Search Climate Insights Directory

The report assesses climate variability and future projections across central, eastern, western, and southern Africa, highlighting a critical gap in observational data and a lack of consensus among climate models. It details regional risks—such as the 'east African climate change paradox' and the vulnerability of the Congo rainforest—while providing country-specific analysis for Malawi, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. The document emphasizes the need for improved high-resolution modelling and better communication of scientific uncertainty to support adaptation in agriculture, water, energy, and urban infrastructure.

Agricultural runoff of nitrogen and phosphorus is a primary driver of water contamination, leading to eutrophication and hypoxic zones in the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Climate change is expected to worsen this by increasing the frequency of heavy rains and subsequent nutrient runoff. While the Clean Water Act does not regulate water leaving farmers' fields, various state-level voluntary and mandatory programs, alongside the federal Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), aim to reduce nutrient loading through best management practices like cover crops and no-till operations.

The document details how Hurricane Sandy and rising sea levels caused extensive damage to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in 2012, resulting in an estimated $77 million in losses and significant economic disruption to tourism. It explains that sea levels in the New York area have risen by over 1.5 feet since the 1850s, exacerbating storm surges. In response, the National Park Service is implementing resilience measures, such as elevating electrical systems up to 20 feet, as part of a broader effort to manage climate change risks for coastal properties.

The report examines how stakeholders in Swedish forestry perceive climate change risks and opportunities. It finds that while some anticipate increased growth, others fear storm damage and pests. Adaptation is driven by personal experience of extreme weather and trust in advisers, but hindered by distrust of climate science and conflicting views on effective management strategies. The document emphasizes the need for user-oriented, interactive communication between researchers and practitioners to foster adaptation.

The Paris Agreement formally recognizes "loss and damage" as a distinct issue from adaptation, acknowledging that some climate impacts are too severe to be adapted to. This includes extreme weather events and slow-onset events like desertification or the disappearance of island nations. The agreement makes the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage permanent and calls for international cooperation on early warning systems, risk management, and insurance, while explicitly stating that the provision does not establish a basis for legal liability or compensation.

The document addresses the challenge of communicating climate change during the aftermath of Storm Desmond in the UK. It argues that while immediate human tragedy takes priority, it is scientifically appropriate and necessary to link extreme rainfall to climate change to avoid 'starting from scratch' after every disaster. Based on a workshop with experts from Cardiff University and the ESRC, the text suggests that 'trusted peers' are the most effective messengers for affected communities and emphasizes the need to invest in 'social infrastructure' and climate literacy before disasters occur to build long-term resilience.

The document examines climate information services in BRACED countries, noting that while access is increasing, end-users struggle with data quality, inappropriate spatial scales, and poor communication. It details regional weather drivers like the ITCZ in Africa and the monsoon in Asia, and argues for a service-oriented approach that integrates localized, two-way communication into resilience programming to improve decision-making at the community level.

A survey of 2,000 adult TV news viewers in Virginia found that paying attention to local weather forecasts is associated with the belief that extreme weather is increasing in the state, which subsequently correlates with stronger beliefs and concerns regarding global climate change. These effects were most pronounced among individuals who trust their local weathercaster and those identifying as politically conservative or moderate.

The report argues that the cost of inaction regarding climate change in Uganda is significantly higher than the cost of adaptation, estimating annual losses between US$3.1 bn and 5.9 bn by 2025 compared to an adaptation cost of US$406 m over five years. It identifies critical vulnerabilities in water availability, agricultural exports (particularly coffee), biomass energy supply, and infrastructure resilience, while highlighting that many proposed adaptation measures are 'no regrets' investments that provide immediate development benefits.

A joint statement from free-market and taxpayer organizations advocating for the PREPARE Act of 2015 to streamline federal agency coordination and risk management during extreme weather events.

