Articles tagged with Climate Change
A report by Oregon State University and international scientists reveals that the Earth's vital signs have worsened, with 16 of 35 planetary indicators at record extremes. This includes increasing frequency of extreme heat events, rising global tree cover loss, and a greater prevalence of the mosquito-borne dengue virus.
Scientists warn that climate change is at the door and pounding hard due to rising global temperatures, natural disasters, and infectious diseases. The report highlights urgent need to protect nature, eliminate fossil fuel emissions and support socially just climate adaptations.
A multidisciplinary team will investigate how spatial patterns can prevent tipping points in ecosystems and promote resilience to climate change. The RESILIENCE project aims to identify novel directions to evade catastrophic ecosystem collapse.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) releases a position paper emphasizing the need for policy actions to address climate change, reduce hazardous substance exposure, and promote environmental justice. ACP calls for immediate action to limit global temperature rise and comprehensive efforts to achieve environmental justice.
George Mason University's Maibach and Mitchell receive $700,001 funding from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to promote equitable climate and health solutions in the Gulf States. The funding will support the expansion of the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health until September 2024.
The Southern Ocean's ecosystem is facing major stressors from climate change, including melting sea ice and ocean acidification. Overfishing of species such as toothfish and krill is predicted to exacerbate environmental impacts on the entire ecosystem.
Researchers highlight climate-sensitive dermatological manifestations initiated or exacerbated by floods, wildfires, and extreme heat events. These events disproportionately affect marginalized populations, exacerbating existing health disparities.
New research from the University of Rochester and others finds that ocean methane hydrate reservoirs in mid-latitude regions will not be released to the atmosphere under warming conditions. This means that ancient methane is being stored safely on the seafloor, reducing concerns about climate change.
A new study predicts that climate change will make dangerous heat commonplace during the Arba'een pilgrimage by the end of the 21st century. Pilgrims may be exposed to extreme temperatures exceeding 24 degrees Celsius, posing a significant risk to their health.
A study by Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research found that 41% more plant species in Germany have decreased in abundance over the past 100 years, while only 19% have increased. This uneven distribution of gains and losses indicates a significant loss of biodiversity.
Researchers discovered Borgs, DNA packages that supercharge methane-eating microbes' metabolic rate. These genetic elements play a role in balancing atmospheric methane levels by encoding cellular machinery for methane consumption.
Genetic and genomic technologies can protect marine life by identifying illegally harvested seafood products and monitoring disease outbreaks. Assisted evolution and synthetic biology could also benefit ocean ecosystems by introducing beneficial species or manufacturing products in the lab.
Researchers have discovered that marine diazotrophic bacteria contribute directly to the biological carbon pump, exporting and sequestering carbon in the deep ocean. This process was previously attributed mainly to phytoplankton, but experts now understand that these microorganisms also store carbon on the seabed.
Climate scientists predict faster-developing, wetter storms will ravage the U.S. Atlantic Coast as global temperatures rise. The study reveals a unique coastal phenomenon that fuels hurricane development, making it more common along the already hurricane-battered coastline.
A new study reveals that flooding can have both detrimental and beneficial effects on food security in Africa. Over 12% of those experiencing food insecurity had their status affected by flooding, with impacts varying by time period and regional scale.
CyberWater2 aims to lower the hurdle for researchers to couple their own models with other component models of Earth system models. The new open-source cyberinfrastructure framework will enable large-scale cross-institutional collaborations and scientific investigations across disciplines, computing platforms, and geographic boundaries.
A University of Colorado Boulder-led team argues that climate scientists should focus on the most likely future, rather than solely worst-case scenarios. This approach can help understand the impacts of moderate warming, such as more severe heat waves and changes in precipitation patterns.
The proposed SEC rule would require all US publicly traded companies to report their climate-related financial risks, including transition risk and liability risks. This disclosure is crucial for the stability of the financial system, as seen during the Great Recession.
Researchers warn that UK wheat yields are vulnerable to increasingly frequent extreme weather events due to climate change. The study found that while warmer temperatures can benefit yields, multiple extreme weather events can lead to significant negative impacts on production.
The BMJ special issue explores the climate emergency's impact on health, mental wellbeing, and hope as a driver for change. Experts argue that hope is crucial in tackling the crisis and achieving sustainability.
