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 <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.”



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



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. 



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.



“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.



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



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



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. 



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>.



“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.”



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.



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



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. 



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



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. 



<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.



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



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.



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



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. 



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



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



“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). 



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



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



<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. 



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.



“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.



Professor Revital Bookman said that the discovery is fascinating in the worst possible way. 



"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. 



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



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. 



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



“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.”



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. 



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



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



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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...

Dishes,Forks,Glasses,In,Compostable,Bioplastic,,Plastic,Free.,Bologna,,Italy

Food waste is a significant issue when it comes to food production, where we invest huge amounts of energy, water, and capital. Yet, as per the statistics, an alarming 30-40% of it directly goes into the landfill in the United States. One can't help but wonder -- wouldn't it be remarkable if we could repurpose this waste into something more beneficial like bioplastics?



A group of enterprising researchers at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cals.vt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences</a>&nbsp;have taken on this challenge.



The team is leading a pioneering project. They are developing biodegradable bioplastics from food waste. This brilliant initiative gives these materials a new life. It promotes sustainability and addresses crucial issues such as plastic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-win-the-battle-of-planet-vs-plastic-drastic-changes-are-needed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution</a> and food waste.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-defining-the-vision">Defining the vision</h2>



“By creating cost-effective&nbsp;bioplastics&nbsp;that naturally decompose, we can reduce plastic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-production-increases-create-identical-plastic-pollution-increase/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution</a> on land and in oceans and address significant issues such as greenhouse gas emissions and economic losses associated with food waste,” shares Zhiwu "Drew" Wang, the lead researcher, sheds light on the project's vision.



Considering that microplastics affect nearly 88% of all marine species, as mentioned by the World Wildlife Fund, this project holds significant importance for marine life preservation.



Quick biodegradability of Virginia Tech's bioplastics in seawater can substantially decrease the detrimental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-inspires-solutions-for-a-sustainable-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">impact</a> of pollution on marine life worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harnessing-microorganisms-to-produce-bioplastics">Harnessing microorganisms to produce bioplastics</h2>



The project employs a process akin to fermentation in microbreweries.&nbsp;



The team harnesses microorganisms to convert food waste into fats, which then convert into bioplastics. 



These bioplastics can be composted with ease, diminishing marine pollution caused by non-degradable microplastics. It's a revolutionary approach that holds promise on both national and global scales.



Wang hopes that these sustainable plastics will be beneficial for people, companies,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-harness-fruit-waste-to-extract-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">waste management</a>&nbsp;systems, and communities globally.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collaboration-and-innovation">Collaboration and innovation</h2>



Working closely with experts at Virginia Tech, the team is involved in purifying polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and creating valuable bioplastic products. Undergraduate and graduate student researchers also actively participate in this project.



Among the various sustainability solutions, Young Kim from the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials strongly advocates for the use of&nbsp;biodegradable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biodegradable-breakthrough-plastics-that-wont-make-us-sick/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">material</a>.



He asserts, “Using bioplastic is a viable option to solve our increased plastic pollution. Our approach is to improve sustainability using biodegradable options.”



The popularity of home compostable packaging is on the rise. These include single-layer films for evaluating utility as actual products, replacing traditional coated paper products with PHAs.&nbsp;



PHAs, unlike polyethylene or polyactic acid coatings often found on single-use plastics, are fully biodegradable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-creating-sustainable-alternatives">Creating sustainable alternatives</h2>



Student researchers like Chloe Taylor view this project as an opportunity to pave the way for creating sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics.&nbsp;



“It inspired me to pursue graduate studies because traditional plastics are unsustainable. We aim to create bioplastics that are viable alternatives and can be used in everyday products without harming the environment,” she shares.



A $2.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (<a href="https://www.usda.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USDA</a>) funds this applied research, making new waves in the ocean of sustainability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-food-waste-at-the-source">Addressing food waste at the source</h2>



One crucial aspect of this initiative is understanding and addressing food waste at its source.&nbsp;



Identifying the key contributors to food waste, such as production inefficiencies, overstocking in retail, and consumer habits, allows for targeted interventions.&nbsp;



Farmers, distributors, retailers, and consumers each play a role in the ecosystem, and through education and policy adjustments, significant&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-food-waste-greater-food-security-less-environmental-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">waste reductions</a>&nbsp;can be achieved.



By minimizing food waste before it even reaches the landfill, we can channel more raw material into bioplastic production, thus maximizing the environmental benefit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-food-waste-to-bioplastics">From food waste to bioplastics</h2>



The journey from food waste to functional bioplastic products is a testament to innovative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/norways-battle-against-plastic-pollution-represents-a-global-plague/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> and cutting-edge technology.&nbsp;



The process begins with the collection of food waste. This is followed by microbial conversion into polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). Finally, it ends with the creation of a wide array of biodegradable products.



The versatility of these bioplastics means they can be used in packaging, agricultural films, and even household items.&nbsp;



This transformation mitigates plastic pollution. It also demonstrates the value of reimagining waste as a valuable resource. This approach fosters both environmental and economic sustainability.



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Transforming food waste into biodegradable bioplastics

Food waste is a significant issue when it comes to...

Although tree species appear to prefer certain climates, their true preferences are often obscured by species interactions and dispersal limits.



During a recent yearlong sabbatical, Daniel Laughlin led a study that revealed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-struggling-to-breathe-store-co2-hotter-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a> can thrive in temperatures beyond their current habitats. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-tolerate-a-range-of-climates-nbsp">Trees tolerate a range of climates&nbsp;</h2>



“We were amazed. The result was crystal clear, and that doesn’t always happen in ecology,” said Laughlin, a professor in the <a href="https://www.uwyo.edu/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Wyoming</a> Department of Botany. 



“We found that tree species could grow and survive at one common moderate temperature, even though many species are only found in either cold or warm environments. In fact, many trees could expand their ranges by more than 25 percent based on their potential temperature tolerances.”



Laughlin is the lead author of a paper titled “Trees have overlapping potential niches that extend beyond their realized niches” published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.adm8671" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-trees-respond-to-climate-change-nbsp">How trees respond to climate change&nbsp;</h2>



Co-authored by Brian McGill, a professor in the School of Biology and Ecology at the <a href="https://umaine.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maine</a>, the study aims to understand how species respond to rapid climate changes by examining occurrences of North American tree species in arboreta worldwide to measure their tolerance to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-global-temperature-exceeded-2c-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme temperatures</a>.



The researchers quantified the realized and potential thermal niches of 188 North American tree species to test the architecture of niches on a continental scale.&nbsp;



The study included 23 tree species native to Wyoming, such as the Engelmann spruce, the subalpine fir, and the ponderosa pine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-and-their-potential-niches-nbsp">Trees and their potential niches&nbsp;</h2>



According to Laughlin, the realized niche of a tree species is where it is found in nature, while the potential niche includes areas where it could survive but does not due to competition or dispersal limitations.&nbsp;



For example, the Engelmann spruce, typically found in high-elevation <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-snowmelt-reduces-co2-absorption-in-forests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">subalpine forests</a>, could also survive in warmer, lower elevations but is outcompeted by faster-growing species like cottonwoods.



