<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>City living is not just stressful for humans, but also takes a toll on wildlife. According to researchers at <a href="https://www.osu.edu/">The Ohio State University</a>, urban dwelling coyotes face unique challenges that are impacting their overall health.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team measured the concentration of the stress hormone cortisol in the hair of nearly 100 coyotes inhabiting the Chicago Metropolitan Area.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-higher-stress-levels">Higher stress levels</h2>



<p>The experts discovered that the animals residing in the most developed areas exhibited higher cortisol levels - a marker for chronic stress - compared to those in suburban or natural regions.</p>



<p>"This is the first mammalian carnivore that has been evaluated for stress in an urban environment. The city does present challenges for them, even though they’re really good at doing what they’re doing. This is helping us understand how well animals are adjusting to urban systems – or not adjusting to them," said study lead author Stan Gehrt, a wildlife ecologist at Ohio State.</p>



<h2 id="h-related-factors">Related factors</h2>



<p>Factors such as poor body condition, linked mostly to sickness with mange, and specific social roles within the pack were associated with higher stress levels. But the relationship between these factors and urban living is not entirely clear.</p>



<p>The research, conducted by the Urban Coyote Research Project under Gehrt's leadership, was recently published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165965"><em>Science of the Total Environment</em></a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The project has been monitoring Chicago's urban coyotes since 2000, collecting valuable biological samples and data on their behavior, movement, and reproductive success.</p>



<h2 id="h-complexities-of-urban-life">Complexities of urban life</h2>



<p>First author Katie Robertson, who carried out the work as a PhD student at Ohio State, utilized hair samples from the animals for the analysis, providing an estimate of long-term stress. The hair samples were assessed for cortisol concentration, revealing key factors connected to higher stress.</p>



<p>The team's hypothesis that coyotes in more urbanized Chicago areas would display higher stress levels was confirmed by the results.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, the findings also exposed further complexity in modern coyote life. Infections and environmental factors such as cold Chicago winters contributed to the stress, raising questions about the root causes.</p>



<h2 id="h-which-coyotes-are-affected">Which coyotes are affected?</h2>



<p>"The alphas are the dominant animals in their pack, so they’re the ones that are responsible for all of the territorial defense and they’re the only ones that are breeding," said Gerht.</p>



<p>"So there’s a lot going on with the alphas, whereas the subordinates and the pups, they have a pretty easy life. Their parents are doing all the hard work and they’re just coasting a little bit. And that was actually reflected in the cortisol levels."</p>



<p>Transients, on the other hand – adult coyotes that have left their parents but not yet established or joined a pack – have a different set of worries.<br></p>



<p>"Transients were right up there with the alphas in terms of stress. They don’t have to defend a territory, but they have to avoid getting attacked by resident coyotes – they’re going through territories on a constant basis – and are trying to avoid people and trying not to get hit by cars," Gehrt said.</p>



<p>In 2014, Gehrt's observations highlighted the adaptability of some urban coyotes, as they learned to look both ways before crossing streets. This new research contributes to an understanding of coyotes' resilience and the inherent challenges they face.</p>



<h2 id="h-some-coyotes-adapt-quite-well">Some coyotes adapt quite well</h2>



<p>"We see them on a regular basis living in some pretty challenging areas, and it seems to me they’re adjusting quite well – their survival rates are high, and the food supply is great," said Gerht.</p>



<p>"And that’s what we found, that there are trends related to higher stress, but there are also coyotes that are doing quite well in the city with fairly low stress levels – even alphas in some pretty intense environments."</p>



<p>"Even without the urban system, this is the first free-ranging coyote population to be evaluated for stress. And we see there’s stress associated with their very complicated social system and a lot of rules they’re following – intrinsic sources of stress that other species don’t have to deal with. It’s an interesting look into another window of their lives."</p>



<p>The study's findings offer a fresh perspective on the complexity of wildlife adaptation in urban environments, prompting further exploration of how city life may be shaping the health and behaviors of various animal species.&nbsp;</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Think city life is stressful? Some coyotes would agree

City living is not just stressful for humans, but also...

<p>A recent study in the United States has revealed alarming disparities in excess deaths following hurricanes, with higher mortality rates in recent years and in areas where the population is more socially vulnerable.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research, published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/journal/sciadv"><em>Science Advances</em></a>, demonstrates how these excess deaths have varied greatly across different hurricane seasons and regions.</p>



<p>Researchers from institutions including Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Colorado State University, Imperial College London, University of California Irvine, and Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health analyzed variations in cyclone-related excess deaths by several factors.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>The experts found that over recent decades, 83 percent of hurricane-related deaths occurred more recently and 94 percent occurred in socially vulnerable counties.</p>



<p>The study sheds light on the variability of the impacts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/intense-tropical-cyclones-are-set-to-double-by-2050/">tropical cyclones</a>, highlighting how demographic, economic, and social factors can drive differences. The total excess deaths were particularly elevated in counties with the largest proportion of minorities, filling a critical knowledge gap in understanding post-hurricane excess deaths.</p>



<h2 id="h-excess-death-counts">Excess death counts</h2>



<p>The findings reveal some alarming numbers. For example, the largest number of excess deaths was in Orleans Parish, LA, after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, with 719 excess deaths.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This was followed by Harris County, TX, after Hurricane Rita in 2005 (309 excess deaths), Broward County, FL, after Hurricane Matthew in 2016 (185 excess deaths), and Nassau County, NY, after Hurricane Sandy in 2012 (178 excess deaths)</p>



<p>The most significant number of estimated excess deaths in a single year was in 2005, with 2,163 estimated post-tropical cyclone excess deaths, including 1,491 from Hurricane Katrina.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-long-standing-systemic-issues">Long-standing systemic issues&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“In our study, excess death counts after tropical cyclones were higher more recently and for the most socially vulnerable," said study lead author Dr. Robbie M. Parks, assistant professor of Environmental Health Sciences at <a href="https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/">Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health</a>.</p>



<p>Dr. Parks attributed the surge in these deaths partly to long-standing systemic issues.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This was likely in part due to lack of access to adequate short-term transportation, as well as inequitable access to financial resources, education, employment opportunities and timely warnings on tropical cyclone proximity, all of which are results of long-term institutional neglect.”</p>



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



<p>The study emphasizes the necessity of understanding short-term excess deaths following tropical cyclones as a key metric for grasping the public health burden of climate-related disasters.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This information is vital, as deaths can arise from several major causes, including injuries, diseases, cardiovascular issues, neuropsychiatric conditions, and respiratory ailments.</p>



<p>Using extensive death registration data and statistical models, the researchers estimated the number of excess deaths after tropical cyclones across four decades, offering insights that are compared with data from official sources and international disaster databases.</p>



<h2 id="h-hurricanes-remain-a-public-health-concern">Hurricanes remain a public health concern&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“Trends of heightened activity and increased intensity of tropical cyclones in recent years indicate that tropical cyclone exposure is and will remain a public health concern,” said study senior author Marianthi-Anna Kioumourtzoglou, ScD.</p>



<p>"Future research may be able to study associations by smaller areal units - ZIP Codes, for example - as appropriate exposure and outcome data become available."</p>



<p>"It is also essential to prepare for tropical cyclones by accounting for the social determinants of risk and vulnerability of exposed communities, since the most socially vulnerable bear the greatest burden of excess mortality.”</p>