A new study suggests that rising air temperatures amplify the effects of ocean warming on the Greenland ice sheet, leading to greater ice loss. The combination of warmer liquid and movement accelerates melting, similar to ice cubes in a drink being stirred.
Researchers created global temperature maps of Earth during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, a time period similar to our own future under climate change. The study found that the climate was more sensitive to carbon dioxide increases than previously thought, with sensitivity between 5.7 to 7.4 degrees Celsius per doubling.
New research from the University of Surrey finds that plant-based food sales increased by 57% during Veganuary, yet meat sales remained unchanged. The study suggests that retailers have a crucial role in promoting healthier, sustainable diets, but more needs to be done to reduce UK's reliance on meat.
A new study led by PSU researchers finds that climate models can accurately simulate large-scale weather patterns over the Pacific Northwest. The study uses data from the state-of-the-art CMIP6 model and machine learning techniques to compare model outputs with historical observed data, finding a strong match between the two.
Researchers found a significant association between extreme heat exposure and emergency room visits for acute kidney injury, kidney stones, and urinary tract infections. The impact of extreme heat exposure lasted up to a week, with stronger effects during transitional months.
The Independent Task Force Report emphasizes the need for a One Health approach to prevent or respond adequately to the next pandemic. Key findings highlight the importance of 'Smart Surveillance' to identify high-threat pathogens and invest in R&D for innovative diagnostics, antiviral strategies, and therapeutic research.
A recent study found that insect herbivores have caused more damage to plant matter from leaves in recent history than millions of years ago. The frequency of leaf damage by insects among forest plants in recent history is more than twice that of vegetation from the Pleistocene and Late Cretaceous periods.
A new study reveals that global warming has doubled the probability of extreme ocean warming events in Japan's marginal seas since the 2000s. The increased occurrence frequency is attributed to human-induced climate changes, with most events linked to global warming.
Growing onshore algae in seawater-fed aquaculture systems along the Global South's coasts could increase food production by 50% and feed 10 billion people by 2050. Algae provide high protein content, essential amino acids, and minerals found in meat, making them a sustainable solution to climate change.
A new system developed at the University of Waterloo can affordably convert CO2 into fuels and valuable chemicals. The technology yields 10 times more carbon monoxide than existing methods, making it economically viable for industrial-scale use.
Climate change threatens societal capacity, leading to governance failures and basic necessities shortages. The authors propose three collapse scenarios: direct effects, indirect impacts on trade and international cooperation, and decreased adaptability.
Scientists have observed distinct seasonal movements in the flow of land-based ice draining into George VI Ice Shelf on the Antarctic Peninsula, with glaciers speeding up by approximately 15% during the Antarctic summer. This finding suggests that similar seasonal variability may exist at other vulnerable sites in Antarctica, potential...
The study found that countries with strong institutions to absorb political opposition and compensate constituents are more successful at pioneering cleaner energy technologies. Countries like California and Germany have created insulation mechanisms, while others, like the US, rely on market-driven transitions.
A new study has identified 195 previously unknown nectar plants for the painted lady butterfly, providing a source of food in Southern California. The research suggests that droughts may impact the butterflies' ability to reproduce, but the discovery of these nectar plants offers hope for their survival.
A workshop on flood risk governance in Brazil and the UK identified research gaps, including local data, integration systems, and visualization tools. Innovative initiatives are being developed using tools such as an app that empowers citizens to input data and improve disaster prevention.
New research simulates climate warming and ocean acidification in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, finding that high emissions could lead to critically warm temperatures as early as 2050. Reducing emissions may delay this onset, giving coral conservation programs more time to adapt.
As winters warm, nutrient pollution is putting water quality at risk in over 40 US states. The first-of-its-kind national study finds that previously frozen winter nutrient pollution is affecting 53% of the contiguous US and putting 50% of nitrogen and phosphorus pools at risk.
Researchers used machine learning algorithms to optimize climate models, increasing their accuracy and detail. By applying Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to climate simulations, the team was able to improve the models' ability to represent extreme precipitation events.
Researchers found that the return of radiolarians, a tiny marine organism, helped restore habitable conditions after the massive extinction event. The study suggests that every microorganism plays a vital role in regulating biogeochemical cycles and conservation of the planet.
A new study predicts that the frequency of rainy days in the Arctic could roughly double by 2100 as a result of rapid warming. This shift is expected to increase permafrost melt and speed up the loss of sea ice cover, with far-reaching consequences for Arctic ecology and Indigenous communities.
