<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>Deep beneath the waves off the coast of Alaska, an exploration team embarking on the <a href="https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/seascape-alaska/welcome.html">Seascape Alaska 5 expedition</a> encountered a mystery.&nbsp;While guiding a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) along the ocean floor, they noticed a shining golden object. </p>



<p>This unexplained discovery has stunned scientists, presenting more questions than answers.</p>



<h2 id="h-oceanic-wonders">Oceanic wonders&nbsp;</h2>



<p>It’s often stated that our understanding of the Moon's surface surpasses our knowledge of our own ocean. This bizarre "golden egg" can now be added to the list of oceanic wonders that include the eerie yellow-brick roads and peculiar creatures of the Mariana Trench.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As researchers pilot their equipment thousands of meters below the sea level, every dive has the potential to unveil secrets that we cannot yet comprehend.</p>



<h2 id="h-inspecting-the-object">Inspecting the object</h2>



<p>The golden object - located two miles deep and firmly attached to a rocky base - wasn't just a solid piece. It was found with a gaping hole in the front, prompting a researcher (as captured in the live feed broadcasted by the Miami Herald) to remark, “Something tried to get in… or to get out.”</p>



<p>The task of closely inspecting this orb fell upon a robotic arm. The ROV’s capabilities went beyond mere inspection: it delicately vacuumed a series of peculiar discs from a sea wall. This highlights the advanced capabilities that scientists now have to interact with deep-sea environments.</p>



<p>One of the expedition members humorously noted the surrealness of the situation: “I just hope when we poke it, something doesn’t decide to come out.”</p>



<h2 id="h-leading-theories">Leading theories</h2>



<p>Currently, the leading theories surrounding the golden object mystery range from it being an unusually reflective egg casing to the remnants of an unknown species of sponge.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, no consensus has been reached. It was fortunate that the ROV managed to secure the specimen for further analysis.</p>



<p>One thing is for certain - this discovery is genuinely odd. “When our collective knowledge can’t identify it, it’s something weird," said a team member.</p>



<h2 id="h-potentially-a-new-species">Potentially a new species</h2>



<p>Dr. Tammy Horton at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton said the golden object is potentially a new species.</p>



<p>"It is not unusual to find unknowns in the deep sea – we have a lot to explore," Dr. Horton told MailOnline</p>



<p>"They have a sample and will be able to study it more closely and will probably do some genetic analyses to determine at least what sort of animal it came from."</p>



<h2 id="h-the-sponge-theory">The sponge theory</h2>



<p>Dr. Lucy Woodall, a professor at the University of Exeter, agreed with the idea that the golden object may be a type of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-sponges-play-a-critical-role-in-the-ocean-and-they-are-rapidly-vanishing/">sponge</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"The hole is probably just damage that has been suffered over time, but then again it could provide a whole new insight as to how life in the deep sea survives and thrives," Dr. Woodall told MailOnline.</p>



<p>"However the deep sea is full of wonders that we are only just discovering. I look forward to learning more about it from the taxonomists who will be working on the collected specimen."</p>



<h2 id="h-seascape-alaska-5-expedition">Seascape Alaska 5 expedition</h2>



<p>The Seascape Alaska 5 expedition, which began on August 23, has been navigating from Kodiak to Seward, Alaska. Their mission focuses on exploring marine environments deeper than 200 meters (656 feet), reaching depths up to 6,000 meters (19,685 feet).&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to NOAA, the objective is to explore deep-sea coral and sponge habitats, fish habitats, chemosynthetic communities, and the water column and to improve knowledge of past and potential geohazards.</p>



<p>And the most exciting part of this grand oceanic journey? Thanks to cutting-edge telepresence technology, this expedition is not limited to scientists and crew members.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Anyone with internet access can <a href="https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/seascape-alaska/">join virtually</a>, witnessing and listening to the ongoing dives, making the deep mysteries of the ocean more accessible to all.</p>



<p><em>Image Credit: <a href="https://www.noaa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA Ocean Exploration</a>&nbsp;</em></p>



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Mysterious golden object unknown to science is recovered from the seafloor

Deep beneath the waves off the coast of Alaska, an...

<p>Italy's iconic mountain forests could soon undergo a historic transformation due to the ongoing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-solutions-for-the-climate-and-biodiversity-crisis/">climate crisis</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Trees that once stood tall, defining the European landscape, may become rare or vanish altogether, while others could start an uphill trek - potentially by several hundred meters.</p>



<h2 id="h-looking-into-the-future">Looking into the future</h2>



<p>In a study published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/ffgc.2023.1250651"><em>Frontiers in Forests and Global Change</em></a>, scientists mapped the forests of five mountain areas in Italy considered most susceptible to climate change, offering a glimpse into the future of these ecosystems.</p>



<p>“If I imagine my daughter walking with me as an old man, in our mountain forests, I can imagine that we can see the initial stage of a profound change of species," said Dr. Sergio Noce, of the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change Foundation (CMCC).</p>



<p>This transformation won't happen overnight. “Like any natural process, time is needed, and forests have times that are totally different from us," said Dr. Noce.</p>



<h2 id="h-deep-roots">Deep roots</h2>



<p>The significance of forests extends far beyond their aesthetic appeal. They support local economies through wood products and wild foods like truffles. Their broader ecological role influences water availability and quality, promotes biodiversity, conserves soil, and provides recreational outlets.</p>



<p>Today, Italy has forests across a third of its territory, and this green expanse is growing. Yet, the increasing frequency of droughts, storms, and fires has left scars on these forests, thrusting them into a period of rapid environmental change. The mountain forests, in particular, are on the frontline of this climate crisis.</p>



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



<p>Dr. Noce and his team ventured into these forests, creating detailed species distribution models for five regions stretching across the Apennines and the Alps.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers combined these models with climate change projections derived from two distinct scenarios: a future with moderated emissions and another with "business as usual."&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-informing-conservation-efforts">Informing conservation efforts&nbsp;</h2>



<p>As a result of the analysis, the experts visualized the potential habitats for trees leading up to 2050.</p>



<p>“Knowing which species will be advantaged or disadvantaged in future conditions can help us in planning, management, and conservation choices," said Dr. Noce.</p>



<p>“The forest provides humans with very important ecosystem services - the regulation of the water cycle, the biodiversity, the wood and non-wood products, the tourism, the capture and storage of CO2 and many others. Every choice made today impacts these services for years to come and must be made with as much knowledge as possible.”</p>



<h2 id="h-fate-of-the-forests">Fate of the forests&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The research revealed shrinking habitats for the majority of species. A few, notably the European larch and the Turkey oak, might find broader horizons, potentially expanding beyond their current bounds. This pattern persisted under both scenarios, though the magnitude of change varied.</p>



<p>The predictions indicate an upward migration of the tree line, making species with niche habitats particularly vulnerable. Alpine meadows might become limited as trees gradually dominate their territory.</p>



<p>The silver fir and European beech emerged as notably vulnerable. Of the surveyed regions, the northern and north-eastern Apennines appeared most threatened, with their tree species particularly susceptible to alteration. Yet, forests with diverse species appeared to be more resilient.</p>



<h2 id="h-study-implications">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



<p>During this unprecedented transformation, certain tree species may introduce unexpected challenges. The Maritime pine, proposed for reinforcing forests in the southern Apennines, is more flammable than other trees in this region.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, the authors cautioned that the relationship between environmental variables and species presence may not remain the same as in the past, and that change could still surprise us.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We can consider this work as an experiment to be extended,” said Dr. Noce. “We already plan to deepen our research in Italy thanks to the European funds of the Next Generation EU program, but we plan to do so also by expanding the geographical extent and the time horizon.”</p>



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Italy's mountain forests are on the frontline of the climate crisis

Italy's iconic mountain forests could soon undergo a historic transformation...

