Arguments
Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
Posted on 25 April 2024 by Doug Bostrom, Marc Kodack
Open access notables
Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:
In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products hampers the detection of inland changes. In-situ measurements using stake surveys or GPS have lower uncertainties. To detect inland changes, we repeated in-situ measurements of ice-sheet surface velocities at 11 historical locations first measured in 1959, located upstream of Jakobshavn Isbræ, west Greenland. Here, we show ice velocities have increased by 5–15% across all deep inland sites. Several sites show a northward deflection of 3–4.5° in their flow azimuth. The recent appearance of a network of large transverse surface crevasses, bisecting historical overland traverse routes, may indicate a fundamental shift in local ice dynamics. We suggest that creep instability—a coincident warming and softening of near-bed ice layers—may explain recent acceleration and rotation, in the absence of an appreciable change in local driving stress.
Record-breaking fire weather in North America in 2021 was initiated by the Pacific northwest heat dome, Jain et al., Communications Earth & Environment:
The 2021 North American wildfire season was marked by record breaking fire-conducive weather and widespread synchronous burning, extreme fire behaviour, smoke and evacuations. Relative to 1979–2021, the greatest number of temperature and vapor pressure deficit records were broken in 2021, and in July alone, 3.2 million hectares burned in Canada and the United States. These events were catalyzed by an intense heat dome that formed in late June over western North America that synchronized fire danger, challenging fire suppression efforts. Based on analysis of persistent positive anomalies of geopotential heights, the heat dome accounted for 21–34% of the total area burned in 2021. The event was 59% longer, 34% larger and had 6% higher maximum amplitude than the same event would have been without a warming climate. Climate change will continue to magnify heat dome events, increase fire danger, and enable extreme synchronous wildfire in forested areas of North America.
Future Slower Reduction of Anthropogenic Aerosols Enhances Extratropical Ocean Surface Warming Trends, Gu et al., Geophysical Research Letters:
Global surface temperature short-term trends fluctuate between cooling and fast-warming under the combined action of external forcing and internal variability, significantly influencing the detectability of near-term climate change. A key driver of these variations is anthropogenic aerosols (AAs), which have undergone a non-monotonic evolution with rapid reduction in recent decades. However, their reduction is projected to decelerate under a high carbon emission scenario, yet the impact on surface temperature trends remains unknown. Here, using initial-perturbation large ensembles, we find that future slowdown in AA reduction over Europe and North America expedites the subpolar North Atlantic surface warming by intensifying the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation. Further, it accelerates the South Indian Ocean and Southern Ocean surface warming through positive low-cloud feedback and oceanic dynamical adjustment, triggered by the poleward migration of westerlies under interhemispheric energy constraint. These AA-driven warmings exacerbate greenhouse warming, significantly enhancing the detectability of local decadal warming trends.
Deglacial Pulse of Neutralized Carbon From the Pacific Seafloor: A Natural Analog for Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement?, Green et al., Geophysical Research Letters:
The ocean carbon reservoir controls atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) on millennial timescales. Radiocarbon (14C) anomalies in eastern North Pacific sediments suggest a significant release of geologic 14C-free carbon at the end of the last ice age but without evidence of ocean acidification. Using inverse carbon cycle modeling optimized with reconstructed atmospheric CO2 and 14C/C, we develop first-order constraints on geologic carbon and alkalinity release over the last 17.5 thousand years. We construct scenarios allowing the release of 850–2,400 Pg C, with a maximum release rate of 1.3 Pg C yr−1, all of which require an approximate equimolar alkalinity release. These neutralized carbon addition scenarios have minimal impacts on the simulated marine carbon cycle and atmospheric CO2, thereby demonstrating safe and effective ocean carbon storage. This deglacial phenomenon could serve as a natural analog to the successful implementation of gigaton-scale ocean alkalinity enhancement, a promising marine carbon dioxide removal method.
From this week's government/NGO section:
Climate Impact of Primary Plastic Production, Karali et al., Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory:
Plastics show the strongest production growth of all bulk materials over the last decade. The industry’s current growth trajectory is exponential and plastic production is expected to double or triple by 2050. The rapidly increasing production of plastics and the continued reliance on fossil fuels for production, have contributed to numerous environmental problems and health harms. As a result, plastic pollution has become an increasing threat to natural ecosystems, human health and climate. However, there is a lack of granularity on the contribution of the primary plastics specifically to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their impact on the remaining global carbon budget needed to stay below a 1.5°C or 2°C global average temperature rise. The authors explore the contribution of primary plastic production to climate change disaggregated by polymer and technology.