The study identifies households with high energy expenditures as the most affected groups, which should receive direct transfers for compensation. Cash payments to all households combined with moderate support for renewable energies can achieve a socially just solution, lowering energy prices and reducing hardship cases.
A new study predicts that global warming will shorten safe ice conditions on frozen lakes by 2-3 weeks over the next 80 years. This will have a significant impact on indigenous communities and regional economies that rely on ice roads.
A new study reveals a strong correlation between accelerating Arctic ice melt and ocean acidification, posing a dual threat to climate and marine life. The increased acidity levels in the western Arctic Ocean could lead to devastating consequences for plants, shellfish, coral reefs, and other organisms.
A recent OSU study found that traumatic injury rates among outdoor workers in Oregon's agricultural and construction sectors are significantly higher during periods of high heat. The study examined 92,000 injury claims from 2009-2018 and found a strong association between heat index above 75 degrees and increased risk of injury.
A new study by UTA hydrologist Ricardo Sánchez-Murillo has created detailed maps of Tegucigalpa's water sources, charting areas critical to recharge. These maps could help Honduras implement stricter urbanization and agriculture regulations to conserve water and protect vital landscapes.
A new study using high-resolution satellite observations confirms theoretical predictions and computational models of sea-level changes in the region surrounding the Greenland ice sheet. The research adds confidence to projections of sea level rise across the next decades and century.
New research models the value of clean hydrogen in decarbonizing heavy industries and transportation in China. A widespread application of clean hydrogen in HTA sectors can save $1.72 trillion in investment costs and avoid a 0.13% loss in aggregate GDP.
A new study by UCLA climate scientist Karen McKinnon found that the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat wave was roughly a once-in-10,000-years event. The research analyzed historical trends and climate model simulations, concluding that climate change is increasing heat waves and average summer temperatures at the same pace.
A Danish study reveals that nearly half of the population is unaware of woody biomass as an energy source, highlighting a need for public engagement on its sustainability. The study also shows strong public concerns over biodiversity and climate change, emphasizing the importance of adapting policies to minimize environmental costs.
A University of Kansas paleontologist is using a 3-million-year-old fossil record to predict the future of Western Atlantic mollusk species. By analyzing the fossil record, the researcher hopes to identify biological and behavioral traits that gave some species evolutionary success and others extinction.
A recent study by the University of Plymouth and international partners reveals that rapid sea temperature drops of up to 10 degrees were a primary cause of a devastating coral die-off event in Costa Rica's Eastern Tropical Pacific. The research highlights the importance of considering upwellings when managing reef systems, and propose...
A study by Hiroshima University researchers found that environmental performance is more strongly associated with positive peace than negative peace, particularly in equitable resource distribution. This suggests that improving environmental sustainability can contribute to achieving positive peace outcomes.
Scientists analyze environmental data to find temperature, rainfall, and pastureland areas as key factors contributing to viral transmission. The researchers project that areas hospitable to Lassa virus spread may extend into Central and East Africa in the next several decades.
Researchers have devised a method to determine the impact of climate change on local renewable energy supply and variability. The study found that increased weather unpredictability can lead to blackouts if backup power sources are not in place.
A University of Washington study found that heat-related mortality is a current environmental public health problem in Washington state, even in temperate areas. The study analyzed deaths from 1980 to 2018 and found significant increases in mortality on days with high humidex values.
Stronger hurricanes are more likely to reach Europe, with those encountering strong jet stream winds often reintensifying and moving further east. This study investigates the link between hurricane strength and European impact.
A new study from St. Michael's Hospital found that a low-carb vegan diet has the same health effects as a vegetarian diet, but at a much lower cost to the environment. The researchers also discovered that the lower carbon emission value of the vegan diet was associated with a larger reduction in blood cholesterol.
Higher temperatures shorten the lifespan of fig wasps, making it difficult for them to pollinate fig trees. This could have major consequences for animals in tropical forests that rely on figs as a food source.
A study reveals that global warming will impact major astronomical observatories worldwide, increasing temperature and atmospheric water content by 2050. This could lead to reduced observing time and quality in ground-based astronomy.
Long-term monitoring data reveals previously undetected diurnal patterns in narwhal behavior, including changes in surface activity and diving patterns influenced by sea ice and squid migration. The study's method can be applied to assess the challenges faced by narwhals and other Arctic animals due to climate change.