Nature Climate Change

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Nature Climate Change is a monthly journal dedicated to publishing high-quality research papers that describe the most significant and cutting-edge research on the causes, impacts and wider implications of global climate change. The journal publishes climate research across the physical, biological and social sciences and strives to integrate and communicate interdisciplinary research. The journal aims to play a leading role in: providing accessibility to a broad audience to research published both within and outside the journal; raising the visibility of climate change research in related research communities as well as the mainstream media; and offering a forum for discussion of the challenges faced by researchers and policy makers (and other interested parties) in understanding the complex mechanisms and impacts associated with the Earth’s changing climate.
Updated: 3 hours 4 min ago

Hidden deep soil moisture droughts

Fri, 11/14/2025 - 12:00am

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 14 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02493-w

Anthropogenic climate change is exacerbating soil moisture droughts globally, but most studies only consider surface layers. Now, a study reveals that global soil moisture droughts are often also found in deeper layers, and that in a warming climate deep soil moisture droughts are projected to become longer lasting and more severe.

Why longer seasons with climate change may not increase tree growth

Fri, 11/14/2025 - 12:00am

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 14 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02476-x

In this Progress Article, the authors discuss why longer growing seasons under climate change may or may not increase tree growth. They highlight differences across fields, as well as research gaps, and propose three major open questions to guide future research.

Anthropogenic enhancement of subsurface soil moisture droughts

Fri, 11/14/2025 - 12:00am

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 14 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02458-z

How the conditions in soil layers below the surface change is not well understood. Here the authors assess changes in subsurface soil moisture, finding that these droughts also become more persistent and intense than surface droughts.

Warming overpowers low-frequency North Pacific climate variability

Thu, 11/13/2025 - 12:00am

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 13 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02495-8

The Pacific Decadal Oscillation describes the most important pattern of low-frequency climate variability in the North Pacific. An analysis of sea surface temperatures reveals that, since 2014, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation’s influence has been superseded by that of basin-wide warming, producing novel expressions of ocean variability and unexpected ecological impacts.

Artificial light reduces ecosystem carbon sinks

Wed, 11/12/2025 - 12:00am

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 12 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02499-4

As artificial light encroaches upon cities and countryside, natural darkness recedes and circadian rhythms shift in regions worldwide. Now, a study reveals that bright nights are negatively impacting the carbon sinks of ecosystems.

Widespread influence of artificial light at night on ecosystem metabolism

Wed, 11/12/2025 - 12:00am

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 12 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02481-0

The authors combine light intensity data with eddy covariance observations from 86 sites to show that artificial light at night increases ecosystem respiration and alters carbon exchange, with impacts shaped by diel cycles and seasonal dynamics.

Climate change drives low dissolved oxygen and increased hypoxia rates in rivers worldwide

Tue, 11/11/2025 - 12:00am

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 11 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02483-y

Dissolved oxygen concentrations are expected to decline with rising water temperatures under climate change. This study projects declining oxygen levels for most rivers globally and an increase in hypoxic days by the end of the century, with implications for ecosystem and fish health.

Hybridization mitigates climate change risk in mountainous birds

Mon, 11/10/2025 - 12:00am

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 10 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02485-w

Using population and ecological genomic approaches, the authors demonstrate the potential for interspecific introgression—the transfer of genetic material following hybridization—to reduce climate change vulnerability. Their findings emphasize the importance of preserving interspecific connectivity.

Pan-basin warming now overshadows robust Pacific Decadal Oscillation

Fri, 11/07/2025 - 12:00am

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 07 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02482-z

Natural patterns of climate variability, such as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), strongly influence regional climate. This study shows that anthropogenic warming now has greater influence than the PDO on North Pacific sea surface temperatures, with implications for predictability and impacts.

Negative verbal probabilities undermine communication of climate science

Thu, 11/06/2025 - 12:00am

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 06 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02472-1

Effective communication of uncertainty is vital for public accurate understanding of climate science. Here the authors find that projections using positive probability terms (for example, a small probability) are perceived as more scientific and trustworthy than those using negative terms (for example, unlikely).

Paris Agreement after 10 years

Wed, 11/05/2025 - 12:00am

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 05 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02473-0

A decade ago, the Paris Agreement was adopted, which was a landmark for international climate governance. In this infographic, we reflect on the progress that has been made as well as some of the challenges that still lie ahead, such as policy agenda, social change and technology development.

Microbes wake up

Wed, 11/05/2025 - 12:00am

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 05 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02488-7

Microbes wake up

Climate anxiety and parenting practices

Wed, 11/05/2025 - 12:00am

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 05 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02490-z

Climate anxiety and parenting practices

Bees already fly in sub-optimal conditions

Wed, 11/05/2025 - 12:00am

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 05 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02489-6

Bees already fly in sub-optimal conditions

Expanding storms

Wed, 11/05/2025 - 12:00am

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 05 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02491-y

Expanding storms

Paris Agreement in a new era

Wed, 11/05/2025 - 12:00am

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 05 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02492-x

December 2025 marks the tenth anniversary of adoption of the Paris Agreement. Although we have seen both achievements and disappointments in the past decade, we believe that the Paris Agreement will keep playing a key role in international climate actions.

Expert retrospective on a decade of the Paris Agreement

Wed, 11/05/2025 - 12:00am

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 05 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02477-w

To mark the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement, Nature Climate Change asked experts to reflect on the progress of and barriers to several of its key Articles. They share their thoughts on important policy implications, what has been achieved and missed, as well as future directions.

Future mesoscale horizontal stirring in polar oceans intensified by sea ice decline

Wed, 11/05/2025 - 12:00am

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 05 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02471-2

How mesoscale horizontal stirring changes with warming is not well understood. Here the authors present high-resolution simulations that show that mesoscale horizontal stirring increases in the Arctic Ocean and around Antarctica, mainly due to sea ice reduction.

Pathways to a safer planet

Tue, 11/04/2025 - 12:00am

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 04 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02468-x

Human greenhouse gas emissions are raising temperatures and sea levels, collapsing ice sheets and acidifying oceans. Now, research maps out the range of emissions pathways that can limit these changes.

Spaces of anthropogenic CO<sub>2</sub> emissions compatible with climate boundaries

Tue, 11/04/2025 - 12:00am

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 04 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02460-5

This study explores pathways of emissions and mitigation compatible with four climate boundaries—planetary boundaries for the climate system. The results highlight the importance of peak emission timing, limitation of carbon budgets as a sole indicator and trade-offs between mitigation options.

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