There’s a heat-driven health crisis creeping in - not with coughing or fevers in a doctor’s office, but with buzzing mosquitoes.



Dengue fever, a disease that used to stick mostly to tropical zones, is breaking borders and heading toward cities and countries that never had to worry about it before. The reason? It’s getting warmer.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquito-borne-diseases-are-a-growing-threat-in-a-warming-world/">Dengue</a> is far more than a nuisance. The illness often starts with high fever, headaches, and body aches. In some cases, it spirals into internal bleeding, organ failure, and death.



Once mostly seen in places like Brazil and the Philippines, it’s now on track to affect millions more across both Asia and the Americas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temperature-and-dengue-transmission">Temperature and dengue transmission </h2>



Until now, scientists had a pretty good hunch that heat played a role in dengue’s spread. What this new study makes clear is just how big that role is - and how dangerous the trend could become.



The analysis looked at 1.4 million records of dengue across 21 countries, mainly in Central and South America, plus Southeast and South Asia. The research shows that even small increases in average temperature are already making dengue infections worse and more widespread.



“The effects of temperature were much larger than I expected,” said Marissa Childs, the lead author from the <a href="https://www.summer.uw.edu/">University of Washington</a>. “Even small shifts in temperature can have a big impact for dengue transmission, and we’re already seeing the fingerprint of climate warming.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-mosquito-s-sweet-spot">The mosquito’s sweet spot</h2>



Dengue doesn’t spread well in just any heat. It thrives in a narrow band of temperatures. The peak danger zone? Around 82°F. That’s the sweet spot where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquitoes-use-thermal-infrared-vision-to-track-and-bite-humans/">mosquitoes</a> are most active and the dengue virus replicates fast.



This means that as previously cooler cities and regions warm up, they’re becoming perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes that carry dengue. This includes major population centers in Mexico, Peru, and Brazil. Many are just now reaching that danger zone, and that’s where the biggest spikes are expected.



The study found that hotter areas already above this optimal temperature might actually see slight dips in dengue spread. But those declines don’t come close to canceling out the massive increases elsewhere. The total global impact is still a steep rise in infections.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-millions-of-infections-linked-to-heat">Millions of infections linked to heat</h2>



Between 1995 and 2014, warmer temperatures were responsible for 18% of dengue infections across the 21 countries studied. That’s not a future estimate - it’s already happened. 



Based on current rates, over 4.6 million extra dengue cases have been caused by climate-driven warming every year.



Looking ahead, things could get worse, and fast. Depending on how much <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenhouse-gas-emissions-reach-another-all-time-high/">greenhouse gas emissions</a> rise, cases could jump another 49% to 76% by 2050. That means more than double the current number of dengue infections in places that are already home to over 260 million people.



“Many studies have linked temperature and dengue transmission,” said Erin Mordecai, senior author of the study. “What’s unique about this work is that we are able to separate warming from all the other factors that influence dengue - mobility, land use change, population dynamics - to estimate its effect on the real-world dengue burden." 



"This is not just hypothetical future change but a large amount of human suffering that has already happened because of warming-driven dengue transmission.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-places-new-risks">New places, new risks</h2>



The numbers in the study might actually be lower than the real totals. The research didn’t include places where data is unreliable or hard to get - such as large parts of India and Africa. 



The analysis also doesn’t fully cover areas where dengue is still emerging, like parts of the United States and Europe.



But signs are showing up. Dengue cases have already been reported in California, Texas, Florida, Hawaii, and even southern parts of Europe. As people move, cities grow, and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-variables-can-predict-future-mosquito-activity/">virus</a> evolves, the risks are rising.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-slow-the-spread">How to slow the spread</h2>



The study points to two ways forward: prevention and preparation. On the prevention side, aggressive action to cut carbon emissions would slow down global warming and reduce heat-driven spread of dengue. 



This strategy would require more investment in clean energy and fewer emissions from fossil fuels.



But even with strong prevention efforts, adaptation is critical. Health systems need to be ready. Mosquito control programs have to expand. And access to new vaccines will matter more than ever.



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cities-are-largely-unprepared-for-the-effects-of-climate-change/">Climate change</a> is not just affecting the weather - it has cascading consequences for human health, including fueling disease transmission by mosquitoes,” Mordecai said.



"Even as the U.S. federal government moves away from investing in climate mitigation and climate and health research, this work is more crucial than ever for anticipating and mitigating the human suffering caused by fossil fuel emissions.”



What this study shows isn’t just that dengue is spreading. It proves that climate change is already making people sick in ways that were once hard to measure. The suffering isn’t tomorrow’s problem - it’s today’s reality. And unless big changes happen fast, that reality is only going to get worse.



The full study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.



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Rising heat is supercharging dengue and spreading it into new regions

There’s a heat-driven health crisis creeping in - not with coughing or fevers in a doctor’s office, but with buzzing mosquitoes. Dengue fever, a disease that used to stick mostly to tropical zones, is breaking borders and heading toward cities and countries that never had to worry about it before. The reason? It’s getting warmer. Dengue is far more than a nuisance. The illness often starts with high fever, headaches, and body aches. In some cases, it spirals into internal bleeding, organ failure, and death. Once mostly...

Cloud,Dust,Of,Tree

Spring is a time for blossoms and hay we often associate pollen with allergic reactions -- a cause of sniffles and sneezes. But who would've guessed that tiny pollen spores wield such power over clouds and the overall weather?



It turns out pollen plays a vital role in facilitating the freezing of water in clouds, inciting more precipitation and cloud ice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollen-more-than-meets-the-eye">Pollen: More than meets the eye</h2>



Dr. Jan Kretzschmar, meteorologist and lead author of the study from Leipzig University, alongside co-author Professor Johannes Quaas, Professor of Theoretical Meteorology at Leipzig, decided to take a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollen-can-actually-change-the-weather/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">closer look</a> at how pollen impacts the weather.



Apparently, pollen enhances ice formation in clouds, even at temperatures between minus 15 and minus 25 degrees Celsius (5°F to -13°F). 



Without these ice-nucleating particles (INPs), water in clouds only freezes at temperatures below minus 38 degrees Celsius (-36°F).



“This is supported by laboratory results showing that pollen acts as an ice nucleus, influencing the freezing temperature of water in clouds and promoting precipitation,” says Dr. Kretzschmar.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollen-clouds-and-weather-patterns">Pollen, clouds and weather patterns</h2>



Globally, pollen's effect on ice formation might not seem substantial compared to other substances like dust. However, on a regional and seasonal level, pollen's power <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crops-worldwide-are-insufficiently-pollinated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">becomes evident</a>. 



We usually experience the pollen onslaught in the spring. Not only do these particles trigger our allergies, but they also rise into the atmosphere, entering cold air layers and stimulating ice formation.



Our tiny hero, pollen, doesn't stay up there for long. Its size restricts it to a short atmospheric tenure. But here's the plot twist: when pollen comes in contact with humid conditions, it ruptures into smaller fragments.&nbsp;



These minute particles stick around longer in the air and in large quantities, can penetrate cold atmospheric layers, triggering ice formation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollen-s-influence-on-clouds">Pollen's influence on clouds</h2>



Understanding how pollen impacts weather requires delving into its unique properties and interaction with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-records-shatter-2024-set-to-be-hottest-year-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric conditions</a>.&nbsp;



Pollen grains possess a rough surface and can absorb moisture, making them remarkably effective as ice-nucleating particles, particularly in certain environmental conditions. 



This quality is essential in the phase transition of water from liquid to solid, as the presence of such particles lowers the energy barrier for freezing. 



Through this process, pollen effectively accelerates the formation of ice crystals within clouds, an initiation crucial for precipitation development.&nbsp;



Consequently, pollen's interaction with existing cloud constituents helps propagate more extensive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-changing-rainfall-patterns-impact-plants-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">precipitation patterns</a>, making it a pivotal factor in local meteorology during peak pollen periods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-climate-models-nbsp">Implications for climate models&nbsp;</h2>



The revelation that pollen contributes significantly to cloud microphysics presents challenges and opportunities for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rainfall-is-increasingly-unpredictable-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric science</a>. 



