Research on measuring and modeling the climate. Covers climate extremes, carbon sequestration, monitoring methods, and urban heat exposure.
Researchers found that sea ice's cooling power decreased by about twice as much as the decrease in annual average sea ice area since 1980. The Arctic has seen the largest declines in sea ice cooling power, while the Antarctic's cooling power has also weakened since 2016.
A new study reveals that global forests have consistently absorbed carbon dioxide for the past three decades, with tropical forests experiencing a decline in their ability to absorb carbon due to deforestation. However, temperate forests have shown an increase in their carbon sink capacity, largely due to extensive reforestation efforts.
The University of Maryland has been awarded a five-year, $388 million cooperative funding agreement with NOAA to conduct collaborative research in Earth system science. The Cooperative Institute for Satellite Earth System Studies (CISESS) will continue its national leadership in this field.
A new tracking technology that adheres to a polar bear's fur has shown promise in studying the behavior and movements of subadult and adult male bears. The technology, known as Burr on Fur, allows researchers to track these groups without the need for satellite collars, providing valuable insights into their habits.
Research shows that methane fluxes in the North Sea vary with tidal pressure, with emissions potentially three times higher or lower depending on the tide. This affects climate science's understanding of methane emission from the seafloor.
A recent study predicts that lakes worldwide will experience unprecedented surface and subsurface warming, leading to severe disruptions in ecosystems. Tropical lakes are expected to be the first to emerge from natural temperature bounds, while high-latitude lakes may shield their subsurface layers from surface warming.
Burning ammonia for maritime fuel could worsen air quality and lead to devastating public health impacts, even with cleaner engine technology and green production methods. The study suggests that stronger regulations could reduce premature deaths from 600,000 to 66,000 annually
New research from an international team of scientists found that Mozambican miombo woodlands store 1.5 to 2.2 times more carbon than previously estimated, with potential storage of 13.6 billion tonnes of equivalent carbon dioxide. This suggests a critical role for these ecosystems in climate change mitigation.
Researchers used Flora Incognita data to identify plant rhythms and ecological patterns year-round. The algorithm accounts for user observational tendencies, revealing synchronized responses among plants and ecological shifts with the seasons.
Public health researchers detail seven steps to regain public trust after the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the need for accountability, communication, and addressing climate change. The report highlights critical challenges such as politicization, data system updates, and workforce improvement.
A research team finds that local community members are indispensable partners in enhancing community engagement in repairing damaged ecosystems. Local values and attitudes play a crucial role in promoting sustainable ecosystem management practices.
A new study led by Okayama University investigates the influence of precipitation radiative effects (REP) on climate models. It found that REP affects global and regional hydrological cycles, altering atmospheric circulation and surface temperatures, particularly in polar regions.
Researchers have found that climate change is driving tree species towards colder and wetter regions across Europe and North America. The study analyzed data from over two million trees and found that no single trait of the tree species could explain these changes.
Researchers from Kyushu University found that early-onset El Niño leads to warm winters in East Asia due to anomalous warming of the tropical Indian Ocean. Late-onset El Niño, on the other hand, results in colder winters. This study aimed to improve climate modeling and prediction during El Niño events.
A global heat early warning system is now crucial to prevent heat-related deaths. The review highlights the need for planning in four key areas: data management, communication, infrastructure, and governance to ensure successful implementation.
A study by University of Zurich researchers identified critical shortcomings in current climate risk assessment methods, which often rely on simplified and proxy data. The new methodology provides a more accurate picture of climate risks, highlighting the need for granular data in risk assessments.
A new study by NUIST's team constructs a coupled background error covariance that considers the interaction between land and atmosphere variables. The results show strong correlations between surface temperature errors and atmospheric temperature, with varying relationships at different altitudes.
Researchers used stable oxygen isotope Delta-O-18 to analyze ITCZ changes over 30,000 years. The study identifies main components for ITCZ size, strength, and position influenced by Earth's axis inclination and orbit eccentricity.
Research from Duke University found that citizen science tools used in urban areas understate the problem of heat islands. The study suggests a statistical method to improve estimates of urban heat, highlighting the need for additional weather stations to better understand the issue.
Conservationists and researchers propose preserving just 1.22% of the Earth's surface to protect threatened species from extinction, safeguarding wildlife for future generations. Protecting these sites could cost around $34 billion per year, but represents less than 0.2% of US GDP.