<p>In an extraordinary display of nature's power, Hurricane Idalia, which recently devastated parts of the United States, pushed flamingos out of eastern Mexico into states as far north as Ohio.</p>



<p>Scientists believe the flamingos were on their migratory path between Cuba and the Yucatan when they got swept up by the intense winds of Idalia. "We have never seen anything like this," said Jerry Lorenz, the state director of research for <a href="https://fl.audubon.org/">Audubon Florida</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-rare-flamingo-sightings">Rare flamingo sightings</h2>



<p>As Hurricane Idalia tore through the Caribbean sea and hit Florida, flamingos began appearing in its wake. They were first spotted in Florida, a state where their presence has become exceedingly rare due to hunting.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Flamingo sightings soon spread from Georgia to the Carolinas, Virginia, and even inland states like Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, and Ohio. Following the trajectory of the hurricane, the locations of these sightings almost mapped the storm's path.</p>



<p>"It's just really surprising that if you follow the path of Idalia, it really does kind of fall out to the north and south of that central track," said Lorenz.</p>



<h2 id="h-unprecedented-event">Unprecedented event</h2>



<p>Florida, despite being emblematic for these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/demand-for-lithium-comes-at-a-cost-to-flamingos/">birds</a>, is home to only one percent of the global flamingo population. The appearance of "flamboyances" (a term used to describe a group of flamingos) was an astonishing sight to locals.</p>



<p>Lorenz told the media: "We will get a flamingo or two following storms but this is really unprecedented."</p>



<p>A particularly noteworthy sighting occurred at the scenic Caesar Creek Park lake, near Waynesville in southwest Ohio. Here, an adult and a juvenile flamingo were observed "just hanging out and sleeping in about a foot of water near the shore," according to eyewitness Jacob Roalef.</p>



<h2 id="h-resilient-birds">Resilient birds</h2>



<p>With over 150 flamingos displaced by Idalia's powerful winds, their well-being and return have become a topic of discussion among experts and bird enthusiasts.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While Lorenz assures that the resilient flamingos are capable of flying thousands of miles and should have no issues returning before the onset of the winter season, he urges bird-watchers to exercise caution. "These birds are stressed right now. They just went through a terrible ordeal."</p>



<h2 id="h-unexpected-treat-for-bird-watchers">Unexpected treat for bird watchers&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Nate Swick from the <a href="https://www.aba.org/">American Birding Association</a> told ABC News that Hurricane Idalia was the kind of storm that bird watchers dream of "because you never know what kind of species it will bring with it."&nbsp;</p>



<p>While ocean-going birds like terns are commonly associated with such storms, flamingos were a surprise. "No one really expected that flamingos would be the bird that Idalia was known for," Swick told ABC News.</p>



<p>One particular flamingo was identified by a unique alphanumeric code, which traced back to Río Lagartos, a breeding colony in Mexico. This confirmed that the birds were from the Yucatan Peninsula.</p>



<h2 id="h-how-do-flamingos-navigate-storms">How do flamingos navigate storms?</h2>



<p>The experts do not know how birds travel within a storm. One theory is that flocks get caught up in the front edge of the storm, in the northwest quadrant, which meteorologists refer to as "the dirty side" of the storm due to the stronger winds, said Swick.</p>



<p>He told NPR that the birds were likely either in Yucatan or on their way to Cuba when the storm hit them. The flamingos went with the winds instead of fighting against them, as the eastern portion of the storm drove the birds up the western side of Florida.</p>



<h2 id="h-returning-home">Returning home</h2>



<p>Swick noted to NPR that flamingos are big, strong birds, more than capable of making their way back home - like they did in 2019 following Hurricane Barry. That particular storm pushed a handful of flamingos into western Tennessee and Missouri.</p>



<p>"They kind of hung around there for a little while, and then eventually started making their way back," Swick told NPR. "I think the flamingos are likely to start heading towards the coast, whether or not they know which direction to go, I don't know. Birds are capable of things that we cannot imagine."</p>



<h2 id="h-flamingos-in-florida">Flamingos in Florida</h2>



<p>Historically, flamingos were native to Florida but were hunted extensively in the 19th century for their feathers, which were coveted in women's fashion.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Lorenz spoke about the occasional flamingos that visit South Florida for breeding purposes, emphasizing the efforts to rejuvenate wetlands for their permanent return.</p>



<h2 id="h-phenomenal-event">Phenomenal event</h2>



<p>This is not the first instance of flamingos being rerouted by storm systems, but the sheer numbers observed post-Hurricane Idalia are unprecedented. As Greg Neise of the American Birding Association noted, "It's been pretty phenomenal."</p>



<p>Birders are reveling in the unexpected opportunity to observe the flamingos in the United States. While many of the birds may soon find their way back home, their brief visit will be remembered for years to come.</p>



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Flamingos were blown out of Mexico as far north as Ohio by Hurricane Idalia

In an extraordinary display of nature's power, Hurricane Idalia, which...