Current climate models predominantly factor in major ice-nucleating agents like dust or soot, often overlooking the transient yet potent influence of pollen. 



Integrating pollen dynamics into these models can enhance predictive accuracy, especially in regions with prolific plant life. 



Future research is expected to focus on quantifying pollen's variability in different ecosystems, investigating its contribution to cloud dynamics, and exploring how changes in vegetation and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2024-is-expected-to-exceed-the-1-5c-warming-limit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> might alter its role.&nbsp;



By refining our understanding of pollen's multifaceted impact on the atmosphere, scientists can develop more comprehensive climate models that better capture the intricate interplay between terrestrial biosystems and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-rainfall-gets-an-unpredictable-boost-from-air-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric processes</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollen-s-role-in-a-changing-weather">Pollen's role in a changing weather</h2>



Now, let's take a dip into the pool of climate change. With the onset of the pollen season shifting, extending, and the volumes of pollen in the air increasing, we might be looking at heightened <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cities-experience-more-rainfall-than-surrounding-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">local precipitation</a>.



Biodiversity is another piece of the puzzle. In spring, numerous plant species let loose volumes of pollen simultaneously. This natural event impacts cloud formation and the amount of ice particles in the atmosphere.&nbsp;



How vast is this impact? That's what scientists are keen to figure out. Understanding pollen's role could help generate more accurate climate models.&nbsp;



If we can correctly simulate the effect of pollen and how it interacts with the climate, we will be able to make more accurate predictions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollen-an-important-factor-in-cloud-formation-nbsp">Pollen, an important factor in cloud formation&nbsp;</h2>



So, can we consider pollen as an unsuspecting player in our planet's weather system? Perhaps. The upcoming research results are eagerly awaited. 



You might have started reading this article thinking pollen was just a trivial plant byproduct. But now, doesn't it feel like there is more to the story?



Remember, every time you sneeze this spring season, there's more going on than just a minor allergy. You might just be witnessing a phenomenon that could change our understanding of the weather.



-----



This research was carried out by researchers from <a href="https://www.uni-leipzig.de" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leipzig University</a>, the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (<a href="https://www.tropos.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TROPOS</a>), the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (<a href="https://www.idiv.de/en/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iDiv</a>) Halle-Jena-Leipzig and the <a href="https://www.bgc-jena.mpg.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry</a>. It's astounding what everyday things can teach us.



The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ad747a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Research Letters</a>.&nbsp;



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Pollen alters cloud formation and changes weather patterns

Spring is a time for blossoms and hay we often...

A new study suggests that microplastics can infiltrate the base of the brain. The research team confirmed the presence of plastic particles and fibers in the olfactory bulbs of human cadavers. 



"The presence of microplastics in the human olfactory bulb suggests the olfactory pathway as a potential entry route for microplastics into the brain, highlighting the need for further research on their neurotoxic effects and implications for human health," noted the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microplastics-in-the-human-body">Microplastics in the human body</h2>



Our lives are more intertwined with plastic than we realize. From our morning cup of coffee to the clothes we wear, plastic has stealthily slipped into almost every aspect of our daily lives. 



Yet, there's another side to this story that's far less visible but markedly more invasive: the threat of microplastics. These tiny tormentors have made their way into our bodies.



The recent study on human cadavers was led by Luís Fernando Amato-Lourenço, a respected microplastics investigator at the <a href="https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Free University of Berlin</a>. The team discovered timy shards of plastic lodged in human nose tissue, precisely in the olfactory bulb.



This discovery poses the scary question, could these particles travel to other parts of the brain?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-evidence-of-our-plastic-crisis">More evidence of our plastic crisis </h2>



The trajectory of these microplastic intrusions within our bodies is dictated by factors like their size, shape, and the body's defensive responses.



Logic suggests that the smaller the enemy, the easier it is for it to go unnoticed by our body's defense system to breach our brain and spinal cord. The study has confirmed that this is, in fact, the case. 



For Phoebe Stapleton, a professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at <a href="https://www.rutgers.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rutgers University</a>, this revelation is but a reflection of our plastic cumulated reality.



“I’m not really surprised,” Stapleton told CNN. “I really do think that plastics are going to be in every place in the body that we look. This is just more evidence.”



Yet, not every scientist is buying into the microplastic scare. The skeptics demand concrete evidence and reliable studies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hazardous-chemicals-in-microplastics">Hazardous chemicals in microplastics</h2>



A wave of recent studies is reinforcing one truth: our bodies are playing unwilling hosts to these nearly invisible invaders. 



From unsuspected areas like our brain, testes, lung tissues to places as sacred as a mother's milk and a child's placenta, these minuscule enemies, smaller than a strand of hair, are everywhere.



What really ups the ante of their threat level is the sinister cargo they carry: hazardous chemicals such as bisphenols, phthalates, flame retardants, and heavy metals.



Sherri “Sam” Mason is the director of sustainability at Penn State Behrend in Erie, Pennsylvania. 



“The chemicals can be carried to your liver and your kidney and your brain and even make their way across the placental boundary and end up in an unborn child,” noted Mason, who was not involved in the study. 



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



The recent study brought to light microplastics in the olfactory bulbs of more than half of the cadavers studied. However, the experts could not pinpoint the source of exposure or why only some cadavers carried this evidence.



Amato-Lourenço hypothesizes that a swollen nasal lining might pave the way for these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastic-pollution-found-in-every-aquatic-species-tested/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">particles</a>. According to him, airborne microplastics could originate from synthetic fabrics and common household items.



The most frequently found culprit was polypropylene, a commonly used plastic that is generally considered safe. But a conflicting study presents an alarming connection between polypropylene microplastics and accelerated progression of breast cancer in human bodies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-global-concern">A global concern</h2>



Amid this alarming reality, there's a shred of hope. Guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that we can minimize our chemical exposure by reducing the use of disposable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-microplastics-are-here-to-stay-so-what-can-we-do-now/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastics</a> and switching to reusable alternatives.



Microplastics are a global concern, as they continue to spread across continents and ecosystems. They are polluting our marine ecosystems, threatening our soil through wastewater sludge, and indirectly affecting us through seafood consumption.



The scale of this problem demands a united global response and comprehensive policy-making.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-study">Significance of the study</h2>



The disturbing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-pose-a-greater-threat-to-some-ocean-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">presence of microplastics</a> bears crucial importance on the need to strategize effective ways to minimize exposure and comprehend the long-term health implications.



By harmonizing scientific exploration with practical interventions, we can aim to mitigate microplastic pollution.



The discovery of microplastics in the base of the human brain is a wake-up call. Until the scientific community reaches a solid consensus on the impact of this invasion, it's up to us to limit our exposure and take proactive measures.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2823787" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Network Open</a>.



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Microplastics are infiltrating the human body - even the brain

A new study suggests that microplastics can infiltrate the base...

The beauty of nature lies in its intricate, minute details, and a small yet profoundly significant part of this beauty is owed to the diverse microbes residing in the mysterious depths of our oceans.



These tiny, often-overlooked beings, each with their own unique food preferences, play a crucial role in the vast, complex, and seemingly invisible process of carbon sequestration, a process vital to regulating Earth's climate and supporting life on the planet.



Recent insights from a Science publication titled "Microbial dietary preference and interactions affect the export of lipids to the deep ocean" shed light on how the dietary preferences of bacteria influence the efficiency of carbon storage in the oceanic depths.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-microbes-dietary-preferences">Ocean microbes' dietary preferences</h2>



"In our study, we found incredible variation in what the different microbes preferred to digest. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-form-memories-and-pass-them-on-to-future-generations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bacteria</a> seem to have very distinct diet preferences for different lipid molecules," explained Benjamin Van Mooy, senior scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (<a href="https://www.whoi.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WHOI</a>).



"This has real implications for understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-a-new-ocean-carbon-sequestration-process/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon sequestration</a> and the biological carbon pump." 



The biological carbon pump refers to the process where sinking biomass transports carbon from the ocean surface to the deep ocean.



