Articles tagged with Climate Change
A new study suggests that carbon finance is not a one-size-fits-all solution to climate change, as its effectiveness varies widely depending on the region. Peat forests in Indonesia are found to be crucial for reducing carbon emissions, with potential rewards of $3.5 billion over 30 years.
The £4.4 million BBSRC BRAVO project will support the training of young scientists and raise industry stakeholder awareness through workshops in Brassica genetics, genomics, phenotyping and modelling. This knowledge will help develop new, more resilient varieties of Brassica crops.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst predict that Northeast US temperatures will increase much faster than the global average, reaching a 2-degrees Celsius warming target about 20 years earlier. The study finds regional variations in climate change impacts, including wetter winters and drier summers.
The study identifies seven scenarios of pathogen movement and disease epidemics, posing significant threats to economically important eucalypt plantations and native ecosystems. Biosecurity failures are linked to poorly controlled germplasm movement, underscoring the need for enhanced surveillance and regulation.
Researchers found a significant increase in large-scale tornado outbreaks in the US, with the number of extreme events doubling over the last half-century. The study suggests that vertical wind shear is driving this trend, rather than climate change.
Coral reefs face severe bleaching every year on 99% of the world's reefs within this century if current trends continue. However, more ambitious emissions reductions may extend their survival by an average of 11 years.
The Great Barrier Reef nearly drowned during the Last Interglacial period due to rapid sea-level rise from melting glaciers and polar ice sheets. The reef's shallow growth recommenced once the sea-level rise stabilized, but modern pressures such as pesticide run-off, warming temperatures, and dredging could threaten its survival.
A new study suggests that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) may not be as stable as previously thought, with changes occurring abruptly in geologic terms. The research predicts a potential collapse of the AMOC system, which could have significant implications for regional and global climate change.
Researchers have developed an artificial leaf that converts sunlight into hydrogen fuel with improved efficiency, mimicking the natural process of underwater photosynthesis. This breakthrough has significant implications for reducing carbon dioxide emissions and providing a cheap, stable hydrogen fuel source.
Researchers studied groundwater hydrology of proglacial valleys in the Andes, finding that 29% of stream discharge comes from groundwater. The study aimed to improve hydrological modeling of proglacial catchments throughout South America.
Scientists have successfully cultivated a new species of malaria mosquito in the laboratory, allowing for more accurate investigation of their physiology and ability to transfer the disease. The study also found that the species has an expanded habitat range across Eurasia, with populations declining in some areas due to climate change.
Random temperature fluctuations in the mantle and on the surface could be the reason Earth is a habitable world, while other terrestrial planets are inhospitable. Additionally, commercial oyster farming can restore biodiversity by cleaning polluted waterways.
Meeting the 1.5°C Paris Agreement target could significantly benefit fisheries, with potential fish catches increasing by more than three million tonnes per year for every degree Celsius decrease in global warming.
A new type of 'tag' on whales allows researchers to record data every second for hours, days, and weeks at a time, providing insights into whale ecology, behavior, and interactions with prey. The technology has turned whales into scientific partners to help understand ocean conditions and climate change.
Researchers mapped carbon recovery in Amazonian forests after logging activities, finding highest potential in the Guiana Shield and western regions. Surviving trees may be more reliable for storing carbon than newly recruited juveniles.
A study by Boston University professor Robert Kaufmann found that experiencing record high or low temperatures affects people's belief in climate change. Local high and low temperatures can influence whether individuals in the US believe in global warming, with recent record lows promoting skepticism.
A new study suggests that local weather conditions can influence people's beliefs about global warming. In places with more record-breaking cold temperatures, residents are more likely to doubt the planet is warming. The research highlights the importance of differentiating between weather and climate.
A new study by University of East Anglia researchers found significant inequalities in Chinese household carbon footprints, with the rich producing nearly four times the national average. The study highlights the need for policies to address income inequality and promote sustainable lifestyles among all segments of society.
Bacteria play a crucial role in determining the health of birds at the top of the food web. Seabirds feeding in areas rich in sulfate-reducing bacteria have high levels of mercury. This study suggests that bacteria provide a buffer to variation in mercury within the environment.
