News archive 2022
Des Walling Honoured
Emeritus Professor Des Walling, Department of Geography, has had a virtual special issue of the International Journal Hydrological Processes published in his honour to mark and to celebrate his outstanding contribution to the understanding of fine sediment in river catchments over the last 50 years.
Research reveals “negative feedback” loop between warming and net exchange of carbon caused by erosion
In the study of human impact on the environment, there are few negative or stabilising feedbacks on climate change.
New research project to discover deep oceans flows
A new project is set to shed light on the ocean’s capacity to absorb carbon and heat from the Earth’s atmosphere, by capturing movements deep beneath the ocean’s surface for the first time.
Exeter expert to advise select committee on benefits of species re-introduction in UK
A University of Exeter expert will provide key evidence to a cross-party committee of MPs in its inquiry into species re-introduction across the UK.
Three ‘super-leverage points’ offer hope for climate breakthrough
Three “super-leverage points” could trigger a cascade of decarbonisation in sectors covering 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new report presented today at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Forests recovering from logging act as a source of carbon
Tropical forests recovering from logging are sources of carbon for years afterwards, contrary to previous assumptions, new research shows.
Overshooting climate targets could significantly increase risk for tipping cascades
Temporarily overshooting climate targets of 1.5-2°C could increase the tipping risk of several Earth system elements by more than 70%, a new risk analysis shows.
Exeter experts react to COP27
Researchers from the University of Exeter have given their views on the COP27 climate change conference.
Exeter researchers recognised in global rankings
Twenty-one researchers from the University of Exeter have been recognised as leading experts in Clarivate’s annual highly cited researchers list.
No sign of decrease in global CO2 emissions
Global carbon emissions in 2022 remain at record levels – with no sign of the decrease that is urgently needed to limit warming to 1.5°C, according to the Global Carbon Project science team.
Biodiversity economics research programme awarded £1m
A research project that will help the UK meet its biodiversity commitments and improve understanding of the effectiveness of biodiversity policies has been awarded a £1 million grant from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
Resilient water management offers hope for tackling climate change
Earlier this year, an IPCC report found that the majority of all adaptation actions (changes humans will need to make in response to climate change) are water-related.
Scientists say Earth is ‘unequivocally’ in midst of climate emergency
Earth’s vital signs have worsened to the point that “humanity is unequivocally facing a climate emergency”, according to an international coalition of researchers.
How fluctuating oxygen levels may have accelerated animal evolution
Oxygen levels in the Earth’s atmosphere are likely to have “fluctuated wildly” one billion years ago, creating conditions that could have accelerated the development of early animal life, according to new research.
'Forgotten' forests and savannas vital to people, biodiversity and climate
With massive international focus on rainforests, the vital importance of tropical dry forests and savannas is being overlooked, researchers say.
Natural England and University of Exeter announce partnership
Natural England and the University of Exeter have announced a new strategic partnership to boost nature recovery.
The University of Exeter’s role in the new Devon Carbon Plan
The final version of the Devon Carbon Plan has been published today by the Devon Climate Emergency partnership.
Major new tipping points initiative launched at conference
Efforts to activate "positive tipping points" to tackle the climate crisis have been boosted by a £1 million (US$1.15m) grant from the Bezos Earth Fund.
Little Ice Age study reveals North Atlantic reached a tipping point
Scientists have used centuries-old clam shells to see how the North Atlantic climate system reached a "tipping point" before the Little Ice Age.
Risk of passing multiple climate tipping points escalates above 1.5°C global warming
Multiple climate tipping points could be triggered if global temperature rises beyond 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, according to a major new analysis.
Exeter debate on 'positive tipping points'
World-renowned experts will discuss the power of "positive tipping points" to tackle the climate crisis at the University of Exeter next week.
Crime-scene technique identifies asteroid sites
Analysing the charred remains of plants can confirm the locations of asteroid strikes in the distant past, new research shows.
Community growing schemes and mapping empty housing identified as key sustainability goals for Cornwall
Supporting community growing schemes and mapping unused properties to house local people have been identified as sustainability goals for the coming year by community leaders across Cornwall, according to a new report.
Amazon's growth limited by lack of phosphorus
Growth of the Amazon rainforest in our increasingly carbon-rich atmosphere could be limited by a lack of phosphorus in the soil, new research shows.
Experts to discuss 'tipping points' alliance
Experts will meet next month to discuss catastrophic climate "tipping points" – and the power of positive tipping points to avert the climate crisis.
Climate change: potential to end humanity ‘dangerously underexplored’
Global heating could become “catastrophic” for humanity if temperature rises are worse than many predict or cause cascades of events we have yet to consider, or indeed both. The world needs to start preparing for the possibility of a “climate endgame”.