<p>“Our work highlights how deaths are impacted by tropical cyclones, an understudied exposure in relation to public health, and one which will remain an important threat as the climate changes,” said Dr. Parks.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"As a public health priority, future research should focus on understanding the biological and structural drivers of cyclone-related mortality, how to minimize the number of excess deaths related to tropical cyclones, and the impacts on the scale from years to decades.”</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-post-hurricane-excess-deaths">More about post-hurricane excess deaths&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Post-hurricane excess deaths refer to the additional deaths that occur in the aftermath of a hurricane beyond what would be expected under normal circumstances.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These deaths are not only the direct result of storm impacts (e.g., deaths due to flooding, falling debris, or storm surge) but also from indirect and longer-term effects of the hurricane on the affected community.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 id="h-direct-vs-indirect-deaths">Direct vs. indirect deaths</h3>



<p>Direct deaths result directly from the forces of the hurricane. This includes drowning due to storm surge or flooding, injuries from flying debris, or deaths from structural collapses.</p>



<p>Indirect deaths occur after the storm has passed and can be attributed to conditions caused or exacerbated by the hurricane.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Examples include deaths from lack of medical services, worsening of chronic illnesses due to stress or lack of resources, electrocution from downed power lines, and more.</p>



<h3 id="h-factors-contributing-to-excess-deaths">Factors contributing to excess deaths</h3>



<h4 id="h-infrastructure-damage">Infrastructure damage</h4>



<p>Destruction of health care facilities, transportation systems, and essential utilities can lead to delays in emergency response, hampered medical care, and lack of essential services.</p>



<h4 id="h-lack-of-access-to-medical-care">Lack of access to medical care</h4>



<p>Chronic patients might miss treatments or medication doses, leading to deterioration of their conditions.</p>



<h4 id="h-disease-outbreaks">Disease outbreaks</h4>



<p>Stagnant floodwaters can become breeding grounds for disease vectors like mosquitoes, leading to outbreaks of diseases like dengue or Zika. Contaminated water sources can also lead to waterborne diseases.</p>



<h4 id="h-mental-health">Mental health</h4>



<p>The trauma from experiencing a hurricane can lead to mental health issues, with some studies suggesting an increase in suicides and other related fatalities post-hurricanes.</p>



<h4 id="h-economic-strain">Economic strain</h4>



<p>The loss of jobs, homes, and resources can lead to prolonged stress and its associated health risks.</p>



<h3 id="h-vulnerable-populations">Vulnerable populations</h3>



<p>As highlighted in the study, socially vulnerable populations often face a higher risk of post-hurricane excess deaths. Factors such as poverty, lack of access to transportation or medical care, language barriers, and more can all contribute to increased vulnerability.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Hurricane-related deaths on the rise, especially in vulnerable communities

A recent study in the United States has revealed alarming...

<p>Gray wolf populations in the United States have seen a remarkable resurgence over the past three decades. Once pushed to the brink of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shellfish-consumed-by-humans-are-ironically-more-resistant-to-extinction/">extinction</a>, these majestic creatures now roam freely across a vast expanse of the nation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While the recovery efforts have been heralded as a success, the growing populations of wolves are now facing substantial threats as they attempt to colonize human-dominated areas.</p>



<h2 id="h-remarkable-challenges">Remarkable challenges</h2>



<p>In the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biad053"><em>BioScience</em></a>, wolf specialists David E. Ausband and L. David Mech delve into the conservation scene, shedding light on the challenges these returning wolves encounter. "Remarkable wolf conservation success yields remarkable challenges," said the experts, noting that a staggering 6,000 wolves have reclaimed territories across 11 states.</p>



<p>While this might sound like a celebration, the narrative is not that simple. These returning wolves are stepping into landscapes that have changed dramatically since they last roamed there. </p>



<p>As Ausband and Mech highlight, emerging wolf populations grapple with "fragmented habitats and barriers to dispersal," resulting in increased confrontations with humans, pets, and livestock.</p>



<h2 id="h-rising-concerns">Rising concerns&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The burgeoning gray wolf populations haven't just raised eyebrows in the scientific community - they've also stirred the pot politically. Addressing rising concerns regarding wolves preying on domesticated animals and reducing prey populations, several areas have responded with decisive actions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In Wisconsin, for instance, "the legislature requires a public hunting or trapping season whenever wolves are delisted from the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) list of Endangered species." In Colorado, on the other hand, wolves are celebrated and a recent ballot initiative has given the green light for their reintroduction.</p>



<h2 id="h-potential-ripple-effects">Potential ripple effects&nbsp;</h2>



<p>While supporters of their reintroduction might be a beacon of hope for the gray wolf in the short term, Ausband and Mech warn of the potential ripple effects. Such initiatives could inadvertently establish a legal groundwork that obstructs future reintroductions, thereby complicating the entire management process.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts express concern that an unstable regulatory environment could trigger dramatic swings in wolf numbers, jeopardizing the very conservation efforts that led to their resurgence.</p>



<h2 id="h-meticulous-management-is-needed">Meticulous management is needed</h2>



<p>So, what's the path forward? According to Ausband and Mech, the key lies in meticulous management that prioritizes the myriad of stakeholders involved.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Future wolf conservation in the United States will be affected by the ability of managers to predict colonization and dispersal dynamics, to reduce hybridization and disease transmission, to mitigate and deter wolf–livestock conflicts, to harvest wolves sustainably while satisfying diverse stakeholders, to avert a reduction in tolerance for wolves due to a disinterest in nature, and to engage diverse stakeholders in wolf conservation to avoid management by ballot initiative or legislative and judicial decrees."</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-gray-wolves">More about gray wolves&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Gray wolves (Canis lupus) are fascinating creatures with a complex history and a wide range of behaviors and adaptations. They are a symbol of the wild, representing both the challenges and the potential of conservation in the modern world.</p>



<h3 id="h-distribution-and-habitat">Distribution and habitat</h3>



<p>Historically, gray wolves were found throughout much of North America, Europe, and Asia, making them one of the most widely distributed land predators in the world. However, human activity, including habitat destruction and hunting, can greatly reduce their numbers and range.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 id="h-physical-characteristics">Physical characteristics</h3>



<p>Gray wolves vary in color from grizzled gray or black to all-white. Adults typically weigh between 40 and 175 pounds, with males being larger than females. They have a strong physique, with powerful jaws capable of generating tremendous biting pressure.</p>



<h3 id="h-diet-and-hunting">Diet and hunting</h3>



<p>Wolves primarily prey on large ungulates like elk, deer, and bison, but they can and will eat smaller prey if necessary. Wolves are pack hunters, relying on cooperation and strategy to take down prey much larger than themselves.</p>



<h3 id="h-social-structure">Social structure</h3>



<p>Gray wolves are known for their complex social structures and live in packs. A pack generally consists of an alpha male and female, their offspring, and sometimes unrelated wolves. They communicate using vocalizations, body postures, and scents.</p>



<h3 id="h-reproduction">Reproduction</h3>



<p>Mating typically occurs between February and March, with a gestation period of about 63 days. Litters can range from 1 to 11 pups, with the average being 4 to 6. Pups are born blind and defenseless but grow quickly.</p>



<h3 id="h-cultural-significance">Cultural significance</h3>



<p>Wolves have been a part of human folklore, myths, and legends for millennia. In some cultures, they are revered and considered sacred, while in others, they're seen as symbols of danger or evil. Their perceived cunning and communal hunting tactics have both fascinated and frightened humans.</p>



<h3 id="h-human-wolf-conflict">Human-wolf conflict</h3>



<p>As wolf populations recover and expand, they sometimes come into conflict with humans, especially in areas where they prey on livestock. This has led to tension between conservationists who wish to protect wolves and ranchers or farmers who view them as threats.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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The return of the gray wolf: Triumph or tragedy?

Gray wolf populations in the United States have seen a...

