Journal Description
Climate
Climate
is a scientific, peer-reviewed, open access journal of climate science published online monthly by MDPI. The American Society of Adaptation Professionals (ASAP) is affiliated with Climate and its members receive discounts on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, ESCI (Web of Science), GeoRef, AGRIS, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences) / CiteScore - Q2 (Atmospheric Science)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 21.9 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 3.8 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2024).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Impact Factor:
3.0 (2023);
5-Year Impact Factor:
3.3 (2023)
Latest Articles
Enhancing Agricultural Soil Carbon Sequestration: A Review with Some Research Needs
Climate 2024, 12(10), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12100151 - 25 Sep 2024
Abstract
The US rejoined the Paris Agreement in 2021 with a targeted 50–52% reduction in net GHG emissions in 2030 relative to 2005. Within the US’s nationally determined contributions, several land-based mitigation options were submitted, targeting the removal of 0.4–1.3 GtCO2 yr−1
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The US rejoined the Paris Agreement in 2021 with a targeted 50–52% reduction in net GHG emissions in 2030 relative to 2005. Within the US’s nationally determined contributions, several land-based mitigation options were submitted, targeting the removal of 0.4–1.3 GtCO2 yr−1 in 2030 compared to the net flux in 2010. Acknowledging disagreement has existed on both technological and economic feasibility levels of soil C sequestration adoption and practices, this review explores and evaluates the research findings and needs for six concepts: (1) permanence; (2) additionality; (3) leakage; (4) uncertainty; (5) transaction costs; and (6) heat-trapping ability of different gases. These concepts are crucial for the effective implementation of soil C sequestration projects since they help establish robust and integrated methodologies for measurement, verification, and issuance of carbon credits. In turn, they help ensure that environmental, social, and economic benefits are accurately assessed and credibly reported, enhancing the integrity of carbon markets and contributing to global climate mitigation efforts. This review also evaluates the existing and potential market opportunities for agricultural production with C sequestration and “climate- smart” farming practices. Current barriers to, research needs for, and policy considerations regarding soil C sequestration strategies are also stated.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability, 3rd Volume)
Open AccessArticle
Characterization of Water Bodies through Hydro-Physical Indices and Anthropogenic Effects in the Eastern Northeast of Brazil
by
Christopher Horvath Scheibel, Astrogilda Batista do Nascimento, George do Nascimento Araújo Júnior, Alexsandro Claudio dos Santos Almeida, Thieres George Freire da Silva, José Lucas Pereira da Silva, Francisco Bento da Silva Junior, Josivalter Araújo de Farias, João Pedro Alves de Souza Santos, José Francisco de Oliveira-Júnior, Jhon Lennon Bezerra da Silva, Fernando Manuel João, Alex Santos de Deus, Iêdo Teodoro, Henrique Fonseca Elias de Oliveira and Marcos Vinícius da Silva
Climate 2024, 12(9), 150; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12090150 - 23 Sep 2024
Abstract
Brazil, despite possessing the largest renewable freshwater reserves in the world (8.65 trillion m3 annually), faces growing challenges in water management due to increasing demand. Agriculture, responsible for 68.4% of water consumption, is one of the main drivers of this demand, especially
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Brazil, despite possessing the largest renewable freshwater reserves in the world (8.65 trillion m3 annually), faces growing challenges in water management due to increasing demand. Agriculture, responsible for 68.4% of water consumption, is one of the main drivers of this demand, especially in the São Francisco River Basin, where irrigation accounts for 81% of total water withdrawals. Water bodies play a crucial role in sustaining ecosystems and supporting life, particularly along the East-West axis of Alagoas, a water-rich region in the ENEB. This study aimed to map and quantify the spatiotemporal variations of water bodies in the ENEB region and assess the impacts of human activities using MODIS satellite data, applying hydrological indices such as NDWI, MNDWI, and AWEI. Between 2003 and 2022, significant variations in the extent of water bodies were observed, with reductions of up to 100 km2 during dry periods and expansions of up to 300 km2 during wet seasons compared to dry periods. AWEI and MNDWI proved to be the most effective indices for detecting water bodies with MODIS data, providing accurate insights into water dynamics. Additionally, the MapBiomas Rios dataset, despite being resampled from a 30 m to a 500 m resolution, offered the most accurate representation of water bodies due to its methodology for data acquisition. Changes in albedo and surface temperature were also detected, highlighting the influence of climate change on the region’s water resources. These findings are crucial for guiding the sustainable management of water resources, not only in Alagoas but also in other regions of Brazil and similar semi-arid areas around the world. The study demonstrates the hydrological variability in the state of Alagoas, indicating the need for adaptive strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change and anthropogenic pressures, supporting the need for informed decision-making in water resource management at both local and national levels.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change Impacts on Hydrologic Variables across Timescales and Spatial Scale)
