<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>Recent simulations conducted using the UK's national supercomputer have provided concerning insights into the fate of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS). The research suggests that substantial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-ice-sheet-melting-in-past-decade-is-worst-in-recorded-history/">melting</a> is inevitable, posing serious questions about our ability to control or adapt to the resulting sea level rise.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inevitable-melting">Inevitable melting</h2>



<p>The scientists used the supercomputer to explore the ocean-driven melting patterns of the WAIS. Their goal was to discern how much melting is inevitable and what portion can still be influenced by managing greenhouse gas emissions.</p>



<p>Despite considering climate fluctuations such as El Niño, the results were alarming. They showed minimal difference between moderate emission scenarios and the ambitious targets set by the 2015 Paris Agreement.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study revealed that even if global temperature rise is restricted to the optimal target of 1.5°C, the rate of melting would be three times faster than that experienced in the 20th century.</p>



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



<p>The West Antarctic Ice Sheet is currently shedding ice at an alarming rate, standing as Antarctica's primary contributor to rising sea levels.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Past models have suggested that the Southern Ocean's warming, especially in the Amundsen Sea region, is the driving force behind this phenomenon.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If the entire West Antarctic Ice Sheet melted, it would elevate the global sea level by as much as five meters. Such a rise would have dire consequences for the millions residing along coastlines worldwide.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-time-to-prepare-nbsp">Time to prepare&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“It looks like we’ve lost control of melting of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. If we wanted to preserve it in its historical state, we would have needed action on climate change decades ago," said Dr. Kaitlin Naughten, a researcher at the <a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">British Antarctic Survey</a>.</p>



<p>"The bright side is that by recognizing this situation in advance, the world will have more time to adapt to the sea level rise that’s coming. If you need to abandon or substantially re-engineer a coastal region, having 50 years lead time is going to make all the difference.”</p>



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



<p>Dr. Naughten's team simulated several 21st-century scenarios. These projections either met the Paris Agreement's targets or followed standard paths for medium to high carbon emissions.</p>



<p>A significant takeaway was the striking similarity in outcomes for the three lower-range emission scenarios. All of them anticipated a considerable warming of the Amundsen Sea, leading to increased ice-shelf melting.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Although the worst-case scenario predicted even more melting, it was deemed unlikely since it assumes a rapid increase in emissions after 2045.</p>



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



<p>While the study paints a somber picture, it does not negate the value of active mitigation against climate change impacts.</p>



<p>“We must not stop working to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. What we do now will help to slow the rate of sea level rise in the long term," said Dr. Naughten.</p>



<p>"The slower the sea level changes, the easier it will be for governments and society to adapt to, even if it can’t be stopped.”</p>



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West Antarctic Ice Sheet: Melting rate will triple, even with climate action

Recent simulations conducted using the UK's national supercomputer have provided...

Beautiful,Coral,Reef,With,Sea,Anemones,And,Clownfish,Polluted,With

<p>In a disturbing revelation that challenges long-standing solutions to plastic pollution, a study from the <a href="https://www.otago.ac.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Otago</a> indicates that biodegradable plastics still pose a threat to aquatic life. </p>



<p>The research assesses the effects of both petroleum-based and biodegradable plastics on wild fish populations. Unfortunately, the scientists discovered that the perceived environmentally-friendly biodegradable plastic alternative is not as benign as previously thought.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-s-impact-on-marine-life">Plastic's impact on marine life</h2>



<p>The investigation stands as the first of its kind to delve into the comparative impacts of different plastic types on marine inhabitants. Ashleigh Hawke, a Master of Science graduate from Otago’s Department of Marine Science, was lead-author of the study. Her research meticulously evaluated how exposure to conventional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-plastics-are-a-hazard-at-every-stage-of-their-life-cycle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">petroleum-derived plastics</a> and biodegradable counterparts affect various aspects of fish physiology and behavior.</p>



<p>It was discerned that petroleum-based plastics significantly hampered several facets of the fishes' daily functions. These include their escape performance, routine swimming patterns, and overall aerobic metabolism. In a somewhat relieving but still concerning contrast, fish subjected to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/turning-insect-waste-into-biodegradable-plastics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodegradable</a> plastics experienced only a detrimental impact on their maximum escape speed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodegradable-or-not-it-s-still-plastic">Biodegradable or not, it's still plastic</h2>



<p>According to Hawke, these findings are monumental. They underscore the grim reality that, irrespective of their type, plastics have the propensity to inflict harm on marine ecosystems. </p>



<p>"Biodegradable plastics may not be the silver bullet to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reef-plastic-pollution-increases-with-depth-and-near-protected-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic pollution</a> as we believe them to be," she explains. </p>



<p>Hawke went on to say that while these substances are marginally less detrimental, they nonetheless could precipitate adverse outcomes for marine species exposed to them. </p>



<p>In the context of her study, such exposure could critically impair populations by diminishing their escape responses. The ability to escape predators is, of course, a vital survival mechanism for fish.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inconsistent-path-of-biodegradable-plastic">Inconsistent path of biodegradable plastic</h2>



<p>Co-researcher Dr. Bridie Allan is a fellow member of the Department of Marine Science. He accentuates that these insights should propel a re-evaluation of environmental protection strategies. This is especially true for those pertaining to marine conservation.</p>



