Consequences Of Climate Change Research Articles

Navigating climate change complexity and deep uncertainty: approach for building socio-ecological resilience using qualitative dynamic simulation

The consequences of climate change on different sectors of society are interrelated. The threats posed by rising global temperatures, intensifying extreme weather events, and shifting climatic patterns are becoming increasingly evident all around the world. Policymakers face the daunting task of assessing climate change risks, encompassing impacts and response strategies, to guide sustainability transformations. In this study, we introduce a four-step qualitative Decision Making Under Deep Uncertainty (DMDU) approach in the context of Climate Change Impact Assessments (CCIA). Our goal is to enhance the integration of CCIA into spatial planning, particularly in the Global South, using qualitative system dynamics simulation. Emphasizing the value of qualitative DMDU, we explore vulnerability and resilience through a lens of multi-sectoral and multi-scalar socio-ecological processes. We exemplify our approach by applying CCIA to the coastal zone of Yucatán, Mexico, accounting for social and environmental heterogeneity across the four Regions in which it is administered. Results identify the optimal allocation of climate change mitigation and adaptation policies to address specified resilience in each Region, all of which are required to achieve the overall resilience of the coastal zone. We argue that our qualitative DMDU approach provides an analytical platform to address the trade-offs inherent in the ranking of multiple vulnerabilities related to achieving general resilience.

Typology of Plantain Cultivation in a Context of Climate Change in the Agroecological Zone of Haut-Sassandra, Central-West, Côte d'Ivoire

The Haut-Sassandra region (Côte d'Ivoire), experiencing climate change with its many consequences, continues to produce bananas even if the level has fallen in recent years. This work was carried out to understand the adaptation strategies of plantain farmers facing the consequences of climate change. The methodological approach consisted of listing banana plantations of more than one hectare in Haut-Sassandra and carrying out a survey on plantain cultivation practices observed in this agroecological zone. The survey carried out made it possible to list 34 banana plantations with areas of between 1.5 and 5 hectares. For the establishment of banana plantations, slash-and-burn crops are the most favored (100%). The most used crop type is the crop association (85%) (cocoa (65%), coffee (15%) and food crops (5%)). Only 15% of banana plantations were monoculture. The fight against the wind is achieved by hedges made up of plots of rubber and teak surrounding the banana plantations. Symptoms of biotic and abiotic diseases were observed in all the banana plantations investigated. To maintain sustainability and better banana production, Haut-Sassandra planters combine several agroecological practices.

Intergenerational priming by Trichoderma alleviates drought stress in barley

The escalating global climate anomalies and disruption of ecological equilibrium pose profound threats to agroecosystems and crop productivity. Drought stress, a prominent consequence of climate change, exert detrimental effects on plant physiology, thereby reducing crop yield. This study explores the implementation of Trichoderma-mediated defence priming in barley under drought stress. Through a comprehensive evaluation of encompassing morphological, stomatal, biochemical, and yield parameters, Trichoderma- primed barley is compared with non-primed barley under drought stress conditions. Our results revealed that Trichoderma-primed barley exhibits heightened tolerance to drought stress in comparison to non-primed barley. The improved stomatal characteristics indicate that Trichoderma priming enables the plant to better adapt to drought conditions. Biochemical analysis showed enhanced photosynthetic pigments and reduced MDA in primed barley under drought, suggesting that primed barley experiences less oxidative stress compared to non-primed barley. Additionally, Trichoderma-primed plants displayed heightened levels of both non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant activities, aiding in ROS detoxification. Stress responses are activated upon encountering a triggering stimulus (drought stress), but not after Trichoderma priming. This means there was no wasteful diversion of resources towards resistance mechanisms in the absence of stressful situations, leading to enhanced yield for primed barley compared to non-primed barley under stressful conditions. Furthermore, our investigation into the heritability of priming effects in the succeeding generation demonstrates that the progeny of primed barley retains enhanced protection akin to their primed parents. In contrast the progeny of non-primed barley exhibits greater vulnerability under water-deficit conditions. The expression of the epigenetic regulator gene HvDME was more enhanced in primed barley and its subsequent generations than in non-primed barley. This research emphasizes the potential of Trichoderma priming as a cost-effective strategy to enhance barley production amidst climate change challenges. The priming defense approach offers an intelligent plant health management solution devoid of adverse environmental or yield-related implications. This discovery holds significant promise, particularly in regions with limited water resources where crops are highly susceptible to drought stress. The findings contribute to the advancement of sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture, offering insights for practitioners and policymakers aiming to address the adverse impacts of climate change on crop production.