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Open AccessArticle
Community-Led Climate Preparedness and Resilience in Boston: New Evidence from Communities of Color
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Katsyris Rivera-Kientz, Rosalyn Negrón, Lorena M. Estrada-Martínez, Nyingilanyeofori Hannah Brown, Chidimma Ozor Commer, Mahesh Admankar, Jessica Lillquist, Nicholas Johnson, Racheal Inegbedion and Paul Watanabe
Climate 2024, 12(9), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12090149 - 22 Sep 2024
Abstract
Communities of color have been historically excluded and marginalized in the ongoing conversations about climate preparedness and resilience at local, national, and global levels. Using focus groups composed of Boston communities of color (Asian American, Black, Latino, and Native American), this study aimed
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Communities of color have been historically excluded and marginalized in the ongoing conversations about climate preparedness and resilience at local, national, and global levels. Using focus groups composed of Boston communities of color (Asian American, Black, Latino, and Native American), this study aimed to understand their perspectives on climate change, providing in-depth knowledge of its impact and their views on preparedness and resilience. Research shows that these communities have long been concerned about climate change and emphasize the urgent need to improve climate preparedness. A multi-pronged approach is crucial: listening to communities of color to leverage local knowledge and leadership, engaging in community organizing, advocating for policy change, redirecting attention to institutional resources, and addressing systemic inequalities that exacerbate vulnerabilities. The findings of this study highlight the need for policy changes driven by collaboration and collective action, which can benefit those most negatively impacted by climate change and the lack of preparedness and resilience in Boston and beyond.
Full article
Open AccessArticle
Assessing Heatwave-Related Deaths among Older Adults by Diagnosis and Urban/Rural Areas from 1999 to 2020 in Slovenia
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Simona Perčič, Katarina Bitenc, Majda Pohar, Anka Uršič, Tanja Cegnar and Ana Hojs
Climate 2024, 12(9), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12090148 - 21 Sep 2024
Abstract
Background: The association between mortality and heatwaves is well documented. Heatwaves frequency, intensity, and duration increase with global climate change. The most vulnerable group for dying during heatwaves is older people. Knowing which diseases contribute to a higher number of deaths during heatwaves
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Background: The association between mortality and heatwaves is well documented. Heatwaves frequency, intensity, and duration increase with global climate change. The most vulnerable group for dying during heatwaves is older people. Knowing which diseases contribute to a higher number of deaths during heatwaves is important for planning appropriate public health preventive measures. Methods: We assessed the short-term association between the number of deaths for older adults (75+ years) and heatwaves in the years 1999 to 2020 in Slovenia. We estimated the relative risks (RR) with a 95% confidence interval for the number of deaths for the observed diagnosis (all causes, circulatory, respiratory) and urban vs. rural areas associated with heatwaves in Slovenia for each year, comparing the number of deaths during heatwaves with reference days. Results: Most years showed no significant increase in deaths during heatwaves for those aged 75 and older. However, in 2006, 2007, 2014, and 2015, there was a significant increase in deaths during heatwaves. For the general population, heatwaves were associated with an increase in deaths due to all causes: 10% more in 2006 and 26% more in both 2007 and 2014. For those aged 75 and older, heatwaves were associated with an increase in deaths due to all causes: 22% more in 2007, 27% more in 2014, and 28% more in 2015. For those aged 75 and older, heatwaves were associated with an increase in deaths due to circulatory system diseases: 25% more in 2006, 33% more in 2007, 30% more in 2014, and 27% more in 2015. Regarding urban vs. rural areas, in 2006 and 2012, the elderly in urban areas were more affected, with 33% and 26% more deaths, respectively. In contrast, in 2007, 2014, and 2015, old age population in rural areas was more affected, with 29%, 26%, and 31% more deaths, respectively. Conclusions: According to the literature data, older adults are most susceptible to the effects of extreme heat due to physiological changes that occur with aging, chronic diseases, certain medications, a sedentary lifestyle, and social isolation. The results of our study will help in planning appropriate preventive public health measures to better protect older adults during the next heatwaves in Slovenia.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation: Interdisciplinary Perspectives)
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Open AccessArticle
Neural Network Downscaling to Obtain Local Precipitation Scenarios in the Italian Alps: A Case Study
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Cristina Iacomino and Antonello Pasini
Climate 2024, 12(9), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12090147 - 20 Sep 2024
Abstract
Predicting local precipitation patterns over the European Alps remains an open challenge due to many limitations. The complex orography of mountainous areas modulates climate signals, and in order to analyse extremes accurately, it is essential to account for convection, requiring high-resolution climate models’
