<p>Last summer felt different across large parts of Europe and the Mediterranean. Temperatures broke local records, forests dried out, and daily life bent under relentless heat.</p>



<p>A new study goes further than asking whether climate change played a role. It quantifies how much specific fossil fuel and cement producers contributed to 213 major heatwaves from 2000 to 2023.</p>



<p>The team examined heatwaves reported by governments and media because they caused serious losses or triggered emergency help.</p>



<p>Researchers analyzed whether human-driven warming made those events more likely or more intense, then linked those changes to emissions from 180 large producers known as “carbon majors.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-real-costs-of-heat">The real costs of heat</h2>



<p>Heatwaves are not just uncomfortable. They threaten health, strain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electric-vehicles-cant-help-the-planet-without-a-smarter-power-grid/">power grids</a>, and hit farms and factories with real economic pain. </p>



<p>Connecting events to sources provides a clearer picture of responsibility than broad national averages.</p>



<p>The study answers two questions: first, how much has climate change amped up these events, and second, how much did each company’s emissions add to that amplification.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-waves-and-climate-change">Heat waves and climate change</h2>



<p>An attribution study estimates how climate change shifts the odds and severity of an extreme event. Scientists compare the world we live in with a modeled preindustrial baseline to quantify the difference.</p>



<p>They use global mean surface <a href="https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/global-temperature/?intent=121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperature</a> as a yardstick for how much the planet has warmed overall. A probability ratio tells you how many times more likely an event became compared with the historical world before major industrial emissions.</p>



<p>Across all 213 heatwaves, climate change increased both the intensity and the likelihood. The median boost in intensity rose from about 1.4 °C (2.5 °F) in 2000 to 2009 to about 2.2 °C (4.0 °F) in 2020 to 2023, which matches the broader warming trend reported over land surfaces.</p>



<p>The odds jumped as well. Heatwaves became about 20 times more likely during 2000 to 2009 and about 200 times more likely during 2010 to 2019 compared with 1850 to 1900.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossil-fuel-companies-and-heatwaves">Fossil fuel companies and heatwaves</h2>



<p>The authors traced heatwave contributions from the 180 largest fossil fuel and cement producers. Those emissions account for a major share of historical carbon dioxide and methane released into the atmosphere.</p>



<p>Fourteen entities stand out because their total contribution to warming matches that of the other 166 combined. That pattern shows scale matters, but smaller producers still matter, since even modest shares can push rare events over the edge.</p>



<p>Past research often grouped emissions by country or individual. This work focuses on firms because they extract and sell products with high carbon footprints and have steered business strategies in light of what they knew about climate risks.</p>



<p>The paper highlights that companies have pursued profit within systems that long undervalued climate costs. That context may inform debates about responsibility, insurance, and how to fund adaptation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-extreme-heat-events">Tracing extreme heat events</h2>



<p>First, the team applied an established event attribution protocol maintained by World Weather Attribution. The approach compares observed temperatures during each heatwave to a modeled preindustrial world, tests statistical fit, and combines multiple lines of evidence.</p>



<p>Second, they used an <a href="https://www.gfdl.noaa.gov/earth-system-model/">Earth system model</a> to calculate how each carbon major’s emissions changed global temperature over time. Removing one entity’s emissions from the historical record in a model run shows the temperature difference that producer made.</p>



<p>Take the Pacific Northwest heat dome of June 2021. Analyses found human induced warming increased its intensity by several degrees Celsius (roughly 4-9 °F) and made such an event far more likely than it would have been before industrialization.</p>



<p>The new study used a similar framework consistently across the world’s continents. That consistency allows a fairer comparison among many events rather than a handful of famous ones.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-corporate-share-of-heat">Corporate share of heat</h2>



<p>The researchers estimate that about half of the increase in heatwave intensity since preindustrial times can be traced to the carbon majors. Median contributions from the top group to the intensity of these events range up to a few tenths of a degree Celsius (about 0.5 °F).</p>



<p>Some heatwaves would have been virtually impossible without the added warming. The authors report that dozens of events cross that threshold when considering the total human effect.</p>



<p>"It just shows that it's not that many actors ... who are responsible for a very strong fraction of all <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-new-source-of-methane-emissions-discovered-glacial-fracking-arctic/">emissions</a>," said Sonia Seneviratne of ETH Zurich (ETHZ).</p>



<p>That perspective reflects the study’s focus on tracing causal chains from producers to real world impacts. It does not erase individual or national roles, but it sharpens the picture of who profits directly from high emitting activity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limitations-and-open-questions">Limitations and open questions</h2>



<p>Reporting gaps in Africa and parts of South America mean some heatwaves did not make it into the dataset. That undercounts risk in regions that are warming rapidly and often have fewer resources to cope.</p>



<p>Attribution can also be harder for very rare events and where observational records are shorter. Still, the paper documents careful checks on model performance and statistical causality to build confidence in the results.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-s-toll-on-society">Heat’s toll on society</h2>



<p>Heat risk scales with age, outdoor work, housing, and access to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-antarctic-waters-are-cooling-in-a-warming-world/">cooling</a>. Better early warning, more shade, and grid upgrades reduce harm now, even as long term solutions tackle emissions.</p>



<p>The legal and policy landscape may shift as attribution strengthens. Courts, regulators, and insurers are already weighing how to assign costs when heat pushes systems beyond design limits, and when losses stack up across sectors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-connecting-science-to-action">Connecting science to action</h2>



<p>For students and the public, this study shows how scientific tools connect dots from physics to policy. It uses transparent data, multiple models, and clear statistical tests to answer questions many communities are already asking.</p>



<p>It also shows that choices by concentrated actors can have global effects. Understanding that chain helps people think more clearly about accountability and investment.</p>



<p>Researchers plan to apply the same framework to other extremes, including heavy rain, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-drought-has-caused-crisis-levels-of-food-and-water-scarcity/">drought</a>, and wildfires. Each hazard will bring its own statistical wrinkles and data needs.</p>



<p>As methods evolve, expect sharper estimates and more open datasets. That progress will help cities, health systems, and courts make decisions that match the scale of the risk.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09450-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature</em></a>.</p>



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



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

Worsening global heatwaves linked to the fossil fuel industry

Last summer felt different across large parts of Europe and the Mediterranean. Temperatures broke local records, forests dried out, and daily life bent under relentless heat. A new study goes further than asking whether climate change played a role. It quantifies how much specific fossil fuel and cement producers contributed to 213 major heatwaves from 2000 to 2023. The team examined heatwaves reported by governments and media because they caused serious losses or triggered emergency help. Researchers analyzed whether human-driven warming made those events more likely or...

<p>The stark escalation of human-induced global warming from greenhouse gas emissions, progressing at a "unprecedented rate," has echoed a pressing alarm, as declared by 50 preeminent scientists. They report that the increase in the global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lakes-are-struggling-to-maintain-oxygen-as-temperatures-rise/">temperature</a> is an immediate result of human activities, and it is surging faster than previously anticipated.</p>



<p>Their timely revelation, a "wake-up call," comes at a critical juncture as climate experts convene in Bonn. Their meeting is the prelude to the major COP28 climate conference in UAE, slated for December. The conference will assess global efforts to keep the temperature increase below 1.5°C by 2050.</p>



<p>However, the swift pace of climatic changes makes access to robust scientific evidence crucial for informed decisions. Policymakers, climate negotiators, and civil society groups need this data to effectively respond to the climate crisis.</p>



<p>The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is recognized as a reliable source of scientific information. However, their major assessments typically take five to ten years to complete, creating a critical "information gap" during this rapidly changing climate scenario.</p>



<p>To bridge this gap, scientists from the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/">University of Leeds</a> have launched a novel open-data, open-science platform — the Indicators of Global Climate Change (IGCC). This online resource, available at <a href="https://igcc.earth/">https://igcc.earth/</a>, will provide annual updates on key climate indicators and greenhouse gas emissions.</p>



<h2 id="h-critical-decade-for-future-of-our-planet">Critical decade for future of our planet</h2>



<p>Professor Piers Forster, the coordinator of the project and Director of the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures at Leeds, emphasizes the importance of this decade for climate change. He states, "Decisions made now will have an impact on how much temperatures will rise and the degree and severity of impacts we will see as a result."</p>



<p>According to Professor Forster, there is already evidence that greenhouse gas emissions are slowing down, despite current warming rates being at an all-time high. This highlights the need for nimble policy-making, responsive to the latest evidence about the state of the climate system. "Time is no longer on our side. Access to up-to-date information is vitally important," he warns.</p>



<p>The scientists' revelations in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-2295-2023"><em>Earth System Science Data</em></a> also show how key indicators have evolved since the publication of the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Working Group 1 report in 2021.</p>



<h2 id="h-updated-indicator-findings-on-greenhouse-gas-emissions">Updated indicator findings on greenhouse gas emissions</h2>



<p>Recent data reveals that human-induced warming, predominantly due to fossil fuel burning, averaged at 1.14°C for the last decade (2013-2022) above pre-industrial levels. This is a rise from 1.07°C between 2010 and 2019. Now, the pace of increase is over 0.2°C per decade.</p>



<p>Additionally, greenhouse gas emissions have reached an all-time high, with human activities releasing approximately 54 (+/-5.3) billion metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually over the last decade (2012-2021).</p>



<p>While there has been a move away from coal burning, it has ironically added to global warming by reducing particulate pollution in the air, which usually has a cooling effect.</p>



<p>Professor Maisa Rojas Corradi, Chile's Minister of the Environment, an IPCC author and scientist involved in this study, emphasizes the importance of regularly updating global change indicators. She says this is critical for maintaining urgency in addressing the climate crisis, allowing for informed decision-making, and fine-tuning national policies.</p>



<h2 id="h-remaining-carbon-budget-has-reached-dire-level">Remaining carbon budget has reached dire level</h2>



<p>A critical insight from the analysis is the rapid decline in the remaining carbon budget, which is the estimate of carbon that can be released into the atmosphere to maintain a 50% chance of keeping the global temperature rise within 1.5°C.</p>



<p>As of 2020, the IPCC calculated the remaining carbon budget to be around 500 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide. By early 2023, this figure had halved to about 250 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide. This precipitous drop is due to the persistent greenhouse gas emissions since 2020, compounded by updated estimates of human-induced warming.</p>



<p>Professor Forster warns, "Even though we are not yet at 1.5°C warming, the carbon budget will likely be exhausted in only a few years as we have a triple whammy of heating from very high CO2 emissions, heating from increases in other GHG emissions and heating from reductions in pollution."</p>



<h2 id="h-public-must-be-kept-informed-of-key-indicators">Public must be kept informed of key indicators</h2>



