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Bibliography on: Climate Change

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ESP: PubMed Auto Bibliography 14 Feb 2026 at 02:04 Created: 

Climate Change

The world is warming up, with 2023 being by far the hottest year since record keeping began and 2024 shaping up to be hotter yet. But these changes only involve one or two degrees. What's the big deal?

The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one liter of water by one degree is one kilocalorie (kcal). Scaling up, the amount of energy required for a one-degree increase in the water temperature of the Gulf of Mexico is 2,434,000,000,000,000,000 kcals. That's 25 million times more energy than released by the WW-II atomic bomb that destroyed the city of Hiroshima and killed more than 100,000 people.

So, for every one degree increase in water temperature, the Gulf of Mexico takes on 25-million atomic bombs worth of new energy, which is then available to fuel hurricanes and other storms. Maybe a one-degree rise in temperature is a big deal.

Created with PubMed® Query: (( "climate change"[TITLE] OR "global warming"[TITLE] )) NOT pmcbook NOT ispreviousversion

Citations The Papers (from PubMed®)

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RevDate: 2026-02-13

Savi S, P Marshall (2026)

Measurements of Radical Reactivity with an Imine, (CF3)2CNH: Rate Constants for Chlorine Atoms and Hydroxyl Radicals and the Global Warming Potential.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 31(3): pii:molecules31030424.

The rate constant kOH for the reaction of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroprop-2-imine with OH radicals was measured relative to two reference compounds, CH3F and CH3CHF2, to be kOH = (4.2 ± 1.1) × 10[-14] cm[3] molecule[-1] s[-1] at 295 K. This implies an atmospheric lifetime with respect to consumption by OH of 0.75 years. Reaction with Cl atoms yielded kCl = (7.9 ± 1.7) × 10[-16] cm[3] molecule[-1] s[-1] at 295 K, and reaction with O3 has an upper limit of kO3 < 4 × 10[-23] cm[3] molecule[-1] s[-1], so that the atmospheric consumption by Cl and O3 is negligibly slow. Absolute infrared cross sections of the imine yield a radiative efficiency of 0.34 W m[-2] ppb[-1], which is corrected to 0.23 W m[-2] ppb[-1] for the effects of atmospheric lifetime. The imine's corresponding 100-year global warming potential is 64 ± 19. This value is an upper limit, given that heterogenous atmospheric removal paths, such as hydrolysis in water droplets, are not included.

RevDate: 2026-02-13
CmpDate: 2026-02-13

Miao J, Xu Y, Ferguson DK, et al (2026)

Differential Performance of Distribution Shifts Between Endangered Coniferous and Broad-Leaved Tree Species in Subtropical China Under Climate Change.

Plants (Basel, Switzerland), 15(3): pii:plants15030515.

Global warming has become one of the most serious threats to biodiversity. However, the responses of endangered tree species in subtropical regions to climate change and their potential distribution shifts remain elusive. In this study, we selected nine rare and endangered tree species in the subtropical forests of China encompassing both coniferous and broad-leaved groups, and conducted an assessment of their suitable distribution patterns and spatial shifts under current and future climate scenarios (SSP126, SSP370, and SSP585). For this we utilized an optimized MaxEnt model integrating multidimensional environmental variables including climate, soil, and topography. The results show that the model has high predictive accuracy after parameter optimization, with mean AUC values exceeding 0.98 for both broad-leaved and coniferous tree species. Our analysis of environmental factors indicates clear differences in distribution-limiting factors between the two functional groups. Broad-leaved species are primarily constrained by temperature-related variables, particularly the mean temperature of the coldest quarter (Bio11) and the mean diurnal range (Bio2), whereas coniferous species are more sensitive to moisture conditions, with the precipitation of the driest quarter (Bio17) as the key limiting factor for their potential distributions. Under current climatic conditions, highly suitable habitats for both functional groups are mainly concentrated in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Under future climate scenarios, broad-leaved species are in general expected to expand in marginal areas, while coniferous species show pronounced scenario dependence, with significant contractions occurring under certain scenarios and time periods. Despite the evident changes at distribution margins, the overall shifts in the centroids of potential distributions for both functional groups will be limited, with core suitable areas remaining relatively stable. This study reveals differences in the spatial response patterns between conifers and broad-leaved trees, and provides a scientific basis for the development of differentiated conservation strategies and the identification of conservation priority areas under climate change.

RevDate: 2026-02-13
CmpDate: 2026-02-13

Galíndez G, Álvarez A, Ceccato D, et al (2026)

Interannual Variation in Seed Traits of Cedrela Species: Implications for Conservation in the Context of Climate Change.

Plants (Basel, Switzerland), 15(3): pii:plants15030380.

Climate change is altering temperature and precipitation regimes in Argentina, with potential consequences for regeneration and persistence of forest tree species, emphasizing the importance of ex situ seed conservation. We evaluated interannual variation in seed traits, desiccation tolerance, storage behavior, and longevity of Cedrela balansae C. DC. and C. fissilis Vell. (Meliaceae), two endangered native species of subtropical rainforests in Argentina. Both species produced desiccation-tolerant seeds, independently of collection year, seed traits, or climatic conditions. Depending on the species, seed traits and longevity varied across years and showed strong relationships with temperature and precipitation, particularly during seed development. Cedrela balansae seeds are medium-lived seeds and have high longevity under standard seed banking conditions, suggesting strong potential for long-term ex situ conservation. Cedrela fissilis seeds are short-lived seeds and have high sensitivity to the storage environment. Correlations among climatic variables and seed traits and longevity parameters suggest that future warming and drying environments may shorten the window for germination and seedling establishment, with species-specific responses depending on climatic conditions during seed development. These results highlight the importance of climate effects in determining seed traits and seed longevity and emphasize the role of seed banking as a critical conservation strategy under climate change.

RevDate: 2026-02-13
CmpDate: 2026-02-13

Llamazares D, Nóvoa S, Ojea J, et al (2026)

Gametogenic Development of a Grooved Carpet Shell Clam (Ruditapes decussatus, Linnaeus, 1758) Population in the Baldaio Lagoon (N.W. Spain) Amidst Climate Change.

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 16(3): pii:ani16030478.

The impact of climate change on marine bivalves, particularly on their reproductive processes, is a current issue of concern. The aim of this study was to investigate how seawater temperatures influenced the gonadal development and overall condition of the grooved carpet shell clam (Ruditapes decussatus, Linnaeus, 1758) population in the Baldaio lagoon (N.W. Spain) over the last 20 years. Adult clams were collected, and biometric, histological, and biochemical analyses were performed. Gonadal development phases were assessed, several condition indices were calculated, water temperatures were recorded, and statistical analyses were carried out. Results indicated variations in reproductive timing, including changes in gonadal maturation, an earlier spawning period, and prolonged maturation phases, which contrasted with previous reproductive patterns described for this species. These findings coincided with thermal changes in the lagoon, where mean minimum temperatures increased and maximum temperatures decreased, and the annual thermal range was reduced in comparison with historical data (1998-1999). Biochemical composition and condition indices also reflected variations linked to temperature fluctuations, suggesting that warmer water temperatures may alter energy storage and reproduction. This highlights the importance of continuous environmental monitoring to better understand the effects of climate change on clam populations and to improve management strategies that could help to restore natural R. decussatus populations.

RevDate: 2026-02-12

Witze A (2026)

US repeals key 'endangerment finding' that climate change is a public threat.

RevDate: 2026-02-12

Derouez F, Ifa A, Alrawad M, et al (2026)

The effects of climate change water dependency and policy solutions on food security in Egypt.

Scientific reports pii:10.1038/s41598-026-38489-5 [Epub ahead of print].

This study investigates the dynamic relationships between Egypt's Food Security Indicator and climate change, political stability, renewable energy use, population growth, share of water from the Nile River, and agricultural productivity from 1990 to 2023. Employing Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) frameworks, Strong persistence in food security, immediate negative consequences of climate change, and notable positive contributions from renewable energy and agricultural production are all evident in short-term results. While Nile water reliance is advantageous in the short term, population increase puts negative pressure. Over time, food security is negatively impacted by climate change and reliance on Nile water (caused by systemic inefficiencies), although agricultural productivity and renewable energy continue to be significant positive drivers. Granger causality shows that there are reciprocal relationships between food security, agricultural production, and renewable energy. Accelerating the adoption of renewable energy, improving climate-resilient agriculture, restructuring Nile water administration to address inefficiencies and over-extraction, increasing agricultural productivity, and combining population management with resource allocation are among the policy priorities.

RevDate: 2026-02-12

Dong X, Gong J, Zhang W, et al (2026)

Corrigendum to "Future climate change increase species vulnerability and present new opportunities for biodiversity conservation in China" [J. Environ. Manag. 385 (2025) 125652].

RevDate: 2026-02-12

Bonizzoni M, C Lahondère (2026)

Blood-sucking arthropods in the Anthropocene: climate change thermotolerance, and global disease risks.

Current opinion in insect science pii:S2214-5745(26)00022-2 [Epub ahead of print].

Warming and increased frequency of extreme weather events are altering vector thermal environments in ways that change survival, development, season length, geographic range, and vector competence-but responses, when known, appear to be species- and population-specific because of differing thermotolerance, available thermoregulatory mechanisms, plasticity and possible genetic adaptations. Empirical work now shows both potential for rapid adaptation in some populations and vulnerabilities (e.g., heat effects on egg viability or symbionts) that could interact with warming to produce complex, non-linear outcomes on vector biology and their ability to transmit pathogens to humans and other animals. In this review, we focus on major disease vector arthropods including ticks, kissing bugs, tsetse flies, sand flies and mosquitoes, specifically reviewing the literature published over the past 5 years.

RevDate: 2026-02-12

Frouzová J, Mavrogeni J, Kukla J, et al (2026)

Long term data about δ15N in otoliths show increasing trophic position of perch (Perca fluviatilis) with increasing aridity related to ongoing climate change.

Journal of environmental management, 401:128926 pii:S0301-4797(26)00386-5 [Epub ahead of print].

Fish otoliths are unique archives of fish life history. To explore changes in aquatic food webs, δ15N and δ13C in perch otoliths (Perca fluviatilis) sampled in the Římov reservoir (Czechia) every summer from 2004 to 2021 were studied. δ13C in otoliths correlated positively with δ15N in otoliths and chlorophyll-a concentration in the epilimnion, and negatively with annual rainfall. δ15N in otoliths correlated positively with chlorophyll-a, total zooplankton, temperature, and negatively with total rainfall and also with Lang's rain factor (annual rainfall divided by annual temperature). The strongest correlation was found between chlorophyll-a and Lang's rain factor. With increasing chlorophyll-a, otoliths become heavier in δ15N, and also become heavier with decreasing Lang's rain factor, which suggests higher aridity. These two factors are also interconnected: when chlorophyll-a is higher, Lang's rain factor is lower (higher aridity). Both these factors are likely to correspond with ongoing climate change, since with higher aridity, more nutrients can be flushed into a reservoir, which leads to a higher phytoplankton growth as indicated by higher values of chlorophyll-a. δ15N in otoliths also correlates with zooplankton N but zooplankton N did not correlate with other measured parameters. The difference between the highest and lowest δ15N value is about 4 ‰, which represents nearly one trophic level, and suggests a substantial shift in food web structure. We propose that with increasing aridity, phytoplankton gets more abundant due to higher nutrient concentrations. Due to high temperature and food availability, young perch shift sooner from plankton to fish. This is supported by a marginally significant negative correlation between temperature and difference between age-class 3+ fish and older fish. Our study shows that increasing aridity, associated with ongoing climate change, causes a shift in food web structure in a temperate reservoir.

RevDate: 2026-02-12

Greenhill S, Hsiang S, Balboni C, et al (2026)

Using markets to adapt to climate change.

Science (New York, N.Y.), 391(6786):662-664.

Research shows if and when markets can help limit the harms from climate change.

RevDate: 2026-02-12

Chen X, R Ni (2026)

Intersecting nexus of politics and science: Heterogeneous typologies of climate change skepticism discourse in China.

Public understanding of science (Bristol, England) [Epub ahead of print].

As a pervasive social phenomenon, climate change skepticism has been extensively studied in Western contexts, where it is deeply intertwined with local sociopolitical structures. In China, despite the government's firm commitment to mitigation, a growing trend of public skepticism has emerged online. Using a corpus-assisted critical discourse analysis of 2426 climate skeptical posts on Zhihu, China's largest knowledge-sharing platform, this study examined how Chinese skeptics construct their discourse. Our findings revealed that Chinese climate skeptics do not merely reject scientific evidence; instead, they frame their arguments through a synthesis of national identity, geopolitical conflicts, and cultural-historical narratives, invoking climate justice claims at both domestic and international levels. Building on these insights, our research proposed a "scientific-political framework" that distinguishes four subtypes of Chinese climate skepticism: "Geopolitical Construct," "Western Conspiracy," "Natural Variability," and "Indifferent Fatalism." By shedding light on the context-specific configurations of skepticism discourse, this study contributes to a deeper theoretical understanding of climate skepticism in non-Western contexts, while also prompting critical reflection on China's long-standing over-politicized model of climate change communication.

RevDate: 2026-02-12
CmpDate: 2026-02-12

Zhang Y, Li H, Liu X, et al (2026)

Genomic Vulnerability to Climate Change of a Seasonal Dispersal Insect Within a Small Spatial Scale.

Molecular ecology, 35(4):e70266.

Seasonal migration represents one of the most fascinating behaviours observed throughout the animal kingdom. Understanding the spatial ecological and evolutionary dynamics of seasonally migratory animals is important to predict their responses to anthropogenic climate change. Unlike the directional and closed-circuit round-trip migratory pattern in most seasonally migratory animal species, many migratory insects exhibit a tangled reticular movement instead of a simple transition between sites. Consequently, the interplay between gene flow and natural selection in seasonal dispersal of insects may display a unique pattern and affect the potential of migratory insects to climate change. To characterise such pattern and evaluate the adaptive potential of seasonally migratory insects to future climate, we used genomic data from 32 populations of the seasonal dispersal and invasive oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) sampled across year-round and seasonal areas in the mountains of southwest China (MSWC). Despite significant ecological niche differences between populations of year-round and seasonal areas, we found no significant population structure both within and across areas. In addition, genomic landscape and vulnerability analyses suggested that the northwestern and northeastern populations possessed distinct genetic compositions and reduced adaptive potential compared to the southern populations. Finally, we predicted the migration distance and direction that may allow the current populations to persist under future climates. Our findings demonstrate that gene flow plays a predominant role in homogenising genetic variation at genome-wide scale while natural selection shapes genetic variation patterns at specific loci possibly involved in adaptation in seasonally migratory insects.

RevDate: 2026-02-12
CmpDate: 2026-02-12

Luo J, Li X, Liu Y, et al (2025)

Predicting the potential distribution of three medicinal Gentiana species in China under climate change scenarios with the MaxEnt model.

Frontiers in plant science, 16:1729969.

The genus Gentiana is concentrated in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and adjacent Hengduan Mountains, with its distribution pattern reflecting the synergistic effects of geological and climatic changes. This study employs the MaxEnt model integrated with ArcGIS spatial analysis to predict the potential geographical distribution of three medicinal Gentiana species (G. rhodantha, G. cephalantha, and G. rigescens) in China under current and future climate scenarios (SSP126 and SSP585). Under future climate warming, our projections indicate an overall reduction in suitable habitat area for all three species, with G. rigescens experiencing the most severe habitat loss. Furthermore, the centroid of suitable habitats is projected to shift towards higher latitudes and elevations, reflecting a spatial adaptation strategy to climate change. The key environmental drivers of distribution were identified: annual precipitation (Bio12) and minimum temperature of the coldest month (Bio6) primarily determine the distribution of G. rhodantha, while temperature seasonality (Bio4) and altitude are the dominant factors for G. cephalantha and G. rigescens. Our projections indicate an overall reduction in suitable habitat area for all three species under climate warming, with G. rigescens experiencing the most severe loss. Furthermore, the centroid of suitable habitats is projected to shift northwestward and upward in elevation. These findings highlight species-specific responses to climatic factors and provide a scientific basis for prioritizing the conservation of current highly suitable areas (e.g., Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guizhou), establishing ecological corridors, and implementing ex-situ conservation and sustainable cultivation practices to mitigate the impacts of climate change on these valuable medicinal resources.

