How climate change will impact outdoor activities in the US
A new study by MIT researchers shows that climate change will significantly impact outdoor activities in the US, with Florida and other Southeastern states experiencing major drops in
Climate Data
Articles tagged with Climate Data
Massive biodiversity data collection improves ecosystem predictions
Researchers verify that large biodiversity databases can calibrate community models, improving predictions on species distribution and interactions. At least 50% of species must be recorded for accurate predictions, according to a study using GIBIF data.
Rapidly increasing industrial activities in the Arctic
A comprehensive assessment of human activity in the Arctic reveals that over 5% of the region is affected by light pollution, with an annual increase of 4.8%. The study highlights the critical need for monitoring and planning to support sustainable development and conservation in the Arctic.
Plant CO2 uptake rises by nearly one third in new global estimates
Scientists estimate a 31% increase in global photosynthesis due to rising CO2 levels, with pan-tropical rainforests accounting for the largest difference. This improvement can enhance climate predictions and highlight the importance of natural carbon sequestration.
Deep learning illuminates atmospheric blocking events of past, future
A new study uses deep learning to infer the frequency of atmospheric blocking events over the past 1,000 years, shedding light on their potential impact under climate change. The model was trained using historical data and large ensembles of climate model simulations.
Brazilian researchers work to transform agave into the ‘sugarcane of the sertão’
Brazilian researchers are transforming Agave sisalana into a sustainable bioenergy source for the semi-arid climate region, requiring less water and fertilizer than sugarcane. The team has developed genetically modified yeasts to metabolize inulin and biostimulants to accelerate agave growth.
Using AI and iNaturalist, scientists build one of the highest resolution maps yet of California plants
Researchers used deep learning to correlate citizen science data with remote sensing images, predicting plant distributions down to scales of a few square meters. The AI model, Deepbiosphere, outperformed previous methods in accuracy and showed potential for global monitoring of vegetation change.
Extreme heat may substantially raise mortality risk for people experiencing homelessness
A new study found that extreme heat increases mortality risk for people experiencing homelessness, particularly in hot-climate US counties like Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Heat exposure is estimated to be 10-100 times greater among unhoused individuals than in the general population.
The changing geography of “energy poverty”
A study by MIT researchers reveals that households in the US South and Southwest are struggling with energy costs, particularly air conditioning needs, as temperatures rise. The current federal program, LIHEAP, does not fully match these trends, with southern states receiving relatively less funding.
Early human species benefited from food diversity in steep mountainous terrain
A new study reveals that mountainous regions played a key role in human evolution, providing increased biodiversity and food resources. The Diversity Selection Hypothesis suggests that early humans adapted to steep terrain due to its enhanced environmental conditions.
NOAA awards grant to enhance decision-ready climate projections for diverse stakeholders
Researchers at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School are leading a four-year project to develop best practices for decision-ready climate projection information. The team will engage stakeholders across five themes, providing access to crucial datasets and analysis procedures.
Antarctic ‘greening’ at dramatic rate
The Antarctic Peninsula has experienced a dramatic increase in vegetation cover over the last four decades, with satellite data showing an acceleration of 30% in recent years. This 'greening' trend is attributed to climate change and has significant implications for the region's ecosystem and environmental future.
Environmental quality of life benefits women worldwide
A global study reveals that women's environmental quality of life explains a substantial 46% of their overall health and well-being. The study found that younger women report poorer environmental quality of life, while older women experience improved quality of life after age 45.
Severe climate change may increase violence against women
A new study found a significant link between intimate partner violence and certain climate shocks, such as storms and floods, in 156 countries. Countries with higher GDP had lower rates of intimate partner violence, highlighting the need for climate mitigation efforts to reduce violence against women.
Climate scientists express their views on possible future climate scenarios in a new study
A new study reveals that climate experts believe the Earth is headed for a rise in global temperatures far higher than the 2015 Paris Agreement targets. Two-thirds of respondents think we may succeed in achieving net zero CO2 emissions during the second half of this century, indicating some optimism about mitigation efforts.
Understanding regional climate change is essential for guiding effective climate adaptation policy, study finds
A new synthesis of regional climate data highlights the need for climate adaptation policy based on the latest regional climate science. Emerging signals of climate change are expected to significantly alter monsoon intensity, leading to substantial societal impacts in tropical and subtropical regions.
