Climate Change Research Articles

Suitable temperature indicator for adverse health impacts in sub-tropical cities: a case study in Hong Kong from 2010-2019.

Heat-health warning systems and services are important preventive actions for extreme heat, however, global evidence differs on which temperature indicator is more informative for heat-health outcomes. We comprehensively assessed temperature predictors on their summer associations with adverse health impacts in a high-density subtropical city. Maximum, mean, and minimum temperatures were examined on their associations with non-cancer mortality and hospital admissions in Hong Kong during summer seasons 2010-2019 using Generalized Additive Models and Distributed Lag Non-linear Models. In summary, mean and minimum temperatures were identified as strong indicators for mortality, with a relative risk(RR) and 95% confidence interval(CI) of 1.037 (1.006-1.069) and 1.055 (1.019-1.092), respectively, at 95th percentile vs. optimal temperature. Additionally, minimum temperatures captured the effects of hospital admissions, RR1.009 (95%CI: 1.000- 1.018). In stratified analyses, significant associations were found for older adults, female sex, and respiratory-related outcomes. For comparison, there was no association between maximum temperature and health outcomes. With climate change and projected increase of night-time warming, the findings from this comprehensive assessment method are useful to strengthen heat prevention strategies and enhance heat-health warning systems. Other locations could refer to this comprehensive method to evaluate their heat risk, especially in highly urbanized environments and subtropical cities.

Importance of Nuclear Energy to Accomplish Net Zero Carbon

The world is entangled with the urgent need for existing energy modes transition to clean energy for mitigating global warming and climate change. It ultimately demands to set stringent goals for achieving net zero carbon for each country. In this direction different approaches are being stipulated and one of the important options emerges as nuclear power, a compelling option for sustainable development. Unlike renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and nuclear energy which provides a continuous and reliable supply of electricity with minimal greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand nuclear power plants operate with high capacity factor compared to variable renewable sources that depend on weather conditions and its reliability makes nuclear energy a strong candidate for baseload power. Moreover, nuclear energy's low carbon footprint and high energy density output makes it an attractive alternative to fossil fuels. Although, it is crucial to acknowledge the challenges associated with nuclear energy, including the safe management of nuclear waste, the risk of nuclear accidents, and the high upfront costs of building nuclear power plants. Hence, a balanced perspective on the future of nuclear energy and its potential to contribute to a sustainable future is to be adopted carefully. However, a periodic advancements in technology and stringent safety measures, modern Nuclear reactors are designed to minimize environmental impact and enhance safety.

The impact of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) rating disparities on corporate risk: The mediating role of financing constraints.

As global concerns over climate change and sustainability grow, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors have become critical in evaluating corporate practices. In China, the increasing adoption of ESG ratings by investors has highlighted discrepancies in these ratings, which may impact corporate risk. While extensive research exists on ESG performance, the effects of ESG rating disparities on corporate risk, particularly in Chinese enterprises, remain underexplored, especially the mediating role of financing constraints. Utilizing data from Chinese A-share listed companies from 2015 to 2022, this study examines the impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rating disparities on corporate risk, focusing on the mediating role of financing constraints. The findings indicate that discrepancies in ESG ratings significantly increase corporate risk, particularly in non-state-owned enterprises and heavily polluting industries, while having no significant impact on state-owned enterprises. Discrepancies in governance ratings exert the greatest impact on corporate risk, underscoring the critical role of corporate governance. Financing constraints further exacerbate the impact of rating discrepancies on corporate risk. These results provide new insights into enhancing the ESG rating system and mitigating corporate risk, offering a foundation for relevant policy-making.

Integrated Genomic Approaches to Characterize and Mitigate Heat Stress in Poultry.

