Research on measuring and modeling the climate. Covers climate extremes, carbon sequestration, monitoring methods, and urban heat exposure.
A new study finds that limiting global warming to 1.5°C could save twice as much glacier ice as current policies, which project an average of +2.7°C. This would mitigate 10cm of sea-level rise and preserve up to 39% of global glacier mass.
A new study has uncovered previously hidden patterns of plankton adaptation in response to environmental changes. The analysis showed that plankton lipid profiles are closely linked to their environment, with adaptations including shortening fatty acid chains in cold polar oceans.
The University of Maryland-led study found that the bay experiences 25 days of heat waves annually, with a 10% uptick in recent years. Satellite data shows varying duration and frequency of heat waves across different regions of the bay, highlighting the need for a marine heat wave warning system.
A new study suggests that limiting global temperature increase to 1.5°C may not be enough to save the world's ice sheets, which could lead to significant losses and extensive displacement of coastal populations. The researchers argue that a target of around 1°C would be more effective in preventing rapid sea level rise.
Research reveals that ignoring ecological differences between male and female plants can lead to inaccurate biodiversity forecasts. The study highlights the need to refine biodiversity forecasts to account for sex-specific responses to climate change, finding that female dominance may increase under global warming.
Researchers from Kyushu University found that climate models significantly overestimate the fraction of ice in wintertime Arctic clouds, leading to skewed warming predictions. This error has significant implications for current and future global warming projections.
The Amazon rainforest could withstand prolonged droughts caused by climate change, but this would come with significant losses, including the death of largest trees. This would lead to a reduction in the forest's ability to act as a vital carbon sink.
Scientists have discovered land-based evidence of ancient meltwater pulses from the Cordilleran Ice Sheet, shedding new light on climate change mechanisms. The findings suggest that additional climate forces were needed to kick-start ice-sheet retreat beyond energy changes in Earth's orbit.
Researchers have discovered that urban areas experience a greater difference in wet bulb globe temperature between 0.5 m and 1.5 m above ground due to surface heat radiation, posing health risks to children and pets during extreme heat events. Total solar eclipses also alter atmospheric conditions and insect behavior, with some species...
Researchers at Kyoto University found that reducing urban heat release can control summertime local precipitation, with potential to mitigate extreme weather issues. By systematically decreasing sensible heat fluxes over urban areas, the team demonstrated a link between urban heat island effect reduction and less intense rainfall.
A study by Virginia Tech found that all 28 major US cities are sinking, with 20-65% of urban areas affected, impacting structural integrity and flood risks. The research highlights the importance of integrating land subsidence monitoring into urban planning policies to mitigate infrastructure risks.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have found that one glacier in Antarctica is rapidly losing ice to its neighboring glacier due to changes in flow direction. This 'ice piracy' effect has been observed over less than 18 years, contrary to previous estimates of hundreds or thousands of years.
The American Geophysical Union (AGU) and the American Meteorological Society (AMS) are collaborating on a special collection to maintain momentum in climate change research supporting the US National Climate Assessment. This effort aims to sustain the work of authors who were dismissed earlier this week by the Trump Administration.
New research reveals oceans are heating at the world's fastest pace in two distinct bands near 40 degrees latitude in both hemispheres. This pattern is linked to poleward shifts in the jet stream and ocean currents, upending marine ecosystems and fueling extreme weather.
Researchers at UCLA and Princeton discovered that showing people continuous temperature data can lead to a vague impression of gradual change, while presenting binary data like lake freezes causes a striking shift. This approach may overcome climate apathy by creating an emotional connection to local traditions.
A new study by the University of Michigan found that low-to-medium-income countries can benefit from investing in renewable energy while reducing emissions and income inequality. The research team examined connections between climate impacts, mitigation strategies and social justice considerations.
Saharan mustard is overwhelming native plants' seed bank, reducing biodiversity and weakening ecosystems. The invasive species can crowd out native species, altering ecosystem function.
Researchers used satellite data to analyze the impact of dust on snowmelt in the Colorado River Basin. The study found that dust-driven melting tends to peak earliest and be most intense in central-southern Rocky Mountains, accelerating spring melt rates by up to 1 mm water-equivalent per hour.
A study found that Arctic snow and ice melting triggers an enhancement in the cloud short-wave cooling effect, partially slowing further melting. This new perspective reveals a co-evolution mechanism between clouds, snow/ice coverage, and surface albedo.