<p>Around the world, the dire impacts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-climate-change-happening-too-fast-for-birds-to-keep-up/">climate change</a> and human-caused environmental alterations are placing enormous strain on living organisms, including plants, animals, and even microbes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Amid this turbulence, scientists are seeking to understand which species are adaptable enough to thrive in varied environments, and which are tethered so tightly to their niches that they are at risk of extinction?</p>



<h2 id="h-generalist-and-specialist-species">Generalist and specialist species</h2>



<p>Traditionally, ecologists categorize organisms into two broad types. Think of it as a spectrum: on one end, we have the "generalists" - hardy creatures able to thrive in diverse environments and habitats.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By contrast, the "specialists" at the opposite end possess narrow survival criteria, often rooted in very specific environments.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The iconic panda bear is a perfect example of a specialist. With its exclusive bamboo diet, its existence hangs precariously on the fate of this single plant species.</p>



<p>Beyond the visible life forms, there is a microscopic realm teeming with life beneath our feet and inside of us. Which category do the soil microbes belong to?</p>



<p>To investigate, Michelle Afkhami's biology lab at the <a href="https://www.as.miami.edu/">University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences</a> embarked on a groundbreaking study.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>The research, which is now published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02149-y"><em>Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</em></a>, centered on prokaryotes - a vast microbial group encompassing all bacteria and archaea.</p>



<p>“The idea behind the project was to find out whether these microbes can exist within a narrow or broad range of conditions along many different environmental dimensions,” said Damian Hernandez, a former graduate student in Afkhami’s lab who is now a postdoc preparing for a biology fellowship with the National Science Foundation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Specifically, we wanted to know whether microbes are typically multidimensional specialists, multidimensional generalists, or use different strategies on different environmental dimensions—and what effect that could have on their roles within communities."</p>



<p>“The environmental dimensions we used to determine whether the microbes are generalists or specialists were based on multiple environmental conditions in the soil in which they live, for example, leaf litter, temperature, water, and nutrients."</p>



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



<p>For two years, the team meticulously dissected the DNA sequences from over 200 soil samples gathered from various U.S. locations by the National Ecological Observatory Network.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Their analysis of over 1,200 prokaryotes yielded unexpected revelations. Contrary to prior assumptions, a staggering 90% of the microbes exhibited either "multidimensional generalist" or "multidimensional specialist" traits.</p>



<p>This means a microbe that's a generalist in one environmental aspect extends its versatility across all aspects. Conversely, a specialist microbe remains specialized across every environmental axis.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>While this is a breakthrough in understanding microbial communities, the discovery also raises alarms.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The specialist microbes, despite their vital roles as ecosystem engineers – nurturing plant growth, detoxifying soil, breaking down complex carbons, and replenishing soil nutrients – are vulnerable to environmental shifts. These microbial "community organizers," despite their high functionality, face an uncertain future in our rapidly changing world.</p>



<p>“We found that microbes can be very restricted on where they can exist,” said Hernandez, who is the first author of the study.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The generalist microbes are very flexible and can withstand a wider range of conditions. But the specialist microbes are sensitive to many different environmental conditions because they are restricted on multiple environmental axes and thus any changes in the environment may hinder their survival."</p>



<p>“Hypothetically, if an ecosystem is structured by microbes that are specialists, then those ecosystems are more likely to be sensitive to environmental change,” he said.</p>



<h2 id="h-which-microbes-will-survive">Which microbes will survive?</h2>



<p>Afkhami confirms that the findings present an interesting argument on how microbes can survive in a changing climate.</p>



<p>“As we learned from the study, microbes that are generalists can live across a wide range of habitats, and this can mean that those microbes may be resilient to climate change or habitat fragmentation because they are likely to tolerate changing environmental conditions. They are also very dominant within microbial communities,” she said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This is very concerning because what we also learned in the study is that microbial specialists are highly connected within the microbial network and can be considered as keystone species for maintaining and driving the diversity and function of the microbiome,” said Afkhami.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“In this study, we can start to understand - across a wider sense in the microbiome community - some of their biological functions, their roles in the microbial community, and how they will respond to global changes on the planet.”</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Can soil microbes survive climate change?

Around the world, the dire impacts of climate change and...

<p>In countries such as Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Morocco, or Oman, people living in foggy areas often hang up nets to catch droplets of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-collected-fog/">water</a>, which trickle down the mesh and are collected to provide water for for drinking, cooking, or washing. By using a fog net with an area of only a few square meters, as much as several hundred liters of water can be harvested daily.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Although this method can be a blessing for foggy regions with little rain or spring water, a major drawback is atmospheric pollution, since dangerous pollutants also end up in the droplets of water. In many of the world’s large cities, pollution is so prevalent that any water harvested from fog is not clean enough to be used untreated for drinking or cooking.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-revolutionary-technology">Revolutionary technology&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Now, a team of scientists led by <a href="https://ethz.ch/en.html">ETH Zurich</a> has developed a revolutionary method that collects water from fog while simultaneously purifying it. To achieve this, the experts devised a close-mesh lattice of metal wire coated with a mixture of specially selected polymers and titanium dioxide.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While the polymers ensure that water droplets collect efficiently on the mesh and then trickle down as fast as possible into a container before being taken away by the wind, the titanium dioxide acts as a chemical catalyst, breaking down the molecules of many organic pollutants contained in the droplets and rendering them harmless.</p>



<p>“Our system not only harvests fog but also treats the harvested water, meaning it can be used in areas with atmospheric pollution, such as densely populated urban centers,” said lead author Ritwick Ghosh, a scientist at the <a href="https://www.mpip-mainz.mpg.de/en/home">Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-low-maintenance-system">Low-maintenance system</h2>



<p>Once installed, this groundbreaking technology requires little to no maintenance and no energy besides from a small but regular dose of UV to regenerate the catalyst. Due to a property known as photocatalytic memory, half an hour of sunlight is sufficient to reactivate the titanium oxide for another 24 hours. Since periods of sunlight are often rare in foggy areas, this is a very useful quality.</p>



<p>The experts tested the new fog collector in the lab and in a small pilot plant in Zurich, and were able to collect eight percent of the water in artificially created fog and break down 94 percent of the organic compounds which had been added to it (including extremely fine diesel droplets and bisphenol A, a hormonally active chemical).</p>



<h2 id="h-recovering-fresh-water">Recovering fresh water</h2>



<p>Besides harvesting drinking water from fog, this novel technology could also be employed to recover water used in the cooling towers.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“In the cooling towers, steam escapes up into the atmosphere. In the United States, where I live, we use a great deal of fresh water to cool power plants,” said senior author Thomas Schutzius, a professor of Mechanical Engineering at the <a href="https://www.berkeley.edu/">University of California, Berkeley</a> who conducted the study while leading the Laboratory for Multiphase Thermofluidics and Surface Nanoengineering at ETH Zurich.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It would make sense to capture some of this water before it escapes and ensure that it is pure in case you want to return it back to the environment.”</p>



<p>In future research, the scientists hope to further refine these methods in order to make greater use of fog and steam as a previously underutilized source of water that could alleviate the needs of millions of people living in areas afflicted by water scarcity.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41893-023-01159-9"><em>Nature Sustainability</em></a>.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-fog-as-a-water-source">More about fog as a water source</h2>



<p>Using fog as a water source is an idea that has been employed in various regions of the world, especially in areas where freshwater is scarce.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Fog collection involves using large pieces of mesh or netting (fog collectors) to capture water droplets present in the fog. As the fog passes through these nets, the tiny droplets of water get trapped and merge to form larger droplets. These droplets then run down into a collection system, such as a gutter, and from there into storage tanks.</p>



<h3 id="h-advantages">Advantages</h3>



<p>Fog collection a sustainable and passive method, requiring minimal energy or resources. It can be implemented in areas where other water sources are scarce or polluted.</p>



<h3 id="h-limitations">Limitations</h3>



<p>The yield can be unpredictable and varies depending on the intensity and frequency of the fog. It may not be sufficient as a primary water source for large communities but can be a supplemental source.</p>



<h3 id="h-applications">Applications</h3>



<p>In areas like the Atacama Desert in Chile, one of the driest places on earth, fog collection has been used to provide water for local communities.</p>



<p>When it comes to agriculture, fog collection can be used to provide supplemental irrigation. In reforestation efforts, the collected water can assist in supporting young plants until they're established.</p>



<p>—</p>



<p><em>By </em><a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com"><em>Andrei Ionescu</em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/"><em>Earth.com</em></a><em> Staff Writer</em></p>



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

New technology captures fog from the air and turns it into water

In countries such as Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Morocco, or Oman,...

