Climate

Earth

Climate-warming CO₂ emissions will hit a record high in 2019

Despite countries adopting renewable power sources and coal use falling slightly, oil and gas use are pushing global carbon dioxide emissions to record heights.

Climate

Countries urgently need to ramp up emissions cuts to meet climate targets

A new U.N. report finds that pledged emissions cuts aren’t nearly enough to limit warming to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius by 2100.

Climate

Most Americans now see signs of climate change where they live

In a Pew Research survey, most Americans said the U.S. government isn’t doing enough to counter climate change amid local weather extremes.

Climate

50 years ago, scientists puzzled over a slight global cooling

Five decades ago, scientists were puzzled over a slight dip in global temperatures. Today we know it was just a blip, and that Earth’s climate is warming thanks to industrial activity over the last century.

Climate

The loss of ‘eternal ice’ threatens Mongolian reindeer herders’ way of life

Mongolian reindeer herders help scientists piece together the loss of the region’s vital “eternal ice” patches.

Climate

5 things to know about fighting climate change by planting trees

One group’s idea of planting vast swaths of trees to curb climate change exaggerates the proposal’s power to trap carbon, some argue.

Climate

California landfills are belching high levels of climate-warming methane

Airborne remote sensing spots the Golden State’s biggest emitters of the potent greenhouse gas from the sky.

Earth

Geology, not CO₂, controlled monsoon intensity in Asia’s ancient past

For millions of years, shifting geologic plates — not carbon dioxide levels —held the most sway over the intensity of Asia’s seasonal winds and rains.

Climate

A new estimate triples the number of people in the path of rising seas

Sea level rise could flood coastal areas now home to 340 million to 480 million people by 2100, with Asia most affected, a study finds.

Earth

Too much groundwater pumping is draining many of the world’s rivers

Too much groundwater use could push over half of pumped watersheds past an ecological tipping point by 2050, compromising aquatic ecosystems worldwide.

Humans

Nepal is reeling from an unprecedented dengue outbreak

As climate change opens new regions to mosquitoes, Nepal suffers an outbreak of the painful viral disease that has sickened more than 9,000 people.

Climate

In a climate crisis, is geoengineering worth the risks?

Some scientists say the world needs to reconsider some human-made ideas to cool the climate as dire warnings about the looming crisis ramp up.