24 results
Search Results
2. Critical Review of Adaptation Measures to Reduce the Vulnerability of European Drinking Water Resources to the Pressures of Climate Change.
- Author
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Garnier, Monica and Holman, Ian
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DRINKING water ,WATER supply ,CLIMATE change ,CLIMATE change research ,WATER pressure ,PHYSIOLOGICAL adaptation - Abstract
One of the consequences of the generally agreed rise of global temperatures, furtherly exacerbated by the growth of water demand caused by the needs of a growing population, is an increase of areas with water stress. This will imply and in part is already implying, an always greater imbalance between water (and in particular drinking water) demand and supply. These issues are among those investigated by the "Adapting Drinking Water resources to the Impacts of Climate change in Europe" (ADWICE) project that had, among its main goals, the identification of priority adaptation measures aimed at reducing drinking water vulnerability to the pressures of a changing climate. In this paper these adaptation measures are described, with special attention given to their associated European water policy context. The complexity of designing and implementing such adaptation measures will benefit from integrating drinking water concerns with wider water management, within a framework able to facilitate the necessary complex collaborations between various actors involved in the different scales of the decision-making arena and to develop an effective science policy interfacing mechanism. Last, but not least, because drinking water is commonly considered by stakeholders and citizens to be a public service, drinking water managers should enable their involvement in the adaptation decision-making process, to ensure their acceptance and cooperation and to prevent conflicts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
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3. Climate policy and business climate strategiesEU cement companies' response to climate change and barriers against action.
- Author
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Okereke, Chukwumerije and Küng, Kristina
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INDUSTRIAL efficiency ,CEMENT industries ,CLIMATE change research ,EMISSION control ,EMISSIONS (Air pollution) ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics - Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a descriptive analysis of the carbon management activities of the cement industry in Europe, based on a study involving the four largest producers of cement in the world. Based on this analysis, the paper explores the relationship between managerial perception and strategy, with particular focus on the impact of government regulation and competitive dynamics. Design/methodology/approach – The research is based on extensive documentary analysis and in-depth interviews with senior managers from the four companies who have been responsible for and/or involved in the development of climate change strategies. Findings – It was found that whilst the cement industry has embraced climate change and the need for action, there remains much scope for action in their carbon management activities, with current effort concentrating on hedging practices and win-win efficiency programs. Managers perceive that inadequate and unfavourable regulatory structure is the key barrier against more action to achieve emission reduction within the industry. Interestingly, EU cement companies are also shifting their CO2 emissions to less developed countries of the South. Originality/value – The paper analyses corporate climate strategy in one of the most carbon intensive and yet least studied industries. With specific focus on the EU, the paper highlights a number of policy approaches for encouraging the cement industry on the path of deeper emission reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
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4. Developing a reduced-form ensemble of climate change scenarios for Europe and its application to selected impact indicators.
- Author
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Dubrovsky, Martin, Trnka, Miroslav, Holman, Ian, Svobodova, Eva, and Harrison, Paula
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CLIMATE change research ,ENVIRONMENTAL indicators ,ATMOSPHERIC models ,EUROPEAN corn borer ,GLOBAL warming ,SOLAR radiation - Abstract
This paper presents a method for identifying a representative subset of global climate models (GCMs) for use in large-scale climate impact research. Based on objective criteria (GCM performance in reproducing the seasonal cycle of temperature and precipitation, and a subset ability to represent future inter-GCM variability), two candidate subsets are selected from a reference set of 16 GCMs. An additional subset based on subjective expert judgement is also analysed. The representativeness of the three subsets is validated (with respect to the reference set) and compared for future changes in temperature, precipitation and Palmer drought index Z (direct validation), and occurrence of the European corn borer and snow-cover characteristics implemented in the CLIMSAVE Integrated Assessment Platform (indirect validation). The direct validation indicates that one of the objective-based subsets (ECHAM5/MPI-OM, CSIRO-Mk3.0, HadGEM1, GFDL-CM2.1 and IPSL-CM4 models) provides the best choice for the Europe-wide climate change impact study. Its performance is balanced between regions, seasons and validation statistics. However, the expert-judgement-based subset achieved slightly better results in the indirect validation. The differences between the subsets and the reference set are generally much lower for the impact indices compared to their mean (across all GCMs in the subset) changes due to projected climate change. The ranking of the candidate subsets differs between regions, climatic characteristics and seasons, demonstrating that the subset suitability for a specific impact study depends on the target region and the roles of individual seasons and/or climatic variables on the processes being studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
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5. RISC-KIT: Resilience-Increasing Strategies for Coasts - toolKIT.
