Articles tagged with Climate Change
Researchers discovered that C4 plants first expanded across Australia around 3.5 million years ago, driven by a strong summer monsoon. This finding provides new insights into the impact of climate change on these critically important plants.
Climate change is widening the emerald ash borer's reach in Canada, as warmer winters enable the beetle to migrate further north. As a result, more cities are at risk of damage from this invasive species.
Scientists predict that climate change will alter the location and size of suitable habitats for many marine species on North America's continental shelves. The study found that habitats generally tend to shift north along the coastline, but these shifts vary depending on specific species' requirements and seafloor characteristics.
Scientists combined NASA satellite observations with data on human activities to map freshwater changes globally. Freshwater is getting wetter in high latitudes and tropics while drying up in between regions, with some areas experiencing groundwater depletion.
Researchers found that projected changes in temperature and humidity will not lead to greater water use in corn, allowing crop yields to thrive. This optimism is based on calculations of energy balance and evapotranspiration, which show a slight decrease in evaporation loss due to warmer temperatures.
A Rutgers University-led study reports that hundreds of ocean fish and invertebrate species will move northward due to climate change, disrupting fisheries in the US and Canada. The study projects that some species will shift as much as 900 miles north, leading to longer trips and higher fuel costs for commercial fishermen.
A recent study found that limiting global warming to 1.5°C could reduce extreme climate events in Africa, such as droughts and heatwaves, by up to 25% and 20%, respectively. This reduction is projected despite a slight increase in precipitation extremes.
Research in South Africa's Kruger National Park has shown that climate change is destroying sensitive and valuable riverine habitats due to extreme floods. The study found that cyclone-driven floods removed almost 1.25 million tonnes of sediment from the river bed, leading to patches of mature riparian forest being destroyed.
A new study using satellite observations reveals that Earth's wet areas are getting wetter while dry areas are getting drier. Human water management practices, human-caused climate change, and natural climate cycles contribute to this pattern.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia used satellite-tagged seals to collect data on water temperature and salinity in West Antarctica. The study found that warm, salty deep water is more common during winter months, suggesting increased ice sheet melting.
Inuit hunters in East Greenland report changes in their subsistence hunting patterns, polar bear ecology, and distribution due to climate change. They note more bears coming into towns, eating more seal parts, and using boats instead of dog sledges.
A new method for projecting warming patterns supports substantial global warming but indicates significant variations in regions. Historically-driven climate approaches complement complex global models, providing more reliable regional climate projections.
A new study provides a framework to identify geographical hotspots that can protect wild places and species from biodiversity loss. The study suggests that the exact location of protected areas is vital to wildlife survival, and that Canada's diverse ecosystems require careful consideration in their conservation.
Estimates of uncertainty in long-run economic growth forecasts indicate a need for greater caution in climate policy and social programs relying on long-run growth projections. The study suggests that there is a higher than assumed probability of exceeding the highest values in greenhouse gas emissions scenarios.
A team of biophysicists from FAU presents a mathematically concise method for comparing different pricing models, predicting more accurately how parameters such as volatility change over time. This method enables researchers to identify triggering events in real-time and pinpoint invasive cancer cells.
Scientists project significant climate changes in Western China and central Asia along the Millennium Silk Road by 2020 and 2030 under different warming scenarios. A half-degree reduction in global warming can avoid severe impacts on precipitation and extreme heat events.
Dr. Anna Possner will join the Goethe University in Frankfurt to investigate the impact of low-level clouds on Earth's surface temperature. Her research focuses on semi-transparent parasols that reflect sunlight but have a minimal effect on heat emission, and she aims to improve understanding of their influence.
A new study reveals that bigger female fish produce significantly more offspring than smaller ones, with a scaling pattern where larger mothers produce exponentially more eggs. This finding has implications for fisheries management and suggests that larger fish are crucial for replenishing marine populations.
Researchers propose a link between the dawn of plate tectonics and the 'Snowball Earth' period, which sent the planet into a deep freeze lasting millions of years. The hypothesis suggests that the drastic climate change could be a consequence of the Earth's transition from single lid to plate tectonic activity.
A Rutgers-led study found that the 405,000-year cycle of gravitational tugs from Jupiter and Venus has shaped our planet's climate for over 215 million years. This consistent pattern allows scientists to precisely date geological events like the spread of dinosaurs.