With the burgeoning human population, climate change, and expansion of poultry production in hot climates, it is imperative to aid global food security by enhancing the resilience of thermally challenged poultry. As a complement to management approaches used to mitigate heat stress, we give selected examples of recent studies on heat stress in poultry using various omics technologies. An integrated analysis of positional and functional candidate genes is provided, highlighting the most prominent pathways involved in the heat stress response. We finish by discussing efficient strategies to enhance thermal tolerance of poultry by genomics approaches, advocating for preservation of biodiversity that may provide beneficial allelic variation, and identifying current and future challenges in producing climate-resilient poultry.

An Overview of Fly-ash Geopolymer Composites in Sustainable Advance Construction Materials

Fly-ash geopolymer composites are an exciting advancement in eco-friendly construction materials. Fly-ash has become a sustainable alternative to regular cement because the approach addresses critical concerns in construction, such as high energy use, excessive carbon emissions and the challenge of managing industrial waste. In this review, a brief discussion on how fly-ash geopolymer composites could transform construction practices and reduce their impact on the environment. The construction industry is a major contributor to climate change, whereas industrial byproducts like fly-ash can also be an environmental challenge. Thus, the fly-ash geopolymer composites offer an innovative solution by reusing this waste to create environmentally friendly binding materials. Fly-ash can effectively replace traditional cement in construction, improving the durability and sustainability of buildings. By reducing our reliance on regular cement, these composites could revolutionise construction practices across various industries. Developing and widely adopting fly-ash geopolymer composites could bring substantial benefits. It could significantly reduce the construction industry's carbon footprint and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change. Additionally, ongoing research aims to enhance these composites' strength, heat resistance, and chemical durability, further promoting sustainable construction and supporting a circular economy by turning industrial waste into valuable construction materials.

Groundwater stress in Europe—assessing uncertainties in future groundwater discharge alterations due to water abstractions and climate change

Groundwater sustains human well-being and ecosystems functioning. Many regions in Europe have experienced declining groundwater levels caused by decreasing groundwater recharge (GWR) or increasing groundwater abstractions (GWAs). These changes can lead to groundwater-related stress, threatening ecosystems and water supplies. Existing groundwater stress indicators estimate stress during a given period but do not address how stress changes or show the uncertainty of future stress. We propose a novel indicator of future groundwater stress (GWSI) due to changes in GWR and GWA and, thus, the alteration of long-term mean annual groundwater discharge (GWD). Groundwater stress is defined as any alteration in GWD since ecosystems are adapted to an equilibrium state. Focusing on decreasing GWD, which is generally more harmful than increasing GWD, we quantified the future GWSI in Europe by integrating scenarios of GWR and GWA in 2070–2099. GWR was evaluated using an ISIMIP2b multi-model ensemble of eight global hydrological models driven by the output of four global climate models under two greenhouse gas emission scenarios. GWA scenarios for irrigation, domestic and manufacturing sectors were combined with the GWR projections to generate an ensemble of GWSIs, simplified into three groundwater stress scenarios (high, intermediate, low). Projected GWSIs vary significantly among the scenarios. For the high-stress scenario, 58% of Europe’s land area is projected to experience a GWD decrease of at least 25% under RCP8.5 compared to 38% under RCP2.6, while the respective values are 26 and 1% for the intermediate-stress scenario. Groundwater demand management alone might not prevent GWD declines under the high-stress and intermediate scenarios, particularly under RCP8.5. Therefore, climate change mitigation might imperative for reducing the decline of GWD, especially in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, where changes in GWR are projected to be the primary cause of declining GWD (in the high abstraction scenario under RCP8.5). Under RCP2.6, reductions in GWAs by 25–75% might balance a GWD decline in parts of Spain and Italy where GWAs are high, even in the high-stress scenario. In line with the precautionary principle, we recommend adapting to the high-stress scenario to minimize harm to the beneficiaries of groundwater.