The Elephant in the Climate Room: Financing Sustainable Security and Supporting Future-Fit Systems, Cicarelli et al., The Center for Climate and Security:
The authors outline the key challenges facing policymakers ahead of this year's "Spring Meetings" of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, particularly in the context of food security challenges, global instability, and gaps in climate finance. The gap in climate finance has implications beyond sustainable development and humanitarian needs. Further, investments in climate adaptation and resilience are essential for addressing the security implications of climate change, helping reduce risks and vulnerabilities, and helping build more stable and secure societies.
129 articles in 64 journals by 682 contributing authors
Physical science of climate change, effects
Absorption of Solar Radiation by Noctilucent Clouds in a Changing Climate, Lübken et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023gl107334
Hydrologic cycle weakening in hothouse climates, Liu et al., Science Advances 10.1126/sciadv.ado2515
Intensified Impact of Spring Tibetan Plateau Snow Cover on Summer Compound Heat Waves in Western Europe after 1998, Dong et al., Journal of Climate 10.1175/jcli-d-23-0630.1
Role of Anomalous Ocean Warming on the Intensification of Pre-Monsoon Tropical Cyclones Over the Northern Bay of Bengal, Ray et al., Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans 10.1029/2023jc020527
The Role of Atmospheric Stabilities and Moisture Convergence in the Enhanced Dry Season Precipitation over Land from 1979 to 2021, Lan et al., Journal of Climate 10.1175/jcli-d-23-0287.1
Observations of climate change, effects
Decadal-Scale Variability in the Surface Flow of the Gulf of Maine Coastal Current: The Impact of Changing Climate Conditions on Coastal Circulation, Burkholder et al., Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans 10.1029/2023jc020512
Flow regime alteration in Arctic rivers due to dam operations and climate change, Patro et al., Global and Planetary Change Open Access 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2024.104442
Rapid Acceleration of Arctic Near-Surface Wind Speed in a Warming Climate, Liu et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access pdf 10.1029/2024gl109385
Record-breaking fire weather in North America in 2021 was initiated by the Pacific northwest heat dome, Jain et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access pdf 10.1038/s43247-024-01346-2
Weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation abyssal limb in the North Atlantic, Biló et al., Nature Geoscience 10.1038/s41561-024-01422-4
Instrumentation & observational methods of climate change, effects
Contributions From Cloud Morphological Changes to the Interannual Shortwave Cloud Feedback Based on MODIS and ISCCP Satellite Observations, Tan et al., Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023jd040540
Data Drought in the Humid Tropics: How to Overcome the Cloud Barrier in Greenhouse Gas Remote Sensing, Frankenberg et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access pdf 10.1029/2024gl108791
Modeling, simulation & projection of climate change, effects
Assessment of the Global Relationship of Different Types of Droughts in Model Simulations Under High Anthropogenic Emissions, Gimeno?Sotelo et al., Earth's Future Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023ef003629
Atlantic Warming Enhances the Influence of Atlantic Niño on ENSO, Wang et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023gl108013
Characteristic changes in compound drought and heatwave events under climate change, Wang et al., Atmospheric Research 10.1016/j.atmosres.2024.107440
Compound wind and rainfall extremes: Drivers and future changes over the UK and Ireland, Manning et al., Weather and Climate Extremes Open Access 10.1016/j.wace.2024.100673
Projected Global Temperature Changes After Net Zero Are Small But Significant, Borowiak et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access pdf 10.1029/2024gl108654
The Multi-Scale Response of the Eddy Kinetic Energy and Transport to Strengthened Westerlies in an Idealized Antarctic Circumpolar Current, Liu et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023gl106747
Thermal Response of Large Seasonally Ice-Covered Lakes Over Tibetan Plateau to Climate Change, Wu et al., Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 10.1029/2023jd039935
Timescale dependence of airborne fraction and underlying climate–carbon-cycle feedbacks for weak perturbations in CMIP5 models, Torres Mendonça et al., Biogeosciences Open Access 10.5194/bg-21-1923-2024
Advancement of climate & climate effects modeling, simulation & projection
An overview of cloud–radiation denial experiments for the Energy Exascale Earth System Model version 1, Harrop et al., Geoscientific Model Development Open Access 10.5194/gmd-17-3111-2024
Evaluation of metrics for assessing dipolar climate patterns in climate models, Veiga & Yuan, Climate Dynamics 10.1007/s00382-024-07220-3
Improving land surface feedbacks to the atmosphere in convection-permitting climate simulations for Europe, Halladay et al., Climate Dynamics Open Access pdf 10.1007/s00382-024-07192-4
Projected changes in compound hot-dry events depend on the dry indicator considered, Hosseinzadehtalaei et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access pdf 10.1038/s43247-024-01352-4