- Author
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Van Dongeren, Ap, Ciavola, Paolo, Viavattene, Christophe, de Kleermaeker, Simone, Martinez, Grit, Ferreira, Oscar, Costa, Cristina, and McCall, Robert
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COASTAL zone management ,BAYESIAN analysis ,COASTS ,CLIMATE change research ,STORM surges ,FLOODS - Abstract
Recent and historic high-impact events have demonstrated the flood risks faced by exposed coastal areas. These risks will increase due to climate change and economic development. This requires a re-evaluation of coastal disaster risk reduction DRR strategies and prevention, mitigation and preparedness PMP measures. To this end, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction formulated the Hyogo Framework for Action, and the EU has issued the Floods Directive. By their nature, neither is specific about the methods to be used to assess coastal risks, particularly those risks resulting from dune and structure overtopping, the non-stationarity of surge and flash flood events, and coastal morphodynamic response. This paper describes a set of open-source and open-access methods, tools and management approaches to fill this gap. A Coastal Risk Assessment Framework will assess coastal risk at a regional scale. Thus critical hotspots can be identified for which an impact-oriented Early Warning System/Decision Support System is developed. This can be applied in dual mode: as a forecast and warning system and as an ex-ante planning tool to evaluate the vulnerability. The tools are demonstrated on case study sites on a range of EU coasts with diverse geomorphic settings, land use, forcing, hazard types and socio-economic, cultural and environmental characteristics. Specific DRR plans will be developed for all sites. A management guide of PMP measures and management approaches is to be developed. The toolkit will benefit forecasting and civil protection agencies, coastal managers, local government, community members, NGOs, the general public and scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2014
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6. LARGE-SCALE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON WATER RESOURCES IN SWEDEN AND EUROPE.
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ARHEIMER, BERIT, DONNELLY, CHANTAL, and STRÖMQVIST, JOHAN
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CLIMATE change research ,WATER supply research ,HYDROLOGIC cycle ,METEOROLOGICAL precipitation ,WATER quality - Abstract
Copyright of Vatten is the property of Foreningen Vatten and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
- Published
- 2013
7. Destructive events and the impact of climate change on Stone Age coastal archaeology in North West Europe: past, present and future.
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Milner, Nicky
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CLIMATE change research ,COASTAL archaeology ,ARCHAEOLOGICAL research ,STONE Age ,COASTS - Abstract
Archaeological investigations along the coastlines of Denmark and northern Germany have produced invaluable data concerning the Stone Age, and particularly our Mesolithic fishing, hunting and gathering ancestors. However, a number of different natural and human forces have partially or totally destroyed this important resource, particularly in other parts of North West Europe such as Britain and Ireland. What is more, further problems can be predicted as a consequence of climate change with possible rising sea levels and storm events. This paper considers the value of Mesolithic coastal archaeology, the threats posed to it, and the steps which are being taken to address these threats. The conclusion is that although research and policy is moving ahead, much more needs to be done in order to understand and preserve these sites before it is too late. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012
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8. A Joint Estimate of the Precipitation Climate Signal in Europe Using Eight Regional Models and Five Observational Datasets.
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Tapiador, Francisco J.
