Effects Of Climate Change Research Articles

Effects of Climate Change on Native Firewood Explotation of Paraíba State, Brazilian Semi-arid Region: A Panel Data Approach (1990–2019)

Effects of Climate Change on Native Firewood Explotation of Paraíba State, Brazilian Semi-arid Region: A Panel Data Approach (1990–2019)

Climate Resilience, Vulnerability, Differential Impacts and Adaptive Capacity in Nigeria

This research investigates and promotes climate resilience in Nigeria’s vulnerable communities, which are disproportionately affected by climate change. How climate change worsens existing problems such as food insecurity, poverty, and conflict in Nigeria serve as the rationale to this study. Hence, defining climate resilience, reviewing relevant literature, and conducting a case study to generate evidence-based recommendations give insight into the objectives of this study. Therefore, reviewed literature shows the diverse impacts of climate change on disadvantaged groups, such as small-scale farmers and urban coastal dwellers. Vulnerability assessments highlight the need for adaptive capacity, integrating local knowledge in solutions. Case studies illustrate vulnerabilities in poor urban coastal areas, rural regions, and the Niger Delta. Differential impacts are examined, such as the gendered effects of climate change on women and the challenges faced by indigenous communities and urban slums. Adaptive capacity is discussed, stressing social capital, collective action, and the interrelation of adaptation, adaptive capacity, and vulnerability. Adaptive capacity assessment in Nigeria indicates difficulties in rural farming households and urban coastal communities, requiring enhanced capacities. Indigenous knowledge plays a vital role in adaptive measures, fostering resilience. Resilience enhancement strategies emphasize social justice, inclusive governance, and community-based adaptation, acknowledging the significance of local empowerment and participation. Technology and innovation provide possibilities but need context-specific methods. These strategies can help build climate resilience in Nigeria’s vulnerable communities, offering a basis for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders to tackle the complex challenges of climate change.

Exploring Climate-Induced Agricultural Risk in Saudi Arabia: Evidence from Farming Communities of Medina Region

Agriculture is vital to the Saudi Arabian economy since it provides food and other necessities to people living in rural areas, as well as those living in adjacent cities. Notwithstanding its considerable economic importance, the agricultural sector is confronted with formidable obstacles due to climate change, such as elevated temperatures, floods, extreme droughts, and decreased agricultural yields. Building a farming system capable of being climate resilient requires the comprehension of the vulnerabilities of farm households and related systems. This paper deals with the potential agricultural risks resulting from climate change in Saudi Arabia. In addition to concentrating on precipitation and temperature, the present research incorporates the three main components of the Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI): sensitivity, exposure, and adaptive capability. The results of this research reveal a notable challenge that farmers in Saudi Arabia encounter, as they are very susceptible to the impacts of climate change. The Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) has a score of 0.730, signifying a substantial degree of vulnerability. The farmers in this region are very susceptible to uncertainties caused by climate change, as indicated by the significant exposure score of 0.725. This exposure comprises a wide range of concerns resulting from fluctuations in temperature, patterns of rainfall, and occurrences of severe weather, all of which have an immediate and negative effect on agriculture. Farmers in that region are more susceptible to the effects of climate change, which could jeopardize their livelihoods and agricultural operations, as shown by the susceptibility component (SVI) of 0.559. Moreover, the adaptive capacity (AVI) score of 0.567 highlights the fact that farmers have limited access to resources, skills, and experience, hindering their ability to tackle the challenges that have been caused by climate change in this region successfully. The results emphasize the immediate necessity for specific policies and assistance to enhance the resilience of agricultural communities in the area, as well as to mitigate the potential adverse effects of climate change on their livelihoods.

