A new study published in National Science Review has revealed that global warming may reshape the distribution of sunlight reaching Earth’s surface. Climate models project reduced downward surface solar radiation over polar regions but increased radiation over Northern Hemisphere mid-latitudes, especially in local summer. The contrast is driven by increased atmospheric water vapor, reduced mid-latitude clouds, and enhanced polar cloud liquid water.

Researchers discover that tiny atmospheric particles can have opposite effects on Earth's climate depending on how quickly the atmosphere responds. Why it matters: Aerosols are one of the largest sources of uncertainty in climate projections. This study shows that their impact can change over time, initially warming the atmosphere before later cooling it. The findings could help scientists improve climate models and make more accurate predictions of future climate change.

Across Sub-Saharan Africa, livestock is essential to livelihoods and food security. But cattle, goats, and sheep are also a major source of methane emissions, while farmers struggle with feed shortages and declining productivity.

Scientists are now exploring whether climate-smart feed can cut emissions and boost livestock production at the same time.

In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Solomon Yimer examines the growing push for climate-smart livestock feed and asks whether efforts to reduce emissions can work for farmers under pressure.

Scientists from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) are screening hundreds of forage varieties to identify those that can reduce methane emissions while maintaining or improving milk and meat production. The project is funded by UK International Development through the UK-CGIAR Centre, which is hosted by the agricultural research organisation CABI (the parent organisation of SciDev.Net). 

————————————————————————————————————

Do you have any comments, questions or feedback about our podcast episodes? Let us know at podcast@scidev.net

Africa Science Focus is produced by SciDev.Net and distributed in association with your local radio station

This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.

This episode was supported by the UK-CGIAR Centre. The UK-CGIAR Centre, hosted at CABI (the parent organisation of SciDev.Net), aims to support global food security by bringing together scientists from the UK and CGIAR to form impact-focused research collaborations. This project is funded by UK International Development.

A three-year study has cracked open the hidden biology behind coral reproduction, revealing hormone cycles that echo those of humans and other animals, and a new way to detect reef distress before it's too late.

‘Cooling poverty’ affects more than 2 billion in low- and middle-income countries according to a study published in Nature Sustainability.