Literature review on sustainable development in bali province through the lens of financial aspects

This literature review discusses the relationship between regional financial performance, capital expenditure, and environmental expenditure and their role in sustainable development. Sustainable development is defined as development that is able to meet current needs without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Previous studies have shown that the allocation of regional spending, especially environmental spending, is still low despite having an important contribution to preserving ecosystems and reducing the impact of climate change. This review emphasizes that regional financial performance plays a significant role in determining capital expenditure and environmental allocation. Unbalanced spending policies can hinder the achievement of sustainable development. In addition, effective allocation of environmental spending is key to supporting various climate change mitigation programs and maintaining environmental quality in the future. The results of this study conclude that improving financial performance needs to be accompanied by appropriate budget policies, especially in capital expenditure and the environment. Efforts to ensure sustainable development require synergy between economic growth and environmental concern so that long-term development goals are achieved.

Analysing Amitav Ghosh’s <i>Gun Island</i> as a Climate Fiction: Transgressing ‘Borders’ and ‘Orders’ by the Humans and Nonhumans

Amitav Ghosh has a tendency to write literary pieces focusing on climate issues. This aspiration is also manifested in his novel Gun Island (2019). The author allegorizes the myth of Manasa Devi, which creates a wonderful connection between humans and natural environment in this novel. Gun Island (2019) explores the conviction of diversified environmental issues, such as environmental injustice, migrant ecologies, and climate refugees. Although natural disasters occur more or less everywhere in the world, the poor pay the highest price. The harsh reality is that the most affected are the most marginalized regions of underprivileged countries. Developed countries can still cope with its effects, but people in poor countries are persistently being displaced. The Sundarbans is one such magnificent instance in Gun Island. Overall, Ghosh has shown that migration of humans and nonhumans occurs simultaneously as a result of climate change. Humans and nonhumans transgress the precincts of ‘border’ as well as ‘order’ to migrate from one place to another eco-friendly place. His perplexing story of Gun Island is inexplicably mythical but contextually practical because it resonates with a group of Asian and African people’s own experiences, emotions and their yearning for migration to Europe due to climate change. This borderless migration cannot be stopped by any means of order.

Combined impacts of climate and land use scenarios on sediment loads in small agricultural watershed in Tunisia

This study investigates the impact of conservation practices, specifically mulching and terracing, on soil erosion in the Kamech watershed (2.6 km²) situated in the Cap Bon region of northeastern Tunisia, under both current and future climate scenarios. Utilizing the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model, the research evaluates the effectiveness of these Best Management Practices (BMPs) in reducing soil loss, revealing significant reductions of 1.5 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for mulching and 2 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for terracing. The findings indicate that these practices play a crucial role in enhancing soil conservation amidst climate change challenges, including altered precipitation patterns and increased temperatures. Additionally, the study highlights a notable decline in average monthly rainfall projected for the period 2051 to 2100 under the RCP8.5 scenario, further emphasizing the importance of implementing effective soil management strategies. This paper indicates that both methods, mulching and terracing, significantly contribute to reducing soil erosion under future scenarios (2051-2100). Their implementation proves essential for effective soil conservation, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change and maintain soil health in the Kamech watershed. The results contribute to a better understanding of BMP performance in addressing soil erosion, water quality, and hydrological responses in the face of evolving environmental conditions. By enhancing our understanding of these interactions, this research aims to provide valuable insights for sustainable watershed management, particularly in regions prone to water scarcity and land degradation.

Climate change impact assessment of variations in temperature trends across India: a case study

ABSTRACT Extreme weather events are becoming more severe and frequent worldwide. This study employs the Mann–Kendall test and Thein-Sen estimator for analysing the mean temperature trend in India’s four densely populated metropolitan cities of New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai under representative concentration pathways (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. The trend reveals rising temperatures across four Indian regions with the change being more dominant under RCP 8.5 scenario. By the end of the twenty-first century, RCP 4.5 and 8.5 anticipate a significant rise in mean temperature of 6.0°C and 9.0°C in the Western Himalayas, 5.0°C and 7.5°C in East India and 4.0°C and 7.0°C in the Thar Desert’s south-eastern region. Spatio-temporal variation also indicated the influence of heat waves across different regions of India in the late twenty-first century. There should be relevant long-term and short-term policies to mitigate the effect of climate change and optimise the mortality rate caused by heat stress.

