Research on measuring and modeling the climate. Covers climate extremes, carbon sequestration, monitoring methods, and urban heat exposure.
The NOAA CDR Project aims to address climate change data challenges by stitching together heritage satellite data and incorporating future sources like NPOESS. This project will deliver regular climate information following rigorous scientific standards, enabling understanding of climate variability and change.
Four NASA Goddard scientists, John Connerney, Thomas Moore, Richard Ray, and Compton Tucker, have been named AGU Fellows for their outstanding work in the field. They were recognized for their research contributions to planetary science, geophysics, and space plasmas.
A University of Alberta biologist is sounding the alarm on Canada's neglect of crucial research on climate change's effects on its lakes, reservoirs, and carbon cycles. Studies reveal that lake water levels are depleting at a rate of less than one percent per year, posing a significant threat to emergency water supplies.
Researchers find 93 plant species are moving their flowering ranges to higher elevations due to rising summer temperatures. The study, which spanned 20 years, reveals some plants flowered farther uphill while others stopped at lower elevations.
Scientists have discovered a strong correlation between cosmic-ray data and stratospheric temperature, allowing for the detection of major weather events such as Sudden Stratospheric Warming. This study has the potential to improve weather forecasting and climate modeling by providing a new tool for monitoring atmospheric conditions.
A new study reveals that most of Antarctica has been warming at a rate comparable to the rest of the world, contrary to previous findings on the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. The research used satellite data and weather station measurements to estimate temperature trends and found that West Antarctica warmed more than East Antarctica.
A four-week expedition to explore the deep ocean south-west of Tasmania has revealed new species of animals, including a bizarre carnivorous sea squirt and giant sponges. The survey also found vast fields of fossil corals dated to over 10,000 years old, providing ancient climate data for models of regional and global climate change.
A study led by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found global yields of biofuels crops to be overestimated by 100-150%, highlighting the need for more realistic expectations. This information can empower countries to make informed decisions about agricultural biofuels.
A team of scientists has analyzed global atmospheric data for the past 60 years to determine the frequency of polar lows. They found that there is no long-term trend in the frequency of these storms, contradicting previous assumptions about their connection to climate change.
The new system, AMSTAR, will provide NCAR with up to 30 petabytes of storage capacity and enable scientists to conduct increasingly sophisticated computer studies of Earth's climate. The system is based on the Sun StorageTek SL8500 Modular Library and will allow NCAR to store its valuable scientific data for the next 15-20 years.
A University of East Anglia study demonstrates that human influence is responsible for warming in both Arctic and Antarctic regions. The findings contradict previous observations and the IPCC's previous stance on Antarctica.
Scientists at Harvard University found that different plant families near Walden Pond have reacted to climate change in varying ways, with some facing sharp declines or local extinction due to their inability to adjust flowering times, while others remain more resilient.
A team of Arizona State University researchers is investigating human vulnerability to deadly heat exposure in the face of climate change. The study aims to guide policymakers and planners in bolstering protective measures to prevent heat-related illness and deaths.
The US Department of Energy is providing funding for four field studies on climate research, with a focus on clouds and aerosols. The studies aim to improve computer models simulating climate change by gathering data on various cloud types and their interactions with radiation and aerosols.
A $900,000 Google grant will aid the International Research Institute for Climate and Society in predicting disease outbreaks in Ethiopia, a high-risk area for malaria and meningitis. The project aims to develop disease-mapping tools using climate data and improve early-warning systems.
The German research vessel Polarstern has completed its Arctic expedition, collecting data on the geology of the Arctic area and the development of ocean currents. Researchers discovered large sliding masses beneath the seafloor, indicating significant sediment relocations in the region.
The Worldwide LHC Computing Grid has combined the power of over 140 computer centers from 33 countries to analyze and manage 15 million gigabytes of LHC data annually. This massive distributed computing system will enable 7,000 scientists worldwide to analyze data and uncover secrets about the physical universe.
Researchers from TU Delft and CSR have developed a method to create an accurate picture of Greenland's ice loss, revealing a half-millimeter-rise in global sea levels per year. The study also shows that the ice loss is advancing towards the North of Greenland, particularly on the west coast.
A new study suggests that Burmese pythons will not be able to find suitable habitats outside of South Florida, despite initial predictions by the USGS. The researchers used advanced climate models to predict the potential distribution of the snakes in the US and found that they are limited to the vicinity of the Everglades.