<p>A new study from <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/">Oregon State University</a> suggests that tiny air bubbles may be ramping up the rate of glacier melt, ultimately contributing to sea level rise.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research suggests that the rapid retreat of tidewater glaciers – glaciers that terminate at the sea – may be influenced by the bursting of pressurized air bubbles trapped in the ice.</p>



<h2 id="h-melting-behavior-of-glacier-ice">Melting behavior of glacier ice&nbsp;</h2>



<p>In the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41561-023-01262-8"><em>Nature Geoscience</em></a>, the experts describe the melting behavior of glacier ice compared to other forms of ice. Unlike the bubble-free <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-sea-ice-algae-heavily-contaminated-with-microplastics/">sea ice</a> or manufactured ice typically used in research, glacier ice undergoes melting at a much faster rate.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This revelation carries significant implications, especially considering that tidewater glaciers around the world, from Greenland to the Antarctic Peninsula, are retreating at unprecedented speeds.</p>



<h2 id="h-tiny-air-bubbles">Tiny air bubbles&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“We have known for a while that glacier ice is full of bubbles," said study lead author Meagan Wengrove, assistant professor of Coastal Engineering at OSU. “It was only when we started talking about the physics of the process that we realized those bubbles may be doing a lot more than just making noise underwater as the ice melts.”</p>



<p>But what is the origin of these bubbles? As snow compacts to form glacier ice, the air pockets nestled between snowflakes find themselves trapped within the ice's pores.&nbsp;</p>



<p>With an estimated 200 bubbles per cubic centimeter, glacier ice consists of approximately 10% air.&nbsp;</p>



<h2>Pressurized air</h2>



<p>“These are the same bubbles that preserve ancient air studied in ice cores," said study co-author and glaciologist Erin Pettit. “The tiny bubbles can have very high pressures – sometimes up to 20 atmospheres, or 20 times normal atmospheric pressure at sea level.”</p>



<p>As the bubbly glacier ice reaches the sea, these pressurized bubbles rupture, creating distinct popping sounds. Despite the prior knowledge of these bubbles' existence, Wengrove noted the absence of studies investigating their impact on melting at the glacier-ocean interface.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The existence of pressurized bubbles in glacier ice has been known for a long time but no studies had looked at their effect on melting where a glacier meets the ocean, even though bubbles are known to affect fluid mixing in multiple processes ranging from industrial to medical," said Wengrove.</p>



<h2 id="h-explosive-bursts">Explosive bursts&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Lab experiments indicate that these bubbles might be a piece of the puzzle, bridging the gap between observed and anticipated melt rates of tidewater glaciers.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The explosive bursts of those bubbles, and their buoyancy, energize the ocean boundary layer during melting,” explained Wengrove.</p>



<h2 id="h-climate-models">Climate models</h2>



<p>This discovery could radically reshape climate models, particularly those focusing on the topmost 40 to 60 meters of the ocean. The team found that glacier ice laden with bubbles melts more than twice as rapidly as bubble-free ice.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Pettit emphasized the challenge posed by existing models. “The models currently used to predict ice melt at the ice-ocean interface of tidewater glaciers do not account for bubbles in glacier ice.”</p>



<h2 id="h-study-implications">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Such findings have profound implications for predicting global sea-level rise. At present, NASA data attributes roughly 60% of sea level rise to meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Achieving a more precise understanding of ice melt mechanisms can enhance predictions of glacier retreat rates. Wengrove highlighted the practical implications of these findings, noting, “it’s a lot more difficult for a community to plan for a 10-foot increase in water level than it is for a 1-foot increase.”</p>



<p>Wengrove also emphasized the broader significance of these tiny bubbles. “Those little bubbles may play an outsized role in understanding critical future climate scenarios.”</p>



<p>The research was funded by the Keck Foundation, the National Science Foundation, and the National Geographic Society.</p>



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Tiny air bubbles trapped in glacier ice accelerate the rate of melting

A new study from Oregon State University suggests that tiny...

Couple,Stargazing,Together,With,A,Astronomical,Telescope.

<p>The September night sky in 2023 promises to be a captivating month for both casual observers and astronomers, as the night sky unveils a series of celestial spectacles, according to this month's <a href="https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/resources/2989/whats-up-september-2023-skywatching-tips-from-nasa/">skywatching tips</a> from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a>.</p>



<h2 id="h-venus-in-the-september-night-sky">Venus in the September night sky</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/volcanoes-cover-nearly-the-entire-surface-of-venus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Venus</a>, the second planet from the sun, has dazzled us during the evening for most of the year. However, in a recent shift, "Venus has now switched over to being a morning sky object," as described by NASA.</p>



<p>Rising in the eastern sky just before the dawn breaks, it manifests itself as a "bright beacon." For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, this superheated, cloud-covered planet can be observed at an altitude ranging from 30 to 40 degrees above the horizon as the month progresses.</p>



<h2 id="h-saturn-and-jupiter">Saturn and Jupiter&nbsp;</h2>



<p>But Venus isn't the only planet putting on a show. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/megastorms-on-saturn-are-larger-than-the-earth-and-last-for-hundreds-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saturn</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/webb-captures-jupiter-in-a-whole-new-light/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jupiter</a>, two of the solar system's gas giants, are persisting in their presence this month, and will be visible to the naked eye.&nbsp;</p>



<p>After the sun dips below the horizon, Saturn can be found low in the southeast. Jupiter then makes its appearance a couple of hours later, says NASA.</p>



<p>The majestic Saturn will set a few hours prior to sunrise, leaving Jupiter, the king of planets, to dominate the celestial stage until the morning light.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Mark September 4th on your calendar. On this day, "Jupiter will be together with the Moon, high in the southwest before dawn."</p>



<h2 id="h-supermoon-in-september-s-night-sky">Supermoon in September's night sky</h2>



<p>September will also reveal this year's fourth and final supermoon on the 29th.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Supermoons, as described in NASA's video below, are essentially full moons that appear when our natural satellite is proximal to its nearest orbital point around Earth.&nbsp;</p>



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="HTeEPT9yE9-2981992-12187" type="single"]</div>



<p>This month’s full moon carries the distinctive title of the "Harvest Moon." Historically significant, the Harvest Moon's radiance right after sunset traditionally granted farmers in the Northern Hemisphere the extended illumination they needed to bring in their crops in advance of the first frost.</p>



<h2 id="h-zodiacal-light">Zodiacal light</h2>



<p>For those observers who are willing to venture out in the pre-dawn hours of the September night sky, there's a captivating phenomenon awaiting you.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The zodiacal light, "a triangular or cone-shaped pillar of faint light," offers an elusive sight best observed during the equinoxes in March and September.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This mesmerizing light is a consequence of sunlight reflecting off an "interplanetary dust cloud," which extends to the outer reaches of the inner solar system.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Northern Hemisphere viewers are advised to seek this faint gleam in the east during the hour or so before morning twilight begins. Those in the Southern Hemisphere should turn their gaze westward after evening twilight, says NASA.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-origin-of-the-light">Origin of the light</h2>



<p>The best conditions for observing the zodiacal light? "Relatively dark skies," especially during the latter half of September when the Moon's absence enhances visibility.</p>



<p>What's fascinating about this zodiacal light is its origin. "Most of this dust orbits the Sun in the same plane as the planets do. So it's like looking out, into the disk of the solar system," explains NASA.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The dust's source remains a subject of intrigue, with potential candidates ranging from comets to the planet Mars and asteroids.</p>



<h2 id="h-osiris-rex-returns-to-earth">OSIRIS-REx returns to Earth</h2>



<p>Also this month, NASA's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/osiris-rex-is-bringing-an-asteroid-sample-back-to-earth-this-month-worrying-many-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OSIRIS-REx mission</a> is set to bring celestial wonders right here on Earth. This spacecraft, after collecting samples from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu in 2020, is on its homeward journey.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As it nears Earth, the spacecraft will release its sample return capsule. The anticipated landing is slated for Utah on September 24th.</p>



<p><em>Image &amp; Video Credit: NASA/ JPL - Caltech&nbsp;</em></p>



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What's up this week in the September night skies?

