Historical Volcanic Eruptions Mitigated the Expected Rapid Arctic Sea Ice Decline Prior to 2000, Wang et al., Geophysical Research Letters
Arctic sea ice has declined at sharply contrasting rates over the past four decades—modest before 2000 and rapid thereafter. Using observational and model evidence, we show that large tropical volcanic eruptions can trigger decade-long Arctic sea ice recoveries, and that without the 1982 El Chichón and 1991 Pinatubo eruptions, Arctic sea ice would have declined approximately 1.5 times faster before 2000. We further show a model's sensitivity to volcanic aerosol forcing scales with its sensitivity to GHG forcing across CMIP6 models, offering a new strategy to identify models with realistic climate response to radiative forcing. Following this, a selected subgroup of models that accurately simulate long-term warming trend and decade-long post-Pinatubo recovery project ice-free Arctic summer up to 20 years earlier than the full ensemble. These findings underscore the critical, yet underappreciated, importance of evaluating climate models against anthropogenic and volcanic forcing when projecting the future of Arctic sea ice.
Legacy wells supporting net zero by screening carbon storage and geothermal potential in the United States, Rajput et al., Communications Earth & Environment
Depleted oil and gas reservoirs provide an opportunity to repurpose underperforming wells and reuse existing subsurface infrastructure to support Net Zero transitions. Here we present a United States wide screening analysis of underperforming wells to estimate upper bound technical potential for carbon storage and geothermal heat. Using public well inventories, county level carbon removal cost datasets, national scale storage resource maps, and geothermal resource data, and accounting for well integrity attrition and field scale constraints, we estimate carbon storage potential of approximately 0.024–1.17 gigatonnes per year and geothermal heat potential of approximately 1–35 gigawatts thermal across high potential regions. Avoided drilling and deferred abandonment may indicate upper bound cost benefits, although repurposing costs remain site-specific. Key constraints include well integrity and cooling during injection; a retrofittable downhole choke is evaluated to mitigate this during startup. These results highlight conditional potential and the need for site-specific assessment.
Northern permafrost represents a limit on the northward shift of climatically feasible agricultural frontiers under future warming, Xu et al., Communications Earth & Environment
Global warming is expected to shift crop suitability northward, but the role of permafrost remains unclear. Here we integrate permafrost degradation impacts to project the suitability of seven major crops across the Northern Hemisphere (30°N–83°N). By the end of the century, the northern boundary of crop climatic suitability zones shifts northward by ~331 km and ~739 km under the SSP1–2.6 and SSP5–8.5 scenarios, respectively. Considering this shift and permafrost degradation, zones with persistent near-surface permafrost remain limited (~5%) but vary widely (3–19%) across different permafrost degradation assumptions. By the end of the century, newly emerging frontiers of climatically feasible agriculture reach 4.86 and 11.64 million km² under SSP1–2.6 and SSP5–8.5, respectively, of which 29% and 18% may remain unsuitable for cultivation due to persistent permafrost thaw disturbances. Our results indicate that permafrost is a non-negligible constraint on the northward shift of climatically feasible agricultural frontiers.
Caught in the Fray. How Climate Scientists Navigate the Public Sphere, Abramov et al., Environmental Communication
Climate scientists are increasingly drawn into a polarized public sphere, challenging relations between science and society. In this study, we interviewed thirty-five climate scientists – diverse in discipline and seniority – working in the Netherlands about their perceptions of, and experiences with public engagement. Based on our empirical material, we construct an analytical framework with a politization and participation axis on which we position their statements. Demarcating their public activities along these dimensions, climate scientists highlight concerns for scientific credibility, political efficacy, normative responsibility and individual capacity. While there is a clear opposition between those compelled to advocate for stringent climate policies or tackle misinformation and those who believe their main role is to provide solid knowledge and leave the normative choices to activists or politicians, only few scientists collaborate with stakeholders. Letting different stakeholders speak and participate in knowledge productions, we argue, may provide a solution to the science vs politics stranglehold.
Widespread intensification of global river hydrograph flashiness under climate change, Zhu et al., Communications Earth & Environmen
Flooding poses an increasing threat to lives and infrastructure worldwide, yet how river flow responds under climate change remains uncertain. Here we assess future changes in river hydrograph flashiness, defined as the rate of increase in streamflow normalized by time and drainage area, using a numerical hydrological model driven by multiple climate model projections. We analyze 520 major river basins globally. Results show that flashiness is projected to increase by about 14%, 30%, and 79% by the late twenty-first century under low-, intermediate-, and high-emission scenarios, respectively, relative to 2014. Increases are greater in low-latitude basins than in high-latitude regions. These changes are mainly associated with larger differences between peak and base flow and shorter times to reach peak discharge. Overall, our findings suggest that river floods are likely to become faster and more intense in a warming climate, posing growing challenges for flood risk management and infrastructure design.
