News archive 2022
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.
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.
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.
UK biodiversity renewal project to revive nature and communities receives £10 million investment
Researchers at the University of Exeter have received £10 million to investigate and tackle biodiversity loss in the UK through partnerships and community action.
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.
Bid to protect "blue food" revolution
Scientists have developed a new way to identify and reduce the impact of chemicals and diseases in global aquaculture (fish farming).
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.
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.
Increasing frequency of El Niño events expected by 2040
Global weather fluctuations called El Niño events are likely to become more frequent by 2040, a new study shows.
Amazon rainforest losing resilience
The Amazon rainforest is becoming less resilient – raising the risk of widespread dieback, new research shows.
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.
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).
Cut emissions "starting now" – Global Carbon Project experts
The Global Carbon Project has published its full analysis for 2021, reinforcing the need for rapid emissions cuts.
Origin of complex cells started without oxygen
The origin of complex cells started without oxygen, new research suggests.
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.
Exeter researcher elected Fellow of Royal Society
A leading University of Exeter climate scientist has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
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.
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.
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.
No "echo chambers" in Reddit climate debate
Climate change debates on Reddit don't happen in polarised "echo chambers", new research suggests.
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.
People power can tackle climate crisis
An audience at the Glastonbury Festival has heard how people power can tackle the climate crisis.
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.
£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.
'Sensing system' spots struggling ecosystems
A new "resilience sensing system" can identify ecosystems that are in danger of collapse, research shows.
Exeter researchers pay tribute to James Lovelock
University of Exeter researchers have paid tribute to scientist James Lovelock, who has died aged 103.
Cloud study demystifies impact of aerosols
Aerosol particles in the atmosphere have a bigger impact on cloud cover than previously thought.
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Exeter scientist's book shortlisted for Royal Society prize
A book about climate change science and denial has been shortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book Prize.
University of Exeter announces ‘sustainable systems’ partnership with JO Hambro Capital Management
The University of Exeter has entered into a strategic partnership with JO Hambro Capital Management to collaborate on new research and executive education in the fields of systemic risk and sustainability.
'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.
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.
Volvo Environment Prize 2022 awarded for world-leading microplastics research
Professor Tamara Galloway from the University of Exeter has been awarded the Volvo Environment Prize 2022, for her pioneering work to alert the world to the devastating impacts of plastic pollution in the environment.
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.
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.
University of Exeter at COP27 climate talks
A wide range of University of Exeter research and projects will feature at the COP27 climate talks in Egypt.
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.
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.
Exeter experts react to COP27
Researchers from the University of Exeter have given their views on the COP27 climate change conference.
Reliable planning tool for the emissions path to achieving the Paris temperature goal
Researchers have developed a new method for the successive calculation of the emission reductions which are necessary for achieving temperature targets, such as the 2°C goal.
Academics unite to call for action on reducing pollution from pharmaceuticals
Academics from across the University of Exeter and other universities and industry sector call for action on reducing pharmaceutical pollution.
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 research in Carbon Brief’s top media papers of 2022
University of Exeter research features in Carbon Brief’s list of the most talked-about climate papers of 2022.
Trio of Exeter researchers appointed to new UK Young Academy under prestigious Royal Society
Three University of Exeter researchers are among the first bright minds to be appointed to the new UK Young Academy network under the prestigious Royal Society.
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.