The September night sky in 2023 promises to be a...

<p>The global food system is at a critical juncture with the impending surge in global population. This system, which currently contributes between 21% and 37% of Earth's yearly greenhouse gas <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-food-system-must-change-if-nations-hope-to-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions/">emissions</a>, could skyrocket its emissions contribution to anywhere between 50% and 80% by 2050.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-agricultural-technologies">Agricultural technologies&nbsp;</h2>



<p>But now, a promising study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000181"><em>PLOS Climate</em></a><em> </em>reveals how agricultural technologies can not only mitigate the escalation of emissions but potentially reverse it by ushering in net negative emissions.</p>



<p>The research was conducted by Benjamin Z. Houlton, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at <a href="https://www.cornell.edu/">Cornell University</a>, and Maya Almaraz, an associate research scholar at Princeton University.</p>



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



<p>“Our study recognizes the food system as one of the most powerful weapons in the battle against global climate change,” stated Houlton. “We need to move beyond silver-bullet thinking and rapidly test, verify and scale local solutions by leveraging market-based incentives.”</p>



<h2 id="h-dietary-changes">Dietary changes&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Several past studies have vouched for the transformative power of global dietary shifts in curbing emissions. One of the prominent recommendations in this realm is the "flexitarian" diet, advocated by the EAT-Lancet Commission.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, even if the entire global population adopted this diet by 2050, it would result in a mere gross reduction of 8.2 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions - a commendable yet inadequate figure in light of the net negative emissions target.</p>



<p>“Our study examines both dietary change and agricultural technologies, as various options for slashing emissions,” said Almaraz, emphasizing the inclusion of carbon sequestration analyses.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-innovative-techniques">Innovative techniques&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Contrasting the minimal influence of dietary changes on carbon sequestration, Almaraz noted that the array of agricultural technologies - even those few they studied - presents huge promise.</p>



<p>Among the myriad of innovative techniques, the study highlights the potency of soil enhancements for crops such as biochar, compost, and rock amendments, the promotion of agroforestry, sustainable seafood harvesting, and the introduction of hydrogen-driven fertilizer production.&nbsp;</p>



<p>One intriguing method involves “enhanced weathering.” By integrating silicate rock dust into crop soils every half-decade, carbonate formation is expedited, gobbling up vast quantities of carbon dioxide.</p>



<h2 id="h-promising-strategies">Promising strategies&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Moreover, strategies like agroforestry, where trees are sowed on dormant farmlands, can sequester up to 10.3 billion metric tons of carbon annually.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In addition, farming seaweed at the ocean’s crest and subsequently submerging it into the ocean depths can pull out a staggering 10.7 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Livestock feed supplementation and applying biochar to farmlands are other promising strategies, capable of slashing methane and nitrous oxide emissions significantly.</p>



<h2 id="h-portfolio-of-solutions">Portfolio of solutions&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Food-system environmental action needs to start regionally. Houlton said that anaerobic digesters have been converting manure from New York’s dairy farms into electricity since the mid-1970s, reducing emissions, supporting energy self-sufficiency, and assisting in water quality improvements.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The biogas resulting from the waste becomes energy that local electric companies can easily use, but this approach must avoid gas leaks and financial incentives are still necessary, explained Houlton. “We need a portfolio of solutions that are effective locally but have global impact."</p>



<p>While individual dietary shifts towards healthier alternatives are commendable, Houlton asserts that to genuinely counteract the escalating greenhouse gas emissions, we need to rely heavily on agricultural technologies and management techniques.</p>



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Agricultural technologies can reverse climate change

The global food system is at a critical juncture with...

<p>In the 33rd annual State of the Climate report, experts have documented record concentrations of greenhouse gases, alarming rises in global sea levels, and significant increases in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-ancient-ocean-floor-surrounds-the-earths-core/">ocean</a> heat content in 2022.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-about-the-report">About the report</h2>



<p>This annual review, which offers a detailed analysis of the world's climate, represents an international collaboration that includes contributions from 570+ scientists across 60 countries.</p>



<p>The report stands as an authoritative reference, bringing together an assortment of data meticulously collected from monitoring stations and instruments spread across land, water, ice, and even outer space.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-annual-checkup">Annual checkup</h2>



<p>Derek Arndt, the Director of NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), likened the report to "an annual physical of the Earth system."</p>



<p>"It serves present and future generations by documenting and sharing data that indicate increasingly extreme and changing conditions in our warming world," said Arndt.</p>



<h2 id="h-significance-of-the-findings">Significance of the findings&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Paul Higgins, the associate executive director of the American Meteorological Society, conveyed the gravity of the findings: "People are causing the largest known change in global climate since our transition to agriculture thousands of years ago."&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-key-findings-from-the-report">Key findings from the report</h2>



<p>The State of the Climate report has confirmed our worst environmental fears: greenhouse gas concentrations, global sea levels, and ocean heat content reached alarming highs in 2022. The report sends an urgent message about the current state of our planet:</p>



<h3 id="h-greenhouse-gas-levels">Greenhouse gas levels</h3>



<p>In 2022, atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations reached historical peaks. Specifically, carbon dioxide touched 417.1 ppm, a staggering 50% rise from pre-industrial levels and the highest ever recorded in over 800,000 years.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Concurrently, methane saw a 165% spike from its pre-industrial level, while nitrous oxide levels increased at rates unseen in the past decade, indicating an upsurge in emissions.</p>



<h3 id="h-global-warming-trends">Global warming trends&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Scientific analysis revealed that 2022 ranked amongst the six hottest years since the late 1800s. Despite La Nina's cooling effect, 2022 still managed to break the previous year's record, becoming the hottest La Nina year on record. Interestingly, the re-emergence of El Nino in 2023 is forecasted to surpass 2022's temperatures.</p>



<h3 id="h-oceans-bear-the-brunt">Oceans bear the brunt</h3>



<p>Oceans, which have absorbed over 90% of the excess heat resulting from greenhouse gases in the past 50 years, witnessed unprecedented heat content levels in 2022. Moreover, the global sea level set a record for the 11th consecutive year, measuring about 4.0 inches above the 1993 average.</p>



<h3 id="h-la-nina-s-cooling-effect">La Nina's cooling effect</h3>



<p>The persistent La Nina conditions in 2022 moderated sea surface temperatures, affecting global oceanic and climatic patterns. Despite this, about 58% of the ocean surface underwent marine heatwaves, indicative of the intensifying impact of climate change.</p>



