News & Views in 2012

Streamflow from northern Eurasia into the Arctic Ocean has been increasing since the 1930s. Research shows that increased poleward moisture transport is responsible for additional water in the region.

Adaptation to climate change in fisheries is occurring very rapidly. Research now shows that it is a complex process whose outcomes can both mitigate and exacerbate impacts on fish populations.

The advancement of trees into Arctic tundra can increase total aboveground carbon storage. A study now shows, however, that greater plant growth also enhances belowground decomposition, resulting in a net loss of carbon from the ecosystem.

Snowpacks absorb more sunlight as they warm. The Antarctic Plateau may buck this trend over the twenty-first century as increased snowfall there inhibits the snowpack from dimming.

Successful nutrient management has helped many lakes recover from the effects of phosphorus pollution. Now research suggests that climate warming can cause some of the same problems to return.

Mangroves are being lost at an alarming rate as their conversion for aquaculture and other uses is profitable. Research, however, suggests that valuing the deep reserves of carbon in mangrove sediments may be the key to their survival.

Communicators are convinced of the importance of emphasizing the scientific evidence about climate change risks. But research shows that science-literate individuals are not necessarily the most concerned about global warming.

The physical composition of the soil can determine grassland plant responses to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide.

There has been much debate on how tropical Pacific sea surface temperature will change under global warming. Now research sheds light on this debate by removing the El Niño/Southern Oscillation signal to provide a clearer story.

Climate change mitigation commitments and basic carbon-cycle science both require reliable information on carbon dioxide emissions. Uncertainties in energy data and carbon dioxide emissions estimates are particularly important when they involve large emitters.

Tropical Atlantic storms impact the lives of many thousands of people each year. A study describes how different future anthropogenic emission pathways may change the frequency of these storms.

The political deadlock around national renewable energy mandates in the US does not reflect the public's position. Research shows that people there would support a renewable energy standard even with a cost attached.

A cost-efficient use of climate funds in developing countries requires rigorous assessment of local mitigation costs. Now research presents a novel way to estimate the increase in energy costs involved in scaling up solar photovoltaic and wind power.

The pH of the ocean is expected to drop 0.3 units in the next century. This change is well within the pH range that plankton experience at present, but research suggests that changes in acidity near their cell surface could be larger.

Scientists often expect fear of climate change and its impacts to motivate public support of climate policies. A study suggests that climate change deniers don't respond to this, but that positive appeals can change their views.

Ice-sheet loss is a likely effect of human interference with the climate system. Research shows that the disintegration of the Greenland ice sheet could occur close to, or even below, the target of limiting warming to 2 °C above pre-industrial levels.

Warnings about torrents of forced migrations owing to climate change make headlines. Now research shows that this is an oversimplification.

Climate change is now occurring, but few people consider how long the effects may last. A study emphasizes the long-term climate effects of present-day emissions.

It is commonly assumed that fossil fuels can be replaced by alternative forms of energy. Now research challenges this assumption, and highlights the role of non-technological solutions to reduce fossil-fuel consumption.

Immobility rather than mobility should be the focus of concern for policymakers worried about the impact of climate-related natural hazards on the livelihoods of rural populations.