<p>Plastic may not always float where we expect it. The ocean’s surface might look clean in some places, but far beneath the waves, a different story is unfolding. </p>



<p>In the southeastern Mediterranean, the deep seafloor is turning into a massive storage ground for plastic packaging, especially bags. A new study shows how this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-retailers-are-replacing-plastic-bags-with-eco-friendly-paper-bags/">waste</a> ends up thousands of feet below the surface, and the answer isn’t as simple as trash just “sinking.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-in-the-deep-sea">Plastic in the deep sea</h2>



<p>Plastic debris has entered every corner of the ocean, but previously, most of the research has concentrated on floating plastic or beach trash. That changed with this latest study, which took a closer look at what is occurring on the ocean floor. </p>



<p>Scientists discovered that the Levant Basin - a deep section of the eastern <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/two-continents-meet-along-the-mediterranean-coastline/">Mediterranean</a> off the coasts of Israel, Egypt, and Turkey - is among the world's most contaminated deep-sea areas.</p>



<p>“We used trawls to survey the seafloor and we mainly found plastic bags and packaging that dominate the debris,” said Xing-Yu Li from the <a href="https://www.haifa.ac.il/?lang=en">University of Haifa</a>, the study’s lead author.</p>



<p>This raised a question: how does something so light - something meant to float - end up nearly a mile underwater?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-forensic-approach-to-trash">A forensic approach to trash</h2>



<p>To answer that, the team decided to treat each plastic item like a crime scene. Every piece of debris was carefully examined using a method called multi-marker analysis. </p>



<p>This approach looks at everything about the plastic - size, shape, color, material, surface features, and even what kinds of things are stuck to it, like tar or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-organisms-may-adapt-to-climate-change-but-with-hidden-costs/">marine organisms</a>.</p>



<p>“In the multi-marker approach anything that is found on a piece of plastic is an evidence,” said Xing-yu. “We extracted as many evidence as possible from every piece of waste, more than many previous studies, to build a fuller, more detailed view of the bottom waste.”</p>



<p>Instead of just counting how much trash was found, this method helped researchers understand how it got there, why it sank, and where it might have come from.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-some-plastic-doesn-t-sink">Why some plastic doesn’t sink</h2>



<p>Most of the plastics found were <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/everyday-kitchen-tool-that-could-be-leaching-toxins-into-your-food-polypropylene-cutting-board/">polyethylene</a> - the same material used in grocery bags. Normally, this kind of plastic floats. But when additives like calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) are mixed in during manufacturing, the plastic becomes heavier. </p>



<p>Those with CaCO₃ sank closer to the shore. Others, without these additives, drifted farther out before eventually settling on the seafloor.</p>



<p>The study also revealed that the deep basin at over 3,000 feet deep acts like a trap. Pressure and fine sediments help keep the plastic down. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biofilms-could-change-the-way-we-track-plastic-pollution/">Biofilms</a>, which are slimy layers formed by microbes, usually help weigh plastics down too, but they don’t grow well in this part of the sea. Instead, things like tar, sand, and tiny shells helped plastics stay put.</p>



<p>The scientists noted that these plastic films - while thin and lightweight - are ending up where they can do the most long-term damage. </p>



<p>Even more troubling, the team found that some of this plastic could become buoyant again if disturbed, but because of how the deep sea works, that rarely happens. Once the plastic settles, it stays.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-the-trash-is-coming-from">Where the trash is coming from</h2>



<p>The plastic pollution isn’t only from local beaches. According to the research, land-based sources from Egypt, Israel, and Turkey are a big part of the problem. </p>



<p>Shipping also plays a role, especially in deeper waters. Surprisingly, fishing was not a major contributor - possibly due to strict Israeli regulations.</p>



<p>For years, scientists noticed high levels of plastic at the seafloor, but they didn’t fully understand why. </p>



<p>“For years in our monitoring reports we have reported a high concentration of plastic debris in this area. It was an unsolved mystery as we know that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-floor-harbors-up-to-11-million-tons-of-plastic-debris/">plastic debris</a> should remain floating on the sea surface. Now we have a deep understanding of how it happens,” said Dr. Yael Segal from Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (IOLR). </p>



<p>“The Eastern Mediterranean is the most polluted area in the world, and we must take action for the sake of the next generation.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-risks-to-marine-life">Long-term risks to marine life</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grapevines-could-offer-a-breakthrough-alternative-to-plastic-packaging/">Plastic packaging</a> is cheap, easy to produce, and used globally - but it doesn’t go away. It breaks into smaller pieces and can remain in the environment for hundreds of years. </p>



<p>Deep-sea habitats are already fragile, and adding plastic into the mix could disrupt food webs, introduce toxins, and harm species that haven’t even been fully studied yet.</p>



<p>“As the head of the national monitoring program, I see firsthand how plastic pollution is impacting the entire sea environment: beaches, water, sea bottom, and even local turtle populations,” said Dr. Segal.</p>



<p>Professor Revital Bookman said that the discovery is fascinating in the worst possible way. </p>



<p>"The eastern Mediterranean is quietly turning into a deep-sea landfill. Plastics that we use for only a few minutes are ending up trapped for centuries, threatening deep marine ecosystems we barely understand," noted Professor Bookman. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-needs-to-happen-next">What needs to happen next</h2>



<p>According to the researchers, this study changes how we should think about ocean pollution. Plastic doesn’t just float around until it hits a beach. It travels far, interacts with other pollutants like tar, and ends up in hidden places. </p>



<p>“This previously overlooked dynamic necessitates a broader perspective on pollution processes in marine environments,” said Professor Bookman. </p>



<p>“Without systematic deep-sea accounting, we risk underestimating the true environmental footprint of plastic pollution and misallocating mitigation efforts by neglecting offshore and deep-sea sinks.”</p>



<p>To deal with this, the experts call for coordinated efforts across the region. Countries that share the sea need to work together on monitoring, cleanup, and prevention. </p>



<p>Without a shared strategy, plastics will continue piling up, silently choking one of the planet’s most mysterious ecosystems.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025326X25009671?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Pollution Bulletin</a></em>.</p>



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Hidden plastic graveyard uncovered in the deep Mediterranean Sea

Plastic may not always float where we expect it. The ocean’s surface might look clean in some places, but far beneath the waves, a different story is unfolding. In the southeastern Mediterranean, the deep seafloor is turning into a massive storage ground for plastic packaging, especially bags. A new study shows how this waste ends up thousands of feet below the surface, and the answer isn’t as simple as trash just “sinking.” Plastic in the deep sea Plastic debris has entered every corner of the ocean, but...

<p>Ocean whispers, hums and resonates with its very own concert of life. However, noise pollution from human activities is beginning to override this melodious orchestra, introducing a cacophony of decibels that our marine friends, especially baby oysters, find disturbingly loud.</p>



<p>“The ocean's natural sound is gradually hushing due to habitat loss, leading to a quieter natural environment increasingly drowned out by the crescendo of human-made noise pollution,” explained Dr. Brittany Williams from the <a href="https://www.adelaide.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Adelaide</a>’s Southern Seas Ecology Laboratories, and lead author of the research.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-baby-oysters-and-noise-from-human-activity">Baby oysters and noise from human activity</h2>



<p>Marine organisms, including the delicate oysters, rely heavily on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-noise-is-getting-louder-what-does-this-mean-for-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean's natural acoustics</a> for their survival. </p>



<p>Like the conductor of an orchestra, these acoustics guide their activities - sense their surroundings, navigate, communicate, avoid predators, find mates and food. </p>



<p>Reliant on these natural acoustic cues, baby oysters specifically settle in environments that resonate with the right note. Unfortunately, this ‘note’ is increasingly being drowned by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/noise-pollution-is-increasingly-disrupting-whale-migration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">noises of human activity</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-noise-is-an-unseen-threat-to-oysters">Noise is an unseen threat to oysters</h2>



<p>The humdrum of shipping, machinery, and construction are some of the many human activities that contribute to the rising noise pollution in our oceans. </p>



<p>The concern isn't just about the loudness of these noises, but also the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-pollution-kills-ocean-embryos-during-development/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">significant environmental changes</a> these instigate, impacting both terrestrial and marine animals. </p>



<p>“Noises from shipping, machinery and construction, for example, are pervasive and pose serious environmental change that affects both terrestrial and marine animals,” Dr. Williams pointed out.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-struggles-of-restoring-reefs">Struggles of restoring reefs</h2>



<p>Reefs rehabilitation comes with its own sets of challenges. Our previous understanding of using sound to lure oysters back to restored <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/self-repairing-oyster-reefs-will-help-protect-coastlines/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reefs</a> is now under scrutiny. </p>



