Natural,Environment,Climate-neutral,Long-term,Emissions,Strategy,Net,Zero,2050,Carbon

Balancing cleaner air with rising incomes is not a luxury question for developing countries. It is a real-world, and real-life, policy problem that shapes health, jobs, and the future of their cities.



A new <a href="https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/10.1142/S0217590825500304" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> lays out when zero emissions can go hand in hand with steady <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-temperatures-will-cut-world-gdp-by-a-staggering-40-percent-if-nothing-changes/">growth</a>, even when governments rely on foreign aid.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-zero-emissions-and-economic-growth">Zero emissions and economic growth</h2>



The work comes from <a href="https://tus.elsevierpure.com/en/persons/hideo-noda" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hideo Noda</a> at the Tokyo University of Science (<a href="https://www.tus.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TUS</a>) with coauthor Fengqi Fang, a Ph.D. candidate in Business Administration from the Graduate School of Business Administration at TUS. 



The team builds a simple but testable way to check if a country can hit zero net <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-trade-is-fueling-a-dangerous-rise-in-methane-emissions/">emissions</a> while its economy keeps expanding.



They also verify the model numerically using real world style parameters so it is not just a chalkboard exercise. 



The paper connects theory to a specific United Nations target on decoupling growth from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/limiting-global-warming-to-1-5c-is-almost-certainly-out-of-reach/">environmental damage</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-zero-emissions-models">Zero emissions models</h2>



First, the authors define a zero-emissions <a href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/net-zero-coalition" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">policy</a> as keeping net pollution at zero at every point in time, by matching abatement to emissions. That requires money, technology, and clear rules to assign who pays.



They run two versions of the economy. 



One is a public goods <a href="https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/stantcheva/files/lecture8.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">model</a> where government services like roads or schools lift private production for everyone at once, a standard growth <a href="https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/261726" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">model</a> introduced by Robert Barro in 1990. 



The second adds <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-will-climate-change-hit-hardest-global-index-reveals-vulnerability/">congestion</a>, where more people share the same public services so the boost per person shrinks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-minimum-income-rule">Minimum income rule</h2>



The key test is whether gross domestic product (<a href="https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GDP</a>) per capita rises above a minimum income threshold so a country can fully clean what it emits. 



The authors call this the kindergarten rule level of abatement, as in: “clean-up what you make dirty.”



"Following the Kindergarten rule means implementing zero emission technologies in either finite time or asymptotically," noted M. Scott Taylor and William Brock in their related <a href="https://www.nber.org/papers/w9597" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a>. 



This frame anchors the new threshold concept for developing countries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aid-supports-clean-income-growth">Aid supports clean income growth</h2>



Many low income governments fund services with official development assistance (<a href="https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/policy-issues/official-development-assistance-oda.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ODA</a>), so the model lets outside aid pay for both cleaning and public services. 



That design reflects classic work showing how aid aimed at productive public services can shift long run growth.



In related <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304387806000290" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">theory</a>, flexible labor and aid tied to public capital influence the path of output and welfare. The new paper extends this logic to pollution control that must be paid for every year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-income-threshold">Changing income threshold</h2>



The threshold depends on clean technology, population size, and how much aid is fixed to environmental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/expanding-oil-and-gas-fields-threaten-global-climate-goals/">uses</a>. Better abatement technology lowers the income bar because each dollar of cleanup removes more pollution.



Population matters differently across the two models. In the public goods case, a larger labor force can raise growth because services scale with the economy, while in the congestion case that scale effect drops out as services get diluted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taxes-and-zero-emissions-targets">Taxes and zero emissions targets</h2>



The model also looks at tax policy, focusing on a labor income tax that finances services. 



There is a tax rate that maximizes the growth of income per person, and under both models governments can reach the needed income threshold in finite time if they choose that growth maximizing rate.



Public services that complement private capital are the link. When governments tax and spend on those services efficiently, private firms produce more and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-action-economies-can-grow-while-cutting-emissions/">economy climbs</a> to the income level that makes full abatement feasible.



"Both models indicate that implementing the zero-emissions policy is compatible with sustainable economic growth," wrote Noda. 



They also show the kindergarten rule threshold is higher with congestion than without it, so crowding of public services slows the crossing.



"We call this threshold the kindergarten rule level of pollution abatement in terms of GDP per capita," wrote Noda. The result gives policymakers a clear income target, not just a slogan about decoupling.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-income-growth-and-sdgs">Income growth and SDGs</h2>



Target 8.4 of the Sustainable Development Goals (<a href="https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SDGs</a>) asks countries to decouple growth from environmental degradation. 



The authors argue their framework helps explain when that is possible in practice, and how policy levers change the timing.



The UN defines the <a href="https://metadata.un.org/sdg/8.4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">target</a> as improving resource efficiency and decoupling growth from environmental harm through 2030. The paper’s threshold view fits that mandate with a concrete yardstick.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-results-still-matter">Why results still matter</h2>



Earlier <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652621009112" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work</a> in the same research stream focused on developed, innovation-driven economies and showed that zero emissions could be achieved alongside continued growth. 