Researchers identified three hotspots of hantavirus circulation in wildlife, including Virginia, Colorado, and Texas. The study found 15 rodent species as carriers, including six new hosts, and explored the impact of climate change on transmission.
A unique partnership between researchers and a merchant marine vessel is providing critical data for measuring ocean change, biodiversity, and the interconnectedness of global systems. The project, led by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, is filling gaps in observations of the Middle Atlantic Bight shelf and Slope Sea.
A study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health found that Europe has adapted better to cold temperatures than to heat over the last two decades. The relative risk of death in low temperatures decreased by 2% per year, while the risk from extreme heat fell by 1% per year.
New research suggests that conservation efforts can better protect bird species at greatest risk from climate change by understanding the specific climatic conditions they need to thrive. The study found that species with narrower climatic niches are more susceptible to population declines.
A new study by Boston College researchers found that nearly 90% of Christian leaders in the US believe in anthropogenic climate change, but most do not discuss it with their congregation. Informing Christians about this consensus can lead to increased willingness to address climate change and align with church values.
A new system, Amalur EIS, analyzes European industrial plant emissions and finds the energy sector generates 59.5% of total environmental impacts. Climate change has the greatest weight in Europe's total impact.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis analyzed rainfall data and found that the July 2022 floods were not as exceptional as initially thought. The study suggests storms like this will become more frequent due to global warming, which is increasing the frequency of extreme precipitation events.
A new method using free software and a drone with a low-cost camera has been developed to select drought-tolerant corn plants. The approach allows for optimized data collection, faster processing, and reduced costs compared to conventional methods.
A study reveals widespread overlap between feeding grounds for seabirds, marine mammals, and regions with high wind potential. Researchers propose developing risk maps to predict conflicts and recommend expanding marine protected areas and strengthening spatial planning tools.
Researchers found significant implications for water management and wildlife due to the decline in snowpack, affecting the Sainte-Anne River and its streamflow patterns. The study's findings align with historical records of droughts and heavy precipitation, highlighting the importance of protecting old growth forests.
Recent 'unprecedented' floods are not exceptional if looking further into the past, new research suggests. Geological palaeo-flood records reveal many previous floods exceeded modern peaks, highlighting the need for using these records in flood planning.
Researchers mapped China's wetlands from 1980 to 2020, revealing a net loss of ~60.9 × 10^3 km^2 due to climate change and human impacts. Meanwhile, the study highlights the importance of sustainable management and conservation strategies to mitigate these losses.
Researchers developed a method that uses high-resolution satellite imagery and deep machine learning to double the mapped infrastructure of Alaska, more accurately projecting economic risks associated with permafrost thaw. The new model nearly doubles the amount of information available for Alaska on OpenStreetMap.
Researchers evaluate traditional precipitation phase partitioning methods and machine learning models, revealing near-freezing temperatures create inherent limitations in distinguishing between rain and snow. Accurate identification is critical for weather forecasting, hydrologic modeling, and climate research.
A new poll found that nearly 3/4 of older Americans have experienced at least one extreme weather event, increasing their concern about climate change's effects on their health. Those who lived through such events are more likely to express worry about the impact on themselves and future generations.
Research uncovering rapid changes in river temperatures across the US highlights importance of observational records for environmental variability. The findings provide insights into managing habitats and understanding impacts on socioeconomic activities.
Prof. Günter Blöschl's research has made significant contributions to understanding the drivers of increasing flood risks under climate change and reveals that the last two decades have been markedly flood-prone compared to historical records.
Researchers developed a numerical tool to quantify sunlight intensity and its influence on plant growth, enabling accurate predictions of sunlight patterns. The model can help farmers optimize greenhouse conditions and planting schedules, leading to improved crop yields.
A new study from the University of Illinois explores how heat stress affects US dairy production, finding a 1% decline in annual milk yield due to high heat and humidity. Small farms are hit harder than large farms, with yields declining by 1.6% annually.
Researchers created a new GIS-based multi-criteria decision tool to guide decisions on using nature-based shorelines or hybrid solutions in the Florida Keys. The study finds that nearly 8% of the shoreline is suitable for nature-based solutions, while 67% is already vegetated or represents another natural shoreline.
A new study shows that climate change affects short-term precipitation events lasting hours by significantly increasing their frequency, while longer-term rainfall events lasting days are influenced by global weather phenomena like El Niéo. This distinction is crucial for assessing the risk of flooding in different regions.
