Articles tagged with Climate Change
Researchers found nanoparticles from human activities rapidly grow in atmosphere and influence cloud formation, affecting raindrop formation and changing rainfall regime. The study provides new insights into the impact of small aerosols on precipitation and improves climate change studies based on mathematical models.
Scientists from Nagoya University investigate the formation of air channels in wetland plants, which help them survive floods and droughts. The study reveals that a phytohormone called auxin is required for normal root growth, and two factors lead to the induction of aerenchyma formation in response to flooding.
A study found that switching from a metered dose inhaler to a dry powder version for maintenance therapy reduces the carbon footprint of people with asthma by more than half. The researchers conclude that this substitution is an acceptable and worthwhile option for most patients who can safely manage their condition at home.
A new research synthesis suggests using tree ring data from forest inventory plots to estimate carbon sequestration in forests. This approach could provide a direct record of the carbon gained by individual trees and forests, scaling up to estimate forest-wide and continent-wide carbon savings.
The probe measures salinity, temperature and pressure, making three measurements per metre before returning to the surface. The successful deployment provides valuable insights into freshwater input to the marine Arctic ecosystems and its effects on global ocean currents.
A new study by UC Santa Cruz found that many California cities still lack meaningful discussion of equity in their climate action plans. The research team analyzed 170 plans and identified common pitfalls, including a focus on aesthetically
Climate change projections indicate a dramatic increase in extreme rainfall-surge events along the US East and Gulf coasts, with compound flooding events expected to worsen flood risks. Sea level rise and storm intensification are identified as key drivers of this phenomenon.
A new study by the Alfred Wegener Institute provides a basis for reliable projections of Antarctic sea-ice impacts under climate change. Ocean eddies are found to delay sea-ice loss, contrary to existing simulations, and allow the ocean to transport additional heat northward.
A study led by Monterey Bay Aquarium reveals more than half of the ocean surface has experienced extreme heat since 2014, posing a threat to marine ecosystems. The research found that these heat extremes increase the risk of collapse for crucial ecosystems like coral reefs and kelp forests.
The Columbia Climate School has established the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Fellows program, creating two full tuition fellowships to make the program accessible to high-achieving students. The fellowships aim to train a new generation of students who can address the impacts of climate change on human society.
A multi-disciplinary team of researchers, including Indigenous Kichwa and Waorani families, will study biodiversity impacts in the Amazon basin. They will incorporate traditional knowledge into their approach to examining tropical species interaction.
Soil algae play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle, capturing approximately 30% of human-caused CO2 emissions. The research found that these microorganisms sequester around 3.6 gigatonnes of carbon annually.
Climate change is causing plants in the UK to flower one month earlier, with average first flowering dates advancing by a full month since the mid-18th century. This phenomenon can lead to ecological mismatch, affecting biodiversity and ecosystems.
Researchers propose a new way to store renewable energy by speculatively performing computations in large data centers when energy is abundant, and retrieving the results later. This approach offers better efficiency than traditional battery storage methods and could reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Research reveals three modes of thought among Finnish forest owners: one views biodiversity loss as an emergency and advocates for radical change, while others see no problem. The study highlights the importance of acknowledging biodiversity loss denial in forestry discussions.
Researchers found that glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere lost a total area of 390 km² per year, with 60% attributed to the Greenland Ice Sheet. Only 3% of glaciers advanced during this period. The study highlights the impact of climate change on marine-terminating glaciers.
Researchers found that low volcanic temperatures caused high sulfur dioxide emissions, leading to short-term cooling and contributing to the fourth mass extinction. The study suggests that this cooling enabled small-bodied dinosaurs to grow and prosper, ultimately thriving during the Jurassic period.
Researchers developed a novel scheme that reduces energy consumption while improving traffic prediction accuracy by up to 40% compared to benchmark schemes. The scheme uses software defined network and edge computing to control the operation of base stations, ensuring both sustainability and performance.
A study by University of Arizona researcher Sabrina Helm identified two prevailing climate change coping profiles: adaptive approach coping and maladaptive avoidance coping. The adaptive approach group tends to engage in pro-environmental behaviors and express concern about climate change, while the maladaptive avoidance group is less ...
A new study reveals that temperate rainforests can play a crucial role in combating climate change by sequestering carbon and mitigating flooding. However, the research also shows that natural expansion of these ecosystems is unlikely to meet UK targets due to fragmentation and degradation.
