Reviews & Analysis

Precipitation associated with the South Asian summer monsoon has decreased by approximately 7% since 1950, but the reasons for this are unclear. Now research suggests that changes in land-cover patterns and increased emissions from human activities have contributed to this weakening, which is expected to continue in the coming decades.

Antarctic ice sheets are a key player in sea-level rise in a warming climate. Now an ice-sheet modelling study clearly demonstrates that an Antarctic ice sheet/shelf system in the Atlantic Ocean will be regulated by the warming of the surrounding Southern Ocean, not by marine-ice-sheet instability.

Scenario analyses suggest that negative emissions technologies (NETs) are necessary to limit dangerous warming. Here the authors assess the biophysical limits to, and economic costs of, the widespread application of NETs.

Arctic temperatures are increasing because of long- and short-lived climate forcers, with reduction of the short-lived species potentially offering some quick mitigation. Now a regional assessment reveals the emission locations of these short-lived species and indicates international co-operation is needed to develop an effective mitigation plan.

Two competing theories suggest that Arctic communities are either highly vulnerable to climate change, or demonstrate significant adaptive capacity. A review of the research shows that the challenge of Arctic adaptation is formidable, but can be overcome.

Greenhouse gas emissions can be allocated to individual countries in various ways depending on where in the supply chain the emissions originated; achieving an effective and just climate policy may require multiple accounting systems.

Unprecedented strengthening of Pacific trade winds has occurred in recent decades, while both the Indian and Atlantic Ocean surface temperatures warmed. Now a study suggests that the Atlantic Ocean warming is driving this Pacific trade wind strengthening and the warming of the Indian Ocean.

The combination of high temperatures and humidity could, within just a century, result in extreme conditions around the Persian Gulf that are intolerable to humans, if climate change continues unabated.

A new global climate change deal should credit low-carbon energy sector finance from the developing world. Failure to coordinate standards could hinder low-carbon development in the decades to come.

It is sometimes assumed that making climate change seem 'closer to home' is a good way to catalyse action. But insights from psychology suggest that people's reaction to the proximity of climate change is complex.

This Perspective considers the influence of marine predators on carbon cycling in salt marshes, seagrass meadows, and mangroves, and the potential role that these carbon-rich vegetated coastal ecosystems could play in climate change mitigation.

Climate change impacts on species do not occur in isolation. Now research on drought-sensitive British butterflies uses citizen science to attribute the drivers of population changes and shows landscape management to be a key part of the solution.

A new decision framework, eco-engineering decision scaling, aims to provide a robust foundation for advancing sustainable water management that will meet the needs of both humans and ecosystems under future hydrological uncertainty.

Climate and carbon debts are one way to identify contributions to climate change. But they must be seen as part of a larger body of research assessing international responsibility.

This Review considers recent advances in our understanding of regional climate change, critically discusses outstanding issues, and recommends targets for future research.

The UN's climate negotiation process is no longer the 'only show in town', but there is little agreement among particpants on alternatives to replace it.

A key element of the West African monsoon is changing faster than in the surrounding areas but the reason is unknown. Now research assesses the specific behaviour of the temperature over the Saharan desert.

Some countries have pledged to become carbon neutral, while others' emissions continue to rise. Differences in their political attributes could explain the discrepancy in ambitions.

Here it is argued that air pollution over West African cities needs greater consideration. The effects of aerosol pollution on clouds and solar and thermal radiation can be expected to alter regional climate and impact human health and food security.

Water, energy and food security in southern Africa are interdependent and exposed to the climate. This Review considers the extent to which spatial and sectoral interdependencies can be, and are being, considered.