Lipids, carbon-rich fatty acid biomolecules, make up about 5 to 30% of the surface ocean’s particulate organic matter, serving as a crucial component in marine ecosystems.



These lipids not only act as energy storage but also play a key role in facilitating essential cellular functions for the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-microbes-can-tell-us-about-global-changes-in-the-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbes that inhabit the ocean</a>.



As the organic matter sinks to the deep sea, diverse and complex communities of resident microbes degrade and utilize these lipids, significantly influencing global CO2 concentrations and contributing to the regulation of Earth's climate system.



Understanding this process is crucial to improve our ability to forecast global carbon fluxes in changing ocean regimes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microbes-and-deep-ocean-carbon-regulation">Microbes and deep ocean carbon regulation</h2>



"Bacteria isolated from marine particles exhibited distinct dietary preferences, ranging from selective to promiscuous degraders," the study explains. 



These dietary choices modulate lipid degradation and, consequently, affect how efficiently lipids are transported through the ocean's mesopelagic zone, which extends about 200-1000 meters below the surface.



"I was thrilled to see how much there is to learn about the functioning of the ocean by combining two technologies -- high-end chemical analysis and microscale imaging -- that have historically never been used together," noted co-author Roman Stocker, professor at <a href="https://ethz.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ETH Zurich</a>.



"I believe that work at the interface between these exciting technologies will continue to yield important insights into how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-laid-the-foundation-for-early-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbes shape our oceans</a>, now and into the future," he continued.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lipid-preferences-in-ocean-microbes">Lipid preferences in ocean microbes</h2>



"Scientists are starting to understand that lipids in the ocean can vary significantly depending on different environments, such as the coast versus the open ocean, and the season," Van Mooy enthused.



Researchers can now begin to consider whether some regions efficiently sequester lipids, while others may see inefficient sequestration.



"What excites me about this paper is that it shows bacteria are not just eating any type of lipid but are very specialized and, like us, have specific food preferences," added Lars Behrendt, associate professor at <a href="https://www.uu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uppsala University</a>.



"This changes how we think about how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shock-discovery-greenland-ice-sheet-is-teeming-with-microorganisms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microorganisms</a> consume food in their natural environment." 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bacterial-communities-and-degradation-dynamics">Bacterial communities and degradation dynamics</h2>



The study also examined how multispecies communities of bacteria affect degradation rates, revealing that co-cultures exhibit different dynamics compared to species in isolation. 



This complexity emphasizes the importance of understanding microbial interactions in natural environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microbes-and-the-huge-carbon-sink">Microbes and the huge carbon sink</h2>



"<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-heatwaves-have-complex-effects-on-phytoplankton-food-web/">Phytoplankton</a> are the main reason the ocean is one of the biggest carbon sinks, absorbing as much carbon as all the plants on land combined," said Uria Alcolombri, senior lecturer at <a href="https://en.huji.ac.il/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hebrew University of Jerusalem</a>. 



These microscopic organisms and their interactions with deep-sea microbes play a crucial role in regulating global carbon levels.



-----



This research was funded by a variety of international organizations, including the Moore Foundation, Simons Foundation, and National Science Foundation, underscoring the global recognition of the importance of understanding the role of ocean microbes in carbon sequestration.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aab2661" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Ocean microbes eat a different diet that affects climate change

The beauty of nature lies in its intricate, minute details,...

After decades of efforts to curb global warming, scientists are now exploring ways to reverse climate change and potentially cool the planet. They are looking into geoengineering - strategies that manipulate Earth's systems to mitigate climate effects.&nbsp;



Geoengineering ideas include brightening clouds to reflect more sunlight, sinking lab-grown seaweed into the ocean to absorb carbon dioxide, or drilling holes into glaciers to slow sea level rise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-questions-surrounding-geoengineering-nbsp">Complex questions surrounding geoengineering&nbsp;</h2>



The <a href="https://www.uchicago.edu/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Chicago</a> has positioned itself at the forefront of this emerging field by recruiting physicist David Keith, who will lead a climate engineering program. 



Keith plans to build a team of 10 tenure-track faculty and several young researchers. He emphasizes the need for collaboration to tackle the complex questions surrounding geoengineering.&nbsp;



“We cannot understand (geoengineering) with just a bunch of individual people working on this in an isolated way,” Keith explained. “We need to bring together a broad group of scholars and students to debate it in a much richer way.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-radiation-management-nbsp">Solar radiation management&nbsp;</h2>



For a long time, manipulating Earth’s systems was considered taboo, as many scientists viewed it as a distraction from reducing carbon emissions. Some even deemed it too dangerous to explore.&nbsp;



The most controversial method is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/geoengineering-can-we-dim-the-sun-to-avoid-climate-tipping-points/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar radiation management</a>, which involves shooting aerosols into the atmosphere to reflect sunlight and cool the planet. Physicist Peter Irvine recently joined Keith's team at UChicago to study this method. 



Solar geoengineering is expected to mimic the cooling effect of massive volcanic eruptions, such as the 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia. That eruption cooled global temperatures and dimmed sunlight for years.&nbsp;



“Solar radiation management is the only (climate intervention) that could be deployed within a single presidential term,” Irvine said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geoengineering-is-becoming-a-necessary-option">Geoengineering is becoming a necessary option</h2>



However, fears remain that promises of yet-to-be-developed technologies could be used by wealthy nations or fossil fuel companies to avoid reducing carbon emissions.&nbsp;



With global emissions still rising and not being cut fast enough, some experts see geoengineering as a necessary option.&nbsp;



As microbiologist Manon Duret, a recent recruit to the UChicago initiative, puts it, “it's not going to happen. We're not going to decarbonize the world so easily. We need to start looking at other options.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-challenges-to-geoengineering">Practical challenges to geoengineering</h2>



Duret will focus on practical challenges to geoengineering, such as material acquisition, logistics, and international regulations.&nbsp;



Her husband, oceanographer B.B. Cael, will evaluate the risks, costs, and scalability of different geoengineering approaches. Both see geoengineering as a stopgap while society works on reducing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-carbon-dioxide-emissions-hit-a-record-high-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emissions</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-buying-time-to-address-larger-issues">Buying time to address larger issues</h2>



Keith has been a leader in geoengineering research since the 1980s, launching one of the first companies to capture carbon dioxide from the air and leading <a href="https://www.harvard.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard University</a>’s efforts in solar interventions. 



He argues that balancing emissions reduction with other societal priorities, such as equitable development, is essential.&nbsp;



Keith believes that cooling the Earth could buy society time to address these larger issues. “The ethical thing to do is to cut emissions a little more slowly,” he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risks-of-experimenting-with-the-stratosphere-nbsp">Risks of experimenting with the stratosphere&nbsp;</h2>



Although solar geoengineering could reduce extreme weather events, it also carries significant risks. Irvine acknowledges that it might exacerbate droughts, increase acid rain, and thin the ozone layer. These unknowns could affect global food production and biodiversity.



Professor Liz Moyer, an atmospheric scientist at UChicago, shares concerns about experimenting with the stratosphere, where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/volcanic-aerosols-cool-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aerosols</a> would be injected. 



The stratosphere has seen unpredictable events in recent years, and Moyer cautions that tampering with it without proper monitoring could be dangerous.&nbsp;



“If you're going to do experimental surgery and you haven't thought about what kind of technology you would need to monitor the patient, then you're not thinking about the problem carefully enough for me to trust you with my body,” she said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enormous-burden-on-future-generations">Enormous burden on future generations</h2>



Solar geoengineering would require continuous <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/survey-mother-nature-is-more-likely-to-solve-climate-change-than-geoengineering/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intervention</a> - shooting aerosols into the atmosphere every few years. 



Stopping this process could lead to rapid warming, known as “termination shock.” <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a>’s Raymond Pierrehumbert, a former UChicago professor, warns that this creates “an enormous burden on the future.”