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Predicting local precipitation patterns over the European Alps remains an open challenge due to many limitations. The complex orography of mountainous areas modulates climate signals, and in order to analyse extremes accurately, it is essential to account for convection, requiring high-resolution climate models’ outputs. In this work, we analyse local seasonal precipitation in Trento (Laste) and Passo Tonale using high-resolution climate data and neural network downscaling. Then, we adopt an ensemble and generalized leave-one-out cross-validation procedure, which is particularly useful for the analysis of small datasets. The application of the procedure allows us to correct the model’s bias, particularly evident in Passo Tonale. This way, we will be more confident in achieving more reliable results for future projections. The analysis proceeds, considering the mean and the extreme seasonal anomalies between the projections and the reconstructions. Therefore, while a decrease in the mean summer precipitation is found in both stations, a neutral to positive variation is expected for the extremes. Such results differ from model’s, which found a clear decrease in both stations in the summer’s mean precipitation and extremes. Moreover, we find two statistically significant results for the extremes: a decrease in winter in Trento and an increase in spring in Passo Tonale.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing Climate Change with Artificial Intelligence Methods)
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Assessing the Effects of Citizen Climate Literacy and Attitudes on Their ‘Greening’ Behaviour in a Climate Change Hotspot Region of the Eastern Mediterranean
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Katerina Papagiannaki, Vassiliki Kotroni and Konstantinos Lagouvardos
Climate 2024, 12(9), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12090146 - 19 Sep 2024
Abstract
Climate change presents an urgent global challenge, manifesting in rising temperatures and extreme weather events with severe societal impacts. The Eastern Mediterranean, warming faster than the global average, faces immediate repercussions. Climate literacy emerges as pivotal, empowering individuals to comprehend climate science and
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Climate change presents an urgent global challenge, manifesting in rising temperatures and extreme weather events with severe societal impacts. The Eastern Mediterranean, warming faster than the global average, faces immediate repercussions. Climate literacy emerges as pivotal, empowering individuals to comprehend climate science and act accordingly. This study delves into climate literacy, attitudes, and ‘greening’ behaviours in the Eastern Mediterranean hotspot of Greece, based on a survey of 1962 citizens. Findings indicate high climate literacy but lower adoption of ‘greening’ behaviours, especially those involving financial costs. Regression analyses highlight the significant role of climate literacy, concerns about personal impacts, coping appraisal, and trust in institutions in promoting ‘greening’ behaviours. This study underscores the need for multifaceted strategies emphasising financial motivation, trust-building, and societal norm shifts. Socio-demographic disparities, including gender and occupation, highlight areas for targeted interventions. The emphasis on the mental health impacts of climate-related events underscores the need for comprehensive disaster management that addresses not only physical damage but also psychological and social dimensions. Policy implications are discussed, highlighting the potential of expanded climate literacy to catalyse collective action toward sustainability.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Variability in the Mediterranean Region)
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A Farmer-Centric Cost–Benefit Analysis of Climate-Smart Agriculture in the Gandaki River Basin of Nepal
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Shobha Poudel, Rabin Thapa and Bhogendra Mishra
Climate 2024, 12(9), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12090145 - 16 Sep 2024
Abstract
Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is a climate-resilient practice that stands out globally as an important practice through which we can deal with emerging challenges through adaptation and mitigation to increase crop productivity and resilience. Despite its significance, a comprehensive cost–benefit analysis of the adoption
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Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is a climate-resilient practice that stands out globally as an important practice through which we can deal with emerging challenges through adaptation and mitigation to increase crop productivity and resilience. Despite its significance, a comprehensive cost–benefit analysis of the adoption of these practices has not yet been carried out. This study aims to bridge the knowledge gap between the cost and effectiveness of CSA practices adopted by small-scale farmers in growing rice, wheat and maize, the most staple crops in the Gandaki River Basin of Nepal. In this study, net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), benefit–cost (BC) ratio, net benefit investment (NK) ratio and payback period, along with the value of externalities (social and environmental), were employed to assess the profitability of CSA practices. The findings indicate that almost all the CSA practices analyzed were profitable, with the exception of solar water management in maize with very low IRR (6%) and a longer payback period. The outcome of this study offers valuable insights for farmers in choosing profitable CSA technology and for policy makers in promoting better CSA technology, upscaling CSA practices, and formulating new agricultural policies and programs in the context of the changing climate.
