Articles tagged with Climate Change
A new study proposes a decision-making threshold for electrification, which can increase or lower carbon emissions depending on the region's electricity production. Regions with high-carbon electricity production, such as China and Australia, may actually experience increased emissions when transitioning to electric-powered technologie...
Researchers have discovered the earliest known fossil of the genus Homo, dating back to 2.8-2.75 million years ago, in the Afar region of Ethiopia. The fossils provide insights into the environment and ecological community where early Homo lived, suggesting a mixed grassland habitat with gallery forests.
A new study reveals that climate change is affecting male and female yaks differently, with females shifting to steeper terrain in search of snow for milk production. The research team analyzed historical data and recent observations to find that females are 20 times more likely to be found near snow patches than males.
Researchers measured growth and photosynthesis rates in Amazonian trees during severe droughts, finding a 10% decrease in photosynthesis rates. This decrease did not affect growth rates but led to increased tree deaths and potential climate change acceleration.
The EJOLT project has re-launched the Global Atlas of Environmental Justice with a new platform that integrates geo-spatial data to present conflicts in context. The updated website expands its coverage, featuring almost 1400 cases of environmental conflicts across all continents.
A University of Otago research team analyzed satellite data from 1980-2012 to show that the timing of leaf activity has changed globally. This change in leaf phenology may lead to higher extinction risks for species that depend on this cycle, as well as impacts on ecosystem stability and functioning.
Cyanobacteria blooms have increased disproportionately over the past two centuries, with greatest growth since 1945, posing a serious threat to drinking water sources. Human activities such as land-use intensification, sewage discharge, and climate change contribute to this trend.
A new study suggests that a record drought in Syria (2006-2010) was likely stoked by ongoing manmade climate change, contributing to the 2011 Syrian uprising. The researchers found that the drought destroyed agriculture and drove dispossessed farmers to cities, exacerbating poverty and government mismanagement.
A 200-year record of spring's arrival is helping scientists understand how woodland plants respond to rising autumn temperatures, which could affect species survival. Researchers predict that oak trees will leaf earlier than birch trees within a few decades due to warmer autumns.
A study found that only three populations of emperor penguins may have survived the last ice age, with the Ross Sea being a likely refuge for one population. Genetic diversity analysis suggests that conditions were too extreme for large populations to survive during the last ice age.
A new species of algae has been found in reef corals of the Persian Gulf, enabling them to survive in extremely high temperatures. This discovery provides hope for coral reefs to adapt to climate change, but also highlights other threats such as pollution and nutrient enrichment.
New research warns that IPCC sea-level rise scenarios are often incomplete and inappropriate for managing high-risk coastal areas. The scenarios exclude potential extreme rises, which are crucial for policy processes like climate insurance policies and adaptation funding allocations.
A group of scientists argue that disciplinary approaches to global crises are ineffective and making problems worse due to counterproductive interactions. Systems integration, a holistic approach, is needed to tackle complex world problems.
A new study from Florida Institute of Technology finds that ocean warming has played a significant role in the decline of iconic elkhorn and staghorn corals. The research suggests that curbing greenhouse gas emissions could support the recovery of these critical reef-building corals.
Researchers develop a new relationship between soil magnetic properties and precipitation, doubling the potential range of terrestrial paleoclimate applications. This improves understanding of hydrologic conditions in the deep past, leading to more accurate predictions of water availability and ecosystem stability in a warmer world.
Researchers found that symbiotic algae Symbiodinium D is more common in Caribbean corals than previously thought, suggesting potential for coral resilience. This discovery could inform future analysis of the Great Barrier Reef's response to climate change.
Ticks that spread disease are emerging earlier and expanding their geographic range due to warmer spring temperatures. This shift may lead to increased risk of tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, with the potential for an earlier start date for Awareness Month.
Lemurs are expected to lose considerable amounts of suitable habitat due to climate change, with some species shrinking their ranges by nearly 70 percent. The study identifies key forest corridors that need protection for lemurs to reach future habitats.
Climate change is expected to alter the timing, duration, and intensity of coastal upwelling, a process that drives nutrient availability and supports fisheries. This shift may lead to reduced latitudinal variation in coastal upwelling, influencing global marine biodiversity.
