<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grapevines-could-offer-a-breakthrough-alternative-to-plastic-packaging/">Plastic</a> bags are everywhere, and too many slip into rivers and onto beaches. A new analysis finds that policies that either charge a small fee per bag or prohibit them outright cut the share of bags found during shoreline cleanups by 25 to 47 percent.</p>



<p>The study combed through hundreds of city, county, and state rules passed between 2017 and 2023. It matched those policies to more than 45,000 volunteer cleanups across the United States to see what actually changed on the ground.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-ran-the-study">Who ran the study</h2>



<p>The research was coauthored by <a href="https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/ceoe/departments/smsp/faculty/kimberly-oremus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kimberly L. Oremus</a> of the University of Delaware’s School of Marine Science and Policy (<a href="https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/ceoe/departments/smsp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UDEL</a>). </p>



<p>Oremus and her collaborator set out to measure litter, not just shopping behavior, so the results speak to what ends up in nature.</p>



<p>The team relied on citizen science, meaning trained volunteers recorded what they collected during beach, river, and lake cleanups. </p>



<p>They drew on <a href="https://www.coastalcleanupdata.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TIDES</a>, a public database that stores those counts in one place so researchers can analyze patterns across time and place.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-plastic-bag-policies">Studying plastic bag policies</h2>



<p>To isolate the effect of bag policies, the authors used a Difference-in-Differences (<a href="https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/research/population-health-methods/difference-difference-estimation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DiD</a>) approach that compares places with and without new laws over the same period. </p>



<p>That design helps rule out unrelated trends that affect everyone, such as national shifts in shopping or packaging.</p>



<p>The headline result is simple. In communities with full bans or fees, the share of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-from-plastic-bottles-linked-to-high-blood-pressure-and-heart-problems/">plastic</a> bags in the litter mix fell relative to similar places without policies, and the decline grew in the years after a law took effect.</p>



<p>State level rules tended to be more reliable in the data than city or county policies. Effects looked similar along coasts and rivers, with hints of larger gains along lakes where winds and currents spread litter differently.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-policy-fees-vs-bans">Plastic policy: Fees vs. bans</h2>



<p>Fees change the default at every checkout and discourage taking a bag when you do not need one, which reduces both thin and thicker bag use.</p>



<p>Other <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/carrier-bag-charge-summary-of-data-in-england/single-use-plastic-carrier-bags-charge-data-for-england-2024-to-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence</a> points in the same direction outside the United States. England reports an almost 98 percent drop in single use carrier bags at major retailers since its charge began.</p>



<p>Policies that only restrict thin bags often allow thicker <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/agricultural-soil-is-now-the-worlds-biggest-plastic-dumping-ground/">plastic</a> labeled as reusable. </p>



<p>Those partial bans showed the smallest and least precise effects in the analysis, which is consistent with shoppers substituting one kind of plastic for another.</p>



<p>Some states also pass preemption <a href="https://www.ncsl.org/environment-and-natural-resources/state-plastic-bag-legislation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">laws</a> that block cities and counties from regulating bags at all. When local governments cannot act, the study’s data suggest statewide policies become especially important.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-and-entanglement">Wildlife and entanglement</h2>



<p>The cleanup records include notes on animals found <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-found-in-99-percent-sea-turtles-organ-tissue-reproductive-system/">entangled in debris</a>. </p>



<p>In areas with bag policies, the presence of entangled animals dropped by roughly 30 to 37 percent, although the authors caution that the estimates are imprecise and more data are needed.</p>



<p>That finding aligns with what we know about <a href="https://www.nrdc.org/stories/single-use-plastics-101" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">single-use-plastics</a>. Thin bags linger in water and along shorelines, where they can snag, smother, or be eaten by turtles, birds, and fish.</p>



<p>Many studies track what happens at store checkouts, but fewer track what ends up outdoors. Shoreline cleanups offer a window into that last step in the chain from purchase to pollution.</p>



<p>Across the study period, the share of bags among collected items rose overall, but it rose less where bag laws existed. That pattern is exactly what you want to see if policies are slowing the flow of litter into the environment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-plastic-policy-steps">Global plastic policy steps</h2>



<p>A small, universal fee is a simple tool that nudges behavior without banning choices. Full bans can work too, and the analysis shows both approaches reduce the share of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/glass-bottles-contain-more-microplastics-than-plastic-containers/">plastic</a> bags found during cleanups.</p>



<p>The mix of policies should match local conditions. In places with more bag litter to begin with, impacts were largest, so targeting high problem areas with fast action can deliver quick gains.</p>



<p>Plastic bag rules are only one part of the picture. Negotiators from 175 countries are working toward a plastics treaty under <a href="https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNEP</a> that could standardize action on a wider set of products and chemicals.</p>



<p>The study notes that bottles, caps, and other items did not decline when bag policies passed. That is a signal that targeted rules for other single use products would be needed to curb overall litter.</p>



<p>Adopt a modest fee or a full ban that applies across retail and restaurant settings, and keep the text simple so it is easy to enforce. Pair the policy with clear signs at checkout and with retailer reporting that tracks compliance.</p>



<p>Measure results in the same way the researchers did. Recruit volunteers, log items in TIDES, and watch how the litter mix changes year over year so the policy can be adjusted as needed.</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adp9274" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Science</em></a>.</p>



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Studies confirm that a small tax definitely helps curb plastic pollution

Plastic bags are everywhere, and too many slip into rivers and onto beaches. A new analysis finds that policies that either charge a small fee per bag or prohibit them outright cut the share of bags found during shoreline cleanups by 25 to 47 percent. The study combed through hundreds of city, county, and state rules passed between 2017 and 2023. It matched those policies to more than 45,000 volunteer cleanups across the United States to see what actually changed on the ground. Who ran the study...

<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-play-an-overlooked-role-in-the-climate-system/">Forests</a> play a pivotal role in the global carbon cycle, yet their capacity to sequester carbon might be significantly overestimated by some current models, warns Professor Runsheng Yin from <a href="https://msu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michigan State University</a>. </p>



<p>In his new book - <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003436652" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Global Forest Carbon: Policy, Economics and Finance</em></a> - Yin delves into the complexities of utilizing forests as nature-based solutions to combat climate change.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heavy-investment-in-reforestation-nbsp">Heavy investment in reforestation&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Yin advocates for a recalibration of how carbon credits from forest-related activities are calculated, suggesting that the present models do not align well with the goals of the Paris Agreement.</p>



<p>"Companies worldwide are investing heavily in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/success-story-reforestation-has-helped-keep-the-eastern-us-relatively-cool/">reforestation</a> strategies, and while vital this is not going to be enough to remove the amount of carbon created in making timber, and the results won’t be quick enough to counteract the carbon output created by cutting down the trees in the first place,” Yin cautions, highlighting a gap in the current understanding and approach towards forest carbon sequestration.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-rigorous-assessments-are-needed">More rigorous assessments are needed</h2>



<p>Yin calls for "more rigorous accounting and assessments for local forest carbon storage and sequestration schemes," emphasizing the importance of considering the lifecycle of timber products and the duration of their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-forests-are-unexpected-heroes-of-carbon-capture/">carbon</a> storage.&nbsp;</p>



<p>He suggests the establishment of intermediary agencies to better coordinate the contributions of local smallholders, aiming for a more impactful management of forest carbon at both national and international levels.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-co2-emissions-nbsp">Rising CO2 emissions&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The urgency of addressing rising <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-earth-was-heated-by-extreme-levels-of-atmospheric-co2/">atmospheric CO2</a> levels is underscored by the 2015 Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Nations, corporations and individuals are turning to nature-based solutions to try to offset their greenhouse emissions. As the practice becomes increasingly monetized, it is crucial that the accounting is done accurately," Yin said, pointing out the critical need for precision in environmental accounting amid the worsening climate crisis.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-forest-carbon-dynamics-nbsp">Complex forest carbon dynamics&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Yin's research, which analyzed a pine plantation in the southern United States, revealed that the potential for carbon offset credits was exaggerated by a factor of at least 2.76. This discrepancy highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of forest carbon dynamics, especially considering the varied lifespans of wood products and their implications for long-term carbon storage.</p>



<p>"Properly accounted for, forest carbon offsetting is important and deserves to be seriously promoted and financially rewarded. But my research shows that its potential may not be as great as some analysts have claimed," Yin added, critiquing the overly optimistic projections of some studies. He emphasizes the necessity of integrating local carbon offset schemes within broader, government-led strategies that align with international climate commitments.</p>



