Imagine Earth has a giant set of underground “storage lockers” where we can tuck away carbon dioxide (CO₂) for centuries so it doesn’t heat the planet. Scientists call this geologic carbon storage. 



It sounds simple: capture CO₂ from factories, power plants, or even the air, pipe it deep underground into the tiny spaces inside certain rocks, and lock it there.



For years, underground storage of carbon dioxide looked and felt like a clever climate trick. Capture the gas, lock it in rock layers, and keep burning fossil fuels while claiming progress. 



The idea seemed safe because early estimates suggested nearly limitless space.



That illusion has collapsed. New research shows the planet’s usable underground storage capacity is far smaller than imagined. Instead of centuries of security, this cushion could run out within 200 years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-storage-drops-sharply">Carbon storage drops sharply</h2>



Industry once placed global capacity at around 14,000 gigatons. A closer look, however, strips away risky regions - earthquake zones, fragile <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/construction-materials-could-store-carbon-in-homes-and-buildings-helping-the-climate/">ecosystems</a>, and crowded cities. What remains is only about 1,460 gigatonnes.



This tenfold drop changes everything. What once seemed endless is now a resource with strict boundaries, one that must be managed carefully. Every choice about how it is used carries long-term consequences. 



If reserved for short-term fixes, the world risks burning through it quickly. If protected for carbon removal, it could become a critical lifeline for stabilizing temperatures far into the future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risks-hidden-beneath-the-surface">Risks hidden beneath the surface</h2>



Underground storage carries hazards. Injecting carbon can stir up seismic activity, reactivate faults, or open escape paths. Leaks into aquifers could acidify water and release toxic metals. 



Offshore storage avoids some human risks but adds cost and geopolitical disputes. Public pushback also limits expansion, with some governments blocking projects altogether.



Opposition often stems from fears of leaks, distrust of industry promises, and concerns that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-storage-mystery-emerges-in-the-southern-ocean/">storage</a> will be used to justify continued fossil fuel use. 



These challenges mean underground storage cannot expand smoothly or universally; every project faces technical, political, and social barriers that slow progress and shrink real-world potential.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-storage-s-uncertain-future">Carbon storage’s uncertain future</h2>



Climate plans already assume storage will be vital to reach net zero. But if it mainly serves fossil fuel plants, reserves could vanish by 2200 - and every decade of delay accelerates that timeline. 



Deep emission cuts now ease future pressure, while procrastination forces heavier reliance on shrinking storage space. 



One promising strategy is to prioritize underground capacity for carbon removal rather than fossil fuel capture.



Direct air capture and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/abandoned-farmland-can-be-used-for-climate-change-mitigation/">bioenergy</a> with carbon storage could actively draw carbon out of the atmosphere, offering a cooling effect. 



If the full capacity were dedicated to this role, global temperatures could fall by as much as 0.7 °C (1.3 °F), though in practice the impact may be closer to 0.4 °C (0.7 °F) because the climate system doesn’t respond perfectly symmetrically to removal and emission.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reserves-unevenly-spread-worldwide">Reserves unevenly spread worldwide</h2>



Storage is not shared fairly across the globe. The United States, Russia, and Australia hold large, stable reserves. Europe and India lose far more under stricter risk rules.



Meanwhile, some nations in Africa and South America have vast potential but little historic responsibility for emissions. That imbalance raises thorny questions of justice - who gets to use the storage, and on what terms. 



Should wealthy nations pay for access to reserves in countries that contributed less to the crisis? Or should those with the largest reserves prioritize their own development needs first? 



These questions highlight deep inequalities that will shape future climate negotiations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-storage-can-only-buy-time">Storage can only buy time</h2>



Some experts argue the true potential is larger, pointing to decades of safe use in oil and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-largest-natural-hydrogen-deposit-discovery-is-worth-a-staggering-184-billion/">gas reservoirs</a>. 



They note that many depleted fields have held fluids securely for millions of years and could continue to hold injected carbon just as reliably.



Supporters of this view see existing infrastructure and technical expertise as proof that storage can operate at much greater scale than the conservative estimates suggest.



Even so, most researchers caution against treating underground storage as a limitless solution. It was never designed to be the final answer to climate change. 



At best, it should function as a bridge - a temporary measure that buys time while renewables expand, low-carbon industries mature, and societies shift away from fossil fuels.



In that sense, storage is less a cure and more a stabilizer, easing the transition without promising permanence. Its real value lies in supporting broader change, not replacing it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-future-depends-on-choices">Carbon future depends on choices</h2>



The message is clear: underground storage is limited, risky, and unevenly distributed. It can help, but only if used strategically. 



That means prioritizing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/states-taking-action-on-their-own-can-cut-half-of-u-s-emissions/">emission cuts</a>, expanding clean energy, and reserving storage for removing carbon already in the air.



Treating it as infinite would squander one of the few tools that could still reverse warming, leaving future generations with fewer options, higher risks, and a far narrower path to a stable climate.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09423-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Earth has 10x less space for underground carbon storage than we thought - any other ideas?

Imagine Earth has a giant set of underground “storage lockers” where we can tuck away carbon dioxide (CO₂) for centuries so it doesn’t heat the planet. Scientists call this geologic carbon storage. It sounds simple: capture CO₂ from factories, power plants, or even the air, pipe it deep underground into the tiny spaces inside certain rocks, and lock it there. For years, underground storage of carbon dioxide looked and felt like a clever climate trick. Capture the gas, lock it in rock layers, and keep burning fossil...

Soaring temperatures often lead to soaring tempers, as people's emotions are tested when they are exposed to excess heat. A surprising new study from Washington State University suggests that emotional responses to heat vary greatly, with age being a key factor.



The research team has discovered that discomfort triggered by a sizzling summer day doesn't affect everyone equally. The threshold of discomfort, it turns out, is a highly subjective matter, varying from individual to individual.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-age-and-heat-an-unexpected-connection">Age and heat: An unexpected connection</h2>



The researchers found that the actual temperature at which the majority of people felt uncomfortable during a hot summer depended on the individual. When discomfort set in, the majority of people had negative changes in mood. 



Interestingly, there was an exception with older adults. They were found to hit their discomfort level faster in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2023-climate-change-report-record-high-temperatures-greenhouse-gases-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">high temperatures</a> compared to their youthful counterparts, yet their moods remained comparably unscathed.



Study lead author Kim Meidenbauer is a psychological researcher at <a href="https://wsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington State University</a>.



"Older adults in general have worse thermoregulation, so this makes them more vulnerable to heat - so that was not surprising - but what was really interesting is that on average, older adults showed low levels of negative emotional states, even though they experienced more discomfort in the heat," noted Meidenbauer.



While the study did not pinpoint the reasons for the age difference in emotional response to heat, Meidenbauer said that other research on personality traits across the lifespan found that emotional stability tends to increase with age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emotional-effects-of-heat">Emotional effects of heat</h2>



The goal of the research was to shed light on the known association between high outside temperatures and spikes in violent crime and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mental-health-crisis-half-of-the-worlds-population-will-be-affected-by-age-75/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health</a> hospital admissions. Although this link is widely recognized, the reason behind it remains unsolved.



The experts collaborated with researchers from the University of Chicago, University of Michigan, University of Illinois, Argonne National Laboratory, and the Santa Fe Institute.



The team explored into the relationship surrounding outdoor temperature, physical discomfort, and negative effects such as feelings of irritability, anxiety, or gloominess.



To investigate, the researchers enlisted approximately 400 people in the Chicago area during the summer of 2022.



The participants self-reported their comfort and emotional status on an app while they were outside, allowing the researchers to correlate their responses with the geolocation determined temperature.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-perception-of-heat-and-discomfort">Perception of heat and discomfort</h2>



The study concluded that there was no direct connection between actual temperature and the emotional state of individuals. What mattered more was the perceived temperature - a subjective interpretation of how hot it was.



“People really varied in the extent to which they found consistently <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-heat-poses-extreme-risks-for-outdoor-workers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme temperatures</a> as hot or uncomfortable. Some people were experiencing 100-degree days, and they were still feeling good," said Meidenbauer.



However, when discomfort did creep in, it often brought along negative emotional states, particularly in younger adults. 



“This research is suggesting that for some people there is a really strong relationship between heat and negative affect working through discomfort," noted Meidenbauer.



"Because there is also an association between being in a particularly angry or irritable emotional state and then acting out aggressively - this is a plausible mechanism at play.”



In the future, Meidenbauer aims to examine the emotional response to heat in a more controlled laboratory setting. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-and-emotional-well-being">Heat and emotional well-being</h2>



This study opens the door to more detailed investigations into how different age groups respond to heat, with important implications for public health and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-yards-promote-climate-resilience-in-urban-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate resilience</a> strategies. 



As climate change accelerates and extreme heat events become more frequent, understanding the psychological and physiological impacts of heat on various populations could help mitigate risks and improve overall well-being. 



Older adults, while emotionally resilient, remain physically vulnerable due to decreased thermoregulation, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.



Meidenbauer and her team plan to further explore these connections, aiming to develop tailored interventions that address both the emotional and physical health challenges posed by rising temperatures.



Their future work may include laboratory-controlled experiments and larger-scale studies to identify strategies that could help people of all ages better cope with heat stress, particularly as the world faces increasingly unpredictable climate patterns.



The research, published in the journal <a href="https://bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40359-024-02005-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMC Psychology</a>, was funded by the National Science Foundation and NASA.



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Older adults are less emotionally affected by heat

Soaring temperatures often lead to soaring tempers, as people's emotions...

New research shows that if electric vehicles (EVs) took over America’s highways, the air quality would improve dramatically, bringing major health benefits for the population. 



While it’s no surprise that switching to EVs could boost public health, putting a clear number on those benefits has always been tricky. 



But now, a recent study from the <a href="https://www.utoronto.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Toronto</a>’s Department of Civil &amp; Mineral Engineering has provided some eye-opening figures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-benefits-of-electric-vehicles">Health benefits of electric vehicles</h2>



Drawing on the power of computer simulations, the researchers showed that ambitious electrification of the U.S. vehicle fleet, complemented by a substantial implementation of renewable electricity generation, could yield health benefits valued between US$84 billion and 188 billion by 2050.



And even in scenarios forecasting less aggressive grid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/decarbonizing-worlds-industrial-emissions-possible-with-current-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">decarbonization</a>, health benefits still scale into tens of billions.



"When researchers examine the impacts of EVs, they typically focus on climate change in the form of mitigating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/direct-evidence-electric-vehicles-measurably-reduce-carbon-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CO2 emissions</a>," said Professor Marianne Hatzopoulou.



"But CO2 is not the only thing that comes out of the tailpipe of an internal combustion vehicle. They produce many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/google-street-view-cars-expose-unknown-air-pollution-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air pollutants</a> that have a significant, quantifiable impact on public health."



Professor Hatzopoulou further noted that these impacts are disproportionately borne by low-income, racialized, or marginalized populations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-climate-change">Looking beyond climate change</h2>



In previous research, the team utilized their expertise in life-cycle assessment to frame computer models.



The models were used to simulate the impact of widespread electric vehicle adoption on the U.S. market, revealing that although EV adoption positively impacts climate change, it's insufficient alone to meet <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-experts-predict-global-warming-will-far-exceed-paris-goals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paris Agreement targets</a>.



The latest study aimed to account for non-climate benefits of EV adoption. The team adapted their models to include the production of common air pollutants from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/un-report-current-fossil-fuel-plans-will-shatter-1-5c-climate-goal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil fuel</a> combustion, such as nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, and small particles known as PM2.5.



"Modeling these pollutants is very different from modeling CO2, which lasts for decades and ends up well-mixed throughout the atmosphere," noted Professor Daniel Posen.



He further added that these pollutants and their associated health impacts are more localized. Thus, it is crucial to account not only for the volume of emissions but also their locations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decarbonizing-power-and-transportation">Decarbonizing power and transportation</h2>



The study also considered a range of scenarios extending to the year 2050. One scenario presumed no further EV production, while the second assumed complete electrification of new vehicles by 2035.



