Tag Archives: Extreme weather

Rising temperatures intensify supercell thunderstorms in Europe

By | August 28, 2025
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A new study by the University of Bern and ETH Zurich warns of an increase in supercell thunderstorms in Europe due to rising temperatures. These extreme weather events, characterized by rotating updrafts, strong winds, large hail, and heavy rainfall, cause significant property damage, agricultural losses, and threats to human safety. The Alpine region, in particular, has been identified as a "thunderstorm hotspot," with an increase… Continue reading

Extreme weather events permanently weaken Europe’s regions

By | August 13, 2025
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Credits: Immo Wegmann, unsplash

Extreme weather events such as heat waves, droughts, and floods not only impact the economic strength of European regions in the short term, but often for years afterward. A study by economist Dr. Sehrish Usman from the University of Mannheim and economists from the European Central Bank shows that such events significantly affect regional economic performance. Two years after a heat wave, the regional gross domestic product is on average 1,5% lower… Read more »

Confirmed again: Species-rich forests bind more CO2 than monoculture forests

By | February 26, 2025
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Credits: Chakkree_Chantakad, pixabay

Forests with a diversity of tree species exhibit greater aboveground carbon storage and carbon fluxes compared to monocultures, according to an international study led by the University of Freiburg. For the study, published in Global Change Biology, researchers analyzed data from the world's longest-running experiment on the diversity of tropical tree species. Forests with a diversity of tree species can significantly… Read more »

Mega-droughts are becoming more frequent and intense worldwide

By | January 17, 2025
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Credits: Dirk Karger

A study led by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) shows that prolonged droughts have increased alarmingly over the last 40 years. They are impacting agriculture, energy production, and ecosystems, the research team warns in the journal Science. Northern Chile has been suffering from extreme drought for fourteen years. The southwestern United States recently experienced eight years of extreme dryness, and South Australia three. Read more »