The study revealed that tree species at thermal extremes occupy less than 75% of their potential niches, with species’ potential niches overlapping at a mean annual temperature of 12 degrees Celsius (approximately 55 degrees Fahrenheit).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-competition-with-other-tree-species-nbsp">Competition with other tree species&nbsp;</h2>



“When we walk in the woods, we see with our own eyes that tree species occur in distinct places. This is a core tenet of ecology,” Laughlin explained.&nbsp;



“However, where species are actually found in nature is a fraction of their potential distribution because competition with other species and dispersal limitation constrain where they actually occur.”



The findings challenge a core assumption of current methods for predicting species distributions, highlighting the need for ecologists to quantify the full range of environments tolerable to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-how-plants-adapt-to-changing-climates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a>.



“This is a critical missing piece of information for predicting how they respond to a warming world,” Laughlin said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fundamental-temperature-tolerances-of-trees-nbsp">Fundamental temperature tolerances of trees&nbsp;</h2>



The results suggest that tree species will have varied fates with climate change. Cold-tolerant trees like Engelmann spruce may not need to move, while warm-tolerant species like live oak will need to migrate.



“North American tree species have been navigating changing climatic conditions for millions of years. We know that, over long time spans, trees have moved across the continent to track suitable climate conditions, but we don’t know how this will play out over the next few decades and centuries,” Laughlin said.&nbsp;



“For example, the climate in Laramie may soon be suitable for trees from the Southwest that are adapted to warmer conditions, but we are uncertain about which species will arrive first.”



“Understanding the fundamental temperature tolerances of trees is an important first step to improving our predictions of how tree species’ ranges will shift over time.”



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Trees have an amazing ability to adapt to new climates

Although tree species appear to prefer certain climates, their true...

Polar regions are warming at a much faster rate compared to lower latitudes, a phenomenon referred to as “polar amplification.”&nbsp;



The <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</a> (IPCC) has reported a ~5 °C rise in Arctic temperatures over the 20th century, with the highest rates of ~1 °C per decade since the 1980s. 



This rapid warming not only impacts the ecosystems of these regions but also has significant global consequences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vicious-cycle-of-ice-melt">Vicious cycle of ice melt</h2>



Ice and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-ice-reveals-that-co2-is-rising-at-the-fastest-rate-in-50000-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea ice</a> in both the Arctic and Antarctic play a crucial role in regulating climate through ice-albedo feedback. Ice reflects incoming solar radiation, helping to maintain cooler temperatures and preserve ice masses. 



As global temperatures rise, ice melts, exposing darker land and sea surfaces that absorb more solar radiation. This absorption warms the environment further, leading to more ice melt and perpetuating the cycle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-atmospheric-moisture-and-cloud-cover">Atmospheric moisture and cloud cover</h2>



While the ice-albedo feedback is a significant concern, it is not the only mechanism that could lead to an ice-free world. Changes in atmospheric moisture and cloud cover can also affect radiation levels.&nbsp;



The exact contributions of albedo and atmospheric processes to polar amplification remain uncertain, making it difficult to predict the extent of future polar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-polar-regions-changing-fundamental-alarming-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warming</a> and ice melt accurately.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-driving-force-of-warming-polar-regions">Driving force of warming polar regions</h2>



To gain more insight, scientists examine Earth's geological past, particularly the Eocene epoch (~48–56 million years ago), a period when the planet was ice-free. This period helps isolate atmospheric processes as the driving force behind polar amplification, excluding large ice-albedo changes.&nbsp;



Research published in <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.5194/cp-20-1303-2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Climate of the Past</a> has now quantified polar amplification during the Eocene, particularly during short-lived warming events known as hyperthermals, such as the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (~56 Ma) and the Eocene Thermal Maximum 2 (~54 Ma).



“At present, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-amplification-is-destabilizing-the-delicate-balance-of-the-ecosystem/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polar amplification</a> is a key uncertainty in predictions of future climate warming, with latest IPCC model estimates ranging from factor two to four. Polar warming has global consequences, because ice sheet melting causes sea level rise, but also because permafrost thaw can release large quantities of carbon dioxide,” said Chris Fokkema, a doctoral researcher at Utrecht University.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-past-climate-of-polar-regions">Past climate of polar regions</h2>



The researchers used cell membrane lipid biomarkers from Nitrososphaera microorganisms to reconstruct sea surface temperatures during the Eocene.&nbsp;



This method, known as the TEX86 paleothermometer, involves analyzing the membrane lipids of archaea, which produce more rings in their lipid molecules at higher temperatures to maintain membrane rigidity.&nbsp;



The lipid molecules are well-preserved in sediments, allowing scientists to extract and analyze them from ancient marine sediments.



“This method is based on analyzing the membrane lipids of archaea that live near the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/citizens-should-help-determine-the-future-of-our-oceans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a> surface. The simple principle behind this method is that these archaea produce relatively more rings in their membrane lipid molecules at higher ambient temperatures, to retain their membrane rigidity,” Fokkema explained.



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



The team analyzed sediments from Ocean Drilling Program cores in the tropical Atlantic Ocean off the coast of North Africa.&nbsp;



They found that temperature variability in the tropics was time-equivalent with that at high latitudes during hyperthermals and across Milankovitch cycles, suggesting global temperature changes driven by variations in Earth's orbit.&nbsp;



The scientists attribute these changes to orbital forcing, which affects the carbon cycle by influencing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-weaker-ocean-will-release-more-carbon-into-the-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a> dioxide levels in the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-models-underestimate-polar-warming">Climate models underestimate polar warming </h2>



High latitude ocean temperatures during hyperthermals varied about twice as much as tropical surface oceans, indicating strong atmospheric feedbacks.&nbsp;



This finding suggests that current climate models may underestimate polar amplification, implying that future warming in the Arctic and Antarctic could be greater than predicted.



“Our new study shows that the current warming is already on the same scale as some of these hyperthermals, which strongly impacted climate and oceans. By comparing this new record to previously published open ocean bottom water temperatures we were able to calculate polar amplification on short timescales during multiple orbitally-forced global temperature changes,” said Fokkema.



“We found a polar amplification factor of ±2. Interestingly, this is slightly larger than the polar amplification that climate models predict in an ice-free, early Eocene world, which may imply that climate models underestimate polar warming for the future.”



Understanding polar amplification is crucial for predicting how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/abrupt-permafrost-thaw-releases-more-co2-than-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">permafrost thawing</a> and ice sheet melting will impact sea level rise and the global carbon cycle. 



The insights gained from studying the Eocene period provide valuable information for refining climate models and improving our predictions of future climate change.



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Polar regions are rapidly warming with global consequences

Polar regions are warming at a much faster rate compared...

3d,Illustration,Of,Earth,Planet,In,Fire.,Explosion,Of,Planet.

Ever wonder how our seemingly dry, fireball Earth got its first water during the early days of our planet? Well, some recent findings might just quench your thirst for knowledge.



Thanks to the age data obtained from certain meteorite classes, we now have fresh insights into the birth of water-rich cosmic bodies in the primordial solar system.



These mini astronomical structures, or planetesimals as they're scientifically known, played the role of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-discovery-about-earths-formation-raises-probability-of-finding-life-on-other-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cosmic delivery service</a>, continually bringing in materials for planet construction – including our own Earth, which initially had little water to begin with.



Enter Professor Dr. Mario Trieloff, the director of the Klaus Tschira Laboratory for Cosmochemistry at Heidelberg University's <a href="https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/study/all-subjects/earth-sciences" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Earth Sciences</a>.