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(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation: Interdisciplinary Perspectives)
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Synergistic Impacts of Climate Change and Wildfires on Agricultural Sustainability—A Greek Case Study
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Stavros Kalogiannidis, Dimitrios Kalfas, Maria Paschalidou and Fotios Chatzitheodoridis
Climate 2024, 12(9), 144; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12090144 - 14 Sep 2024
Abstract
Climate change and wildfire effects have continued to receive great attention in recent times due to the impact they render on the environment and most especially to the field of agriculture. The purpose of this study was to assess the synergistic impacts of
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Climate change and wildfire effects have continued to receive great attention in recent times due to the impact they render on the environment and most especially to the field of agriculture. The purpose of this study was to assess the synergistic impacts of climate change and wildfires on agricultural sustainability. This study adopted a cross-sectional survey design based on the quantitative research approach. Data were collected from 340 environmental experts using an online questionnaire. The results showed that extreme weather events such as heavy rains or extreme droughts negatively influence agricultural sustainability in Europe. The results showed that disruptions in ecosystems caused by climate change have a significant positive impact on agricultural sustainability in Europe. Furthermore, forest regeneration after wildfires showed statistically significant positive influence on agricultural sustainability in Europe. The economic impact of fire on crops, cattle, and farms can be estimated. This information can be used to develop and plan agricultural regions near fire-prone areas; choose the best, most cost-effective, and longest-lasting cultivar; and limit fire risk. It is also clear that increased wildfire smoke negatively affects agricultural sustainability.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Adaptation Ways for Smallholder Farmers)
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The Signature of Climate in Annual Burned Area in Portugal
by
Carlos C. DaCamara
Climate 2024, 12(9), 143; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12090143 - 12 Sep 2024
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Portugal is by far the country most affected by wildfires in Mediterranean Europe. The increase in frequency and severity of extreme years in the last two decades calls for a better understanding of the role played by climate variability and climate change. Using
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Portugal is by far the country most affected by wildfires in Mediterranean Europe. The increase in frequency and severity of extreme years in the last two decades calls for a better understanding of the role played by climate variability and climate change. Using data covering a period of 44 years (1980–2023), it is shown that the distribution of annual burned area in Portugal follows a Rayleigh distribution whose logarithm of the scale parameter depends linearly on Cumulative Daily Severity Rate ( ). Defined for each year as the sum of the mean Daily Severity Rate over Portugal from 1 January to 31 December, is a measure of the dryness of dead fuels as induced by atmospheric conditions. Changes along the years of the modeled average explain 56% of the interannual variability of the annual burned area. When comparing the model for 30-year subperiods 1980–2009 and 1994–2023, large decreases are observed in return periods of annual burned area amounts, from 35% for amounts greater than 120 thousand hectares up to 49% for amounts greater than 200 thousand hectares. The proposed model is a useful tool for fire management under present and future climate conditions.
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Open AccessArticle
Optimizing Local Climate Zones through Clustering for Surface Urban Heat Island Analysis in Building Height-Scarce Cities: A Cape Town Case Study
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Tshilidzi Manyanya, Nthaduleni Samuel Nethengwe, Bruno Verbist and Ben Somers
Climate 2024, 12(9), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12090142 - 10 Sep 2024
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Studying air Urban Heat Islands (AUHI) in African cities is limited by building height data scarcity and sparse air temperature (Tair) networks, leading to classification confusion and gaps in Tair data. Satellite imagery used in surface UHI (SUHI) applications overcomes
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Studying air Urban Heat Islands (AUHI) in African cities is limited by building height data scarcity and sparse air temperature (Tair) networks, leading to classification confusion and gaps in Tair data. Satellite imagery used in surface UHI (SUHI) applications overcomes the gaps which befall AUHI, thus making it the primary focus of UHI studies in areas with limited Tair stations. Consequently, we used Landsat 30 m imagery to analyse SUHI patterns using Land Surface Temperature (LST) data. Local climate zones (LCZ) as a UHI study tool have been documented to not result in distinct thermal environments at the surface level per LCZ class. The goal in this study was thus to explore relationships between LCZs and LST patterns, aiming to create a building height (BH)-independent LCZ framework capable of creating distinct thermal environments to study SUHI in African cities where LiDAR data are scarce. Random forests (RF) classified LCZ in R, and the Single Channel Algorithm (SCA) extracted LST via the Google Earth Engine. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD, assessed thermal distinctiveness, using a 95% confidence interval and 1 °C threshold for practical significance. Semi-Automated Agglomerative Clustering (SAAC) and Automated Divisive Clustering (ADC) grouped LCZs into thermally distinct clusters based on physical characteristics and LST data internal patterns. Built LCZs (1–9) had higher mean LSTs; LCZ 8 reached 37.6 °C in Spring, with a smaller interquartile range (IQR) (34–36 °C) and standard deviation (SD) (1.85 °C), compared to natural classes (A–G) with LCZ 11 (A–B) at 14.9 °C/LST, 17–25 °C/IQR, and 4.2 °C SD. Compact LCZs (2, 3) and open LCZs (5, 6), as well as similar LCZs in composition and density, did not show distinct thermal environments even with building height included. The SAAC and ADC clustered the 14 LCZs into six thermally distinct clusters, with the smallest LST difference being 1.19 °C, above the 1 °C threshold. This clustering approach provides an optimal LCZ framework for SUHI studies, transferable to different urban areas without relying on BH, making it more suitable than the full LCZ typology, particularly for the African context. This clustered framework ensures a thermal distinction between clusters large enough to have practical significance, which is more useful in urban planning than statistical significance.
