PLOS Climate articles in the media

We believe it’s vital to bring the latest research to the broadest possible audience. PLOS’s expert press team regularly prepares nuanced press releases for new publications to maximise the visibility and accessibility of our authors’ work. Here, we highlight some of the PLOS Climate articles that have been in the headlines over recent months.

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Social Science & Anthropology

Trust in climate science and climate scientists: A narrative review
Viktoria Cologna et al., Harvard University, USA
May 2024
Handling editor: Marco Grasso
7200+ views, 11 media outlets

This paper reviews the state of public trust in climate science, reasons for distrust, and the influence of political engagement, and makes recommendations for increasing trust through effective communication.

Ecology & Biogeochemistry

Trends and cycles in rainfall, temperature, NDVI, IOD and SOI in the Mara-Serengeti: Insights for biodiversity conservation
Joseph Ogutu et al., University of Hohenheim, Germany
October 2024
Handling editor: Tao Zhang
3000+ views, 17 media outlets

This study highlights the complexity and severity of climate impacts on wildlife and ecosystems, emphasising the importance of adaptive conservation strategies to enhance resilience.

Health

The impact of environmental shocks due to climate change on intimate partner violence: A structural equation model of data from 156 countries
Jenevieve Mannell et al., University College London, UK
October 2024
5000+ views, 29 media outlets

This investigation reveals an urgent need to address the higher prevalence of intimate partner violence likely to come about through climate shocks due to climate change.

Social Science & Anthropology

Climate change and wealth: understanding and improving the carbon capability of the wealthiest people in the UK
Hettie Moorcroft et al., University of Bath, UK
March 2025
Handling editor: Malcolm Fairbrother
3300+ views, 13 media outlets

This research finds that despite their high consumption-based emissions, wealthy people have significant potential to drive effective and equitable climate action.

Behaviour & Psychology

Breaking the climate silence: Predictors of discussing global warming with family and friends
Margaret Orr et al., George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication, USA
April 2025
Handling editor: Terence Epule Epule
6300+ views, 22 media outlets

This study finds that worry, perceived risk, perceived social norms, perceived scientific consensus, and exposure to media coverage of global warming all significantly predict discussion of global warming with family and friends.

Agriculture & Food Systems

Uneven impacts of climate change around the world and across the annual cycle of winegrapes
E.M. Wolkovich et al., University of British Columbia, Canada
May 2025
Handling editor: Noureddine Benkeblia
2700+ views, 39 media outlets

This research explores the complexities in the impacts of climate change on winegrape varieties in different global regions.

Urban Climate

Cumulative exposure to urban heat can affect the learning capacity of students and penalize the vulnerable and low-income young population: A systematic review
Konstantina Vasilakopoulou and Matthaios Santamouris, RMIT and University of New South Wales, Australia
July 2025
Handling editor: Teodoro Georgiadis
6400+ views, 25 media outlets

This systematic review finds that there is evidence for an important cumulative impact of heat exposure on learning outcomes, reinforcing socioeconomic inequalities.

Health

Projections of heat related mortality under combined climate and socioeconomic adaptation scenarios for England and Wales
Rebecca Cole et al., London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
July 2025
3000+ views, 20 media outlets

This research finds that there is a risk of significant increases in heat-related mortality in England and Wales through the 21st century, unless effective mitigation and adaptation measures are put in place.

Economics

Rising temperatures, melting incomes: Country-specific macroeconomic effects of climate scenarios
Kamiar Mohaddes and Mehdi Raissi, University of Cambridge, UK and International Monetary Fund, USA
September 2025
Handling editor: Lily Hsueh
2300+ views, 28 media outlets

This study highlights the potential for significant and unequal impacts of climate change on the GDP of 174 countries by 2100.

Energy

Comparing the climate and air pollution footprints of Lithium-ion BEVs and ICEs in the US incorporating systemic energy system responses
Pankaj Sadavarte et al., Northern Arizona University, USA
7000+ views, 140 media outlets

This investigation finds that, over their lifetime, battery electric vehicles have a significantly lower environmental footprint than internal combustion engine vehicles.

Metrics correct as of date of posting.