Pierrehumbert is among more than 500 scientists calling for an international non-use agreement on solar geoengineering. He worries about the lack of a global governing body to oversee the responsible deployment of such technologies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reckless-use-by-desperate-nations-nbsp">Reckless use by desperate nations&nbsp;</h2>



On the other hand, Irvine believes that avoiding geoengineering research could lead to reckless use by desperate nations.&nbsp;



“The more it's suppressed, the greater the risk of a single nation or small group of nations pushing ahead independently in desperation,” he said.



While some countries like China have already experimented with altering weather patterns, most solar geoengineering research remains confined to computer models.&nbsp;



However, real-world testing has been difficult to approve. Two planned experiments, one in California and another in Sweden, were recently canceled due to public opposition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risks-and-benefits-of-geoengineering">Risks and benefits of geoengineering </h2>



Keith, who was involved in the Swedish project, remains committed to studying geoengineering to understand its risks and benefits.&nbsp;



He argues that the public and politicians need rigorous research to make informed decisions about deploying such technologies.&nbsp;



“It's definitely not an elite club of scientists' job to decide what the public gets to know or not,” he said.



Still, Pierrehumbert cautions that small-scale experiments might offer a false sense of security. Full-scale deployment would be needed to fully understand the long-term risks of geoengineering. 



“Scientists have a responsibility not to develop technology that could be threatening and destabilizing,” he explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-an-interdisciplinary-team-nbsp">Building an interdisciplinary team&nbsp;</h2>



Despite these concerns, Moyer sees value in UChicago leading this conversation but stresses the importance of involving civil engineers, who are trained to account for risk in large-scale projects.&nbsp;



Although Keith has plans to build an interdisciplinary team, so far, all hires have been in the geophysical sciences, and the university does not have a civil engineering department.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-facing-the-unknowns-of-climate-change">Facing the unknowns of climate change</h2>



What all scientists involved agree on is that the Earth is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-models-underestimate-sea-ice-melt-and-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heating up</a> rapidly, and it will take many years to cool it down, even if emissions are drastically reduced. 



“The climate is rapidly racing toward a state we've never seen before with all sorts of unknown consequences and known consequences that are going to be bad,” Irvine warned.



While some believe the only solution is to eliminate fossil fuel use as quickly as possible, others like Keith worry about a future where geoengineering is the last option, untested and misunderstood.&nbsp;



Keith sees UChicago’s initiative as a way to ensure future generations are prepared. “In the end, this needs to be global, we need to build a field.”



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Should we risk geoengineering to reverse climate change? 

After decades of efforts to curb global warming, scientists are...

On World Ozone Day, we celebrate global efforts to protect and restore the ozone layer, a vital shield that protects life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.&nbsp;



World Ozone Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994. This occasion highlights the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/decline-in-ozone-depleting-chemicals-is-an-encouraging-trend/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">success</a> of the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty adopted in 1987, which has been instrumental in phasing out the production and use of ozone-depleting substances.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-action-on-world-ozone-day-nbsp">Climate action on World Ozone Day&nbsp;</h2>



World Ozone Day is an important reminder of the link between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfires-threaten-the-recovery-of-the-ozone-layer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ozone protection</a> and climate action. The phasing out of ozone-depleting chemicals has greatly contributed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and slowing global warming.



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="iO1Qd1FFM1-3858489-12187" type="single"]</div>



“The theme for this year's World Ozone Day (WOD) is Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Action. This theme underscores the critical role the Montreal Protocol plays in not only restoring the stratospheric ozone layer but also in mitigating climate change,” noted James Curlin, head of the <a href="https://www.unep.org/node" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNEP</a> Law Division’s OzonAction Branch.



“It serves as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to continue and intensify our efforts to fight climate change through any means possible, be it through the phase out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and other ozone depleting substances, or through the phase down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).”&nbsp;



“By doing so, we can significantly reduce both the direct and indirect emissions of gases that heat our planet, contribute to the broader goals of climate action, and build a sustainable future for all.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-ozone-depletion">What is ozone depletion?</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/burning-up-of-satellites-severely-harms-ozone-recovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ozone depletion</a> refers to the gradual thinning of the Earth’s ozone layer in the stratosphere. This phenomenon is primarily caused by the release of ozone-depleting chemicals containing gaseous chlorine or bromine from industrial and consumer products.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contributing-factors">Contributing factors</h3>



The most significant contributors are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, and other related <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monsoons-launch-ozone-depleting-substances-into-the-stratosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">substances</a>.&nbsp;



When these chemicals are released into the atmosphere, they eventually reach the stratosphere, where ultraviolet (UV) radiation breaks them down, releasing chlorine and bromine atoms.&nbsp;



These atoms then react with ozone (O3) molecules, causing the ozone to break apart into oxygen molecules (O2) and single oxygen atoms, thus depleting the ozone layer.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-of-ozone-depletion">Impacts of ozone depletion</h3>



The depletion of the ozone layer has significant environmental and health impacts.&nbsp;



A thinner ozone layer allows more harmful UV-B radiation to reach the Earth’s surface, which can lead to an increase in skin cancers, cataracts, and other health issues.&nbsp;



Ozone depletion also affects ecosystems, particularly marine life, as increased <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ozone-hole-exposes-wildlife-to-harmful-uv-radiation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UV radiation</a> can harm phytoplankton, the base of the marine food web.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-success-of-the-montreal-protocol-nbsp">Success of the Montreal Protocol&nbsp;</h2>



As we celebrate the success of the Montreal Protocol, we must recognize the need to address ongoing environmental threats.&nbsp;



Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are chemicals that were introduced as replacements for ozone-depleting substances like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).



However, despite their ozone-friendly nature, HFCs have a global warming potential (GWP) that can be hundreds to thousands of times greater than carbon dioxide.&nbsp;



Recognizing this issue, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, adopted in 2016, was created to phase down the production and use of HFCs. This amendment aims to reduce the use of HFCs and minimize their impact on global warming, while maintaining the protection of the ozone layer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-international-cooperation-on-world-ozone-day-nbsp">International cooperation on World Ozone Day&nbsp;</h2>



World Ozone Day is also a celebration of international cooperation, as nations across the globe have united to tackle a major environmental threat.&nbsp;



The progress in healing the ozone layer shows how collective action can address global challenges.&nbsp;



“At a time when multilateralism is under severe strain, the Montreal Protocol to help protect the ozone layer stands out as a powerful symbol of hope.&nbsp; It is a reminder that when countries show political resolve for the common good, change is possible,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.



“In uniting the world to phase out the consumption and production of different ozone depleting substances, the Protocol has also contributed to shielding carbon sinks, protecting humanity’s health and avoiding economic losses.”



“On this World Ozone Day, let’s commit to making peace with our planet. Let’s commit to build on the success of the Montreal Protocol to show what international cooperation at its best can achieve.”



Video Credit: Ozone Secretariat



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World Ozone Day 2024: Advancing climate action

On World Ozone Day, we celebrate global efforts to protect...

Have you ever thought about the role your home and office heating and cooling systems play during climate change? If your answer is no, you are not alone. Most of us don't. 



We are amusingly oblivious that the warm air we so much enjoy during winters and the cool breeze we desire in hot summers have a tiny part to contribute to the global climate. 



It's time to focus on urban microclimates -- a fascinating yet overlooked aspect of climate change. The mundane <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-sea-levels-threaten-groundwater-global-cities-underground-infrastructure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">city infrastructure</a> we interact with daily can significantly alter local climates and eventually our beloved globe.



It's like throwing a tiny stone in a pond. The ripples may start small, but they grow larger, affecting a much wider area than the stone's initial impact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heating-and-cooling-systems-in-cities">Heating and cooling systems in cities</h2>



Leading the pack in this research is the <a href="https://illinois.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign</a>. Under the stewardship of civil and environmental engineering professor Lei Zhao, the team has been investigating the effects of city-level waste heat from our beloved residential and commercial buildings.



“The heat generated from heating and cooling systems is a substantial part of the total heat generated within urban areas,” Zhao said. 



“These systems generate a lot of heat that is released into the atmosphere within cities, making them hotter and further increasing the demand for indoor cooling systems, which feeds even more heat into local climates.”



