Articles tagged with Climate Change
Fiamma Straneo has been chosen by the American Geophysical Union (AGU) for the Sverdrup Lecture, a top honor in ocean sciences. Her research focuses on the role of high-latitude oceans in climate change and ice sheet dynamics.
Researchers found that climate change increases soil-transmitted parasites in pastures, leading to increased infection risk. The study also showed that host immune response affects the severity of infection, with older individuals carrying more severe infections when immune response is ineffective.
Geologists have discovered evidence to explain the origin of the Wilcox Formation, one of Mexico's most productive oil plays, and support for a theory that water levels in the Gulf of Mexico dropped dramatically as it was separated from the world's oceans. The study also offers insight into extreme warming around 55.8 million years ago.
Researchers explored the effects of climate change on American Indian communities in Nevada, with a focus on water rights and land use. The projects, Water for the Seasons and Native Waters on Arid Lands, aim to protect valuable resources and promote sustainable practices.
Kenneth Miller, a practicing Catholic and author of Finding Darwin's God, argues that science and faith are distinct. He defends evolution against Intelligent Design's claim that certain biological features are 'irreducibly complex,' citing examples where removing even one part makes the structure non-functional.
Paul West will discuss how global and regional data sets can be used to enhance productivity while considering climate change and environmental impact on subsistence farmers. The talk aims to provide insights into the opportunities and risks related to improving food security and sustainability in data-limited areas.
A study of US science teachers found that 30% emphasize natural causes for global warming, while 12% don't mention human causes. The authors propose addressing the root causes of resistance to science through science communication research.
A nationwide survey found that over 1500 middle and high school science teachers were unaware of or misinformed about the scientific consensus on climate change. Many teachers also brought climate change denial into the classroom, allowing students to discuss controversy without guiding them to scientifically supported conclusions.
A study found that weather patterns typically bringing moisture to the southwestern US are becoming less frequent, leading to a drier climate. The region is already vulnerable to drought, and this shift has significant implications for water resources.
Research reveals that ice-shelf loss leads to rapid dynamic ice loss, exacerbating sea-level rise. The Antarctic Peninsula has experienced significant retreat and break-up of ice shelves over the past two decades, with upstream glaciers flowing into the ocean at an accelerated rate.
Researchers warn of the need for more basic research on rewilding's consequences before implementing it as a major conservation approach. The authors advocate for focusing on protecting biodiversity and reducing environmental threats instead.
Researchers found that typical rain-bringing weather patterns in the Southwest are becoming more rare, leading to a drier climate state. The region is vulnerable to droughts due to its already arid conditions and growing population.
Biologists discover 14 new spider species in southwestern US, nearly doubling the known number. The new species, including Aphonopelma johnnycashi, are found in California and have unique characteristics that set them apart from other tarantula species.
Researchers have created detailed maps of the world's natural landscapes to better predict climate change impacts. The maps show how carbon is stored in plants, trees, and soils, revealing differences in biological properties between habitats.
A new decision pathway survey has shed light on public concerns about climate engineering technologies. Most people find the risks of these technologies more likely than their benefits, with those concerned about climate change supporting geoengineering policies and investments in renewable resources. However, those least concerned are...
A Dartmouth College study reveals that climate change will cause a shift from coniferous to deciduous trees in New England's forests, affecting nutrient cycling and metal storage. This change could lead to decreased accumulation and retention of major metals, with potential impacts on forest ecosystems.
A CU-Boulder study reveals burned eggshell fragments indicate humans were collecting and cooking the eggs of now-extinct giant Australian bird Genyornis newtoni. The findings suggest early human predation played a substantial role in the species' extinction, contradicting climate change theories.
A new study suggests that the American pika may survive and even thrive in some western US National Park Service areas due to cold boulder fields and connectivity among habitats. However, other parks face increased risk of extinction due to warming temperatures and loss of suitable habitat.
Researchers from Arizona State University report on a 10-year project studying human interaction with land in the Mediterranean, finding thresholds for farming success and failure. Computer simulations help understand socio-ecological landscapes and predict future consequences.
Scientists Matthew Tarling and Christina Rowe used dry lentils to explore the formation of 'scaly fabrics' found at the base of landslides, faults, and glacier beds. The lentils exhibited a tendency to shift constantly against each other when shearing, prohibiting long-lasting fault development.
