AMOC weakening in response to global and regional reductions in aerosol emissions
Robert J Allen, Timothy Carson, Wei Liu, Laura J Wilcox, Bjørn H Samset, Sharar Ahmadi, Annica M L Ekman, Maxwell T Elling, Luke Fraser-Leach, Paul Griffiths, James Keeble, Tsuyoshi Koshiro, Paul Kushner, Anna Lewinschal, Molly MacRae, Risto Makkonen, Joonas Merikanto, Pierre Nabat, Larissa Nazarenko, Declan O’Donnell, Naga Oshima, David Paynter, Geeta Persad, Steven T Rumbold, Neil Swart, Toshihiko Takemura, Kostas Tsigaridis, Knut von Salzen, Daniel M Westervelt and Taufiq Hassan
This study examines the impact of global and regional reductions in anthropogenic aerosol emissions on the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), revealing a projected weakening of 6% by the mid-21st century due to these reductions. The study finds that combined reductions in North America and Europe lead to the most significant weakening, while improvements in air quality are linked to changes in buoyancy and surface radiation in the North Atlantic.
Decoding global carbon pathways: modeling emission patterns, turning points, and drivers in major countries
Chaoqing Huang, Qian Wu, Wei Xue, Yanwen Wang, Lina Zhang, Zhiyan Liu and Chao He
Authors introduce a Carbon Emissions Trajectory Curve (CETC) model to analyse the dynamic evolution of carbon emission pathways in 58 major countries from 1990 to 2021. It identifies six principal archetypes of emission pathways and highlights key turning points, revealing that developed nations experienced these shifts between 2000 and 2005, while developing countries saw changes between 2015 and 2020. The research provides a framework for understanding emission trajectories and supports the development of targeted mitigation policies for a global low-carbon transition.
Unravelling climate misinformation: fact-checking of climate disinformation in spanish-speaking podcasts
Mercè Cisneros, Jon X Olano Pozo, Anna Boqué-Ciurana, Caterina Cimolai, Daniel Dermit, Andrea Arnal, Marc Masip, Javier Sigro and Enric Aguilar
Cisneros et al. analyse climate misinformation in Spanish-speaking podcasts, identifying and categorizing prevalent narratives over eight months, particularly during COP27. Key findings reveal that the most common misinformation themes include doubts about climate science and the effectiveness of solutions, with a notable increase in claims during the COP27 period.
Global human population has surpassed Earth’s sustainable carrying capacity
Corey J A Bradshaw, Melinda A Judge, Daniel T Blumstein, Paul R Ehrlich, Aisha N Z Dasgupta, Mathis Wackernagel, Lewis J Z Weeda and Peter N Le Souëf
Bradshaw et al. indicate that the global human population has exceeded Earth’s sustainable carrying capacity, with a predicted population of 11.7–12.4 billion by 2076, despite a model suggesting a maximum sustainable population of 2.5 billion. The study highlights a decline in population growth rates since the 1950s and emphasizes the need for significant changes in socio-cultural practices to manage resources sustainably.
Only half of the calories produced on croplands are available as food for human consumption
Paul C West, James S Gerber, Emily S Cassidy and Samuel Stiffman
The research Letter reveals that only 50.1% of calories produced on croplands are available for human consumption, with significant inefficiencies stemming from increased use of crops for livestock feed and non-food purposes. Despite a 23.9% increase in total calorie production from 2010 to 2020, the calories available for food only rose by 16.6%. The study suggests that addressing inefficiencies, particularly related to beef and pork production, could significantly enhance food security and health outcomes.