That study examined whether sustained economic expansion could occur while also maintaining <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-net-zero-world-will-require-75-trillion-of-investment-and-1-billion-electric-cars/">zero net pollution emissions</a>.



The new paper shows the same compatibility can hold in aid dependent settings where innovation is not the main growth engine. 



That extension fills a real gap, because many low income countries face tighter fiscal and technological limits.



Build or buy cleaner technology so the threshold falls. Treat tied aid for environmental programs as a growth tool and not just a cost center.



Set tax policy to raise the growth rate of income per person, then sustain it long enough to pass the threshold. Guard against congestion by scaling services with population, so gains are not diluted.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/10.1142/S0217590825500304" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Singapore Economic Review</a>.



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Net-zero emissions and rising income levels can both be achieved simultaneously

Balancing cleaner air with rising incomes is not a luxury question for developing countries. It is a real-world, and real-life, policy problem that shapes health, jobs, and the future of their cities. A new study lays out when zero emissions can go hand in hand with steady growth, even when governments rely on foreign aid. Zero emissions and economic growth The work comes from Hideo Noda at the Tokyo University of Science (TUS) with coauthor Fengqi Fang, a Ph.D. candidate in Business Administration from the Graduate School...

In a quiet corner of the Ecuadorian Andes, a chorus of frogs has sparked a global conversation about environmental justice. These aren’t just any amphibians from Ecuador - they’re symbols of resistance, biodiversity, and legal innovation.



In a recent paper, researchers from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/instituteforagroecology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont’s Institute for Agroecology</a> and international collaborators explore how Ecuador’s pioneering constitutional recognition of the Rights of Nature is changing the way we think about law, justice, and the planet.



The study presents Ecuador as a test case for reimagining governance systems in favor of both people and ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-amphibians-massive-impact">Tiny amphibians, massive impact</h2>



At the heart of this story is the Resistance Rocket Frog - Rana Cohete Resistencia - named by residents of Intag Valley to embody the united effort to protect their land. Though small and seemingly inconspicuous, these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amphibians-are-being-pushed-beyond-their-heat-limits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">endangered</a> amphibians from Ecuador became co-plaintiffs in a landmark lawsuit that halted large-scale mining in their habitat.



Supported by community members, biologists, lawyers, and activists, the frogs helped establish one of the most influential legal precedents in Earth system law.



“Translating the Constitutional Rights of Nature into concrete conservation measures is a powerful tool to prevent species extinction in areas threatened by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-mining-forms-dust-clouds-that-devastate-marine-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mining</a>,” said Andrea Terán, an Ecuadorian biologist and co-author of the study.



“Large-scale mining concessions are concentrated in the Andes and their foothills, overlapping with regions of high amphibian endemism and richness. Therefore, having a mechanism to halt this extractive economic model opens the door to exploring alternative relationships with nature and sustainable economic models that support life in the long term.”



Ecuador’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/effective-conservation-efforts-key-to-saving-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> is staggering: the country ranks ninth among the world’s most biologically rich nations, home to as many as 20,000 plant species, nearly 700 amphibians, and over 450 types of mammals. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-frog-day-addressing-environmental-threats-to-frogs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frogs</a>, in particular, are considered critical ecological indicators due to their acute sensitivity to pollutants, making them a powerful symbol of environmental health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recognition-of-nature-s-rights">Recognition of nature's rights</h2>



In 2008, Ecuador became the first country in the world to constitutionally recognize the Rights of Nature, granting ecosystems the legal right to “exist, persist, maintain and regenerate.” Unlike traditional environmental laws, which regulate harm through permits and limits, Rights of Nature laws treat ecosystems as legal subjects, not objects. 



This shift allows non-human life to be represented in court as plaintiffs. In the Llurimagua mining case, legal teams successfully argued on behalf of the forest ecosystem and the species within it, using Ecuador’s constitutional protections.



“In the case of Llurimagua, as explained in the article, the practical applicability of the rights of Nature is demonstrated, showing that these are not merely symbolic declarations but rights with real-world legal effects,” said Mario Moncayo, one of the attorneys on the case.



“The recognition of the rights of nature has allowed individuals and communities to exercise them directly, establishing relevant precedents in the protection of nature.” The legal precedent set by these victories has inspired environmental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/public-health-and-environmental-justice-the-push-for-electric-trucks-in-cities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">justice</a> advocates around the world.



According to Carlos Varela Arias, a constitutional law professor and co-author of the paper, this framework will enable the design of new strategies and global governance mechanisms to adapt human systems to those of nature, allowing for our survival and peaceful coexistence with the natural environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-global-standard-for-nature-s-rights">A global standard for nature's rights?</h2>



The Ecuadorian model is already echoing beyond its borders. Bolivia’s Mother Earth Law, New Zealand’s legal personhood for the Whanganui River and Te Urewera, and Canada’s recognition of First Nations’ land rights all draw on similar legal reasoning.



