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This paper is concerned with a Lotka–Volterra cooperative model with degenerate diffusion under climate change. Firstly, by constructing the appropriate upper and lower solutions to overcome the influence of the degeneracy and nonautonomous terms, and applying the monotone iteration method, we prove the existence of forced traveling waves with any speed c > 0 at which the habitat edge is shifting. Then based on the new comparison theorem for degenerate diffusion systems, we obtain the global existence of C α , β -solution to the initial value problem of this system via the compactness analysis. At the end of the paper, some numerical simulations are conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Scotland, residents have fought open-net salmon farms and their toll on human and nonhuman bodies for decades. This paper recollects seven years of work in Skye and Raasay, two islands off the northwest coast of the country, developing strategies to divest away from salmon aquaculture. Addressing the contemporary wave of underwater clearances created by UK's top food export industry, it unpacks the implementation of a transition into alternative horizons by embracing the legacies of toxicity inherited from salmon extractivist industries. CLIMAVORE, a framework developed as a research-led artistic practice by the authors, investigates how to eat in the new seasons of the climate crisis. In a season of marine dead zones, it facilitates new approaches to aquaecology and coastal care that cultivate coastal livelihoods. CLIMAVORE began with a new public forum, shaped as a multispecies intertidal table, established in Skye in 2017 to envision environmentally regenerative and socially reparative forms of food production based on metabolic interactions between humans and depleted landscapes that benefit a plethora of species. CLIMAVORE's site responsive methodology relies on a socially-engaged art practice, consisting of fieldwork, interviews, working groups, oral histories, performative meals, cooking and building apprenticeships, tidal gardening, material testing and public art installations. Ongoing collaboration with residents, scientists, and policymakers critically explores ways of living not only on but with the coast. This new holistic approach to coastal nourishment provides methodologies for ecological praxis as well as a platform for researchers and the general public to imagine an alternative ecological future: the tidal commons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity reserves are a crucial in-situ method to conserve biodiversity hotspots as they are sensitive to climate change. The Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR) in the western Himalayas is enriched with diverse endemic flora and fauna and endorses the second-highest mountain peak in the world. However, in the recent decade, this region has potentially warmed at an alarming rate. With 36 temperature and precipitation indices from high-resolution 40-year data from ERA5 reanalysis and CHIRPS, this paper assesses the state of warming and extreme climatic events. Apart from the indices, Landsat (NASA/USGS, USA) and QuickSCAT (ISRO, India) were utilized to assess the region's response to climate change. An increase of 0.73ºC in the last decade for minimum, 0.26°C for maximum temperatures was observed, with the highest anomaly of 1.7°C in 2016. The reserve's vegetation pattern has changed with the vegetative region's dispersal towards the north and higher elevations. In the year 2000, the area without any vegetation covered 79% of the total area, which declined to a mere 23.8% in the year 2020, equivalent to a 70% decline in the area. Similarly, the area with very dense region covered only 0.02% of the total area in the year 2000, and in the year 2020, it increased to 109%. Snow cover seems to be worst affected in the region with dense snow cover declining maximum by 2020. From coverage of 12.3% of the total area of the reserves, it was reduced to a mere 0.02%, showing a decline of nearly 100% in the region. Our findings show that although protected areas are meant to be resilient to external anthropogenic intrusions, they are highly susceptible to the intrinsic forces of induced climate change. We suggest that reserve managers enable robust measures to identify the distribution of vulnerable species and introduce new methods to preserve the pristine hotspot region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On college campuses, environmental science education largely takes place in classrooms, thereby limiting impact on the full student body. By implementing an educational intervention in an informal campus setting, this study tested an approach aimed at expanding the reach of environmental learning. Students at a mid-size Midwestern university were exposed to a food-focused environmental and climate education intervention consisting of sustainability trivia and marketing materials displayed in dining halls. Prior to exposure, students completed a pre-test, followed by a 5-week intervention, then a post-test. Comparing correct responses between pre-test and post-test, we found a significant increase in environmental and climate impact knowledge. The intervention was especially effective for women such that knowledge increased significantly more among women than among men. Additionally, we found a significant decrease in red meat consumption post-intervention. There were no significant differences between major categories or race and ethnicity. Results indicate that sustainability interventions implemented outside classrooms can be effective. Emphasizing connections between environmental health and sustainable food choices is important in improving students' environmental awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has emerged as one of our most pressing global challenges, with far-reaching implications for various sectors, including agriculture. The Earth's climate is undergoing significant changes, primarily driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. These changes result in rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events. Consequently, the agricultural sector, which relies heavily on stable climatic conditions, faces numerous challenges threatening global food security and livelihoods. The present study deals with the issue of climate change and its impact on yields and agricultural production in the province of Khemisset. The methodology used is a combination approach of quantitative and qualitative research. Among other tools for processing data were descriptive statistics and principal component analysis. In total, 120 research units are surveyed in the study area; the number of farmers is not homogeneous, and four categories of producers have been formed to analyze the perceptions and farmer strategies developed. They have been chosen according to the soil, vegetation, and livestock type. The main conclusions derived from the study results are: We observed a negative evolution of climate parameters during the period 1985–2015. Virtually all the producers of the area studied perceive a negative evolution of the different climatic parameters, which is consistent in most cases with the analysis of meteorological data. The changes and climate variability have negative impacts on agriculture. The local populations have a good understanding of the evolution of agricultural yields. Using fertilizers, crop rotation, early varieties of crops, and other types of adaptations are the responses of some farmers from the Zemmour tribes to the effects of climate change. Climate change is already affecting agriculture and will continue to do so. It is crucial to highlight the immediate requirement for inclusive measures to address and adjust to the consequences of climate change on agriculture to guarantee the endurance, sustainability, and food security of our agricultural systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have found mixed evidence on whether or not worrying about COVID-19 would lead to a decrease in climate change engagement. To