Coastal Upwelling Winds Have Intensified on the Pacific Coast

Summer upwelling winds along the U.S. Pacific Coast have intensified since the 1940s, a recent data analysis shows. This trend has implications for marine life and fisheries, as well as for hypoxia (dead zones) and ocean acidification. In a “study of studies” (also known as a “meta-analysis”), a team of scientists reviewed more than 20…

Positive, Negative Feedbacks Balance for Long-term Stability

The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is notorious for affecting local climate in the short term, producing phenomena as wide-ranging as hurricanes and droughts. Yet it’s unclear whether the oscillation will increase in strength or frequency as the climate changes. To get some clues to its future, two researchers looked at its past. Previous studies…