<p>This call for a reevaluation of forest carbon sequestration's potential and methodology underscores the complexity of relying on forests as a solution to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/survey-mother-nature-is-more-likely-to-solve-climate-change-than-geoengineering/">climate change</a>, urging a balanced, well-informed approach to harnessing their benefits.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forest-carbon-offsetting-schemes">Forest carbon offsetting schemes</h2>



<p>Forest carbon offsetting is a mechanism that aims to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, thereby combating climate change. It involves the protection, restoration, or sustainable management of forests to increase their capacity to absorb carbon dioxide from the air.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Trees and other vegetation naturally capture carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, storing it in their biomass and in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electronic-soil-boosts-crop-growth-by-over-50/">soil</a>. By increasing forested areas or enhancing the health of existing forests, carbon offset projects can sequester additional carbon dioxide, offsetting emissions made elsewhere.</p>



<p>Entities, such as businesses or individuals, can invest in forest carbon offset projects to compensate for their own carbon emissions. This is often part of a broader strategy to achieve carbon neutrality or reduce one's carbon footprint.&nbsp;</p>



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Reforestation cannot offset carbon emissions from harvesting wood

Forests play a pivotal role in the global carbon cycle,...

<p>The air we breathe, the weather we play in, the world we know – it's all changing fast. Unfortunately, kids are the first to feel it. Climate change is the culprit behind this rapid shift in the wellbeing of children. </p>



<p>To understand how it impacts children's health, researchers at the <a href="https://www.uwa.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Western Australia</a> embarked on an innovative study.</p>



<p>The team took a massive data dive, scouring scientific databases for connections between any type of climate change and any kind of health concern in children under 18.</p>



<p>“We’ve crunched the data to show how certain types of future weather events will worsen particular medical issues in the population,” explained study co-author Professor Corey Bradshaw of Flinders University.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-children-and-climate-change">Studying children and climate change</h2>



<p>The study reveals a worrying 60% surge in the risk of preterm birth associated with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ticks-are-highly-resilient-to-extreme-temperatures/">temperature extremes</a>. Preterm birth, occurring before 37 weeks, is not only a leading cause of infant death, but also carries lifelong health and developmental repercussions for children.</p>



<p>This isn't just a personal tragedy, it's a societal one. Premature births translate to higher healthcare costs, longer hospital stays, and a cascade of challenges for families and communities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-air-pollution-nbsp">Impact of air pollution&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Children are more vulnerable to air pollution from climate change than adults. Their developing bodies, especially their lungs, are affected by the harmful effects of air pollution. This study shines a light on the invisible dangers lurking in car fumes, factory smoke, and even dust, revealing a devastating impact on young lives.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nitrogen-oxides">Nitrogen oxides</h3>



<p>Nitrogen oxides, spewed by vehicles and factories, top the list of culprits. These invisible gases inflame delicate lung airways and worsen asthma. For children, this translates to stunted growth and a lifetime of breathing difficulties.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smoke-and-fine-dust">Smoke and fine dust</h3>



<p>The study also exposes the silent threat of fine dust, a ubiquitous enemy that triggers infections, exacerbates asthma, and throws a wrench into lung development. Smoke from burning materials, another common foe, adds to the misery, causing bronchitis and further hindering young lungs.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lifetime-of-health-challenges-nbsp">Lifetime of health challenges&nbsp;</h3>



<p>The message is clear: air pollution, in all its forms, is a silent menace for children. It's not just about coughs and wheezes; it's about stolen breaths, stunted growth, and a lifetime of health challenges. We can't afford to ignore this invisible enemy any longer.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ticks-are-highly-resilient-to-extreme-temperatures/">Extreme temperatures</a>, both hot and cold, pose a significant threat to children's health, according to the study. Hospital and emergency room admissions for children spiked during these periods, which were instigated by climate change. Tragically, extreme temperatures are also claiming the lives of children. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-immediate-action-is-needed">Immediate action is needed</h2>



<p>Moreover, children from low-income families face a heightened risk of illness due to temperature fluctuations. This exposes them to greater vulnerability in the face of climate change's impacts on health.</p>



<p>Children, particularly those in poverty-stricken nations, bear the brunt of climate change's burden. The study reveals a troubling research gap in poorer regions, suggesting that the true impact on children's health might be significantly worse than what we currently know.</p>



<p>Climate change acts as a health inequity amplifier, jeopardizing the well-being of young lives. The researchers are calling for immediate global action to mitigate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-outrun-the-flood-risks-of-climate-change/">climate change</a> and prioritize support for vulnerable children.</p>



<p>“Our research recognizes some important areas where children are most vulnerable to climate change,” said Dr. Lewis Weeda, who led the study. “The development of public health policies to counter these climate-related diseases, alongside efforts to reduce anthropogenic climate change, must be addressed if we are to protect current and future children.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-un-sustainable-development-goals-nbsp">UN Sustainable Development Goals&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The research makes it clear: we absolutely need to put the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the top of our list if we want to protect children from the adverse <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fear-and-anxiety-the-mental-health-impacts-of-wildfires/">health effects</a> of climate change.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These goals, created by the UN, were designed to make the world a better place by 2030, a world without <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/satellite-imagery-used-to-map-global-poverty/">poverty</a> that is filled with peace and good things for everyone.&nbsp;</p>



<p>To make this big dream come true, they created a plan with 17 connected goals that tackle the hardest problems everyone faces.</p>



<p>Some of the SDGs include:</p>



<ul>
<li>Zero Hunger<strong>:</strong> Ending hunger, achieving food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture are crucial because climate change disrupts food production and availability, directly impacting children's nutrition and health.</li>



<li>Good Health and Well-being<strong>:</strong> Guaranteeing healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages is essential, as research confirms the detrimental effects of climate change on children's health, including increased respiratory illnesses, higher mortality rates, and more hospitalizations.</li>



<li>Clean Water and Sanitation<strong>:</strong> Ensuring access to clean water and sustainable sanitation for all is paramount for preventing diseases worsened by climate change.</li>



<li>Decent Work and Economic Growth<strong>:</strong> Sustainable, inclusive economic growth, full employment, and decent work for all are key to providing the infrastructure and healthcare services needed to mitigate the impacts of climate change on children.</li>



<li>Sustainable Cities and Communities<strong>:</strong> Building inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements is crucial. Urban planning and infrastructure development that consider climate change impacts can protect children in urban areas.</li>



<li>Responsible Consumption and Production<strong>:</strong> Achieving sustainable consumption and production patterns is vital. This highlights the need to reduce the environmental footprint of human activities that contribute to climate change.</li>



<li>Climate Action<strong>: </strong>Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts is essential. This directly addresses the need to protect vulnerable populations, including children, from the effects of climate change.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-new-insights-on-children-and-climate-change">Critical new insights on children and climate change</h2>



<p>“We identified many direct links between climate change and child health, the strongest of which was a 60% increased risk on average of preterm birth from exposure to temperature extremes. Respiratory diseases, mortality, and morbidity, among others, were also made worse by climate change,” noted Professor Bradshaw.</p>



<p>“The effects of different air pollutants on children’s health outcomes were smaller compared to temperature effects, but most pollutants still had an effect of some type, so the news is concerning. The children’s health issues we identified depend on weather extremes - cold extremes give rise to respiratory diseases, while drought and extreme rainfall can result in stunted growth for a population.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-climate-change-s-impact-on-children">Broader implications of climate change's impact on children</h2>



<p>The study emphasizes the urgent need to understand the far-reaching effects of climate change on children's health. It seeks to measure the extent of this impact, pinpoint areas most vulnerable to climate-related illnesses, and establish a framework for identifying risks specific to different populations.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Given that climate influences childhood disease, social and financial costs will continue to rise as climate change progresses, placing increasing pressure on families and health services. For example, asthma has been estimated to cost as much as US$1.5 billion due to a single fire season in the future, while another study estimated the costs of a single case of childhood asthma at up to US$23,573 in the coming years,” said Professor Bradshaw.</p>



<p>The analysis forms a crucial step in tackling this ecological and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-are-one-indivisible-global-health-crisis/">health crisis</a>. By providing evidence-based insights, it paves the way for effective interventions and policies to safeguard child health amidst a changing climate.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170944" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Science of the Total Environment</em></a>.</p>



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Climate change takes a major toll on children's health

The air we breathe, the weather we play in, the...