Achieving China's carbon neutral goal requires a rapid transition to renewable energy, nuclear generation, and a decrease in fossil fuel use. Implementing non-fossil fuel energy sources is crucial, with solar energy playing a critical role due to its decreasing costs and technology advancements.
A recent study published in the KeAi journal found that commercial banks continue to view small merchant renewable energy projects as risky, despite the trend towards 'greening of banks'. Government banks in the Philippines were more open to providing credit to these developers, highlighting the need for innovative financing solutions.
A study found that thawing permafrost in the Arctic releases large amounts of previously unaccounted-for carbon dioxide, amplifying global warming. The research team determined that up to 80% of this CO2 comes from ancient organic matter and 18% from inorganic sources.
A new report warns that current pathways to net zero climate targets in the UK are flawed and may lead to losses in biodiversity, human wellbeing, and cultural knowledge. The study recommends a more inclusive approach to landscape management, involving experts from diverse fields, to achieve sustainable futures.
Geosapiens receives major funding from the Canadian Space Agency to develop innovative approaches to flood mapping. The project aims to integrate satellite imagery data for real-time flood zone identification and risk assessment.
New study reveals tradeoff between water quality and emissions on farms, highlighting potential environmental benefits of conservation practices. Researchers found that split nitrogen applications had no impact on nitrous oxide levels, but cover crops increased emissions by spikes in summer.
A new study reveals that trees benefit from having more space, reducing competition and helping them recover from fire damage. By alleviating stress caused by neighbors competing for limited water resources, trees can fend off beetle attacks and heal after fire, increasing their chances of survival.
Researchers found that coral species with faster skeletal crystallization rates are more resilient to ocean acidification. A team of UW-Madison students contributed to the analysis and were co-authors on the study. The findings have significant implications for developing mitigation strategies against ocean acidification.
A cost-effective artificial leaf from the University of Illinois Chicago can capture carbon dioxide at rates 100 times better than current systems. It works in real-world environments and releases CO2 for fuel and materials.
Government actions, such as road travel restrictions, significantly reduced NO2 concentrations and deaths in Europe. The study estimated that more than 800 deaths were avoided due to improved air quality.
A new analysis predicts climate change will decline suitable regions for coffee arabica, cashews, and avocados in major producing countries. Suitable areas may expand at higher altitudes and latitudes, particularly for cashews and avocados.
University of Delaware professors Wei-Jun Cai and David Kirchman have been named AAAS Fellows for their important contributions to STEM fields. Cai was recognized for his work on the global carbon cycle and ocean acidification, while Kirchman was honored for his research on marine biosciences and microbial ecology.
Researchers studied Paradise, California's response to the 2018 Camp Fire. They found that community responses vary greatly due to distinct fire and demographic characteristics.
Mariculture has the potential to deliver high-protein foodstuffs with a significantly reduced carbon footprint compared to terrestrial products. The authors suggest various ways to improve mariculture's sustainability, including supply chain improvements and cofarming practices that can lead to net reductions in CO2 emissions.
Research reveals that intense storms in the Southern Ocean increase ocean mixing, bringing carbon dioxide-rich waters to the surface and driving an outgassing of CO2 into the atmosphere. This process has significant implications for understanding global climate models and predicting future climate change.
A 2°C warming would lengthen summer by 20 to 21 days in mid-latitude regions like East Asia, the Mediterranean, and USA, resulting in 111 to 112 days of summer. Limiting warming to 1.5°C reduces summer season lengthening by 12 to 13 days.
The eLTER call offers Transnational Access (TA) and Remote Access (RA) for scientists working on biodiversity, biogeochemistry, and socio-ecological research. The 39 sites in 19 countries provide state-of-the-art instrumentation and long-term data.
A study found that frequent-fire forests in the Sierra Nevada have far fewer trees due to fire suppression, leading to increased competition among remaining trees. Managing for resilience involves drastically reducing densities to create low-density stands with less tree competition.
A study found a significant decrease in social salience of climate change during the COVID-19 pandemic's first wave. Facebook shares and reshares revealed a notable dip in climate change attention.
The English Channel prevents many rockpool species from reaching the UK due to unfavorable ocean currents. This could lead to a decrease in intertidal wildlife richness in the UK as warmer-water species fail to replace threatened ones. As climate change causes sea temperatures to rise, this barrier may prevent species from adapting.