Under each scenario, the researchers evaluated various rates of transitioning the electric grid to low-emitting and renewable energy sources, considering if it remains constant, slows down, or accelerates over the next years.



"Our simulation shows that the cumulative public health benefits of large-scale EV adoption between now and 2050 could run into the hundreds of billions of dollars. But another thing we found is that we only get these benefits if the grid continues to get greener," said Professor Posen.



This conclusion raises an important question: which should be prioritized, decarbonizing transportation through EV adoption or decarbonizing power generation - the original source of EV-associated pollution?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-combustion-vehicles-and-tailpipe-emissions">Combustion vehicles and tailpipe emissions </h2>



Professor Hatzopoulou believes it is important to remember that vehicles sold today will continue to be used for decades. 



"If we buy more internal combustion vehicles now, however efficient they may be, we will be locking ourselves into those tailpipe emissions for years to come," said Professor Hatzopoulou.



She argued that while decarbonizing power generation is indeed vital, the process of getting more EVs on the road should not be delayed until it is complete, affirming the need to start on the path to a healthier future today.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-electric-vehicles-and-a-healthier-future">Electric vehicles and a healthier future</h2>



As we face the challenges of both climate change and public health, electric vehicles are emerging as a real solution. 



By cutting down on harmful pollutants and shifting to cleaner energy, the benefits extend far beyond the environment. Our health and well-being stand to improve significantly.



With researchers now able to put concrete numbers behind these gains, it’s becoming clear that electric vehicles aren’t just futuristic - they are a key part of building a healthier, more sustainable future starting today.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2320858121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Electric vehicles could save billions in health care costs by 2050

New research shows that if electric vehicles (EVs) took over...

The migration of the monarch butterfly is one of the natural world’s most impressive spectacles. Each autumn, a new generation of monarchs is born in the northern United States and southern Canada.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-massive-monarch-migration">Massive monarch migration</h2>



Hundreds of millions then embark on a journey spanning between 4,000 km and 4,800 km to reach their overwintering sites in the high-altitude forests of Central Mexico.&nbsp;



These butterflies depend on the dense canopy of the sacred fir tree, Abies religiosa, for survival during the winter months.



However, climate change threatens this delicate balance. As global temperatures rise, the sacred fir forests that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-are-monarch-butterflies-vanishing-in-the-winter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">monarch butterflies</a> rely on are predicted to move upward along the mountain slopes.&nbsp;



By 2090, these forests could reach the peak of their current habitat, leaving no room to migrate further up. As a result, it may become necessary to establish new forests outside their current range, such as on taller mountains to the east.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-assisted-migration-for-monarchs">Assisted migration for monarchs</h2>



A recent study led by Dr. Cuauhtémoc Sáenz-Romero, a professor at the <a href="https://www.umich.mx/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo</a> in Mexico, explored the potential of creating forests to support monarch migration. 



“Here we show the feasibility of planting new sacred fir <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-forests-which-tree-species-can-survive-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a> on a nearby volcano, Nevado de Toluca, at altitudes between 3,400 and 4,000 meters,” said Sáenz-Romero. 



This approach, called “assisted migration,” involves planting seedlings grown from seeds collected from existing sacred fir populations in new locations. These sites are selected based on climate models predicting that they will have a suitable climate by 2060 due to global warming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planting-on-the-slopes-of-nevado-de-toluca">Planting on the slopes of Nevado de Toluca</h2>



In 2017, Sáenz-Romero and his colleagues collected seeds from eight stands of sacred fir in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (MBBR) at elevations between 3,100 and 3,500 meters.&nbsp;



The team grew these seedlings initially in a shade-house at 1,900 meters altitude for two years and then transferred them to a nursery at 3,000 meters for another year.&nbsp;



In July 2021, they transplanted the seedlings to four experimental sites along an elevation gradient on the northeast slope of Nevado de Toluca, a Protected Natural Area.



Nevado de Toluca, the mountain chosen for this experiment, is the closest high-altitude site to the MBBR. Its summit reaches 1,130 meters higher than the highest sacred fir sites in the biosphere reserve.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hundreds-of-seedlings">Hundreds of seedlings</h2>



The researchers planted a total of 960 seedlings at four different altitudes: 3,400, 3,600, 3,800, and 4,000 meters.&nbsp;



The highest planting point, at 4,000 meters, aimed to test the uppermost limit at which sacred firs could survive under current conditions.



To protect the seedlings from extreme conditions such as intense sunlight and cold, the team planted them beneath “nurse plants.”



At lower altitudes (up to 3,800 meters), Senecio cinerarioides shrubs served this role, while at 4,000 meters, the shrubs were supplemented with Lupinus montanus and Pinus hartwegii trees.



Over the next two years, from September 2021 to December 2023, Sáenz-Romero and his team - including graduate students and local foresters from the Matlatzincas Native Indian community - monitored the performance of the transplanted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rainforests-replanted-seedlings-after-logging-do-not-recover-well/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seedlings</a>. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-seedling-survival-and-growth">Measuring seedling survival and growth</h2>



The researchers recorded survival rates, growth in height, and changes in stem diameter every two months. Since the primary goal of the project was conservation rather than timber production, survival rates were considered the most critical measure of success.



The results revealed that the transplanted seedlings’ performance declined as the difference between the original and new environments increased. This “ecological distance” encompassed variations in temperature, precipitation, and dryness between the seed collection sites in the MBBR and the new planting locations.&nbsp;



The seedlings faced the most significant challenges at higher, colder altitudes, with many showing signs of frost damage and little to no growth at 4,000 meters.



Between 3,600 and 3,800 meters, seedlings displayed 54% less vertical growth, 27% less biomass, and 27% lower survival rates compared to those planted at 3,400 meters.&nbsp;



Despite the reduced growth at these higher altitudes, the researchers considered the survival rate “very acceptable,” suggesting that these elevations could be viable for future forest growth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-new-habitats-for-monarchs">Potential new habitats for monarchs</h2>



“These planted stands could ultimately serve as overwintering sites for the Monarch butterfly under warmer climates,” Sáenz-Romero said.&nbsp;



Recent observations show that monarchs have begun forming new colonies in cooler regions of Nevado de Toluca, indicating that they may already be searching for new winter habitats as their traditional sites grow too warm.



The scientists hope that once the planted firs mature, the butterflies will discover these new habitats and adapt to overwintering there. However, they stress that this approach is not a replacement for preserving the existing habitat within the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve.&nbsp;



Instead, it should be viewed as a complementary strategy, ensuring that monarchs have alternative options for survival in a changing climate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-efforts-beyond-assisted-monarch-migration">Efforts beyond assisted monarch migration</h2>



The study’s findings underscore the importance of both preserving existing overwintering habitats and preparing new sites for future climate conditions.&nbsp;



Assisted migration offers a proactive way to ensure the survival of both the monarch butterfly and the sacred fir forests they rely on.&nbsp;



At the same time, continued efforts to protect the MBBR remain crucial to maintaining the ecological balance that supports this unique <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-butterfly-migration-sparked-by-a-surge-in-vegetation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migration</a>.



By taking action now, researchers hope to secure a future where monarchs can continue their extraordinary journey for generations to come, adapting to new landscapes as the world changes around them.



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Creating new forests to assist monarch butterfly migration

The migration of the monarch butterfly is one of the...

A recent discovery about "marine snow" is altering our theories on how Earth's oceans store carbon and help mitigate climate change. 



Scientists have found that microscopic marine organisms produce mucus "parachutes" that slow down their descent to the ocean floor. 



This finding could change our understanding of carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere.



<a href="https://web.stanford.edu/group/prakash-lab/cgi-bin/labsite/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Manu Prakash</a>, an associate professor of bioengineering and of oceans at <a href="https://www.stanford.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford University</a>, led the study. His team's work suggests we've been missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.



Prakash and his colleagues have been exploring the mysteries of the ocean for years. Their research focuses on tiny particles and organisms that play a big role in our planet's health. 



By observing these minute details, they hope to gain insights that could help combat climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-microscopic-marine-organisms">Understanding microscopic marine organisms</h2>



Tiny ocean organisms, like phytoplankton and zooplankton, play a crucial role in our oceans' health and the planet's climate. 



These tiny creatures drift through the water, performing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-microalgae-show-photosynthesis-is-possible-in-near-darkness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a> to produce oxygen and form the base of the marine food web. 



Without them, larger marine animals wouldn't have the sustenance they need to survive. Phytoplankton alone contribute to about half of the world's oxygen supply, making them indispensable for life on Earth.



Beyond their role in producing oxygen, these microorganisms are vital in regulating carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. 



As they consume carbon during photosynthesis, they help reduce greenhouse gases, mitigating the effects of climate change. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mystery-of-marine-snow">Mystery of marine snow</h2>



Marine snow is a mix of these microscopic dead organisms, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plankton-help-predict-ocean-biodiversity-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phytoplankton</a>, bacteria, fecal pellets, and other organic particles. It absorbs about a third of human-made carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 



This material sinks to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-oxygen-discovery-deep-ocean-no-photosynthesis-baffles-scientists/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean floor</a>, where the carbon is locked away for thousands of years. Scientists call this process the biological pump.



Until now, the exact way these particles fall through the ocean's depths -- averaging about 2.5 miles -- wasn't fully understood. Prakash's team set out to change that.



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="sW30HMSmdv-3926652-12187" type="single"]</div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rotating-microscope">Rotating microscope</h2>



The researchers developed a unique device called a rotating microscope. 



This invention simulates vertical movement, allowing them to observe how organisms travel through the water. It adjusts temperature, light, and pressure to match specific ocean conditions.



Over five years, the team took this microscope on research vessels across all major oceans -- from the Arctic to Antarctica. They collected samples of marine snow and analyzed how it sinks in real-time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-role-of-mucus-parachutes">Surprising role of mucus "parachutes"</h2>



What they found was unexpected. Sometimes, marine snow forms parachute-like mucus structures. 



These mucus parachutes slow down the sinking process, doubling the time the particles spend in the upper 100 meters of the ocean.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/marine-snow_flow-field_ocean-carbon-storage_Stanford_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/marine-snow_flow-field_ocean-carbon-storage_Stanford_1s.webp" alt="Marine snow sedimentation with flow field. Artistics rending of real imaging data collected across Gulf of Main using a rotating microscope. Credit: PrakashLab/Stanford" class="wp-image-1947719"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Marine snow sedimentation with flow field. Artistics rending of real imaging data collected across Gulf of Main using a rotating microscope. Credit: PrakashLab/Stanford</figcaption></figure>



"We haven't been looking the right way," Prakash said. This extended suspension means more microbes can break down the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-temperatures-may-flip-plankton-into-carbon-emitters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organic carbon</a> in marine snow. 



Instead of sinking and storing carbon away, the carbon gets recycled back into the ocean, reducing the amount removed from the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marine-snow-and-ocean-carbon">Marine snow and ocean carbon</h2>



Since marine snow is a living ecosystem, studying it at sea is crucial. The rotating microscope allowed the team to see these processes in detail, right where they happen.



<a href="https://profiles.stanford.edu/rahul-chajwa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rahul Chajwa</a>, a postdoctoral scholar in Prakash's lab and the study's lead author, was amazed by the findings. 



“Theory tells you how a flow around a small particle looks like, but what we saw on the boat was dramatically different,” Chajwa explained. “We are at the beginning of understanding these complex dynamics.”



These mucus parachutes mean that previous estimates of the ocean's ability to sequester carbon might be too high. 



If more carbon is recycled near the surface, less is stored deep in the ocean. This could have significant impacts on climate models and policies aimed at reducing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-weaker-ocean-will-release-more-carbon-into-the-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric carbon dioxide</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-natural-environments">Studying natural environments</h2>



“We cannot even ask the fundamental question of what life does without emulating the environment that it evolved with,” Prakash explained. 



“In biology, stripping it away from its environment has stripped away any of our capacity to ask the right questions.”