Inflation Reduction Act funding to allow Illinois scientists to contribute to US governmental efforts and improve mitigation estimates for agriculture management practices
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment will receive funding to improve mitigation estimates for agricultural management practices. The funding will support the work of researchers in advancing the understanding of conservation practices on greenhouse gas fluxes.
Study coordinates satellite swarm for 3D imaging inside clouds
David Stanley's research uses a mixed integer linear program solver to optimize satellite pointing angles for efficient cloud imaging. The study simulates multiple satellites and clouds to understand convection transport effects on regrowth of new clouds, with potential implications for greenhouse gas emissions.
Purdue-led TOMI project receives $3.5M grant to turn a decade of data into new tools and strategies for tomato farmers
The Purdue-led TOMI project aims to improve the sustainability of tomato production in Indiana through data-driven research. The team has developed new breeding techniques that promote beneficial microbial relationships between tomatoes and soil microorganisms.
Where flood policy helps most — and where it could do more
A new study reveals the flood insurance program's effects differ greatly among communities, with higher-population and wealthier areas benefiting more from discounts on premiums. Lower-income communities also see benefits, but only in areas with less racial and ethnic diversity, realizing a gain of about $6,000 per household.
Using satellite images to understand changes in river flow
Researchers used satellite images to derive a global dataset of river width data, expanding the understanding of at-a-station hydraulic geometry. The study found that a 1% increase in discharge leads to a median 0.2% increase in river width worldwide, with weaker responses in areas with cohesive soil and high forest coverage.
Longer orbital repeats of satellite altimetry may provide better understanding of inland waters
Researchers found that satellite altimetry missions with longer orbital repeats can provide a clearer understanding of regional and global hydrological cycles. This is because these missions sample lakes several times more frequently, revealing broader perspectives on lake variations across entire regions.
Study evaluates impacts of summer heat in U.S. prison environments
A new study by MIT researchers identifies characteristic in prison facilities that exacerbate an incarcerated person's vulnerability to summer heat. The findings highlight the need for policymakers and community leaders to address this growing concern, particularly as climate change worsens heat-related risks.
Harvests, wildfires, epidemics: How the jet stream has shaped extreme weather in Europe for centuries
Tree-ring data reveal that periodic shifts in strong winds high above the Earth's surface have driven opposite climates in different parts of Europe for the past 700 years. This research provides critical data to improve climate models, comparing past patterns to current trends and societal impacts.
Hardest hit by heat
A new study analyzing US data from 1993 to 2005 found that extreme heat disproportionately affects racial minorities, with a higher excess death rate for Non-Hispanic Blacks compared to whites. The study's findings highlight the need for adaptation measures to shield vulnerable populations from growing temperature dangers.
‘Invisible forest’ of algae thrives as ocean warms
Phytoplankton biomass has increased in subsurface waters due to ocean warming, while surface phytoplankton's total biomass remains stable despite reduced chlorophyll levels. The findings highlight the limitations of satellite observations and underscore the urgent need for improved global monitoring of deep-living phytoplankton.
Ice cores show pollution's impact on Arctic atmosphere
A Dartmouth-led study found that air pollution from fossil fuels reaches the remote Arctic, altering its fundamental atmospheric chemistry. The researchers detected declines in methanesulfonic acid, a biomarker linked to phytoplankton productivity, which plummeted in environments high in emissions.
Abrupt intensification of northern wildfires due to future permafrost thawing
A new study warns that future climate change will intensify wildfires in the Arctic region, leading to an abrupt switch from no fires to very intense ones within just a few years. The accelerated permafrost thawing is expected to increase soil water and vegetation biomass, exacerbating fire fuel.
Atmospheric methane increase during pandemic due primarily to wetland flooding
A new analysis reveals that increased inundation and water storage in wetlands drove the record surge in atmospheric methane emissions from 2020 to 2022. Wetland microbes produce methane as they metabolize organic matter anaerobically, leading to a significant increase in release to the atmosphere.
485 million-year temperature record of Earth reveals Phanerozoic climate variability
A new reconstruction of Earth's temperature history over the past 485 million years reveals a wider range of climate variability than previously understood. The study suggests that atmospheric carbon dioxide has been the primary driver of climate changes during this period, with temperatures varying more dynamically than thought.
Study: Over nearly half a billion years, Earth’s global temperature has changed drastically, driven by carbon dioxide
The study presents a curve of global mean surface temperature that reveals significant fluctuations in Earth's temperature over the past 485 million years. The research confirms that carbon dioxide is strongly correlated with global temperatures across geological time.