gain more clarity in this line of research, we revisited the finite pool of worry and risk-as-feelings hypotheses by exploring whether and how COVID-19 health beliefs are associated with climate change engagement. Data were collected in February 2021 from a cross-sectional online survey of US adults (N = 434). Findings from structural equation modeling demonstrate that COVID-19 health beliefs were positively associated with fear of COVID-19, which further mediated the effect of COVID-19 health belief factors on climate change responses. While perceived severity of COVID-19 was positively associated with climate change concern, perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 was negatively associated with climate change concern. In summary, our study clarifies that a finite pool of worry hypothesis may be supported when the susceptibility dimension of risk is examined, and when evaluating the severity dimension, an opposite risk-as-feelings hypothesis may be supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholars of religion have repeatedly debated and contested the role of religion and spirituality in combatting climate change. In recent years, the potential of religion has also become an issue among natural scientists, politicians, environmental organizations, and civil society. Indeed, the potential of religion to mitigate climate change is perceived both internally and externally, and various expectations are placed on religion. This article examines the perceived potential of religion in mitigating climate change and how this is being realized. Based on 38 interviews, conducted with representatives from religious communities and umbrella organizations in Germany and Switzerland, we focus on the areas of values, political influence, and materialization. Our results show that the potential of religion in addressing climate change remains largely unfulfilled despite increasing steps in this direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate-induced increase in temperature and rainfall variability severely threaten the agricultural sector and food security in the Indian state of Odisha. Climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices, such as crop rotation and integrated soil management, help farmers adapt to climate risk and contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Therefore, this paper examines the impact of CSA practices on yield and income in vulnerable semi-arid districts of Odisha—Balangir, Kendrapara, and Mayurbhanj. We use primary survey data from 494 households collected in 2019–2020, using a multi-stage stratified sampling approach and structured questionnaire. Propensity score matching (PSM) and the two-stage least square method (2SLS) have been used to analyze the impact of CSA on income and productivity. Two instrument variables, namely distance to the extension office and percentage of adopters in a village, are used to control self-selection bias and endogeneity in our model. Both models show a positive and significant impact of the adoption of CSA on farmers’ productivity and income. The study sheds light on the significant contribution of CSA practices in fostering sustainable income growth amid environmental challenges. Overall, our results suggest that small and marginal farmers of Eastern India, a highly environmentally vulnerable area, can significantly improve their income and productivity by adopting CSA technology. Hence, policymakers should scale the adoption of CSA technology through effective extension programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical storms are among the most devastating natural disasters in the USA. Climate change is projected to make them even more destructive, and the number of people and properties at risk has steadily increased over the past several decades. Migration is often seen by scholars as an adaptation strategy to reduce exposure to future natural disasters. However, studies of migration after tropical storms have led to inconsistent results and have not analyzed post-storm migration from the viewpoint of exposure to future events. This paper adopts an innovative approach to estimate “excess migration” associated with tropical storms using Bayesian hierarchical models, and decomposes migration by risk of exposure to natural disasters of the origin and destination to understand whether migrants move to safer areas or rather riskier ones. Findings indicate that excess migration after tropical storms is rare and generally fails to reduce the number of people at risk of experiencing future natural disasters. Only the most destructive tropical storms are associated with significant excess migration. Finally, findings further suggest that neither the amount of post-disaster assistance nor the socio-demographic characteristics of the affected counties are strongly associated with excess migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Arctic is experiencing a rapid temperature increase, four times faster than lower-latitude regions, disproportionately affecting rural, coastal, and Indigenous communities. These areas confront multiple urgent climate challenges. Adaptation strategies encompass out-migration, community relocation, and enhancing resilience, yet research in this critical area is notably limited, particularly for the most vulnerable communities. This paper presents a comprehensive review of environmental stressors and contextual factors influencing migration decisions in the North American Arctic. While migration is primarily driven by job opportunities, education, healthcare, cultural, and infrastructural factors, factors such as family, culture, safety, subsistence life, and community ties strongly influence residents to stay. The study reveals a lack of clear evidence for climate-driven migration at the individual/household level, but it underscores well-documented community-level relocations. Two major challenges in studying Arctic climate migration are identified: the complexity of migration and the uniqueness of Arctic climate change. Recommendations include considering migration typology, disentangling climate drivers from contextual factors, and addressing data limitations through systematic collection, integration, and creative use of traditional and nontraditional data. The paper underscores the importance of establishing partnerships with local communities to achieve a holistic understanding of factors driving migration or immobility, ensuring research outcomes are connected to addressing community challenges. This review lays the groundwork for empirical research on Arctic migration and community adaptation, aiming to comprehend the challenges faced by these communities and explore potential solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, people have always had to deal with climate-related hazards, and in the majority of places, they have adapted gradually. However, these gradual adaptations may not be enough to withstand the expected intensity of climate-related hazards in the future. In this paper, our focus is on the effect of storms in the Faroe Islands. The islands are highly exposed to storms, which are projected to increase in intensity and potentially also in frequency in this region. The islands are characterized by being small, remote, and with a rough terrain, which makes it difficult for external actors to provide assistance. As a result, the civilian population—especially in the outer regions—often have to deal with storms and their consequences themselves. The geographical focus in this paper is the Northern Islands, and in particular the communities of Viðareiði and Hvannasund. The approach applied is qualitative, and the central question this paper tries to answer is how aspects of place attachment (social, physical, functional) affect the way in which the local population handle storms. The findings show communities that are impacted by storms, but also that their previous experiences with storms have led to an improved adaptation level, which today enables them to cope with more severe storms. The attachment they have to where they live will assist them