For too long, scientists have studied organisms in artificial settings, like slides under microscopes. By taking their tools to the high seas, Prakash's team is changing that approach.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-refining-ocean-carbon-models">Refining ocean carbon models</h2>



The researchers are now working to improve their models and integrate their findings into larger climate models. 



They plan to release an open dataset from their six global expeditions -- the largest of its kind on marine snow sedimentation.



They're also investigating what factors influence the production of these mucus parachutes. This could include environmental stressors or specific bacteria species.



Despite the challenges, Prakash remains optimistic. On a recent trip off the coast of Northern California, the team found processes that might speed up carbon sequestration.



"Every time I observe the world of plankton via our tools, I learn something new," he said. These discoveries could lead to new strategies for enhancing the ocean's ability to absorb carbon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marine-snow-parachutes-and-ocean-carbon">Marine snow, parachutes, and ocean carbon</h2>



Beyond the scientific implications, this study highlights the wonder of natural processes. 



“We take for granted certain phenomena, but the simplest set of ideas can have profound effects. Observing these details -- like the mucus tails of marine snow -- opens new doors to understanding the fundamental principles of our world," Prakesh concluded.



By paying attention to the small details, we can uncover secrets that have a big impact on our world. This research is a reminder of the importance of curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adl5767" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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'Marine snow' using tiny 'parachutes' has a big impact on ocean carbon storage

A recent discovery about "marine snow" is altering our theories...

A new study has revealed an intriguing phenomenon that could be contributing to the increasing consumption of plastic waste by whales. 



It all starts within the mysterious depths of the ocean where sunlight does not venture. This is where the likes of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-have-the-sperm-whales-gulf-gone-gulf-jumbo-squid-scientists-think-they-know/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sperm whales</a> and goose-beaked whales forage for food, relying on their intricate soundwave-based navigation system to find their next meal.



But there seems to be a hitch - a torn plastic party balloon can sound remarkably similar to a delicious squid in these lightless depths.



A recent study has found a potential reason why whales might mistake plastic for prey – they sound the same underwater.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-acoustic-signatures-in-the-deep-sea">Acoustic signatures in the deep sea</h2>



What exactly are these acoustic signatures? Well, when a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blue-whales-continue-their-battle-for-survival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whale</a> sends out clicks and buzzes from a vocal cord-like structure near their blowholes, the sounds bounce off objects in the water. 



The sounds that return carry information about the size, shape, and nature of those objects. This is how the whales "see" and interpret their surroundings. And to their acoustic perception, their favorite squid sounds eerily similar to a plastic bag.



"There are hundreds of types of plastic, and the various material properties including polymer (chemical) composition, additives, shape, size, age/weathering, and degree of fouling likely play a role in the frequency-specific responses observed," noted the study authors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-pollution-and-whales">Plastic pollution and whales </h2>



Now, it's crucial to mention that the whales' sound-based navigation system is not a new kid on the evolutionary block. This sophisticated system has been helping whales find food in the pitch-dark ocean depths for the past 25 million years.



However, plastic pollution is a relatively new challenge faced by whales, and according to Merrill's findings, it's messing with their ultrasonic grocery shopping.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-debris-around-whales">Plastic debris around whales</h2>



Merrill and his team collected typical plastic trash items like shopping bags, ropes, bottles, and balloons from beaches in Beaufort and Atlantic Beach, North Carolina.



These items were then suspended underwater and subjected to sonar transponder tests on Duke Marine Lab's ship, the R/V Shearwater. 



The team performed acoustic testing on these items at three varying sonar frequencies that span the range of 'clicks' emitted by different species of deep-diving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-a-warming-climate-will-change-the-humpback-whales-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whales</a>.



The sounds of real squid (albeit deceased ones) and pieces of squid beak were also recorded for comparison.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whales-mistake-plastic-for-prey">Whales mistake plastic for prey</h2>



The results were as alarming as they were surprising. The plastic debris almost always sounded like food, especially plastic films and fragments, which are among the most commonly found items in the stomachs of deceased whales.



Merrill suggests that we could consider re-engineering some plastics to not have an acoustic signature. But he also warns of potential risks. 



For instance, if fishing net and fishing line became "acoustically invisible," that could lead to increased entanglements where whales wouldn't be able to identify and avoid these threats.



For this pioneering study, Merrill collaborated with scientists from neighboring marine labs operated by NOAA, NC State University, and UNC – Chapel Hill.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-conservation-efforts">Implications for conservation efforts</h2>



The findings from Merrill's study have profound implications for marine conservation strategies aimed at protecting whales. 



Traditional approaches have largely focused on reducing the amount of plastic that enters the oceans - a task vital to the health of marine ecosystems.



However, understanding that plastic can acoustically resemble prey to whales suggests that addressing the challenge could require innovative solutions within the manufacturing sector as well. 



This could involve developing materials that emit distinct acoustic signatures detectable by marine life without posing any risk of ingestion. 



Such multidisciplinary cooperation between conservationists and material scientists could pave the way for groundbreaking strategies to safeguard these majestic creatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-plastic-crisis">Addressing the plastic crisis</h2>



In light of these revelations, there is an urgent need to collectively address the plastic pollution crisis. Reducing our reliance on harmful plastics and advancing research into safer alternatives is paramount.



Moreover, stringent regulations on plastic manufacturing could play a crucial role in mitigating this crisis. By innovating responsibly and enforcing global standards, we can not only protect marine biodiversity but also ensure a healthier planet. 



While technological innovations and alternatives to plastic are critical in addressing this issue of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-rarest-whale-found-on-new-zealand-beach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whales</a>, perhaps the more immediate and straightforward action we can all take is responsible disposal of our waste.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X24010464?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Pollution Bulletin</a>.



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Plastic trash sounds just like food to deep-diving whales

A new study has revealed an intriguing phenomenon that could...

The global invasion of microplastics is an unfortunate reality that we are facing. These microscopic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hotspots-of-microplastic-pollution-found-in-the-north-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic contaminants</a> have become an unwelcomed guest, trespassing into the bodies of numerous creatures worldwide.



Food ingestion is the most common way that microplastics enter the bodies of both humans and wildlife.



For us humans, and even rodents, researchers have established a disturbing connection between these invasive particles and adverse health impacts. The culprits? Oxidative stress and inflammation, to name a couple.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-to-breathe-or-not-to-breathe">To breathe or not to breathe?</h2>



While ingesting contaminated food isn't exactly "fine dining," another potential exposure method lurks in the shadows - inhalation. Although notorious among humans, this path has been quite neglected in wildlife research. 



But now, experts have discovered that bottlenose dolphins are exhaling microplastic particles, indicating that inhalation may be a relevant route of exposure for wildlife.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microplastics-in-dolphin-breath">Microplastics in dolphin breath</h2>



Our quest for knowledge leads us to two places - Sarasota Bay, Florida, and Barataria Bay, Louisiana. Here, Miranda Dziobak of the <a href="https://charleston.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">College of Charleston</a> and her team have been busy gathering samples.



Their subjects? Five bottlenose dolphins from Sarasota and six of their kin in Barataria. And the object of interest? Air, or more specifically, the air they exhale.



Here's an unexpected shocker. The analysis revealed every single one of these 11 dolphins was "breathing plastic." The team discovered suspected <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastic-pollution-is-everywhere-even-in-newborns-and-getting-worse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microplastic particles</a> in the exhaled air of each dolphin.



The microplastics came in the forms of both fibers and fragments and included several plastic polymers: polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester, polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate, and poly(methyl methacrylate), also known as PMMA.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evaluating-microplastics-exposure-in-dolphins">Evaluating microplastics exposure in dolphins</h2>



To ensure the study's credibility, the researchers also sampled the surrounding air. This step reinforced the stark reality that microplastics were not just passersby in the ambient air but residents in the dolphins' exhaled breath. 



The findings fuel the suspicion that inhalation, like ingestion, is another high-priority exposure route for dolphins. However, everyone loves a good mystery, and the researchers emphasize that these results are preliminary. 



The scientific community must roll up its collective sleeves and dive deeper into evaluating the degree of various microplastic inhalations among bottlenose dolphins.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-implications">Long-term implications </h2>



Also, what are the longer-term implications of this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-process-converts-microplastics-into-valuable-graphene-wonder-material/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exposure</a>? Lung damage? It's time to find out. 



“We know that microplastics are floating around in the air, so we suspected that we would find microplastics in breath samples," noted the researchers.



"We are concerned by what we are seeing because dolphins have a large lung capacity and take really deep breaths, so we are worried about what these plastics could be doing to their lungs."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microplastics-and-dolphin-health">Microplastics and dolphin health</h2>



Going forward, the experts aim to scrutinize the comprehensive impact of microplastics on marine mammal health.



This pursuit involves deploying more sophisticated analytical techniques to pinpoint not only the presence but also the concentrations of various microplastic polymers specific to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-microplastics-are-here-to-stay-so-what-can-we-do-now/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">different environmental contexts</a>. 



The need for collaborative ventures among marine biologists, ecologists, and material scientists grows urgent, as these efforts could unveil critical insights into mitigating the risks plastic particles pose to the delicate balance of marine ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-research-is-needed">Further research is needed</h2>



The experts noted that further research is also needed to understand health implications following inhaled microplastic exposure, especially among vulnerable populations experiencing adverse pulmonary impacts.



"A systematic assessment of particle exhalation in Sarasota Bay dolphins is planned to examine life history influences on exposure and associations with health impacts in the well-studied Sarasota Bay dolphin community."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-engaging-the-public">Engaging the public</h2>



Addressing microplastics exposure among marine creatures like dolphins transcends the realm of scientific inquiry - it calls for widespread public awareness and action.



Leveraging educational campaigns can play a pivotal role in informing communities, policy makers, and industries about the pervasive nature and adverse effects of microplastics. 



Such efforts should advocate for reduced plastic consumption, enhanced waste management practices, and the development of biodegradable alternatives. 



Empowering individuals and institutions to make environmentally responsible choices is vital, as these collective actions could substantially reduce the microplastic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-pose-a-greater-threat-to-some-ocean-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">load in our oceans</a>, ultimately fostering a healthier environment for dolphins and other marine inhabitants.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0309377" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLoS ONE</a>.



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Microplastics found in dolphin breath

The global invasion of microplastics is an unfortunate reality that...

Plant life is the fundamental fabric of our planet, and it's astonishing to realize that about one-third of all known plant species have made islands their home. 



Despite representing a little more than 5% of Earth's land surface, islands are the embodiment of rich biodiversity. How did this happen?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-species-dwelling-on-islands">Plant species dwelling on islands</h2>



Dr. Julian Schrader from <a href="https://www.mq.edu.au/faculty-of-science-and-engineering/departments-and-schools/school-of-natural-sciences" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Macquarie University’s School of Natural Sciences</a>, along with an international team of researchers, analyzed data from around 304,103 plants – which essentially sums up all species known to science. The results highlight the incredible biodiversity existing on islands.



Out of 94,052 species that were identified as natives of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-amazon-became-a-biodiversity-hotspot/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">islands</a>, the team found that a whopping 63,280 are endemic. In layman's terms, these plant species can only be found on their home islands.



This means that 21% of global plant diversity is tucked away on islands across our planet. The research marks the first-ever comprehensive examination of vascular plants native to marine islands worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-native-and-endemic-plants">Native and endemic plants</h2>



A native plant is one that grows naturally on an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/effective-conservation-efforts-key-to-saving-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">island</a>, while an endemic plant species takes it one step further. They're exclusive to a specific island or a group of islands. 



Among these are vascular plants, a diverse group that includes trees, shrubs, herbs, ferns and grasses. They are distinctive from their non-vascular counterparts (like mosses and liverworts), thanks to their circulatory system.



“This is the first time we have had such a complete understanding of which species are where, globally,” noted Dr. Schrader.



“We can now explore the conservation status of some of our rarest plants and come up with distinct strategies to conserve them, such as identifying botanical gardens that could host rescue populations.”