A new model developed by researchers at the University of São Paulo combines physical parameters and machine learning to predict storm tides. The model uses physics-informed machine learning, which harmonizes physical models with measured data to produce more precise forecasts.
A new study found that neonicotinoid-treated seeds led to an 8% drop in butterfly species diversity, with the pesticide also affecting monarch butterfly populations. The research calls for publicly available data on pesticide use to understand the causes of butterfly decline.
Researchers observed extreme cold temperatures across a broad region of Antarctica in late winter 2023, with record low temperatures recorded at multiple locations. The study highlights the importance of understanding atmospheric environments that lead to extreme cold temperatures and their impact on Antarctic operations.
A new study analyzing seven million parliamentary speeches reveals that high temperatures lead to a significant reduction in politicians' language complexity. The researchers found that the impact of heat on cognitive abilities has real and immediate consequences for politicians.
Nitrous-oxide emissions have increased by 40% over the past four decades, resulting in accelerating atmospheric accumulation of this potent greenhouse gas. Agricultural production is the largest source of emissions, and improving practices can help reduce nitrous-oxide emissions and water pollution.
A study by NTU Singapore researchers found that fine particulate matter pollution was associated with approximately 135 million premature deaths globally between 1980 and 2020. The impact of pollution was worsened by climate variability phenomena, leading to a 14% rise in premature deaths.
Texas A&M University researchers have developed a 3D visualization technology to identify potential outcomes of hurricane flooding before it occurs. This allows for improved safety and reduced damage costs. The technology can also model specific buildings, accounting for basements, back entrances, and windows.
Human-induced global warming has risen to 1.19 °C over the past decade, with the remaining carbon budget estimated to be around 200 gigatonnes, down from 300-900 gigatonnes in 2020. The report highlights the need for rapid emission reductions and resilient societies to mitigate climate change.
Five global projects will advance understanding of ocean systems in a changing climate through improved data and modeling. The Ocean Biogeochemistry Virtual Institute will refine ocean carbon cycling and ecosystem resilience research.
A team of scientists has found a correlation between atmospheric blocking over Scandinavia and the Ural Mountains and extreme weather events in Svalbard. The study suggests that this phenomenon is driving Arctic warming and mass loss of ice.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have tracked the evolution of glaciers in East Antarctica using hundreds of old aerial photographs dating back to 1937. The study reveals that the ice has remained stable and grown slightly over almost a century, partly due to increasing snowfall.
A recent study predicts that three million people in Korea could face groundwater depletion by 2080 due to climate change and water overuse. The research analyzed surface and deep groundwater level data from 2009 to 2020, revealing critical spatiotemporal patterns in groundwater levels.
A new study uses satellite imagery in conjunction with phenological and behavioral models to accurately predict the number of breeding pairs and fledging chicks. The estimated counts were compared to a dataset collected over a 10-year period at a colony, highlighting the importance of long-term, systematic time series for understanding...
A new study by Virginia Tech researchers reveals that agricultural demand for water is significantly higher than cities, with crops used for feeding cattle being the largest consumers. The researchers also found that reservoir levels are dropping due to overuse and climate change, highlighting the need for efficient water use strategies.
A study published in Royal Society Open Science reveals that corals use multiple environmental inputs to synchronize their spawning timing. Water temperature is identified as the primary trigger for determining the annual window of opportunity, with rainfall and solar radiation also playing a role.
A recent study reveals a significant link between PM2.5 air pollution exposure during pregnancy and low birth weight in newborns worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for stricter air pollution controls. The study emphasizes the impact of air quality on prenatal development and draws attention to regional variations in health risks.
A literature review finds that globally, most people trust climate scientists, while a small minority's skepticism can hinder climate inaction. The review suggests that climate scientists can increase their credibility by advocating for action and reducing personal carbon footprints.
The new software enables accurate measurement of cloud properties from passive spectrometry, aerosol layers from lidar, and synergetic products from both instruments. This will improve knowledge of global radiative forcing and climate models.
A new BU study links sewage overflows to increased risk of acute gastrointestinal illnesses in downstream communities. Residents are at a 62% higher risk of developing AGI within four days after large-volume combined sewer overflows, regardless of drinking water source.
A new study found that daily temperature variation has a disproportionate impact on marginalized groups, particularly Black and brown communities, with greater swings in temperature on average. The researchers used satellite data to analyze temperature patterns across the US, finding that densely populated regions with limited green sp...