A new study reveals that plants have been highly resilient to mass extinction events, with negative rates of diversification never sustained for long periods. Plant groups such as flowering plants (angiosperms) experienced a rapid increase in diversity shortly after the Cretaceous-Paleogene asteroid impact.
A $2.5 million NSF grant will support the five-year Agulhas System Climate Array project, which aims to monitor changes in the ocean's circulation due to climate change. The research will focus on the physical characteristics of the Agulhas Current and its role in global climate variability.
A partnership between a cognitive scientist and an environmental scientist has enhanced high school students' learning of basic spatial reasoning, as well as solving complex problems involving climate change and other STEM subjects. The program uses computer-based layered maps to facilitate visualization and reasoning.
A new study found that organizational culture and climate are better predictors of the use of evidence-based practices than individual therapist characteristics. The study suggests that targeting organizational culture and climate changes may increase the use of effective therapy strategies.
Research reveals that reduced oxygen availability in water causes aquatic animals to reduce their body size more with warming than those on land. This study provides a closer match between lab experiments and natural patterns, suggesting the same factors at play.
A UNL researcher highlights the impact of climate change on the emergence of infectious diseases, citing examples of West Nile virus and Ebola as predictable outcomes. The expert calls for greater collaboration between public and veterinary health communities to address the growing threat.
The 'Hockey Stick' graph, created by Michael Mann and colleagues, revolutionized the climate change discussion with its depiction of rising temperatures. Despite criticism, investigations have consistently upheld the validity of Mann's research, highlighting a crucial distinction between legitimate scientific debate and bad faith attacks.
A recent study suggests that both regions will experience severe droughts in the future, worse than any in the last millennium. The projections are based on computer model simulations and comparison with past climate reconstructions, indicating a future with extremely parched Southwest and Central Plains.
A new study predicts that the Western US will face persistent drought worse than any seen in the past 1,000 years, driven by human-induced global warming. The region's larger population and increased resource use will exacerbate the devastating impacts of such a drying period.
Researchers from Berkeley Lab presented on severe weather events in a changing climate, novel technologies for exploring uncultivated microorganisms, and future of accelerators. They also discussed battery innovations and what to expect from the LHC's second run.
A recent study by University of Vermont researchers reveals that socializing with neighbors is linked to a set of environmental behaviors, including buying chemical-free fruits and vegetables, conserving water and energy, and driving less. Generalized trust in others also plays a crucial role in promoting eco-friendly habits.
The new system, developed by NOAA scientists, can track individual whales and increase the sample size of the population count. This allows for more accurate estimates of population size and helps conservation efforts.
A National Research Council committee recommends exploring CO2 removal strategies, while cautioning against sunlight-reflecting tactics due to environmental and health risks. The committee calls for increased research into all climate intervention possibilities to address the urgent need to limit greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers from the University of Iowa analyzed daily stream gauge records from 1962-2011 and found that 34% of stations experienced an increase in flood frequency, while 9% saw a decrease. The study suggests that warmer temperatures and increased rainfall are contributing to the rising number of big floods in the region.
A new 'world thunderstorm map' tracks climate change's impact on global weather patterns. The map, developed by Tel Aviv University researchers, uses data from a global lightning network to predict a 10% increase in thunderstorm activity with every 1% rise in global temperature.
New data reveals strikingly regular patterns in seafloor volcanoes, which erupt almost exclusively during the first six months of each year. The study suggests that these pulses may help trigger natural climate swings by altering earth's orbit and sea levels.
Research team from University of Southampton found that atmospheric CO2 levels during the Pliocene era matched recent years, supporting recent climate change predictions. The study estimates climate sensitivity and reveals differences in climate response between warmer and colder periods.
A recent University of Hawaii study reveals heavy rainfall events are increasing in frequency on the Big Island, but decreasing on Oahu and Maui. Climate change is believed to be driving these changes, with extreme rain events more common during La Nina years.
A new analysis finds that ocean acidification could significantly impact up to 21-32% of calcifying marine species, including coral, clams, and sea urchins. This widespread impact could have far-reaching consequences for ecosystems worldwide, as these species provide essential nursery habitats and food sources for other marine organisms.
A new study outlines key targets for evolutionary research and education in central Africa to guide conservation efforts. The review emphasizes the importance of genomic research to understand species' capacity to adapt to environmental changes and highlights the need for increased surveying and sampling efforts, as well as standardize...