UPDATE: Colorado River Basin Storage Continues Slide Toward System Crash, Castle et al., Getches-Wilkinson Center, University of Colorado Law School
If the Colorado River Basin (Basin) experiences another dry year, similar to Water Year 2025, it is likely that reasonably accessible storage in Lake Powell and Lake Mead would be mostly depleted, even if consumptive uses and losses are at or near historic lows. Run-of-the-river operations would shortly ensue. This would be an outcome with devastating consequences. In contrast, if next year is very wet, similar to Water Year 2023, the Basin’s largest federal reservoirs would recover somewhat, but would provide only about two years of cushion before we find ourselves again in the same position we are in today, unless consumptive use decreases further. This recovery would be welcome but would provide only a brief reprieve from crisis. Both scenarios demonstrate the need to adopt significant additional measures to permanently decrease consumptive uses across the entire Basin.
Americans Are Increasingly Pessimistic About Avoiding the Worst Effects of Climate Change, Brian Kennedy and Isabelle Pula, Pew Research Center
About six-in-ten Americans say countries around the world, including the U.S., will not do enough to avoid the worst effects of climate change. Among Democrats, this share has increased from 51% in 2022 to 69% in 2026. About half of U.S. adults say tech companies can do a lot to address climate change, but few expect technology to actually solve problems caused by climate change in the future. A majority of Americans, especially Democrats, say the federal government is doing too little on climate change. This overall share is slightly higher than it was during the Biden administration.
Physical science of climate change, effects
Canadian wildfires are losing their climate-cooling influence from postfire snow albedo, Gerrevink et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Open Access pdf 10.1073/pnas.2600434123
Observed Linkages Between Marine Heatwaves and Extreme Weather Over Land: A New Zealand Case Study, Chinappa et al., International Journal of Climatology Open Access 10.1002/joc.70457
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
Divergent Impacts of Evapotranspiration by Plant CO2 Physiological Forcing on the Mean and Variability of Water Availability, Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres, 10.1029/2023jd040253 2 cites.
Observations of climate change, effects
An attribution study of the impactful extreme heat across Asia in 2024, Marghidan et al., Weather and Climate Extremes Open Access 10.1016/j.wace.2026.100919
Asymmetric warming and rising atmospheric water demand in southern Zambia: long-term temperature change in the Ngwezi River Basin, Wankie et al., Frontiers in Climate Open Access pdf 10.3389/fclim.2026.1837008
Deoxygenation in inland freshwater systems, Shi et al., Nature Reviews Earth & Environment 10.1038/s43017-026-00795-x
Historical Increase in Hourly Heavy Precipitation Across Japan and Its Attribution to Anthropogenic Climate Warming, Sato et al., Atmospheric Science Letters Open Access 10.1002/asl2.70036
Warming and Aridification Amplify Extreme Fire Weather Elevating Population Exposure in China, Bai et al., International Journal of Climatology 10.1002/joc.70440
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
Climate change impacts on Central Asia: Trends, extremes and future projections, International Journal of Climatology, 10.1002/joc.8519 51 cites.
Instrumentation & observational methods of climate change, effects
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
Direct observational evidence from space of the effect of CO 2 increase on longwave spectral radiances: the unique role of high-spectral-resolution measurements, Atmospheric chemistry and physics, 10.5194/acp-24-6375-2024 6 cites.
Modeling, simulation & projection of climate change, effects
21st century change in precipitation on the Greenland Ice Sheet using high resolution regional climate models, Boberg et al., cryosphere Open Access pdf 10.5194/tc-20-2947-2026
A strengthened and southward-shifted westerly jet mitigates warming-induced drying across Asian drylands, Jiang & Zhou, Science Advances Open Access 10.1126/sciadv.aed7890
AMOC slowdown amplifies North Atlantic salinity variability to unprecedented levels, Iwakiri et al., Nature Communications Open Access 10.1038/s41467-026-73838-y
An Ensemble Projection of ENSO to the End of 21st Century, Zhou et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access 10.1029/2026gl121816
Anthropogenic climate change accelerates the onset of global flood timing, Qi et al., Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-026-73839-x
Changes in ENSO Oscillatory Dynamics Associated with Zonal Shifts in Air–Sea Coupling Region, Molina et al., Journal of Climate 10.1175/jcli-d-25-0074.1
Forced Response in the Mean State and Interannual Variability of the Indian Summer Monsoon in Future Projections, Nithya et al., International Journal of Climatology 10.1002/joc.70449
Future changes of coastal extremes from the regional wave-ocean coupled model system for the Northern European continental shelf, Nguyen et al., Frontiers in Climate Open Access 10.3389/fclim.2026.1782346
Future drought intensification and socioeconomic exposure in Pakistan under different SSP scenarios, Baig et al., Advances in Climate Change Research Open Access 10.1016/j.accre.2026.05.019
Hailstorms are predicted to hit harder with climate change, [authors did not process], Nature Open Access 10.1038/d41586-026-01639-w
High-Impact and Low-Likelihood Compound Hot and Dry Extremes in India, Malik et al., Journal of Climate 10.1175/jcli-d-25-0277.1
Hybrid Model–Based Forecasting of Temperature and Precipitation Changes in Iran, Ezati et al., Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics 10.1016/j.jastp.2026.106852
Lake sediment heatwaves under global warming, Woolway et al., Nature Geoscience Open Access 10.1038/s41561-026-01986-3
Widespread intensification of global river hydrograph flashiness under climate change, Zhu et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access 10.1038/s43247-026-03681-y
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
Heat index historical trends and projections due to climate change in the Mediterranean basin based on CMIP6, Atmospheric Research, 10.1016/j.atmosres.2024.107512 20 cites.