God – Justice – Climate change

The climate catastrophe challenges theology to think about the relationship between our faith in God, the endangered creation, and justice. Although the challenge affects all living beings on the planet – and not only humans – the human responsibility for dealing with the issue cannot be separated from how we practice faith in God. God is the God of all, and the precarious and vulnerable situation of humans who suffer from the consequences of climate change represents a call to prophetic action and to affirm a shared community among all living beings. The resources of the Christian tradition can be employed to support this task.

Climate Change Awareness and Pro-Environmental Intentions in Sports Fans: Applying the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior Model for Sustainable Spectating

(1) Background: This study explores the intricate relationship between sports and the environment, underscoring the influence of individual awareness of climate change consequences on fostering eco-friendly behavior among sports spectators. (2) Methods: The research introduces an extended theory of planned behavior model, incorporating climate change awareness. Analyzing data from 431 participants at US professional sports events, the study measured variables like climate change awareness and theory of planned behavior constructs. (3) Results: Sequential multiple mediation analysis validated the model, revealing that climate change awareness positively predicts the intention to reduce single-use plastics in the context of sport spectatorship. This relationship was partially mediated by theory of planned behavior variables, with subjective norms identified as a crucial explanatory factor. (4) Conclusions: The study’s originality lies in shedding light on pro-environmental intentions within sports spectatorship. Its insights provide foundational knowledge for researchers and organizations aiming to devise sustainability strategies in the realm of sports.

Extreme temperatures and school performance of the poor: Evidence from Mexico

As the risks associated with climate change intensify, understanding its impacts on human capital development is crucial. In this paper, we analyze the causal effects of temperature on the academic performance of students in Mexico, a middle-income country facing significant climate risks and socioeconomic challenges. Using panel data on over 5.5 million students, our results show that a 1 °C increase in annual average temperature leads to a 0.07 and 0.08 standard deviation decrease in Spanish and math test scores, respectively. Moreover, a one standard deviation (0.93 °C) increase in the long-term municipal temperature average is associated with 0.04 and 0.03 standard deviation declines in those scores. The effects are context-dependent - students in historically colder municipalities actually benefit from hotter temperatures, likely due to improved learning conditions in under-insulated schools and homes. However, the detrimental impacts appear consistent across urban, rural, and socioeconomically disadvantaged areas, underscoring the vulnerability of marginalized populations to the academic consequences of climate change. Overall, our findings highlight the urgency of addressing the educational dimensions of the global climate crisis through targeted interventions and adaptive policies, particularly in low-and middle-income countries.

Appearance of Recalcitrant Dissolved Black Carbon and Dissolved Organic Sulfur in River Waters Following Wildfire Events.

Increasing wildfire frequency, a consequence of global climate change, releases incomplete combustion byproducts such as aquatic pyrogenic dissolved organic matter (DOM) and black carbon (DBC) into waters, posing a threat to water security. In August 2022, a series of severe wildfires occurred in Chongqing, China. Samples from seven locations along the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers revealed DBC, quantified by the benzene poly(carboxylic acid) (BPCA) method, comprising 9.5-19.2% of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). High concentrations of BPCA-DBC with significant polycondensation were detected near wildfire areas, likely due to atmospheric deposition driven by wind. Furthermore, Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) revealed that wildfires were associated with an increase in condensed aromatics, proteins, and unsaturated hydrocarbons, along with a decrease in lignins. The condensed aromatics primarily consisted of dissolved black nitrogen (DBN), contributing to abundant high-nitrogen-containing compounds in locations highly affected by wildfires. Meanwhile, wildfires potentially induced the input of recalcitrant sulfur-containing protein-like compounds, characterized by high oxidation, aliphatic nature, saturation, and low aromaticity. Overall, this study revealed the appearance of recalcitrant DBC and dissolved organic sulfur in river waters following wildfire events, offering novel insights into the potential impacts of wildfires on water quality and environmental biogeochemistry.

