Articles tagged with Climate Change
Wheat harvests will be affected by climate change in high latitudes, with the optimal growing area expected to move north-east and into the Far East. The study found that global warming makes it easier to grow wheat in previously cold areas but also increases drought frequency in southern regions.
A Stanford study suggests using government payments to incentivize the oil industry to capture more carbon dioxide from human-related sources. This could lead to a 9.5% reduction in climate emissions, even with increased oil extraction. The proposal involves a reverse Dutch auction system to pilot-test the concept.
Research finds that climate models and observational data match up well in predicting the widening of the tropics. The expansion may continue over the next several decades, with varying rates from year to year and location to location. The study's findings have added confidence to predictions based on current climate models.
A new study links rapid deoxygenation in Canada's Gulf of St. Lawrence to large-scale climate change, specifically the shift of the Gulf Stream and Labrador Current. The research confirms that warmer water from the Gulf Stream is entering the St. Lawrence Seaway, causing oxygen levels to drop.
A new tool developed by UBC researchers helps conservationists make data-driven decisions about which species to recover with limited funds. By analyzing empirical data and expert knowledge, the Priority Threat Management tool prioritizes conservation strategies for endangered species.
A new study finds that extreme warming could lead to a significant increase in heat-related deaths worldwide, with the risk balanced in cooler regions. If global temperatures rise above 2°C, many parts of the world could experience a dramatic increase in excess mortality due to heat.
A study by UC Riverside researchers predicts climate-induced reduction in large soil pores, leading to increased surface runoff and erosion. Climate change may also exacerbate flash flooding, threatening human health, food security, and biodiversity.
A study found that spring is arriving early in 76% of US National Wildlife Refuges, but not uniformly across migratory bird routes. The team's analysis suggests that higher latitudes are advancing more rapidly than lower latitudes, threatening the synchronization of species with their habitats.
A study published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment highlights the dangers of peace in Colombia, where deforestation rates are surpassing those of Brazil, and climate change poses a threat to isolated mountain ecosystems. Mining activities also pose environmental problems.
The study found that less food energy at depth makes it difficult for microbes to decompose organic carbon deposits, creating an underground storehouse. As a result, carbon is more likely to be stored long-term due to slower decomposition rates.
Researchers have successfully mapped the orange clownfish's genome using high-tech sequencing tools, creating a comprehensive genetic blueprint. The completed genome contains over 26,000 protein-coding genes and will aid in understanding reef fish biology, sex change, larval dispersal, and ocean acidification impacts.
Tropical peatlands have a natural biochemical defense mechanism that resists decay, even in warming temperatures and droughts. This mechanism is stabilized by high levels of aromatic compounds, which create a barrier protecting the peat from oxidation.
Researchers analyzed precipitation and temperature records with NDVI data from 1982-2011 to find a shift in the climate factors controlling vegetation dynamics on the central and southeastern Tibetan Plateau. The study suggests that global warming may be contributing to this change, potentially impacting regional ecosystems.
Peatlands, which store up to 530 billion tons of global carbon, are vulnerable to climate change due to changing temperature and precipitation patterns. The study found that temperate regions in warmer periods can accumulate more carbon than tropical regions, but ultimately release it as warming intensifies.
A new study reveals that wind and solar farms increase local precipitation and plant growth in the Sahara desert. The results suggest a positive impact on regional climate processes, with potential to produce minimal climate change at continental scales.
A recent study published in Open Mind suggests that people's sense of certainty is boosted by feedback rather than hard evidence when learning new things or trying to tell right from wrong. This cognitive dynamic can lead to the reinforcement of false beliefs and limit intellectual horizons.
A new study by University of Bristol scientists reveals that ancient global warming was associated with more intense and episodic rainfall events. The Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum showed increased rainfall in some areas, decreased in others, but a significant increase in extreme event frequency.
Researchers reconstructed history of monsoon activity in northern Mexico using leaf wax compounds from deep sea sediments, settling a long-standing debate over its impact on ice age climates. The study helps predict regional climate responses to future conditions by understanding past variability.
A new study predicts that rising insect populations will lead to significant crop losses due to increased metabolic rates and population growth with temperature. Global yield losses for major crops are expected to increase by 10-25% per degree of surface warming, threatening the already fragile global food supply.