<p>In the intricate tapestry of human emotions, our love for nature emerges as one of the most heartwarming threads. For ages, poets, writers, and philosophers have romanticized our relationship with the green world.</p>



<p>But the question arises – is this fondness for nature intrinsic or learned? An interesting study by researchers at the <a href="https://www.gu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Gothenburg</a> and the <a href="https://www.slu.se/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences</a> (SLU) suggests that it's a combination of both.</p>



<p>At the heart of this investigation is the concept of biophilia – an idea that people have an instinctual bond with nature. While urban areas often exemplify man's triumph over nature, the positive impact of trees and green spaces on city dwellers' well-being is undeniable. Yet, the origins of biophilia have been a matter of debate among scientists.</p>



<p>Historically, some experts contend that our ancestors, having evolved amidst nature, passed down an innate fondness for the environment and deep love of nature. Meanwhile, others believe that childhood encounters and teachings primarily shape this affection.</p>



<h2 id="h-love-of-nature-involves-many-factors">Love of nature involves many factors</h2>



<p>To decode this puzzle, the research team extensively reviewed multiple studies that delved into both our inborn traits and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/citizen-scientists-gain-a-stronger-connection-with-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life experiences</a>. Their findings suggest that while both heredity and environment influence an individual’s love for nature, it’s the interplay of myriad factors that dictates its expression.</p>



<p>Professor Bengt Gunnarsson is Professor Emeritus of Environmental Science at the University of Gothenburg. He shed light on the findings, stating, “We have been able to establish that many people have an unconscious positive experience of nature.”</p>



<p>Gunnarsson added that the popular biophilia hypothesis needs reevaluation to encompass the variations rooted in the synergy of genetic and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-increased-well-being-during-the-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental factors</a>.</p>



<h2>“Nature” takes on different meanings</h2>



<p>Highlighting the diverse reactions people exhibit towards nature, a Japanese study found that a stroll in the woods elicited positive emotions in only 65% of participants. In contrast, another environmental psychology study discovered an inherent pull towards nature over urban settings. These feelings were particularly intensified for those who developed a love of nature from a nature-rich upbringing.</p>



<p>Lending a genetic perspective, Bengt cited an intriguing twin study. “An additional study on identical and non-identical twins revealed a genetic aspect influencing an individual’s bond with nature. Yet, environmental factors, too, play a crucial role in molding attitudes towards the green world.”</p>



<p>The research underscores the multifaceted nature of 'nature' itself. For some, manicured parks represent an oasis, while others yearn for the raw wilderness. This gamut of preferences, the researchers argue, stems from both our DNA and upbringing.</p>



<h2>Maintaining nature’s footprint in urban settings</h2>



<p>Marcus Hedblom, a researcher at SLU and co-contributor to the <a href="https://www.cell.com/trends/ecology-evolution/fulltext/S0169-5347(23)00149-0">research paper</a>, emphasized the importance of preserving nature's diversity in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-gardens-promote-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urban planning</a>. “We shouldn’t replace wild greenery with a park and assume it will cater to everyone's green cravings,” he noted.</p>



<p>The transformation of modern cities leans heavily on densification for sustainability. However, this often clashes with the desire to incorporate green spaces.</p>



<p>Research continually underscores the manifold benefits of urban greenery. These range from fostering physical activity to being a sanctuary against stress. Furthermore, trees act as urban lungs, purifying air and offering solace on sweltering days.</p>



<p>Wrapping up the discussion, Bengt acknowledged the potential variance in nature’s appeal among individuals. “There might be a significant chunk of the population indifferent or even aversive to nature due to genetic reasons,” he concluded.</p>



<p>As we look ahead, understanding the intricate dance of genes and environment in shaping our love for nature becomes crucial, especially in creating cities that cater to diverse green preferences.</p>



<p>In the end, nature's allure is an enchanting blend of our shared human heritage and personal tales. And as we weave the future tapestry of urban landscapes, it's paramount to let everyone find their unique shade of green.</p>



<h2>The health benefits of being outside</h2>



<p>Spending time outside, whether it's in nature, a park, or even just a walk in your neighborhood, offers numerous health benefits for the mind and body. Here are some of the health benefits of spending time outdoors:</p>



<h3>Vitamin D exposure</h3>



<p>Sunshine is a primary source of Vitamin D, which is essential for bone health, immune system function, and even mood regulation. Just be sure to protect your skin with sunscreen after sufficient exposure.</p>



<h3>Improved mental well-being</h3>



<p>Nature has been shown to reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. Even a simple walk in the park can decrease levels of the stress hormone cortisol.</p>



<h3>Enhanced creativity</h3>



<p>Time in nature has been linked with improved creative thinking and problem-solving abilities. This is possibly due to the reduced exposure to technology and the calming effects of nature.</p>



<h3>Improved concentration</h3>



<p>Activities like "forest bathing" (immersing oneself in natural surroundings) have been shown to improve focus and concentration, especially for those with ADHD.</p>



<h3>Enhanced immune function</h3>



<p>Regular exposure to nature can strengthen the immune system, potentially due to the combination of physical activity, exposure to diverse bacteria in natural environments, and decreased stress levels.</p>



<h3>Physical activity</h3>



<p>Being outside often involves physical activities like walking, hiking, biking, or playing sports, all of which boost cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and flexibility.</p>



<h3>Reduced risk of myopia</h3>



<p>Spending time outdoors during childhood has been associated with a reduced risk of developing nearsightedness (myopia).</p>



<h3>Improved sleep</h3>



<p>Exposure to natural light helps regulate the body's internal clock, or circadian rhythm, which can lead to better sleep.</p>



<h3>Social connection</h3>



<p>Outdoor activities often involve interacting with others, which can foster social connections and improve overall mental well-being.</p>



<h3>Exposure to negative ions</h3>



<p>Areas with moving water, such as waterfalls or beaches, release negative ions. Some studies suggest that exposure to negative ions can improve mood and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.</p>



<h3>Connection to nature</h3>



<p>Engaging with nature fosters an appreciation for the environment. This connection can have profound psychological benefits, fostering feelings of belonging and purpose.</p>



<h3>Reduction in mental fatigue</h3>



<p>Urban environments and technology can be mentally draining. Nature provides a respite from this overstimulation, allowing the mind to refresh and reset.</p>



<h3>Improved air quality</h3>



<p>Generally, outdoor air (especially in green areas away from urban centers) is cleaner and less polluted than indoor air, promoting better respiratory health.</p>



<h3>Reduction in harmful blue light exposure</h3>



<p>Spending less time in front of screens reduces exposure to blue light, which has been linked to disruptions in sleep patterns and eye strain.</p>



<p>To fully reap the health benefits of spending time outside, it's recommended to be active and engage in activities that you enjoy, whether it's gardening, hiking, or simply taking a leisurely walk. </p>



<p>Also, while the outdoors offers many benefits, always ensure you are protecting yourself from potential risks, like sunburn, insects, or uneven terrain.</p>

People’s love of nature is both learned and inherited genetically

In the intricate tapestry of human emotions, our love for...