Research found that during severe droughts, agricultural reservoirs in Korea's southern region experienced increased total organic carbon concentrations. The study suggests that these reservoirs may shift from carbon storage to carbon sources, emitting carbon into the atmosphere. This finding highlights the need for integrated environm...
This review article highlights the integration of spectral data and phylogeographic patterns to study plant genetic variation. Remote sensing technology offers a powerful alternative for analyzing genetic variations across vast landscapes, providing insights into plant diversity and evolution.
A new study finds that the US Drought Monitor is not keeping pace with climate change, leading to frequent severe droughts being classified as rare. The consequences are dire, with some regions spending more time in extreme drought conditions than federal guidelines allow, potentially leaving them without adequate aid.
The Planetary Child Health & Enterics Observatory (Plan-EO) is developing an online tool to identify diarrheal disease transmission hotspots and accelerate treatment deployment. The dashboard will provide up-to-date epidemiological estimates and predictions, enabling public health communities to make informed decisions and save lives.
A recent study found that the sensitivity of freshwater fish to climate change varies depending on spatial extent, with some species appearing more or less sensitive than national indexes suggested. Researchers used open-source data from various sources to create an RCS index for 137 freshwater fish species in the US.
Researchers found that Pleistocene hunter-gatherers settled in Cyprus around 14,257 to 13,182 years ago, suggesting the island was attractive for early human habitation. The rapid expansion of the population coincided with increased temperature, precipitation, and environmental productivity.
Geographers found the 2023 summer was 2.07°C warmer than pre-industrial temperatures from 1850 to 1900, and 2.20°C warmer than temperatures since year 1 CE. This suggests global warming is more advanced than thought, requiring revised climate targets.
Research detects declines in bees and butterflies in western and southern North America due to environmental change and habitat loss. The study identifies regions of concern and highlights the need for conservation efforts and improved monitoring methods.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz found that 2023 was the hottest summer in the Northern Hemisphere in over two millennia, with temperatures 2.07C warmer than the coldest summer on record. The study uses tree ring data to show that global warming is having a profound impact, especially...
A recent study at the Beijing Observatory has homogenized daily temperature data for over a century, correcting biases and deriving more reliable conclusions about climate change. The study reveals a significant warming trend of 0.199℃ per decade, with winter showing the most pronounced increase.
Daily tracking of ice melt has been made possible with a new method developed by researchers at DTU using 61 national GPS stations in Greenland. The study provides significant advancement in monitoring ice mass loss and understanding the processes behind the ice melting.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine estimates that more than 150,000 people die annually from heatwaves worldwide, with the highest number of deaths in Asia and Europe. The research also reveals regional disparities in heatwave-related mortality, with areas having dry climates and lower-middle incomes experiencing the highest rates.
A team of researchers found that the current rate of atmospheric carbon dioxide increase is 10 times faster than at any other point in the past 50,000 years. The study provides new insight into abrupt climate change periods and potential impacts of climate change today.
The study reveals that coral reefs are suffering from widespread bleaching and deaths, with the highest temperatures recorded in 175 countries. The researchers found that heat transport from the tropics to the polar regions has accelerated, causing sea surface temperature increases and exacerbating global warming feedbacks.
Research by the University of East Anglia reveals that net zero plans show limited ambition in dealing with residual emissions, which are expected to come from hard-to-abate sectors such as aviation and agriculture. The study analyzed national climate strategies for 71 countries, finding that only 26 quantify residual emissions, with m...
Satellite-based inversion system shows consistent decline in China's NOx emissions from 2020-2022, largely due to stringent air pollution controls. The industrial and transportation sectors accounted for more than 70% of the total reduction.
A new study led by ORNL provides valuable insights into vegetation resilience in response to extreme heat events, informing pathways for climate mitigation. The analysis found that impervious surfaces, moisture conditions, and type of land cover affect vegetation resilience, with preservation and enhancement of vegetation contributing ...
Planting cover crops on bare soil before maize can significantly mitigate agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. According to a new study, this practice can equivalent to 13% of EU's agricultural emissions reduction
A study found that heavy snowfall and rain contribute to earthquake swarms in northern Japan by altering underground pressure. Climate conditions are linked to seismic activity, with the timing of intense precipitation events correlating with the start of quakes.
Deforestation rates accelerated in the region, with 32 municipalities and 1.7 million inhabitants under pressure. The study highlights concerns over land speculation and lack of environmental impact studies for the proposed 'Abunã-Madeira Sustainable Development Zone'.