Think of these systems as the culprits that release a lot of heat into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2024-is-likely-the-hottest-year-in-recorded-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">city's atmosphere</a>, making it uncomfortably hot and thereby increasing everyone's demand for cooling systems.



That, my friends, is a classic example of a positive physical feedback loop. As we insist on cooling our spaces, we inadvertently feed more and more heat into local climates. Isn't that a bit counterproductive?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-negative-loops-to-polarized-demand">Negative loops to polarized demand</h2>



However, the plot thickens. Zhao and his team also discovered an antagonist to this boiling story -- the negative feedback loop.



With rising temperatures under climate change, it's plausible that people would require less heating during winter months. 



Translated to city scales, less heating use would mean less heat being released into the city atmosphere, leading to less <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scorching-summer-of-2024-could-make-it-the-hottest-year-on-record/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warming</a>.



But don't get too comfy just yet. "This process forms a negative physical feedback loop that may dampen the heating demand decrease. But it does not by any means cancel out the positive feedback loop effect," Zhao warns. 



The team's model hints at a potential polarization of seasonal electricity demand that could unravel a unique set of challenges requiring careful planning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feedback-loops-of-heating-and-cooling-systems">Feedback loops of heating and cooling systems</h2>



The team, led by Zhao, includes experts from various fields. Zhao is part of the <a href="https://sustainability.illinois.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment</a>. He also works with the National Center for Supercomputing Applications and the <a href="https://giesbusiness.illinois.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gies College of Business</a> at Illinois.



The team used a hybrid modeling framework to study global urban heating and cooling energy demand. This framework combines dynamic Earth system modeling with machine learning techniques. Their research addresses the effects of climate change, considering variability and uncertainties.



Their mission? To integrate the effects of positive and negative physical feedback loops into energy projections and ultimately lay the groundwork for more comprehensive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-earth-energy-imbalance-temperature-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate impact assessment</a>, science-based policymaking and coordination on climate-sensitive energy planning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-forward">Moving forward </h2>



Supported by the National Science Foundation (<a href="https://www.nsf.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NSF</a>) and iSEE at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the team is embarking on another exciting journey. 



They plan on introducing variables like humidity, building materials, and future climate-mitigating efforts into their models to refine energy-demand projections further.



As we move forward, the importance of such research becomes more evident. The in-depth understanding it provides will play a crucial role in shaping our sustainable energy planning for the future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-heating-and-cooling-systems">Using heating and cooling systems</h2>



If there's one thing to take away from this deep dive, it's this -- every action matters. The way we cool or heat our spaces today might seem insignificant in the larger picture of climate change, but remember the ripples.



Unseen to the eye, these ripples are expanding in the form of local microclimates. The way we plan our cities, consume energy, and mitigate climate impacts can either create ripples of problems or waves of sustainable solutions.



The choice, as always, is ours.



So next time you adjust your thermostat on the heating or cooling systems, take a moment to think - "What ripple am I creating?".



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41558-024-02108-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Climate Change</a>.



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Indoor heating and cooling systems affect city temperatures

Have you ever thought about the role your home and...

In a recent breakthrough study involving more than 50 global climate researchers, we now have a clearer projection of how carbon emissions may influence the degeneration of Antarctica's ice sheet over the next three centuries. 



The study mentions the critical role of collaborative modeling in forecasting the complex future of our planet's icy extremity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antarctic-ice-in-an-uncertain-future">Antarctic ice in an uncertain future</h2>



Right now, predicting the fate of Antarctica's glaciers post-2100 is like trying to read the tea leaves. The existing ice-sheet models give us varied outcomes.



So, what did these researchers do? They analyzed data from 16 different ice-sheet models and crunched the numbers.



And they all agree - ice sheet loss from Antarctica will indeed intensify. But it's not all doom and gloom for now, as it will be <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-sheet-past-present-and-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gradual throughout the 21st century</a>, even with the current carbon emissions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-total-collapse-of-the-antarctic-ice-sheet">Total collapse of the Antarctic ice sheet </h2>



The uniform pattern takes a nosedive past 2100. The models, under current emission levels, forecast a rapid retreat of ice in most of Antarctica's western basins. 



The aftermath? By 2200, melted glaciers might cause a rise in global sea levels by around 5.5 feet. Akin to watching an action thriller, some numerical experiments even predicted almost total collapse of the Antarctic ice sheet by 2300.



"The results show that the Antarctic contribution to sea-level rise remains limited until 2100 but increases rapidly afterward. The ice retreats in most basins of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, and some numerical experiments suggest a near-complete collapse of this region by 2300," wrote the researchers.



"The time when these glaciers start retreating varies depending on the choice of ice flow model, but the speed at which they retreat is consistent among the models once the retreat begins."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-need-for-long-term-projections">Need for long-term projections</h2>



Hélène Seroussi, lead author of the study and an associate professor at Dartmouth's Thayer School of Engineering, argues that the conversation needs to shift.



"When you talk to policymakers and stakeholders about sea-level rise, they mostly focus on what will happen up to 2100. There are very few studies beyond that," said Seroussi.



"Our study provides the longer-term projections that have been lacking. The results show that beyond 2100, the long-term impact for the regions most susceptible to sea-level rise become amplified."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-at-emissions-scenarios">Looking at emissions scenarios </h2>



The team also modeled how Antarctica's ice sheet would fare under both high and low emission scenarios through 2300. 



"While current carbon emissions have only a modest impact on model projections for this century, the difference between how high- and low-emission scenarios contribute to sea-level rise grows sharply after 2100," said co-author Mathieu Morlighem, a <a href="https://earthsciences.dartmouth.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dartmouth</a> professor of earth sciences.



What does this mean for us? "These results confirm that it is critical to cut carbon emissions now to protect future generations," said Professor Morlighem. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-timing-of-the-collapse-remains-unknown">Timing of the collapse remains unknown</h2>



How and when the retreat of Antarctica's ice sheet and glaciers would start is up for debate depending on the ice-flow model used. However, once a rapid loss of ice commences, all models concur that there will be no turning back.



"All the models agree that once these large changes are initiated, nothing can stop them or slow them down. Several basins in West <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-sheet-melting-new-tipping-point-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctica</a> could experience a complete collapse before 2200," said Seroussi.



"The exact timing of such collapses remains unknown and depends on future greenhouse gas emissions, so we need to respond quickly enough to reduce emissions before the major basins in Antarctica are lost."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-the-antarctic-ice-sheet">Future of the Antarctic ice sheet</h2>



Despite the grim outlook, there's a silver lining. This study could pave the way for further collaborative models. These could hold the key to understanding and rectifying discrepancies in projections for regions with significant modeling uncertainties, including the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/speed-of-greenland-ice-melt-confirmed-to-be-rapidly-increasing-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland ice sheet</a>.



Despite the enormity of the task, Seroussi remains hopeful. "We're learning from the community of scientists what is going to happen."



"This collaboration means we have a better, more robust assessment of the uncertainty, and we can see where our models agree and where they disagree so that we know where to focus our future research."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024EF004561" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's Future</a>.



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When will the Antarctic ice sheet collapse?

In a recent breakthrough study involving more than 50 global...

Pile,Of,Freshly,Cut,Wood,Logs,And,Empty,Field,With

Forests are the Earth's lungs, forever sucking up carbon dioxide and throwing out fresh oxygen. But that's only half the story.



Here's the twist -- forests also exhale CO2. In short, they inhale carbon dioxide for growth, but they also exhale it back out, usually in smaller amounts. A bit of an unexpected plot twist.



Now, the University of Leicester's new study has a cheeky bit more to add to this story. 



Tree stems in tropical forests that are bouncing back from logging are found to produce carbon dioxide at a greater rate than those in untouched forests.



So, bouncing back from logging, and yet they're sending out more carbon dioxide?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-and-carbon-dioxide">Trees and carbon dioxide</h2>



When we talk about fewer surrounding trees to compete with, the tree stems in logged forests are seen to have a growth spurt and take in carbon dioxide at a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-farming-practices-boost-soil-carbon-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">faster rate</a> than stems in untouched forests. 