<p>“Our previous work demonstrated that novel acoustic technology can bolster oyster recruitment in habitat restoration projects, but this new research indicates potential limitations of this speaker technology,” obscured Dr. Dominic McAfee, another researcher from the University of Adelaide.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-noise-pollution-impact-baby-oysters">Noise pollution impact baby oysters </h2>



<p>In areas heavily polluted with human-made noise, the usage of specialized speaker technology to attract larvae failed. </p>



<p>These noises might effectively cloak the intrinsic sounds of the ocean, creating serious implications for the marine ecosystem vitality and resilience.</p>



<p>“This suggests that noise pollution might cloak the intrinsic sounds of the ocean, potentially exerting profound ramifications on marine ecosystem vitality and resilience," Professor Sean Connell, a co-author of the research at the University of Adelaide and the <a href="https://www.adelaide.edu.au/environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environment Institute</a>, rightly said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-silver-lining">Silver lining</h2>



<p>Despite the challenges, hope swims in the horizon. In areas with lesser anthropogenic noise, the acoustic technology seems to work well, enhancing the process of oyster recruitment which is key to habitat restoration success. </p>



<p> “Where there is little anthropogenic noise, acoustic enrichment appears to enhance the process of recruitment which is key to restoration success," notes Dr. Williams.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-community-engagement">Role of community engagement</h2>



<p>Community involvement is crucial in addressing the challenges posed by noise pollution in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-impacting-marine-life-more-than-we-realized/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine environments</a>. </p>



<p>By raising awareness and encouraging local communities to participate in restoration efforts, we can create a more supportive atmosphere for the oceans' symphony to thrive. </p>



<p>Engaging workshops and educational programs can equip the public with tools to understand the importance of soundscapes in marine ecology, leading to more responsible practices for protecting these vital ecosystems. </p>



<p>As locals become stewards of their coastal environments, their actions can promote a healthier acoustic ecosystem for all marine life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-steps-to-fix-the-issue">Next steps to fix the issue</h2>



<p>To combat the detrimental effects of noise pollution, ongoing research is essential. Scientists are exploring innovative methods to integrate acoustic technologies with natural reef rehabilitation strategies effectively. </p>



<p>Future studies may focus on fine-tuning these technologies to ensure they replicate the acoustic signals prevalent in pristine environments, thus providing optimal cues for marine organisms like oysters. </p>



<p>By understanding the complexities of marine soundscapes further, researchers hope to develop more effective interventions that bridge the gap between natural and artificial acoustic stimuli, ultimately leading to healthier marine ecosystems.</p>



<p>So, are we still in sync with our oceans? Or are we playing an entirely different tune? </p>



<p>With the wall of human-made noise rising, it's an important question to ponder upon. The silent underwater world is being silenced further, and in this quiet, one can hear the plea for harmony!</p>



<p>Let's think about it – for the oysters, for all marine life, and for us.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.0741" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences</a>.</em></p>



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Oyster populations are rapidly declining due to ocean noise

Ocean whispers, hums and resonates with its very own concert...

<p>A new study published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07592-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature</em></a><em> </em>has found that tree bark surfaces play a crucial role in removing methane gas from the atmosphere.</p>



<p>While scientists have long known that trees have an amazing capacity to sequester carbon dioxide, this research reveals an additional climate benefit: microbes within tree bark can absorb <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/methane-emissions-are-higher-than-previously-estimated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">methane</a>, a greenhouse gas more potent in the short term than CO2, from the atmosphere.</p>



<p>“Methane is an important greenhouse gas, but the role of trees in the methane budget remains uncertain,” noted the researchers. “Although it has been shown that wetland and some upland trees can emit soil-derived methane at the stem base, it has also been suggested that upland trees can serve as a net sink for atmospheric methane.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-are-more-beneficial-than-expected">Trees are more beneficial than expected</h2>



<p>The international research team, led by the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Birmingham</a>, has now provided clear evidence that microbes in bark or wood remove atmospheric methane on a scale comparable to or greater than that of soil. </p>



<p>The scientists estimate that this newly discovered process makes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-struggling-to-breathe-store-co2-hotter-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a> ten percent more beneficial for the climate overall than previously believed.</p>



<p>Methane is responsible for nearly 30 percent of global warming since pre-industrial times, and its emissions are currently increasing at an unprecedented rate.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Although atmospheric processes remove most methane, experts previously believed that soil bacteria which absorb and break down methane for energy are the only terrestrial methane sink. These new findings, though, unmistakably show that trees are equally or even more significant.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-vital-climate-service-nbsp">A vital climate service&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“The main ways in which we consider the contribution of trees to the environment is through absorbing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, and storing it as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mixed-forests-with-many-tree-species-are-more-effective-at-carbon-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a>,” explained lead researcher Vincent Gauci, an expert in biogeochemistry at Birmingham. “These results, however, show a remarkable new way in which trees provide a vital climate service.”</p>



<p>The researchers studied upland tropical, temperate, and boreal forest trees. They measured methane exchange in tropical forests in the Amazon and Panama, temperate broadleaf trees in Wytham Woods, Oxfordshire, UK, and boreal coniferous forests in Sweden.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Methane absorption was strongest in tropical forests, likely due to the warm, wet conditions that favor microbial activity. On average, this newly discovered methane absorption adds approximately&nbsp; ten percent to the climate benefit provided by temperate and tropical trees.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tree-bark-and-methane-removal-nbsp">Tree bark and methane removal&nbsp;</h2>



<p>By examining methane exchange between the atmosphere and tree bark at various heights, the researchers found that while trees might emit a small amount of methane at soil level, they consume methane from the atmosphere a few meters up.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Additionally, the team used laser scanning methods to quantify the global forest tree bark surface area. Preliminary calculations indicate that the global contribution of trees to methane removal is between 24.6-49.9 Tg (millions of tons) of methane. This discovery fills a significant gap in understanding global methane sources and sinks.</p>



<p>The tree shape analysis also shows that if all the bark of all the trees worldwide were laid flat, the area would be equal to the Earth's land surface.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Tree woody surfaces add a third dimension to the way life on Earth interacts with the atmosphere, and this third dimension is teeming with life, and with surprises,” said co-author Yadvinder Malhi, a professor of ecosystem science at the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a>.</p>



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



<p>Professor Gauci and colleagues at Birmingham are now planning a new research program to determine if deforestation has led to increased atmospheric methane concentrations.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts also aim to learn more about the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-laid-the-foundation-for-early-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbes</a> themselves, the mechanisms they use to absorb methane, and whether this atmospheric methane removal by trees can be enhanced.</p>



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



<p>The implications of this research are profound, suggesting that trees not only help combat climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide but also by removing methane from the atmosphere.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This dual function underscores the importance of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/market-based-strategies-fall-short-on-forest-conservation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forest conservation</a> and reforestation efforts. Planting more trees and protecting existing forests could play a significant role in mitigating climate change and enhancing global biodiversity.</p>



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Tree bark removes methane from the atmosphere

A new study published in the journal Nature has found...

<p>In the silent depths beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet, submarine canyons are silently playing a massive part in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-sheet-melting-new-tipping-point-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice sheet's instability</a>. </p>



<p>A captivating new study casts these underwater formations in the role of critical conduits, channeling relatively warm Circumpolar Deep Water up from yawning abyssal depths to the continental shelf. This warmer water then trails to the base of the ice sheet, contributing to its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/this-natural-process-is-making-antarcticas-ice-melt-faster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">slow but steady melting</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-submarine-canyons-and-antarctic-glaciers">Submarine canyons and Antarctic glaciers</h2>



<p>The extensive research, led by the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (<a href="https://www.ogs.it/it" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OGS</a>), including experts from the <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southampton</a>, shines a spotlight on sedimentary bodies within these canyon systems.</p>



<p>These bodies bear the geological traces of persistent bottom currents coursing along these canyons, carrying the ocean's heat like a silent, creeping courier to the Antarctic landmass.</p>



<p>“The intrusion of relatively warm water onto the continental shelf is widely recognised as a threat to the Antarctic ice sheet,” said study lead author Federica Donda, a marine geologist in the OGS Geophysics Department.</p>



<p>“Our endeavor to constrain the extent and long-term persistence of this phenomenon is crucial in deciphering potential responses of the ice sheet to global warming.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-totten-and-ninnis-glaciers">Totten and Ninnis glaciers</h2>



<p>The team's dedication drew them to Totten and Ninnis glaciers, the gatekeepers to the two most significant subglacial features in East Antarctica: Aurora-Sabrina and Wilkes sub-glacial basins.</p>