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CLIMATE change research ,METEOROLOGICAL precipitation ,PRECIPITATION variability ,GLOBAL temperature changes ,ACCLIMATIZATION - Abstract
This paper presents an analysis of the precipitation climate signal in Europe emerging from a simulation of heterogeneous regional climate models (RCMs) using five observational datasets as the reference for present day climate conditions. Current climate simulations, as well as those from the A2 family of scenarios from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES-A2), from eight RCMs involved in the Prediction of Regional Scenarios and Uncertainties for Defining European Climate Change Risks and Effects (PRUDENCE) project have been cross-compared with data from the Climate Research Unit (CRU), the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP), the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC), the Climate Prediction Center (CPC), and the CPC Merged Analysis of Precipitation (CMAP) databases for Europe. The RCMs used are HIRHAM, the Climate High Resolution Model (CHRM), the Rossby Centre Atmosphere–Ocean (RCAO) model, the GKSS Climate Version of the Local Model (CLM), the Hadley Center RCM (HadRM3H), the Atmospheric Hydrostatic Regional Model (REMO), the Prognostic Model at the Mesoscale (PROMES), and the regional coupled ocean–atmosphere–ice model (RACMO). The comparison shows that the climate signal has to be interpreted depending on the reference data used. Although each validation dataset has its own relative merits and shortcomings, it is known that all of the datasets present variable uncertainties and error sources, which impedes consideration of a single dataset as the only valid representation of actual precipitation. Hence, it is suggested that a robust joint estimate of changes in future precipitation might include the uncertainties of both the RCMs and those of the observational datasets. After accounting for the difference between observed and simulated precipitation in the present climate, the analysis of such joint estimates reveals significant agreement in the climate signal for most of Europe. This lends confidence to the idea that the RCMs are able to correctly simulate future changes in precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2010
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9. Bridging the gap between science and the stakeholder: the case of climate change research.
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Hanson, C. E., Palutikof, J. P., Dlugolecki, A., and Giannakopoulos, C.
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CLIMATE change research ,CLIMATE change ,STAKEHOLDERS ,PERSONS ,IMPACT (Mechanics) ,WEATHER ,METEOROLOGY - Abstract
This paper provides an overview of the EU-funded project Modelling the Impact of Climate Extremes (MICE) and, specifically, the stakeholder collaboration and dissemination activities undertaken during the 3 year project. MICE was a pan-European end-to-end assessment of the potential impacts of climate change on a range of economic sectors important to the region. MICE actively encouraged the promotion of dialogue between the research and stakeholder communities in order to ensure that the research activities undertaken within the project were useful to the wider user community. Five workshops were held during the final 18 months of the project. In addition to these, a workshop report and a non-technical stakeholder-focussed brochure were produced to ensure that results do not remain solely within the academic community. The present paper provides a brief overview of the aims and objectives of the MICE project and describes the 5 workshops, including the rationale behind the structure of the final pan-European workshop, and selected results produced by the MICE Consortium. The main outcomes of the final workshop were (1) that the next 10 to 20 yr are important to stakeholders, whilst projections for the 2080s have limited relevance for decision-makers (2) the reliability of climate models needs to be increased and uncertainties decreased; (3) scientific results should be made accessible to the non-specialist, and stakeholders should be involved in relevant projects, preferably from the design stage; (4) there is the need to recognise and work to bridge the gap between what scientists can realistically achieve, and what stakeholders require. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2006
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10. Author's response to the commentary by S.Fischer & A.Schumann on 'Multidecadal oscillatory behaviour of rainfall extremes in Europe (Climatic Change, 120(4), 931-944)'.
- Author
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Willems, Patrick
- Subjects
RAINFALL ,CLIMATE change research ,CLIMATE extremes ,ATMOSPHERIC circulation ,CLIMATOLOGY - Abstract
ᅟ [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2015
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11. Challenges to the sustainability of climate services in Europe.
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Bruno Soares, Marta and Buontempo, Carlo
- Subjects
SCIENTIFIC community ,CLIMATE change research ,SOCIAL science research ,CLIMATOLOGY ,OPERATIONS research ,CLIMATE change ,SUSTAINABILITY - Abstract
Climate services have emerged as a research and operational field in recent years. This development has been underpinned and supported by significant research, funding and agenda‐setting efforts such as the Global Framework for Climate Services internationally and the Roadmap for Climate Services and the Copernicus Climate Change Service in Europe. The fast pace at which this field is developing raises a number of key challenges that need to be critically examined and addressed to ensure the future development and sustainability of climate services in Europe. This opinion piece highlights a number of challenges currently threatening the viability of climate services including the complexity of the concept of climate services; the complex landscape of complementary research and development areas relevant to climate services; existing rights to freely access and use climate services; current limitations to funding structures and mechanisms and how that impacts on the development of climate services; the emphasis on co‐production as a precondition to climate services development; and the limited role of the social sciences in the research and operational field of climate services. Effectively addressing these challenges will require a commitment from the scientific and practitioner communities to engage in critical and reflective debates around the future conceptualization and operationalization of climate services in Europe. This paper aims to provide critical input to stimulate a necessary and overdue debate around the sustainability and future of climate services in Europe. This article is categorized under: Social Status of Climate Change Knowledge > Knowledge and Practice [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
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12. Expected trends of regional climate change for the Carpathian Basin for the 21st century.
