ScienceDaily: Earth & Climate News


Water resources to become less predictable with climate change

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 12:43 PM PDT

Water resources will fluctuate increasingly and become more difficult to predict in snow-dominated regions across the Northern Hemisphere by later this century, according to a comprehensive new climate change study. Even regions that keep receiving the same amount of precipitation will experience more variable and unpredictable streamflow as snowpack recedes.

Houston residents' chemical exposure increased post-Hurricane Harvey, study finds

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 11:35 AM PDT

Researchers used silicone wristbands to measure Houston residents' increased exposure to hazardous chemicals in the wake of Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

Reducing energy consumption: A new test system for passive cooling materials

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 11:23 AM PDT

Passive day cooling is a promising technology for the sustainable reduction of energy consumption. Researchers have now created a test system with which the materials used for passive cooling can be reliably characterized and compared -- regardless of weather conditions and environmental conditions.

Biodiversity survey reveals that more species are threatened with extinction than previously thought

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 11:23 AM PDT

A new survey attempts to fill some of the gaps in understanding by synthesizing the perspectives of thousands of biodiversity experts worldwide. The survey received 3,331 responses from scientists studying biodiversity in 187 countries, covering all major groups of species, habitats and ecosystems.

When natural disaster strikes, these Americans may not be ready

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 06:45 AM PDT

A new national study shows which Americans are least likely to be prepared to take necessary actions when faced with disasters such as hurricanes, floods and wildfires.

Bees boost crops and could steady food prices

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 06:44 AM PDT

More than 200 experiments comparing yields of crop plants with an without insect pollination analyzed, revealing 32% less variability in yields of plants visited by pollinators. The study suggests that supporting and conserving pollinators like bees could stabilize food supply, with the potential to prevent future spikes in food food prices.

Over half of threatened species require targeted recovery actions

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 06:44 AM PDT

The world's governments are presently negotiating a Global Biodiversity Framework, containing goals and targets for saving nature, which is due to be adopted at the end of 2022. Conservation experts explored how the suggested targets in the Framework, could contribute to reducing extinction risk of threatened vertebrates, invertebrates and plants. Their findings show that while targets to expand protected areas or reduce pollution will benefit many species, 57% would still need targeted recovery actions.

How Nemo fits in his anemone: Study reveals how clown anemonefish adjust their growth to their environments

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 06:44 AM PDT

Research has shown how clown anemonefish control their growth to match the size of their anemone host.