Articles tagged with Climate Policy
A new modeling tool called REBURN can simulate large forest landscapes and wildfire dynamics under different management strategies. The tool shows that setting prescribed burns and allowing smaller wildfires to burn can yield more varied and resilient forests over time.
A Stanford study reveals how the meat and dairy industry lobbies governments to resist competition from alternative animal products, such as plant-based and lab-grown meat alternatives. The research found that governments consistently devote more funding to traditional livestock systems than sustainable alternatives.
A new study links US household income to greenhouse gas emissions, revealing that the top 1% of households generate 40% of total emissions. This income-based carbon tax could incentivize decarbonization and provide revenue for climate finance, addressing emissions inequality.
A UK-Sri Lankan research network aimed to develop research capacities among senior academic staff members from both countries. The training network investigated differences, overlaps, and synergies between Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) research communities.
A new study suggests that controlling air pollution could reduce antibiotic resistance, which is responsible for 480,000 premature deaths annually. The analysis indicates a significant link between PM2.5 levels and antibiotic resistance globally.
Natural and social scientists must work together to address the climate crisis by understanding the complex interaction between environmental and social changes. The research highlights the importance of studying tipping points in both fields to inform climate change policies and practice.
A Stanford analysis of planned relocations worldwide shows that community engagement is key to successful outcomes, with slower-paced efforts yielding better results for small communities. The study also found that distance and horizontal movement made little difference for livelihood outcomes.
Research predicts increased frequency and intensity of extreme El Niño events due to high atmospheric carbon dioxide, even after CO2 reduction. Simulations suggest potential climate regime shifts in affected regions, with some areas experiencing desertification while others face increased flooding.
A study finds that carbon pricing policies will harm the elderly, particularly those on fixed incomes, by increasing the cost of heating and cooling. The authors propose targeted social protection schemes to buffer the impacts on the elderly as the world works to mitigate climate change.
A new study suggests capping the energy use of the top 20% of consumers could reduce carbon emissions by 11.4%. The strategy would allow those with lower incomes to increase their consumption levels, promoting fairness and delivering climate justice.
A new IIASA-led study addresses the challenge of adapting to climate change by proposing ways to better incorporate adaptive capacity into climate modeling tools. The researchers developed a data explorer to visualize global futures for indicators of adaptive capacity, enabling more precise risk estimates and reliable policy advice.
A new analysis suggests that carbon taxes focusing on luxury consumption can reduce global emissions by 75% and are fairer to low-income households. This policy can account for flexible, nonessential purchases in countries with high-income groups, who may be more equipped to lobby against such a policy.
The new policy paper emphasizes the importance of Indigenous knowledge and data in subnational decision-making for a sustainable green transition. It identifies key strategies to enhance inclusion, such as awareness-raising among policymakers, increasing Indigenous representation, and facilitating knowledge exchange.
The IMO's current climate targets are insufficient to address the industry's growing CO2 emissions, which now account for 3% of global emissions. The organization lacks the political instruments and resources needed to implement more ambitious goals.
Climate change is expected to increase the likelihood and frequency of volcanic eruptions, making planning and responding to crises more challenging. Volcanologists are warning that governments may need new strategies to predict and mitigate the effects of future eruptions.
A new study finds that bioenergy may not be a climate-neutral alternative to fossil fuels without effective pricing of CO2 emissions from land-use change, leading researchers to call for comprehensive carbon pricing schemes and international agreements to protect natural lands.
A new IIASA-led study investigated the potential of engineered Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies, such as Direct Air Capture of CO2 (DACCS), to help bridge the gap between current emissions reductions and ambitious climate goals. The study found that novel CDR can keep pre-Paris climate targets within reach when accounting for ...
A recent study led by Princeton University researchers found that China's industrial parks can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and freshwater consumption by transitioning to clean energy sources. The study estimates that this transition could lead to a reduction of 40% in energy supply emissions, equivalent to 7% of China...
The article discusses the growing challenge of food security in Africa, particularly with regards to rice production and consumption. The research reveals that socioeconomic developments have a more substantial influence on rice availability than gradual climate change, but climatic anomalies pose a significant threat to stability. Div...
A Cambridge expert argues that politicians' neglect of evidence hampers plans to tackle health and climate change in the UK. The expert suggests two changes could mitigate this issue: engaging citizens more in policy-making and increasing politician accountability through legally binding systems.