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Systematic Mapping of Climate Change Impacts on Human Security in Bangladesh
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Ferdous Sultana, Jan Petzold, Sonali John, Verena Muehlberger and Jürgen Scheffran
Climate 2024, 12(9), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12090141 - 9 Sep 2024
Abstract
There is an increasing consensus that climate change undermines human security by exacerbating existing challenges, acting as a “threat multiplier”. Bangladesh is a climate hot spot due to its geographical location, dense population and vulnerable socio-economic infrastructure. Although there is an increasing number
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There is an increasing consensus that climate change undermines human security by exacerbating existing challenges, acting as a “threat multiplier”. Bangladesh is a climate hot spot due to its geographical location, dense population and vulnerable socio-economic infrastructure. Although there is an increasing number of studies on the impacts of climate change in Bangladesh, aggregated research that combines this evidence and provides a comprehensive overview is lacking. The aim of this research is to thoroughly investigate the characteristics of the academic literature on the complex pathways through which climate variability affects different components of human security in Bangladesh, allowing for determination of the trends and research gaps, as well as whether they lead to conflict or cooperation. We used a systematic mapping methodology to search and screen 1839 publications in Web of Science, including 320 publications for the final synthesis. We found a predominant research focus on rural areas, especially in the southwestern region, with declining crop yield, economic loss, migration, water shortage, food scarcity and health hazards being the highlighted impacts of climate change for Bangladesh. The impacts on food, economic, environmental, health and water security have been well studied, but we found significant research gaps in some human security components, especially energy security. Women and the economically disadvantaged are disproportionately affected, and the causal pathways between conflict or cooperation and the ever-changing climate lack research efforts, implying a dire need to focus on under-researched areas before they become more complex and difficult to address. Policies and interventions should prioritise climate-resilient agricultural practices and infrastructure in high-risk areas, building local capacities and integrating climate risk assessments into urban planning, considering the high influx of environmental migrants. This systematic map provides a foundation for future longitudinal studies, establishes a baseline for this era for future comparisons and serves as a reliable database for relevant stakeholders and policy makers.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change Impacts at Various Geographical Scales (2nd Edition))
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A Multi-Hazard Approach to Climate Migration: Testing the Intersection of Climate Hazards, Population Change, and Location Desirability from 2000 to 2020
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Zachary M. Hirsch, Jeremy R. Porter, Jasmina M. Buresch, Danielle N. Medgyesi, Evelyn G. Shu and Matthew E. Hauer
Climate 2024, 12(9), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12090140 - 7 Sep 2024
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Climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, profoundly altering demographic landscapes globally and within the United States. This study investigates their impact on migration patterns, using propensity score matching and LASSO techniques within a larger regression modeling framework. Here,
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Climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, profoundly altering demographic landscapes globally and within the United States. This study investigates their impact on migration patterns, using propensity score matching and LASSO techniques within a larger regression modeling framework. Here, we analyze historical population trends in relation to climate risk and exposure metrics for various hazards. Our findings reveal nuanced patterns of climate-induced population change, including “risky growth” areas where economic opportunities mitigate climate risks, sustaining growth in the face of observed exposure; “tipping point” areas where the amenities are slowly giving way to the disamenity of escalating hazards; and “Climate abandonment” areas experiencing exacerbated out-migration from climate risks, compounded by other out-migration market factors. Even within a single county, these patterns vary significantly, underscoring the importance of localized analyses. Projecting population impacts due to climate risk to 2055, flood risks are projected to impact the largest percentage of areas (82.6%), followed by heatwaves (47.4%), drought (46.6%), wildfires (32.7%), wildfire smoke (21.7%), and tropical cyclone winds (11.1%). The results underscore the importance of understanding hyperlocal patterns of risk and change in order to better forecast future patterns.