<h3 id="h-heatwaves-grip-the-planet">Heatwaves grip the planet</h3>



<p>Europe was scorched by an intense heatwave in July, with temperature records being shattered across the continent. This resulted in unprecedented glacier melting, particularly in the Alps, leading to massive volume losses.</p>



<h3 id="h-arctic-conditions-worsen">Arctic conditions worsen</h3>



<p>The Arctic, having its fifth-warmest year, displayed signs of rapid warming, also known as Arctic amplification. The region witnessed a decline in multiyear ice, and its annual precipitation rates reached near-record levels.</p>



<h3 id="h-tropical-cyclones">Tropical cyclones&nbsp;</h3>



<p>While tropical cyclone activity was close to average, numerous storms inflicted significant damage. Hurricanes Fiona and Ian were particularly devastating, with the latter becoming one of the costliest disasters in the U.S.</p>



<p>The State of the Climate report is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/2023BAMSStateoftheClimate.1"><em>Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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State of the Climate: Greenhouse gases hit a record high in 2022

In the 33rd annual State of the Climate report, experts...

<p>In recent times, tropical forests have been hailed as champions in the fight against climate change due to their ability to act as carbon sinks - effectively absorbing more carbon than they emit.&nbsp;</p>



<p>But what happens when these forests are subjected to extreme climate anomalies like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forecasters-warn-of-weather-chaos-as-el-nino-arrives-early/">El Niño</a>? This question has been addressed in a new study led by Dr. Amy Bennett of the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/">University of Leeds</a>.</p>



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



<p>The research reveals that the ability of tropical forests to absorb carbon falters during extreme hot and dry conditions. This discovery has heightened concerns over the long-term effects of climate change on these forests.</p>



<p>Historically, tropical forests have served as Earth’s lungs. They absorb vast quantities of carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen in return. Their immense capability to act as a carbon sink has been instrumental in countering the rising levels of greenhouse gases and tempering the impact of climate change.</p>



<p>However, the new study raises concerns about the forests’ ability to sustain this role under the strain of climate extremes.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-el-nino">El Niño</h2>



<p>Specifically, during the 2015-2016 El Niño climate event – one that brought about unprecedented drought and the highest temperatures ever documented – South American forests ceased to act as a carbon sink.</p>



<p>The El Niño phenomenon causes a sharp rise in sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. This catalyzes a significant shift in the world's climate system. For South America, the outcome in 2015-2016 was particularly scorching. A similar El Niño event is currently underway.</p>



<h2 id="h-carbon-dioxide">Carbon dioxide</h2>



<p>“Tropical forests in the Amazon have played a key role in slowing the build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere," said Dr. Bennett.</p>



<p>"Scientists have been aware of the sensitivity of Amazonian trees to temperature fluctuations and varying water availability. Yet, the precise ramifications of future climate shifts on individual forests remain a puzzle. This massive El Niño event has granted us a foresight into how anomalous climatic conditions can affect these forests.”</p>



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



<p>The study, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41558-023-01776-4"><em>Nature Climate Change</em></a>, was a collaborative effort. The research team harnessed the resources of the RAINFOR and PPBio research networks. </p>



<p>More than 100 scientists meticulously measured forests over decades. Their study spanned 123 experimental plots that include Amazon, Atlantic, and drier tropical forests of South America.</p>



<p>The intricate data, painstakingly recorded tree-by-tree, revealed that for almost three decades, the majority of these forests served as reliable carbon sinks.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-surge-in-tree-mortality">Surge in tree mortality&nbsp;</h2>



<p>But, the 2015-2016 El Niño onset upset this balance. The primary reason? A significant uptick in tree mortality rates caused by the severe heat and drought.</p>



<p>Professor Beatriz Marimon is from Brazil’s Mato Grosso State University. He noted, “In the southeastern Amazon, at the rainforest's edge, trees may have transitioned from sequestering carbon to releasing it. Although tree growth sustained higher temperatures, mortality surged during this climatic extreme.”</p>



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-discovered">What the researchers discovered&nbsp;</h2>



<p>From the 123 plots examined, a staggering 119 experienced an average monthly temperature surge of 0.5 degrees Celsius, and 99 faced water deficits.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Predictably, where temperatures rose, conditions were drier. Before El Niño's onslaught, researchers estimated that these plots sequestered roughly a third of a ton of carbon per hectare annually. But this rate plummeted to zero amidst the El Niño-induced adversities.</p>



<p>A notable observation was the relatively higher impact of the El Niño in forests that were already leaning towards the drier side, suggesting that certain trees might already be grappling with their limit of tolerable conditions.</p>



<h2 id="h-study-implications">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Professor Oliver Phillips, an ecologist at the University of Leeds who also supervised this research, remains optimistic despite the dire outlook.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This El Niño, albeit the most intense drought ever recorded, was no more damaging to intact forests than previous droughts. The increased tree mortality was primarily observed in drier regions on the Amazon's periphery, where forests were already fragmented," said Professor Phillips.</p>



<p>“Land clearance intensifies the environmental conditions, making them drier and hotter, which in turn, puts added strain on the remaining trees. The overarching challenge is ensuring these forests remain undisturbed. If achieved, our empirical evidence suggests they can persist in their role as carbon sinks, mitigating the progression of climate change.”</p>



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Extreme weather can flip forests from carbon sinks to carbon sources

In recent times, tropical forests have been hailed as champions...

Red,Fox,,Vulpes,Vulpes,,Small,Young,Cubs,Near,Den,Curiously

<p>In a world constantly grappling with the dangers of climate change, another major challenge is flying under the radar: the pervasive spread of invasive alien species (IAS).&nbsp;</p>



<p>The threat posed by invasive species is alarmingly emphasized in a landmark report by the <a href="https://www.ipbes.net/node/36759">Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services</a> (IPBES).</p>



<p>The report reveals a staggering number: over 37,000 alien species have been introduced across the globe due to human activities.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-invasive-alien-species">Invasive alien species&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Among these, over 3,500 are invasive and pose a substantial risk to nature, human well-being, economies, and food security. Such species have traditionally been overlooked, which can lead to irreversible damages.</p>



<p>“Invasive alien species are a major threat to biodiversity and can cause irreversible damage to nature, including local and global species extinctions, and also threaten human wellbeing,” said Professor Helen Roy.</p>



<p>However, it's crucial to note that not all alien species are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-many-invasive-plant-species-are-in-the-world/">invasive</a>. In fact, only specific subsets, roughly 6% of alien plants and 14% of alien vertebrates, among others, are known to be invasive.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-cause-for-concern">Cause for concern</h2>