Unravelling Resilience in Homestead Agroforestry Practice: A Review

The unprecedented climate changes are impacting agrarian livelihoods worldwide. Since lives heavily depend on agriculture, alternative farming mechanisms should be promoted to counter the effects. Homestead agriculture has a long tradition of compensating for the vagaries of weather and offering subsistence to the growers, at the same time conserving the ecosystem. The resilience of the practice is reviewed in this article with a focus on agroforestry’s unique characteristics, high biodiversity and multifaceted benefits as a land use system. A better understanding of the resilience potential of the homesteads to varying environments is important to integrate the system into the agricultural production scenario of nations, thereby bridging the unpredictable events of climate change. The best illustration of an effective indigenous resilience strategy is the tenacious persistence of homestead farming across millions of hectares.

Assessment of Climate Change-Induced Water Scarcity Risk by Using a Coupled System Dynamics and Bayesian Network Modeling Approaches

The water scarcity risk induced by climate change is contributing to a sequence of hydrological and socioeconomic impacts. Certain numbers of related impacts are locked in already and are expected to be much greater in the future. So, there is still a lack of understanding of its dynamics, origin, propagation, and the mutual interaction of its drivers. In recent years, several model-based approaches have been introduced to tackle the complexity, dynamics, and uncertainty of water scarcity specifically. However, the coupled modeling while addressing different aspects of the risk of water scarcity under the climate change scenarios has been rarely done. For bridging this gap, in this research, the combination of complementary System Dynamics modeling and Bayesian Network was applied to Qazvin Plain in Iran with five AOGCM models under two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) scenarios (126 and 585). Key findings of this research show: 1) Baseline risk assessment indicates a low probability of water scarcity; however, in the future 30-year time horizon with continuous change in hazard, vulnerability, and exposure for SSP126, the risk fell in the extreme category with an average probability of 41%. Under SSP585, the risk varies between extreme and high categories with an average probability of 47%. 2) Economic development, particularly regional gross domestic product (RGDP) in 2045–2054 in SSP585 can diminish the negative projected consequences of climate change and therefore investments in adaptation policies could offset negative consequences, highlighting the role of economic growth in climate resilience. 3) It is projected that crop yield and income will receive the largest negative effects due to cutting back the agriculture area. 4) Considering the interplay of climate change, economic development, and water extraction policies is essential for the design, operation, and management of water-related activities. The proposed integrated methodology provides a comprehensive framework for understanding climate change-induced water scarcity risks, their drivers, and potential consequences. This approach facilitates adaptive decision-making to address the evolving challenges posed by climate change.

Nonlinear effects of climate change on tourism development: evidence from China

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to have a deeper understanding of the nonlinear relationship between the impact of climate change on tourism development. Current studies on the effects of climate change on tourism development primarily rely on linear correlation assumptions.Design/methodology/approachBased on the New Institutional Economics theory, the institutional setting inherently motivates and ensures the growth of the tourism industry. For a precise evaluation of the nonlinear consequences of climate change on tourism, this paper concentrates on Chinese cities between 2011 and 2021, methodically analyzing the influence of climate change on tourism.FindingsThe study findings suggest that there is an “inverse U”-shaped nonlinear relationship between climate change and tourism development, initially strengthening and subsequently weakening. Based on these findings, the research further delves into how institutional contexts shape the nonlinear association between climate change and tourism growth. It was found that in a higher institutional backdrop, the “inverse U” curve tends to flatten and surpass the curve adjusted for a lesser institutional context. Upon deeper mechanism analysis, it was observed that cities with more advanced marketization, improved industrial restructuring and enhanced educational growth exhibit a more evident “inverse U”-shaped nonlinear connection between climate change and tourism evolution.Originality/valueFirst, previous studies on climate change and tourism development largely rely on questionnaire data (Hu et al., 2022). In contrast to these studies, this paper uses dynamic panel data, which to some extent overcomes the subjectivity and difficulty of causality identification in questionnaire data, making our research conclusions more accurate and reliable. Second, this study breaks through the linear relationship hypothesis of previous literature regarding climate change and tourism development. By evaluating the nonlinear relationship of climate change to tourism development from the institutional pressure perspective, it more intricately delineates their interplay mechanism, expanding and supplementing the research literature on the relationship mechanism between climate change and tourism development. Thirdly, the conclusions of this study are beneficial for policymakers to better understand and assess the scope of climate change impacts. It also aids relevant departments in clarifying the direction of institutional environment optimization to elevate the level of tourism development when faced with adverse impacts brought about by climate change.