RevDate: 2026-02-12
CmpDate: 2026-02-12

Jia J, Ye J, J Zeng (2026)

Impacts of Climate Change on the Distribution of Suitable Habitat for Invasive Coreopsis Species in China.

Ecology and evolution, 16(2):e73073.

Climate change poses a serious threat to global species distributions and has significantly altered the distribution patterns of invasive species. Coreopsis spp. are widely distributed invasive plants with strong adaptability and reproductive capacity, whose invasion has become a major ecological concern in China. Using three climate change scenarios (SSP-126, SSP-245, SSP-585), combined with the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model and Geographic Information System (ArcGIS), this study delineated the potential distribution areas and distribution centroids of invasive Coreopsis plants in China. The results indicated that temperature (especially isothermality BIO3 and mean temperature of the warmest quarter BIO10) and moisture are the primary climatic factors influencing the distribution of Coreopsis spp., while human activity (HA) also plays a key role in shaping their distribution. Coreopsis drummondii exhibited the largest suitable habitat area (4.138 × 10[6] km[2]), whereas Coreopsis verticillata had the smallest (9.53 × 10[5] km[2]). Under current climatic conditions, the six Coreopsis species are mainly distributed in southern China. In future climate scenarios, their distributions are projected to shift northward and toward plateau regions. Moreover, high niche and range overlap was observed among Coreopsis grandiflora, Coreopsis lanceolata, and Coreopsis tinctoria, suggesting potential intensified interspecific competition. This study systematically reveals the invasion potential and spatial dynamics of Coreopsis spp. under climate change, providing a scientific basis for early warning, regional management, and ecological control. It also offers perspectives for future research on the interaction mechanisms between invasive and native species.

RevDate: 2026-02-12
CmpDate: 2026-02-12

Chiodi Pereira E, de Araújo ANM, de Almeida Piai K, et al (2026)

Wildfire brigade members and wildland firefighters on the frontline of climate change: An essential, strategic, and vulnerable role workforce in the era of intensifying wildfires.

Environmental epidemiology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 10(2):e465.

RevDate: 2026-02-11

Su S, Yavuz M, O Dalbudak (2026)

A cross-sectional survey of climate change worry and sustainable consumption behaviours in Turkish nursing students.

Nurse education today, 161:107020 pii:S0260-6917(26)00048-1 [Epub ahead of print].

AIM: To examine the relationship between climate change worry and sustainable consumption behaviours in nursing students.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 students at a nursing faculty in Türkiye. Data were collected using the Student Information Form, Climate Change Worry Scale, and Sustainable Consumption Behaviour Scale.

RESULTS: Nursing students demonstrated moderate levels of climate change worry and beyond moderate levels of sustainable consumption behaviours. A positive and highly significant relationship was found between the total mean scores of the Climate Change Worry Scale and that of the Sustainable Consumption Behaviour Scale.

CONCLUSION: Nursing students with higher anxiety regarding climate change were found to exhibit more sustainable consumption behaviours. The results of this study should contribute to the restructuring of the nursing curriculum and development of sustainable healthcare practices.

RevDate: 2026-02-12
CmpDate: 2026-02-11

Burtt AA, Adams NF, Nowak S, et al (2026)

Climate Change Challenges Grey Wolf Resilience: Insights From Dental Microwear.

Ecology letters, 29(2):e70337.

The grey wolf exemplifies ecological resilience, having survived major climatic fluctuations since the Middle Pleistocene. Once the world's most widely distributed mammal, its range has been drastically reduced by human-driven habitat loss, persecution and competition for resources. Although listed as of Least Concern globally by the IUCN, the omission of climate change as a threat raises critical questions about its future persistence. This study examines dietary flexibility in European grey wolves (Canis lupus) using dental microwear texture analysis (DMTA). We compare British Pleistocene wolves from the Last Interglacial (MIS 5e) and the penultimate interglacial (MIS 7a-c) and contemporary wolves from Poland. Results suggest that during periods of elevated global temperatures, wolves exhibit evidence of increased durophagy. These data demonstrate deep-time dietary plasticity and recurrent behavioural shifts, indicating that while the grey wolf is resilient, future warming winters may significantly reshape wolf diets in the mid-latitude ecosystems.

RevDate: 2026-02-11
CmpDate: 2026-02-11

Baltazar M, Monteiro E, Pereira S, et al (2025)

Characterization of the glucosylated anthocyanin profile of 27 red grape (Vitis vinifera L.) varieties grown in Portugal: insights for climate change adaptation.

Frontiers in plant science, 16:1728700.

INTRODUCTION: Climate change poses significant challenges to viticulture, increasing the need for sustainable adaptation strategies such as the identification of resilient Vitis vinifera L. varieties.

METHODS: This study characterized the anthocyanin content, profile, and color parameters of 27 red grape varieties cultivated under the same terroir in the Douro Demarcated Region over two consecutive years. Berry biochemical analyses, including chromatographic and colorimetric techniques, alongside gene expression of the anthocyanin biosynthesis genes MybA1, UFGT, and OMT, were conducted to assess varietal and annual variability.

RESULTS: Total anthocyanin content varied significantly among varieties, ranging from 0.14 mg malvidin-3-O-glucoside equivalents per g of dry weight (mg M3G·g[-1] DW) in 'Bastardo' to 8.63 mg M3G·g[-1] DW in 'Vinhão'. While most varieties demonstrated increased anthocyanin content in the warmer and drier 2022 season, such as 'Tinto Cão' and 'Touriga Franca'; a few displayed notable declines, notably 'Vinhão', highlighting differential responses to abiotic stress. Anthocyanin profiles were dominated by malvidin derivatives, which correlated with enhanced color stability. Nonetheless, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside increased in 2022 in some varieties, while delphinidin and petunidin-3-O-glucosides decreased. CIELAB parameters indicated darker and higher color saturation in berries in 2022, being associated with increases in total anthocyanin content and malvidin derived compounds. Gene expression analysis of MybA1, UFGT, and OMT in six varieties revealed different behaviors.

DISCUSSION: Among all varieties under study, stable anthocyanin profiles across years were observed which could suggest increased resilience potential. These findings highlight the interplay between genetic and environmental factors in shaping anthocyanin dynamics, supporting the use of varietal selection as an adaptation strategy to optimize quality, resilience, and sustainability in wine regions under climate change.

RevDate: 2026-02-10

Anonymous (2026)

Climate change breakups.

Nature ecology & evolution, 10(2):157.

RevDate: 2026-02-11
CmpDate: 2026-02-11

Magdy H, Shehata MG, Shaalan MG, et al (2026)

Climate change impacts on the global potential distribution of the human flea, Pulex irritans, and the global health risks.

Scientific reports, 16(1):5944.

The human flea, Pulex irritans, is a hematophagous ectoparasite and medically significant vector of zoonotic pathogens, such as Yersinia pestis (plague), Bartonella quintana (trench fever), and Rickettsia felis (flea-borne spotted fever). Despite the public health significance of P. irritans, the potential impacts of climate change on its global distribution were unstudied before. In this study, we created an ecological niche model (ENM) through integrating 564 georeferenced records and 15 bioclimatic variables using the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) algorithm to project the current and future habitat suitability of P. irritans under two high-emission scenarios (SSP370 and SSP585) for 2050 and 2070 from three General Circulation Models (GCMs). DIVA- GIS was used to confirm the current predictions. Results revealed that the Model's performance was robust with high predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.898; TSS = 0.6), identifying annual mean temperature (Bio1) with 55.9% contribution as the primary distribution variable. The models project that many species across North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa will expand their ranges toward higher latitudes. Regions once deemed unsuitable, including northern Europe, Canada, and Russia, are forecast to become suitable habitats as these species shift their geographical distribution. On the other hand, habitat loss was predicted in Africa and Australia due to extreme warming. Two-dimensional niche analysis revealed the broad tolerances of P. irritans (2-25 °C; 0-2200 mm), confirming its invasive potential. These shifts correlate with increased plague risk in temperate zones, as warmer temperatures accelerate flea life cycles and pathogen transmission efficiency. Our findings provide the first global assessment of climate-driven redistribution of P. irritans, highlighting the urgent need for surveillance in vulnerable regions to mitigate emerging vector-borne disease threats.

RevDate: 2026-02-10
CmpDate: 2026-02-10

Fuller A, Mitchell D, SK Maloney (2026)

The Physiological Challenge of Climate Change for Free-Living Terrestrial Mammals.

Annual review of physiology, 88(1):1-20.

Most scenarios that seek to predict the responses of terrestrial mammals to climate change focus on the direct thermal effects of higher ambient temperatures. Measurements from free-living mammals reveal that the physiological challenge for many terrestrial mammals facing climate change will arise from the compound effects of higher heat loads, reduced water, and reduced energy intake. Deaths from climate change, particularly for large mammals, are more likely to result from starvation than from heat stroke. The extent of heterothermy exhibited by a mammal, which results from the relaxation of temperature regulation in response to demands from competing homeostatic systems, provides an index of its physiological welfare and, therefore, a tool to assess sensitivity and responses to climate change. Studies of responses to heat in laboratory or captive individuals can identify what mammals can achieve physiologically, but they do not necessarily reveal what an animal will actually do in its natural habitat.

RevDate: 2026-02-10

Al-Shetwi AQ, Sujod MZ, Mahafzah KA, et al (2026)

Climate change and global energy transformation: The role of renewable energy and electric vehicles.

The Science of the total environment, 1018:181521 pii:S0048-9697(26)00181-6 [Epub ahead of print].

The energy and transportation sectors are the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions; studies have largely examined renewable energy (RE) and electric vehicles (EVs) as separate solutions rather than as interdependent technologies. This review addresses this gap by providing a holistic assessment of their combined role in climate change mitigation. Drawing on peer-reviewed literature and case studies (2018-2025), this synthesis analyzes how research addresses global trends, technological advancements (e.g., vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems, AI-based grid management, and solid-state batteries), lifecycle emissions, infrastructure requirements, and policy landscapes. While existing studies highlight significant progress in RE and EV deployment, the literature also identifies critical barriers, including grid integration, charging infrastructure gaps, supply chain constraints for critical minerals, and fragmented policy environments. This review's primary contribution is a cross-sectoral synthesis of the literature that demonstrates the interdependence of clean energy and transport, addressing a gap where prior research has examined these technologies largely in isolation. The review synthesizes evidence showing that the integrated deployment of RE and EVs presents a viable, though challenging, pathway to achieving the Paris Agreement's 1.5 °C target. The study offers targeted recommendations to overcome these barriers and accelerate a low-carbon energy transition.

RevDate: 2026-02-10

Oehler RL, L Rybolt (2026)

Addressing Climate Change Impacts on Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases: Can Artificial Intelligence Help?.

The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene pii:tpmd250642 [Epub ahead of print].

Human-induced climate change caused by fossil fuel-derived greenhouse gas emissions has disrupted global ecosystems, shifted disease-vector populations, and expanded vector-borne diseases into previously unaffected areas. As these changes occur, traditional epidemiological surveillance and control mechanisms face major challenges. Artificial intelligence (AI) is an emerging technology in epidemiology and public health that offers the promise of analyzing and interpreting vast datasets far more comprehensively than traditional methods. In this manuscript, we examine how artificial intelligence can enhance vector-borne disease prediction and surveillance, strengthen vector control and public health response, and support clinical and laboratory diagnostic capabilities in the context of a changing climate. Despite its environmental trade-offs, AI offers transformative potential to help humanity adapt to the coming climate impacts on infectious diseases.

RevDate: 2026-02-10

Schneider R, Bäurle I, Nikoloski Z, et al (2026)

Plant Phenotypic Plasticity: From Molecular Mechanisms to Breeding and Climate Change Adaptation.

Annual review of plant biology [Epub ahead of print].

Phenotypic plasticity (PP) is a fundamental property of plants, enabling a single genotype to produce different phenotypes in response to environmental variation. This ability is crucial for survival and reproduction in heterogeneous habitats, allowing plants to optimize their physiology, development, and growth under changing conditions. Widespread natural genetic variation for plasticity enables selection to shape environmental responses. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying PP in plants, highlighting its importance for crop breeding and for enhancing resilience to climate change. We discuss experimental approaches to quantify plasticity and identify its genetic basis and consider factors that may constrain the evolution of plasticity. We also explore how advances in the analysis of multisite field trials and genomic prediction have propelled the study of PP in agriculture. Ultimately, a deeper understanding and targeted use of PP hold promise for developing crop varieties that can maintain stable yields in increasingly variable environments.

RevDate: 2026-02-10
CmpDate: 2026-02-10

Sack B, Shah P, Abdul Basith KM, et al (2025)

Impact of indoor ventilation on TB transmission risk: implications of climate change.

The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 29(11):507-513.

BACKGROUNDDue to rising temperatures, individuals are predicted to spend more time in under-ventilated indoor spaces, increasing TB transmission risk. We studied the impact of indoor ventilation on TB transmission risk in homes of persons with TB and in health care facilities in Puducherry, India.METHODSWe measured ventilation in air changes per hour (ACH) under different ventilation conditions using a carbon dioxide decay method. We estimated transmission risk using the Wells-Riley equation.RESULTSForty-five measurements were taken in 13 homes and 7 health care spaces. In the closed condition (doors and windows closed, fans off), ACH was low (mean 2.23, standard deviation [SD] 2.27) and TB transmission risk was high at 62% (SD 31%). When air conditioning (AC) was on, ACH reduced to 0.75 (SD 0.51), and TB transmission was highest at 76% (SD 13%). Natural ventilation significantly improved ACH (mean 9.46, SD 3.90; P < 0.001) and TB transmission risk to mean 20% (SD 14%; P < 0.001) compared with the closed condition.CONCLUSIONTB transmission risk in homes and health care spaces is high, especially with AC on. Adapting to rising temperatures using novel methods of ventilation, cooling, and air purification is critical to TB infection control in the era of climate change..

RevDate: 2026-02-10

Grümme L, Wallner M, Gerstner D, et al (2026)

Heat-related vulnerability in Bavaria: implications for emergency medical services during climate change.

International journal of biometeorology, 70(2):58.

RevDate: 2026-02-10
CmpDate: 2026-02-10

Kirkby KA, Kelley JM, Ellis B, et al (2026)

Assessing the impact of climate change on verticillium wilt and the implications for cotton production in Australia.

International journal of biometeorology, 70(2):57.

Climate change poses significant challenges for agricultural production, potentially altering crop distribution, productivity, and the prevalence of plant diseases. This study focuses on the fungus Verticillium dahliae which causes disease in over 400 plant species, significantly impacting cotton in most major cotton producing countries. We investigate how climate suitability for V. dahliae could change in the future, using New South Wales (NSW), Australia, as a case study. Our research examines the interplay between factors affecting the prevalence of V. dahliae infection, including fungal strain, temperature and rainfall. Using a 1992multi-criteria analysis approach, we evaluated climate suitability for V. dahliae under both historical and projected mid-21st century future climate conditions. This method combines peer-reviewed evidence with expert knowledge to assess potential impacts. Our findings suggest that climate change is likely to alter the number of months that are suitable for V. dahliae growth and potentially shift the distribution of fungal strains across NSW. Our modelling shows that the more aggressive defoliating strain is likely to become more prevalent in northern NSW, and the less aggressive non-defoliating strain is likely to become less prevalent, particularly in northern NSW. Our study provides valuable insights for agricultural planning and adaptation strategies in the face of climate change.

RevDate: 2026-02-09

Blagojević BD, Brunel-Muguet S, Šućur R, et al (2026)

The role of spermidine in plants and humans: a pathway from climate change adaptation to health benefits.

