Clouds could be victim of climate change

A new study has cast light on the effect that climate change is likely to have on cloud formation, and the news isn't good. It appears that increasing global temperatures will reduce cloudiness, which will, in turn, lead to even more heating.Read on

Pacific islands may soon be starved of fresh water

Some Pacific islands near the equator may be starved of fresh water by the end of this century if a rain band that affects nearly a billion people in the tropics and subtropics continues to migrate north, according to research published in Nature Geoscience.Read on

Mystery of urban methane emissions

A research team has found that up to half of Los Angeles' total annual methane emissions are unaccounted for by known sources of methane in the area.
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Aerosols alter global warming less than previously thought

Tiny airborne pollution particles that can reflect the sun's rays are altering global warming less than previously thought, according to a study published in Science.Read on

Sea ice reinforcing Antarctic ice sheet

Sea ice forming on the base of the Larsen Ice Shelf could be helping to prevent it from breaking up in response to rising temperatures, according to a paper published in Geophysical Research Letters.Read on

Atmospheric cabon dioxide levels reach 2.1-million-year peak

A recent reconstruction of past CO2 levels suggests current atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are the highest in over two millennia. 
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World rapidly using up its CO2 allowance

The world will exceed its 50-year carbon dioxide targets in less than 20 years, resulting in climate chaos, a new report has claimed.Read on

Antarctic ice shelf collapses

An ice shelf off Antarctica has collapsed and shattered into hundreds of small icebergs, and scientists say global warming is to blame.Read on

Sea level rise overestimated

The potential rise in sea level from the collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) has been hugely overestimated, according to a new study.
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Hurricane damaged forests emit carbon

Damage caused by recurring hurricane activity across the USA is causing millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide to be returned to the atmosphere, according to new research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.Read on

Carbon capture and storage viable

An international team of scientists has demonstrated that carbon dioxide has been stored in natural gas fields for tens of thousands or millions of years, suggesting that underground storage of industrial CO2 is a viable option.Read on

Climate change strain world's waterways

A new study has shown that some of the world’s most important rivers are drying up, in many cases as a result of global climate change.Read on

Ocean fertilisation not climate change fix

A controversial investigation into the use of ocean fertilisation to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by boosting the growth of photosynthetic plankton has returned disappointing results.Read on

Lights out for climate change

Hundreds of millions of people switched off their lights on Saturday 28th March to take part in WWF’s Earth Hour to call for urgent action on climate change.Read on

UK homes set for green refit

Every British house will be renovated to become more energy efficient and less carbon-intensive, under government proposals to reduce emissions.Read on

Engineers urged to adapt to climate change

In a report, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers has called for changes to the way in which Britain designs buildings, transport and energy infrastructure in order to prepare for sea-level rise and other effects of climate changeRead on

Bigger trees means bigger carbon sink

By identifying, mapping and measuring the trunks of 70,000 trees across Africa, geographers from the University of Leeds Earth and Biosphere Institute have found that tropical forests are soaking up more carbon dioxideRead on

Global warming increases food shortages

Global warming could leave half of the world’s population suffering food shortages if they aren’t helped to adapt, according to a new report in the journal Science.Read on

Dutch plan to strengthen coastal dykes

The Dutch government has announced a multi-million-pound plan to reinforce dykes and protect freshwater supplies from potential rises in sea level.Read on

Oceans absorb less carbon dioxide

Scientists are concerned that the world’s oceans may be absorbing less carbon dioxide as a result of rising temperatures. Read on

Aborigines suffer most from climate change

Australia’s indigenous population will suffer disproportionately from the impact of climate change, according to a new report published in the Medical Journal of Australia.Read on

Ocean salinity on the rise

Evidence showing that human activity is changing the salinity of the world’s oceans is beginning to emerge in subtropical regions, according to new researchRead on

Algae to be used to make ‘green oil’

The Carbon Trust is to contribute up to £6million to a UK research and development initiative that aims to find a commercially viable method of producing a new biofuel made from algaeRead on

Maldives to buy a new homeland

The new president of the Maldives is preparing to buy a new home – for the country’s entire 300,000-strong populationRead on

Humans suppressed wildfires, until now

In the past, the global distribution of wildfires has been influenced by the climate, but research in Nature Geoscience has shown that, during the past 200 years, humans exerted a far stronger influence – until now.Read on

World's peatlands left high and dry

New research published in Nature Geoscience has warned that rising temperatures could dry these areas out, causing them to release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, exacerbating global warming.Read on

Greenhouse effect keeps Spain cool

Thousands of reflective white greenhouses in southeastern Spain are having a cooling effect on local air temperatures, according to new research published in the Journal of Geophysical Research – Atmospheres.Read on

Melting glacier is disaster for kashmir

The Kolahoi glacier, the Kashmir valley’s only permanent water source, could completely disappear within the next ten years, according to scientists who visited the area in AugustRead on