He explains, "These small bodies did not just supply the building materials for the planets." They are, in reality, the very source of Earth's water, Trieloff adds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-putting-the-puzzle-pieces-together">Putting the puzzle pieces together</h2>



These planetesimals themselves emerged at cooler temperatures in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stunning-discovery-earths-building-blocks-contained-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outer solar system</a>, where ice existed as solid-state water. 



This is in stark contrast to other celestial bodies that formed earlier in the solar system's history, which were too hot and too close to the sun to harbor ice.



The early-forming bodies experienced intense thermal conditions, preventing the accumulation or retention of volatile substances <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-are-the-origins-of-water-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">such as water</a>.



By meticulously analyzing age data and utilizing sophisticated computational models, an international research team, including distinguished earth scientists from Heidelberg University, was able to trace the thermal evolution of the parent bodies of these planetesimals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isotopes-and-earth-s-first-water">Isotopes and Earth's first water</h2>



Their research involved examining isotopic compositions and conducting simulations to understand the heat dynamics and material composition of these early solar system objects.



The team discovered that some planetesimals <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-may-have-learned-how-earth-got-its-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">formed extremely rapidly</a>, in less than two million years. These swift-forming bodies experienced such intense heating that they melted completely, thereby losing all their volatile elements, including water.



The rapid heating was likely due to the decay of short-lived radioactive isotopes, which released substantial amounts of heat.



A second group of planetesimals, as revealed in the current study, formed later at cooler temperatures in the outer reaches of the solar system.



These planetesimals benefited from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceans-of-water-vapor-may-be-involved-in-planet-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lower thermal environment</a>, which allowed them to preserve their water content.



This water was trapped within crystalline structures, enabling these bodies to retain their volatile elements despite forming at later stages of the solar system's development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-for-earth-s-first-water-size-does-matter">For Earth's first water, size does matter</h2>



Scientists found that the ability of planetesimals to form continually, even during the later phases of the solar system, was due to several delaying effects. 



These delaying effects were crucial in allowing the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birth-sun-like-star-hp-tau-captured-by-hubble-space-telescope/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">building blocks of planets</a> to persist over extended periods.



Essentially, they observed that frequent collisions between dust agglomerates - the raw materials for planetesimals - obstructed the rapid growth of small planets.



These agglomerates, made up of tiny particles, would collide and stick together, but the chaotic environment of the early solar system caused these formations to frequently break apart.



This constant cycle of collision and fragmentation slowed the formation process, enabling planetesimals to continue forming over <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-formation-new-insights-mechanics-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">much longer timescales</a>.



Dr. Wladimir Neumann, who led the research conducted at several institutions including Heidelberg University, highlighted the crucial role of certain celestial bodies in Earth's formation.



He explained, "Thanks to these smaller, water-rich planets or their fragments in the form of asteroids or meteorites, Earth was able to avoid becoming a bone-dry, life-hostile planet during its growth process."



The study suggests that these water-bearing objects were instrumental in shaping our planet into a habitable world, contributing significantly to its water content during its early stages of development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-just-earth-s-story">Not just Earth's story</h2>



Could it be that Earth's story of acquiring water is not unique? Since the birth of planetesimals in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trappist-1-has-seven-earth-like-planets-that-may-support-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extrasolar planetary systems</a> operates on the same physical laws as our solar system, the research team postulates that there could be Earth-like planets elsewhere in the cosmos.



According to Professor Trieloff, if these planets have also received water from smaller bodies over their evolutionary journey, they could potentially fulfil the prerequisites for the origin of life. 



Could this be the beginning of a new understanding of life's possibilities in the universe? Only time will tell. Despite this being still a theory, it does make us appreciate our water sources a bit more, doesn't it? 



After all, life, as we know it, owes a lot to these small, fascinating planetesimals. Isn't it amazing where a little cosmic dust can lead us?



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-63768-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Earth and other planets got their first water from an unexpected source

Ever wonder how our seemingly dry, fireball Earth got its...

Humanity’s treatment of our planet remains unsustainable, with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-is-the-strongest-in-7000-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global warming</a>, deforestation, and biodiversity loss posing significant challenges.&nbsp;Is it possible to fulfill the basic needs of all humans without exceeding the ecological boundaries of our planet?



Despite this, a team of researchers from the <a href="https://www.empa.ch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology</a> (Empa), including Hauke Schlesier and Harald Desing, have recently argued that over ten billion people could have a sustainable, ecological life while maintaining a decent standard of living.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-safe-and-just-operating-space-nbsp">Safe and just operating space&nbsp;</h2>



“Humanity is continuing a path towards ecological instability. While resource consumption is unprecedented, significant parts of the human population are still deprived of decent living,” wrote the researchers.



The safe and just operating space postulates that it is possible to simultaneously stay within ecological limits and fulfill basic needs. 



However, evidence that such a state can be achieved given existing population and available technologies is lacking.



“Here, we attempt to show whether a safe and just space exists by modeling material and energy requirements for satisfying basic needs with various technological scenarios," they continued.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planetary-boundaries-and-ecological-life">Planetary boundaries and ecological life </h2>



The study, published in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141447" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Cleaner Production</a>, employs the doughnut model, representing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-have-exceeded-six-of-nine-planetary-boundaries/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planetary boundaries</a> and human needs, to demonstrate this possibility.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ecological-life-doughnut_credit-Swiss-Federal-Laboratories_1s.jpg" alt="Ecological doughnut: The yellow circle in the middle indicates an adequate standard of living for all people. The red area outside the doughnut is the so-called risk zone, where irreversible environmental damage is likely. Credit: Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology" class="wp-image-1938568"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ecological doughnut: The yellow circle in the middle indicates an adequate standard of living for all people. The red area outside the doughnut is the so-called risk zone, where irreversible environmental damage is likely. Credit: Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology</figcaption></figure>



Schlesier and Desing, together with Malte Schäfer from the <a href="https://www.tu-braunschweig.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technical University of Braunschweig</a>, illustrate the model with two concentric circles: the outer circle represents the limits of key planetary resources like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diversity-land-species-same/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> and climate, while the filled inner circle indicates that basic human needs have been met.&nbsp;



The area between these circles, the doughnut, represents the amount of natural resources that can be safely used beyond achieving an adequate standard of living.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantifying-basic-human-needs">Quantifying basic human needs</h2>



Quantifying basic human needs was the biggest challenge. After extensive research, the team created a hypothetical “shopping basket” of essential goods and services for an adequate standard of living, including food, water, housing, electricity, mobility, healthcare, education, public areas, and communication tools.&nbsp;



“Of course, people have other basic needs, such as the need for security, but these do not necessarily have to consume material resources,” noted Schlesier.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significant-changes-are-needed-nbsp">Significant changes are needed&nbsp;</h2>



Their findings suggest that a decent and ecological life for more than ten billion people is achievable, but only with significant changes to current systems.&nbsp;



Desing emphasized the need to rethink energy systems and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/agriculture-developed-surplus-conditions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">agriculture</a>, as the most severely exceeded planetary boundaries are the climate system, biodiversity, and biogeochemical fluxes of phosphorus and nitrogen. 



Achieving this standard requires eliminating fossil fuels and shifting to a predominantly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-diets-are-proven-better-for-human-and-environmental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant-based diet</a>. 