A new study predicts that climate change will transform marine ecosystems in Marine Protected Areas, leading to extinctions and loss of biodiversity. By 2100, warming temperatures could make these areas uninhabitable for most species, with the Arctic and Antarctic regions expected to warm especially quickly.
A comprehensive study by the University of Sydney reveals that global tourism is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, with small islands and luxury travel being key drivers. The research estimates that tourism-related emissions are four times greater than previous estimates and are growing faster than international trade.
New research suggests that poor countries will experience significant increases in temperature variability due to climate change. The study found that up to 15% more extreme temperature fluctuations are predicted for southern Africa and Amazonia, highlighting the unfair pattern of climate impacts on vulnerable populations.
Researchers use time-lapse video observations to determine the foraging success of Emperor penguins, which is crucial in understanding their diet and adaptability to a warming Antarctic. The study's findings may inform conservation measures to protect the critically endangered species.
The Tyler Prize honors the groundbreaking research of Dr. Falkowski, which reveals the critical role of tiny phytoplankton in solving climate change. Dr. McCarthy's leadership in global policy initiatives has informed significant climate change policies.
A recent study published in Environmental Research Letters found that limiting global warming to 1.5°C would reduce flood hazards globally by 21%, whereas a 2°C limit would increase flood risks by an average of 11% across 21% of the world's land area.
Scientists have identified thermal energy and low climate stress as key drivers of coral species diversity in the Indian Ocean. The study, published in the Journal of Biogeography, found that optimal levels of warm water and reduced stress support high species richness, while extreme temperatures kill many species.
Researchers found that phytoplankton in Arctic coastal waters are resilient to ocean acidification and temperature changes, with some species producing spores that can survive and initiate blooms. This adaptation allows them to thrive in highly variable conditions, providing a vital ecosystem service for Arctic food webs.
A new study from Oregon State University found that people living closer to fracking sites are more familiar with and supportive of hydraulic fracturing. The researchers used geo-spatial mapping and survey results to determine residents' proximity to fracking sites and their public opinion on the practice.
Researchers at NYU and NYU Abu Dhabi will deploy sophisticated equipment to gather data on the Thwaites Glacier's collapse, which could lead to a 10-foot-rise in sea levels. The project aims to provide robust projections of sea level change over the present century.
A Dartmouth-led research study found that New Hampshire's streams will warm due to climate change, impacting species dependent on cold water. The study suggests that watersheds with colder temperatures and less sensitivity to air temperature changes should be prioritized for conservation.
Climate change will increase fire activity and summer droughts in the Klamath region, allowing shrubs to replace trees. As a result, at least 1/3 of iconic cone-bearing trees are expected to be replaced by shrubs over the coming century.
Research at the University of Hawaii at Manoa found a strong connection between sea surface temperature patterns and increased cyclone activity in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Dominant equatorial easterly winds caused cyclonic circulation, favoring storm formation and intensification.
Research by UCI scientists finds that corals in locations with frequent temperature changes are more resilient to bleaching. This discovery provides a better understanding of coral reef health and can inform conservation efforts.
A study by Yale University researchers found that newspaper op-eds have a lasting impact on people's views, regardless of their political affiliation or initial stance. The study, which included experiments with the general public and elites, showed that op-eds can change minds on policy issues for a cost-effective estimated $0.50 to $...
Increasing temperatures and mercury pollution shift female-to-male ratios in snapping turtles, favoring male offspring in agricultural habitats. Field experiments found that temperature profiles and soil moisture content influenced sex determination, while mercury levels correlated with the development of more male offspring.
A new study by UCL found that socio-political factors are the primary cause of conflict and displacement in East Africa, with climate change playing a significant but secondary role. The research suggests that stable governance, economic growth, and reduced population growth can help reduce conflict and displacement.
Researchers estimate that airborne dust levels could increase by 10-30% due to drought conditions, resulting in a 20-130% rise in premature deaths and a 60-300% growth in hospitalizations. The US Southwest is projected to experience severe and persistent droughts by 2100, posing a substantial public health burden.
Research suggests that uneven fossil sampling patterns, rather than climate dynamics, are the primary driver of fluctuations in early hominin species diversity. Peak taxic diversity was linked to maximal rock exposure and collection effort.
Researchers found a direct link between ocean warming and trends in continental humidity and temperature. Analysis of data from 1979-2016 revealed land temperatures increasing faster than ocean temperatures, but specific humidity over oceans increased faster than over land.