<p>Dr. Allan points out a critical issue in the realm of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biodegradable-plastic-materials-do-not-biodegrade-in-the-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodegradable</a> plastics: inconsistency in their production. "The development of traditional plastics has been well established for decades and so there is little variation in the production of them. However, because biodegradable plastics are a relatively new area, there is variation in the way they are manufactured and the materials that are being used," she elaborates.</p>



<p>This lack of standardization in biodegradable plastic production raises questions regarding their ecological safety. The constituents of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastics-dropped-into-the-ocean-can-travel-hundreds-of-miles-while-sinking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastics</a> matter immensely, as evidenced by the research findings. This suggests a pressing need for these materials to undergo more stringent regulation and control.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-calls-for-policy-level-reforms">Calls for policy-level reforms</h2>



<p>The revelations from the University of Otago’s study serve as a clarion call for policymakers to intensify protections for marine environments. This research unequivocally demonstrates that switching from traditional plastics to biodegradable alternatives is not a straightforward solution. </p>



<p>The researchers emphasize the necessity for comprehensive policies that consider the complexities of biodegradable materials. Companies must ensure that their production is as harmless as presumed. They must also continue striving for innovative solutions in addressing the global crisis of plastic pollution.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-environmental-stewardship">Global environmental stewardship</h2>



<p>In summary, the study presents a stark reminder that solutions to environmental issues are seldom clear-cut. Biodegradable plastics, once the beacon of hope in the fight against plastic pollution, are now under scrutiny. </p>



<p>As the world grapples with the realities of these findings, it is imperative that efforts are not dialed back but rather, that global communities, manufacturers, and policymakers collaborate more closely. Through unified, informed actions and an openness to re-evaluating current practices, there may yet be hope for preserving the delicate balance of life within our oceans.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the prestigious journal <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969723060503?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science of the Total Environment</a></em>.</p>



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Even biodegradable plastic is harmful to fish populations

In a disturbing revelation that challenges long-standing solutions to plastic...

<p>A recent study from <a href="https://dornsife.usc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USC Dornsife</a> has revealed some unexpected details about the effects of global warming on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-are-some-corals-more-resilient-to-climate-change-than-others/">corals</a>. According to the research, the adaptations of a common Caribbean coral could have significant implications for our approach to conserving these vital marine ecosystems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mountainous-star-coral">Mountainous star coral</h2>



<p>The study was focused on the mountainous star coral, Orbicella faveolata, a species frequent in Caribbean waters. The goal was to determine whether coral populations that had endured increased temperatures could pass this heat resilience to their progeny.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Orbicella faveolata, commonly known as the mountainous star coral, is a dominant reef-building species in the Caribbean, but populations have suffered sharp declines since the 1980s due to repeated bleaching and disease-driven mortality," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>"Prior research has shown that inshore adult O. faveolata populations in the Florida Keys are able to maintain high coral cover and recover from bleaching faster than their offshore counterparts. However, whether this origin-specific variation in thermal resistance is heritable remains unclear."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-tolerant-corals-nbsp">Heat-tolerant corals&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The popular assumption among scientists has been that heat-tolerant coral parents would produce offspring with similar adaptations for heat resistance.</p>



<p>However, Professor Carly Kenkel and her team discovered a contradiction. They found that the offspring of a population less acclimated to heat showed better resilience when subjected to higher temperatures compared to those from a heat-tolerant lineage.</p>



<p>“The study findings have significant implications for how we think about saving coral reefs," said Professor Kenkel. "It’s not as simple as just breeding more heat-tolerant corals.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



<p>For the investigation, the scientists collected gametes (reproductive cells) from coral reefs in two distinct sites in the Florida Keys. They then crossbred the corals in controlled conditions, and exposed the larvae to elevated temperatures.</p>



<p>The team also examined the genes of these corals to detect signs of stress under heightened temperature conditions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-limitations">Study limitations</h2>



<p>The results of the study suggest that the ability of coral offspring to withstand heat may be determined by a range of factors. This includes the frequency with which their parent corals may have bleached or faced other environmental challenges.</p>



<p>However, it is important to note that this research was focused on a single coral species. Other coral species might respond differently, and the study's controlled lab setting does not capture the myriad factors that impact coral reefs in natural habitats.</p>



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



<p>The scientists plan to delve deeper into coral adaptation mechanisms, factoring in their historical experiences and interactions with other organisms, as well as the overall health of the reef system.</p>



<p>Professor Kenkel noted that coral rescue may require a more comprehensive approach. “Instead of focusing solely on breeding more heat-tolerant corals, we might need to consider other factors affecting coral survival and more diverse interventions.”&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>"The documented resilience of adult corals to recurrent heat stress and bleaching in environments with high and variable temperatures may come with highly consequential trade-offs," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>"In this study, we show that larvae from a site that routinely experiences and recovers from heat-induced bleaching significantly underperformed relative to larvae from a cooler, less variable reef site."&nbsp;</p>



<p>"The unexpected outcome that more thermally tolerant O. faveolata produced poorer quality offspring challenges the prevailing paradigm that breeding vulnerable populations with thermally tolerant individuals can contribute to genetic rescue."</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16977" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Global Change Biology</em></a>.</p>



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Unexpected coral adaptations challenge conservation plans

A recent study from USC Dornsife has revealed some unexpected...