- Author
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Bartholy, Ildiko Pieczka; Rita Pongracz; Judit
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CLIMATE change research ,GLOBAL warming research ,DROUGHTS ,METEOROLOGICAL precipitation - Abstract
The Regional Climate Models (RCMs) nested into Global Climate Models (GCMs) are expected to improve the regional climate change scenarios for the European subregions. This paper discusses the RCM experiments for the end of the 21st century using the model Providing REgional Climates for Impact Studies (PRECIS) for the Carpathian Basin. Expected future changes in mean values, distributions and empirical probabilities are analysed for the period 2071?2100 (compared to 1961?1990, as a reference period). Significant warming and annual drying is projected, together with substantial changes in the distribution of daily mean temperature and monthly mean precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2011
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13. Mapping the impact of climate change on surface recession of carbonate buildings in Europe
- Author
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Bonazza, Alessandra, Messina, Palmira, Sabbioni, Cristina, Grossi, Carlota M., and Brimblecombe, Peter
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CLIMATE change , *CLIMATE change research , *CARBONATES , *AGRICULTURE & the environment , *QUANTITATIVE research , *RAINFALL - Abstract
Climate change is currently attracting interest at both research and policy levels. However, it is usually explored in terms of its effect on agriculture, water, industry, energy, transport and health and as yet has been insufficiently addressed as a factor threatening cultural heritage. Among the climate parameters critical to heritage conservation and expected to change in the future, precipitation plays an important role in surface recession of stone. The Lipfert function has been taken under consideration to quantify the annual surface recession of carbonate stone, due to the effects of clean rain, acid rain and dry deposition of pollutants. The present paper provides Europe-wide maps showing quantitative predictions of surface recession on carbonate stones for the 21st century, combining a modified Lipfert function with output from the Hadley global climate model. Chemical dissolution of carbonate stones, via the karst effect, will increase with future CO2 concentrations, and will come to dominate over sulfur deposition and acid rain effects on monuments and buildings in both urban and rural areas. During the present century the rainfall contribution to surface recession is likely to have a small effect, while the increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration is shown to be the main factor in increasing weathering via the karst effect. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2009
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14. Projected Changes in European and North Atlantic Seasonal Wind Climate Derived from CMIP5 Simulations.
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Ruosteenoja, Kimmo, Vihma, Timo, and Venäläinen, Ari
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GEOSTROPHIC wind ,ATMOSPHERIC circulation ,WESTERLIES ,WIND speed ,CLIMATOLOGY ,CLIMATE change research ,SEA ice - Abstract
Future changes in geostrophic winds over Europe and the North Atlantic region were studied utilizing output data from 21 CMIP5 global climate models (GCMs). Changes in temporal means, extremes, and the joint distribution of speed and direction were considered. In concordance with previous research, the time mean and extreme scalar wind speeds do not change pronouncedly in response to the projected climate change; some degree of weakening occurs in the majority of the domain. Nevertheless, substantial changes in high wind speeds are identified when studying the geostrophic winds from different directions separately. In particular, in northern Europe in autumn and in parts of northwestern Europe in winter, the frequency of strong westerly winds is projected to increase by up to 50%. Concurrently, easterly winds become less common. In addition, we evaluated the potential of the GCMs to simulate changes in the near-surface true wind speeds. In ocean areas, changes in the true and geostrophic winds are mainly consistent and the emerging differences can be explained (e.g., by the retreat of Arctic sea ice). Conversely, in several GCMs the continental wind speed response proved to be predominantly determined by fairly arbitrary changes in the surface properties rather than by changes in the atmospheric circulation. Accordingly, true wind projections derived directly from the model output should be treated with caution since they do not necessarily reflect the actual atmospheric response to global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
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15. Climate change projections of West Nile virus infections in Europe: implications for blood safety practices.