<p>A goldmine of discovery awaited the team. Their rigorous analysis unearthed dome-shaped sedimentary bodies (or sediment drifts) spanning several thousand meters wide and measuring 40 to 80 meters thick. </p>



<p>The properties of these bodies strongly suggest they were sculpted by bottom currents streaming towards the continental shelf.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-through-the-submarine-canyons">Water through the submarine canyons</h2>



<p>Recent data collected from one of the canyons flowing off Totten Glacier reported currents of about 10 cm/s near the seafloor, a startling discovery at a depth of about 3,500 meters. </p>



<p>This current is part of an oceanic circulation characterized by large cyclonic eddies transporting different water masses, including the warm waters of the Circumpolar Deep Water. A portion of these eddies find their way southward through these canyons, paving easy routes to transport these warmer water masses toward the continent.</p>



<p>“This thickness of the sedimentary bodies identified within the canyons is an indirect testament to the continuation of oceanic heat transfer for at least the past one million years,” noted Donda.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-melting-of-east-antarctic-glaciers">Melting of East Antarctic glaciers</h2>



<p>“Until a few years ago we thought that the East Antarctic Ice Sheet was stable. But the evidence today doesn't just reveal that some East Antarctic glaciers are melting," said Dr. Alessandro Silvano from the University of Southampton. </p>



<p>"We have crucial new insights that there are preferred pathways for warm waters to constantly reach two of the largest glaciers on Earth and melt them from below.”</p>



<p>The East Antarctic ice sheet has recently started piquing the interest of the scientific world, because even a partial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-low-antarctic-sea-ice-and-rapid-melting-pace-stuns-climate-scientists/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">melting of this ice giant</a> could drive a significant rise in sea level. </p>



<p>To put this in perspective, the Aurora-Sabrina and Wilkes sub-glacial basins alone bear the equivalent of over 8 meters of global mean sea level rise.</p>



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



<p>The repercussions of these findings stretch far beyond the icy realms of Antarctica. As the warmer water continues its journey beneath the ice, the gradual melting of glaciers poses a looming threat to global sea levels. </p>



<p>Scientists are increasingly concerned that even a moderate increase in melting could displace millions of people in coastal regions worldwide. </p>



<p>Understanding the dynamics of submarine canyons and their influence on ice sheet stability is vital for modeling future sea-level scenarios and preparing for inevitable environmental changes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-steps-in-research">Next steps in research</h2>



<p>The research team underscores the importance of ongoing exploration of Antarctic submarine canyons, advocating for further studies that will enhance our understanding of the region's complex interactions between the ocean and the ice sheet. </p>



<p>Implementing advanced technologies, such as autonomous underwater vehicles and high-resolution sonar mapping, will allow researchers to gather more precise data on ocean currents and temperature variations. </p>



<p>By unveiling more about these critical areas, scientists hope to develop strategies to mitigate the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-days-getting-longer-rotation-slows-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">impacts of climate change</a> and better predict the future of Earth's ice-covered regions.</p>



<p>The findings of this research elevate submarine canyons to a key position in understanding the mechanisms tied to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-shelves-are-fracturing-from-meltwater-weight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice sheet's melting</a>, both in the past and at present. Consequently, this understanding boosts our ability to predict future sea level rise.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-50160-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.</em></p>



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Stability of Antarctica is threatened by submarine canyons

In the silent depths beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet, submarine...

<p>It's no secret that volcanoes are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-dormant-volcanoes-are-capable-of-explosive-eruptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unpredictable</a>, often hiding their secrets beneath layers of magma and age-old rock formations. However, an innovative solution to detect volcanic tremors is now in sight, thanks to relentless tenacity, and the power of technology.</p>



<p>The researcher at the helm, making sure we're a step ahead in understanding these fascinating natural phenomena, is Darren Tan, a graduate student researcher at the University of Alaska Fairbanks <a href="https://www.gi.alaska.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Institute</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-volcanic-tremors">Mapping volcanic tremors</h2>



<p>Tan’s exciting breakthrough proposal comes down to this – an automated system that can document and classify the ongoing vibrations in active volcanoes. This system promises to entirely overhaul the long hours currently spent on manual documentation. </p>



<p>The innovative part? It’s built with the might of machine learning - a fascinating domain of artificial intelligence that leans on data to discern patterns and make decisions with the least possible human intervention.</p>



<p>This system will focus on volcanic tremor, a rhythmic seismic signal that escapes from volcanoes and often indicates the underground movement of magma or gas.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-volcanic-tremor-earth-s-undercover-rhythm">Volcanic tremor: Earth’s undercover rhythm</h2>



<p>What’s volcanic tremor? It’s not a volcanic earthquake, even though both might seem similar. The volcanic tremor is a sustained ground rumble that can last anywhere from a few seconds to an entire year or even more. It's so subtle that it’s usually detected in spectrograms because of its ever-changing intensity and frequency.</p>



<p>“Volcanic tremor isn’t typically detected or cataloged because it tends to be quite subtle in the seismic data. It doesn’t have the impulsive onset like an earthquake does," explained Tan.</p>



<p>Currently, the Alaska Volcano Observatory, where Tan is affiliated, has manual processes to detect tremor. The seismologists there spend their days scanning spectrograms at 32 volcano-monitoring networks across Alaska to find even the faintest hint of tremor amidst the clear seismic signals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monitoring-volcanic-tremors">Monitoring volcanic tremors</h2>



<p>With 54 volcanoes classified as “historically active” in Alaska alone, such manual efforts can be time-consuming and tedious. </p>



<p>However, with Tan's automatic system, this would be a thing of the past. He used the varied tremor signals from the 2021-2022 eruption of Pavlof Volcano to build a comprehensive dataset of labeled seismic and low-frequency acoustic spectrograms.</p>



<p>The result? Computer models that can detect and classify volcanic tremor in almost real-time. But don't worry, human intervention will still be required to interpret what the automation churns out.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shaking-things-up">Shaking things up</h2>



<p>The research paves the way for a new chapter in volcanic monitoring. “To be able to place our focus on time periods of interest, that is key,” said Tan. “I think that reinvents the way we can monitor long-duration eruptions, because things can get missed when a volcano is active for a year and a half or two years.”</p>



<p>The automated method doesn't only detect tremor; it also contributes to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/icelands-volcanic-eruptions-may-continue-for-decades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forecasting and detecting eruptions</a>, revolutionizing our approach towards these unpredictable giants.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-automation-for-seismic-research">Automation for seismic research</h2>



<p>The implications of Tan's automated system extend far beyond mere efficiency. By significantly reducing the time required for manual detection, researchers can now allocate more resources to analyzing the data and predicting volcanic behaviors. </p>



<p>This paradigm shift in seismic research could result in enhanced risk assessment methodologies, enabling better preparedness for potential <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/popocatepetl-releases-a-blast-of-volcanic-ash/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eruptions</a>. </p>



<p>Moreover, the integration of machine learning can open up new avenues for collaborative research, allowing data from various regions to be shared and compared more easily, leading to a global understanding of volcanic activity.</p>



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



<p>Looking ahead, the application of Tan's system could set a precedent for the monitoring of not only volcanic tremor but also other geological phenomena. </p>



<p>As technology continues to evolve, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-research-enhances-predictions-on-volcanic-eruptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">similar approaches</a> could be used to study earthquakes, landslides, and other natural events, utilizing machine learning and vast datasets to uncover patterns that were previously elusive. </p>



<p>By bridging the gap between advanced technology and the often unpredictable forces of nature, researchers can enhance our ability to predict and respond to environmental changes, ultimately safeguarding communities against geological hazards.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-wild-west-of-machine-learning">The Wild West of machine learning</h2>



<p>Tan’s enthusiasm for machine learning is contagious. He dubs it the "Wild West of machine learning," where everyone wants to dip their toes in.</p>



<p>But he warns that it's essential to do so carefully. After all, we're making decisions that will impact global safety responses and scientific understandings.</p>



<p>With Tan’s groundbreaking innovation, the future of volcanic monitoring is surely looking brighter. It's not about predicting the unpredictable; instead, it's about understanding, learning, and being prepared. And that is the heart of true scientific discovery.</p>



<p>The study is published in the <em><a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024JB029194" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth</a></em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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'Volcanic tremors' can now be detected to forecast eruptions

It's no secret that volcanoes are unpredictable, often hiding their...

