Articles tagged with Climate Change
A new study found that a conversion message by British environmentalist Mark Lynas, who turned from an opponent to an advocate of GM crops, had a greater impact on public attitudes than a direct advocacy message. The study suggests that people's minds may be more easily changeable on this issue.
Researchers tracked juvenile Emperor penguins for up to 6 years, revealing they initially swim far north to learn how to dive before heading south to the sea ice zone. The study highlights the unique connection between diving behaviors and the thermocline layer in the ocean.
Feeding a growing population of 10 billion people by 2050 with a healthy and sustainable diet will require significant changes to eating habits, food production, and reducing food waste. The new dietary pattern promotes whole grains, plant-based protein sources, and high consumption of fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
Researchers have developed an efficient way to manage nitrogen in agriculture, using light sensors to monitor crop health and vitality. This approach reduces nitrogen fertilizer application, decreases environmental pollution, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions, increasing economic returns for farmers.
The study found that during the Pleistocene ice age, sediments in the Gulf of Mexico came primarily from the Mississippi River, which collected sediments from across North America. The research provides new insight into how climate change affects geological processes and their impact on environments.
Researchers found the highest rate of mass loss in Patagonian ice sheets, while glaciers in tropics are losing mass at a slower rate. This has important implications for water sources in dry periods.
Researchers tracked changes in river discharge, ocean stratification, and planktonic foraminifera oxygen isotopes to analyze past monsoon strength. Abnormally strong winter precipitation occurred around 4.5-4.3 thousand years ago, followed by a minimum at 4.1 thousand years ago.
A UCI/JPL study found Antarctica losing six times more ice mass annually now than 40 years ago, resulting in a half-inch rise in global sea levels. The accelerated melting is attributed to climate change and warm ocean water, with East Antarctica contributing significantly to the total ice mass loss.
A study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that people who strongly oppose genetically modified foods often believe they know more about the topic than they actually do. Despite a scientific consensus on GM food safety and nutritional benefits, many opponents think they are knowledgeable on the subject.
A global collaboration of ecological researchers, including Kent State University's Dave Costello, has revealed new findings on the effect of climatic factors on river-based ecosystems. The study found that temperature and moisture influenced carbon-cycling rates of river ecosystems.
Recent ocean heating observations provide further evidence that global warming is accelerating, with the top 2,000 meters of oceans predicted to rise 0.78 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, contributing to sea level rise and extreme weather events.
New research reveals ocean heat content is accelerating, with 2018 likely the hottest year on record. The warming contributes to sea level rise, increased rainfall intensity, and stronger storms.
A new study reveals that an average of 2.1 billion birds migrate along the 1,680-mile Gulf Coast each spring, with peak activity in a specific 18-day period. The research also highlights the importance of understanding migration timing to mitigate threats from human activities.
Geoscientists at UMass Amherst have reconstructed the longest and highest-resolution climate record for the Northeastern United States, revealing previously undetected past temperature cycles. The study used branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetra ethers (branched GDGTs) to provide an independent terrestrial paleo-thermometer.
A new study published in PNAS outlines a mission-driven approach to understanding the impacts of geoengineering and informs policy. The research focuses on releasing sulfate aerosols into the stratosphere, mimicking natural volcanic eruptions.
Researchers found that soil minerals can store a significant amount of carbon, which could be exploited as the world shifts its carbon economy. Wetter climates facilitate mineral formation, allowing more carbon to be stored.
A new study from Duke University and Fudan University found that China's residential electricity consumption will increase by 9% for every degree Celsius rise in global mean surface temperature. Peak usage is projected to rise by 36%, with estimates suggesting a minimum of 72% increase, driven mainly by hotter days.
A global study analyzed 421 tree communities to understand how climate affects functional traits in forests. Climate factors like temperature variability and vapor pressure have the greatest impact on trait diversity across all species.
A recent study published by University of Queensland researchers sheds light on the responses of various species to major climate events. The research found that extreme weather events such as cyclones, droughts, and floods are causing unpredictable changes to ecosystems, leading to population declines and local extinctions.
A team of researchers has successfully detected rain over the ocean using GNSS Reflectometry, a technique that measures sea surface roughness to infer precipitation. This innovation could provide unprecedented temporal resolution and spatial coverage for monitoring atmospheric precipitation.
