Articles tagged with Climate Change
The deep ocean is warming at a slower rate than the surface, with climate velocity accelerating to 11 times the present rate in waters between 200-1000 metres by the end of the century. This poses huge challenges for protecting areas and mitigating threats to deep-sea life.
A new Tulane University study finds that coastal marshes in the Mississippi Delta are experiencing tipping points, where a small increase in sea-level rise leads to widespread submergence. The researchers predict that most marshes will drown in a few centuries once the rate of sea-level rise exceeds a certain threshold.
A long-term study found that tropical forests worldwide are likely to remain intact in moderate climate warming scenarios, with carbon storage capacities remaining stable. However, this thermal adaptation potential may not be fully realized due to rapid temperature rises and human disturbances like clearance, logging, or fires.
Researchers have discovered a new way that plants regulate volatile isoprenoid emissions, which contribute to hydrocarbons released into the atmosphere. This knowledge could lead to optimizing forest land and farming areas by planting fewer high-emitter-plants and more zero-emitters.
Scientists have mapped a large-scale bloom of green snow algae across Antarctica's coastline, which could become a significant carbon sink as the climate warms. The 'green snow' is likely to spread due to rising global temperatures.
Researchers have identified 75 new technologies that can transform global food production to meet growing demands while protecting the environment. These solutions include artificial intelligence, micro-algae production, vertical farming, and other innovative approaches.
A new study by Stanford University scientist Rob Jackson found that daily carbon dioxide emissions have dropped by as much as 17 percent globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study estimates an impact on annual emissions of 4 to 7 percent, the biggest drop since World War II.
Researchers found significant changes in the Pacific Walker circulation between 54-48 million years ago, with a broadening of ~38°. The circulation's intensity increased as the climate cooled, but its location was controlled by plate movements and CO2 concentrations.
New technologies, such as artificial meats, 3D printing, and vertical agriculture, hold promise for transforming the global food system. The study identifies an arsenal of highly promising options that can be tailored to different institutional and political contexts.
A recent study reveals that specialized cold-water invertebrates have persisted in high-elevation streams of Glacier National Park, even after glacier melting. Researchers found that these species may be more resilient to glacier recession than previously thought.
A new study found that climate change will lead to more erratic summer temperatures in Europe, with hotter and colder days becoming more frequent and unpredictable. In contrast, winter temperatures are expected to become less variable, making it harder for humans and nature to adapt.
A new study found that ocean warming will alter Antarctic krill growth habitats, with a moderate impact across 85% of the Southern Ocean. Krill are expected to move further south and shift in seasonal conditions, affecting conservation efforts and the management of the fishery.
New research from China provides detailed GHG emission estimates, including CO2 distribution in cities and non-CO2 monitoring. These findings support low-carbon development and energy conservation efforts.
A new study finds that West Coast marine species' ability to breathe in ocean water is crucial for their survival and population cycles. The anchovy's oxygen needs match the water breathability index, which changes over time and corresponds with population cycles.
Researchers used popular proverbs to study climate change impacts on precipitation, snow cover, and flowering periods in Sierra Nevada. Many proverbs were found to be inaccurate due to changes in climate conditions, but they also provided novel information on scientifically undocumented climate change impacts.
Boreal peatlands are losing more water than previously thought due to climate change. This increase in evapotranspiration will amplify the effects of global warming, releasing more CO2 into the atmosphere and intensifying fires.
Researchers found that ozone-depleting chemical alternatives have increased dramatically in the Arctic since 1990, contaminating freshwater sources and affecting wildlife. The substances, known as scPFCAs, can travel long distances and accumulate in human blood and food crops.
The study analyzed seven Latin American countries and found that widespread adoption of emission-reduction techniques is necessary to meet target. Researchers highlight barriers to adoption, including lack of access to inputs and information, and propose solutions such as formal systems of replication, subsidies, and technical assistance.
Research reveals bedrock composition limits vegetation productivity in Southwest China's karst region, influencing soil formation and water retention. The study provides a crucial tool for optimising land use and assessing ecosystem resilience to climate change.
Researchers have successfully developed heat-resistant coral by bolstering the heat tolerance of its microalgal symbionts, potentially reducing the impact of reef bleaching from marine heat waves. The breakthrough provides a novel tool to increase coral tolerance and is a great win for Australian science.
Researchers will gather new data on pyrogenic carbon and investigate its behavior in tropical savannahs, including the impact of soil depth and fire frequency. The study aims to update models and provide better forecasts of carbon cycle dynamics, informing land management and climate change policies.