NPJ science of food pii:10.1038/s41538-025-00695-2 [Epub ahead of print].

Growing demands for healthier diets are driving agricultural and food scientists to develop climate-resilient crops and food systems that ensure nutritionally effective food. Beyond providing basic energy requirements, nutrients may actively influence human physiology and health. One such molecule, spermidine, a polyamine abundant in wheat and soybean, has attracted particular interest. From the aspect of human health, spermidine is mainly studied for healthy ageing properties and has been associated with cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and anti-cancerogenic effects. On the other hand, being present in all plants, spermidine is essential for growth, development, and stress adaptation. Endogenously or when exogenously applied, spermidine can help plants adapt to harsh climate change conditions. Bringing together current knowledge on the significance of spermidine in both plants and humans, this review aims to trace its journey From Farm to Pharm, highlighting its importance for sustainable crop production, improved nutrition, and emerging pharmacological applications.

RevDate: 2026-02-09

Epps J, Massey PD, Ranmuthugala G, et al (2026)

A One Health approach to leptospirosis: Current serosurveillance practices and climate change leave Australia at increasing risk.

Australian and New Zealand journal of public health pii:S1326-0200(25)00079-2 [Epub ahead of print].

RevDate: 2026-02-09

Li C, Kotz M, Pradhan P, et al (2026)

Climate change drives a decline in global grazing systems.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 123(7):e2534015123.

Grazing systems represent the most extensive production systems in the world and are highly sensitive to climate change. However, their global-scale sensitivity and vulnerability to climate impacts remain poorly understood. Here, we apply the safe climatic space framework to assess how changes in core climatic drivers of grazing suitability, including temperature, precipitation, humidity, and wind speed, will reshape global grassland-based grazing systems. Our analysis projects a net decline of 36 to 50% of areas in climate suitability for grazing by 2100, accompanied by inter- and intracontinental shift of grazing suitability. These changes are expected to negatively affect 110 to 140 million pastoralists and 1.4 to 1.6 billion livestock, with particularly severe impacts in Africa. We further show that 51 to 81% of these impacted populations reside in countries with low income, serious hunger, severe gender inequality, and high political fragility. Our study implies that future climate change will threaten grazing suitability across large portions of Earth, endangering the livelihoods of numerous communities and potentially triggering widespread socioeconomic consequences.

RevDate: 2026-02-09
CmpDate: 2026-02-09

Martin G, Tiwari I, McKinnon RA, et al (2025)

Correction: Canadian adolescents' perceptions of how climate change is impacting their mental health: A qualitative analysis of open-ended survey responses.

PLOS mental health, 2(12):e0000520 pii:PMEN-D-25-00575.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmen.0000424.].

RevDate: 2026-02-09
CmpDate: 2026-02-09

Tiwari I, McKinnon RA, Jafry A, et al (2025)

Canadian adolescents' perceptions of how climate change is impacting their mental health: A qualitative analysis of open-ended survey responses.

PLOS mental health, 2(9):e0000424 pii:PMEN-D-25-00221.

There is increasing recognition that climate change affects mental health, with young people identified as a high-risk population. Yet, research on this topic has mostly focused on quantitative studies with limited research exploring youth's perspectives. This study explored Canadian adolescents' perceptions of the impacts of climate change on their mental health. Data were collected from a cross-sectional survey of 804 Canadian adolescents (13-18 years). This study utilized open-ended response data from participants who reported that their mental health was impacted by climate change and who were then asked to describe how. An inductive thematic analysis with semantic coding was undertaken to analyze the data. Thirty-seven percent of participants reported that they felt climate change was impacting their mental health either a little or a lot, and 235 participants answered the open-ended question about how. In the open-ended responses, four themes emerged: i) Emotional and psychological responses, ii) Concerns for the future, iii) Impacts on functioning, and iv) Concerns for the environment, humanity, and wildlife. This study highlights that adolescents' perspectives of the impacts of climate change on their mental health were diverse, highlighting multiple pathways linking climate change to mental health among this demographic. These insights can inform strategies to mitigate the climate-related mental health impacts among youth.

RevDate: 2026-02-09
CmpDate: 2026-02-09

Hagan S, Darkwah E, Boafo YA, et al (2025)

Climate change impacts and mental health in poor urban coastal communities in Ghana.

PLOS mental health, 2(4):e0000284 pii:PMEN-D-24-00402.

Coastal communities in African countries with lower carbon emissions face greater climate challenges but lack the capacity to address these challenges. The implication is that these communities suffer more from the impacts that climate change brings. Despite sustained research efforts into climate impacts on such communities, the mental health aspects of these impacts are often overlooked. In this study, we explored the lived experiences of climate-related mental health challenges and community coping mechanisms within three poor urban coastal communities in Ghana, West Africa. Fifty-seven community members participated in the study. Data were collected through five focus group discussions and fifteen one-on-one in-depth interviews. Thematic Network Analysis was used to analyse the data. Results showed that rising sea levels have caused loss of livelihoods and properties, which in turn have exacerbated mental health challenges within the communities. Community members' coping mechanisms include the use of techno-managerial interventions, relocation, spirituality, and social support. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on climate change and its multifaceted consequences, highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental and mental health challenges in coastal landscapes.

RevDate: 2026-02-09
CmpDate: 2026-02-09

Santangelo A, Corsello A, Villano G, et al (2025)

Climate change, gut microbiome, and epilepsy-New paradigms beyond the gut-brain axis.

Frontiers in neurology, 16:1726561.

RevDate: 2026-02-09
CmpDate: 2026-02-09

Walker C, S Pfister (2026)

Dataset of nutrient content and regionalized climate change impacts of food items per consumer country and life cycle stage based on supply location.

Data in brief, 64:112309.

This dataset quantifies the climate change impacts of approximately 500 food items depending on country of consumption and month consumed, with impacts changing based on the country of cultivation, transportation required, processing necessary, and energy used for storage and home cooking. Country specific crop cultivation impacts were used, where available, from existing databases. These cultivation impacts were combined with product dependent transportation impacts (depending on transport temperature and speed requirements) to the country of consumption. In the case that the original raw product was processed, the energy impacts for the country of origin were used. Various processing methods were incorporated (i.e. freezing, dehydrating, canning). If, after processing and transport to the country of consumption, a food item required refrigeration or freezing during storage before being purchased by the consumer, consumption country specific electricity impacts were included in the food item's total impact. Once purchased, if the food item would require cooking, the impacts of home cooking were included. This allowed for a novel dataset that provides impacts and nutritional information for each food item depending on where it is cultivated, how it is processed, and where the final consumer is located, while considering seasonal availability of fresh products each month. It allows for the impacts of individual food items to be directly compared, taking into account their full life cycle. Using this dataset, one can compare the impacts of importing out-of-season fruits and vegetables versus the additional impacts incurred due to processing and long-term storage of the same, locally grown product. As an example - in Switzerland fresh, Swiss grown apricots are only available during limited months, with a certain cultivation impact, and if consumed in Switzerland, a limited transportation impact. Fresh apricots can be imported from other countries, with their own country specific cultivation impacts, outside of these months, with additional transport impacts. Similarly, Swiss produced apricots can be deep frozen (using the Swiss electricity mix) and stored for year-long availability. This dataset offers a way to directly compare the impacts across food items and supply chains, including trade-offs between fresh out-of-season imports and locally produced items, as well as processed alternatives. In addition to the final life cycle impact values, this dataset shows the percentage of contribution of each life cycle stage of a food item to identify hotspots. It offers high reuse potential for researchers, policymakers, and supply chain analysts seeking to assess the temporal and spatial sustainability of food consumption, with the potential to include nutrition as a component. To our understanding, no dataset highlighting the contribution of each life cycle stage for food products, as well as how these contributions change depending on season, trade, and production and consumption countries exist.

RevDate: 2026-02-09
CmpDate: 2026-02-09

Ülker ED, Ç Tavşanoğlu (2026)

Oaks and Climate Change: Contrasting Range Responses of Mediterranean and Temperate Quercus Species in the Western Palearctic.

Ecology and evolution, 16(2):e73055.

Over the Quaternary, the geographic distributions of many species have experienced shifts in response to climatic changes. We examined the range-shift patterns of six oak (Quercus) species occupying different climatic zones of the western Palearctic under both past and future climate conditions. Using ecological niche models, we reconstructed distributions during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, ~22,000 years before present), compared them to the Present, and projected future changes under two scenarios for 2081-2100 (SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5). Quantitative metrics of latitudinal centroid movement, range limits, and area change revealed consistent contrasts among climatic groups. During the LGM, temperate (Q. robur and Q. petraea) and transition-zone (Q. cerris and Q. pubescens) species contracted strongly, persisting in southern refugia across Anatolia, the Balkans, and the western Mediterranean, whereas Mediterranean oaks (Q. coccifera and Q. suber) retained more stable ranges. Future projections suggest that temperate and transition-zone species will undergo substantial range loss and poleward shifts, particularly under the pessimistic scenario, whereas Mediterranean oaks will experience limited latitudinal shifts but pronounced expansion in to northern latitudes and temperate regions. These findings indicate Mediterranean oaks are ecologically distinct from temperate and transition-zone species, which show similar climate sensitivities. Our results emphasize the need for climate-zone-specific conservation strategies, including enhancing connectivity and genetic diversity for temperate and transition-zone species, and prioritizing drought-resilient populations and adaptive management for Mediterranean species, to support the long-term resilience of European oak forests under ongoing and future climate change.

RevDate: 2026-02-09
CmpDate: 2026-02-09

Iordache V, SK Kiboi (2025)

Editorial: Vegetation resilience in ecological autocatalysis under climate change.

Frontiers in plant science, 16:1756384.

RevDate: 2026-02-09

Liu B, Wu H, Tang J, et al (2026)

Multidimensional Flood Risk Analysis of High-Speed Rail Systems Under Future Climate Change.

Risk analysis : an official publication of the Society for Risk Analysis, 46(2):e70184.

Flood hazards intensified by global warming pose a severe threat to global infrastructure, including the high-speed rail (HSR) system. However, future climate impacts on HSR remain underexplored. This study presents an integrated framework for comprehensively analyzing HSR flood risks under climate change. First, we developed a three-layer HSR model to evaluate HSR performance across the topological, functional, and service dimensions. Subsequently, we simulated future flood scenarios using the CaMa-Flood model to generate flood events with varying occurrence probabilities. By integrating HSR performance losses under these flood conditions with their occurrence probabilities, we assessed the HSR flood risks and identified key influencing factors through a multifactor correlation analysis. The results predicted a considerable rise in flood risk for Chinese HSR by the late 21st century, especially in the function and service dimensions, with 12%-35% and 12%-33% increase, respectively, compared with historical baselines. We also observed significant heterogeneity in flood risk among provinces; the situation is projected to deteriorate over time. However, areas with higher socioeconomic levels and operational capacity experience lower flood risk. Furthermore, a cost-benefit analysis of varied maintenance strategies revealed that a risk-based maintenance strategy (RMS), considering both track failure probability and criticality, exhibits better efficiency than other strategies, achieving the highest average risk mitigation effect (0.02) per 1000 km of maintenance track. These insights offer a multidimensional and multiscale understanding of the HSR flood risk under climate change and provide practical guidance for climate-resilient infrastructure development and maintenance planning.

RevDate: 2026-02-09
CmpDate: 2026-02-09

Zhang WK, Wang WW, Yang WF, et al (2026)

[Impacts and Driving Mechanisms of Climate Change and Human Activities on Vegetation Carbon Sequestration in Energy-intensive Regions: A Case Study of Shanxi Province].

Huan jing ke xue= Huanjing kexue, 47(2):866-879.

Vegetation carbon sequestration (VCS) is a crucial indicator for assessing the carbon sink capacity of ecosystems. In energy-intensive regions, mining development and urbanization have significantly increased the complexity of vegetation dynamics, making it a research priority to quantify the relative contributions of climate change and human activities to VCS. Using data such as MOD17A3H Net Primary Productivity (NPP), mining site data, and meteorological data, VCS was calculated using the photosynthesis equation. The impacts of climate change and human activities on VCS in energy-intensive regions were quantified using the Thornthwaite Memorial model and trend analysis. Additionally, the Density-based Spatiotemporal Aggregation Clustering (D-STAC) index and Multi-Scale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) model were employed to explore the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of VCS and the influence of various factors at the pixel scale. The results indicate that: ① From 2001 to 2022, VCS in Shanxi Province showed an overall fluctuating growth trend, with an average value (in C) of 350.11 g·(m[2]·a)[-1] and an annual growth rate of 3.92%. The spatial distribution exhibited a gradient pattern of "high in the southeast and low in the northwest." ② VCS improved in 92.81% of the study area, primarily influenced by both climate change and human activities, accounting for 98.97% of the area. The contribution of human activities (98.52%) was significantly higher than that of climatic factors (0.45%). ③ D-STAC analysis revealed a significant increase in negative spatial autocorrelation of VCS in areas with high-density mining sites and urbanized regions, indicating that urbanization and industrial activities had an inhibitory effect on regional VCS. ④ Precipitation and elevation generally had a positive effect on VCS, while temperature had a negative effect. Nighttime light index, population density, and mining site density exhibited bidirectional effects on VCS. The research results provide a quantitative analysis framework for understanding VCS changes in energy-intensive regions and offer scientific support for the formulation of ecological policies.

RevDate: 2026-02-09

Gupta GS, Madheshiya P, Mishra AK, et al (2026)

Climate Change and Nitrogen-Fixing Legumes: Investigating Stress-Modulated Dynamics of Carbon Fixation and Root Nodulation.

Plant, cell & environment [Epub ahead of print].

In the Anthropocene era, climate change is increasingly subjecting the crops to overlapping abiotic stressors such as drought, elevated temperatures, and air pollution, thereby disrupting their physiological integrity and functional performance. This review synthesises current knowledge on responses of N2-fixing plants to such stressors, focusing on core physiological processes and symbiotic nitrogen fixation via nodulation. The intricate interdependence between these traits is explored through the lens of altered source-sink relationships, which are highly sensitive to multifactorial environmental perturbations. A key emphasis is placed on the emerging concept of multi-stress interactions, where the convergence of abiotic stressors leads to nonlinear, often compounding effects on plant metabolism, growth, and resource allocation. The modulatory role of elevated atmospheric CO2 (carbon fertilisation effect) is also examined, particularly in enhancing photosynthetic assimilation, and sustaining nitrogen-fixing potential under stress. By identifying critical knowledge gaps and integrating physiological, biochemical, and ecological insights, this review provides a holistic framework to understand legume function under compounded climate threats. Such understanding is pivotal for breeding climate-resilient legumes that not only withstand abiotic stresses but also sustain yield and soil health. This discourse directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), by highlighting the role of legumes in securing global food systems and ecological resilience in the face of climate uncertainty.

RevDate: 2026-02-08

Wu YL, Liang TY, Hsu WP, et al (2026)

Projected impacts of climate change on the spatial distribution and habitat preference of tropical tuna in the Pacific Ocean.

Marine environmental research, 216:107868 pii:S0141-1136(26)00037-1 [Epub ahead of print].

Climate change is altering ocean conditions such as sea surface temperature, salinity, stratification, and dissolved oxygen, reshaping habitat suitability for yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares, YFT) and bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus, BET). This study integrated Taiwanese longline catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from 1981 to 2014 with environmental covariates using a Vector Autoregressive Spatio-Temporal (VAST) framework to develop Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) models. Fishing effort increased from ∼200,000 hooks in 1991 to nearly 820,000 in 2002, before declining to ∼400,000 by 2021. YFT dominated catches until 2000, after which BET became predominant. Spatial analyses indicated BET hotspots in the tropical central and eastern Pacific, whereas YFT were more abundant in the western Pacific with smaller hotspots in the east. Suitability curves showed BET favored cooler, moderately saline, oxygen-rich waters, while YFT preferred warmer, saltier, and slightly less oxygenated conditions. Coupling HSI models with CMIP6 projections under SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5 revealed contrasting redistribution patterns: BET habitats are projected to contract and shift eastward by the end of the century, while YFT habitats are expected to expand across wider Pacific regions. These findings demonstrate that climate-driven changes in tuna distribution will likely reshape fishery productivity and management requirements. Region-specific quota adjustments, flexible management zones, and strengthened multinational cooperation will be necessary. Incorporating the HSI outputs into quota setting and spatial planning can help sustain Taiwan's distant-water tuna fisheries in a changing climate.