Researchers at the University of Alberta found alpine zooplankton to be excellent indicators of lake health, sensitive to climate changes. By analyzing over 1,200 lakes across North America, the team showed that these tiny organisms can assess ecosystem function based on their ecological traits.
A recent study published in American Political Science Review found that people's policy positions shift when informed of their party leader's stance on a controversial issue. Researchers used President Trump's statements to test the effect of party loyalty versus policy loyalty.
A team of climate researchers reviewed existing data and concluded there has never been a statistically significant 'pause' in global warming. The studies, published in Environmental Research Letters, reassessed the data and put it into historical context to find no evidence for a divergence between model projections and observations.
Researchers describe the full annual life cycle of a dragonfly in the Western hemisphere for the first time, using citizen science and chemical analysis. The common green darner migrates north in spring, south in fall, and has a wingspan of just 7.5 cm but covers an average of over 600 km.
Researchers at Stockholm University found a special gene PLD that helps plants stay healthy and resistant to oxygen deficiency when underwater. The study suggests that increasing the amount of this gene may help protect crops from flooding, improving harvest yields.
Research from the University of Technology Sydney and Duke University found that consumers significantly underestimate the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with their food choices. Participants preferred items with lower carbon footprints when given clear information on labels.
Warmer UK winters may delay blackcurrant growing seasons, leading to reduced yields and poorer fruit quality. Researchers found that different varieties respond differently to climate change, but breeding new resilient ones is key.
A study found that people underestimate the environmental impact of food, especially meat, but can be helped by labels. The researchers asked participants to rate the energy used and greenhouse gas emissions generated by different foods and appliances.
A recent study has found that European mountain bird populations have declined by as much as 10% in the 2000s, mainly due to climate change and changes in land use. The decline is particularly worrying for species that only inhabit mountain regions and are unable to live in other environments.
Researchers have developed EmbryoPhenomics, a technology that captures detailed measurements of organism development, revealing sensitive responses to environmental stressors. The technology has the potential to be a game-changer in assessing climate change impacts and preserving biodiversity.
Researchers have identified hydrotalcites as capable of capturing CO2 in mine tailings, potentially improving carbon sequestration beneath the surface. The study found that these minerals can trap CO2 deeper into the tailings than carbonate minerals could, offering a new approach to reducing atmospheric emissions.
A new study reveals that regions worldwide are experiencing more extreme weather events, with heavy rainfall in North America and Europe, while Africa sees an increase in droughts. The study suggests that human-caused climate change is driving these changes, with significant impacts on people's livelihoods.
A new dating technique has pushed the formation of Earth's cobalt deposits back by 100-150 million years, according to a University of Alberta study. This revised timeline offers a fresh perspective on the global distribution of cobalt and its potential for sustainable exploration and mining.
A new study reveals that the Indian Ocean played a far greater role in driving climate change during the last ice age and may disrupt climate again in the future. The research found that changes in ocean temperatures and winds drove radical climate shifts, challenging Pacific-centric theories.
New research reveals record amounts of mercury released into waterways through thawing permafrost, contaminating downstream ecosystems. Climate change exacerbates the issue, highlighting the need for further study on mercury cycling and its impact on Arctic food webs.
Researchers studying Earth's 'living skin' reveal insights into forest ecohydrology in a changing climate and plant stress in drought-prone forests. The Critical Zone Observatories project explores how landscapes evolve over human timescales and respond to climate change.
A Cornell University-led study finds that Midwest agriculture is increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events, with a clear escalation in climate sensitivity between the 1960s and '70s and more recent years. The region's reliance on rain-fed crops and specialization in crop production contribute to this vulnerability.
The study found that animal-related injuries in the US result in over $5.9 billion in healthcare costs each year. The majority of these incidents are caused by smaller animals and insects, with dog bites, insect stings, and snake bites being among the most common causes.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals that corals that survived 2016 bleaching were more resistant to heat stress in 2017. The research highlights the extent of damage caused by multiple coral bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef, with only 7% of reefs escaping bleaching entirely since 1998.
A new study from Stockholm University shows that seal predation on fish does not significantly decrease cod, herring, and sprat populations in the Baltic Sea. Climate change, nutrient load, and fisheries have a greater impact on commercial fish stocks, but excessive seal numbers could still harm fish in extreme scenarios.
