Reviews & Analysis

Flowering plants have expanded rapidly in Antarctica over the past 50 years. A study now reveals that an efficient way of acquiring nitrogen from protein-rich soils as they decompose has allowed these plants to take full advantage of a warming climate.

Contrails formed by aircraft can evolve into cirrus clouds indistinguishable from those formed naturally. These 'spreading contrails' may be causing more climate warming today than all the carbon dioxide emitted by aircraft since the start of aviation.

Recovery of the ozone hole and increasing greenhouse-gas concentrations have opposite effects on the jet stream. New model experiments indicate that they will cancel each other out over coming decades, leaving storm tracks at a stand still.

Explaining climate risks and uncertainties to non-specialists is fraught with difficulties. An array of principles and guidelines has been developed to aid this process, but there is little evidence for their efficacy. An empirical approach is thus needed to identify the communications approaches that will effectively convey the practical implications of large, complex, uncertain physical, biological and social processes. An ambitious interdisciplinary initiative will be required to deliver effective climate science communication, including institutional support to sustain it.

Engaging the public with climate change has proved difficult, in part because they see the problem as remote. New evidence suggests that direct experience of one anticipated impact — flooding — increases people's concern and willingness to save energy.

The impact of climate change on food production remains uncertain, particularly in the tropics. Research that exploits the results of historical crop trials indicates that Africa's maize crop could be at risk of significant yield losses.