The computational and energy cost of simulation and storage for climate science: lessons from CMIP6, Acosta et al., Geoscientific Model Development Open Access 10.5194/gmd-17-3081-2024
Towards the definition of a solar forcing dataset for CMIP7, Funke et al., Geoscientific Model Development Open Access pdf 10.5194/gmd-17-1217-2024
Cryosphere & climate change
Contribution of climatic variables and their interactions to reference evapotranspiration changes considering freeze-thaw cycles in the Tibetan Plateau during 1960–2022, Chang et al., Atmospheric Research 10.1016/j.atmosres.2024.107425
Geometric amplification and suppression of ice-shelf basal melt in West Antarctica, De Rydt & Naughten Naughten Naughten Naughten, Open Access pdf 10.5194/egusphere-2023-1587
Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access pdf 10.1038/s43247-024-01322-w
Permafrost degradation of peatlands in northern Sweden, Valman et al., Open Access pdf 10.5194/tc-2023-138
Sea level & climate change
Sustained increase in suspended sediments near global river deltas over the past two decades, Hou et al., Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-024-47598-6
The dominant modes of recent sea level variability from 1993 to 2020 in the China Seas, Feng et al., Global and Planetary Change 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2024.104451
Paleoclimate & paleogeochemistry
Deglacial Carbon Escape From the Northern Rim of the Southern Ocean, Umling et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023gl106413
Ocean cavity regime shift reversed West Antarctic grounding line retreat in the late Holocene, Lowry et al., Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-024-47369-3
Biology & climate change, related geochemistry
Climatic stability predicts the congruence between species abundance and genetic diversity, Formoso?Freire et al., Ecography Open Access pdf 10.1111/ecog.07200
Consequence of habitat specificity: a rising risk of habitat loss for endemic and sub-endemic woody species under climate change in the Hyrcanian ecoregion, S?kiewicz et al., Regional Environmental Change Open Access pdf 10.1007/s10113-024-02222-7
Contrasting responses of forest phenological guilds to complex floodplain change, Holeštová et al., Journal of Ecology Open Access pdf 10.1111/1365-2745.14310
Corals survive severe bleaching event in refuges related to taxa, colony size, and water depth, Winslow et al., Scientific Reports Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41598-024-58980-1
Declined benefit of earlier spring greening on summer growth in northern ecosystems under future scenarios, Huang et al., Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 10.1016/j.agrformet.2024.110019
Declined terrestrial ecosystem resilience, Yao et al., Global Change Biology 10.1111/gcb.17291
Elevation modulates the impacts of climate change on the Brazilian Cerrado flora, Silva et al., Diversity and Distributions Open Access pdf 10.1111/ddi.13832
Functional diversity enhances dryland forest productivity under long-term climate change, Hisano et al., Science Advances 10.1126/sciadv.adn4152
Hot and scared: how do heatwaves and predation risk impact resource acquisition and allocation?, Stahlschmidt et al., Biology Letters Open Access 10.1098/rsbl.2024.0009
Impact of aridity rise and arid lands expansion on carbon-storing capacity, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem services, Tariq et al., Global Change Biology 10.1111/gcb.17292
Kelp holdfast microclimates buffer invertebrate inhabitants from extreme temperatures, Perry et al., Marine Environmental Research Open Access 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106523
Mechanisms, detection and impacts of species redistributions under climate change, Lawlor et al., Nature Reviews Earth & Environment 10.1038/s43017-024-00527-z
Modeling the impacts of hot drought on forests in Texas, Lawal et al., Frontiers in Forests and Global Change Open Access pdf 10.3389/ffgc.2024.1280254
Multi-trait diversification in marine diatoms in constant and warmed environments, Hinners et al., Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences Open Access 10.1098/rspb.2023.2564
Reliability of presence-only data for assessing plant community responses to climate warming, Camila Pacheco?Riaño et al., Ecography Open Access pdf 10.1111/ecog.07213
Responses of marine trophic levels to the combined effects of ocean acidification and warming, Hu et al., Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-024-47563-3
Speed of environmental change frames relative ecological risk in climate change and climate intervention scenarios, Hueholt et al., Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-024-47656-z
The greening of vegetation on the Loess Plateau has resulted in a northward shift of the vegetation greenness line, Song et al., Global and Planetary Change 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2024.104440
Unravelling the impact of climate change on honey bees: An ensemble modelling approach to predict shifts in habitat suitability in Queensland, Australia, Tennakoon et al., Ecology and Evolution Open Access pdf 10.1002/ece3.11300
Wetting-warming climate increases ecosystem carbon use efficiency of Chinese arid and semi-arid ecosystem, Sun et al., Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 10.1016/j.agrformet.2024.110018