<p>If we aim to keep the 1.5°C goal within our reach and not just a fleeting image in our rearview mirror, we must work relentlessly and urgently to bring down emissions. The Indicators of Global Climate Change project aims to aid this endeavor by ensuring key players have timely and up-to-date data at their disposal.</p>



<p>Dr Valérie Masson-Delmotte, from the Université Paris Saclay, who co-chaired Working Group 1 of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment report and was involved in the climate indicators project, shared a similar sentiment.&nbsp;</p>



<p>She said, "This robust update shows intensifying heating of our climate driven by human activities. It is a timely wake up call for the 2023 global stocktake of the Paris Agreement - the pace and scale of climate action is not sufficient to limit the escalation of climate-related risks."</p>



<p>It's important to remember that every incremental increase in global warming intensifies climate extremes. This includes heightened frequency and intensity of hot extremes, heavy rainfall, and agricultural droughts.</p>



<p>The Indicators of Global Climate Change (<a href="https://igcc.earth/">https://igcc.earth/</a>) aims to keep this information on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change accessible and up-to-date. The platform will provide annual updates on greenhouse gas emissions, human-induced global warming, and the remaining carbon budget.</p>



<p>Inspired by the financial industry's approach to information presentation, software developers expanded on a successful climate dashboard, the Climate Change Tracker, to build the IGCC website. This interface allows the public to digest complex climate data in a user-friendly format, further enabling informed climate action worldwide.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-the-climate-change-tipping-point">More about the climate change “tipping point”&nbsp;</h2>



<p>A tipping point in the context of climate change refers to a threshold or a point of no return in the climate system. When this point is crossed, drastic and potentially irreversible changes occur.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This phenomenon is a product of positive feedback loops in the climate system, where a change in one aspect, like greenhouse gas emissions, can amplify other aspects, leading to accelerated warming or climatic shifts.</p>



<p>Several key tipping points have been identified by scientists. Here are some of them:</p>



<h3 id="h-melting-of-polar-ice-sheets">Melting of Polar Ice Sheets</h3>



<p>The polar ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica have a considerable effect on the global climate. Once these ice sheets start to melt, a feedback loop can begin where melting ice reduces the Earth's albedo (reflectivity), which means more sunlight is absorbed, leading to more warming and thus more ice melting. If all of the Greenland ice sheet were to melt, it could lead to a global sea-level rise of about 7 meters.</p>



<h3 id="h-thawing-of-permafrost">Thawing of Permafrost</h3>



<p>Large areas of the Arctic are covered in permafrost - ground that remains frozen throughout the year. This permafrost contains vast amounts of carbon. As the world warms, this permafrost thaws, releasing this carbon as greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and methane), which in turn accelerates global warming.</p>



<h3 id="h-dieback-of-forests">Dieback of Forests</h3>



<p>The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth", is another potential tipping point. Deforestation and rising temperatures could cause a significant portion of the forest to die back and transition into savannah, releasing massive amounts of CO2 stored in the forest biomass and reducing the amount of CO2 that the forest can absorb.</p>



<h3 id="h-disruption-of-ocean-currents">Disruption of Ocean Currents</h3>



<p>The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a major ocean current system, plays a key role in regulating the global climate. Increased freshwater from melting ice can disrupt this system, leading to potentially severe consequences for weather patterns, particularly in Europe and North America.</p>



<p>Crossing any of these tipping points could lead to severe and rapid changes in the global climate system. Many scientists believe that we are already close to or have crossed some of these tipping points, but there is ongoing debate over precisely when and how these thresholds will be breached.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Understanding and predicting these points is a major focus of climate research and adds urgency to the need for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.</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>

Scientists beg the public to "wake up" as greenhouse gas emissions reach another all-time high

The stark escalation of human-induced global warming from greenhouse gas...

<p>As smoke from the nearly 400 wildfires currently blazing in Canada keeps descending south across the United States’ border, New York City has recently been listed by the Swiss tech company <a href="https://www.iqair.com/">IQAir</a> as having the world’s worst air quality, surpassing typical forerunners such as Dubai, Lahore, Delhi, or Baghdad. According to the experts, on Wednesday, June 7, the air quality in NYC was more than 56 times over the level deemed safe by the <a href="https://www.who.int/">World Health Organization</a> (WHO).</p>



<p>IQAir uses fine particulate matter (PM2.5) measurements – hazardous particles that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter – to assess in real time the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/light-pollution-disorients-monarch-butterflies/">pollution</a> levels all over the globe. Since the health impact of a particle concentration of 22μg/m3 per 24 hours is considered equivalent to smoking about one cigarette, the current situation in New York is highly alarming: breathing the air in the city during a day is now as damaging as smoking 22 cigarettes.</p>



<h2 id="h-residents-urged-to-stay-indoors">Residents urged to stay indoors</h2>



<p>Considering this worrisome situation, with the air quality index (AQI) spiking to 353 out of 500 on Wednesday (compared to 15 on June 3, for instance), mayor Eric Adams and governor Kathy Hochul urged New York residents to stay inside, and announced that the state is currently producing a million N95 masks to distribute them to the most vulnerable demographics.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This may be the first time we’ve experienced something like this on this magnitude,” Adams said in a press conference on Wednesday. “Let me be clear, it’s not the last.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>“You don’t need to go out and take a walk. You don’t need to push the baby in the stroller,” Ms. Hochul added.</p>



<p>Similarly, Dr. Mark Shapiro, a medical director in Santa Rosa, California, tweeted recommendations on staying safe, suggesting that residents should wear an N95 mask, minimize as much as possible time outside, frequently wash their hands and face, and keep headlights on when driving to avoid accidents in the increasing smog caused by the Canadian wildfires.</p>



<h2 id="h-when-will-air-quality-improve">When will air quality improve?</h2>



<p>With no end in sight for the Quebec wildfires, authorities are uncertain how the situation in New York and other US cities will evolve, and expect very high levels of pollution at least until the end of this week.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The weather pattern may finally break down this weekend, and by Sunday the winds may shift, providing relief from the smoke,” said Judson Jones, a meteorologist and reporter at the New York Times. “Relief could come even earlier if progress is made on putting out the wildfires.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, since the wildfire season has just started, people in New York and elsewhere could experience more similar events over this summer. In the long-term, urgent efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change could decrease the frequency and intensity of wildfire, and improve air quality.</p>



<p>According to Bill McKibben, a writer and environmental activist from Vermont, this unprecedented situation may have given millions of North Americans a sense of what people in other areas of the world have already repeatedly experienced. “Today is our chance to understand what it really feels like every day on a fossil-fueled planet, for the billions of people unlucky enough to really bear the brunt. My eyes are stinging a bit from the smoke, but I’ve never seen more clearly.”</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-poor-air-quality">More about poor air quality</h2>



<p>Air pollution can have detrimental effects on both human health and the environment. Here are a few points to consider regarding poor air quality:</p>



<h3 id="h-health-impacts">Health impacts</h3>



<p>Exposure to polluted air can cause or worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and allergies. It can also lead to cardiovascular problems and other serious health issues.</p>



<h3 id="h-causes-of-air-pollution">Causes of air pollution</h3>



<p>Air pollution can result from various sources, including industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, power plants, agricultural practices, and natural factors such as dust storms or wildfires. Indoor air pollution can also be a concern, arising from factors like household chemicals, mold, or inadequate ventilation.</p>



<h3 id="h-air-quality-index-aqi">Air Quality Index (AQI)</h3>



<p>The Air Quality Index is a numerical scale used to measure and communicate the level of air pollution in a specific area. It typically ranges from 0 to 500, with higher values indicating worse air quality. AQI values are categorized into different levels, such as "good," "moderate," "unhealthy," "very unhealthy," and "hazardous."</p>



<h3 id="h-protecting-yourself">Protecting yourself</h3>



<p>When air quality is poor, there are several measures you can take to reduce your exposure. These include staying indoors, closing windows and doors, using air purifiers with HEPA filters, wearing masks that filter out fine particles (like N95 masks), and avoiding physical exertion outdoors during high pollution periods.</p>



<h3 id="h-environmental-impact">Environmental impact</h3>



<p>Air pollution also has adverse effects on the environment. It contributes to climate change, damages ecosystems, harms wildlife, and can lead to the deterioration of buildings and monuments.</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>

NYC air quality hits catastrophic low as Canadian wildfires rage

As smoke from the nearly 400 wildfires currently blazing in...

Waves,Wash,Over,Golden,Sand,On,Australian,Beach

<p>From the microscopic phytoplankton that produce about half of the world's oxygen to the blue whale, the largest creature that has ever existed on our planet, the oceans host a diversity of life that is truly breathtaking. These majestic ecosystems perform a balancing act that keeps our planet healthy and vibrant.</p>



<p>However, the health of our oceans is currently under serious threat due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-is-wiping-out-large-bodied-fish-in-the-amazon/">overfishing</a>, pollution, climate change, and habitat destruction. Now more than ever, there's a pressing need for sustainable practices and conservation measures to protect this critical resource. Our survival, and that of countless other species, hinges on our ability to maintain the health and vitality of our oceans.</p>



<p>On this year's <a href="https://www.un.org/en/observances/oceans-day">World Oceans Day</a>, held on June 8, we are reminded of the pivotal role that oceans play in our lives. Beyond providing at least half of our planet’s oxygen, the ocean is also a major source of protein, feeding over a billion people worldwide.</p>



<p>By 2030, the ocean economy is projected to employ 40 million people in industries ranging from shipping and fisheries to marine biotechnology and renewable energy. As much as the ocean gives, however, it is currently in a state of crisis, desperate for our support and intervention.</p>



<p>Ninety percent of the world's big fish populations are depleted, and half of our coral reefs, the "rainforests of the sea," have been destroyed. The stark reality is that we are extracting from the ocean much more than it can replenish, disrupting the delicate balance of marine life.</p>



<p>In light of these challenges, the United Nations has themed this year's World Oceans Day as “Planet Ocean: tides are changing.” It is a call to action, urging world leaders, indigenous communities, scientists, industry chiefs, civil societies, celebrities, and young activists to band together and focus on restoring the health of the ocean.</p>



<p>World Oceans Day serves as a timely reminder of the ocean’s fundamental role in our existence. It is more than just a body of water - it is the lungs of our planet, a major source of food and medicine, and a critical part of the biosphere. This global day of observance offers the public an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the ocean's significance and the impacts of human actions on this vast ecosystem.</p>



<p>As part of this awareness initiative, the United Nations is galvanizing a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean. The aim is to mobilize and unite the global population behind a sustainable management plan for the world's oceans.</p>



<p>This year, the United Nations has organized a hybrid celebration to commemorate World Oceans Day. An in-person event will take place at the UN Headquarters in New York and will be broadcasted live, making the observance accessible to people worldwide. The event, hosted by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations, in partnership with the non-profit organization Oceanic Global, and supported by Panerai, will focus on the theme of "Planet Ocean: tides are changing."</p>



