The extinction of hundreds of bird species caused by humans over the last 130,000 years has led to substantial reductions in avian functional diversity -- a measure of the range of different roles and functions that birds undertake within the environment -- and resulted in the loss of approximately 3 billion years of unique evolutionary history, according to a new study ..read more

New findings underscore the importance of further research to enhance our understanding of urban heat dynamics in subtropical and tropical regions, ensuring that heat mitigation efforts are informed by the most accurate data available. A recent study examines the effectiveness of using land surface temperatures (LSTs) as proxies for surface air temperatures (SATs) in subtropical, seasonally wet regions. Scientists used satellite remote sensing data to explore how LST reflects human heat exposure in Miami-Dade County, Florida ..read more

A new program has simulated multiple satellites, collecting images of a cloud from many angles at the same time, which could help us to better understand what's happening inside the cloud ..read more

Climate change-related landslides, storms and floods are associated with intimate partner violence against women two years after the event, according to a new study ..read more

Plants widen microscopic pores on their leaves in response to heat. But scientists lacked an understanding of the mechanisms behind this 'sweating' function. Now, biologists have unlocked the details behind these processes and identified two paths that plants use to handle rising temperatures ..read more

A recent study focusing on the Arctic Siberian primrose underscores the critical need to curb climate change to allow species time to adapt through evolution ..read more

As many as 249 lives could have been saved in London during the 2018 record-setting hot summer had the city widely adopted cool roofs, estimates a new study ..read more

A human rights-based approach to coral reef protection could ensure governments are held to account for safeguarding marine ecosystems ..read more

To help speed decarbonization, state regulators should reconceive of gas and electric utilities as serving the same purpose, according to a new report. Without coordinated action, the energy transition could become slower, more expensive, and more inequitable, the authors warn ..read more

Continued investment in carbon-intensive industries will drastically increase the amount of 'stranded assets' as the world moves to net-zero emissions, researchers warn ..read more