New study charts how Earth’s global temperature has drastically changed over the past 485 million years, driven by carbon dioxide
A new study reveals that Earth's surface temperature has varied more greatly over the past 485 million years than previously thought. The study, co-led by the Smithsonian and University of Arizona, confirms that carbon dioxide is strongly correlated with global temperatures across geological time.
Lake ice quality degrading as planet warms – skaters, hockey players, ice truckers on thin ice
A new study from York University finds that lake ice quality is deteriorating due to climate change, making it unstable and unsafe for humans. The researchers warn of the dangers of thin layers of black ice and white ice combinations, which can lead to accidents and even fatalities.
Scientists quantify energetic costs of the migratory lifestyle in a free flying songbird
Researchers found that migrating blackbirds do not save energy in warmer climates, but instead reduce their metabolism before departure. The study reveals a previously unknown mechanism used by migrants to save energy prior to migration, and suggests alternative physiological adaptations may offset the energy costs of migration.
Sea surface temperature record in the southwestern Pacific: Coral colony from Fiji reveals warmest temperatures in over 600 years
A coral colony from Fiji has provided a new record of sea surface temperatures in the southwestern Pacific, revealing that 2022 was the warmest year in over 600 years. The reconstruction uses data from the giant coral Diploastrea heliopora, which records long-term climatic and environmental changes.
The within-year distribution of temperature and precipitation could rearrange significantly, challenging both modelers and nature
Researchers at HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research found that specific climate periods can shift by several months or even six months within a year, affecting species distribution. This shift poses significant challenges for distribution models, potentially leading to extinction or migration of species.
Heatwaves may increase likelihood of seizures in people with epilepsy
A study published in Brain Communications found that heatwaves can trigger more seizures in individuals with severe epilepsy. Researchers used intracranial electroencephalography to track brain activity during heatwaves and non-heatwave periods, revealing a significant increase in seizure frequency during hot weather.
West Antarctic ice sheet may disappear by 2300
A Dartmouth-led study projects that Antarctica's glaciers will rapidly retreat and potentially collapse by 2200, increasing global sea levels by up to 5.5 feet by 2300. The researchers used 16 ice-sheet models to refine the projection of ice loss over the next 300 years.
Urban forests reduce heat-related mortality, study shows
A new study shows that urban forests within walkable distance from residential areas are crucial in reducing heat-related health risks. Researchers found that nearby forests have a pronounced impact on reducing mortality risks, particularly those within 1 kilometre of residential areas.
Biogeochemistry scientists from around the world, led by the ASC's Margenot, publish position paper on tackling “hidden” phosphorus
Researchers developed a comprehensive roadmap to measure legacy phosphorus accumulation in soils. They identified key priorities and non-priorities, providing a unified vision for future phosphorus use. The study found that accumulated phosphorus is often located in the top 12 inches of soil and transforms into different forms than whe...
Can green finance effectively reduce carbon dioxide emissions while promoting economic growth?
A study published in Business Strategy and the Environment found that green finance initiatives can significantly reduce CO2 emissions. The researchers also noted that investing in renewable energy is crucial for companies to achieve environmental sustainability.
Smart researchers unveil study linking EV charging stations to increased local business activity
A study by Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology found that installing EVCS boosted spending at nearby establishments by 1.4% in 2019, leading to an overall increase of USD 6.7 million. Strategically placed EVCS also stimulated consumer spending in underprivileged areas, creating potential catalysts for economic growth.
Study suggests US droughts, rainy extremes becoming more severe
Researchers at Ohio State University found that US droughts in the Southwest and rainy extremes in the Northeast are becoming more frequent and severe. The study predicts bigger swings between wetter and drier periods in the mid-United States, straining water management efforts.
Funding awarded for research on bagworms, bubonic plague, ancient mammals and a repository of changing seasons
Researchers at the Florida Museum of Natural History are studying bagworms' unique life cycle and their potential to inform understanding of modern climate change. They'll also analyze fossils from ancient mammal communities affected by rapid warming, as well as use AI to model future disease outbreaks.
The Roman siege of Masada lasted just a few weeks, not several years
Researchers at Tel Aviv University used modern technologies to challenge the long-held myth that the Roman siege of Masada lasted three years. The study found that the siege actually lasted no more than a few weeks, using precise measurements and 3D digital modeling to calculate the time it took to build the siege system.