<p>This year's World Oceans Day is more than just an observance - it's an urgent plea for change. It is time for us to create a new balance with the ocean. It's time to acknowledge that the tides are indeed changing, and it is up to us to steer the course toward a future where humans and oceans can thrive together.</p>



<p>Why is World Oceans Day important?</p>



<p>The health of the ocean is intimately linked with the health of the entire planet and its inhabitants. As such, the sustainable management and conservation of the oceans are paramount for our survival and well-being. The ocean holds immense importance for various reasons:</p>



<h3 id="h-source-of-oxygen">Source of oxygen&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Phytoplankton in the ocean produce about 50% of the world’s oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. Additionally, the ocean absorbs a significant amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, playing a crucial role in mitigating climate change.</p>



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



<p>The ocean acts as a massive heat and moisture regulator. It absorbs solar energy and redistributes it around the globe, helping to regulate climate and weather patterns. Ocean currents transfer warm water and rainfall from the equator to the poles and cold water from the poles back toward the equator.</p>



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



<p>The ocean is home to an enormous variety of life forms, ranging from the tiniest microbes to the largest mammals on Earth. This biodiversity is not just fascinating but is also crucial for ecosystem stability and food chains.</p>



<h3 id="h-food-source">Food source</h3>



<p>The ocean is a primary source of protein for billions of people worldwide. Fisheries and aquaculture are critical industries that supply a substantial portion of the global population with fish and other seafood.</p>



<h3 id="h-medicine">Medicine</h3>



<p>Many marine organisms have unique properties that are used in medications. Research into ocean-based substances has led to the development of treatments for various ailments, including cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and heart disease.</p>



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



<p>Oceans are vital for the global economy. Industries such as fishing, shipping, tourism, and offshore drilling provide employment and income for millions of people around the world.</p>



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



<p>For many, the ocean has significant cultural value and is a source of inspiration and recreation. Many communities have cultural ties to the sea, and activities such as sailing, surfing, and scuba diving are popular pastimes.</p>



<h3 id="h-transportation">Transportation</h3>



<p>The ocean has historically been and continues to be a major route for transportation of goods between countries and continents. The majority of international trade is conducted by sea.</p>



<h3 id="h-scientific-research-and-education">Scientific research and education</h3>



<p>The ocean is a rich resource for scientific research. Understanding the ocean is fundamental to understanding Earth’s environment. It is also used as a living classroom, offering endless learning opportunities in sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental studies.</p>



<h3 id="h-natural-beauty-and-inspiration">Natural beauty and inspiration</h3>



<p>The aesthetic value of oceans is immense. The natural beauty of seas and coasts is a source of inspiration for art, literature, and music.</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>

World Oceans Day 2023: The tides they are a changin'

From the microscopic phytoplankton that produce about half of the...

<p>In a thrilling development that propels Saturn back to the forefront of the Solar System's "moon race," an international team of astronomers, including researchers from the <a href="https://www.ubc.ca/">University of British Columbia</a>, has unveiled the discovery of 62 new moons orbiting the ringed planet.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Saturn's latest additions not only reclaim its title for the most known moons, surpassing Jupiter's 95, but also make <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/we-now-know-the-age-of-saturns-rings-and-the-number-might-surprise-you/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saturn</a> the first planet to boast over a hundred discovered moons.</p>



<p>Dr. Edward Ashton initiated the research project at UBC and is currently a postdoctoral fellow at Taiwan's Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics.</p>



<p>"Connecting the various appearances of these moons in our data to a viable orbit feels like playing the kid's game Dot-to-Dot. It's akin to playing about 100 different games on the same page, not knowing which dot belongs to which puzzle," said Dr. Ashton.</p>



<h2 id="h-how-the-discovery-was-made">How the discovery was made</h2>



<p>For the past two decades, astronomers have been probing Saturn's surroundings with heightened sensitivity in search of moons. In their latest quest, Ashton's team employed a technique known as "shift and stack," a first in the realm of Saturn moon searches.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The method, previously used for moon explorations around <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-temperature-swings-on-neptune-have-scientists-puzzled/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neptune</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-four-uranus-moons-may-have-oceans-that-are-miles-deep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uranus</a>, involves shifting a sequence of images at the rate that the moon moves across the sky. This movement, when combined with all the data, enhances the moon's signal, making even the faintest moons visible in the stacked image.</p>



<p>The team relied on data collected by the <a href="https://www.cfht.hawaii.edu/">Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope</a> (CFHT) situated atop Mauna Kea, Hawaii from 2019 to 2021. By shifting and stacking many sequential images taken over three-hour spans, they successfully detected moons around Saturn as small as about 2.5 kilometers in diameter.</p>



<p>Ashton's team includes UBC professor Dr. Brett Gladman, Dr. Mike Alexandersen from the Harvard Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics, Dr. Jean-Marc Petit from Observatoire de Besancon, and Matthew Beaudoin from UBC.</p>



<h2 id="h-tedious-work-and-long-hours">Tedious work and long hours</h2>



<p>The initial search for these moons was conducted in 2019, when Ashton and Beaudoin, then students at UBC, meticulously scrutinized deep CFHT imaging data from that year. Yet, spotting an object close to Saturn in the sky doesn't necessarily confirm it as a moon. It could also be an asteroid making a close pass to the planet, although that is unlikely.</p>



<p>Objects must be monitored for several years to definitively confirm their orbit around the planet. After diligently matching objects spotted on different nights over two years, the team tracked 63 objects, ultimately identifying them as new moons.</p>



<p>Interestingly, some of the team's linked orbits matched with past observations that had briefly glimpsed some of these moons but failed to track them long enough to confirm their orbit around Saturn.</p>



<p>All the newly discovered moons fall into the category of irregular moons, believed to have been initially captured by their host planet long ago. These moons are distinguished by their large, elliptical, and inclined orbits compared to regular moons.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The tally of known saturnian irregular moons now stands at 121, up from 58 before the search commenced. Counting the 24 regular moons, the International Astronomical Union now recognizes a total of 145 moons.</p>



<p>Irregular moons often group together based on the tilt of their orbits. In Saturn's system, there are three such groups, each named after different mythologies: the Inuit, the Gallic, and the Norse groups. The newly discovered moons all fall into one of these three groups, with the Norse group gaining the most additions.</p>



<p>These groups are believed to be remnants of collisions on the originally-captured moons, giving us valuable insights into the collisional history of Saturn's irregular moon system.</p>



<h2 id="h-pushing-the-limits-of-modern-telescopes">Pushing the limits of modern telescopes</h2>



<p>"As we push the capabilities of modern telescopes to their limits, we're uncovering increasing evidence that a moderate-sized moon, orbiting Saturn in reverse, was shattered roughly 100 million years ago," explained Dr. Gladman.</p>



<p>The team's previous investigations into these moons have led them to propose that the abundance of small moons on retrograde orbits stems from a relatively recent event.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In astronomical terms, "recent" means within the last 100 million years. During this time, it's believed a moderately sized irregular moon was disrupted and fragmented into the many pieces we see today.</p>



<p>This discovery not only reaffirms Saturn's status as the planet with the most moons but also provides scientists with a better understanding of how irregular moons form and evolve.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Each new moon discovered around Saturn is like a piece of a larger puzzle. They help to paint a clearer picture of the Solar System's past and how it might evolve in the future. It's a testament to the power of modern telescopes and the diligence of astronomers who, like children connecting dots on a page, continue to map out the seemingly infinite expanse of our universe.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-the-moons-of-our-solar-system">More about the moons of our solar system</h2>



<p>The planets of our solar system are accompanied by a diverse array of moons. As of my knowledge cut-off in September 2021, here's a rundown of the known moons of each planet:</p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/video/how-does-ice-exist-on-mercury/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mercury</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/volcanoes-cover-nearly-the-entire-surface-of-venus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Venus</a> have no moons. This is likely due to their proximity to the Sun. The Sun's powerful gravitational pull makes it difficult for these planets to capture and hold onto their own moons.</p>



<p>Earth has one moon, known simply as the Moon. It's the fifth-largest moon in the solar system and is believed to have formed about 4.5 billion years ago after a Mars-sized body collided with Earth.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-may-have-finally-discovered-life-on-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars</a> has two small moons, <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/26-double-moons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Phobos and Deimos</a>, which are thought to be captured asteroids. They were discovered in 1877 by American astronomer Asaph Hall.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-physics-can-explain-jupiters-massive-cyclones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jupiter</a>, the largest planet in our solar system, has a multitude of moons. As of 2021, Jupiter's moon count stands at 79. The four largest are known as the Galilean moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. Ganymede is the largest moon in the solar system and is even bigger than the planet Mercury.</p>



<p>Saturn, as of the latest update in this conversation, has over 100 moons, the most of any planet in the solar system. The largest of Saturn's moons, Titan, is the second largest in the solar system and is even bigger than the planet Mercury. Titan is the only moon known to have a dense atmosphere and large bodies of surface liquid.</p>



<p>Uranus has 27 known moons as of 2021. Most of Uranus's moons are named after characters from the works of William Shakespeare and Alexander Pope. The largest, Titania, is the eighth-largest moon in the solar system.</p>



<p>Neptune has 14 known moons. The largest, Triton, is unique in that it orbits Neptune in a direction opposite to the planet's rotation (a retrograde orbit), suggesting that Triton was captured by Neptune's gravity and didn't form in place.</p>



<p>Pluto, while classified as a dwarf planet, also has five known moons. The largest, Charon, is so large relative to Pluto that they are often referred to as a binary system.</p>



<p>The study of moons, or natural satellites, provides scientists with valuable insights into how our solar system formed and evolved over time. As technology advances, it's likely that the counts will continue to rise and our understanding of these celestial bodies will continue to grow.</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>

Saturn is now confirmed to have a total of 145 "real" moons, leading the solar system moon race

In a thrilling development that propels Saturn back to the...