Advancement of climate & climate effects modeling, simulation & projection
A modified stratiform cloud microphysics parameterization: evaluation using the Community Atmosphere Model version 6 single-column model, Pant et al., Atmospheric chemistry and physics Open Access 10.5194/acp-26-7407-2026
Development of Grid Corrections to Mixing Parameterizations with Potential Application to Arctic Climate Change, McNider & Pour-Biazar, Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology 10.1175/jamc-d-25-0124.1
Exploring the impact of climate model accuracy and baseline conditions on estimates of future climate change, Power, Theoretical and Applied Climatology Open Access pdf 10.1007/s00704-026-06227-6
Machine learning workflows in climate modelling: design patterns and insights from case studies, Zheng et al., Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences Open Access 10.1098/rsta.2025.0254
Process-based evaluation of Eastern Mediterranean heatwave development in the CMIP6 models, KLIF et al., Weather and Climate Extremes Open Access 10.1016/j.wace.2026.100918
Sensitivity of Northern Hemisphere Extratropical Cyclone Properties to Atmospheric Resolution in the GFDL SPEAR Model, Lee et al., Journal of Climate 10.1175/jcli-d-24-0770.1
Soil Organic Matter Reduces Persistent Nighttime Surface Warm Bias in Convection-Permitting U.S. Simulations, Lin et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access 10.1029/2026gl123274
Using Energetic Frameworks to Assess Artificial Heating in Coupled Model Sea Ice Loss Experiments, Kang et al., Journal of Climate 10.1175/jcli-d-25-0746.1
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
A perspective on the next generation of Earth system model scenarios: towards representative emission pathways (REPs), Geoscientific model development, 10.5194/gmd-17-4533-2024 39 cites.
Cryosphere & climate change
Climate Warming and Ice Weakening Trigger Alpine Glacier Collapses: The Marmolada Case, Baroni et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access 10.1029/2025gl121279
Estimating the thermodynamic contribution of post-industrial warming to recent Greenland ice sheet surface mass loss, Preece et al., cryosphere Open Access 10.5194/tc-20-2871-2026
Historical Volcanic Eruptions Mitigated the Expected Rapid Arctic Sea Ice Decline Prior to 2000, Wang et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access 10.1029/2026gl123968
Identifying Energy Balance Drivers of Greenland Ice Sheet Surface Melt Using Causal Discovery, Yin et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access 10.1029/2025gl119928
Increasing precipitation due to climate change could partially offset the impact of warming on glacier loss in the monsoon-influenced Himalaya until 2100 CE, Schlich-Davies et al., cryosphere Open Access 10.5194/tc-20-3151-2026
The anomalously warm summer of 2023 over Greenland as compared to previous record melt summers of 2012 and 2019, Mchedlishvili et al., cryosphere Open Access 10.5194/tc-20-2895-2026
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
Coupled ice–ocean interactions during future retreat of West Antarctic ice streams in the Amundsen Sea sector, cryosphere, 10.5194/tc-18-2653-2024 17 cites.
Paleoclimate & paleogeochemistry
An ice-sheet modelling framework to determine vulnerable regions of the Greenland Ice Sheet in the past, Keisling et al., cryosphere Open Access 10.5194/tc-20-2961-2026
Limited early-industrial warming and strong volcanic imprints in the Caucasus: the first temperature reconstruction based on maximum latewood density, Dhyani et al., Climate of the past Open Access pdf 10.5194/cp-22-989-2026
Newly recovered series of meteorological measurements in SW Greenland (Nuuk) in the period 1806–1813, Przybylak et al., Climate of the past Open Access 10.5194/cp-22-957-2026
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
Climate extremes in Svalbard over the last two millennia are linked to atmospheric blocking, Nature Communications, 10.1038/s41467-024-48603-8 15 cites.
Biology & climate change, related geochemistry
Earlier spring onset reduces ecosystem resilience to drought across the Northern Hemisphere, Liu et al., Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 10.1016/j.agrformet.2026.111282
Impact of global change on the distribution of mountain mammals and birds, Dragonetti et al., Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) Open Access 10.5281/zenodo.18389762
Introduced species will not save Caribbean coral reefs, Ritson-Williams et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Open Access 10.1073/pnas.2610820123
Mapping the Future Afforestation Distribution of China Constrained by National Afforestation Plan and Climate Change, Song et al., Biogeosciences Open Access pdf 10.5194/bg-21-2839-2024
Marine particles and their remineralization buffer future ocean biogeochemistry response to climate warming, Maerz et al., Biogeosciences Open Access 10.5194/bg-23-1897-2026
Meta-analysis reveals asymmetric root and microbial phenology shifts under global change, Zhao et al., Nature Communications Open Access 10.1038/s41467-026-73761-2
Mountain Riparian Zones as Refugia for Rare and Endangered Plants Under Climate Change, Lei et al., Ecology and Evolution Open Access 10.1002/ece3.73769
Near-Term Climate Change Impacts on Kenyan Tree Cover, Warrier et al., Earth s Future Open Access 10.1029/2025ef006647
Predicting the range expansion of larger benthic foraminifera under earth’s changing climate, Amao et al., Open Access CRIS of the University of Bern Open Access 10.48620/98304
Resilience of Breeding Boreal Waterbirds to Harsh Wintering Conditions: Could Climate Warming Smooth Population Declines?, Pöysä et al., Ecology and Evolution Open Access 10.1002/ece3.73718
Satellite observations reveal a reversal trend in African woody cover around 2010, Li et al., Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 10.1016/j.agrformet.2026.111267
Stream Temperature Response to Increased Shading Due To Riparian Shrubification in Northern Latitudes, Szeitz et al., Journal of Geophysical Research Biogeosciences 10.1029/2025jg009465
Thermal stress impairs survival and immune responses in ant founding queens, Silva & Monnin, Biology Letters Open Access 10.1098/rsbl.2026.0072
Tree Cover and Temperature Shape the Distribution of Epiphytic Pleurozia in Asia: Forest Havens in a Warming Climate, Huang et al., Ecology and Evolution Open Access 10.1002/ece3.73657
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
Biodiversity and Climate Extremes: Known Interactions and Research Gaps, Earth s Future, 10.1029/2023ef003963 49 cites.
