Observations from the Little Bunker
A systematic observation of climate change, extreme weather events, and their cascading effects on society
🌍 Latest Environmental Observations
Is ‘open science’ delivering benefits? Major study finds proof is sparse
It’s hard to measure social and economic impacts of making papers and data free, researchers say
<cite>Science</cite>’s favorite news visuals of 2025
Our Visuals editors highlight particularly inspiring images and media
Iceland has hottest Christmas Eve ever with temperature of 19.8C recorded
Meteorological office reports high temperatures across country and record measured at Seyðisfjörður in eastRecord temperatures of almost 20C were reached in Iceland on Christmas Eve,...
Maine’s Shellfish Harvesters Are Caught up in Climate-Related Closures
Heavier rains are triggering regulatory pauses on harvesting oysters and clams—and putting fishermen out of work.By Ben SealThis story was co-published and supported by the...
Michigan’s Other Water Crisis: PFAS’s Prevalence in Private Wells
Ahead of the curve when it comes to testing city water for PFAS, Michigan has met its match with the state’s over one million private...
Temperature Is Surpassing Precipitation as the Dominant Driver of Flash Drought Acceleration Under Climate Warming
Abstract Flash droughts (FDs), characterized by rapid soil moisture depletion, are typically driven by multiple factors including precipitation deficits, high temperature, increased radiation, strong winds,...
Difference in Slip Patterns Between Two Prehistoric Giant Earthquakes Along the Southern Kuril Trench
Abstract This study reveals different slip patterns of tsunami sources between two prehistoric giant earthquakes along the southern Kuril Trench, based on an integration of...
Independent Short‐ and Longwave Pathways for a Zonally Asymmetric Northern Hemisphere Temperature Response to Tropical Volcanic Eruptions
Abstract Stratospheric sulfate aerosols from tropical volcanic eruptions alter surface air temperatures. Fundamentally, this is due to two different properties of the aerosols: Their ability...
Implications for Oceanographic and Seafloor Geodetic Applications Due To Settling of Self‐Calibrating Bottom Pressure Recorders
Abstract Ocean bottom pressure recordings are a key observation for both ocean circulation and seafloor geodesy. New self‐calibrating instruments may solve a long‐time issue of...
“New era of climate extremes” as global warming fuels devastating impacts in 2025
In 2025, greenhouse gas emissions produced by human activities turned what should have been a cooler year into one of the hottest ever, fuelling more...
Halogenated Organic Compounds: A Massive Halogen Reservoir and an Intriguing Component of the Marine Dissolved Organic Matter Pool
Abstract Biogeochemical reactions produce volatile halocarbons and semi‐ to nonvolatile dissolved organic halogens (DOX) in marine systems. The former has a large influence on atmospheric...
Scientists found a dangerous feedback loop accelerating Arctic warming
The Arctic is changing rapidly, and scientists have uncovered a powerful mix of natural and human-driven processes fueling that change. Cracks in sea ice release...
Firing of neuroscience institute chief adds to NIH’s leadership vacuum
Trump administration declines to renew appointment of Walter Koroshetz, against NIH director’s wishes
Watch tiny plankton ‘surf’ ocean currents
Microscopic creatures hitch a ride on turbulent waters to travel faster
Chemicals in million-year-old fossils reveal animals’ lives in detail
Ancient meals and infections reconstructed from preserved metabolic markers
Climate as the primary moderator: towards context-driven design and implementation of vertical greenery systems for stormwater management
Urbanisation intensifies stormwater management challenges by expanding impervious surfaces, increasing flood risk and degrading water quality. Vertical greenery systems (VGS) are increasingly promoted as nature-based...
Disentangling the drivers of vegetation change in a mobility-constrained pastoral landscape in Laikipia Kenya
Dryland ecosystems around the world support high biodiversity and extensive pastoralism, but the drivers of landscape change are often poorly understood. Reductionistic understandings have tended...
Compound weather systems of cyclones, fronts and thunderstorms in global reanalysis
Many studies have examined the climatology of individual types of impactful weather systems such as cyclones, fronts and thunderstorms, with some recent studies also considering...
The National Science Foundation just had a big reorganization. Here are five things to know
Divisions and rotators disappear as more career staff become supervisors
Greening schools for climate-resilient, inclusive and liveable cities
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 29 December 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02519-3Transforming school environments into nature-based climate shelters not only promotes cooling and greening under extreme heat, but...
Super typhoon triggers severe ozone pollution in Pearl River Delta via stratospheric intrusion
Surface ozone (O₃) pollution poses well-documented threats to global ecosystems and public health. While stratospheric intrusion is regarded as an important source of surface O₃,...
Global warming weakens Maritime Continent barrier effect on MJO propagation
As the Indo-Pacific warm pool expands in a warming climate, the probability of an MJO event successfully propagating through the Maritime Continent (MC) is projected...
Tension on the streets, the mushroom trial circus and a devastating terrorist attack – looking back on Australia’s turbulent 2025
There was no shortage of grim and disturbing moments in a fractious year. But also a prime ministerial wedding, a miraculous survival story – and...
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