Articles tagged with Climate Change
A recent study highlights the link between water security and adaptability of homes in urban centers of the Global North to extreme heat. Household water security is not universal, even in the wealthiest cities, forcing vulnerable households to limit their water consumption, compromising their ability to adapt to extreme heat.
The article discusses current evidence on risks of ambient heat to pregnant women, including hot weather and occupational exposures. Effective strategies for managing heat-related risks are also highlighted as critical for maintaining maternal health.
A study of over 8,000 tropical flowers found that their blooming periods have shifted by an average of two days per decade, with some species flowering up to 17 days earlier or later than they used to. This change could have significant ecological impacts on pollinators and herbivores.
A new study reveals that exposure to extreme heat during pregnancy significantly alters the human sex ratio at birth, leading to fewer male births. In sub-Saharan Africa, this is driven by biological factors, while in India, it is influenced by cultural practices and behavioral changes.
As climates become more extreme, traditional building designs are failing to keep people safe and comfortable. A new generation of architects is creating climate-ready buildings that can maintain comfortable temperatures independently from the grid, using local natural resources like sun, wind, and ground-sourced energy.
A recent study analyzed environmental DNA from the largest global dataset of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal and found a striking gap: more than 70% of ecoregions lack sequencing data. This underrepresentation threatens biodiversity surveys, plant productivity, soil aggregation, and climate mitigation predictions.
Researchers used continuous and integrated readings of methane and ethane to identify overlooked emissions from restaurants, commercial facilities, and private residences. The study highlights the need for technology and policy to fix these hidden sources, which are estimated to be higher on weekdays.
A recent study analyzing 50 years of climate data shows that the Tour de France has so far avoided extreme heat conditions, but the risk is increasingly high. The researchers found that regions like Paris and Lyon are becoming new heat stress hotspots, highlighting the need to adapt schedules, routes, and safety protocols.
A new study by UK and EU researchers finds that countries with better-targeted climate policies cut carbon emissions significantly faster than those without. The study analyzed over 3,900 climate policies adopted since 2000 in leading economies and found that these policies avoided approximately 3 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2022 alone.
Scientists analyzed peatland samples to reconstruct 4,000-year history of storm activity in the northwestern Atlantic. The study found increased storminess in three periods: 800-550 BCE, 500-750 CE, and 1300-1700 CE, which aligns with eastern Canada records.
A new study reveals that heat uptake fluctuations in the Aegean Sea during August predict Eastern Mediterranean winter rainfall. The Aegean Sea Heat Uptake Anomaly (AQA) index captures year-to-year rainfall variability and improves seasonal forecasting skill.
Climate researchers developed a new method for computing hazards from extreme events, finding a tenfold increase in extreme heat over Europe. The study provides a basis for better quantifying damage to people, ecosystems, and infrastructure.
Researchers at ETH Zurich discover that peatland lakes in the Congo Basin release significant amounts of ancient carbon, up to 40% of which is thousands of years old. This carbon reservoir has a leak, releasing CO2 into the atmosphere and potentially destabilizing climate change.
Researchers have shown that ocean temperature patterns limit the global spread of droughts, with synchronised droughts affecting only 1.8% to 6.5% of global land. The study identified 'drought hubs' in regions like Australia, South America, and southern Africa.
Scientists detected statistically significant changes in global atmospheric temperatures in response to three major natural events: Mount Pinatubo, Australian wildfires, and Hunga Tonga eruption. The study's findings suggest that these events may not have played a role in the acceleration of global surface warming in recent years.
A new study reveals disparities in urban shade levels, leading to greater health risks and exacerbating the 'heat island' effect in cities. Wealthier neighborhoods tend to have more trees, resulting in better shade provision for pedestrians, highlighting a consistent link between wealth and neighborhood tree abundance.
A new study reveals the best- and worst-case scenarios for climate change in Antarctica, highlighting the urgent need to reduce emissions. Under high-emissions scenarios, Antarctica's ice shelves, glaciers, and iconic species could collapse, driving sea level rise and devastating ecosystems.
Researchers conducted the SANAT flight campaign to study aerosols' role in cloud formation in Antarctica. They collected extensive data on aerosol frequency, transport processes, and chemical composition, revealing an unexpectedly high aerosol concentration in the interior.
Researchers found a significant association between tropical cyclone exposure and psychoactive drug-related deaths, with the effect more pronounced in wealthy, White communities. Younger populations, especially those aged 15 to 29 years, were also disproportionately affected.