Driving SMES towards Green Business: The Impact of Sustainable Marketing Mix on Performance and Loyalty in BNI'S Go Green Movement

Growing global concerns over environmental issues, such as climate change and pollution, have heightened the demand for sustainable business practices, particularly in the banking sector. Financial institutions support environmental sustainability through green finance by offering eco-friendly products like green loans and bonds. This study examines how BNI's Go-Green initiative enhances SME customer loyalty by incorporating the sustainable marketing mix, focusing on people, profit, and planet. A quantitative approach was used to assess the impact of the sustainable marketing mix on SME performance and customer loyalty within BNI's Go Green movement in Bukittinggi, Indonesia. A stratified random sample of 303 SMEs was selected from a population of 1,239. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires using a five-point Likert scale and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) validated the measurement model, and the structural model assessed direct and indirect effects. The variable had the highest Average Variance Extracted (AVE) 0.873. Discriminant validity showed a strong correlation between business sustainability and customer loyalty (0.768). Place and Business Sustainability had significant positive effects on customer loyalty, while People and Planet had more limited impacts. This study introduces the expanded marketing mix people, profit, and planet into the green finance framework and highlights the underexplored mediating role of business sustainability in fostering SME customer loyalty. The findings emphasize the importance of aligning green banking products with SME needs to enhance loyalty and support global sustainability goals, including the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

An integrated dataset of ground hydrothermal regimes and soil nutrients monitored in some previously burned areas in hemiboreal forests in Northeast China during 2016–2022

Abstract. Under a warming climate, the occurrence of wildfires has been becoming increasingly more frequent in boreal forests and Arctic tundra over the last few decades. Wildfires can cause radical changes in forest ecosystems and the permafrost environment, such as the irreversible degradation of permafrost, succession of boreal forests, rapid and massive losses of soil carbon stock, and increased periglacial geohazards. Since 2016, we have gradually and more systematically established a network for studying soil nutrients and monitoring the hydrothermal state of the active layer and near-surface permafrost in the northern Da Xing'anling Mountains in Northeast China. Soil moisture content (depth of 0–9.4 m), soil organic carbon content (0–3.6 m), total nitrogen content (0–3.6 m), and total phosphorus and potassium content (0–3.6 m) datasets were obtained in 2016 via field sampling and subsequent laboratory tests. Ground temperature (0–20 m) and active layer thickness (2017–2022) datasets were obtained using thermistor cables that were permanently installed in boreholes or interpolated with these temperatures. The present data can be used to simulate changes in permafrost features under a changing climate and wildfire disturbances and to explore the changing interactive mechanisms of the fire–permafrost–carbon system in hemiboreal forests. Furthermore, they can provide baseline data for studies and action plans to support the carbon neutralization initiative and assessment of the ecological safety and management of the permafrost environment. These datasets can be easily accessed via the National Tibetan Plateau/Third Pole Environment Data Center (https://doi.org/10.11888/Cryos.tpdc.300933, Li and Jin, 2024).

Carbon Sequestration in a Changing Climate: Management Techniques and Strategic Solutions

Carbon sequestration in agriculture plays a critical role in mitigating climate change by capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) in soil and biomass. This process involves various strategies and management practices aimed at enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) levels while maintaining or improving agricultural productivity. Key strategies include no-tillage or reduced tillage, which minimizes soil disturbance and promotes residue retention, thus slowing down decomposition and enhancing carbon storage. Crop rotation and the use of cover crops further contribute to carbon sequestration by diversifying root structures and improving soil health. Organic farming practices, such as applying farmyard manure and compost, provide essential organic matter that enriches soil quality and increases carbon retention. Additionally, the incorporation of deep-rooted plants and biochar enhances carbon storage in deeper soil layers, making them more resilient to climate variability. The integration of these practices not only sequesters carbon but also improves soil fertility, water retention, and overall ecosystem health. Effective management of carbon sequestration in agricultural systems requires a holistic approach that considers local conditions, crop diversity, and sustainable land use practices. By adopting these strategies, agriculture can become a significant carbon sink, contributing to global efforts to reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations while ensuring food security and environmental sustainability.