in coping with future storms, although it can also be a hindrance to the implementation of the necessary adaptation and preparedness measures, since they presume that they are already safe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vegetation system in arid and semi-arid regions is facing severe challenges, so it is urgent to forecast the evolution of vegetation system. Vegetation pattern dynamics can be used to qualitatively analyze and quantitatively describe the formation mechanism and distribution law of vegetation based on dynamic equations and statistical data. Therefore, this paper selects Baotou region, Inner Mongolia which is a typical semi-arid region and applies vegetation-climate dynamics model to study the effect of climate change on vegetation distribution. The last 60 years of carbon dioxide concentration [CO 2 ], rainfall and temperature data in this region are collected and the correlation between these climatic factors and vegetation density is analyzed. Besides, vegetation growth over the next 100 years is predicted under different climate scenarios. The results reveal that precipitation makes a critical difference in the growth of vegetation, and the vegetation pattern is the result of the synergistic effect of temperature, precipitation and [CO 2 ]. The rate of vegetation desertification is the fastest under current scenario and SSP1-2.6 is the most ideal climate scenario for vegetation growth. Furthermore, we use the optimal control theory to provide a theoretical guidance for the prevention of desertification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the military alliance created to counter the Soviet Union expands, it is prioritizing studies on how climate change affects security, cyberattacks and election interference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change significantly impacts human health, exacerbating existing health inequalities and creating new ones. This study addresses the lack of systematic review in this area by analyzing 2440 publications, focusing on four key terms: health, disparities, environmental factors, and climate change. Strict inclusion criteria limited the selection to English-language, peer-reviewed articles related to climate health hazards, ensuring the relevance and rigor of the synthesized studies. This process synthesized 65 relevant studies. Our investigation revealed that recent research, predominantly from developed countries, has broadened its scope beyond temperature-related impacts to encompass diverse climate hazards, including droughts, extreme weather, floods, mental health issues, and the intersecting effects of Coronavirus Disease 2019. Research has highlighted exposure as the most studied element in the causal chain of climate change-related health inequalities, followed by adaptive capability and inherent sensitivity. The most significant vulnerabilities were observed among populations with low socioeconomic status, ethnic minorities, and women. The study further reveals research biases and methodological limitations, such as the paucity of attention to underdeveloped regions, a narrow focus on non-temperature-related hazards, challenges in attributing climate change effects, and a deficit of large-scale empirical studies. The findings call for more innovative research approaches and a holistic integration of physical, socio-political, and economic dimensions to enrich climate-health discourse and inform equitable policy-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The weaponizing of scientific expertise to oppose regulation has been extensively studied. However, the relevant studies, belonging to the emerging discipline of agnotology, remain focused on the analysis of empirical corruption: of misinformation, doubt mongering, and other practices that cynically deploy expertise to render audiences ignorant of empirical facts. This paper explores the wrongful deployment of expertise beyond empirical corruption. To do so, I develop a broader framework of morally subversive expertise, building on recent work in political philosophy (Howard, 2016). Expertise is subversive if it sets up its audience to fail morally, either intentionally or negligently. I distinguish three modes of subversive expertise: empirical subversion (the focus of agnotology), normative subversion and motivational subversion. Drawing on these distinctions, I offer a revisionary account of the Trump Administration’s regulatory science as a case study. I show that the Trump Administration’s use of expertise to dismantle climate regulation, contra the standard charge, cannot be explained using the resources of agnotology alone: the Administration produced highly reliable climate assessments, detailing the risks of climate change, candidly admitting the harms of its proposed policies, and still successfully deployed these findings to justify massive climate deregulation. The lesson of the analysis is that dismissing the expertise that underpins climate deregulation as empirically corrupt ‘anti-science’ both obscures its actual role in the politics of climate change and understates its wrongfulness: it misses the breadth of the assault on moral agency that sustains climate injustice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Global climate change is one of the major challenges facing the world today, and forests play a crucial role as significant carbon sinks and providers of ecosystem services in mitigating climate change and protecting the environment. China, as one of the largest developing countries globally, owns 60% of its forest resources collectively. Evaluating the carbon sequestration cost of collective forests not only helps assess the contribution of China's forest resources to global climate change mitigation but also provides important evidence for formulating relevant policies and measures. Results: Over the past 30 years, the carbon sequestration cost of collective forests in China has shown an overall upward trend. Except for coastal provinces, southern collective forest areas, as well as some southwestern and northeastern regions, have the advantage of lower carbon sequestration costs. Furthermore, LSTM network predictions indicate that the carbon sequestration cost of collective forests in China will continue to rise. By 2030, the average carbon sequestration cost of collective forests is projected to reach 125 CNY per ton(= 16.06 Euros/t). Additionally, there is spatial correlation in the carbon sequestration cost of collective forests. Timber production, labor costs, and labor prices have negative spatial spillover effects on carbon sequestration costs, while land opportunity costs, forest accumulation, and rural resident consumption have positive spatial spillover effects. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate regional disparities in the spatial distribution of carbon sequestration costs of collective forests, with an undeniable upward trend in future cost growth. It is essential to focus on areas with lower carbon sequestration costs and formulate targeted carbon sink economic policies and management measures to maximize the carbon sequestration potential of collective forests and promote the sustainable development of forestry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrothermal carbonization is one of the effective methods of converting wet lignocellulosic biomass into carbon-rich hydrochar. Due to its characteristic application on CO2 capture and storage, many researchers have studied the CO2 uptake on activated hydrochar. The present work studies the CO2 uptake from banana-peel-derived activated hydrochar which is not presented in the literature. Hydrochar is obtained at three different temperatures (180, 200, and 220 °C) and activated using KOH. Characterization studies including SEM, XRD and FTIR were performed to examine the structure and chemistry of the derived activated hydrochar. The hydrochar sample (BP-180) when activated with a KOH/hydrochar ratio of 3 and an activation temperature of 700 °C has a well-developed microstructure with a surface area and pore volume of 243.4 m2/g and 