Articles tagged with Climate Change
A new UBC study examines the environmental and socioeconomic performance of organic farming, finding that its benefits are context-dependent. Organic farming's yield is often lower than conventional methods, but it has an important role to play in promoting sustainable agriculture.
New research finds that warming soil layers can increase CO2 release by 34-37% due to deeper storage of carbon. This suggests a significant source of uncertainty in climate projections and highlights the need for better understanding of soil's role in climate change.
A new analysis found drastic changes in animal populations occur in about 4% of cases, most commonly in birds, with extreme events driven by parasites, climate and predators. Developing management plans to withstand sudden swings could help buffer against black swan disasters and prevent extinctions.
A University of Connecticut climate scientist confirms that global warming will lead to more intense and frequent severe rainstorms. Data shows the intensity of these storms increases with rising temperatures, contradicting some observations suggesting a fixed upper temperature limit.
A new study successfully uses CRISPR-Cas9 to modify the genome of Methanosarcina acetivorans, an archaeal species, for the first time. This breakthrough enables accelerated studies on these organisms, with implications for understanding global climate change and the global carbon cycle.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience shows that US grasslands are more than three times more sensitive to vapor pressure deficit, or atmospheric dryness, than they are to precipitation. This means that plants in US grasslands are more likely to be damaged by drought due to the high sensitivity of their stomata to dry air.
Research by Matthew Huber at Purdue University suggests that the tropics warmed significantly during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, which would have made it difficult for some organisms to survive. The findings provide new insights into the Earth's climate history and challenge long-held assumptions about tropical temperatures.
A recent study reveals that rare microbial species, making up only 1% of the community, contribute significantly to ecosystem functioning. These species hold a large reservoir of genes that can degrade organic pollutants, enabling the community to maintain stability in the face of changing conditions.
Researchers suggest using a deliberative frame in questions to promote democracy and healthy politics. The approach has shown promise in online town halls between Congress members and constituents, leading to high marks and repeated participation.
A new study suggests that warmer water temperatures may not accelerate leaf litter decay as much as previously predicted, with an estimated 5-21% increase in breakdown rates. This could imply a more consistent balance between carbon dioxide release and retention in solid form.
Nation's top environmental scientists say the EPA should continue to engage with the broad community of scientists to inform policy decisions. The authors call for enhanced research funding and environmental scientific capacity to address key uncertainties and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study has found that large-scale hydrologic models can be improved to provide more realistic groundwater recharge estimates. The research team compared two models and showed that accounting for subsurface heterogeneity leads to greater estimates of groundwater recharge, which is essential for securing sustainable water supplies.
Speakers at a University of Arizona summit on science diplomacy and policy emphasized the importance of scientific evidence in setting sound policies. Experts like Nobel laureate Peter Agre and former ambassadors shared stories of their research programs and collaborations with countries with strained diplomatic relations.
A new study by NCAR scientists finds that as the world warms, mountain snowpack will not only melt earlier but also more slowly. This shift could lead to reduced streamflow, affecting urban water supplies and riparian ecosystems.
A recent analysis reveals that human-started fires account for 84% of all wildfires, tripled the length of the fire season, and dominated an area seven times greater than lightning-caused fires. Human ignitions have expanded the fire niche into areas with historically low lightning strike density.
Researchers found that human-ignited wildfires accounted for 84% of all US wildfires over a 21-year period, tripling the length of the average fire season. The study highlights the importance of considering where ignitions start and how they contribute to wildfire risk.
A large carved jade pendant, once belonging to an ancient Maya king, was discovered in southern Belize. The pendant, inscribed with a historical text, is now believed to have been buried during a time of crisis due to climate change and the collapse of the Maya civilization.
A new study suggests that climate scientists can engage in public advocacy without harming their credibility, except when endorsing specific policies. The research found that five out of six fictional scientist statements went unharmed, with only a statement on nuclear power plants causing concern.
Research reveals that secondary seed dispersal by predator animals is crucial for recolonizing plants in the wild. Thick-shelled seeds benefit from passing through multiple animal digestive systems, increasing their chances of germination.
The UK Academy of Medical Sciences launches a campaign to promote work-life balance in medical research, highlighting the importance of outside interests on creativity and resilience. The #MedSciLife initiative features personal stories and advice from prominent researchers on balancing work and life.