Raising awareness on global environmental challenges by bringing polar research closer to the society

The effects of climate change are much more rapid and visible in the Arctic than in the rest of the globe. The Arctic is extremely attractive scientifically and cognitively. Therefore, polar regions may serve as some of the most captivating natural settings capable of engage society in discussions on environmental changes. The primary objective of this paper is to present selected initiatives implemented by the Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences that aimed to connect polar research with schools and society, and show evidence on their effectiveness, with special focus on pupils from primary and secondary schools. In this paper, an overview of the educational and science communication initiatives undertaken by the Institute of Geophysics PAS for schools and whole society is presented, with the focus on polar research. Next, some results of the evaluation studies for those projects, that conducted detailed impact assessment, are discussed. Based on the evaluation studies and on general not-structured feedback received from diverse audiences of Institute’s activities, positive impact of bringing polar research closer to the society was observed. Using the Arctic and polar research as a vehicle to inspire interest in science and to raise societal awareness of the environmental challenges in various groups of non-specialists may be a very effective mean of science communication.

Nursing students' awareness of global climate change: A descriptive and cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to determine nursing students' awareness of global climate change. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 302 undergraduate nursing students from a foundation university in Northern Cyprus during the spring semester of the 2021-2022 academic year. A descriptive information form and the Awareness Scale of University Students about Global Climate Change (ASUSGCC) were used for data collection. The mean ASUSGCC score was 3.54±0.64, and the participants received the lowest and highest scores from the awareness of the causes of global climate change (3.54±0.64) and awareness of the effects of global climate change on the natural and human environment (4.03±0.70) subscales, respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed between the Global Climate Change scores and the year of education, with fourth-year students obtaining significantly higher scores (p<.05). The study found that nursing students have a moderate level of awareness of global climate change. To raise the level of awareness among these undergraduates, who will be future healthcare professionals, we recommend including climate change awareness in the national nursing curricula.

Understanding the Impact of Heat Stress on Honeybee Populations: Insights into Thermoregulation, Colony Dynamics, and Environmental Interactions

Nowadays, heat stress is emerging as a significant issue for honeybees in apiculture due to its potential to negatively impact the honey bees' health, the bee colony, and the economic stability. This review aims to thoroughly analyze the impact of heat stress on honeybee populations by consolidating existing research to provide accurate information. The thermoregulation process in honeybees and associated behavioral and molecular adaptations in worker bees, specific to Apis mellifera. Additionally covers the various ways that individual bees respond to heat stress, including changes in their metabolic rate and feeding habits. Furthermore, the paper provides a comprehensive analysis of how heat stress affects the entire bee colony, including detrimental effects on brood development, decreased productivity, and heightened susceptibility to illnesses and parasites. Also, it investigates the correlation between heat stress and other stressors, such as pesticide exposure, nutritional stress, biotic pressures, habitat loss, and the combined effects on bee health. To safeguard these important pollinators from the negative effects of climate change, this review stresses the need of interdisciplinary research and the need of identifying health stress as a major component influencing honeybee populations.

Spatial vulnerability assessment of urbanites of Rawalpindi to the combined effects of climate change and pandemics using GIS mapping

ABSTRACT Pakistan is urbanising at an extremely high pace and if this urbanisation is left unplanned, it can not only increase the vulnerability of its residents, but it can be the source of high GHG emissions, thereby increasing vulnerability to climate change. Moreover, not all city inhabitants are equally vulnerable to climate change and Pandemics like Covid-19. This study estimated the vulnerability ranking of urban union councils of Rawalpindi through a composite index without assigning weights, considering 20 physical, economic, social and institutional indicators as drivers of vulnerability, with an emphasis on climate change and the outbreak of chronic diseases. A survey is conducted from the urban residents of Rawalpindi, to measure the vulnerability towards climate change and the outbreak of Covid-19. The sample size was 440 households. The results showed that union councils of New Katarian-II, Dhaman and MC Stadium B Block were less vulnerable as compared to other areas of Rawalpindi with the lowest vulnerability ranking of MC Stadium B Block as 404 and the most vulnerable ranking of Dhok Ratta, UC-2 as 895. Densely populated areas of Dhok Ratta were more vulnerable to high chronic disease exposure and death rates. This study concluded that high population density and composition, low healthcare facilities in slums coupled with low income were the main reasons for chronic disease outbreaks in urban areas. Urban planning or master plans can be a solution for such densely populated areas and high-rise buildings with green infrastructure can reduce the impact of the heat island effect.