0.0931 cm3/g, respectively. Samples obtained at higher process temperatures (BP-200 and BP-220) showed much lower porosity. Similarly, the maximum CO2 adsorption is recorded for BP-180 (3.8 mmol/g), followed by BP-200 and BP-220 with maximum adsorption capacities of 3.71 and 3.18 mmol/g, respectively, at 1 bar and 25 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amid the data deluge provided by lab-based techniques, such as environmental-DNA analysis, true connection still comes only in the outdoors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Litigation can lead governments to strengthen their climate policies and curb companies’ greenwashing, say scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers are using various machine-learning strategies to speed up climate modelling, reduce its energy costs and hopefully improve accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses the potential macro-economic effects of climate change affecting operations in three maritime chokepoints, i.e., the Panama Canal, the Suez Canal, and the Turkish Straits. The analysis focuses on agricultural commodities. It couples a "logistics" model of maritime trade flows with a Computable General Equilibrium model considering three modelling alternatives: (1) increase of "iceberg trade costs", (2) shadow import tariffs, and (3) shadow export tariffs. Methodologically, we found a comforting qualitative agreement across methodologies in predicting the direction of changes in the main economic variables under scrutiny. However, negative GDP performances are more frequent and larger using the first method that also tends to predict lower import contractions than the other two methods. The impact assessment, examining storylines of climate-change-induced events delaying chokepoints operations, highlights that climate change impacts on chokepoints' operations can convey detectable effects on production and prices of agricultural commodities associated with negative GDP impacts worldwide. In addition, although trade re-composition generates winners and losers, total losses tend to prevail. The combined GDP losses of the three chokepoints can reach $34 billion (2014 prices) in 2030. It shows that weather events in remote locations, such as the Panama Canal, can have cascading effects on the EU, with potential losses of USD 2 billion $ in GDP. North Africa, Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa are particularly vulnerable. They suffer from a drop in imports of agricultural commodities and GDP losses in all the three cases. This impact assessment emphasizes another mechanism at play that could increase the asymmetry and the adverse distributional impacts of climate change on agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quest to eradicate poverty, central to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), poses a significant global challenge. Advancement in sustainable rural development is critical to this effort, requiring the seamless integration of environmental, economic, and governmental elements. Previous research often omits the complex interactions among these factors. Addressing this gap, this study evaluates sustainable rural development in China by examining the interconnection between agricultural production and government-led poverty reduction, with annual rainfall considered an influential factor of climate change impacts on these sectors and overall sustainability. Utilizing a Meta-frontier entropy network dynamic Directional Distance Function (DDF) within an exogenous Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model, we categorize China's 27 provinces into southern and northern regions according to the Qinling-Huaihe line for a comparative study of environmental, economic, and governmental efficiency. This innovative approach overcomes the limitations of previous static analyses. The findings reveal: (1) Rainfall, as an exogenous variable, significantly affects agricultural production efficiency. (2) The overall efficiency in both southern and northern regions increases when accounting for rainfall. (3) Government effectiveness in poverty reduction is comparatively lower in the northern region than in the southern region when rainfall is considered. These insights underscore the importance of including climatic variables in sustainable development policies and emphasize the need for region-specific strategies to bolster resilience against climatic challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a thorough analysis of the scientific production in climate change and adaptation in Brazil. We conducted a bibliometric and bibliographic review to reveal and discuss how climate change research has been carried out. We compared a broader climate change research dataset with a more specific climate adaptation research dataset, to understand the main differences and convergence points, and how science conducted from a mitigation and adaptation perspective demonstrates potential to confront the climate change challenges and drivers in Brazil. Four main clusters of investigation within climate change were detected: (1) impacts on forest and plant development, (2) land use and ecology, (3) adaptation/governance, and (4) climate/atmospheric studies. Only about 5% of the total studies on climate change address adaptation, for which three main clusters of research were identified: (1) adaptation actions and policies; (2) urban environment, vulnerability, and health and (3) food and coastal impacts. Although there are strong research trends in climate change for the Amazon Forest, there was less evidence of studies concerning climate adaptation for this and other Brazilian biomes, smaller cities, rural and traditional communities, and poorer regions. Our results shed a light on the more commonly chosen research topics, their strongest points and potential gaps and trends. This can contribute to the scientific communication and implementation of climate actions in Brazil, and a better understanding of the climate science knowledge from the perspective of a middle-income country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change continues to affect food production and farmers incur additional costs to adopt appropriate adaptation strategies to combat its effects and attain food security. To enhance adaptive and sustainable coping strategies and food security, it is necessary to study the opportunity costs of implementing climate adaptations and how they influence the net revenue of farmers. Therefore, the study empirically investigates adaptation to climate change and the net revenue of cassava farmers in Southwest Nigeria. The primary data used for this study were collected through a well-structured questionnaire for 221 respondents. The analytical methods used were descriptive statistics, paired sample tests, and multiple regression. Analysis revealed that the majority (55%) of the sampled cassava farmers employed planting different varieties and using agrochemicals as their main adaptation strategies. The results revealed that insufficient funding and labour shortage were the main barriers to adaptation in the study area. The results of opportunity cost on net revenue and costs using paired samples test revealed that cassava farmers derived and perceived the utility and the net benefits using adaptation measures than when it is not used. The result of the regression showed that climate variables such as adaptation options, rainfall, and access to climate information are co-joint with socioeconomic and production factors to determine the average net revenue in the area. Therefore, the study suggests that the costs of adaptation resources should be subsidized by the government at affordable prices for the farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population ageing is expected to lead to significant rises in climate risks because vulnerability rises sharply throughout people's later years. When assessing the vulnerability of older people, however, what's important isn't the number of years someone has lived (i.e. "chronological age") but rather their functional abilities