<p>Wildfires in the western U.S. have become a growing crisis. They’re lasting longer, burning hotter, and spreading into areas that rarely burned in the past. </p>



<p>But another danger is rising, beyond heatwaves and droughts. Lightning - sudden, fierce, and incredibly powerful - is becoming one of the biggest wildfire risks.</p>



<p>In the coming decades, scientists warn that lightning will become an increasingly dominant spark for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-making-wildfire-smoke-more-deadly/">wildfires</a>, adding to the already mounting risks across the West.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lightning-is-fueling-more-wildfires">Lightning is fueling more wildfires</h2>



<p>Wildfires need a few things to get going: dry fuel, hot temperatures, low humidity, and a spark. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lightning-is-changing-the-atmosphere-in-surprising-ways/">Lightning</a> is one of the most powerful natural igniters.</p>



<p>In the western U.S., lightning already causes more than two-thirds of the area burned by wildfires. And now, new research shows that number is going to rise sharply due to climate change. </p>



<p>Warmer air holds more moisture, which means more unstable weather patterns. Those patterns, in turn, set the stage for more lightning.</p>



<p>A recent study has revealed that virtually all of the western U.S. - 98 percent of the region - will have more days with a greater likelihood of lightning-ignited wildfires starting as early as the 2030s. </p>



<p>For regions already accustomed to such fires, such as Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, the risk is even greater. As early as 2060, those states may have as many as 12 additional lightning-filled days per summer.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-model-to-forecast-lightning">A model to forecast lightning</h2>



<p>Traditional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-models-underestimate-sea-ice-melt-and-global-warming/">climate models</a> don’t really track lightning. That’s why a team of researchers led by Dmitri Kalashnikov built their own system to fill in the gaps.</p>



<p>“The first step was to project lightning,” said Kalashnikov, a research scientist at the <a href="https://www.ucmerced.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California Merced</a>. “The typical climate models don’t directly simulate lightning. It’s too small a process.”</p>



<p>The researchers applied machine learning to forecast where lightning would hit based on variables that we can quantify - such as temperature, humidity, and the level of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moisture-in-the-atmosphere-causes-extreme-weather-to-last-longer/">moisture in the air</a>. </p>



<p>The team merged those results with the Fire Weather Index (FWI), a mechanism that was developed back in 1968 to monitor how probable wildfire initiation and spread is from local weather.</p>



<p>The result is a forecast model tailored to the western U.S., designed to project conditions from 2030 to 2060 - decades earlier than most studies, which typically look only to the end of the century.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-lightning-in-the-northwest">More lightning in the Northwest</h2>



<p>The northwestern states of Idaho, Oregon, and Montana are projected to experience the greatest growth in lightning days. But strangely, they may not experience the most rapid expansion in wildfires. </p>



<p>Although lightning will grow, the conditions favoring fires (such as extreme heat or dryness) are not expected to worsen as quickly in the Northwest compared to other regions.</p>



<p>That doesn’t mean northwestern states are off the hook. Cloud-to-ground lightning, the kind that hits trees or grass directly, is still expected to rise significantly in those areas.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-less-lightning-greater-wildfire-risk">Less lightning, greater wildfire risk</h2>



<p>In contrast, the Southwest - including Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona, and New Mexico - won’t see as much of a jump in lightning strikes. But the fire risk will still climb. </p>



<p>This is because even a small spark becomes a big threat when the land is extra dry, the heat is intense, and there’s little rain to cool things off.</p>



<p>The researchers found that these southern states are likely to experience the biggest increases in wildfires caused by lightning, despite the smaller bump in lightning activity. That’s because climate change is pushing up the number of fire-prone days overall.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dry-and-wet-lightning">Dry and wet lightning</h2>



<p>Kalashnikov said the next steps could involve separating the kinds of lightning events. “You can’t help but wonder what the future will look like, especially if you dig in and you realize that there’s actually a lot that we don’t understand,” he said.</p>



<p>One key factor will be figuring out how to distinguish between "dry lightning" and "wet lightning." Dry lightning happens without much rain, making it a fire hazard. </p>



<p>Wet lightning brings <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heavy-rainfall-poses-extreme-risks-in-the-western-us/">heavy rain</a>, which can reduce fire risk but increase flood danger. Understanding that difference could help emergency services respond more precisely to fire threats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfire-risks-are-rising-fast">Wildfire risks are rising fast</h2>



<p>As climate patterns shift, the West isn’t just getting warmer and drier - it’s getting stormier in a dangerous way. Lightning is expected to spark more fires, and fires are expected to find more dry fuel waiting. It’s a feedback loop that could reshape fire seasons in the U.S.</p>



<p>This isn’t about something that might happen a hundred years from now. The changes are coming within the next few decades - some may already be happening. </p>



<p>And for the people living in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/double-hazard-wildfire-zones-identified-in-the-american-west/">high-risk areas</a>, that means more heat, more smoke, and a greater need for preparation.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2025EF006108" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's Future</a></em>.</p>



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Lightning will ignite even more wildfires as the climate heats up

Wildfires in the western U.S. have become a growing crisis. They’re lasting longer, burning hotter, and spreading into areas that rarely burned in the past. But another danger is rising, beyond heatwaves and droughts. Lightning - sudden, fierce, and incredibly powerful - is becoming one of the biggest wildfire risks. In the coming decades, scientists warn that lightning will become an increasingly dominant spark for wildfires, adding to the already mounting risks across the West. Lightning is fueling more wildfires Wildfires need a few things to get...

<p>In a new study led by the <a href="https://www.isglobal.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barcelona Institute for Global Health</a> (ISGlobal), researchers have made a startling revelation about the impact of high temperatures on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hot-nights-could-increase-the-mortality-rate-by-60-percent/">mortality</a> in Europe last year. The study reveals that the number of heat-related deaths in Europe may have exceeded 70,000 during the summer of 2022.</p>



<p>In a previous study, the ISGlobal team had estimated that 62,862 premature deaths in Europe were linked to heat in 2022. This estimate was based on epidemiological models applied to weekly temperature and mortality data across 823 regions in 35 European countries. However, the experts acknowledged that this approach likely underestimated the true impact.</p>



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



<p>In the new study, the researchers aimed to develop a theoretical framework to quantify errors in mortality estimations caused by using aggregated data, such as weekly or monthly temperature and mortality records.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team compiled daily temperatures and mortality records from 147 regions in 16 European countries, and compared mortality estimates across various levels of data aggregation: daily, weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-findings">Key findings</h2>



<p>Compared to the daily model, the models using longer aggregation periods had significantly underestimated the effects of heat and cold on mortality.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For instance, during 1998-2004, the daily model estimated an annual mortality of 290,104 for cold and 39,434 for heat-related deaths, while the weekly model underestimated these figures by 8.56 and 21.56 percent, respectively.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mortality-burden-nbsp">Mortality burden&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“It is important to note that the differences were very small during periods of extreme cold and heat, such as the summer of 2003, when the underestimation by the weekly data model was only 4.62 percent,” explained Joan Ballester Claramunt, an ISGlobal researcher who leads the European Research Council’s EARLY-ADAPT project.</p>



<p>However, the differences in mortality estimates were still significant enough to warrant a revision of the mortality burden attributed to the 2022 heatwave.</p>



<p>By applying this new methodology, the researchers concluded that their earlier study had underestimated the 2022 heat-related deaths by 10.28 percent, revising the actual figure to 70,066.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>This study highlights the severe impact of extreme temperatures on public health. The results emphasize the importance of improving data collection and analysis methods for more accurate and timely responses to rising temperatures.</p>



<p>“In general, we do not find models based on monthly aggregated data useful for estimating the short-term effects of ambient temperatures,” explained Ballester. “However, models based on weekly data do offer sufficient precision in mortality estimates to be useful in real-time practice in epidemiological surveillance and to inform public policies such as, for example, the activation of emergency plans for reducing the impact of heat waves and cold spells.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-related-deaths">Heat-related deaths</h2>