Groundwater use can be accurately monitored with satellites using OPENet, new study finds
A new study published in Agricultural Water Management uses satellite data to estimate groundwater use for crop irrigation at the individual field level. The researchers found that OpenET can accurately track water use with a high degree of accuracy, providing insights into irrigation efficiencies.
Study reveals crucial role of mixing Atlantic and Arctic waters in global ocean circulation
Researchers found that 72% of the AMOC's lower limb is composed of Atlantic waters, highlighting the critical role of Atlantic-Arctic mixing. This process contributes to the AMOC's strength and helps regulate Earth's climate.
Land-sea “tag-team” devastated ocean life millions of years ago reveal scientists
A team of researchers discovered that a 'tag-team' between the oceans and continents led to severe environmental crises, causing mass extinctions of marine species. The study found that chemical weathering pulses disrupted the oceans, leading to anoxic events that had profound impacts on marine ecosystems.
Rain or shine? How rainfall impacts size of sea turtle hatchlings
A study by Florida Atlantic University and the University of Tübingen found that rainfall cools beach surfaces and enhances moisture for egg development, making it a crucial factor in determining hatchling body size. The research suggests that global warming may shorten incubation periods and disrupt growth, affecting sea turtle survival.
Rice engineers develop AI system for real-time sensing of flooded roads
Rice engineers developed an automated data fusion framework called OpenSafe Fusion to sense quickly evolving road conditions during urban flooding events. The framework leverages existing individual reporting mechanisms and public data sources, predicting whether a road is flooded or not.
Trends of heat-related deaths in the US, 1999-2023
Heat-related mortality rates in the US rose between 1999 and 2023, reversing a previous trend. Climate change projections suggest continued increases, highlighting the need for access to hydration centers and cooling centers.
The Lancet Public Health: Climate change and ageing populations to drive greater disparities in deaths from hot and cold temperatures across Europe, modelling study suggests
A new study suggests that climate change and ageing populations will widen regional disparities in death risk from hot and cold temperatures in Europe. By 2100, heat-related deaths are projected to increase significantly, mostly in southern regions, while cold-related deaths are expected to decline slightly.
Hydropower generation projected to rise, but climate change brings uncertain future
Climate change is projected to increase hydropower generation in the US, with a 5% rise in near-term production and 10% increase in midterm. However, seasonal changes and regional variations may lead to significant decreases in some areas, such as the Southwest.
Study finds highest prediction of sea-level rise unlikely
A new study led by Dartmouth researchers questions the rapid polar ice collapse model used in the IPCC's sixth assessment report. The team found that the expected rate of retreat is significantly lower than predicted, making the worst-case scenario less likely, but still dire due to ongoing ice loss from Greenland and Antarctica.
The underrated impact of humidity
A study from the University of Tokyo found that incorporating humidity data into heat stress indicators improves predictions of climate-related deaths. The researchers analyzed data from hundreds of cities and found that humid environments, such as coastal areas, are more accurate predictors of heat-related mortality.
How bread dough gave rise to civilization
A study by the Open Wild Wheat Consortium explains how Aegilops tauschii, a wild grass, contributed to the genetic diversity of bread wheat, enabling its rapid spread across different climates. This hybridization event allowed humans to settle down and form societies.
Hydrometeorology and location affect hospitalizations for waterborne infectious diseases in the US
A study published in PLOS Water found associations between weather, geographic location, and urban/rural settings with waterborne infectious disease hospitalizations. Hospitalization rates were higher for enteric and biofilm-forming bacterial pathogens in areas using groundwater, while precipitation increased parasitic infections.
Mature forests vital in frontline fight against climate change
Researchers found that mature trees increased wood production by an average of 9.8% under elevated CO2 levels, supporting their role as medium-term carbon stores and natural climate solutions. This increase was not accompanied by a corresponding rise in leaf or fine-root production.
"All of us urgently need to band together to pass a robust and just earth to future generations," says eminent environmental lawyer Edith Brown Weiss
Edith Brown Weiss advocates for a Planetary Trust to ensure a just and robust Earth system for present and future generations. She proposes six critical commitments for the UN Summit of the Future, including integrating the future into decision-making and practices.
Weather 'whiplash' in Antarctica may help predict effects of future climate change
A March 2022 weather event in Antarctica caused record-high death rates for invertebrate organisms. The event, which resulted in a massive thaw, was studied to understand its impact on the ecosystem and predict future responses to climate change.