GHG sources & sinks, flux, related geochemistry
Below- and above-canopy methane and nitrous oxide fluxes in a subalpine spruce forest, Krebs et al., Agricultural and Forest Meteorology Open Access 10.1016/j.agrformet.2026.111261
Divergent vulnerabilities of soil carbon fractions to warming magnitude and extreme drought in alpine semi-arid mountain forests of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Yan et al., Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 10.1016/j.agrformet.2026.111276
Evolution and future trend of household carbon footprints in aging Japan, Yang et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access 10.1038/s43247-026-03612-x
Geospatial life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of coal electricity in the United States, Fortier et al., Environmental Research Infrastructure and Sustainability Open Access 10.1088/2634-4505/ae6e6b
Human amplification of climate-induced greenhouse gas emissions from global small water bodies, Zhuang et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Open Access 10.1073/pnas.2537678123
Impact of air-ice CO2 fluxes on polar ocean carbon budgets from a bipolar data compilation, Crabeck et al., Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-026-73737-2
Large stocks of permafrost soil organic carbon and nitrogen in Arctic river deltas, Fuchs et al., Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-026-73092-2
Mangrove carbon dynamics: Sequestration potential and climate change resilience, Kumawat et al., Earth-Science Reviews 10.1016/j.earscirev.2026.105558
Melt period methane emissions in northern high latitude wetlands are governed by the length of the period and presence of permafrost, Hyvärinen et al., Atmospheric chemistry and physics Open Access 10.5194/acp-26-7555-2026
Methane Emission Reductions Slow Stratospheric Ozone Recovery by Amplifying the Potency of Ozone Depleting Substances, Weber et al., CentAUR (University of Reading) pmh:oai:centaur.reading.ac.uk:129449
Progressive release of long-stored carbon from tropical peatland disturbances, Koarashi et al., Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-026-72890-y
Satellite-based estimates of radiative forcing of long-lived halogenated gases from spectral observations, Whitburn et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access pdf 10.1038/s43247-026-03691-w
Season-dependent asymmetric responses of soil carbon emissions to long-term changes in precipitation timing in a semi-arid steppe, Wang et al., Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 10.1016/j.agrformet.2026.111280
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
Human activities shape global patterns of decomposition rates in rivers, Science, 10.1126/science.adn1262 31 cites.
CO2 capture, sequestration science & engineering
Atmospheric CO2 removal via enhanced weathering of steel slag in soil examined by experiments and geochemical modeling, Nakamura et al., Frontiers in Environmental Science Open Access 10.3389/fenvs.2026.1802538
Legacy wells supporting net zero by screening carbon storage and geothermal potential in the United States, Rajput et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access 10.1038/s43247-026-03667-w
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
Converging Findings of Climate Models and Satellite Observations on the Positive Impact of European Forests on Cloud Cover, Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres, 10.1029/2023jd039235 6 cites.
Decarbonization
Aligning global shipping climate policies with life cycle perspective, Kanchiralla et al., Nature Energy Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41560-026-02080-z
Bird migration and wind-energy production across Western Europe, Bauer et al., Nature Sustainability 10.1038/s41893-026-01853-4
Climate impacts of hydrogen emissions, Sun et al., Environmental Science & Technology Open Access pdf 10.1021/acs.est.3c09030
Driving a green energy transition with halide perovskite solar cells, Chen et al., Nature Sustainability 10.1038/s41893-026-01844-5
Prospective environmental impact of solar energy communities in a decarbonised grid: insights from consequential life cycle analysis, Neves et al., Energy Policy Open Access 10.1016/j.enpol.2026.115415
Rethinking the economics and flexibility of U.S. nuclear power through hydrogen integration and policy support, Li et al., Nature Communications Open Access 10.1038/s41467-026-73630-y
Systematic review of ferry decarbonization in the maritime sector, Kasepõld et al., Journal of Shipping and Trade Open Access pdf 10.1186/s41072-026-00241-7
When importance meets expectations: Determinants of local acceptance for wind and photovoltaic projects in Germany, Frank et al., Energy Research & Social Science Open Access 10.1016/j.erss.2026.104765
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
Demand-side strategies key for mitigating material impacts of energy transitions, Nature Climate Change, 10.1038/s41558-024-02016-z 86 cites.