A new study predicts Arctic sea ice will vanish by the 2030s if greenhouse gas emissions continue unchecked. The research, published in Nature Communications, analyzes 41 years of data and confirms human activities as the primary cause of Arctic sea ice decline.
A new study from the University of Illinois shows that carbon mitigation payments can increase net returns and reduce income risk for farmers growing bioenergy crops. The researchers found that higher biomass prices and targeted carbon credits can make these crops more appealing to farmers, regardless of their risk preference.
Researchers emphasize the need for global governance that considers distant and local impacts of human decisions on ecosystems. The metacoupling framework helps understand these interactions and fosters sustainability science for a truly sustainable future.
Key indicators show human-induced warming reached 1.14°C above pre-industrial levels, with emissions at an all-time high. The analysis calls for policymakers and climate negotiators to access up-to-date scientific evidence to base decisions, as the remaining carbon budget is declining.
A new study by Imperial College London found that only 12% of global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions pledges have high confidence in full implementation. To avoid worst impacts of climate change, researchers recommend legally binding targets and long-term plans.
Human-induced warming has increased at an 'unprecedented rate' since the last major assessment, with greenhouse gas emissions reaching a record level. The remaining carbon budget has halved over three years, highlighting the urgent need for policymakers and climate experts to access up-to-date scientific evidence.
A national study in Canada found that snowmaking requires 17,000 homes' worth of annual energy and 43.4 million cubic meters of water to produce 42 million cubic meters of machine-made snow. Collaboration between ski operators, policymakers, and environmental organizations is needed to develop sustainable practices.
A survey of clinician-researchers found concerning rates of sexual harassment and negative perceptions of climate in academic medicine, with a significant impact on mental health. Minoritized groups were disproportionately affected, highlighting the need for ongoing efforts to transform culture.
A new Stanford-led study quantifies the value of Belize's coastal mangrove forests in terms of carbon storage, tourism, and fisheries benefits. The findings suggest that relatively small amounts of mangrove restoration can have big economic benefits, while also providing protection against coastal storms and other risks.
A new study from the University of Waterloo highlights four strategies to enhance equity and justice in climate action planning: modifying strategies, designing collaborative spaces, addressing gaps between words and actions, and considering underlying social processes. By prioritizing vulnerable populations and local actors, urban gov...
A survey of philosophers found broad agreement with economists on valuing the environment of the future in climate policy. The study suggests a long-term social discount rate of 2%, which is supported by UN climate targets and results in temperature changes of around 1.4◦C by the end of the century.
A recent study found that high temperatures are a significant factor in human migration, causing heat-related illnesses and death. The research also highlights the vulnerability of marginalized communities to temperature extremes.
New research shows that the Montreal Protocol is delaying the first ice-free Arctic summer by up to 15 years. The treaty's regulation of ozone-depleting substances has slowed global warming and preserved the ozone layer.
A new study suggests that limiting global warming to 1.5°C could save five times more people from dangerous heat than if warming reaches 2.7°C by 2100. Currently, over 60 million people already live outside the 'climate niche' where humans have thrived.
A Texas A&M team is studying the impact of cryptocurrency mining on the state's power grid, revealing a potential for demand flexibility during times of peak energy usage. The research suggests that when the grid is stressed due to heatwaves or other factors, cryptocurrency miners can shut down, providing a buffer against strain.
Current global methane emissions policies are inadequate, covering only 13% of emissions, and are often based on inaccurate data. Stronger social support and political consensus are needed for effective methane mitigation to slow down climate change and improve air quality.
Researchers investigated California's oil extraction impact on health and jobs, finding setbacks reduce emissions but lead to job losses. Policies like carbon taxes and excise taxes aim to curb production while minimizing economic harm.
A new study reveals that high-income countries made more progress than low-income ones in ocean conservation after the adoption of Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. Despite positive results on land, particularly in biodiversity hotspots, the ocean's sustainability progress slowed, causing further global inequality.
A new study highlights regions such as Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, and Central America, which are under-prepared for scorching temperatures. The research emphasizes the need for policy makers in hotspot regions to consider action plans to reduce heat-related deaths and harms.
A new study reveals that a Brazilian forest policy aimed at restoring natural vegetation has been less effective on private lands than in all conservation areas, resulting in the loss of 14.6 million hectares of agricultural land and 2.5 gigatonnes of carbon sequestration potential.