<p>Our cities are full of life, bustling with traffic and daily activities. But hidden in the air is a danger we can't see: tiny particles called <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heatwaves-and-air-pollution-may-double-fatal-heart-attack-risk/">PM2.5</a>, mostly from car exhaust.&nbsp;</p>



<p>We know air pollution hurts our lungs and hearts, but new research from <a href="https://www.emory.edu/home/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Emory University</a> suggests something even scarier: it might raise the risk of Alzheimer's disease, a brain illness affecting millions of people.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-tissue-markers">Brain tissue markers</h2>



<p>This study looked at the possible link between air pollution and brain changes related to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diet-plays-a-major-role-in-preventing-alzheimers-disease/">Alzheimer's</a> disease. The researchers examined brain tissue from 224 individuals with confirmed Alzheimer's disease who had donated their brains after passing away.</p>



<p>They checked for signs of Alzheimer's disease by looking for specific markers in the brain tissue, like neuritic plaques. This helped them assess the severity of the disease.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-air-pollution-exposure">Air pollution exposure</h2>



<p>The experts estimated how much <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chemical-composition-of-us-air-pollution-has-changed-over-time/">air pollution</a> people were exposed to based on where they lived and traffic patterns. Different timeframes (1 year, 3 years, 5 years) were considered before the person passed away.</p>



<p>The researchers used statistical models to see if there was a connection between air pollution exposure and the severity of Alzheimer's disease markers. They also considered whether a specific gene, Apolipoprotein E (APOE), influenced this connection.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increase-in-neuritic-plaques">Increase in neuritic plaques</h2>



<p>The researchers found that higher exposure to PM2.5 was associated with higher levels of neuritic plaques in the brain. These are protein clumps considered a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.</p>



<p>The more PM2.5 someone was exposed to, the higher their risk of having more plaques. People with higher PM2.5 exposure were nearly twice as likely to have higher plaque levels compared to those with lower exposure.</p>



<p>The link was stronger when looking at PM2.5 exposure in the year before death. This suggests a potentially shorter-term impact of air pollution on Alzheimer's brain changes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“These results add to the evidence that fine particulate matter from traffic-related air pollution affects the amount of amyloid plaque in the brain,” said study author Anke Huels from Emory University in Atlanta. “More research is needed to investigate the mechanisms behind this link.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-influence-nbsp">Genetic influence&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The team explored whether the link between air pollution and Alzheimer's brain changes were influenced by genetics. The study was specifically focused on the APOE gene, which is known to increase Alzheimer's risk.</p>



<p>The analysis revealed that people without the APOE gene seemed more affected by air pollution in terms of Alzheimer's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-screen-time-changes-the-brain-based-on-23-years-of-research/">brain changes</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For those without the gene, higher air pollution exposure was linked to a more than two-fold higher risk of having more plaques.</p>



<p>“This suggests that environmental factors such as air pollution could be a contributing factor to Alzheimer’s in patients in which the disease cannot be explained by genetics,” Dr Huels said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-factors">Environmental factors</h2>



<p>The study shows that things in our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cigarette-butts-leak-thousands-of-deadly-toxins-into-the-environment/">environment</a>, like air pollution, can affect our chances of getting Alzheimer's disease. This means we can potentially prevent Alzheimer's by paying attention to the environment and keeping it healthy.</p>



<p>Air pollution has been linked to changes in the brain that are similar to those seen in Alzheimer's. This suggests that stricter rules are needed to limit air pollution, especially PM2.5, which comes from car exhaust and other sources. Lowering these limits in cities and factories could help protect people's health.</p>



<p>The study also suggests that cities could be designed differently to reduce air pollution from traffic. This could involve making it easier and safer for people to walk, bike, or use public transportation, instead of driving cars.</p>



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



<p>People with lower incomes and those living in certain areas are often exposed to more air pollution. The findings suggest that reducing these differences in how much pollution people are exposed to could be important for preventing Alzheimer's disease.</p>



<p>Air pollution is a major threat to public health around the world, and so is Alzheimer's disease. This means that the findings are important for everyone. By cleaning up the air we breathe, we could help prevent Alzheimer's disease in many different communities around the world.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000209162" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Neurology</em></a>.</p>



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Traffic-related air pollution linked to increased Alzheimer's risk

Our cities are full of life, bustling with traffic and...

<p>As the world faces the growing threat of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indisputable-evidence-of-human-caused-climate-change/">climate change</a>, finding ways to reduce greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) is more important than ever. Planting trees across large areas, known as forestation, has been suggested as a solution. </p>



<p>While it seems simple, the impact of widespread forestation on our planet is more complicated than we might think.</p>



<p>A recent study from the <a href="https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sheffield</a> has explored this complexity in detail. The researchers used advanced models to examine how adding large amounts of trees to Earth would affect the climate. While <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-forests-are-unexpected-heroes-of-carbon-capture/">forestation</a> is known to absorb CO2 and cool the planet, the study reveals other, less obvious consequences.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-impact-of-large-scale-forestation">Potential impact of large-scale forestation</h2>



<p>The experts used two advanced climate models to simulate how the planet's climate and weather would change if there were a lot more trees in suitable areas around the world.</p>



<p>A key part of their study was creating a scenario where forests covered much more land than they do now. This scenario helped them understand the biggest possible impact that forests could have on climate.</p>



<p>The researchers looked at both the well-known benefits of forests, like storing carbon dioxide, and lesser-known effects, like how forests influence the chemicals in the air and how much <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exposure-to-sunlight-enhances-libido/">sunlight</a> Earth reflects back into space.</p>



<p>They found that these chemical and reflective effects are linked: <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/americas-forests-are-in-a-race-against-climate-change/">forests</a> release chemicals that affect clouds and the air, and the amount of sunlight Earth reflects depends on how much forest cover there is. This link is important because it can influence how much Earth warms or cools.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-effects-on-atmospheric-composition">Effects on atmospheric composition</h2>



<p>Planting more trees can have both cooling and warming effects on the climate. The good news: When forests grow, they release more biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs). These compounds react with other chemicals in the air to form tiny particles called organic aerosols.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The aerosols act like tiny mirrors, reflecting sunlight back into space and cooling the Earth. This cooling effect can help counteract the warming caused by other factors, like reduced reflectivity of the Earth's surface.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Professor Dominick Spracklen of the University of Leeds, who was not involved in the study, said: "This study highlights the amazingly complex role of forests in our climate system. Through calculating how forests alter atmospheric composition, this study provides one of the most comprehensive assessments of the climate impacts of large-scale forestation."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-positive-radiative-forcing-nbsp">Positive radiative forcing&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Planting trees can make the ground absorb more sunlight, and this is particularly the case in areas with a lot of snow. This is because forests are generally darker than snow and reflect less sunlight back into space.</p>



<p>The absorption of sunlight warms the planet. This effect is called positive radiative forcing. The effect is stronger in places farther north where there's more contrast between the dark forests and reflective snow.</p>



<p>The study suggests that this warming effect can reduce the benefit of forests storing carbon dioxide, which helps cool the planet. This is especially true if we plant a lot of trees in high-latitude regions. Therefore, where we plant trees to fight climate change matters.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planting-trees-and-proper-planning">Planting trees and proper planning</h2>



<p>Dr. Stephanie Roe, WWF Global Climate and Energy Lead Scientist, and co-author of the study said: “We know that forests are critically important for biodiversity, water, ecosystem services, and the climate. What this research shows is that the effectiveness of reforestation for climate mitigation declines significantly in higher latitudes and unless paired with deep emission reductions which reduces air pollution.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It underscores the importance of properly planning reforestation efforts and adequately accounting for biophysical and future climate impacts in different latitudes and regions. Importantly, the study finds that preventing deforestation, when compared to reforestation efforts, is a far more efficient way to mitigate climate change.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-excessive-tree-planting-can-cause-problems">Excessive tree planting can cause problems</h2>



<p>Planting more trees seems like a no-brainer for fighting climate change. But there's a twist: forests can also release other gases that contribute to warming, like methane and ozone.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-methane">Methane</h3>