Geoengineering climate
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
Abrupt reduction in shipping emission as an inadvertent geoengineering termination shock produces substantial radiative warming, Communications Earth & Environment, 10.1038/s43247-024-01442-3 68 cites.
Black carbon
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
Measurement report: Shipborne observations of black carbon aerosols in the western Arctic Ocean during summer and autumn 2016–2020: boreal fire impacts, , 10.5194/egusphere-2023-2315 1 citation.
Aerosols
Global mineral constraints on dust shortwave radiative effects, Li et al., Nature Geoscience 10.1038/s41561-026-01996-1
Global Tropical Cyclone Response to Anthropogenic Aerosol Changes, Zhao et al., Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres 10.1029/2025jd045902
Highland Pathways Shape Global Dust Vertical Transport and Its Climate Effects, Liu et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access 10.1029/2026gl123758
Pacific Walker Circulation strengthened by tropospheric aerosol forcing, Ying et al., npj Climate and Atmospheric Science Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41612-026-01442-4
Uncertainty in Contrail Physics and Climate Impacts: Roadmap to a ContrailMIP, Eastham et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 10.1175/bams-d-26-0121.1
Vertically-resolved source contributions to climate-relevant aerosol properties in Southern Greenlandic fjord systems, Alden et al., Atmospheric chemistry and physics Open Access 10.5194/acp-26-7165-2026
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
Aerosol-induced closure of marine cloud cells: enhanced effects in the presence of precipitation, Atmospheric chemistry and physics, 10.5194/acp-24-6455-2024 10 cites.
Climate change communications & cognition
Caught in the Fray. How Climate Scientists Navigate the Public Sphere, Abramov et al., Environmental Communication Open Access 10.6084/m9.figshare.32453978.v1
Climate action needs more than policy: The moral and spiritual foundations of sustainable change, Pinto & Vidal, PLOS Climate Open Access 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000946
Climate Change Reporting Frames and Discourse in African Media (2015–2025): A Mixed-Method Study, Xu et al., Environmental Communication 10.1080/17524032.2026.2680140
Distinguishing climate change worry from state climate anxiety across 32 countries: implications for subjective wellbeing, Lee et al., Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences Open Access pdf 10.1007/s13412-026-01120-0
Extreme weather salience as a climate crisis signal: Examining the role of extreme weather fear in adaptive and maladaptive responses to eco-anxiety, Lau et al., Global Environmental Change Open Access 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2026.103179
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
Acting as we feel: Which emotional responses to the climate crisis motivate climate action, Journal of Environmental Psychology, 10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102327 37 cites.
Agronomy, animal husbundry, food production & climate change
A systematic review on the impact of climate smart agricultural practices adoption on productivity in Ethiopia, Molla, Journal of Disaster Science and Management Open Access pdf 10.1007/s44367-026-00036-4
Carbon-removal opportunities and constraints of bioenergy crops on marginal croplands in China, Hua et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access pdf 10.1038/s43247-026-03588-8
Climate-driven shifts in soil microbiomes: implications for plant resilience in agriculture, Bhagat & Mishra, Frontiers in Climate Open Access pdf 10.3389/fclim.2026.1803685
Flood-induced livelihood vulnerability and migration as an adaptation strategy: evidence from farm households of the flood-prone region of Eastern India, Nag et al., Frontiers in Climate Open Access pdf 10.3389/fclim.2026.1695726
Northern permafrost represents a limit on the northward shift of climatically feasible agricultural frontiers under future warming, Xu et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access 10.1038/s43247-026-03702-w
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
Climate change impacts on small pelagic fish distribution in Northwest Africa: trends, shifts, and risk for food security, Scientific Reports, 10.1038/s41598-024-61734-8 40 cites.
Hydrology, hydrometeorology & climate change
Asymmetric warming and rising atmospheric water demand in southern Zambia: long-term temperature change in the Ngwezi River Basin, Wankie et al., Frontiers in Climate Open Access pdf 10.3389/fclim.2026.1837008
Emerging Importance of Compound Flooding in Future Tropical Cyclone Hazard Profiles, Gori et al., Open MIND pmh:10.17615/ggmz-8m83
Historical Increase in Hourly Heavy Precipitation Across Japan and Its Attribution to Anthropogenic Climate Warming, Sato et al., Atmospheric Science Letters Open Access 10.1002/asl2.70036
Inter-model differences in 21st century glacier runoff for the world’s major river basins, Wimberly et al., cryosphere Open Access pdf 10.5194/tc-19-1491-2025
Warming and vegetation greening drive recent surge in flash droughts, J et al., Science Advances Open Access 10.1126/sciadv.aea8452
Widespread intensification of global river hydrograph flashiness under climate change, Zhu et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access 10.1038/s43247-026-03681-y
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
Global groundwater warming due to climate change, Nature Geoscience, 10.1038/s41561-024-01453-x 109 cites.