Temperature extremes nip invasive macrophyte Cabomba caroliniana A. Gray in the bud: potential geographic distributions and risk assessment based on future climate change and anthropogenic influences

Cabomba caroliniana A. Gray, an ornamental submerged plant indigenous to tropical America, has been introduced to numerous countries in Europe, Asia, and Oceania, impacting native aquatic ecosystems. Given this species is a popular aquarium plant and widely traded, there is a high risk of introduction and invasion into other environments. In the current study the potential global geographic distribution of C. caroliniana was predicted under the effects of climate change and human influence in an optimised MaxEnt model. The model used rigorously screened occurrence records of C. caroliniana from hydro informatic datasets and 20 associated influencing factors. The findings indicate that temperature and human-mediated activities significantly influenced the distribution of C. caroliniana. At present, C. caroliniana covers an area of approximately 1531×104 km2 of appropriate habitat, especially in the south-eastern parts of South, central and North America, Southeast Asia, eastern Australia, and most of Europe. The suitable regions are anticipated to expand under future climate scenarios; however, the dynamics of the changes vary between different extents of climate change. For example, C. caroliniana is expected to expand to higher latitudes, following global temperature increases under SSP1–2.6 and SSP2–4.5 scenarios, however, intolerance to temperature extremes may mediate invasion at higher latitudes under future extreme climate scenarios, e.g., SSP5–8.5. Owing to the severe impacts its invasion causes, early warning and stringent border quarantine processes are required to guard against the introduction of C. caroliniana especially in the invasion hotspots such as, Peru, Italy, and South Korea.

Climate change effects on animal presence in the Massaciuccoli Lake basin

Big-data mining approaches based on Artificial Intelligence models can help forecast biodiversity changes before they happen. These approaches can predict macroscopic species distribution patterns and trends that can inform preventive measures to avoid the loss of ecosystem functions and services. They can, therefore, help study and mitigate climate change implications on biodiversity conservation in fragile ecosystems. Wetlands are particularly fragile ecosystems where climate change poses severe risks and has dramatically reduced their size over the past century, with profound consequences on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Through big-data mining approaches, we can predict future wetland biodiversity trends in the context of climate change. This paper proposes such predictive analysis for a specific wetland: The Massaciuccoli Lake basin in Tuscany, Italy. This basin is a critical tourist attraction due to its rich biodiversity, making it an area of interest for citizens, tourists, and scientists. However, the region's suitability for native and non-native species is at risk due to climate and land-use change. Using machine-learning models, we predict the potential effects of climate change on animal spatial distribution in the basin under different greenhouse gas emission scenarios. The results suggest that habitat suitability has generally improved from 1950 to today, presumably owing to the targeted conservation strategies adopted in the area, but climate change will severely reduce bird biodiversity by 2050 while favouring several insect species' proliferation and other species' habitat change, even under a medium-emission scenario. This will lead to significant changes in the basin's biodiversity. Our methodology is adaptable to other wetland basins, being fully based on open data and models. The spatially explicit modelling used in this research provides valuable information for policymakers and spatial planners, complementing traditional biodiversity trend analyses.

Impact of rice straw mulching on water consumption and productivity of orange trees [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck]

Due to the adverse effect of global climate change on agricultural water management, maintaining soil moisture in the root zone is essential for optimal crop productivity. For effective irrigation, we used organic mulching to increase the yield and water productivity (WP) of Valencia orange in arid/desert climates. Here, the effect of rice straw mulching and irrigation rates [100, 85, and 70% of evapotranspiration reference (ETc)] on nutrient contents, quality, and yield of orange trees was evaluated. Under field conditions, the application of straw mulch significantly increased the concentration of some essential elements and photosynthetic pigments but reduced proline contents in orange leaves. Soil mulching significantly increased fruit and inflorescence retention, and resulted in a higher number and weight of fruit on branches, without compromising their taste or texture, compared to the treatment without mulching. Both irrigation and mulching also affected crop productivity and water use efficiency (WUE). This was evident when yield/fed increased by 22.7–23.8, 20.7–31.5, and 6.2–16.9% under mulching at 100, 85, and 70% ETc, respectively, compared to traditional conditions at 100% ETc without mulch. Although the maximum WUE under rice straw mulch was 5.72–5.84 kg/m3 at 70% ETc, it was 5.31–5.40, and 4.57–4.64 kg/m3 at 85, and 100% ETc, respectively. Organic mulching showed superior results with respect to increasing yields and WP, while saving 15.4% water and comparable benefit/cost with the traditional irrigation when orange trees were irrigated with 85% ETc. Together, this study could be a promising strategy for climate change adaptation and sustainable water management.

