Articles tagged with Climate Change
A PSU study found that people with extreme anti-scientific attitudes tend to be overconfident in their knowledge of the issue. As attitudes diverge from scientific consensus, actual knowledge decreases, while perceived knowledge increases. This pattern holds true for issues like climate change, vaccination, and genetically modified foods.
A recent study found that the desert climate has extended 60 miles northward in Central Asia since the 1980s due to rising temperatures and dwindling precipitation. The region's high-altitude areas have seen an increase in precipitation, but this is largely in the form of rain rather than snow.
Researchers recover data from sensors swept away by massive underwater avalanche in Congo Canyon, providing new insights into sediment flow and seabed cable breakages. The study reveals the hazards of powerful turbidity currents and their impact on global communications.
Tree ring growth in Alaska's La Perouse glacier reveals a slowdown of growth as the glacier advanced and an increase in growth rates as it retreated. The findings provide insights into how ecosystems may respond to rapid climate change.
Researchers found that current reported rates of carbon capture are overestimated by 19-30%, with actual storage rates being significantly lower. This discrepancy affects the accuracy of climate change mitigation impact assessments and hinders efforts to tackle the crisis.
Shorter winters have reduced ice coverage by 31 days over the past 165 years, leading to altered lake biota, increased evaporation and salinity. Climate change is expected to worsen these effects, threatening ecosystem services including water quality and human consumption.
A new study from the University of Miami found that Miami's history of environmental injustice is a key factor in understanding why different groups are talking at cross-purposes about climate change. The research highlights how community histories, such as experiences of privilege or dispossession, shape opinions on climate change.
A global survey of biodiversity experts finds that more species are threatened with extinction than previously thought, with estimates suggesting 30% of species have been lost since 1500. The study identifies climate change, pollution, and land-use changes as key drivers of biodiversity loss.
Researchers at Boston College found air-pollution-related disease, death and IQ loss occur in every city and town in Massachusetts. The study estimated a cumulative impact on childhood cognitive development of almost 2 million Performance IQ points lost.
Researchers have extracted a detailed record of 700,000 years of tropical climate change from an Andean lakebed, shedding light on the past 160,000 years. The discovery reveals that glaciers in the tropics followed a roughly 100,000-year cycle, with periods of wetness and dryness affecting global temperatures.
Researchers from Colorado State University have made direct observations of ice nucleating particles in the central Arctic, revealing strong seasonality and seasonal changes. These findings provide crucial insights into the effects of climate change on clouds and precipitation patterns.
The 'Buen Aire Para Todos' project will create a new air quality monitoring system with stationary and mobile sensors, improving data on air quality for local residents. The project aims to expand community awareness, education, and outreach to help residents better understand air quality measurements.
At least 30 out of 114 North American bird species have become less well-adjusted to their climate over the last 30 years, according to a recent study. Climate decoupling, where species distributions and abundances diverge from climate conditions, is particularly prominent among habitat specialists.
Researchers developed a methodology to attribute coastal glacier retreat to human-caused climate change, revealing that even modest global warming causes most glaciers to melt or retreat. The approach simulates the behavior of real ice sheets like Greenland's, helping predict major ice loss and informing decision-making for policymakers.
Researchers discovered a mechanism by which plants stabilize protein molecules during folding, even in low-oxygen conditions. The study found that the redox potential of supporting proteins plays a critical role in disulfide bridge formation and protein folding.
Researchers discovered that stressed plants produce salicylic acid, a protective hormone, to counteract stress caused by climate change. This discovery could help plants survive increasing stress and ultimately protect the food supply.
A comprehensive new study examines the hydrological impact of lithium mining in Chile's Salar de Atacama, revealing that most water used is decades old. The research highlights the complexity of the region's hydrology and the need for longer-term monitoring to ensure responsible water usage.
A Dartmouth study provides a scientific basis for climate liability claims between individual countries, linking national emissions to global economic losses and warming. The research estimates $6 trillion in cumulative losses attributable to the world's top emitters from 1990 to 2014.
Researchers analyzed fossil corals to reveal changed ocean current circulation patterns. The data supports a scenario where the upper Pacific Ocean was more mixed during the last ice age, contributing to carbon storage and cooler climates.
Researchers predict plankton will store more carbon in the coming century due to climate warming. However, uncertainty remains for storage beyond the end of the century, which could impact future climate change.
