A range of observations show that a shift in land-atmosphere coupling exacerbated the hot drought experienced in Europe in 2018.
Climate impacts
Simultaneous Drought and Heat Wave Events Are Becoming More Common
As the world heats up, the number and duration of combined stress events are increasing, causing harmful environmental and human impacts.
Different Models, Different Answers in Water Resource Planning
The experimental design used in climate vulnerability assessments can strongly influence the assessments’ findings and skew decisions about which factors are most important for informing adaptation.
Advancing Knowledge of ENSO in a Changing Climate
A new book highlights research progress on El Niño Southern Oscillation dynamics and impacts and how they may change in a warmer world.
Committed U.S. Power Emissions Incompatible with Paris Agreement
Without a significant reduction in usage, committed emissions from coal and gas plants in the United States are already incompatible with the country’s pledges under the Paris climate agreement.
Soil Remains Warmer and Drier After Long-term Warming Stops
Pausing a long-term soil warming experiment revealed that previously warmed plots remained both warmer and drier compared to plots which had not experienced previous soil warming.
Frequently Dry Waterways Still Contribute to Carbon Emissions
A new international collaboration found that dry inland waters—no matter where they were located—contributed significant global carbon dioxide emissions.
Hydrological Footprint of Atmospheric Rivers on Land
Atmospheric rivers that make landfall in the western United States have significant impacts on the surface water balance, sharpening the seasonality of water resources in coastal watersheds.
Investing in Science to Improve Climate Risk Management
Integrating Earth science research and observations into adaptation planning helps identify effective strategies to manage climate risks.
Forested Streams May Warm More Than Observations Predict
Understanding how temperatures of cold-water streams respond to global warming could help clarify the impacts of climate change on aquatic ecosystems.