In a remarkable revelation, recent research shows that mature forests are crucial fighters in the fight against climate change. Contrary to prevailing theories, the study revealed that older trees respond to higher levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere by increasing the production of woody biomass.

This discovery strengthens the argument for the role of mature forests as natural climate solutions in capturing and storing atmospheric CO2.

The unpredictable power of mature forests

As atmospheric CO2 levels rise, scientists have found that older forests have the ability to respond. These old trees absorb the increased levels of CO2 by increasing the production of woody biomass.

Interestingly, other elements such as leaves or fine roots, which release CO2 into the atmosphere relatively quickly, did not show a similar increase in productivity. (Rodielon Putol, more at earth.com)

In 2024, climate shocks affect the lives of millions of people around the world more than ever before: droughts, floods, heat, fires... No continent is spared from the consequences of climate change. When the Earth is suffocating, we must act.

If 2023 broke temperature records, it seems that 2024 will not escape the rule: the month of June was the warmest ever recorded in the world, and July 22 the warmest day in more than 100,000 years.

Strong heat has affected China, India, Mexico, Greece and even Saudi Arabia. The Amazon, the lungs of the planet, is also experiencing a wave of drought. Over the past 12 months, the global temperature has averaged 1.64°C higher than in the pre-industrial era. This number may seem low, but the effects of such an increase are already being felt on the planet: acidification and rising ocean and sea levels, acceleration of ice melting, sea heat waves, etc. ( More on carefrance.org)

In 2019, The Guardian newspaper announced that they would start using the terms "climate emergency, crisis or disruption" instead of "climate change". "For example, the phrase 'climate change' sounds rather passive and soft when what scientists are talking about is humanity by disaster," said editor-in-chief Katharine Viner.

However, as it turns out, a more gentle approach is more effective. According to a USC study published today in the journal Climatic Change , people are not only more familiar with "climate change" and "global warming", but these terms are more worrying than their overheated alternatives: "climate crisis", "climate emergency". ” and “climate justice”. (Lance Ignon, more at priceschool.usc.edu)

Despite progress in the field of clean energy, global emissions of CO ₂ continue to grow. IIASA researchers have contributed to a new international study that highlights the importance of integrating technological advances with robust institutional capacities to formulate effective climate policies.

The Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C requires rapid reductions in CO emissions ₂ and increased attention to greenhouse gases other than CO ₂ . Despite progress in the field of clean energy, global emissions of CO ₂ they have grown steadily over the past three years after an initial decline during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

The study, published in Nature Climate Change , led by the Center for Global Sustainability (CGS) at the University of Maryland in collaboration with the IIASA project, Exploring National and Global Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions (ENGAGE) – and a global consortium of international and multidisciplinary leading research groups. (according to the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), more at phys.org)

Carbon, climate and environmental literacy are concepts of education and understanding in the field of sustainable development and environmental protection. Here is a detailed overview of each:

Carbon literacy

• Definition: Ability to understand and interpret information related to carbon emissions and their impact on the environment.
• Objectives:
  • Understand how everyday activities contribute to carbon memory.
  • Learn to identify ways to reduce personal and organizational energy consumption and emissions production.
• Meaning: It contributes to informed decisions that support sustainability and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate literacy

• Definition: Knowledge of basic concepts of climate science and understanding of the interrelationships between human activity and climate change.
• Objectives:
  • Understand the mechanisms of climate change and global warming.
  • To align with scientific data on climate change projections.
  • To influence policy and personal behavior to influence climate impacts.
• Meaning: Join to engage in the discussion on climate issues and supports personal change and participation in solving climate problems.

Environmental literacy

• Definition: Understanding broader environmental uses including the use of natural resources, biodiversity, causes and consequences of environmental pollution.
• Objectives:
  • To become familiar with the relationships between different components of ecosystems.
  • Develop skills for critical thinking and environmental problem solving.
  • Encourage an active approach to environmental protection through lifestyle and civic engagement.
• Meaning: It provides the foundations for sustainable development and helps individuals and societies contribute to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life.