A study predicts UK wine production will increase due to climate change, with areas in England and Wales becoming suitable for sparkling wine grape varieties. The research highlights the potential for high-quality still wine production, particularly for Pinot Noir and other disease-resistant varieties.
A new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that heat and cold exposure are associated with substantial excess mortality in England and Wales. London had the highest heat-related mortality rate, while the risk of death from cold was highest in Northern England, Wales, and the South West.
Researchers found that socially isolated bumblebees exhibited an increase in affiliative behavior, unlike expected aggression. The brain development of isolated bees showed similarities with group-reared bees, suggesting controlled chaos in the absence of social environment.
A new study finds that climate variables like temperature, rainfall, and ocean warming predict mosquito population growth in Sri Lanka for the next one to six months. The research can inform programs to limit dengue transmission, a major public health problem in the country.
Research analyzed Cornell University's greenhouse gas consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic and found that 60% of emissions came from off-campus activities. The study provides a framework for universities to reduce carbon footprint and achieve climate goals, with Cornell aiming to reach carbon neutrality by 2035.
Researchers from PSU and WSU aim to understand how atmospheric ridges impact the region's climate. The project will investigate how ridges respond to global warming and its effects on heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires.
A new £25m fund will bring together UK researchers, universities, and businesses to use design to address the climate crisis. The programme will focus on innovative design solutions to shift dependence on fossil fuels and support the British Government's commitment to decarbonise the economy.
Researchers created a dataset quantifying trends of evaporative water loss from 1.4 million global lakes and artificial reservoirs, revealing a 15.4% increase in long-term lake evaporation volume. This finding highlights the importance of accurate information for water management decision-makers in addressing climate change impacts.
A new UTSC study analyzed Statistics Canada data to examine environmental behaviors and attitudes across Canada. The research found that Canadians are not deeply divided on many important environmental issues, with some common ground potential in drafting national policies.
Satellite-tracking of whale sharks in the Panamanian Pacific reveals their feeding and breeding patterns, with a focus on protecting these endangered species from human threats. The study highlights the importance of identifying and conserving large oceanic areas and marine corridors to safeguard their migration routes.
Research shows two widely used computer models predict summer melt pond formation on sea ice greatly overestimate their extent. The findings come from measurements made during a year-long expedition aboard the research vessel Polarstern.
Recent advancements in non-destructive sensors enable real-time monitoring of plant health, allowing for prompt adjustment of environmental conditions to augment crop productivity. The sensors convert plant signals into digital signals, establishing direct communication between plants and growers.
A study led by the University of South Florida reveals a previously unknown 20 centimeter sea-level rise that occurred nearly 3,200 years ago when ice caps melted naturally. The team found exceptionally stable preindustrial sea levels until 1900, implying that global temperatures continuing to rise could lead to higher sea levels.
Researchers found a sharp spike in wildfire activity during the end-Permian mass extinction, which led to the collapse of entire ecosystems. The study highlights the potential for wildfires as a direct driver of extinction, rather than just a symptom of climate change.
A Yale study found that living through extended droughts increases diarrhea risk among children, even with adequate sanitation. Climate change is projected to exacerbate this issue, highlighting the need for improved water and hygiene infrastructure.
The thawing of permafrost soils could release massive amounts of greenhouse gases, exacerbating global warming. The Arctic regions are experiencing rapid changes in land and sea temperatures, threatening habitats and human populations.
New research reveals that specific proteins in plant cells explain why plant defenses falter under high temperatures, leaving them susceptible to infections. Scientists have also discovered a way to reverse this effect by constantly activating the CBP60g master switch gene, which bolsters plant defenses without stunting growth.
A new study by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication found that romantic partners can significantly influence each other's views on climate change, with only 38% alignment in climate beliefs and 31% alignment in behaviors. The study suggests that conversations about climate change can help shift public support and increase e...
A new open-path mid-infrared spectrometer can precisely measure isotopologue ratios in atmospheric water vapor in under 15 minutes, offering improved accuracy for climate change modeling and air quality monitoring. The instrument's dual-comb technique enables spatially resolved studies of water vapor transport over natural ecosystems.
Researchers at Keck School of Medicine of USC found that extreme heat and air pollution coincide to increase mortality risk by 21%. Deaths due to cardiovascular and respiratory conditions also increased significantly on days with both extreme heat and air pollution.