Researchers from Uppsala University found that ocean productivity declined rapidly 4.6 million years ago in tropical regions, likely caused by reduced East Asian monsoon intensity and decreased riverine nutrient supply, coinciding with changes in the Earth's orbit.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a smart and super-efficient way of capturing carbon dioxide and converting it to solid carbon, which can be integrated into existing industrial processes. The technology offers a pathway for instantly converting CO2 as it is produced, locking it permanently in a solid state.
Climate change sentiments were overwhelmingly pro-human activity action, while vaccine sentiments showed a significant gap between pro and neutral views. The study analyzed 87 million tweets from 2007 to 2016 and found less interaction among users with opposing views on vaccines compared to climate change.
A Kyoto University-led team has created a novel hydrogen plant design that harnesses fully renewable resources to produce clean hydrogen with minimal associated CO2 emissions. The SABI-Hydrogen system uses solar heating and biomass gasification to produce hydrogen, resulting in an emission rate of only 1.04kg CO2/kg hydrogen produced.
A new study found that climate-driven changes in ocean temperatures have shifted tiger shark movements outside of protected areas, making them more vulnerable to commercial fishing. The study's results suggest that warmer waters are now suitable for tiger sharks, allowing them to migrate farther poleward and earlier than usual.
A study by Tulane University found that swapping just one serving of beef per day for a more planet-friendly alternative can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 48% and water-use impacts by 30%. This simple change could collectively make a substantial difference in reducing the carbon footprint of US diets.
Native fish populations are declining due to lack of natural flow, making conservation efforts challenging. The study highlights the importance of protecting rivers with natural flow regimes to sustain native fish and their habitats.
A recent study reveals that lead poisoning from eating contaminated carcasses has reduced bald eagle population growth by 4-6% annually in the Northeast. The researchers emphasize the need for hunters to choose copper-based ammunition to mitigate this issue, which could impact other species as well.
Researchers found that male mosquitoes beat their wings up to 500-1,000 times a second, changing frequency to produce 'distortion tones' more audible to the male ear. This change is partly due to their circadian clock and allows males to detect females in swarms.
A recent review highlights the devastating impact of permafrost thaw on infrastructure in the Arctic region, with damages ranging from less than 10% to as high as 80%. The region's transport and pipeline networks are particularly vulnerable, with costs projected to exceed 30 billion euros by 2060.
A 25-30 percent increase in winter rainfall over the eastern Arabian Peninsula was found since 1981, with a decrease of about 10-20 percent in the south and northeast. This shift is linked to an El Niño pattern in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
A new species of rainfrog, Pristimantis gretathunbergae, has been discovered in Panama and named after global environmental activist Greta Thunberg. The frog's habitat is threatened by climate change and deforestation, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts.
A new analysis reveals that approximately 1.3 million Californians, or nearly 3.5% of the population, rely on domestic wells for their water supply, while 370,000 more may be served by contaminated community water systems. Communities of color are disproportionately affected by drinking water contamination.
Rapid coastal erosion in the Arctic is driven by permafrost thawing, ground ice melting, and sea surface temperature rises. This leads to increased erosion, water pollution, and loss of habitats for local communities.
A team of researchers found that animals with strong site fidelity, which is returning to the same places to eat, travel, and raise their young, may not survive or reproduce as well in changing landscapes. This can lead to population declines, especially in species like mule deer affected by human development.
A team of researchers at MIT has identified and modeled a major reason for poor performance in electrochemical carbon dioxide conversion systems, which is caused by a local depletion of CO2 gas near the electrodes. By pulsing the current off and on, they can replenish the gas levels, allowing the process to continue efficiently.
A recent Ohio University study provides the first complete estimate of total Antarctic sea ice extent back through the 20th century, revealing unique changes in climate patterns. The research shows a regime shift with increases in sea ice since 1979 and sudden declines throughout the early and middle 20th century.
A new study by Oregon State University reveals that ecological communities on the Oregon coast are being subtly destabilized by climate change, despite appearing to be stress-resistant. The communities have grown less stable for at least a decade, with increasing variability in their structure and recovery patterns.
A new study by the University of Exeter reveals two previously unknown Vibrio species in UK waters, which can cause gastroenteritis and skin infections in humans. The increasing range of these bacteria also threatens marine biodiversity and the seafood industry, with potential economic costs estimated at £6 billion annually.
A new study found that manufacturing facilities that use large amounts of water during periods of drought often streamline their processes to lower toxic emissions into water, lakes, and rivers. On average, these changes resulted in reduced toxic emissions by over 2.5%.