A new analysis reveals that no country is on track to meet all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals by the target year of 2030. Machine-learning tools were applied to over 20 years' worth of data from 231 indicators and GDP data, highlighting complex linkages between goals.
New research from the University of Kansas found that completing a greenhouse gas emission inventory indeed moves the needle toward mitigation, with cities reducing their CO2 emissions by about 22 fewer pounds per capita. The addition of sustainability staff did not show a statistically significant reduction.
A new book by Komla Dzigbede explores the ability of local governments to learn, adapt, and innovate in the face of major crises. The book analyzes disaster preparedness, response, and economic development post-disaster, offering practical lessons for local leaders.
Wealthy individuals, despite being major contributors to global emissions, possess three positive climate capabilities: investing in green technologies, knowledge about climate change, and social influence. Researchers suggest harnessing their potential to accelerate the UK's transition to net-zero carbon emissions.
Climate change drives large increases in electricity demand and costs in Texas due to extreme temperatures. Meanwhile, atmospheric rivers become more frequent, larger, and moister globally. Diagnostic studies also predict malaria outbreaks with five-month lead time using sea-surface temperature anomalies.
The study categorizes CROP-AP models into four key types, highlighting five major applications in agricultural productivity simulation. Future research priorities focus on strengthening model validation and simulating multi-scale interactions to support sustainable global food production.
Researchers found a synchronization between geological climate archives and large-scale volcanic eruptions in the Deccan Traps, which may have caused mass extinctions. The study suggests that changes in Earth's orbit around the sun regulate the amount of incoming solar radiation, affecting global climate patterns.
A comprehensive analysis of butterfly data in the US found that butterfly abundance fell by 22% between 2000 and 2020. The study, led by Eliza Grames at Binghamton University, examined data from over 12.6 million butterflies across the continental US.
A new study combines satellite collar data with specialized cameras to shed light on the mysterious and important stage of maternal denning. The researchers found that using both methods can accurately predict when polar bears will emerge from their dens and how external factors like temperature influence their behavior.
Researchers analyzed satellite data from the Sentinel-2 satellites to predict variations in tree traits and map functional diversity. They found significant differences in forest function across continents, with American tropical forests showing greater functional richness than African and Asian forests.
A new study suggests that extreme weather events are crucial to understanding phenological responses in plants and insects. The research found that disruptions to the delicate relationships between certain species, such as the yucca plant and yucca moth, can have significant consequences for survival.
The UK's top earners contribute disproportionately to carbon emissions, yet they can drive systemic change through their purchasing power and influence. Wealthy individuals are more likely to adopt green technologies, but their lifestyles remain high-emission due to frequent flying and luxury consumption.
A new study reveals that a rise in temperature by more than 1.5°C could lead to a marked decline in crop diversity, impacting global food security. Low-latitude regions are particularly vulnerable, with up to half of their crop production at risk.
A new research infrastructure called SAFAtor aims to close the gap in ocean data by collecting real-time pressure, temperature, and seismic data from deep-sea telecommunications cables. The project will deploy sensor technology along an undersea cable to monitor climate and geological hazards.
TaxaBind, a new multimodal AI tool, addresses ecological problems by combining multiple models for species classification, distribution mapping, and other tasks. The tool outperformed state-of-the-art methods in zero-shot classification and cross-modal retrieval tasks.
Emissions from SUVs and light-duty trucks cause 90% of nitrogen dioxide-related deaths, with suburban driving linked to greatest health damages. The study's findings inform geographically targeted transportation policies and climate action plans for Boston and cities nationwide.
A new study led by Qian Cheng found that unusual atmospheric circulation accounted for 83% of a record-breaking cold event in eastern China. The warming effect of climate change reduced the event's severity by up to 22%.
A new study from USC Dornsife finds that LA's urban greenery absorbs up to 60% of daytime fossil fuel CO2 emissions in spring and summer, providing valuable insights into the impact of trees on air quality. The research provides data-driven insights for future planting efforts and informs the USC Urban Trees Initiative.
Researchers will use airborne GPR and ground-based TEM to collect rich geophysical data, estimating carbon storage and gas emissions in peatlands across a latitudinal gradient. The project aims to reduce uncertainty in these predictions and provide valuable information on how to better protect carbon stocks.
Researchers found that climate change affects lake ecosystems in complex ways, with abrupt changes in algal biomass detected in a third of tested lakes. The study suggests that climate interacts with human activities like agriculture and urban runoff, leading to more vulnerable lakes.