RevDate: 2026-02-08

Zhang S, Han Q, Liu S, et al (2026)

Impact of climate change on protected area effectiveness in the middle and lower Yangtze River Basin: Implications for adaptive management.

Journal of environmental management, 401:128928 pii:S0301-4797(26)00388-9 [Epub ahead of print].

Protected areas (PAs) are essential for biodiversity conservation but face increasing challenges due to climate change. While previous research has primarily focused on the spatial extent and expansion of PAs, limited attention has been paid to how climate change affects species distributions and, consequently, the effectiveness of PAs. Here, we used species distribution models (SDMs) to project range shifts of endangered species under future climate scenarios and developed five indicators across three dimensions-biodiversity, habitat condition, and climate connectivity-to comprehensively assess PA effectiveness in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Basin. Our findings reveal that although PAs maintain some capacity to support biodiversity-especially in terms of habitat coverage and biodiversity representation-their overall effectiveness declines over time. This decline is primarily driven by reductions in species richness and habitat suitability, along with diminished climate connectivity, especially under the high-emission scenario. Overall, approximately 50% to 70% of current conservation gaps are projected to lose their critical conservation value, while an estimated 4000 to 5000 km[2] of gaps will remain important under future climate change. Meanwhile, newly emerged gaps highlight the inadequacies of the current PA network in addressing the challenges of climate change and underscore the urgent need to expand PAs for climate adaptation. Our findings emphasize the importance of adopting adaptive management strategies that integrate climate resilience into PA planning, ensuring their long-term viability in the face of changing environmental conditions.

RevDate: 2026-02-09
CmpDate: 2026-02-09

Politano LE, York LM, Bailey JK, et al (2026)

Climate change drives convergent evolution of root traits on Sky Island climate relicts.

Scientific reports, 16(1):5373.

Roots are essential to the strategies plants use to survive in variable environments, yet we know little of how they vary within species. Experimental conditions demonstrate that intraspecific plant root traits respond strongly to variation in the environment; however, it is unclear when these responses can be characterized as evolution in response to selective pressures of climate change over many generations. Sky Islands are model, natural climate relict ecosystems to examine climate-change driven evolution. Utilizing a common garden with replicate genotypes of Populus angustifolia (Narrowleaf cottonwood) from six Sky Island (SI) populations and nine adjacent Mountain Chain (MC) populations across three genetic provenances, we hypothesized that SI root traits have diverged due to historical isolation in warmer, drier climates. When grown in common conditions, populations originating on SI's showed convergent evolution across three distinct genetic provenances, which was characterized by 44.16% decreased total root length, 42.64% decreased average root volume, 43.31% decreased root surface area, and significantly less root trait variation, relative to adjacent mountain chains. Convergent evolution of root traits from trees originating on SI's is correlated with changes in mean annual precipitation and potential evapotranspiration in the field over the past ~ 125 years. These results demonstrate a consistent pattern in root trait evolution at the landscape scale and the role of climate on the evolution of root traits in a genetic and geographic context relevant to climate change.

RevDate: 2026-02-07

Ma CS, Li DX, Wei JC, et al (2026)

Climate change and pesticide resistance: A synthesis on emerging mechanisms and evolutionary dynamics.

Current opinion in insect science pii:S2214-5745(26)00012-X [Epub ahead of print].

Pesticide resistance is a growing threat to global food security and crop protection. Beyond chemical overuse, climate change is increasingly recognized as a major driver that can reshape selection and resistance evolution. Here, we synthesize experimental evidence and plausible pathways by which warming and extreme climate events influence insecticide resistance. We first evaluate how resistance mechanisms respond to climatic stressors, including target-site insensitivity, enhanced detoxification, reduced penetration, and behavioural avoidance. We then map climate drivers to changes in resistance-allele frequencies by altering fitness gains and costs of resistance through mostly positive effects on voltinism and population abundance, distribution shifts and migration, and consequent increased insecticide use and selection pressure. Finally, we identify high-risk resistance pests and insecticides under climate change, emphasizing pests with high thermal tolerance and rapid reproduction and insecticides whose efficacy declines with temperature. We conclude that climate change can either facilitate or suppress resistance depending on pest thermal ecology and buffering capacity, the dominant resistance mechanism, MoA-specific temperature-toxicity relationships, and critically the distinction between short-term phenotypic resistance and multi-generation evolutionary trajectories.

RevDate: 2026-02-07
CmpDate: 2026-02-07

El-Sayed AAI, Younes BM, Alsenany SA, et al (2026)

Green Culture, Nurses' Climate Change Skepticism, and Eco-Capability in Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study.

International nursing review, 73(1):e70162.

AIM: To examine how green organizational culture and nurses' climate change skepticism influence hospitals' eco-capability, and whether climate skepticism moderates this relationship.

BACKGROUND: Hospitals contribute significantly to environmental degradation, highlighting the importance of eco-capability in achieving sustainable healthcare. Nurses play a central role in implementing environmental practices; however, their engagement may be hindered by skeptical beliefs about climate change.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 564 nurses from five hospitals in Egypt. Validated Arabic versions of the Eco-Capability in Healthcare Scale, the Green Organizational Culture Scale, and the Climate Change Skepticism Questionnaire were used. Multiple regression and moderation analyses were applied to test study hypotheses.

RESULTS: Green culture was positively associated with eco-capability, while climate change skepticism had a strong negative effect. Skepticism also moderated the culture-capability link. Eco-capability was highest among nurses with low skepticism and lowest among those with high skepticism. Participation in climate training and involvement in initiatives independently predicted higher eco-capability.

DISCUSSION: The findings show that eco-capability depends on the alignment between organizational culture and nurses' beliefs. A supportive green culture encourages sustainable practice, but its influence is reduced when nurses hold skeptical views about climate change. Educational exposure and participation in environmental activities appear to strengthen engagement and help counter belief-based barriers.

CONCLUSION: Eco-capability can be enhanced when hospitals strengthen green culture and reduce climate skepticism among nurses.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Integrating sustainability and climate content into nursing education and professional development can reduce skepticism and promote environmentally responsible practice.

Policymakers should integrate eco-capability benchmarks into accreditation standards, link sustainability indicators to nurse performance appraisal, and allocate resources for participatory initiatives that actively engage nurses.

RevDate: 2026-02-07
CmpDate: 2026-02-07

Potterf M, Schattenberg C, Krüger K, et al (2026)

Tree Regeneration After Unprecedented Forest Disturbances in Central Europe Is Robust but Maladapted to Future Climate Change.

Global change biology, 32(2):e70734.

Central Europe has been a hotspot of forest disturbance during 2018-2020, with large pulses of tree mortality from drought and bark beetles. Post-disturbance recovery is crucial for forest resilience and the continued provision of ecosystem services. We surveyed 849 plots in disturbance hotspots across 10 Central European countries to assess the state of early (3-5 years) post-disturbance tree regeneration. Our specific objectives were to quantify post-disturbance tree recovery, identify key drivers, and assess future trajectories using model-based analyses. We found robust tree recovery throughout Central Europe, with median stem densities of 4750 n ha[-1]. Only 7% of plots had no regeneration. Regeneration density increased with precipitation, particularly at warm sites, and decreased with disturbance severity and size. The most frequently regenerating tree species was Picea abies (present on 48% of plots), a species that is poorly adapted to future heat and drought. Overall, we found that 75% of the currently established trees are projected to be outside of their climatic niche by the end of the century under moderate climate change (RCP4.5). We conclude that while Central European forests recover well from recent disturbances, they lack sufficient post-disturbance reorganization to enable sufficient adaptation to future climate.

RevDate: 2026-02-07

Matindike R, W Musakwa (2026)

The gendered health impacts of climate change on smallholder women farmers in Mhondoro Ngezi, Zimbabwe.

BMC public health pii:10.1186/s12889-026-26497-z [Epub ahead of print].

BACKGROUND: Climate change poses significant threats to the livelihoods, health, and overall well-being of smallholder women farmers globally. In Mhondoro Ngezi, where agricultural production is predominantly rain-fed, high temperatures, recurrent droughts, and erratic rainfall patterns have intensified women's vulnerability to climate-induced health risks.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the gendered health impacts of climate change on women farmers and explored how these challenges intersect with broader socio-economic inequalities.

METHODOLOGY: The research employed the Q methodology to identify and analyse women farmers' subjective viewpoints and lived experiences regarding climate-related health challenges.

RESULTS: Findings reveal that prolonged exposure to extreme heat contributes to dehydration, heat stress, and pregnancy-related complications. Declining water availability increases susceptibility to waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea. Food shortages caused by recurrent crop failures have also led to malnutrition, reduced dietary diversity, and weakened immunity among women and their households. These health burdens are compounded by limited access to adequate healthcare services, including shortages of essential medicines, limited diagnostic capacity, and insufficiently trained rural health workers. Women also face difficulties accessing timely medical care during extreme weather events. Structural gender inequalities, such as limited financial resources and restricted decision-making power, further constrain their ability to adapt.

CONCLUSION: The study underscores the urgent need to address the gendered health impacts of climate change, particularly for women farmers in vulnerable, climate-affected communities.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Strengthening rural health systems, investing in gender-responsive climate adaptation strategies, and improving access to climate-health information are essential. The insights generated through Q methodology highlight the importance of incorporating women's voices into climate and health policy planning to enhance their resilience and well-being.

RevDate: 2026-02-06

Kalanxhi E, R Laxminarayan (2026)

Climate change and antimicrobial resistance.

Nature reviews. Microbiology [Epub ahead of print].

Climate change is increasingly linked to a surge of extreme weather events, raising the risk of disease outbreaks and food insecurity. Meanwhile, an increase in emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, many of which do not respond to available antibiotics owing to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), poses another great challenge to public health. Although some studies have shown that climate change and extreme weather events are associated with higher levels of AMR, much work remains to determine whether these are causal linkages or merely parallel reflections of an anthropogenic change. In this Review, we explore evidence on the relationship between climate and AMR, highlighting pathways through which rising temperatures and extreme weather events might intensify this pressing issue. Beyond existing ecological evidence demonstrating correlations between temperature and AMR prevalence in clinically important pathogens, a growing body of work suggests that the predominant impact of climate change on AMR manifests through an increase in infectious disease prevalence and a demand for antimicrobial use. Current evidence on the relationship between climate and AMR is insufficient in addressing issues related to temporality and causality, and underscores the need for further research to understand the nature of these complex relationships.

RevDate: 2026-02-06

Liu H, Waters JM, Huang M, et al (2026)

Genomics of rafting crustaceans reveals adaptation to climate change in tropical oceans.

Nature communications pii:10.1038/s41467-026-69173-x [Epub ahead of print].

Rafting dispersal has been proposed as a way for coastal species to track climate-driven niche shifts. However, little information exists on how rafting species disperse and adapt to shifting environmental conditions, particularly ocean currents and salinity. Here, we integrate dispersal simulations, ecological genomics, and salinity stress experiments to investigate rafting dynamics and adaptive shifts in widely distributed crustaceans across the Indo-Australian Archipelago. We develop a quantified model to examine asymmetric gene flow between populations driven by recent seasonal oceanographic shifts. Our climatic and dispersal models suggest that rafting populations must cope with increasing salinity fluctuation caused by rapidly-shifting oceanic connectivity patterns. Our genomic data provide evidence for recent selective sweeps at osmoregulatory loci, and key duplications at glycoside hydrolase gene families. Our experimental data reveal plastic expression of osmoregulatory genes required for survival during long-distance rafting voyages. These synergies between rafting dispersal and genomic change highlight the potential for rafting species to adapt to rapidly shifting oceanographic conditions.

RevDate: 2026-02-06

Lara-Reséndiz RA, Barceló-Ayala FA, Montoya-Félix C, et al (2026)

Ecophysiological vulnerability and thermal niche shifts of an extremophile lizard under climate change in the Sonoran desert using hybrid mechanistic-correlative SDM.

Journal of thermal biology, 136:104402 pii:S0306-4565(26)00035-5 [Epub ahead of print].

The flat-tailed horned lizard (Phrynosoma mcallii), endemic to the Sonoran Desert, is a highly specialized ectotherm inhabiting sandy dunes with extreme summer temperatures (up to 49 °C) and very low annual precipitation. Listed as Threatened under Mexico's red list and Near Threatened by the IUCN, this species faces increasing risks from climate change. Despite its ecological importance, our understanding of how thermal and hydric constraints shape its current and future distribution remains limited. We assessed the vulnerability of this species using hybrid ecophysiological ensemble models integrating 193 curated occurrence records, voluntary thermal limits (with sensitivity analyses), bioclimatic variables, and three modeling algorithms (GLM, MARS, and RF). Layers of activity hours (ha) and thermal restriction hours (hr) were generated for current and projected conditions (2070, SSP5-8.5). Currently, ha ranges from 3.36 to 7.75h and is projected to increase to 6.14-10.6h by 2070, expanding activity opportunities. However, hr increases from 0 to 1.25h to values approaching 3.2h at the landscape scale, with hr within suitable habitat reaching ∼2.5h and approaching extinction thresholds (>3.85h). Predictive models, driven primarily by ha (importance = 0.357) and precipitation of the warmest quarter (Bio18 = 0.312), project a 17.1% increase in suitable habitat (from 40,304 to 47,192 km[2]), but with 30.6% losses (12,322 km[2]) across the US-Mexico transboundary region (northern Sonora, southern Arizona) and limited gains in coastal microhabitats of California and Baja California. Stable refugia cover 26,872 km[2], with potential colonization areas spanning 20,541 km[2]. When soil texture was incorporated as an edaphic constraint, a substantial fraction of projected suitable and colonization areas was excluded, highlighting the importance of sandy substrate availability. Ecological specialization, low dispersal capacity, and anthropogenic fragmentation amplify vulnerability to local extirpation. Conservation of P. mcallii requires coordinated binational monitoring, preservation of active dune systems, and ecological corridors to connect climatic refugia and mitigate thermal impacts.

RevDate: 2026-02-06

Zhang C, Chang M, Zhang H, et al (2026)

Global warming enhances nanoplastics toxicity: Insights into body shrinkage and energy deficit.

Journal of hazardous materials, 504:141305 pii:S0304-3894(26)00283-9 [Epub ahead of print].

Understanding the effects of global warming on nanoplastics ecotoxicity is crucial for environmental safety, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigates the effects of low concentration polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) on Daphnia magna over three generations, under different mean temperature (MT) and daily temperature fluctuations (DTF), simulating both current and projected climate scenarios, and further explored the underlying mechanisms. Our results demonstrate that nanoplastics impaired growth, reproduction, and behavior, which were all exacerbated under elevated MT and/or DTF. Notably, Daphnia body size was significantly reduced in warming conditions, aligning with the temperature-size rule, which may further promote the microplastics intake due to the increased surface-to-volume ratio. Transcriptomic analysis revealed key mechanisms behind the size reduction, including disruption of chitin-based cuticle development, chitin binding, and cuticle structure components. Furthermore, nanoplastics also predominantly downregulate energetic metabolic pathways, with a more pronounced effect at elevated MT. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) further confirmed the suppressed chitin and cuticle development and energy metabolism contribute to the enhanced nanoplastics toxicity under warming. This study highlights the amplified toxicity of nanoplastics in a warming world and provides proof-of-principle that body shrinkage and energy deficits are the key underlying mechanisms.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Nowrouzi-Kia B, Choi C, Premji R, et al (2026)

The impacts of climate change on occupational health and work among outdoor workers: A scoping review.