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Open AccessArticle
Set When the Sun Rises, Rise When the Sun Sets: Climate Impact on Health, Safety, and Wellbeing of Smallholder Farmers in Vietnam
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Miranda Dally, Thuy Thi Thu Tran, Thanh Le Nhat Nguyen, Quynh Nguyen, Lee S. Newman, Mike Van Dyke, Marcela Tamayo-Ortiz, James Crooks, Lyndsay Krisher and Megan Cherewick
Climate 2024, 12(9), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12090139 - 7 Sep 2024
Abstract
Vietnam is a country most at risk for experiencing climate change effects, especially increasing temperatures. Agricultural production is one of the biggest contributors to Vietnam’s economy. Recent research has explored how climate change will impact agriculture in Vietnam. However, the impact of climate
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Vietnam is a country most at risk for experiencing climate change effects, especially increasing temperatures. Agricultural production is one of the biggest contributors to Vietnam’s economy. Recent research has explored how climate change will impact agriculture in Vietnam. However, the impact of climate change to the health, safety, and wellbeing of Vietnamese farmers is often overlooked. In this study, we conducted five focus groups with 46 farmers representing three provinces of Vietnam. We used a convergent mixed-methods design and a Total Worker Health® framework to assess how farmers in Vietnam experience climate-change-related hazards and describe how famers associate these hazards with impacts to their health, safety, and wellbeing. Multi-dimensional scaling suggests farmers conceptualize hazards separately from health, safety, and wellbeing outcomes, but a thematic analysis of our data indicated that farmers perceive both direct and indirect impacts of climate change to their health, safety, and wellbeing. Direct impacts of climate change described included physical health effects such as heat stress. Indirect impacts included mental health stressors due to productivity demands. Gaps in available health and safety trainings for farmers were also identified. This project demonstrates the need to co-develop safety and health trainings with farmers. System-level approaches both at the societal and community levels are needed. The local governments, cooperatives, Women’s Unions, and Farmers’ Unions are trusted sources of information that could implement and disseminate these trainings.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Confronting the Climate Change and Health Nexus: Interactions, Impacts, and Adaptation Strategies)
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Assessing the Vulnerability of Farming Households on the Caribbean Island of Hispaniola to Climate Change
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Jacky Duvil, Thierry Feuillet, Evens Emmanuel and Bénédique Paul
Climate 2024, 12(9), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12090138 - 6 Sep 2024
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This article assesses the individual vulnerability of 550 farming households, 430 in Haiti and 120 in the Dominican Republic, on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola to the impacts of climate change. This assessment is based on an integrated approach, using socio-economic and biophysical
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This article assesses the individual vulnerability of 550 farming households, 430 in Haiti and 120 in the Dominican Republic, on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola to the impacts of climate change. This assessment is based on an integrated approach, using socio-economic and biophysical variables. The variables collected for each farm household were grouped into three categories: adaptive capacity, sensitivity, and exposure. Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) was used to develop a vulnerability index for each farm household, enabling them to be classified according to their level of vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. A logistic regression model was then used to identify the main factors influencing their vulnerability. The results revealed that on the island of Hispaniola, 33.91%, 32.09%, and 34% of farming households were classified as very vulnerable, vulnerable, and less vulnerable. In Haiti, these proportions were 36.74%, 36.51%, and 26.75%, while in the Dominican Republic, they were 20%, 20%, and 60%. Agricultural households with highly accessible credit (OR = 0.16, p < 0.001) and university education (OR = 0.05, p < 0.001) were relatively less vulnerable to climate change impacts compared to their counterparts.