Arctic sea ice is second lowest on record

The area of ice covering the North Pole has shrunk to its second-lowest levels since satellites were first used to survey the ice in 1979Read on

High temperatures inhibit CO2 absorption

As global warming heats up the Earth, plants and soil may absorb less carbon dioxide, according to new researchRead on

Cloud of uncertainty dispelled

The accuracy of climate models has received a significant boost thanks to new research into the relationship between clouds and aerosolsRead on

Typhoons helping to sink carbon

A tropical storm in Taiwan buries as much carbon beneath the sea as the island’s annual rains combined, says research aimed at determining how much carbon is removed from the atmosphere as mountains are weatheredRead on

Pristine forests are better storehouses

The carbon storage capacity of untouched forests has been underestimated by the world’s climate change experts, according to scientists at the Australian National UniversityRead on

Greenland ice sheet and sea level rise

A group of climate scientists have discovered that during the past 20 years, the movement of the vast Greenland ice sheet has actually slowed by around ten per cent, despite frequent periods of acceleration Read on

Icebergs scrape life out of seabed

Antarctic marine species are being threatened as increasing numbers of icebergs scrape their fragile seafloor habitats, according to new British Antarctic Survey (BAS) researchRead on

Fears for forest funding

Moves to fund initiatives aimed at protecting the world’s forests in order to slow global climate change could simply fuel corruption and regional conflict, according to a coalition of NGOsRead on

US waters fail the acid test

A survey of seawater off the Pacific coast of North America has found that it’s considerably more acidic than expected, raising fears for the future of hundreds of the region’s marine speciesRead on

Carbon dioxide high

Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have hit a record high, according to a new US report Read on

Glaciers releasing chemical cocktails

Frozen stores of the pesticide DDT are leaking from melting Antarctic glaciers, according to a new study Read on

World’s water cooling system concern

Scientists studying the Southern Ocean have found that it’s becoming less salty, which could have a big effect on the world’s climate and ocean currentsRead on

Link between soot and climate change

Soot may be a much greater contributor to global warming than previously thought, according to a new report published in Nature GeoscienceRead on

Global sea levels set to rise

Warming temperatures and melting ice caps will cause average global sea levels to rise much higher than the forecasts published in the IPCC assessments, according to new researchRead on

Carbon targets still too high

A group of the world’s leading climate scientists has warned that international carbon targets aren’t low enough and must be slashed in order to avoid disastrous consequencesRead on

Experts deny climate link to 2007 floods

The extreme floods that struck England last July weren’t a result of global warming, but a remarkable demonstration of the unpredictability of the nation’s weather, according to a report from the Centre for Ecology and HydrologyRead on

Analysis sheds light on Antarctic melting

Analysis of boulders deposited by glaciers in Antarctica has shown that the rate at which the icecap is melting has increased dramatically in recent years, according to research published in the journal GeologyRead on

World’s glaciers melting at fastest rate yet

The world’s glaciers are melting at record rates, threatening the lives of the millions of people who depend on them for their water supplies, according to the latest figures from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)Read on

GPS: an atmosphere thermometer

Two UK meteorologists have developed a new method of monitoring the effects of climate change in the Earth’s atmosphere using GPS satellites.Read on

Arctic ice in rapid retreat

An area twice the size of France has melted from the Arctic ice cap during the past two years, according to research by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) in Paris, France, and this year could see further losses.Read on

Crop losses set to affect world’s poorest regions

Many of the world’s poorest regions could face severe crop losses in the next two decades unless steps are taken to adapt agriculture to a changing climate, according to new research published in the journal Science. Read on

Carbon neutral chemical production

Using biotechnology to make certain commonly used chemicals could cut the amount of carbon emitted during their production by as much as 100 per cent, according to a new studyRead on

Looking back to 2007, a year of extremes

Meteorological records for last year show that 2007 was a year of extreme weather, with many average temperature and precipitation records being exceeded Read on

Protecting peatlands could cut emissions

Cleaning, draining and burning peat bogs emits the equivalent of ten per cent of global emissions from fossil fuels, according to a UNEP reportRead on

Tropics getting wider

Global climate change has caused the tropics to widen by between two and 4.8 degrees of latitude since 1979, new research carried out by US scientists suggestsRead on

Domestic turbines a load of hot air

Micro-wind turbines for domestic electricity generation could create more carbon dioxide than they save, according to the Building Research Establishment TrustRead on

UK's carbon emissions rising

A new report suggests that the UK’s apparent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions is based on incomplete figures that mask a substantial increase in recent yearsRead on

Isle of Wight aims for carbon neutrality

The council in charge of the Isle of Wight has announced plans to power the island entirely by locally produced green energyRead on

Mass extinctions predicted

Half of all plant and animal species could be forced into extinction by rising global temperatures, mirroring five climate-triggered mass extinctions of the past, according to new researchRead on