All of these forms of literacy promote conscious and responsible behavior towards the planet and its inhabitants. Spring

The southern polar vortex is currently showing rare signs of extreme instability, raising fears it could collapse and bring freezing blasts and extreme heat to the Southern Hemisphere. Likewise, the northern polar vortex had another wild winter this year. As climate change intensifies these dangerous polar patterns, we may face increasingly dramatic weather conditions in the coming years.

Polar vortices are strong stratospheric air currents that circulate over the Arctic and Antarctic during the winter months, trapping cold air over the poles. They are surrounded and enclosed by jet streams that act as barriers to prevent this cold polar air from spreading into the mid-latitudes. (More on scienzenotizie.it)

With the exception of situations when our country is in need, such as floods and hailstorms, the climate crisis is often not a priority topic in the media. It is rare to find articles on the Internet that deal with climate change without a particular event attracting more attention. However, climate change is a real problem and the critical point has already been reached. Scientists talk about the "point of no return".

The lack of information and awareness leads to two types of reactions: some acknowledge the existence of climate change and are aware of its consequences, while deniers believe in conspiracies of the powerful. However, the climate crisis is real and moving fast. It is imperative that we collectively take action, especially at government level and during international summits such as Cop28 in Dubai (November-December 2023).

The most serious threat is the tropicalization of the climate, the alternation of large droughts and excessive rainfall, which leads to the destabilization of ecosystems and desertification. Ignoring this problem will only accelerate the negative consequences. CO2 from fossil fuels is a critical factor and legislative measures need to be introduced to regulate it.

It is important to change the language used to describe this situation. Instead of "climate change", we should talk about "climate emergency", since this is a serious crisis. Global and European proposals already exist, particularly for countries such as China, India and the US, which are major contributors to pollution.

We cannot allow "tipping points" such as melting glaciers, melting permafrost or deforestation to be avoided. Data shows that climate disasters have quadrupled over the past decade, leading to significant social consequences, including loss of life.

We must trust the science and experts who study these phenomena and not ignore the gravity of the situation. Saving our planet and our lives must be a priority. (Co2AI)

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time and requires urgent action at the global level. Here is an overview of some of the recent developments and measures that have been taken globally: (more…)

Permafrost, an increasingly important problem due to climate change, is causing Alaska's frozen lands to wear away faster than they can regenerate themselves.

The effects are harmful not only to the physical landscape, but also to the balance of the Earth's atmosphere. As soil erodes, it releases trapped carbon, fueling the warming of our environment.

The decisive role of permafrost

A significant part of the surface of the Northern Hemisphere is dominated by permafrost - permanently frozen soil, which is found primarily in arctic regions. This cold natural resource is more than just frozen ground; it is an integral part of our global environment. (Rodielon Putol, more at earth.com)

The temperature of the air, ocean and earth's surface affect both human and natural systems. For example, temperature affects health, agriculture and energy demand, as well as biodiversity and the natural environment. Human health is mainly affected by extreme temperatures.

Temperatures across the planet are routinely monitored, and long-term records are vital for identifying climate change. The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) provides quality-assured temperature data with global coverage that everyone can access and use free of charge. These data are used by various stakeholders, including the scientific community, policy makers, public organisations, the private sector and services and individual citizens, and are a vital tool in the fight against climate change. (More on climate.copernicus.eu)

Climate change is one of the most significant environmental challenges today, leading to extreme weather events including drought, forest fires and floods. The primary driver of climate change is the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere due to human activity, which trap heat and increase the Earth's temperature. (Chiba University, more at phys.org)

Every increase in global warming above 1.5°C increases the risk of crossing key tipping points in the Earth system - even if the crossing is only temporary, new research says. It is well known that if global temperatures exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, there is a higher risk that tipping points will be exceeded.

A new study published in Nature Communications examines the risk of exceeding four interconnected tipping points under different "policy-relevant" future emissions scenarios. (AYESHA TANDON, more at carbonbrief.com)

As global temperatures continue to rise due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, Earth is approaching tipping points that could permanently disrupt its complex systems.