<p>An alarming new study warns that the Arctic is rapidly heading towards ice-free summers, a scenario previously thought to be avoidable. Even with significant efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, scientists predict that the polar region will experience its first summer without sea ice as early as 2030.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This research, just published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-38511-8"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>, paints a grim picture of the future of Arctic Sea ice, which has been witnessing an accelerated shrinkage over the last two decades.</p>



<p>"The Arctic summer sea ice is past the point of no return," said Professor Dirk Notz of the <a href="https://www.uni-hamburg.de/en.html">University of Hamburg</a>, Germany, a member of the research team.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-arctic-ice-has-been-declining-for-decades">Arctic ice has been declining for decades</h2>



<p>Arctic ice, which follows a cycle of accumulation during the winter and melting in the summer, reaching its lowest levels in September, has been gradually decreasing for decades. But the rate of this decrease has dramatically sped up in the past 20 years.</p>



<p>Notably, the new findings contradict the latest report from the UN's <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/">Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</a> (IPCC). The IPCC report had previously estimated that the Arctic would be practically ice-free in September around mid-century if we failed to curb emissions. But the new study suggests the ice loss is happening at a much faster pace.</p>



<p>The research team, comprising scientists from South Korea, Canada, and Germany, relied on satellite observations of Arctic Sea ice over the last 40 years and the best climate models to analyze the rate of ice loss. They primarily attribute the loss to greenhouse gas emissions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Study lead author Professor Seung-Ki Min of <a href="https://international.postech.ac.kr/">Pohang University of Science and Technology</a> in South Korea expressed surprise at the inevitable loss of Arctic summer sea ice, irrespective of our emission reduction efforts.</p>



<h2 id="h-number-of-ice-free-arctic-months-will-continue-to-increase">Number of Ice-free Arctic months will continue to increase</h2>



<p>Once the Arctic summers become ice-free, the winter buildup of sea ice will slow down significantly, warns Min. As temperatures rise, the Arctic will likely stay free of sea ice further into the colder season.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Under the scenario of continued fossil fuel usage and increasing planet-warming pollution, also known as the "higher emissions pathway," the study predicts the Arctic could lose all sea ice from August until as late as October before the 2080s.</p>



<p>Professor Notz noted that scientists have been cautioning about the loss of Arctic summer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-sea-ice-algae-heavily-contaminated-with-microplastics/">sea ice</a> for decades. This loss represents the first significant casualty of the Earth system due to global warming. "People didn't listen to our warnings," said Notz.</p>



<p>The situation in the Arctic is especially ugent, given that it has warmed four times faster than the rest of the world over the past several decades, according to a 2022 study. <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a> data reveals that annual&nbsp; September sea ice is shrinking at a rate of 12.6 percent per decade.</p>



<h2 id="h-impact-will-be-felt-around-the-world">Impact will be felt around the world</h2>



<p>The repercussions of an ice-free Arctic will be felt globally. The bright white ice currently reflects solar energy away from the Earth, but once it melts, the darker ocean surface will absorb more heat, leading to further warming - a feedback loop known as "Arctic amplification." Additionally, the diminishing sea ice could disrupt global weather patterns far beyond the Arctic region.</p>



<p>"We need to brace for a warmer Arctic very soon," said Min. He suggests that Arctic warming could trigger weather extremes such as heatwaves, wildfires, and floods in Northern mid- and high latitudes. The earlier onset of an ice-free Arctic also means that these extreme events will occur sooner than anticipated.</p>



<p>An ice-free Arctic could also catalyze an increase in commercial shipping, leading to more emissions and pollution in the region. Min compared the Arctic sea ice to the body's immune system, emphasizing that, without this protector, the Arctic's condition could rapidly deteriorate. The study suggests that the Arctic has reached a worrying "tipping point," and the region is on the verge of becoming "seriously ill."</p>



<p>Mika Rantanen, a researcher with the Finnish Meteorological Institute and lead author of the 2022 study, praises the methodology of the newly published research. Rantanen, not involved in this particular study, said it benefited from "novel and state-of-the-art methodology" to predict when the Arctic will be ice-free.</p>



<p>Rantanen said the research brings a high degree of certainty in attributing the sea ice loss to increased greenhouse gases. The striking result isn't just the link between sea ice loss and greenhouse gas increases, which has already been largely established, but the prediction of an ice-free Arctic a decade earlier than previously expected, explained Rantanen.</p>



<h2 id="h-the-arctic-has-officially-reached-a-tipping-point">The Arctic has officially reached a tipping point</h2>



<p>In light of these findings, it's clear that the situation in the Arctic is dire, and the region has reached a tipping point. The Arctic Sea ice, much like an immune system that protects against harmful influences, is in jeopardy. "Without the protector, the Arctic's condition will go from bad to worse quickly," said Min.</p>



<p>This new research is a sobering reminder that our planet's northernmost region is undergoing rapid change, which will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences. The predictions suggest not just an environmental catastrophe but also the potential for geopolitical and economic shifts as new shipping routes open up.</p>



<p>As scientists continue to monitor these changes and their implications, one message is clear: the world needs to act decisively to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. The fate of the Arctic sea ice may be sealed, but there are still many climate battles to be fought, and won. The key is to listen to the warnings of scientists and turn them into policies and practices that protect our planet's fragile ecosystems.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-the-arctic-sea-ice-melt">More about the Arctic Sea ice melt&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Arctic sea ice is a critical part of our planet's ecosystem, and its rapid decline due to climate change can have far-reaching implications.</p>



<p>Firstly, it's essential to understand that the Arctic sea ice behaves like a gigantic mirror. It reflects about 80% of the sunlight that reaches it back into space, helping to keep the planet cool. This phenomenon is known as the albedo effect.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, as the ice melts, it reveals the darker ocean surface, which absorbs around 90% of the sunlight, turning it into heat and contributing to global warming. This is a feedback loop known as "Arctic amplification." The more the ice melts, the more sunlight gets absorbed, leading to more warming and further melting of the ice – a vicious cycle that accelerates climate change.</p>



<h3 id="h-rising-sea-levels">Rising sea levels</h3>



<p>The melting of Arctic sea ice also contributes to rising sea levels. While the melting of sea ice itself doesn't contribute directly to sea level rise—since it is already floating on the ocean and displaces an equivalent volume of water—melting ice on land, such as the Greenland ice sheet, does.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As Arctic temperatures rise, the rate of melt from these ice sheets increases, which can significantly contribute to global sea level rise and pose a threat to coastal communities.</p>



<h3 id="h-disruption-of-weather-patterns">Disruption of weather patterns&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Changes in Arctic sea ice can disrupt weather patterns far beyond the Arctic region. Some researchers suggest that the warming Arctic is causing shifts in the jet stream, a band of high-altitude wind that influences weather patterns. These shifts could potentially lead to more frequent and severe weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts, and storms, in parts of North America, Europe, and Asia.</p>



<h3 id="h-geopolitical-implications">Geopolitical implications</h3>



<p>An ice-free Arctic could also have significant geopolitical implications. New shipping routes would open up as ice recedes, potentially leading to disputes over rights to these passages and access to untapped natural resources beneath the Arctic Ocean. While this might be seen as a commercial opportunity, increased shipping and exploration could lead to more emissions and pollution in an already fragile environment.</p>



<h3 id="h-significant-disruption-to-ecosystems">Significant disruption to ecosystems&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Furthermore, Arctic ecosystems will be significantly affected. Polar bears, seals, and several species of birds rely on sea ice for their habitat and hunting grounds. As ice recedes, these species face the threat of extinction. Indigenous people who rely on these animals for their sustenance and whose culture is intimately tied to the ice will also be profoundly affected.</p>



<p>The rapid decline of Arctic sea ice is a bellwether for global warming. It's a tangible, visible indicator of climate change that underscores the urgent need for climate action. The impacts of its loss will be felt worldwide, affecting everything from global weather patterns to ecosystems to human communities.</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>

Ice-free Arctic summers could be the new normal by 2030

An alarming new study warns that the Arctic is rapidly...

<p>Shallow lakes and ponds might seem innocuous in our landscape, but they have been found to emit substantial volumes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Our understanding of the emissions from these water bodies, however, has been muddled due to significant variations in their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/epa-plans-to-eliminate-greenhouse-gas-emissions-from-power-plants-by-2040/">emissions</a>.</p>



<p>A recently conducted study led by <a href="https://www.cornell.edu/">Cornell University</a> offers fresh insights into this issue. This study aimed to quantify methane and carbon dioxide emissions from 30 small lakes and ponds, each less than an acre in size. These bodies of water were situated in temperate regions across Europe and North America. Intriguingly, the team found that it was the smallest and shallowest of these bodies of water that demonstrated the greatest emission variability over time.</p>



<p>"These small and shallow bodies of water, though often overlooked, are now gaining prominence in the larger climate change narrative," said study senior author Professor Meredith Holgerson.</p>



<p>The findings of this research have critical implications for the calibration of climate models. "The paper points to patterns across a broad geographic range, such that we can actually get in and predict which water bodies are going to vary and will be most variable," noted Nicholas Ray, a postdoctoral researcher in Holgerson’s lab. Furthermore, the study underscores the urgent need to study these smaller bodies of water more meticulously.</p>



<p>Earlier research led by Holgerson's team suggested that these shallow lakes and ponds could contribute about five percent of global methane emissions to the atmosphere. However, without precise measurements from a multitude of water bodies, the actual contribution could fluctuate between half to twice this figure.</p>



<p>Understanding the emission dynamics from these water bodies is crucial since both carbon dioxide and methane act as greenhouse gases. Notably, methane is 25 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in our atmosphere.</p>



<p>For the study, each water body was sampled three times during the summers of 2018 and 2019. Sampling was done at three different locations, including the deepest point and two spots on opposite ends, while ensuring that these were not too close to the shoreline.</p>



<p>Ray revealed a key finding that "the smaller the system is, in regard to surface area, the higher emissions are likely to be." For carbon dioxide, the samples were consistent across the entire water body. This indicated that just one sample could accurately predict the carbon dioxide emissions for the whole body of water. However, for methane, multiple samples from different locations were required to measure emissions accurately.</p>



<p>Additionally, the variability in carbon dioxide emissions seemed to be influenced heavily by the amount of plant life in the water. Meanwhile, the variability in methane emissions was more driven by the water depth, which could be linked to stratification in the water column.</p>



<p>Among other applications, this study paves the way for building more ponds as a part of New York State's climate mitigation strategy. These ponds could also aid farmers in better managing droughts.</p>



<p>"We’re working to identify how ponds can be built, or if there are simple management strategies people can employ, to minimize emissions," Ray said, revealing the proactive approach taken to utilize this new information.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-climate-models">More about climate models</h2>



<p>Creating climate models is an intricate and fascinating process. These models are computer programs that simulate the interactions of the atmosphere, oceans, land surface, and ice. They are used by scientists to better understand the Earth's climate and how it might change in the future.</p>



<p>Climate models work by dividing the planet into a 3D grid, which can focus on a specific area or cover the globe. Each grid box, and the layers above and below it, represents a chunk of the atmosphere, ocean, or land.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The model then solves equations that describe the fluid motion and thermodynamics of the atmosphere and oceans, the transmission of sunlight through the atmosphere and oceans, the exchange of heat with the land and ice surface, and many other physical processes.</p>



<h3 id="h-types-of-climate-models">Types of climate models</h3>



<p>There are several types of climate models, each serving a different purpose. For instance, simple climate models can be used to look at the Earth's energy balance. These models can give a broad-brush view of the climate system and are useful for providing a rough idea of how changes in the Earth's energy budget can affect global temperatures.</p>



<p>At the other end of the scale are complex climate models, also known as general circulation models (GCMs). These split the atmosphere, oceans, and land into many layers and boxes, allowing for the detailed study of individual climate processes and their interactions.</p>



<p>Some GCMs include a detailed representation of the carbon cycle, atmospheric chemistry, ice flow dynamics, and vegetation dynamics, which make them coupled climate-carbon-chemistry models. These models can investigate not just how climate change influences the carbon cycle and other biogeochemical cycles, but also how feedbacks from these cycles may impact the climate system.</p>



<h3 id="h-improving-accuracy-by-incorporating-more-data">Improving accuracy by incorporating more data</h3>



<p>These models have become increasingly sophisticated, even incorporating elements such as cloud formation, vegetation cover changes, and the impact of volcanic emissions. However, climate models are not perfect and have limitations.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For instance, there are uncertainties around how to accurately represent processes like cloud formation and precipitation at the scale of a grid box, and how to represent the indirect effects of aerosols.</p>



<p>Nevertheless, despite their limitations, climate models are essential tools for scientists, providing our best means of projecting future climate change scenarios based on different greenhouse gas emission pathways.</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>

Measuring greenhouse gas emissions from ponds improves climate predictions

Shallow lakes and ponds might seem innocuous in our landscape,...