The impact of climate change on the reproductive biology and population dynamics of fishes: Implications for fisheries and food security

The purpose of this paper is to review and evaluate published literature on the impact of climate change on the reproductive biology and population dynamics of fishes. A systematic method was utilized to access published literature on “Impacts of Climate Change on fishes and fisheries”. A total of fifty-two (52) research papers published between the years 1973 to 2024 were accumulated and used for this review. A subjective approach was used to select the topics: impact of climate change and fishes and fisheries. The physical and biological impacts of climate change on fisheries were evaluated. In addition, the role of fisheries in food security to combat the global hunger index of human beings was assessed in this review paper. Strategies to be implemented by fisheries to mitigate the effect of climate change was also presented in this review. The literature accessed revealed that fish is an important resource to the economies of many countries and a source of natural protein. As the average per capita food supply from fish and fisheries products continue to rise in developing nations, it is falling in underdeveloped nations. The published works of literature established that the global fisheries and fish population dynamics, reproductive biology, abundance and distribution are all affected by climate change. This review highlights the fact that more extensive studies on the impact of climate change on fishes and fisheries should be done in neotropical countries since there are gaps of such information on research and published data in these biodiversity rich regions.

Effects of global change drivers on the expression of pathogenicity and stress genes in dryland soil fungi.

The effects of global climate change on dryland fungi and consequences to our society have been understudied despite evidence showing that pathogenic fungi increase in abundance under global climate change. Moreover, there is a growing concern that global climate change will contribute to the emergence of new fungal pathogens. Yet, we do not understand what mechanisms might be driving this increase in virulence and the onset of pathogenicity. In this study, we investigate how fungi respond to global change drivers, physical disturbance, and drought, in a dryland ecosystem in terms of pathogenicity and stress. We find that indeed, under global change drivers, there is an increase in the transcription and expression of genes associated to pathogenicity and stress, but that microclimatic conditions matter. Our study shows the importance of investigating dryland fungi exposed to global climate change and impacts on our society, which may include threats to public health and food security.

Atmospheric health burden across the century and the accelerating impact of temperature compared to pollution

Anthropogenic emissions alter atmospheric composition and therefore the climate, with implications for air pollution- and climate-related human health. Mortality attributable to air pollution and non-optimal temperature is a major concern, expected to shift under future climate change and socioeconomic scenarios. In this work, results from numerical simulations are used to assess future changes in mortality attributable to long-term exposure to both non-optimal temperature and air pollution simultaneously. Here we show that under a realistic scenario, end-of-century mortality could quadruple from present-day values to around 30 (95% confidence level:12-53) million people/year. While pollution-related mortality is projected to increase five-fold, temperature-related mortality will experience a seven-fold rise, making it a more important health risk factor than air pollution for at least 20% of the world’s population. These findings highlight the urgent need to implement stronger climate policies to prevent future loss of life, outweighing the benefits of air quality improvements alone.

CRISPR-Cas9: A Cutting-edge Genome-editing Technology with Many Potential Applications

Unregulated human activities are responsible for climate change which is a major factor for the emergence of new infectious (bacterial, viral, fungus, and parasitic) and non-infectious diseases (genetic disorders, cancers, etc.). To tackle this situation, we must have better therapeutics, diagnostics, and vaccines for the treatment and prevention of emerging diseases in humans and animals. To address the aforementioned issues, CRISPR-Cas9, a revolutionary genome editing tool, can help us develop better therapeutics, diagnostics, and vaccines in a short time. In addition, it can be used to achieve food security by improving productivity, adaptability, and resilience traits in plants and animals. In nature, most bacteria and archaea have CRISPR as a part of their adaptive immune system that helps bacteria defend themselves from phages, viruses, and other foreign genetic elements. CRISPR-Cas9 is a highly effective, simple, and accurate genome editing tool compared to previous genome editing tools such as meganucleases, Zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), and transcription activators like effector nucleases (TALENs). This review article discusses the different components and working of the CRISPR-Cas9 system, and how CRISPR-Cas9 plays a significant role in the development of next-generation therapeutics, diagnostics, vaccine platforms, and improved crops and livestock species for food security.

