Thursday, 9 February, 2012

If conflicts are more common near the equator, what will global warming affect do? A new study shows increases in conflict during el Niño periods — but only during the warm, dry part of the cycle, and only in places affected by these big climatic cycles.

The globe warms, and the Arctic starts to burn. If warming causes fires that release carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas, will this accelerate further warming? A new study measures carbon releases from the largest tundra fire in North America.

Earth’s orbit subtly changes over thousands of years, in complex cycles that affect the timing and delivery of sunlight to various regions of the globe. Climatologists have said that when this “Milankovitch cycle” warms the Arctic, it somehow warms the Antarctic. A new study finds that the cycle acts more directly.

Are extreme heat, wicked cyclones and record rainfalls signs of climate change, or just more changes in the weather? Will warming eliminate record cold days? Will hurricanes get bigger?

It can be very hard for us to look at coral reefs and understand the complexity of the life form, particularly the way the coral manage to grow and feed off different elements all while acting as a cradle of life for so many other different species. Even though placing a monetary value on coral [...]

It’s one of the biggest puzzles of paleontology: Why did North America’s large mammals go extinct shortly after the glaciers melted about 15k years ago? New study suggests that hunters get the credit — or blame.

Greenland’s icecap holds enough water to raise sea level by 7 meters. Some studies show it sliding faster into the sea. Should we worry? New report says “We don’t know.” Comforting?

Evidence from ice cores in Greenland and Antarctica show how fast the climate has changed in the past. In this era of global warming, you can’t count on a slow, gradual, predictable warming.

New study links long-term changes in salmon population to climate changes.

Soils provide new clues to early desert formation in Asia. The vast Loess Plateau of China has good soil; a remnant of wind-blown dust from millions of years ago.