Climate Change Impacts

Blue crabs and other aliens: the era of invasive species

The spread of this Atlantic species threatens biodiversity, as well as the economy and tourism of Mediterranean countries. But, it is not the only unwanted guest: according to a report published by IPBES, alien invasive species cost humans $423 billion each year.

Our favourite podcasts on climate change (and beyond)

Technical or easygoing, informative or inspiring, settled or still on air: the panorama of podcasts on climate change is wide and diverse. Maybe, even too much: to guide you in finding the most suitable one for you, we asked the CMCC scientists to suggest their favorite podcast series.

A summer of ice and fire

Heatwaves, wildfires and storms are affecting many regions of the world, especially the Mediterranean area, with impacts on people’s health, the environment and economies. Another record-breaking summer, which in the media is finally being unequivocally linked to human-induced climate change.

The hottest month ever

July 2023: we are living through Earth’s warmest three-week period on record. A round-the-world media tour to enter the narrative of the period that will mark the history of the climate change public discourse. At least until the next record is broken.

Wildfire in Corfu, Greece, 2023.

Europe’s climate bill: the price of extreme weather

Europe’s “summer of hell” is impacting people, assets and the environment with exceptional intensity. Extreme weather and climate-related events lead to economic losses in different sectors. An overview of the estimates and projections of Europe’s economic toll from extreme climate events.

Landscape with mountains. Ramallah, Palestine

Land and climate change: a close connection

Land is a critical resource. It is under pressure from human activities and climate change, but it is also part of the solution. According to the IPCC, keeping global warming below 2°C can be possible only by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors, including land and food. The way we use land impacts climate change and, in turn, climate change deeply affects our land.

Rotterdam aerial view

The urban divide: unequal distribution of heat-related risks on city dwellers

Climate change and global warming affect humans, nature and the environment at a global scale. However, their impacts are often not equally and uniformly distributed. People living in Urban Heat Islands are more likely to experience higher levels of heat-related risks for their health, often enhancing existing social inequalities.

Yes. You can feel one degree

The human body can perceive a one-degree difference in air temperature, although most of us not aware of this sensitivity. Experiments conducted in EURAC climatic chambers contributes sheding light on the reasons why climate change awareness is so hard to reach and how psychology can offer new strategies to moderate heat stress. Because “we cannot talk about problems involving humans without understanding how humans work”. An interview with psychologist Laura Battistel.

Water equality: figures and data that explore the global gap

A look into the future of water, justice and inequalities: 1.6 billion people without access to safe drinking water at home; 2.8 billion without safe sanitation services; 1.9 billion without basic handwashing. Water issues are making existing inequalities worse and there is no improvement in sight due to the expected impacts of climate change.

dry tree on dry land

The future of droughts: living on a drier planet

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) defines drought as “a period of abnormally dry weather long enough to cause a serious hydrological imbalance.” The definition is however flexible, as drought is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon, whose impacts are influenced by social, economic, and environmental factors.

Every story is a climate story – Ep. 09

We know a lot about the crisis. We know that it is time to progress from understanding the problems to solving them. However, we also know that there is no perfect solution. It is a matter of shifting understanding and knowledge from science to society, from data to stories, from facts to solutions.