A new study links human activities to a massive extinction event that wiped out large mammals globally. The research suggests that size-biased extinctions started at least 125,000 years ago in Africa and spread to other continents as humans migrated, leaving only smaller mammals behind.
A new study reveals a previously undocumented process where melting glacial ice sheets further accelerate ice melt and sea level rise by making the ocean's surface layer less salty and more buoyant. Fresh glacial meltwater prevents deep mixing in winter, allowing warm water at depth to retain its heat and cause further glacial melting.
A new study found that corals on the northern Great Barrier Reef experienced a catastrophic die-off following the extended marine heatwave of 2016. The amount of coral death was closely linked to the amount of bleaching and level of heat exposure, with the northern third of the reef being the most severely affected.
A new study found that Republicans are more persuasive than scientists in correcting misinformation about climate change, despite being associated with denial. The researchers suggest that citing Republican elites endorsing the scientific consensus may be an effective way to persuade citizens.
Research in Tibetan alpine grasslands found that climate warming does not decrease productivity, but rather changes the composition of plant species to stabilize production. The study's findings suggest that shifting species composition enables communities to access more water and buffer against drought-induced declines.
Research tracked changes in Arctic arthropod populations in response to warming temperatures, finding more plant-eating and parasitic insects, and fewer detritivores. The study suggests that water availability will play a key role in determining which bug species can thrive in a warming Arctic.
A new study suggests that warmer temperatures will speed up the transition from field to forest in the eastern US, leading to increased carbon sequestration. This could result in more rapidly growing forests replacing weeds and grasses, but also raises concerns about the impact of droughts on tree growth.
Researchers found that higher local summer temperatures drove peatland formation in formerly glaciated regions, not increased rainfall. Peatlands store vast quantities of carbon and are sensitive to climate change.
Researchers Adam Frank and Gavin Schmidt propose a new definition of civilization based on its energy use, exploring the potential for detection in the geological record. They discuss various signs left behind by industrial activities, such as fossil fuel emissions and global warming, to determine if human beings existed.
Policies such as ecological restoration and improved crop residue management have contributed to increased carbon sequestration in China. China's distribution and magnitude of carbon pools vary in response to climate change and human activities.
A new study reveals that the origins of dinosaurs were triggered by a crisis mass extinction event 232 million years ago. The Carnian Pluvial Episode led to repeated extinctions and a surge in global warming, acid rain, and climate perturbations.
The Chinese observation satellite TanSat has produced its first global carbon dioxide maps, providing valuable data for future climate change research. The maps show a seasonal decrease in carbon dioxide concentration from spring to summer in the Northern Hemisphere and emission hotspots due to anthropogenic activity.
A new study reveals that extreme climate variability over the last century has synchronized ecosystem behavior on the West Coast, increasing risks of extinction for marine and terrestrial organisms. This synchrony is linked to changes in winter climate patterns, such as the North Pacific High, which have become more variable over time.
A new integrated system, ABECCS, combines algae production with bio-energy and carbon capture to act as a carbon dioxide sink while generating food and electricity. This sustainable technology has the potential to reduce greenhouse gases and provide nutritionally valuable products.
A team of researchers led by Imperial College London has developed a new technique to estimate CO2 emissions from fossil fuels using atmospheric measurements. The study found that the reported and actual emissions matched up well in California, suggesting the technique could be used globally.
Researchers found that geoengineering methods could shift global rainfall patterns, leading to increased fire risk in some regions despite lower global temperatures. The study suggests that the benefits of limiting global warming to 1.5C would be offset by unintended consequences for certain areas.
A one-degree temperature increase led to drastic changes in Lake Hazen's ecology, including increased glacial meltwater and fine sediment, affecting light penetration and biological productivity. The findings document an unprecedented shift in the lake's ecosystem, challenging scientists' expectations of its response to climate warming.
A new study by Terence Saldanha at Washington State University suggests that investing in green technologies can lead to increased energy conservation efforts and profits for companies. The research highlights the importance of timing and technology investments in achieving these benefits.
A study by researchers at MIT and NREL found that carbon taxes can be an effective way to curb emissions of greenhouse gases. The analysis showed that depending on the exact mechanism chosen, such a tax can also be fair and not hurt low-income households. The most efficient way to achieve reductions in terms of overall impact on the ec...
Breeding king penguins form large, dense colonies that resemble particles in liquids, providing protection against predators and maintaining social cohesion. The unique structure of these colonies enables them to adapt to internal and external changes, making it crucial for predicting the species' resilience to climate change.