<p>One of the biggest concerns is their ability to adversely affect those most dependent on nature, such as Indigenous Peoples and local communities. For them, invasive species threaten not just their quality of life but also their cultural identities.</p>



<p>Another significant cause for concern is the economic aftermath. The report indicates that by 2019, the global economic cost had exceeded $423 billion annually, showcasing a drastic increase over the decades.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-local-extinctions">Local extinctions&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Historically, many of these alien species were introduced due to their perceived benefits. But the negative impacts of those that become invasive are profound, both for nature and humans.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Professor Anibal Pauchard noted that invasive species have factored in 60% of global animal and plant extinctions recorded, with at least 218 invasive species accounting for over 1,200 local extinctions.</p>



<h2 id="h-adverse-impacts">Adverse impacts&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Examples of these adverse impacts are numerous: from the transformation of habitats by North American beavers to the damage caused to commercial shellfish beds by the European shore crab.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The implications are far-reaching, affecting food supplies, health (such as the spread of malaria by invasive mosquitoes), and even livelihoods.</p>



<h2 id="h-global-impact-from-alien-species">Global impact from alien species</h2>



<p>Highlighting the global nature of this issue, Pauchard emphasized that biological invasions should not be regarded as a localized problem.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It would be an extremely costly mistake to regard biological invasions only as someone else’s problem,” said Pauchard. “Although the specific species that inflict damages vary from place to place, these are risks and challenges with global roots but very local impacts, facing people in every country, from all backgrounds and in every community – even Antarctica is being affected.”</p>



<p>The impact is genuinely global, even touching remote regions like Antarctica. However, the majority of negative impacts are concentrated on land, especially forests, with islands being particularly vulnerable.</p>



<h2 id="h-study-implications">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



<p>So what does the future hold? Professor Roy suggests that under 'business-as-usual' conditions, the total number of alien species will continue its upward trend, spurred on by increasing global trade and human travel.&nbsp;</p>



<p>But this scenario may not even capture the full picture, with multiple drivers of change predicted to intensify, amplifying the impact of invasive species.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Climate change, in particular, could exacerbate the situation, with invasive plants potentially resulting in more intense wildfires, leading to increased CO2 emissions.</p>



<p>However, the news isn't all grim. The report suggests that with targeted and effective management, the threat from invasive alien species can be mitigated.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-prevention-is-the-best-option">Prevention is the best option</h2>



<p>Professor Pauchard optimistically points out that prevention remains the most cost-effective option, with other strategies such as eradication, containment, and ecosystem restoration also showing promise in specific contexts.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The good news is that, for almost every context and situation, there are management tools, governance options and targeted actions that really work,” said Pauchard.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Prevention is absolutely the best, most cost-effective option – but eradication, containment and control are also effective in specific contexts. Ecosystem restoration can also improve the results of management actions and increase the resistance of ecosystems to future invasive alien species. Indeed, managing invasive alien species can help to mitigate the negative effects of other drivers of change.”</p>



<p>The report applauds efforts such as the Australasia's border biosecurity measures, which reduced the spread of the brown marmorated stink bug.</p>



<h2 id="h-insufficient-measures">Insufficient measures</h2>



<p>Though efforts to tackle this issue exist, the current measures remain vastly insufficient. While 80% of countries have set targets related to managing invasive species, only 17% have established laws or regulations addressing the issue.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A silver lining is that with proper tools and governance options, managing these species becomes achievable. Professor Peter Stoett urges for a cohesive, integrated approach across countries and sectors, emphasizing the importance of public engagement and coherent policies.</p>



<h2 id="h-global-biodiversity-framework">Global Biodiversity Framework&nbsp;</h2>



<p>With the Global Biodiversity Framework committing to a 50% reduction in the introduction and establishment of invasive species by 2030, this IPBES report provides invaluable insights and tools to achieve this goal.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The immediate urgency of invasive alien species, with extensive and growing harm to nature and people, makes this report so valuable and timely,” said Dr. Anne Larigauderie, the Executive Secretary of IPBES.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The Governments of the world agreed, in December last year, as part of the new Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, to reduce the introduction and establishment of priority invasive alien species by at least 50% by 2030."&nbsp;</p>



<p>"This is a vital, but also very ambitious commitment. The IPBES Invasive Alien Species Report provides the evidence, tools and options to help make this commitment more achievable.”</p>



<h2 id="h-a-substantial-threat">A substantial threat</h2>



<p>Inger Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), reiterated that invasive alien species pose a substantial threat to livelihoods and food security around the world.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"They can, for example, manifest as destructive crop or forest pests or displace species targeted by fisheries. They are an important driver of biodiversity loss and hence a threat to the various ecosystem services that support agricultural production and sustainable livelihoods," said Andersen.</p>



<p>"The information contained in this report will contribute greatly to efforts to combat the spread of invasive alien species and to meeting Target 6 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework."</p>



<p>"It will be especially valuable for all of us who work to integrate the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity into the world’s agrifood systems to enhance their productivity and resilience."</p>



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37,000 invasive alien species are wreaking havoc around the world

In a world constantly grappling with the dangers of climate...

<p>Forests are commonly viewed as ideal habitats for most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/conservation-efforts-are-not-enough-to-save-antarctic-wildlife/">wildlife</a>, especially forest-dwelling creatures. It would seem that farms are less hospitable environments for wild animals, but a surprising new study has provided a twist in this narrative. </p>



<p>The research suggests that diversified farms create habitats that help bridge the gap between wildlife conservation and food security.</p>



<h2 id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



<p>Over the course of 18 years, researchers from <a href="https://www.stanford.edu/">Stanford University</a> found that many forest-dependent bird populations in Costa Rica are efficiently supported by diversified farms with varied crops and tree patches.</p>



<p>One particularly interesting finding of the study was that bird populations on diversified farms were increasing as bird populations in natural forests were declining.</p>



<p>The Stanford team, led by Nicholas Hendershot, conducted a comparative analysis of bird populations across different landscapes: forests, diversified farms, and intensive agriculture.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-tracking-the-health-of-ecosystems">Tracking the health of ecosystems&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Surprisingly, the steepest declines in bird populations were recorded in forests, followed by intensiveagricultural regions, which were often populated by invasive species.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Birds are kind of a proxy we use to track the health of ecosystems. And the birds we’re seeing today aren’t the same as we saw 18 to 20 years ago. This paper really documents this pattern,” said Hendershot.</p>



<h2 id="h-study-implications">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study implies that while diversified farming can be a tool for biodiversity conservation, biodiversity in turn plays a significant role in ensuring food security.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Birds, with their varied dietary patterns, help in controlling pests by feeding on insects and assist in pollinating crops.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Identity does seem to matter a lot for pest control and other ecosystem services birds provide. These species are not interchangeable,” said Hendershot.</p>



