Airborne dust not only causes disease, it also menaces transportation on land, sea, and air; disrupts renewable energy systems; transports pathogens and toxic substances; and poses many other hazards.
With heat waves expected to worsen in the 21st century it is essential to take stock of our current understanding, knowledge gaps, and to set research priorities.
As climate change continues, parts of the Earth system such as ice sheets, frozen soils, or the Amazon rainforest could shift some quickly, some slowly after crossing key thresholds or tipping points.