It also allows researchers to strategize ways of protecting and preserving these unique species. For example, botanical gardens can help by hosting rescue populations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-island-plant-paradox">Island plant paradox </h2>



While islands are bursting at the seams with species diversity, it's alarming to note that only 6% of islands with endemic species are making the cut for a UN goal to protect 30% of land and sea areas by 2030. 



The research also shines a spotlight on top centers of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-life-on-islands-loses-diversity-when-humans-arrive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a> endemism. These regions are large, tropical islands shaped by a complex terrain and a long history of isolation.



The stars of the show are Madagascar with 9,318 endemic plant species, followed by New Guinea with 8,793 species, Borneo with 5,765, Cuba with 2,679, and New Caledonia with 2,493.



According to Dr Schrader, it's all about the geography. The physical distance, coupled with unique climates and environments, fuels the evolutionary process, leading to new species creation or "speciation."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threats-to-island-biodiversity">Threats to island biodiversity</h2>



However, isolation can be a double-edged sword. Many plant species that have evolved uniquely in such isolated ecosystems may find it hard to compete with non-native species. 



Climate change adds another layer of complexity to this situation. The threat is particularly grave for low-lying islands that are susceptible to rising sea levels and extreme weather events.



In this light, the study offers a critical baseline for monitoring changes in islands and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tree-islands-can-counteract-biodiversity-loss-in-oil-palm-plantations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant communities</a> over time. Think of it as a roadmap for prioritizing protection efforts. It's about the survival of these unique species that dot our planet's islands, each with their own tale of evolution, adaptation and survival.



“In French Polynesia, I was trying to find one of the rarest plants in the world, the flowering shrub called tiare apetahi (Sclerotheca raiateensis), with only a few individuals left in the wild,” said Dr. Schrader.



This plant holds cultural significance to the local community but is grappling with overharvesting and predation. The solution may lie in botanical gardens, but figuring out how to grow the species outside its natural habitat is the challenge at hand.



The story of island biodiversity is a tale of enchantment, intrigue, and urgent rescue efforts. It's a narrative that highlights the need for collective action, careful stewardship, and informed conservation strategies.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08036-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Islands are home to one-third of all known plants

Plant life is the fundamental fabric of our planet, and...

Nano- and microplastic particles (NMP) are increasingly contaminating both urban and rural landscapes, bringing bees and other beneficial insects into contact with them.&nbsp;



If insects ingest these plastic particles from food or the air, it can damage their organs and alter their behavior, hindering their ability to perform essential ecosystem services like pollination and pest control.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-it-still-possible-to-save-the-ocean-from-plastic-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plastic pollution</a> thus poses considerable risks to biodiversity, agricultural production, and global food security, according to a new review study conducted by an international team including researchers from the <a href="https://uni-freiburg.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Freiburg</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-particles-in-agricultural-environments">Plastic particles in agricultural environments</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastic-pollution-is-everywhere-even-in-newborns-and-getting-worse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microplastic</a> particles, measuring between one micrometer and five millimeters, and even smaller nanoplastics are making their way onto farmland.



While the harmful effects of NMP in water and on individual species are well documented, there has been a lack of systematic reviews on how these particles affect agricultural ecosystems.&nbsp;



To address this gap, the authors summarized 21 previously published studies. They focused on how pollinator insects and other beneficial insects come into contact with NMP and the consequences of ingestion for the insects, dependent ecosystems, and agricultural production.



The researchers identified different sources through which NMP end up on agricultural land, including plastic films, fertilizers, polluted water, and atmospheric depositions.&nbsp;



These plastic particles accumulate in the soil, and important pollinators and pest control insects ingest them from the air and food or use them to build nests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-of-plastic-on-bees-nbsp">Impacts of plastic on bees&nbsp;</h2>



The study established that bees' ingestion of plastic leads to damage to their digestive systems, weakening of their immune systems, and changes in their behavior. This makes bees more susceptible to diseases, possibly causing them to pollinate plants less effectively.&nbsp;



Study co-author Alexandra-Maria Klein is a professor of nature conservation and landscape ecology at the University of Freiburg.&nbsp;



“We find microplastic in the gut of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-is-wiping-out-bees-and-other-wild-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bees</a> and see how wild bees use plastic to build nests. We therefore urgently need to investigate what interaction this has with other stressors, such as climate change, for the bees and their pollination services,” said Professor Klein. 



A decline in pollination services negatively affects crop yields, and plastic pollution could further aggravate existing uncertainties in the global food supply, the researchers warn.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exacerbation-of-environmental-stressors">Exacerbation of environmental stressors</h2>



In addition, NMP exacerbate threats posed by other environmental stressors such as pesticides, chemical pollution, fungi, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-pandemic-looms-as-pathogens-move-from-wild-plants-to-crops/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pathogens</a>. 



Some areas become “hotspots” where plastic particles interact with harmful viruses. As a result of such interactions, NMP could have serious effects on pollinators and thus on the stability of the food system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-research-is-urgently-needed-nbsp">Further research is urgently needed&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers emphasized the limitations of their review. For example, they noted that only limited data is available on important pollinators and beneficial insects like bumblebees and ladybirds.&nbsp;



Moreover, the current data does not allow for a differentiated account of the effects of different sizes and amounts of nano- and microplastic particles.



The researchers emphasized that further studies are urgently needed to better understand the growing problem of plastic pollution and find solutions to it.&nbsp;



“It is already clear today, however, that there is a pressing need for political control of plastic pollution,” said Professor Klein.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-directions">Future research directions</h2>



“In addition to acknowledging plastic pollution as a key concern for biodiversity and associated services, we advocate for research on how diversified agricultural landscapes mediate the tradeoff between pollinator and pest control benefits and accumulation effects at 'NMP hotspots' to ensure long-term maintenance of crop yields and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vaccinating-plants-could-boost-global-food-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food security</a>,” wrote the study the authors.



The experts noted that future research should target the development and refinement of methods that can be applied in laboratory, semi-field, and field studies to address global food security implications.&nbsp;



“Additional funding should be allocated specifically to understand NMP effects across scales on biodiversity-associated ecosystem services such as pollination and biological pest control in pursuit of the Global Biodiversity Framework’s roadmap for biodiversity conservation and a food-secure future,” concluded the researchers.



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Bees are the latest victims of plastic pollution 

Nano- and microplastic particles (NMP) are increasingly contaminating both urban...

While all ecosystems are affected by climate change, the pace at which these impacts become visible can vary. Forests, for example, often show a delayed response to changes in temperature and precipitation. Grasslands, however, are reacting almost in real time, according to a new study.&nbsp;



The research, led by the <a href="https://umich.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan</a> (U-M), highlights how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grasslands-crucial-role-global-agriculture-environment-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">grasslands</a> are adapting to climate shifts faster than forests, with immediate changes in plant communities that reflect the evolving environmental conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-race-forests-vs-grasslands">Climate race: Forests vs. grasslands</h2>



Lead authors Kai Zhu and Yiluan Song describe the difference in responses between ecosystems as “climate debt” for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-still-fighting-climate-change-against-all-odds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a> and “paying as they go” for grasslands. Forest ecosystems accumulate a lag in their response to climate change, while grasslands adapt more swiftly to shifts in temperature and precipitation.



“Climate change does have consequences for our ecosystems. It’s going to come sooner or later,” said Song, a postdoctoral fellow at U-M. “Grasslands are at the faster end of the spectrum.”



This research offers the scientific community valuable insights into predicting how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-grassland-ecosystems-handle-climate-change-better-than-others/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> will impact ecosystems. Understanding these dynamics will be especially useful for the restoration of grassland vegetation. 



“If you want to restore grasslands, you have to ask what types of species you will plant. In order to answer that, you need to at least take climate change into consideration,” said Zhu, an associate professor at the U-M School for Environment and Sustainability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-climate-shifts-in-grasslands">Rapid climate shifts in grasslands</h2>



The research team, which included experts from over a dozen institutions, gathered years of observational data from grassland communities in the California Floristic Province, a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/landscapes-with-a-mix-of-habitats-are-biodiversity-hotspots/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity hotspot</a> along the U.S. West Coast. 



They analyzed 12 sites observed over several decades and found a clear trend: as the climate in the region became hotter and drier, species that thrive in those conditions became dominant in the plant communities.



The researchers also integrated data from long-term global change experiments in the region, allowing them to link climate change directly to the shifts in plant species. “We know correlation doesn’t imply causation,” Zhu said. “But the experimental data allow us to attribute the causality.”



By characterizing the climate preferences - or niches - of various plant species, the researchers were able to quantify shifts in grassland communities in direct relation to temperature and precipitation changes.&nbsp;



This combination of observational and experimental data provided a clear and consistent conclusion, which Zhu and Song note is uncommon in ecological studies of this nature.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fast-paced-ecological-changes">Fast-paced ecological changes</h2>



What surprised the researchers most was the speed of the ecological changes. The shifts in plant communities were happening at a pace comparable to the rate of climate change, but Zhu and Song cautioned that these rapid changes should not be seen as true <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-species-are-pre-adapted-to-tolerate-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adaptation</a> - at least not without further research.



“To me, adaptation gives a positive impression that the system is changing to counter some of the negative effects of climate change,” Song said.&nbsp;



“The rapid shifts in grassland communities involve not only the gain of some hotter, drier species but also the loss of some cooler, wetter species. These shifts might have negative consequences such as dominance by non-native species and loss of biodiversity.”



The researchers emphasized that the loss of species adapted to cooler, wetter conditions could lead to a decline in biodiversity, as non-native species that thrive in hotter, drier environments take over.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-global-grasslands">Implications for global grasslands</h2>



Although this study focused on a single region, Zhu and Song believe that similar trends could occur in grasslands around the world, depending on the specific climate dynamics of each area.&nbsp;



For example, if a region's climate is becoming warmer and wetter, species that favor those conditions will likely become dominant at a rate that matches the pace of the climate changes.



“I would hypothesize that we may see an even greater response to climate change in other grasslands around the world,” Zhu said, suggesting that the speed of these shifts may be even more pronounced in grasslands outside the California Floristic Province.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-need-for-climate-sensitive-restoration">The need for climate-sensitive restoration</h2>



As the study illustrates, grasslands are on the front lines of climate change, showing swift responses to environmental shifts. This research provides critical insights for predicting how grassland ecosystems will continue to evolve in a warming world.&nbsp;



The study also highlights the importance of considering climate change when planning restoration efforts, as the types of species that thrive in grasslands may shift in tandem with the changing climate. 



Understanding these dynamics will help guide the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-environment-day-2024-a-call-for-land-restoration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">restoration</a> of grasslands and support the preservation of biodiversity in the face of rapid climate change.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02552-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>.



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Grasslands are racing to adapt to climate shifts

While all ecosystems are affected by climate change, the pace...

Our climate is changing, temperatures are rising, and research reveals that it's affecting two-thirds (66%) of the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in Earth's tropical forests. 



Sounds worrying, right? These KBAs are critical spots on our globe that harbor and nurture various species along with their habitats.



This profound study analyzed three decades of temperature conditions tucked beneath the forest canopies in these world-wide tropical KBAs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shift-in-kba-temperature">Shift in KBA temperature</h2>



The results might raise your eyebrows. A whopping 66% of these tropical KBAs have started flirting with new temperature regimes. 



That means over 40% of the temperature measurements now fall outside the range previously recorded there.



Meanwhile, the remaining 34% of these locations still enjoy their old temperature regimes. These places could turn into crucial hideaways for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-light-sustains-biodiversity-over-millions-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>, the researchers conjecture.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodiversity-in-tropical-forests">Biodiversity in tropical forests</h2>



The research, published right on the heels of the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (<a href="https://www.cbd.int/conferences/2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COP16</a>) in Colombia, sheds some light on this critical matter.



“Beneath the canopy of tropical forests, a wealth of biodiversity exists in a very stable climate,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://biosciences.exeter.ac.uk/staff/profile/index.php?web_id=Brittany_Trew" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr Brittany Trew</a>, from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/esi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environment and Sustainability Institute</a>&nbsp;on Exeter’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall.