<p>Heat-related deaths, a critical concern in the context of global climate change, represent a growing challenge for public health systems worldwide. As global temperatures rise, the frequency and intensity of heatwaves are increasing, leading to a significant upsurge in heat-related mortality.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This phenomenon is particularly evident in regions like Europe, where historically milder climates are experiencing unprecedented temperature highs.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-direct-effects">Direct effects</h3>



<p>Heat-related deaths occur when the body, overwhelmed by excessive heat, is unable to regulate its internal temperature. This can lead to a cascade of health issues, including heatstroke, dehydration, and exacerbation of pre-existing health conditions like cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Vulnerable populations, such as older people, children, and those with chronic illnesses, are at a higher risk.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-indirect-effects">Indirect effects</h3>



<p>The impact of heat on mortality is not just direct; it also indirectly affects health through worsening air quality, increasing the prevalence of vector-borne diseases, and exacerbating mental health issues.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Urban areas, with their "heat island" effect due to dense infrastructure and limited green spaces, often record higher temperatures and, consequently, higher heat-related health issues.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-health-strategies-nbsp">Public health strategies&nbsp;</h3>



<p>In Europe, the recent increases in heat-related deaths have prompted a reevaluation of public health strategies. Governments and health agencies are now focusing on improving warning systems for heatwaves, establishing public cooling centers, and enhancing public awareness about the dangers of high temperatures.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These efforts are crucial in protecting the most vulnerable populations and mitigating the overall impact of heat on public health.</p>



<p>Furthermore, there's an increasing emphasis on the long-term strategies to combat climate change and its effects. This includes urban planning initiatives to increase green spaces and improve building designs for better natural cooling, as well as broader environmental policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions and slowing global warming.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100779" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Lancet Regional Health - Europe</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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More than 70,000 deaths in Europe were heat-related in 2022

In a new study led by the Barcelona Institute for...

<p>Better air quality can significantly enhance natural carbon sequestration by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indoor-plants-can-quickly-remove-dangerous-toxins-from-air/">plants</a>, according to a new study from the <a href="https://carnegiescience.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carnegie Institution for Science</a>.</p>



<p>Improved air quality increases sunlight availability for plants, thereby boosting their ability to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide and mitigate climate change.</p>



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



<p>The team, including researchers Liyin He, Lorenzo Rosa, and Joe Berry, used satellite data to analyze the correlation between photosynthetic activity and aerosol pollution in Europe.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The results showed that plants capture more carbon on the weekends when there is less industrial pollution and fewer people commute.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This finding highlights the impact of human activities and air quality on the natural carbon absorption process of plants.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aerosol-pollution-nbsp">Aerosol pollution&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Photosynthesis, a vital process where plants convert sunlight into chemical energy, involves absorbing carbon dioxide and converting it into carbohydrates and fats. This natural mechanism plays a crucial role in combating climate change by removing carbon emissions from the atmosphere.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“However, this can be diminished by poor air quality caused by aerosols, tiny particles that are spewed into the atmosphere when we commute and burn fossil fuels or wood,” explained He. “They have negative effects on air quality, which impacts human health. They can also scatter or absorb sunlight, which would affect a plant similarly to being stuck in the shade.”</p>



<p>Previous studies have indicated that aerosol pollution can reduce agricultural crop yields by up to 20 percent.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-innovative-technique-nbsp">Innovative technique&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The research involved collaboration with David Lobell and Yuan Wang from Stanford University; Yi Yin, Yitong Yao, and Christian Frankenberg from Caltech; and Russell Doughty from the University of Oklahoma.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team used the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) on the Copernicus Sentinel-5 Precursor satellite to measure photosynthetic activity.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This innovative technique, developed about a decade ago by Berry, Frankenberg, and Caltech collaborators, leverages the fluorescence emitted during photosynthesis, observable from space.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-photosynthetic-activity-nbsp">Photosynthetic activity&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The team compared photosynthesis data with aerosol measurements from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We focused on Europe due to an established pattern of human activity throughout the week as compared to other regions,” Rosa said. “Additionally, many European ecosystems are already experiencing negative effects from climate change and European countries have set ambitious goals for cutting carbon pollution.”</p>



<p>The findings revealed a weekly cycle in photosynthetic activity, peaking on weekends and decreasing during weekdays, inversely correlating with aerosol pollution levels.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>A similar pattern emerged during COVID-19 lockdowns. The research suggests that reducing particulate pollution to maintain weekend-level photosynthetic activity throughout the week could remove 40 to 60 megatons of carbon dioxide annually, increasing agricultural productivity without expanding crop land.</p>



<p>“These findings have major policy implications for European governments who are working on a variety of systems to capture about 500 megatons per year of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and store it,” said Rosa. “Our work shows that improving air quality could also help meet climate goals.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-carbon-sequestration-nbsp">More about carbon sequestration&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Carbon sequestration is a critical process in the fight against climate change. It involves the capture and storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), one of the primary greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. This process can occur both naturally and through human-engineered methods.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants">Plants</h3>



<p>In natural carbon sequestration, ecosystems like forests, oceans, and soil play a pivotal role. Trees and plants, through the process of photosynthesis, absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and convert it into organic matter.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This CO2 is stored in the form of biomass in trees, plants, and soil. Healthy, growing forests, therefore, are essential carbon sinks, storing large amounts of carbon over long periods.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oceans">Oceans</h3>



<p>Oceans also sequester a significant amount of carbon, absorbing it from the atmosphere and storing it in various forms. Phytoplankton, small marine plants, use CO2 for photosynthesis, similar to terrestrial plants. The carbon can then become part of the oceanic food web or settle as sediment on the ocean floor.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-soils">Soils</h3>



<p>Soils are another crucial component in natural carbon sequestration. They store carbon in organic matter, such as decomposed plant and animal material. Practices that enhance soil health, like organic farming and reforestation, can increase the amount of carbon that soils can sequester.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-technologies">Technologies</h3>



<p>Human-engineered carbon sequestration methods aim to complement these natural processes. These include technologies like carbon capture and storage (CCS), where CO2 emissions from industrial and energy-related sources are captured at their point of origin and stored underground in geological formations.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bioenergy">Bioenergy</h3>



<p>Another method is bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), which combines biomass energy generation with CCS. In this process, biomass is used as a fuel to generate energy, and the resulting CO2 emissions are captured and stored.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cities">Cities</h3>



<p>Urban carbon sequestration is also gaining attention. This involves enhancing green spaces in cities, such as urban forests and parks, which can absorb CO2. Green roofs and vertical gardens are other innovative ways to sequester carbon in urban areas.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em>.&nbsp;</p>



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Reducing air pollution could greatly boost carbon sequestration by plants

Better air quality can significantly enhance natural carbon sequestration by...

A,Field,Of,Staghorn,Corals,(acropora,Sp.),Provides,A,Thicket

<p>The impact of climate change on marine ecosystems is becoming increasingly complex. A recent study offers a new perspective on how climate change and local temperature fluctuations interact to affect marine life.</p>



<p>Study co-author Jon Witman, a professor of Biology at <a href="https://www.brown.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brown University</a>, emphasized the importance of understanding both the steady warming trend and local temperature variability.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-organisms-adapt">How organisms adapt</h2>



<p>Witman collaborated with Andrew Pershing of Climate Central and John Bruno from the <a href="https://www.unc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of North Carolina</a> at Chapel Hill. </p>



<p>The researchers investigated how marine communities adapt to both gradual and variable changes, reviewing processes that either facilitate or hinder adaptation.</p>



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



<p>"Greenhouse gas emissions are warming the ocean with profound consequences at all levels of organization, from organismal rates to ecosystem processes. The proximate driver is an interplay between anthropogenic warming (the trend) and natural fluctuations in local temperature," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"These two properties cause anomalously warm events such as marine heatwaves to occur with increasing frequency and magnitude."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temperature-fluctuations-nbsp">Temperature fluctuations&nbsp;</h2>



<p>However, the interaction between the steadily warming climate and the spikes in local temperatures tends to be underappreciated, said Witman.</p>



<p>“Climate change studies often focus on the trend of global warming. But organisms in the ocean are also experiencing temperature fluctuations, and that’s less studied and therefore less understood," explained Witman.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"What we’re trying to do is to add more reality into ocean climate change studies by considering both the smooth, upward trend of climate warming as well as the variability on top of that trend.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-conditions">Local conditions</h2>