A study of deep-sea cores suggests that rapid climate swings during the Quaternary Period led to variability in glacial periods, which may have influenced early human evolution. The research found that climate conditions switched from stable warmth to cold chaos around 2.7 million years ago.
A recent study found that seals near glacier fronts have fuller stomachs, indicating intense feeding activity. This discovery has implications for Arctic marine ecosystems as glaciers retreat and habitats disappear.
Ocean researchers call for broadened species categories and improved protections for coral reefs, as narrow definitions allow for military and economic interference. The researchers' letter aims to inform policymakers to address conservation gaps and ensure reef protection.
A new monitor tracks the energy transition in Hungary, finding that roughly half of companies increased their share of low-carbon electricity, while others continued to rely on fossil fuels. The study suggests that size, revenue spent on fossil fuels, and initial investments influence a company's willingness to switch to electrification.
The REST-COAST project presented scientific advances, practical tools, and governance insights developed throughout its lifetime. Researchers explored pathways for upscaling from site-specific demonstrations to broadly adaptable frameworks, linking high-resolution modelling with broader decision-support tools.
A global study documents the collective ecological memory of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, revealing a consistent pattern of large-bodied bird species disappearing from local environments replaced by smaller-bodied species, with average bird mass declining from 1500g to 535g over eight decades.
A recent study found that chikungunya can spread in temperatures as low as 13 degrees Celsius, posing a greater health threat in Europe than previously thought. The Asian tiger mosquito is expanding northwards through the continent, and warming temperatures may lead to local outbreaks in the UK.
Scientists warn that synchronised extreme fire weather, characterized by warm and dry conditions, has increased worldwide since 1979, straining international firefighting cooperation. The number of high-risk days with simultaneous fires is more than doubling, making wildfires harder to tackle and increasing air quality issues.
The all-virtual Cal Poly Climate Solutions Now conference will address a wide range of climate topics, including energy, water, waste, business sustainability, agriculture, education, and more. Presenters from various industries will share strategies, tools, and information to help mitigate climate change.
A new framework introduces the Water Sustainability Index (WSI), a transparent, quantitative metric designed to strengthen corporate water accountability worldwide. The WSI evaluates corporate water withdrawals, consumption, discharge quality, and reuse while accounting for local water scarcity.
A collaborative effort by researchers from the University of Göttingen and other institutions is creating a genomic inventory of European marine annelids. The goal is to accelerate biodiversity research worldwide and counteract the 'silent extinction' of marine species.
The Olympic Games' substantial carbon footprint highlights the need for a profound overhaul to comply with the Paris Agreement. Researchers recommend scaling down events, reducing air travel and increasing use of renewable energy to achieve ambitious emission reduction targets.
A study created a high-resolution map of global cropland emissions, identifying regions for precise mitigation. The data shows that four crops – rice, maize, oil palm, and wheat – account for nearly three-quarters of cropland emissions, with rice leading at 43%.
Researchers found that grey wolves consume harder foods like bones during warmer climates, indicating a shift in their diet due to climate change. This adaptation helps them extract nutrition during periods of limited food availability.
A study using satellite data found that deforestation in the Amazon increases surface temperature by 3°C during the dry season, with a 25% decrease in rainfall. This leads to greater forest degradation, increased tree mortality, and susceptibility to forest fires, threatening biodiversity.
The American Meteorological Society (AMS) expresses deep concern over the repeal of the EPA's 2009 Endangerment Finding, which concluded that greenhouse gas emissions harm human health and well-being. AMS reaffirms key scientific conclusions on climate change, including its impacts on people and nature.
A new study finds that U.S. tornado activity is shifting southeastward due to the relationship between extratropical cyclones and low-pressure systems. Additionally, global warming has led to a fourfold increase in tropical cyclone rapid slowdown events in coastal areas.
Temperature impacts the quality and speed of male frogs' mating calls, which are more attractive to females in warmer conditions. This study suggests that female frogs use these calls to gauge environmental suitability for reproduction.
A study by Anglia Ruskin University found that feeling fearful is associated with greater support for climate policies, while feelings of dread lead to lower support. The researchers suggest that evoking manageable levels of fear can motivate people to engage and support solutions.
A new study found that warmer nighttime temperatures during pregnancy may be associated with a higher risk of autism diagnosis in children. Exposure to extreme heat during early and late pregnancy increased the risk by 15% and 13%, respectively.