<p>Invasive species are often brought into new regions unintentionally through human activities, posing a threat to native wildlife. If they become established, invasive species can outcompete, prey on, or bring diseases to native species, which might lead to their decline or even extinction. This disrupts the balance of the ecosystem.</p>



<p>The cost of controlling invasive species, and the economic losses they create, can be immense. Some invasive species carry diseases that affect human health.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It is important to understand how these species are introduced, and why they establish in new places, in order to help prevent their destructive impacts. However, there remains a lack of research in this domain, and many questions remain.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biological-hazards-nbsp">Biological hazards&nbsp;</h2>



<p>In a collaboration between <a href="https://www.agresearch.co.nz/">AgResearch</a> and Better Border Biosecurity (B3), researchers set out to investigate the biological hazards presented by soil found on the external surfaces of sea freight. These included shipping containers and machinery at New Zealand's sea ports.</p>



<p>The goal was not only to understand this potential biosecurity threat but also to fine-tune measures to prevent the entry and spread of invasive organisms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study revealed that soil was present on almost all sea freight, regardless of its origin. This is troubling because soil is a potential carrier of harmful microbes including plant pathogens.</p>



<p>The average amount of soil detected on a single sea container was 5.3 kg, whereas the overall mean weight was 417g. Surprisingly, the majority of this soil was located on the underside of the sea freight.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invasive-organisms-nbsp">Invasive organisms&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Mark McNeill of AgResearch, who led the study, noted that while the presence of soil is perhaps not surprising, the presence of live bacteria, fungi, worms, seeds and insects associated with the soil was of greater concern.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Various regulated biosecurity organisms were recovered from the samples, including plant-parasitic worms, seeds, insects and spiders that were not recorded as being present in New Zealand."</p>



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



<p>“Not only does the spread of exotic species through these networks represent significant environmental, economic and social costs to natural and agricultural environments if invasive alien species were to establish, a loss of biodiversity is also an expected consequence of invasive alien species establishment," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>"For islands, the implications can be significant, as they have high levels of endemism and invasive alien species establishment can lead to extinction of species as well as biodiversity declines."</p>



<p>An interesting comparison was made to a prior study examining soil contamination on footwear carried by international airline passengers. The comparison revealed that soil on sea freight, although less diverse, still presents a tangible biosecurity threat.</p>



<p>The study highlights the importance of sea freight as a notable entry route for invasive species. Preventative measures, such as pre-departure container cleaning and thorough border inspections are recommended to curb the potential spread of these harmful organisms.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.88.98440"><em>NeoBiota</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Biological hazard: Soil on sea freight loaded with invasive species

Invasive species are often brought into new regions unintentionally through...

<p>Urbanization has undeniably left a permanent mark on our planet. From sprawling skyscrapers to endless highways, man-made infrastructures have dramatically altered the landscape, imposing selective pressures on the organisms that inhabit these regions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While many studies have explored how urban heat stress impacts animal evolution, a recent study has investigated its effects on plants, specifically the creeping woodsorrel.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-heat-islands">Urban heat islands</h2>



<p>Urban regions are predominantly characterized by heat-retaining surfaces constructed of materials like brick, asphalt, and concrete. These surfaces give rise to what is termed as urban heat islands, regions that experience elevated surface temperatures.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Urban heat islands have a profound impact on the behavior, physiology, and evolutionary trajectories of resident organisms. According to the researchers, it has remained unclear whether (and how) urban plants adapt to such heat stress</p>



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



<p>Oxalis corniculata, commonly known as the creeping woodsorrel, serves as a prime example. This cosmopolitan plant boasts a vibrant spectrum of leaf colors, ranging from green to red.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These color variations are not just aesthetic but are believed to be evolutionary adaptations that help the plant cope with environmental stress.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Specifically, the red pigments (anthocyanins) in the leaves play a protective role against heat and light damage by intercepting light and acting as antioxidants.</p>



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



<p>Dr. Yuya Fukano and his colleagues from various Japanese institutions set out to investigate the relationship between urban heat islands and the leaf color distribution of the creeping woodsorrel.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"We noticed that the red-leaved variants of the creeping woodsorrel commonly grew near impervious surfaces in urban areas but rarely grew in farmlands or green spaces in and around the city,” said Dr. Fukano. By contrast, the green-leaved variants flourished in rural areas and city green spaces.</p>



<p>This pattern was not restricted to Tokyo. An online database indicated similar distribution patterns worldwide, linking urbanization directly to leaf color variations in this plant species.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-red-or-green-which-is-more-adaptive">Red or green: Which is more adaptive?</h2>



<p>Driven by these observations, the team explored the adaptive benefits of the leaf colors. Their findings revealed that red-leaved variants had the upper hand in high-temperature conditions, exhibiting better growth rates and photosynthetic efficiency.&nbsp;</p>



<p>On the other hand, green-leaved variants outperformed the red in cooler conditions, thriving in dense green areas. This could explain their global distribution patterns, with red-leaved wood sorrels dominating urban heat islands and green-leaved variants preferring non-urban green spaces.</p>



<p>The study also hints that the red-leaf variant evolved multiple times from its green-leaf ancestor, further underlining the adaptability of plants in response to their environments.</p>



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



<p>While the creeping woodsorrel's leaf color variations might not transform our world overnight, Dr. Fukano believes that the study offers a glimpse into ongoing evolution in urban settings.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Although these findings will not change much in the immediate future, this study showcases one of the most popular examples of ongoing evolution that can be observed in urban areas,” said Dr. Fukano.</p>



<p>“Urban heat islands are precursors to global warming. Understanding the rapid adaptive evolution of urban organisms to high temperatures will provide valuable insights on ecosystem dynamics and sustainable crop production.”</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abq3542">Science Advances</a>.</p>



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Creeping woodsorrels changed their color to adapt to urbanization 

Urbanization has undeniably left a permanent mark on our planet....