<p>A new study led by the <a href="https://www.umass.edu/">University of Massachusetts at Amherst</a> has found that the wealthiest Americans – individuals whose incomes place them in the top ten percent of earners – are responsible for 40 percent of the country’s total <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenhouse-gas-emissions-cause-a-major-delay-in-rainfall/">greenhouse gas emissions</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This study is the first to connect income – particularly that derived from financial investment – to the emissions used in generating that income. These findings suggest that policymakers should adopt taxes focused on shareholders and the emission intensity of investment income to equitably meet the goal of mitigating climate change.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-consumption-based-approaches">Consumption-based approaches</h2>



<p>Scientists and environmentalists have long been aware that consumption – the amount and types of foods we eat, the things we buy, or the cars we drive – is closely associated to greenhouse emissions. Thus, traditional environmental policy has focused on either limiting consumption or guide it into more environmentally friendly alternatives, such as replacing red meat with plant-based diets or switching to electrical vehicles.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“But consumption-based approaches to limiting greenhouse gas emissions are regressive. They disproportionately punish the poor while having little impact on the extremely wealthy, who tend to save and invest a large share of their income,” explained study lead author Jared Starr, a sustainability scientist at UMass Amherst.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Consumption-based approaches miss something important: carbon pollution generates income, but when that income is reinvested into stocks, rather than spent on necessities, it isn’t subject to a consumption-based carbon tax. What happens when we focus on how emissions create income, rather than how they enable consumption?”</p>



<h2 id="h-how-do-emissions-create-income">How do emissions create income?</h2>



<p>Answering this apparently simple question is quite challenging, since although it is relatively easy to understand the distribution of wages and salaries for about 90 percent of Americans, it is much more difficult to get a sense of the investment income which makes up a large source of the wealth of the richest Americans.&nbsp;</p>



<p>To address this, the experts examined three decades’ worth of data, by first using a database containing over 2.8 billion inter-sectoral financial transfers and then following the movements of carbon and income through these transactions. These methods allowed them to calculate two different values – supplier-based and producer-based greenhouse emissions of income.</p>



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



<p>Supplier-based emissions are those generated by industries supplying fossil fuels to the economy. For example, although the operational emissions released by fossil fuel companies are in fact quite low, such companies make huge profits by selling oil to other who will burn it and thus contribute to pollution. On the other hand, producer-based emissions are those directly released by the operations of specific businesses, such as coal-fired power plants.</p>



<p>By taking into account these two values, the researchers linked emission data with another database containing comprehensive demographic and income data for over five million Americans. This data differentiated active income (salaries and wages earned through employment) from the passively generated investment income.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>The analysis revealed that over 40 percent of U.S. emissions were attributable to the income flows of the top ten percent wealthiest citizens, with the top one percent of earners generating between 15 to 17 percent of the country’s emissions. While white, non-Hispanic households had the highest emission-connected income, Black households had the lowest.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Moreover, emissions tended to increase with age, peaking with the 45-54 age group, before starting to decline. Finally, the scientists also identified so-called “super-emitters” with extremely high emissions intensity, consisting of the top 0.1 percent of households, most of them active in fields such as finance, real estate, insurance, manufacturing, and mining and quarrying.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>“This research gives us insight into the way that income and investments obscure emissions responsibility,” Starr said. “For example, 15 days of income for a top 0.1 percent household generates as much carbon pollution as a lifetime of income for a household in the bottom 10 percent. An income-based lens helps us focus in on exactly who is profiting the most from climate-changing carbon pollution, and design policies to shift their behavior.”</p>



<p>According to the experts, to solve this problem, officials should focus on income and shareholder-based taxation rather than taxing consumables.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“In this way, we could really incentivize the Americans who are driving and profiting the most from climate change to decarbonize their industries and investments. It’s divestment through self-interest, rather than altruism. Imagine how quickly corporate executives, board members, and large shareholders would decarbonize their industries if we made it in their financial interest to do so. The tax revenue gained could help the nation invest substantially in decarbonization efforts,” Starr concluded.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000190"><em>PLOS Climate</em></a>.</p>



<p>—</p>



<p><em>By </em><a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com"><em>Andrei Ionescu</em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/"><em>Earth.com</em></a><em> Staff Writer</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>

America’s wealthiest 10 percent linked to 40 percent of emissions

A new study led by the University of Massachusetts at...

<p>Urbanization is accelerating all around the globe, fundamentally transforming natural landscapes and presenting a vast variety of animals that are forced to live in cities and towns with new challenges.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Although some animals may benefit from milder temperatures and the presence of fewer natural predators, they also need to find ways of coping with increased pollutants and changes in their diets.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-paler-plumage">Paler plumage&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Previous research has shown that urban-dwelling animals have duller coloration compared to their non-urban counterparts (the so-called “urban dullness” phenomenon).&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, while these studies have largely focused on single geographic locations, a team of scientists led by <a href="https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/">Lund University</a> in Sweden has now investigated this phenomenon across the entire Europe, by taking as a case study a common songbird, the great tit (<em>Parus major</em>).&nbsp;</p>



<p>Using <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/feather-fingerprints-reveal-secrets-of-endangered-seabirds/">feather</a> samples collected from great tits in cities and forests across Europe, the experts have found that urban great tits are indeed paler than their forest-dwelling counterparts.</p>



<h2 id="h-lack-of-carotenoids">Lack of carotenoids&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The typical yellow color in the great tit’s feathers is caused by carotenoids, a class of pigments that the birds get from the insects they eat. These insects, in turn, get these nutrients from the plants they consume.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Since carotenoids are important antioxidants which help the body mitigate the toxic effects of pollutants, if urban great tits cannot obtain sufficient carotenoids from their food, their plumage becomes paler, resulting in weaker resistance to the adverse effects of pollution.</p>



<p>“Our findings suggest that birds in the city are not getting the right diet. This can help us understand how to create urban environments that are more beneficial for biodiversity. By planting more native trees and plants in our gardens and parks we can help small birds, such as great tits, by providing them with a healthy diet of insects and spiders for themselves and their chicks,” said study senior author Hannah Watson, a biologist at Lund.</p>



<p>Surprisingly though, the analysis revealed that the effects of cities on birds’ coloration vary across the European continent. For instance, while in Lisbon, forest great tits displayed much brighter feathers than urban great tits, in Malmö, the difference in plumage between city and forest tits was considerably smaller.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-urban-dullness">Urban dullness&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“Overall, our results provide evidence for uniformity in the ‘<em>urban dullness</em>’ phenomenon but also highlight that the magnitude of the effect on coloration depends on local urban characteristics,” the authors explained.</p>



<p>“We need further research to understand why some cities have more favorable environments for birds and wildlife than others. This can help urban planners develop biodiversity-friendly policies and improve the quality of life for people living in cities,” Watson concluded.</p>



<p>The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.13982"><em>Journal of Animal Ecology</em></a><em>.</em></p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-great-tits">More about great tits</h2>



<p>The great tit (Parus major) is a passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. It's a common and easily recognizable bird found across Europe, Central Asia, and parts of North Africa.</p>



<p>The great tit is known for its vibrant coloration, mainly yellow with a black stripe down the breast and black head. It's a medium-sized bird, typically weighing between 14 to 18 grams and measuring around 12.5 to 14 cm in length.</p>