The University of Washington's STRIVE team will examine the atmosphere where weather forms, while the EDGE team will study the three-dimensional structure of the Earth's surface. These satellite missions aim to provide new insights into temperature, trace gases, and air pollution.
A new IIASA-led study examines critiques of global climate mitigation scenarios' equity and justice, proposing practical ways to advance fairness in climate pathways. The research synthesizes growing evidence that current scenarios fall short, identifying a roadmap for integrating fairness into future climate futures.
A new study by Flinders University researchers reveals a significant decline in southern right whale reproductive output over the past decade, driven by prolonged calving intervals. The study found that declining breeding rates coincide with reduced Antarctic sea ice, changes in oceanic conditions, and broader ecosystem shifts.
A recent study found that climate attitudes did not change in response to Hurricane Helene, suggesting that public perception of climate change is stable. The researchers also discovered that political affiliation was a stronger predictor of voting intentions than exposure to the hurricane.
A study by Newcastle University found that UK winters are becoming significantly wetter, with a 7% increase in rainfall per degree of global warming, driven by rising temperatures from anthropogenic warming. The experts warn that this trend will continue to worsen, increasing the risk of flooding and economic damages.
Researchers found that the Southern Indian Ocean has decreased in salinity by 30% over the past six decades, bringing fresh water into the region. This could disrupt major ocean circulation systems and affect marine ecosystems, including plankton and sea grass.
Researchers found that bison hunters stopped using a kill site in central Montana around 1,100 years ago due to severe droughts. The team's study suggests that environmental stressors, social and economic pressures, and the need for larger hunting operations drove the abandonment of the site.
A decade-long study reveals that combined effects of rising atmospheric CO₂ and warming reduce phosphorus availability in rice-upland crop rotation systems. Warming plays a dominant role in redirecting phosphorus into less accessible soil pools.
A new study by Tokyo University of Science found that floods are the biggest drivers of plastic pollution in rivers, increasing microplastic and mesoplastic concentrations by orders of magnitude. The research highlights the need to include high-flow events when assessing plastic emissions.
A University of Stirling professor has warned that tree-planting may not be as effective at reducing climate change as previously assumed due to potential soil carbon losses. The study found that deep soils in forests may lose more carbon over time than expected, which could reduce the net climate benefits of tree planting.
A new study assesses indoor heat vulnerability for each single-family home in Austin, finding that 85% of homes would pose significant risk to an elderly person during a power outage. The city can now take a methodical approach to mitigating risk through cooling centers and home weatherization programs.
As glaciers shrink, they're drawing visitors for their beauty and symbolic meaning in a warming world. The study highlights both emotional responses and tensions between conservation, livelihoods, and environmental responsibility.
The surge in glacier tourism poses significant pressure on vulnerable ecosystems and local communities. Experts highlight the need for balancing tourism with conservation, awareness, and social equity to prevent maladaptation strategies from spreading.
Researchers found that many birds don't strictly follow their supposed temperature adaptations, instead moving to efficiently acquire and use energy. This 'energy efficiency' hypothesis suggests that altitudinal migration is a behavioral mechanism allowing birds to optimize their energy budgets in the face of seasonality and competition.
A new global review emphasizes that tackling climate change requires coordinated integration of financial systems, technological solutions, and governance reforms. The study presents a comprehensive framework designed to help countries implement effective and equitable climate strategies.
A joint study by several institutions analyzed the relationship between climatic conditions, Legionella presence, and Legionnaires' disease cases in Catalonia. The results show that rising temperatures create ideal conditions for Legionella to multiply, increasing disease incidence.
The new book, Promise the Earth: A safe planet in good faith, calls for a rethink on how we live, hope, lead, and take responsibility to solve the climate crisis. Authors Professor Julian Allwood and Professor Andrew Davison argue that individual action, especially from comfortable lives, is crucial now.
A combination of weakened atmospheric removal and increased emissions from warming wetlands, rivers, lakes, and agricultural land led to the surge in methane levels. Climate variability amplified methane emissions across interconnected ecosystems, with key contributions from tropical Africa and Southeast Asia.
A KTU researcher's study explores how Nobel Prize-winning metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can be produced reliably and consistently at an industrial scale. The analysis shows that with the right production methods, MOF manufacturing can be financially viable within a short period of time.
A new report by Anglia Ruskin University and the University of York identifies key weaknesses in the UK's food system and recommends interventions to prevent disruptions from escalating into a crisis. The study suggests increasing energy security, diversifying food value chains, and promoting varied diets to reduce risks.