<p>The sudden and dramatic disappearance of billions of snow crabs around Alaska is a disturbing indication of the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A study from the <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> (NOAA) study has linked the disappearance of the snow crabs to marine heat waves in the eastern Bering Sea. The experts say that warmer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-temperatures-hit-a-record-high-this-week-with-the-worst-heat-still-to-come/">ocean temperatures</a> likely caused the crabs to starve to death.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-iconic-species-nbsp">Iconic species&nbsp;</h2>



<p>"The snow crab is an iconic species in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/phytoplankton-bloom-bering-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bering Sea</a> that supports an economically important fishery and undergoes extensive monitoring and management. Since 2018, more than 10 billion snow crabs have disappeared from the eastern Bering Sea, and the population collapsed to historical lows in 2021," wrote the study authors. </p>



<p>"We link this collapse to a marine heatwave in the eastern Bering Sea during 2018 and 2019. Calculated caloric requirements, reduced spatial distribution, and observed body conditions suggest that starvation played a role in the collapse."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crab-harvest">Crab harvest </h2>



<p>Due to the decline, the <a href="https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alaska Department of Fish and Game</a> has canceled the snow crab harvest season for two consecutive years.</p>



<p>Study lead author and NOAA fishery biologist Cody Szuwalski told CNN: “When I received the 2021 data from the survey for the first time, my mind was just blown."</p>



<p>“Everybody was just kind of hoping and praying that that was an error in the survey and that next year you would see more crabs. And then in 2022, it was more of a resignation that this is going to be a long road."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dramatic-collapse-nbsp">Dramatic collapse&nbsp;</h2>



<p>While overfishing was initially suspected as the culprit, it doesn't explain the dramatic collapse. The researchers considered two primary explanations for the crabs' disappearance: they either moved to another location, or they died.&nbsp;</p>



<p>After analyzing various areas and factors, they concluded that a mass mortality event was the primary reason for the loss of the crabs.</p>



<p>"Our results do not support a strong connection between variability in snow crab mortality and indices of trawling, predation, cannibalism, or disease," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>"All of these forces must contribute to underlying mortality to some degree, but several observations corroborate the idea that temperature and population density were the key variables in the recent collapse."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hungrier-crabs">Hungrier crabs</h2>



<p>Warmer waters affect the metabolism of snow crabs, increasing their caloric needs. With disrupted food webs due to the heat, the crabs couldn't find enough food to meet their increased energy demands.</p>



<p>The absence of a temperature barrier allowed Pacific cod to enter the crabs' habitat during the heat wave, further decimating the crab population.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-warming">Rapid warming</h2>



<p>The Arctic region, especially the Bering Sea, has experienced rapid warming and a dramatic loss of sea ice. This accelerates global warming and has direct implications for marine life.</p>



<p>“This was a huge heat wave effect,” study co-author Kerim Aydin told CNN. “When the heat wave came through, it just created a huge amount of starvation."</p>



<p>"Other species may have moved in to take advantage of it, and then when the heat wave passed, things are maybe a bit more back to normal - although the crabs have a long road to getting past that even in normal times.”</p>



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



<p>The disappearance of snow crabs around Alaska is a distressing sign of how marine life is being affected by climate change.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Szuwalski told CNN what's happening with Alaska’s crabs is proof that the climate crisis is rapidly accelerating and impacting livelihoods.</p>



<p>“The big take home for me from the paper, and just the whole experience in general, is that historically, fishery scientists had been very worried about overfishing - this has been our white whale, and in a lot of places we really solved that with management,” Szuwalski said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“But climate change is really throwing a wrench into our plans, our models and our management systems.”</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adf6035" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Science</em></a>.</p>



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Snow crab season is canceled again as billions of them have simply disappeared

The sudden and dramatic disappearance of billions of snow crabs...

<p>U.S. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pumping-too-much-groundwater-affects-earths-spin/">groundwater</a> is witnessing a disturbing trend - increasing salinity. This is the conclusion of a study by the <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Geological Survey</a> (USGS) that spanned three decades. </p>



<p>The research highlights the impact of rising groundwater salinity on infrastructure, ecosystems, and human health.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decades-of-monitoring-nbsp">Decades of monitoring&nbsp;</h2>



<p>For over 30 years, the USGS has been tracking groundwater quality in wells across the country. The comprehensive analysis examined up to 500 chemical constituents including major ions, metals, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, fertilizers, and radionuclides.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Among these, Na and Cl ions and dissolved solids - which are indicators of salinity - had significantly increased.</p>



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



<p>The research is an ongoing effort under the National Water Quality Network, which evolved from the National Water Quality Assessment Project initiated in 1992.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The original goal was to evaluate the status of water quality in the nation, including groundwater, surface water, and ecological health,” said Bruce Lindsey, a hydrologist with USGS.</p>



<p>Over the years, the experts have zeroed in on certain constituents with potential long-term adverse effects.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-types-of-wells">Types of wells</h2>