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Semenza, Jan C., Tran, Annelise, Espinosa, Laura, Sudre, Bertrand, Domanovic, Dragoslav, and Paz, Shlomit
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WEST Nile fever transmission ,MOSQUITO vectors ,BIRD diseases ,HORSE viral diseases ,CLIMATE change research ,WEST Nile fever epidemiology ,WEST Nile virus ,BLOOD transfusion ,BLOOD donors ,COMPARATIVE studies ,EPIDEMIOLOGY ,MATHEMATICAL models ,RESEARCH methodology ,MEDICAL cooperation ,RESEARCH ,WEST Nile fever ,THEORY ,EVALUATION research ,PHENOMENOLOGICAL biology ,DISEASE prevalence ,PHYSIOLOGY - Abstract
Background: West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted by mosquitoes in both urban as well as in rural environments and can be pathogenic in birds, horses and humans. Extrinsic factors such as temperature and land use are determinants of WNV outbreaks in Europe, along with intrinsic factors of the vector and virus.Methods: With a multivariate model for WNV transmission we computed the probability of WNV infection in 2014, with July 2014 temperature anomalies. We applied the July temperature anomalies under the balanced A1B climate change scenario (mix of all energy sources, fossil and non-fossil) for 2025 and 2050 to model and project the risk of WNV infection in the future. Since asymptomatic infections are common in humans (which can result in the contamination of the donated blood) we estimated the predictive prevalence of WNV infections in the blood donor population.Results: External validation of the probability model with 2014 cases indicated good prediction, based on an Area Under Curve (AUC) of 0.871 (SD = 0.032), on the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC). The climate change projections for 2025 reveal a higher probability of WNV infection particularly at the edges of the current transmission areas (for example in Eastern Croatia, Northeastern and Northwestern Turkey) and an even further expansion in 2050. The prevalence of infection in (blood donor) populations in the outbreak-affected districts is expected to expand in the future.Conclusions: Predictive modelling of environmental and climatic drivers of WNV can be a valuable tool for public health practice. It can help delineate districts at risk for future transmission. These areas can be subjected to integrated disease and vector surveillance, outreach to the public and health care providers, implementation of personal protective measures, screening of blood donors, and vector abatement activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2016
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16. Public health impacts of city policies to reduce climate change: findings from the URGENCHE EU-China project.
- Author
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Sabel, Clive E., Hiscock, Rosemary, Asikainen, Arja, Jun Bi, Depledge, Mike, van den Elshout, Sef, Friedrich, Rainer, Ganlin Huang, Hurley, Fintan, Jantunen, Matti, Karakitsios, Spyros P., Keuken, Menno, Kingham, Simon, Kontoroupis, Periklis, Kuenzli, Nino, Miaomiao Liu, Martuzzi, Marco, Morton, Katie, Mudu, Pierpaolo, and Niittynen, Marjo
- Subjects
CLIMATE change research ,PUBLIC health research ,GREENHOUSE gases & the environment ,HEALTH impact assessment ,PHYSICAL activity ,AIR pollution prevention ,GAS analysis ,GREENHOUSE effect prevention ,PUBLIC health laws ,MEDICAL policy laws ,AIR pollution ,LONGITUDINAL method ,METROPOLITAN areas ,RESEARCH funding ,GOVERNMENT regulation ,PHENOMENOLOGICAL biology ,CROSS-sectional method - Abstract
Background: Climate change is a global threat to health and wellbeing. Here we provide findings of an international research project investigating the health and wellbeing impacts of policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in urban environments.Methods: Five European and two Chinese city authorities and partner academic organisations formed the project consortium. The methodology involved modelling the impact of adopted urban climate-change mitigation transport, buildings and energy policy scenarios, usually for the year 2020 and comparing them with business as usual (BAU) scenarios (where policies had not been adopted). Carbon dioxide emissions, health impacting exposures (air pollution, noise and physical activity), health (cardiovascular, respiratory, cancer and leukaemia) and wellbeing (including noise related wellbeing, overall wellbeing, economic wellbeing and inequalities) were modelled. The scenarios were developed from corresponding known levels in 2010 and pre-existing exposure response functions. Additionally there were literature reviews, three longitudinal observational studies and two cross sectional surveys.Results: There are four key findings. Firstly introduction of electric cars may confer some small health benefits but it would be unwise for a city to invest in electric vehicles unless their power generation fuel mix generates fewer emissions than petrol and diesel. Second, adopting policies to reduce private car use may have benefits for carbon dioxide reduction and positive health impacts through reduced noise and increased physical activity. Third, the benefits of carbon dioxide reduction from increasing housing efficiency are likely to be minor and co-benefits for health and wellbeing are dependent on good air exchange. Fourthly, although heating dwellings by in-home biomass burning may reduce carbon dioxide emissions, consequences for health and wellbeing were negative with the technology in use in the cities studied.Conclusions: The climate-change reduction policies reduced CO2 emissions (the most common greenhouse gas) from cities but impact on global emissions of CO2 would be more limited due to some displacement of emissions. The health and wellbeing impacts varied and were often limited reflecting existing relatively high quality of life and environmental standards in most of the participating cities; the greatest potential for future health benefit occurs in less developed or developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2016
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17. Determination of areas with the most significant shift in persistence of pests in Europe under climate change.