<p>"Marine communities are made up of species that are adapted to the prevailing local conditions. Thermal conditions can be characterized by the mean temperature, the amplitude of the annual cycle, and the interannual variability," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>"These characteristics of ocean temperature strongly influence countless aspects of the physiology and ecology of marine organisms, the composition and diversity of marine communities, and even the structure and dynamics of marine food webs."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-abrupt-heat-spikes">Abrupt heat spikes</h2>



<p>The research highlights that while marine organisms like coral attempt to adapt to gradually rising temperatures, they are also subjected to abrupt spikes, like heat waves, which have dire consequences.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These heat spikes can lead to consequences like coral bleaching, where stressed corals expel algae and turn white, potentially leading to death if conditions don't improve.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Witman pointed to the increased incidence of such events in regions like the Mediterranean, which have seen significant coral bleaching and death.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temporal-ocean-climate-variation">Temporal ocean climate variation </h2>



<p>"Aspects of temporal variation such as the frequency of repeated temperature anomalies and delays in ecological changes (legacy effects) following anomalies are central to understanding the different ecological impacts of climate change. These processes can either accelerate or slow the rate of change and adaptation," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>"There is growing evidence that sessile organisms like corals in more variable thermal habitats are more resistant to thermal anomalies via ecological hardening."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vulnerable-ecosystems-nbsp">Vulnerable ecosystems&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Extreme events such as heat waves may alter or damage marine ecosystems in ways that leave them more vulnerable to both progressive climate change as well as the next temperature fluctuation, Witman added.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A more realistic model may help scientists better identify areas where coral is more likely to die off in an extreme event leaving coral-dependent organisms at risk over time, he said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-variable-events">Variable events</h2>



<p>Witman said the responses to variable events like heat waves compound (and are compounded by) the effects caused by rapidly and steadily increasing ocean temperatures.</p>



<p>The study highlights the necessity of considering both steady and variable changes in climate studies.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“If we just study how organisms respond to the smooth trend, we miss all the variability, which is driving ecological change,” Witman said. “It’s not just a matter of worsening physiological stress over time; there are also variable events that have their own ripple effects.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smooth-and-spiky">Smooth and spiky</h2>



<p>"The purpose of this review is to advance our understanding of how marine ecosystems have changed and will change in response to climate change," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>"We are specifically interested in understanding the limitations of current approaches and identifying experimental, conceptual, and theoretical approaches necessary to understand the new ocean."</p>



<p>"A key theme of our review is that climate change in the ocean is both smooth and spiky. By smooth, we mean that there are clear temperature trends driving change. For example, Harris et al. interpreted warming as a press perturbation. By spiky, we mean that there is natural, inherent variability on top of the trend."&nbsp;</p>



<p>"The smooth trends and spikes from variability interact, and understanding how processes within organisms and communities filter these interactions is the key to understanding how marine ecosystems will change over the next century."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regions-of-concern">Regions of concern</h2>



<p>A global model developed by the team pinpointed regions of particular concern in the Gulf of Maine, the Caribbean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. In these areas, there are high probabilities of exceptional warming events and “ecological surprises,” wrote the study authors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“These areas, especially, warrant investigation to improve our understanding of what's going to happen in the future - as well as our conception of what we’re calling, ‘the new ocean,’” said Witman.</p>



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



<p>"Published models of species range changes assume a smooth future of gradual change where species declines are due to the trend rather than infrequent extremes (variance), they do not consider geographic variability in temporal variability, and they assume that dispersal and range expansion are smooth (and largely unlimited)," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Future modeling efforts need to incorporate these aspects in order to make more realistic predictions."</p>



<p>"Future marine climate change ecology should consider both the temperature trend and inherent temperature variability, how they interact to exceed thresholds producing extreme events, and how they vary regionally to affect individuals, populations, and communities."</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-022323-082123" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematic</em></a>.&nbsp;</p>



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Ripple effects of climate change have created a 'new ocean'

The impact of climate change on marine ecosystems is becoming...

<p>The Canadian wildfires of 2023 have set a new record for the largest area burned in the country's history. These fires not only devastated vast regions within Canada but also significantly impacted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/poor-air-quality-linked-to-cognitive-problems-in-infants/">air quality</a> across the Northern Hemisphere, extending as far as Europe and China.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A recent study led by Zhe Wang from the <a href="https://www.dlr.de/pa/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Atmospheric Physics</a> (IAP) provides a detailed analysis of this global environmental crisis.</p>



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



<p>“There were photographs from New York City in July in news outlets around the world that showed the city trapped in an almost unbreathable orange haze like something out of a dystopian movie,” said Wang.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“But what we know about long-range transport of particulate matter means that the fires likely impacted Europe and Asia as well. We just didn't know to what extent.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deterioration-of-air-quality">Deterioration of air quality</h2>



<p>The researchers used the Aerosol and Atmospheric Chemistry Model (IAP-AACM), a module of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Earth System Model (CAS-ESM), to simulate the dispersal of pollutants.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The findings revealed a marked deterioration of air quality across almost the entire Northern Hemisphere due to the Canadian wildfires.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-widespread-air-pollution">Widespread air pollution</h2>



<p>Six major episodes of widespread air pollution were identified during Canada's wildfire season, severely affecting air quality in both Canada and the United States, and even reaching Europe and Asia.</p>



<p>These episodes resulted in unprecedented levels of PM2.5, fine particulate matter with diameters of 2.5 microns or less, known to be particularly harmful to health.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For example, on June 7, New York City experienced the worst air quality in over 50 years, with PM2.5 concentrations exceeding the World Health Organization's air-quality guidelines.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study also revealed significant increases in PM2.5 levels in Europe, western, central, and east Asia, and even the Arctic region, due to the northward movement of the fires.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greenhouse-gas-emissions-nbsp">Greenhouse gas emissions&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Beyond the immediate impact on air quality, the wildfires also had a profound effect on greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers found that the CO2 levels due to the wildfires were substantially high, not only over North America but also over Europe and northwestern Asia.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This surge in greenhouse gases is particularly alarming as it effectively nullifies Canada's plan for reducing human-caused greenhouse gases.</p>



<p>“Canada's 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan has been wiped out by a single year of wildfires,” said study co-author Zifa Wang.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forest-destruction">Forest destruction</h2>



<p>The Canadian wildfires wreaked havoc on forest ecosystems. The uncontrolled flames rapidly consumed vegetation, destroying habitats, and depleting food sources for wildlife.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Furthermore, the aftermath of wildfires often exposes the soil surface, triggering secondary disasters like soil erosion, sediment runoff, and landslides.</p>



<p>These occurrences highlight how wildfires are no longer merely a traditional ecological disturbance but have morphed into an environmental catastrophe.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-reserves-nbsp">Carbon reserves&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Severe forest fires deplete carbon reserves in the vegetation and soil and disrupt the natural succession of forests. The result is a shift from forests to shrubland or grassland, with a consequent reduction in the carbon sequestration capacity of the ecosystem.</p>



<p>The worsening wildfire situation is not exclusive to Canada. Recent years have seen the Amazon Rainforest burning over 90,000 square kilometers in just 10 months in 2019, and the Australian bushfires devouring more than 243,000 square kilometers in 2019-2020.</p>



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



<p>Ultimately, the 2023 Canadian wildfires highlight the interconnectedness of environmental issues. The far-reaching impact on air quality and greenhouse gas emissions underscores the need for global awareness and action in addressing climate change.</p>



<p>"Aside from the direct emissions from forest fires, the peat fires beneath the surface might smolder for several months or even longer and release substantial amounts of CO2. The substantial amounts of greenhouse gases from forest and peat fires might contribute to the positive feedback to the climate, potentially accelerating global warming," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>"To better understand the comprehensive environmental effects of wildfires and their interactions with the climate system, more detailed research based on advanced observations and Earth System Models is essential."</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00376-023-3241-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Advances in Atmospheric Sciences</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Canadian wildfires of 2023 were a global environmental setback

The Canadian wildfires of 2023 have set a new record...