<p>The researchers classified the wells into three categories: domestic, urban, and agricultural. Domestic wells, representing medium depth aquifers and drinking water, are unregulated private wells.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By contrast, urban and agricultural wells are shallower, ranging between 30 to 50 feet. “The purpose of (sampling) those were to understand the status and trends in the very shallowest water levels,” explained Lindsey. The shallow wells acted as “sort of a sentinel of what might be moving deeper into the aquifer, so to speak.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-constituents-of-concern">Constituents of concern</h2>



<p>After identifying 82 networks with 20 to 30 wells each, the team pinpointed 28 constituents of concern. These results are accessible on the USGS's <a href="https://nawqatrends.wim.usgs.gov/decadal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interactive groundwater map</a>, detailing decadal shifts.</p>



<p>“If we look at all 28 constituents across all 82 networks, dissolved solids, chloride, and sodium had statistically significant increases more frequently than any other constituents that we have on our list,” said Lindsey. “If you look at the map, you’ll see patterns right away that jump out.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-problem-areas">Problem areas</h2>



<p>Two primary regions stood out in terms of rising salinity. The Northeastern and Upper Midwest areas, especially around urban centers with cold climates, were impacted due to substantial road salt application.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Conversely, arid zones, notably in the southwest, faced natural soil salinity, which was exacerbated by irrigation practices.</p>



<p>“When irrigating agriculture in arid regions, you get a lot of evaporation,” explained Lindsey. “So if the salinity of the irrigation water is relatively low, but a large percentage of it evaporates, [salinity levels] can become high.”</p>



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



<p>The repercussions of increased salinity are numerous. Elevated chloride concentrations in groundwater, which feed into many streams, can disturb aquatic ecosystems.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Lindsey warned that these imbalances can take decades to materialize and an equal time to reverse, even if salinity sources are managed better.</p>



<p>On the infrastructure front, increased salinity means heightened corrosivity. This can result in lead and other metals leaching from household plumbing components.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-concerns">New concerns</h2>



<p>The study also revealed a unique concern tied to salinity. In a southern New Jersey sandy aquifer, high salinity combined with low pH water mobilized radium, a radioactive element dangerous to humans.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It goes back to road salt,” explained Lindsey. “Road salt is increasing, causing sodium and chloride to increase, which is causing radium to increase.”</p>



<p>Lindsey noted that there seems to be increased awareness of the environmental effects of road salt, with trucks spreading less salt or municipalities switching to a lower-concentration brine. He hopes that future research will highlight other cascading impacts of increasing salinity in groundwater.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The fact that there may be streams that are not able to sustain aquatic life, or that your pipes might start corroding, or this other more rare issue where there's radium, shows there are other negative aspects (to rising groundwater salinity).”</p>



<p>The research was presented at the 2023 meeting of the <a href="https://www.geosociety.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geological Society of America</a>.</p>



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Hidden threats: Groundwater salinity is on the rise

U.S. groundwater is witnessing a disturbing trend - increasing salinity....

<p>A new study is shedding light on the mysterious disappearance of certain marine animals at the South Pole between 390 to 385 million years ago. The research illustrates the profound impacts of climate and sea-level changes on marine ecosystems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-setting-the-stage-nbsp">Setting the stage&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Gondwana, a vast landmass encompassing parts of modern-day Africa, South America, and Antarctica, was uniquely positioned near the South Pole during the Early-Middle Devonian period.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Contrary to the icy landscape we associate with Antarctica today, this ancient supercontinent experienced warmer climates and higher <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-last-ice-age-shows-how-rising-sea-levels-will-transform-coastal-habitats/">sea levels</a>, resulting in the flooding of vast areas of land.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-malvinoxhosan-biota">The Malvinoxhosan biota</h2>



<p>For nearly two centuries, scientists have been perplexed by the emergence and eventual disappearance of the Malvinoxhosan biota - a group of marine animals that thrived in cooler waters. This group included various types of shellfish, many of which are now extinct.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"The origin and disappearance of these animals have remained an enigma for nearly two centuries until now," said study lead author Dr. Cameron Penn-Clarke, an expert in the Evolutionary Studies Institute at the <a href="https://www.wits.ac.za/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of the Witwatersrand</a>.</p>



<p>To investigate, the researchers collected and analyzed an extensive amount of fossil data. Using advanced analytical methods, they sifted through layers of ancient rock, each bearing its own unique set of fossils.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disturbing-discovery-nbsp">Disturbing discovery&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The analysis identified 7 to 8 distinct layers, each progressively showing a decline in marine animal diversity.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By comparing these layers with ancient environmental data and global temperature records, the researchers found a disturbing correlation: the decline in marine species coincided with fluctuating sea levels and climate changes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cooling-phase-nbsp">Cooling phase&nbsp;</h2>



<p>After over a decade of intensive research, Dr. Penn-Clarke and his team believe that the Malvinoxhosan biota thrived during a prolonged global cooling phase.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Cooler conditions fostered circumpolar thermal barriers, such as ocean currents near the poles. This isolation facilitated their specialization. However, as temperatures began to rise, these animals vanished, replaced by marine species better suited to warmer waters.</p>