Our planet is in a dangerously precarious state. Pretending otherwise or simply continuing to ignore the problem certainly won't make it go away. We have reached the point of no return and no amount of denial will change that fact. (Eric Ralls, more at earth.com)

The climate crisis is the most serious issue of our time and we are exposed to a large amount of information on this topic every day. In order not to get lost in them, it is useful to look at the key points and trends related to climate change. (more…)

As children, many of us played the game "telephone" - a message is whispered from one person to another, which is constantly distorted as it goes down the line. In this game, people's perception and understanding is more important than the original message, but as US Secretary of Defense James Schlesinger said in 1975, "everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his facts."

Today, this statement applies to climate change. While there is broad scientific consensus that human activity has contributed decisively to the warming of the atmosphere, oceans and land, causing large-scale changes in a very short time, public opinion is less clear. At least 97 % scientists agree that humanity is contributing to climate change, but the same cannot be said for society as a whole. (Manel Poch Espallargas , Universitat de Girona, Gonzalo Delacámara Andrés , IE University, more at theconversation.com)

Outbreaks of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), which causes a fever and rash in young children, usually occur in the summer months. Similarly, historical cases of polio have been observed in the summer months in the United States. Both diseases are caused by different types of enteroviruses, a large genus of RNA viruses. However, the factors behind the seasonal characteristics of these diseases remained somewhat unclear.

A common group of drivers may explain the timing of HFMD and polio outbreaks, according to a recent study by researchers at Brown University, Princeton University and Johns Hopkins, published July 31 in Nature Communications. In addition, these summer outbreaks may indicate implications for climate change. (Brown University, more at news-medical.net)

Temperatures in East Antarctica are currently 28 degrees above normal winter averages, indicating an unusual heat wave in the coldest place on Earth. As of mid-July 2024, instead of the typical minus 50 to minus 60 degrees, many areas are only experiencing a relatively mild minus 15 to 20 degrees. Worryingly, this is the second heat wave in this region in the last two years.

Antarctica is generally known as the coldest part of our planet, where temperatures on the Antarctic Plateau can drop to minus 92 degrees Celsius during winter nights, a record on Earth. Dry cold, often accompanied by strong winds, causes snowflakes to sublimate in the air. However, since July 2024, temperatures in East Antarctica have been rising unusually; on average, they are 10 degrees above normal, with some locations recording up to 28 degrees warmer than normal values from 1991 to 2020.

This phenomenon causes the sea ice around Antarctica to return to near winter lows. According to data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service, sea ice areas are approaching record lows, reaching just 17.16 million square kilometers in September 2023 – the lowest since satellite records began.

According to climate scientists, an abnormal weakening of the polar vortex, an annular current of air that protects the cold air over Antarctica from warmer masses from the surrounding seas, is likely responsible for this Antarctic heat wave. This polar vortex not only affects the climate of Antarctica, but also has an impact on the expansion of the ozone hole over the South Pole. However, from July 2024, this current weakens, allowing warm air from the southern Indian Ocean to penetrate the Antarctic Plateau. Currently, at the beginning of August, this disruption of the polar vortex continues, and therefore the end of the heat wave is not yet in sight.

This phenomenon is repeated in Antarctica for the second time in two years. In March 2022, temperatures in some areas reached records, climbing up to 39 degrees above normal average values. Although the 2023 Antarctic winter was colder in places, it could not compensate for the deficit, especially in terms of sea ice. (Co2AI)

Methane is a major contributor to the global climate crisis, but its emissions have often been underestimated. This powerful greenhouse gas, which is responsible for almost half of the observed global warming, needs immediate attention.

In response to an urgent call to action similar to the Global Methane Pledge, a team of researchers from Duke University presented a three-step strategy to curb emissions.

This plan is supported by an innovative tool designed to optimize emissions reduction efforts and help mitigate the accelerating effects of climate change. (Rodielon Putol, more at earth.com)

The Paris Agreement's goal of keeping global warming below 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels was set to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Studies have shown that if the target is "missed", some of these impacts will still occur even if warming is reduced back below 1.5°C.

The study, led by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and involving researchers from Imperial College London, shows that these impacts can be minimized if a 1.5°C excess is quickly reversed. . The results are published in Nature Communications. (Hayley Dunning, more at phys.org)