Determination of polymorphisms in the HSP90AA1 gene region in some Turkish sheep populations by AS-PCR

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are molecular chaperones protecting living cells from the negative effects of extreme ambient temperatures. In this study, genetic polymorphisms of the HSP90AA1 gene were monitored via Allele-Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (AS-PCR) in three native Turkish sheep populations namely İvesi (IVS), Güney Karaman (GKR), and Karakaş (KRK). The HSP90AA1 was polymorphic in all populations yielding two alleles (C and G) and three genotypes (CC, CG, and GG). The G allele frequency was higher than the C allele frequency in all populations. The lowest (0.100) and highest (0.246) CC frequency was observed in KRK and IVS, respectively, while the GG genotype frequency varied between 0.250 (GKR) and 0.600 (KRK). Significant deviation (p<0.001) from Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) was detected in the IVS breed in terms of the HSP90AA1 gene. The genetic distance-based phylogenetic tree indicated that GKR was genetically different from IVS and KRK populations in terms of the HSP90AA1 polymorphism. These variations regarding the HSP90AA1 gene should be conserved, since the negative effects of global warming and climate change are expected to be more hazardous in the future. Besides, these genetic variations may be utilized by the farmers to design comprehensive selection strategies against heat stress in native Turkish sheep populations.

The impact of climate change and related extreme weather on people with limb loss.

The human health consequences of climate change and extreme weather events are well documented. Published literature details the unique effects and necessary adaptation planning for people with physical disabilities in general; however, the specific impacts and plans for people with limb loss have yet to be explored. In this article, we discuss the impacts related to threats due to heat, cold, severe storms, and power outages. We describe how climate change uniquely affects people with limb loss and underscore the need for rehabilitation care providers and researchers to: (1) study the health impacts of climate change on people with lower limb loss; (2) educate themselves and patients on the climate crisis and climate preparedness; (3) co-develop resiliency strategies with patients, governments, and community organizations to improve adaptive capacity; and (4) advocate for policy changes that will enact protections for this at-risk population.

Environmental Health Predictions for Fire Resistant and Corrosion Protection Measures for Community Health Tourism Building Facilities Due to Climate Change

The recent expansion of green tourism building facilities and warehouse capacities entails the installation of integrated community health tourism facility for cultural events, safe mobility, sport activities, agricultural and veterinary activities at old heritage buildings for public health, environmental health, green circular economy promotion within safe structures, which operations increase the occurrence of compartment fires involving flammable dangerous substances i.e biogas from sanitary biomass treatment for renewable resources, electricity and heating. The aim of this research is to compare and analyze the fire resistant materials of structural members and design economic solutions made of different structural materials for natural hazards and climate change. Useful results are presented for sustainable design solutions at integrated community health tourism renew facilities at old heritage buildings, applying proper utilities. Then, are examined the possibility of reinforcing the beams with carbon fiber lamellae and proposed additional fire protection requirements. The examining results present useful solutions for stakeholders. The study outputs enable warehouse designers, operators, stakeholders, investors and safety experts to ensure safe building facilities. Finally, sanitary digital drawing utilities, monitoring schemes are demonstrated for safe green designs so as to protect the examining building facilities at foundations or roof top levels from flood events and high temperatures due to climate change and extreme weather events.

Interactive effects of chronic ocean acidification and warming on the growth, survival, and physiological responses of adults of the temperate sea urchin Strongylocentrotusintermedius

To investigate the interactive effects of chronic ocean acidification and warming (OAW) on the growth, survival, and physiological responses of sea urchins, adults of the temperate sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius were incubated separately/jointly in acidic (ΔpHNBS = −0.5 units) and thermal (ΔT = +3.0 °C) seawater for 120 days under lab-controlled conditions based on the projected ocean pH and temperature for 2100 put forward by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Survival rate (SR), average food consumption rate (FCR), gut index (GuI), specific growth rate (SGR), digestive capability, energy production, and antioxidant capability were subsequently determined. The results showed that 1) the SR, FCR, GuI and SGR decreased sharply under OAW conditions. Significant interactive effects of OAW on SR and SGR were observed at 120 days post-incubation (dpi), and on FCR this occurred at 90 dpi. 2) OAW altered the activities of both digestive and antioxidant enzymes. There were significant interaction effects of OAW on the activities of amylase, trehalase, and superoxide dismutase. 3) The relative gene expression levels and activities of key enzymes involved in glycometabolism pathways (i.e., glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle) were significantly affected by OAW, resulting in an alteration of the total ATP content in the sea urchins. Interaction effects of OAW were observed in both relative gene expression and the activity of enzymes involved in glycolysis (hexokinase), the transformation of glycolysis end-products (lactate dehydrogenase), the tricarboxylic acid cycle (citrate synthetase), and ATP production (Na+/K+-ATPase). The data from this study will enrich our knowledge concerning the combined effects of global climate change on the survival, growth, and physiological responses of echinoderms.