Researchers show that large groups of people sharing in a conspiracy will very quickly give themselves away, using equation to estimate time before exposure. For instance, moon landing hoax would be revealed in just 3 years and 8 months.
New research suggests that record heat over the past century and a half is incredibly unlikely to have occurred naturally, with odds ranging from 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 170,000. Human-caused climate change is considered highly likely to cause warming events.
A new study published in Geoscientific Model Development predicts that global water demand will exceed current levels, posing significant challenges for sustainable food production and economic development. The IIASA Water Futures and Solutions initiative aims to reduce future water use through improved efficiency and policy options.
A new study by Gerrit Hansen and Dáithí Stone reveals that almost two-thirds of regional climate impacts can confidently be attributed to human-generated emissions. However, the link for trends in precipitation remains unclear due to insufficient observational data in some regions.
Climate researchers have calculated regional temperature increases based on a global 2-degree target, revealing clear-cut effects and limitations. The study provides valuable tool for politicians, decision-makers, and civilians to understand the importance of reducing CO2 emissions.
A global analysis reveals that intentional killing by humans is a major cause of bat mortality, but collisions with wind turbines and white-nose syndrome are now leading causes. Climate change is expected to increase mortality from storms and other abiotic factors.
Scientists have found that global ocean warming has doubled in recent decades, with significant increases in upper ocean temperatures since the 1970s. The study indicates that half of the accumulated heat during the industrial era has occurred in recent decades, with about a third residing in the deeper oceans.
A new study shows that Aboriginal burning practices in Australia had a minimal effect on the erosion of their inhabited landscapes. The researchers used beryllium-10 to model the impact of fire on landscape erosion and found that it was not intense enough to change the natural rate of erosion over thousands of years.
A new study finds that climate change could lead to declines in herring and salmon catches, affecting the livelihoods of indigenous communities along British Columbia's coast. By 2050, First Nations may experience catch losses between $6.7 million to $12 million annually.
A research team from HKU has developed a strategy to promote plant growth by 38-57% in Arabidopsis thaliana, increasing CO2 absorption and potentially boosting food production. The breakthrough is based on a new gene that modulates energy outputs from chloroplasts and mitochondria.
A recent study discovered that West Antarctic seabed life is a significant carbon sink, removing excess CO2 from the atmosphere. This finding suggests that maximizing natural carbon capture by seabed life could help reduce global CO2 levels.
Researchers found that warmer temperatures reduce desert woodrats' ability to eat their normal diet of toxic creosote bushes. This could lead to animals changing their diets, relocating to cooler habitats or going extinct in local areas.
A new study reveals that soil deposits can provide a rich source of data for paleoclimatologists, providing a time resolution of thousand-year intervals and offering insights into past climate conditions. The analysis of carbonate deposits revealed a shift in precipitation patterns in North America between 70,000 to 55,000 years ago.
A University of Cambridge researcher warns that abandoning carbon capture and storage (CCS) would hinder efforts to reduce carbon emissions. CCS is essential for delivering flexible power and reducing emissions from industrial processes, but funding issues have led to a decline in interest from corporations and governments.
Researchers found that marine creatures in Arctic fjords migrate vertically by moonlight to avoid predators, and this behavior is observed across the entire Arctic. The lunar cycle drives these migrations, with zooplankton sinking to depths of 50 meters every 29.5 days during full moon.
A study found that butterflyfishes overwhelmingly avoid corals with seaweed contact, suggesting chemical cues produced by seaweed alter coral palatability. This shift in behavior could have ripple effects on the entire ecosystem, impacting food supply and tourism opportunities.
Researchers found the Greenland ice sheet's firn layer is changing rapidly with climate change, altering its ability to store meltwater. The study suggests this could lead to higher-than-predicted sea level rise contributions from the ice sheet.
Researchers at the University of York and Exeter have discovered a single-celled protozoa called Paramecium bursaria benefits from exploiting a green algae inside it. The study suggests that symbiosis may not be mutually beneficial, but rather exploitative in nature.
The discovery of ancient tortoise and turtle fossils in the Andes Mountains suggests that the region was less than a kilometer above sea level 13 million years ago. The findings support alternative estimates to a recent study and provide insights into climate change caused by rising mountains.
New research from Florida Institute of Technology scientists suggests that moderate levels of turbidity can lower stress on corals by shading them from high light. This could be a refuge for coral species in a warmer climate.