<p>The time has come to discuss a pressing issue in the realm of winter sports: the environmental impact of artificial snow production.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The first-ever national study exploring this topic has revealed that the process of developing artificial snow places a significant strain on our climate. Specifically, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-much-energy-do-plants-use-to-lift-water-from-the-soil/">energy</a> needed to produce snow for yearly ski operations in Canada alone equals that consumed by nearly 17,000 households annually.</p>



<p>This study, which is the first of its kind, was conducted by experts from the <a href="https://uwaterloo.ca/">University of Waterloo</a>, Canada, and the University of Innsbruck, Austria.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-the-cost-now-vs-the-future-cost">The cost now vs. the future cost</h2>



<p>Published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2023.2214358"><em>Current Issues in Tourism</em></a>, the research has revealed that the creation of an estimated 42 million cubic meters of machine-made snow in an average Canadian winter requires 130,095 tons CO2e. This level of carbon dioxide is comparable to what 155,141 acres of forest would sequester in one year.</p>



<p>The challenge is set to escalate as climate change advances. Future requirements for snowmaking will increase, leading to a surge in water and energy demands. This rise will occur even as average ski seasons continue to shorten in the coming decades.</p>



<p>As the researchers point out, a comprehensive solution to this problem requires cooperation. Ski operators, policymakers, environmental organizations, and even skiers themselves need to join forces. They should work together to establish and support policies and practices that "prioritize sustainability in addressing the challenges posed by climate change and its associated impacts on snowpack."</p>



<h2 id="h-rules-and-regulations-adopting-a-systems-approach">Rules and regulations - adopting a systems approach</h2>



<p>Professor Daniel Scott, co-author of the study, emphasized this point: “Our results underscore the need to adopt a systems approach to ensure the long-term sustainability of ski tourism.”</p>



<p>He suggested that part of this approach should involve "embracing innovation and investing in energy-efficient snowmaking technologies, promoting water conservation measures, and accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources."&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Snowmaking can actually help reduce total emissions from tourism when it enables millions of skiers to ski regionally instead of driving or flying to far off ski resorts or selecting another type of carbon intense holiday. Net-zero compatible ski holidays are already possible in destinations like Quebec and our study shows a vibrant and resilient future for ski tourism is possible," said Professor Scott.</p>



<p>Canada is home to 237 ski areas that play a vital role in the country's tourism sector. These areas see an average of 18.2 million skier visits annually, including 2.7 million international visits.</p>



<p>However, these statistics come with some implications. Current electrical grid carbon intensity shows that Canadian snowmaking uses approximately 478,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity each year. This usage results in 130,095 tons of associated CO2 emissions and requires an estimated 43.4 million cubic meters of water to produce over 42 million cubic meters of artificial snow.</p>



<h2 id="h-as-climate-warms-so-do-environmental-demands-of-snowmaking">As climate warms, so do environmental demands of snowmaking</h2>



<p>With climate change having an increasing impact on the snowpack in ski areas worldwide, ski operators are increasingly leaning on snowmaking to maintain ski seasons and ensure visitor satisfaction. By 2050, the study estimates snowmaking requirements in Canada will jump between 55% and 97%, with water and energy requirements increasing proportionally.</p>



<p>But there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Canada is beginning to enact much-needed decarbonization policies that could significantly decrease ski operations-related emissions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Professor Scott expressed optimism, saying that “snowmaking emissions are expected to decline substantially, thanks to the ongoing efforts to decarbonize provincial electricity grids in alignment with current policy targets."</p>



<p>To maintain a sustainable future for ski tourism, reassessment of emissions and water use will be necessary as climate change advances and decarbonization targets are pursued. In conclusion, this study offers an important first look at the environmental impacts of snowmaking and its potential for sustainable development.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-mysteries-still-remain-questions-left-unanswered">Mysteries still remain, questions left unanswered</h2>



<p>However, there is still work to be done in this field. The researchers emphasize that while their study provides a vital foundation for understanding the impacts of snowmaking, it represents only the first step in what should be an ongoing examination of this issue.</p>



<p>Artificial snow production's future sustainability will also need to be re-evaluated in conjunction with destination-level sustainable development strategies. As efforts to decarbonize continue and climate change progresses, the relationships between emissions, water use, and ski resort operation will undoubtedly evolve. Monitoring these changes and adjusting practices accordingly will be vital to preserving ski tourism's long-term viability.</p>



<p>It's important to remember that the world of winter tourism isn't limited to just Canada. Globally, many countries have thriving ski industries that are grappling with similar issues. The findings of this study, while specific to Canada, offer insights that could be valuable to ski areas worldwide.</p>



<p>In other parts of the world where snowmaking is employed, such as in Europe or the United States, there may be similar or even higher levels of emissions and water usage. That's why this study serves as a wake-up call for those in the ski industry globally to take action.</p>



<h2 id="h-global-ski-industry-must-join-together-and-innovate">Global ski industry must join together and innovate</h2>



<p>The findings lay bare a vital truth: the ski industry, like all sectors, has a part to play in the global effort to combat climate change. There is a need for more investment in renewable energy sources, energy-efficient snowmaking technologies, and water conservation measures.</p>



<p>Ultimately, the challenge of sustainable snowmaking is one piece of a much larger puzzle. Addressing climate change will require systemic changes across multiple sectors and scales, from local businesses to international policy. In the fight against climate change, every effort counts – and in the case of ski resorts, it could mean the difference between flourishing winter tourism and empty slopes.</p>



<p>To end on Professor Scott's optimistic note, let us remember that “a vibrant and resilient future for ski tourism is possible." As we navigate the challenges ahead, his words remind us that through innovation, collaboration, and commitment to sustainability, we can continue to enjoy our beloved winter pastimes while protecting the planet for future generations.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-artificial-snowmaking">More about artificial snowmaking</h2>



<p>Artificial snowmaking is a process used primarily in the ski industry to supplement natural snowfall and ensure that ski resorts can operate consistently throughout the season. Here are the main aspects of artificial snowmaking that you might find interesting:</p>



<h3 id="h-process-of-snowmaking">Process of snowmaking</h3>



<p>Snowmaking involves spraying a mist of water and pressurized air from snow cannons or snow guns. The cold outdoor air causes the water droplets to freeze into snow as they fall to the ground. The key to this process is that the water must be atomized - broken up into tiny droplets - to ensure that the water can freeze quickly and completely before it lands.</p>



<h3 id="h-temperature-requirements">Temperature requirements</h3>



<p>For snowmaking to be effective, the weather conditions need to be right, particularly in terms of temperature and humidity. While the specific conditions can vary, generally the temperature should be below freezing (0°C/32°F), and lower temperatures can improve the efficiency of snowmaking. However, snow can still be made at temperatures slightly above freezing if the humidity is low enough, a factor represented by the concept of "wet-bulb temperature."</p>



<h3 id="h-equipment">Equipment&nbsp;</h3>



<p>The primary pieces of equipment used in snowmaking are snow cannons or snow guns, water pumps, air compressors, and a network of pipes to deliver water and compressed air to the snow guns. Snow guns come in various designs, with fan guns and lance-style guns being common types.</p>



<h3 id="h-environmental-impact">Environmental impact</h3>



<p>Artificial snowmaking is energy-intensive and requires significant amounts of water, which can place a strain on local resources. Furthermore, depending on the source of the electricity used in the process, it can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As a result, there is ongoing research into ways to make the process more sustainable, such as by improving the energy efficiency of snowmaking equipment and using renewable energy sources.</p>



<h3 id="h-use-in-ski-industry">Use in ski industry&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Ski resorts often rely on artificial snow to open earlier in the season, stay open later, and provide a more predictable and consistent skiing surface. In many regions, climate change is causing winters to be warmer and less predictable, which has increased the reliance on snowmaking.</p>



<h3 id="h-other-uses">Other Uses</h3>



<p>Beyond the ski industry, artificial snow is sometimes used for other purposes, such as in film or TV productions, for winter events in regions where snow doesn't naturally occur, or for scientific research and testing.</p>



<p>It's worth noting that despite its benefits in ensuring a consistent skiing surface, artificial snow does have differences compared to natural snow. It's typically denser and more durable, which can affect skiing conditions.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Artificial snowmaking: Sustainability must become a priority

The time has come to discuss a pressing issue in...

