Research articles

Tendencies towards climate-change-induced continental drying, as characterized by offline-computed runoff and other potential-evapotranspiration-dependent metrics, may be artefactual. Consequently they may be much weaker and less extensive than previously thought.

This study shows how failure to capture system dynamics can be detected in climate model predictions. This information should improve model projections and facilitate better decision-making.

Businesses are increasingly undertaking initiatives that increase profit and provide environmental benefits. They risk backlash, however, as people are shown to respond negatively to the notion of a business profiting from such initiatives.

Long-term model simulations show that a linear relationship between atmospheric warming and cumulative CO₂ emissions holds up to 5 trillion tonnes of carbon (EgC), the estimated total fossil fuel resource in the absence of mitigation efforts.

A model comparison shows that integrated and sector-specific models suggest different results for various climate impacts. The discrepancies are particularly pronounced for indicators such as food production and water exploitation.

Aridity is expected to increase globally in a warmer world. Research now suggests that this is substantially amplified by land–atmosphere feedbacks associated with the land surface’s response to climate and plant responses to increased atmospheric CO₂.

A 20-year grassland experiment shows links between plant functional traits and the climate. Species favoured by extended growing seasons have taller canopies and faster assimilation rates, at the expense of those with high leaf-tissue investment.

The people that are most concerned about climate change do not always take action. Behavioural modelling shows that concerned citizens are more likely to act if they believe similar people are taking action, and that their action will make a difference.

Droughts are intensifying under climate change. Research into the resilience of stream food webs to drought now shows that ‘rewiring’ of food web structure in the face of species losses helps to buffer changes to the overall network structure.

Many campaigns to get people to purchase sustainable products highlight self-interest. However, experiments now show that emphasizing the environmental benefit of such goods may be more effective.

Public understanding of climate change is well researched, but little is known about public perceptions of ocean acidification. New survey data shows that public awareness of ocean acidification in Great Britain is low compared to that of climate change.

This study presents a new use of a widely used metric known as the global warming potential (GWP) to compare the impact of cumulative climate pollutants such as CO₂ versus short-lived climate pollutants, such as methane and black carbon.

This study suggests that the Pacific Decadal Oscillation phase influences how much sea-ice loss contributes to Arctic amplification, with warming being larger during the negative phase with greater sea-ice loss.

Adaptation plans are an increasingly important part of US communities’ responses to climate change, but little is known about their content. Analysis of 44 plans shows that most fail to prioritize impacts or provide detailed implementation processes.

This study shows that 80% of extracted groundwater ends up in the ocean and contributed 0.27 mm per year to sea-level rise in 2000. These numbers indicate that previous studies overestimated groundwater contributions over the past century.

Wildfire damage is expected to increase under climate warming. Research now suggests that increased human exposure to wildfires will be driven primarily by population growth in areas with frequent wildfires, rather than by a general increase in fire area.

Satellite records combined with global ecosystem models show a persistent and widespread greening over 25–50% of the global vegetated area; less than 4% of the globe is browning. CO₂ fertilization explains 70% of the observed greening trend.

Previous research suggests knowledge about climate change has only a limited impact on concern about the issue. A multinational survey shows this negative result largely depends on how knowledge is defined.

The Pacific trade winds have been strengthening over the past two decades, but until now the cause of this has not been known. Now research shows that sulfate aerosols caused the western North Pacific Ocean to warm, leading to the trade-wind intensification.

Increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentrations are expected to enhance photosynthesis and reduce plant water use. Research now reveals regional disparities in this effect on crops, with potential implications for food production and water consumption.