Climate change economics
Incorporating air quality health impacts into the social cost of carbon, Kingdon et al., Nature Climate Change 10.1038/s41558-026-02653-6
The impact of financial development on CO2 emissions in the framework of the environmental Kuznets curve, ÖNDES & KIZILGÖL, Frontiers in Environmental Science Open Access pdf 10.3389/fenvs.2026.1814255
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
Economic quantification of Loss and Damage funding needs, Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 10.1038/s43017-024-00565-7 10 cites.
Climate change mitigation public policy research
Does Decarbonisation lead to Psychological De-territorialisation? An Emerging Challenge for a Just Transition in Coal and Carbon-Intensive Regions across EU Countries, García-Mira et al., Journal of Environmental Psychology Open Access 10.1016/j.jenvp.2026.103084
Emission ensemble approach to improve the development of multi-scale emission inventories, Thunis et al., Geoscientific model development Open Access pdf 10.5194/gmd-17-3631-2024
Equitable transitions in ageing societies: how fairness perceptions transform carbon tax resistance, Ba et al., Climate Policy 10.1080/14693062.2026.2657445
Industrial decarbonization in a fragmented world: Carbon pricing with border adjustments using standardized values, Neuhoff et al., Energy Policy Open Access 10.1016/j.enpol.2026.115405
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
EU carbon prices signal high policy credibility and farsighted actors, Nature Energy, 10.1038/s41560-024-01505-x 69 cites.
Climate change adaptation & adaptation public policy research
Governing climate migration: the right to a livable space, Benveniste & Capisani, Environmental Politics 10.1080/09644016.2026.2678013
Structural challenges to effective climate adaptation: a critical assessment of planned relocation as an adaptation strategy, Bertana et al., Climate Risk Management Open Access 10.1016/j.crm.2026.100830
The unpredictability of community priorities in planning for water-scarce futures in the Goulburn-Broken River Basin, Grupper et al., Environmental Science & Policy 10.1016/j.envsci.2026.104407
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
Building resilience in Asian mega-deltas, Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 10.1038/s43017-024-00561-x 48 cites.
Climate change impacts on human health
Enhanced Heatwaves Exacerbate Survival Risks for Vulnerable Populations, Dou et al., Anthropocene 10.1016/j.ancene.2026.100554
Optimizing U.S. Heat Alerts: A Multimetric Analysis of Heat-Related Mortality, Alexander et al., Weather Climate and Society 10.1175/wcas-d-25-0079.1
Quantifying the financial burden of heat-related hospital admissions in Switzerland under a changing climate: A scalable analytical framework, Vaghefi et al., BMC Global and Public Health Open Access pdf 10.1186/s44263-026-00275-w
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
Health co-benefits and trade-offs of carbon pricing: a narrative synthesis, Climate Policy, 10.1080/14693062.2024.2356822 6 cites.
Future water constraints on United States lithium mining under climate change, Trost et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access pdf 10.1038/s43247-026-03643-4
How climate risk shapes corporate greenwashing: the role of supply chain disruption and digital governance, Fang et al., Frontiers in Environmental Science Open Access pdf 10.3389/fenvs.2026.1844699
Informed opinion, nudges & major initiatives
Antarctic science operations must account for climate change and extreme environmental events, Siegert et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access 10.1038/s43247-026-03629-2
The Transhumanist Anthropocene: From the climate crisis to upgrading humanity, Schütze & Latzer, The Anthropocene Review Open Access 10.1177/20530196261453840
Most cited from this section, published 2 years ago:
Toward an evidence-informed, responsible, and inclusive debate on solar geoengineering: A response to the proposed non-use agreement, Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Climate Change, 10.1002/wcc.903 14 cites.
Book reviews
An Arctic community on the climate front lines, Boon, Science 10.1126/science.aeh0733
Need for Speed: An Analysis of Speed to Market and Cost Results of Competitive Transmission, Kent Chandler and Olivia Manzagol, R Street
Over a decade ago, federal regulators overhauled the way transmission planning is conducted in the United States. As part of those changes, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) determined it would no longer allow incumbent utilities to possess a right of first refusal (ROFR) to build all transmission traversing their state-determined service territories. Instead, certain significant regional transmission lines would be subject to competitive solicitations in which both incumbent and non-incumbent developers could submit proposals for inclusion in the regional transmission plan. This competition is notably different from merchant transmission, which recovers revenue from market prices or willing off-takers rather than through regulated rates. In order to determine the efficacy of FERC Order 1000’s removal of utilities’ federal ROFR to build transmission, the authors analyzed the length of time it takes to plan and develop competitive transmission. The authors compared competitive projects’ final results with the appropriate counterfactual: similar incumbent-developed transmission lines. While FERC’s initial rule opening up transmission development to competition was decided a decade and a half ago, most transmission planning regions have only seen a handful of competitive projects placed into service.
Split transition: BRICS breaks renewable records — and fossil records too, James Norman, Global Energy Monitor
2025 saw the largest power capacity expansion on record across the Brazil, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia and the United Arab Emirates (BRICS), with additions reaching new highs for coal, oil and gas, solar, and wind. Fossil power expansion accelerated, with 125 GW of new coal, oil, and gas capacity added and the largest net annual increase in fossil capacity on record (115 GW), after accounting for retirements. Renewable deployment also surged, with solar and wind additions totaling 497 GW in 2025, overwhelmingly concentrated in China and India. The BRICS’ utility-scale solar and wind project development pipeline expanded rapidly, growing by roughly one-quarter in 2025 to reach 2,317 GW — around 2.5 times the 927 GW fossil pipeline, which expanded by 12%.