“As such, species there are at particularly high risk from new annual temperature regimes because they have evolved under a narrow range of conditions. They may only be able to tolerate a small margin of warming above what they’re used to.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-call-to-action-in-kbas">Call to action in KBAs</h2>



Dr. Alexander Lees, a biodiversity expert at <a href="https://www.mmu.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Manchester Metropolitan University</a>, took a firm stand. 



"The amount of political and economic capital dedicated to safeguarding biodiversity is woefully inadequate," Dr. Lees explained.



"Our findings show that the painful process of conservation triage -- selecting new protected areas -- must therefore consider the impact of ongoing climate changes on those sites in prioritization assessments," he continued.



The Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework is one step towards acknowledging this problem. It proposes to conserve at least 30% of the global land area by 2030, with a special emphasis on our precious KBAs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-loopholes-in-protection">Loopholes in protection</h2>



Here's another nugget of truth -- KBAs do not automatically receive formal protection. That decision rests with the national governments in those respective locations.



This research uncovers that, among the 34% of tropical forest KBAs not yet facing new temperature regimes, over half currently fall short of protection. 



Dr. Trew presses on the need for 'climate-smart' policies to safeguard these valuable refuges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-outlook">Global outlook</h2>



To capture the ground reality on tropical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-are-the-biggest-drivers-of-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>, researchers made use of temperature measurements, satellite data, and a microclimate model. 



The change is more apparent in some regions than others. It's pretty high in Africa and Latin America, with 72% and 59% of KBAs entering new temperature regimes. Asia and Oceania have shown a lower shift, with only 49% of KBAs experiencing the transition. 



A minor percentage of KBAs in Latin America and a few in Asia and Oceania have almost fully embraced the new temperature regimes.



In Latin America, these crucial areas sprawl across Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and Panama, with the tropical Andes feeling the heat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-communities-and-kba-protection">Local communities and KBA protection</h2>



Local communities play an instrumental role in the stewardship of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs). 



These communities, often residing in or near tropical forests, possess invaluable traditional knowledge and practices that can contribute to effective biodiversity <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/effective-conservation-efforts-key-to-saving-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation strategies</a>.



Their involvement in conservation initiatives ensures that protective measures are culturally relevant and sustainable. 



Collaborations between local communities, scientists, and policymakers can foster a more inclusive approach to safeguarding KBAs, empowering those who are most affected by environmental changes to participate actively in decision-making processes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tropical-biodiversity-conservation">Tropical biodiversity conservation</h2>



Innovative solutions are crucial in addressing the challenges posed by emerging temperature regimes and ensuring the protection of biodiversity. 



Technological advancements, such as remote sensing and machine learning models, can enhance our ability to monitor and predict changes within KBAs with increased precision. 



Moreover, global networks and partnerships can facilitate the exchange of knowledge and resources needed to implement adaptive management practices. 



By embracing both cutting-edge technologies and integrative conservation approaches, we can develop robust strategies that balance ecological preservation with the needs of society, driving forward a sustainable future for tropical forests and their irreplaceable ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-kbas-in-tropical-forests">The future of KBAs in tropical forests</h2>



Now that we know the temperature beneath our tropical canopies is undergoing a significant upheaval, the question remains: What do we do about it? 



This study is more than just a collection of statistics - it's a stepping stone towards proactive conservation efforts and climate-smart policies. 



The shift in temperature regimes may be invisible to our eyes but has a profound impact on our KBAs and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-ocean-day-a-unified-approach-to-protect-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> they house. The ball is now in our court!



The study is a timely reminder for us to align our actions with the needs of our planet. As we forge ahead, the hope is to strike a balance between human progress and the wellbeing of our natural world. 



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This research was spearheaded by leading brains from the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a>, <a href="https://www.mmu.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Manchester Metropolitan</a>, and the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a>.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/conl.13050" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Conservation Letters</a>.



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Climate change is altering the temperature in 66% of tropical forests

Our climate is changing, temperatures are rising, and research reveals...

In the midst of vigorous debate regarding the health of monarch butterflies, new research from the University of Georgia sheds light on a critical issue: while breeding populations remain stable, wintering populations are declining.&nbsp;



Published in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2410410121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>, the study suggests that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monarch-butterflies-shift-to-winter-breeding-for-survival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">monarch butterflies</a> are experiencing significant losses during their fall migration south to Mexico.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-declining-roost-sizes-along-migration-route">Declining roost sizes along migration route</h2>



Migrating monarchs rely on roosts - clusters on trees or shrubs where they rest overnight - as they journey southward.&nbsp;



The researchers analyzed 17 years of data from over 2,600 citizen scientist observations of these roosts along the migration path. They discovered that roost sizes have declined by up to 80%, with the most substantial losses occurring further south along the route.



“The monarchs are increasingly failing to reach their winter destinations,” said Andy Davis, lead author of the study and an assistant research scientist in <a href="https://www.uga.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Georgia</a>’s Odum School of Ecology. “Either they're losing their ability to migrate or they're losing their will to migrate.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monarchs-going-extinct-in-winter-nbsp">Monarchs going extinct in winter&nbsp;</h2>



Contrary to what some might expect, the study largely ruled out <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/top-marine-predators-may-suffer-massive-habitat-loss-by-2100/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitat loss</a> or food supply shortages along the migration route as primary causes. 



Study co-author William Snyder is a professor of entomology in UGA's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.&nbsp;



“How do you say that the monarch butterfly is going extinct in the winter while they're perfectly healthy in the summer?” said Snyder. “This paper fills in that gap by saying the problem is the fall migration.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monarch-health-during-fall-migration">Monarch health during fall migration</h2>



Using data from <a href="https://journeynorth.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journey North</a>, an organization that tracks wildlife migration patterns through citizen sightings, the researchers provided the most detailed picture to date of the monarchs' fall migration health in eastern North America. 



The experts found that the timing of migration has not changed, and the route has become greener and warmer over time - conditions that should favor larger roost populations. Despite this, there is a consistent and dramatic decline in roost sizes independent of climate and landscape factors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-factors-contributing-to-migration-losses">Potential factors contributing to migration losses</h2>



The researchers point to two main culprits behind the decline in migration success. The first is the increasing prevalence of a debilitating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-monarch-butterflies-are-killed-by-parasites-yearly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parasite</a>, which has surged tenfold since the early 2000s. 



This rise corresponds with increased plantings of nonnative tropical milkweeds - the only plants on which monarchs can lay their eggs and their caterpillars can feed.&nbsp;



Nonnative milkweeds may facilitate the buildup of infectious parasite spores on their leaves, leading to higher infection rates. Infected monarchs often cannot fly well and have shorter lifespans, contributing to the decrease in migrating butterflies.



The second possible factor is the release of captive-reared butterflies by well-intentioned individuals aiming to help the species.&nbsp;



“All of the evidence we have shows that when monarchs are reared in a captive environment, either indoors or outdoors, they're not as good at migrating,” Davis explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supporting-monarch-migration-nbsp">Supporting monarch migration&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers advise adopting a “less is more” approach when it comes to assisting monarch butterflies. While actions like planting nonnative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milkweed-gardens-are-needed-to-save-monarch-butterflies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">milkweeds</a> or raising monarchs in captivity are meant to help, they may actually hinder the butterflies' ability to migrate long distances. 



Planting native flowering plants along the migration path can provide nectar sources for traveling butterflies without causing harm.



“One of the best things people can do to ensure that the monarchs are as robust and healthy as possible is basically just leave the caterpillars alone in your backyard,” Davis suggested.&nbsp;



“Resist the temptation to bring them inside and protect them because it seems like Mother Nature does a better job at creating really healthy, robust migrators than we do.”



According to the researchers, conservation efforts that support fall migration success are most needed, such as providing high quality nectar plants along the migration route or limiting the planting of nonnative milkweeds that enhance monarch parasite loads.&nbsp;



“Overall, it appears the fall migration of monarch butterflies is under imminent threat, even if the species’ overall survival is not,” the authors concluded.



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Why are monarch butterflies vanishing in the winter?

In the midst of vigorous debate regarding the health of...

A new dawn, a fresh perspective, and a revolution in scientific research. That’s what a team of dedicated experts at Newcastle University are bringing to the world of marine biology and coral conservation. 



The researchers have made an exhilarating breakthrough in selective breeding to combat the devastating effects of climate change on coral reefs. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breeding-corals-for-survival">Breeding corals for survival</h2>



The experts have achieved the world's first successful selective breeding of adult corals for enhanced heat tolerance.



The team adjusted the thermostat on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-corals-can-survive-high-ocean-heat-which-could-save-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">corals</a>' survival, proving that our marine buddies can acclimatize better to harsh heatwaves, albeit in modest amounts.



However, the researchers emphasize that this victory isn't a one-size-fits-all solution to wiping out the impacts of future marine heatwaves under climate change.



It's a startling wake-up call that we need to slam the brakes on global greenhouse gas emissions. As this research confirms, these harmful emissions are the real villains putting corals on thin ice - or rather, in hot water.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maximizing-breeding-outcomes">Maximizing breeding outcomes</h2>



The research is the culmination of a five-year collaboration between the <a href="https://www.uvic.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Victoria</a>, Horniman Museum and Gardens, Palau International Coral Reef Center, <a href="https://www.derby.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Derby</a>, and the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a>.



With funding from the European Research Council, the study was led by Dr. James Guest, an expert in coral reef ecology at Newcastle University’s School of Natural and Environmental Sciences.



“This work shows that selective breeding is feasible but not a silver bullet solution and that more research is needed to maximize breeding outcomes," said study lead author, Liam Lachs, a postdoctoral research associate at <a href="https://www.ncl.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newcastle University</a>.



“In parallel, rapid reductions of global greenhouse gas emissions are an absolute requirement to mitigate warming and give corals an opportunity to adapt."



Dr. Guest emphasized the challenges that lie ahead - from balancing the needs of wild populations to avoiding dilution of selected traits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coral-breeding-trials">Coral breeding trials</h2>



Going back in time, we find that selective breeding was a strategy adopted by humans thousands of years ago to coax desired characteristics out of animals and plants. Today, it’s playing a pivotal role in saving our precious coral reefs from the wrath of climate change and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/feeding-corals-can-help-them-recover-from-heat-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine heatwaves</a>.



The team carried out breeding trials targeting two distinct traits. One focused on tolerance to short, intense heat exposure while the other dealt with a less intense but long-term heatwave exposure.



Both trials showed promise as parent colonies selected for high heat tolerance passed this trait to their offspring, thus offering a glimmer of hope for future generations of corals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-research-is-needed">Further research is needed</h2>



Despite the promising results, the journey is not yet complete. The team discovered no evidence that breeding for short-stress tolerance boosted the offspring's ability to survive long-term heat stress exposure.



This conundrum, coupled with the lack of a genetic correlation, implies that each trait might be independently controlled genetically - a puzzle piece that needs more exploration.



Study lead author Dr. Adriana Humanes highlighted the road ahead, stating that we still have a long way to go before selective breeding can be successfully implemented.



"Considerable work remains before selective breeding can be successfully implemented. A deeper understanding is needed to determine which traits to prioritize and how these traits are genetically correlated,” said Dr. Humanes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-selective-coral-breeding-is-achievable">Selective coral breeding is achievable </h2>



So, where does this leave us? Undoubtedly, the excitement behind breeding of coral reefs is justifiable. This study takes us one step closer towards securing a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/60-percent-global-coral-reefs-face-bleaching-rising-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">future for coral reefs</a>. 



The work confirms that selective breeding for adult heatwave survival is achievable. However, the researchers are quick to point out there's still a long journey ahead. 



The experts are rallying the troops, asking the global community to invest more in research and development to understand how to effectively implement breeding interventions.



The mission is clear - we must limit levels of global warming, which is achievable through urgent climate action.



After all, in the fight against climate change, every contribution counts - every study, every intervention, and every degree of heat that we manage to prevent.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-52895-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Can we save coral reefs with selective breeding?