<p>This gas comes from rotting plants and wet areas, both common in forests. It's much more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat, so even small amounts matter. Planting trees in wetlands could increase methane emissions, potentially negating some of the carbon storage benefits.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ozone-nbsp">Ozone&nbsp;</h3>



<p>This gas is a pollutant found in smog, not the good kind high up in the atmosphere. Trees emit chemicals that react with other pollutants to create ozone. While ozone protects us from harmful sun rays high up, it's bad for us and the climate at ground level. More trees could mean more ozone, adding another wrinkle to the climate puzzle.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-warming-effect-of-trees">The warming effect of trees</h2>



<p>The study examines the effectiveness of planting trees as a way to fight climate change by removing CO2 from the air. However, it finds that this benefit may be partially offset by other factors, like changes in how sunlight and heat interact with the Earth.</p>



<p>In a scenario where global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lakes-are-struggling-to-maintain-oxygen-as-temperatures-rise/">temperatures</a> rise significantly (4°C), up to a third of the cooling effect from planting trees could be canceled out by changes in the atmosphere.</p>



<p>On the contrary, if we limit warming to 2°C (like the Paris Agreement aims for), the negative effects are smaller, and planting trees is more effective.</p>



<p>So, what does this mean? Planting trees definitely helps, but it's not a magic bullet. We need to consider all their effects, good and bad, when planning big planting projects. Balancing their carbon-storing power with other factors is key to effectively tackling climate change.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comparing-tree-planting-strategies">Comparing tree planting strategies</h2>



<p>The researchers also compared the different tree-planting strategies (planting new forests, restoring old ones, and thickening existing ones) to see how well they remove carbon dioxide from the air and fight climate change.</p>



<p>Planting new forests on land that was not previously forested (afforestation) seems to be the most effective strategy, followed by restoring old forests (reforestation) and making existing forests denser (enhancement).&nbsp;</p>



<p>But planting too many trees can have unintended consequences, like making the land darker and absorbing less sunlight (warming it up) or releasing gases that affect the atmosphere in complex ways.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-nbsp">Broader implications&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study emphasizes that planting trees isn't a simple solution and needs to be done carefully. Dr James Weber, from the University of Sheffield’s School of Biosciences, said: “The public are bombarded with messages about climate change, and the suggestion that you can plant trees to offset your carbon emissions is widespread. Many businesses now offer to plant a tree with a purchase, and some countries plan to expand, conserve, and restore forests.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Trees can help tackle climate change, but we need to be careful about relying on them. We need to evaluate forestation, and other climate change mitigation strategies, in detail. This will help identify limitations and unintended consequences so these can be minimized where possible.”</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adg6196" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Science</em></a>.</p>



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Planting too many trees could spoil the planet

As the world faces the growing threat of climate change,...

<p>Northwest Mexico's small fishing communities face a double threat: protecting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ripple-effects-of-climate-change-have-created-a-new-ocean/">ocean ecosystems</a> while supporting local livelihoods. Climate change intensifies this challenge, pushing both systems towards peril.</p>



<p>A new study explores how different community management styles, such as cooperative or individual ventures, influence resilience against <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-life-cycles-predicting-the-impacts-of-climate-change/">climate impacts</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monitoring-the-fishers">Monitoring the fishers</h2>



<p>The researchers looked into how small fishing communities deal with big environmental changes in the sea. They focused on the activities of the fishers, how much <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceans-are-quickly-losing-ability-to-support-fish-due-to-plankton-loss/">fish</a> they caught, and their earnings over time.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team used a method that identifies the links between the fishers and the sea, and shows how these links change. They compared groups of fishers who work together in teams, called cooperatives, with those who work on their own, to see if teamwork helps them better handle the changes in the sea.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cooperation-is-key">Cooperation is key</h2>



<p>“We see that, depending on how they're organized, they are better able to adapt to climate change, but it comes with tradeoffs,” said Professor Xavier Basurto of the <a href="https://nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Duke Marine Lab</a>.</p>



<p>The team found that the cooperatives are more adaptable and resilient to climate change than individual businesses. Cooperatives share resources, knowledge, and decision-making, allowing them to adapt more effectively. They diversify their fishing activities, explore new locations, and even target different species to maintain income.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This interconnectedness strengthens their network and makes them more resilient. Unfortunately, individual fishers struggle alone, lacking the resources and support of a collective.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strategies-for-climate-changes">Strategies for climate changes</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-outrun-the-flood-risks-of-climate-change/">Climate change</a> throws a curveball at small-scale fisheries. When climate disrupts the ocean, fishermen need to adjust quickly to keep their businesses afloat. The researchers found that they follow several strategies in such cases.</p>



<p>When the climate changes the fish population, fishermen try catching different types that are now more plentiful. This helps them in the short term, but it can also lead to overfishing these new species, hurting future catches.</p>



<p>If the local fishing grounds are empty, fishermen might venture further out. This can give struggling communities a lifeline, but it can also put pressure on new areas and create conflicts with other ocean users.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>While quick fixes like switching catches offer a temporary lifeline, they can harm fish and their homes in the long run.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Real strength comes from a bigger picture, understanding that healthy fisheries rely on healthy oceans and thriving communities. Spreading income beyond just fishing, using less harmful ways to catch fish, and protecting important underwater places like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-study-provides-answers-to-how-coral-reefs-can-survive-climate-change/">coral reefs</a> are all key.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-significance-nbsp">Study significance&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Millions of people around the world depend on small-scale fisheries for their food and income, especially in coastal communities. By understanding how these fisheries can adapt and succeed despite changes in the climate, we can help ensure that these communities and their way of life can continue.</p>



<p>The study not only looks at how fisheries can adapt, but also how they can do so in a way that protects the ocean. By finding ways to fish that both hurt the environment less and make fisheries more resilient to climate change, this research helps us balance the needs of people with the need to protect the ocean.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-multiple-challenges">Multiple challenges </h2>



<p>“Climate variability and change in ocean ecosystems create challenges for fisheries’ sustainability, both economically and environmentally," said Timothy Frawley, the first author on the paper and researcher at the University of Maine Darling Marine Center.</p>



<p>"While we know quite a bit about how individual fishers and coastal fishing communities are responding to changing oceans, less is known about how the social structures through which they choose to organize themselves may influence their vulnerability to associated shocks and stressors and their capacity to adapt."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solutions-for-diverse-fishing-communities">Solutions for diverse fishing communities</h2>



<p>Climate change help for fishing communities needs to be specific to how they manage themselves and how able they are to adapt. This means different policies for different groups, and providing resources, information, and tools that help them adjust to changing conditions in a way that lasts.</p>



<p>While communities need to adjust to survive now, they also need to think about the long term. Some ways to adapt might actually make things worse in the long run. Building resilience means finding ways to make a living from fishing that are good for the environment and don't put communities at risk in the future. This might involve fishing in more sustainable ways, or taking better care of the ocean.</p>



<p>Additionally, how small fishing communities adapt to climate change can affect everyone differently. It's important to make sure that everyone benefits, and that the most vulnerable people aren't left behind.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>Further research on the social and economic impacts of climate change on fishing communities, including gender, income diversification, and well-being, would provide a more complete understanding of vulnerability and resilience.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Moreover, studying different regions and fishery types could show how factors like society, economy, environment, and governance affect resilience and adaptation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It is really exciting to see how fine-scale information on fishing organizations can illuminate our understanding of responses to climate impacts,” said Heather Leslie, a professor of Marine Sciences at the University of Maine.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It would be great to be able to do this type of analysis in New England, particularly given the growing interest in innovative approaches to fisheries, aquaculture and other dimensions of the blue economy.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2024.102805" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Global Environmental Change</em></a>.</p>



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Fishing communities cooperate to survive climate change

Northwest Mexico's small fishing communities face a double threat: protecting...