Researchers found a 87 million-year-old signature of resonance transition between Mars and Earth in Colorado rocks, confirming the 'chaotic solar system' theory. This discovery provides a new understanding of the mechanics of the solar system and its impact on climate change over geologic time scales.
A new study identified six 'hot spots of marine biodiversity' severely impacted by climate change and fishing pressures, including the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Industrial fishing has reduced global fish stocks, with harvest pressure expected to further exacerbate decline in these areas.
The study aims to assess how siloed municipal water agencies in Texas can transition to an Integrated Urban Water Management model. The Institute for Sustainable Energy will focus on integrated water utility financial modeling, providing recommendations for a viable path to IUWM in Texas.
A new study finds that cumulative hazards from nuisance flooding in US cities will cost more than extreme events like Hurricane Katrina or Superstorm Sandy over time. The research predicts that by 2050, cities like Miami and Seattle may experience up to 700 hours of nuisance flooding per year.
Scientists modelled global soil selenium concentrations using data mining techniques and found dominant role of climate-soil interactions. Climate change scenarios predict selenium levels to increase in some regions but decrease overall, with up to 66% of croplands expected to lose selenium by the end of the century.
The Samalas volcano's massive eruption in 1257 is believed to have had a significant impact on European climate conditions. However, new research published in Nature Geoscience suggests that its effects were exaggerated and not the primary cause of the Little Ice Age.
Scientists seek to convert the notorious U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay into a leading marine research facility and peaceful sanctuary for threatened Cuban species. A 'green' Gitmo proposal, proposed by University of Vermont biologist Joe Roman, offers a potential solution to the long-standing impasse in U.S.-Cuba relations.
New research finds that effective fishing reforms can significantly increase the world's fish population and profits despite climate change impacts. The study identifies potential losses of fish species due to warming, primarily affecting developing regions heavily reliant on seafood for nutrition.
A new framework developed by the University of Queensland has improved the accuracy of biodiversity models in ecology, conservation biology, and global change research. The framework assesses species interactions and detects higher-order interactions that were previously overlooked.
Climate change is driving population migration, particularly in Arctic Alaska, where rising temperatures and thawing permafrost pose significant threats. Lawrence Hamilton's research uses annual migration data to shed light on the climate contribution to this phenomenon.
A new study suggests that deep coral reefs are unlikely to 'reseed' shallow reefs, contradicting previous hopes for their recovery. The research found that the genetic similarity between coral populations varies greatly between species on a reef, making it difficult for deep reefs to aid shallow reefs.
A Princeton University-based study found that temperature and habitat predominantly determine the elevations where bird species live in the Himalayas. Competition limits only 12% of species, while temperature and habitat dictate 48% and 40%, respectively. The findings have significant implications for predicting how life on Earth will ...
Rutgers scientists studied evolution in invaded ecosystems using glass jar experiments with thousands of microscopic organisms. The study found that microbes' interactions altered performance and led to differences in resident and invading species.
A comprehensive study published in Nature Climate Change found that nearly 700 bird and mammal species have already been impacted by climate change. The research suggests that around half of threatened mammals and 23% of threatened birds are likely to be negatively affected by future climatic changes.
Researchers say viral charity campaigns like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge have a shallow 'half-life' and require a shift from extrinsic to intrinsic motivation. Dr. Sander van der Linden's SMART formula outlines social influences, moral imperatives, affective reactions, and translational impact as key psychological levers.
A study published in PNAS finds that climate change will increase the risk of lethal dehydration and mass die-offs of songbirds during heat waves. Small species are particularly susceptible to lethal dehydration due to their high water loss rates.
Researchers found that sea level around Belitung Island in Indonesia rose twice by nearly 2 feet without human-influenced climate change. This natural fluctuation has implications for people living close to the sea in East and Southeast Asia.
African penguins are getting stuck in the wrong part of the sea due to fishing and climate change, leading to reduced food supply and higher mortality rates. Researchers suggest that translocating chicks to safe areas or implementing spatial fishing closures could help protect the endangered species.
Researchers conclude that warming climate causes gas hydrate breakdown, but emissions are small and mostly remain in undersea sediments. The study challenges the popular perception of catastrophic methane releases from hydrates.
Experts warn that rising inequality is a major contributor to global problems such as populism, climate change and social instability. Decades of research have shown that tackling structural determinants of health can reduce health inequalities, but progress has been slow.