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Open AccessArticle
Are Big Cities Ready to Mitigate Climate Change? Evidence from Sydney, Australia
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Ozgur Gocer, Anusha Roy, Shamila Haddad, Chirag Deb and Thomas Astell-Burt
Climate 2024, 12(9), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12090137 - 4 Sep 2024
Abstract
Governments across the world are facing challenges in urgently responding to the adverse impacts of climate change. Australian cities have been proactively working on various climate action plans. Despite this, the Climate Action Tracker rates Australia’s climate net zero targets, policies, and climate
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Governments across the world are facing challenges in urgently responding to the adverse impacts of climate change. Australian cities have been proactively working on various climate action plans. Despite this, the Climate Action Tracker rates Australia’s climate net zero targets, policies, and climate finance as “Insufficient”, highlighting the urgent need for substantial improvements to align Australia’s climate policies and commitments towards the Paris Agreement. This study explores the readiness of Australian cities towards climate change mitigation, with a focus on Sydney. It identifies prioritized cooling measures and proactive local governments in Great Metropolitan Sydney, through an analysis of official documents and policy statements. Interviews were conducted with local governments to gain insights into implementation processes, perceived effectiveness, challenges, and opportunities related to heat mitigation initiatives. The results reveal efforts to amend local environmental and development control plans to mitigate the urban heat island effect and create cooler, more comfortable built environments. However, challenges exist, including limited authority of local governments in urban planning, as national and state governments set stringent codes and regulations for heat mitigation. Financial constraints pose challenges, particularly in maintaining and monitoring strategic plans during their implementation stage, leading to the potential removal of sustainability measures from designs.
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(This article belongs to the Section Climate Adaptation and Mitigation)
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The Mediterranean Diet in the Era of Climate Change: A Reference Diet for Human and Planetary Health
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Chrysi C. Koliaki, Nicholas L. Katsilambros and Charilaos Dimosthenopoulos
Climate 2024, 12(9), 136; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12090136 - 4 Sep 2024
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Nowadays, climate change constitutes an enormous global threat for human health and environmental sustainability. The expanding world population and the increased global need for food production have an important negative impact upon the environment. Diet can link human health with environmental sustainability. Food
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Nowadays, climate change constitutes an enormous global threat for human health and environmental sustainability. The expanding world population and the increased global need for food production have an important negative impact upon the environment. Diet can link human health with environmental sustainability. Food production systems are closely related to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and the aggravation of climate change, and current Western-type, animal-based dietary patterns may lead to adverse environmental footprints. In this present narrative review, we address the interconnection of the Mediterranean diet (MD) with climate change and sustainability. The MD is a highly recommended dietary intervention for the prevention and management of various endocrine and cardiometabolic diseases. Beyond its evidence-based, health-promoting effects, it also has a beneficial environmental impact, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing biodiversity, food security, and sustainability. Based on the evidence reviewed herein, the MD should be incorporated within the framework of a “One Health” model, which involves the improvement not only of human health but also of planetary health and food system sustainability. Our review aims to provide a stimulus for health professionals to strongly recommend the implementation of the MD under the current pressure of climate change, despite all barriers, targeting both human health preservation and planetary well-being.
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Open AccessArticle
A Statistical Analysis of Drought and Fire Weather Indicators in the Context of Climate Change: The Case of the Attica Region, Greece
by
Nadia Politi, Diamando Vlachogiannis and Athanasios Sfetsos
Climate 2024, 12(9), 135; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12090135 - 3 Sep 2024
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As warmer and drier conditions associated with global warming are projected to increase in southern Europe, the Mediterranean countries are currently the most prone to wildfire danger. In the present study, we investigated the statistical relationship between drought and fire weather risks in
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As warmer and drier conditions associated with global warming are projected to increase in southern Europe, the Mediterranean countries are currently the most prone to wildfire danger. In the present study, we investigated the statistical relationship between drought and fire weather risks in the context of climate change using drought index and fire weather-related indicators. We focused on the vulnerable and long-suffering area of the Attica region using high-resolution gridded climate datasets. Concerning fire weather components and fire hazard days, the majority of Attica consistently produced values that were moderately to highly anti-correlated (−0.5 to −0.9). This suggests that drier circumstances raise the risk of fires. Additionally, it was shown that the spatial dependence of each variable on the 6-months scale Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI6), varied based on the period and climate scenario. Under both scenarios, an increasing rate of change between the drought index and fire indicators was calculated over future periods versus the historical period. In the case of mean and 95th percentiles of FWI with SPEI6, abrupt changes in linear regression slope values were observed, shifting from lower in the past to higher values in the future periods. Finally, the fire indicators’ future projections demonstrated a tendency towards an increasing fire weather risk for the region’s non-urban (forested and agricultural) areas. This increase was evident from the probability distributions shifting to higher mean and even more extreme values in future periods and scenarios. The study demonstrated the region’s growing vulnerability to future fire incidents in the context of climate change.