A new dawn, a fresh perspective, and a revolution in...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHHxOej4QfE
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Researchers found a correlation between Alzheimer's disease and traffic pollution.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invisible-threat-in-urban-air">Invisible threat in urban air</h2>



City dwellers face an unseen danger with every breath. New findings from Emory University researchers suggest that fine particulate matter from <a href="http://earth.com/news/traffic-related-air-pollution-might-increase-alzheimers-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vehicle emissions may significantly elevate the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease</a>. The study examined brain tissue samples from 224 individuals who had confirmed diagnoses and volunteered their brains for scientific research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disturbing-connections-emerge">Disturbing connections emerge</h2>



Scientists analyzed neuritic plaques — protein clusters that characterize Alzheimer's — while mapping each participant's exposure to PM2.5 particles based on residential location and surrounding traffic density. The correlation proved more alarming than anticipated. Individuals experiencing higher pollution exposure showed nearly double the likelihood of elevated plaque accumulation in brain tissue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-timing-matters">Timing matters</h2>



The research team discovered that pollution exposure during the final year before death demonstrated the strongest association with brain changes. This timeline suggests relatively rapid impacts from environmental toxins on neural health. The connection remained robust even after accounting for various demographic and health factors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-vulnerability-patterns">Genetic vulnerability patterns</h2>



Perhaps most concerning, people lacking the APOE gene—which naturally predisposes individuals to Alzheimer's — exhibited more than twice the susceptibility to pollution-related brain damage. Study author Dr. Anke Huels noted this indicates environmental elements like air contamination could trigger the disease in cases where hereditary factors don't explain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-health-implications">Public health implications</h2>



These findings, published in <a href="https://www.neurology.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neurology</a>, underscore the critical importance of air quality regulations in urban planning. The research suggests that implementing stricter emission controls and promoting alternative transportation could serve as powerful tools in Alzheimer's prevention.



As cities worldwide grapple with growing traffic congestion and aging populations, this study highlights an urgent need for comprehensive approaches to environmental health that protect both our lungs and our minds.



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Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHHxOej4QfE Researchers found a correlation between Alzheimer's disease and traffic...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that scientists never expected.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-waters-beneath-ancient-craters">Hidden waters beneath ancient craters</h2>



Scientists have made a startling discovery that challenges everything we thought we knew about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saturn-moon-mimas-has-remarkably-young-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saturn's moon Mimas</a>. Beneath the heavily cratered surface that earned it the nickname "Death Star" lies a global ocean that formed just 5 to 15 million years ago—a remarkably young age by cosmic standards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cassini-data-reveals-orbital-secrets">Cassini data reveals orbital secrets</h2>



The discovery, led by Dr. Valéry Lainey of the <a href="https://observatoiredeparis.psl.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Observatoire de Paris</a>, emerged from careful analysis of <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>'s Cassini spacecraft data. By studying subtle irregularities in Mimas's orbit around Saturn, researchers detected the gravitational signature of liquid water hidden 20 to 30 kilometers beneath the moon's icy shell.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unlikely-ocean-world">An unlikely ocean world</h2>



At only 400 kilometers in diameter, Mimas seemed like the least likely candidate to harbor a subsurface ocean. Unlike other ocean moons such as Europa and Enceladus, which show clear surface signs of internal activity, Mimas displays no obvious hints of the liquid water beneath its ancient, crater-scarred exterior.



"Mimas is a small moon, and its heavily cratered surface gave no hint of the hidden ocean beneath," explained Dr. Nick Cooper from <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Mary University of London</a>, a study co-author.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-astrobiology">Implications for astrobiology</h2>



The ocean's recent formation makes Mimas a prime target for studying how oceans develop and potentially support life. This discovery adds another member to the exclusive club of ocean worlds in our solar system, each offering unique insights into the conditions necessary for habitability.



The research, published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a> journal, demonstrates how advanced orbital analysis can reveal hidden features of celestial bodies, opening new possibilities for understanding ocean formation throughout the cosmos.



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Scientists discover unexpected young ocean on Saturn's cratered moon Mimas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ 'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DuSr87SHY
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">57 million-year ice age mystery solved by Australian scientists.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-earth-became-a-frozen-wasteland">When Earth became a frozen wasteland</h2>



Imagine Earth as a giant snowball, frozen solid from the North Pole to the equator. This wasn't the plot of a science fiction movie – it was our planet's reality 700 million years ago during an extreme ice age that has puzzled scientists for decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-discovery">The discovery</h2>



Australian researchers from the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sydney</a> have finally cracked one of geology's greatest mysteries: what caused the Sturtian glaciation and why it persisted for an unprecedented 57 million years. This period occurred long before dinosaurs roamed the Earth, when no complex plants or multicellular animals existed.



Dr. Adriana Dutkiewicz, the study's lead author, describes a world completely unlike today's climate. "Imagine the Earth almost completely frozen over," she explained. "The planet was blanketed in ice from poles to equator, and temperatures plunged."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-combination-of-climate-factors">The combination of climate factors</h2>



The research team discovered that this massive freeze resulted from a "double whammy" of geological events. First, plate tectonic activity reduced volcanic carbon dioxide emissions to historically low levels. Volcanic activity typically releases CO2 into the atmosphere, creating a greenhouse effect that keeps Earth warm.



Simultaneously, weathering of volcanic rocks in what is now Canada actively absorbed atmospheric CO2, further reducing greenhouse gas concentrations. When atmospheric carbon dioxide levels dropped below 200 parts per million – less than half of today's levels – glaciation engulfed the entire planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-climate-implications">Modern climate implications</h2>



Published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/geology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geology</a>, this research provides crucial insights into Earth's climate system. While geological climate changes occur over millions of years, the study emphasizes that human-induced climate change is happening at a pace ten times faster than previously observed natural changes, highlighting the urgent need to understand our planet's delicate climate balance.



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What caused the planet's longest ice age

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DuSr87SHY 57 million-year ice age mystery solved by Australian scientists....

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the opposite.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-contrasting-climate-response">A contrasting climate response</h2>



Most coastal towns are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sinking-land-will-intensify-the-effects-of-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preparing for higher sea levels</a>, but <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-no-longer-has-to-worry-about-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland presents</a> a different scenario during climate change. The ground there is rising at a remarkable rate. Over the past decade, some areas have lifted about 20 centimeters, which translates to roughly 2 meters per century. This rate significantly exceeds current projections for sea level rise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geological-rebound-process-through-climate-change">Geological rebound process through climate change</h2>



The mechanism behind this phenomenon is straightforward. As the ice sheet melts, the immense weight is removed from the bedrock, causing the land to rebound upward. This process resembles the way compressed material springs back when pressure is released.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientific-monitoring-networks">Scientific monitoring networks</h2>



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.dtu.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technical University of Denmark</a> are documenting this uplift using the GNET network, consisting of 61 GPS stations positioned around Greenland's coast. These sensors can detect movement with millimeter precision, providing detailed measurements of the ongoing changes.



The data reveal that current uplift rates exceed the gradual rebound occurring since the last ice age ended approximately 12,000 years ago. This acceleration corresponds directly with increased ice sheet melting rates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coastal-transformation">Coastal Transformation</h2>



This uplift is actively reshaping Greenland's coastline. New islands and rocky formations, called "skerries," are emerging as previously submerged land surfaces rise above the water level. This represents a notable contrast to global concerns about rising seas.



The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, demonstrates the varied regional impacts of climate change. While many locations face rising water levels, Greenland's bedrock is literally rising above the surrounding seas.



The full study was recently published in <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2023GL104851" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a>.



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to implement the latest AI Agent building platform.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-agent-training-transforms-the-workplace-fear-factor-into-a-competitive-advantage">AI agent training transforms the workplace 'fear factor' into a competitive advantage</h2>



Organizations that offer comprehensive artificial intelligence training to their workers find remarkable value that extends well beyond basic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-wandering-might-be-more-productive-than-you-think/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">productivity improvements</a>. Emerging research demonstrates that carefully crafted AI training programs <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-does-not-replace-human-creativity-but-enhances-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enhance</a> corporate performance, lower operational costs, and dramatically improve employee psychological well-being by turning workplace uncertainty into professional empowerment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-widespread-ai-anxiety-crisis-among-us">Addressing the widespread 'AI anxiety' crisis among us</h2>



A staggering 53% of employees expressed concern that the use of AI tools to automate work tasks could make them appear disposable to their employers, according to <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft</a>'s 2024 workplace survey. Such pervasive worry about being substituted by machines has caused what researchers have termed "AI technostress" – a psychological state that can result in occupational burnout and poorer mental well-being.



Data published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a> showed that belief in AI learning ability was a moderator in the link between technology adoption and work pressure, and higher confidence significantly lowered negative psychological responses. Workers provided ample training to become competent with AI software have significantly lower stress.



Companies like <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a> have platforms for building what are known as "AI Agents". In essence, AI Agents are simply tools that employees can build for themselves or their teams quickly and inexpensively. MindStudio will even train entire companies, from the CEO on down, at no cost. By letting MindStudio empower employees, companies avoid hiring more IT staff, buying more software, and implementing solutions to problems that do not exist.



MindStudio even has partners locally for companies, like <a href="http://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dominnus</a> with offices in the Carolinas, California, and Denver, to help build AI Agents and support employees as they become resident AI experts for their organization. The training provided by MindStudio is applicable across other AI Agent building platforms as well.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-productivity-through-focused-learning">Revolutionary productivity through focused learning</h2>



Organizations that implement large-scale AI training programs achieve dramatic outcomes. Employees performed tasks significantly better when they utilized AI support compared to when they didn't, according to <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nielsen Norman Group</a> research findings. Their study documented productivity increases of 66% for a variety of professional tasks.



Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis research finds workers record 33% higher productivity in time working with generative AI tools. The benefit is equivalent to 5.4% of work time savings for AI users – around 2.2 hours per week for full-time workers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychological-well-being-benefits-through-ai-competence">Psychological well-being benefits through AI competence</h2>



The emotional transformation when employees are provided with proper technology training is a fundamental transformation from fear to professional confidence. A survey of 600 employees across industries, carried out by ScienceDirect, proved that AI capabilities strengthen work environment commitment and improve job satisfaction.



A <a href="https://www.lut.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LUT University</a> study discovered that AI adoption has no direct effect on workers' well-being but does so indirectly through working conditions like task optimization and safety protocols. Strategically deployed AI that involves correct training can actually increase workplace mental well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-replacement-anxiety-to-partnership-confidence">From 'replacement anxiety' to 'partnership confidence'</h2>



Although 35% of those interviewed in recent McKinsey studies were concerned about workforce displacement, firms with large-scale training initiatives witness such fears dissipate quickly. The World Economic Forum found that two out of three respondents believe AI competencies will enhance their career prospects and job marketability.



This shift from fear to trust has measurable implications for job satisfaction. Applied Sciences research indicates AI can create tailored wellness programs based on individual employee requirements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-financial-benefits-of-increased-retention">Financial benefits of increased retention</h2>



The mental health advantages of AI learning have a direct impact on organizational bottom lines in the form of a positive feedback cycle with high retention of employees. Recent ROI research validates that artificial intelligence learning has a beneficial impact on employee turnover and satisfaction levels.



PriceWaterhouseCoopers' research documents 20% to 30% improvements in productivity, market speed, and revenue in organizations that attempt systematic AI adoption through comprehensive training.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-advantages-of-ai-enabled-teams">Environmental advantages of AI-enabled teams</h2>



AI training has unforeseen environmental benefits as it makes the work environment more efficient. According to a study in Scientific Reports, the carbon footprint in writing and illustrating work is significantly lower when AI performs it compared to humans. AI software produces 130 to 1,500 times less CO2 equivalent per page of text created than human authors.



In addition, AI-driven remote work functionality significantly reduces environmental impact. Research by Cornell University and Microsoft indicates that remote workers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 54% by not commuting daily to offices. Hybrid workers working remotely two to four days a week can reduce their carbon footprint by 11% to 29%.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cumulative-organizational-advantages">Cumulative organizational advantages</h2>



The compounding gains of better mental well-being, reduced turnover, increased productivity, and environmental benefits flow to enterprises from the pairing. McKinsey analysis estimates the long-term AI potential at $4.4 trillion in incremental productivity growth opportunity from business use cases.