<p>Trees, those silent, stationary beings we often take for granted are actually on the move. Surprising as it may be, this doesn't mean tree trunks are sprouting legs and trekking uphill. </p>



<p>Instead, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-have-an-amazing-ability-to-adapt-to-new-climates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">entire species</a> of trees in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest are shifting their habitats in response to the ever-looming specter of climate change.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tree-migration-due-to-climate-change">Tree migration due to climate change</h2>



<p>The recent study was led by Dr. Rodrigo Bergamin, a researcher from the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Birmingham</a>, in collaboration with an international group of scientists.</p>



<p>The team’s findings reveal something we've never seen before; climate change is affecting not just the trees, but the very mix of tree species in the Atlantic Forest, known for its rich variety of life.</p>



<p>“We found that different species are moving in different directions - in lower forests, trees are moving downhill more often than uphill, probably due to factors besides temperature, like competition between species," said Dr. Bergamin.</p>



<p>“However, in the forest higher up in the mountains, most species are moving uphill as temperatures rise and the undergrowth becomes more suited to those trees favoring warm temperatures. This could mean that species needing colder temperatures are at risk of dying out as the world continues to warm.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-different-tree-species">Different tree species</h2>



<p>To reach this conclusion, the researchers studied 627 tree species across 96 different locations in the Atlantic Forest. They calculated what they call community temperature scores (CTS) to understand the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-struggling-to-breathe-store-co2-hotter-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forest's climate patterns</a>.</p>



<p>Interestingly, younger trees in high-altitude forests seem more agile in their migration. The researchers found that young tree groups had more growth than the older ones, and this growth increased over a decade of observing the forest.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-varying-tree-responses-to-climate-change">Varying tree responses to climate change</h2>



<p>Some trees are in a tight spot as the planet heats up. Professor Sandra Müller from the <a href="http://www.ufrgs.br/english/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul</a>, a senior author of the study, raises the alarm. </p>



<p>“Species from higher altitudes are generally more sensitive to temperature and those that need cold are more likely to lose out in competition under warmer temperatures to species that prefer hotter temperatures,” noted Professor Müller.</p>



<p>Consider what this means for the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, a biodiversity hotspot also known as Mata Atlântica in Portuguese. </p>



<p>This massive forest stretches from Rio Grande do Norte in the north-east to Rio Grande do Sul state in the south and extends inland as far as Paraguay and the Misiones province of Argentina. It houses a vast array of unique species and ecosystems.</p>



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



<p>The shifts in tree species due to climate change have profound implications for biodiversity. </p>



<p>As certain species migrate to more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-still-fighting-climate-change-against-all-odds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">suitable habitats</a>, the intricate relationships that have developed over generations - between trees, animals, and other flora - could be disrupted.</p>



<p>This relocation may also lead to the emergence of new species compositions that could struggle to adapt to existing ecological dynamics. Understanding how these changes impact not just the trees but the entire ecosystem is critical for conservation efforts moving forward.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-strategies">Conservation strategies</h2>



<p>In light of these findings, there is an urgent need to reassess conservation strategies aimed at protecting ecosystems like the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. </p>



<p>Efforts must focus on creating adaptive management plans that consider the dynamic nature of species habitats under climate change. Strategies may include protecting critical migration corridors and enhancing the resilience of remaining forests through the restoration of degraded areas. </p>



<p>We must act now to ensure that both trees and the myriad of species that rely on them for survival can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-forests-which-tree-species-can-survive-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">continue to thrive in a warming world</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-at-the-bigger-picture">Looking at the bigger picture</h2>



<p>Of course, the story might not be the same throughout this vast forest. “This study showed what is happening in the South of the Atlantic Forest, but different regions might show other trends," said study co-author Dr. Adriane Esquivel Muelbert. </p>



<p>"We are now bringing together researchers from across the whole biome to create a big picture of how these forests are responding to global change."</p>



<p>Ultimately, trees are responding to a warming climate just like all the other species on this planet. However, we still have a lot to learn before we can fully understand the impact of climate change on trees.</p>



<p>In the meantime, isn't it time we take some serious steps to slow down this relentless march towards a warmer world?</p>



<p>The study is published in the <em><a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jvs.13289" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Vegetation Science</a></em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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Trees are 'relocating' in a race against global warming

Trees, those silent, stationary beings we often take for granted...

<p>A team of biologists from <a href="https://www.brown.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brown University</a> has recently aimed to understand the impact of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-how-plants-adapt-to-changing-climates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> on plant species in tropical mountain regions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers discovered that even slight variations in temperature and moisture could have substantial effects, threatening the survival of plants and the ecosystems they support.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-in-tropical-mountains-nbsp">Plants in tropical mountains&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Emily Hollenbeck, who conducted this research while earning her Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology from Brown, conducted extensive experiments in the Monteverde mountain region of Costa Rica.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research revealed that small changes in climate conditions drastically affect the survival of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/epiphytes-are-increasingly-threatened-by-forest-disturbances/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">epiphyte species</a>, strengthening concerns about widespread extinctions due to climate change in these areas.</p>



<p>Hollenbeck, passionate about the impact of climate change on tropical forests, spent five years documenting occurrences of epiphyte species across three mountains in Costa Rica and Panama.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tropical-plants-struggling-to-survive-nbsp">Tropical plants struggling to survive&nbsp;</h2>



<p>On one mountain, she transplanted plant species to different sites varying in elevation, temperature, and aridity, and observed the effects on the plants.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study, published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-49181-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>, found that most epiphyte species struggled to survive outside their native climate ranges. This research highlights the heightened extinction risks from climate change in tropical mountain ecosystems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-natural-world-is-shifting-nbsp">The natural world is shifting&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“It's already obvious to people who live here, even those who aren't biologists, that the natural world has been shifting in striking ways over the last 20 or 30 years in response to climate change,” said Hollenbeck, now president of the <a href="https://www.monteverdeinfo.com/community/monteverde-conservation-league" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monteverde Conservation League</a>, a Costa Rican nonprofit focused on conserving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-ecosystems-at-risk-the-critical-role-of-aquatic-insects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tropical ecosystems</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It felt really important to conduct a very specific, well-controlled scientific study to provide context and evidence to support what we’re seeing.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extinction-risks-are-not-well-understood-nbsp">Extinction risks are not well understood&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Study co-author Dov Sax is a Brown professor of ecology, evolution, and organismal biology who served as Hollenbeck’s dissertation advisor.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Professor Sax noted that while it is well-known that climate change poses extinction risks, the specifics of these dynamics are less understood, especially in tropical mountain regions, which host some of the world's most diverse ecosystems.</p>



<p>According to Sax, most extinction risk estimates are based on statistical models that consider current climate conditions and whether these conditions will exist nearby in the future. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-poorly-documented-tropical-plants">Poorly documented tropical plants</h2>



<p>The statistical models work well in regions like the United States and Europe, where species distributions are well-documented, but they are less effective in tropical settings with poorly documented species distributions and unclear tolerance levels to new conditions.</p>



<p>“The field doesn’t have a good handle on just how bad the extinction risk to tropical organisms might be under different levels of climate change,” Sax said. This study directly addresses these limitations for tropical epiphytes in the mountains of Costa Rica and Panama, requiring a significant amount of work.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adaptable-plants-are-still-vulnerable">Adaptable plants are still vulnerable</h2>



<p>Hollenbeck and Brown research assistants surveyed about 70 epiphyte species across three mountain ranges, transplanting around 1,500 individual plants to various elevations and climates. The plants were monitored every three months over three years.</p>



<p>“We found that these species really are as sensitive to small changes in climate conditions as has been widely feared, and which some previous, much smaller-scale experiments had found in the past,” Sax said. Even the most adaptable plants fared worse than expected, emphasizing their vulnerability.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-tipping-point-for-tropical-plants-nbsp">A tipping point for tropical plants&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study also indicates vastly different outcomes based on temperature scenarios predicted by 2100. Under a low-emission scenario (1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels), most plant species studied will survive.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, under a moderately high-emission scenario (3.2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels), 5% to 36% of species may go extinct in the region, with 10% to 55% disappearing from the specific mountain studied.</p>



<p>“It is a little alarming just how close to a threshold or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-tipping-points-report-shows-humanity-on-a-disastrous-trajectory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tipping point</a> we are for these tropical species,” Sax said, noting that Earth’s surface temperature has already increased by one degree Celsius since the pre-industrial era.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“On the one hand, this gives us hope if we really can dramatically slow climate change, but on the other hand it shows just how little additional warming is needed to lead to the massive extinction events that we have feared might occur.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cascading-effects-of-plant-extinctions">Cascading effects of plant extinctions</h2>



<p>Professor Sax added that with moderate warming, a third of all epiphytes could be lost by the century's end, leading to unpredictable and far-reaching effects on the ecosystem and the local economy.</p>



<p>Hollenbeck, living in Costa Rica and involved in teaching science and running research fellowships, described epiphytes as the canaries in a coal mine for tropical forests.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Getting this level of concrete data involved a stupefying amount of fieldwork over a long time and applies to about 70 species of plants,” she said. “But this research just scratches the surface in terms of how climate change is affecting different species.”</p>



<p>This extensive research underscores the urgent need to address climate change to protect vulnerable tropical ecosystems and the myriad species they support.</p>



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Small climate changes have drastic effects on tropical plants

A team of biologists from Brown University has recently aimed...