According to Schlesier, “this does not mean that meat consumption will no longer be possible in the future,” but it must be reduced from current levels due to the strain of factory farming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-living-standards-must-align-with-basic-needs-nbsp">Living standards must align with basic needs&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers argue that living standards must align with basic needs. For the global South, this implies a significant rise in living standards, while in the global North, including Switzerland, resource consumption must be reduced.&nbsp;



“However, this does not necessarily mean a reduction in well-being,” Desing said, as studies show well-being stagnates beyond a certain level of prosperity.



In wealthy countries, a reduction in living space and lower individual mobility can lead to a more appropriate standard of living. Public transport and healthcare can be expanded without significantly increasing environmental damage.&nbsp;



Desing noted that with all these transformations, we would only just achieve the doughnut in our model, but there is hardly any leeway.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ensuring-a-decent-living-for-all">Ensuring a decent living for all</h2>



“Today, humanity is neither ensuring decent living for all, nor is it safeguarding the ecological livelihoods for future generations,” wrote the study authors.



Previous studies show evidence that progress can be made in aligning minimum living standards for all and long-term ecological stability.



However, evidence is lacking that this progress is sufficient to achieve a safe and just operating space (SJOS).”



“Here we show that it is possible to achieve decent living for all with at least 73% confidence with known technologies and under expected population scenarios," the study concluded.



The researchers acknowledge that their model does not account for all potential future changes. Technological progress, different agricultural practices, and a shift towards a circular economy could create ecological leeway, supporting a sustainable future within Earth's planetary boundaries.



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All of humanity could easily live a decent and ecological life

Humanity’s treatment of our planet remains unsustainable, with global warming,...

Ever presented with new environmental challenges, our world desperately needs a faster, cleaner way to capture and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-capture-technology-faces-uncertainty-despite-heavy-investment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">store</a> carbon dioxide - the notorious greenhouse gas responsible for climate change. Now the search may be over, thanks to a revolutionary hydrate technology developed by researchers from <a href="https://www.utexas.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of Texas at Austin</a>.



The science behind this pioneering technology was led by Professor Vaibhav Bahadur from the <a href="https://www.me.utexas.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering</a> at the UT Austin. The research certainly makes us look at carbon storage in a whole new light.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-capture-the-hydrate-advantage">Carbon capture: The hydrate advantage</h2>



“We’re staring at a huge challenge — finding a way to safely remove gigatons of carbon from our atmosphere — and hydrates offer a universal solution for carbon storage. For them to be a major piece of the carbon storage pie, we need the technology to grow them rapidly and at scale,” said Professor Bahadur.



“We’ve shown that we can quickly grow hydrates without using any <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/concrete-becoming-great-carbon-sink-capturing-storing-co2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemicals</a> that offset the environmental benefits of carbon capture.”



For the uninitiated, carbon capture and sequestration involves removing carbon out of the atmosphere and storing it permanently—an approach seen as a critical aspect of decarbonizing our planet. 



However, traditional methods of carbon capture, such as injecting carbon dioxide into underground reservoirs, have faced issues such as potential leakage, groundwater contamination, and seismic risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breaking-the-hydrate-formation-bottleneck">Breaking the hydrate formation bottleneck</h2>



Hydrates were this plan B for carbon storage, waiting in the wings to become plan A if they could surmount their key challenge - slow and energy-intensive formation.



That's where Bahadur's research comes in. The team managed a sixfold increase in the hydrate formation rate, paving the way for mass-scale carbon storage via hydrates.



The secret? Magnesium. This unassuming element acts as a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wonder-material-can-extract-value-from-captured-carbon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">catalyst</a>, eliminating the need for chemical promoters. 



Add in high flow rate bubbling of CO2 in a unique reactor configuration, and you have hydrate formation that’s both fast and eco-friendly. Plus, it’s compatible with seawater - no complex desalination processes needed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-benefits-and-feasibility">Environmental benefits and feasibility</h2>



"Hydrates are attractive carbon storage options since the seabed offers stable thermodynamic conditions, which protects them from decomposing.” Bahadur said. 



“We are essentially making carbon storage available to every country on the planet that has a coastline; this makes storage more accessible and feasible on a global scale and brings us closer to achieving a sustainable future."



One of the most compelling aspects of this new hydrate-based carbon capture technology is its potential for substantial environmental benefits. Unlike traditional methods that carry risks of leakage and contamination, hydrates are stable under seabed conditions. 



This not only ensures that captured carbon remains securely stored but also makes use of existing natural formations, reducing the need for extensive infrastructure development. 



More importantly, the technology is compatible with seawater, bypassing the cumbersome process of desalination. This feature greatly enhances the feasibility of large-scale deployment, especially for coastal nations. 



Researchers believe this approach can significantly mitigate carbon <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/met-office-2024-co2-levels-will-surpass-the-point-of-no-return/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emissions</a> and help stave off the adverse effects of climate change.



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



As promising as the current advancements are, they represent just the beginning of what could be a transformative era in carbon capture technology. 



Future research is expected to explore various avenues such as optimizing the reactor design, enhancing the efficiency of magnesium catalysts, and further simplifying the hydrate formation process. 



Researchers are also looking into integrating this technology with renewable energy sources to create a fully sustainable carbon capture and storage (CCS) system. Moreover, the potential applications extend beyond merely mitigating climate change. 



The hydrate technology could be employed in various industrial processes requiring carbon management, thus broadening its scope and impact. With continued interdisciplinary collaboration and investment, the future of carbon capture looks not only feasible but extraordinarily bright.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hydrate-tech-beyond-carbon-capture">Hydrate tech beyond carbon capture</h2>



It’s not just about sequestering carbon, though. This ultrafast formation of hydrates could have implications in desalination, gas separation, and gas storage - rendering it a versatile solution for various industries.



The researchers have filed for a pair of patents related to the technology, and they’re even considering launching a startup to commercialize it. And for us, it means a cleaner, more sustainable future is one step closer.



Who knew the solution to one of our most pressing environmental challenges might lie in the strange world of hydrates? And, isn't it funny how sometimes the road to plan A starts at plan B?



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c03809" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Sustainable Chemistry &amp; Engineering</a>.



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Carbon capture is a huge challenge, but there may be a solution

Ever presented with new environmental challenges, our world desperately needs...

The escalating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-crisis-global-supply-chains-face-25-trillion-in-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate crisis</a>, marked by frequent extreme weather events, highlights the significant role companies, especially high-emission industries, play in global carbon emissions. Many businesses are now proactively taking action against climate change by reducing their carbon footprint and transparently sharing their environmental strategies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disclosing-climate-related-data">Disclosing climate-related data </h2>



The <a href="https://www.fsb-tcfd.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures</a> (TCFD) provides a framework for companies to disclose climate-related financial information, helping them navigate climate change risks and opportunities.&nbsp;



Support for TCFD has grown, with Japan leading in such disclosures. However, the tangible benefits of TCFD disclosures on a company's financial performance remain underexplored.



To address this, a research team from <a href="https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyushu University</a> analyzed data from about 2,100 Japanese listed companies over five years (2017-2021). Published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/csr.2853" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management</a>, this study is one of the first to use comprehensive TCFD and corporate data in Japan.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-promoting-a-lower-carbon-economy-nbsp">Promoting a lower carbon economy&nbsp;</h2>



“A segment of investors is strategically directing funds towards companies that develop green innovation and energy transformation with the aim of promoting a low-carbon economy,” wrote the researchers.



