Category: Climate & Environment

  • Using Salinity to Trace Seasonal Ocean Changes

    The U.S. Northeast continental shelf’s “cold pool,” an essential habitat for diverse marine life, faces increasing seasonal changes due to shifting oceanic conditions. In a significant breakthrough, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) have harnessed the power of salinity as a tracer to investigate these changes,…

  • Welthiest 10% Responsible for Two-Thirds of Global Warming Since 1990

    In a striking new study published in Nature Climate Change, researchers have quantified the climate impact of income inequality, revealing that the world’s wealthiest 10% are responsible for two-thirds of global warming since 1990. This development spotlights the disproportionately large carbon footprint of affluent individuals and their contributions to extreme climate events, such as heatwaves…

  • Cutting Emissions Could Save Thousands of Lives: New Study

    Researchers from the University of Leeds have unveiled a compelling study, revealing that up to 250,000 deaths from poor air quality could be prevented annually in central and western Europe by 2050 if greenhouse gas emissions are significantly curtailed. This research, published in the journal Earth’s Future, underscores the direct health benefits of rigorous climate…

  • Impact of Tropical Cyclones on Education: New Study

    New research led by Stanford University uncovers a significant yet often overlooked consequence of climate change: the disruption of educational opportunities in low- and middle-income countries following tropical cyclones. The findings, published April 29 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, demonstrate how these powerful storms impact school enrollment, particularly in areas unaccustomed…

  • Scientists Unveil New Insights Into Humid Heatwaves

    Scientists have taken a significant step toward enhancing warning systems for communities at risk from increasingly severe humid heatwaves. These extreme weather events, exacerbated by climate change, pose a severe threat to human health, particularly in the global tropics and subtropics. In a new study published in Nature Communications, researchers from the University of Leeds…

  • What’s Driving Americans to Embrace Solar Power?

    Financial savings are the primary motivator for U.S. adults considering solar power adoption, according to new research from The Ohio State University. The study, published in the journal Energy Research & Social Science, indicates that saving on utility bills and avoiding electricity rate hikes are key drivers behind the willingness to install rooftop solar panels…

  • New Coastal Management Model to Protect Against Sea Level Rise

    Coastal cities have long struggled to defend against the advancing threats of rising sea levels and climate change, often betting on costly infrastructure like seawalls. However, a new study by researchers from Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh offers a dynamic and adaptive strategy to coastal management that could revolutionize the way cities…

  • New Way to Make Prescribed Burns Safer and Cleaner

    Prescribed burns have long been a vital tool in forest management, but the smoke they generate poses significant health risks. Now, researchers at Stanford University have discovered a new way to make these burns cleaner and safer, significantly reducing harmful emissions. This advancement could lead to a notable decrease in respiratory issues and cancer risks…

  • Modifying Trees’ Internal Clock to Beat Climate Change

    Researchers led by Umeå University have made a groundbreaking discovery that could significantly enhance tree growth and adaptability in the face of climate change. By manipulating the circadian clocks of trees, the scientists found they could better synchronize tree growth with changing environmental conditions, opening up new frontiers for forestry. Trees, like humans, have circadian…

  • Colombia’s Peatlands Could Be Crucial in the Fight Against Climate Change

    Hidden among Colombia’s eastern lowlands lie vast swathes of peatlands, recently revealed through research led by Scott Winton, an assistant professor of environmental studies at UC Santa Cruz. This discovery, published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, highlights the immense potential of these ecosystems to fight climate change by storing significant amounts of carbon. Peatlands…