Researchers at Kyushu University have developed a new simulation method to predict the behavior of oil, carbon dioxide, and water in underground reservoirs. The approach can help identify optimal sites for carbon sequestration, which could significantly increase energy supply and combat climate change.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that scientific papers with a narrative style, including sensory language and emotional appeals, were more highly cited and featured in top journals. Researchers hope this work will improve scientific communication and lead to better policy decisions.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommend a re-examination of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan's original goals due to changing environmental conditions. The report emphasizes the need for forward-looking, systemwide analysis of Everglades restoration outcomes across various scenarios.
Researchers developed a crop model to predict optimal nitrogen fertilizer rates for corn, improving accuracy and reducing losses. The model can assist with nitrogen management and mitigate environmental concerns.
A $2 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation will support fundamental advances in sustainability science at Colorado State University. The project aims to address pressing global problems by integrating natural sciences with sociological and economic disciplines, focusing on water, energy, and food issues.
A study by UC Davis and NERR found that atmospheric rivers contributed to a mass die-off of wild Olympia oysters in north San Francisco Bay in 2011. The event was caused by low salinity from freshwater discharge into the bay, highlighting the impact of extreme weather events on coastal ecosystems.
Researchers integrate fossil data into theories to understand global patterns of biodiversity, finding that local and long-term factors work together in a 'perfect storm'. This approach helps explain the latitudinal diversity gradient, with the tropics having the greatest number and variety of species.
A recent study from Rice University reveals that evangelicals are significantly more skeptical of evolution (70% false) compared to climate change skepticism (28%). This finding challenges the common perception that anti-evolution and anti-climate change views are linked.
The 'new Arctic' is more prone to melting and storms, threatening its role as a climate moderator. Thinner sea ice functions differently, moving faster, breaking up easily, and being vulnerable to winds and storms.
Marine scientists studied the response of giant kelp forests to a record-breaking marine heat wave, finding that their biomass remained within normal ranges despite high temperatures. The lack of dramatic response suggests that more research is needed to understand how these ecosystems will respond to future climate warming.
Researchers have discovered a mysterious crater on the King Baudoin ice shelf, revealing hidden meltwater lakes and confirming that East Antarctica is also vulnerable to climate change. The findings suggest that the region's ice shelves are extremely sensitive to warming temperatures.
A University of Washington study found that 37 mountain glaciers worldwide show a high degree of signal-to-noise ratio in their retreat, indicating a strong response to climate change. The probability of natural variations explaining the observed retreats is extremely low, ranging from less than 0.001 percent to 11 percent.
Researchers found three key agricultural management plans to curb toxic algae blooms and discovered that Ohio residents are willing to help pay for these practices. However, the funding gap for implementing these plans is significant, with farmers already adopting only 20% of necessary practices.
The EPA awards $1.1 million in grants to Virginia's VIMS and DEQ to protect and restore its wetlands, advancing the state's goal of preventing net loss and increasing ecological function. The funding will support efforts to identify vulnerable wetlands, develop management plans, and inform decision-making for development and preservation.
A new river basin classification system will help safeguard region's biodiversity and monitor infrastructure development in the Amazon. The framework provides a dynamic way to map natural resources and possible infrastructure impacts on them.
Researchers will develop a non-invasive method to track polar bear response to climate change by analyzing epithelial cells shed from their gut during defecation. The project aims to gather information on polar bear health, diet, and genetic diversity for use as a baseline against future climate change impacts.
Researchers create a global map of soil pH, revealing an abrupt transition zone between acidic wet climates and alkaline dry climates. This discovery has significant implications for agriculture, as the ideal neutral range soils are found in areas like Iowa and Ukraine, which are intensively farmed.
Two studies published in Nature offer new perspectives on the past behavior of Greenland's ice sheet, with one suggesting continuous presence for seven million years while another proposes it was nearly ice-free for at least 280,000 years. The findings highlight the complexity and dynamic nature of the ice sheet.
A study analyzing marine sediment cores reveals East Greenland's ice sheet underwent deep glacial erosion over the past 7.5 million years, responding to global climate change. This finding challenges previous theories on complete and extended deglaciation, suggesting a more complex history of ice sheet dynamics.
Experts reassess temperature trends, finding that global warming slowed less from 1998 to 2012, peaking in 2016 at a level around 1.5ºC above its level early in the Industrial Revolution. Global temperatures remain high due to exceptionally low sea-ice extent in both hemispheres.
A new study finds that extreme precipitation events could increase across the US due to climate change. The research suggests that summertime storms producing extreme downpours may increase by as much as 400 percent, leading to more frequent and intense flash floods.