<p>Alterations in sea levels during this period likely broke natural ocean barriers, allowing equatorial warm waters to permeate the South Pole. Consequently, these warm-water species dominated, signaling the decline of the Malvinoxhosan marine creatures.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-catastrophic-breakdown-nbsp">Catastrophic breakdown&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The demise of the Malvinoxhosan biota resulted in a catastrophic breakdown of polar ecosystems - a damage that was irreversible.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"This suggests a complete collapse in the functioning of polar environments and ecosystems to the point that they could never recover," said Dr. Penn-Clarke.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It's a 390-million-year-old murder mystery. We now know that the combined effects of changes in sea-level and temperature were the most likely 'smoking gun' behind this extinction event."</p>



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



<p>While this extinction event may have corresponded with known extinction events during the Early-Middle Devonian, researchers do not have adequate age inferences.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>"This research is important when we consider the biodiversity crisis we are facing in the present day," said Dr. Penn-Clarke. "It demonstrates the sensitivity of polar environments and ecosystems to changes in sea level and temperature. Any changes that occur are, unfortunately, permanent."</p>



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Disappearance of the Malvinoxhosan biota linked to climate change

A new study is shedding light on the mysterious disappearance...

Portrait,Of,Three,Chickens,Isolated,On,White,Background

<p>In an industry often criticized for its environmental impact, a creative solution for clean electricity emerges from an unexpected source: chicken feathers. </p>



<p>Typically, these by-products contribute significantly to the waste in poultry production, with an astonishing 40 million ton globally being incinerated annually. This disposal method not only exacerbates CO2 emissions but is also responsible for releasing harmful gases, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/short-term-exposure-to-air-pollution-increases-stroke-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sulfur dioxide</a>, making it an environmentally detrimental practice.</p>



<p>However, a collaborative venture between researchers at <a href="https://ethz.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ETH Zurich</a> and <a href="https://www.ntu.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nanyang Technological University Singapore</a> (NTU) promises a revolutionary repurposing for these feathers, potentially transforming a substantial environmental liability into a pioneering energy solution.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-converting-keratin-to-energy">Converting keratin to energy</h2>



<p>The innovation hinges on an intricate understanding of the composition of chicken feathers. Recognizing that the feathers are composed of 90% keratin, a protein also found in human hair and animal fur, the researchers developed a process to extract this protein and convert it into ultra-fine fibers known as amyloid fibrils. </p>



<p>These fibrils present a remarkable application: forming the membrane of a fuel cell, a device that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, heat, and water, thereby <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/chicken-feathers_electricity_diagram_credit-ETH-Zurich_1medium.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">generating CO2-free electricity</a>.</p>



<p>In stark contrast to conventional methods, this approach circumvents the use of toxic "forever chemicals" in fuel cell membranes. These traditional materials pose substantial environmental and health risks due to their non-biodegradable nature and high costs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inside-the-fuel-cell">Inside the fuel cell</h2>



<p>Fuel cells function through a delicate balance of chemical reactions, at the heart of which lies a semipermeable membrane. This membrane's critical role is to allow protons to pass while blocking electrons, thereby directing these electrons through an external circuit, generating an electric current.</p>



<p>The keratin-based membrane, born from repurposed waste, is not only a more environmentally friendly option but also significantly cheaper. Laboratory demonstrations indicate that these new membranes are up to three times less costly than their conventional counterparts, presenting an economically appealing alternative.</p>



<p>Professor Raffaele Mezzenga, a pivotal figure in this research from ETH Zurich, explains the profound environmental implications of their findings. He said, “Our latest development closes a cycle: we’re taking a substance that releases CO2 and toxic gases when burned and using it in a different setting. With our new technology, it not only replaces toxic substances but also prevents the release of CO2, decreasing the overall carbon footprint.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hydrogen-production-challenges">Hydrogen production challenges</h2>



<p>Despite the promise of hydrogen as a clean energy source, its widespread adoption faces significant hurdles. One primary challenge is the scarcity of naturally occurring hydrogen on Earth, necessitating energy-intensive production processes.</p>



<p>Here, the novel keratin membrane again demonstrates its potential. The membrane's unique properties make it suitable for water electrolysis, a process where water is split into oxygen and hydrogen using an electric current. While traditional electrolysis methods require certain additives to enhance water's conductivity, the keratin-based membrane facilitates efficient water splitting even in pure water, eliminating the need for these potentially harmful additives.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-electricity-from-chicken-feathers-the-path-ahead">Electricity from chicken feathers: the path ahead</h2>



<p>While the research has provided promising results, further investigations are necessary to determine the long-term stability and durability of the keratin membranes in real-world applications. Addressing these and other technical challenges is crucial for transitioning from laboratory success to full-scale commercial viability.</p>



<p>The team, driven by the potential global impact of their discovery, has filed a joint patent for the keratin-based membrane technology. They are actively seeking partnerships with investors and forward-thinking companies willing to join their quest in pioneering a cleaner, sustainable energy future. This collaboration will be essential for refining the technology, scaling up production, and eventually introducing these innovative fuel cells to the market.</p>



<p>In transforming poultry waste into an opportunity, the researchers are not just proposing a more sustainable form of energy production; they are reimagining global resources management and setting the stage for a more sustainable industrial future.</p>



<p>The full study was published by the <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.3c10218" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Chemical Society</a>.</p>



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New tech uses chicken feathers to generate clean electricity

In an industry often criticized for its environmental impact, a...