The report details a survey of US broadcast meteorologists, finding that over 90% believe climate change is occurring and most believe it has already influenced local weather, water resources, and agriculture. While many feel it is appropriate to report climate science, they face obstacles such as lack of time in newscasts. The survey also highlights a gap between the meteorologists' perception of scientific consensus on human-caused climate change and the actual consensus reported in literature.

A letter from investors and the Union of Concerned Scientists to Exxon Mobil requesting disclosure of physical climate risks to coastal refineries, citing SEC guidance and the vulnerability of specific Texas and Louisiana facilities to sea level rise and storm surges.

The document details the vulnerability of agricultural and forest products to climate change, noting significant potential losses in cocoa, coffee, cotton, and wine production, as well as specific environmental pressures on flower exports from Kenya and silk production in India.

The document outlines a framework for mainstreaming climate change adaptation by combining stakeholder engagement with quantitative spatial modelling. Using the 'Farms to Regions' (F2R) project in Eastern Ontario as a case study, it describes a process of identifying regional drivers, developing qualitative and quantitative scenarios (including a Business-As-Usual baseline), and simulating these futures using the Envision modelling platform. The guide emphasizes the use of integrated decision units (IDUs) to map impacts on farm income and environmental services, providing a toolkit for planners to evaluate trade-offs and develop robust adaptation strategies.

The document examines the drivers and barriers to climate change adaptation in the Swedish forestry sector, emphasizing that social and cultural factors are as critical as scientific data. While forest owners recognize increasing productivity and risks from extreme weather, many adopt a "wait and see" approach due to the gradual nature of climate change and distrust of scientific communication. The research highlights the importance of social networks, the role of indirect global climate impacts on export markets, and the need for relevant, credible, and legitimate science communication to foster proactive adaptation.

The report evaluates the vulnerability of North American monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) to climate change, identifying high sensitivity to temperature and a critical dependence on milkweed. While the species possesses high adaptive capacity due to dispersal ability and reproductive rates, it faces significant threats from habitat loss, pesticide use, and extreme weather. Recommended strategies focus on restoring milkweed and nectar sources, protecting overwintering forests in Mexico and California, and increasing population monitoring.

The report finds that Americans are generally unaware of the health risks associated with global warming, with 70% having given the issue little or no thought. Only 31% believe global warming is currently harming the health of people in the U.S. to a moderate or great deal, and only 27% could name at least one related health problem. While there is limited awareness of current risks, 34% to 38% of respondents believe conditions such as air pollution, pollen allergies, and heat stroke will become more common in their communities over the next 10 years. Public trust for information on this topic is highest for primary-care doctors (49%), followed by family/friends, the CDC, climate scientists, and the American Medical Association. Additionally, nearly half of respondents believe federal agencies like the CDC, NIH, or FEMA (47%) and the U.S. Congress (46%) should do more to protect the public from these health problems.

The paper examines the relationship between climate change and disaster risk, arguing that while adaptation and DRR serve distinct purposes, they share a core goal of reducing vulnerability. It highlights how climate change drives disaster risk through extreme weather and how poor development practices can exacerbate this risk. The authors advocate for a risk-based approach and transformative change that addresses the underlying social and economic drivers of vulnerability, rather than focusing solely on event-based response.

The October 2014 survey reveals that while 66% of Americans believe global warming is occurring, only 50% attribute it to human activities. Public concern remains relatively steady, with only 33% believing people in the U.S. are currently being harmed. Despite this, there is broad support for increased action from corporations (67%), citizens (63%), and various levels of government, as well as specific policies like infrastructure improvements (83%) and carbon dioxide emission limits on coal plants (67%).

The October 2014 survey reveals that while 66% of Americans believe global warming is happening, only 50% attribute it to human activities, and only 33% believe people in the U.S. are currently being harmed. Despite these gaps in perception, there is strong public support for a variety of climate policies, including renewable energy research (77%), carbon dioxide regulation (75%), and infrastructure improvements for extreme weather (83%).