However, this rapid growth also comes with a side effect -- a faster release of carbon dioxide. So, chopped down, left with fewer competitors, and now, they're growing at a quick pace and just as quickly giving out carbon dioxide.



This research was led by Maria Mills, a PhD student from the University of Leicester's School of Geography, Geology and the Environment (<a href="https://le.ac.uk/gge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GGE</a>). 



Their conclusion calls for a spotlight to be thrown on logged landscapes that are currently understudied despite being more prominent than old-growth forests across the tropics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heart-of-a-forest-s-carbon-cycle">Heart of a forest's carbon cycle</h2>



What is 'carbon flux'? Think of it as the forest's way of balancing its books. It measures the net carbon balance. 



But this doesn't tell us much about where the fluctuations are coming from -- it's like knowing your bank balance without any information on the transactions.



If we don't know where the fluctuations are coming from, we also don't know why we're getting certain fluxes and what's driving those fluxes.



The researchers gathered data from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-still-fighting-climate-change-against-all-odds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a> in Malaysian Borneo as part of a long-term ecological monitoring program. 



By measuring the individual components of the forest carbon cycle and carbon fluxes, they were able to observe certain patterns and fluxes. 



Understanding these is crucial for predicting future climate change and land use change scenarios.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-carbon-dioxide-in-forests">Studying carbon dioxide in forests</h2>



Did you know that most of a forest’s biomass is stored in the stems or woody trunk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-trees-is-important-but-reforestation-can-help-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a>? Well, these scientists did, and they used this information to their advantage. 



The team studied stem respiration of a tree sample, and then extrapolated the values for all the trees in the one-hectare study plots.



Shockingly, tree-level results showed higher carbon release levels per unit of stem surface area in logged versus old-growth plots. 



Specifically, 37 grams of carbon per meter squared of woody stem every month in a logged plot versus only 26 grams in an old-growth plot.



Also, it is important to note that when scaled across the entire one-hectare plots, there was no difference between logged and old-growth results.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncharted-territory-of-carbon-dynamics">Uncharted territory of carbon dynamics</h2>



This study was about considering individual trees versus the whole ecosystem, and what drives carbon emissions at both levels. 



"There are differences between individual trees, and between individual ecosystems, for example logged versus unlogged forests," Mills explained.



“We see higher respiration per square meter in logged plots because the trees in those plots are growing faster. Growth has a metabolic cost, so we get respiration following growth." 



The trees in logged plots grow faster because they have access to more light -- as there are more gaps in logged plots from when timber trees have been extracted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-logging-and-carbon-emissions">Forests, logging, and carbon emissions</h2>



There are other reasons for these differences which link back to the trees’ functional traits and soil nutrients, but ultimately it comes down to the priority for trees in logged <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/droughts-and-fires-diminish-forests-carbon-storage-ability/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a> to invest in growth. 



In old-growth plots, alternatively, there is a lot more investment and priority for tree maintenance.



"Given how expansive logged forests are, they could be considered as the ‘new normal’ for contemporary tropical forests.  We need to put more research efforts into understanding what goes on in logged forests, both in terms of their carbon fluxes and their wider ecological functioning," Mills concluded.



To sum it all up, Mills and her team uncovered very important information on how climate change is impacted by forest carbon dynamics. 



Let's remember, understanding how forests drive environmental conditions is not just about satisfying our curiosity, it's also crucial in our fight against climate change. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.20043" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Phytologist</a>.



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Trees in forests recovering from logging release much more carbon dioxide

Forests are the Earth's lungs, forever sucking up carbon dioxide...

What lies at the bottom of the ocean? For many, it’s a dark and mysterious place, full of creatures we know little about. But sometimes, discoveries shed light on these mysteries. A new study has done just that, focusing on an unusual deep ocean dweller who likes to eat Sargassum.



Bathyopsurus nybelini, an isopod living nearly 3.7 miles (6,100 meters) deep beneath the ocean's surface, has a very unique diet: it feeds on Sargassum algae that sinks down from the ocean’s surface.



The study, led by Johanna Weston, a hadal ecologist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (<a href="https://www.whoi.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WHOI</a>), reveals just how connected the surface of our oceans is to the deep sea. 



Let's find out what makes this discovery so fascinating and important.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sargassum-in-the-deep-ocean">Sargassum in the deep ocean</h2>



In the summer of 2022, a group of researchers set out on an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/five-new-hydrothermal-vents-discovered-in-the-pacific-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adventure with Alvin</a>, a human-occupied submersible, to explore the Puerto Rico Trench and the Mid-Cayman Spreading Center in the Caribbean Sea. 



Thanks to Alvin's recent upgrades, including better deep-diving abilities and high-res image capturing, this journey became a reality.



While exploring the ocean depths, the team observed something unexpected: an isopod swimming upside down and away from the seafloor, clutching a frond of Sargassum algae as long as its own body. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-deep-sea-worm-discovered-off-costa-rica/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">At these depths</a> -- between 5,001 and 6,284 meters -- Alvin filmed 32 individual isopods and collected two samples for further study. 



According to Weston, “It was exciting to see this beautiful animal actively interacting with Sargassum, deep in the ocean. This isopod is so rarely seen; only a handful of specimens were collected during the groundbreaking 1948 Deep Sea Swedish Expedition.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-food-source">Unexpected food source</h2>



Sargassum is a type of brown algae typically found floating on the ocean's surface, forming dense mats that stretch for miles. In the sunlit zone, it thrives, photosynthesizing like any other plant. 



However, when Sargassum dies or detaches from its floating mats, it begins a slow, downward journey into the dark abyss.



That’s where Bathyopsurus nybelini comes in. This deep-sea isopod seems to wait patiently, adapted to find and feast on this sunken source of nutrients. 



“This isopod illustrates that an animal in a dark and high-pressure environment at the bottom of the seafloor has evolved multiple adaptations to feed on algae that grow in a sunlit ecosystem," explains Mackenzie Gerringer, a deep-ocean physiologist at <a href="https://www.geneseo.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SUNY Geneseo</a> and co-lead author of the study.



It’s an unlikely meal, but one that provides essential nourishment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isopods-and-deep-ocean-sargassum">Isopods and deep ocean Sargassum</h2>



Why is this discovery such a big deal? For one, Bathyopsurus nybelini has developed unique adaptations to survive in an environment where most creatures would struggle to find food. 



It uses a specialized swimming stroke, moving upside down and backward with large paddle-like legs, to carry Sargassum fronds off the seafloor. This might be a clever strategy to avoid predators by lifting its food into the water column.



But the adaptations don’t stop there. This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-deep-sea-crustacean-species-discovered-in-the-bahamas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">isopod has mouthparts</a> that are serrated and ideal for tearing and consuming the tough, fibrous Sargassum. 



Inside its gut, it harbors bacteria that help break down the algae’s complex polysaccharides -- molecules that are notoriously difficult to digest. 



“Life everywhere, even in the deepest depths of the sea, is inexorably connected to the microorganisms around it,” says Logan Peoples, an aquatic microbial ecologist at <a href="https://flbs.umt.edu/newflbs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flathead Lake Biological Station</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-web-of-life-from-surface-to-seafloor">Web of life from surface to seafloor</h2>



The presence of Sargassum at such deep depths has bigger implications for how we understand ocean ecology. This study highlights the close connection between the surface ocean and the deep sea.



When Sargassum sinks, it plays a role in carbon cycling and storage, which affects global climate patterns. 



We’re already seeing significant ecological and economic impacts on coastal communities due to changes in how much Sargassum is found in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean Sea.



Researchers are eager to figure out just how much Sargassum makes it to the seafloor and how its arrival varies with the seasons and long-term environmental changes. 



Understanding these dynamics could help us predict how deep <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-pigs-unicumbers-strange-stunning-creatures-discovered-abyssal-plains-ccz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean communities</a> respond to shifting environmental conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-this-matter">Why does this matter?</h2>



The discovery of Bathyopsurus nybelini feeding on Sargassum also highlights the importance of advanced technologies in deep-sea exploration. 



Alvin, the submersible that made this observation possible, was recently certified to dive to depths of 6,500 meters. 