Western,,Bluebird,,Bird,,Couple,Male

<p>North America is currently facing a significant and rapid decline in bird populations, a situation that has been exacerbated by various factors, including the drastic impacts of climate change. The consequences of rising temperatures on these fragile ecosystems are profound, influencing bird reproduction and survival rates. </p>



<p>Recent findings from a study conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Davis</a>, highlight the multifaceted challenges birds encounter and the varying degrees of these challenges depending on their habitats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-impact-on-bird-reproduction">Climate impact on bird reproduction</h2>



<p>The team illuminated how climate change, particularly the phenomenon of extreme temperatures, affects bird reproduction differently across diverse environments. These revelations are crucial in understanding how combined stressors, such as habitat degradation and climate-induced heat, influence bird populations throughout the United States.</p>



<p>One of the critical discoveries was the detrimental effect of extreme high temperatures on bird reproductive success within agricultural landscapes. Birds residing near farmlands experience a significant reduction in fledgling success during temperature spikes, with their chances of successful reproduction being halved compared to more temperate conditions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protective-role-of-forest-habitats">Protective role of forest habitats</h2>



<p>Contrastingly, forest environments appear to serve as sanctuaries against the harsh temperatures. The natural canopy cover and shaded areas within these forests contribute significantly to nesting success, thereby offering a crucial climate refuge for various bird species.</p>



<p>Katherine Lauck, the study’s co-lead author and a Ph.D. candidate in ecology at UC Davis, emphasizes the disparity in heat effects between agricultural and forest-nesting birds. She suggests that canopy cover could be a decisive factor in providing much-needed climate refuges, crucial for the survival of diverse bird species that thrive in these habitats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-areas-unexpected-safe-havens">Urban areas: Unexpected safe havens?</h2>



<p>Interestingly, the study found that urban settings, contrary to popular belief, had less negative impact on bird nesting success during heat waves compared to agricultural landscapes. Urban nests, often located in city parks or residential areas with significant tree cover, seemed to benefit from these “mini-forests,” providing a buffer against temperature extremes.</p>



<p>Lauck points out that common cityscapes like backyards and parks could play a vital role as bird habitats, offering a degree of protection against future climate extremes. These findings indicate the importance of urban green spaces for wildlife conservation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bird-reproduction-and-citizen-science">Bird reproduction and citizen science</h2>



<p>The project, initiated by Associate Professor Daniel Karp and his students from the Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, was a response to keep the lab connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. They leveraged data from <a href="https://nestwatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NestWatch</a>, a citizen science program by Cornell University’s <a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Laboratory of Ornithology</a>.</p>



<p>This large-scale initiative involves volunteers across the country monitoring local bird nests and recording valuable data. The extensive dataset, encompassing over 152,000 nesting records from nearly 60 bird species across various habitats over 23 years, provided a unique insight into bird reproduction trends and the challenges posed by climate change and habitat loss.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-most-vulnerable-species">The most vulnerable species</h2>



<p>The research delved into the species most affected by temperature extremes in agricultural settings. It was observed that the impact was broad, significantly affecting all studied bird species, including western bluebirds and tree swallows, common inhabitants of farms.</p>



<p>The vulnerability was even more pronounced in threatened birds and those that construct open-cup nests, exposing them directly to the elements. According to Karp, the alarming decline in nesting success becomes even more concerning for species already under conservation scrutiny.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-ahead-predictions-and-conservation">Looking ahead: Predictions and conservation</h2>



<p>The implications of the study are far-reaching, predicting a further 5% decline in nesting success in agricultural landscapes by 2100 if current greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated. This forecast underscores the urgent need for measures to counteract these effects.</p>



<p>The research advocates for immediate action, such as reducing emissions and creating or preserving natural vegetation patches to serve as thermal refuges. These steps are essential for bird conservation, especially in urban and agricultural settings.</p>



<p>Karp suggests practical interventions, such as strategically placing nest boxes in shaded areas and maintaining native vegetation to provide the necessary cover and protection from heat. These actions could significantly influence the survival of bird populations in the coming years, ensuring these crucial members of the ecosystem continue to thrive.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the renowned journal <em><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.add2915" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a></em>.</p>



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Bird reproduction suffers greatly during heat waves

North America is currently facing a significant and rapid decline...

Climate,Changes.,Water,Levels,Are,Rising.,Large,Sea,Waves,Relentlessly

<p>Global coastal adaptations are alarmingly insufficient to confront the vulnerabilities posed by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humanity-should-brace-for-catastrophic-climate-change/">climate change</a>, warns a new study.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts say that in order to address these problems, decisive action is needed by the international policy community to identify global priorities in key risk areas.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-short-sighted-projects-nbsp">Short-sighted projects&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“Recent analyses conclude that despite adaptation undertaken in all regions and sectors, global action remains incremental in scale: policies and projects are usually short-sighted and single hazard-focused, inadequately address the root causes of exposure and vulnerability, and are poorly monitored," said Professor Robert Nicholls of the <a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/">University of East Anglia</a>.</p>



<p>"There is also little evidence of effective risk reduction in relation to implemented responses.”&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>Study lead author Dr. Alexandre Magnan is an expert at the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI).</p>



<p>“Assessing climate adaptation is a burning scientific and policy question because, as today’s global climate risk will experience a two- to four-fold increase by the end of this century depending on the global greenhouse gas emissions trajectory, we need to know the current status toward addressing its consequences," said Dr. Magnan.</p>