Children in Alaska may have elevated cancer risk due to insecticides like DDT in the meltwater, especially those who rely on fish as a staple diet. Researchers found that even low levels of organochlorine pollutants can increase cancer risk for youth and adults.
Global seabird food consumption decreased by 13 million tonnes between 1970 and 2010, while fisheries increased their catches of prey species. Seabirds are facing extinction due to unfair competition with massive vessels for food, entanglement in fishing gears, and plastic waste.
Researchers identified common characteristics among resilient food organizations, including formal emergency planning, staff training, and redundant supply chains. These factors enable the recovery of smaller, less-resourced organizations in crisis situations.
A new study found that warming waters in the Indian Ocean are causing a decline in wind power potential in India, with western regions experiencing the steepest decrease. The research suggests that investing in wind turbines in areas with stronger monsoon winds can help minimize the impact of climate change.
Global CO2 emissions are expected to reach 37.1 billion tonnes in 2018, with a solid growth in coal use for the second year in a row and sustained growth in oil and gas use. Emissions need to peak and rapidly decrease to address climate change.
Research shows Greenland's surface melting has increased dramatically since the mid-19th century, with a 50% increase in total ice sheet meltwater runoff versus the start of the industrial era. This study provides evidence that climate change is driving unprecedented rates of ice sheet melting, which could accelerate sea level rise.
A new study finds that addressing climate change will lead to net job creation across industries by 2030. The construction, manufacturing, and renewables sectors are expected to drive job growth.
A new paper argues that promoting climate change as a moral issue can help solve the problem, rather than relying solely on scientific arguments. Governments and policymakers must appeal to a range of values, including fairness, duty, and patriotism, to make progress in addressing climate change.
Researchers have developed new tools to help people identify fake news on social media, including a study that found structured introspection can aid in recognizing false climate change reports. Additionally, studies explored how terror attacks impact fear and anger levels on social media and the effects of media coverage on trust in s...
A Finnish-Chinese study found that global warming increases frost damage on trees in Central Europe, with some areas experiencing substantial increases in spring frosts. This is due to earlier flowering and leafing out of plants, which can lead to more frequent and severe frost events.
A new study reveals that human-caused climate change drives uneven sea level rise, with regions experiencing higher rates expected to continue trending. Climate models suggest that up to half of regional variation in sea level rise can be attributed to climate change.
Researchers have discovered that certain naturally occurring yeast strains can produce beneficial acids, improving wine taste and quality. The study focused on Lachancea thermotolerans yeast, which can be used in conjunction with traditional wine yeasts to enhance the flavor profile.
A 5-year study finds that deep-insulating snowpack loss could reduce forest carbon storage and filter pollutants by 95% in the northeastern US. This decline affects sugar maple trees, impacting industries like timber, maple syrup production, and tourism.
A new study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution found that reef fisheries can still provide stable catches despite extreme coral bleaching. However, the fishery's success is more patchy and dependent on fewer species, with algal-feeding fish like rabbitfish providing a temporary boost.
A new study links frequent, seasonal fires to the formation and expansion of ancient grasslands. The researchers used a novel approach to analyze plant biomarkers in fossil soils, revealing that fire played a crucial role in shaping the landscape.
Scientists have developed a new organic proxy, phytane, to analyze ancient CO2 levels in the oceans, revealing high levels of carbon dioxide 1000 ppm. This data shows changes that typically take millions of years are now happening in a century, providing valuable insights into future climate predictions.
Researchers have discovered a new central enzyme in the steroid biosynthesis pathway, challenging long-held evolutionary views. The finding has potential applications for controlling toxic algae and parasitic infections in aquaculture.
New research predicts a significant rise in the frequency and intensity of powerful storms in Europe and North America due to climate change. The study, led by Dr. Matt Hawcroft, projects a threefold increase in extreme precipitation events by the end of the century.
Scientists discovered that the Atlantic Ocean's connection to the global thermohaline circulation occurred at a climatic tipping point around 59 million years ago. This enabled a more efficient distribution of heat over the planet, marking the end of a long-term cooling phase and the beginning of a new greenhouse period.
A recent analysis estimates that suitable habitat for brown bears will decrease by 11 percent in Central Asia and the Asian Highlands due to climate change. This may force bears to move outside protected areas, highlighting the need for expanded protected areas and corridors.