Climate change mitigation dynamics in EU countries: An empirical analysis of environmental and macroeconomic factors

Climate change mitigation dynamics in EU countries: An empirical analysis of environmental and macroeconomic factors

Redox Gradient Shapes the Chemical Composition of Peatland Microbial Communities.

The response of soil carbon to climate change and anthropogenic forcing depends on the relationship between the physicochemical variables of the environment and microbial communities. In anoxic soils that store large amounts of organic carbon, it can be hypothesized that the low amount of catabolic energy available leads microbial organisms to minimize the energy costs of biosynthesis, which may shape the composition of microbial communities. To test this hypothesis, thermodynamic modeling was used to assess the link between redox gradients in the ombrotrophic peatland of the Marcell Experimental Forest (Minnesota, USA) and the chemical and taxonomic composition of microbial communities. The average amino acid composition of community-level proteins, called hereafter model proteins, was calculated from shotgun metagenomic sequencing. The carbon oxidation state of model proteins decreases linearly from -0.14 at 10 cm depth to -0.17 at 150 cm depth. Calculating equilibrium activities of model proteins for a wide range of chemical conditions allows identification of the redox potential of maximum chemical activity. Consistent with redox measurements across peat soils, this model Eh decreases logarithmically from an average value of 300 mV at 10 cm depth, close to the stability domain of goethite relative to Fe2+, to an average value of -200 mV at 150 cm, within the stability domain of CH4 relative to CO2. The correlation identified between the taxonomic abundance and the carbon oxidation state of model proteins enables predicting the evolution of taxonomic abundance as a function of model Eh. The model taxonomic abundance is consistent with the measured gene and taxonomic abundance, which evolves from aerobic bacteria at the surface including Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Verrumicrobia, to anaerobes at depth dominated by Crenarchaeota. These results indicate that the thermodynamic forcing imposed by redox gradient across peat soils shapes both the chemical and taxonomic composition of microbial communities. By providing a mechanistic understanding of the relationship between microbial community and environmental conditions, this work sheds new light on the mechanisms that govern soil microbial life and opens up prospects for predicting geochemical and microbial evolution in changing environments.

Future shifts in climatic conditions promoting northward expansion of the Mediterranean climate in the circum-Mediterranean region.

In the upcoming decades, precipitation and temperature patterns are expected to shift in the Mediterranean basin due to global warming, potentially having an influence on the environment and the economy in the area. Using monthly precipitation and temperature data from 15 global climate models (GCMs) developed as part of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), the Mediterranean Climate Envelop (MCE), as defined by Daget's (1977) criteria, is projected under two climate change scenarios: SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5, and for two future periods: 2050s and 2070s. According to the findings, the MCE is expected to expand by 3.51 and 4.93% in the 2050s under the SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, respectively, in comparison to the current state. This expansion is expected to reach 5.28 and 9.87% for SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5, respectively, in 2070s. For both situations and durations, MCE contraction would be minor, however, at less than 1%. More than 99% of the present MCE would stay stable proportionately. The northern Mediterranean region is mostly concerned by the MCE's expansion. The SSP2-4.5 scenario predicts that by the 2070s, expansion zones will occupy 674,183 km2, with 64% of the area located in Southern Europe and 36% in Western Asia. In SSP5-8.5 scenario, this area is expected to be significantly larger, estimated to be approximately 1,256,881 km2; 67% in Southern Europe and 33% in Western Asia.