Some species that breed over large geographic areas can still be adapted to a fairly narrow range of climates, making them more vulnerable to climate change than previously thought. Also, species with larger brains (relative to their body size) tend to be adapted to narrower climate niches, which suggests they too could also be more vulnerable than once thought.

The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Climate Change and Environmental Sciences goes in this seventeenth edition to Camille Parmesan (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France; University of Texas, United States; and University of Plymouth, United Kingdom) for her pioneering studies showing that “wild species shift their geographical ranges in response to climate change,” said the committee in its citation.

A new FAU survey reveals that more than two-thirds of Floridians are moderately or extremely concerned about hurricanes increasing in strength and frequency, and more than half are worried about the ability to afford and maintain homeowners insurance due to climate change. Nearly two-thirds of Floridians believe that state and federal governments should be doing more to address the impacts of climate change. Most also support expanding the use of renewable energy. About 88% of all Floridians believe climate change is happening.

Biomass is currently the EU’s largest renewable energy source, but climate strategies often focus on other energy sources. A comprehensive analysis, led by Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, now shows that biomass is crucial for Europe's ability to reach its climate targets, as it can be used to produce fossil-free fuels and chemicals and also enables carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere. If biomass were excluded from the European energy system, it would cost an extra 169 billion Euros per year – about the same as the cost of excluding wind power.

Honeybees are essential pollinators for agriculture and natural ecosystems. Stressors like climate change, habitat loss and pesticide exposure threaten their ability to forage for pollen, a critical resource for colony survival. Researchers in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology demonstrate that an artificial intelligence (AI)-based monitoring system combined with a computer model can link the exposure of neonicotinoid pesticides on individual honeybees to the health of the whole colony. 

Linking elk pregnancy to elk “foodscapes”, climate impacts on bee gut microbiomes and more from ESA’s journals.