A new study using DNA metabarcoding reveals the dynamics of metacommunities in a threatened boreal wetland, detecting a broader range of biodiversity per sample compared to traditional methods. The study found that patterns of community assembly were nearly random, suggesting a strong role of randomness in the metacommunity.
Researchers analyzed late-spring frost data from 1959 to 2017 and found that 35% of European and 26% of Asian forests are threatened by increasing frost damage. The study highlights the evolutionary impact of spring frost on boreal and temperate woody species.
A University of Alaska Fairbanks-led research team developed a method using satellite images and synthetic aperture radar to determine methane release from northern lakes. The technique found correlations between frozen lake conditions and methane production.
Researchers used data science and machine learning to forecast urbanization patterns, predicting a 1.8-5.9-fold increase in urban areas by 2100. Global simulations show countries transitioning from rapidly to steadily to urbanized over time, with varying impacts on environment and society.
A study led by Nanyang Technological University warns that global sea-level rise could exceed 1 meter by 2100 and 5 meters by 2300 if emission targets are not met. The study, which surveyed over 100 climate experts, found stark differences in sea-level projections for low versus high emissions.
A recent commentary by restoration ecologist Karen Holl emphasizes the importance of careful planning and long-term management for tree-planting initiatives. She argues that planting trees alone is not a sufficient solution to combat climate change, but rather one piece of a broader strategy involving reduced fossil fuel emissions.
A new study suggests that increased rainfall in tropical regions will enhance soil respiration and decrease soil carbon stocks, leading to further intensification of global warming. This process could release significant amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change.
Research suggests that global warming could disturb the Indian Ocean's surface temperatures, triggering an Indian Ocean El Niño similar to the Pacific Ocean phenomenon. This could lead to new climate extremes, including disruption of monsoons over East Africa and Asia.
By 2050, the US is expected to face more frequent heat waves, droughts, and floods, posing greater risks to human health and ecosystems. Researchers used high-resolution climate models to calculate population exposure to extreme climate events, finding that over 47 million people are already exposed annually.
New research reveals climate change impacts on tropical cyclone patterns, with rising activity in the North Atlantic and Central Pacific, while declining in other regions. Greenhouse gases, aerosols, and volcanic eruptions contribute to these changes.
A study published in Nature's Scientific Reports reveals that shrinking snowcaps in the Himalayan-Tibetan Plateau region are fueling the expansion of harmful algal blooms in the Arabian Sea. These blooms, caused by Noctiluca scintillans, are disrupting the marine food chain and threatening fisheries that sustain 150 million people.
A University of Rhode Island researcher warns that climate change is causing increased conflicts between fishermen, fishing nations, and managers. Shifting fish populations and changing maritime boundaries are creating new challenges in global fisheries management.
Despite regional hardship, ancient people continued their centuries-long tradition of meeting to socialize and feast on oysters. The persistence of these gatherings underscores the importance of community for the people affected by climate change and abandonment.
Researchers at Newcastle University developed a new class of self-forming membrane to separate CO2 from gas mixtures, achieving performance levels comparable to existing carbon capture processes. The innovation reduces the demand for silver and lowers costs, making it an attractive solution for environmental protection.
A study found that increasing tree canopy to 30% of land area could prevent over 400 premature adult deaths per year, representing 3% of the city's annual mortality. Increasing green spaces can also bring significant economic benefits, estimated at almost $4 billion annually.
A study found that repeated annual rainfall shortages contribute to increased cropland expansion and deforestation in the developing world. The authors also noted that regions with adequate water infrastructure experience reduced cropland expansion and forest cover loss.
A new study reveals that hurricanes trigger evolutionary changes in island lizards, resulting in larger toepads in populations frequently affected by the storms. The research, spanning 12 island populations and 188 Anolis species, shows a significant correlation between hurricane frequency and toepad size.
Researchers found that organic substances produced by decomposed vegetation cover on top of caves create the red coloration, which is linked to climate conditions. The study used various analysis techniques to identify these compounds and established a link between the red color and mid-Holocene climate changes.
Researchers used mass spectrometry to analyze sperm stored in honey bee queens and found five proteins activated by extreme temperatures. The proteins can indicate heat stress in queen bees and serve as a bellwether for wider insect fertility losses.
The Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health will focus on health and climate equity with $247,858 from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Funding began in May 2020 and concluded in April 2021.