Cases in Mexico, India, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and the United States reflect the growing influence of this movement. To institutionalize these advances, the paper outlines three fundamental dimensions of effective Rights of Nature legislation:



<ol start="1" class="wp-block-list">
<li>Intrinsic worth: recognizing nature’s value independent of human utility.</li>



<li>Guiding principle: using Nature’s rights to steer legal and political decisions.</li>



<li>Enforceability: holding states and citizens legally accountable for harm.</li>
</ol>



The authors also identify the Escazú Agreement - a legally binding treaty signed by 23 Latin American countries including Ecuador. The treaty acts as a promising regional tool to reinforce these rights and protect environmental defenders. 



Despite its ratification in 2021, threats to activists remain dire. According to <a href="https://globalwitness.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Witness</a>, over 2,100 nature defenders have been murdered globally in recent years, with 70% of those killings occurring in just four Latin American countries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-legal-innovation-and-indigenous-wisdom">Legal innovation and Indigenous wisdom</h2>



“The Rights of Nature is a strong and inspiring idea that started in Ecuador,” said Amaya Carrasco Torrontegui, senior author of the paper and a University of Vermont affiliate. “This approach encourages us to see Nature not just as a resource, but as something alive and deserving of care - drawing on Indigenous wisdom and the idea of Pachamama, or Mother Earth.”



Lead author Carlos Andres Gallegos-Riofrío emphasized the transformative potential of these legal frameworks. “A key lesson - especially the coalition that advanced the Llurimagua case - is that there are real alternatives for governing the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-systems-critical-all-life-on-verge-total-collapse-paris-agreement/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth system</a>." 



"These alternatives, to become truly transformative, need society’s active engagement. Only then can they serve as critical tools to help local communities stop activities that harm both people and Nature, globally preventing us from continuing to cross the planet’s safe operating boundaries.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-from-the-andes"><a></a>Lessons from the Andes</h2>



The success of Ecuador’s Rights of Nature movement demonstrates the power of local activism, coalition-building, and a bold rethinking of legal norms. It also highlights the potential of a “tiny avatar” - like the rocket frog - to symbolize much larger battles over climate, biodiversity, and justice.



With mining blocked in three major projects in the Intag Valley and courts upholding the rights of ecosystems in multiple landmark cases, Ecuador’s approach is proving that environmental justice doesn’t always start in global halls of power. It can also begin in a small village, a forested valley, or the determined leap of a tiny frog.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589811625000199?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth System Governance</a>.



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Does Mother Nature have rights? A tiny frog has joined the fight

In a quiet corner of the Ecuadorian Andes, a chorus...

On Earth Day and every day, a powerful shift is unfolding around the world. There is a rising movement where people are rethinking their relationship with the planet. It’s no longer just about sustainability - it’s about regeneration, justice, and resilience.



The planet has endured for billions of years - through fire, ice, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extinction-crisis-entire-branches-of-earths-tree-of-life-are-vanishing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mass extinctions</a>. It will continue to turn with or without us. But what’s at stake now is the world as we know it: the fragile balance of nature that we depend on for clean air, fresh water, food, and health.



When we speak of “saving the planet,” what we’re truly saying is that we need to save the conditions that allow life to survive.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lifelines-for-our-children">Lifelines for our children</h2>



Recycling, rewilding, reducing emissions - these aren’t just noble acts -they are lifelines. They are how we secure a future for our children.



Each plastic bottle we keep out of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-plastic-pollution-has-become-a-global-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a>, each acre of land we return to nature, each ton of carbon we prevent from entering the sky makes a substantial difference.



These choices may seem small on their own, but they are part of a much greater promise. They are the thoughtful threads we weave into a safety net for future generations.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-love-in-action">Love in action</h2>



Recycling means less waste choking our seas and less energy drained from a tired planet. Rewilding breathes life back into barren landscapes, inviting back the birds, the bees, and the balance.&nbsp;



Reducing emissions can slow the heating of our planet and helps restore the rhythm of seasons, rains, and harvests.



When we take these steps, we are saying to our children: “You matter. Your future matters. This Earth will still bloom for you.”



This is even bigger than sustainability - it’s love in action.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cost-of-climate-inaction-nbsp">The cost of climate inaction&nbsp;</h2>



The cost of climate inaction is already unfolding around us - not as some distant warning, but as a present reality.&nbsp;



Intense wildfires, storms that flatten entire communities, and droughts that empty reservoirs and wither crops are no longer anomalies. They are the echoes of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/limiting-global-warming-to-1-5-degrees-celsius-would-save-billions-of-lives/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warming world</a>, growing louder each year.