The increasing adoption of electric vehicles will significantly raise the global demand for battery-grade critical metals, leading to supply chain disruptions. By mid-century, the need for lithium could more than double, while nickel demand is expected to eclipse other critical metals.
A recent study found that conservatives are not easily persuaded by traditional pro-environmental messages, even when framed in terms of their own moral values. Instead, messages emphasizing loyalty, authority, or purity were equally effective in promoting pro-environmental behavior among conservatives.
A new study models current and future trends in heat-related mortality in the MENA region, predicting a significant increase in deaths under high-emissions scenarios. Limiting warming to 2°C may prevent over 80% of these predicted deaths, highlighting the urgent need for better adaptation policies and renewable technologies.
The new dataset provides a 'ranking' of countries contributing most to global warming, with CO2 emissions driving the most warming. Countries like Brazil and Indonesia are rising in their contribution, while industrialised nations see slight declines.
An international research team has developed a framework to evaluate government preparedness for ocean acidification, a pressing threat to marine ecosystems. The framework identifies six aspects of effective policy and specific indicators, enabling policymakers to assess their own preparedness and identify areas for improvement.
The Tibetan Plateau's land surface darkening due to global warming affects regional and remote climates in Asia. The study predicts a 6.9% loss in glacier volume and increased monsoon precipitation over South Asia by the end of the century.
A major conference will discuss the human cost of heritage loss due to climate change and explore how behavioural science can inform choices about what should be saved. International scholars and policy experts will examine how to measure the impact of Loss and Damage on coastal heritage.
A recent study by the University of Gothenburg found that public acceptance of fossil fuel subsidy removal could be improved in developing countries if the revenue is invested in social and economic development. The researchers analyzed attitudes towards removing subsidies on fossil fuels in five developing countries, including Ecuador...
A recent study found that the Amazon Rainforest in southwestern Brazil has experienced a significant increase in deforestation and burning, with 4,141 km² of forest destroyed between 2003 and 2019. The region's agricultural activities and infrastructure have contributed to this trend, posing a threat to conservation units and Indigenou...
A new study finds that tax interventions needed to combat climate change will need to be larger and more effective than previously thought. Improvements in energy efficiency technology are crucial, but technological adjustments take time.
Experts call for a legally-binding treaty to govern Earth's orbit, citing the growing threat of satellite debris. With an expected 60,000 satellites in orbit by 2030, scientists warn that large parts of space could become unusable if action is not taken immediately.
Researchers used drones to map large areas of Antarctica, capturing unprecedented high-resolution imagery of vegetation and biodiversity in protected areas. The vision identified areas with moss and lichen not previously picked up by satellite, providing valuable insights into the fragile ecosystem.
A novel deep learning-based forecasting model predicts uncertain parameters related to renewable energy sources, their energy demand, and market prices. The model demonstrates improved prediction accuracy and efficiency compared to existing methods.
A team of BU School of Public Health researchers will study the cumulative impacts of chemical hazards and climate change on 21 communities surrounding the Mystic River Watershed. They aim to identify solutions that protect vulnerable populations from both chemical and climate stressors.
New research suggests that rationing could help states reduce greenhouse gas emissions rapidly and fairly. By allocating resources based on needs, rather than market forces, policymakers can create a more equitable approach to climate change mitigation.
Researchers identified 27 amplifying feedbacks, 7 dampening feedbacks, and 7 uncertain feedbacks, including permafrost thawing, peatland drying, and forest dieback. The study calls for more ambitious emissions drawdown plans and nature-based solutions to address the climate crisis.
A study finds that governments could help millions of people and save a lot of money with targeted energy subsidies. The research quantifies the impacts of the energy crisis on households worldwide, revealing that indirect energy costs impose the biggest burden on both high- and low-income countries.
A new study by Jonas Peisker found that favorable economic contexts, such as high income levels and low inflation, foster environmental concern. Social cohesion also played a significant role in prioritizing environmental issues. Regions with greenhouse gas-intensive industries had lower environmental concerns among locals.
A new study suggests that current coal exit efforts are unlikely to succeed without stronger policies, including carbon pricing and phase-out of coal mining. China plays a critical role in achieving this goal, as it produces and consumes over half of global coal, and its swift action can help propel Paris-aligned momentum.
A new method assesses decision importance under uncertainty, suggesting that best decisions still pay off even when success is low. The study applies the method to a stylized greenhouse-gas emission problem, indicating that an early transition to a decarbonized society is rational despite low probability of success.