<p>In recent research led by <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a> (OSU), scientists have found that the forests situated in the chilliest and dampest regions of the western Pacific Northwest are poised for a significant uptick in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-breaking-wildfire-years-are-just-getting-started/">wildfire</a> incidents due to the ongoing shifts towards a warmer and drier climate. </p>



<p>The study emphasizes the urgent need for strategic planning to adapt to these anticipated changes in fire patterns.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-notable-increase-in-wildfire-activity">Notable increase in wildfire activity</h2>



<p>The experts conducted simulations across over 23 million acres of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-forest-discovered-close-to-new-york-city/">forest</a> west of the Cascade Range in Oregon and Washington.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Lead author Alex Dye, a faculty research associate at the OSU College of Forestry, alongside U.S. Forest Service collaborators, forecasts a notable increase in wildfire activity for the 2035-2065 period.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to Dye, Washington’s North Cascades region, the Olympic Mountains, the Puget Lowlands and the western Oregon Cascades are likely to see at least twice as much fire activity as was observed during the prior 30 years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-far-reaching-consequences-nbsp">Far-reaching consequences&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The findings have major socio-ecological implications since forests in all of the affected areas are linchpins of a variety of socio-ecological systems in the Northwest. Thus, there are far-reaching consequences of increased fire frequency on water, timber, biodiversity, and carbon storage.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenging-assessment-nbsp">Challenging assessment&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study sheds light on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-caused-the-massive-pacific-northwest-heatwave/">Pacific Northwest</a>'s "Westside," contrasting its fire regimes with those of more frequently burned areas like California or eastern Oregon.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The moist, highly productive forests of the Northwest don’t get fire as often as other parts of the West, like California or eastern Oregon,” Dye said. “But fire does naturally occur in the PNW ‘Westside’ as we call it – the fire regimes are actually quite complex in this region."</p>



<p>"It can be challenging to assess fire probability in an environment where there isn’t a lot of empirical information about the fire history to build models.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-questions-nbsp">Critical questions&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The scientists aim to recalibrate focus towards the PNW Westside, historically overlooked in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dairy-cows-exposed-to-wildfire-smoke-produce-less-milk/">wildfire</a> studies, especially in the wake of significant fires around Labor Day 2020 that showcased the potential devastation of severe wildfires in these regions.</p>



<p>Dye poses critical questions about the future frequency of such events under the influence of climate change: “And what if fires like that were to start happening more frequently in the near future?” he said. “What if that once every 200 years became once every 50 years, or once every 25 years as climate change brings hotter and drier conditions to the region?”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-significance-nbsp">Study significance&nbsp;</h2>



<p>By highlighting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-impacts-are-evolving-due-to-climate-change-but-in-what-ways/">climate</a> as a pivotal factor in wildfire dynamics, Dye underscores the importance of this study as a planning tool for the Northwest, preparing for an acceleration in fire activity.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Describing the possibilities of how, when and where climate change could affect fire regimes helps bracket everyone’s expectations," said Dye.</p>



<p>"Particularly important among our findings are new insights into the possibility of shifts towards more frequent and large fires, especially those greater than 40,000 hectares as well as shifts toward more fires burning at the beginning of fall when extreme weather has the potential to increase fire spread."</p>



<p>The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2023JG007722" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Journal of Geophysical Research: Geosciences</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Wildfire activity is expected to intensify in the Pacific Northwest

In recent research led by Oregon State University (OSU), scientists...

<p>According to a recent study, emissions of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ponds-release-more-greenhouse-gases-than-they-store/">greenhouse gases</a> such as carbon dioxide are expected to amplify extreme <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rainfall-is-becoming-more-intense-in-the-united-states/">rainfall</a> due to their heat-trapping nature, which warms the atmosphere.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This warming effect leads to a dual consequence: the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceans-are-quickly-losing-ability-to-support-fish-due-to-plankton-loss/">oceans</a> heat up, facilitating the evaporation of water, and the warmer atmosphere can retain more water vapor, thereby increasing the potential for rain. </p>



<p>Despite these expectations, this uptick in precipitation was not clearly reflected in the data throughout much of the 20th century.</p>



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



<p>Aerosols -- tiny particles emitted through the burning of fossil fuels, such as sulfur dioxide - are known for contributing to air pollution or smog. </p>



<p>Recent research conducted by the <a href="https://www.lbl.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory</a> (Berkeley Lab) reveals that aerosols have significantly counteracted the anticipated increase in rainfall. </p>



<p>The findings highlight how the drying influence of aerosols has largely neutralized the expected rise in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-diversity-is-driven-by-global-precipitation-patterns/">precipitation</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifts-in-extreme-rainfall">Shifts in extreme rainfall</h2>



<p>Mark Risser, a research scientist at Berkeley Lab and one of the study's primary authors, emphasized the novelty of their findings in understanding the drivers behind shifts in extreme rainfall across the continental United States.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Risser pointed out that aerosols had been masking the increase in extreme rainfall up until the 1970s, a situation altered by the enactment of the Clean Air Act, which significantly curtailed air pollution levels in the United States.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"The aerosol masking was turned off quite suddenly. That means rainfall might ramp up much more quickly than we would have otherwise predicted," explained Risser.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-influences-on-rainfall-nbsp">Human influences on rainfall&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The research sheds light on the challenges faced by traditional climate models in accurately predicting human influences on rainfall, especially at regional scales critical for planning <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/for-the-first-time-climate-change-adaptation-is-discovered-at-the-genetic-level/">climate adaptations</a> and mitigation strategies.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Employing a novel approach and leveraging data from rain gauges spanning from 1900 to 2020, the team was able to more confidently assess the impact of human activity on rainfall trends in the United States.</p>



<p>Bill Collins, co-lead author of the study and associate laboratory director for the Earth and Environmental Sciences Area at Berkeley Lab, reflected on the prior ambiguity surrounding changes in U.S. precipitation patterns attributed to global warming.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conclusive-evidence">Conclusive evidence</h2>



<p>"Prior to our study, the <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</a> (IPCC) had concluded that the evidence was mixed and inconclusive for changes in U.S. precipitation due to global warming," said Collins.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"We have now provided conclusive evidence for higher rainfall and also helped explain why past studies assessed by the IPCC reached conflicting conclusions."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-impacts-of-extreme-rainfall">Complex impacts of extreme rainfall</h2>



<p>The research distinctly identifies the effects of greenhouse gas and aerosol emissions on both average and extreme rainfall patterns. </p>



<p>It was found that while greenhouse gasses uniformly trigger rainfall increases worldwide, aerosols have a more complex impact, cooling the planet and generally causing a drying effect over the long term, but with immediate, seasonally varied effects on rainfall across the United States.</p>



<p>“The seasonality piece is really important,” Risser said. “For rainfall, the nature of climate change depends on what season you’re talking about, since different kinds of weather systems create precipitation in different parts of the year.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhancing-future-predictions">Enhancing future predictions</h2>



<p>The study also addresses discrepancies in previous precipitation studies by considering the offsetting influences of aerosols and greenhouse gasses. </p>



<p>Incorporating aerosol data more comprehensively into models is deemed essential for enhancing future predictions crucial for infrastructure and water resource planning.</p>



<p>With the United States experiencing recent surges in extreme precipitation events, Collins warns that the decline in aerosol levels globally, due to air quality improvements, will make the effects of global warming on extreme precipitation increasingly evident in the coming years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-aerosols-and-air-pollution">More about aerosols and air pollution</h2>



<p>As discussed above, aerosols are tiny particles or droplets suspended in the atmosphere, capable of traveling vast distances. These minuscule substances, invisible to the naked eye, play a significant role in air pollution and climate change. </p>



<p>They originate from both natural sources, such as volcanic eruptions and sea spray, and human activities, including industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and the burning of fossil fuels.</p>



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



<p>The presence of aerosols in the air significantly affects air quality. When we burn fossil fuels, for example, we release a large number of fine particles into the air, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. </p>



<p>These particles can cause a range of health problems, from respiratory issues like asthma and bronchitis to more severe conditions such as heart disease and lung cancer.</p>



<p>In urban areas, the concentration of aerosols is particularly high, leading to smog and reduced visibility. This not only affects human health but also impacts the environment, damaging crops, forests, and ecosystems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aerosols-extreme-rainfall-and-climate-change">Aerosols, extreme rainfall, and climate change</h2>



<p>Aerosols also have a complex role in climate change. Depending on their composition, they can either warm the planet by absorbing sunlight or cool it by reflecting sunlight back into space. </p>



<p>For instance, black carbon, a type of aerosol produced from incomplete combustion, is a potent climate warmer. On the other hand, sulfate aerosols, arising from the burning of coal and oil, have a cooling effect.</p>



<p>However, this cooling effect does not counteract the long-term impacts of greenhouse gases, which remain in the atmosphere for much longer periods. Instead, aerosols add another layer of complexity to understanding and modeling climate change.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-challenge">Addressing the challenge</h3>



<p>Reducing aerosol emissions is crucial for improving air quality and mitigating climate change. This requires concerted efforts at both the local and global levels. </p>



<p>Strategies include transitioning to clean energy sources, improving industrial processes to minimize emissions, and enforcing stricter vehicle emission standards.</p>



<p>Moreover, public awareness and individual actions, such as using public transportation, reducing energy consumption, and supporting policies aimed at cutting emissions, can make a significant difference.</p>



<p>In summary, aerosols are a pivotal factor in air pollution and climate dynamics, with far-reaching impacts on human health, the environment, and the global climate system. </p>



<p>By understanding these particles' nature and effects, we can take meaningful steps towards cleaner air and a more sustainable future. </p>



<p>Addressing aerosol emissions is not just about combating pollution; it's about ensuring the well-being of our planet and future generations.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-45504-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Extreme rainfall gets an unpredictable boost from air pollution

According to a recent study, emissions of greenhouse gases such...