A new study sets a deadline of 2035 for governments to take decisive climate action to limit global warming below 2°C. The research found that even with strong renewable energy growth, humanity will likely cross the point of no return unless drastic emissions reductions are made immediately.
A new model accurately predicts patterns of mosquito-borne Ross River virus epidemics, highlighting the importance of temperature in predicting disease transmission. The study suggests that warmer temperatures may increase transmission in some regions and decrease it in others due to climate change.
Warm-water kelps alter ecosystem functioning, with faster food production and processing, but may reduce biodiversity. Kelp forests are expected to survive, unlike in other regions where they are disappearing.
Research reveals a significant shift from clear to murky lakes in the continental United States over the past five years. Murky lakes have increased by 12% while clear lakes declined by 18%, posing concerns for water quality and aquatic life.
Researchers have developed a new approach to predict how plants in Arctic regions respond to warming, revealing that 16% of vegetated land is no longer temperature-limited today. By the year 2100, only 20% of vegetation will be limited by cold conditions.
Researchers have developed a lightweight, battery-powered freshwater harvester that can collect up to 10 gallons of water per hour from the air, even in arid environments. The nanofiber-based method could help address modern water shortages due to climate change and industrial pollution.
A new study reveals that carbon reservoirs in the tropical soils of the Yucatan peninsula region are still impacted by ancient Mayan deforestation. Soil carbon storage has changed dramatically over centuries and millennia, with ancient land use affecting long-term persistence.
A growing global population contributes to rising greenhouse gas emissions, while nearly 85 million unintended pregnancies annually exacerbate the issue. Including population information in future IPCC assessments could facilitate more effective climate policies.
Scientists have discovered that corals and anemones can optimize their gene expression to acclimatize to extreme conditions, enabling them to survive climate change. Researchers plan to use this process to train corals in nurseries to improve their thermal resilience.
Research suggests that global oceanic warming contributes to warmer winters in Europe and northern East Asia. The team found positive North Atlantic Oscillation anomalies, low-pressure systems, and a weaker-than-normal East Asian trough linked to oceanic warming.
A NASA team, led by Emily Wilson, is launching a low-Earth-orbiting CubeSat mission called Mini-Carb to measure atmospheric greenhouse gases. The mini-LHR instrument, made of commercial parts, can simultaneously measure carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane in the atmosphere's limb.
Researchers at Syracuse University use nitrogen isotopic composition of sediments to understand changes in marine conditions during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, a brief period of rapid global warming approximately 56 million years ago. The study provides a benchmark for present and future climate and ocean models.
Scientists replicate a landmark study to determine changes in coral sea temperature tolerance over time. The results show corals are becoming more tolerant of warmer temperatures, but the rate of adaptation is not keeping pace with rising ocean temperatures.
A study found similar trends in streamflow in natural and human-modified watersheds, indicating climate-induced changes. Streamflow decreased in the southern US and increased in northeastern states and Canadian prairies.
Climate change poses significant health risks to children, including dehydration, heat stress, respiratory disease, and vector-borne diseases. Researchers propose strategies for addressing these needs, such as establishing medical protocols and best practice guidelines for climate-related event planning.
Dry months are experiencing temperature increases faster than average climate warming, according to a new UCI study. The research team found regions undergoing droughts warmed more than four times faster than areas with average weather conditions.
Researchers found that Arctic cyclones limit precise sea-ice prediction in the Northern Sea Route due to increased forecast error for large-scale weather features. The TOPAZ4 system, however, was reliable for early summer SIT prediction with a skill level up to 3 days.
A new tool predicts dengue outbreaks in the Caribbean after droughts and intense rainfall, helping plan interventions to reduce disease risk. The model, developed by ISGlobal, considers combined impacts of drought and rainfall on mosquito-borne diseases.
Researchers analyzed ocean sediments to understand Atlantic Ocean circulation changes, finding two episodes of ice melting linked to slow-downs in ocean circulation. The findings have implications for future long-term changes in Earth systems with global climate change.
A new Arizona State University study shows that animals may be able to use their own muscles to get water when it's not available. Researchers found that during reproduction, muscle metabolism is linked to the water requirements of developing offspring.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have found significant mass loss in East Antarctica's Totten and Moscow University glaciers. If these glaciers fully collapse, they could add up to 16 feet to global sea levels.
A study by University of Queensland scientists reveals that only 13% of the ocean can be classified as wilderness, leaving it vulnerable to loss. Marine areas devoid of intense human impacts are being protected, but most remaining wilderness is located in remote regions and is unprotected.