The most devastating toll is not measured in dollars or degrees. It’s measured in the futures we are putting at risk. For every year we delay action, the window narrows for our children to inherit a livable world.&nbsp;



Rising seas threaten to swallow the coastlines where memories are made. Polluted air burdens young lungs before they ever have a chance to grow strong. Food security, once taken for granted, is strained under the pressure of extreme weather.&nbsp;



Diseases spread where they once couldn’t. Homes become uninhabitable. The safety net we imagined was there begins to fray.



And yet, perhaps the heaviest cost is the legacy we are leaving behind - not just a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-experts-predict-global-warming-will-far-exceed-paris-goals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet under stress</a>, but a message that convenience mattered more than courage, that short-term gain outranked long-term care.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-wisdom-and-indigenous-knowledge">Cultural wisdom and Indigenous knowledge</h2>



Long before the language of carbon footprints and climate models, there were people who understood the rhythms of Earth through a deep connection with nature.&nbsp;



Indigenous communities around the world have spent generations learning from the land. They read the skies and listened to the forests. 



They learned when to plant, when to harvest, and when to let the earth rest. Indigenous knowledge is not a relic of the past; it is a living library.



In many cases, Indigenous knowledge has helped protect biodiversity and preserve ecosystems where modern conservation efforts have struggled. And yet, for too long, it has been ignored, dismissed, or suppressed.&nbsp;



Now, as the planet suffers from industrial excess, there is a growing recognition that the wisdom we need may not be new - it may be ancient.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-living-lighter-with-more-meaning">Living lighter, with more meaning</h2>



When we look to ancient wisdom for guidance, we can see our everyday choices through new eyes.



Living lighter is a way of moving through the world that leaves a gentler footprint and a stronger legacy. This approach to life is not about giving things up - it’s about gaining a deeper sense of what truly matters.&nbsp;



Living lighter can take many simple, meaningful forms. It could be choosing local foods or growing herbs on a windowsill. It might be carrying a reusable bag or coffee cup - not out of habit, but out of care.&nbsp;



Every time we choose to walk instead of drive, we are helping to heal the damage we have caused.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-collective-action">The power of collective action</h2>



No single person can carry the weight of the world - but many people together can lift it.&nbsp;



Communities are turning rooftops into thriving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-gardens-promote-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gardens</a>. Towns are breathing life back into long-lost rivers, restoring the flow of nature through their streets.



This is the spirit of Earth Day - a reminder that we are not separate stories, but one rising chorus. The future isn’t something we inherit; it’s something we build together - for our children and for all future generations.



To join the movement, check out <a href="https://www.earthday.org/action/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Billion Acts of Green</a> taking place across the planet.&nbsp;



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Earth Day 2025: What we’re really fighting for

On Earth Day and every day, a powerful shift is...

At first glance, mangroves might appear as quiet coastal sentinels, swaying gently between land and sea. But beneath the surface, these tangled root systems harbor a world that is teeming with life. For centuries, coastal communities have fished and foraged in mangrove-rich waters, relying on their resources to survive.



Today, new research reveals the extent of that support. A global study led by Philine S. E. zu Ermgassen and colleagues from the <a href="https://www.ed.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Edinburgh</a> offers one of the most detailed estimates yet of the role that mangroves play in sustaining <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-fish-species-are-the-big-catch-of-the-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine life</a>.



The findings are staggering. Each year, mangroves nurture over 700 billion juvenile fish and invertebrates from commercially important species. These include prawns, finfish, crabs, and bivalves. 



While this abundance doesn’t automatically translate into food on our plates, it highlights the irreplaceable role that mangroves play in ecological and economic systems worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mangroves-feed-fish-and-support-jobs">Mangroves feed fish and support jobs</h2>



Food from oceans and coasts supplies essential nutrition to billions of people. The growing global population intensifies pressure on these systems. An estimated 260 million people currently earn a living from marine fisheries, and this livelihood is especially important in lower-income nations.



Fish stocks rely heavily on healthy ecosystems - mangroves included. When these environments deteriorate due to overfishing or habitat loss, the ripple effects reach dinner tables and job markets around the world.



Mangrove forests flourish in the intertidal zones of tropical and subtropical coasts. Their structure offers shelter and food to juvenile fish and shellfish. These nurseries are more than a convenience - they are an essential requirement for many species to survive their early life stages.



Small-scale and export-oriented fisheries alike benefit. Species such as crabs and shrimp fetch high market prices, especially in times of economic instability.



“While abundance at the early life-history stage does not directly equate to potential economic or biomass gains, this estimate indicates the critical role of mangroves globally in supporting fish and fisheries,” noted the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mangrove-life-across-the-globe">Mangrove life across the globe</h2>



To reach these conclusions, the team compiled data on 37 commercially important <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/native-fish-species-are-facing-double-trouble/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>. They included juvenile finfish, prawns, crabs, and a single bivalve species.



Data came from 481 field measurements spread across various geographies, though some regions, like West Africa, lacked sufficient information. To bridge the gaps, the researchers used the Delphi technique - an expert consensus method - to identify the ecological drivers of species density.