<p>In a critical stage of the global plastics treaty negotiations, known as <a href="https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution/session-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">INC-3</a>, a significant setback occurred due to the actions of a small group of primarily oil and plastic-producing countries.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These countries employed stalling tactics to disrupt the progress towards creating an internationally binding legal agreement aimed at tackling the growing crisis of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unprecedented-increase-in-global-ocean-plastic-pollution-since-2005/">plastic pollution</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-zero-draft">Zero Draft</h2>



<p>The meeting took place at the <a href="https://www.unep.org/node" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UN Environment Programme</a> (UNEP) Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. As the negotiations neared their conclusion, instead of finalizing a mandate to draft the plastics treaty, the Member States decided to revise the Zero Draft text.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This text, which was initially intended as a foundation for discussions, became overly lengthy and complicated during the negotiations, making further progress even more challenging.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-everything-to-lose">Everything to lose</h2>



<p>Ana Rocha, the Global Plastics Policy Director of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), expressed disappointment in the negotiations.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“These negotiations have so far failed to deliver on their promise laid out in the agreed upon mandate to advance a strong, binding plastics treaty that the world desperately needs," said Rocha.</p>



<p>"The bullies of the negotiations pushed their way through, despite the majority countries, with leadership from the African Bloc and other nations in the Global South, in support of an ambitious treaty."</p>



<p>“We have only one year and two negotiating meetings left to hammer out this treaty, and we can’t afford to indulge the interests of a select few. They have nothing to lose, and we have everything to lose. Plastic is burning our planet, destroying communities, and poisoning our bodies. This treaty can’t wait.”&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lack-of-structure-nbsp">Lack of structure&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The negotiations also faced criticism for lacking discipline and allowing a minority to dominate the process.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The lack of structure resulted in failure to agree on intersessional work, which is crucial for discussing key aspects of the treaty, such as phasing out harmful chemicals and promoting reuse. This stalemate threatens to impede further progress in the next round of negotiations.</p>



<p>Dr. Shahriar Hossain, senior technical adviser at the Environment and Social Development Organization, called for the inclusion of civil society, academia, and scientists in dedicated working groups to ensure a more inclusive process.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-downplaying-the-issue">Downplaying the issue</h2>



<p>The Zero Draft, initially a balanced document, ballooned in size by the end of INC-3. Countries like Iran, the Russian Federation, and Saudi Arabia created an informal "group of like-minded countries." This group pushed for low-ambition language and voluntary measures, diverging from the high-ambition mandate for the treaty.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The interventions sought to shift the focus solely to waste management, downplaying the broader impacts of plastic production and disposal.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unequal-representation-nbsp">Unequal representation&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Civil society also criticized the influence of the fossil fuel and chemical industries in the negotiations. A report from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) highlighted the significant presence of industry lobbyists, overshadowing national delegations and civil society groups.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By contrast, frontline communities, environmental justice groups, and indigenous representatives had limited opportunities to contribute, despite their firsthand experience with the impacts of plastic pollution.</p>



<p>Additionally, certain Member States resisted addressing issues like plastic waste trade and market schemes, citing WTO rules and the Basel Convention, thus avoiding responsibility for the harmful effects of waste colonialism.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-just-transition-nbsp">Just Transition&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Despite these challenges, countries like Angola, Fiji, Kenya, and others from the Africa region and the Pacific Island Developing States (PSIDS) demonstrated strong commitment towards a plastics treaty that prioritizes human rights and environmental justice.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The International Alliance of Waste Pickers (IAWP) also played a prominent role, highlighting the importance of a <a href="https://climatejusticealliance.org/just-transition/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Just Transition</a> in the treaty.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-holding-the-planet-hostage">Holding the planet hostage</h2>



<p>“Member States in the room have the moral obligation to prioritize planetary boundaries, human rights and just transition for fenceline communities and waste pickers,” said Merrisa Naidoo, Plastics Campaigner at GAIA Africa.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“A handful of countries must not hold the planet hostage and prevent an ambitious treaty addressing the full life cycle of plastics, which starts at raw material extraction.”</p>



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Global plastics treaty: Countries with 'nothing to lose' delayed progress

In a critical stage of the global plastics treaty negotiations,...

<p>In a new study from <a href="https://www.colostate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colorado State University</a>, researchers have uncovered the pervasive and inequitable impact of urban noise pollution, revealing a disturbing link to historical practices of racial discrimination.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study represents a significant advancement in our understanding of how systemic injustices, particularly redlining, continue to shape our urban ecosystems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-racial-discrimination">Racial discrimination</h2>



<p>Redlining, a discriminatory practice initiated in 1933 by the Home Owners' Loan Corporation, involved grading neighborhoods based on race and wealth.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Wealthier and predominantly white neighborhoods received favorable grades, while diverse, lower-income communities were encircled in red, marking them as undesirable for investment. Though outlawed in 1968, the repercussions of this practice are still evident today, particularly in the distribution and intensity of urban noise pollution.</p>



<p>Sara Bombaci is an assistant professor at CSU's Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology and the lead author of the study. She emphasized the importance of considering these systemic injustices when examining ecological and evolutionary impacts. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heightened-noise-levels">Heightened noise levels</h2>



<p>The study revealed that neighborhoods which were historically redlined experience significantly higher levels of noise pollution today. Specifically, grade D neighborhoods endure maximum noise levels 17% higher than their grade A counterparts. </p>



<p>For humans, prolonged exposure to high levels of noise can lead to a range of health issues. These include hearing impairment, stress-related illnesses, sleep disturbances, cardiovascular problems, and a diminished quality of life. Children, older adults, and those with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable to these effects.</p>



<p>Noise pollution also disturbs wildlife, affecting communication, reproduction, and survival strategies. For instance, birds may alter their song frequencies to compete with urban noise, which can impact mating calls and territory defense. Other animals might avoid noisy areas altogether, leading to habitat fragmentation and reduced biodiversity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-noise-distribution">Urban noise distribution</h2>



<p>The research team analyzed urban noise distribution across historical racial divisions in 83 U.S. cities, alongside a comprehensive review of hundreds of studies on the impacts of noise on wildlife.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study is the first of its kind to explicitly link noise pollution with redlining, offering a clear example of how environmental issues intersect with social injustices.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The findings are alarming: Not only are communities in redlined areas suffering from higher levels of noise, but this noise is also above the levels known to cause significant health issues.</p>



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



<p>Addressing this injustice is not simply a matter of reducing noise levels. Bombaci argues for a holistic approach to urban planning that integrates noise mitigation into the development of green spaces and parks.</p>



<p>Cities like Denver are working toward equitable planning to improve access to parks and green space in underserved communities. Bombaci said noise should be considered in those plans.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>"If we're adding green space without mitigating impacts of noise, we might not be fully recognizing the benefits of these green spaces,” she said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to Bombaci, wildlife might not bounce back in urban green space if noise pollution remains a problem, but noise mitigation can help. Conservation funding and urban planning can benefit both people and wildlife.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-noise-pollution">Urban noise pollution</h2>



<p>Urban noise pollution is an increasingly recognized environmental concern, characterized by unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by human activities, including traffic, construction, industrial, and recreational noises.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This type of pollution is prevalent in urban environments, where the density of population and development leads to a greater concentration of noise sources.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sources">Sources</h3>



<p>The sources of urban noise are varied. Traffic noise is a significant contributor, especially near roads and highways. Industrial activities, such as manufacturing and construction, also play a role, often contributing not just to the volume of noise but also to its persistent nature.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Recreational noise from public events, music venues, and nightlife can further exacerbate the situation, particularly in densely populated urban centers.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mitigation-strategies-nbsp">Mitigation strategies&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Addressing urban noise pollution requires a multifaceted approach. Urban planning and design play crucial roles, including the creation of noise barriers, strategic placement of green spaces, and zoning regulations that separate residential areas from major noise sources.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The adoption of quieter technologies in transportation and industry, along with enforcing strict noise control regulations, is essential. Public awareness and education about the impacts of noise pollution may also help to mitigate this issue.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02257-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Inequitable impacts of urban noise pollution harm people and wildlife

In a new study from Colorado State University, researchers have...