‘How to adapt forests?’—Exploring the role of leaf trait diversity for long-term forest biomass under new climate normals, Billing et al., Global Change Biology Open Access pdf 10.1111/gcb.17258
GHG sources & sinks, flux, related geochemistry
A bottom-up emission estimate for the 2022 Nord Stream gas leak: derivation, simulations, and evaluation, Kouznetsov et al., Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Open Access pdf 10.5194/acp-24-4675-2024
An Assessment of CO2 Storage and Sea-Air Fluxes for the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea Between 1985 and 2018, Pérez et al., Global Biogeochemical Cycles Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023gb007862
CO anthropogenic emissions in Europe from 2011 to 2021: insights from Measurement of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) satellite data, Fortems-Cheiney et al., Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Open Access pdf 10.5194/acp-24-4635-2024
Global Analysis of Surface Ocean CO2 Fugacity and Air-Sea Fluxes With Low Latency, Chau et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023gl106670
Methane pumping by rapidly refreezing lead ice in the ice-covered Arctic Ocean, Damm et al., Frontiers in Earth Science Open Access pdf 10.3389/feart.2024.1338246
Predicting Future Trends of Terrestrial Dissolved Organic Carbon Transport to Global River Systems, Nakhavali et al., Earth's Future Open Access 10.1029/2023ef004137
Seep carbonate clumped isotopes revealing ocean warming-induced gas hydrate dissociation, Liu et al., Global and Planetary Change 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2024.104439
Spatial and temporal variations of gross primary production simulated by land surface model BCC&AVIM2.0, Li et al., Advances in Climate Change Research Open Access 10.1016/j.accre.2023.02.001
Tectonics regulate CO2 release more strongly than chemical weathering in central Italy, , Nature Geoscience 10.1038/s41561-024-01397-2
Wildfire impacts on the carbon budget of a managed Nordic boreal forest, Kelly et al., Agricultural and Forest Meteorology Open Access 10.1016/j.agrformet.2024.110016
CO2 capture, sequestration science & engineering
Public perceptions on carbon removal from focus groups in 22 countries, Low et al., Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-024-47853-w
Research progress of hydrogen production and CO2 fixation in molten slag cooling process, Zhou et al., Carbon Neutralization Open Access pdf 10.1002/cnl2.129
Decarbonization
Artificial intelligence-aided wind plant optimization for nationwide evaluation of land use and economic benefits of wake steering, Harrison-Atlas et al., Nature Energy 10.1038/s41560-024-01516-8
Climate change will impact the value and optimal adoption of residential rooftop solar, Shi et al., Nature Climate Change 10.1038/s41558-024-01978-4
Current progress on lignocellulosic bioethanol including a technological and economical perspective, Ceaser et al., Environment, Development and Sustainability Open Access pdf 10.1007/s10668-024-04792-2
Metallurgical slag used for efficient growth of Chlorella pyrenoidosa to achieve CO2 conversion to biodiesel, Guo et al., Carbon Neutralization Open Access pdf 10.1002/cnl2.122
Potential for small and micro modular reactors to electrify developing regions, L’Her et al., Nature Energy 10.1038/s41560-024-01512-y
Technical feasibility and financial assessment of autonomous hydrogen refuelling stations fully supplied by mixed renewable energy systems for twenty selected sites located in France, Oueslati & Toumi, Environment, Development and Sustainability 10.1007/s10668-024-04872-3
Geoengineering climate
Deglacial Pulse of Neutralized Carbon From the Pacific Seafloor: A Natural Analog for Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement?, Green et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access pdf 10.1029/2024gl108271
Evidence of strong aerosol cooling implies great efficacy of marine cloud brightening, , Nature Geoscience 10.1038/s41561-024-01428-y
The Potential of Stratospheric Aerosol Injection to Reduce the Climatic Risks of Explosive Volcanic Eruptions, Quaglia et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023gl107702
Aerosols
Future Slower Reduction of Anthropogenic Aerosols Enhances Extratropical Ocean Surface Warming Trends, Gu et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access pdf 10.1029/2023gl107772
Climate change communications & cognition
An Experimental Study of Climate Change Messages: Who and How Many to Feature?, Raja & Carrico , Environmental Communication Open Access pdf 10.1080/17524032.2024.2340654
Communicating climate change as a generational issue: experimental effects on youth worry, motivation and belief in collective action, Timmons et al., Climate Policy Open Access pdf 10.1080/14693062.2024.2341080
Communicating Climate Change in the Era of Anxiety: Testing a Double-Moderated-Mediation Model, Kim, Environmental Communication 10.1080/17524032.2024.2330004
FutureCoast: A Playful Way to Assess Public Perceptions for Better Climate Change Communication, Orlove et al., Environmental Communication Open Access pdf 10.1080/17524032.2024.2341926
The role and effectiveness of climate commissions in engaging the public on climate change in the UK, Eyers & Howarth , Environmental Science & Policy Open Access 10.1016/j.envsci.2024.103760
