Abstract: Temperature reconstructions across Heinrich stadials 1-3 are presented from an absolute-dated speleothem from Abaco Island in the Bahamas to understand the nature of climate change across these intervals in the subtropical Atlantic. The stalagmite carbonate record, dated by the U-Th geochronometry technique, includes higher delta O-18 and delta C-13 values within Heinrich stadials 1, 2, and 3 followed by rapid declines at the end of the stadials. To aid in the interpretation of these results, the delta O-18 of fluid inclusions associated with the Heinrich stadials were also analyzed. These measurements, which allowed for the relative influence of temperature and delta O-18 of precipitation to be distinguished, demonstrate minimal changes in the delta O-18 of fluid inclusions, suggesting that change's in the delta O-18 values of the speleothem carbonate associated with Heinrich stadials 1-3 are principally driven by an average similar to 4 degrees C temperature decrease, rather than a change in the delta O-18 of the rainfall (hence rainfall amount). These findings support previous work in the North Atlantic and are consistent with the climate response to a weakening of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation.

Abstract: Hydrogen and carbon isotope values (δD & δ13C) were measured on lipid biomarkers from a sediment core collected in Lake Tulane, Florida, USA, to infer shifts in climate and hydrologic variables during the Last Glacial. Isotopic trends from 24 samples correlate with plant community shifts evaluated in a previous pollen study by Grimm et al. (2006). We observe maxima in Δleaf values and minima in δD values concurrent with peaks in Pinus pollen abundances and Heinrich Events 4-2. Increased Δleaf values during North Atlantic cold spells indicate lower water-use-efficiency among angiosperms around Lake Tulane. Combined δD values from terrestrial and aquatic lipids, confirm that aridity decreased during cold, stadial periods (Heinrich Events), and increased during warm, interstadials. Furthermore, lower δD values in aquatic lipids during stadials are attributed to warming, as well as changing moisture sources. The anti-phase relationship between temperatures and aridity derived from our subtropical lacustrine record and those at high latitude in the North Atlantic is likely the result of complex ocean-atmosphere teleconnections that resulted from the collapse of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation during Heinrich Events in the North Atlantic.

Abstract: Despite growing availability of renewable energy or "green pricing" programs for residential use, consumer adoption in the U.S is limited. Existing data indicate that consumer values and political orientation-both of which reflect moral considerations-are associated with interest in renewable energy policies and use. An online experiment (n = 317) tested whether promotional messages framing renewable energy as consistent with participants' primary moral concerns, as delineated by moral foundations theory, would indirectly lead to more positive message evaluation and greater willingness to pay for such programs. Specifically, the interactions of framing effects with participants' political orientation were examined, as were the mediating roles of message-induced hope and personal moral norms. Results indicated political orientation was the most consistent predictor of message-induced hope, personal moral norms, and willingness to pay. Message framing did not interact with political orientation to influence mediating or outcome variables. Main effects of framing on hope were identified. Implications for promotion and adoption of residential renewable energy programs are discussed.

Abstract: The data set includes a current representative management treatment from detailed, quality-tested sentinel field experiments with wheat from four contrasting environments including Australia, The Netherlands, India and Argentina. Measurements include local daily climate data (solar radiation, maximum and minimum temperature, precipitation, surface wind, dew point temperature, relative humidity, and vapor pressure), soil characteristics, frequent growth, nitrogen in crop and soil, crop and soil water and yield components. Simulations include results from 27 wheat models and a sensitivity analysis with 26 models and 30 years (1981-2010) for each location, for elevated atmospheric CO2 and temperature changes, a heat stress sensitivity analysis at anthesis, and a sensitivity analysis with soil and crop management variations and a Global Climate Model end-century scenario.

Abstract: Projections of climate change impacts on crop yields are inherently uncertain1. Uncertainty is often quantified when projecting future greenhouse gas emissions and their influence on climate2. However, multi-model uncertainty analysis of crop responses to climate change is rare because systematic and objective comparisons among process-based crop simulation models1, 3 are difficult4. Here we present the largest standardized model intercomparison for climate change impacts so far. We found that individual crop models are able to simulate measured wheat grain yields accurately under a range of environments, particularly if the input information is sufficient. However, simulated climate change impacts vary across models owing to differences in model structures and parameter values. A greater proportion of the uncertainty in climate change impact projections was due to variations among crop models than to variations among downscaled general circulation models. Uncertainties in simulated impacts increased with CO2 concentrations and associated warming. These impact uncertainties can be reduced by improving temperature and CO2 relationships in models and better quantified through use of multi-model ensembles. Less uncertainty in describing how climate change may affect agricultural productivity will aid adaptation strategy development and policymaking.

Abstract: Predators continue to be harvested unsustainably throughout most of the Earth's ecosystems. Recent research demonstrates that the functional loss of predators could have far-reaching consequences on carbon cycling and, by implication, our ability to ameliorate climate change impacts. Yet the influence of predators on carbon accumulation and preservation in vegetated coastal habitats (that is, salt marshes, seagrass meadows and mangroves) is poorly understood, despite these being some of the Earth's most vulnerable and carbon-rich ecosystems. Here we discuss potential pathways by which trophic downgrading affects carbon capture, accumulation and preservation in vegetated coastal habitats. We identify an urgent need for further research on the influence of predators on carbon cycling in vegetated coastal habitats, and ultimately the role that these systems play in climate change mitigation. There is, however, sufficient evidence to suggest that intact predator populations are critical to maintaining or growing reserves of 'blue carbon' (carbon stored in coastal or marine ecosystems), and policy and management need to be improved to reflect these realities.

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the vulnerability of Florida’s coastal destinations to climate change and the costs of the adaptation measures required to cope with the impacts of climate change in a range of current and future scenarios.