Twelve environmental variables shaped the predictive model. These included sea surface salinity, tidal amplitude, mangrove area, and net primary productivity. The model also factored in mangrove edge length and changes in forest extent. 



Using global geospatial layers, researchers estimated species density across all known mangrove regions. This allowed them to visualize not just where mangroves exist, but where they produce the highest abundance of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-evolve-rapidly-by-switching-between-simple-and-complex-teeth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life</a>.



Their findings revealed hotspots in Southeast and South Asia, the Red Sea, the Caribbean, and the northern coast of South America. Regions with deltaic mangroves - formed around river mouths - supported especially high densities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fish-and-crab-numbers-change-by-region">Fish and crab numbers change by region</h2>



The study uncovered wide variations in abundance based on geography. Southeast Asia stood out, supporting nearly half of the global total. 



Finfish and prawn numbers dominated in this region, with Indonesia alone producing 185 billion individuals annually. Countries like Myanmar, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea also ranked high.



In the Americas, the focus shifted to crabs. Two species - Ucides cordatus and Ucides occidentalis - showed high densities in Brazil, Venezuela, and Colombia. These crustaceans not only play ecological roles but also hold cultural and economic significance for coastal communities.



Three species of penaeid prawns, which rely heavily on mangrove nurseries, had the highest predicted densities in places like Pakistan, India, Myanmar, and Viet Nam.



In contrast, some areas like the Pacific coasts of the Americas featured fewer finfish but boasted dense populations of the bivalve Anadara tuberculosa. This species, which is tied closely to red mangrove root habitat, contributes heavily to regional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-eye-tracking-changes-what-we-know-about-swarm-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fisheries</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-mangroves-grow-more-fish-than-others">Some mangroves grow more fish than others</h2>



Geomorphic settings - such as whether the mangroves are in a delta or on an open coast - significantly influence fish and invertebrate densities.



Deltaic mangroves, rich in nutrients and tidal activity, supported the greatest abundance. On the other hand, fragmented mangrove areas or those with long edge lengths sometimes showed reduced productivity, possibly due to habitat degradation.



“Hotspots of finfish density include the extensive mangrove coastline of Brazil to the east of the Amazon, the Orinoco Delta, Venezuela, as well as the deltaic and lagoonal Caribbean coasts of Colombia and Mexico,” stated the authors. 



While some models showed positive links between edge length and catch sizes, this study found a negative correlation. Fragmented edges may not provide the same protective benefits for juveniles as continuous <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-pushing-freshwater-fish-toward-the-poles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitats</a> do. This suggests that mangrove quality - not just quantity - matters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fishers-rely-on-mangroves">Fishers rely on mangroves</h2>



One of the most illuminating parts of the research was the comparison between fish abundance and fishing pressure. 



Areas in South and Southeast Asia, such as the Mekong Delta, revealed strong overlaps. These regions host both high fish densities and large populations of small-scale fishers. In contrast, places like the northern Red Sea showed high productivity but low fisher numbers.



Some countries showed an inverse relationship. They had high numbers of fishers but lower estimated fish abundance. This mismatch could indicate overfishing or degraded habitats. Other areas, including parts of Australia and the Western Caribbean, supported recreational fisheries rather than subsistence or commercial ones.



This kind of data becomes vital for designing policies. It helps governments and conservation groups decide where interventions are most needed - be it through habitat restoration or fishery regulation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mangroves-boost-national-food-systems">Mangroves boost national food systems</h2>



The study found a clear correlation between a country’s mangrove-related abundance and its total ocean-derived food production. 



In countries like Indonesia and Brazil, mangroves significantly contribute to national food systems. But in nations with limited mangrove areas - like Japan or Peru - their share remains small despite high overall seafood output.



Mangroves supply more than just protein. They underpin local economies, support employment, and offer buffers against environmental crises. In island nations, up to 80% of species targeted by fisheries depend on mangroves during part of their life cycle. 



“Despite their relatively small area, mangrove-associated fish and invertebrate species can contribute substantially to fisheries catches,” the experts noted in their paper.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-losing-mangroves-means-losing-fish">Losing mangroves means losing fish</h2>



The study emphasizes that mangroves must be treated as vital infrastructure for global food systems. While the 735 billion juvenile fish and invertebrates nurtured each year represents only a subset of all commercial species, it still showcases the immense productivity of these habitats.



If anything, this number is a conservative estimate, limited by data gaps in places like West Africa.



Areas with both high fishing pressure and low abundance signal urgent need for protective action. In contrast, regions with rich mangroves but low exploitation may offer opportunities for sustainable fisheries expansion. Knowing which is which allows better planning.



