People have been recording local climates for centuries, chronicling hot and cold periods as well as resulting floods, famines, and fatal diseases. Now, researchers have examined a wealth of historic documents to learn how climate impacted 16th century Transylvania, a region that today is part of Romania. They found that after several decades of uncharacteristically high temperatures, the climate changed in favor of excessive rain – and that both climates shaped human lives and societies in their own way.

As global efforts to combat climate change intensify, microalgae stand out as an underutilised yet promising resource. 

Colorado’s forests store a massive amount of carbon, but dying trees – mostly due to insects and disease – have caused the state’s forests to emit more carbon than they absorbed in recent years, according to a Colorado State Forest Service report. 

Indiana University environmental anthropologist Eduardo Brondizio was awarded the 2025 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement for his work on human-environment interaction in the Amazon and global-level work linking biodiversity to humankind. Established in the early 1970s, the Tyler Prize was the first of its kind to recognize global leaders in the environment and sustainability. Often called the “Nobel Prize for the environment,” the Tyler Prize has been awarded to scientists, policymakers and thought leaders whose work has advanced environmental science, conservation and sustainability across the world.

Argentine ecologist Sandra Díaz and Brazilian-American anthropologist Eduardo Brondízio have been awarded the 2025 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement for their work connecting biodiversity with human well-being. They emphasize the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and socio-economic inequality, calling for integrated solutions incorporating environmental justice into policies and business models.

Díaz focuses on embedding respect for nature in legislation and eliminating harmful financial incentives, while Brondízio advocates for addressing socio-economic struggles in the Amazon to improve environmental outcomes. Both played key roles in the 2019 IPBES Global Assessment on Biodiversity. The $250,000 prize recognizes their contributions to understanding biodiversity loss and its societal impact. They will receive the award in Los Angeles on April 10, 2025.

Kelp is being negatively impacted by climate change. Warming ocean temperatures have led to shorter growing and harvesting seasons, including for sugar kelp, one of the most commonly farmed kelp species. The loss of kelp populations can significantly impact ecosystems, and potentially the growing demand for sustainably farming food, feed, fertilizer, medicine, and cosmetics.

To give kelp a chance against climate change, scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) have identified kelp species with natural adaptations to cope with heat. In a new study published in the Journal of Applied Phycology[RM1] , WHOI experts identify new strains that could prove to be more resilient in warmer waters.

 

Understanding how plants adapt to different environments is crucial for addressing climate change. A new study by the groups of Liam Dolan and Frédéric Berger at the Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI) of Molecular Plant Biology links climate data with genetic variation, revealing how Marchantia polymorpha adapts to different climates.