<p>The Gill Oxygen Limitation (GOL) theory suggests that fish are shrinking as global waters warm due to the limited surface area of their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-shoulders-evolved-from-the-jawbones-of-ancient-fish-called-placoderms/">gills</a>, which constrains oxygen uptake. </p>



<p>However, this widely accepted hypothesis has been recently challenged by a team of scientists led by the <a href="https://www.umass.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Massachusetts Amherst</a>.</p>



<p>The research, focusing on brook trout, found that while <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-fish-shrink/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">higher temperatures</a> indeed resulted in smaller fish sizes, the change was not directly linked to gill surface area limitations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-temperature-on-fish-size">Impact of temperature on fish size</h2>



<p>Joshua Lonthair, a lecturer in biology at UMass Amherst and the study's lead author, emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the impact of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-temperature-threshold-can-the-human-body-handle/">temperature</a> on fish sizes.</p>



<p>"We know that global climate change is happening and our oceans and rivers are getting warmer. And we know that many animals - not just fish - are growing to smaller adult body sizes under warmer temperatures. We even have a name for this, the Temperature Size Rule. But despite decades of research, we still don’t understand why size decreases as temperature increases."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study-nbsp">Focus of the study&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The researchers set out to examine the effects of increased water temperatures on three critical aspects of the Gill Oxygen Limitation (GOL) theory: the growth rate, energy needs, and gill surface area of fish. </p>



<p>They chose brook trout as their subjects due to the species' rapid growth, significance to both the economy and ecology of the Northeastern U.S., and ease of study.</p>



<p>The team started the experiment with young brook trout, each weighing between one and two grams, placing them in tanks of either standard 15º Celsius water or warmer 20º Celsius water.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts monitored the fish's weight and size monthly from the beginning, alongside measurements of their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breathing-less-oxygen-could-extend-your-lifespan-by-50-or-more/">oxygen</a> consumption after two weeks, three months, and six months to gauge their metabolic rates. Additionally, they collected samples of the gills from these fish to assess any changes in their surface area over time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-fish-are-getting-smaller">Why fish are getting smaller</h2>



<p>Analysis of the collected data revealed significant findings: the brook trout in the heated tanks exhibited reduced size, consistent with the Temperature Size Rule expectations.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Interestingly, the data also showed that the gill surface area was sufficient for the fish's oxygen needs, contradicting the GOL theory's assumption that limited gill surface area restricts growth at higher temperatures.</p>



<p>Moreover, although the metabolic rates of fish in the warmer tanks initially increased, indicating higher oxygen consumption, these rates normalized by the six-month mark. This adaptation suggests that brook trout can physiologically adjust to warmer conditions over time, further challenging the GOL theory's premise that temperature-induced oxygen limitations constrain fish growth.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-future-climate-impacts-nbsp">Predicting future climate impacts&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“Oxygen use may still be an important limiting factor in fish size but, taken together, our findings show that GOL cannot predict what we’re seeing, and this has implications for predicting climate impacts on future fisheries and ecosystems,” Lonthair said</p>



<p>"Our work highlights the importance of interdisciplinarity. Fisheries and macroecology scientists tend to work on the population and species level, while the physiologists tend to work on the individual and cellular levels. But these are academic distinctions, not natural ones, and if we’re going to help fish survive warming waters, we need to work across biological scales and join the insights of all these fields," added senior author Professor Lisa Komoroske.</p>



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



<p>Thus, the research not only questions the validity of the GOL theory but also underscores the need for more comprehensive studies to fully understand the factors influencing fish size reduction in a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flash-droughts-are-increasing-around-the-world-due-to-warming-climate/">warming climate</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study advocates for additional interdisciplinary research to adapt our fisheries management strategies to the realities of our changing world, moving beyond the simplistic explanations provided by theories like GOL.</p>



<p>So what are the precise mechanisms governing fish size and temperature? “We don’t know yet,” said Lonthair. “And it may not be a single mechanism - it may be a host of factors, including oxygen use. We need more interdisciplinary long-term studies so that we can understand how best to adjust to our warming world.”</p>



<p>The study authors collaborated with researchers from the <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a>, <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Geological Survey</a>, and the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California Davis</a>.</p>



<p>The research is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.246477" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Journal of Experimental Biology</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Fish are getting smaller as waters temperatures rise

The Gill Oxygen Limitation (GOL) theory suggests that fish are...

<p>Annual carbon emissions from degraded mangrove forests could escalate by nearly 50,000% by the end of the century. This startling projection comes from a recent study led by <a href="https://www.montclair.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Montclair State University</a>.</p>



<p>The surge in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mangrove-forest-reveals-ancient-climate-change-effects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emissions</a> will primarily take place across degraded mangrove forests in regions like southern India, southeastern China, Singapore, and eastern Australia. </p>



<p>These mangrove forests are crucial for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-level-rise-influences-coastal-carbon-storage-capacity/">carbon storage</a>, particularly in their soil. Despite their importance, human development activities have led to a noticeable decline in these vital carbon stocks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-massive-loss-of-mangrove-carbon-stocks-nbsp">Massive loss of mangrove carbon stocks&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Over the past two decades, the conversion of mangrove forests to agricultural, aquacultural, and urban areas has resulted in the loss of 158.4 million tons of global mangrove <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-forests-are-unexpected-heroes-of-carbon-capture/">carbon stocks</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This loss equates to the carbon emissions generated by transporting the entire population of the United States from New York to London by air, illustrating the substantial environmental impact of such degradation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-degraded-mangrove-forests">Studying degraded mangrove forests</h2>



<p>The investigation, led by Professor Jennifer Krumins of Montclair State University, together with PhD candidates Shih-Chieh Chien and Charles Knoble, aimed to examine the correlation between human population density and soil carbon stocks in urban mangrove forests.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research contributes to understanding the global carbon budget's dynamics concerning these ecosystems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-new-insights-nbsp">Critical new insights&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The findings highlight a concerning trend: in areas with a population density of 300 people/km2 - comparable to the population density of the UK or Japan - the carbon stored in mangrove soils near populated regions is about 37% less than in isolated mangrove forests.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Furthermore, the study estimates that the current annual rate of carbon emissions from mangrove loss is 7.0 Teragrams, a figure that is expected to increase to 3,392 Teragrams by the end of the century, in line with current predictions and increasing population densities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications">Broader implications</h2>



<p>Mangrove forests, which occupy roughly 0.1% of the Earth's land surface, are disproportionately significant in their carbon storage capability, especially within their soils. These ecosystems are known to contain three to four times the mass of carbon typically found in other forest types, making them a critical component of the global carbon cycling process.</p>



<p>“This work underscores the importance of protecting existing mangroves, especially in areas with high population density,” Krumins said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Mangrove forests are critical to the regulation of carbon sequestration, and it is important that we protect them. The first step is to understand the impact of human populations and activities on mangrove forest carbon stocks.” This call to action emphasizes the need for concerted efforts to safeguard these vital ecosystems for future generations and the planet's overall health.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-degraded-mangrove-forests-nbsp">‌Degraded mangrove forests&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Degraded mangrove forests are ecosystems that have suffered loss in their structure, function, and biodiversity due to various stressors such as pollution, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brazilian-amazon-crisis-deforestation-is-escalating-in-indigenous-territories/">deforestation</a>, climate change, and overexploitation. These stressors lead to significant changes in the mangrove ecosystem, including reduced tree height and density, lower species diversity, and compromised soil quality.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-of-degradation-nbsp">Impacts of degradation&nbsp;</h3>