A study spanning six continents found that lakes are warming at an average rate of 0.61 degrees Fahrenheit per decade, outpacing ocean and atmospheric warming rates. This rapid heating threatens algal blooms, water resources, and fisheries globally.
A study from the University of California, Davis found that 'cleared' abandoned ski runs consistently recovered to blend in with surrounding forests, while 'graded' runs showed stunted recovery. The study highlights the need for active restoration of abandoned graded ski slopes to protect water quality.
A study of 235 lakes across six continents found that they are warming at an average rate of 0.61 degrees Fahrenheit per decade, outpacing ocean and atmospheric warming rates. This rapid warming can lead to increased algal blooms, reduced oxygen levels, and changes in aquatic life.
A Dartmouth study sheds light on how winds blowing across lakes affect the chemical makeup of water vapor above and evaporated from lakes. The research provides new insights into the hydrological cycle under changing climate conditions.
A new UBC study found that predators can help prey species evolve quickly in response to climate change. In experiments with tiny water fleas and predatory fly larvae, populations evolved rapidly when predators were present, highlighting the importance of conserving entire ecosystems.
Eating lettuce is over three times worse in greenhouse gas emissions than eating bacon, according to a Carnegie Mellon University study. A vegetarian diet with recommended 'healthier' foods increases energy use, water use, and GHG emissions by 38%, 10% and 6% respectively.
A team of international experts found that a large-scale volcanic event restricted ocean flow, leading to an extended Ice Age in the Jurassic Period. This cooling occurred despite the period's warm conditions, contradicting previous assumptions about CO2-driven climate change.
Reduced storm activity over mid-latitude regions leads to more persistent heatwaves and droughts, while also increasing the likelihood of record-breaking cold temperatures. This study highlights the sensitivity of regional weather conditions to changes in large-scale atmosphere dynamics.
Researchers found that most climate models underestimate the increase in absorption of sunlight by water vapor, leading to overestimation of global precipitation. The team's study suggests that improving radiation representation in models can lead to more accurate predictions of future precipitation change.
Scientists at NCAR predict a possible slow-down in winter sea ice loss over the next several years, driven by changes in the North Atlantic ocean circulation. Weakening of the AMOC may mask human-caused climate change impacts and stabilize sea ice extent.
A Stanford-led study predicts global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels will drop slightly in 2015 due to a decrease in coal use in China. This slowdown contrasts with rapid growth in emissions before 2014 and highlights the need for action to stabilize CO2 emissions.
Global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels declined by 0.6% in 2015, marking a break from the rapid growth of the past decade. The largest contributor to this decline was a decrease in coal consumption in China, which slowed its emissions growth to 1.2%.
Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels and industry grew by just 0.6 per cent last year, marking a slowdown. China's decreased coal use is largely responsible for the break in global emissions growth, with emissions projected to decline by 0.6 per cent this year.
A new study suggests that local human activity is altering the global water cycle, increasing evapotranspiration and decreasing water runoff. This shift has a significant impact, raising humanity's global freshwater footprint by 18% and potentially leading to unsustainable levels of consumption.
Researchers at UCSB decipher the history of paleoclimate change, revealing an abrupt warming in sea surface temperatures and simultaneous releases of methane that accelerated climate shift. The discovery sheds light on potential processes behind rapid climate changes.
A researcher from QUT found that people worldwide are willing to act on climate change by reducing carbon footprints and supporting government action. A 'Plan B' is proposed to develop policies and communication strategies tying climate change to a more caring and ethical society, leveraging the influence of religious leaders.
A new study by Michigan State University researchers suggests that climate-change deniers are successfully changing people's minds with negative messages, regardless of their political affiliation. The study found that core beliefs about climate change remain unchanged even when presented with positive messages, highlighting the diffic...
A new interactive map created by Griffith University researchers has been developed to increase understanding of the complex UN climate regime. The map charts the interactions between over 300 institutions involved in the regime and aims to break down 'silos' that hinder effective policy making.
Russian scientists have predicted a decrease in solar magnetic activity, which could lead to cooler temperatures in Europe. The researchers used analysis of solar radiation and isotopes to create a model that predicts the Sun's behavior over the next thousand years.
Researchers have discovered that climate-induced glaciation during ice ages can wear down mountains at a rate comparable to plate tectonics' ability to build them. Over a million-year period, erosion accelerated sharply due to global climate cooling, outpacing mountain building by 50-80 percent.