Destination Management Organizations’ Roles in Sustainable Tourism in the Face of Climate Change: An Overview of Prince Edward Island

Globally, destination management organizations (DMOs) are becoming increasingly known for their sustainable practices. Despite the importance of destination management organizations’ sustainability initiatives in the face of climate change, minimal research has been undertaken on the topic in Canada. DMOs on PEI can inform tourists better if they know what other adaptive strategies are taken into consideration around Canada. Our work included host-community interviews and perceptions on DMOs’ roles in improving tourism in the face of climate change. The interviews concluded that tourism officials in Prince Edward Island are becoming more conscious of climate change, but more has to be done to slow down the effects of the phenomenon. This paper also identified challenges facing DMOs in the area of sustainable tourism in the context of climate change. One of the recommendations was that DMOs should have access to techniques for mitigation and adaptation in addition to incentives that are sensitive to local situations. They may successfully advocate for climate change in this way and inform visitors if they are staying in risky places because of the consequences of climate change. The information on the standard operating procedures that DMOs use was intended to be useful to travelers, DMOs, and enterprises involved in the tourism industry. Future implications should discover new approaches for sustainability projects and to achieve a better understanding of how to enhance processes within the tourism industry, and more research on DMOs’ sustainability practices in the face of climate change could help improve this field.

Effects of Climate Change on Oceanic Sonar Use in the Upper European Continental Shelf

As the global effects of climate change become more known year by year, it becomes ever-more pertinent to examine the effects this may bring for every aspect of modern life we rely on. One topic of focus is that of multi-frequency sonar communication and navigational systems, which rely on well-established relationships relating to wave speed, signal intensity, and attenuation. We compiled data on oceanic temperature, acidity, and salinity in the Upper European Shelf, which includes the North Sea and Mediterranean Sea, from 2006 to 2072 using the CMIP5 future climate model in the RCP8.5 scenario. We calculate that the speed of sound in the northern European oceanic area will decrease by almost 18 m/s by 2072, with an average yearly decrease in sound speed by 0.37 m/s. The attenuation of sound through water will change year by year, calculated based on a higher-order polynomial regression dependent on the frequency of sonar used. The maximum operating ranges of active low-frequency, mid-frequency, and high-frequency sonar systems would theoretically change by +0.06%, -0.19%, and +0.71%, respectively per year, if no other factors are affected. Due to increased sound propagation, the ambient noise level of the ocean would also increase and have some counter-effect to the increased detection range however that increase in noise level was not quantitatively analyzed in this study.

Exploring temperature and salinity effects on seed germination in North African pastoral grasses: A halo-thermal modeling approach in the context of climate change

Understanding how plant species respond to temperature and salt stress is crucial for ensuring successful seed germination and crop production. The ongoing effects of global climate change, such as temperature fluctuations, can have serious consequences for seed germination. This study aimed to investigate the impact of salinity (NaCl) and temperature (T), individually and in interaction, on the germination responses of four North African pastoral grass species Stipagrostis (S. ciliata, S. pungens, S. obtusa, and S. pulmosa) and the potential impact of climate change scenarios on their seed germination. Significant effects of NaCl, T, and their interaction (NaCl × T) were observed on both germination percentage and germination rate across the four species. The halotime and halothermal time models successfully predicted germination time courses for the four species (R2 > 0.86). The base T (Tb), optimum T (To), and ceiling T (Tc) were 13, 9.8, 9.0, and 10.7 °C; 25, 29, 28, and 27 °C; and 34, 35, 38, and 34 °C for S. ciliata, S. obtusa, S. pungens, and S. pulmosa, respectively. The predictions indicated that higher temperatures associated with climate change caused shorter germination times (i.e., 42 h for S. ciliata and 23–24 h for S. pulmosa, S. pungens, and S. obtusa) suggesting potential shifts in germination behavior in response to changing environmental conditions. Furthermore, the study assessed germination recovery after salt stress, revealing species-specific responses to both T and NaCl variations. The results highlighted the resilience of the studied grass species, as seeds were capable of recovering germination after exposure to salt stress. Therefore, the research provides comprehensive insights into the intricate relationships between T, NaCl, and germination in North African pastoral grasses. The findings contribute to our understanding of how these grasses may respond to changing environmental conditions, particularly under climate change scenarios.