<p>Their diet mainly consists of insects, seeds, and nuts, and they are often found in woodlands, gardens, and parks. Great tits nest in tree holes or nest boxes and typically lay between 5-12 eggs. The female incubates the eggs, and both parents help feed the chicks.</p>



<p>Known for their curiosity and intelligence, they have been observed using tools and solving problems to obtain food. Their song is a familiar sound in many parts of their range and is composed of several repeated notes.</p>



<p>The great tit is not currently considered endangered, although changes in habitat due to human activity may affect local populations.</p>



<h2 id="h-other-aspects-of-urban-dullness">Other aspects of urban dullness</h2>



<p>Urban dullness refers to the monotony or lack of variety and excitement in urban environments. It can manifest in various ways:</p>



<h3 id="h-architectural-monotony">Architectural monotony</h3>



<p>Repetitive building designs, lack of color, and lack of architectural variety can make cityscapes seem bland.</p>



<h3 id="h-lack-of-green-spaces">Lack of green spaces</h3>



<p>A shortage of parks, trees, and gardens can result in a concrete jungle effect, where nature is sparse.</p>



<h3 id="h-routine-lifestyle">Routine lifestyle</h3>



<p>Living in a city can sometimes become routine – wake up, commute, work, commute, sleep. This daily grind can feel monotonous for many.</p>



<h3 id="h-overcrowding">Overcrowding</h3>



<p>High population densities without adequate infrastructure or recreational spaces can contribute to a sense of congestion and monotony.</p>



<h3 id="h-lack-of-cultural-activities">Lack of cultural activities</h3>



<p>While many urban areas are rich in culture, if these activities or places aren't readily accessible or promoted, it can add to the feeling of dullness.</p>



<h3 id="h-noise-and-pollution">Noise and Pollution</h3>



<p>Constant noise from traffic, construction, and other urban activities can make the environment feel stressful and uninviting.</p>



<p><em>—-</em></p>



<p><em>By </em><a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com"><em>Andrei Ionescu</em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/"><em>Earth.com</em></a><em> Staff Writer</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>

Great tits often lose their vivid colors in the city

Urbanization is accelerating all around the globe, fundamentally transforming natural...

<p>A new study suggests that pouring rust into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-water-is-the-key-to-a-long-and-healthy-life/">water</a> may not be as counterintuitive as it sounds. A team of researchers has come up with a unique type of iron oxide nanoparticles - called "smart rust" - that surprisingly purifies water instead of contaminating it.</p>



<p>Typically, adding rust to water would make it undrinkable. However, this new "smart rust" has the innate ability to attract a plethora of pollutants such as oil, nano and microplastics, and the herbicide glyphosate.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-magnetic-nanoparticles">Magnetic nanoparticles&nbsp;</h2>



<p>What’s even more interesting is how these pollutants are removed from the water. The magnetic nature of the nanoparticles ensures easy extraction using a mere magnet.</p>



<p>Recently, the scientists announced that they have further refined the particles to trap potentially harmful estrogen hormones, which are known to adversely affect aquatic life.</p>



<p>The groundbreaking research was recently presented at the fall meeting of the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS) 2023.</p>



<h2 id="h-dramatically-improving-water-treatment">Dramatically improving water treatment&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“Our ‘smart rust’ is cheap, nontoxic, and recyclable," said Dr. Marcus Halik, the study's principal investigator. “And we have demonstrated its use for all kinds of contaminants, showing the potential for this technique to improve water treatment dramatically.”</p>



<p>For years, Dr. Halik's team at <a href="https://www.fau.de/">Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg</a> has been on a mission to find eco-friendly ways to purify water.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>The core component of their research revolves around superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. These particles are unique due to their magnetic pull, attracting them to magnets without causing them to stick to one another.</p>



<p>Taking the research a step further, the scientists developed a technique to bind phosphonic acid molecules to these nanoparticles. </p>



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="IbWjqMawTn-2946099-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



<p>“After we add a layer of the molecules to the iron oxide cores, they look like hairs sticking out of these particles’ surfaces," said Dr. Halik. By manipulating the binding of the phosphonic acids, the team found they could alter the nanoparticles' surfaces, enabling them to effectively absorb varied pollutants.</p>



<p>In their early experiments, the smart rust showed promising results in purifying water collected from the Mediterranean Sea of crude oil and pond water of glyphosate. In addition, the nanoparticles effectively removed nano and microplastics from various water samples.</p>



<h2 id="h-trace-contaminants">Trace contaminants&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Lukas Müller, a graduate student on the team, took on the challenge to see if the nanoparticles could be altered further to draw in trace contaminants, specifically hormones. When these hormones, natural and synthetic estrogens, are disposed of, they seep into our waterways, causing potential harm to both plant and animal life.</p>



<p>Müller focused on the estrogen estradiol, and its four structurally similar derivatives. By coating the nanoparticles with two distinct compounds - one long and the other positively charged - he believed they could create countless "pockets" to effectively trap the estrogen.&nbsp;</p>



<p>To verify their hypothesis, Müller has relied on sophisticated instruments, and while early results are promising, further experiments are in the pipeline.</p>



<h2 id="h-future-research">Future research</h2>



<p>Looking ahead, the research team plans to evaluate the efficiency of these nanoparticles on real-world water samples. They are optimistic that the high surface area of each nanoparticle, rich with trapping pockets, will offer multiple usages, making the purification process more cost-effective.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“By repeatedly recycling these particles, the material impact from this water treatment method could become very small," said Dr. Halik.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-water-purification">More about water purification&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Water purification is an essential process that ensures the availability of clean and safe drinking water for humans and animals. With rising concerns over water scarcity and the increasing contamination of available water sources, advancements in water purification techniques are becoming ever more vital.</p>



<h3 id="h-traditional-methods">Traditional methods</h3>



<h4 id="h-boiling">Boiling</h4>



<p>One of the oldest methods, boiling kills many pathogens. However, it doesn't remove chemical pollutants.</p>



<h4 id="h-solar-disinfection-sodis">Solar disinfection (SODIS)</h4>



<p>Placing water in transparent bottles and exposing them to sunlight for several hours can kill pathogens. This method harnesses UV radiation from the sun.</p>



<h3 id="h-filtration">Filtration</h3>



<h4 id="h-activated-carbon-filters">Activated carbon filters</h4>



<p>They are used to remove larger particles like sediment and silt from water. These filters also remove bad tastes and odors from the water.</p>



<h4 id="h-reverse-osmosis">Reverse osmosis</h4>



<p>This involves forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane, which filters out contaminants and impurities.</p>



<h4 id="h-distillation">Distillation</h4>



<p>This process involves boiling water and then condensing the vapor back into liquid in a separate container, leaving many contaminants behind.</p>



<h3 id="h-chemical-methods">Chemical methods</h3>



<h4 id="h-chlorination">Chlorination</h4>



<p>Chlorine is added to water to kill bacteria and other pathogens. This is a common method used in municipal water treatment.</p>



<h4 id="h-iodine-and-chlorine-dioxide">Iodine and chlorine dioxide</h4>



<p>These are chemical tablets or drops that can purify water, often used by travelers and in emergency situations.</p>



<h3 id="h-modern-innovations">Modern innovations</h3>



<h4 id="h-ultraviolet-uv-purification">Ultraviolet (UV) purification</h4>



<p>UV light can destroy various bacteria and viruses. It's a chemical-free method of purification.</p>



<h4 id="h-nanotechnology">Nanotechnology</h4>



<p>This includes methods like the "smart rust" mentioned previously, using nanoparticles to trap and remove contaminants from water.</p>



<h4 id="h-biosand-filters">Biosand filters</h4>



<p>A point-of-use decentralized water treatment system, it uses layers of sand, gravel, and sometimes crushed brick. The biofilm developed on the sand's surface is the active layer that traps pathogens.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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

"Smart rust" purifies water instead of polluting it

A new study suggests that pouring rust into water may...