“Clearly, overall abundance of commercially important fish and invertebrate species is strongly influenced by overall mangrove extent,” the authors concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-forward-with-clarity">Moving forward with clarity</h2>



The study bridges a long-standing gap in marine ecology. It doesn’t just describe what mangroves offer - it maps the benefits, models them, and links them directly to livelihoods. For policymakers, fishers, and conservationists, this is a crucial toolkit.



Protecting mangroves is more than just an environmental goal - it’s a necessity for maintaining food security and income in vulnerable regions.



With growing climate risks and population demands, mangrove forests must no longer be an afterthought. They are a living engine of resilience, quietly holding up a large part of the world’s coastal economies.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-025-02229-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Earth &amp; Environment</a>.



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Mangroves help raise hundreds of billions of fish annually

At first glance, mangroves might appear as quiet coastal sentinels,...

In June 2023, smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed cities like New York and Washington, D.C. The air turned orange. Headlines called it the worst air quality in the world. People wore masks again, not for COVID-19, but to avoid inhaling toxic particles. But what if you lived in a place with no way to measure that danger?



A study from <a href="https://www.psu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State University</a> reveals a chilling reality. More than 50 million people in the U.S. live in what researchers call “air quality monitoring deserts.”



These are counties with no official monitoring stations to assess air pollution. Without these stations, we don’t know what people are breathing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-air-quality-monitoring-deserts">Air quality monitoring deserts</h2>



Monitoring deserts are places with zero air-quality stations. That means no sensors, no alerts, and no data on the pollutants people are exposed to each day. 



According to the study, 1,848 counties in the U.S. qualify as monitoring deserts. That’s nearly 59% of all counties and covers about 40% of the land area in the country.



“Exposure to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-people-die-from-air-pollution-each-year-yet-theres-still-a-lack-of-monitoring/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air</a> pollution has been directly and indirectly to cancers, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, immune disorders and more,” said Alexis Santos, co-author of the study and associate professor at Penn State. 



“If we are not measuring air quality in large regions of the country, then we do not know how significant air pollution problems are.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-danger-of-data-gaps">The danger of data gaps</h2>



Air quality data helps determine public health responses. If a wildfire breaks out and there’s no monitoring, people cannot know whether it's safe to go outside. 



There is a growing need to assess whether children should stay indoors or whether vulnerable people should wear masks. And yet, millions live in this uncertainty every day.



These gaps don’t just delay emergency responses. They affect how we understand long-term health risks. 



Studies link air <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/understanding-how-air-pollution-forms-may-help-us-prevent-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution</a> to asthma, heart attacks, dementia, and premature death. But in unmonitored counties, those links remain invisible and unquantified.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-minority-areas-lack-air-quality-monitoring">Minority areas lack air quality monitoring</h2>



The study linked demographic and economic factors to the presence - or absence - of monitoring.



Counties with high poverty, low high school completion, or larger Black and Hispanic populations are more likely to be unmonitored. These patterns held even after accounting for population size.



“Air pollution affects everyone’s health, so it is important for everyone in the nation to have access to accurate information about the quality of the air they breathe,” said Nelson Roque, assistant professor at Penn State and the study’s lead author.



The Southern region was especially affected. In states like Mississippi, Georgia, and Arkansas, more than 75% of counties are monitoring deserts. These regions include parts of the “Southern Black Belt,” a historically marginalized area with persistent social and economic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-air-pollution-affects-consumer-spending/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disadvantages</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-air-monitoring-is-old-and-unreliable">Air monitoring is old and unreliable</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-weakens-brain-function-and-focus-in-daily-tasks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Air</a> monitoring in the U.S. began in 1957. Since then, more than 20,000 stations have been installed at some point. But by 2024, only 4,821 remained active. Many stations were decades old, with a median age of 26.1 years. Some stopped reporting due to technical issues or lack of funding.



“We ran this same analysis just a couple months apart, and we found that the number of air-quality monitoring sites had changed over that short period of time,” Roque said. 



“These stations are in flux all the time, and data-reporting intervals also vary, which points to the need for investment in and modernization of this infrastructure.”



This lack of consistency adds uncertainty. Researchers and communities rely on these stations for accurate trends. If the equipment goes offline, so does our ability to respond in real time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smartphones-can-t-replace-sensors">Smartphones can’t replace sensors</h2>



Apps may show air quality ratings, but they don't gather air directly. These apps use data from nearby stations. If you live far from a monitoring site, your app could show safe air when, in fact, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-deaths-in-india-linked-to-air-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution</a> levels are high. That’s misleading and dangerous.



Monitoring deserts, by definition, depend on estimates from surrounding regions. In rural areas, that might mean using data from stations dozens or even hundreds of miles away. Local factors - like nearby industry, agriculture, or wildfires - can vary dramatically from region to region.



This means people in these counties might make poor health decisions based on faulty information. And public health officials lack the tools to guide them differently.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-air-quality-monitoring-gaps-reflect-injustice">Air quality monitoring gaps reflect injustice</h2>



Environmental monitoring follows patterns of social inequality. The researchers found that counties with more agricultural or mining jobs and fewer educated adults were more likely to be unmonitored. Higher poverty levels also increased the odds of being a monitoring desert.