<p>Researchers at <a href="https://www.osu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ohio State University</a> have analyzed ice cores from Nevado Huascarán, the world's highest tropical <a href="https://www.earth.com/search-results/?search=mountain&amp;start=0">mountain</a>, located in the central Peruvian Andes. </p>



<p>This research, which is the first of its kind to examine ice cores from the summit of this mountain, provides unprecedented insights into the climate history of the Amazon Basin over the past six decades.</p>



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



<p>The study was focused on the analysis of four ice core samples. Two of these were from the mountain col, the lowest point between two ridges, and two were from the summit itself - nearly 7,000 meters above sea level.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team compared the oxygen-stable isotope records found in glacial ice at different elevations on the mountain.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Oxygen-stable isotopes are used by scientists as proxies to deduce temperature changes over time. However, interpreting these records in tropical regions can be particularly challenging due to the complexity of the area's climate.</p>



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



<p>The findings revealed that the isotope records have a statistically significant relationship with sea surface temperatures in the Pacific and rainfall over tropical South America.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Notably, the isotopes from the summit showed a heightened sensitivity to large-scale changes in tropical Pacific sea surface temperature, compared to those at lower elevations. This difference is crucial as it indicates that isotope records at varying elevations might depict different aspects or mechanisms of the region's climate history.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research suggests an increasing influence of tropical Pacific climate on the summit isotope records, likely due to the rapid climate changes in recent times.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-el-nino-years">El Niño years</h2>



<p>“From a paleo-climate perspective, the data tells us that these cores may be useful for looking at the history of El Niño in the tropics,” said Austin Weber, lead author of the study and a PhD student at the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center. “And we don’t really have very good histories of that because there are not many observational data sets or historical records for the tropics.”</p>



<p>El Niño years, characterized by anomalously warm sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific, impact the Amazon Basin by weakening trade winds and reducing rainfall. These climatic changes in turn affect the way isotopes fractionate.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-impacts">Climate change impacts</h2>



<p>The study also highlights the impact of climate change on the region. Over the last 60 years, rising temperatures have significantly contributed to the accelerated retreat of ice on Nevado Huascarán.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This ice retreat is concerning, as Lonnie Thompson, co-author of the study and a senior research scientist at the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center, pointed out.&nbsp;</p>



<p>He said that tropical ice core samples can act as important proxies for understanding Earth’s intricate ocean-atmosphere system.</p>



<p>“The beauty of these ice cores is that they give you a perspective into what the natural variability was before humans started altering the climate system,” said Thompson.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historic-achievement">Historic achievement</h2>



<p>The retrieval of these ice cores in July 2019 marked a historic achievement, overcoming decades of challenges posed by avalanches and hidden snow-lined crevasses.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team successfully reached the summit of the mountain’s South Peak and recovered a total of 471 meters of glacial ice cores, both from the col drill site (6,050 meters above sea level) and the summit (6,768 meters above sea level).&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It’s a very difficult and dangerous place to recover ice cores and that expedition probably won’t be repeated,” said Thompson. “This paper is the first research to be published of what I believe will be a whole series of papers on what are probably the most unique collection of ice cores collected in my entire career.”</p>



<p>This work was supported by the National Science Foundation. The findings are published in the <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023JD039006" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Journal of Geophysical Research</em></a>.</p>



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Ice cores from highest tropical peak reveal new climate clues

Researchers at The Ohio State University have analyzed ice cores...

<p>Researchers at the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a> have made a significant breakthrough in the field of renewable energy and water purification. They have developed a solar-powered device capable of transforming contaminated water or seawater into clean hydrogen fuel and drinkable water. </p>



<p>This innovation holds immense potential, particularly for resource-limited or off-grid areas, as it can function with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-technology-can-purify-water-as-it-is-collected-from-fog/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">any open water</a> source without requiring external power.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mimicking-photosynthesis-for-clean-energy">Mimicking photosynthesis for clean energy</h2>



<p>The technology is inspired by photosynthesis, the natural process by which plants <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breakthrough-technology-uses-sunlight-to-purify-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">convert sunlight</a> into energy. However, this device, an advanced version of the '<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-leaves-may-be-a-future-source-of-green-fuel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial leaf</a>', is unique in its ability to operate using polluted or seawater sources while simultaneously producing potable water. Earlier models of such devices were limited to using clean water sources to produce green hydrogen fuel.</p>



<p>Extensive tests have demonstrated the device's ability to purify water from various sources, including highly polluted water, seawater, and even water from the River Cam in Cambridge. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-technical-challenges-and-solutions">Technical challenges and solutions</h2>



<p>"Bringing together solar fuels production and water purification in a single device is tricky," explains Dr. Chanon Pornrungroj, co-lead author of the study. </p>



<p>Traditional solar-driven water splitting involves breaking down water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. It requires completely pure water as contaminants can impede the process.</p>



<p>Co-lead author Ariffin Mohamad Annuar highlights the device's significance in remote or developing regions, where access to clean water and purification infrastructure is limited. <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/solar-powered_clean-water_electricity_credit-Chanon-Pornrungro_Ariffin-Mohamad-Annuar_2medium-scaled.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The device</a> not only splits water to produce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-tech-uses-chicken-feathers-to-generate-clean-electricity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clean fuel</a> but also generates drinkable water, addressing two critical challenges simultaneously.</p>



<p>The device's design was conceptualized by Pornrungroj, Mohamad Annuar, and their team in Professor Erwin Reisner’s research group. It features a photocatalyst deposited on a nanostructured carbon mesh. </p>



<p>This mesh absorbs light and heat, generating water vapor used in hydrogen production. Additionally, the carbon mesh is treated to repel water, ensuring it floats and remains uncontaminated by the water below.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-energy-produces-clean-water-and-energy">Solar energy produces clean water and energy</h2>



<p>The team has innovatively expanded the device's ability to harness solar energy. Mohamad Annuar points out that traditional light-driven processes for making solar fuels utilize only a small portion of the solar spectrum. </p>



<p>In contrast, their device includes a white, UV-absorbing layer on top for hydrogen production, while the rest of the solar spectrum is used to vaporize water at the bottom of the device. Pornrungroj notes, "This way, we’re truly mimicking a real leaf, incorporating the process of transpiration."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-real-world-implications">Real-world implications</h2>



<p>This device has far-reaching implications for addressing global energy and water crises. For instance, replacing 'dirty' fuels like kerosene, responsible for over three million deaths annually due to indoor air pollution, with green hydrogen could significantly reduce this number. Moreover, with 1.8 billion people worldwide lacking safe drinking water at home, this device offers a beacon of hope.</p>



<p>"It’s such a simple design: in just a few steps, we can build a device that works well on water from a wide variety of sources," says Mohamad Annuar. Pornrungroj adds, "It’s so tolerant of pollutants, and the floating design allows the substrate to work in very cloudy or muddy water. It’s a highly versatile system."</p>



<p>Professor Reisner, who led the research, views this device as a critical step towards a sustainable and circular economy. </p>



<p>"The climate crisis and issues around pollution and health are closely related, and developing an approach that could help address both would be a game-changer for so many people," he concludes. </p>



<p>While currently a proof of concept, the device represents the type of innovative solutions needed to tackle the intertwined challenges of climate change, pollution, and health.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44221-023-00139-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Water</em></a>.</p>



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This solar-powered device produces both clean water and clean energy

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have made a significant...