“This community will grow” — little concern for future wildfires in a dry and increasingly hotter Swedish rural community, Eriksson et al., Regional Environmental Change Open Access pdf 10.1007/s10113-024-02227-2
Agronomy, animal husbundry, food production & climate change
A variety-specific analysis of climate change effects on California winegrapes, Parker et al., International Journal of Biometeorology Open Access pdf 10.1007/s00484-024-02684-8
Benefits of air quality for human health resulting from climate change mitigation through dietary change and food loss prevention policy, Jansakoo et al., Sustainability Science Open Access pdf 10.1007/s11625-024-01490-w
Carbon footprint of synthetic nitrogen under staple crops: A first cradle-to-grave analysis, Abdo et al., Global Change Biology Open Access 10.1111/gcb.17277
Climate-smart agriculture, enhanced agroproduction, and carbon sequestration potential of agroecosystems in India: a meta-analysis, Tyagi & Haritash, Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences 10.1007/s13412-024-00917-1
Evaluating behavioral responses to climate change in terms of coping and adaptation: An index approach, Fischer & Denny, Global Environmental Change 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2024.102837
Long-term straw return to a wheat-maize system results in topsoil organic C saturation and increased yields while no stimulating or reducing yield-scaled N2O and NO emissions, Yao et al., Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 10.1016/j.agrformet.2024.109937
Rethinking the social license to operate? A theoretical exploration of its synergies with social acceptance and energy justice for a just transition, Minadakis & Vega-Araújo, Energy Research & Social Science 10.1016/j.erss.2024.103552
Spatiotemporal variation of the carbon footprint of tobacco production from 2004 to 2017 in China, Zheng et al., Frontiers in Environmental Science Open Access pdf 10.3389/fenvs.2024.1331530
The effect of carbon farming training on food security and development resilience in Northern Ghana, Okyere et al., Climate and Development 10.1080/17565529.2024.2342682
Understanding herder’s perception and adaptation to climate change: an integrated framework, Cai et al., Environment, Development and Sustainability 10.1007/s10668-024-04907-9
Hydrology, hydrometeorology & climate change
Assessing Regional-Scale Heterogeneity in Blue–Green Water Availability under the 1.5°C Global Warming Scenario, Tyagi et al., Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology 10.1175/jamc-d-23-0083.1
Dynamic pathway linking Pakistan flooding to East Asian heatwaves, Fu et al., Science Advances 10.1126/sciadv.adk9250
Flow regime alteration in Arctic rivers due to dam operations and climate change, Patro et al., Global and Planetary Change Open Access 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2024.104442
Quantifying future changes of flood hazards within the Broadland catchment in the UK, Gudde et al., Natural Hazards Open Access pdf 10.1007/s11069-024-06590-5
Spatiotemporal variability of future water sustainability using reliability resilience vulnerability framework, Hammad & Chung, Theoretical and Applied Climatology 10.1007/s00704-024-04949-z
Climate change economics
The relationship between CO2 emissions and macroeconomics indicators in low and high-income countries: using artificial intelligence, Abd El-Aal, Environment, Development and Sustainability Open Access pdf 10.1007/s10668-024-04880-3
“Who emits for whom”: did the digital trade networks increase carbon emissions transfers?, Wang et al., Environment, Development and Sustainability 10.1007/s10668-024-04904-y
Climate change mitigation public policy research
A just transition or just a transition? The understanding and relevance of fairness in planning for a decarbonised transport system, Wallerstein, Social Forces Open Access 10.2307/2576224
A relational approach to characterizing householder perceptions of disruption in heat transitions, Thomas et al., Nature Energy Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41560-024-01506-w
Citizen-led decentralised energy futures: Emerging rationales of energy system organisation, Wieczorek et al., Energy Research & Social Science 10.1016/j.erss.2024.103557
Energy and environment: How could energy-consuming transition promote the synergy of pollution reduction and carbon emission reduction in China?, Han et al., Urban Climate 10.1016/j.uclim.2024.101931
Green energy revolution: A unique approach for energy forecasting and optimization towards sustainable energy planning and social development, Dsilva Winfred Rufuss et al., Environment, Development and Sustainability 10.1007/s10668-024-04826-9
Industrial policy, populism and the political economy of climate action, Driesen et al., Nature Climate Change 10.1038/s41558-024-01995-3
Is Green Transition in Europe Fostered by Energy and Environmental Efficiency Feedback Loops? The Role of Eco-Innovation, Renewable Energy and Green Taxation, Chatzistamoulou & Koundouri, Environmental and Resource Economics Open Access pdf 10.1007/s10640-024-00849-y
Limited overlap between behavioral tasks, pro-environmental propensity, and carbon footprint, Bosshard et al., Journal of Environmental Psychology Open Access 10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102297