Recent changes in tropical-dry-forest connectivity within the Balsas Basin Biogeographic Province: potential effects on endemic-bird distributions

Maintaining landscape connectivity is a conservation priority for biodiversity as it may mitigate the adverse effects of forest degradation, fragmentation, and climate change by facilitating species dispersal. Despite their importance for biodiversity conservation, Mexican tropical dry forests (TDFs) face high fragmentation rates due to anthropogenic activities. In this study, we analyzed the connectivity dynamics of TDFs in the Balsas Basin Biogeographic Province (BBBP) between 2013 and 2018, focusing on old-growth and secondary TDF covers, including Protected Areas and Important Bird Areas. We evaluated the effects of connectivity loss and gain on the distribution areas of 30 endemic bird species with ecological associations with TDFs in the BBBP. We found expansion in TDFs accounting for a total increase of 227,905 ha due to secondary forest increase (12%). In contrast, old-growth forests experienced a reduction of 66,576 ha in the study area (8%). We also found a decrease in areas with high and very-high connectivity, coupled with an increase in low connectivity, except for TDFs inside Protected Areas, which increased by 3,000 ha, leading to higher connectivity. There was an increase in total forest cover in 27 species’ potential distribution, highlighting the possible role of secondary forests in promoting connectivity between old-growth forest patches. Our results reveal the complex dynamics between forest types, connectivity, and bird-species distributions. Despite an overall increase in forested areas, most TDFs continue to have low connectivity, likely impacting biodiversity, particularly for species that rely on highly conserved ecosystems. This study underscores the importance of integrated conservation strategies considering connectivity, forest recovery, and the dynamics of species-ecosystem interactions.

Climate Change Risks for the Mediterranean Agri-Food Sector: The Case of Greece

The study assesses the direct effects of climate change by 2060, including extreme events, on the productivity of regional crop farming and livestock in Greece, and the broader socio-economic effects on the agri-food and other sectors. Different approaches (i.e., agronomic models, statistical regression models, and equations linking thermal stress to livestock output) were combined to estimate the effects on productivity from changes in the average values of climatic parameters, and subsequently the direct economic effects from this long-term climate change. Recorded damages from extreme events together with climatic thresholds per event and crop were combined to estimate the direct economic effects of these extremes. The broader socio-economic effects were then estimated through input–output analysis. Under average levels of future extreme events, the total direct economic losses for Greek agriculture due to climate change will be significant, from EUR 437 million/year to EUR 1 billion/year. These losses approximately double when indirect effects on other sectors using agricultural products as inputs (e.g., food and beverage, hotels, and restaurants) are considered, and escalate further under a tenfold impact of extreme events. Losses in the GDP and employment are moderate at the national level, but significant in regions where the contribution of agriculture is high.

Climate change and credit risk in rural financial institutions: A study based on transition risk

AbstractThis study empirically investigates the impact of climate change on credit risks in rural financial institutions, emphasizing transition risk. We analyzed data from 202 rural financial institutions across, China spanning 2012 to 2020. The empirical findings reveal the following: Firstly, climate change exerts an inverted U‐shaped influence on credit risks in rural financial institutions. Secondly, the inverted U‐shaped relationship is influenced by both the level of digital development and uncertainty in climate policy. Lastly, heightened levels of digital development and increased uncertainty about climate policy can mitigate the negative effects of climate change.