This achievement opens new doors for marine research and underscores the significance of developing new tools and techniques to explore and study the ocean’s most remote regions. 



As Anna Michel, Chief Scientist for the <a href="https://ndsf.whoi.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Deep Submergence Facility</a>, noted, "The discovery described in this paper was possible due to its new deeper diving capabilities, which is very exciting for the Alvin team."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deep-sea-ecosystems-and-human-impact">Deep-sea ecosystems and human impact</h2>



Why should we care about an isopod munching on seaweed at the bottom of the ocean? Well, it all comes down to how connected our planet’s ecosystems are. 



As <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-mining-forms-dust-clouds-that-devastate-marine-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human activities change ocean conditions</a> -- from climate change to pollution -- it’s really important to understand how surface processes link to deep ocean ecosystems.



Every discovery, like that of Bathyopsurus nybelini, reminds us that even the most extreme environments on Earth are part of a larger, interconnected web of life. 



The more we learn, the better equipped we are to protect these ecosystems and manage the impacts of our actions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-sargassum-on-the-deep-ocean">Impact of Sargassum on the deep ocean</h2>



This study is just the beginning. Scientists plan to continue investigating how Sargassum and other surface-derived materials affect life in the deep sea. 



More research is needed to understand the seasonal and long-term changes in the abundance of Sargassum and its impact on deep-ocean food webs.



As we explore further, new discoveries will undoubtedly reshape our understanding of these hidden ecosystems. 



As Weston puts it, “We’re excited to share its amazing story of adaptation and this important reminder that habitats and organisms on our planet are deeply and intricately connected.”



The ocean is vast, and there is so much more to uncover. So, what other secrets lie in the deep, dark waters? Only time, curiosity, and continued exploration will tell. 



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.0823" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences</a>.



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Robot discovers surprising food source for deep ocean creatures

What lies at the bottom of the ocean? For many,...

2024 is shaping up to be the hottest year in recorded history, leaving its predecessors in the dust. Unyielding scorchers, it seems, are the new normal with a surge in temperatures across the globe. 



However, the data aren't in to crown 2024 as the hottest year just yet; 2023 still holds that dubious honor. Can we take a breather? Not really. Last month was far hotter than expected. Recording the 15th consecutive month high, this cruel summer did not spare us. 



The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA have confirmed the record high temperatures in August. 



According to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), the sweltering heat of August 2024 ties with the record set in August 2023.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2024-set-to-be-the-hottest-year">2024 set to be the hottest year</h2>



We've been sweating through the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scorching-summer-of-2024-could-make-it-the-hottest-year-on-record/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"hottest" summer</a> with July unleashing the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-earths-hottest-day-ever-was-recorded-on-july-22-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hottest day ever recorded</a> on Earth. The Mercury in July and August for 2023 and 2024 didn't just tip-toe past the previous record, it took a running leap.



The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is gearing up to drop its State of the Global Climate 2024 report at the UN Climate Change conference, COP29, happening in Azerbaijan this November.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-alarming-sign-of-the-times">An alarming sign of the times</h2>



And it wasn't just heat, August was a tough month. Think extreme precipitation, drought, floods, and wildfires. 



Hats off to the&nbsp;<a href="https://wmo.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WMO</a>, stepping up the fight against climate change with the Early Warnings for All Campaign. Also, keep an eye out for the Global Greenhouse Gas Watch initiative.



But the overall picture remains bleak, looking at indicators like ocean heat, sea ice and glaciers.



Global sea ice extent was alarmingly low in August. Arctic sea ice was the fourth lowest and Antarctic sea ice was the second lowest ever recorded, according to C3S and NOAA reports.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-worrisome-reality-of-the-hottest-year">Worrisome reality of the hottest year</h2>



The global ocean was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-records-shatter-2024-set-to-be-hottest-year-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">piping hot</a>&nbsp;this August. Even though most of the equatorial Pacific Ocean had near-average sea surface temperatures and forecasts suggest a possible transition to La Niña this autumn, sea surface temperatures remained unusually high over many regions.



As far as the global land surface, Alaska, eastern Russia, southern South America, central Africa, and west-central Asia were the only regions that did not experience above-average temperatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-rainfall-patterns-nbsp">Shifting rainfall patterns&nbsp;</h2>



Rainfall patterns are undergoing drastic shifts. This departure from historical norms has <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/el-nino-event-may-push-earth-towards-its-hottest-year-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wide-reaching implications</a>. 



Regions once accustomed to steady precipitation are now enduring prolonged dry spells, while others face relentless monsoons with unexpected timing and intensity.



Alterations in rainfall not only affect agriculture - disrupting crop cycles and threatening food security - but also challenge infrastructure, with cities worldwide grappling with outdated systems ill-equipped to handle irregular deluges or droughts. 



Alarmingly, these changes contribute to increasing incidents of flood and desertification, revealing the intricate ripple effects of climate imbalance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-renewable-energy-and-climate-mitigation">Renewable energy and climate mitigation </h2>



Amidst the climate chaos, renewable energy emerges as a ray of hope. As coal and oil industries grapple with their environmental toll, renewable options like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power are sustainable alternatives with significantly reduced carbon footprints. 



Countries advancing in renewable energy adoption demonstrate not only environmental benefits but also economic gains through job creation and technological innovation. The transition to cleaner energy sources is pivotal in mitigating global warming.&nbsp;



Prominent investments and policies aimed at bolstering this shift will play a critical role in the collective endeavor to achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century, showcasing the synergy between ecological responsibility and economic opportunity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temperatures-are-steadily-climbing">Temperatures are steadily climbing</h2>



Temperatures are continuing their steady climb. With 2023 and 2024 reaching higher anomalies, the picture is coming into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2024-is-expected-to-exceed-the-1-5c-warming-limit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clear and terrifying focus</a>.



Rising temperatures are not just about feeling uncomfortable or the increased need for air conditioning in our homes and workplaces. They represent a critical issue that affects the very fabric of our planet.



The consequences of climate change extend far beyond personal discomfort. They include severe weather events, rising sea levels, and disruptions to ecosystems that threaten biodiversity.



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2024 is likely the hottest year in recorded history

2024 is shaping up to be the hottest year in...

Fierce winds of change are reshaping the world as we know it, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the rapid ice melt of Greenland. 



A recent, eye-opening study reveals that climate change is accelerating the melting of ice in Greenland at a rate that sends chills down one's spine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-and-greenland-ice-melt">Climate change and Greenland ice melt</h2>



The researchers from the <a href="https://web.ub.edu/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Barcelona</a> paint a chilling picture of the extreme melting episodes -- periods of rapid snow and ice melt -- becoming about twice as commonplace during recent summers than in the 1950-1990 era.



But how severe are these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scorching-summer-of-2024-could-make-it-the-hottest-year-on-record/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">summertime</a> thaw sessions, exactly? Well, let's take 2012 and 2019 as examples. 



During these peak years of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-transformation-ice-melt-plant-growth-vegetation-cascading-effects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme melting</a> in Greenland, the equivalent of 244 million and 224 million Olympic-size swimming pools of ice vanished, respectively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greenland-s-ice-admits-climate-change">Greenland's ice admits climate change</h2>



The study has been a deep dive into the extreme melt episodes in Greenland between 1950 and 2022. Shockingly, meltwater loss figures have averaged around 300 gigatonnes annually -- about 48 million Olympic-size swimming pools a year -- between 1980 and 2010.



Also, almost half of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-models-underestimate-sea-ice-melt-and-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">melting episodes</a> have been extreme in recent decades, especially in the coldest areas in the north and northwest of the island.



To add fuel to the fire or in this case, water to the ocean, the UB researchers remind us that the loss of surface glacial melt is merely the tip of the iceberg. 



Increasing melting reels in the detachment of icebergs directly into the sea and the flow of glaciers into the ocean, thereby upping the ante for sea level rise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-domino-effect">Domino effect</h2>



Another troubling twist to the tale is the escalating risk of large ice blocks breaking off. As the UB researchers explain, the extent of melting has ascended to higher areas of the ice cap where no ice melt was previously observed. 