Modeling residential photovoltaic adoption: A system dynamics approach for solar energy expansion, Chayjan et al., Energy Policy 10.1016/j.enpol.2024.114133
Modeling V2G spot market trading: The impact of charging tariffs on economic viability, Signer et al., Energy Policy Open Access 10.1016/j.enpol.2024.114109
Navigating Russia's war and energy transition: Poland's coal challenge, ?ernoch et al., Energy Research & Social Science 10.1016/j.erss.2024.103548
Political ‘Colour’ and Firm Behaviour: Evidence from U.S. Power Plants’ Pollution Abatement, Di Maria et al., Environmental and Resource Economics Open Access pdf 10.1007/s10640-024-00859-w
Profiling national institutional archetypes for climate change technology implementation: application in small islands and least developed countries, Shah, Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change Open Access pdf 10.1007/s11027-024-10134-4
The Influence of Disclosing Product Lifecycle Carbon Footprint Information on Consumer Purchase Intentions Based on the APE Model Perspective: An ERP and Questionnaire Study, Lv et al., Journal of Environmental Psychology 10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102307
The substantial impacts of carbon capture and storage technology policies on climate change mitigation pathways in China, Fan et al., Global Environmental Change 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2024.102847
Climate change adaptation & adaptation public policy research
Challenges for climate change adaptation in Latin America and the Caribbean region, Cavazos et al., Frontiers in Climate Open Access pdf 10.3389/fclim.2024.1392033
Developing countries can adapt to climate change effectively using nature-based solutions, Villamayor-Tomas et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access pdf 10.1038/s43247-024-01356-0
Exploring heat risk adaptation governance: A case study of the UK, Ravishankar & Howarth, Environmental Science & Policy Open Access 10.1016/j.envsci.2024.103761
Integration of climate change mitigation and adaptation in Blue Economy planning in Africa, March et al., Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 10.1007/s11027-024-10133-5
Is climate migration successful adaptation or maladaptation? A holistic assessment of outcomes in Kenya, Tubi & Israeli Adger, Climate Risk Management Open Access 10.1016/j.crm.2024.100614
Climate change impacts on human health
Impact of climate and land use/land cover changes on malaria incidence in the Ecuadorian Amazon, Araujo Navas et al., PLOS Climate Open Access pdf 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000315
Mapping urban heatwaves and islands: the reverse effect of Salento’s “white cities”, De Razza et al., Frontiers in Earth Science Open Access pdf 10.3389/feart.2024.1375827
Climate change & geopolitics
Transparency is what states make of it: whose climate priorities are reflected in the Paris Agreement’s enhanced transparency framework?, van Deursen & Gupta, Climate Policy Open Access pdf 10.1080/14693062.2024.2341945
Other
Constitutionalizing the fight against climate change. Insights from France, Cepparulo & Giuriato, Environmental Science & Policy 10.1016/j.envsci.2024.103756
Diversity in global environmental scenario sets, Carlsen et al., Global Environmental Change Open Access 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2024.102839
Informed opinion, nudges & major initiatives
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is ‘transforming’ because of repeated coral bleaching, Nogrady, Nature 10.1038/d41586-024-01151-z
From the question how to act in a sustainable manner, back to the question why we act unsustainably, Yttredal et al., Ambio Open Access pdf 10.1007/s13280-024-02024-5
Human influence can explain the widespread exceptional warmth in 2023, Min, Communications Earth & Environment Open Access pdf 10.1038/s43247-024-01391-x
Using the Red List of Ecosystems and the Nature-based Solutions Global Standard as an integrated process for climate change adaptation in the Andean high mountains, Vasseur & Andrade, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences Open Access pdf 10.1098/rstb.2022.0326
Book reviews
A Strategic Nature: Public Relations and the Politics of American Environmentalism, Kinol, Environmental Politics Open Access pdf 10.1080/09644016.2024.2343623
Articles/Reports from Agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations Addressing Aspects of Climate Change
Sustainable Computing for a Sustainable Planet, David Osimo and Senan Khawaja, Lisbon Council
The authors say there is an increase in energy consumption for training large language models but not on their deployment. At the same time, advances in accelerated computing have moderated the overall growth in energy consumption relative to computational performance. The adoption of AI is shown to bring energy efficiency benefits to the economy. While data centers could potentially account for 4% of global energy consumption in 2030, AI is expected to reduce the remaining 96% of energy consumption and accelerate scientific discovery. Recent assessments within the European Union show challenges in science and innovation performance improvement compared to major trading partners, with China leading in volume of scientific publications and the US excelling in quality and impact. AI adoption by scientists is essential to maintaining European scientific leadership.