<p>World leaders must seize a crucial opportunity to develop an integrated approach to tackle climate change and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-biodiversity-crisis-is-actually-worse-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity loss</a>, according to scientists from the <a href="https://www.zsl.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zoological Society of London</a> (ZSL) and <a href="https://www.yorku.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">York University</a>. Failure to do so could result in efforts to address one crisis inadvertently hindering progress on the other.</p>



<p>A paper from the international conservation charity ZSL and researchers at York University, titled “The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement need a joint work program for climate, nature, and people,” outlines how a unified program between the <a href="https://unfccc.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change</a> (UNFCCC) and the <a href="https://www.un.org/en/observances/biological-diversity-day/convention" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity</a> (CBD) could be established.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-and-climate-crises-are-intrinsically-linked">Nature and climate crises are intrinsically linked</h2>



<p>The paper emphasizes the necessity of this joint program, highlighting the challenges it must address and offering recommendations for successful implementation. Such a political tool is deemed essential to meet international commitments under both the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.</p>



<p>“We urgently need a global approach that addresses the nature and climate crises together - because they are intrinsically connected,” said co-author Nathalie Pettorelli, a researcher at ZSL’s Institute of Zoology.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The UNFCCC and CBD are incredible platforms for providing the evidence to, and guiding the way through the changes we need, but higher levels of integration between the biodiversity and climate change agendas are needed to plug implementation gaps.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stabilize-the-climate-to-restore-nature">Stabilize the climate to restore nature</h2>



<p>Pettorelli noted that the upcoming Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC and CBD present a clear policy window for the two conventions to introduce a formal governance structure that brings together ideas, people, organizations and processes necessary for joining the dots on how to both stabilize our climate and recover our nature.</p>



<p>Later this year, world leaders will convene for two global conventions to separately address <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-still-fighting-climate-change-against-all-odds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> and biodiversity loss. In October, the CBD will meet in Columbia for the 16th United Nations Biodiversity conference (COP16). Following this, the UNFCCC will meet in Azerbaijan for the 29th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP29) in November.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bold-and-transformative-action-is-needed">Bold and transformative action is needed</h2>



<p>Nathalie emphasized the importance of this opportunity: “With the closely related policy agendas of the upcoming UNFCCC and CBD's COPs, negotiators have a key opportunity to take coordinated, bold and transformative action to deliver a new, more integrated and coherent approach to addressing the entwined nature and climate crises.”</p>



<p>According to Nathalie, the urgency is such that both conventions need to work together now, and take advantage of the many potential synergies we highlighted between climate change and biodiversity policies to change humanity’s course towards a sustainable future.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harmony-between-humans-and-nature">Harmony between humans and nature</h2>



<p>At COP16, government representatives will review the state of implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022, which aims for humanity to live in harmony with nature by 2050.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Goals include halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030. Discussions at COP29 will be critical for progress towards the Paris Agreement's objective of limiting global temperature increases to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.</p>



<p>“The world is currently at a crossroads,” said co-author Idil Boran, a researcher at York University's Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies. “World leaders have signed international treaties that commit them to take action to address these two crises - but there is currently a massive gap in the tools available to ensure this action is unified.”&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-dual-crises-nbsp">Addressing the dual crises&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Boran said a program is needed to fill these gaps - identifying areas where climate actions may harm biodiversity, providing clear recommendations, and developing methods to monitor progress on shared goals.</p>



<p>Without this program, actions to address one crisis might create setbacks for the other, noted Boran. For instance, replacing natural grasslands with forests might help capture <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-capture-technology-faces-uncertainty-despite-heavy-investment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon </a>dioxide but would harm the ecosystems and wildlife that previously thrived there.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-based-solutions-improve-coastal-defenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature-based Solutions</a> (NbS) are emphasized as effective strategies that address both climate change and biodiversity loss while benefiting people.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For example, restoring mangroves helps with carbon storage, protects endangered species like the Bengal tiger and the Philippine cockatoo, and provides resources for local communities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-funding-imbalance-for-climate-and-nature-nbsp">Funding imbalance for climate and nature&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The paper also calls for reallocating resources to address the funding imbalance between climate change and biodiversity loss efforts.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Pettorelli highlighted the broader need for nature to be central to decision-making, stressing that functioning ecosystems are vital for addressing rapid climate change and essential aspects of human life, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungal-infections-are-threatening-global-food-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food security</a> and clean water access.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We need these to be recognized and conservation to receive the resources needed for it to be part of the solution towards tackling climate change and championing human well-being,” she said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-should-guide-our-decisions-nbsp">Science should guide our decisions&nbsp;</h2>



<p>From restoring vast areas of mangrove forests to advocating for urban rewilding to protect against climate change impacts, this call is part of ZSL’s global efforts to push for and implement urgent actions to build a better future for people and the planet. ZSL believes that nature can recover and that conservation driven by science is the most effective approach.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts advocate for science to guide all global environmental and biodiversity decisions, aiming to build a healthier future for wildlife, people, and the planet.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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Tackling the dual crises of climate and nature

World leaders must seize a crucial opportunity to develop an...

<p>Researchers at the <a href="https://www.udel.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Delaware</a> (UD) and the <a href="https://www.anl.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Argonne National Laboratory</a> have discovered a chemical reaction that can convert the hard plastic material Styrofoam into PEDOT, a valuable conducting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-polymer-coating-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polymer</a>. </p>



<p>This breakthrough, detailed in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jacsau.4c00355" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>JACS Au</em></a>, demonstrates how upgraded plastic waste can be effectively used in functional electronic devices like silicon-based hybrid solar cells and organic electrochemical transistors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-pedot-nbsp">The role of PEDOT&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Led by Laure Kayser, an assistant professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at UD, the research team sought to synthesize PEDOT from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hungry-bacteria-will-devour-plastic-waste/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic waste</a>. </p>



<p>The collaboration began when Kayser connected with Argonne chemist David Kaphan at a UD research event. The experts hypothesized that PEDOT could be produced by sulfonating polystyrene, a common synthetic plastic found in disposable containers and packing materials.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-striking-the-right-balance">Striking the right balance</h2>



<p>Sulfonation, a process where a hydrogen atom is replaced by sulfonic acid, is used in various products, from dyes to drugs. However, finding the right balance in the reaction - efficient yet gentle enough to avoid damaging the polymer chain - was crucial.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“A reagent that is efficient enough to get really high degrees of functionalization but that doesn’t mess up your polymer chain,” Kayser explained.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-months-of-trial-and-error">Months of trial and error</h2>



<p>The team initially used a method for sulfonating small molecules, employing 1,3-Disulfonic acid imidazolium chloride ([Dsim]Cl).&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, sulfonating polymers is more complex due to the challenges in separating byproducts and maintaining the polymer’s integrity.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This led to months of trial and error to optimize conditions and minimize side reactions, as Kelsey Koutsoukos, a materials science doctoral candidate, noted.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We screened different organic solvents, different molar ratios of the sulfonating agent, and evaluated different temperatures and times to see which conditions were the best for achieving high degrees of sulfonation,” said Koutsoukos.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-converting-plastic-waste-to-electronic-materials">Converting plastic waste to electronic materials </h2>



<p>Ultimately, the researchers identified conditions that achieved high polymer sulfonation with minimal defects and high efficiency using a mild sulfonating agent.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By utilizing waste Styrofoam, their method also represents an efficient way to convert plastic waste into PEDOT. Once produced, the team compared their waste-derived PEDOT with commercially available versions.</p>



<p>“The performance of both types of conductive polymers was comparable, and shows that our method is a very eco-friendly approach for converting polystyrene waste into high-value electronic materials,” said lead author Chun-Yuan Lo, a chemistry doctoral candidate at UD.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Specific analyses conducted at UD included X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), film thickness analysis, and solar cell evaluation, while Argonne’s advanced spectroscopy equipment provided detailed polymer characterization.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-minimizing-waste-generation-nbsp">Minimizing waste generation&nbsp;</h2>