“Consequently, numerous companies must fundamentally overhaul their business models and strategies, transitioning towards practices that effectively reduce GHG emissions, including process improvements, emissions reduction planning, increased green investments, and the production of climate-friendly goods.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-corporate-climate-action">Corporate climate action</h2>



The researchers examined the impact of corporate climate actions, including carbon performance, climate-related disclosures, and corporate commitments, on the cost of capital - the expenses a company incurs to finance operations.&nbsp;



The findings indicate that higher <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-carbon-dioxide-emissions-hit-a-record-high-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon emissions</a> result in higher borrowing and fundraising costs. However, companies adhering to TCFD guidelines and transparently sharing climate data benefit from lower capital costs.&nbsp;



Simply pledging climate action does not significantly affect financial costs, as stakeholders prioritize actual deeds over promises.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-risks-create-uncertainties-nbsp">Climate change risks create uncertainties&nbsp;</h2>



Key findings reveal that high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions increase climate change risks, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-will-climate-change-affect-extreme-weather-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme weather events</a> and regulatory changes.&nbsp;



These risks create uncertainties, leading investors and lenders to demand higher returns, thus raising the cost of equity (CoE) and debt (CoD). CoE is the return investors expect for buying company stock, while CoD is the fee a company pays to borrow money.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transparency-in-climate-data-nbsp">Transparency in climate data&nbsp;</h2>



Transparency in climate data is crucial for reducing these uncertainties, allowing investors to make informed decisions.&nbsp;



“When companies share climate-related data, it gives investors and consumers a clearer picture of their environmental efforts, making them more likely to invest,” said study co-author Siyu Shen, a graduate student at Kyushu University.



“We found that this kind of openness is particularly important in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/continuous-clean-energy-scientists-are-pulling-power-out-of-thin-air/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">energy</a> sectors like electricity and oil, where climate change is a major issue.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-action-can-lower-debt">Climate action can lower debt</h2>



While TCFD guidelines effectively reduced CoE, they did not significantly impact CoD, possibly due to Japan's negative interest rate policy during the study period. This policy, which ended in March 2024, kept borrowing costs low.&nbsp;



With rising interest rates in the Japanese bond market, sustainable linked loans for decarbonizing energy transitions at low rates are becoming popular. Moving forward, corporate climate actions in Japan may lower the cost of debt.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-disclosures-and-capital-costs-nbsp">Climate disclosures and capital costs&nbsp;</h2>



Although this study focuses on Japan, it offers insights for global investors, companies, and policymakers by highlighting the connection between climate disclosures and capital costs.&nbsp;



Since 2022, companies listed in Japan's prime markets must follow TCFD guidelines. As more companies engage in climate action, they should consider additional strategies to enhance their carbon performance.



Environmental economic studies, including this one, have led Kyushu University’s Professors Shunsuke Managi and Alexander Ryota Keeley to establish <a href="https://aiesg.co.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aiESG</a>, a startup utilizing AI to analyze global supply chain sustainability.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supporting-companies-to-take-climate-action">Supporting companies to take climate action</h2>



The research team plans to expand their analysis globally to understand how regional regulations and cultural differences impact the relationship between climate change, carbon performance, and capital costs.



“Given that investors are increasingly attentive to firms' environmental activities, elucidating how investors respond to firms' climate change mitigation actions is imperative,” noted the researchers.



Collaboration among investors, companies, academics, and policymakers is crucial for addressing the global climate crisis and achieving carbon neutrality.&nbsp;



“We hope our research provides the scientific evidence needed to support companies in developing new strategies, changing behaviors, and ultimately reducing emissions,” concluded corresponding author Hidemichi Fujii, a professor at Kyushu University's Faculty of Economics.



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Companies gain trust and lower costs through climate action

The escalating climate crisis, marked by frequent extreme weather events,...

2024 is the year where the mercury is rising, and climate records are shattering. According to the EU's climate change monitoring wing, the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), last month was the hottest June we've ever experienced.



A quick rewind, it has now been 13 straight months -- right from June 2023 up until now - where every month was <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2024-is-expected-to-exceed-the-1-5c-warming-limit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hotter</a> than any corresponding month in previous years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2024-incoming-the-hottest-year-yet">2024: Incoming the hottest year yet?</h2>



Human activities and natural weather phenomena, like El Niño, push temperatures to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-people-fear-climate-change-will-end-the-world-during-their-lifetime/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new heights</a>. The possibility of 2024 outdoing its predecessor seems likely.



"I now estimate that there is an approximately 95% chance that 2024 beats 2023 to be the warmest year since global surface temperature records began in the mid-1800s," said Zeke Hausfather, a research scientist at U.S. non-profit <a href="https://berkeleyearth.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berkeley Earth</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-tide-consequences">High tide consequences</h2>



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-earth-energy-imbalance-temperature-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat</a> isn’t all fun and games like a day at the beach, though — deadly heatwaves are becoming all too common. 



Last month, over 1,000 people didn't survive the extreme heat during the haj pilgrimage. Heat-related casualties were reported in New Delhi, known for its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-temperatures-increase-scientists-plan-slow-down-rising-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">relentless heatwaves</a>, and even among tourists in Greece.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-time-to-quit-fossil-fuels">Time to quit fossil fuels?</h2>



Joining the predictions for 2024's hot prospects, Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at Imperial College London's <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/grantham/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Grantham Institute</a>, voices her agreement with Hausfather, signaling a "high chance" for 2024 to top the charts. 



However, she emphasizes that we can't do much about natural phenomena like El Nino, but we sure can quit burning oil, gas, and coal. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-el-nino-s-influence-on-2024-s-climate">El Nino's influence on 2024's climate</h2>



Although El Nino has prompted a rise in global average <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-weaker-ocean-will-release-more-carbon-into-the-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperatures</a>, the world is currently in neutral conditions, with cooler La Nina conditions expected towards the end of the year.



The C3S's dataset, which goes back to 1940, cross-references other data, thereby confirming last month as the hottest June ever, tracing back to the 1850-1900 pre-industrial period.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greenhouse-gases">Greenhouse gases</h2>



Greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels are the primary perpetrators of climate change. 



Despite global commitments to control this heating menace, the collective efforts of countries have not yet managed to reduce these emissions, which has led to temperatures steadily increasing for decades.



In the past year ending in June 2024, our world's average temperature was the highest ever recorded for any such period, at a concerning 1.64 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average, <a href="https://climate.copernicus.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports C3S</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2024-climate-mitigation">2024 climate mitigation</h2>



While big industrial and governmental efforts are essential in fighting climate change, individual actions matter too. 



Have you thought about how small changes, like using less energy, choosing renewable sources, and cutting down on waste, can add up to a big difference?



Experts say these little actions can significantly contribute to global efforts. By making these changes, we can all help fight climate change while also backing larger initiatives.



Switching to a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-diets-lower-the-risk-of-major-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant-based diet</a>, using public transport, and buying sustainable products can gradually lower your carbon footprint.



Plus, getting involved in community awareness and environmental advocacy can make these efforts even more impactful. 