Developing a ‘fit for purpose’ approach to measuring methane emissions

Tackling methane emissions from fossil fuel operations represents one of the best near- and medium-term opportunities for limiting the effects of climate change. Over the last few years, independent methane studies have challenged the accuracy and completeness of publicly disclosed emissions estimates. To address this, new methane accounting and reporting frameworks have been developed. Central to these frameworks are key principles linked to measurement, monitoring, reporting, verification (MMRV) and reduction. Woodside has taken specific actions to measure and reduce its methane emissions and is developing a pathway to embed ongoing and sustainable measurements technologies in its operations. Previously, Woodside discussed the management and valuation of methane reductions, this paper will describe the approach taken to develop methane measurement plans including (i) the objective of measurement plans, (ii) measurement technology attributes and (iii) the identification of measurement technology use cases. It also overviews measurement techniques such as satellite, aerial, drone, handheld and continuous monitoring which can form part of a curated multi-scale approach to MMRV across a portfolio of assets.

Impacts of Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies for Rainfed Barley Production in the Almería Province, Spain

Mediterranean water-stressed areas face significant challenges from higher temperatures and increasingly severe droughts. We assess the effect of climate change on rainfed barley production in the aridity-prone province of Almería, Spain, using the FAO AquaCrop model. We focus on rainfed barley growth by the mid-century (2041–2070) and end-century (2071–2100) time periods, using three Shared Socio-economic Pathway (SSP)-based scenarios: SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5. Using the paired t-test, Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficient, Root Mean Squared Error, and relative Root Mean Squared Error, we verified AquaCrop’s ability to capture local multi-year trends (9 or more years) using standard barley crop parameters, without local recalibration. Starting with a reference Initial Soil Water Content (ISWC), different soil water contents within barley rooting depth were modelled to account for decreases in soil water availability. We then evaluated the efficiency of different climate adaptation strategies: irrigation, mulching, and changing sowing dates. We show average yield changes of +14% to −44.8% (mid-century) and +12% to −55.1% (end-century), with ISWC being the main factor determining yields. Irrigation increases yields by 21.1%, utilizing just 3% of Almería’s superficial water resources. Mulches improve irrigated yield performances by 6.9% while reducing irrigation needs by 40%. Changing sowing dates does not consistently improve yields. We demonstrate that regardless of the scenario used, climate adaptation of field barley production in Almería should prioritize limiting soil water loss by combining irrigation with mulching. This would enable farmers in Almería’s northern communities to maintain their livelihoods, reducing the province’s reliance on horticulture while continuing to contribute to food security goals.

Scientific Research on Bioethanol in Brazil: History and Prospects for Sustainable Biofuel

Despite the recent need for sustainable energy resources, bioenergy gained its spotlight in the 2000s. Sugarcane is a significant crop in terms of sugar and energy capacity, and it can be an alternative energy source to mitigate the effects of climate change. Bioenergy production from sugarcane in Brazil is one of the most efficient options. This production lends a centrality to biofuels’ importance in confronting climate change effects. The present article reviews the Brazilian history of this crop as a biofuel source, focusing on plants as a biomass. We highlight the historical changes related to scientific, technological, industrial, and environmental advances since the beginning of the 20th century. We describe how creating governmental institutes and disseminating scientific knowledge strengthened public policies that led Brazil to occupy leadership positions in producing, distributing, and using bioenergy throughout the country. The compiled data show the improvements and the new approaches needed to improve ethanol sugarcane use. We performed a bibliometric analysis to evaluate Brazilian science’s contribution to this process compared to other countries. Brazil’s history of science and investment in sugarcane biofuel development for transportation may be divided into two phases: ethanol-only and flex-fuel cars. A third phase is starting, directed to the SAF and ethanol-to-hydrogen era.

Should we be sceptical in the face of calls for degrowth?

In recent years, an ‘international’ unanimity has been reached as to the importance of collective collaboration to avoid the negative effects of climate change. This requires rethinking the old or traditional development model based on economic growth as the exclusive indicator of wealth. Thus, humanity has an urgent need to adopt a new, more humane and fairer economic model that constitutes an alternative to the models of exponential growth that have dominated in the last two centuries. To do so, humanity is looking to the Degrowth model as a potential concept that aims to reduce wealth from pollutants, seeks more justice (as equity), and the improvement of the capabilities of those who are poor and disadvantaged (in the sense of Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum). The purpose of this article is to question this model and whether it actually does improve environmental quality. Additionally, if the response is positive, another question arises: How to finance degrowth especially when we seek other less polluting energy sources whose costs seem to be very high?

