Climate Change Intensification Research Articles

Spatial and Temporal Variability Characteristics and Driving Factors of Extreme Precipitation in the Wei River Basin

As global climate change intensifies, the global atmospheric circulation process is undergoing significant changes, and the local water vapor pattern has also changed. This study takes the Wei River Basin as the research area. Firstly, an evaluation index system for extreme precipitation was established, and the time-series characteristics of the magnitude, frequency, and duration of extreme precipitation were analyzed. Statistical methods were used to analyze the non-consistency in time-series changes in extreme precipitation indicators. Using spatial heterogeneity analysis methods, the spatial variation differences in extreme precipitation in the Wei River Basin were identified. This study selected the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) index, global land-ocean temperature index (LOTI), and land surface temperature (LST) index to quantitatively evaluate the impact of climate change on regional extreme precipitation and analyzed the correlation between temperature and extreme precipitation, identifying the key driving factors of extreme precipitation changes. The conclusions of this study are as follows: (1) The southern region of the Wei River Basin experiences more frequent and intense precipitation events, while the northern region experiences relatively few. (2) From 1981 to 2021, the intensity, frequency, and duration of precipitation events in the Wei River Basin gradually increased, with the most significant increase in extreme precipitation in the Guanzhong Plain. (3) Global climate change has an important impact on precipitation events in the Wei River Basin. The increase in the ENSO, LOTI, and LST indices may indicate an increase in the probability of drought and flood events in the Wei River Basin. The relationships between extreme precipitation and temperature present a peak structure. This conclusion is helpful to better understand the impact of climate change on extreme precipitation in the Wei River Basin and provides some support for the response to extreme meteorological events under the background of future climate change.

Carbon neutrality strategy with small modular reactor-based hybrid energy system: A case study for a small Island and isolated power grid

As the threat of climate change intensifies, various efforts are being made to achieve carbon neutrality. Decarbonization across all industries, especially in the power generation sector, is a critical aspect to be considered. The introduction of renewable energy sources and an increase in their installed capacity in the power grid is essential to achieve carbon neutrality in the power generation sector. However, the expansion of renewable energy sources increases the vulnerability of the power grid due to their intermittent and variable characteristics and requires high levels of load-following performance from other power sources. In this study, we propose a hybrid energy system using nuclear (especially small modular reactors)-based hydrogen production, as an alternative solution for achieving carbon neutrality. The feasibility of the proposed hybrid energy system model was analyzed for the small Island isolated grid systems with simplified multi-physics simulation. The performance analysis results demonstrate that the proposed small modular reactor-hydrogen-based hybrid system can reliably meet grid demands while producing an annual surplus of 10,320.96 tons of hydrogen with reduced potential risk of thermo-mechanical-related component failures in the plant. The results of the current study can be expected to provide a significant milestone and insight into the achievement of carbon neutrality and a transition to a hydrogen economy, utilizing small modular reactor-based hydrogen production technology.

Assessing the global vulnerability of dryland birds to heatwaves.

As global average surface temperature increases, extreme climatic events such as heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, which can drive biodiversity responses such as rapid population declines and/or shifts in species distributions and even local extirpations. However, the impacts of extreme climatic events are largely ignored in conservation plans. Birds are known to be susceptible to heatwaves, especially in dryland ecosystems. Understanding which birds are most vulnerable to heatwaves, and where these birds occur, can offer a scientific basis for adaptive management and conservation. We assessed the relative vulnerability of 1196 dryland bird species to heatwaves using a trait-based approach. Among them, 888 bird species are estimated to be vulnerable to heatwaves (170 highly vulnerable, eight extremely vulnerable), of which ~91% are currently considered non-threatened by the IUCN, which suggests that many species will likely become newly threatened with intensifying climate change. We identified the top three hotspot areas of heatwave-vulnerable species in Australia (208 species), Southern Africa (125 species) and Eastern Africa (99 species). Populations of vulnerable species recorded in the Living Planet Database were found to be declining significantly faster than those of non-vulnerable species (p = .048) after heatwaves occurred. In contrast, no significant difference in population trends between vulnerable and non-vulnerable species was detected when no heatwave occurred (p = .34). This suggests that our vulnerability framework correctly identified vulnerable species and that heatwaves are already impacting the population trends of these species. Our findings will help prioritize heatwave-vulnerable birds in dryland ecosystems in risk mitigation and adaptation management as the frequency of heatwaves accelerates in the coming decades.