<p>“We need a constant stream of pollinators servicing farms. About three-quarters of the world’s crops require pollinators to some extent, and that 75% is our most nutritious food – think of all the vitamins and minerals packed into fruits, nuts, and veggies,” said study co-author Gretchen Daily.</p>



<p>"We need a constant stream of birds, bats, and other wildlife to help control pests: they suppress the vast majority naturally. And we need to start building flood protection, water purification, carbon storage, and many other vital benefits back into agricultural landscapes, way beyond what can be achieved in protected areas alone.”</p>



<h2 id="h-diversified-farms">Diversified farms&nbsp;</h2>



<p>While protected forests play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, diversified farms offer more than just food production. They act as bridges, connecting fragmented forested areas.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Diversified farms have shown immense potential in supporting biodiversity. “I’m always surprised by how important how you manage a farm is for biodiversity,” said Hendershot.</p>



<p>“We believe the findings of our research are new to science, but in a sense, it merely confirms what Indigenous communities around the world have already known for a long time, which is that humans can and should have reciprocal relationships with the rest of the local ecological community they are part of,” said study co-author Professor Tadashi Fukami.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-beacon-of-hope">Beacon of hope&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Costa Rica stands as a beacon of hope and a success story in terms of conservation. With rapid deforestation in the 1980s and 90s, the nation has made a remarkable comeback.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By implementing the world's premier payment for ecosystem services (PES) program, forests now cover almost 60% of Costa Rica, a significant leap from the 40% in 1987.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The country is working towards doubling its protected forest cover and launching a new PES to motivate farmers to embrace best management practices.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This study will serve as an important guide for Costa Rica's policymakers by demonstrating the long-term benefits of diversified farming. “We need to recognize the vital work many farmers are doing that supports biodiversity," said Daily.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2303937120"><em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em></a>,&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-diversified-farms">More about diversified farms&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Diversified farming refers to a type of agriculture that involves growing a variety of crops and/or raising multiple species of livestock in the same space.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This farming strategy is in contrast to monoculture, where only one crop or animal species is cultivated over an extended area. Here are some key points about diversified farms:</p>



<h3 id="h-resilience">Resilience</h3>



<p>Diversified farms can be more resilient to pests, diseases, and market fluctuations. If one crop or livestock fails or its market price drops, there are other products that can compensate.</p>



<h3 id="h-soil-health">Soil health</h3>



<p>Different crops have different nutrient requirements and pest profiles. By rotating crops, farmers can reduce the chance of depleting the soil or encouraging the proliferation of a specific pest.</p>



<h3 id="h-ecosystem-services">Ecosystem services</h3>



<p>Diverse ecosystems often provide more ecosystem services like pollination, pest control, and water filtration.</p>



<h3 id="h-economic-stability">Economic stability</h3>



<p>By producing a range of products, farmers can access different markets and revenue streams, potentially smoothing out their income over the year.</p>



<h3 id="h-integrated-pest-management">Integrated pest management</h3>



<p>With a mix of crops and animals, some pests that might thrive in a monoculture setting might be naturally controlled in a diverse farm.</p>



<h3 id="h-reduced-chemical-input">Reduced chemical input</h3>



<p>By mimicking natural ecosystems, diversified farms can often reduce the need for chemical inputs like fertilizers and pesticides.</p>



<h3 id="h-consumer-demand">Consumer demand</h3>



<p>There's growing consumer demand for diverse, local, and sustainably grown products. Diversified farms can often better meet this demand.</p>



<h3 id="h-local-food-systems">Local food systems</h3>



<p>Diversified farms often play a crucial role in local food systems, providing a variety of produce and products throughout the seasons.</p>



<h3 id="h-biodiversity">Biodiversity</h3>



<p>These farms can support a greater variety of wildlife and beneficial insects because of the diverse habitats and food sources they provide.</p>



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Diversified farms can support both food security and wildlife conservation

Forests are commonly viewed as ideal habitats for most wildlife,...

<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-free-arctic-summers-could-be-the-new-normal-by-2030/">Arctic</a> is a hotspot that warms at a rate of nearly four times the global average in a phenomenon known as Arctic amplification. A new study has revealed the important role that tiny aerosols in blowing snow play in this rapid warming.</p>



<p>Aerosols - tiny suspended particles in the atmosphere - were already known to make a significant contribution to the Arctic warming trend, but their precise influence on the climate has remained a mystery.</p>



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



<p>Accumulations of pollutants from distant regions can dramatically alter the atmospheric chemistry of the Arctic.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These pollutants are proficient at absorbing sunlight and influencing local weather patterns, which in turn triggers localized warming, leading to the melting of ice and snow. Sea salt particles make up the majority of these aerosols.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Dr. Jian Wang, who heads the Center for Aerosol Science and Engineering (CASE) and serves as a professor at <a href="https://wustl.edu/">Washington University in St. Louis</a>, led a comprehensive investigation into the mysteries of sea salt aerosols.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-blowing-snow">Blowing snow&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study has revealed that blowing snow significantly increases the concentration of fine sea salt aerosol particles, which in turn influences cloud formation in the region.</p>



<p>“Over the past few decades, scientists have identified ‘Arctic haze’ as the primary source of aerosols in the Arctic during winter and spring. This haze results from the long-range transport of pollutants,” said study first author Dr. Xianda Gong.</p>



<p>“However, our study reveals that local blowing snow, which produces sea salt particles, contributes a more substantial fraction to the total aerosol population in the central Arctic.”</p>



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



<p>The team used data from the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC), an initiative that involved embedding an icebreaker in the central Arctic ice pack, allowing it to drift with the sea ice for a full year.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The MOSAiC expedition let us observe how aerosols and clouds evolve over the course of a year and led to this discovery,” said Wang.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Sea salt particles in the Arctic atmosphere aren’t surprising, since there are ocean waves breaking that will generate sea salt aerosols. But we expect those particles from the ocean to be pretty large and not very abundant. We found sea salt particles that were much smaller and in higher concentration than expected when there was blowing snow under strong wind conditions."</p>



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



<p>Clouds, it seems, play a pivotal role in the Arctic's warming phenomenon. On the clearest and coldest of Arctic winter nights, Earth's heat can dissipate into the cosmos. However, under the protective canopy of clouds, this longwave radiation is ensnared, leading to warming.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Small aerosol particles, such as the ones thrown up by blowing snow, are adept at encouraging cloud formation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“These sea salt particles can act as cloud condensation nuclei, leading to cloud formation,” said Gong. “Considering the absence of sunlight in the winter and spring Arctic, these clouds have the capacity to trap surface long-wave radiation, thereby significantly warming the Arctic surface.”</p>



<h2 id="h-sea-salt-aerosols">Sea salt aerosols&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Although these findings may seem surprising, the presence of fine sea salt aerosols from blowing snow has always been integral to the Arctic's climate dynamics.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study has shown that these particles account for approximately 30% of all aerosol particles. With this revelation, climatologists can fine-tune their models for greater accuracy.</p>



<p>“Model simulations that don’t include fine sea salt aerosols from blowing snow underestimate aerosol population in the Arctic,” said Wang.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Blowing snow happens regardless of human warming, but we need to include it in our models to better reproduce the current aerosol populations in the Arctic and to project future Arctic aerosol and climate conditions.”</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41561-023-01254-8"><em>Nature Geoscience</em></a>.</p>



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Blowing snow plays an important role in Arctic warming

The Arctic is a hotspot that warms at a rate...