Research finds significant increases in urban heat waves and extreme hot days over the past four decades, with four of the five years having the largest number being recent on record. Most urban areas also experienced declines in cold waves and windy days.
Researchers from Brown University found new evidence of glacier-like ice deposits advancing and retreating multiple times in Mars' midlatitudes, suggesting recent climate cycles. The study suggests that the planet's wobbly rotation around its axis may have driven these ice ages.
Nordic scientists emphasize the need for collaborative approach to address complex ocean changes. The region's oceans are highly sensitive to environmental shifts, with increased temperatures, acidification, and retreating sea ice posing significant challenges.
A study from the University of California, Davis reveals extreme oxygen loss in oceans around 10,000-17,000 years ago, coinciding with past global climate change. The findings suggest that modern oceans are moving into a state with no precedent in human history.
A University of California, Berkeley study reveals that a 650-year period of below-average rainfall led to the abandonment of Cantona, a major city in highland Mexico. Climate change is considered one of the major causes of the collapse.
Researchers found that Arctic sea ice trend is influenced by internal variability, making long-term predictions challenging. There's a 34% chance of no change or growth in sea ice over a seven-year period, and a 5% chance of rapid loss.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new process to create "hedgehog particles" that can easily disperse in water and dissolve in oil. This innovation has the potential to reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from paints and coatings, resulting in fewer respiratory and climate change issues.
A new study reveals that climate change is weakening the natural barrier separating marine biotas of the North Atlantic and North Pacific, promoting the interchange of fishes between the two oceans. This will lead to a tremendous increase in fish biodiversity in coastal areas around Greenland and Svalbard.
Researchers found evidence of regional drought between 500 and 1150 AD in Mexico, contributing to the abandonment of Cantona, a large fortified city with a population of 90,000 inhabitants. The study suggests that climate change played a role in the site's history, highlighting the interplay of environmental and political factors.
A satellite study has identified critical water bodies on the Swan Coastal Plain in Western Australia that support aquatic species survival, with many facing decline due to climate change and human factors.
A new study finds that climate models are inconsistent in explaining decade-to-decade temperature variability, which may lead to misinterpretation of data. The inconsistency may undermine the models' reliability for projecting future warming and suggests a bumpier road to a warmer world.
Research shows global warming could double the frequency of extreme La Niúna events, leading to increased droughts and floods globally. This could also lead to weather patterns switching between extremes of wet and dry, with profound socio-economic consequences.
A Yale-led study suggests that only 27-34% of world's wood fuel is unsustainable, highlighting the need for nuanced, local-specific climate and forest policies in developing nations. The research also identifies 'hotspots' where deforestation exceeds sustainable yields, primarily in South Asia and East Africa.
A new study found that climate variability historically accounts for one-third of yield variability for maize, rice, wheat, and soybeans worldwide. The equivalent of 36 million metric tons of food is lost each year due to climate-related crop yield fluctuations.
A Cornell University study reveals that surface meltwater can fill subglacial lakes beneath the ice sheet, providing heat to its bottom. This process could accelerate ice flow and alter the Greenland Ice Sheet's response to climate change.
Scientists have made new discoveries about Antarctica's geology and biology using a hot-water drill and an underwater robotic vehicle. The expedition uncovered a unique ecosystem of fish and invertebrates living in an estuary deep beneath the Antarctic ice.
Researchers discovered a way to determine tree density, vegetation structure, and leaf arrangement in ancient plant fossils, providing insight into how ecosystems have changed over millions of years. This new method allows for quantification of vegetation openness and sheds light on the impact of climate change on Earth's ecosystems.
Researchers aim to retrieve a 40,000-year record of climate change from the ice core, with potential insights into Antarctic interactions and global climate patterns. The team will also analyze ultra-trace gases for clues about tropical wetlands and land-based plant productivity.
Researchers found that recent US mountain warming might be less than previously thought due to sensor biases. In other news, the Interior Secretary seeks common ground with Congress on climate change and scientific integrity.
The study reveals that 2014 was the warmest year globally since 1880, with a temperature increase of about 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit over the past century.
A team of researchers warns that human activity has crossed four planetary boundaries, putting food production and clean water at risk. The nitrogen-phosphorus cycle, essential for life, is particularly compromised due to limited phosphorus supplies and excessive fertilizer use.