Climate effects on the diversification strategy of export firms: Evidence from China.

Using a multi-product trade model, this study investigates the impact of temperature on firms' diversification in the export market. Using export and meteorological data of Chinese firms from 2000 to 2016, the empirical results confirm an inverted U-shaped relationship, implying that extreme temperatures significantly reduce firms' export product diversification. The analysis shows that extreme temperatures primarily reduce the variety of both new and existing products, with a less robust effect on product exit strategies. General trade firms are more adaptable to extreme temperatures than processing trade firms, and are likely to maintain diversified strategies. Stronger regional financial markets and higher energy consumption increase the adaptability of local firms to extreme temperatures. Firms have not yet adapted to local climatic norms. Furthermore, extreme temperatures also partly inhibit diversification of export destinations and relationships. The results of the study show that as climate change intensifies, leading to more frequent extreme temperatures, firms will face significant hurdles in pursuing diversified development strategies, pointing to increasing challenges ahead.

Green entrepreneurship: A review of sustainable business practices in manufacturing and high-tech industries

This paper aims to examine sustainable practices within the manufacturing and high-tech industries, highlighting how green entrepreneurship and sustainable business practices are reshaping these sectors. As global pressures to address climate change intensify, these sectors are increasingly adopting sustainable strategies that not only reduce environmental impact but also drive economic growth. The paper discusses key sustainable practices, including energy management, advanced manufacturing technologies, and supply chain optimization, highlighting their significance in reducing carbon emissions and enhancing operational efficiency. Case studies from leading companies, such as Toyota, Google, and Apple, illustrate how innovations in renewable energy, automation, and ethical sourcing are being integrated into business models to support long-term sustainability goals. Additionally, the paper examines the challenges faced by organizations, particularly smaller enterprises, in implementing these practices, and the critical role of international regulatory frameworks in ensuring global sustainability standards. The analysis underscores the importance of the “triple bottom line” approach – profit, people, and planet – as a strategic framework for businesses aiming to achieve resilience and leadership in the emerging green economy. The findings suggest that while the transition to sustainable practices presents significant challenges, it also offers substantial opportunities for long-term economic and environmental benefits.

Enhancing Refuge Space Safety: Tape Application to Reduce Door Leakage during Fires

As global climate change intensifies, the frequency and severity of wildfires affecting communities worldwide are on the rise. Therefore, the issue of residential safety for people is becoming increasingly crucial. During a fire, smoke particles and toxic emissions could infiltrate the refuge space through gaps in doors, making it a primary risk factor for casualties. It is worth conducting in‐depth research and investigation on how to effectively utilize available tools and facilities to enhance the probability of survival while waiting for rescue behind closed doors. This study uses iron, aluminum, and wooden doors as experimental samples. Thirty participants conducted a total of 1,620 experiments using six different qualities of tape to investigate the impact of applying different layers of tape on improving door leakage and the time required for tape application. This study proposes that in situations when people are waiting for rescue in refuge spaces, the most efficient course of action would involve the fastest available tape. The rationale behind this is that while different types of tape may vary in their smoke‐shielding effectiveness, using three layers of tape can meet the leakage effectiveness standards, specifically less than 25 m3/hr at a differential pressure of 25 Pa.

ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬ ТИПИЧНЫХ МЕР ПО ЭНЕРГОСБЕРЕЖЕНИЮ И СОКРАЩЕНИЮ ВЫБРОСОВ В АТМОСФЕРУ В ПРОЕКТАХ ПО ПЕРЕДАЧЕ И ПРЕОБРАЗОВАНИЮ ЭЛЕКТРОЭНЕРГИИ

As global climate change intensifies, countries face serious challenges. In response to this issue, various industries are actively promoting green development and energy conservation measures, with the electricity sector being particularly important. As a major emitter of carbon dioxide, China’s construction of transmission infrastructure has a significant impact on global climate change. In this context, research on energy conservation and emission reduction measures is urgently needed. Taking the 500 kV transmission project in Jiande, Zhejiang Province as an example, this study analyzes its carbon emissions in detail and quantifies the effects of 18 energy conservation and emission reduction measures. The results show that adopting energy conservation and emission reduction technologies can significantly reduce carbon emissions, especially in terms of raw materials and equipment. However, there are still issues such as data gaps and unclear quantification methods that need further research and improvement. Therefore, it is recommended to continue researching energy conservation and emission reduction technologies, establish relevant standards, and promote the development of more environmentally friendly raw materials and equipment by power enterprises to facilitate the green and low-carbon development of transmission engineering.

ОЦЕНКА ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТИ ТИПОВЫХ МЕР ПО ЭНЕРГОСБЕРЕЖЕНИЮ И СОКРАЩЕНИЮ ВЫБРОСОВ В ПРОЕКТАХ ПЕРЕДАЧИ И ПРЕОБРАЗОВАНИЯ ЭЛЕКТРОЭНЕРГИИ

As global climate change intensifies, countries face serious challenges. In response to this issue, various industries are actively promoting green development and energy conservation measures, with the electricity sector being particularly important. As a major emitter of carbon dioxide, China’s construction of transmission infrastructure has a significant impact on global climate change. In this context, research on energy conservation and emission reduction measures is urgently needed. Taking the 500 kV transmission project in Jiande, Zhejiang Province as an example, this study analyzes its carbon emissions in detail and quantifies the effects of 18 energy conservation and emission reduction measures. The results show that adopting energy conservation and emission reduction technologies can significantly reduce carbon emissions, especially in terms of raw materials and equipment. However, there are still issues such as data gaps and unclear quantification methods that need further research and improvement. Therefore, it is recommended to continue researching energy conservation and emission reduction technologies, establish relevant standards, and promote the development of more environmentally friendly raw materials and equipment by power enterprises to facilitate the green and low-carbon development of transmission engineering.

친환경 인적자원관리와 친환경 업무풍토에 대한 지각, 종업원의 친환경 동기, 환경 몰입 간의 구조적 관계

As global concerns about environmental degradation and climate change intensify, green human resource management (GHRM) has emerged as a crucial strategic approach for organizations that are recognizing the need to align their human resource practices with sustainable, eco-friendly initiatives. In this study, it is proposed that GHRM affects employees’ environmental commitment by fostering a green work climate and enhancing their green motivation. To gather empirical evidence for this proposition, the researchers collected data from 201 Bangladeshi employees working in the textile industry, and conducted statistical analysis using structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings of the study are as follows: First, perceptions of GHRM had significant positive relationships with both perceived green work climate and employee green motivation. Second, perceived green work climate did not have a significant relationship with employee green motivation controlling for perceptions of GHRM. Third, both perceived green work climate and employee green motivation had positive relationships with environmental commitment. Fourth, both perceived green work climate and employee green motivation had significant mediating effects on the GHRM-environmental commitment relationship. Implications and suggestions are presented based on these findings.

