Climate

Climate

Forests help reduce global warming in more ways than one

Trees are often touted as bulwarks against climate change for their capacity to sequester carbon, but that’s just one part of the story.

Climate

Smoke from Australia’s intense fires in 2019 and 2020 damaged the ozone layer

Massive fires like those that raged in Australia in 2019–2020 can eat away at Earth’s protective ozone layer, researchers find.

Climate

How did we get here? The roots and impacts of the climate crisis

Over the last century and a half, scientists have built a strong case for the roots and impacts of human-caused climate change.

Climate

A UN report shows climate change’s escalating toll on people and nature

The latest United Nations' IPCC climate change report underscores the urgent need for action to avoid the worst consequences of global warming.

Physics

Freshwater ice can melt into scallops and spikes

Ice submerged in liquid water can melt into three different shapes, depending on the water’s temperature.

Climate

Satellites have located the world’s methane ‘ultra-emitters’

Plugging leaks from methane ultra-emitters would make a dent in greenhouse gas emissions — and be cost-effective for those countries, scientists say.

Oceans

The past’s extreme ocean heat waves are now the new normal

Marine heat waves that were rare more than a century ago now routinely occur in more than half of global ocean, suggesting we’ve hit a “point of no return.”

Climate

Intense drought or flash floods can shock the global economy

Rainfall extremes have powerful impacts on the global economy, affecting the manufacturing and services sectors more than agriculture.

Climate

Climate change communication should focus less on specific numbers

Even if nations don’t meet goals to curb global climate change, any progress is better than none.

Climate

Africa’s ‘Great Green Wall’ could have far-reaching climate effects

The “Great Green Wall,” a tree-planting project to stop desertification in northern Africa, could alter climate patterns in the region and beyond.

Climate

How electric vehicles offered hope as climate challenges grew

Amid daunting climate change challenges, electric vehicles swerved into the spotlight this year.

Climate

Vikings may have fled Greenland to escape rising seas

Vikings abandoned Greenland in the 15th century. Lower temperatures, an expanding ice sheet and rising sea levels may have played a role in their departure.