IPCC: Climate change widespread, rapid, and intensifying
The IPCC’s press release detailing all essential information on the Working Group I report, the first instalment of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), which will be completed in 2022.
Science Feeds Policy: The New European Strategy
More data and knowledge to the service of decision makers can help make Europe a fully climate resilient continent by mid-century. The new European Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change aims to lead the world by example and calls for more consideration of the transboundary effects of climate impacts and for a ‘smarter, more systemic and swifter’ adaptation to the impacts of climate change.
The Evolution of Adaptation to Climate Change in Europe
Talking about the European Topic Centre on Climate Change Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation (ETC/CCA) means unfolding the evolution of knowledge, policy processes, actions and awareness on adaptation in Europe, from their first steps to the implementation of the new EU Climate Adaptation Strategy. We explore the story of this long collaboration between the ETC/CCA and the European Environment Agency in a journey at the interface between science and policy.
Where Does Air Pollution Come From?
Air pollution causes premature deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and Covid induced lockdowns have provided a unique opportunity to study air quality, with some surprising results: “We were struck by the fact that air quality wasn’t as good as we were anticipating. On some days in Lombardy it was even above the EU required level for safety”, explains Valentina Bosetti, senior scientist at the RFF-CMCC European Institute on Economics and the Environment.
Not Just CO2, Let’s Talk About Methane
From thawing permafrost to belching cows, methane is a harmful greenhouse gas that has a significant impact on climate change. Although the bulk of mitigation strategies focus on carbon dioxide, methane also requires direct mitigation measures, a better understanding of how much it impacts our climate, and what sectors are emitting the most. A hot topic for researchers and policymakers alike.
COVID-19 Could Lead to Significant Climate Data Gaps
The COVID-19 pandemic will continue to impact the global monitoring and forecasting capacity of the earth system. Partially suspended activities are causing a large loss in the observing capacity of the atmosphere and the oceans. Data gaps due to COVID-19 will have far-reaching consequences that need to be managed for public security and the science-based […]
The Effects of Wildfires on a Zero Carbon Future
With July reported to have been the hottest month on record it came with no shortage of natural disasters. Arctic wildfires ravaging the northern hemisphere’s woodlands grabbed media attention. Understanding their impacts can help dictate policy decisions for greenhouse gas emission reduction schemes so as to remain well below the 2ºC mark.
Nuclear Power Feeling the Heat
For the second time in less than one month Europe has been hit by an extreme heatwave. This time high temperatures have caused French nuclear power stations to decrease energy outputs due to unsafe levels of heat.
Securing Water in a Warming World
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Global Water Partnership (GWP) have joined hands in a Framework Memorandum for Integrated Water Resources Management. A welcome piece of news as an ever more thirsty world is hit by heatwaves and water scarcity. Planet earth is covered by 1,390 million kilometres cubed of water, of which 97.5% is the […]
Emperor Penguins Treading on Thin Ice
Climate change is drastically altering the weather patterns and ice conditions that enable emperor penguins, the icons of the Antarctic, to reproduce. The Halley Bay colony, the second largest in the world, in the Weddell Sea has failed to raise chicks for the last three years, leading to discussions on how to monitor climate change and the ability of animals to adapt in a changing world.
“We want our hopes and dreams back”: Greta Thunberg in the name of young generations
Science, politics, businesses and the new generations all met in the Italian Senate, joining in unanimous voice to talk about climate change. Each from their own perspective sending a common message: it’s time to act concretely and swiftly. The President of the Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change (CMCC) Antonio Navarra, participated in the event organized […]
Heat: we have learned the lessons
Summer 2003, the severe heat wave that affected Europe (15,000 excess deaths over August in France, nearly 1,100 of those in Paris) taught our cities that adaptation and preparedness are not an option but a necessity. How are we putting the lesson into practice?