<p>An unexpected discovery was the ability to use stoichiometric ratios during the reaction, minimizing waste generation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Typically, for sulfonation of polystyrene, you have to use an excess of really harsh reagents. Here, being able to use a stoichiometric ratio means that we can minimize the amount of waste being generated,” Koutsoukos explained.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-electronic-materials-from-trash-nbsp">Making electronic materials from trash&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The research team plans to further explore this finding to fine-tune the degree of sulfonation, impacting the electrical properties of PEDOT. They aim to apply this capability to other applications, such as fuel cells or water filtration devices.</p>



<p>“For the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/graphene-superhighway-allows-electronic-devices-to-use-much-less-power/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electronic devices</a> community, the key takeaway is that you can make electronic materials from trash, and they perform just as well as what you would purchase commercially,” Kayser said. </p>



<p>“For the more traditional polymer scientists, the fact that you can very efficiently and precisely control the degree of sulfonation is going to be of interest to a lot of different communities and applications.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-sustainability-efforts-nbsp">Global sustainability efforts&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The researchers also see significant potential for contributing to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-urgent-plea-sustainable-climate-solutions-save-earth-humanity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global sustainability</a> efforts by converting waste products into valuable materials. </p>



<p>“Many scientists and researchers are working hard on upcycling and recycling efforts, either by chemical or mechanical means, and our study provides another example of how we can address this challenge,” Lo said.</p>



<p>Thus, the study not only demonstrates an innovative method to upcycle Styrofoam into high-value conducting polymers but also underscores the potential for these plastic waste materials to be used in functional electronic devices. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-upgrading-plastic-waste-to-electronics">Upgrading plastic waste to electronics </h2>



<p>This research highlights the environmental benefits and the practical applications of transforming plastic waste into valuable resources.</p>



<p>“A wide range of aromatic plastics were efficiently sulfonated, including expanded polystyrene, obtained from plastic waste packaging. We used this approach to upgrade plastic waste to a conducting polymer containing two-thirds of plastic waste by mass,” noted the researchers.</p>



<p>“This material proved efficient in organic electrochemical transistors and silicon-based hybrid solar cells, highlighting the potential of this sulfonation approach to access high-quality electronics from waste plastics.”</p>



<p>The researchers believe their innovative technique will stimulate interest in developing sustainable approaches toward electronic materials through plastics-to-electronics upgrading.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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Plastic waste can be used to make electronic devices

Researchers at the University of Delaware (UD) and the Argonne...

<p>In the summer of 2020, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-an-unexpected-ally-in-forest-regeneration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildfire smoke</a> covered Portland, Oregon, causing prolonged <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/poor-air-quality-linked-to-cognitive-problems-in-infants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">poor air quality</a> and health issues for residents. The following year, the city faced a heatwave with temperatures reaching up to 116 degrees. </p>



<p>These events underscored the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires and climate-related emergencies in the western United States due to the climate crisis.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfire-protection-in-the-pacific-northwest-nbsp">Wildfire protection in the Pacific Northwest&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Already, Oregon has seen a significant rise in the number of fires from the previous year. At <a href="https://www.pdx.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portland State University</a> (PSU), researchers are actively working to boost wildfire awareness, prevention, and mitigation in the Pacific Northwest. </p>



<p>The team includes Max Nielsen-Pincus, Cody Evers (Environmental Science and Management), Brianne Suldovsky (Communication), and and Jonathan Fink (Geology). Each of these researchers are tackling the issue from different perspectives, reflecting the complexity of the issue.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-of-wildfire-mitigation-nbsp">Challenges of wildfire mitigation&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Wildfire mitigation involves numerous stakeholders and interconnected agencies across local, state, tribal, and national governments.</p>



<p>One of the challenges, as associate professor Max Nielsen-Pincus explained, is “building bridges between the different agencies.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>Jonathan Fink, a volcanologist and professor of geology, initiated the <a href="https://sites.google.com/pdx.edu/cascadiawildfireandurbansmoke/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cascadia Wildfire and Urban Smoke Working Group</a> in 2019. This informal group includes researchers, policy experts, and technologists from the Pacific Northwest in both the US and Canada. </p>



<p>So far, they have conducted 113 webinars on topics ranging from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/satellite-forest-management-regeneration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forest regeneration</a> to the health effects of wildfire smoke, with all recordings publicly accessible.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfire-vulnerability-of-the-pacific-northwest-nbsp">Wildfire vulnerability of the Pacific Northwest&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The group also held an online symposium titled “<a href="https://youtu.be/w43v8eb8I4s" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wildfire Knows No Borders</a>” in the fall of 2020. During the spring 2024 term, Fink taught a course in the PSU Honors College on wildfire and smoke in the Pacific Northwest. </p>



<p>Undergraduate students watched videos from the webinar series and generated questions about the content, which Fink then discussed with the original speakers who joined the class.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This initiative helped students understand environmental hazards and provided opportunities to meet professionals and explore careers in science.</p>



<p>“Part of this project is getting people to realize that Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver are particularly vulnerable to wildfire,” Fink said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Even though we haven't had major fires in the cities, if you look at tree ring data, there are huge fires that basically go through the entire basin and destroy all the trees, every three to six hundred years. Then the forest gets restarted. It's kind of like the big earthquakes that happen here, every two to five hundred years.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preparing-for-fires-in-urban-areas">Preparing for fires in urban areas</h2>



<p>One of the key takeaways from Fink's webinar series is that city and county governments and other agencies need to be prepared for fires encroaching on urban areas. This could occur in Portland following an extended summer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/megadrought-in-the-western-u-s-is-the-worst-in-at-least-1200-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drought</a> combined with winds blowing from the east, as happened in 2020.</p>



<p>Brianne Suldovsky, an associate professor of communication at PSU, studies public understanding of science and the environment. She co-authored a paper with Fink and Molly Baer Kramer of PSU's Institute for Sustainable Solutions, surveying Portlanders about their perceived risk of wildfires, extreme heat, and other climate emergencies.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study, “Extreme heat &amp; public perception in Portland, Oregon: Evidence of a compounding vulnerability effect for climate hazards,” published in <a href="https://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000386" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>PLOS Climate</em></a>, examines perceptions of extreme heat risk, emergency response needs, and trust in first responders among Portland metro area residents.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-perception-of-wildfire-risk">Public perception of wildfire risk</h2>



<p>The impetus for the study was the 2021 heat wave in Portland, which posed severe risks to residents and required effective communication of available resources.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Communicating risks is really complicated, because you have two things happening at once in terms of public perception: the first is whether or not they think a threat is real. Next, if they do believe the danger is real, do they think they can protect themselves against that threat?” Suldovsky said.</p>



<p>“And so when we're talking about something like climate change or climate extremes, having people see that there's a risk is one thing, but you also want to make sure they know how to protect themselves, or at least feel like they have the resources to do so.”</p>



<p>The study found that three vulnerability indicators - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/poverty-impacts-brain-development-in-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">poverty</a>, disability, and race - significantly influence public perception. The more of these indicators a person has, the more they expect to be harmed by extreme heat and environmental emergencies. </p>



<p>The study also revealed that these groups have lower trust in first responders, though firefighters and medical providers were the most trusted across all vulnerability groups.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The paper recommends increasing outreach to vulnerable groups before emergencies to establish lines of communication and anticipate their needs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-wildfire-risks">Reducing wildfire risks</h2>



<p>Max Nielsen-Pincus, chair of PSU's Environmental Science and Management (ESM) department, has been collaborating with Cody Evers on the project “Fueling Adaptation: Leveraging Community Capacity to Reduce Wildfire Risk.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>This project, in partnership with the US Forest Service, focuses on understanding local and regional processes for adapting to wildfire in the western United States.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“One of the challenges that we have as researchers, and more broadly, is that wildfire risk management doesn't happen in any singular agency. It takes lots of different players to come to the table,” Nielsen-Pincus said.</p>



<p>The project team is developing case studies and guidelines for successful regional collaboration, with wildfire researchers from various universities working together to understand the impacts of wildfire mitigation better. Nielsen-Pincus acknowledges that wildfires can't be completely prevented but emphasizes the importance of mitigation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“How can we create a landscape that is better adapted to wildfire so that the impacts are less, and recovery is easier?” he asked, noting that “there are many different strategies for doing this. There's no single silver bullet.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-prescribed-fires-nbsp">The role of prescribed fires&nbsp;</h2>



<p>One key mitigation strategy is prescribed burns - controlled fires that reduce the risk of larger, more destructive wildfires. Nielsen-Pincus and Evers are working with colleagues from other universities on a study exploring prescribed fire and the social dynamics of adaptation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>FireNet, led by the <a href="https://www.uoregon.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oregon</a>, examines people's attitudes and responses to prescribed fires and how managers can use successful outcomes to build public support for more mitigation work. </p>



<p>“I think a lot of folks recognize that we need a lot more fire on the landscape - but in the right places and the right times of year - to mitigate and minimize those large, uncontrolled wildfires that happen in the wrong places at the wrong times of year,” Nielsen-Pincus said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-resilience-against-cascading-disasters-nbsp">Resilience against cascading disasters&nbsp;</h2>



<p>By improving our understanding of and communication around these issues - among different agencies and between agencies and the public - researchers at PSU and other universities in the Pacific Northwest aim to enhance regional resilience against potential future “cascading disasters” such as wildfires, extreme heat, and other climate emergencies.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Improving everyone's understanding of the risks, treatments, and most effective strategies will help ensure that cities on the West Coast are prepared and resilient.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Preparing for disaster: Raising awareness to reduce wildfire risks

In the summer of 2020, wildfire smoke covered Portland, Oregon,...

