Global Climate Change


Drought Stress Makes Forest Ecosystems Vulnerable

Researchers have found that increasing drought conditions have made plants operate at their top safety threshold, making forest ecosystems vulnerable to escalating environmental stress.

Drained Wetlands Produce Greenhouse Gases

According to new research from universities in Sweden, drained wetlands are capable of producing as much greenhouse gas emissions as Swedish industry.

APWA Collaborates on Consortium’s New White Paper

The American Public Works Association (APWA) will be teaming up with 20 national organizations in the new version of Homeland Security Consortium’s (NHSC) white paper, “Protecting Americans in the 21st Century: Priorities for 2012 and Beyond.”

Warming Temperatures Increase Stress on Public Lands

Researchers have discovered that climate change is creating additional stress on western rangelands, and as a result land owners should consider a reduction or elimination of livestock and other large animals from public lands.

Mine Waste Has Great CO2 Storage Potential

A mining engineer and geologist says it’s time to economically value the greenhouse gas-trapping potential of mine waste and start making money from it.

Plants and Soils Could Intensify Climate Change

Scientists from the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the University of California, Berkley have demonstrated that plants and soils could release large amounts of carbon dioxide as global climate warms.

Warmer Temperatures Cause Aquatic Animals to Shrink

According to a new study, warmer temperatures cause greater reduction in the sizes of adult aquatic animals than in land-dwelling species.

Carbon in Soil Plays a Role in Global Change

A research team has discovered that a source of carbon emissions could help scientists understand past and future global change.



Global Warming Hinders Species' Recovery After Mass Extinction

Researchers have discovered that global warming is the reason plants and animals had a hard time recovering from the largest mass extinction in Earth’s history 250 million years ago.

Mountain Meadows Dwindling in the Pacific Northwest

Some high mountain meadows in the Pacific Northwest are declining rapidly due to climate change as reduced snowpacks, longer growing seasons, and other factors allow trees to invade ecosystems that once were carpeted with grasses, shrubs and wildflowers.

Sea Level Rise in Washington, D.C. Could Have Significant Impact

In a study conducted by researchers from the University of Maryland, sea level rise in the nation’s capital could lead to billions of dollars in damages by 2043.

Ammonia Emissions Reduction Method Patented by USDA

The USDA has patented a process to capture and recycle ammonia from livestock waste, which could help farmers reduce harmful emissions and concentrate nitrogen into a liquid to sell as fertilizer.

Beetle Decline Increases Concern for Insect Ecosystems

A recent study shows that the populations of beetles are dwindling, and this could end up being just as problematic as the problems of bees and butterflies.

The Correlation Between Climate and Demographic Growth

According to McGill-trained ecologist, Jason Samson, climate is as important in shaping the distribution and movement of humans as it is in other animals.

Less Biodiversity Decreases Climate Change Resilience

A new study has found that the impact of climate change is likely to be worse if species are lost. High biodiversity increases the likelihood that some species will be sufficiently resilient to a changing environment.

Forest Fertilization May be Beneficial

Professors and researchers are studying how fertilization of forests can increase productivity and carbon sequestration as part of the Pine Integrated Network Education, Mitigation and Adaptation Project (PineMap).

Ice Melting in Antarctica: Better than We Thought

New data that more accurately measures the rate of ice melting in Antarctica demonstrates how the continent is dealing with global warming.

Global Warming Creates Change in Species Interactions

According to a recent study, climate change was found to typically lead to local extinctions and declines by influencing interactions between species, such as reducing prey populations for predators. Little evidence has been found to support declining or extinct species due to direct effects of higher temperatures.

Rising Acidity in Oceans Posts Threat to Shellfish and Humans

The acidity in the oceans is rising, which will ultimately threaten marine animals, the seafood industry, and the health of humans who consume the affected shellfish.

Ice-Capable NSF Research Vessel Launched

The R/V/ Sikuliaq is the U.S. academic fleet's first global class, ice-capable ship owned by the National Science Foundation. Its home port is the University of Alaska, Fairbanks’ Seward Marine Center in Seward, Alaska.