Tropical,Blue,Ocean,With,White,Sand,And,Stones,Underwater,In

<p>In river mouths flowing into the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, every aquatic species is contaminated with microplastic pollution, according to an alarming new study.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers found that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mollusk-shells-reveal-new-clues-about-past-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mollusks</a>, especially mussels and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/self-repairing-oyster-reefs-will-help-protect-coastlines/">oysters</a>, are the most affected. This is because mollusks are filter feeders that process large volumes of water to obtain food.</p>



<p>The study was conducted as part of the International Project "i-plastic" led by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the <a href="https://www.uab.cat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona</a> (ICTA-UAB). Universities in Italy, Portugal, Brazil and Spain have also participated in the project, which was funded by <a href="https://jpi-oceans.eu/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JPI-Oceans</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-microplastic-pollution">Studying microplastic pollution</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-inhale-the-equivalent-of-a-credit-card-in-microplastics-each-week/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microplastics</a> range in size from 5 to 0.0001 mm, and even smaller nanoplastics. They are a significant source of pollution, particularly in estuaries which act as hotspots for their accumulation. </p>



<p>These particles are hazardous as they can capture harmful chemicals and enter the food web, leading to bioaccumulation in higher trophic levels, including commercially valuable species.</p>



<p>The i-plastic team analyzed the presence of micro- and nanoplastics in estuaries and their adjacent coasts.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alarming-results">Alarming results</h2>



<p>The results are highly concerning: 85% of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-freshwater-mussels-are-threatened-by-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mussels</a> and 53% of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/self-repairing-oyster-reefs-will-help-protect-coastlines/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oysters</a> were found to have ingested microplastics. </p>



<p>In addition, 75% of estuarine-dependent marine fishes contained <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/upper-ocean-layer-contains-24-trillion-pieces-of-microplastics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microplastics</a> or synthetic microfibers in their gut. Furthermore, over 85% of species in coastal regions are affected by estuarine outflow, such as European hake and Norwegian lobster.</p>



<p>Nanoplastics, due to their smaller size, pose an even greater risk as they can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-found-embedded-in-tissues-of-whales-and-dolphins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">penetrate cellular membranes</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ubiquitous-issue">Ubiquitous issue</h2>



<p>"Pollution is ubiquitous in estuaries and their adjacent coasts, in the Mediterranean, and in tropical and temperate zones," said Patrizia Ziveri, an oceanographer at ICTA-UAB and the project coordinator.</p>



<p>She noted that the amount of accumulated particles in sediments has increased in recent decades at the same rate as global plastic production. In addition, since 2000, the particles deposited on the seafloor have tripled. This pollution extends to coral reef systems, causing a reduction in their growth and posing a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-sea-ice-algae-heavily-contaminated-with-microplastics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global threat</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signature-of-human-pollution-nbsp">Signature of human pollution&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The experts found that areas near urban centers and wastewater treatment plants are particularly polluted with microfibers. This is the most common type of microlitter. When these particles are trapped on the seafloor, they do not degrade due to lack of erosion, oxygen and light. </p>



<p>"Plastics from the 1960s still remain on the seabed, leaving the signature of human pollution," said Michael Grelaud, oceanographer at ICTA-UAB and coordinator of this project.</p>



<p>Particles that are not deposited on the seabed can be transported by ocean currents and tides hundreds of kilometers in just a few months. "A microplastic from the Ebro estuary in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea can reach Sicily, in Italy, in six months," said Ziveri.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bioremediation-of-microplastic-pollution">Bioremediation of microplastic pollution</h2>



<p>The researchers emphasize that bioremediation -- the use of living organisms to remove pollutants from water -- is one of the few viable options available for reducing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-found-in-clouds-may-be-affecting-the-weather/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microplastic</a> pollution in coastal marine environments. </p>



<p>Laboratory experiments showed that filter-feeder communities could remove nearly 90% of microplastics from surrounding waters. This presents a potentially very effective method to mitigate this environmental crisis.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fish-and-microplastic-pollution">Fish and microplastic pollution</h2>



<p>As discussed above, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastic-exposure-linked-to-changes-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microplastic</a> pollution, involving tiny plastic particles less than five millimeters in diameter, poses a severe threat to marine life, especially fish. </p>



<p>These plastics come from various sources, such as decomposing larger plastic waste, cosmetic products, and synthetic fibers from clothing. They accumulate in water bodies, creating a significant environmental hazard.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microplastics-infiltrating-marine-ecosystems">Microplastics infiltrating marine ecosystems</h3>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-is-driving-the-surge-of-microplastics-found-in-the-arctic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microplastics</a> make their way into marine ecosystems through runoff water, rivers, and direct ocean dumping. In the ocean, these particles blend with the natural habitat, making them almost indistinguishable from the surrounding environment. Fish, mistaking microplastics for food, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/consumption-of-microplastics-cant-be-avoided-and-they-damage-gut-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consume</a> these particles, leading to direct health consequences.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microplastic-pollution-impact-on-fish">Microplastic pollution impact on fish</h3>



<p>When fish ingest microplastics, the particles can cause physical blockages and internal injuries. More insidiously, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-have-a-new-method-to-estimate-the-age-of-microplastics-in-the-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microplastics</a> often carry toxic substances. These include industrial chemicals and pollutants, which can accumulate in the tissues of marine organisms. This accumulation not only affects the health and reproductive capabilities of fish but also poses a risk to predators higher up the food chain, including humans who consume fish.</p>



<p>Recent research has consistently found microplastics in various fish species, both in wild and farmed populations. These studies highlight the pervasiveness of microplastic pollution across different marine environments. Researchers are actively studying the long-term impacts of microplastics on fish health, growth, and reproduction, with initial findings pointing towards various negative outcomes.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strategies-to-combat-microplastic-pollution">Strategies to combat microplastic pollution</h3>



<p>Addressing the issue of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/citizen-scientists-uncover-microplastics-in-the-remote-arctic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microplastics</a> in our oceans requires both preventive and corrective measures. Prevention involves reducing overall plastic use, improving recycling, and banning microbeads in consumer products. Corrective measures include cleaning up existing plastic pollution and enhancing wastewater treatment processes to capture microplastics before they reach the ocean.</p>



<p>In summary, the presence of microplastics in fish is a critical environmental issue that requires immediate attention. It calls for a collective effort from individuals, industries, and governments worldwide to reduce plastic pollution and safeguard our marine ecosystems. Consumers can contribute by reducing their plastic footprint and supporting eco-friendly initiatives.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microplastics-in-estuaries-nbsp">Microplastics in estuaries&nbsp;</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-contaminate-all-lakes-and-freshwater-environments-around-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microplastics</a> in estuaries present a significant environmental concern. Estuaries, being transitional zones between river environments and maritime seas, are crucial ecosystems that often bear the brunt of pollution from both marine and terrestrial sources. The impact of microplastics in estuaries is multifaceted:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodiversity-impact">Biodiversity impact</h3>



<p>Estuaries are rich in biodiversity, hosting various species of fish, birds, and plants. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-linger-in-riverbeds-for-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microplastics</a> can be ingested by marine organisms, leading to physical harm and potential toxicological effects. This ingestion can occur directly or through the food chain, affecting a wide range of organisms.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemical-contamination">Chemical contamination</h3>



<p>Microplastics often contain or absorb harmful chemicals. When ingested by aquatic life, these chemicals can bioaccumulate, posing health risks to the organisms and potentially transferring these risks up the food chain, including to humans.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-habitat-alteration">Habitat alteration</h3>



<p>Accumulation of microplastics can alter the physical properties of estuarine habitats, affecting the growth and health of various aquatic plants and animals.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-health-risks">Human health risks</h3>



<p>As humans consume seafood from these estuaries, there's a potential risk of ingesting microplastics and associated chemicals, which can have unknown health implications.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecosystem-services-impact">Ecosystem services impact</h3>



<p>Estuaries provide important ecosystem services such as water filtration, flood control, and as nurseries for fish. The presence of microplastics can compromise these services, affecting both the environment and human populations that depend on these services.</p>



<p>Addressing the microplastics issue in estuaries requires a combination of approaches, including reducing plastic use and waste, improving waste management systems, public education, and conducting further research to understand the full impact of microplastics on these vital ecosystems.</p>



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Microplastic pollution found in every aquatic species tested

In river mouths flowing into the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic...

