As coral bleaching and deaths become more widespread globally, experts show that over a third of restoration projects fail and might never be scalable enough to have positive effects on reef ecosystems. The results show that major barriers to effective interventions include the small scale of restoration programs, high costs per hectare, and the tendency to restore already compromised reefs that are highly vulnerable to future heat stresses.

A paper published in National Science Review highlights the role of China's natural terrestrial ecosystems (NTEs) as significant sources and sinks of methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O), two potent greenhouse gases. The study, led by Dr. Tingting Li and her team, compiles a new CH₄ and N₂O inventory for China's NTEs from 1980 to 2020, revealing the complex interplay between climate change, land-use changes, and greenhouse gas emissions. The findings underscore the importance of NTEs in global greenhouse gas budgets and provide recommendations for enhancing carbon sequestration and reducing emissions.

Climate change in the Arctic is paving the way for the spread of infectious diseases with pandemic potential, warn scientists.

Based on data in the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register and the life cycle approach, the Amalur EIS environmental information system, created by the Ekopol group of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), enables environmental impacts at national, regional and/or municipal level to be analysed. The researchers also analysed the results of data collected at industrial plants in the Basque Country between 2007-2022.

A research team led by Prof. SHI Long and Prof. ZHANG Heping from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) established the most comprehensive city-level fire incident database to date, covering 20.6% of the global population and quantified the intrinsic link between climate change and urban fire risks. The study was published in Nature Cities.

A comprehensive lifecycle analysis of emissions-reduction measures for oceangoing cargo ships indicates that burning heavy fuel oil in conjunction with exhaust cleaning systems called scrubbers has an environmental impact comparable to burning low-sulfur fuels. 

Storm forecasting is traditionally based on studying atmospheric conditions but ground-breaking research that also looks at land surface conditions is set to transform early warning systems in tropical regions. This will enable communities to better adapt to the destructive impacts of climate change.

The new study led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) has shown that a large contrast in soil moisture levels over a range of hundreds of kilometres results in atmospheric changes that increase rainfall area and amount in several megastorm hotspots globally. This increase ranges from 10 to 30% depending on the region and size of the storm.

Insects are the dominant form of animal life on our planet, providing humans and wildlife with pollination, food, and recycling services but, despite concerns about population declines, little is known about how 99% of species globally are faring.

A new approach is needed to better monitor species and protect them from the impacts of climate and land use change, pollution and invasive non-native species as soon as possible, according to a study led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and ZSL (Zoological Society of London).