<p>The degradation of mangroves impacts not only the flora and fauna that depend on these ecosystems for habitat but also the human communities that rely on them for wood, food, and protection against coastal erosion and storms.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-valuable-ecosystems">Valuable ecosystems</h3>



<p>The roots of mangrove trees play a crucial role in sediment stabilization and act as a buffer against storm surges and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/environmental-disasters-like-tsunamis-cause-lasting-health-impacts/">tsunamis</a>. When mangrove forests are degraded, the effectiveness of this natural barrier diminishes, leaving coastal areas more vulnerable to natural disasters.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-sinks">Carbon sinks</h3>



<p>Furthermore, mangroves are efficient carbon sinks, storing large amounts of carbon in their biomass and soil. Degradation leads to the release of this stored carbon, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-restoration-and-conservation">Restoration and conservation</h3>



<p>Restoration and conservation efforts are essential to reverse the degradation of mangrove forests. These efforts may include reforestation projects, protection laws to prevent further cutting and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-will-increase-dramatically-in-a-hotter-climate/">pollution</a>, and sustainable management practices that support the livelihoods of local communities while preserving the mangrove ecosystems.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Successful restoration not only involves planting mangroves but also ensuring that the conditions necessary for their survival, such as appropriate hydrology and protection from further disturbances, are met.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad13b6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Environmental Research Letters</em></a><em>.&nbsp;</em></p>



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CO2 emissions from degraded mangrove forests set to increase by 50,000% 

Annual carbon emissions from degraded mangrove forests could escalate by...

<p>Deep in the icy grip of the Arctic, a quiet revolution is underway. Creatures known as bowhead whales that have been swimming these waters for thousands of years have changed their migration patterns. This isn't some whimsical detour; it's a response to a world rapidly losing its ice to global warming.</p>



<p>Years of research from <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a> reveal how the whales bend and adapt, and also warn of big changes in the Arctic, impacting everything in the marine ecosystem.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-real-time-tracking-of-bowhead-whale-migration">Real-time tracking of bowhead whale migration</h2>



<p>To understand why bowhead whales are changing their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-has-unpredictable-effects-on-salmon-migration/">migration</a> patterns, the researchers turned to a powerful tool: satellite tags. These tiny devices, attached to individual whales, allowed scientists to follow their journeys across the vast Arctic sea.</p>



<p>“Bowhead whales are highly vocal. Males sing pretty much twenty-four-seven from fall through spring, so you know when they’re there,” said Dr. Angela Szesciorka, a marine scientist at the Marine Mammal Institute who led the study.</p>



<p>The research team then compared modern whale movements with older records, revealing a clear shift over time.</p>



<p>Bowhead whales in the western Arctic have always followed the rhythm of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-sea-ice-algae-heavily-contaminated-with-microplastics/">sea ice</a>. When summer melts the ice, they head north to feeding grounds - and when winter brings ice back, they travel south. But the recent study has noticed a change in their routine.</p>



<p>These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-whales-contribute-to-carbon-capture/">whales</a> seem to be lingering longer in their summer feeding areas before starting their fall migration south. It's like they're enjoying the feast a little longer before facing the colder months.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bowhead-whales-feeding-strategy">Bowhead whales' feeding strategy</h2>



<p>Changing climate leads to longer Arctic summers. Melting ice allows sunlight to reach deeper, triggering a bloom of tiny ocean plants called phytoplankton. This feast attracts a swarm of zooplankton, small fish, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-crustaceans-have-what-it-takes-to-survive-climate-change/">crustaceans</a>, creating an underwater smorgasbord.</p>



<p>Among these revelers are the majestic bowhead whales. They linger for weeks, indulging in the summer bounty. But their feasting isn't just about enjoyment; it's a critical preparation for the harsh winter.</p>



<p>The fat reserves they build now become fuel for the long, dark months when food is scarce and temperatures plunge. The longer they feast, the better equipped they are to face the Arctic's winter challenges.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changes-in-breeding-patterns">Changes in breeding patterns</h2>



<p>Longer summers and ample food in the Arctic allow bowhead whales to feast and store fat, crucial for successful breeding. Well-fed whales are more likely to have healthy offsprings.</p>



<p>However, climate change throws a wrench in this cycle. Whales might delay their fall migration due to warmer waters, while shifting ice conditions disrupt breeding location and timing.</p>



<p>Bowhead whales usually choose specific, icy areas for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wolf-spiders-change-their-mating-strategies-when-it-rains/">mating</a>, seeking protection from predators and harsh environments. Changing ice cover and warmer water could force them to breed elsewhere or at different times, potentially affecting their safety and calf survival.</p>



<p>Beyond these location issues, broader climate impacts pile on the stress: less food, more ships and exploration, and noisy oceans can all harm whale health and breeding behavior.</p>



<p>Dr. Szesciorka is concerned about a potential increase in ship collisions with bowhead whales. As whales shift north due to climate change and more ships travel in those areas, the risk of accidents goes up. “With this general northward shift paired with an increase in vessels and shipping, the threat of ship strikes will probably increase,” she said.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>The Arctic Ocean is teeming with life, from tiny plankton to massive whales. All these creatures depend on each other to keep the ecosystem healthy. Bowhead whales, the giants of the Arctic, play a crucial role in this balance, and their movements have a big impact on everyone around them.</p>



<p>But what happens when their travels change? If their migration patterns change, where they eat and how much they eat changes too. This can affect the amount of food available for other animals, both big and small.</p>



<p>Moreover, when the big players, like bowhead whales, move around, the smaller ones have to adjust. If the whales leave their usual feeding grounds, the creatures they prey on might suddenly boom in numbers. This could be good news for some animals that eat those creatures, but bad news for others that depend on different food sources.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-bowhead-whale-migration">Implications of bowhead whale migration</h2>



<p>All of these changes, big and small, add up. Bowhead whales are like pillars holding up the Arctic ecosystem. If they move around too much, the whole thing might start to wobble. </p>



<p>It’s a domino effect, where one change leads to another, throwing everything off balance. Not ideal for a healthy and happy ocean!</p>



<p>Bowhead whales, which were once considered a conservation success story, are changing their migration patterns due to climate change and human activities.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“A shift like this may not necessarily be a bad thing for the whales, but any time we see more overlap with whales and shipping traffic, we should be concerned,” said Dr Szesciorka. “There will be winners and losers, but only time will tell.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-messengers-of-ocean-health">Messengers of ocean health</h2>



<p>These whales are also like "messengers" of the ocean's health, and their changing behavior suggests big changes in the Arctic ecosystem, which could affect food webs and the environment.</p>



<p>“We saw these changes in migration patterns in just nine years,” she said. “For a species that can live to 200, that’s pretty stark. That shows they can adapt to their changing environments for now. But will there be a point where they can’t adapt anymore? We have to wait and see,” said Dr. Szesciorka.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL106416" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Geophysical Research Letters</em>.&nbsp;</a></p>



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Bowhead whales have changed their migration patterns

Deep in the icy grip of the Arctic, a quiet...

<p>The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (<a href="https://unctad.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNCTAD</a>) recently highlighted the critical challenges facing global trade due to disruptions in key maritime shipping routes. </p>



<p>In its <a href="https://unctad.org/publication/navigating-troubled-waters-impact-global-trade-disruption-shipping-routes-red-sea-black" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a>, "Navigating Troubled Waters: The Impact to Global Trade of Disruption of Shipping Routes in the Red Sea, The Black Sea, and the Panama Canal," UNCTAD delves into how geopolitical strife, climate change, and specific incidents are reshaping trade patterns worldwide.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-navigating-global-trade-and-shipping-disruptions">Navigating global trade and shipping disruptions</h2>



<p>Recent attacks on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ship-noise-threatens-the-survival-of-beluga-whales/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shipping</a> in the Red Sea have notably disrupted traffic through the Suez Canal, adding to the global trade pressures already compounded by the conflict in Ukraine affecting the Black Sea. </p>



<p>This has prompted shifts in vital oil and grain trade routes, disturbing long-established patterns of maritime commerce. </p>



<p>Additionally, the Panama Canal faces its own set of challenges, with diminishing water levels threatening this crucial link between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This situation has raised alarms about the resilience and reliability of global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baleen-whales-cannot-escape-human-noise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supply chains</a>.</p>