Environmental impacts from large-scale offshore renewable-energy deployment

Abstract The urgency to mitigate the effects of climate change necessitates an unprecedented global deployment of offshore renewable-energy technologies &amp;#xD;mainly including offshore wind, tidal stream, wave energy, and floating solar photovoltaic. To achieve the global energy demand for terawatt-hours, the infrastructure for such technologies will require a large spatial footprint. Accommodating this footprint will require rapid landscape evolution, ideally within two decades. For instance, the United Kingdom has committed to deploying 50 GW of offshore wind by 2030 with 90--110 GW by 2050, which is equivalent to four times and ten times more than the 2022 capacity, respectively. If all were 15-MW turbines spaced 1.5 km apart, 50 GW would require 7,500 km2 and 110 GW would require 16,500 km2. This review paper aims to anticipate environmental impacts stemming from the large-scale deployment of offshore renewable energy. These impacts have been categorised into three broad types based on the region (i.e., atmospheric, hydrodynamic, ecological). We synthesise our results into a table classifying whether the impacts are positive, negative, negligible, or unknown; whether the impact is instantaneous or lagged over time; and whether the impacts occur when the offshore infrastructure is being constructed, operating or during decommissioning. Our table benefits those studying the marine ecosystem before any project is installed to help assess the baseline characteristics to be considered in order to identify and then quantify possible future impacts.

People’s Perception of Climate Change Impacts on Subtropical Climatic Region: A Case Study of Upper Indus, Pakistan

In developing countries like Pakistan, the preservation of the environment, as well as people’s economies, agriculture, and way of life, are believed to be hampered by climate change. Understanding how people perceive climate change and its signs is essential for creating a variety of adaptation solutions. In this study, we aim to bridge the gap in current research within this area, which predominantly relies on satellite data, by integrating qualitative assessments of people’s perceptions of climate change, thereby providing valuable ground-based observations of climate variability and its impacts on local communities. Field-based data were collected at different altitudes (upstream (US), midstream (MS), and downstream (DS)) of the Upper Indus Basin using both quantitative and qualitative assessments in 2017. The result shows that these altitudes are highly variable in many contexts: socioeconomic indicators of education, agriculture, income, women empowerment, health, access to basic resources, and livelihood diversifications are highly variable in the Indus Basin. The inhabitants of the Indus Basin perceive the climate changing around them and report impacts of this change as increase in overall temperatures (US 96.9%, MS 97%, DS 93.6%) and erratic rainfall patterns (US 44.1%, MS 73.3%, DS 51.0%) resulting in increased water availability for crops (US 38.6%, MS 39.7%, DS 54.8%) but also increasing number of dry days (US 56.7%, MS 85.5%, DS 67.1%). Communities at these altitudes said that agriculture was their primary source of income, making them particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and the dangers that go along with it. The insights are useful for determining what information and actions are required to support local climate-related hazard management in subtropical climate regions. Moreover, it is vital to launch a campaign to raise awareness of potential hazards, as well as to provide training and an early warning system.

CROP IMPROVEMENT THROUGH DIFFERENT MEANS TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD SECURITY

This study evaluated several crop development techniques in addition to the effects of climate change on productivity in agriculture. Climate affects agricultural productivity and the distribution of crops worldwide. Given the current and projected variations in temperature, precipitation, and carbon dioxide concentrations, it is unclear whether agroecosystems will be able to produce enough food to meet the world's needs. Crop output, water productivity, and soil water balance are frequently altered by climate change. Soil moisture content and groundwater levels will be affected by the immediate effects of global warming-induced changes in temperature and precipitation patterns. Agricultural output is affected by several factors, such as crop variety, growing circumstances, soil deterioration, and water availability. Modern agricultural systems use genetics, biotechnology, plant breeding, environmental monitoring, and adjustments to management techniques to adapt to climate change. On the other hand, without a more thorough approach to agricultural systems, development cannot proceed. A strategy like this would mean growing amounts of a wider variety of superior crops and advancing equity, sustainability, nutrition, and food security in the future.