By adopting sustainable living habits, each of us can be part of a larger movement to tackle climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-action-beyond-2024">Climate action beyond 2024</h2>



The quest for innovative solutions to address climate change has spurred significant technological advancements. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tapping-into-the-natural-power-of-plants-for-renewable-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Renewable energy</a> technologies, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, have seen remarkable improvements in efficiency and affordability.



Plus, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies are being developed. These help reduce emissions from our current fossil fuel infrastructure. 



The rise of electric vehicles is set to revolutionize our transportation sector. Improvements in battery storage are also significant.



These changes will cut down our dependence on fossil fuels. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-warming-influences-us-weather-patterns-ai-machine-learning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Artificial intelligence</a> and data analytics are now crucial in climate modeling. 



They provide better predictions and more effective climate strategies. Embracing these innovations is key. This will guide our global efforts towards a sustainable future.



As global temperatures keep climbing, let’s remember our actions shape our environment. With 2024 set to break new records, let's gear up for the challenges ahead and commit to eco-friendly choices. After all, it’s our beloved planet we're talking about.



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Climate records shatter as 2024 is set to be the hottest year ever

2024 is the year where the mercury is rising, and...

Let’s dive into the captivating realm of coral reefs, the kaleidoscopic underwater cities that currently are on the edge of a critical collapse. The chief culprits: swiftly rising ocean temperatures and coral <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/60-percent-global-coral-reefs-face-bleaching-rising-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bleaching</a>. 



However, there's more to it than meets the eye. A recently published essay spins the spotlight around to the unappreciated roles of the coral reefs' tiniest inhabitants. The true heroes, or occasionally villains, in this tale are not who we typically expect.



A marine scientist duo from UC Santa Barbara and <a href="https://www.uga.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Georgia</a> delves deeper into how these small yet integral players could make or break the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-coral-reef-fish-survive-in-the-worlds-warmest-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fate</a> of entire reefs, highlighting the complex dynamics between these varied aquatic dwellers. The research was led by Adrian Stier, a marine biologist at <a href="https://www.ucsb.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Santa Barbara</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coral-reefs-and-their-inhabitants">Coral reefs and their inhabitants </h2>



Adrian Stier’s passion lies in understanding the fundamental mechanisms guiding the assembly of ocean ecosystems, as he ardently seeks sustainable strategies for their management.



“It’s like a bustling city teetering on the edge,” explained <a href="https://msi.ucsb.edu/people/faculty/adrian-stier" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stier</a>. “We’re only now realizing that it’s a microcosmic battleground where seemingly insignificant creatures can be the difference between a reef thriving or succumbing to human impacts.”



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



Let's consider the humble damselfish. According to a study published in <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0208545" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS ONE</a>, corals that are humble abodes to these tiny fish exhibit higher resilience against heatwaves, thanks to the crucial nutrient boost provided by the fish's ammonia-rich waste.



Additionally, research published in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.16480" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Change Biology</a> demonstrated how damselfish foster the symbiosis between corals and their photosynthesizing zooxanthellae, helping the corals resist bleaching.



Other research published in <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0208545" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS ONE</a> lays bare the defensive role of territorial damselfish, acting as coral bodyguards fending off predators - giving the corals a breather to focus on growth and survival.



“This new research serves as a powerful reminder that even the smallest creatures can play a significant role in the health of our planet," Stier says. However, not all that glitters is gold.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-culprits">Hidden culprits</h2>



While some residents work towards coral health, others don the villain's cap. For instance, a study published in Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution describes how parasitic snails weaken their coral hosts, leaving them more susceptible to bleaching. 



The vermetid snail, as noted in <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecy.3215" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecology</a>, disrupts the reef's delicate balance by outcompeting corals for space and resources.



“It’s a constant dance between beneficial partnerships and harmful interactions. Deciphering this intricate web of life is critical if we want to effectively protect coral reefs,” said Stier.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-guardians-of-coral-reefs">Guardians of coral reefs</h2>



Sweeping away the silt and detritus, some creatures play the role of meticulous housekeeping staff in these underwater cities. At the forefront is the cleaner wrasse, a small yet remarkably effective fish that removes parasites and dead tissue from larger fish, promoting overall reef health. 



The presence of cleaners can significantly enhance fish diversity and abundance, fostering a balanced reef ecosystem. Without these tireless workers, the reefs could succumb to an overgrowth of harmful algae and pathogens, underscoring their indispensable role within the reef environment.



“Cleaner fish demonstrate the mutual benefits of symbiosis. Larger fish get a clean bill of health, while the cleaners receive both nourishment and protection,” noted Stier.



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



As we gaze into the future, the battle for these underwater <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reefs-could-vanish-if-temperatures-continue-to-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metropolises</a> continues, bolstered by remarkable research and conservation initiatives. 



Innovative techniques such as assisted coral evolution and detailed monitoring of reef health offer promising avenues to reinforce coral <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-reveal-the-health-of-coral-reefs-in-real-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resilience</a>. The deployment of artificial reefs and marine protected areas further exemplifies the confluence of science and policy aimed at preserving these vital ecosystems.



With interdisciplinary approaches and global cooperation, we can devise strategies that not only address immediate threats but also pave the way for long-term sustainability of coral reefs. Our efforts today will shape the seascape that future generations inherit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saving-coral-reefs-through-their-inhabitants">Saving coral reefs through their inhabitants </h2>



Science has only begun to uncover the veiled intricacies of coral <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-worlds-largest-coral-bleaching-event-is-now-underway/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a>. As we continue to illuminate the nuances of these underwater cities, we edge closer to unlocking their secrets, and in doing so, finding new hope for their survival amid a rapidly changing world.



While combatting climate change remains the paramount solution to safeguarding coral reefs, understanding these complex dynamics offers an alternate lifeline. 



By identifying and protecting the heroes and mitigating the damage from the villains, we may just manage to tip the scales in favor of coral reef survival. Will we rise to the challenge? Only time will tell.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822(24)00748-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Coral reefs' fate lies in the hands of their tiny inhabitants

Let’s dive into the captivating realm of coral reefs, the...

As climate change advances, the ocean’s overturning <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-paradox-ocean-current-collapse-could-plunge-europe-into-cold/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">circulation</a> is predicted to weaken significantly. With this slowdown, scientists estimate the ocean will pull down less carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 



At the same time, slower circulation should also dredge up less carbon from the deep ocean that would otherwise be released back into the atmosphere. On balance, the ocean should maintain its role in reducing carbon emissions from the atmosphere, albeit at a slower pace.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-circulation-and-carbon-storage">Ocean circulation and carbon storage</h2>



However, a new study by an MIT researcher suggests that scientists may need to rethink the relationship between the ocean’s circulation and its long-term capacity to store <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-hinder-oceans-ability-absorb-carbon-worsening-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a>. As the ocean gets weaker, it could release more carbon from the deep ocean into the atmosphere instead.



The reason has to do with a previously uncharacterized feedback between the ocean’s available iron, upwelling carbon and nutrients, surface microorganisms, and a little-known class of molecules known generally as “ligands.”&nbsp;



When the ocean circulates more slowly, all these players interact in a self-perpetuating cycle that ultimately increases the amount of carbon that the ocean outgases back to the atmosphere.



“By isolating the impact of this feedback, we see a fundamentally different relationship between ocean circulation and atmospheric carbon levels, with implications for the climate,” said study author Jonathan Lauderdale, a research scientist in MIT’s Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences. “What we thought was going on in the ocean is completely overturned.”