PLOS global public health, 6(2):e0005888.

Climate change has a significant impact on human health and productivity at work. Environmental changes, including extreme temperatures and natural disasters, contribute to psychological pressures and physical impairments which affect quality of life and well-being. This scoping review examines the effect of climate change on human health in occupational settings. A systematic search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and PsycINFO identified empirical studies that analyzed the impacts of climate change on human health in relation to work. Eligible studies included employed individuals aged 18-65, peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2024, and evidence linking climate change to occupational health outcomes. Studies underwent title, abstract, and full-text screening. The scoping review, registered with the Open Science Framework, includes 62 studies. Three overarching themes emerged: (1) climate change and mental health; (2) climate change and physical health; and (3) climate change and work. Research has demonstrated the association of psychological distress with extreme weather events, occupational stress, and anxiety among outdoor workers. Physical health risks associated with higher temperatures include chronic dehydration, heat-related illnesses, and other injuries. Climate change also negatively impacts work productivity, leading to increased labour shortages and subsequent economic losses. Climate change has complex effects on the physical and mental health of workers, with significant implications for productivity and safety in the workplace. Despite growing evidence, targeted interventions remain limited. Future studies should examine the long-term health consequences, develop standardized alleviation strategies, and implement policies to protect employees from climate-related occupational hazards.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Pérez-Murillo C, López-Ramón ML, Avilés-Gómez MF, et al (2026)

[The role of Nursing in the care and control of emerging tropical diseases associated with climate change in Europe: a systematic review].

Revista espanola de salud publica, 100: pii:e202602009.

OBJECTIVE: Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events are changing the distribution of mosquitoes, ticks, and other vectors, facilitating the spread of tropical diseases to regions where they were previously absent. With the present study, we aimed to analyze the role of Nursing in the prevention, surveillance, community education, and clinical management of emerging tropical diseases.

METHODS: A systematic review was conducted of articles published between January 2015 and December 2024, following the PRISMA protocol. The databases consulted included PubMed/PMC, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, LILACS, Scielo, and Google Scholar, along with complementary searches in the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and World Health Organization repositories. MeSH and DeCS terms were used, combined with the Boolean operators AND and OR. A specific search strategy was developed for each database. The evidence was synthesized using a qualitative and thematic approach, integrating studies with diverse methodologies and assessing their methodological quality to weigh the strength of the findings.

RESULTS: A total of 18 studies were selected, conducted in European countries (n=15), the Middle East (n=2) and North America (n=1). The studies demonstrated the strategic role of Nursing in surveillance, prevention, community education, and clinical management of tropical diseases. The findings highlighted the need to strengthen education, research, and health policies aimed at climate adaptation. The incorporation of clinical simulation methodologies and continuous training on emerging outbreaks proved to be effective tools to enhance the response capacity to health crisis scenarios.

CONCLUSIONS: Nursing, due to its close contact with the community and its ability to lead preventive interventions, is positioned to play a key role in building health systems resilient to climate change.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Mantilla G, Pineda B, Sorensen C, et al (2025)

Building capacities in the Andean region: Training health professionals on climate change and health.

The journal of climate change and health, 25:100551.

INTRODUCTION: As the impacts of climate change increase, health professionals must understand its impact on disease and public health risks. Building capacity across various regions is essential for enhancing decision-making within the health sector and mitigating climate-related risks. In response, the Organismo Andino de Salud (ORAS-CONHU), the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education (GCCHE) and the Panamerican Health Organization (PAHO) collaborated to launch the first virtual Andean regional course on Climate and Health.

CASE PRESENTATION: This five-week course featured twice-weekly 90-minute live virtual sessions, followed by Q&A. Participants were administered pre- and post-surveys to evaluate the course's effectiveness. Out of 950 registered individuals, 767 attended at least one session, and 418 attended six or more sessions.Results indicate increased capacity among health professionals to address climate resilience, including skills in vulnerability assessment, risk management, adaptation strategies, and effective communication.

DISCUSSION: This program is the first Spanish-language live virtual training targeting regional health officials from the Ministries of Health, National Institutes of Health, and international agencies involved in health promotion, disease surveillance and control, disaster management, health service provision, public health program management, and the evaluation of climate-sensitive diseases. While other institutions offer climate and health courses, these programs are primarily conducted in English and are mostly not tailored to regional challenges.

CONCLUSION: The strong turnout of participants underscores a significant interest in this educational format and highlights the need for broader engagement in climate and health education.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Larios D, Jayakrishnan T, Ioakeim Ioannidou M, et al (2025)

Impacts of climate change on cancer risk, clinical outcomes, and care delivery: A scoping review.

The journal of climate change and health, 25:100573.

BACKGROUND: While some interactions between climate change and health have been well documented, the complex relationship between climate change, its proximate causes, and cancer is less clear. This scoping review was conducted to survey specific elements within existing peer-reviewed and grey literature addressing the impacts of climate change-related exposures on 1) cancer risks, 2) outcomes, and 3) care delivery.

METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, peer-reviewed and selected grey literature on these topics were identified using pre-specified eligibility criteria. Structured searches by independent reviewers and data extraction from multiple electronic databases were performed, from which syntheses were generated and research gaps identified.

RESULTS: Of 542 studies identified by title/abstract for full-text review, 182 studies were eligible for data extraction. Of these, 127 examined fossil fuel-related pollutant levels and excess cancer risks, 29 investigated the impact of climate change on cancer outcomes, and 31 examined the impact of climate change-related events on cancer care delivery. Overall, the effects of climate change-related exposures, or climate change's proximate causes, lead to increases in cancer risk. Climate change effects such as extreme weather events disrupt care and impact survival outcomes. Across these subject areas, climate change-related events' exacerbation of existing healthcare disparities was an emergent theme.

CONCLUSIONS: Climate change has impacts across the cancer care continuum. Research gaps include limited data on the direct effect of climate change on cancer outcomes and care delivery, population health research, and mitigation efficacy. More work is needed in education, adaptation, and climate preparedness for cancer patients and healthcare systems.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Myeni SA, Coetzee C, L Kruger (2026)

Policy coherence for development as a potential framework for creating synergies between disaster risk reduction, climate change and food security: A theoretical review.

Jamba (Potchefstroom, South Africa), 18(1):1837.

UNLABELLED: This article examines the potential of policy coherence for development (PCD) as a framework for addressing the complex nexus between disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate change (CC) and food security (FS) in the context of Eswatini. While the interdependence of these domains has been recognised in theory and practice, policy responses in developing countries remain fragmented, resulting in duplication, inefficiency and weak implementation. Using an extensive literature review, the article conceptualises PCD and evaluates its capacity to provide horizontal and vertical policy integration, strengthen inter-ministerial and multi-stakeholder collaboration and align financial and operational mechanisms across governance systems. Five dimensions of policy coherence - conceptual, strategic, institutional, operational and financial - are employed to interrogate Eswatini's fragmented governance landscape, where more than a dozen policies and frameworks exist but fail to translate into coordinated outcomes in managing the DRR, CC and FS nexus. In Eswatini, where over 70% of the population relies on subsistence agriculture and recurrent drought exacerbates poverty and food insecurity, embedding PCD principles into policy-making structures could bridge the gap between ambitious developmental agendas and local implementation realities.

CONTRIBUTION: The study concludes that institutionalising PCD can enhance resilience by integrating DRR, CC and FS policies, fostering joint accountability among a wide array of societal role players and enabling more efficient resource allocation. By moving from conceptual recognition to practical implementation, PCD provides a pathway towards sustainable development and improved governance of the DRR, CC and FS nexus in Eswatini.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Shimels T, Shewamene Z, Habteyesus D, et al (2025)

The intersections of climate change, gender, migration, and sexual and reproductive health in Sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review.

The journal of climate change and health, 26:100604.

BACKGROUND: Climate change drives socio-environmental shifts in Sub-Saharan Africa, disproportionately impacting marginalized groups. This scoping review aims to document the impacts of climate change, explore its effects on gender, migration, and sexual and reproductive health (SRH), while also mapping adaptation strategies.

METHODS: A systematic approach was employed to review peer-reviewed articles, gray literature, and relevant policy documents sourced from major academic databases and authoritative international organizations. The inclusion criteria focused on studies published between 2000 and 2025 that addressed climate change and its associated impacts in Sub-Saharan Africa and explored intersections with gender, migration, or SRH. Data were extracted using a standardized form and synthesized thematically to identify patterns, disparities, and interconnections in climate-related vulnerabilities across affected populations.

RESULTS: Findings from the 22 included studies revealed that climate change disproportionately affects women, girls, and adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa. These impacts are reflected in the deepening of existing gender inequalities, significant disruptions to SRH service availability and accessibility, and heightened vulnerability during migration and displacement events. Though limited in scale and depth of implementation, studies have also documented gender-responsive adaptation strategies, such as community-led resilience initiatives, local coping mechanisms, and targeted policy interventions, highlighting emerging models of localized adaptation and response.

CONCLUSION: Climate change presents a significant and multifaceted threat to adolescents, youth, and women, particularly in relation to SRH, gender inequality, and migration. Effectively addressing these challenges requires integrated, multidisciplinary approaches and inclusive policies that prioritize vulnerable populations.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Kim H, S Chae (2025)

Climate change health communication and its association with awareness and behaviors in South Korea.

The journal of climate change and health, 26:100583.

INTRODUCTION: In a climate crisis where climate change poses serious risks, there is still a lack of awareness of climate change and its health impacts, and the awareness does not translate into health adaptation behaviors. Communication for health adaptation to climate change is not just about conveying information or changing awareness, but requires a strategy that considers the factors that drive individual behavioral change. This study aimed to confirm whether communication experiences are associated with awareness and behaviors related to climate change and health.

METHODS: The online survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 2,000 adults aged 19-64. Climate change communication was measured in terms of information seeking experience and climate communication experience. Mean differences in climate change health awareness and behavior between subgroups were identified and regression analyses were conducted to determine associations.

RESULTS: The experiences of climate communication were associated with lower perceived likelihood of susceptibility to health risks. However, experiences of information seeking and climate communication had a positive association with pro-environmental and health adaptive behavior.

CONCLUSIONS: Current communication approaches have not been effective enough in combining information and communication experiences about climate change and health to build accurate awareness. Protecting and promoting health in the context of the climate crisis requires a public demand-driven approach and a systematic communication strategy that leads to the right awareness and action.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Houlden S, Dawson A, Charlson F, et al (2025)

Research on climate change and mental health in immigrants is urgently needed: A systematic scoping review.

The journal of climate change and health, 26:100605.

INTRODUCTION: Globally, climate change is an imminent threat to physical and mental health. Climate-related disasters are predicted to increase in frequency, impacting the stability of and access to social systems and public infrastructure, adversely affecting health and well-being. Immigrant populations may be particularly vulnerable to climate change-related mental health impacts. The bidirectional relationship between climate change and migration infers that climate change-related health threats will further influence increasing migration rates. However, there is limited research that explores mental health risk factors and adaptation and mitigation strategies associated with climate change for immigrants.

METHODS: A scoping review was conducted based on a systematic searching strategy. The study aimed to identify and synthesise existing evidence to better understand the impact of climate change on the mental health of immigrant populations, and provide recommendations for future research and practice.

RESULTS: Findings are limited by the quality and depth of existing literature on the topic, as only eight original publications were identified for inclusion in the scoping review, all of which were either qualitative by design or perspective pieces. There is a paucity of evidence on the mental health outcomes of immigrant populations, limiting the recommendations for improving climate-related disaster preparedness and response efforts for immigrants.

CONCLUSION: Future research and the development of data collection systems that capture health indicators of immigrants are needed to assess immigrant vulnerability to climate-related mental health outcomes.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Etzel RA, ER Parker (2025)

Introduction to the special issue: Examining the ethical considerations at the intersection of climate change and health.

The journal of climate change and health, 26:100613.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Innocenti M, Comerci C, Dockerty G, et al (2025)

From eco-anxiety to eco-paralysis: A case study on behavioral responses to climate change in healthcare professionals.

The journal of climate change and health, 26:100585.

INTRODUCTION: This case report explores the psychological effects of climate change on healthcare professionals through the experience of a dermatologist suffering from climate-related distress.

CASE REPORT: The participant developed severe eco-anxiety that evolved into eco-paralysis, impairing her emotional well-being and professional functioning. Her strong commitment to environmental causes contributed to emotional overload, ecological grief, and feelings of helplessness, exacerbated by limited social support and professional isolation.

DISCUSSION: A personalized therapeutic approach was developed, integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and nature-based interventions such as forest bathing. The therapeutic process was focused on grief processing, increasing self-efficacy, and reconnecting with nature, while psychoeducation supported the reframing of environmental concerns and addressed conflicts between personal values and social norms. These strategies reduced eco-paralysis and fostered renewed professional engagement and advocacy.

CONCLUSION: This case highlights how integrated, evidence-based psychological interventions can address eco-anxiety and its behavioral consequences in healthcare professionals. Enhancing self-efficacy and cultivating emotional resilience through nature and meaning-centered practices can transform climate-related distress into adaptive engagement. This model may inform future clinical practice and case studies; its effectiveness could be investigated in future research.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Sönmez ÖF, Başer A, Z Sofuoğlu (2025)

Climate Change Perceptions Scale for Health and Related Professionals and Students (CCPS-HARPS) - development, reliability and validity.

The journal of climate change and health, 26:100589.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to develop and validate a psychometric tool-the Climate Change Perceptions Scale for Health and Related Professionals and Students (CCPS-HARPS)-to assess the perceptions of health professionals and students regarding climate change and its impacts on health, and to evaluate its reliability and validity.

METHODS: A sequential exploratory mixed-method approach was utilized for the development and validation of CCPS-HARPS. The process included an extensive literature review, expert consultations, and iterative feedback. The initial scale, comprising 37 items, was reduced to 30 items after qualitative analysis. Content validity was assessed using the Lawshe technique, and the final version included 29 items. The scale was pilot-tested among health students at İzmir Democracy University. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were performed to evaluate construct validity, and internal consistency was determined using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients.

RESULTS: The sample included 304 valid responses. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure was 0.937, and Bartlett's Test of Sphericity confirmed the data's suitability for factor analysis. EFA revealed a three-factor structure (Awareness and Consciousness, Experiences and Effects, and Health and Climate Change) that explained 50.96 % of the total variance. CFA supported the three-factor model with excellent fit indices (RMSEA = 0.045, SRMR = 0.054, CFI = 0.995). Internal consistency was high, with Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega values exceeding 0.90 for the total scale.

CONCLUSION: The CCPS-HARPS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing climate change perceptions among health professionals and students. It addresses the gap in tools tailored for healthcare-related fields and can inform educational strategies to enhance climate change preparedness. Further studies are recommended to explore its applicability across different cultural and educational settings.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Weber K, Bole A, J Balbus (2025)

Climate change and health: An assessment of state level adaptation plans.

The journal of climate change and health, 26:100593.

INTRODUCTION: While health impacts of climate change are increasingly evident, adaptation planning for climate health impacts in the United States (US) has lagged. In the absence of a national climate and health adaptation plan, varied approaches have been taken by states to address health in their adaptation planning. The authors reviewed state adaptation plans developed since 2008 to assess how health adaptation strategies were included and to document identified adaptation gaps and needs.

METHODS: Plans were identified through Georgetown Climate Center's State Adaptation Progress Tracker and a Google search. The authors developed a scoring rubric for consistency and evaluated plans based on such criteria as: Comprehensiveness, Inclusiveness, Monitoring and Evaluation. Adaptation priorities were noted and mapped to six categories.

RESULTS: 19 plans met inclusion criteria. Most plans (14) identified exposure pathways impacting health. About half of plans identified vulnerable populations, but only three addressed the vulnerability of health systems. Most plans (13 of 19) did not mention a vulnerability assessment or cite a data source discussing vulnerability indicators. Only two plans had clear metrics for success. Only three mentioned an implementation timeline.