Initially, areas with more Hispanic residents appeared less likely to be deserts. But when population size was factored in, this trend reversed. Counties with more Black residents consistently had higher odds of lacking monitoring, regardless of other factors.



These patterns are not accidental. “Generally speaking, infrastructure for health care, transportation, education and other areas are underdeveloped in rural counties,” Santos said. “This study demonstrated the pattern holds true for air-quality monitoring, as well.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-call-for-broader-monitoring">A call for broader monitoring</h2>



In 2021, Executive Order 14008 urged environmental equity. The Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool now includes air quality as a measure of community disadvantage. Despite these efforts, monitoring deserts persist.



Monitoring infrastructure is concentrated in urban areas, where populations are dense. This makes sense for national averages, but fails millions in sparsely populated or economically struggling areas.



The EPA and local partners must rethink this model. Where there is no data, there is no protection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-efforts-and-global-parallels">Local efforts and global parallels</h2>



Some states and cities try to fill the gap. For example, the New York City Community Air Survey collects seasonal data at multiple points across the city. These local programs give better insights into neighborhood conditions, yet not all regions have the resources or expertise to launch their own systems.



Globally, many countries face similar problems. Citizen science, wearable sensors, and community-led efforts are helping close gaps. But in the U.S., a wealthier country with strong scientific institutions, the scale of unmonitored areas is concerning.



The researchers warn that areas without monitoring may actually experience worse air quality than we realize. Without data, these communities are invisible in national health research and policy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-needs-to-happen-next">What needs to happen next</h2>



Fixing the system requires more than adding a few monitors. The technology must be modern, reliable, and consistent. It must cover both cities and rural areas. Most importantly, it must reflect a commitment to environmental justice.



The study’s authors argue for equitable expansion of monitoring sites. Only then can we understand exposure, assess disparities, and design better public health responses. Until that happens, millions will keep breathing air they cannot see, cannot measure, and cannot trust.



Monitoring deserts expose more than air pollution. They reveal the cracks in how we protect public health. When a wildfire erupts or pollutants rise, people in these places won’t know. They’ll just keep breathing - and hoping it’s safe.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/epub/10.1073/pnas.2425310122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Millions of Americans live in areas without air quality monitoring

In June 2023, smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed cities like...

On April 22, the world pauses to celebrate Earth Day. This single day reflects a growing, year-round movement that stretches across the globe. It began in 1970, and was born out of environmental disasters and the ensuing public outcries. 



Over five decades later, Earth Day is no longer just a call to care. It is a call to act. The celebration is a powerful reminder that the planet’s future lies in our hands.



In 2025, with mounting climate concerns and increasing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/disturbingly-small-amount-of-plastic-recycling-done-around-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic waste</a>, the message is urgent and direct. Our choices shape Earth’s trajectory. Our actions decide its fate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-faces-an-urgent-crisis">Earth faces an urgent crisis</h2>



Earth’s climate systems are under extreme pressure. Oceans are heating. Forests are vanishing. Cities experience record-breaking temperatures and frequent natural disasters. Across the world, floods, fires, and storms leave trails of destruction.



Scientists report that these events are not isolated. They are linked to human activities - burning fossil fuels, clearing land, and discarding waste carelessly.



One of the biggest contributors to this environmental degradation is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-normal-plastic-turns-into-dangerous-micro-and-nanoplastics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic</a>. What was once considered a useful invention is now a persistent pollutant.



Plastic never disappears. It fragments into smaller and smaller pieces. These microplastics contaminate our food, water, and air. They enter our bodies, disrupting systems silently. They poison ecosystems and endanger animals, from tiny plankton all the way up to whales.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-day-2025-targets-plastic-waste">Earth Day 2025 targets plastic waste</h2>



The theme of Earth Day 2025 - “Our Power, Our Planet” - reflects a push for immediate change. This year’s campaign calls for a 60% cut in plastic production by 2040. It asks individuals, industries, and governments to phase out harmful practices.



Plastics have become unavoidable. They coat food containers, line shopping bags, and even make up parts of our clothes. The fashion industry, particularly fast fashion, produces synthetic fibers that shed microplastics. Every wash releases thousands of these particles into the water system.



The impact of this pollution is visible and measurable. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-pollution-is-changing-the-entire-earth-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plastic</a> is found on remote beaches, in Arctic ice, and in the stomachs of animals. It leaches chemicals that affect hormones and increase the risk of disease.



The most vulnerable communities suffer the worst, because they often live near landfills or rivers that have been turned into dumping grounds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-day-2025-begins-long-term-action">Earth Day 2025 begins long-term action</h2>



To achieve the 60% reduction <a href="https://www.earthday.org/planet-vs-plastics/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">target</a>, Earth Day organizers laid out a comprehensive strategy. 