A deep learning-based algorithm for crop Disease identification positioning using computer vision

Food security is fundamental to a country. As the main risk factors, pests and diseases seriously restrict the normal growth of crops and the quality and safety of agricultural products. With the intensification of climate change and the continuous adjustment of farming methods, crop diseases and pests have become more frequent in recent years. Therefore, the agricultural production mode has gradually moved from family production to large-scale agricultural planting, and the production equipment has become more automated and intelligent. Agricultural intelligent robots can reduce labor costs in the process of agricultural production and improve the standardization of agricultural production. The application of computer vision in agriculture is rapidly becoming an important aspect of modern agricultural technology, especially in crop positioning and management. Through the use of advanced image processing algorithms and pattern recognition technology, computer vision systems are able to accurately identify and locate various crops in the field, enabling automated and precise management. This technology shows great potential for crop health monitoring, pest identification, and maturity assessment. For example, by analyzing images of plants, computer vision systems can spot signs of lesions or nutrient deficiencies in time and guide farmers to treat them accordingly. In addition, this technology can also be used to guide automated agricultural machinery, such as driverless tractors and harvesters, to improve the efficiency of crop harvesting and reduce labor costs. In general, the combination of computer vision and crops provides new technical means for the development of modern precision agriculture, which helps to improve the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production.

Current Status and Future Directions of Building Information Modeling for Low-Carbon Buildings

In recent years, with the intensification of climate change, the development of low-carbon buildings (LCBs) has gained great momentum, and building information modeling (BIM) is perceived as the most promising path. However, systematic integration, review, and analysis of research in the field of BIM for LCBs has been lacking, which may hinder the potential of BIM in assisting the achievement of the goal of LCBs. Therefore, this study explores the current research status of BIM for LCBs and the directions for further investigation. A hybrid literature review method was utilized, which consisted of quantitative and qualitative analyses. Firstly, a quantitative bibliometric analysis was conducted on 158 studies searched from the Web of Science core collection. The most influential institutions, journals, studies, and keywords were identified. The most often used terms were BIM, life-cycle assessment (LCA), design, construction, digital technologies (DTs), life cycle, and integration. Secondly, a systematic qualitative analysis was conducted of 117 carefully selected studies to identify the research focus of different stages (e.g., design, construction, operation, and demolition) of BIM for LCBs. The results showed that studies pertaining to BIM for LCBs mostly took a whole life-cycle perspective, followed by a focus on the design stage, while the volumes of studies focusing on BIM for LCBs in the operation and demolition stages were relatively small. Currently, research focuses on how the latest methods and technologies can be utilized to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions over the life cycle of a building, e.g., BIM-LCA and BIM combined with DTs. Lastly, the challenges and prospects of integrating BIM with LCA and emerging DTs for LCBs are discussed in depth. Five topics, such as BIM-based interdisciplinary collaboration and improving and validating the BIM integrated sustainability calculation models, are proposed as future research trends. This study points out the current research hotspots and future research trends in the field and builds a solid starting point for scholars who want to devote themselves to this field. For practitioners in LCBs, the research findings could serve as a practical reference for better understanding the potential of BIM for LCBs so as to take full advantage of BIM to more effectively realize the goal of LCBs.

The importance of forests in the environment

The importance of forests in the environment

When attention to climate change matters: The impact of climate risk disclosure on firm market value

Concerns about climate change and its potential economic impact have prompted policymakers and institutions to introduce standards and principles to encourage the disclosure of company risks related to climate change. Past research demonstrated that such disclosure positively impacts firm stock prices. This study analyzes the magnitude and significance of climate risk disclosures within 10-K and 10-Q reports of U.S. companies through the application of novel methods in text mining and social network analysis. Furthermore, it measures the level of attention directed towards climate change at the firm level by analyzing transcripts from earnings conference calls. The study contributes to the literature by investigating the effect of climate risk disclosure on firm market value and considering where such disclosure occurs. The findings demonstrate a positive relationship between climate risk disclosures and firm value. However, this relationship can turn negative when the attention to climate change intensifies. The results of this study are of particular relevance for practitioners and policymakers who are provided with a novel instrument to quantify the magnitude of climate change risk disclosure in textual data. Regulators can identify firms particularly exposed to climate change and create incentives for disclosure, especially when firms may be disincentivized to share information about climate change risks.