Researchers found that responses to climate variations can be detected in deep groundwater aquifers within a year, suggesting an intermediate connection between precipitation and groundwater levels. Pumping of aquifers may drive this rapid response, controlled by crop water demand and agricultural industry activities.
Researchers found that cone snails, crucial for the ocean food chain, struggle to catch their prey when exposed to rising CO2 levels. This study suggests that ocean acidification may have far-reaching impacts on marine ecosystems and potentially affect commercially important seafood species.
A UCI-led study found that increasing factory and auto emissions in East China are causing harmful algal blooms, choking off vital fish populations. The study suggests that human-caused pollution is disrupting the region's ecology, with changes in nutrient levels leading to overgrowth of certain aquatic plants.
A new study by Rutgers University and others found that climate change could lead to a 300-600% increase in toxic mercury levels in zooplankton, tiny animals at the base of the marine food chain. This would have significant implications for fish consumption advisories aimed at protecting human health.
The Nordic countries' energy transition, driven by cities and municipalities, has achieved significant success with 83% of electricity generation coming from low-carbon sources. The study highlights the importance of trade and interconnection with Europe to reach energy targets, as well as the need for coordinated grid development and ...
Researchers at Colorado State University challenged traditional theories by showing that evolutionary changes influence organism movement during range expansion. Using flour beetles, they found shuffled populations moved more slowly and predictably than structured ones.
A new study suggests that climate change played a significant role in the extinction of giant Ice Age animals in Australia. The analysis of fossil teeth found that as the climate dried out and became more arid, the diets of these megafaunal herbivores shifted dramatically, reducing their ability to consume certain types of plants.
A new study from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution reveals that Antarctic Bottom Water has freshened at an unexpected rate between 2007 and 2016, potentially altering ocean circulation and contributing to sea level rise. The researchers hypothesize that a recent landscape-changing event may be responsible for the shift.
A new study warns that framing by political advocacy groups may compromise the public's ability to understand the dangers of Zika virus. The researchers found that viral internet images associating Zika with hot-button issues triggered polarizing reactions in people.
Researchers have discovered a new explanation for climate change using long-term variations of the Lorenz energy cycle, a complex formula describing atmospheric interaction. The study found that Earth's global atmosphere is increasing in efficiency as a heat engine, leading to more potential energy converted to kinetic energy and great...
A recent study by University of Montana researcher Ashley Ballantyne and former doctoral student William Smith found that land ecosystems take up less carbon during periods of rapid warming and more during periods of slower warming. This slowing-down is attributed to reduced plant respiration, not increased photosynthesis.
New research shows that forests 'held their breath' during the recent global warming slowdown, releasing less carbon back into the atmosphere. During this period of slower warming, worldwide forests took up more carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and stored it in the natural environment.
A study found that satirical news reinforces pre-existing attitudes as much as serious news, with liberal views strengthened by liberal satire. However, conservative views were undermined by conservative satire, affecting political efficacy differently for Democrats and Republicans.
Researchers explore how educated individuals resist scientific messages by cherry-picking information to support their beliefs. To change minds, it's essential to understand underlying motivations and tailor messages that align with these roots.
The frequency of meteorological disasters has increased due to global warming, causing severe social and economic losses in China and globally. The Collaborative Innovation Center on the Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters aims to resolve key issues related to these phenomena through joint research.
A recent study published in Nature Communications suggests that humans, not climate change, led to the extinction of Australian megafauna around 45,000 years ago. The researchers analyzed ancient poop and sediment cores, finding a significant decline in megafaunal populations during this period.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered a 500-year cycle of flooding in central China, which can be used to predict broad precipitation patterns in the future. The findings provide insight into climate change over time and improve understanding of monsoon regions.
Scientists have uncovered a continuous record of the Green Sahara period's rainfall patterns, revealing that the region was 10 times wetter than today. This discovery provides critical climate context for understanding human migration and lifestyle changes during this period.
New research predicts a 11.3-30% intensification of rainfall from extreme precipitation events in Australia with a 2°C rise in global temperatures. This will occur despite some areas becoming increasingly drought-prone, highlighting the need for infrastructure adaptation to extreme rainfall events.
Researchers found that climate change, rather than conflict, led to the formation of a massive dust storm in the Middle East in 2015. The storm was characterized by extreme aridity and unusual wind patterns that transported large amounts of dust over long distances.