CONCLUSION: This review highlights both positive aspects and gaps in state climate and health planning. Many state plans did discuss climate and health, exposure pathways, and vulnerable populations. States lack clear metrics for monitoring and evaluation or implementation. States may benefit from federal leadership through a national-level climate and health adaptation plan or the federal government's development of planning guidance for states, localities, tribes and territories.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Sasse SC, Schneider F, Conway N, et al (2025)

Specialist physicians' and management personnel's views on climate change mitigation and adaptation in German healthcare facilities: A nationwide survey on attitudes, implementation, and barriers.

The journal of climate change and health, 26:100602.

BACKGROUND: Climate change poses major challenges for health systems, making mitigation and adaptation measures in healthcare facilities urgent. However, little is known about how this is viewed at a healthcare facility leadership level in Germany.

METHODS: In September 2022, a nationwide survey was conducted among a representative subset of specialist physicians and healthcare facility management personnel in Germany. As decision-makers in healthcare, this group was surveyed to assess personal attitudes toward climate change and climate-related actions, and healthcare facility-based implementation of mitigation and adaptation measures, as well as possible barriers.

RESULTS: Most of the 514 respondents expressed confidence in their ability to contribute to climate change mitigation and a sense of responsibility to do so. Participants indicated that several structural barriers prevented them from taking necessary climate change mitigation and adaptation action at their facilities. A lack of specifically allocated staff, funding, and poorly defined implementation strategies were the most frequently mentioned constraints. Additionally, the respondents indicated a number of measures which their respective facilities had thus far failed to introduce, such as facility-based heat action plans, education programs, and the integration of sustainability into quality control.

CONCLUSION: Despite high awareness and willingness among healthcare decision-makers, climate change mitigation and adaptation measures are poorly implemented in German healthcare facilities. Limited strategies, expertise, staff, and funding may be key barriers. The results highlight the need for stronger governance, funding, and performance metrics to support climate action in German healthcare.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Niño M, Amick B, Williams M, et al (2025)

Extreme weather events, climate change attitudes, and preparedness on self-rated health and depressive symptoms.

The journal of climate change and health, 26:100582.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the potential health consequences associated with exposure to extreme weather events, climate change attitudes, and extreme weather preparedness. Specifically, drawing from a statewide sample of adults residing in Arkansas, we investigate whether and how climate attitudes, exposure, and preparedness shape depressive symptoms and self-rated health.

METHODS: To examine relationships between climate change attitudes, exposure, and preparedness on self-rated health and depressive symptoms, we utilized a series of multivariable regression models. For self-rated health, we used logistic regression, while for depressive symptoms, we used Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression.

RESULTS: Results from our regression models demonstrate that when accounting for all three climate change-related mechanisms, exposure and preparedness play a significant role in both self-rated health and depressive symptoms. Specifically, when accounting for all three mechanisms, we find respondents who were exposed to more extreme weather events in the last five years and those who perceived themselves to be less prepared to deal with weather disasters and extreme weather events reported more depressive symptoms and worse self-rated health.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that exposure to extreme weather and perceived preparedness, rather than general attitudes toward climate change, may be key contributors to disparities in health.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Parker SY, Parchment KF, Walawender M, et al (2025)

Prioritizing evidence for action from the 2024 small island developing states report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change.

The journal of climate change and health, 24:100482.

INTRODUCTION: Small island developing states (SIDS) are vulnerable to the ill-health effects associated with unabated atmospheric warming driven by larger, more developed countries. Hence, the health-centered focus of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change has immense value for SIDS.

METHODS: Given resource constraints and data limitations across the SIDS region, the inaugural 2024 SIDS report of the Lancet Countdown required a method of singling out the most regionally relevant indicators from 47 Lancet Countdown global indicators. A two-stage semi-qualitative method was designed for this purpose.

RESULTS: The evaluation stage involved identifying two indicator sets from stakeholder consultation (n = 32) and a multi-criteria assessment (n = 11). Using both sets of indicators, only 11 met the criteria of being regionally representative and relevant, further confirming data limitations. To adjust for this challenge, 14 indicators were added to the final list based on relevance. Therefore, 25 Lancet Countdown indicators were selected for the 2024 SIDS report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change. To further prioritize the wide range of evidence from these indicators, a qualitative multiplication matrix was used to define relationships between regional data coverage and differences from global benchmarks. Six indicators marked successes in adaptation, and 14 evidenced negative implications compared to global benchmarks.

CONCLUSION: The impact of heat on physical activity, food security, and economic development was of critical regional importance, as was the need for more research. The study identified critical areas where urgent climate action is needed, emphasizing the need for increased research and data collection in SIDS.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Dambha-Miller H, Nagdi U, Smith L, et al (2025)

Temperature extremes, climate change and multimorbidity: A rapid scoping review.

The journal of climate change and health, 24:100452.

INTRODUCTION: Exposure to extreme temperatures disproportionally impacts vulnerable populations, including those with multimorbidity (i.e., people living with two or more long-term health conditions). A greater frequency of temperature extremes such as heatwaves driven by climate change will likely increase adverse health outcomes in vulnerable populations. Therefore, it is important to understand the potential effects of temperature extremes on the health outcomes of multimorbidity populations to aid the planning of healthcare systems and preventive interventions. In this review, evidence was collated and summarised, describing the health outcomes of extreme temperatures amongst people with multimorbidity.

METHODS: A rapid scoping review with searches on temperature extremes and outcomes in multimorbidity populations was conducted using Medline, CINAHL, Scopus and Wiley Library. These searches were supplemented with manual citation and Google Scholar searches. There were 1,225 titles screened, with data extracted by two independent reviewers. Eight papers were included in the final analysis.

RESULTS: Relatively few studies were identified, indicating limited evidence on this topic. Existing evidence focused on the increased risk of mortality in the multimorbidity population from extreme heat. No studies were identified examining the impact of cold extremes on the health outcomes of those with multimorbidity.

CONCLUSION: There is a need for significant further research, including systematic review and/or empirical investigation, on a range of issues that can further understanding of the effects of temperature extremes on health outcomes of multimorbidity populations.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Davé H (2025)

Building resiliency and mitigating climate change - The case of the Unjani Clinic network.

The journal of climate change and health, 24:100454.

INTRODUCTION: This case study explores the innovative strategies employed by the Unjani Clinic in South Africa to address climate change within the primary healthcare system. By integrating renewable energy and water conservation practices, it highlights the dual role of healthcare providers in climate change mitigation and adaptation, especially in resource-limited settings.

CASE PRESENTATION: Operational data from annual reports and supplier quotes were analysed to evaluate Unjani Clinic's practices. Currently, 19 % of clinics operate with hybrid or off-grid solar energy systems, reducing utility costs by as much as ZAR 164,512 ($ 9139) and 23, 000 kg carbon emissions. Climate-related disruptions, including flooding and a tornado, significantly impacted clinic operations, underlining the importance of emergency preparedness and network support.

DISCUSSION: The Unjani model demonstrates the viability of sustainability efforts to enhance healthcare delivery and environmental resilience. Flexible implementation and leadership support were key enablers. This approach emphasizes the need for aligning investment and policy support to scale such initiatives.

CONCLUSION: The Unjani Clinics (https://www.unjaniclinic.co.za/) provide a replicable model of integrating climate resilience into primary healthcare. This study underscores the critical role of healthcare providers in advancing environmental sustainability and addressing health inequities in vulnerable communities.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Eboreime E, Anjorin O, Obi-Jeff C, et al (2025)

From drought to displacement: Assessing the impacts of climate change on conflict and forced migration in West Africa's Sahel Region.

The journal of climate change and health, 23:100448.

Across Africa's semiarid Sahel region, temperatures have risen faster than the global average, resulting in severe threats to water access, food security, and human health. Key climate factors such as desertification interact with ethnic and economic tensions, exacerbating violence between pastoral and farming groups competing over degraded productive land and water resources. Mounting climate pressures act as threat multipliers for both violent conflict and internal displacement across countries spanning Senegal to Sudan. This perspective examines intersections of climate change, violent clashes, and forced migration using incidents in Nigeria and Burkina Faso-where droughts, floods and agricultural losses continue to worsen. With 8 million internally displaced persons in the region now, urban areas face overburdened infrastructure while attempting to host influxes of traumatized, impoverished migrants facing further risks. This article argues that integrated policy action is urgently needed to mitigate climate change, enhance community resilience, and protect vulnerable groups to ease cascading humanitarian crises and achieve development goals amid spiraling environmental pressures across West Africa.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Emery EH, Wiskel T, Humphrey K, et al (2025)

Climate change, migration, and health: Development of a case-based workshop for immigrant and refugee health professionals.

The journal of climate change and health, 23:100447.

INTRODUCTION: Climate change is contributing to unprecedented levels of migration with complex impacts on the health of displaced populations. Immigrant and refugee health professionals are well positioned to understand the issues at the intersection of climate change, forced migration, and health, and to participate in the development of solutions to this crisis. However, little has been done to equip these professionals to join the dialogue around climate change.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We developed an interdisciplinary, case-based workshop to introduce refugee and immigrant health professionals at an international conference to the ways in which climate change is impacting the health of the communities they serve. We employed a community organizing approach to show participants how their existing skills, knowledge base, and networks can be used to identify and mitigate climate impacts.

RESULTS: The workshop was attended by approximately fifty participants. In a post workshop survey, sixty percent of participants agreed with the statement that the workshop would change their professional work, and there was a significant increase both in those who reported that they understood how climate change impacts immigrant communities and in how to use their relationships and resources to combat climate change.

DISCUSSION: The discussion themes illustrated the breadth of knowledge of participants, especially regarding the social determinants of health, the health inequities that shape climate vulnerability, and myriad problem-solving processes.

CONCLUSION: This workshop offers one model for how a brief educational intervention using case-based learning and the tenets of community organizing can be used to introduce a new community of providers to climate change work.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Mamoropo MS, Adelaide BM, MT Maria (2025)

Adapting to climate change: Strategies adopted by hypertensive patients - A qualitative study.

The journal of climate change and health, 23:100462.

INTRODUCTION: Climate change contributes to health issues such as elevated blood pressure due to the body's response to extreme temperatures. Hypertensive patients require support to adapt to these climate impacts, making it essential to develop mitigation strategies to cope with extreme climate change as well as promoting adaptation to these impacts.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A qualitative phenomenological design was used, involving 15 hypertensive patients selected through homogeneous purposive sampling at selected public hospitals. Data were gathered via semi-structured, one-on-one interviews and analysed using Tesch's method.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The following themes emerged from this study: (i) hypertensive patients' experiences of living with high blood pressure under changing weather conditions, (ii) their strategies to adapt to hypertensive conditions during extreme hot weather and suggestions to improve strategies to adapt to climate change. Findings highlighted a strong need for emotional and practical support to help manage their condition effectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Unpredictable climate changes complicate hypertensive patients' ability to adapt. The study recommends raising awareness, providing education on climate-health links, and building community capacity to support adaptation.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Rai P, Gauchan E, Pradhan R, et al (2025)

Survey of Nepali doctors on the perception of climate change and health effects.

The journal of climate change and health, 23:100449.

INTRODUCTION: Physicians are often the first to witness the health effects of climate change and this allows them a unique platform to advocate for patients' health. Developing countries are disproportionately impacted by climate change but less is known about the health effects related to climate change in these countries. This survey was done to summarize the observations of Nepali physicians on patients' health as affected by climate change, as well as to assess the need for educational opportunities in the medical community.

METHODS: An electronic survey on health effects related to climate change and climate change awareness was sent to Nepali physicians by email and social media.

RESULTS: Almost all Nepali physician respondents (99%, n = 177) reported climate change is happening, and 67% of respondents mentioned time and 53% of respondents noted knowledge as the main barriers for communicating about climate change with patients. Nepali physicians mentioned training (87%), continuing professional education (85%), health action alerts (84%), patient education materials (84%) and policy statements by professional associations (79%) would be helpful for climate change communication.

CONCLUSION: This survey presents a unique case study describing the health effects of climate change witnessed by physicians in Nepal. This survey highlights that Nepali physicians are keenly aware of the harmful effects of climate change on health, duly acknowledge gaps in education in this topic and report interest in future educational activities to enhance education and to improve their ability to communicate effectively regarding the health impacts of climate change with patients.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Mosby V, Moggridge BJ, Creamer S, et al (2025)

Voices of hard-to-reach island communities provide inclusive and culturally appropriate climate change responses: A case study from the Torres Strait Islands, Australia.

The journal of climate change and health, 23:100450.

INTRODUCTION: Many island-based Indigenous communities continue to occupy, manage and live off and from their ancestral lands. For some Indigenous Islander communities, climate change is already causing destruction to fragile ecosystems, affecting traditional food supply, and impacting on the health and livelihoods of communities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The voices gathered through extended yarns of Torres Strait Islander Peoples was featured as a case study to describe the range of physical and psycho-social impacts from climatic changes to their Country, as well as their priority climate responses.

RESULTS & DISCUSSION: In describing climate change impacts and priority responses, Torres Strait Islander community members detailed five aspects of concern to them. These were to adequately monitor climatic changes and respond appropriately by drawing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledges, to consider the human rights inherent in being protected from climate change, and to develop locally led solutions that are implemented soon.

CONCLUSION: The impacts of climate change that are being seen and felt in Australia's Torres Strait Islands hold many similarities with small island nations in the Pacific whose islands are remote, climate-exposed, and their voices unheard on the political stage despite experiencing irreversible damage and gradual disappearance of their ancestral lands.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Siya A, Lukwa AT, Faith C, et al (2025)

Health workers' perspectives regarding climate change and health in Kween District, Mount Elgon, Uganda - A qualitative study.

The journal of climate change and health, 23:100463.

INTRODUCTION: In Uganda, climate change poses significant threats to human livelihoods by exacerbating existing health challenges and introducing new health threats. This study focused on the knowledge and perspectives of health workers regarding the intersection of health and climate change, with particular emphasis on malaria, a disease prevalent in the country and notably affected by climate variations, especially in fragile mountainous regions such as Mount Elgon.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in the Kween District of Mount Elgon, Uganda. We utilized qualitative approaches, recruiting health service providers from various altitudinal zones using snowball sampling techniques. Health facilities were selected through purposive sampling and 69 health service providers participated. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews that explored health workers' knowledge of climate change and its impacts on health, including malaria.

RESULTS: Health workers perceived an increase in disease occurrences attributed to climate change, affecting their work in terms of load and access to facilities during extreme weather conditions such as heavy rains and heatwaves. Malaria cases were perceived to have increased in the higher altitudes that previously experienced limited case numbers. Despite the difficulties in distinguishing between climate change and climate variability, health workers associated these health-related phenomena with long-term weather alterations.

CONCLUSIONS: Health workers perceive that climate change is affecting their work and delivery of health services. By leveraging the knowledge and experience of health workers regarding the relationship between health and climate change, there is an opportunity to enhance the resilience of the health system.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Nayir T, Uskun E, Ilter H, et al (2025)

Developing a climate change health literacy scale: A methodological study in Turkish adults.

The journal of climate change and health, 23:100451.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool assessing attitudes and behaviors of individuals aged 18 and above regarding the health impacts of climate change, supporting existing literature, field studies, and climate change mitigation efforts.

METHODS: In this methodological study, the "Climate Change Health Literacy Scale (CCHLS)" item pool was created, followed by content validity testing and validity and reliability analyses of the 31-item scale based on expert opinions. The scale was administered to 318 adults, revealing a four-factor structure with 24 items and explaining 67.03 % of the total variance through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses.

RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis indicated acceptable goodness-of-fit values (χ²/sd=2.31, RMSEA=0.06, CFI=0.94, SRMR=0.04). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.94 for the entire scale, and sub-dimensions ranged from 0.75 to 0.93, indicating high reliability. Differentiation assessment between groups with the highest and lowest 27 % scores confirmed the discriminative and valid nature of all scale items, with no observed floor or ceiling effects.