Researchers have created an instrument designed to determine the shapes and sizes of tiny ice crystals in high-altitude clouds down to the micron level. This data is expected to help improve computer models used to predict climate change by better understanding the influence of clouds on global warming or cooling.
The Alfred Wegener Institute has inherited the World Radiation Monitoring Center, providing climate research with accurate meteorological data. The archive contains baseline energy conversion of solar radiation and thermal radiation data from around the world.
A decade-long study published in Science reveals that most diversification occurred early on, with local ecological communities changing relatively little over time. The researchers used a fundamentally new analysis to conclude that the increase in species diversity was less dramatic than previously believed.
Researchers are studying how climate change affects early life stages of fish in two ocean environments off the coasts of New Jersey and Long Island. Using real-time data and advanced technology, they are developing models to aid fisheries research and management, with a focus on habitat effects and growth.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have created specially designed robots called SnoMotes to traverse dangerous ice environments and gather scientific measurements. The SnoMotes work autonomously in teams to cover all necessary ground, providing accurate data for scientists to validate climate models.
The Phoenix Mars Mission will investigate the Martian environment, searching for signs of climate cycles and microbial life. The spacecraft will collect soil and ice samples and analyze them to understand the Red Planet's history.
A global map shows 'fire scars' on Earth's surface every year since the turn of the Millennium, revealing annual burns of 3.5-4.5 million km2 of vegetation. The data is vital for scientists monitoring global warming and managing forests.
Researchers will discuss climate models, air pollution, ozone levels, and their impact on regions like California, Texas, and the southeastern United States. Scientists also explore long-range transport of pollutants from Europe to Africa and the Near East.
The European research project EARLINET-ASOS is analyzing the effects of atmospheric aerosol particles on climate change. By monitoring aerosol concentrations and origins across Europe, scientists aim to improve predictions of climate systems.
Scientists from NASA, CDC, and University of Alabama are using public health projects that utilize NASA satellite data on air quality, climate, vegetation, and flooding to explore possible linkages with diseases like lung disease, stroke rates, and asthma.
Researchers demonstrate that a simple method using river network geometry and rainfall data can accurately predict fish species diversity patterns in the Mississippi-Missouri basin. The model, which uses just four parameters, captures complex biodiversity patterns without referencing individual fish species.
Research shows that tropical species are more vulnerable to climate change due to their narrow temperature range, making them more susceptible to extinction with warming of just a degree or two. This is because they live near their thermal optimum and cannot cope with temperatures beyond that range.
A new study confirms that oxygen-poor regions in tropical oceans are expanding, limiting habitats for predatory fishes and other marine organisms. The research team analyzed ocean oxygen measurements and found significant declines in tropical oceans between 300 to 700 meters depth over the past 50 years.
A NASA satellite mission led by MIT Professor Dara Entekhabi will provide global soil moisture data, essential for accurate weather forecasts and understanding the global carbon cycle. The Soil Moisture Active-Passive mission (SMAP) aims to create a new perspective on how water, energy, and carbon cycles work together.
Researchers have discovered that tiny earth tremors caused by wind-driven ocean waves can track extreme storms. Microseism signals show up as oscillations of Earth's surface and increase in amplitude with storm intensity, offering a unique way to monitor storm intensities across seasons and geographical locations.
Researchers in Spain have compiled 20th century temperature data to show evidence of climatic change. They found signs of 'pollution' that needed to be removed through homogeneization, a process that ensures the data reflects only climatic evolution.
A massive study of Madagascar's wildlife provides a blueprint for conservation, highlighting key areas to protect and prioritizing endangered species. The research uses data from thousands of species and advanced techniques to identify the most important areas for saving fauna and flora.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed high-resolution CO2 maps that provide detailed and accurate information on greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. The Vulcan system reveals unexpected large sources of emissions in the southeastern US, which were previously underestimated.
The Lancet launches a new partnership with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation to monitor global health trends. The journal also establishes a joint Commission with University College London to study and report on managing the health effects of climate change.
The GBIF seed money awards will provide information on over 75,000 species and 1.8 million records, as well as two software tools. The funded projects tackle major global issues such as climate change, invasive alien species, and conservation strategies.
Scientists will investigate how air pollution contributes to climate changes in the Arctic by analyzing air and aerosol samples collected during the campaign. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of atmospheric chemistry and climate effects in the region.