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Svobodová, Eva, Trnka, Miroslav, Dubrovský, Martin, Semerádová, Daniela, Eitzinger, Josef, Štěpánek, Petr, and Žalud, Zdeněk
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DISEASE resistance of plants ,PLANT parasites ,AGRICULTURAL pests ,CODLING moth ,CLIMATE change research - Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to estimate the impact of climate change on the ranges of crop pest species in Europe. The organisms included in the study were species from the family Tortricidae ( Cydia pomonella, Lobesia botrana) and the family Pyralidae ( Ostrinia nubilalis), Chrysomelidae beetles ( Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Oulema melanopus) and species from the family Aphididae ( Ropalosiphum padi, Sitobion avenae). Climate conditions in the year 2055 were simulated using a subset of five representative global circulation models. Model simulations using these climate change scenarios showed significant shifts in the climatic niches of the species in this study. RESULTS For Central Europe, the models predicted a shift in the ranges of pest species to higher altitudes and increases in the number of generations (NG) of the pests. In contrast, in the southern regions of Europe, the NG is likely to decrease owing to insufficient humidity. The ranges of species are likely to shift to the north. CONCLUSION Based on the ensemble-scenario mean for 2055, a climate-driven northward shift of between 3° N ( O. nubilalis) and 11° N ( L. botrana) is expected. The areas that are most sensitive to experiencing a significant increase in climate suitability for future pest persistence were identified. These areas include Central Europe, the higher altitudes of the Alps and Carpathians and areas above 55° N. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
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18. Predicting the Fate of Biodiversity Using Species' Distribution Models: Enhancing Model Comparability and Repeatability.
- Author
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Rodríguez-Castañeda, Genoveva, Hof, Anouschka R., Jansson, Roland, Harding, Larisa E., and Adler, Frederick R.
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BIODIVERSITY research ,HABITATS ,PROBABILITY theory ,RESEARCH ,SPECIES ,CLIMATE change research - Abstract
Species distribution modeling (SDM) is an increasingly important tool to predict the geographic distribution of species. Even though many problems associated with this method have been highlighted and solutions have been proposed, little has been done to increase comparability among studies. We reviewed recent publications applying SDMs and found that seventy nine percent failed to report methods that ensure comparability among studies, such as disclosing the maximum probability range produced by the models and reporting on the number of species occurrences used. We modeled six species of Falco from northern Europe and demonstrate that model results are altered by (1) spatial bias in species' occurrence data, (2) differences in the geographic extent of the environmental data, and (3) the effects of transformation of model output to presence/absence data when applying thresholds. Depending on the modeling decisions, forecasts of the future geographic distribution of Falco ranged from range contraction in 80% of the species to no net loss in any species, with the best model predicting no net loss of habitat in Northern Europe. The fact that predictions of range changes in response to climate change in published studies may be influenced by decisions in the modeling process seriously hampers the possibility of making sound management recommendations. Thus, each of the decisions made in generating SDMs should be reported and evaluated to ensure conclusions and policies are based on the biology and ecology of the species being modeled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012
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19. Integrating climate change into calcareous grassland management.
