More and more regions around the globe combine economic growth with reducing carbon emissions, researchers from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research found. Their new study highlights the vital role of national climate actions in decoupling economic growth from CO2 emissions. The analysis of data from 1,500 regions over the past 30 years showed…
When Isabella Dalla Ragione assesses a Renaissance painting, she doesn’t immediately notice the brushstrokes or the magnificence of the imagery. The first thing she notices is the fruit. On a spring day earlier this year, I stride with Dalla Ragione into the National Gallery of Umbria, in a 14th-century stone castle built atop the hillside city of…
Many factors influence our languages and accents — where we live, where we grew up, what our parents sounded like. But in recent years, researchers have been investigating another possible influence — climate. The idea that climate affects language is not new, but only recently have researchers had the tools to properly investigate the hypothesis….
Islands make up just over five per cent of the world’s land yet are home to 31 per cent of Earth’s plant species. A new study shows that more than half the plants unique to islands are classified as threatened, with habitat loss, climate warming and invasive species to blame. A new study has revealed…
Dozens of studies have demonstrated that nitrogen pollution, due mainly to the burning of fossil fuels and agricultural practices, is causing plant biodiversity losses worldwide. But whether rising levels of climate-warming carbon dioxide gas are amplifying those nitrogen-induced biodiversity losses or dampening them remains unclear and is an understudied topic. The newly published findings of…
A reader asked: To what extent are cats responsible for climate change? To answer this question, we turned to the editor-in-chief of Yale Climate Connections, Sara Peach, a longtime environmental journalist. Here is her answer: Gather round, fans of the world’s fluffiest, most smoochable animal with switchblades in their feet. Let’s answer this question by…
A new report finds that one-quarter of the world’s crops are grown in places facing high levels of water stress, water unreliability, or both. The analysis comes from the research nonprofit World Resources Institute, or WRI, and highlights the difficulty of growing enough food to meet rising demand on a warming planet. One out of…
As the world faces growing challenges from climate change, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation, the need for innovative solutions to ensure food security has become more urgent than ever. World Food Day, celebrated annually on October 16, serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable practices in feeding the global population. Let’s discuss Nature-Based…
Despite an overwhelming scientific consensus, public perception of climate change remains varied and, at times, misinformed. Understanding what people truly know about climate change is crucial for effective communication and policy-making. It is this understanding that ultimately determines how well society responds to the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. The Power of Perception…
A recent international study shows plants in dry areas adopt different survival strategies. Scientists believe this is good for biodiversity conservation. The study looked at how plants in arid regions have adapted to extreme habitats. It involved 120 scientists from 27 countries, including South Africa. Peter le Roux from the University of Pretoria’s Plant and…