Bats,Flying,On,Green,Background

<p>Leave bats alone! That’s the strong message relayed in a landmark paper featured in the esteemed journal <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/home"><em>The Lancet Planetary Health</em></a>. The prevention of future pandemics hinges on global cooperation and, perhaps surprisingly, a collective commitment to respect the habitats of bats, allowing these creatures to live undisturbed.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Bats have long been associated with disease outbreaks. Both the SARS coronavirus outbreak in 2003 and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/china-faces-another-massive-covid-19-wave/">COVID-19</a> pandemic can trace their origins back to a bat virus.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The details of how exactly the virus jumped from bats to humans remains unclear; perhaps someone handled or consumed an infected bat, came into contact with bat bodily fluids in a cave, or was exposed to another animal infected by a bat.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A lab accident involving a virus originating from a bat is also a possibility. Despite the uncertainty, the authors of the paper insist that action can and must be taken, regardless of the specifics.</p>



<h2 id="h-bats-are-hosts-for-many-viruses">Bats are hosts for many viruses</h2>



<p>Scientists have known for some time that bats harbor a variety of viruses that pose potential threats to other species, including humans. These include but are not limited to the rabies virus, Marburg filoviruses, Hendra and Nipah paramyxoviruses, MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) Coronavirus, and even strains of Ebolaviruses, for which fruit bats are believed to be a primary source.</p>



<p>In this fresh analysis, the researchers make a case for a global pact - a sort of "bat taboo" – in which humans worldwide agree to respect bat habitats, avoid interference with these creatures and allow them to live in peace.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Such human activities as hunting, culling, or even simply trying to drive bats away serve only to scatter these creatures, potentially increasing the likelihood of zoonotic spillover – the transmission of viruses from animals to humans.</p>



<h2 id="h-removing-the-interface-that-allows-animal-human-virus-transmission">Removing the interface that allows animal-human virus transmission</h2>



<p>If the old saying that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" holds true, then we must commit to these fundamental, commonsense measures that could significantly reduce the risk of future pandemics, say the study's authors. These measures essentially target the interface where dangerous viruses can move from animals into humans.</p>



<p>"In a globalized world with 8 billion people, we can no longer ignore our interconnectedness with the wildlife and ecosystems around us. We must change humanity’s relationship with nature if we want to prevent the next pandemic of zoonotic origin—and that can start with bats,” said Dr. Susan Lieberman of the <a href="https://www.wcs.org/">Wildlife Conservation Society</a>.</p>



<p>In a nutshell, humanity needs to mend its fractured relationship with nature, and bats specifically. The costs of enforcing such behavioral changes are trivial in comparison to the colossal toll another global pandemic could impose.</p>



<h2 id="h-all-of-humanity-must-work-together">All of humanity must work together</h2>



<p>"Getting humanity to work collaboratively at a global scale underpins most of the existential challenges we face, from climate change and environmental pollution to biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse - this at a time when earnest collaboration even at local scales often seems elusive," said study lead author Professor Steven A. Osofsky of Cornell University.</p>



<p>"However, if we can actually stop hunting, eating, and trading bats, stay out of their caves, keep livestock away from areas where bats are concentrated, and if we can stop deforesting, degrading (or even start restoring) their natural habitats, we can indisputably lower the chances of another pandemic."</p>



<p>It’s not just about lowering the risk of future pandemics; letting bats thrive also brings a bounty of ecological benefits. Bats control the population of mosquitos and other harmful insects, pollinate a wide array of essential crops, and provide other invaluable ecosystem services worth billions of dollars.</p>



<p>The researchers conclude that while interactions with all sorts of animals merit close examination, giving bats the space they need is the most straightforward and accessible step towards real upstream pandemic prevention. This insight, albeit a bit late, rings even more true as we mark the third anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>



<h2 id="h-where-to-learn-more-about-the-study">Where to learn more about the study</h2>



<p>This recent analysis - titled "An Immediate Way to Lower Pandemic Risk: (Not) Seizing the Low-Hanging Fruit (Bat)" - carries considerable weight as it was conducted by experts from the esteemed institutions of Cornell University and the Wildlife Conservation Society. Their work offers an enlightening perspective on pandemic prevention strategies, demonstrating the need to respect the natural world, particularly the habitats of bats.</p>



<p>Supported by a generous grant from the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, the study highlights the need for global action and cooperation. Such a comprehensive approach will help us confront not only pandemic risks but also other existential challenges like climate change, environmental pollution, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Only through collective action and the fostering of a healthier relationship with nature, starting with bats, can we hope to prevent future pandemics and protect our shared future on this planet.</p>



<p>Published on June 5th, 2023, this study contributes significantly to the ongoing discourse on the prevention of future pandemics and the importance of ecosystem conservation. It emphasizes humanity's need to reconsider and reshape its relationship with wildlife, reinforcing the importance of respecting and protecting the creatures that share our world.</p>



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



<p>Bats are fascinating creatures that play an essential role in our world. They are the only mammals capable of sustained flight, as opposed to gliding or soaring.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Bats belong to the order Chiroptera, which is divided into two suborders: Megachiroptera (large fruit bats or flying foxes) and Microchiroptera (small bats primarily known for their echolocation abilities).</p>



<p>There are over 1,400 species of bats worldwide, making them the second most common group of mammals after rodents. They inhabit every continent except Antarctica and are most abundant in tropical and subtropical regions. Their sizes vary significantly, from the tiny bumblebee bat that weighs less than a penny to the large flying foxes with wingspans of up to 1.7 meters.</p>



<h3 id="h-interesting-biological-facts-about-bats">Interesting biological facts about bats</h3>



<p>Bats exhibit a vast array of feeding habits. Some species, such as the fruit bats, primarily feed on fruits, while others, like the infamous vampire bats, feed on blood. However, the majority of bat species, particularly those found in temperate regions, consume insects—a single bat can eat thousands of insects in one night, acting as a natural pest control.</p>



<p>Bats use a biological sonar system known as echolocation to navigate and find food in the dark. They produce sounds that bounce off objects in their environment, allowing them to understand their surroundings by listening to the echo of these sounds.</p>



<p>Bats are also crucial pollinators. They help to fertilize flowers as they feed on nectar, playing a significant role in the reproduction of various plant species. Furthermore, bats contribute to seed dispersal, as fruit-eating bats often excrete seeds in their droppings.</p>



<h3 id="h-the-downside-of-bats">The downside of bats</h3>



<p>On the downside, bats are known to be reservoirs of several viruses that can infect humans and other animals, including rabies, Ebola, Nipah, Hendra, and coronaviruses, which were responsible for SARS, MERS, and likely COVID-19. Despite this, bats themselves often remain unaffected by these viruses due to their unique immune systems.</p>



<p>Bats are a crucial part of the ecosystem but are under threat worldwide due to habitat loss, hunting, climate change, and diseases like white-nose syndrome in North America. Conservation efforts are in place globally to protect and preserve these unique and vital creatures.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-animal-to-human-disease-transmission">More about animal-to-human disease transmission</h2>



<p>Animal to human disease transmission, also known as zoonotic disease transmission, occurs when diseases are passed from animals, whether wild or domestic, to humans. This process can happen in various ways and is responsible for a significant proportion of infectious diseases in humans.</p>



<p>The transfer can occur through direct contact when humans interact with animals or their waste. This interaction can be through handling, petting, caring for, or slaughtering animals. For instance, rabies is a zoonotic disease that is typically transmitted through bites from infected animals.</p>



<h3 id="h-different-types-of-transmission">Different types of transmission</h3>



<p>Indirect transmission happens when humans come into contact with areas where animals live and roam, or through vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. An example is Lyme disease, transmitted through the bite of an infected tick.</p>



<p>Transmission can also occur via the food chain when people consume uncooked or undercooked contaminated meat or produce contaminated by animal feces. Diseases like salmonellosis and E.coli infections can occur this way.</p>



<p>Airborne transmission is another route where microorganisms can be disseminated to humans through the air. This is suspected to have played a part in the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cause of COVID-19.</p>



<h3 id="h-most-common-animals-involved-in-disease-transfer">Most common animals involved in disease transfer</h3>



<p>Bats, rodents, primates, and birds are known to harbor diseases that can spill over into human populations, often due to human activities that disrupt ecosystems and animal habitats. For example, deforestation can lead to increased contact between humans and wildlife, thereby increasing the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.</p>



<p>Understanding and mitigating zoonotic transmission is an essential part of public health, as many serious outbreaks in recent history, such as H1N1 influenza (swine flu), H5N1 influenza (bird flu), Ebola, SARS, MERS, and COVID-19, are believed to have animal origins.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It's also why there's a strong emphasis on a "One Health" approach, which views the health of humans, animals, and the environment as interconnected. By preserving animal habitats and maintaining a respectful distance, we can reduce the risk of future pandemics.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Good advice: Leave bats alone if we want to prevent future pandemics

Leave bats alone! That’s the strong message relayed in a...

<p>North America's smallest falcon, the American Kestrel, has been at the center of a perplexing scientific mystery for some time now. Researchers across the continent have confirmed a worrying decline in kestrel populations, but identifying the exact cause of their disappearance has proved to be a challenging task.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A new study published in the <a href="https://meridian.allenpress.com/rapt"><em>Journal of Raptor Research</em></a> provides a detailed report on the current status of the American Kestrel across various regions. The authors of this vital research, David M. Bird and John A. Smallwood, highlight the complexity of the issue by pointing out that not all kestrel populations are encountering the same obstacles. Some populations are dwindling, others are stabilizing, and a few groups are even rebounding.</p>



<h2 id="h-much-more-research-is-needed">Much more research is needed&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The investigation suggests that multiple causes may be contributing to the varying trends in different kestrel populations. Importantly, the researchers emphasize the need for a closer examination of the kestrel's life cycle, particularly periods outside the breeding season, which they believe has been understudied.</p>



<p>In their exploration of potential contributing factors, Bird and Smallwood present a range of crucial research pathways. These include examining the impact of the Cooper’s Hawks on kestrel distribution and survival, investigating the effects of habitat degradation in the kestrel's wintering grounds (which often extend beyond U.S. borders), and assessing changes in habitat quality on their breeding grounds.</p>



<p>The experts also recommend examining the impacts of climate change on the availability of prey species for the kestrels, with an emphasis on the importance of grasshoppers as a prey species. Further, the paper calls for research into the possible impacts of rodenticides and pesticides on the health of kestrel populations.</p>



<h2 id="h-broader-implications-of-the-study">Broader implications of the study</h2>



<p>While some theories regarding the kestrel's decline are put to rest in this study - for instance, the West Nile virus and competition for nesting cavities from European starlings are no longer seen as significant threats - the research shines a light on the broader implications of the falcon's plight. Raptors, including the American Kestrel, serve as bioindicators, reflecting the overall health of the ecosystems they inhabit.</p>



<p>For their investigation, the researchers largely depended on the contribution of citizen scientists. Four types of data spanning 38 to 55 years were analyzed, including the Breeding Bird Survey, Christmas Bird Count, migration data from two sites located along flyways in the east, and nest box monitoring programs.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to Smallwood, the nest box monitoring programs have "generated an invaluable database that allows us to examine not only population trends but also lots of aspects of kestrel behavior and ecology."</p>



<p>The researchers found that declines in kestrel populations were recorded in 23 of 25 bird <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/conservation-efforts-are-not-enough-to-save-antarctic-wildlife/">conservation</a> regions, with the mid-Atlantic region bearing the brunt of this downward trend. Surveys across Canada reflected similarly high rates of decline. Population increases were observed in only three of these conservation regions, including the Chihuahuan Desert.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-kestrel-decline-is-a-wake-up-call">Kestrel decline is a wake-up call&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The intricate interplay of factors causing the decline of the American Kestrel shines a spotlight on the complex realities of conservation. Smallwood emphasizes the gravity of the findings: "The population's marked decline should be a wake-up call. Something is out of kilter across North American ecosystems, and the problem could be much more widespread than for just this remarkable species."</p>