and characteristics; the latter is better captured by remaining life expectancy or "prospective age". Here, we show that assessing growth in the size of older populations using a prospective rather than chronological age perspective can help avoid overestimates of future risks to climate change. Compared to an analysis based on chronological age, the projected increase in the vulnerable population share seen in the prospective age analysis is considerably lower. The differences between the two perspectives increase with age, decrease with country income level, and are larger in futures that give priority to sustainable development. Thus, while ageing certainly poses major challenges to societies facing climate change, these may be smaller than thought. Prospective age offers a relatively easily implemented alternative for projecting future vulnerability that better accounts for rising longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The warming planet is worsening mental illness and distress. Researchers need to work out the scale of the problem and how those who need assistance can be helped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of melting polar ice could delay the need for a ‘leap second’ by three years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans' effect on the polar ice sheets is slowing Earth's rotation, posing challenges for its alignment with the official time standard. Two researchers discuss the science behind the slowdown and the impact it has on timekeeping. Two perspectives on how climate change is affecting timekeeping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable and effective means to control flying insect vectors are critically needed, especially with widespread insecticide resistance and global climate change. Understanding and controlling vectors requires accurate information about their movement and activity, which is often lacking. The Photonic Fence (PF) is an optical system that uses machine vision, infrared light, and lasers to identify, track, and interdict vectors in flight. The PF examines an insect's outline, flight speed, and other flight parameters and if these match those of a targeted vector species, then a low-power, retina-safe laser kills it. We report on proof-of-concept tests of a large, field-sized PF (30 mL × 3 mH) conducted with Aedes aegypti, a mosquito that transmits dangerous arboviruses, and Diaphorina citri, a psyllid which transmits the fatal huanglongbing disease of citrus. In tests with the laser engaged, < 1% and 3% of A. aegypti and D. citri, respectfully, were recovered versus a 38% and 19% recovery when the lacer was silenced. The PF tracked, but did not intercept the orchid bee, Euglossa dilemma. The system effectively intercepted flying vectors, but not bees, at a distance of 30 m, heralding the use of photonic energy, rather than chemicals, to control flying vectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article conducts a qualitative governance analysis of the European Commission's 2022 proposal for a certification framework for carbon removals (CRCF). It highlights potential challenges and legal implications—with a specific focus on carbon farming. While the European Union (EU) acknowledges carbon farming as an important strategy to offset residual emissions, such carbon removal activities are prone to reversals and models often overestimate their sequestration potential. The CRCF aims to account for these issues, but the analysis shows that the proposal may, in part, undermine international climate and biodiversity goals set by the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity. Key concerns include its failure to consider the normative hierarchy between emission reductions and removals mandated by EU and international law, the introduction of a temporary removal crediting system, the extensive delegation of powers to the Commission, the possibility that it may incentivise shifting effects, and its lack of alignment with other EU environmental policies. Additionally, the CRCF's failure to restrict the use of carbon credits after certification increases the risk of double claiming of removal activities—and the proposal may open the door for to future integration of carbon removals into the EU's emission trading scheme, which should be avoided for various reasons. As an alternative, member states should consider targeted subsidy schemes and regulatory instruments to navigate these challenges in carbon farming effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper combines social fiction and academic analysis to envision hopeful futures for higher education. At the heart of the exploration is Phoebe Wagner's speculative fiction piece, University, Speaking, which personifies a university grappling with environmental, political, and social change. Phoebe Wagner's first-person narrative highlights the power of collective voice, the importance of centering community, and the urgent need to cultivate resilience and adaptability. Through analysis of key themes, this paper connects Phoebe Wagner's fictional vision to contemporary research on the multi-faceted and complex challenges facing universities today. By integrating artistic and academic perspectives, this paper discusses new possibilities for universities navigating disruption and change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a unique data set of selected physicochemical parameters characterizing the environment of the Baltic coastal lakes within Polish borders. The peculiarity of the system derives principally from the interaction of the lakes with a sea of relatively low salinity. In contrast to our best understanding of the state of biological knowledge, the abiotic parameters of coastal lakes along the southern Baltic Sea have never previously been so comprehensively supplemented. The database consists of physicochemical properties of 13 coastal lakes based on the analytical assessment of 419 water samples collected seasonally between 2014 and 2019. Water properties were analyzed according to the connection of the lakes to the Baltic Sea using a total of 23 predictors. The lakes were classified as closed, intermittently connected, or open. Based on the physicochemical data, a relationship between the hydrological connection between the lakes and the sea was determined. The data collected could be used to monitor ongoing global climate change at the biosphere level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate movements have gained momentum in recent years, aiming to create public awareness of the consequences of climate change through salient climate protests. This paper investigates whether concerns about climate change increase following demonstrative protests and confrontational acts of civil disobedience. Leveraging individual-level survey panel data from Germany, we exploit exogenous variations in the timing of climate protests relative to survey interview dates to compare climate change concerns in the days before and after a protest (N = 24,535). Following climate protests, we find increases in concerns about climate change by, on average, 1.2 percentage points. Further, we find no statistically significant evidence that concerns of any subpopulation decreased after climate protests. Lastly, the increase in concerns following protests is highest when concern levels before the protests are low. Climate movements aim to raise public awareness of climate change through protests, but their efficacy is debated. Here, the authors show that concerns about climate change increased in Germany after climate strikes and non-violent acts of civil disobedience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Vibrant Fields project endeavors to construct novel representational tectonics of urbanization, aiming to comprehend the materiality of forms and the genesis of multispectral relations within complex information systems governing the interplay of atmospheric and embodied energy cycles in the biosphere. This project asserts that any perceivable condition of nature arises from dynamic processes that transcend human sensory