warming climate, with estimates up to 2.5 times higher than average species movement across North and South America. The study identified natural corridors and human-made barriers that will affect animal migration patterns.
A team of researchers from the University of Sheffield found that unusual atmospheric jet stream circulation caused the exceptional surface melt of the Greenland Ice Sheet in summer 2012. The analysis revealed a record surface melt extent of over 90%, far exceeding the previous record of 52% in 2010.
A study by Michigan State University found that there is a sweet spot – a group size at which the action is most effective. This sweet spot can increase and be more effective until free-riders weigh down the effort's momentum, while small groups can be powerful until individuals become overwhelmed.
Researchers at University of Southampton propose control system that stabilises environmental conditions when life is affected by and alters its environment. This mechanism has been neglected until now, but could be applicable to various real-world systems.
A recent study by the University of Exeter found that localized temperature fluctuations have a significant impact on silver-spotted skipper populations. The research suggests that saving habitats with diverse microclimates is crucial for conserving this species under changing climate conditions.
A study by UCI and others found that China is outsourcing carbon emissions within its own borders, with 80% of CO2 emissions from coastal provinces coming from poorer interior provinces. This domestic outsourcing is driven by pollution abatement targets, which prioritize reductions in more developed areas.
A new DNA test has been developed to identify kangaroo species from their droppings, providing valuable information for population management and conservation. The test has already identified several species outside of their known range, with implications for biodiversity management and climate change impacts.
A new study forecasts higher surface water temperatures in Austrian lakes by 2050 due to climate change, posing risks to water quality and ecosystems. Warmer waters could lead to enhanced nutrient loads and algal blooms.
A gene expression study highlights genes that help buffer grapevines against environmental change and may explain the different quality performances of grapevine when grown in different terroirs. The research could be used to identify and breed grapevine varieties better suited to climate change.
Researchers have found that Blue Lake on North Stradbroke Island has remained relatively stable and resilient for millennia. The study suggests that increased groundwater extraction poses a threat to the lake's stability as a freshwater refuge.
A York University study found that songbirds migrating between the Amazon and North America do not adjust their departure times in response to record-breaking spring temperatures. This could lead to missed peak food supplies, impacting breeding productivity.
An interdisciplinary team will analyze soil, crop, and climate conditions at 75 Midwestern corn farms to identify factors influencing farmers' decisions about environmentally friendly practices. The study aims to reduce water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from corn farming, with results expected to inform policy approaches.
Researchers develop activated biocarbon to adsorb naphthenic acids, preventing methane gas release. The technology has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the oilsands industry.
A recent study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that mosquitoes reared in cooler temperatures have weakened immune systems, making them more vulnerable to viral diseases like West Nile fever and chikungunya fever. The research suggests that temperature may play a significant role in the transmission of these diseases.
A study by scientists from the University of California, Davis predicts that 82 percent of California native fish will become extinct within the next century due to climate change. The research found that native freshwater species are particularly vulnerable to extinction, while non-native species are expected to thrive.
The Antarctic polar icecap emerged 33.6 million years ago, causing significant changes to plankton diversity and primary productivity. This shift influenced global primary productivity dynamics.
Researchers used a new method combining observations and climate models to project future warming, finding 63% of uncertainty came from single sources such as climate sensitivity. The study suggests that exceeding 6 degrees warming is unlikely, while exceeding 2 degrees is very likely for business-as-usual emissions.
A new study challenges traditional hypotheses on human evolution by suggesting that bipedalism emerged as a response to the terrain, rather than climate-driven vegetation changes. The research proposes that the development of upright gait was driven by the need for security and food in rocky outcrops and gorges.
A new paper validates a fundamental assumption in space-for-time substitution, a popular approach for predicting relationships between complex variables. The study used fossilized pollen data to reconstruct ancient ecosystems and found that the model explained about 72 percent of the variation in their time data.