Energy at risk: the impact of climate change on supply and costs
(CMCC Foundation – Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change) The energy sector is not only cause, but also victim of climate change. As global temperatures rise, cooling demand is increasing. But in the face of an increased energy demand in the hot season, energy reliability may be jeopardized, due to climate change impacts on the energy system, especially in South Asia and Latin America. A review paper on Nature Energy shows how extreme climate-related events are affecting the efficiency of energy infrastructures and threatening renewable technologies.
Water consumption for trees is calculated in order to design precision irrigation systems
(University of Córdoba) A University of Cordoba and Spanish National Research Council research team validated an indicator based on using a tree’s temperature to calculate relative water consumption at an almond tree plantation
Healthcare as a climate solution
Although the link may not be obvious, healthcare and climate change — two issues that pose major challenges around the world — are in fact more connected than society may realize. So say researchers, who are increasingly proving this to be true.
Microplastics in groundwater (and our drinking water) present unknown risk
Microplastics (plastics <5mm) and their negative health impacts have been studied in oceans, rivers, and even soils, and scientists are beginning to grapple with the myriad human health impacts their presence might have. One understudied, but critical, link in the cycle is groundwater, which is often a source of drinking water.
Ancient lake contributed to past San Andreas fault ruptures
The San Andreas fault, which runs along the western coast of North America and crosses dense population centers like Los Angeles, California, is one of the most-studied faults in North America because of its significant hazard risk. Based on its roughly 150-year recurrence interval for magnitude 7.5 earthquakes and the fact that it’s been over 300 years since that’s happened, the southern San Andreas fault has long been called ‘overdue’ for such an earthquake.
Artificially sweetened drinks may not be heart healthier than sugary drinks
Sugary drinks and artificially sweetened beverages are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, which suggests artificially sweetened beverages may not be the healthy alternative they are often claimed to be, according to a research letter.
Land management in forest and grasslands: How much can we intensify?
Intensive land-use reduces beneficial effects of biodiversity on ecosystem services. It assessed the effects of land management on the links between biodiversity, ecosystem functions and ecosystem services, identified thresholds of management intensity, most important species groups for driving services, and the ecosystem services at risk.
Globalized economy making water, energy and land insecurity worse
The first large-scale study of the risks that countries face from dependence on water, energy and land resources has found that globalisation may be decreasing, rather than increasing, the security of global supply chains.
Brazilian youth’s important role in fight against climate change – study
(University of Birmingham) Marginalised young people in Brazilian cities can play an important role in responding to the threat of climate change, but youth engagement needs to be both ‘playful’ and take youth ‘seriously’ to support them in expressing their full potential in bringing about local change according to a new study.
Can California’s top wine region survive the era of megafire?
The Silverado Trail, a two-lane road that weaves through the bucolic hillsides in the heart of California’s wine country, is the quintessential vision of Napa Valley. Home to dozens of wineries, it is a destination within a destination – one…
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