perception. Inspired by theoretical biology, the project models the urban environment as a systemic entity characterized by modularity, representing the biosphere's dynamic interplay of chemical and physical elements engaged in information exchange within ecological systems, influenced by technology, geography, and atmospheric conditions. Vibrant Fields utilizes layers of observation systems to translate the complex biosphere into dimensionally reduced data streams. It introduces complementary devices, bridging the gap between global and local data to better understand microclimatic phenomena. The project observes the simultaneous realities and temporalities of urban field information within its ecological context. It investigates the architecture, technology, flora, and fauna of cities in relation to their geographic, geological, and ecological conditions, analyzing multiple temporal historical and geological scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has been a significant threat to sustainable agriculture impacting trade and food security. This research investigates the impacts of climate change on agricultural trade and food security in emerging economies focusing on Southern Africa. The research employed the dynamic panel Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) using panel data for the period 2012 to 2021 obtained from a sample of 12 Southern African countries selected based on data availability. The main independent variables to the research were climate change variables (temperature and precipitation). Other control variables included were population growth, food inflation and agricultural growth. The study found significant negative effects of climate change on agriculture trade. Whilst temperature changes were found to have insignificant effects, precipitation changes were found to have significant positive effects. The research recommends concerted efforts towards climate change adaptation and mitigation for sustainable agriculture. Based on the Findings, sustainable food security and agricultural trade Southern African emerging economies may be attained through effective climate change mitigation and adaptation approaches particularly promoting climate-smart agriculture (CSA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant production systems worldwide are struggling to meet the diverse and increasing needs of humankind while also facing challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. This, combined with the desirable transition from the use of conventional pesticides to more sustainable plant protection solutions, has led to an urgent, and increasing, need for low-risk plant protection products (PPPs) to be developed, applied, and integrated into management practices across all types of plant production systems. Despite a high demand from end users and consumers together with joint political goals at the EU level to replace conventional pesticides, the number of low-risk PPPs on the European market remains low, in comparison to synthetic agrochemicals. In this review, we summarize knowledge about the policy, technical, and administrative issues hampering the process of bringing new low-risk PPPs to the European market. We present an overview of the challenges in using the low-risk PPPs that are currently available within the EU agricultural, horticultural, and forestry sectors. We describe the variation in modes of action and the limitations associated with different application techniques and give concrete examples of problems and solutions from Swedish plant production sectors, in contrast to global perspectives as demonstrated by examples from African agriculture. Finally, we conclude that trans-sectoral, multi-actor approaches are required and provide suggestions on how to address the remaining knowledge gaps related to efficiency, application, and economics of low-risk PPP use in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) solutions for plant protection to improve future food security in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are integral to efforts to keep global warming below 2°C in accordance with the United Nations' 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Yet the transboundary governance dimensions of NbS remain unclear and largely undocumented. In Southeast Asia, NbS have emphasised the conservation and/ or sustainable commodification of carbon sinks found in terrestrial and mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, peatlands and agricultural soils. Mostly project-driven and fixed-term, these "solutions" have often failed to meet their social and ecological objectives. Increasingly, they have added to cross-border problems of: (1) displaced carbon emissions; and (2) economic migration and societal dispossession. This perspective paper delineates a transboundary governance research agenda to mitigate these trade-offs and enhance the co-benefits of NbS in carbon sinks. Building on NbS literature, it identifies cross-sector, multi-scalar and interdisciplinary pathways to improve transboundary cooperation, inclusion and equity in carbon sink governance in varying Southeast Asian contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main challenges regarding the prediction of groundwater resource changes is the climate change phenomenon and its impacts on quantitative variations of such resources. Groundwater resources are treated as one of the main strategic resources of any region. Given the climate change phenomenon and its impacts on hydrological parameters, it is necessary to evaluate and predict future changes to achieve an appropriate plan to maintain and preserve water resources. In this regard, the present study is put forward by utilizing the Statistical Down-Scaling Model (SDSM) to forecast the main climate variables (i.e., temperature and precipitation) based on new Rcp scenarios for greenhouse gas emissions within a period from 2020 to 2060. The results obtained from the prediction of climate parameters indicate different values in each emission scenario, so the limit, minimum and maximum values occur in the Rcp8.5, Rcp2.6 and Rcp4.5 scenarios, respectively. Also, a model is developed by utilizing the GMDH artificial neural network technique. The developed model predicts the average groundwater level based on the climate variables in such a way that by implementing the climate parameters forecasted by the SDSM model, the groundwater level within a time period from 2020 to 2060 is predicted. The results obtained from the verification and validation of the model imply its proper performance and reasonable accuracy in predicating groundwater level based on the climate variables. The findings derived from the present paper indicate that compared to the years prior to the prediction period, the groundwater level of the Sahneh Plain has dramatically dropped so that based on the Rcp scenarios, the groundwater level values are in their lowest state within the period from 2046 to 2056. The findings of this paper can be used by managers and decision makers as a layout for evaluating climate change effects in the Sahneh Plain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally there is already a lot of pressure on water resources because of climate change, economic development, as well as an increasing global populace. Many rivers originate in the mountains, where snowfall fluctuations and the global climate's inherent unpredictability affect the hydrological processes. Climate change sensitivity has been recognized in recent years and would affect hydropower, such as humidity, cloudiness, and precipitation, that are considered; global warming emerges as one of the most important contributors to climate change. The Yangtze River supports rich biodiversity and provides important ecosystem services for human survival and development. In addition, climate changes, particularly short-term and long-term precipitation and temperature fluctuations, influence the snow regime and the hydrological development of river flow response at the basin and sub-basin scales. More precise this review focused to understand the hydropower