<p>Air filtration systems, considered crucial in reducing the spread of viral infections indoors, may not be as effective as previously thought, according to a study from the <a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of East Anglia</a>.</p>



<p>Air filtration systems gained significant attention during the COVID-19 pandemic as a potential tool to reduce the spread of the virus indoors. They are also used to manage allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions by removing allergens and pollutants from indoor air.</p>



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



<p>The research was focused on technologies such as air filtration, germicidal lights, and ionizers. Based on the results, these systems fall short of expectations. The study was led by Professor Paul Hunter and Dr. Julii Brainard from UEA’s Norwich Medical School.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team set out to investigate the real-world effectiveness of air treatment technologies by analyzing 32 studies conducted in practical settings like schools and care homes.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weighing-the-costs-and-benefits-nbsp">Weighing the costs and benefits&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“Air cleaners are designed to filter pollutants or contaminants out of the air that passes through them," said Professor Hunter.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“When the Covid pandemic hit, many large companies and governments - including the NHS, the British military, and New York City and regional German governments - investigated installing this type of technology in a bid to reduce airborne virus particles in buildings and small spaces."</p>



<p>“But air treatment technologies can be expensive. So it’s reasonable to weigh up the benefits against costs, and to understand the current capabilities of such technologies.”&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lack-of-evidence-nbsp">Lack of evidence&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Despite the initial optimism, the study concludes that there is minimal evidence supporting the effectiveness of these technologies in safeguarding individuals from airborne respiratory or gastrointestinal infections.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Dr. Brainard pointed out that while some air treatment strategies, especially germicidal lights and HEPA filtration, can reduce environmental and surface contamination, they fall short in preventing or reducing illnesses.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-little-protection">Little protection</h2>



<p>“The kinds of technologies that we considered included filtration, germicidal lights, ionizers and any other way of safely removing viruses or deactivating them in breathable air," said Dr. Brainard. “In short, we found no strong evidence that air treatment technologies are likely to protect people in real world settings."&nbsp;</p>



<p>"There is a lot of existing evidence that environmental and surface contamination can be reduced by several air treatment strategies, especially germicidal lights and high efficiency particulate air filtration (HEPA).&nbsp; But the combined evidence was that these technologies don’t stop or reduce illness."</p>



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



<p>“There was some weak evidence that the air treatment methods reduced likelihood of infection, but this evidence seems biased and imbalanced."</p>



<p>“We strongly suspect that there were some relevant studies with very minor or no effect but these were never published."</p>



<p>Dr. Brainard said the findings are disappointing, but it is vital that public health decision makers have a full picture. “Hopefully those studies that have been done during Covid will be published soon and we can make a more informed judgement about what the value of air treatment may have been during the pandemic.”</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em>Preventive Medicine</em>.</p>



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Air filtration systems don't keep you from getting sick

Air filtration systems, considered crucial in reducing the spread of...

<p>A new study has uncovered how some plants used nitrogen to survive the cataclysmic events that led to the extinction of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaurs-self-regulated-their-body-temperature/">dinosaurs</a>. Michael Kipp, the lead author of the study and an upcoming assistant professor of Earth and Climate Sciences at <a href="https://duke.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Duke University</a>, has provided significant insights into this enduring mystery.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cycads">Cycads</h2>



<p>Cycads, once a prevalent source of food for grazing dinosaurs, have mostly vanished, with only a few species existing in tropical and subtropical areas today.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Their decline, which began in the late Mesozoic and continued into the early Cenozoic Era, was accelerated by the asteroid impact and volcanic activity marking the K-Pg boundary 66 million years ago. However, unlike their ancient grazers, some cycads managed to survive until the present day.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nitrogen-fixing-bacteria-nbsp">Nitrogen-fixing bacteria&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The results of the study suggest that the key to their survival was their symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their roots. This relationship allowed the plants to extract nitrogen directly from the atmosphere, similar to modern legumes and other nitrogen-fixing plants.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Through this symbiosis, cycads traded sugars with the bacteria in exchange for atmospheric nitrogen, enabling them to thrive in changing environments.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nitrogen-fixing-plants">Nitrogen-fixing plants</h2>



<p>Kipp's research was based on the knowledge that the tissues of nitrogen-fixing plants can reveal the atmospheric composition of the past. He set out to analyze old plant fossils to gain insights into ancient atmospheres.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This analysis led to the realization that the surviving cycads were the ones that had developed nitrogen-fixing capabilities, unlike their extinct counterparts.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolving-plants">Evolving plants</h2>



<p>“Instead of being a story about the atmosphere, we realized this was a story about the ecology of these plants that changed through time,” said Kipp, who spent nearly a decade on this finding, first at UW and then as a postdoctoral researcher at CalTech.</p>



<p>The surviving cycads showed the same nitrogen signatures in their fossils as modern cycads, indicating their reliance on symbiotic bacteria for nitrogen. This contrasted with older, extinct cycad fossils, which lacked this nitrogen signature.</p>



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



<p>The exact benefits of nitrogen fixation for the survival of these cycads remain an area of ongoing research. It might have aided them in adapting to the dramatic climatic changes post-dinosaur extinction or in competing with rapidly proliferating angiosperms, or perhaps both.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Kipp's upcoming role at Duke University will further focus on using the fossil record to unravel Earth's climate history and its potential future.</p>



<p>Much of what we know about ancient atmospheres comes from chemical studies of ancient sea life and sediments, said Kipp. Applying some of those methods to terrestrial plants will add new pieces to this puzzle.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">More about cycads</h2>



<p>Cycads are a group of ancient, seed-producing plants that have a long and fascinating history. Here are some key aspects about them:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ancient lineage</h3>



<p>Cycads are among the oldest seed plants on Earth, dating back over 280 million years. They were already ancient when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, thriving during the Mesozoic era.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Physical appearance</h3>



<p>Cycads resemble palm trees or ferns but are not closely related to either. They typically have a stout and woody trunk with a crown of large, hard and stiff, evergreen leaves. They can vary in size from small, few-centimeter-tall plants to large trees.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Reproduction</h3>



<p>Cycads are dioecious, meaning individual plants are either male or female. They reproduce via cones, with pollination often occurring through the wind or insects, notably beetles.&nbsp;Some species also exhibit environmental sex determination, where temperature influences the sex of the plant.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Geographical distribution&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Cycads are primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They are native to South and Central America, Australia, Asia, and Africa.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Diversity</h3>



<p>There are around 300 species of cycads, categorized into three families: Cycadaceae, Stangeriaceae, and Zamiaceae. Each family and species have unique characteristics and adaptations.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ecological role</h3>



<p>In their native habitats, cycads play significant roles in the ecosystem. They provide food and habitat for various animal species. However, they are slow-growing and have specific habitat requirements, making them sensitive to environmental changes.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Threats and conservation</h3>



<p>Many cycad species are endangered due to habitat destruction, over-collection, and environmental changes. Conservation efforts include habitat protection, cultivation in botanical gardens, and strict regulation of trade (many species are listed under CITES - the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cultural significance</h3>



<p>Cycads have been used by various cultures for food, medicine, and ornamental purposes. However, care must be taken as many parts of the plant are toxic if not properly processed.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Fossil record</h3>



<p>Cycads have a rich fossil record, which helps scientists understand the Earth's prehistoric environments and the evolution of plant life. Their persistence through various geological periods and mass extinctions makes them an important subject of study in paleobotany and evolutionary biology.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02251-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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How plants used nitrogen to survive the dinosaur extinction

A new study has uncovered how some plants used nitrogen...