A new study finds that climate-driven transformations render marine reserves ineffective in protecting biodiversity and fish biomass. Marine reserves still protect some species, but conservation efforts require re-evaluation. Urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate other pressures.
Researchers at KU Leuven developed an online tool that maps threats to tropical dry forests in Peru and Ecuador, advising local governments on forest restoration and conservation. The tool uses tree species traits to predict resilience and identify most-at-risk areas.
Researchers at the University of Miami found that prolonged and extreme rainfall in Hawaii's Big Island triggered the 2018 Kīlauea volcano eruption. The team suggests local rainfall patterns contribute to timing and frequency of eruptions, with potential implications for other volcanoes.
A miniaturized carbon dioxide monitoring instrument based on non-dispersive infrared technology has been developed to observe carbon dioxide concentrations in the boundary layer. The instrument provided consistent results with conventional gas chromatography analyzers and revealed that CO2 concentration decreases with increasing altitude.
New research from CU Boulder suggests that as much as two-thirds of western states will lose their ability to predict seasonal drought using snowpack by mid-century. Coastal areas and regions at lower elevations will be most affected, leading to increased reliance on reservoirs and potential water supply complications.
Researchers argue that relying on new technologies to address climate change is delaying action, enabling a cycle of 'prevarication' and inadequate policies. The study maps five phases of climate targets, highlighting how technological promises have downplayed urgency and undermined societal commitment.
A recent special issue of Advances in Atmospheric Sciences presents the latest findings from expanded and ongoing research efforts in Antarctic meteorology and climate. The studies reveal signs of climate change, including strong warming over the Antarctic Peninsula, rapid ice loss, and changes in precipitation patterns.
A new study suggests that climate change is driving a megadrought in the western United States, with warming temperatures playing a key role. The study, which analyzed modern weather observations and tree-ring data, finds that the current drought is already outdoing the worst past 19-year increments within previous episodes.
Cassava has increased yields dramatically in Asia over the last 50 years, with yields in Vietnam rising from 3 tons per hectare to 20 tons through improved varieties and fertilizer management. Researchers have also developed new varieties for industrial use, such as high-starch cassava ideal for higher latitudes.
A new study warns of amphibian conservation shortfalls due to climate change, highlighting the need for intelligent manipulation and management of water resources. Researchers found that extending temporary pool availability, restoring natural drying patterns, and releasing environmental flows can improve breeding outcomes.
Researchers at HKU discovered that corals' reliance on certain nutritional sources underpins their bleaching susceptibility in warming oceans. The team found that predatory corals can withstand warmer temperatures longer than photosynthetic corals.
A new study found that households with children emit over 25% more carbon dioxide than childless households. Parents' concerns about the environment do not translate to a reduction in carbon footprint, but rather increased transportation and food consumption. This disparity is likely due to time constraints and the need for convenience.
Researchers studied the nexus between climate, upwelling, and marine ecosystems, finding that each Eastern Boundary Upwelling System (EBUS) has unique drivers and climate variability. The study highlights the importance of considering local and remote forcing factors in predicting long-term variations in upwelling.
A new study suggests that volcanic activity played a direct role in triggering extreme climate change at the end of the Triassic period. The amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from these eruptions is comparable to the amount expected to be produced by all human activity in the 21st century.
A massive monitoring study found Canada lynx on only 20% of its potential habitat in Washington state, highlighting the impact of climate change and wildfire on their survival. The research suggests that lynx are a key indicator species for climate change, with warming temperatures and reduced snowpack threatening their ability to thrive.
A study by University of Texas at Austin researchers reveals that long-lived pioneer trees, which grow fast and live long lives, account for most of the biomass and carbon storage in some tropical rainforests. The finding improves climate models' accuracy by considering variations in tree species' growth, survival, and reproduction.
A new method enables predictions for the development of species-rich forests, which can help mitigate climate change and promote biodiversity. The method uses a digital experiment to simulate tree growth, death, and reproduction, and has been shown to be reliable with only five strategy types.
A new study published in Nature's journal Climate and Atmospheric Science reveals that adding sea-salt can dampen the effect of clouds becoming brighter, which could impact climate change predictions. The research found that pollution-induced changes to cloud reflectance are a major uncertainty in predicting future climate change.
A new study corrects systematic errors in ocean temperature data using empirical correction schemes, improving the homogeneity of global databases. The technique significantly reduces biases, especially during the 1940-1970 period, crucial for climate change studies.