<p>In a decade, solid-state batteries made from rock silicates are expected to become an environmentally friendly, more efficient, and safer alternative to current lithium-ion batteries. </p>



<p>Researchers at the <a href="https://www.dtu.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technical University of Denmark</a> (DTU) have patented a new superionic material based on potassium silicate, a mineral that can be extracted from ordinary rocks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-generation-of-lithium-free-batteries-nbsp">New generation of lithium-free batteries&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The lithium-ion battery, commonly used in electric cars, has limitations in terms of capacity, safety, and availability. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seaweed-based-battery-may-ultimately-replace-lithium/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lithium</a> is expensive, environmentally harmful, and its scarcity can impede the green transition of car transport. </p>



<p>As more people switch to electric cars, there is a pressing need for a new generation of lithium-free batteries that are efficient, eco-friendly, and cheaper to produce. This requires developing new materials for the battery's main components (anode, cathode, and electrolyte) and creating new battery designs.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Researchers worldwide are focusing on this field to significantly reduce carbon emissions from the transport sector.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rock-silicates-for-batteries-nbsp">Rock silicates for batteries&nbsp;</h2>



<p>At DTU, researcher Mohamad Khoshkalam has developed a material that has the potential to replace lithium in future batteries: solid-state batteries based on potassium and sodium silicates, which are common minerals found in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mantle-heat-shaped-earths-crust-3-billion-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's crust</a>. </p>



<p>These rock silicates, found in ordinary stones, are not sensitive to air and humidity, allowing them to be molded into a paper-thin layer inside the battery.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enormous-potential-of-potassium-silicate-nbsp">Enormous potential of potassium silicate&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The potential of this milky-white, paper-thin material based on potassium silicate is enormous. It is inexpensive, eco-friendly, and can be extracted from silicates covering over 90% of the Earth's surface.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The material can conduct ions at around 40 degrees and is not sensitive to moisture, making future battery production easier, safer, and cheaper. This is because production can take place in an open atmosphere and at temperatures close to room temperature.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Additionally, the material works without the addition of expensive and environmentally harmful metals like cobalt, used in lithium-ion batteries to boost capacity and service life.</p>



<p>“The potential of potassium silicate as a solid-state electrolyte has been known for a long time, but in my opinion has been ignored due to challenges with the weight and size of the potassium ions. The ions are large and therefore move slower,” Khoshkalam said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-superionic-material-of-potassium-silicate">Superionic material of potassium silicate</h2>



<p>The electrolyte in a battery can be a liquid or solid material, allowing ions to move between the battery's anode and cathode, maintaining the electrical current during discharging and charging.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The electrolyte is crucial for battery capacity, charging time, lifespan, and safety. The ions in rock silicates generally move slower than those in lithium-based liquid electrolytes or solid-state electrolytes because they are larger and heavier.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, Khoshkalam has developed a superionic material of potassium silicate that enables ions to move faster than in lithium-based electrolytes.</p>



<p>“The first measurement with a battery component revealed that the material has very good conductivity as a solid-state electrolyte. I cannot reveal how I developed the material, as the recipe and the method are now patented,” Khoshkalam said.</p>



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



<p>Both researchers and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electric-car-environmentally-friendly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electric car</a> manufacturers consider solid-state batteries to be the future's super battery. </p>



<p>Recently, Toyota announced plans to launch an electric car with a lithium solid-state battery by 2027-28. However, several car manufacturers have previously announced electric cars with solid-state batteries only to retract later.</p>



<p>In a solid-state battery, ions travel through a solid material instead of a liquid. This allows for faster ion movement, making the battery more efficient and quicker to charge.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A single battery cell can be made as thin as a piece of cardboard, with the anode, cathode, and solid-state electrolyte forming ultra-thin layers. This results in more powerful batteries that take up less space, potentially allowing for up to 1,000 km on a single 10-minute charge.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Additionally, solid-state batteries are more fireproof, as they do not contain combustible liquids.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-and-limitations-nbsp">Challenges and limitations&nbsp;</h2>



<p>However, several challenges remain before solid-state batteries can be marketed. While the technology works well in laboratories, scaling up production is difficult and expensive.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Battery research is complex and time-consuming, and new ways of producing and sealing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-create-sustainable-batteries-from-crab-shells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">batteries</a> must be developed to ensure continuous contact and functionality.</p>



<p>Unlike lithium solid-state batteries, potassium and sodium silicate-based solid-state batteries have a low Technology Readiness Level (TRL), meaning it will take around 10 years to commercialize them.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Despite the high risk, Khoshkalam remains optimistic. “We have shown that we can find a material for a solid-state electrolyte that is cheap, efficient, eco-friendly, and scalable - and that even performs better than solid-state lithium-based electrolytes,” he said.</p>



<p>Khoshkalam has obtained a patent for the recipe and is establishing the start-up K-Ion to develop solid-state electrolyte components for battery companies. The next step is to create a demo battery to showcase the material's effectiveness, with a prototype expected within 1-2 years.</p>



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Electric car batteries may soon be made of rock

In a decade, solid-state batteries made from rock silicates are...

<p>You know those little tags on your clothes? Sure, they can be annoying, especially when they itch against your skin. But they hold a world of information - more than you can imagine! They tell us a lot about the clothes we wear and their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-fast-fashion-jeans-bad-for-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">impact on our environment</a>. Recent study discusses how fashion industry significantly contributes to environmental plastic waste.</p>



<p>The driving force behind this revelation is Professor Richard Venditti from <a href="https://www.ncsu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North Carolina State University</a>, an expert in paper science and engineering. </p>



<p>Backed by a capable team of researchers, Professor Venditti has unveiled some eye-opening statistics about the chilling contribution of the fashion industry to environmental pollution.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-waste-from-fashion-industry">Plastic waste from fashion industry</h2>



<p>The fashion industry hasn't exactly been basking in the sunshine of positive news. Stories of subpar working conditions, underwhelming wages, and the rapid-fire "fast fashion" culture have rocked its boat time and again.</p>



<p>But Professor Venditti's recent study draws our attention to an even more alarming issue - plastic leakage.</p>



<p>"We analyzed data on imports, exports and apparel production in countries all over the world," said Venditti. "Then we compared that to existing global information on different stages of the apparel value chain to estimate how much plastic leaks into the environment at each of those points."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-on-the-environment">Impact on the environment </h2>



<p>"Much of the plastic waste that leaks into the environment comes from clothes that are thrown away, especially synthetic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-do-polyester-clothes-stink-more-than-cotton/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">apparel</a>," Venditti said. </p>



<p>"There is also waste from manufacturing, packaging and even from tire abrasion during transport, as well as microplastics which get pulled into the water when we wash our clothes."</p>



<p>In 2019, the fashion industry cranked out an unbelievable 20 million tons of plastic waste. Fashion's dirty secret lies in synthetic clothing materials like polyester, nylon, and acrylic, not to mention the plastics used in packaging. About 40% of this number ends up sullying our environment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-s-the-villain">Who's the villain?</h2>



<p>Synthetic apparel, it turns out, is fashion's biggest polluter, churning out 18 million tons of waste in 2019 alone. In the same year, 89% of all plastic waste from the global fashion industry came from these synthetic dark horses. Close to 8.3 million tons ended up in the environment.</p>



<p>Cotton might seem like the safer bet, right? Wrong. Even our beloved cotton contributes to the plastic waste debacle. </p>



