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The Arctic is home to the largest surface water fraction of any terrestrial biome, containing thousands of low-lying lakes. Now, it appears that some Arctic lakes are drying due to rising air temperatures and autumn rains, causing permafrost to thaw and water bodies to drain.
The authors reveal the complex interplay of factors influencing climate-related body-size changes in tree swallows. Nest warming increased chick size and success yet adult structural size decreased, and mass of males decreased but females did not, the latter linked to reproduction trade-offs.
The Arctic lowlands are characterized by a large number of lakes that cover a substantial part of the surface in some regions. Here, the authors apply a machine learning approach to satellite data to show that permafrost thaw since 2000 has caused a decline in surface water in these regions.
Greenland ice sheet melt is currently the largest single contributor to sea-level rise. This work combines observations and theory to show that Greenland ice sheet imbalance with recent climate (2000–2019) has already committed at least 3.3% ice volume loss, equivalent to 274 mm of global sea-level rise.
Natural climate solutions (NCS) could counterbalance 6% of industrial CO2 emissions in China throughout 2020–2030, by trapping carbon within ecosystems and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Implementing 62% of these NCS would cost ≤US$50 per megagram of CO2 equivalent. NCS can contribute substantially to climate mitigation if appropriate planning strategies are employed.
The authors develop a climate risk index for marine species under two emission scenarios and find that exploited species in low-income countries have the greatest risk under the high emissions scenario. Mitigating emissions reduces risks, enhances ecosystem stability and benefits low-income countries that depend on fisheries.
Terrestrial water storage over the Tibetan Plateau is projected to sustain large net declines by 2060. Excess water losses in the Amu Darya and Indus basins present the most critical threats of water supply shortage in this region. These results could inform adaptation strategies under future climate change.
Managing natural systems to mitigation climate change is a key strategy for limiting warming. In China, such natural climate solutions could offset 6% of CO2 emissions during 2020–2030, contributing to mitigation goals but highlighting the importance of emissions reductions.
The Atlantic intertropical convergence zone can experience extreme northward shifts, with resultant precipitation changes. Model projections show the frequency of these extreme shifts will increase under climate change, driven by faster sea surface warming north of the Equator.
A comprehensive and systematic literature review reveals that over 58% of human pathogenic diseases are aggravated by climatic hazards that are sensitive to greenhouse gas emissions.
The Tibetan Plateau is an important source region of freshwater for large parts of Asia’s population. Here the authors quantify past and future terrestrial water-storage changes and find a large net loss in this region, with the Amu Darya and Indus basins as the most vulnerable hotspots.
Current greenhouse gas emissions will continue to affect the climate even after we reach net-zero emissions. We must understand how and prepare for a cooling planet.
A systematic review shows that >58% of infectious diseases confronted by humanity, via 1,006 unique pathways, have at some point been affected by climatic hazards sensitive to GHGs. These results highlight the mounting challenge for adaption and the urgent need to reduce GHG emissions.