- Author
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Maalouf, Jean-Paul, Le Bagousse-Pinguet, Yoann, Marchand, Lilian, Bâchelier, Emilie, Touzard, Blaise, and Michalet, Richard
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CONSERVATION biology ,CLIMATE change research ,BIODIVERSITY conservation ,GRASSLAND environmental conditions ,EFFECT of stress on plant populations ,ENVIRONMENTAL management ,CALCAREOUS soils ,XERIC ecology ,DROUGHTS & the environment - Abstract
1. Climate change is rarely taken into consideration in conservation management strategies aimed at protecting biodiversity from other threats. We examined the implications of this perspective in European calcareous grasslands, which are among the richest herbaceous systems of the continent and are therefore of high nature conservation interest. These systems are currently undergoing species loss because of the abandonment of agro-pastoral practices. Classic ecological theory assumes that conservation management activities (such as regular mowing) and drought events should increase diversity through decreased plant competition in abandoned mesic communities. In turn, this could reduce diversity in xeric communities although positive plant interactions (facilitation) might buffer these negative effects and maintain diversity. 2. We studied the effects of regular mowing and experimentally induced drought on diversity and biotic interactions between two transplanted species in mesic and xeric calcareous grasslands. The study sites in south-western France have not been subjected to any management for the last 30 years. 3. Drought did not affect mesic systems although mowing increased plant diversity through decreased competition. By contrast, mowing had no significant effect in xeric systems although drought decreased diversity. Interestingly, transplants were subject to neither competition nor facilitation in the xeric systems. 4. Synthesis and applications. Regular mowing and drought events impact plant diversity of mesic and xeric calcareous grassland communities in different ways. We recommend regular mowing of mesic grasslands, even in the context of climate change. By contrast, we recommend less-frequent mowing of xeric grasslands together with specific interventions such as assisted migration for species with poor drought tolerance. Similar studies in other ecosystems on larger spatial and temporal scales should examine the dual effects of management and climate change to identify appropriate management programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012
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20. Potential climatic transitions with profound impact on Europe.
- Author
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Levermann, Anders, Bamber, Jonathan, Drijfhout, Sybren, Ganopolski, Andrey, Haeberli, Winfried, Harris, Neil, Huss, Matthias, Krüger, Kirstin, Lenton, Timothy, Lindsay, Ronald, Notz, Dirk, Wadhams, Peter, and Weber, Susanne
- Subjects
CLIMATE change research ,MERIDIONAL overturning circulation ,SEA ice ,GLACIERS ,OZONE layer & the environment - Abstract
We discuss potential transitions of six climatic subsystems with large-scale impact on Europe, sometimes denoted as tipping elements. These are the ice sheets on Greenland and West Antarctica, the Atlantic thermohaline circulation, Arctic sea ice, Alpine glaciers and northern hemisphere stratospheric ozone. Each system is represented by co-authors actively publishing in the corresponding field. For each subsystem we summarize the mechanism of a potential transition in a warmer climate along with its impact on Europe and assess the likelihood for such a transition based on published scientific literature. As a summary, the 'tipping' potential for each system is provided as a function of global mean temperature increase which required some subjective interpretation of scientific facts by the authors and should be considered as a snapshot of our current understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012
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21. Current status and predicted impact of climate change on forest production and biogeochemistry in the temperate oceanic European zone: review and prospects for Belgium as a case study.
- Author
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Campioli, Matteo, Vincke, Caroline, Jonard, Mathieu, Kint, Vincent, Demarée, Gaston, and Ponette, Quentin
- Subjects
CLIMATE change research ,FORESTS & forestry ,BIOGEOCHEMISTRY ,EUROPEAN beech ,DROUGHTS - Abstract
Reviews of the current statuses of forests and the impacts of climate change on forests exist at the (sub)continental scale, but rarely at country and regional levels, meaning that information on causal factors, their impacts, and specific regional properties is often inconsistent and lacking in depth. Here, we present the current status of forest production and biogeochemistry and the expected impacts of climate change on them for Belgium. This work represents a case study for the temperate oceanic zone, the most important bioclimatic zone in northwestern Europe. Results show that Belgian forests are mainly young, very productive, and have a high C-sequestration capacity. Major negative anomalies in tree vitality were observed in the 1990s and-as result of disturbances-in the last decade for sensitive species as poplars and European beech. The most severe disturbances were caused by extreme climatic events, directly (e.g. storms) or indirectly (e.g. insect outbreaks after a mild autumn with an early/severe frost). Because of atmospheric deposition and soil fertilization (due to the previous use of the land), nutrient stocks of Belgian forests are likely to sustain the future enhancement in productivity which is expected to follow the increase in atmospheric CO concentration that will occur in years to come. However, in the long term, such (enhanced) forest production is likely to be limited by nutrient deficiencies at poor sites and by drought for sensitive species such as beech and (particularly) Norway spruce. Drought conditions will likely increase in the future, but adverse effects are expected on a relatively limited number of tree species. The potential impacts of windstorms, insects and fungi should be carefully investigated, whereas fires are less of a concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
