Kyoto, Japan -- As extreme weather events become more frequent and the impacts of climate change become stronger, countries around the world are strengthening their decarbonization efforts. The 2016 Paris Agreement in particular represents a global effort to address climate change by limiting the rise in global average temperature to well below 2˚C.

However, concerns have been rising about the economic costs of these transitions. Previous studies suggest that stringent greenhouse gas emissions mitigation may cause an increase in food and energy prices, exacerbating poverty and inequality. How to address these social impacts in the context of society-wide decarbonization remains unclear.

In response, an international research team led by Shiya Zhao from Kyoto University and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis -- IIASA -- in Austria created a comprehensive study to assess the ramifications of decarbonization. Their goal is to steer policy formulation toward a sustainable and equitable trajectory for climate change mitigation.

The Healthy Trade Institute (HTI) announced the official launch of its nationwide Herp Adoption Program, a first-of-its-kind initiative that provides a health-verified, science-backed solution for surrendered reptiles and amphibians. Developed in a unique partnership with the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, the program offers a safe new beginning for pet reptiles and amphibians in need and also provides invaluable hands-on training for future veterinarians. The HTI Herp Adoption Program addresses a critical need in the pet trade for reputable and humane surrender options.

Climate-smart agricultural practices – like no-till treatments, cover-crop utilization and residue retention – can help promote carbon sequestration in soil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new study that uses a combination of models – rather than just one – to provide a more realistic range of outcomes and to highlight the shortcomings of individual models.

The biennial Ocean Sciences Meeting, co-sponsored by the American Geophysical Union , the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography , and The Oceanography Society , brings together 6,000 scientists, students, policymakers and educators to discuss breaking research across the ocean sciences and critical issues affecting a sustainable future for our oceans.

As part of a £250million investment in defence and security announced by the UK Government, the University of Plymouth will be creating a new Advanced Marine Technology Hub that will enhance the University’s world-leading expertise in autonomous marine systems, maritime cyber security, offshore renewable energy and environmental intelligence, as well as reaffirming its long-standing partnerships with – and commitment to – the city’s defence and security sectors.

While we know obstacles on the beach can slow down hatchlings and put them at risk, little research has focused on the impact of sargassum. A new study of loggerhead, leatherback and green hatchlings finds that all three species took significantly longer to complete their crawl when sargassum was present. The time it took to climb up and over the seaweed piles was the primary reason. Even small piles delayed their crawl, with many flipping over and failing to climb the seaweed in time.