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Open AccessArticle
Indigenous Subsistence Practices of the Sakha Horse Herders under Changing Climate in the Arctic
by
Lena Popova
Climate 2024, 12(9), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12090134 - 3 Sep 2024
Abstract
This article provides, firstly, an overview of Arctic traditional horse herding as one of the Indigenous subsistence practices of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). It discusses the origins, characteristics, and spiritual and material importance of Sakha horses and horse herding practices to inform
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This article provides, firstly, an overview of Arctic traditional horse herding as one of the Indigenous subsistence practices of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). It discusses the origins, characteristics, and spiritual and material importance of Sakha horses and horse herding practices to inform the overall understanding of this traditional subsistence activity, which remains largely unexplored. Secondly, by conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews with Indigenous Sakha horse herders, this study explores the ways in which Indigenous subsistence practices are evolving and reacting to the climate and environmental changes. Results show that climate change is altering the local ecosystem and introducing new challenges to communities in Central Yakutia. Local herders describe climate change as a complex interplay of diverse transformations rather than a singular phenomenon. While historical adaptation strategies relied on the flexibility of traditional practices, today, this flexibility is often hindered by non-climatic factors. This article further discusses adaptability of Indigenous practices to climate change and offers recommendations for their development, particularly traditional horse herding. Future research related to climate change and Arctic Indigenous communities should encompass deeper and broader aspects, covering historical, cultural, social, and economic contexts and the worldviews of Indigenous peoples, distinct from Western perspectives.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate, Climate Change and the Arctic: Environment, Infrastructure, Health and Well-Being)
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Open AccessArticle
Development of a Spatial Synoptic Classification Scheme for East Africa with a Focus on Kenya
by
Daniella C. Alaso, Jason C. Senkbeil and Scott C. Sheridan
Climate 2024, 12(9), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12090133 - 2 Sep 2024
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Despite the wide range of applications of the Spatial Synoptic Classification (SSC), its expansion and utility in the tropics remains limited. This research utilized the fifth generation of European ReAnalysis (ERA5) data to develop an SSC scheme tailored for East Africa with a
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Despite the wide range of applications of the Spatial Synoptic Classification (SSC), its expansion and utility in the tropics remains limited. This research utilized the fifth generation of European ReAnalysis (ERA5) data to develop an SSC scheme tailored for East Africa with a focus on Kenya. The SSC method classifies weather into seven types: Dry Polar (DP), Dry Moderate (DM), Dry Tropical (DT), Moist Polar (MP), Moist Moderate (MM), Moist Tropical (MT), and Transitional (TR). Frequency and trend analysis between 1959 and 2022 show that the MT and DM weather types are the dominant types in Kenya. The DM type is dominant in the December–February (DJF) dry season while the MT type is common from April to September. We find statistically significant decreasing trends in the DM, MP, and MM weather types and increasing trends in the DT and MT weather types. The results suggest that, generally, the number of days with cool and moderate conditions in Kenya is decreasing, while the number of days with warmer conditions is increasing. This research indicates the potential for the SSC to be utilized in different applications in East Africa including investigating heat vulnerability, as increasing temperatures could be a significant risk factor to human health.
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Open AccessArticle
Risk Assessment Protocol for Existing Bridge Infrastructure Considering Climate Change
by
Shereen Altamimi, Lamya Amleh and Liping Fang
Climate 2024, 12(9), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12090132 - 2 Sep 2024
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The escalating impact of climate change on global weather patterns threatens the functionality and resilience of infrastructure systems. This paper presents a rigorous risk assessment protocol tailored to existing bridge infrastructure, integrating climate change projections, structural integrity, and socioeconomic factors. The protocol’s application
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The escalating impact of climate change on global weather patterns threatens the functionality and resilience of infrastructure systems. This paper presents a rigorous risk assessment protocol tailored to existing bridge infrastructure, integrating climate change projections, structural integrity, and socioeconomic factors. The protocol’s application involves five sequential steps: selecting a bridge, disassembling the structure into components, calculating utilization factors for design and projected temperatures, evaluating severity factors encompassing structural and socioeconomic aspects, and ultimately determining an overall risk rating. To demonstrate the protocol’s effectiveness, a case study was conducted on the Westminster Drive Underpass in London, Ontario. This study shows how the protocol systematically evaluates the vulnerability of each bridge component to projected temperatures under the Representative Concentration Pathway 6.0 model. The protocol provides a holistic risk assessment by incorporating both the structural response and socioeconomic implications of failure. The results rank the bridge’s risk level and highlight the urgency of intervention. The protocol emerges as a robust tool for decision-makers, practitioners, and engineers, offering a comprehensive approach to strengthen bridge infrastructure against the challenges of climate change.
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