The Climate of Innovation: AI’s Growing Influence in Weather Prediction Patents and Its Future Prospects

As the severity of climate change intensifies, understanding and predicting weather patterns have become paramount. Major firms worldwide have recognized this urgency, focusing their innovative efforts on weather prediction. In line with this trend, this research delves into the intricate patterns of patent data within the realm of weather prediction from 2010 to 2023. The study unveils a standard timeline for patent grants in this domain, particularly noting a distinctive peak in grant durations between 1500 and 2000 days. The global landscape of weather prediction innovation is highlighted, pinpointing the United States, China, and Japan as pivotal contributors. A salient finding is the ascendant influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in this sector, underscored by the prevalence of AI-centric keywords such as “machine learning” and “neural network”. This trend exemplifies the ongoing paradigm shift toward data-driven methodologies in weather forecasting. A notable correlation was identified between patent trends and academic trends on platforms such as arXiv, especially concerning keywords such as “machine learning” and “deep learning”. Moreover, our findings indicate that the transformer network, given its rising prominence in deep learning realms, is predicted to be a future keyword trend in weather prediction patents. However, despite its insights, the study also grapples with limitations in its predictive modeling component, which aims at forecasting patent grant durations. Overall, this research offers a comprehensive understanding of the patent dynamics in weather prediction, illuminating the trajectory of technological advancements and the burgeoning role of AI. It holds implications for academia, industry, and policymaking in navigating the future of weather prediction technologies.

Comparative analysis of communication strategies in promoting csr programs: Pertamina vs Petronas

This research contrasts the digital strategic communication approaches employed by Pertamina (Indonesia) and Petronas (Malaysia), two prominent Southeast Asian oil and gas corporations, in disseminating their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects. As environmental concerns and climate change intensify, these companies have advanced significantly in sustainable development. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is highly valued in modern society, particularly for oil and gas enterprises catering to regional energy demands. While Pertamina and Petronas fulfil national roles, they also confront global sustainability challenges. The methodology involves analysing the Instagram profiles of @pertamina and @petronas. The study employs qualitative content analysis to scrutinise visual rhetoric, engagement metrics, message framing, the frequency of CSR posts, and audience responses, including likes, comments, and shares. The results indicate distinct approaches by each company in utilising Instagram for their sustainability campaigns. Pertamina adopts straightforward communication techniques to elucidate its CSR initiatives, while Petronas employs storytelling to link business activities with societal issues. These insights could influence the digital communication strategies of other firms in CSR efforts. The study suggests that cultural relevance and societal significance can enhance stakeholder involvement on Instagram. It concludes that proficient digital strategic communications can mould public perceptions of a business's commitment to sustainability.

Is olive crop modelling ready to assess the impacts of global change?

Olive trees, alongside grapevines, dominate the Mediterranean tree crop landscape. However, as climate change intensifies, the Mediterranean region, which encompasses 95% of the global olive cultivation area, faces significant challenges. Rising carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, increasing temperatures, and declining precipitation pose substantial threats to olive tree performance. Photosynthesis, respiration, phenology, water use and ultimately yield are possibly the main factors affected. To address this future scenario, it is crucial to develop adaptation and mitigation strategies. Nevertheless, breeding programs and field management practice testing for tree crops are time-consuming endeavors. Fortunately, models can accelerate the evaluation of tailored solutions. In this review, we critically examine the current state of olive tree modeling and highlight key areas requiring improvement. Given the expected impact of climate change, prioritizing research on phenology, particularly regarding bloom and pollination, is essential. Simulations of biomass should incorporate approaches that account for the interactive effects of CO2 and temperature on photosynthesis and respiration. Furthermore, accurately simulating the influence of water stress on yield necessitates the development of models that integrate canopy behavior with root performance under conditions of water scarcity. By addressing these critical aspects, olive tree models can enhance our understanding of climate change impacts and inform sustainable agricultural practices.