The Bay of Bengal has been identified as a new 'dead zone' with low oxygen levels, impacting its role in the global ocean's nutrient balance. Microbial communities can remove nitrogen, but the low oxygen concentrations limit their activity.
A Stanford study found that the Syrian civil war caused a significant decrease in agricultural irrigation and reservoir storage in Syria, with irrigation land decreasing by 47% and reservoir storage dropping by 49%. This reduction has led to increased flow in neighboring countries like Jordan, exacerbating water scarcity issues.
The winter floods of 2015/2016 in the UK were the most extreme on record, with record peak flows at several rivers and a estimated insurance bill of over £1.3 billion. The floods affected 16,000 properties in England, causing life-changing financial losses and incredible stress to those impacted.
A recent study has found that the frequency of US tornado outbreaks is increasing, but the trend does not resemble those expected under global warming. Instead, researchers attribute the rise to trends in storm relative helicity, a factor not previously linked to climate change.
A new study found that US tornado clusters are becoming more frequent and intense over the past 50 years, with an estimated doubling of extreme outbreaks from 1965 to 2015. The data suggests that climate change is not a primary driver of this trend, and other factors such as low-frequency climate variability may be at play.
A study of over 5,000 Wisconsin lakes reveals nearly a quarter have become murkier in the past two decades. However, limiting agricultural land around waterways can improve water clarity and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change.
The 1430s were one of a kind, with extremely cold winters and normal to warm summers, resulting in food production failures, rising prices, subsistence crisis, and increased mortality rates. The study suggests that natural factors caused the climate anomaly, which had significant impacts on European societies.
A new study explores the usability of ecosystem services as a tool for urban planning, highlighting its compatibility with existing methods. Municipalities can benefit from collaboration with research to adopt state-of-the-art ES assessment methods prioritizing human needs over environmental impact assessments.
Researchers have estimated that elkhorn coral genotypes in Florida and the Caribbean are up to 5,000 years old, making them potentially the longest-lived animals. This study uses a genetic approach to estimate coral ages, which may provide hope for their survival under climate change.
A new study using mathematical modeling found that societies divided into multiple groups are more likely to conserve natural resources and survive than those without sub-group divisions. This is because each group can learn from the successes and failures of others, leading to better institutions for managing resources.
Researchers at University of East Anglia developed guidelines to make scientific graphics more accessible and understandable. The new guidelines, published in Nature Climate Change, provide recommendations on how to design graphics that are easy to comprehend by both experts and non-experts.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that conservation-sensitive Australasian marsupials are much older than previously thought, with some species dating back over 25 million years. The research suggests that these ancient animals were able to adapt to changing environments and survive climate change.
A new study uses psychological research to develop a formula for social and environmental perceptions, consumer behavior, and individual actions. The researchers found that consumers' individual actions can go a long way towards optimizing the use of shared resources.
A new study by Michigan State University scientists reveals that certain virulent bacteria can directly inject a protein into plant cells, increasing water content and disease prevalence. This discovery highlights the critical role of humidity in plant-disease outbreaks, particularly under conditions of prolonged high humidity.
A recent study found enhanced nitrous oxide emissions in Arctic soils under field warming conditions, with hampered plant growth playing a key role. The study highlights the potential for even mild air warming to trigger greenhouse gas production at depth.
A study published in Oceanography presents a concept for large-scale industrial cultivation of marine microalgae to reduce fossil fuel use and generate nutritious animal feeds. Growing enough algae to meet current global liquid fuel demand would require an area roughly three times the size of Texas.
New research indicates that the US will see a ratio of 15:1 record highs to lows by 2065 due to increased greenhouse gas emissions. The study suggests that temperatures are expected to rise by around 3 degrees C over the continental US, leading to more frequent record-breaking heatwaves.
A new study combining dozens of existing researches predicts how ocean acidification will impact marine habitats like coral reefs, seagrasses, and kelp forests. The results show that these habitats are vulnerable to acidification, with potential declines in species diversity and complexity.
Researchers are uncovering long-lost weather diaries and ship logbooks to improve future climate projections and validate palaeoclimate records. These new datasets contribute to global models of the atmosphere, shedding light on Australia's climatic past.
Researchers at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) have created a new delafossite-based catalyst that converts CO2 into liquid hydrocarbon-based fuels, including diesel. This breakthrough process removes harmful CO2 from the atmosphere and offers a potential solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.