<p>Japanese astronomers have proposed that an "Earth-like" planet exists much closer to home than the infamous Planet Nine. The research is published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-3881/aceaf0"><em>The Astronomical Journal</em></a>.</p>



<p>For years, the astronomy community has speculated about a ninth planet in our solar system, commonly referred to as Planet Nine.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kuiper-belt-planet">Kuiper Belt planet</h2>



<p>However, researchers from Japan now suggest that there might be another planet, closer than Planet Nine, hiding in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-explains-the-absence-of-super-earths-in-our-solar-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kuiper</a> Belt, a doughnut-shaped ring of objects just beyond Neptune's orbit.</p>



<p>The study was conducted by Patryk Sofia Lykawka of <a href="https://www.kindai.ac.jp/english/">Kindai University</a> in Osaka, Japan, and Takashi Ito of the <a href="https://www.nao.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Astronomical Observatory</a> of Japan in Tokyo.</p>



<p>"We predict the existence of an Earth-like planet," the researchers wrote. "It is plausible that a primordial planetary body could survive in the distant Kuiper Belt as a Kuiper Belt planet (KBP), as many such bodies existed in the early solar system."</p>



<p>The scientists believe that this KBP is up to 500 astronomical units (AU) from the sun. This is 500 times the distance between Earth and the sun, and closer than Planet Nine.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-icy-objects">Icy objects&nbsp;</h2>



<p>According to the experts, the KBP could be up to three times as massive as Earth. However, the temperatures are likely too cold to sustain life as we know it.</p>



<p>The Kuiper Belt is known to contain millions of icy objects, referred to as trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs), because they are located beyond <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-dark-spot-on-neptune-detected-from-earth-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neptune</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Astronomers believe that TNOs are remnants from the formation of the solar system. They are composed of mixtures of rock, amorphous carbon, and volatile ices such as water and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-massive-amounts-of-methane-gas-spews-from-wildfires/">methane</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"The orbits of trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) can indicate the existence of an undiscovered planet in the outer solar system," the researchers noted. "These rock and ice bodies are the remnants of planet formation in the outer solar system."f</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gravitational-pull">Gravitational pull</h2>



<p>The research team observed that something larger nearby gravitationally influences some of these objects, giving them "peculiar orbits".</p>



<p>Additionally, the belt has a significant population of high-inclination objects, those with a high tilt as they orbit around the sun. Computer simulations suggested that the hypothetical KBP could be responsible for these effects.</p>



<p>"We determined that an Earth-like planet located on a distant and inclined orbit can explain three fundamental properties of the distant Kuiper Belt," the researchers wrote.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"[These are] a prominent population of TNOs with orbits beyond Neptune's gravitational influence, a significant population of high-inclination objects, and the existence of some extreme objects with peculiar orbits."</p>



<p>The researchers clarify that they predict, rather than confirm, the existence of the KBP, and more research is needed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planet-nine">Planet Nine&nbsp;</h2>



<p>They also emphasized that their proposed planet is different from the already-hypothesized Planet Nine, which is much more massive and thought to be located on a more distant orbit.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/super-planet-solar-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Planet Nine</a> was first theorized by experts from Caltech in 2014 when they noticed that the orbits of the most distant TNOs were being perturbed or disrupted.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Astronomers still claim that this can be explained by the gravitational pull of a ninth planet in our solar system that orbits 20 times farther from our sun than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diamond-rain-may-be-common-on-giant-icy-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neptune</a>. However, to date, astronomers only have circumstantial evidence for the existence of Planet Nine. Some aren't convinced it exists at all.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outer-reaches-of-the-solar-system">Outer reaches of the solar system&nbsp;</h2>



<p>If it does exist, Planet Nine is believed to be in the outer reaches of our solar system, beyond the Kuiper Belt, rather than within it.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A separate team of researchers suggested in 2020 that Planet Nine could have formed in the inner solar system at its genesis and was then kicked out by interactions with Jupiter.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Another study published earlier this year suggested that Planet Nine could be surrounded by 20 hot moons, which might help experts locate it.</p>



<p>The new proposal by the Japanese researchers adds another layer of intrigue in the quest to fully understand the outer reaches of our solar system. While the existence of the KBP is yet to be confirmed, its prediction brings us one step closer to unveiling the mysteries of the cosmos.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">More about the Kuiper Belt</h2>



<p>Beyond the orbit of Neptune lies a region of space teeming with icy objects, dwarf planets, and mysteries waiting to be unraveled. It is called the Kuiper Belt. Acting as a cosmic frontier, this region holds clues to our solar system's early days and the processes that shaped it.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Location and span</h3>



<p>The Kuiper Belt starts at approximately 30 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun and extends outward to about 50 AU. To put this into perspective, one astronomical unit is the average distance between Earth and the Sun. Thus, the Kuiper Belt starts where Neptune orbits and stretches out into deeper space.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Composition and inhabitants</h3>



<p>Composed mainly of frozen volatiles like water, methane, and ammonia, the Kuiper Belt contains a vast number of icy bodies. These remnants from the solar system's formation vary in size from tiny particles to dwarf planets. </p>



<p>Pluto, once regarded as the ninth planet, is the most famous of these Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs). But other significant bodies, such as Haumea, Makemake, and Eris, also call this region home.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Formation and importance</h3>



<p>Scientists believe the Kuiper Belt formed around the same time as the solar system, about 4.6 billion years ago. Gravitational interactions with giant planets, like Jupiter and Neptune, scattered many of these icy objects into the belt. </p>



<p>Studying the Kuiper Belt offers us a unique window into these primordial times. The composition and behavior of its objects can provide insights into the solar system's early conditions and the processes that led to planet formation.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Exploration and discoveries</h3>



<p>Humanity's interest in the Kuiper Belt intensified when the New Horizons mission flew past Pluto in 2015. The spacecraft sent back unprecedented images and data. This historic encounter showed us a diverse landscape of mountains, valleys, and plains on Pluto, reshaping our understanding of KBOs. </p>



<p>New Horizons continued its journey, visiting the object Arrokoth in 2019, further expanding our knowledge of these distant icy worlds.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The future of exploration</h3>



<p>The Kuiper Belt remains a region of significant interest for future space missions. As technology advances, we can anticipate more spacecraft venturing into this icy realm. These journeys will unveil further mysteries of our solar system's outer limits.</p>



<p>In summary, the Kuiper Belt stands as a testament to the vastness and complexity of our solar system. Its icy inhabitants, both large and small, offer us invaluable insights into the past and beckon explorers to uncover their secrets. As we continue to gaze outward, the Kuiper Belt will undoubtedly remain a focal point in our quest to understand the cosmos.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">More about Neptune</h2>



<p>Neptune, the eighth planet from the Sun, reigns as one of the solar system's most enigmatic worlds. Possessing deep blue hues and tumultuous atmospheres, this gas giant beckons scientists and space enthusiasts alike to delve into its mysteries.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Discovery and position</h3>



<p>Astronomers Johann Galle and Urbain Le Verrier jointly discovered Neptune in 1846. Their achievement stands out because they based the discovery on mathematical predictions rather than direct observations. Located about 30 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun, Neptune orbits our star once every 165 Earth years.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Physical characteristics</h3>



<p>With a diameter of about 49,244 kilometers, Neptune holds the title of the fourth-largest planet in our solar system. Its striking blue color arises from the absorption and reflection of sunlight by its atmosphere. </p>



<p>This is particularly due to the presence of methane. But beneath its gaseous exterior, Neptune hides a potential water-rich interior with a solid core.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Atmospheric activity</h3>



<p>Neptune boasts some of the most violent weather in the solar system. Its winds, among the fastest detected on any planet, can whip around at speeds exceeding 2,100 kilometers per hour. </p>



<p>The planet also showcases massive storms. The most famous is the "Great Dark Spot." It rivalled the size of Earth when the Voyager 2 spacecraft first observed it in 1989.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Moons and rings</h3>



<p>Neptune commands a system of 14 known moons, with Triton being the largest and most intriguing. Triton orbits Neptune in the opposite direction of the planet's rotation. This suggests that Neptune might have captured it from the Kuiper Belt. </p>



<p>Furthermore, this ice-covered moon spews nitrogen geysers from its polar regions. Neptune also possesses a faint system of rings. They are composed primarily of ice particles and dust grains, which astronomers believe might be relatively young and short-lived.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Exploration and the future</h3>



<p>Voyager 2 remains the only spacecraft to visit Neptune, conducting a flyby in 1989. The data and images it sent back revolutionized our understanding of this distant blue world. </p>



<p>However, with advancing technology and growing interest, future missions to Neptune might not be far off. These missions could provide deeper insights into the planet's atmosphere, internal structure, and its intriguing moon, Triton.</p>



<p>In summary Neptune stands as a testament to the diversity and wonder of our solar system. Its deep blue visage, turbulent atmosphere, and mysterious moons offer a plethora of opportunities for exploration and discovery. As our understanding of the universe expands, Neptune will surely remain a focal point in the quest for knowledge.</p>



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Earth-like planet is "hiding" in our own solar system

Japanese astronomers have proposed that an "Earth-like" planet exists much...

<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>



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Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

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

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



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



<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>



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<p>—–</p>

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What caused the planet's longest ice age

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

<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>



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



<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

[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" 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://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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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

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