The findings suggest that we cannot rely on natural ocean processes to mitigate climate change. “We must be proactive in cutting emissions now, rather than relying on these natural processes to buy us time to mitigate climate change,” said Lauderdale.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-interactions-and-phytoplankton-growth-nbsp">Ocean interactions and phytoplankton growth&nbsp;</h2>



In 2020, Lauderdale led a study that explored ocean nutrients, marine organisms, and iron, and how their interactions influence the growth of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/phytoplankton-resilient-nutrient-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phytoplankton</a> around the world. Phytoplankton are microscopic, plant-like organisms that live on the ocean surface and consume a diet of carbon and nutrients that upwell from the deep ocean and iron that drifts in from desert dust.



The more phytoplankton that can grow, the more carbon dioxide they can absorb from the atmosphere via photosynthesis, and this plays a large role in the ocean’s ability to sequester carbon.



For the 2020 study, the team developed a simple “box” model, representing conditions in different parts of the ocean as general boxes, each with a different balance of nutrients, iron, and ligands - organic molecules that are thought to be byproducts of phytoplankton.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modeling-ocean-circulation-nbsp">Modeling ocean circulation&nbsp;</h2>



The team modeled a general flow between the boxes to represent the ocean’s larger circulation - the way seawater sinks, then is buoyed back up to the surface in different parts of the world.



The modeling revealed that, even if scientists were to “seed” the oceans with extra iron, that iron wouldn’t have much of an effect on global phytoplankton growth. The reason was due to a limit set by ligands. It turns out that, if left on its own, iron is insoluble in the ocean and therefore unavailable to phytoplankton.&nbsp;



Iron only becomes soluble at “useful” levels when linked with ligands, which keep iron in a form that plankton can consume. Lauderdale found that adding iron to one ocean region to consume additional nutrients robs other regions of nutrients that phytoplankton there need to grow.&nbsp;



This lowers the production of ligands and the supply of iron back to the original ocean region, limiting the amount of extra carbon that would be taken up from the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weak-ocean-circulation-increases-atmospheric-carbon-nbsp">Weak ocean circulation increases atmospheric carbon&nbsp;</h2>



Once the team published their study, Lauderdale worked the box model into a form that he could make publicly accessible, including ocean and atmosphere carbon exchange and extending the boxes to represent more diverse environments, such as conditions similar to the Pacific, the North Atlantic, and the Southern Ocean. In the process, he tested other interactions within the model, including the effect of varying ocean circulation.



He ran the model with different circulation strengths, expecting to see less atmospheric carbon dioxide with weaker ocean overturning - a relationship that previous studies have supported, dating back to the 1980s. But what he found instead was a clear and opposite trend: The weaker the ocean’s circulation, the more CO2 built up in the atmosphere.



“I thought there was some mistake,” Lauderdale recalls. “Why were atmospheric carbon levels trending the wrong way?”



When he checked the model, he found that the parameter describing ocean ligands had been left “on” as a variable. In other words, the model was calculating ligand concentrations as changing from one ocean region to another.



On a hunch, Lauderdale turned this parameter “off,” which set ligand concentrations as constant in every modeled ocean environment, an assumption that many ocean models typically make. That one change reversed the trend, back to the assumed relationship: A weaker circulation led to reduced atmospheric carbon dioxide. But which trend was closer to the truth?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unexpected-discovery">An unexpected discovery</h2>



Lauderdale looked to the scant available data on ocean ligands to see whether their concentrations were more constant or variable in the actual ocean. He found confirmation in <a href="https://www.geotraces.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GEOTRACES</a>, an international study that coordinates measurements of trace elements and isotopes across the world’s oceans, that scientists can use to compare concentrations from region to region. 



Indeed, the molecules’ concentrations varied. If ligand concentrations do change from one region to another, then his surprising new result was likely representative of the real ocean: A weaker circulation leads to more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.



“It’s this one weird trick that changed everything,” Lauderdale said. “The ligand switch has revealed this completely different relationship between ocean circulation and atmospheric CO2 that we thought we understood pretty well.”



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



To see what might explain the overturned trend, Lauderdale analyzed biological activity and carbon, nutrient, iron, and ligand concentrations from the ocean model under different circulation strengths, comparing scenarios where ligands were variable or constant across the various boxes.



This revealed a new feedback: The weaker the ocean’s circulation, the less carbon and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/excess-nutrients-are-creating-ocean-dead-zones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nutrients</a> the ocean pulls up from the deep. Any phytoplankton at the surface would then have fewer resources to grow and would produce fewer byproducts (including ligands) as a result. 



With fewer ligands available, less iron at the surface would be usable, further reducing the phytoplankton population. There would then be fewer phytoplankton available to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and consume upwelled carbon from the deep ocean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-biology-and-climate-change-nbsp">Ocean biology and climate change&nbsp;</h2>



“My work shows that we need to look more carefully at how ocean biology can affect the climate,” Lauderdale explained. “Some climate models predict a 30 percent slowdown in the ocean circulation due to melting ice sheets, particularly around Antarctica.”&nbsp;



“This huge slowdown in overturning circulation could actually be a big problem: In addition to a host of other climate issues, not only would the ocean take up less anthropogenic CO2 from the atmosphere, but that could be amplified by a net outgassing of deep ocean carbon, leading to an unanticipated increase in atmospheric CO2 and unexpected further climate warming.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-49274-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Weaker ocean will release more carbon into the atmosphere

As climate change advances, the ocean’s overturning circulation is predicted...

In 2022, an international research team aboard the MARIA S. MERIAN made a remarkable hydrothermal field discovery. They found it 3,000 meters (9,842 feet) below the ocean surface.



The team uncovered the first known hydrothermal field along the 500-kilometer (310-mile) Knipovich Ridge. 



This ridge is near Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. Scientists have long studied this region for its harsh climate and unique ecosystems.



This finding revealed a hidden underwater landscape teeming with intense geological activity and unique marine life. 



The discovery of such a vibrant ecosystem in the deep, cold waters of the Arctic challenges our understanding of where life can thrive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-behind-hydrothermal-fields">Science behind hydrothermal fields</h2>



Essentially, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/five-new-hydrothermal-vents-discovered-in-the-pacific-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hydrothermal vents</a> are underwater leaks, spewing hot, mineral-rich fluids back into the ocean. These vents play a crucial role in the Earth's geochemical cycles and support diverse ecosystems.



According to a key figure in the expedition, these <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/what-are-hydrothermal-vents-an-unlikely-home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vents</a> occur as water seeps down into the ocean floor, gets heated by magma, and later resurfaces carrying its mineral loot.



The ascending fluid becomes enriched with minerals and other materials from the crustal rocks before exiting through tube-like chimneys known as "black smokers". 



These smokers are responsible for the precipitation of metal-rich minerals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jotul-field-in-knipovich-ridge">Jøtul field in Knipovich Ridge</h2>



The investigated field, christened "Jøtul" after a Nordic mythological giant, is nestled within the Knipovich Ridge. 



The Ridge is part of a larger geological network formed by Greenland, Norway, and Svalbard, at the boundary of the North American and European tectonic plates. 



Dubbed as a "spreading ridge," this boundary is characterized by the gradual separation of two tectonic plates. 



Intriguingly, the Jøtul Field is located on a slow-spreading ridge, which adds more significance to its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hydrothermal-vents-earths-first-living-beings-hydrogen-gas-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">discovery</a>.