Hard facts on cement industry emissions

The cement industry has largely escaped the attention of the world’s media and environmental campaigners despite contributing a higher percentage of global carbon emissions than the aviation industryRead on

Scientists to 'scrub' the atmosphere clean

Two scientists from the USA’s Columbia University in New York have identified a method of ‘scrubbing’ carbon dioxide gas from the atmosphereRead on

Climate 'mega disaster' hits

Dire predictions for the impact of climate change are being realised following a record number of climate-related disasters this year, according to the UN’s emergency relief co-ordinator, Sir John HolmesRead on

Climate change laid bare

Volunteers come together to take part in a photo shoot in order to draw attention to global warming, its effects on Swiss glaciers and the vulnerability of the human race in the face of climate changeRead on

Greenland approaches tipping point

The Greenland icecap will melt during the next three centuries, flooding coastal regions, if one of eight crucial tipping points, identified by a group of scientists, is passedRead on

UK's wetland birds feeling the heat

Overall numbers of ducks, geese, swans and wading birds spending winter in the UK have doubled since the 1970s, according to a new report, but the winter numbers of seven other species are in declineRead on

Irrigation keeping California cool

A new study in the USA, conducted by scientists from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, has shown that intensive irrigation in rural areas lowers local air temperaturesRead on

Chip fat to oil McDonald's delivery chain

McDonald’s is to run its UK fleet of delivery vehicles largely on old chip fatRead on

Sun activity and climate change: no link

A new study of solar activity has removed the central pillar supporting arguments that human activity isn’t responsible for global warmingRead on

Melting icebergs offsetting emissions

Melting ice masses that have broken away from Antarctica are acting as nutrient-rich islands that support a wealth of marine life, including carbon-dioxide-absorbing phytoplankton, according to a new study Read on

‘Cyber carbon footprint’ as bad as airlines

The UK government is considering new proposals to reduce the ‘cyber carbon footprint’ caused by the building, running and disposal of computers in a bid to meet its carbon-reduction targetsRead on

77,000 annual global warming deaths in Asia-Pacific

A recent report issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that around 77,000 deaths a year in Asia and the Pacific region can be directly or indirectly attributed to global warming Read on

Vatican looks to heavenly body for power

The Vatican City, headquarters of the Roman Catholic church, is doing its bit for the environmentRead on

Oceans and plants consuming less carbon

Two independent studies by British scientists have shown that the world’s natural carbon absorbers – the oceans and plants – are becoming less efficient at mopping up emissions because of global warmingRead on

Fight climate change, save lives, says WHO

Nations that combat climate change and reduce carbon dioxide emissions would benefit from a cleaner, greener environment, as well as better health prospects, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)Read on

Marine mammals under threat

Climate change is threatening to force a number of marine mammal species towards extinction, according to a new study from the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS)Read on

Wither our woodlands?

If the current warming trend continues, some of Britain’s best-loved plants could face extinction by the middle of this century, according to new research.Read on

Flushing away the problem

Human waste could soon be powering diesel engines and boilersRead on

Award for climate scientist

One of the first scientists to recognise the threat of global climate change has been awarded WWF’s Duke of Edinburgh Conservation MedalRead on

Arctic to melt by 2040

The Arctic could be totally ice-free during summer months within 30 years, according to scientistsRead on

Tree planting not a carbon cure-all

Attempts to mitigate global climate change by planting trees may be doing more harm than good, according to a recent studyRead on

Oceans storing climate catastrophe

Heat being stored in the North Atlantic Ocean could eventually be released into the atmosphere, resulting in a dramatic rise in temperatureRead on

Tribal climate conference

Leaders from more than 50 Native American tribes joined politicians, climate scientists and NGOs to discuss climate changeRead on

Last year Britain's hottest

Preliminary figures released by the Met Office suggest that 2006 was the UK’s hottest year on record Read on

Too hot to bear

Siberian bears wreaking havoc, as winter too warm to hibernatRead on

Warmer world: insect heaven

The good news is that scientists have uncovered an animal group that should thrive as global temperatures rise. The bad news is it’s insectsRead on

Computers predict more extremes

Global warming will bring an increase in frequency of extreme weather events, according to a new analysisRead on

No gold medals for UK

The UK needs to do more if it is to realistically reduce its impact on global climate changeRead on

Poll identifies least green britons

Car salesmen from the West Midlands are the least eco-friendly people in Britain, according to a recent poll
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Reefs at risk

New system predicts how much damage a coral reef is likely to sustain during a stormRead on

Carbon market booming

According to a new report by the World Bank, the global carbon market has doubled in value since 2005Read on

Polar explorers get royal send off

Polar explorers setting off to measure the thickness of the Arctic Ocean’s sea ice will today (5 February 2009) attend a farewell reception at Clarence House held by HRH The Prince of WalesRead on

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