<p>The factors contributing to the kestrel's decline highlight how our actions are impacting wildlife. While no single issue stands as the unequivocal culprit, the cumulative effect of various human activities is making survival increasingly challenging for the American Kestrel.</p>



<p>Despite the stark picture painted by these findings, the experts argue that the scenario is not all doom and gloom. The magnitude of the kestrel's decline may be lessening, meaning extinction is not the only possible outcome. Instead, we might witness a gradual thinning of the kestrel population across the landscape, resulting in fewer sightings of these falcons.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-the-american-kestrel">More about the American Kestrel&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) is the smallest and most common falcon in North America. It's a bird of prey known for its striking plumage and agility in flight.</p>



<p>Despite their small size, American kestrels are known for their boldness. They're capable of taking on prey larger than themselves, and are known to fiercely defend their nests against intruders.</p>



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



<p>Kestrels are small compared to other raptors. They typically measure about 9 inches in length, with a wingspan of around 22 inches. They have a slender body and long, narrow wings, and their tail is also long with a notable black band near the end. Males have blue-gray wings, while the wings of females are reddish brown. Both sexes have a distinctive double black stripe on their faces.</p>



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



<p>The American Kestrel can be found throughout the Americas, from Alaska and Canada all the way down to the southernmost tip of South America. These birds inhabit a wide range of habitats, including meadows, grasslands, deserts, and even urban and suburban areas. They can often be seen perched on telephone wires or fence posts.</p>



<h3 id="h-behavior-and-diet">Behavior and diet</h3>



<p>Kestrels are carnivorous birds that eat a variety of small animals. Their diet consists of insects, lizards, small mammals, and small birds. They have a keen eyesight and often hover in the air before diving to catch prey on the ground.</p>



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



<p>American Kestrels are cavity nesters, often taking over old woodpecker holes or natural tree cavities for their nests, though they'll also use nesting boxes if available. The female lays a clutch of about 4-5 eggs, which both parents help to incubate. The chicks are altricial, meaning they hatch in a helpless state and require parental care.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Vanishing falcons: The mysterious decline of the American Kestrel

North America's smallest falcon, the American Kestrel, has been at...

<p>The tale of the peppered <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moths-may-struggle-to-move-in-response-to-climate-change/">moths</a> remains one of the most powerful narratives of evolution's relentless course. These moths faced a life-and-death struggle during the Industrial Revolution in England. The white-bodied moths, once plentiful, became easy pickings for predators as coal smoke blackened the tree bark in urban environments. On the flip side, black-bodied moths, initially a rare sight, prospered and became the dominant variant under the newfound conditions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This case has long served as a key illustration of how environmental change can guide species evolution. Recently, however, a role reversal has intrigued the scientific community. Could it be possible that species evolution, rather than just being influenced by, actually shapes environmental change?&nbsp;</p>



<p>A new study from the <a href="https://www.uri.edu/">University of Rhode Island</a> lends credibility to this provocative notion, offering robust evidence of this reverse dynamic.</p>



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



<p>The study, published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2221691120"><em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em></a>, exposes a fascinating connection between evolutionary change in lizards' leg length and consequent impacts on vegetation growth and spider populations on a selection of small islands in the Bahamas.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers consider this as one of the first demonstrations of evolution-to-environment effects recorded in a real-world setting.</p>



<p>"The idea here is that, in addition to the environment shaping the traits of organisms through evolution, those trait changes should feed back and drive changes in predator-prey relationships and other ecological interactions between species," explained study senior author Professor Jason Kolbe.</p>



<p>He emphasized the importance of understanding these dynamics for predicting species persistence and potential ecological changes.</p>



<p>For two decades, Professor Kolbe and his team have focused on the anole lizards inhabiting a chain of tiny islands in the Bahamas. These islands, numbering around 40, are small enough to allow for comprehensive monitoring of the resident lizards, and sufficiently isolated to prevent inter-island lizard migration, facilitating the formation of distinct populations.</p>



<h2 id="h-previous-observations-were-used-in-the-new-study">Previous observations were used in the new study</h2>



<p>Prior investigations have demonstrated that brown anoles are adept at adapting to the specific characteristics of their vegetative surroundings. In settings where tree and brush limbs are narrower, natural selection favors short-legged lizards, granting them greater agility in predator evasion or prey pursuit.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, in habitats where plant and tree limbs are thicker, lizards with longer limbs have the upper hand. Scientists have also found that this limb-length trait can evolve swiftly within a few generations in brown anoles.</p>



<h2 id="h-segregation-by-leg-length">Segregation by leg length</h2>



<p>To explore how this evolved trait might reverberate through the ecosystems on these tiny Bahamian islands, the team decided to segregate short- and long-legged lizards on separate islands, then compare the ecological impacts.</p>



<p>Equipped with poles outfitted with tiny dental floss lassos, the team captured hundreds of brown anoles. They gauged the leg length of each lizard, selecting only those with exceptionally short or long limbs, and released the rest. They then populated lizard-free islands with these distinct groups.</p>



<p>The researchers hypothesized that the short-legged lizards, given the predominance of smaller diameter vegetation on the experimental islands, would prove more adept hunters in this environment. They then aimed to determine if the ecological impact of these efficient predators would be noticeable.</p>



<p>Eight months later, the team revisited the islands to observe any ecological disparities between those inhabited by short- and long-legged lizards. The differences were, indeed, striking. Islands with the shorter-legged lizards saw a 41% reduction in web spider populations - a primary food source for brown anoles - compared to the islands with the longer-legged lizards (see image <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/987255">here</a>).&nbsp;</p>



<p>The plant growth also varied significantly due to the short-legged lizards' superior insect herbivore hunting prowess, which allowed plants to thrive. On such islands, buttonwood trees showed twice as much shoot growth as those on islands with the long-legged counterparts.</p>



<h2 id="h-full-feedback-loop-between-ecology-and-evolution">Full feedback loop between ecology and evolution</h2>



<p>The results of the study bring the intricate interaction between ecology and evolution full circle. "These findings help us to close that feedback loop. We knew from previous research that ecological factors shape limb length, and now we show the reciprocal relationship of that evolutionary change on the environment," said Professor Kolbe.</p>



<p>This study signifies a leap forward in understanding the full breadth of interactions between evolution and ecology. It provides invaluable insights into how morphological adaptations - like the limb length in lizards - can exert influence on broader ecological dynamics such as vegetation growth and spider populations. Moreover, it reveals how quick evolutionary changes can have immediate and measurable impacts on the surrounding ecosystem.</p>



<h2 id="h-study-s-outcome-is-crucial-to-making-future-environmental-predictions">Study’s outcome is crucial to making future environmental predictions</h2>



<p>It's important to highlight the pivotal role that this understanding could play in predicting future ecological outcomes, especially at a time when human activities are rapidly accelerating both evolutionary and ecological changes globally. Understanding these feedback loops is crucial to anticipate and manage potential challenges and changes that ecosystems might encounter.</p>



<p>In essence, the narrative of evolution has come full circle with this research. It reinforces the fact that the relationship between evolution and ecology is not one-way, but rather a complex, intertwined interaction.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Just like how the environment can impact species through natural selection and evolution, the evolution of species can, in turn, modify the environment, influencing the dynamics of other species and ecological processes.</p>



<p>As the story of the peppered moth once shed light on how environmental change fuels species evolution, this latest research might soon find its way into textbooks as an example of the reverse - how species evolution, in return, steers environmental change.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-environmental-change-and-evolution">More about environmental change and evolution</h2>



<p>Environmental change can significantly influence the evolution of species. This process, referred to as natural selection, is one of the cornerstones of evolutionary biology.</p>



<p>When the environment changes, it can alter the balance of ecosystems and the survival prospects of species. Such changes can include shifts in climate, alterations in landscape, or variations in the availability of resources, like food or water. These changes can make certain traits more beneficial, leading those individuals with these traits to have higher survival and reproduction rates.</p>



<p>For instance, let's consider a hypothetical population of rabbits in an environment that suddenly experiences a colder, longer winter. In this scenario, rabbits with thicker fur will have a survival advantage over those with thinner fur.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Over time, these warmer, thicker-furred rabbits are more likely to survive the harsh winters, and thus more likely to pass on their genes to subsequent generations. As a result, the rabbit population, as a whole, will gradually evolve to have thicker fur.</p>



<p>Similarly, in the case of the peppered moths during the Industrial Revolution, the darkening of tree bark due to soot made the black-bodied moths less visible to predators compared to the white-bodied moths. This camouflage gave the black-bodied moths a survival advantage, leading to their increase in population, while the white-bodied moths dwindled. This is an excellent example of how environmental changes can drive the evolution of a species.</p>



<p>Changes in the environment can also lead to speciation, the process through which new species evolve. For instance, when a population gets divided by a geographical barrier such as a mountain range or a river, different environmental conditions on either side can lead to the evolution of two distinct species from the original population. Over time, the separated populations may evolve unique traits in response to their specific environmental pressures, eventually becoming different species.</p>



<p>In summary, environmental changes can have a profound impact on the evolution of species, shaping their traits and even leading to the emergence of new species. This process of natural selection is a dynamic and ongoing part of life on Earth.</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>

It's a two-way street between evolution and environmental change

The tale of the peppered moths remains one of the...