Seasonal variability of coastal pH and CO2 using an oceanographic buoy in the Canary Islands

Ocean acidification, caused by the absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere into the ocean, ranks among the most critical consequences of climate change for marine ecosystems. Most studies have examined pH and CO2 trends in the open ocean through oceanic time-series research. The analysis in coastal waters, particularly in island environments, remains relatively underexplored. This gap in our understanding is particularly important given the profound implications of these changes for coastal ecosystems and the blue economy. The present study focuses on the ongoing monitoring effort that started in March 2020 along the east coast of Gran Canaria, within the Gando Bay, by the CanOA-1 buoy. This monitoring initiative focuses on the systematic collection of multiple variables within the CO2 system, such as CO2 fugacity (fCO2), pH (in total scale, pHT), total inorganic carbon (CT), and other hydrographic variables including sea surface salinity (SSS), sea surface temperature (SST) and wind intensity and direction. Accordingly, the study allows the computation of the CO2 flux (FCO2) between the surface waters and the atmosphere. During the study period, stational (warm and cold periods) behavior was found for all the variables. The lowest SST values were recorded in March, with a range of 18.8-19.3°C, while the highest SST were observed in September and October, ranging from 24.5-24.8°C. SST exhibited an annual increase with a rate of 0.007°C yr-1. Warmer months increased SSS, while colder periods, influenced by extreme events like tropical storms, led to lower salinity (SSS=34.02). The predominant Trade Winds facilitated the arrival of deeper water, replenishing seawater. The study provided insights into atmospheric CO2. Atmospheric fCO2 averaged 415 ± 4 µatm (2020-2023). Surface water fCO2sw presented variability, with the highest values recorded in September and October, peaking at 437 µatm in September 2021. The lowest values for fCO2sw were found in February 2021 (368 µatm). From 2020 to 2023, surface water fCO2sw values displayed an increasing rate of 1.9 µatm yr-1 in the study area. The assessment of fCO2sw decomposition into thermal and non-thermal processes revealed the importance of SST on the fCO2sw. Nevertheless, in the present study, it is crucial to remark the impact of non-thermal factors on near-shallow coastal regions. Our findings highlight the influence of physical factors such as tides, and wind effect to horizontal mixing in these areas. The CT showed a mean concentration of 2113 ± 8 μmol kg-1 and pH at in-situ temperature (pHT,IS) has a mean value of 8.05 ± 0.02. The mean FCO2 from 2020 to 2023 was 0.34 ± 0.04 mmol m-2 d-1 (126 ± 13 mmol m-2 yr-1) acting as a slight CO2 source. In general, between May and December were the months when the area was a source of CO2. Extrapolating to the entire 6 km2 of Gando Bay, the region sourced 33 ± 4 Tons of CO2 yr-1.

Increase in concerns about climate change following climate strikes and civil disobedience in Germany

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.

Verbenone (SPLAT® Verb) delays Ips typographus (L.) infestation and reduces infestation risk and severity in windthrown Norway spruce in Southwest Germany

Outbreaks of European spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, often follow storms, and can result in losses of Norway spruce, Picea abies, that largely exceed those caused by storms alone. Management actions to reduce P. abies losses attributed to I. typographus mainly consist of salvage and sanitation logging of windthrown P. abies, which are sometimes limited by logistic capacities and constraints. Recent outbreaks across Europe have destroyed large areas of P. abies forests, and are expected to further intensify as a consequence of climate change, so that additional tools are needed for integrated bark beetle management. In a 4-yr study, we applied (–)-verbenone (SPLAT® Verb, ISCA Inc., Riverside, CA, U.S.), a common bark-beetle inhibitor, to natural and artificially generated windthrows of P. abies (5–6 trees) to examine its efficacy for reducing infestation by I. typographus in spring. In two of four years, SPLAT® Verb caused delay of infestation of ∼3 wks, which may provide a relevant gain of time for logging operations. Infestation probability and density were reduced by up to 78% and 76%, respectively. Treatment effectivity increased with dose per volume of windthrown P. abies and seemed to decrease with greater infestation pressure. Elevated concentrations of verbenone in the active airspace of forests could only be detected in close proximity (<50 cm) of SPLAT® Verb application points (dollops). We propose a decision pathway for management of windthrown P. abies that includes verbenone as an environmentally friendly tool within the integrated management of I. typographus in Central Europe.