Global Clean-Energy Trade Rebounds to $479 Billion in 2025 Despite Tariffs and Geopolitical Turmoil, BloombergNEF
Despite numerous tariffs targeting energy transition sectors and other global markets, US policy failed to stifle overall trade in products central to the energy transition. Persistent overcapacity, fueled by Chinese overinvestment, continues to compress margins for clean-tech manufacturers across batteries, solar and electric vehicles. Conflict in the Middle East has underscored the fragility of conventional fossil-fuel supply chains, and will likely accelerate the transition to lower-carbon technologies.
World Energy Investment 2026, Gould et al., International Energy Agency
World Energy Investment is the global benchmark for tracking investment trends across the energy sector. The authors present the latest data on capital flows to different types of energy projects, as well as the first set of full-year estimates for 2026. As energy security concerns continue to shape investment priorities, the authors explore the potential implications for different sectors and regions, particularly in light of the ongoing energy crisis stemming from the conflict in the Middle East. The authors highlight major investment milestones and opportunities from different energy sectors and regions. They also include expanded regional analysis and data on sources of investment and finance.
Pitches in Peril: A Climate Change and World Cup Analysis, Hosier et al., Comon Goal and Football for Future
Football is already on the frontline of the climate crisis. From flooded stadiums in Texas and Florida to unsafe heat in Mexico City, extreme weather is putting the future of the game at risk. Grassroots pitches where every legend took their first steps are even more vulnerable, especially in the Global South where resources for adaptation are scarce. 14 of 16 World Cup 2026 stadiums already exceed safe-play thresholds for major climate hazards, with nearly 90% projected to face unplayable heat by 2050. Two-thirds of grassroots pitches where icons like Messi and Salah grew up will face unsafe or unplayable heat conditions by mid-century. By 2050, Troost-Ekong’s childhood pitch in Nigeria will endure nearly five months of unplayable heat annually. Tim Cahill’s pitch in Sydney faces flood depths up to 7 meters during extreme events.
Enabling DOE Regional Energy–Water Technology Pilots, Committee on Enabling DOE Regional Energy–Water Technology Pilots, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
The authors present a vision for a Department of Energy pilot program grounded in regional realities, recognizing that challenges and solutions vary widely across the country. It emphasizes that while technological innovation is essential, it is not sufficient on its own. Successful solutions must incorporate a systems level perspective and consider governance, financing, regulatory, and institutional factors that shape implementation. Through a portfolio of regionally diverse pilot projects, the authors highlight the importance of proactive risk management, cross-sector collaboration, and strong partnerships among public and private stakeholders. They also underscore that collaboration, while essential, can be difficult within fragmented governance structures and requires intentional efforts to build alignment and trust. By embedding adaptive management, continuous learning, and knowledge sharing into program design, the proposed approach aims to evolve with changing conditions and scale effective solutions. Together, these strategies offer a pathway to reduce systemic risks, improve sustainability, and build a more secure and resilient energy-water future.
Americans Are Increasingly Pessimistic About Avoiding the Worst Effects of Climate Change, Brian Kennedy and Isabelle Pula, Pew Research Center
About six-in-ten Americans say countries around the world, including the U.S., will not do enough to avoid the worst effects of climate change. Among Democrats, this share has increased from 51% in 2022 to 69% in 2026. About half of U.S. adults say tech companies can do a lot to address climate change, but few expect technology to actually solve problems caused by climate change in the future. A majority of Americans, especially Democrats, say the federal government is doing too little on climate change. This overall share is slightly higher than it was during the Biden administration.
WMO Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update 2026 to 2035, World Meteorological Organization
Global average temperatures are likely to continue at or near record levels in the next five years, with Arctic temperature anomalies expected to continue to be higher than the global mean. The authors examine the observed climate over the past five years and provide regional predictions for temperatures and precipitation over the next five years. Annual global mean near-surface temperatures during 2026–2030 are predicted to vary between 1.3°C and 1.9°C above the 1850-1900 average. It is likely (86% chance) that one year between 2026 and 2030 will surpass 2024 as the warmest year on record, according to the update. It is very likely (91% chance) that the global mean near-surface temperature will temporarily exceed 1.5°C above the 1850-1900 average levels for at least one year between 2026 and 2030. This level was also temporarily exceeded in 2024.
Ruta Energetica (Energy Roadmap for Chile), Government of Chile
Chile se encuentra en una etapa decisiva de su transición energética, enfrentando el desafío de consolidar los avances alcanzados durante la última década y, al mismo tiempo, responder a nuevas exigencias en materia de seguridad energética, crecimiento económico y competitividad internacional. La presente Ruta 2026–2030 tiene por objetivo acelerar y robustecer la transición energética del país, promoviendo una agenda que combine seguridad del suministro, modernización institucional, competitividad económica, y desarrollo territorial equilibrado. Para ello, se busca impulsar una transición energética con foco en la seguridad, posicionando a la energía como un motor habilitante del crecimiento, inversión, empleo, productividad e innovación. En este marco, la Ruta define las prioridades estratégicas y lineamientos de acción que orientarán la gestión sectorial durante el período 2026–2030. (Chile is at a decisive stage in its energy transition, facing the challenge of consolidating the progress made during the last decade and, at the same time, respond to new demands in terms of energy security, economic growth, and international competitiveness. This roadmap 2026–2030 aims to accelerate and strengthen the energy transition of the country, promoting an agenda that combines security of supply, institutional modernization, economic competitiveness, and balanced territorial development. To this end, it seeks to promote a energy transition with a focus on security, positioning energy as an enabling engine growth, investment, employment, productivity and innovation. In this framework, the roadmap defines the strategic priorities and guidelines for action that will guide sectoral management during the period 2026–2030.)