potential, freshwater fisheries, and hydrological response of snow dynamics in snow-dominated basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The examination is to emphasize the coastal dynamics and aquaculture site exploration through multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) with analytical hierarchy process (AHP) methods in parts of the Indian Sundarbans. The aim of this examination is to ecological disturbances and potential aquaculture land identification by applying satellite Landsat datasets and other certain datasets. Saltwater intrusion because of flood inundation and anthropogenic actions were triggering factors for deforestation, salinity increase, and shoreline change; therefore, diagraming the environmental problems was also significant. Flood-inundated lands are calculated through Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. Index-based mapping was applied for environmental degradation throughout the study periods. Around 12 certain criteria are applied for the examination of potential fishery site selection. In this process, the area is characterized by different suitable sites for aquaculture land development. The model output designates the place and magnitude for the expansion of this region in different suitability measures viz., very high suitable 0.16% (1.91 km2), high suitable 20.98% (244.59 km2), moderate suitable 54.94% (640.43 km2), low suitable 12.43% (144.83 km2), very low suitable 0.12% (1.35 km2), and not suitable 11.37% (132.53 km2).Remote sensing (RS) and GIS applications are applied for the aquaculture land identification based on selected criteria. These outcomes help to generate employment, creative application of the region, and informally fluctuated and economically retrograde people of this location. The analysis helps organizers to design plans to connect maximum fish biomass and to originate community assistance from inland open waters in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Graduate students can face difficulties collaborating across disciplines and outside of academia. Stakeholder-engaged research (i.e., research involving partners outside of academia) presents challenges for developing a project, finding collaborators, and co-creating knowledge. Past reflections on how to navigate stakeholder-engaged research assume a faculty member leads the project and do not often address implementation from a student-led approach. In this paper, we provide insight on our team science process from an applied, graduate student perspective. We reflect on the formation of our student team and the implementation of a tourism planning research project with community partners. We discuss challenges and focus on practical tips to overcome these challenges. Specifically, we include reflections on co-developing a research project, building authentic partnerships, negotiating power dynamics, and the role of institutional support. Lessons learned from this project can guide other graduate student teams working with stakeholders, as well as faculty seeking to train graduate students in stakeholder-engaged research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent 6th Assessment Report by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has been damning to the world. An overwhelming amount of evidence that Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) can contribute to stabilising or reversing the course of impacts of climate change is now common. Given the likely update of NDC measures compounded by their complexities and limited resources, it is imperative to adopt effective Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) systems to ensure that NDCs achieve their planned objectives. Effective roll-out and M&E of NDCs require full participation from all actors in various countries. However, despite existing evidence that shows the developing countries are the most affected by climate change, the role of their researchers in climate change research is not known. Therefore, the need to investigate the global North–South disparities and develop an agenda for future research about NDCs is imperative. To address this gap, a systematic review was undertaken using appropriate terms in Web of Science, Dimensions and ScienceDirect to identify relevant literature. The analysis of the identified literature led to two main findings. Firstly, most studies about NDCs are conducted by global North research institutes and researchers with very little involvement of those from the global South. Secondly, there is a global paucity of research about M&E of NDCs measures. As a major recommendation, while countries should equitably contribute to rolling out NDC projects, research should play a key role and should be inclusive as possible representing voices from the global North and South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discourse on urban flood resilience and the notions associated with the word has grown enormously and has been discovered to be in staggering form. This paper intends to provide a bibliometric analysis of nearly 30 years of urban flood resilience by mapping the knowledge domain, identifying evolving themes & trends over time, and extracting publications addressing urban flood resilience from the Scopus database. Trends, evolution, and mapping purpose of subject and field information analysis are undertaken using VOSviewer and SciMAT tools. The VOSviewer programme highlights the emphasis areas, whereas SciMAT traces the field's intellectual evolution across time and the essential themes that drove the transition. The study period is divided into four segments: 1996–2005, 2006–2010, 2011–2015, and 2016–2022 based on the significant international policy milestones. The findings of the analysis highlight that the urban flood resilience field initially concentrated on a few themes and subsequently expanded to encompass the multi-dimensional characteristics of urban area resilience. In recent years, spatial planning approaches, nature-based and sustainable solutions, community-based and citizen science approaches, application of artificial intelligence, urban–rural relationship in resilience aspect, health services, and critical infrastructure networks have been the field's primary themes and concerns for achieving and assessing urban flood resilience. Despite a lack of emphasis on resilience assessment methods and approaches favouring conceptual framework and factors, it is observed that these themes are emerging in the developing scenario to solve the resilience concepts. The research may serve as a springboard for people's and policymakers' concerns about climate change and its effects, infrastructure development to improve the health and social well-being of societies, and a desire to learn more about resolving urban flooding problems in order to enhance flood management concepts pertaining to urban flood resilience and its history. Hence, a comprehensive list of themes and thematic areas concerning urban flood resilience with varying weights according to contexts is recommended, leading to the development of the urban flood resilient assessment tool and modifying the existing tools to reflect better the holistic understanding of sustainable and resilient cities/areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming is caused by rising carbon dioxide concentrations, while ecological and environmental issues are becoming increasingly evident. Many governments' main objective in addressing climate challenges is to achieve carbon balance. Exploring the distribution and changing trends of carbon balance can contribute to carbon balance strategies. This study takes the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) as the study area, analyzing the spatial and temporal dynamic changes in carbon emissions and carbon sequestration in the YREB from 2000 to 2017. The county-level supply–demand ratios and accessibility are calculated based on the enhanced two-step floating catchment method according to the dynamic flow radius. According to our experimental results, carbon emissions can achieve different degrees of carbon balance