Freshwater pouring into northern oceans is slowly turning high-latitude waters less salty. Shrinking ice sheets and melting glaciers are partly responsible for the freshening effect, a review in the journal Science has confirmed. If salinity levels continue to drop, dramatic changes to the North Atlantic currents could occur. But more work is needed to be [...]

Latin America and the Caribbean face a greater risk of more natural disasters because of environmental degradation and climate change, campaigners warn. A report by a coalition of environment and aid groups said the region’s weather was becoming less predictable and often more extreme. Evidence showed many areas were more vulnerable because depleted ecosystems were [...]

Florida Governor Jeb Bush has issued a state of emergency after fears Hurricane Ernesto could strike the American coast. Tourists in the Florida Keys were also ordered to leave the island chain. Visitors with immediate plans to travel to the Keys were told to postpone trips. Caravans and recreational vehicles on the islands have also [...]

“Climatic changes could lead to more outbreaks of bubonic plague among human populations, a study suggests. Researchers found that the bacterium that caused the deadly disease became more widespread following warmer springs and wetter summers. The disease occurs naturally in many parts of the world, and the team hopes their findings will help officials limit [...]

“Rising temperatures will increase the risk of forest fires, droughts and flooding over the next two centuries, UK climate scientists have warned. Even if harmful emissions were cut now, many parts of the world would face a greater risk of natural disasters, a team from Bristol University said. The projections are based on data from [...]