Category

Climate change

Image: Simple road going through a diverse forest. Credit: jusuf111 / Pixabay

New study on the link between biodiversity and climate: How forests smell – a risk for the climate?

By | Climate change, Forestry, News

Plants emit odours for a variety of reasons, such as to communicate with each other, to deter herbivores or to respond to changing environmental conditions. An interdisciplinary team of researchers carried out a study to investigate how biodiversity influences the emission of these substances. For the first time, they were able to show that species-rich forests emit less of these gases into the atmosphere than monocultures.

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Image: The COP28 UN climate talks beginned on November 30, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Credit: COP28 UN

Five things to watch for at COP28 climate talks

By | Blog, Climate change

COP28 in Dubai marks a pivotal moment in human history as unprecedented environmental challenges demand urgent collective action. Key focuses include the critical transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, the operationalization of climate funds for vulnerable nations, addressing the $3 trillion climate financing gap, and tackling methane emissions and food systems. The summit is crucial for shaping a sustainable future and ensuring the world meets climate goals.

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Measuring the impact of desert greening

By | Climate change, KAUST, News, Plant Science

Satellite data reveals a significant cooling impact of vegetation on land surface temperature in the Arabian Peninsula. The study underscores the potential of greening dry areas to mitigate heat stress. The balance between increased evapotranspiration and reduced albedo determines outcomes, emphasizing the need for sustainable water management in climate change adaptation.

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