Scientists warn of potential sea-level rise as Antarctic ice shelf collapses. The Wilkins Ice Shelf's disintegration is linked to rapid climate change, with the remaining ice supported by a narrow strip between two islands.
Researchers found a signature to detect rain-on-snow events in satellite microwave imagery, which can prevent mass starvation of native people's livestock. The method could provide a realistic chance of getting food to herds affected by the devastating weather event.
A new analysis by UC economists reveals China's CO2 emissions growth rate is 11% annually, surpassing previous estimates. The study predicts a significant increase in carbon emissions, overshadowing pledged reductions by developed countries.
A new analysis by economists at the University of California, Berkeley and UC San Diego shows a significant increase in China's carbon dioxide emissions growth, far surpassing previous estimates. The study predicts an annual growth rate of at least 11 percent for China between 2004 and 2010.
Scientists developed a new model to estimate sea ice thickness, using historical observations and environmental data analysis. The study shows that average ice thickness and total ice volume fluctuated together during the early period, peaking in the late 1980s before declining until the mid-1990s.
Researchers are facing the challenge of balancing computing power and storage technology in high-performance computing (HPC) environments, as noted by Virginia Tech's Ali R. Butt. Modern scientific computations require powerful computing resources and manage large amounts of data, with terabyte speeds becoming increasingly common.
A NASA study reveals that warming air temperatures are causing the surface of Greenland's massive ice sheet to melt, leading to loss of ice throughout the mass beneath. The team found a strong connection between melting on the surface and ice loss below 6,500 feet in elevation.
Researchers used digital imaging techniques to document Greenland's ice sheet dynamics and found significant changes in the glacier's geometry without visible calving events. The new data can impact climate projections and sea-level rise estimates, possibly doubling current projections.
The expedition's data indicates the foot of the continental slope off Alaska is over 100 nautical miles farther from the U.S. coast than previously thought, supporting U.S. claims to natural resources in the area. The findings also shed light on the geological history and bathymetry of the Arctic region.
A UA-led team has received a $50 million grant to create a global center and computer cyberinfrastructure to address plant biology's grand challenge questions. The project will unite researchers from around the world to advance all fields of plant science.
A study by Dr Alan Grainger found no convincing evidence for a decline in tropical forests over the past 40 years. Despite local evidence of deforestation, long-term data is plagued by errors and inconsistencies that raise questions about predictions of species extinctions and global climate change.
Researchers are working on operational global forecasts of air pollution, which could aid in improving air quality and addressing climate change. NASA satellites are providing crucial data to support these efforts, helping to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental regulations.
The GRACE-Team received the William T. Pecora Award for their groundbreaking work in determining the global water balance of continents through satellite measurements. This achievement provides a reliable dataset for understanding climate change, as highlighted by Professor Reinhard Hüttl.
A new study found that leading global climate models do an unsatisfactory job of mimicking climate change, particularly in the lower and middle atmosphere. The researchers compared the models' output with actual climate data and found discrepancies, casting doubt on the reliability of these models for predicting future climate changes.
A study found large gaps in GBIF's biodiversity data, with over 70% of Legume species lacking formal records or poor-quality location information. The research highlights the need for governments to invest in digitizing and publishing more biodiversity data from museums.
CSIRO launches 'Terabyte Science' program to tackle massive data sets in astronomy, gene sequencing, and climate modeling. The initiative aims to develop new mathematical approaches and processes for scientists to stay competitive globally.
A new NASA study reveals record-breaking snow melting in high-altitude areas of Greenland, with melting occurring 25-30 days longer than average. This trend is expected to impact Earth's energy budget and contribute to sea level rise.
The Montreal Protocol has been a resounding success, with chlorine compound levels leveling off and beginning to decline. Researchers study climate change and the timing of ozone recovery through space-based instruments and computer models, aiming to ensure CFC emissions fall below levels that produce an ozone hole.
The UK's proposed TRUTHS satellite mission seeks to settle international debates on climate change by launching a calibration laboratory into space. This will enable more accurate climate data and inform predictive quality of climate models.
A CU-Boulder team forecasts a 92% probability of the September 2007 Arctic sea ice minimum extent setting a new record low. The researchers attribute this to rapid disintegration and thinning of multi-year ice, replaced by thinner first-year ice.