A new study finds that the ocean has lost most of its untouched areas, leaving only 13% classified as wilderness due to human activity such as fishing and shipping fleets. The authors call for conservation policies to protect marine wilderness, which is home to high levels of species diversity.
A global biodiversity collapse is predicted unless concerted action is taken to reverse species loss in the tropics. The study highlights the urgent need for sustainable development and effective conservation interventions to preserve and restore tropical habitats.
Research on ancient coral cores from the Great Barrier Reef reveals two distinct periods of rapid sea level fluctuations between 22,000 and 19,000 years ago. These findings challenge current understanding of glacier dynamics and suggest that climate models may need to be revised to account for faster changes.
Rice plants engineered to have fewer stomata are more tolerant of drought and resilient to future climate change, conserving water and surviving longer under drought and high temperatures. This discovery has significant implications for food security as much of the global rice crop relies on rain-fed agricultural systems.
Researchers found that coralline algae, often considered a canary in the coal mine for ecosystem changes, are responding to ocean acidification by altering their chemical cues. This shift could impact the overall ecosystem as species interact differently with each other.
A new study of lake sediments reveals that increased westerly winds are likely to reduce the Southern Ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This could accelerate climate change as the Southern Ocean currently absorbs over 40% of human-produced carbon dioxide.
The Mekong Delta is experiencing environmental changes that threaten the livelihoods of its 15 million people, with rising sea levels and droughts affecting agricultural productivity. The delta's unique ecosystem is being disrupted by dam-building upstream and climate change, leading to saltwater intrusions and reduced sedimentation.
A new study finds that nearly four in five Americans support the Endangered Species Act, despite claims of controversy. The survey data contradicts claims that public opinion is divided on the issue, showing high levels of support across various groups.
Researchers found that wave energy converters did not take full advantage of available energy, especially during extreme events, and their design needs to be adapted to handle increasing ocean activity. The study suggests a 40% increase in marine energy over the last century, with the largest increase occurring in the last 20 years.
Deep mesophotic reefs are unique habitats facing the same threats as shallow reefs, including climate change, storms, and pollution. The study's findings contradict the 'refuge hypothesis' and highlight the critical importance of protecting twilight zone reefs.
A new analysis reveals that lobbyists spent over $2 billion on influencing climate-related legislation in the US Congress between 2000 and 2016. The electrical utilities sector and fossil fuel companies dominated climate lobbying efforts, with spending peaking at $362 million in 2009.
A new study suggests that thousands of miles of buried fiber optic cable in densely populated coastal regions may be inundated by rising seas within 15 years. The study found that over 4,000 miles of conduit will be underwater and 1,100 traffic hubs will be surrounded by water by 2033, potentially disrupting global communications.
A new study reveals that foreign kelp has drifted 20,000km to reach Antarctica, challenging the long-held notion of the continent's isolation. The discovery sheds light on the science of ocean drift and its implications for climate change.
Professor Sarah Kang receives the 2018 Kamide Award for her pioneering contributions to atmospheric sciences, identifying mechanisms of high-latitude climate change on tropical precipitation. Her work blazed a trail in climate dynamics, revealing correlations between high and low latitude zones.
The paper highlights the importance of accurately measuring greenhouse gases and their role in determining Earth's future climate. Researchers propose a new space-based observing system to improve our understanding of carbon cycle feedbacks and predict climate change.
A study found that protecting tropical forest carbon stocks is ineffective for biodiversity in ecologically valuable forests. In fact, up to 77% of species protected through carbon conservation were not saved in these areas. The researchers suggest focusing on both carbon and biodiversity conservation efforts to safeguard unique wildlife.
A new study emphasizes the importance of behavioral policies in encouraging the adoption of alternative-fuel vehicles, citing consumer preferences and climate policies as key factors. The research suggests that a combination of policies can increase the market share of low-carbon vehicles to over 25% by 2050.
Researchers from the University of Guelph found that climate warming-induced advances in treeline movement may be halted by unsuitable soils, hindering plant growth. This discovery is important for preserving individual species or entire ecosystems.
Researchers at Oregon State University identified a previously unknown contact zone between the northern and southern Rocky Mountain lineages of American pikas. The discovery suggests that the subspecies are interbreeding, which has important implications for conservation and management.