Merced River Watershed Flood-MAR Reconnaissance Study, Singh et al., Statewide Infrastructure Investigations Branch, Califonria Department of Water Resources
To better understand climate vulnerabilities and how to address them, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted a three-year Merced study in partnership with Merced Irrigation District (MID) as a proof of concept to explore the effectiveness of Flood-MAR (Managed Aquiver Recharge) to concurrently reduce flood risk, improve water supply, and enhance ecosystems in the Merced River watershed, a tributary to the San Joaquin River. The Merced study is an exploratory watershed-scale analysis to develop and test analytical methods and models, assess climate change vulnerability, and evaluate adaptation strategies meeting multiple benefits that achieve these shared objectives; assess watershed vulnerability to climate change for flood protection, water supply, and ecosystems; develop Flood-MAR strategies reflecting a range of operational complexity and infrastructure improvements; quantitatively evaluate the performance of Flood-MAR strategies in providing multi-sector benefits and climate resilience.
The Elephant in the Climate Room: Financing Sustainable Security and Supporting Future-Fit Systems, Cicarelli et al., The Center for Climate and Security
The authors outline the key challenges facing policymakers ahead of this year's "Spring Meetings" of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, particularly in the context of food security challenges, global instability, and gaps in climate finance. The gap in climate finance has implications beyond sustainable development and humanitarian needs. Further, investments in climate adaptation and resilience are essential for addressing the security implications of climate change, helping reduce risks and vulnerabilities, and helping build more stable and secure societies.
CBS News Poll – April 16-19, 2024, Adults in the U.S, CBS News and YouGov
Record heat, hurricanes, and wildfires all have been making news in recent years. While not everyone agrees events like these are the direct result of climate change, they do connect to peoples' opinions about it: a big majority of Americans feel the U.S. needs to address climate change, with those who report experiencing extreme weather more likely to say we should do so right now. Views on climate change have long been associated with partisanship, and they still are, but age is a factor, too. Younger Americans, including younger Republicans, are even more likely to say the U.S. needs to take steps to at least try to slow it. There's a sense of urgency from many in the public\, too. A large majority think it needs to be addressed at least in the next few years, including half who think it needs to be addressed right now. There is the sense that we should address climate change, and there's also some belief that we can. That extends down to the personal level, too. Most Americans believe humans can do something to at least slow the effects of climate change, and those who think so feel they have a responsibility to do something about it.
Climate Impact of Primary Plastic Production, Karali et al., Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Plastics show the strongest production growth of all bulk materials over the last decade. The industry’s current growth trajectory is exponential and plastic production is expected to double or triple by 2050. The rapidly increasing production of plastics and the continued reliance on fossil fuels for production, have contributed to numerous environmental problems and health harms. As a result, plastic pollution has become an increasing threat to natural ecosystems, human health and climate. However, there is a lack of granularity on the contribution of the primary plastics specifically to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their impact on the remaining global carbon budget needed to stay below a 1.5°C or 2°C global average temperature rise. The authors explore the contribution of primary plastic production to climate change disaggregated by polymer and technology.
European State of the Climate, Copernicus Climate Change Service, Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organization
While focusing on a comprehensive overview of climate conditions in Europe, the authors also look at conditions for the Arctic and provide an overview of the global context. They provide a detailed analysis, with descriptions of climate conditions, key events, and their impacts, and explore the associated variations in key climate variables from across the Earth system. For 2023, a discussion of climate policy and action with a focus on human health is also included.
Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate, Scott et al., International Labour Office,
Climate change is already having serious impacts on the safety and health of workers in all regions of the world. Workers are among those most exposed to climate change hazards yet frequently have no choice but to continue working, even if conditions are dangerous. Global occupational safety and health (OSH) protections have struggled to keep up with the evolving risks of climate change, resulting in worker mortality and morbidity. Billions of workers are exposed to hazards exacerbated by climate change. Workers across different sectors are exposed to these hazards but some workers, such as agricultural workers and other outdoor workers carrying out heavy labor in hot climates, may be particularly at risk. Strong evidence demonstrates that numerous health conditions in workers have been linked to climate change, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, kidney dysfunction, and mental health conditions, among many others. Every year, an estimated 22.85 million occupational injuries, 18,970 deaths, and 2.09 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are attributable to excessive heat alone. Thousands more die from pesticide poisoning (>300,000), workplace air pollution (>860,000), solar UV radiation (>18,960 due to non-melanoma skin cancer alone), and parasitic and vector-borne diseases (>15,170). Many countries have implemented new laws to specifically address excessive heat in the working environment. These primarily include maximum temperature limits and guidelines for adaptive measures at the workplace level. For other climate change impacts, protections for workers are mainly integrated into existing OSH or environmental regulations.
Climate Priorities in the Middle East and North Africa: Examining Nationally Defined Contributions, Targets, and Gaps in Wealthy Versus Middle-Income States, Taylor Luck, Wilson Center
The author examines climate strategies and actions in Middle East/North Africa states by evaluating gaps and challenges and provides recommendations for policymakers, partners, and the international community to bolster adaptation, mitigation, and resilience efforts in a fragile region on the frontlines of climate change.
State of the Climate in Asia 2023, Op et al., World Meteorological Organization
The authors provide the status of key climate indicators and the latest data and information on impacts, risks, and policy from United Nations agencies. They address specific physical science, socio-economic, and policy aspects that are relevant to Asia and respond to individual country's needs in the fields of climate monitoring, climate change, and climate services.
California's Nature Based Climate Solutions, State of Califronia, State of California
California has proposed comprehensive and science-driven nature-based solutions (NBS) climate targets. These solutions harness the power of nature to remove and store carbon from the atmosphere, buffer climate impacts, and build California’s resilience to future climate driven extremes.
Legal Issues in Oceanic Transport of Carbon Dioxide for Sequestration, Ariota et al., Sabin Center for Climate Change Law
The report, which is the first to comprehensively study international transport of carbon dioxide, makes several original contributions. First, it highlights the current legal uncertainties involving the cross-border shipping of carbon dioxide for sequestration. Second, it illustrates how market-based mechanisms under the Paris Climate Agreement do and do not relate to carbon dioxide shipping and sequestration, and the need for clarification. Third, the report provides a detailed analysis of the domestic U.S. laws applicable to the cross-border shipping and sequestration of carbon dioxide, and analyzes the legal consequences of the construction of a pier (or jetty) to enable the receipt of carbon dioxide shipped from overseas. Finally, liability regimes studied go beyond maritime conventions to include contractual liability and U.S. admiralty and maritime jurisdiction.
Obtaining articles without journal subscriptions
We know it's frustrating that many articles we cite here are not free to read. One-off paid access fees are generally astronomically priced, suitable for such as "On a Heuristic Point of View Concerning the Production and Transformation of Light" but not as a gamble on unknowns. With a median world income of US$ 9,373, for most of us US$ 42 is significant money to wager on an article's relevance and importance.
- Here's an excellent collection of tips and techniques for obtaining articles, legally.
- Unpaywall offers a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox that automatically indicates when an article is freely accessible and provides immediate access without further trouble. Unpaywall is also unscammy, works well, is itself offered free to use. The organizers (a legitimate nonprofit) report about a 50% success rate
- The weekly New Research catch is checked against the Unpaywall database with accessible items being flagged. Especially for just-published articles this mechansim may fail. If you're interested in an article title and it is not listed here as "open access," be sure to check the link anyway.
How is New Research assembled?
Most articles appearing here are found via RSS feeds from journal publishers, filtered by search terms to produce raw output for assessment of relevance.
Relevant articles are then queried against the Unpaywall database, to identify open access articles and expose useful metadata for articles appearing in the database.
The objective of New Research isn't to cast a tinge on scientific results, to color readers' impressions. Hence candidate articles are assessed via two metrics only:
- Was an article deemed of sufficient merit by a team of journal editors and peer reviewers? The fact of journal RSS output assigns a "yes" to this automatically.
- Is an article relevant to the topic of anthropogenic climate change? Due to filter overlap with other publication topics of inquiry, of a typical week's 550 or so input articles about 1/4 of RSS output makes the cut.
A few journals offer public access to "preprint" versions of articles for which the review process is not yet complete. For some key journals this all the mention we'll see in RSS feeds, so we include such items in New Research. These are flagged as "preprint."
The section "Informed opinion, nudges & major initiatives" includes some items that are not scientific research per se but fall instead into the category of "perspectives," observations of implications of research findings, areas needing attention, etc.
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Journals covered
A list of journals we cover may be found here. We welcome pointers to omissions, new journals etc.
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