<p>In a crucial new study from <a href="https://www.cornell.edu/">Cornell University</a>, scientists have discovered that the microscopic lifeforms known as microbes significantly influence the amount of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-whales-contribute-to-carbon-capture/">carbon</a> stored in the soil, a discovery that carries profound implications for climate change mitigation and agricultural soil health enhancement.</p>



<p>Microbes, it turns out, are pivotal actors in the soil carbon cycle. The study authors have determined that microbial processes, in fact, are four times more critical to carbon storage than any other process, including biomatter decomposition. This finding is particularly crucial because our planet's soil holds three times more carbon than the atmosphere, acting as a crucial carbon sink in our fight against climate change.</p>



<p>Published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06042-3"><em>Nature</em></a>, the research introduces an innovative technique to delve into the intricacies of soil carbon dynamics. The method marries a microbial computer model with data assimilation and machine learning to meticulously analyze big data linked to the carbon cycle.</p>



<h2 id="h-how-the-study-was-conducted">How the study was conducted</h2>



<p>At the heart of the investigation is a measure known as microbial carbon use efficiency. This metric reveals the carbon quantity utilized by microbes for growth versus the amount used for metabolism. Carbon used for growth is sequestered by microbes within their cells and ultimately within the soil.&nbsp;</p>



<p>On the other hand, carbon used for metabolism gets released as a side product in the form of carbon dioxide, contributing to the greenhouse effect. The team concluded that microbial growth plays a more critical role than metabolism in determining the soil's carbon storage.</p>



<p>Study senior author Professor Yiqi Luo emphasized the importance of the findings: "This work reveals that microbial carbon use efficiency is more important than any other factor in determining soil carbon storage."</p>



<p>These newfound insights steer agricultural scientists towards exploring farming management practices that could impact microbial carbon use efficiency, thus enhancing soil health and bolstering food security.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Future studies may aim to boost soil carbon sequestration by microbes and explore how diverse types of microbes and substrates (such as sugar-rich ones) could affect soil carbon storage.</p>



<h2 id="h-new-method-used-to-evaluate-soil-dynamics">New method used to evaluate soil dynamics</h2>



<p>Despite the two centuries of research focusing on soil carbon dynamics, previous studies mostly focused on the carbon quantity entering the soil via leaf litter and roots, and the amount lost to the air as CO2 during organic matter decomposition. "But we are the first group that can evaluate the relative importance of microbial processes versus other processes," said Luo.</p>



<p>In a groundbreaking move that showcases the power of digital agriculture, Luo and his team have devised a novel method to assimilate big data into an earth system computer model using data assimilation and machine learning. The model revealed that the carbon use efficiency of microbe colonies significantly outshines other components evaluated, such as decomposition and carbon inputs.</p>



<p>The innovative process-based model and machine learning approach provide a new avenue for analyzing other types of big data sets.</p>



<p>The study was funded by several entities including the National Science Foundation, the National Key Research and Development Program of China, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-the-importance-of-soil">More about the importance of soil</h2>



<p>Soil is not just a simple mix of minerals and dead plant material. It's a vibrant, living ecosystem, teeming with life forms ranging from the visible, like insects and worms, to the invisible, like bacteria and fungi. Among the invisible life forms, microbes play a particularly crucial role.</p>



<p>Microbes are microscopic organisms that include bacteria, archaea, fungi, algae, viruses, and protozoa. Soil is one of the most diverse habitats on Earth, with estimates of microbial diversity reaching as high as one trillion species.</p>



<p>Microbes form a significant part of the soil food web, a complex network of organisms that transfer energy and nutrients through the soil. They're involved in a wide array of processes that are vital to both soil health and the broader ecosystem.</p>



<p>One of these processes is decomposition. Microbes break down dead plant and animal material, turning organic matter into simpler compounds. This process recycles nutrients back into the soil, making them available for plant uptake.</p>



<p>A particularly vital role of microbes is their contribution to the carbon cycle. By decomposing organic matter, microbes convert the carbon it contains into a form that can be used by plants. They also help sequester carbon in the soil. When microbes consume organic matter, a portion of the carbon is stored within their cells. When they die, this carbon can become part of the soil organic matter, effectively storing it in the soil.</p>



<p>Nitrogen fixation is another key process that some soil microbes perform. Certain bacteria, particularly those that live in symbiosis with legume plants, can take nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form that plants can use. This process is a critical part of the nitrogen cycle and helps maintain soil fertility.</p>



<p>Moreover, soil microbes play a vital role in soil structure. Through their activities, they help create soil aggregates—small clumps of soil particles. These aggregates improve soil's ability to retain water and air, supporting plant growth.</p>



<p>However, soil microbial communities can be sensitive to changes in their environment, including shifts in temperature, moisture, and pH, as well as the introduction of chemicals or pollutants. Agricultural practices such as overuse of chemical fertilizers or pesticides, or practices that lead to soil compaction or erosion, can harm these communities and disrupt the important processes they carry out.</p>



<p>In short, while they might be out of sight, soil microbes are critical for soil health, plant growth, and global carbon and nitrogen cycles. Understanding and preserving these tiny soil inhabitants is crucial for sustainable agriculture and a healthy planet.</p>



<p>—-</p>



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Sequestering carbon in soil is dependent upon microbes

In a crucial new study from Cornell University, scientists have...

<p>The cosmos, and the building blocks of life, just got a little more complex. A team of scientists led by Professor Joaquin Vieira and graduate student Kedar Phadke from the <a href="https://illinois.edu/">University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign</a>, in partnership with Texas A&amp;M University, have discovered complex organic molecules in a galaxy 12 billion light-years from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-new-quasi-moon-will-stick-around-for-hundreds-of-years/">Earth</a>. This makes it the furthest galaxy to harbor these molecules known to date. </p>



<p>Their findings, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-05998-6"><em>Nature</em></a>, open a new window into understanding the intricate chemical processes that took place in the early universe's first galaxies.</p>



<h2 id="h-how-the-discovery-was-made">How the discovery was made</h2>



<p>How did they make this astonishing discovery? The experts utilized the recently deployed James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), coupled with rigorous data analysis.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This project started when I was in graduate school studying hard-to-detect, very distant galaxies obscured by dust," said Vieira.</p>



<p>The dust grains in these galaxies absorb and re-emit approximately half of the stellar radiation in the universe, rendering the infrared light from distant objects incredibly faint and often undetectable by ground-based telescopes.</p>



<p>In this mind-blowing research, the team took advantage of what they term "nature's magnifying glass," a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing, to identify the building blocks of life.</p>



<p>"This magnification happens when two galaxies are almost perfectly aligned from the Earth’s point of view, and light from the background galaxy is warped and magnified by the foreground galaxy into a ring-like shape, known as an Einstein ring," explained Vieira.</p>



<h2 id="h-what-the-astronomers-were-focused-on">What the astronomers were focused on</h2>



<p>Their attention honed in on an object named SPT0418-47, initially discovered using the National Science Foundation's South Pole Telescope. This object had previously been classified as a dust-obscured galaxy, magnified by gravitational lensing.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Located 12 billion light-years from Earth, SPT0418-47 hails from a period when the universe was a mere 10 percent of its present age or less than 1.5 billion years old. "Before having access to the combined power of gravitational lensing and the JWST, we could neither see nor spatially resolve the actual background galaxy through all of the dust," said Vieira.</p>



<p>Through analyzing spectroscopic data from the JWST, the team found signs of heavy elements within the obscured interstellar gas of SPT0418-47. This discovery hints that generations of stars, along with building blocks of life, have come and gone within the galaxy. </p>



<h2 id="h-jwst-once-again-proves-to-be-a-game-changer">JWST once again proves to be a game-changer</h2>



<p>The researchers identified a specific compound, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), a molecule found on Earth in substances like combustion engine exhaust or forest fire smoke. PAHs, made of carbon chains, are considered fundamental building blocks of life -- the earliest forms of life.</p>



<p>Graduate student Phadke shares his enthusiasm about the research: “What this research is telling us right now - and we are still learning - is that we can see all of the regions where these smaller dust grains are located – regions that we could never see before the JWST.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>The new spectroscopic data paints a vivid picture of the galaxy's atomic and molecular composition, giving us invaluable insights into galaxy formation, their lifecycle, and how they evolve.</p>



<h2 id="h-research-team-is-surprised-and-ready-for-the-next-step">Research team is surprised and ready for the next step</h2>



<p>The team was pleasantly surprised by the outcome of their research. “Detecting these complex organic molecules at such a vast distance is game-changing regarding future observations," said Vieira. "This work is just the first step, and we’re just now learning how to use it and learn its capabilities. We are very excited to see how this plays out.”</p>



<p>“It’s extremely cool that galaxies I discovered while writing my thesis would one day be observed by the JWST. I am grateful to the U.S. taxpayers, the NSF, and NASA for funding and supporting both the SPT and the JWST. Without these instruments, this discovery could have never been made.”</p>



<p>Vieira also serves as the director of the Center for AstroPhysical Surveys (CAPS), funded by the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at Illinois, while Phadke is a CAPS graduate fellow.</p>



<p>This remarkable discovery, finding the building blocks of life 12 billion light years away, is a testament to the capabilities of the JWST, which is operated by the Space Telescope Science Institute under the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., and its management through NASA contract NAS 5-03127.</p>



<p>As we continue to explore the mysteries of the universe, the discovery of complex organic molecules in galaxies so incredibly distant reminds us of the importance of continued investment in space technology and research.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As the researchers continue to dissect the data gathered by the JWST, one can only wonder what other groundbreaking discoveries lie ahead. In the vast expanse of space, we've only just begun to scratch the surface.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-the-building-blocks-of-life">More about the building blocks of life</h2>



<p>Life as we know it relies on a few key molecular ingredients. These essential building blocks of life include water, amino acids, nucleic acids, and lipids, along with a variety of other organic compounds.</p>



<h3 id="h-water">Water</h3>



<p>Water is vital to all known forms of life, acting as a solvent in which many biochemical reactions take place. It helps in the transportation of nutrients and waste products between our body cells and the environment.</p>



<h3 id="h-amino-acids">Amino Acids</h3>



<p>Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which are crucial to all biological structures and functions. Proteins are involved in nearly every function of a cell, including structure, function, and regulation of the body's tissues and organs.</p>



<h3 id="h-nucleic-acids">Nucleic Acids</h3>



<p>Nucleic acids, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid), hold the genetic information for all living organisms. DNA carries the instructions for the structure and functioning of all cells, while RNA helps to translate these instructions into proteins.</p>



<h3 id="h-lipids">Lipids</h3>



<p>Lipids, including fats and cholesterol, have several important roles. They provide energy, form the cell membrane, and contribute to the functioning of the nervous system. They also play a crucial role in hormone production.</p>



<h3 id="h-sugars-and-carbohydrates">Sugars and Carbohydrates&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Sugars, including simple sugars (monosaccharides) and complex sugars (polysaccharides), provide energy to cells and help to build structures like cell walls in plants.</p>



<h3 id="h-vitamins-and-minerals">Vitamins and Minerals</h3>



<p>Vitamins are organic compounds, and minerals are inorganic. Both types of nutrients are necessary for the body to function properly. They play a role in various biological processes, including cell development, digestion, and metabolism.</p>



<p>The mention of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the press release relates to the fact that these compounds are made up of carbon rings. Carbon is a fundamental element in all organic life, and PAHs, while not typically considered a building block of life, could possibly play a role in the formation of life due to their carbon-rich nature.&nbsp;</p>



<p>On Earth, PAHs can form through natural processes like forest fires or human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels. Their detection in a distant galaxy could suggest similar chemical processes occurring in extraterrestrial environments.</p>



<p>The discovery of such organic molecules and the building blocks of life in a galaxy far, far away might not directly imply life as we know it. Still, it does suggest that the universe might be more chemically diverse and conducive to life than we previously imagined.</p>



<p>—--</p>



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Building blocks of life found in a galaxy 12 billion light years away

The cosmos, and the building blocks of life, just got...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

What caused the planet's longest ice age

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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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>



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="EjmSP20gQK-2593093-12187" type="single"]</div>



<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>



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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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>



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



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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>



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



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

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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