Young,Great,Grey,Owls,Sitting,On,A,Branch

<p>Birds may hold the key to understanding coexistence in a world that is increasingly impacted by climate change and habitat destruction. A new study published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/journal/rspb"><em>Proceedings of the Royal Society B</em></a> sheds light this mystery.</p>



<p>A team of scientists from Michigan State University embarked on an ambitious journey into the vast expanse of the Albertine Rift ecosystem region in east-central Africa. The study was led by Sam Ayebare, a PhD candidate from Uganda.</p>



<h2 id="h-biodiversity-hotspot">Biodiversity hotspot&nbsp;</h2>



<p>This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-monitoring-method-may-help-prevent-biodiversity-loss/">biodiversity</a> hotspot boasts a richer avian population than any other part of the African continent, a fact that Ayebare vividly describes as a "teeming feathered metropolis."</p>



<p>To truly grasp the art of coexistence, Ayebare emphasizes the necessity of understanding the dynamics of their habitats.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>“We want to understand how species – in this case birds – coexist without driving each other to extinction,” said Ayebare. “To protect a species, you must first understand where they are and why.”</p>



<p>Historically, the understanding of spatial usage by creatures - whether avian, mammalian, or insectoid - depended on small-scale, often controlled, experiments. Yet, Ayebare and his team recognized that the real story lay hidden in raw data.</p>



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



<p>The researchers analyzed data collected from 519 carefully chosen sampling sites across the Albertine Rift’s montane forests. The sites covered vast elevational and environmental gradients, recording the presence of birds either visually or aurally. This painstaking effort led to the cataloging of over 6,000 individual birds spanning 129 species.</p>



<p>But this was just the beginning. Integrating these observations with myriad data points on temperature, rainfall, dietary preferences, forest canopy usage, and more, the team discovered the birds' intricate survival strategies.</p>



<h2 id="h-mitigating-biodiversity-loss">Mitigating biodiversity loss</h2>



<p>Elise Zipkin, an associate professor of integrative biology at MSU and the head of the Quantitative Ecology Lab, speaks of the broader mission. Their goal, she says, is not just to unravel nature's mysteries, but also to "understand and predict how and why nature is changing, and what can be done to mitigate biodiversity loss."&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We’re interested in the circumstances that allow biodiversity to flourish - what makes species coexistence possible?” Zipkin said. “There’s is a lot of pressure on biodiversity in the modern age. It helps to understand what types of conditions, at very small to very large scales, can facilitate the protection of species.”</p>



<p>Zipkin reflects on the immense pressure biodiversity faces today, emphasizing the importance of understanding the myriad conditions that can foster species protection.</p>



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



<p>The team found that birds adjust their habitat usage based on environmental factors like temperature, precipitation, and types of forest vegetation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Furthermore, even within these optimal habitats, birds with similar ecological profiles delineate territories, with some preferring the lofty heights of the canopy, while others choose the forest's lower strata.</p>



<p>“Species have organized themselves over millions of years," said Ayebare. "We want to develop ways to figure out what they will do next to survive.” His deep-rooted connection to the region was instrumental in guiding the research, as Zipkin highlights Ayebare’s innate ability to pose the most pertinent questions regarding avian coexistence in the Albertine rift.</p>



<p>The research was made possible through the support of several institutions, including the National Science Foundation, WCS Graduate Scholarship Program, Beinecke African Conservation Scholarship, and World Wildlife Foundation’s Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program.</p>



<h2 id="h-birds-of-the-albertine-rift-ecosystem-region">Birds of the Albertine Rift ecosystem region</h2>



<p>The Albertine Rift ecosystem region, located in east-central Africa, is one of the world's most important biodiversity hotspots. This verdant stretch, comprising parts of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Tanzania, is home to a great number of bird species.</p>



<p>The unique combination of geological, climate, and ecological factors in the region has resulted in a rich tapestry of avian life that has fascinated ornithologists and bird enthusiasts alike.</p>



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



<p>The Albertine Rift is home to over 500 bird species, of which around 40 are endemic, meaning they're found nowhere else in the world. The region thus hosts one of the highest densities of endemic bird species on the African continent.</p>



<h3 id="h-iconic-species">Iconic species</h3>



<h4 id="h-grauer-s-rush-warbler">Grauer's Rush Warbler</h4>



<p>A small, elusive bird that thrives in the marshes and swamps of the region.</p>



<h4 id="h-albertine-owlet">Albertine Owlet</h4>



<p>A rare nocturnal bird with striking plumage, found mainly in the montane forests.</p>



<h4 id="h-shelley-s-crimsonwing">Shelley’s Crimsonwing</h4>



<p>This vividly colored finch is one of the world's most elusive bird species.</p>



<h4 id="h-african-green-broadbill">African Green Broadbill</h4>



<p>With its vibrant green plumage, this bird is a sought-after sighting for birdwatchers.</p>



<h3 id="h-habitats">Habitats</h3>



<p>The diverse habitats, ranging from montane rainforests, grasslands, wetlands, to alpine zones, contribute to the rich bird diversity. The altitude gradient, in particular, has resulted in specialized niches for many bird species.</p>



<h3 id="h-conservation-challenges">Conservation challenges</h3>



<p>The region, despite its rich biodiversity, faces several challenges. Deforestation, agricultural expansion, mining, and human settlements threaten the delicate balance of the Albertine Rift's ecosystems. Many bird species, already limited to this region, face the dangers of habitat loss and fragmentation.</p>



<h4 id="h-conservation-efforts">Conservation efforts</h4>



<p>Several national parks and protected areas have been established within the Albertine Rift to preserve its unique biodiversity. These include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Virunga National Park, and Rwenzori Mountains National Park, among others. Local communities, international organizations, and governments collaborate in efforts to protect and restore the ecosystems.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Birds have mastered the art of coexisting in a changing world

Birds may hold the key to understanding coexistence in a...

<p>The scorching heatwaves that have swept across the southwest United States and southern Europe in recent months are not just a concern for humans. These extreme climate events are disrupting the delicate balance between pollinators and their resident pathogens – an imbalance with potentially severe consequences for global economies and food chains.</p>



<p>In a recent study, an international team of researchers led by <a href="https://www.psu.edu/">Penn State University</a> delved deep into the relationships between heat waves, solitary bees, and the protozoan pathogen, Crithidia mellificae.</p>



<p>The results, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2023.1186452"><em>Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution</em></a>, shine a light on an issue often overshadowed by the broader discourse on global warming.</p>



<h2 id="h-alarming-statistics">Alarming statistics&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Alarmingly, solitary bees, which comprise over 90% of the approximately 4,000 bee species in North America, display a decreased inclination to forage following exposure to intense heat and prior infection.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"We are now experiencing the highest temperatures in recorded history,” said study lead author Mitzy Porras. “These heat waves are lasting three, or even four days, which is a long period of heat tolerance for bees."</p>



<p>"Then, when you combine that with prior infection from a pathogen, we’re looking at two factors that can severely negatively impact pollinator populations.”</p>



<h2 id="h-thermal-boldness">Thermal boldness&nbsp;</h2>



<p>To delve deeper into these observations, the team created an innovative experiment to gauge what Porras terms “thermal boldness,” a measure of how much heat a bee can endure while seeking food.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The results were startling: bees previously infected by the protozoan pathogen demonstrated a significantly lower threshold of heat tolerance, and were hesitant to brave higher temperatures even for vital nourishment.</p>



