Paul South, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
As the climate changes and the population grows, meeting the demand for food will become more difficult as arable land declines. But an international team of scientists has figured out an innovative solution to dramatically bumping up crop yields.
It would be in Africa’s best interests to limit a rise in global temperature.
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Garth Heutel, Georgia State University; David Molitor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Nolan Miller, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Many parts of the US have experienced extreme heat or extreme cold in the past year. Recent research projects that climate change will increase deaths from both types of weather, especially cold spells.
With a hot summer forecast, keeping cool will put a strain on financially vulnerable households.
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How can cities protect residents during heat waves? There's no single solution, but expanding air conditioning, installing passive cooling features in homes and planting shade trees all can help.
Children run through an open fire hydrant to cool off during the kickoff of the 2016 Summer Playstreets Program in the Harlem neighborhood of New York, July, 6, 2016.
AP Photo/Ezra Kaplan
Climate change is making heat waves more frequent and intense around the world. Cities are hotter than surrounding areas, so urban dwellers – especially minorities and the poor – are at greatest risk.
When is it too hot to fly?
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Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie told Q&A that heatwaves were 'worsening' in Australia and 'hot days' had doubled in the last 50 years. Let's take a look at the evidence.
It might feel nippy, but look out for winter heatwaves.
REUTERS/David Gray
Australia is looking at another mild winter – but while it sounds pleasant, it can increase bushfire risk and worsen drought. Winter heatwaves are actually (enjoyable) extreme weather events.
Emergency crews tackle a bushfire at Boggabri, one of dozens across NSW during the heatwave.
AAP/Karen Hodge
Heat records have tumbled across New South Wales as the state suffered through the weekend's heatwave. A new analysis shows that climate change made this kind of event much less of a rarity.
We can learn a lot from Queenslanders.
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The latest heatwave put huge pressure on our electricity grid, as Australians turned on their air conditioners. Smarter design and regulations could solve the problem.
Cities are facing more heatwaves, but not all strategies to keep us cool are equal.
Sydney image from www.shuttrstock.com
Green and cool (reflective) roofs are effective tools for cooling overheated cities. Research in Chicago shows that their impacts depend on local conditions, so planners should site them carefully.
Flooding in Houston, April 18, 2016.
Laurence Simon/Flickr
Extreme weather has an outsized impact on everyday life. Focusing on average weather patterns may make Americans dangerously complacent about how climate change is already affecting our lives.
Extreme weather could trigger ecosystem collapse, including mass tree deaths.
Dead tree image from www.shutterstock.com
Extreme weather will affect people and animals, as well as whole ecosystems. Research using satellites shows that ecosystems worldwide are vulnerable to collapse.