Transforming food systems for a safe climate and health for all, Elisa Morgera, United Nations
The Special Rapporteur clarifies human rights obligations and responsibilities to transform food systems in order to effectively mitigate and adapt to climate change and respond to loss and damage. She recommends combining decarbonization, defossilization and detoxification of food systems to prevent localized and global human right harms. She also confirms that prioritizing Indigenous Peoples’ and peasants’ agroecology, small-scale ecosystem-based fisheries and pastoralism enhances the sustainability and resilience of food systems, planetary and human health, including nutrition, to the benefit of all.
Energy Vampires: The AI data centres draining Australia, Greenpeace Australia
The frenzied rollout of AI data centers in Australia is rushing through massive new projects, which will derail Australia’s energy transition unless the government urgently intervenes. Australia’s biggest proposed data center, the 1GW Mamre Road Data Centre Campus in Western Sydney, will generate peak annual grid emissions equivalent to that produced by 560,000 petrol cars for a year or all domestic flights within NSW in 2023. Data centers already fail to cover their own emissions with new renewables and their rollout will dramatically hold back Australia’s energy transition. No data center operator analyzed in the report adequately proves their claim of driving Australia’s renewable energy growth. Claims they are doing this through truly “additional” new power purchasing agreements for renewable energy are unsubstantiated. There are early signs of a data center-fueled gas boom in Australia which will come with massive, nationally significant climate costs. For example, the Tamboran proposal for the Northern Territory would effectively double the state’s emissions. In NSW, Cloud Carrier’s proposed gas-fired project would wipe out NSW’s entire projected 2028 emissions cuts.
UPDATE: Colorado River Basin Storage Continues Slide Toward System Crash, Castle et al., Getches-Wilkinson Center, University of Colorado Law School et al
If the Colorado River Basin (Basin) experiences another dry year, similar to Water Year 2025, it is likely that reasonably accessible storage in Lake Powell and Lake Mead would be mostly depleted, even if consumptive uses and losses are at or near historic lows. Run-of-the-river operations would shortly ensue. This would be an outcome with devastating consequences. In contrast, if next year is very wet, similar to Water Year 2023, the Basin’s largest federal reservoirs would recover somewhat, but would provide only about two years of cushion before we find ourselves again in the same position we are in today, unless consumptive use decreases further. This recovery would be welcome but would provide only a brief reprieve from crisis. Both scenarios demonstrate the need to adopt significant additional measures to permanently decrease consumptive uses across the entire Basin.
The Race for Net Zero: The UK net zero economy and the transition to a competitive future, CBI Economics and the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit
The UK’s transition to net zero is reshaping the structure of the economy. What began as a decarbonization challenge has evolved into a system-wide economic transformation, influencing how energy is produced, how industries operate, and where economic activity is located. The authors assess the net zero economy’s scale, structure and economic significance, and its contribution to competitiveness and regional investment.
Cost of living, health, housing eclipse climate issue in people's priorities – Irish Examiner poll, Irish Examiner
Some 59% of people think the Government is not doing enough with the resources it has on climate change, with less than one in five (18%) deeming the current efforts adequate. A total of 71% of adults identify as environmentally conscious, but only 14% make significant behavioral changes. There is less support for higher carbon taxes (11%), higher petrol/diesel taxes (11%), and reducing the national herd (15%). Some 61% of people say Ireland is not prepared for the impacts of climate change. Of these impacts, 42% rated storms as one of their top three concerns, followed by food insecurity (37%), risks to public health (32%), extreme heat (28%), and rising sea/water levels (26%).
The State of Carbon Dioxide Removal, 3rd edition, Edwards et al., German Institute for International and Security Affairs et al
Both carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and emissions reductions are needed to reach the Paris temperature goal. There are many CDR methods, and they span large ranges in costs, potentials and social acceptance. Current removal is almost entirely from land-based, conventional CDR; novel CDR is growing quickly but still comprises a tiny fraction of total removal. A large and growing gap exists between the amount of CDR in country pledges and that in Paris-compatible scenarios; both conventional and novel CDR are deployed in every scenario. CDR sits in a broader context of multiple goals and side effects. Demand for CDR is crucial to closing the CDR gap. While innovative activity has grown, expectations of large and growing demand have become fragile. Important aspects of the CDR system are highly concentrated, create vulnerabilities, and would benefit from diversification across methods, actors and countries. Closing the CDR gap is urgent because deployment is a gradual process. The period 2026–2030 is thus critical for establishing CDR’s role in limiting climate damages.
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Posted by Doug Bostrom on Thursday, 4 June, 2026
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