CONCLUSIONS: CCHLS, which was developed in Turkish and analyzed in Turkiye to assess adults' attitudes and behaviors towards climate change, is a valid and reliable tool, and its translation into other languages and dissemination will support individuals in society in assessing their knowledge and increasing their awareness about the effects of climate change on health.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Beckord J, Krakowczyk JB, Gebhardt N, et al (2025)

Corrigendum to "Development and validation of a climate change version of the man-made disaster-related distress scale (CC-MMDS)" [J Climate Change Health 20 (2024) 100356].

The journal of climate change and health, 23:100455 pii:S2667-2782(25)00038-0.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100356.].

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Hadfield K, Sulowska M, Rasolomalala N, et al (2025)

"There is no hope; only strong wind": How climate change impacts adolescent mental health in southern Madagascar.

The journal of climate change and health, 23:100438.

INTRODUCTION: Climate change threatens children's and adolescents' health worldwide, but there is limited evidence of its effects on mental health in the low- and middle-income countries which are most affected. We focus on southern Madagascar to elucidate pathways through which climate change impacts mental health.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this preliminary study, we collected survey (n = 83; 49 female) and focus group (n = 48; 28 female) data from 10 to 24-year-olds (M = 15.3).

RESULTS: Adolescents were extremely anxious and depressed, with high climate anxiety. Adolescents indicated that climate changes influenced mental health through loss of household resources, uncertainty about the future, and disruption of coping mechanisms.

DISCUSSION: Climate changes exacerbated the existential threats faced by the adolescents. In Madagascar, our results tentatively suggest that interventions and policies should address food and water security, promote adaptive farming practices, and build resources for coping.

CONCLUSION: Climate changes are having a profound impact on adolescent mental health in southern Madagascar. The mechanistic links through which these impacts occur may be different than in other, more frequently studied contexts. Research examining these pathways in more depth in Madagascar is urgently needed.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Masemola HC, Bakker L, Spies C, et al (2026)

Climate change and eye health: Awareness of health sciences students at a South African University.

Health SA = SA Gesondheid, 31:3115.

BACKGROUND: Climate change is an increasingly global issue with significant adverse impacts on public health. Its effects can lead to an increase in ocular health problems and diseases.

AIM: To determine the knowledge and perception among final-year students registered in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of the Free State Bloemfontein, on the impact of climate change on eye health.

SETTING: The study was conducted at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein campus.

METHODS: A descriptive study was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire. Responses were collected during June 2024 and July 2024, and the results were analysed using descriptive statistics using SAS version 15.2.

RESULTS: A total of 107 final-year health science students participated in the study, with a response rate of 85.60%. The study found a high level of awareness about climate change, with 99.07% (n = 106) acknowledging its occurrence. However, 64.49% (n = 69) of the participants felt they were not well informed about climate change issues, while 35.51% (n = 38) felt adequately informed. In addition, 93.46% of participants believed that protecting their eyes outdoors can reduce the risk of climate change-related eye health issues.

CONCLUSION: The study highlights the varying levels of knowledge among future healthcare professionals, emphasising the need for enhanced educational initiatives to bridge gaps in understanding.

CONTRIBUTION: This study adds to the broader public health conversation by highlighting the connection between specific environmental changes and eye health. It calls for detailed approaches to reduce the negative impacts of climate change on eye health.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Ramadani L, Lumbi SL, Veselaj Z, et al (2025)

Pre-service teachers' insights on climate change and health in Kosovo: Exploring knowledge, attitudes, and practices.

The journal of climate change and health, 22:100434.

INTRODUCTION: As educators play a pivotal role in shaping the perspectives of future agents of change, it is crucial to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding climate change, currently considered one of the biggest health emergencies.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 137 students enrolled in teacher education programs at the Faculty of Education, University of Prishtina, Kosovo. Participants were approached via convenience sampling. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analyses.

RESULTS: Our findings revealed misconceptions regarding the causes of climate change, with 64% incorrectly attributing climate change to natural processes or equal combined natural and human causes. Likewise, over 94% of the respondents were not aware of the scientific consensus on anthropogenic climate change. However, 97% reported that they think climate change currently is affecting the health of individuals at least a moderate amount. Most respondents identified illness from reduced air quality (95.6%) as an exacerbated health outcome due to climate change, while mental health conditions were perceived as the least important in connection to climate change (47.4%). A multiple linear regression model with age, gender, education level, mother's education, father's education, place of residence, attitudes and practices explained 44% of climate-health knowledge.

CONCLUSION: The findings from this research could contribute to the development of targeted interventions and educational strategies aimed at enhancing pre-service teachers' knowledge of climate change and health-related challenges, thereby enabling them to effectively impart this knowledge to their future students.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Aldwekat AFM, Lorestani N, F Shabani (2025)

Impacts of climate change on the global spread and habitat suitability of Coxiella burnetii: Future projections and public health implications.

The journal of climate change and health, 22:100442.

INTRODUCTION: Coxiella burnetii, an intracellular zoonotic bacterium, affectsing various livestock and wildlife species and poses significant risks to human health. This study aims to assess how climate change could impact the global distribution and habitat suitability of Coxiella burnetii, the pathogen responsible for Q fever.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: An ensemble species distribution modelling approach, integrating regression-based and machine-learning algorithms (GLM, GBM, RF, MaxEnt), was used to project habitat suitability (Current time and by 2050, 2070, and 2090). Climate variables were obtained from five global circulation models (GCMs) under two climate change scenarios (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5). The study evaluated the models' performance using the area under the curve (AUC) and true skill statistics (TSS).

RESULTS: Results show that under current climate conditions, C. burnetii is widespread across regions like North and South America, Europe, and parts of Africa, Asia, and Australia. Future projections indicate a northward shift in habitat suitability, especially under the severe SSP5-8.5 scenario, with significant expansions into Russia, northern Europe, and Canada. Conversely, regions in South America, Africa, and Australia may see declines in suitable habitats. By 2090, a 44.56 % (range: 33-57.9 %) across the models, increase in suitable habitat is predicted, accompanied by a 27.66 % (range: 22.4-31.7 %) loss of current habitats.

DISCUSSION: Findings indicate that temperature seasonality and precipitation of the driest month are the most influential climatic variables shaping the distribution of C. burnetii. These results underscore the importance of climate variability in influencing the pathogen's global distribution and highlight the critical role of environmental factors in predicting future habitat shifts.

CONCLUSION: The study highlights the profound impact climate change could have on the global distribution of C. burnetii. It underscores the need for proactive public health strategies in emerging high-risk areas and emphasizes the importance of mitigating risks in regions experiencing habitat declines. These findings offer valuable insights for public health planning and livestock management under future climate scenarios. In interpreting these results, it is important to consider modelling uncertainties, including assumptions and data limitations.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Marty C, Amghar S, Barrera Patlan A, et al (2025)

The psychosocial impacts of slow onset climate change events among youth in LMICs: A rapid evidence review.

The journal of climate change and health, 22:100416.

INTRODUCTION: Recent research has sought to understand the complex experiences of climate change distress, which are highly prevalent among youth and in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, most studies have focused on acute climate disasters and clinically diagnosable psychological responses, leaving a gap in understanding about how gradual climate change events impact broader psychosocial health.

METHODS: This review examined how slow-onset events relate to psychosocial distress among youth in climate-vulnerable LMICs using the PRISMA Rapid Review methodology. Four databases were searched, namely Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and Cochrane.

RESULTS: The initial search yielded 853 results, of which 14 articles met the inclusion criteria for data extraction and analysis, which employed a framework synthesis approach. Studies identified direct impacts of slow onset events (e.g., changing precipitation patterns), as well as indirect impacts on communities (e.g., housing instability) and resources (e.g., loss of livestock). These disruptions are often compounded by pre-existing vulnerabilities such as public debt and inadequate basic services. Faced by these challenges, youth employed many coping strategies such as religion and meaning-focused coping, to help minimize psychosocial distress. Psychosocial responses varied from feelings of worry and numbness to severe outcomes like suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSION: This review reveals the diversified experiences of climate change, which are closely tied to social and community contexts. A robust research agenda on the psychosocial effects of slow-onset environmental changes is vital to better understand and mitigate its long-term mental health impact on youth.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Perez JS, Hudson H, Araneta J, et al (2025)

Colliding crises: The global diabetes pandemic meets climate change-A scoping review.

The journal of climate change and health, 22:100433.

INTRODUCTION: Climate change poses myriad threats to human health, including deleterious impacts on chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus. A scoping review was conducted to clarify the current state of knowledge regarding climate change impacts on the incidence, progression, complications, and management of diabetes.

METHODS: Literature was searched across PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science combining terms related to "climate change" and "diabetes". In addition, the Journal of Climate Change and Health was hand searched. Primary-source, peer-reviewed human studies were included in the analysis. Animal studies, plant-based research, studies focused upon pollution, and review articles were excluded.

RESULTS: Seventy-three articles met the inclusion criteria. Articles predominantly focused upon heat-related health effects, noting linkage to deteriorating glycemic control, increased mortality, and more frequent emergency room visitations. While studies examined mortality linked to heat, cold, and natural disasters, a notable proportion failed to specify precise causes of death. Significant data gaps were identified regarding climate impacts on diabetes-related complications and non-glycemic metabolic outcomes as well as impacts on pediatric, gestational, and type 1 diabetes. Few studies focused upon low and middle-income countries where climate impacts are predicted to be greatest.

CONCLUSION: Various manifestations of climate change are linked to multiple adverse outcomes among those with diabetes. However, current data is sparse regarding climate impacts on vulnerable populations, diabetes-related complications, and geographic regions most vulnerable to climate change that are also experiencing the greatest rise in diabetes rates. Mitigating the impact of climate change on those with diabetes requires closing these data gaps.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Lusambili AM, Muchanga KL, Vusolo LM, et al (2025)

Towards youth-inclusive strategies for research on climate change and health in sub-saharan Africa.

The journal of climate change and health, 22:100418.

Globally, young people are effecting significant changes in the field of climate change through various means, such as advocacy, education and awareness campaigns, litigation, innovative solutions, and volunteering. These youth-led initiatives are essential, considering that they will face the long-term health effects of climate change. The need to address disparities in climate and health-related research, policy, and program responses in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has never been greater, considering the increasingly pronounced effects of climate change on human health. Within the African continent, where research, policies and programs are predominantly shaped by older people, the inclusion of youth is vital to contribute effectively to the discourse on climate change. In this short communication, we reflect on the limited representation of young people as researchers within the African academy studying the links between climate change and health. We provide a rationale emphasizing the urgent need to build a robust community of researchers that encompasses youth. Our argument advocates for gender-responsive investments in training young researchers in climate change and health to deepen their understanding and address the disproportionate impacts on vulnerable populations. We propose strategies to enhance their meaningful involvement in research and knowledge production in these fields.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Dhillon S, B Dhillon (2025)

Commentary on: Wong YL, Wong SW, Ting DSJ, Muralidhar A, Sen S, Schaff O, et al. Impacts of climate change on ocular health: A scoping review. J Clim Chang Heal. 2024 Jan 1;15:100296. doi: 10.1016/j.joclim.2023.100296.

The journal of climate change and health, 22:100441.

RevDate: 2026-02-06

Kilic S, SD Yilmaz (2026)

The relationship between women's climate change anxiety and their attitudes towards protecting reproductive health.

Psychology, health & medicine [Epub ahead of print].

This study aimed to examine the effect of climate change anxiety on women's reproductive health protective attitudes and to identify the factors associated with both constructs. This descriptive and relational study was conducted with 789 women aged 18-49 years who were admitted to a public hospital in the Central Anatolia region between July 2023 and March 2024. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Climate Change Worry Scale (CCWS), and the Married Women's Reproductive Health Protective Attitudes Scale (RHPAS). Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analyses were used to analyze the data. The mean age of the participants was 32.65 ± 7.83 years. The mean RHPAS and CCWS scores were 141.64 ± 21.58 and 29.77 ± 10.49, respectively. Regression analysis showed that educational level, family type, employment status, smoking, use of family planning methods, following climate change related news, and climate change anxiety were significant predictors of reproductive health protective attitudes. In addition, perceived income level, following climate change related news, and reproductive health protective attitudes were identified as significant predictors of climate change anxiety. Furthermore, climate change anxiety and reproductive health protective attitudes were found to be significant predictors of each other. The findings suggest that climate change anxiety significantly predicts women's attitudes towards protecting their reproductive health and that these attitudes significantly predict climate change anxiety. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the effect of climate change anxiety on women's reproductive health protective attitudes, thereby providing novel evidence and contributing to the existing literature.

RevDate: 2026-02-05
CmpDate: 2026-02-05

Xiao Y, Yang J, Wu P, et al (2026)

Spatial distribution changes of cold-water Zoarces fish biodiversity and inter-species ecological competition replacement under climate change scenarios.

Environmental monitoring and assessment, 198(2):207.

Global climate change is expected to significantly reshape marine species distributions, particularly among taxa traditionally classified as cold-water specialists. This study investigates the genus Zoarces, comprising six species, to elucidate the environmental drivers of their current distributions and predict future habitat shifts under multiple Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios. Utilizing species distribution models and ecological niche overlap analyses, we identify key abiotic factors influencing Zoarces distributions, assess center-of-mass migration trajectories, and quantify interspecific niche dynamics in response to warming oceans. Our results reveal that Z. andriashevi exhibits a broad suitable habitat exceeding 5.49 million km[2], with high-suitability zones constituting 21.5% of this area. Under the RCP8.5 scenario, its habitat is projected to expand by approximately 1.7 million km[2] by 2100, reflecting strong environmental tolerance and adaptability to rising temperatures. Z. americanus maintains a wide but spatially concentrated distribution across temperate regions of the eastern USA, western Europe, and the Yellow and Bohai Seas. In contrast, Z. fedorovi and Z. gillii display restricted range characteristics, with Z. gillii-the earliest diverged lineage-primarily inhabiting the relatively warmer Yellow and Bohai Sea regions, where its suitable habitat is contracting under climate warming. Crucially, ecological niche analyses reveal that Zoarces species exhibit complex patterns of niche divergence and convergence under future climate scenarios. Notably, niche separations are predicted between Z. americanus and both Z. viviparus and Z. elongatus, while significant niche integration is projected between Z. americanus and Z. fedorovi, suggesting intensified interspecific competition. Collectively, these findings challenge the prevailing assumption that Zoarces are strictly cold-water origin species. Instead, their distributional and phylogenetic evidence supports a warm-temperate origin with subsequent adaptations to colder environments. This study provides a rigorous theoretical framework for understanding Zoarces' evolutionary ecology under climate change and informs biodiversity conservation and sustainable management strategies within this genus.

RevDate: 2026-02-05

Saeidinia M, Haghiabi AH, Nazeri Tahroudi M, et al (2026)

High-resolution forecasting of soil thermal regimes using different deep learning frameworks under climate change.

Scientific reports pii:10.1038/s41598-026-38496-6 [Epub ahead of print].

RevDate: 2026-02-05

Howard G, Beevers L, Charles K, et al (2026)

The Vulnerability and Resilience of Drinking Water Systems to Extreme Weather Events and Future Climate Change.

Current environmental health reports, 13(1):5.

RevDate: 2026-02-05
CmpDate: 2026-02-05

Ganji F, Sampedro J, Liu L, et al (2026)

Disparities in ambient air pollution exposure among the U.S. population amid climate change.

iScience, 29(2):114603.