according to the flow radius. After carbon emissions flow between counties within the province, some provinces can realize the transition from carbon surplus to carbon balance. With the expansion of the flow radius and the increase in internal mobility, more counties can participate in carbon sequestration, and some provinces can achieve carbon neutrality after carbon emissions transfer across provinces. Hubei, Chongqing, Zhejiang, Hunan and other provinces with special carbon sequestration capacity are very sensitive to changes in the radius of carbon emission flow. In 2017, when the carbon emission flow radius is 50 km, the net carbon emission of the flow can be reduced by 3%. If the radius is increased to 200 km, the YREB can achieve carbon balance. This study can provide decision-making information for carbon emission ecosystem management in the YREB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the international community continues to fall short on reducing emissions to avoid disastrous impacts of climate change, some scientists have called for more research into solar geoengineering (SGE) as a potential temporary fix. Others, however, have adamantly rejected the notion of considering SGE in climate policy discussions. One prominent concern with considering SGE technologies to help manage climate change is the so-called "free driver" conjecture. The prediction is that among countries with different preferences for the level of SGE, the country that prefers the most will deploy levels higher than the global optimum. This paper tests the free-driver hypothesis experimentally under different conditions and institutions. We find that aggregate deployment of SGE is inefficiently high in all settings, but slightly less so when players are heterogeneous in endowments or when aggregate deployment is determined by a best-shot technology. Despite persistent inefficiencies in SGE deployment, free-driver behavior, on average, is less extreme than the theoretical predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this policy paper is to characterize the current situation of Tunisian municipalities in matters of climate change policies and actions and to understand the barriers and best practices. By surveying municipalities in Tunisia, we were able to provide an overview of the Tunisian municipalities in matters of climate change actions and strategies, as well as finding the main barriers and best practices. First, we found that most Tunisian municipalities are facing different effects of climate change. Second, the majority of municipalities do not have a strategy for mitigation and adaptation of climate change at the local level. Third, the main barrier that municipalities face in investing in climate change actions is the lack of financial resources and funding. Four, we have identified some of the best climate change mitigation and adaptation practices of surveyed cities, which should be taken into consideration and implemented also by the other cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catfish are a highly diverse group of fish that are found in various regions across the globe. The significance of catfish culture extends to various aspects, including food security, economic advancement, preservation of cultural legacy, and ecological stewardship. The catfish industry is presently encountering unprecedented challenges as a consequence of the variability in water temperature caused by climate change. Temperature is a significant abiotic component that regulates and restricts fish physiology throughout their life cycle. The impact of severe temperatures on various species of catfish is dependent upon the magnitude of the stressor and additional influencing factors. This paper presents an analysis of the effects of temperature fluctuations on various aspects of catfish species, including growth and survival, blood parameters, enzymatic and hormone response, oxygen consumption rates, sound generation and hearing skills, nutritional requirements, and other phenotypic attributes. While this review is certainly not exhaustive, it offers a broad synopsis of the ideal temperature ranges that are most favorable for several catfish species. In-depth research to investigate the interacting impacts of severe temperature occurrences in conjunction with other associated environmental stresses on a wider variety of catfish species is crucial in order to further our understanding of how catfish species will respond to the anticipated climate change in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is a global phenomenon that poses a significant threat to nomadic communities' traditional livelihoods worldwide. The Bakarwal scheduled tribe; a nomadic community from Pir Panjal Range, India is not immune to these threats. The recurrence of Extreme Weather Events (EWE) and emerging Slow Onset Changes (SOC) increases their susceptibility to economic and non-economic losses thereby, endangering pastoralism. This paper proposes a conceptual framework for addressing the impacts of climate change on nomadic communities through loss and damage incurred by various climatic stressors. The framework involves four key steps: (1) identifying climatic stressors (2) identifying climate-vulnerable communities, (3) assessing economic and non-economic losses, and (4) establishing a relationship between climatic stressors and the losses. The study used a mixed-method approach to assess climate risk. The results show that Bakarwals are experiencing significant economic and non-economic losses. The recurrence of extreme events results in direct economic losses to them whereas the slow onset changes bring implications on non-economic losses to nomadism. The study underscores the importance of taking an anticipatory and proactive approach to climate change adaptation. It provides context-specific recommendations for policymakers and practitioners to approach climate risk while navigating through loss and damage. This research contributes to the literature by providing a roadmap for identifying and addressing the loss and damage among pastoral communities, thereby enhancing their adaptive capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change presents a significant threat to both human livelihoods and environmental sustainability. As the impact of climate extremities continues to reshape the livelihoods of communities in rural areas of the global south, understanding smallholders' perceptions of these impacts and their resulting adaptation practices is crucial for building climate resilience. This study explored climate change perspectives among smallholder farmers in Tonkolili district, Sierra Leone. An empirical survey was conducted on ninety households from three rural communities in Northern Sierra Leone to explore their climate change perspectives from a farm-household standpoint. Bivariate correlation analysis was employed to examine the dynamic relationship between farmers’ perspectives and their socio-demographic and farm-specific characteristics. Findings highlight the significant influence of socio-demographic and farm-specific factors on farmers' perceptions of climate events, with the dynamics of the relationship manifesting in both positive and negative trajectories. Household income showed significant positive relationships with pursuing alternative livelihood activities (rs =.312, p <.01), while perceptions of changes in crop yields had a significant negative relationship (rs = -.434, p <.01) with household income. Crop rotation and regulation of planting times emerged as the predominant adaptation strategies practiced by 99% and 93% of farmers respectively, with most demonstrating a pattern of congruence in non-adoption of several other adaptation strategies. The results hold important implications for policymakers seeking to enhance the climate resilience of local farmers by providing current, location-specific information on climate perceptions and local adaptation strategies, which is crucial to guide the targeted planning and implementation of climate-related interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]