Nature Climate Change
Predictability of abrupt shifts in dryland ecosystem functioning
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 03 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02201-0
The authors develop a machine learning-based approach to derive abrupt shift probability in dryland ecosystem functioning in the Sudano–Sahel. They highlight areas with high probabilities of abrupt shifts in the near future (2025), which are linked to long-term rainfall trends.Dryland ecosystems become more sensitive to water stress after disturbances
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 02 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02203-y
Climate-sensitive disturbances impact ecosystem productivity and carbon uptake. We found that the sensitivity of ecosystem productivity to disturbances differs between regions, with dryland ecosystems becoming more sensitive to water stress after disturbances, whereas wet regions become less sensitive. On average, ecosystem sensitivity requires approximately five years to recover to pre-disturbance levels.Different technology packages for aluminium smelters worldwide to deliver the 1.5 °C target
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 02 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02193-x
The aluminium production process is energy intensive and individual smelters often depend on associated fossil fuel-based captive power units. With detailed global facility-level data, this research highlights the importance of early retirement of fossil fuel plants and retrofitting with inert anodes.Diverging responses of terrestrial ecosystems to water stress after disturbances
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 02 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02191-z
Climate-sensitive disturbances, such as droughts and wildfires, impact terrestrial carbon uptake. Here the sensitivity of ecosystem productivity to disturbance is found to diverge between regions, with dryland ecosystems becoming particularly vulnerable under a warming climate.Navigating the technical dialogue of the first global stocktake from process to findings
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 30 December 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02220-x
The first global stocktake marks an important step in enabling Parties to the Paris Agreement to enhance their climate actions and support with the aim of achieving long-term goals. Two co-facilitators of the technical dialogue discuss the process, findings, relationship with political outcomes and implications for future negotiations.Tourism stepping up climate action
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 27 December 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02231-8
Tourism stepping up climate actionWind changes enhance ENSO
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 23 December 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02228-3
Wind changes enhance ENSOHesitancy towards parenthood
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 23 December 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02230-9
Hesitancy towards parenthoodNutrients set limits
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 23 December 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02229-2
Nutrients set limitsBats show hibernation flexibility
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 23 December 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02227-4
Bats show hibernation flexibilityActions before agreement
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 23 December 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02223-8
The recent COP29 barely reached a new climate finance target that leaves all parties wholeheartedly satisfied. However, even without perfect agreement, climate actions should not be delayed.Engaging young generations in climate research
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 23 December 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02226-5
Engaging young generations in climate researchClimate-induced divergence of song
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 20 December 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02222-9
Vocal communication is essential for information transmission in many species, such as that related to mating opportunities or predator presence. Recent research revealing how phenotypic changes brought about by a changing climate may influence vocal communication raises some serious concerns for conservation management.Rethinking microbial carbon use efficiency in soil models
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 19 December 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02217-6
Soil models include a key parameter known as carbon use efficiency, which impacts estimates of global carbon storage by determining the flow of carbon into soil pools versus the atmosphere. Microbial-explicit versions of these models are due for an update that recasts carbon use efficiency as an output variable emerging from microbial metabolism.Adverse health risks to religious groups during heatwaves
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 18 December 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02207-8
Adverse health risks to religious groups during heatwavesHumid heat exceeds human tolerance limits and causes mass mortality
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 18 December 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02215-8
The hottest boreal summer on record has driven widespread humid heat mortality across every continent of the Northern Hemisphere. With critical physiological limits to human heat tolerance drawing ever closer, this Comment highlights the urgent need to limit further climate warming and emphasizes the adaptation challenge ahead.Climate justice discussions need new participants and new audiences
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 17 December 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02219-4
Climate justice discussions need new participants and new audiencesAcknowledging the historic presence of justice in climate research
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 16 December 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02218-5
Acknowledging the historic presence of justice in climate researchTax carbon cautiously for sub-Saharan Africa
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 13 December 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02213-w
A carbon tax will not curb current emissions in sub-Saharan Africa and is unlikely to prevent future carbon lock-in effects. Meanwhile, a carbon tax could hit the poor in this region, thus the international community should be careful in pushing sub-Saharan Africa towards carbon taxation.