<p>While both the bee and its pathogen were adversely affected by the heat, the bee shouldered a disproportionate burden. The consequences of the heat were more pronounced on the bee's thermal boldness and overall heat endurance, while the pathogen's growth rate was only marginally impeded.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-overlooked-connections">Overlooked connections</h2>



<p>“These asymmetrical relationships between organisms are often overlooked when studying climate impacts, but they are essential if we want to understand what is really going on,” said Porras.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“When we looked at the host and pathogen in tandem, we found that infection greatly reduces heat tolerance in the host - a finding we wouldn’t have discovered if we had only been studying bees.”</p>



<p>This was a particularly concerning discovery - the tangible impact of infection on a bee's heat endurance. A healthy bee could withstand temperatures of up to 109.4°F. However, this threshold plummeted to 98.6°F post-infection.</p>



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



<p>“Our results shed light on the implications of extreme heat waves on host–pathogen dynamics under a warmer world,” said co-author Professor Ed Rajotte. “We’re not going to see a simple, linear change as the climate warms."&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Every organism will respond differently and the relationships between organisms will be fundamentally altered. If we’re going to try to predict the impacts of climate change, relationships matter. There are real consequences to changes in our ecosystems and we must understand the subtleties if we are going to prepare ourselves for the reality of a changing climate.”</p>



<p>Solitary bees, often termed the "workhorses" of the pollination world, live for about a year. Yet, their active outdoor span lasts only two to four weeks, typically in early spring. This means that for these bees, a three or four-day heatwave can drastically curtail their pollinating activities, mating potential, and offspring production. Infection further exacerbates these challenges.</p>



<p>“We have to think about the big picture,” said Porras. “Climate change is not just impacting species; it is impacting the relationships between species and that could have huge implications for human health and the planet as a whole.”</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-solitary-bees">More about solitary bees&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Solitary bees are a diverse group of bees that, unlike honeybees or bumblebees, do not live in colonies.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 id="h-key-points">Key points</h3>



<h4 id="h-lifestyle">Lifestyle&nbsp;</h4>



<p>As their name suggests, solitary bees live and work alone. Each female typically builds her own nest without the assistance of worker bees.</p>



<h4 id="h-nesting">Nesting</h4>



<p>They often nest in the ground, in hollow stems, or in holes in wood. Many gardeners provide "bee hotels" to support them.</p>



<h4 id="h-diversity">Diversity</h4>



<p>There are over 20,000 species of bees worldwide, and the majority are solitary. Some common types include mason bees, leafcutter bees, and sweat bees.</p>



<h4 id="h-pollination">Pollination</h4>



<p>Solitary bees are efficient pollinators, often more so than honeybees. They play a crucial role in pollinating flowers, fruits, and vegetables.</p>



<h4 id="h-stinging">Stinging</h4>



<p>While some solitary bees can sting, they are usually less aggressive than social bees because they don't have a colony to defend. Many can't sting at all, and those that can often have a sting that's less painful than that of other bees.</p>



<h4 id="h-provisioning">Provisioning</h4>



<p>Unlike honeybees that store honey, solitary bees provide their offspring with a mixture of pollen and nectar called "bee bread".</p>



<h4 id="h-conservation">Conservation</h4>



<p>Solitary bees are under threat from habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change. Providing habitats, reducing pesticide use, and planting pollinator-friendly plants can help support their populations.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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

Extreme heat threatens solitary bees and global food security

The scorching heatwaves that have swept across the southwest United...

<p>Recent discoveries have cast a spotlight on dust storms in the Gulf of Alaska, revealing their potential role in global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-may-have-an-unknown-accomplice-driving-record-heat/">climate</a> dynamics.</p>



<p>Dust storms are more than just a visual spectacle. These whirlwinds in the Gulf of Alaska, with their vast expanse, have caught the attention of satellites orbiting the Earth. A 2020 image from the Landsat satellite captured dust spiraling from the valley and embracing Alaska's south coast.</p>



<p>Could these colossal Alaskan dust storms sway the pendulum of global climate? The answer is shrouded in mystery.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, a new study from the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/">University of Leeds</a> and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science suggests that the influence of these storms might be more profound than previously acknowledged.</p>



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



<p>Central to this study is the manner in which clouds react to these sediments. At sufficiently low temperatures, the microscopic fragments – a mix of rock, minerals, and vegetation – morph into ice nucleating particles.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These act as catalysts, inducing the birth of ice crystals in clouds. But herein lies the conundrum. Depending on the ice content, the number of these particles, and their nature, ice formation in clouds can either intensify global warming or, contrarily, cool our planet.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study, published today in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adg3708"><em>Science Advances</em></a>, emphasizes the pressing need for deeper insight into the role of dust in our intricate climate system.</p>



<p>"Ice-nucleating particles (INPs) influence cloud radiative properties and climate; however, INP sources and concentrations are poorly constrained, particularly in high-latitude regions," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>:Southern Alaska is a known source of high-latitude dust, but its contribution to atmospheric mineral dust and INP concentrations has not been quantified."</p>



<h2 id="h-copper-river-valley">Copper River Valley</h2>



<p>Until recently, much of the research in this realm revolved around the easily noticeable Saharan dust storms. These mid to low latitude tempests churn dust from desert terrains into the atmosphere.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The Leeds team, however, opted for a road less traveled. Their exploration led them to the high-latitude dust source: Alaska's Copper River Valley.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Stretching over 275 miles, this river plays conduit to an estimated 70 million tons of glacial sediment annually. And during times of diminished water levels in summer and autumn, the dust gets swept up in the wind, traveling vast distances across North America.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Here, at these soaring altitudes, the particles play their part in ice formation. But unlike Saharan dust, particles from Copper Valley River possess a richer biological composition due to the lush vegetation and diverse wildlife of the region.</p>



<h2 id="h-dust-particles-and-ice-formation">Dust particles and ice formation&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The symphony of ice formation in clouds owes much to dust particles. In their absence, cloud water might defy freezing even at sub-zero temperatures.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Professor Benjamin Murray is an atmospheric scientist in the School of Earth and Environment at Leeds who supervised the study.</p>



<p>“Only a small fraction of the dust particles in the atmosphere has the capacity to nucleate ice and we are only just starting to understand their sources and global distribution," explained Professor Murray.</p>



<p>“Whether a cloud becomes more or less reflective of sunlight depends on how much ice is in them, so we need to be able to understand and quantify the various sources of ice-nucleating particles around the globe.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>“At present, climate models tend not to represent these high-latitude sources of dust, but our work indicates that we need to.”&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>Study lead author Sarah Barr and co-author Bethany Wyld, doctoral researchers at Leeds, played storm chasers for the investigation, gathering samples during these dust events.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Laboratory analysis of the samples delivered a revelation. Alaskan dust particles exhibited superior ice-forming abilities compared to their Saharan counterparts.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This can be attributed to their rich content of biogenic fragments, relics of once-living organisms. By contrast, desert dust primarily relies on a mineral named potassium feldspar for ice nucleation.</p>



<p>“We knew that deserts like the Sahara are very important at supplying ice-nucleating particles to the atmosphere, but this paper shows that river deltas like the Copper River Valley are also very important," said Barr.</p>



<p>“Huge quantities of dust are emitted from places like the Copper River, and we need to understand these emissions to improve our climate models.”</p>



<p>—-</p>



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

Dust storms in the Gulf of Alaska help shape the global climate

Recent discoveries have cast a spotlight on dust storms in...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What caused the planet's longest ice age

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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<p>—–</p>

Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<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>



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

<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>



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

<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>



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<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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



<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

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

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



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



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



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



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



<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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