<p>Cotton clothing was responsible for 1.9 million tons of plastic waste. Throw in some other fibers and you have a grand total of 0.31 million tons. And the packaging? Don't get me started!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-waste-migration-in-fashion">Plastic waste migration in fashion </h2>



<p>The plastic waste doesn't necessarily rest where the clothes are sold. Countries like the US and Japan, known for their "fast fashion" craze, often offload their discarded clothes to lower-income countries. These nations, lacking proper waste management systems, bear the brunt of this environmental calamity.</p>



<p>This means our shopping habits in well-off countries impact the environment in less fortunate nations.</p>



<p>"What we're seeing is that in countries like the United States, we have a 'fast fashion' culture where we buy a lot of clothes and don't keep them for very long," Venditti said.</p>



<p>"When we discard those clothes, they either go into landfills or, more often, they end up in thrift stores. Some of the clothes that go to these stores are sold in the U.S., but often they end up going to other countries that do not have waste management systems robust enough to handle that kind of volume. That is where you end up with a large amount of plastic leaking into the environment."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-we-sew-up-this-issue">Can we sew up this issue?</h2>



<p>The study urges a major overhaul in the fashion industry. A shift towards a circular industry model, one that recycles materials instead of ditching them as waste, is the need of the hour. We also need to promote <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mushroom-leather-mycelium-latest-eco-friendly-fashion-trend/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">renewable</a>, non-synthetic textiles.</p>



<p>So, next time you're shopping, take a gander at those tags. They speak volumes about your clothes' environmental footprint. Will your next purchase add to the plastic waste mountain or will it steer us towards a more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eco-friendly-vegan-leather-could-transform-the-fashion-industry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustainable future</a>?</p>



<p>Remember, our fashion choices don't just define our style, they shape the kind of world we live in. Our decisions matter, more than we realize. </p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-49441-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a></em>.</p>



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Fashion industry's plastic waste is a major environmental threat

You know those little tags on your clothes? Sure, they...

<p>In today's digital age, websites play a crucial role for companies. They serve as the primary platform for customer engagement, product sales, and brand visibility. However, many people overlook the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2024-the-tide-may-finally-be-turning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental impact</a> of website operations. Unfortunately, there is a significant amount of carbon emissions associated with some of the world's largest websites.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-website-emissions-of-companies">Website emissions of companies</h2>



<p>Websites consume substantial amounts of energy to function. Servers, data centers, and user interactions all contribute to their carbon footprint. </p>



<p>For companies with high traffic, these emissions can be staggering. <a href="https://www.utilitybidder.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Utility Bidder</a>'s recent report focuses on this often-neglected environmental aspect, examining the emissions of major companies' websites.</p>



<p>"All companies in the modern age have climate-conscious goals, however, demand from website visitors can sometimes prove an uphill battle when trying to lower emissions; in fact, up to 4.68g of carbon dioxide can be used per page visit to some of the world’s leading major companies!" commented James Longley, Managing Director at Utility Bidder.</p>



<p>Longly noted that with millions of views per month being recorded by the likes of Apple and Amazon, the potential build-up of website emissions is alarming. The Utility Bidder team set out to analyze the global impact of website emissions.</p>



<p>“Using major companies from the top 100 of the Forbes Global 2000 list, we developed an in-depth seeding list to cover global powers from e-commerce, technology, retail, logistics, motoring, and more," said Longley. "So, which companies are proving the most damaging to the environment?"</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tech-companies-lead-the-emission-rank">Tech companies lead the emission rank</h2>



<p>While analyzing the websites that produce the most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/met-office-2024-co2-levels-will-surpass-the-point-of-no-return/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide</a> emissions, Utility Bidder said they found that technology companies are the biggest contributors, with half of the top 10 companies in that field. </p>



<p>"Moreover, the top three companies all operate in that sector and between them, they would need to plant well over a million trees to offset one year’s emissions."</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-apple">Apple</h3>



<p>At the top of the list, Apple requires nearly 800,000 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-still-fighting-climate-change-against-all-odds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a> per year to offset its website's carbon emissions. The company's high traffic, driven by almost 1.5 billion iPhones globally, contributes significantly to its carbon footprint. </p>



<p>Despite its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2030, Apple faces a daunting task in offsetting its current emissions.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amazon">Amazon</h3>



<p>Known for its vast product range and immense user base, Amazon's website emissions require 450,627 trees to offset annually. </p>



<p>The company's name ironically evokes the Amazon rainforest, yet its digital operations have a massive environmental impact.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alphabet-google">Alphabet (Google)</h3>



<p>Google's search engine and other services generate substantial traffic, needing 411,452 trees to offset its yearly emissions. Despite having fewer emissions per page visit compared to Apple, its high user volume results in significant overall emissions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-retail-and-automotive-contributions">Retail and automotive contributions</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-walmart">Walmart</h3>



<p>The retail giant's website requires 237,238 trees annually to offset its carbon emissions. Online grocery orders and other services drive heavy traffic to Walmart's site, contributing to its high emissions.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tesla">Tesla</h3>



<p>The electric car manufacturer, despite its green mission, has a website that produces 4.68 grams of carbon dioxide per page visit. Annually, Tesla would need 82,678 trees to offset these emissions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-companies-with-low-website-emissions">Companies with low website emissions</h2>



<p>On the other end of the spectrum, some companies maintain remarkably low website emissions. Elevance Health, for instance, only needs 20 trees per year to offset its website's carbon footprint. </p>



<p>European companies like&nbsp;Equinor&nbsp;and&nbsp;Sanofi&nbsp;also have low emissions, reflecting the stringent environmental regulations in the region.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-industries-with-the-highest-emissions">Industries with the highest emissions</h2>



<p>Certain industries, particularly e-commerce and technology, exhibit higher average emissions. E-commerce companies, represented by Amazon and Alibaba, require over 230,000 trees annually to offset their emissions. </p>



<p>The technology sector follows, with companies like Apple and Google contributing to an average need of 134,060 trees per year.</p>



<p>Utility Bidder's analysis involved creating a seed list of companies from the Forbes Global 2000 list. They used SemRush to determine monthly organic traffic and the <a href="https://www.websitecarbon.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Website Carbon Calculator</a> to estimate emissions per page visit. The results provide a clear picture of the environmental impact of these digital operations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-website-emissions-of-companies">Reducing website emissions of companies</h2>



<p>“Whether you are a small or large business, there are always environmentally-friendly considerations that can be made to help mitigate the onset of carbon emissions as much as possible - from keeping your media library to compress website codes,” noted Longley.</p>



<p>Reducing website emissions involves several strategies. Businesses can optimize their websites for better energy efficiency by compressing images, minimizing code, and using green hosting services. These steps can significantly lower the carbon footprint of digital operations.</p>



<p>The digital world offers immense benefits but comes with hidden environmental costs. Clearly, some of the world's largest companies need to address the carbon emissions of their websites. </p>



<p>By raising awareness and adopting greener practices, businesses can help reduce their digital carbon footprint, contributing to a more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-temperatures-increase-scientists-plan-slow-down-rising-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustainable future</a>.</p>



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<p>-----</p>

The shocking reality of website emissions

In today's digital age, websites play a crucial role for...

<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"><strong>Invisible threat in urban air</strong></h2>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>These findings, published in <em><a href="https://www.neurology.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neurology</a></em>, 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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

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>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

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>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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."</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>Published in the journal <em><a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/geology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geology</a></em>, 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.</p>



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<p>—–</p>

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>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



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<p>—–</p>

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>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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%.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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>.</p>



<p id="block-9bd989d6-2fd3-4580-957f-6cacce134f08">-----</p>



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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</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>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>.</p>



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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...

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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>



<p>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?</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



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



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



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



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



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



<p><strong>Sources:</strong> <em>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.</em></p>



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



<p><strong>1. Is acid rain completely gone?</strong> 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.</p>



<p><strong>2. How long did solving take?</strong> 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.</p>



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



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



<p><strong>5. Could acid rain return?</strong> 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.</p>



<p><strong>6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"?</strong> 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></p>



<p>-----</p>



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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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https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



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



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



<p>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. </p>



<p>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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

<p>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. </p>



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



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https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
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<p>Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. </p>



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



<p>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. </p>



<p>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).</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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>.</p>

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>“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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>“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;</p>



<p>“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.”</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.</p>

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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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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. </p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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.”</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.</p>

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



<p>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."</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.</p>

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"] Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s...

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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;</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: NASA Goddard</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.</p>

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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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.</p>

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



<p>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;</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.</p>

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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<p>Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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. </p>



<p><em>Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.</p>

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>“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.”</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>“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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.</p>

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.</p>

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: ESA</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.</p>

Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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. </p>



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



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.</p>

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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