<p>“New, alternative methods to assess adaptation are urgently needed in order carry out effective planning and action, evidence on risk reduction, capabilities and create a long-term vision.”&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-current-state-of-adaptation">Current state of adaptation</h2>



<p>Based on 61 coastal case studies, the researchers have provided a locally informed perspective on the current state of global coastal adaptation, addressing both extreme and gradual climate changes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study covered a range of effects including coastal erosion, marine flooding, sea-level rise, soil and groundwater salinization, inland flooding due to heavy precipitation, and permafrost thaw.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>The results revealed a noticeable distinction between urban and rural areas. While urban coastal areas seem to have more evolved strategies, long-term plans are conspicuously lacking across both sectors.</p>



<p>According to the researchers, global coastal adaptation efforts have achieved only half of their full potential.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-low-lying-coastlines-nbsp">Low-lying coastlines&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Highlighting the imminent danger of sea-level rise, the team stated that the risks to low-lying coastlines are already detectable.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“By the end of the century and in the absence of ambitious adaptation efforts, these risks will become significant, widespread and possibly irreversible in atolls and Arctic coasts," said Professor Nicholls.</p>



<p>"The lower estimates for deltas are still a concern given these geographies’ population sizes and economic importance globally.”&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-adaptation-progress-tracker">Global Adaptation Progress Tracker</h2>



<p>To better assess adaptation efforts, the researchers have introduced the Global Adaptation Progress Tracker (GAP-Track). This tracker aligns with the framework for the Global Goal on Adaptation established under the Paris Agreement in 2015.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Countries still struggle finding a way to operationalize the Global Goal on Adaptation and to conduct the Global Stocktake (GST) series that aims to collectively track adaptation progress and gaps, with a first iteration due at COP28 in the United Arab Emirates," said Dr. Magnan.</p>



<p>“The multi-dimensional and locally grounded assessment developed in this study for coastal adaptation confirms the need to drastically scale up adaptation policy and action around the globe, from local governments and stakeholders to the international climate policy arena."&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We are arguing that the approach developed in this paper can play a decisive role in helping refine both targets and priorities.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/nclimate/"><em>Nature Climate Change</em></a>.</p>



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Coastal adaptations are alarmingly insufficient, study warns

Global coastal adaptations are alarmingly insufficient to confront the vulnerabilities...

<p>Expanding crop farming worldwide is emerging as the leading cause for the loss of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-solutions-for-the-climate-and-biodiversity-crisis/">biodiversity</a> in the wilderness. </p>



<p>A new study published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(23)01229-0?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0960982223012290%3Fshowall%3Dtrue" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Current Biology</em></a> has revealed the transformations that may be witnessed in the global agricultural landscape over the next four decades.</p>



<p>The researchers analyzed data from 1,708 crops in a database established by the Food and Agricultural Organization. They predict a significant shift in farming regions due to global warming.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-suitable-land-for-farming">Suitable land for farming</h2>



<p>As temperatures rise, high-latitude areas closer to the poles could become prime locations for agricultural activities, potentially threatening the vast wilderness across these regions.</p>



<p>“We expected that warming temperatures would increase agricultural suitability at high latitudes, but the scale of this result, and the extent to which this newly suitable land is in wilderness, was surprising: 76% of newly suitable land at high latitudes is currently wilderness, equivalent to 10% of the total wilderness in these areas," said study lead author Alexandra Gardner of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-solutions-for-the-climate-and-biodiversity-crisis/">University of Exeter</a>.</p>



<p>For now, most global crop cultivation is concentrated in regions closer to the equator. Yet, these areas are already suffering wilderness loss due to expanding agriculture.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-agricultural-pursuits-nbsp">Agricultural pursuits&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Looking ahead, the team predicts a worrisome future where around 72% of currently agriculturally viable land may experience a significant dip in biodiversity. This is because, as high-latitude regions get warmer, they are becoming more ideal for farming.</p>



<p>Shocking data indicates that since the early 1990s, a whopping 3.3 million square kilometers of wilderness, almost double the size of Alaska, have been lost to agricultural pursuits.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The creation of numerous protected areas over the years has not been adequate to counterbalance the immense pressure exerted by agriculture on natural habitats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-minimizing-the-impacts">Minimizing the impacts</h2>



<p>“We need to understand the specific impacts of different agricultural practices on biodiversity,” said Gardner. “An important step is knowing how we can maintain or improve crop yields on existing agricultural land using sustainable practices that do not harm or minimize the negative impacts on natural biodiversity.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>Gardner and colleagues say that a good way to do this is to promote manmade biodiversity by growing a variety of crops that have been tailored to the natural environment on a single farm.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This type of practice could be integrated with the environment without hampering native wildlife, and could also act as a safeguard against the threats of climate change.</p>



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



<p>The researchers noted in their paper that strategy and policy must evolve alongside agriculture.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This is never going to be successful unless you bring the farmers into the decision-making process,” said Ilya Maclean of the University of Exeter.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“What we’ve seen over the last 50 years is a shift toward extensive large fields and monocultures. It’s much cheaper for a farmer to produce crops that way. But if you grow a single crop on your farm, you’re more susceptible to the uncertainties of climate change.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>“What we'll be seeing is parts of the last untouched places on the planet becoming more suited for agriculture."</p>



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High-latitude wilderness will become a target for agriculture

Expanding crop farming worldwide is emerging as the leading cause...

<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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<p>—–</p>

Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

[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>



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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

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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>



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



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

Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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

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