The expedition's chief scientist from the <a href="https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bremen</a>, Gerhard Bohrmann, reveals the Jøtul Field's scientific significance.



Its unique location and high methane concentrations attribute it an invaluable role in climate studies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-link-to-climate-change">Link to climate change</h2>



The Jøtul Field’s intense methane concentrations suggest an intense interaction between magma and oceanic sediments. 



As methane travels through the water column, it is converted into CO2, thereby increasing oceanic CO2 concentration and contributing to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-acidification-endangers-ecologically-important-seaweed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean acidification</a>.



Additionally, when it reaches the atmosphere, it behaves like a greenhouse gas impacting climate change. However, the exact magnitude of methane from the Jøtul Field reaching the atmosphere is yet to be closely studied.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-absence-of-light">In the absence of light</h2>



Notably, the Jøtul Field provides a home for special organisms that rely on chemosynthesis for survival. 



In the complete absence of sunlight at such profound depths, it's the hydrothermal fluids that form the base for a unique ecosystem thriving in the dark.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-exploration-at-the-jotul-field">Future exploration at the Jøtul field</h2>



To understand the Jøtul Field much better, a new expedition is set to sail in the upcoming summer, once again under the leadership of Professor Gerhard Bohrmann. 



The primary goal is to explore and sample unknown areas of the Jøtul Field. With comprehensive data from the field, researchers aim to draw comparisons with other known hydrothermal fields in the Arctic province.



The findings of the study form a part of the Bremen Cluster of Excellence titled "The Ocean Floor -- Earth's Uncharted Interface", aimed at exploring complex processes on the sea floor and their impacts on global climate.



Certainly, the Jøtul Field will continue to be a center of attention in future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/five-new-hydrothermal-vents-discovered-in-the-pacific-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> endeavors within the Cluster.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-technological-innovations">Technological innovations</h2>



The exploration of the Jøtul Field and similar hydrothermal realms has been made possible by remarkable advancements in deep-sea technology. 



State-of-the-art remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) equipped with high-definition cameras, sophisticated sensors, and sampling tools allow scientists to delve into previously unreachable underwater <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-giant-riftia-tubeworms-survive-on-deep-sea-hydrothermal-vents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">territories</a>.



These innovations provide real-time data collection and enable high-resolution mapping of the seafloor, crucial for understanding the complex interactions within hydrothermal systems. 



The integration of advanced laboratory techniques onboard research vessels further facilitates immediate analysis and interpretation of samples. 



As technology advances, we're discovering incredible new insights into the ocean's depths. This progress is leading us into an exciting new era of marine science.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-60802-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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New hydrothermal field in the Arctic has intense geological activity

In 2022, an international research team aboard the MARIA S....

Rooftop,Garden,In,Urban,Setting

When tackling the heat of urban environments, a fresh approach is making waves: cool roofs.



This innovative and low-tech solution could be the key to managing rising city temperatures, as found in a recent study overseen by researchers at <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University College London</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-roofing-solutions-vary">Roofing solutions vary</h2>



The study, which leveraged a cutting-edge, three-dimensional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tackling-urban-heat-experts-plan-to-cool-a-desert-city-by-4-5c/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urban climate</a> model of Greater London, investigated the thermal effects of a variety of urban heat management systems.



The models examined included painted cool roofs, green roofs, rooftop solar panels, ground level tree vegetation and air conditioning. 



They were simulated to run during the two hottest days of the summer in 2018, which set a record high temperature for the city.



The results were revealing. Widespread implementation of cool roofs had the potential to reduce outdoor temperatures across the entire city by an average of 1.2 degrees C (2.2 degrees F), peaking up to 2 degrees C (3.6 degrees F) in some locales.



Other systems, including extensive street-level vegetation and solar panels, produced a smaller net <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cities-need-resilient-electricity-networks-to-cope-with-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cooling effect</a>, reducing temperatures by just about 0.3 degrees C (0.54 degrees F) on average throughout the city.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-cost-of-air-conditioning">Hidden cost of air conditioning</h2>



While <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-conditioning-is-both-a-cause-and-effect-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air conditioning</a> is a popular and seemingly effective solution, it carries with it a significant drawback.



The process transfers heat from within buildings to the outside, potentially warming the outdoor urban environment by about 0.15 degrees C (0.27 degrees F) for the city as a whole. 



In the densely populated center of London, this increase could be as much as 1 degree C (1.8 degrees F).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-winning-advantage-of-cool-roofs">Winning advantage of cool roofs</h2>



Discussing the research findings, Dr. Oscar Brousse, the lead author, emphasized the effectiveness of cool roofs in combating urban heat. 



He noted, "We comprehensively tested multiple methods that cities like London could use to adapt to and mitigate warming temperatures, and found that cool roofs were the best way to keep temperatures down during extremely hot summer days." 



Dr. Brousse also mentioned that while other strategies offered various important advantages, they were not as effective in reducing outdoor urban heat as cool roofs.



Clearly, the climate is changing, and urban dwellers are particularly vulnerable. 



Cities are notorious for trapping heat, leading to the Urban Heat Island effect that heightens discomfort and can even increase mortality rates during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heatwaves-are-threatening-the-health-of-people-in-the-uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heatwaves</a>.



Adapting to this reality has become a pressing concern for city planners and architects, spurring them to explore options like cool roofs, green roofs, expanded urban vegetation and interior methods like air conditioning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-every-solution-has-its-place">Every solution has its place</h2>



Though cool roofs emerged as the clear overall winner, other methods also have their merits. 



For instance, green roofs contribute to water drainage and wildlife habitats, even though their net cooling efficiency was negligible on average. 



Similarly, photovoltaic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-increase-the-value-of-solar-panels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar panels</a> could theoretically power an extensive distribution of air conditioning units if installed to their maximum extent.



As cities continue to search for solutions to mitigate the impact of rising temperatures, cool roofs appear to be a promising and effective tool to maintain a comfortable, sustainable urban environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-investing-in-cool-roof-technology">Investing in cool roof technology</h2>



As we move towards broader implementation, the economic and environmental benefits of cool roofs are becoming increasingly evident. 



Not only do they reduce urban temperatures, but they also lead to substantial energy savings for building owners. By reflecting more sunlight and absorbing less <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-exposure-to-extreme-heat-has-tripled-since-the-80s/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat</a>, cool roofs decrease the need for air conditioning, thus lowering electricity bills and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.



Moreover, cool roofs can extend the lifespan of roofing materials by reducing thermal expansion and contraction, which typically degrade conventional roofs over time. This results in lower maintenance costs and less frequent replacements, delivering long-term financial benefits.



Policy makers and urban planners are encouraged to consider incentives for cool roof installations, such as tax breaks or grants. These initiatives could accelerate adoption and amplify the positive impact on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humidity-increases-urban-heat-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urban climates</a>. 



Public awareness campaigns can also play a crucial role in educating homeowners and businesses about the advantages of cool roofs, driving community-wide efforts to combat rising city temperatures.



Communities, businesses, and governments can adopt cool roof technology. This collective effort can create cooler urban environments. It also promotes sustainability in cities.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024GL109634" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a>.



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Cool roofs on city buildings are the secret to beating urban heat

When tackling the heat of urban environments, a fresh approach...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What caused the planet's longest ice age

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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

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