<p>In a recent study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.adh515"><em>Science</em></a>, an international team of scientists has shed new light on the “Atlantification” of the Arctic Ocean.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This phenomenon explains the trend in Arctic Ocean sea ice loss that seems to have plateaued since 2007. But beneath this apparent lull hides a complex connection between atmospheric forces, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/machine-learning-can-more-accurately-predict-ocean-currents/">ocean currents</a>, and environmental impacts.</p>



<h2 id="h-arctic-dipole">Arctic dipole&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The research team was led by Professor Igor Polyakov of the <a href="https://www.uaf.edu/cnsm/">University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Natural Science</a> and Mathematics, who is also affiliated with the International Arctic Research Center at UAF.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study delves into the multifaceted influence of the Arctic dipole on the Arctic Ocean climate.</p>



<p>"This is a multidisciplinary view on what's going on in the Arctic and beyond,” said Professor Polyakov. "Our analysis covered the atmosphere, ocean, ice, changing continents and changing biology in response to climate change.”</p>



<p>The research was conducted by a diverse team of co-authors, including Andrey V. Pnyushkov, Uma S. Bhatt, and experts from Massachusetts, Washington, Norway, and Germany.</p>



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



<p>Through a comprehensive evaluation of decades-worth of data - including direct instrumental observations, reanalysis products, and satellite information - the researchers discovered that the Arctic dipole follows an approximately 15-year cycle. They surmise that we're nearing the end of the present regime.</p>



<p>When broken down, the current "positive" regime of the Arctic dipole, which has persisted since 2007, is characterized by high pressure centered over the Canadian sector of the Arctic producing clockwise winds, and low pressure over the Siberian Arctic, with counterclockwise winds.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This specific wind configuration affects upper ocean currents and has a wide-ranging influence, from air temperatures to sea-ice drift, heat exchanges, and even ecological implications.</p>



<p>“Water exchanges between the Nordic seas and the Arctic Ocean are critically important for the state of the Arctic climate system,” explained the researchers, noting that sea ice decline stands as “a true indicator of climate change.”</p>



<h2 id="h-switchgear-mechanism">Switchgear mechanism&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The research also unveils a “switchgear mechanism” responsible for the alternating changes in the Fram Strait and the Barents Sea. These alterations, triggered by the Arctic dipole mechanisms, have profound effects.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Since 2007, a decrease in flow from the Atlantic Ocean into the Arctic Ocean was observed, alongside an increased flow into the Barents Sea.</p>



<h2 id="h-influx-of-freshwater">Influx of freshwater&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Further observations indicated that the positive Arctic dipole regime's counterclockwise winds drove freshwater from Siberian rivers into the Canadian sector of the Arctic Ocean from 2007 to 2021.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This influx of freshwater acted as a mitigating factor in sea ice loss, with the freshwater layer becoming too thick to mix with the saltier, heavier water below. This essentially acts as a barrier, preventing the warmer saltwater from melting sea ice at the base.</p>



<h2 id="h-study-implications">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Beyond its effects on the ice, the switchgear mechanism has a significant impact on marine life. The changes in water flow patterns could make certain parts of the Eurasian Basin more conducive for sub-Arctic boreal species compared to others.</p>



<p>Professor Polyakov further warns, “We are beyond the peak of the currently positive Arctic dipole regime, and at any moment it could switch back again.” The potential repercussions of this could include an accelerated loss of sea ice across the Arctic and alterations to sub-Arctic climate systems.</p>



<p>This pivotal research was made possible through the support of the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Office of Naval Research. The findings not only shed light on current Arctic conditions but also offer a glimpse into potential future scenarios, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and research in the region.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-the-arctic-dipole">More about the Arctic dipole&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The Arctic dipole, also known as the Dipole Anomaly, is a relatively recent climate pattern characterized by atmospheric pressure variations in the Arctic region.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It has garnered increased attention due to its pronounced impact on the sea ice extent and its potential linkage with mid-latitude weather patterns.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 id="h-fundamentals">Fundamentals</h3>



<p>At its core, the Arctic dipole consists of two opposing pressure patterns. In its positive phase, there's high pressure over the Arctic region near Canada and low pressure over the Siberian region. This pressure gradient results in anomalous wind patterns.</p>



<h3 id="h-impact-on-sea-ice">Impact on sea ice</h3>



<p>The wind patterns associated with the positive phase of the Arctic dipole drive sea ice from the central Arctic Ocean towards the Atlantic, passing through the Fram Strait. This results in decreased sea ice within the Arctic region and an increased export of ice into the northern Atlantic.</p>



<h3 id="h-implications">Implications</h3>



<p>Beyond the movement of sea ice, the Arctic dipole has other environmental implications. The wind patterns can influence the pathways of pollutants and aerosols into the Arctic, potentially affecting air quality and cloud properties.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The dipole can also change the pathways of migratory birds and influence marine ecosystems through altered sea ice and ocean conditions.</p>



<h3 id="h-mid-latitude-weather">Mid-latitude weather</h3>



<p>There's growing evidence suggesting that the Arctic dipole can influence weather patterns in mid-latitudes. For instance, certain phases of the dipole have been linked to cold air outbreaks in parts of North America and Asia.</p>



<h3 id="h-climate-change">Climate change</h3>



<p>As global temperatures rise and Arctic sea ice continues to shrink, there is a greater need for understanding how the Arctic dipole might evolve.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Some research suggests that as the Arctic warms, the dipole may become more pronounced, leading to more frequent and intense impacts on sea ice and mid-latitude weather patterns.</p>



<h3 id="h-historical-perspective">Historical perspective</h3>



<p>Historically, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) was the primary mode of variability affecting the Arctic. But since the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Arctic dipole has become more dominant, with stronger and more frequent positive phases.</p>



<p>In essence, the Arctic dipole is a vivid demonstration of the interconnectedness of our planet's atmospheric systems. As the Earth's climate continues to change, understanding patterns like the Arctic dipole becomes crucial not only for predicting changes in the Arctic environment but also for forecasting weather patterns in more populated regions of the world.</p>



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The Arctic dipole: The atmospheric pattern shaping our future climate

In a recent study published in the journal Science, an...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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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>



<p>—–</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>



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<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>



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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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"

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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

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