Air pollution and climate change remain critical environmental challenges. Using integrated modeling (global change analysis model [GCAM] and TM5-FASST), we assess future U.S. ambient air pollution (PM2.5 and O3) and exposure disparities under climate mitigation scenarios. Nationally, annual mean O3 declines from 58.3 ppbv in 2010 to 47.3-54.1 ppbv by 2050, and PM2.5 decreases from 6.5 μgm to -3 to 4.6-5.7 μgm[-3] depending on scenario. Regional differences persist, with elevated O3 along the West Coast, Northeast, and Great Lakes, and PM2.5 hotspots above 12 μgm[-3] in the eastern U.S. Sensitivity analysis shows socioeconomic pathways drive >90% of early-term pollutant reduction variance, but their contribution declines to about 70% by mid-century. Disparities narrow between white and Black communities but widen between white and Asian groups, reflecting urban exposure patterns. These results highlight the importance of both emission targets and structural socioeconomic choices in shaping future air quality and underscore the need for targeted equity-focused interventions.

RevDate: 2026-02-05
CmpDate: 2026-02-05

Liu Y, Zhao Q, Dai Y, et al (2025)

Predicting the current and future distribution of Helianthus tuberosus L. in China using the MaxEnt model under climate change scenarios.

Frontiers in plant science, 16:1683371.

INTRODUCTION: Predicting the biogeographic shifts of Helianthus tuberosus L. (H. tuberosus) under climate change is critical for its conservation and sustainable cultivation.

METHODS: We utilized occurrence records (n=295) and environmental variables to model current and future distributions across China via a hyperparameter-tuned MaxEnt framework under four Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP126-SSP585, 2050s-2090s).

RESULTS: The model identified land cover (28.7%), vegetation index NDVI (23.7%), and minimum winter temperature (Bio6, 14.7%) as dominant drivers, collectively explaining 92.3% of distribution constraints. Currently, highly suitable habitats (6.03% of China's area) cluster in Yunnan, Guizhou, and central Jiangxi. Future projections indicate a 20.4% expansion of these habitats in northwest China due to winter warming, while southeastern coastal regions contract by 9.1% under extreme precipitation. The geographic centroid shifts 197- 238 km northwestward.

DISCUSSION: This shift highlights northwest China as a key climate refuge for H. tuberosus. These results prioritize conservation efforts and support strategic cultivation in climate-resilient zones.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Nayna Schwerdtle P, Devine C, Berner-Rodoreda A, et al (2025)

Adapting to climate change: strategies and perspectives from humanitarian health workers - A qualitative study.

The journal of climate change and health, 23:100373.

INTRODUCTION: Climate change is contributing to humanitarian health crises. However, research on the intersection of climate change and health in humanitarian settings often prioritises understanding impacts over identifying solutions. This study adopts a solutions-oriented approach, engaging humanitarians working in medical projects to explore both existing and potential adaptation strategies to mitigate the adverse health effects of climate change.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 49 semi-structured qualitative interviews with humanitarian health workers from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) across 30 countries. Conducted in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Arabic, the interviews focused on identifying adaptation solutions to address climate-related health impacts at individual, community, and organizational levels. Data were analysed using a hybrid coding approach, combining deductive and inductive techniques informed by framework analysis.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The research highlights a perception of high vulnerability and low readiness to address climate change in the studied countries, exposing an adaptation gap-the disparity between adaptation needs and current efforts. Initially, participants found it challenging to identify adaptation strategies, often focussing on mitigation (emission reduction) rather than adaptation. From the adaptation activities identified, we developed an 'Adaptation Continuum' framework, which ranges from maladaptation to resilience-building. Additionally, we created a matrix of climate change adaptation (CCA) examples to illustrate how health risks can be addressed in contexts characterised by high vulnerability and low adaptive capacity.

CONCLUSION: Health and humanitarian actors are witnessing the profound impacts of climate change on communities and projects worldwide. Despite ongoing efforts to adapt, there remains a lack of consensus on how to effectively operationalize these initiatives. This research introduces the 'Adaptation Continuum', a conceptual framework designed to guide the planning, implementation, and evaluation of adaptation activities in four key domains: knowledge and awareness, infrastructure and technological solutions, operational adaptation, and policy and advocacy.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Asrar FM, HJ Chapman (2025)

Innovative use of space-based technologies to address climate change and related global health crises.

The journal of climate change and health, 21:100406.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Zarandi SM, Yarahmadi R, Nasiri R, et al (2025)

Impact of climate change on adipose-derived stem cells: A molecular and histological study.

The journal of climate change and health, 22:100367.

BACKGROUND: Climate change, particularly temperature and humidity fluctuations, can affect biological systems. This study specifically investigates the impact of these two key aspects of climate change on adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) as a pilot study and starting point for further examinations into the biological effects of climate change-associated conditions.

METHODS: One-month-old male rats were kept for 4 months (equal to a 10-year climatic period) in 4 groups and exposed to conditions based on climatic data from Tehran's synoptic stations. Rats in the control group were exposed to conditions based on climatic data from 1991, and groups 2-4 were exposed to conditions based on climatic data from 1991 to 2000, 2001-2010, and 2011-2020, respectively. Monthly temperature, humidity, and day/night cycle averages were selected for animal exposure. After exposure, fat-derived stem cells were taken from each subject and assays assessing reactive oxygen species (ROS), cell viability and proliferation, and apoptosis were performed.

RESULTS: From 1991 to 2020, Tehran experienced an average temperature increase of 1.5 °C and a 15 % decrease in average humidity, conditions which when replicated in rodent models were associated with increased rates of ROS and caspase-3 expression, a reduction in Ki-67 antigen expression and in the duration of the life of cells, and an increase in the rate of apoptosis, such that apoptosis in ADSCs reached 25.51 %.

CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that environmental conditions similar to those from climate change are associated with significant changes in ADSCs and emphasizes the need for further research to understand their impact on health.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Lau SS, Appiah K, Ho CC, et al (2025)

Measuring Chinese negative emotion towards climate change: Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of Climate Change Anxiety Scale.

The journal of climate change and health, 21:100364.

INTRODUCTION: In response to growing concerns over negative emotions towards climate change worldwide, it is essential that a validated and reliable scale is available for the generalizability of the constructs being measured, and it is not just applicable to Western context, but also the East.

METHOD: The present study aims to conduct a psychometric investigation of the 13-item Climate Change Anxiety Scale (CCAS) of Clayton and Karazsia in Traditional Chinese using a large sample (N = 1,567) of Chinese individuals in Hong Kong, China. The CCAS was translated, back-translated, cross-culturally adapted and pilot-tested. We performed descriptive, scale reliability, exploratory factor and confirmatory factor analyses.

RESULTS: Unlike the two-factor structure of the original scale, our results revealed a three-factor structure of the 13-item CCAS version that captured three dimensions of climate change anxiety: intrusive symptoms, reflections on climate anxiety, and functional impairment. The scale showed good goodness-of-fit indices, internal consistency and reliability. The Chinese CCAS version demonstrated high levels of reliability estimates and significant, albeit weak, correlations with the relevant constructs of well-being, anxiety and depression, environmental orientation, self-efficacy and belief denial.

CONCLUSION: Overall, the Chinese CCAS version has good reliability and validity, and it can be used as a valid assessment tool for climate change anxiety screening with Chinese individuals, thus providing a foundation for better understanding various climate change-related emotions through an anxiety lens in the Chinese context.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Newman M, Kokame KA, Leochico CFD, et al (2025)

Climate change and health through the lens of physical medicine and rehabilitation: A scoping review.

The journal of climate change and health, 22:100362.

INTRODUCTION: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians (physiatrists) care for patients with a variety of neurologic, musculoskeletal, chronic pain, and sports-related conditions. These conditions can cause physical disabilities, cognitive, sensory, or other functional impairments, which make these patients susceptible to the impacts of climate change. The purpose of this scoping review is to describe the existing literature at the intersection of climate change and PM&R practice, and to identify publication trends.

METHODS: The search used electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to identify studies related to PM&R and climate change search terms published or in press between January 2008 to July 2023. Articles were reviewed for relevance to PM&R and climate change and were categorized into three groups: (1) Health effects of climate change, (2) PM&R interventions that address health impacts of climate change, and (3) Other relevant points of interest.

RESULTS: A total of 38 articles met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-one articles discussed the health effects of climate change on patients encountered in PM&R practice, with most describing the negative health impacts of air pollution and increased heat. There were 13 articles regarding PM&R interventions that address health impacts of climate change, largely related to disaster preparedness or management, but also including methods for addressing heat illness, telemedicine, and a waste audit. There were four articles about other points of interest, including PM&R providers' perceptions of climate change. Of all the included articles, there was one randomized controlled trial and the rest were observational in design. The number of studies published in the past 15 years has generally trended upwards, with the majority coming from North America.

DISCUSSION: Climate change threatens to negatively affect the health and wellbeing of patients requiring PM&R service, and most physiatrists are concerned about this. While the number of studies has increased over the past 15 years, substantial research gaps remain in the nexus between PM&R and climate change, and several regions around the world are poorly represented in the literature. Further studies are needed to help patients with disabilities adapt to and mitigate the climate crisis.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Shepherd S, Raynal P, M Guedj (2024)

Psychometric properties of the French version of the climate change worry scale.

The journal of climate change and health, 20:100361.

INTRODUCTION: As concern over climate change keeps growing, there is a need for reliable tools to assess the psychological impact of this global issue across different languages. This study presents the first French adaptation of the Climate Change Worry Scale (CCWS) and evaluates its psychometric properties. The CCWS, originally developed in English, is a 10-item self-report measure assessing personal worry about climate change.

METHODS: A total of 442 participants (82.1% female, mean age = 32.45, SD = 12.50) completed the CCWS along with the Climate Change Anxiety Scale (CCAS), the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS).

RESULTS: The CCWS showed robust internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega values of 0.91. Convergent validity was supported by a strong correlation between the CCWS and CCAS (r = 0.79). Divergent validity was shown by weaker correlations with general worry assessed with PSWQ (r = 0.31) and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress measured with DASS (r = 0.24-0.30). An exploratory factor analysis supported a one-factor solution for the CCWS, explaining 51% of the variance. Factor loadings of the ten items ranged from 0.61 to 0.82. A subsequent confirmatory factor analysis confirmed an adequate fit for a reduced six-item version of the scale.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the French version of the CCWS is a reliable and valid tool for measuring climate change worry. Its strong psychometric properties make it suitable for use in French-speaking populations, enabling future cross-cultural research on climate-related psychological impacts.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Cloos P, Belloiseau M, McPherson N, et al (2025)

Erratum to discussing linkages between climate change, human mobility and health in the Caribbean: The case of Dominica. A qualitative study.

The journal of climate change and health, 21:100358 pii:S2667-2782(24)00061-0.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.joclim.2023.100237.].

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Beckord J, Krakowczyk JB, Gebhardt N, et al (2024)

Development and validation of a climate change version of the man-made disaster-related distress scale (CC-MMDS).

The journal of climate change and health, 20:100356.

INTRODUCTION: Climate change, considered as a pressing man-made disaster, poses a fundamental threat to global health, with significant psychological consequences. However, measurement instruments assessing these consequences of climate change remain limited. This study aimed to address this gap by developing and validating an adapted version of the Man-Made Disaster-Related Distress Scale (MMDS), specifically designed for the assessment of indirect climate change-related psychological consequences.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The items of the MMDS were adapted to climate change. The resulting "Climate Change - Man-Made Disaster-Related Distress Scale" (CC-MMDS), comprising 16 items, was validated in an online-based survey in Germany. Initially, 1070 participants were engaged in the survey.

RESULTS: The data of n = 715 participants was used for analysis. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a two-factor structure, encompassing "psychological distress" and "change of existing belief systems", with acceptable to good model fit. The CC-MMDS demonstrated excellent reliability and good validity, with measurement invariance across gender, age, and educational level.

DISCUSSION: This study validated the CC-MMDS, confirming a two-factor structure. The scale demonstrated strong measurement properties, making it a promising standardized instrument for assessing climate change-related distress.

CONCLUSION: With its strong psychometric properties and efficient administration, the CC-MMDS offers valuable insights for research and can aid mental health providers in identifying and supporting individuals impacted by climate change.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Innocenti M, Santarelli G, Comerci C, et al (2024)

Development and validation of the climate change-related reproductive concerns scale (CCRCS).

The journal of climate change and health, 20:100351.

INTRODUCTION: As global concerns about climate change intensify, emerging research reveals a link between climate change anxiety and individuals' decisions regarding parenthood. More people are choosing not to have children due to worries about their carbon footprint or the future implications of climate change on their offspring. This trend emphasizes the critical necessity for a nuanced comprehension of how environmental concerns intertwine with reproductive intentions. To address this imperative, our study develops the Climate Change-related Reproductive Concerns Scale (CCRCS) and evaluates its psychometric properties.

METHODS: CCRCS was developed and validated in a sample of 206 Italian adults aged 19 to 51. Ten items were created to evaluate climate change-related reproductive attitudes: 5 anti-reproductive items and 5 pro-reproductive, with their responses reversed for consistency in interpretation.

RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis revealed a single-factor structure, explaining 63.82 % of the variance, with the scale demonstrating good internal consistency (α = 0.85). The factor structure was replicated, and the scale's validity was examined through correlations with measures of eco-paralysis and climate change anxiety, with significant correlations supporting construct validity. Furthermore, the relationship between climate change-related reproductive concerns and adaptation responses was explored, assessing the impact of framing on CCRCS scores.

CONCLUSION: The CCRCS provides a reliable and valid measure of these concerns, highlighting the psychological impact of climate change anxiety on reproductive decision-making and emphasizing the need for nuanced understanding in this area.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Agache I, Akdis C, Akdis M, et al (2024)

Climate change and allergic diseases: A scoping review.

The journal of climate change and health, 20:100350.

INTRODUCTION: Increased greenhouse gas emissions since the industrial age have led to higher global temperatures and frequency and severity of climate events, such as heat waves, wildfires, floods, and storms. These changes are adversely affecting human health and increasing disease risk, including risk of allergic diseases. Further understanding of the environmental factors and the cellular and molecular mechanisms mediating these increases can assist in developing strategies to adapt to and mitigate climate change.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a scoping review of the literature from 2010 through 2024 using PubMed and Scopus.

RESULTS: Thunderstorms, dust storms, wildfires, and other climate change factors increase allergies both directly and indirectly through increases in particulate matter, pollen, migration of disease vectors and decreases in biodiversity. The epithelial barrier, hygiene, "old friends," and biodiversity hypotheses have been put forward to explain the underlying mechanism mediating these increases.

CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need to reduce the use of fossil fuels to mitigate climate change and protect planetary and human health. While international accords such as the 2015 Paris Agreement have been signed with the aim of lowering greenhouse gases and limiting future global temperature increases, it is clear that increased efforts are needed to meet these goals. Evidence-based solutions for adapting to the increased prevalence of allergic diseases and cost-benefit analysis of current mitigation strategies for lowering allergic diseases are also needed.

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In the early 1990's, Robert Robbins was a faculty member at Johns Hopkins, where he directed the informatics core of GDB — the human gene-mapping database of the international human genome project. To share papers with colleagues around the world, he set up a small paper-sharing section on his personal web page. This small project evolved into The Electronic Scholarly Publishing Project.

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In 1995, Robbins became the VP/IT of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA. Soon after arriving in Seattle, Robbins secured funding, through the ELSI component of the US Human Genome Project, to create the original ESP.ORG web site, with the formal goal of providing free, world-wide access to the literature of classical genetics.

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Although the methods of molecular biology can seem almost magical to the uninitiated, the original techniques of classical genetics are readily appreciated by one and all: cross individuals that differ in some inherited trait, collect all of the progeny, score their attributes, and propose mechanisms to explain the patterns of inheritance observed.

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In reading the early works of classical genetics, one is drawn, almost inexorably, into ever more complex models, until molecular explanations begin to seem both necessary and natural. At that point, the tools for understanding genome research are at hand. Assisting readers reach this point was the original goal of The Electronic Scholarly Publishing Project.

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With the development of methods for adding typeset side notes to PDF files, the ESP project now plans to add annotated versions of some classical papers to its holdings. We also plan to add new reference and pedagogical material. We have already started providing regularly updated, comprehensive bibliographies to the ESP.ORG site.

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