<p>The statistics are telling: UNCTAD reports a 42% decrease in Suez Canal transits from peak levels. </p>



<p>This significant drop is due to major shipping companies pausing their use of this route, leading to a 67% fall in weekly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-new-approach-to-protecting-whales-from-ship-strikes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">container ship</a> transits and notable declines in container capacity, tanker transits, and gas carriers. </p>



<p>The Panama Canal has also seen a dramatic 49% reduction in total transits from its peak numbers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economic-and-environmental-costs">Economic and environmental costs</h2>



<p>This rerouting around traditional paths like the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/suez-canal-blamed-jellyfish/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Suez Canal</a> to alternatives such as the Cape of Good Hope incurs both economic and environmental costs, placing additional burdens on developing economies. </p>



<p>The spike in average <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humpback-whales-fail-to-respond-to-vessel-noise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shipping</a> container spot freight rates since November 2023 underscores this trend, with rates experiencing the highest weekly increase in December, and continuing to rise sharply into the new year. </p>



<p>Rates from Shanghai have more than doubled, with even steeper increases to Europe and significant rises to the U.S. West Coast.</p>



<p>The avoidance of the Suez and Panama Canals in favor of alternative routes has led to longer travel distances for cargo, escalating trade costs, insurance premiums, and greenhouse gas emissions. </p>



<p>This is a concern not only for global commerce but also for environmental sustainability.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alternative-global-shipping-routes">Alternative global shipping routes</h2>



<p>The importance of these canals cannot be overstated, especially for countries reliant on them for their foreign trade. </p>



<p>For instance, the Panama Canal is crucial for South American countries like Chile, Peru, and Ecuador, with a significant portion of their trade volumes depending on this route. </p>



<p>Similarly, East African nations such as Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania, and Sudan heavily depend on the Suez Canal for their foreign trade, highlighting the global impact of these disruptions.</p>



<p>UNCTAD warns of the broader economic implications of these ongoing disruptions, including threats to global supply chains, potential delays in deliveries, rising costs, and inflation. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-impact-of-global-shipping-vessels">Environmental impact of global shipping vessels</h2>



<p>The energy sector is also feeling the pinch, with halted gas transits leading to surging prices and implications for food security due to disrupted grain shipments.</p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wind-could-be-used-to-power-cargo-ships/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shipping industry</a>, which had moved towards slower speeds to cut fuel costs and emissions, now finds itself increasing speed to maintain schedules, resulting in higher fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. </p>



<p>UNCTAD estimates that this could lead to a 70% increase in emissions for certain routes, underscoring the environmental toll of these disruptions.</p>



<p>Developing countries, in particular, are at risk from these changes, prompting UNCTAD to call for swift adaptation by the shipping industry and robust international cooperation. </p>



<p>The current situation highlights the vulnerability of global trade to geopolitical and climate-related challenges, stressing the need for collective action to find sustainable solutions, especially for those countries most at risk.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-resilient-global-trade-routes-for-the-future">Building resilient global trade routes for the future</h2>



<p>In summary, the disruptions affecting key maritime shipping routes underscore a critical juncture for global trade, compelling the shipping industry and international community to swiftly adapt and collaborate. </p>



<p>The recent UNCTAD report highlights the urgent need to navigate through the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions and climate-related issues that threaten the resilience of global supply chains. </p>



<p>By focusing on the economic and environmental costs, the dependency of countries on strategic canals, and the surge in freight rates, it calls for collective efforts towards sustainable solutions. </p>



<p>Ensuring the stability and efficiency of global trade routes demands not just immediate action but also a long-term commitment to innovation, cooperation, and resilience, paving the way for a more secure and sustainable future in global commerce.</p>



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Global shipping disruptions impacting hundreds of millions of lives

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) recently...

Environmental,Researchers,Investigate,The,Condition,Of,Canal,Water,For,Toxic

<p>The longstanding issue of PFAS "forever chemical" <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pfas-crisis-humans-are-early-warning-system-for-wildlife-impacts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution</a> has once again come to the forefront, this time spotlighting American chemical giants <a href="https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=28410" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DuPont</a> and <a href="https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=28409" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chemours</a>. </p>



<p>These companies have been identified by UN experts as having significantly contributed to the contamination of the environment through the discharge of toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/banning-forever-chemicals-may-threaten-us-national-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">substances</a> (PFAS) into North Carolina's Cape Fear River basin. </p>



<p>This act not only shows a blatant disregard for environmental protection but also for the health and rights of the local communities affected.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forever-chemicals-compromising-global-health">"Forever Chemicals" compromising global health</h2>



<p>For years, residents in these communities have faced barriers to accessing clean and safe water, a fundamental human right. </p>



<p>Despite <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/creators-of-forever-chemicals-covered-up-the-toxic-dangers-for-decades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">possessing knowledge</a> about the hazardous effects of PFAS on health and the environment, DuPont and Chemours continued their operations unfettered. </p>



<p>"Even as DuPont and Chemours had information about the toxic impacts of PFAS on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forever-chemicals-encourage-cancer-to-spread-around-the-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human health</a> and drinking water, the companies continued to produce and discharge PFAS," the experts have pointed out.</p>



<p>PFAS, commonly known as 'forever chemicals' due to their persistent nature, pose a significant threat as they do not easily degrade, potentially causing harm for centuries. </p>



<p>These chemicals are ubiquitous, found in a wide range of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/not-so-green-hidden-chemicals-found-in-paper-straws/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumer products</a> from personal care items to fast food packaging, and even in stain-resistant coatings on textiles. </p>



<p>Their widespread use and resistance to degradation contribute to a global contamination crisis that demands urgent action.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-epa-involvement-regulatory-oversight-or-oversight">EPA involvement: Regulatory oversight or oversight?</h2>



<p>The UN experts have raised serious concerns about the apparent manipulation of regulatory efforts by these companies, notably accusing them of having "impermissibly captured the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/epa-reveals-new-evidence-of-forever-chemicals-in-drinking-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EPA</a>)" to thwart the regulation of PFAS chemicals. </p>



<p>This accusation underscores a broader failure of health and environmental regulators in the United States to safeguard against business-related human rights abuses.</p>



<p>Moreover, the experts criticized the response to legal actions taken against DuPont and Chemours. They highlighted that enforcement and remediation efforts have been grossly inadequate, further compromising the rights of affected communities to information and effective remedies. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accountability-gap-in-the-pfas-saga">Accountability gap in the PFAS saga</h2>



<p>This situation is exacerbated by reported corporate restructuring within DuPont and Chemours, which, according to the experts, might impede accountability and the achievement of justice for the victims.</p>



<p>Adding to the controversy, reports of Chemours seeking an air permit to expand its PFAS production have intensified concerns, suggesting a continuous cycle of environmental disregard. </p>



<p>Amidst this, the spread of disinformation by the companies about the necessity of PFAS for technological advancements like semiconductors and their role in combating climate change has been criticized. </p>



<p>The UN experts have firmly stated in their <a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/thematic-reports/ahrc5425-toxic-impacts-some-proposed-climate-change-solutions-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">comprehensive report</a>, "Decarbonization strategies must be integrated with detoxification strategies and guided by human rights."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-path-forward-in-the-fight-against-pfas-forever-chemicals">Path forward in the fight against PFAS "forever chemicals"</h2>



<p>In summary, the ongoing PFAS "forever chemical" crisis underscores a critical need for comprehensive action, demanding that companies like DuPont and Chemours be held accountable for their decades-long neglect of environmental and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/u-s-drinking-water-often-contains-unsafe-levels-of-toxic-contaminants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human health</a>. </p>



<p>It highlights the urgency for stricter regulatory frameworks, informed by a commitment to human rights and environmental sustainability, to address and remediate the pervasive spread of these toxic chemicals. </p>



<p>As we move forward, integrating detoxification strategies with decarbonization efforts becomes imperative, ensuring that the quest for a greener future does not come at the cost of public health. </p>



<p>This moment calls for a united stance from global communities, regulators, and industries to confront and curb the PFAS contamination, paving the way for a cleaner, safer environment.</p>



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



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

Toxic PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ released by DuPont and Chemours caused significant harm

The longstanding issue of PFAS "forever chemical" pollution has once...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

What caused the planet's longest ice age

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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<p id="block-1f9a227a-ec37-4140-81b8-ffa4a7cc6689">-----</p>



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

<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>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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