Intra-industry or spatial spillovers: Empirical study on the impact of digital finance on green energy innovation

As global climate change intensifies, programs to promote green energy innovation are becoming increasingly urgent for humanity. However, academic debate on whether to prioritize industrial or regional policies continues, detracting the focus from programmes to promote green energy innovation. Using data from 3456 listed companies in China in 2020, this study aims to test intra-industry and spatial spillovers to provide empirical evidence to resolve the academic debate and investigate the impact of urban digital finance on corporate green energy innovation to assess the effectiveness of urban policies. Results show that firms' green energy innovations have significant intra-industry spillovers, but no significant spatial spillovers. Moreover, urban digital finance contributes significantly to green energy innovation. The impact of urban digital finance on green energy innovation varies by a firm's nature, internal controls, and external audits. Therefore, this study proposes a multilevel ecosystem for green energy innovation that theoretically supports a comprehensive and systematic understanding of corporate green energy innovation and guidelines for the precise implementation of policy portfolios.

Climatic characteristics of precipitation change and its multiscale causes over Central Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

AbstractRegional climates have changed as a result of global warming, which has sped up cirrus circulation and altered the temporal and spatial distribution of precipitation. As climate change intensifies, the pattern of precipitation in the Hoh Xil (HX) region has changed. The dislocation of rain and heat in summer hinders ecological restoration and brings great ecological threat. And it is important to clarify the causes and scopes of the midsummer drought (MSD). In this study we highlight the causes of MSD in terms of water vapour transport, circulation structure and the related influencing factors. We found that (1) the HX region gradually entered a drying‐warming process as MSD developed after 2005. (2) The change in the water vapour balance is the direct cause of MSD in the HX. (3) As a typical climate key zone, the HX is located in the transition region between the westerlies and the Indian monsoon. (4) Regional evaporation capacity is the main factor affecting the occurrence of MSD. The dominant factor shifted from being energy to water with the occurrence and enhancement of MSD. This study complements the scarce research on precipitation anomalies in the HX, provides support for clarifying the impact of climate change on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (TP) and contributes to understanding the trends and mechanisms of climate change over the TP under global warming.

How to improve global environmental governance? Lessons learned from climate risk and climate policy uncertainty

Investigating the conduction mechanism between climate risk and climate policy uncertainty is crucial to enhance global environmental governance. The analysis uses the full- and sub-sample methodologies to recognise the correlation between Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and U.S. climate policy uncertainty (CPU). The quantitative analysis shows favorable and adverse effects from SOI to CPU, where the La Nina phenomena accompany the positive impacts, and the negative influences are related to the El Nino events. This conclusion highlights that climate change risks would bring more uncertainties to climate policies in the U.S., which is not conducive to enhancing global environmental governance. In turn, CPU exerts an adverse impact on SOI during the Trump administration, suggesting that high uncertainty of U.S. climate policies weakens the ability to cope with the global climate crisis, intensifying climate change risks such as the occurrence of El Nino phenomena. Under the severe climate crisis and extreme weather background, this discussion would put forward significant lessons for improving global environmental governance by effectively preventing and responding to climate changes, ensuring the continuity and consistency of climate policies, and strengthening international cooperation on climate change.

Study on the Impact of Global Warming on Parrots and Countermeasures

Parrots, with their vibrant plumage and remarkable intelligence, play a crucial role in ecosystems worldwide. They contribute to seed dispersal, plant protection, and overall ecosystem functioning, influencing plant life cycles and contributing to ecosystem stability. However, the ecological importance of parrots is threatened by habitat loss and the impacts of global warming. As climate change intensifies, parrots face challenges such as shifts in geographical ranges, disruptions in synchronized relationships with plants, habitat loss, and increased vulnerability to extreme weather events. Effective conservation strategies are crucial for safeguarding parrot populations, including preserving key habitats, establishing protected areas, and implementing sustainable management practices. Tailored approaches, education, addressing land tenure issues, and promoting ecotourism are among the key solutions to mitigate the effects of global warming and protect these ecologically important birds.