Exeter researchers pay tribute to James Lovelock
University of Exeter researchers have paid tribute to scientist James Lovelock, who has died aged 103.
'Sensing system' spots struggling ecosystems
A new "resilience sensing system" can identify ecosystems that are in danger of collapse, research shows.
£3 million for new carbon capture project and pilot plant
A new carbon capture project could pave the way for large-scale removal of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere using the ocean.
Introducing the Real Living Wage to Penzance would improve the local economy, new research suggests
Giving Living Wage Town status to Penzance would help improve the local economy and the reputation of the area, new research shows.
Climate change will increase chances of wildfire globally – but humans can still help reduce the risk
New research highlights how the risk of wildfire is rising globally due to climate change – but also, how human actions and policies can play a critical role in regulating regional impacts.
Investing in nature is key to levelling up rural regions in the UK says new report
Investing in the environment and thinking more creatively about our reserves of “natural capital” should be at the heart of the government’s levelling up agenda, a new report suggests.
People power can tackle climate crisis
An audience at the Glastonbury Festival has heard how people power can tackle the climate crisis.
Science Futures to make Glastonbury debut
Festivalgoers can learn about climate change, space travel, plant power and much more at Glastonbury's new Science Futures area.
Talking Deck to help people with life and health issues
A new "Talking Deck" will help shape conversations at an Exeter wellbeing hub.
No "echo chambers" in Reddit climate debate
Climate change debates on Reddit don't happen in polarised "echo chambers", new research suggests.
New study maps financial ownership of more than $1 trillion of the fossil fuel industry’s projected ‘stranded asset’ losses due to low-carbon transition
Driven by technological, societal and political change, renewable energy technologies are progressively replacing fossil fuels.
People must be 'heart' of climate action
Tackling the climate crisis can only be achieved by "placing people at the heart of climate action", researchers say.
Deep ocean warming as climate changes
Much of the "excess heat" stored in the subtropical North Atlantic is in the deep ocean (below 700m), new research suggests.
Royal Geographical Society awards for two Exeter academics
Two professors at the University of Exeter have received prestigious awards from the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).
Resilience of ecosystems can be measured from space
A natural habitat's ability to withstand and recover from damage can be empirically monitored from space.
Origin of complex cells started without oxygen
The origin of complex cells started without oxygen, new research suggests.
Surfer science supports seawater study
Seawater samples taken from a surfboard have helped scientists understand microscopic life in the waves, new research shows.
Major research effort to save future of European peatlands
A five-year, £3.7m research project involving scientists from the UK and across Europe will assess the risk that climate change poses to peatlands, and improve methods of managing these important ecosystems.
Exeter experts comment on IPCC report
University of Exeter researchers have commented on the new report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Last chance to have a say on the Devon Carbon Plan
Devon residents have one final chance to give their views on the Devon Carbon Plan before its publication this summer.
Amazon rainforest losing resilience
The Amazon rainforest is becoming less resilient – raising the risk of widespread dieback, new research shows.
Exeter and Potsdam agree 'tipping points' partnership
The University of Exeter and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) have signed an agreement to jointly investigate climate change tipping points.
IPCC report highlights need for climate action and adaptation
A new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights the need stop carbon emissions and adapt to "unavoidable risks", according to one of its Lead Authors.
COP26 deal sparks hope for positive tipping points
The Breakthrough Agenda agreed at COP26 could help trigger positive tipping points to tackle the climate crisis, researchers say.
Councils urged to sign 'motion for the ocean'
UK councils are being urged to sign a "motion for the ocean" – pledging to engage with citizens to promote ocean recovery.
Social sciences to play vital role in meeting UK’s net zero goals
The UK’s journey to net zero by 2050 is set to be bolstered by the social sciences, thanks to a major new investment from ESRC.
4°C warming by 2100 'can't be ruled out'
Global warming of 4°C by 2100 still cannot be ruled out, according to experts whose work informed a new UK government report.
More trusting societies have been more successful at reducing coronavirus cases and deaths
Countries where people have more trust in each other have been more successful in bringing down waves of coronavirus cases and deaths, a new study shows.
New study finds logged tropical forests are surprisingly vibrant and need protection
Logging affects many of the world’s tropical forests, and such forests are often considered degraded because they have lost vegetation structure, biomass and carbon stocks.
Underwater tsunamis created by glacier calving cause vigorous ocean mixing
Scientists on a research vessel in Antarctica watched the front of a glacier disintegrate and their measurements “went off the scale”.
Exeter awarded £14 million for antimicrobial resistance research to fight “next global pandemic"
The University of Exeter and collaborators have recently been awarded £14 million for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research – widely acknowledged as the “next global pandemic”