22. The causality analysis of climate change and large-scale human crisis.
- Author
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David D. Zhang, Lee, Harry F., Cong Wang, Baosheng Li, Qing Pei, Jane Zhang, and Yulun An
- Subjects
CLIMATE change research ,AGRICULTURAL productivity & the environment ,SOCIAL disabilities - Abstract
Recent studies have shown strong temporal correlations between past climate changes and societal crises. However, the specific causal mechanisms underlying this relation have not been addressed. We explored quantitative responses of 14 fine-grained agro-ecological, socioeconomic, and demographic variables to climate fluctuations from A.D. 1500-1800 in Europe. Re5ults show that cooling from AD. 1560-1660 caused successive agro-ecological, socioeconomic, and demographic catastrophes, leading to the General Crisis of the Seventeenth Century. We identified a set of causal linkages between climate change and human crisis. Using temperature data and climate-driven economic variables, we simulated the alternation of defined "golden" and "dark" ages in Europe and the Northern Hemisphere during the past millennium. Our findings indicate that climate change was the ultimate cause, and climate-driven economic downturn was the direct cause, of large-scale human crises in preindustrial Europe and the Northern Hemisphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
23. Sensitivity of discharge and flood frequency to twenty-first century and late Holocene changes in climate and land use (River Meuse, northwest Europe).
- Author
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Ward, Philip J., Renssen, Hans, Aerts, Jeroen C. J., and Verburg, Peter H.
- Subjects
CLIMATE change research ,FOREST conversion ,DEFORESTATION ,WATERSHEDS ,HOLOCENE paleoclimatology - Abstract
We used a calibrated coupled climate-hydrological model to simulate Meuse discharge over the late Holocene (4000-3000 BP and 1000-2000 AD). We then used this model to simulate discharge in the twenty-first century under SRES emission scenarios A2 and B1, with and without future land use change. Mean discharge and medium-sized high-flow (e.g. Q) frequency are higher in 1000-2000 AD than in 4000-3000 BP; almost all of this increase can be attributed to the conversion of forest to agriculture. In the twentieth century, mean discharge and the frequency of medium-sized high-flow events are higher than in the nineteenth century; this increase can be attributed to increased (winter half-year) precipitation. Between the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, anthropogenic climate change causes a further increase in discharge and medium-sized high-flow frequency; this increase is of a similar order of magnitude to the changes over the last 4,000 years. The magnitude of extreme flood events (return period 1,250-years) is higher in the twenty-first century than in any preceding period of the time-slices studied. In contrast to the long-term influence of deforestation on mean discharge, changes in forest cover have had little effect on these extreme floods, even on the millennial timescale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
24. Climate reconstructions from grape harvest dates: Methodology and uncertainties.
- Author
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de Cortázar-Atauri, I. Garcia, Daux, V., Garnier, E., Yiou, P., Viovy, N., Seguin, B., Boursiquot, J. M., Parker, A. K., van Leeuwen, C., and Chuine, I.
- Subjects
CLIMATE change research ,CLIMATE research ,GRAPE harvesting ,GRAPE varieties ,AGRICULTURE - Abstract
Several studies have used grape harvest date (GHD) as a proxy for temperature variations of the last centuries in Europe. However, the use of grape harvest dates to reconstruct climate is not straightforward, with four possible causes of major flaws. In this study we identify and evaluate the accuracy of GHD as a proxy to past temperature anomalies, uncertainties in the model used to relate temperature to GHD, identity of the grape varieties cultivated in the past, type of wine produced in the past and cultural practices used in the past. Our analyses are based on several phenological and crop models, and on the most complete data set on grape vine phenology and harvest quality. We show that the two methodologies currently used - linear regression models and process-based phenological models - can be accurate, but process-based phenological models ascertain robustness to be applied confidently in different vineyards and different periods. However, we show that several factors can induce a bias in temperature reconstructions using process-based models. We demonstrate the importance of historical information on the studied areas such as the varieties cultivated, the style of wine produced, the quality sought, the agricultural practices, in order to build the most robust model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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