A global analysis of range-shift records for 1,758 butterfly species – 10 per cent of known butterfly species – found that 80 per cent had expanded their range and that 79 per cent of all recorded range shifts were linked to climate change and extreme weather events. The new study, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, also reports range contractions for 27 per cent of species, and 22 per cent of species showed a change in elevation. Because many species exhibited multiple types of range shift, the percentages for expansions, contractions, and elevational changes is above 100%.

Naturally occurring compounds from the melting sea ice create cloud-forming particles that could have a significant impact on the climate.

People are notoriously resistant to changing their behaviour to address climate change, even when they support the goals of the environmental movement. Research shows, however, that positive messages from trusted voices can influence us to adopt more climate-friendly behaviours. Building on this evidence, researchers led by psychologists at the University of Bath have developed a toolkit to help harness the influence of people we trust – from celebrities and healthcare workers to family members and neighbours – increasing the likelihood that behaviour-changing climate messages reach the right audiences through effective channels.