As of now, 75% of knowledge workers globally utilize generative AI, mirroring widespread adoption patterns. Organizations that provide organized training and assistance see the most favorable results in productivity, worker satisfaction, and ecological sustainability.



The research overwhelmingly indicates that companies that invest in proper AI education, like that offered through <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a>, establish win-win scenarios where employees are both more empowered and less stressed, and companies enjoy the gains of increased productivity, reduced turnover, and improved mental health outcomes throughout their workforce.



For more on MindStudio's free AI training for companies, visit the website's of MindStudio and Dominnus from the links below.



The research was published across a variety of peer-reviewed journals, including <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a>, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence</a>, and <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci">Applied Sciences</a>.



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MindStudio.AI: <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.mindstudio.ai</a>



Dominnus: <a href="https://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.dominnus.com</a>

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-natural-solution-to-disease-through-crop-modification">A natural solution to disease through crop modification.</h2>



The agricultural industry stands at a crossroads between productivity and environmental responsibility, and crop modification often carries a negative connotation. While chemical pesticides have long been the go-to solution for crop protection, their harmful effects on ecosystems and human health have prompted scientists to seek alternatives. The recent breakthrough by <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southampton</a> researchers offers a promising path forward through the precise manipulation of plant-associated microbial communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-science-behind-microbial-partnerships">The science behind microbial partnerships</h2>



Plants naturally harbor diverse ecosystems of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that function as biological allies. These microscopic partners contribute to disease resistance, nutrient absorption, and stress tolerance. However, until now, scientists lacked the tools to deliberately reshape these communities to enhance crop protection.



The Southampton team's approach centered on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/engineered-plant-microbiomes-the-future-of-crop-protection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modifying lignin biosynthesis genes in rice plants</a>. This strategic intervention altered the plant's metabolic output, creating conditions that favored beneficial bacterial populations while suppressing harmful ones. The result was a living defense system embedded within the plant itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-global-food-security">Implications for global food security</h2>



The successful demonstration against Xanthomonas oryzae, the pathogen responsible for bacterial blight in rice, represents more than a laboratory achievement. Rice feeds nearly half the world's population, and bacterial blight causes devastating crop losses annually. Traditional control methods rely heavily on pesticides that contaminate soil and water systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-disease-resistance">Looking Beyond Disease Resistance</h2>



While disease protection represents the immediate application, the research framework opens doors to broader agricultural improvements. Future developments could engineer microbiomes to enhance nutrient uptake, reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. This dual benefit addresses both crop productivity and environmental sustainability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-path-forward">The path forward</h2>



As this technology advances from laboratory to field applications, it promises to reshape sustainable agriculture. The ability to program plants with their own biological defense systems could herald a new era where crops protect themselves naturally, reducing chemical inputs while maintaining yields necessary for global food security.



The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44335-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4 Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease A natural...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-don-t-we-ever-hear-about-acid-rain-anymore-the-environmental-crisis-that-was-solved">Why don't we ever hear about "acid rain" anymore? The environmental crisis that was solved</h2>



Remember the 1980s when acid rain dominated headlines? Dire warnings about rain eating buildings, killing fish, and destroying forests filled every news cycle. Then, almost like magic, acid rain vanished from public discourse. What happened? Did we actually solve one of the late 20th century's most pressing environmental challenges?



The answer might surprise you. Unlike many environmental issues that drag on indefinitely, acid rain represents one of modern history's most successful ecological recovery stories. It's a tale of science, politics, and technology working together to tackle what seemed impossible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What was acid rain?</h2>



Acid rain isn't regular rain having a bad day – it's precipitation that became significantly more acidic due to air pollution. When power plants, factories, and vehicles burn fossil fuels, they release sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The science behind it</h2>



Think of acid rain as nature's chemistry experiment gone wrong. These compounds react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. When mixed with water vapor in clouds, they create precipitation with dangerously low pH levels.



While clean rain has a pH of about 5.6, acid rain could drop as low as 4.2 to 4.4 – roughly as acidic as tomato juice or coffee. According to US Geological Survey documentation, Scottish chemist Angus Smith first coined "acid rain" in 1872, but it didn't become a household phrase until the 1960s and 1970s when Swedish scientist Svante Odén documented its devastating effects on Scandinavian lakes and European forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The crisis at its peak</h2>



During the height of public concern, environmental damage was both widespread and visible. This wasn't some abstract future threat – people could see destruction happening in real-time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Environmental devastation</h2>



The most dramatic impacts were impossible to ignore. Research documented by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shows that in the Adirondack Mountains, more than 200 lakes became so acidic they couldn't support fish life. The Adirondack Council reports that 409 lakes once supported brook trout, but many lost their fish populations due to acid rain.



By 1976, when scientists cataloged all acidified lakes in the Adirondack Park, researchers found that half of the lakes over 2,000 feet above sea level had no fish, according to studies published in environmental journals. The acidification process worked like a slow-motion disaster. As acid rain fell into watersheds, it gradually lowered pH levels. Fish couldn't survive in acidic water, and their food sources died off too.



Trees at high elevations showed stress directly linked to acid rain. It weakened them by leaching nutrients and making them susceptible to disease. Historical records show Germany's Black Forest saw nearly half its trees damaged by the mid-1980s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Economic impact</h2>



Acid rain wasn't just environmental – it was expensive. Acidic precipitation corroded infrastructure, buildings, and monuments. Historic stone structures deteriorated at accelerated rates. Tourism suffered as lakes became fishless and forests declined. EPA economic analyses from the period documented repair costs mounting into billions annually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The solution: government action and technology</h2>



Transformation from crisis to success required unprecedented cooperation between governments, industries, and environmental groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Clean Air Act of 1990</h2>



The turning point came with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, signed by President George H.W. Bush. This represented a fundamentally new approach to environmental regulation, as documented in EPA historical records.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cap-and-trade success</h2>



Instead of mandating specific technologies, the 1990 amendments introduced something revolutionary: a cap-and-trade system for sulfur dioxide emissions. EPA program documentation shows this market-based approach set overall limits but allowed companies to trade emission allowances.



The genius was harnessing market forces to find cost-effective pollution reduction. Companies reducing emissions cheaply could sell excess allowances to those facing higher costs. Research published in environmental economics journals and EPA progress reports shows this resulted in dramatic SO2 reduction at a fraction of projected costs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Technology advances</h2>



Policy provided the framework, but technology made reductions possible. Studies in atmospheric science journals document the widespread adoption of flue gas desulfurization systems ("scrubbers") that removed sulfur dioxide before it reached the atmosphere. By the 2000s, new installations could remove over 95% of SO2 emissions, according to EPA technical reports.



The push coincided with cleaner energy development. Natural gas produces fewer sulfur compounds than coal. Wind and solar, emerging in the 1990s, captured growing market share, reducing reliance on high-sulfur coal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-we-don-t-hear-about-it-today">Why we don't hear about it today</h2>



Why did acid rain disappear from headlines? Simple: the problem was largely solved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Success doesn't make news</h2>



There's an old journalism saying: "If it bleeds, it leads." Environmental success stories don't generate urgency like crisis reporting. Media attention shifted to other challenges: climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss. There's only so much environmental anxiety the public can absorb, and newer concerns replaced acid rain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mission accomplished</h2>



The primary reason is beautifully simple: interventions worked. EPA monitoring data shows sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990. Academic research published in environmental science journals confirms pH levels in formerly affected areas returned closer to normal. This represents one of history's most dramatic environmental recoveries. Studies by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation show fishless lakes now support healthy populations. Forests recovered, and building damage slowed dramatically.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-it-really-gone">Is it really gone?</h2>



The crisis is largely resolved, but monitoring data shows the problem isn't completely eliminated – it's managed to acceptable levels. Some areas still experience occasional events during high pollution periods. International environmental research indicates that rapidly industrializing Asian countries face similar problems to what we experienced decades ago, though they're implementing successful strategies.



EPA research shows nitrogen oxide emissions proved more challenging than sulfur dioxide, coming from vehicles and mobile sources. Climate science studies suggest changing weather patterns add complexity to how acid rain forms and falls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What this teaches us</h2>



The acid rain experience proves that seemingly intractable environmental problems can be solved with scientific understanding, political will, and technological innovation. Environmental monitoring data shows recovery speed was remarkable – within a decade, measurable improvements appeared in air quality and ecosystem health.



Success came from bipartisan support across party lines. Policy analysis studies show the market-based approach appealed to those preferring economic incentives while achieving environmental goals. This support created lasting policy surviving political changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2>



Acid rain's disappearance from public consciousness represents environmental science's greatest success stories. Through effective regulation, technological innovation, and international cooperation, we transformed an overwhelming crisis into a manageable challenge.



Today's silence isn't because we forgot – it's because we solved it. The 1990 Clean Air Act, combined with technology and energy market changes, reduced acid rain emissions over 90%, according to comprehensive EPA data analysis.



This success offers hope for current challenges. It proves complex problems can be solved when science, policy, and technology work together. As we face climate change and plastic pollution, acid rain reminds us that dramatic positive change is possible.



Next time someone asks whether environmental regulations work, remember acid rain. It's proof that sometimes, we get it right.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



Sources: This article draws from EPA official documentation and progress reports, peer-reviewed research published in environmental and atmospheric science journals, historical data from the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation records, US Geological Survey publications, policy analysis studies, and environmental monitoring data collected over three decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>



1. Is acid rain completely gone? No, but EPA monitoring shows it's reduced to manageable levels. US sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990, making acid rain much less severe than the 1980s crisis.



2. How long did solving take? Environmental monitoring data shows significant improvements began within 5-10 years of 1990s emission controls. Full ecosystem recovery took longer – some areas need 20-30 years for complete recovery.



3. What made the solution successful? Clear scientific understanding, visible damage motivating action, bipartisan support, available technology, and innovative market-based policies like cap-and-trade.



4. Do other countries have acid rain problems? Yes, particularly rapidly industrializing Asian countries. However, international environmental research shows many implement similar successful control strategies.



5. Could acid rain return? Potentially, if regulations weaken or we return to high-sulfur coal without controls, though effects would take years to become severe according to environmental projections.



6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"? The United States Environmental Protection Agency produced a wonderful teacher's guide for ages 14 and under that you can find on the EPA website here: <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf</a>



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The environmental problem we actually solved

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk Acid rain and a crisis solved. Why don't we...

Green,Ecoduct,Over,An,Empty,Highway,During,Sunset.

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that wildlife tunnels significantly reduce amphibian road mortality during seasonal migrations. 



Frogs and salamanders often cross roads to reach breeding ponds each spring, but many are killed by vehicles. 



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont</a>, in collaboration with local citizens and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, installed two underpass tunnels in 2015. 



Over a 12-year monitoring period, they observed an 80.2% reduction in amphibian deaths, and up to 94% for non-climbing species like salamanders. 



The study used a before-after-control-impact design and documented more than 5,200 amphibians, highlighting the tunnels’ effectiveness even in nearby buffer zones.



Funded at $342,397 - far cheaper than wildlife crossings for large mammals - the project showcased the power of community-led conservation.



Local groups initiated the effort after observing mass amphibian deaths. Wildlife cameras later captured over 2,200 amphibians using a tunnel in just one spring, along with other species like raccoons and bobcats, indicating wider ecosystem benefits.



This marks the first peer-reviewed, long-term data set in the northeastern U.S. confirming amphibian-specific underpasses work. 



The study urges transportation departments to incorporate these designs into road planning and highlights how community action, thoughtful infrastructure, and persistence can make a real difference for biodiversity.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1617138125000780" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal for Nature Conservation</a>.



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that...

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing it with probiotics and prebiotics, aiming to create a treat that satisfies cravings while supporting gut health. 



The challenge lies in maintaining chocolate's beloved texture and flavor while adding health benefits.