The resulting cracks and structural changes in the ice sheet set the stage for more chunks of ice to break off into the ocean.



What’s worse, the team warns us about the grim forecast for the polar regions: a significant upswing in temperatures, which would accelerate the trend shown in this study.



“These atmospheric patterns keep the air over Greenland stagnant during the summer, increase solar radiation and reduce the albedo (sunlight reflectance) of snow and ice, which further accelerates warming and melting", the authors add.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ripples-across-the-atlantic">Ripples across the Atlantic</h2>



The melting ice in Greenland due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-records-shatter-2024-set-to-be-hottest-year-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> has rippling effects across the globe as a predominant accelerator of sea level rise, as well as a perturbator of atmospheric circulation patterns. 



These changes, the researchers note, might tinker with Europe’s climate, potentially impacting socio-economic activities, ecosystems, and potentially exacerbating climate extremes in nearby regions of the North Atlantic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arctic-amplification">Arctic amplification</h2>



A phenomenon known as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-amplification-is-destabilizing-the-delicate-balance-of-the-ecosystem/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic amplification</a>, where warming in the Arctic is occurring twice as fast as the global average, stands as both a catalyst and a consequence of the crises unfolding in Greenland.



This rapid warming exacerbates the melting processes, resulting in a feedback loop that intensifies the impacts seen today. 



As the ice melts, it exposes darker surfaces, decreasing the albedo effect and absorbing more heat.



The cycle perpetuates, reshaping the Arctic ecosystem and creating further challenges for the global climate. 



These scientists emphasize the need for detailed climate modeling to understand these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-warming-influences-us-weather-patterns-ai-machine-learning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">accelerating patterns and implications</a> on a finer scale.



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



In light of these alarming findings, the international community faces a crucial juncture in addressing the ramifications of Greenland's thaw. 



Efforts must be doubled to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-no-longer-has-to-worry-about-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mitigate climate change effects</a> through policy implementation, technological innovation, and global cooperation. 



The study's results call for a reinvigoration of strategies such as carbon sequestration and alternative energy adoption. 



Moreover, fostering resilience in affected communities and engaging in inclusive dialogues are pivotal steps toward constructing pathways for sustainable futures. 



The stakes have never been higher, and the actions taken now will define the contours of the Earth's climate trajectory for generations to come.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-projections-and-greenland-ice-melt">Climate projections and Greenland ice melt</h2>



The study leaves us with a stark warning: the expected climate scenarios predict a rising frequency of these melt episodes. 



It’s a harsh reality that underscores the need for sprucing up our efforts to cut down greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change's impacts in the coming decades.



Isn’t it high time we put our best foot forward to lessen our carbon footprint and save our rapidly thawing world? The choice, and the future, is in our hands.



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The research has been conducted by the Antarctica, Arctic and Alpine (<a href="https://www.ub.edu/antalp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ANTALP</a>) research group of the UB’s Department of Geography, spearheaded by Josep Bonsoms and Marc Oliva.



Other notable contributors include Juan Ignacio López-Moreno from the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE-CSIC), and Xavier Fettweis, joining in from the <a href="https://www.uliege.be/cms/c_8699436/en/uliege" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Liège</a> in Belgium.



The study is published in the <a href="https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/clim/37/18/JCLI-D-23-0396.1.xml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Climate</a>. 



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Speed of Greenland's ice melt confirmed to be rapidly increasing

Fierce winds of change are reshaping the world as we...

Environmentalists and climate scientists have long emphasized the urgency of preserving the Amazon rainforest.



Contributing significantly towards the global climate-control mechanism, the Amazon rainforest is more than a verdant wonder - it is the breathing "lungs" of our planet.



However, a startling revelation about the world's largest tropical rainforest has raised new concerns.



Almost 40% of the Amazon - the areas most crucial to mitigating climate change - remain unprotected. These regions are not shielded as Indigenous sanctuaries or nature reserves, according to a new report.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amazon-s-unprotected-regions">Amazon's unprotected regions</h2>



These unprotected territories are primarily situated in the extreme southwest of the Amazon in Peru, and the far northeast in Brazil, French Guiana, and Suriname.



What makes these parts exceptionally significant in the climate change combat "Those parts of the Amazon have the biggest, densest trees and the most continuous canopy cover," noted Matt Finer, who leads the Amazon Conservation's <a href="https://www.maaproject.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monitoring of the Andean Amazon Project</a> (MAAP).



These regions store large amounts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-release-carbon-faster-than-we-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a>, potentially turning into climate-warming greenhouse gases if jeopardized by fire or logging.



Combining the powers of satellite imaging and machine-learning models, the Amazon Conservation team produced a 3D image of the forest, focusing solely on aboveground vegetation.



The analysis has been instrumental in mapping the most pristine parts of the Amazon that still exist. "It really just gives this overall roadmap in terms of some of the highest carbon areas that are important to protect," said Finer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diminishing-levels-of-protection">Diminishing levels of protection </h2>



According to the MAAP analysis, 61% of the peak carbon areas in the Amazon are guarded as indigenous reserves or other protected lands. However, the remaining areas lack any formal designation.



Countries like Brazil, Suriname, and French Guiana show a diminished level of protection with only 51% of high carbon areas labeled for preservation. Peru, on the other hand, protects a higher ratio of its critical areas. 



However, certain unprotected regions have been marked for logging, causing concern among environmentalists.



With an earlier analysis indicating that the Amazon held a staggering 71.5 billion tons of carbon, approximately double the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-carbon-dioxide-emissions-hit-a-record-high-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global carbon dioxide emissions</a> anticipated for 2022, the need to protect these regions becomes more crucial than ever.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-the-unprotected-amazon">Protecting the unprotected Amazon</h2>



The study also revealed that the Amazon absorbed more carbon than it released in the decade leading up to 2022, offering a glimmer of hope for the global climate scenario. 



Yet, this is still a hot topic of debate. Some research suggests that the Amazon has now become a source of emissions, instead of a carbon sink.



Without a doubt, safeguarding our environment is not just an option, it's our duty. Recognizing the urgency to protect these remaining pristine parts of the Amazon, therefore, is vital for the long-term health of our planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-impact-of-the-amazon">Global impact of the Amazon</h2>



The Amazon rainforest plays a pivotal role in maintaining global climate stability. Often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth," the forest absorbs vast amounts of carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate the effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-takes-a-major-toll-on-childrens-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>.



Its complex ecosystems also serve as critical habitats for millions of species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. 



Beyond its ecological significance, the Amazon influences weather patterns across the planet, contributing to rainfall in regions far beyond South America.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-threat-of-deforestation">The threat of deforestation</h2>



Despite its importance, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brazilian-amazon-crisis-deforestation-is-escalating-in-indigenous-territories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deforestation</a> and degradation continue to threaten the Amazon. Logging, mining, and agricultural expansion have left significant portions of the forest vulnerable.



The destruction of these areas not only accelerates biodiversity loss but also disrupts the Amazon's ability to act as a carbon sink. 



If deforestation trends continue, scientists warn that the Amazon could reach a tipping point where it would shift from being a vital carbon store to a carbon emitter, exacerbating the global climate crisis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-the-amazon">The future of the Amazon</h2>



Protecting the Amazon is not just a regional issue but a global responsibility. Efforts to create more protected areas, enforce conservation laws, and involve indigenous communities in land stewardship are crucial for safeguarding the rainforest’s future.



As the largest tropical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-amazon-rainforest-is-approaching-widespread-collapse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainforest</a> on Earth, the Amazon's preservation will play an essential role in the fight against climate change. 



Every unprotected area represents a missed opportunity to secure the planet’s ecological balance, and immediate action is necessary to prevent further loss.



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Nearly 40% of climate-critical Amazon rainforest is unprotected

Environmentalists and climate scientists have long emphasized the urgency of...

<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.

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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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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

[sendtonews key="3UUsNkFOuS-2487333-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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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

[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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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...

Saturn,-,High,Resolution,3d,Images,Presents,Planets,Of,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

[sendtonews key="Ccjk8KEMzv-2550719-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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