Climate change leads to unexpected greening in drylands

Climate change leads to unexpected greening in drylands

Increased CO2 levels are causing vegetation growth in drylands despite predictions of widespread desertification.

Fred Pearce reports for Yale Environment 360.


In short:

  • Rising CO2 levels are enhancing photosynthesis, helping plants in arid regions use water more efficiently.
  • This "CO2 fertilization effect" is leading to increased vegetation in drylands, including areas in Africa, Australia, and India.
  • However, this greening may deplete scarce water supplies and disrupt local ecosystems.

Key quote:

“Greening is happening in most of the drylands globally, despite increasing aridity.”

— Jason Evans, water-cycle researcher at the Climate Change Research Centre of the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia

Why this matters:

While this greening effect may seem beneficial, it's crucial to understand the broader implications. Enhanced vegetation can temporarily stabilize soils, reducing dust storms and providing habitat for wildlife. However, this could be a double-edged sword. The types of plants thriving may not be the native species but rather opportunistic, invasive plants that could alter the local biodiversity and disrupt existing ecosystems.

Hands on keyboard of black laptop computer with data graphs on the screen.

Environmental groups sue Trump administration over shutdown of climate and pollution data tools

The Biden-era online tools used to identify pollution and climate risks in vulnerable communities were removed without explanation, prompting a federal lawsuit by environmental and advocacy organizations.

Georgina Gustin reports for Inside Climate News.

Keep reading...Show less
Sunrise in the woods

Get our Good News newsletter

Get the best positive, solutions-oriented stories we've seen on the intersection of our health and environment, FREE every Tuesday in your inbox. Subscribe here today. Keep the change tomorrow.

Image of tall buildings reaching towards a blue sky.

Banks revise climate goals as shift toward net-zero stalls globally

The world’s largest climate-focused banking coalition has voted to weaken its emissions targets, loosening rules to accommodate the sluggish pace of economic and policy change since 2021.

Virginia Furness reports for Reuters.

Keep reading...Show less
Image showing a destroyed road heading towards a dark city.

Trump accelerates federal deregulation campaign

President Trump’s administration is launching a rapid, far-reaching rollback of federal regulations across health, labor, environmental, and consumer safety sectors, using legal shortcuts and a new agency led by Elon Musk.

Coral Davenport reports for The New York Times.

Keep reading...Show less
Nasa sign in front of white building.

Push to privatize NASA and NOAA climate research sparks backlash from Maryland lawmakers

The Trump administration’s proposed budget would slash funding for NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) science programs and shift long-term climate research toward private companies, drawing sharp criticism from Maryland’s congressional delegation.

Marianne Lavelle reports for Inside Climate News.

Keep reading...Show less
Woman holding a pink letter with the words Layoff Notice printed in large letters.

Massive federal job cuts threaten key energy and climate programs

A wave of federal agency layoffs expected under President Trump is drawing opposition from energy experts and former officials who warn the cuts will weaken U.S. energy infrastructure and public health protections.

Lisa Friedman reports for The New York Times.

Keep reading...Show less
View of a landing strip from the cockpit of an airplane.

Zeldin tours the U.S. to promote EPA partnerships as deep cuts loom

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin is traveling the country promoting federal collaboration with states and industry, even as he moves to slash the agency’s budget and roll back regulations.

Miranda Willson reports for E&E News.

Keep reading...Show less
Valencia Spain roundabout with park and buildings in the background.
Credit: ebroslu/Pixabay

Europe saw deadly floods, heatwaves, and record losses as climate risks intensified in 2024

Record-breaking heat, catastrophic flooding, and massive economic losses made 2024 one of the most damaging years yet for Europe as the continent warmed at twice the global rate.

Rosie Frost reports for Euronews.

Keep reading...Show less
From our Newsroom
Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

People  sitting in an outdoors table working on a big sign.

Op-ed: Why funding for the environmental justice movement must be anti-racist

We must prioritize minority-serving institutions, BIPOC-led organizations and researchers to lead environmental justice efforts.

joe biden

Biden finalizes long-awaited hydrogen tax credits ahead of Trump presidency

Responses to the new rules have been mixed, and environmental advocates worry that Trump could undermine them.

Op-ed: Toxic prisons teach us that environmental justice needs abolition

Op-ed: Toxic prisons teach us that environmental justice needs abolition

Prisons, jails and detention centers are placed in locations where environmental hazards such as toxic landfills, floods and extreme heat are the norm.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.