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Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



Prebiotics act as food for these microbes, helping them thrive. Together, they form "synbiotics," a powerful health combination.



Researchers Smriti Gaur and Shubhi Singh from India's Jaypee Institute of Information Technology took an innovative approach, using natural prebiotics like corn and honey instead of complex processing methods. 



They created five chocolate varieties: a control and four synbiotic versions containing different combinations of prebiotics, probiotics (Lactobacillus strains), and flavor enhancers (cinnamon or orange).



Laboratory simulations of human digestion showed the probiotics remained viable for over five hours, suggesting they could survive long enough to benefit gut health.



Taste tests were positive, with researchers particularly enjoying the orange-flavored variety, describing it as having "vibrant citrus notes" complementing the "rich cocoa" with a "luxurious" texture.



This research represents just the beginning. With further refinement of strains, textures, and flavors, chocolate could evolve beyond mere indulgence to become a functional food that nourishes while it delights.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.4c00741" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Food Science &amp; Technology</a>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.igb.illinois.edu/">Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</a> reveals how scientists can modify common crops like soybean, rice, and wheat to protect them from heat stress.



“We need to double crop production by 2050 to feed a growing global population, and not only are we not on track to do that, but climate change is further complicating things,” said Amanda Cavanagh, a lecturer at the University of Essex. 



The study is part of Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), an international research project that aims to develop food crops that turn the sun’s energy into food more efficiently.



“Using an engineering approach we designed multiple alternative metabolic pathways to photorespiration. Testing them in the field showed increases in productivity which led Amanda to significantly move the project forward by showing our engineered plants can withstand pretty extreme temperature stress,” said study co-author and RIPE researcher Paul South.&nbsp;



“As the climate changes and temperature stresses increase the pressure on our global food supply, farmers will need every tool available including engineering approaches like the synthetic biology used here to maintain safe and productive harvests.”



The experts tested plants modified to have more efficient photorespiration to see if they were better adapted to warmer temperatures.&nbsp;



The team found that the engineered plants produced 26 percent more biomass than the wild-type plants exposed to the same temperatures, and had 15 percent less yield loss under the higher temperatures.



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Carl...

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes the first comprehensive estimate of carbon density in the Saharan, Sahel, and Sudanian zones of Africa. In an effort to measure the amount of carbon stored across these drylands, a team of scientists used high-resolution satellite images and artificial intelligence to map nearly 10 billion individual trees. 



"The high spatial resolution (50 cm) combined with AI and field measurements used in this study is key to improving tree inventories in drylands," said Pierre Hiernaux, a French researcher working for NASA. "The ever-increasing availability of very high-resolution satellite imagery will make it possible to assess carbon pools and their dynamics at the individual tree level on a global scale."



"This study is exceptional because it is pioneering a type of approach that will revolutionize the monitoring of trees and forests on a global scale: in the short term, it will be possible to map the world's trees from the centre of the Amazon to our schoolyards," said <a href="https://www.inrae.fr/en">INRAE</a> researcher Jean-Pierre Wigneron.



"Many fields of application will become much more efficient and accurate, such as tracking carbon stocks, biodiversity, monitoring logging and protection against illegal forest degradation, in near real time.”



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

[sendtonews key="EjmSP20gQK-2593093-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features northwest Lesotho in South Africa.



According to ESA, Lesotho is the only nation in the world that lies completely above 1,000 m in elevation. The country is famous for its tall mountains and narrow valleys, and is known as Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky."



Out of a population of around two million people, about 80 percent live in rural areas. More than 75 percent of these people are engaged in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-have-a-global-impact-on-agriculture/">agriculture</a>, including rainfed cereal production and animal grazing.&nbsp;



ESA reports that the country’s agricultural system faces a growing number of issues, with climate-related vulnerabilities such as drought, floods and extreme temperatures occurring more frequently. 



Diamonds are amongst the minerals found in the mountains. Indeed, Lesotho can truly be called the Kingdom in the Sky. Beautiful, culturally rich, safe, affordable, and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg, mountainous Lesotho is a vastly underrated travel destination. the Kingdom of Lesotho (Sotho: 'Muso oa Lesotho) is an enclaved country in southern Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size and has a population of around 2 million.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> features a visual dataset of.methane emissions from wetlands across the globe. Atmospheric methane levels have reached record highs in recent years, and wetlands are a major source of these emissions.&nbsp;



"Methane is an important greenhouse gas that contributes substantially to global warming. On a molecule by molecule basis, methane is much more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, the main driver of warming," says NASA.



"Though human activities, including agriculture, oil and natural gas production and use, and waste disposal, collectively contribute the majority of methane to the atmosphere, about a third of total methane emissions comes from wetlands."&nbsp;



According to NASA, understanding methane emissions from wetlands and other natural sources is critically important for scientists and policymakers who are working to combat climate change by reducing emissions from human activities.



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

[sendtonews key="f8fukm28Vz-2491833-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



Columbia Glacier is a large, multi-branched calving glacier that flows out of the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound.&nbsp;



According to USGS, Columbia had a long history of stability prior to 1980, with a length 41 miles, and small, short-lived advances or retreats.



In the years since 1980, however, satellite images have captured Columbia’s alarming retreat. By using false-color images, scientists can distinguish between snow and ice, open water, vegetation, and rocky debris on the glacier’s surface.



The series of false-color images featured in today's video were acquired over the span of 35 years. You can see that by 2021, the glacier’s main branch had retreated about 15 miles from its initial position.



The Columbia Glacier has also lost more than 50 percent of its volume, mostly due to calving. <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-reveals-3d-visual-of-an-atmospheric-river/">NASA</a> reports that while climate change likely started the retreat, mechanical processes kept the disintegration going.



The NASA images are provided by Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon, Joshua Stevens, and Lauren Dauphin using data from Landsat satellites, from the U.S. Geological Survey, and data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. The structure of Columbia’s moraine played a large role in the stability of the glacier before 1980. 



Like other tidewater glaciers, the Columbia built up a moraine over time, and the mixture of ice and rock functioned like a dam keeping out the sea. It was supported on one end by the shoreline and by the underwater terminal moraine at the other.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes how record-breaking heat expressed itself around the world in 2022.



Scientists have determined that 2022 was the 5th warmest year since 1880. Furthermore, the last nine consecutive years have been the warmest on record.



From devastating floods and wildfires to natural disasters like Hurricane Ian, 2022 showed us yet again how a warming climate affects people across the globe.&nbsp;



"As we look back at 20:22 and years past, we see that each year we better understand the challenges we face and how important it is to meet them," says NASA.



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes Earth’s interconnected systems, and how this network is affected by rising temperatures.&nbsp;



During 2020, average global temperatures matched the hottest year on record. The hurricane season was also record-breaking, with many of the storms intensifying at extraordinary speeds. Hot water in the ocean is fuel for hurricanes. The satellite data shows that it's all one interconnected system showing how Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected.



According to NASA, dust swept up from Northern Africa plays a major role in the formation of hurricanes, and is also a key source of fertilization in the Amazon rainforest. As a result of<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-wasting-disease-is-fueled-by-climate-change/"> climate</a> change, dust plumes are expected to decline, which will have an effect on vegetation far away.&nbsp;



Images from Earth-observing satellites show how the world’s plant life is affected by natural disasters, fires, and deforestation. Satellites also reveal how widespread changes in vegetation impact waterways,&nbsp; the climate, air quality. Satellites communicate by using radio waves to send signals to the antennas on the Earth. "Earth From Space" is a groundbreaking two-hour special that reveals a spectacular new space-based vision of our planet. 



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"] Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected...

Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/">University of Miami</a> Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science explores how changes in water temperatures have affected tiger shark habitats and movements in the North Atlantic Ocean. The study reveals that rising temperatures have caused the sharks to shift toward the poles over the past 40 years.



“Tiger shark annual migrations have expanded poleward, paralleling rising water temperatures,” explained study lead author Neil Hammerschlag. “These results have consequences for tiger shark conservation, since shifts in their movements outside of marine protected areas may leave them more vulnerable to commercial fishing.”



The researchers analyzed nine years of tracking data from satellite-tagged tiger sharks, combined with four decades of conventional tag and recapture data provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Shark Tagging Program.



The experts found that during the last decade of record heat, for every one-degree Celsius increase in water temperatures, tiger sharks migrated further poleward by over 400 kilometers. They also migrated two weeks earlier than usual to waters off the northeastern coast of the United States.



“Given their role as apex predators, these changes to tiger shark movements may alter predator-prey interactions, leading to ecological imbalances, and more frequent encounters with humans,” concluded Professor Hammerschlag.



Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

Today’s Video of the Day from the University of Miami...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> is focused on the melt ponds that emerge during the spring and summer on the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the largest ice mass in the northern hemisphere.



"Melt ponds are vast pools of open water that form on both sea ice and ice sheets and are visible as turquoise-blue pools of water in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image," says ESA.



"When snow and ice melts atop glaciers, water flows in channels and streams and collects in depressions on the surface. These melt ponds can speed up the melting of the surrounding ice since they greatly reduce the ice’s ability to reflect sunlight."



"This can create a positive feedback where an increasing number of melt ponds absorb more heat which causes ice cover to melt even faster."



According to ESA, Greenland has been hit with a late-season heatwave that began in early September. This caused the type of melt event that usually occurs in the middle of summer.



"In a recent paper published in Nature Climate Change, scientists found that major sea-level rise from the melting of the Greenland ice cap is now ‘inevitable’ even if the burning of fossil fuels were to halt overnight," says ESA. "Using satellite observations of Greenland ice loss and ice cap from 2000 to 2019, the team found the losses will lead to a minimum rise of 27 cm regardless of climate change."



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes how Earth is unique in our solar system for its ability to sustain liquid water on its surface. But now, the water cycle is shifting as the climate warms, and scientists must find ways to predict how these changes will affect water availability.



Overall, 96 percent of Earth's water is saltwater, and nearly all of freshwater is found in ice and groundwater. These sources of water are linked as it passes through solid, liquid and gas phases.



In a warmer climate, the water cycle will be transformed. It will be easier for water to evaporate and form clouds, and storms will become more frequent and intense. Some regions will get too much water, while others will be left without enough water. In addition, soil moisture will be lost - which threatens food security.



Scientists are using satellite data from over the last 40 years to track changes that are happening in the water cycle. This will ultimately help us prepare for extreme events and better manage our water resources, according to ESA.



Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

[sendtonews key="fxH3eJHEkQ-2010196-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a> features images of Saturn from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. The photographs capture the start of the mysterious "spoke season" on Saturn - when unexplained features appear on its rings. 



According to NASA, both the cause of the spokes and their seasonal variability have yet to be fully explained by planetary scientists.



"Like Earth, Saturn is tilted on its axis and therefore has four seasons, though because of Saturn's much larger orbit, each season lasts approximately seven Earth years. Equinox occurs when the rings are tilted edge-on to the Sun," explains NASA.



"The spokes disappear when it is near summer or winter solstice on Saturn. (When the Sun appears to reach either its highest or lowest latitude in the northern or southern hemisphere of a planet.) As the autumnal equinox of Saturn's northern hemisphere on May 6, 2025, draws near, the spokes are expected to become increasingly prominent and observable."



Experts believe that the spokes may be a product of the planet's variable magnetic field. When magnetic fields interact with solar wind, an electrically charged environment is created. This phenomenon is visible on Earth as the northern lights.&nbsp;



"Scientists think that the smallest, dust-sized icy ring particles can become charged as well, which temporarily levitates those particles above the rest of the larger icy particles and boulders in the rings," says NASA.



The spokes were first observed in the early 1980s by NASA's Voyager mission. Depending on the angle of the rings, the spokes can appear dark or light.



"Thanks to Hubble's OPAL program, which is building an archive of data on the outer solar system planets, we will have longer dedicated time to study Saturn’s spokes this season than ever before," said NASA senior planetary scientist Amy Simon, head of the Hubble Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy (OPAL) program.



"Despite years of excellent observations by the Cassini mission, the precise beginning and duration of the spoke season is still unpredictable, rather like predicting the first storm during hurricane season."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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