A new Johns Hopkins study reveals how simultaneous extreme weather events like heat waves and droughts can create dangerous cascades in the US. The research found that dueling weather events likely drove this year's New Mexico wildfire to historic proportions, with similar patterns expected under climate change.
A new study projects that unprecedented drought conditions will become more frequent and consecutive in certain regions due to global warming. The research analyzed changes in drought day frequency for 59 global subcontinental regions until the end of the 21st century.
A new study shows that community science activities can produce high-quality taxonomic data sets, empowering community scientists and supporting biodiversity discovery. Thousands of microscopic liverwort leaves were measured by community scientists over two years, with surprising accuracy.
Researchers at the University of Washington discovered that African wild dogs, a highly endangered species, shifted their breeding dates later in response to changing temperatures, leading to reduced pup survival rates. The study highlights how large predators can be vulnerable to climate change and its impact on life history events.
A new study found that pregnant people in the South and Midwest experienced higher risk of miscarriage in late August and early September, respectively. Researchers suggest exploring links between extreme heat and pregnancy loss, highlighting the need for further research to understand potential causes.
The Tibetan Plateau, known as the Third Pole, is vulnerable to climate change with extensive glacier retreat. Researchers analyzed observational and modeling data to understand its role in Asia's climate and global climate.
A new study models potential impacts on global biodiversity if temperatures increase by more than 2°C and then decline again. Tropical regions are most affected, with over 90% of species pushed outside their thermal niches.
Researchers found that Mediterranean sea urchins can withstand unprecedentedly warm sea temperatures and acidic oceans, a concerning sign for coastal ecosystems. As the ocean warms, these urchins are likely to spread throughout the Mediterranean, ravaging kelp forests and causing the demise of other species.
A new study found that black carbon particles emitted by rockets are 500 times more efficient at holding heat in the atmosphere than other sources, threatening ozone layer depletion. Daily or weekly space tourism launches could double the climate effect.
A new study reveals that population declines have been greatest among species that migrate to areas with more human infrastructure, habitat degradation, and climate change. The research identified 16 human-induced threats to migratory birds, including infrastructure associated with bird disturbance and collisions.
A study by the INGENIO Institute finds that prolonged temperature and precipitation increases cause conflict beyond affected areas, affecting populations up to 550km radius. Climate change adaptation strategies must consider each territory's particularities to mitigate conflict risks.
A new modeling study predicts that coastal marsh migration will release more carbon into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change. As marshes move inland due to sea level rise, they convert land from a net carbon sink to a net carbon source, releasing stored carbon into the air.
A new study reconstructs the natural pace and pattern of carbon storage in forests over centuries, revealing that woody biomass nearly doubled during the last 8,000 years. This finding highlights the importance of preserving large trees to maintain carbon sequestration processes and buffer climate change.
The Tibetan Plateau's water supply is under strain due to rapid melting of snow and upstream glaciers. This scarcity could lead to increased risks of international and intranational disputes in countries relying on it.
Researchers propose that massive continent stretching triggered a sudden and extreme warming of the planet, leading to the 'Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum' (PETM) event. This theory suggests that intense volcanic activity released large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, causing global warming.
Scientists have developed a biomass-derived plastic similar to PET that meets the criteria for replacing several current plastics. The new plastic can be produced in one step using inexpensive chemicals and retains its sugar structure, making it easy to degrade.
Two Rutgers studies project that offshore wind farms will reduce Atlantic surfclam catches by 3-15%, with losses reaching 25% in New Jersey. A spatially-explicit model, SEFES, predicts impacts on fishing behavior and revenue.
A new University of Maine study reveals that temperatures are rising at different rates in various locations across the state's wild blueberry fields, particularly during the fall, winter, and summer. The findings suggest that warmer daytime and nighttime temperatures increase carbon dioxide production and alter the carbon cycle.
A study by Dr. Armineh Barkhordarian confirms a systematic warming pool in the Pacific caused by human activities, leading to increased frequency and intensity of local marine heatwaves. The region has experienced 31 marine heatwaves over the past 20 years, compared to just nine between 1982 and 1999.
Researchers found that climate change is shifting the risk of human-wildlife conflicts in Thailand, with northern areas more vulnerable to elephant-human interactions. The study suggests that as natural habitats become fragmented, conflicts may intensify in rural areas where agriculture relies heavily on land.