First, they emphasize the need for education. People must understand how plastic never biodegrades, but stays around and harms health, wildlife, and climate. Awareness leads to conscious choices.



Earth Day 2025 also promotes policy changes. Bans on single-use plastics, taxes on excess packaging, and regulations on manufacturers are necessary in order to limit production. Legal tools can push industries to develop safer, more sustainable materials.



Innovation plays a critical role. Scientists and designers are developing alternatives to conventional plastic. These include biodegradable films, reusable systems, and natural fiber composites. But these innovations need funding, exposure, adoption, and global coordination to scale.



Finally, the campaign targets the fashion sector. Brands must switch to sustainable textiles. Consumers can demand slow fashion, repair clothes, and reduce textile waste.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-individuals-can-shift-the-system">How individuals can shift the system</h2>



Earth Day campaigns are global, but solutions often begin locally. Every person can adopt daily habits that reduce plastic use. Carrying your own shopping bag, choosing loose produce, saying no to plastic straws - these are simple steps.



Home habits matter. Reusing containers, composting waste, and supporting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-pollution-is-changing-the-entire-earth-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic</a>-free products will help reduce demand. Communities can organize cleanups, recycling drives, and awareness events. When individuals act together, they shift norms and influence larger systems.



Even workplace decisions matter. Offices can cut plastic use through filtered water stations and reusable dishes. Schools can educate children about sustainability. Restaurants can switch to compostable cutlery. These local decisions ripple outward.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-transition-to-clean-energy">The transition to clean energy</h2>



While plastic takes the spotlight, Earth Day 2025 also highlights the urgent need to transition to clean energy. Fossil fuels continue to drive climate change. Carbon emissions trap heat in the atmosphere, intensifying extreme weather and threatening ecosystems.



Switching to renewable energy like solar, wind, and hydro reduces emissions. Clean energy also protects human health by cutting air pollution. Fewer respiratory diseases, fewer heat-related deaths, and better public health are direct benefits of a green grid.



Energy transitions are already happening. Cities are installing solar panels on rooftops. Electric vehicles are more accessible. Public transport systems are growing. But much more needs to be done - and faster.



Governments must stop supporting oil and gas industries. Instead, they should back renewables and improve energy infrastructure. People can support these changes by voting, voicing their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-win-the-battle-of-planet-vs-plastic-drastic-changes-are-needed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">concerns</a>, and adopting energy-efficient habits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-day-is-a-start-not-the-end">Earth Day is a start, not the end</h2>



April 22 is symbolic. But the real work happens on April 23 - and every day thereafter. Earth Day is a launchpad for long-term action. It reminds us that protecting the planet is not a seasonal effort. It’s a lifelong responsibility.



Change doesn’t require perfection. It demands participation. Even the smallest change - if repeated daily - can reshape systems. When millions act with intention, supply chains adapt, laws change, and the environment begins to heal.



The Earth cannot wait for someday. It needs us today. Let Earth Day 2025 be a turning point - not just for reflection, but for renewal. Our power can protect the planet. Our planet needs that power now.



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Earth Day 2025: Our Power, Our Planet

On April 22, the world pauses to celebrate Earth Day....

The world is warming. With each new disaster, worry deepens. For many young people today, climate change feels personal and urgent. It's not just a topic on the news. It's a shadow cast over their future. This emotional weight has a name:&nbsp;eco-anxiety.



In 2025, more and more people report feeling emotionally overwhelmed by the state of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-extremes-in-2024-what-have-we-learned/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environment</a>. This isn't just a passing concern. It’s a steady hum of anxiety that often grows louder with time. For some, it even disrupts daily life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-weight-of-eco-anxiety">The weight of eco-anxiety</h2>



Climate anxiety - also called eco-anxiety - is not a clinical diagnosis. But that doesn't mean it's not real. It’s a chronic fear tied to environmental destruction and a deep concern about the planet's future.



Many people experience racing <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0887618520300773" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thoughts</a>, guilt about their own carbon footprints, or helplessness in the face of large-scale destruction.



Young people feel this most intensely. A <a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/News-room/APA-Blogs/Youth-Perspectives-on-Climate-Change" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> found that 60% of U.S. youth are very or extremely worried about climate change.



Nearly half reported that it affects their mental health. These aren't vague worries. They manifest as panic, sadness, and sometimes hopelessness.



The emotional toll of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2024-confirmed-as-earths-hottest-year-in-recorded-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> change often goes unnoticed in daily conversations. News coverage tends to focus on data and disasters. 



But behind the headlines are people grappling with fear and uncertainty. These emotional responses are valid and deserve attention.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eco-anxiety-and-the-trap-of-powerlessness">Eco-anxiety and the trap of powerlessness</h2>



When anxiety builds, it often traps us. Some people freeze and avoid the issue altogether. Others become overwhelmed and exhausted. 



Feeling powerless in the face of a global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2024-shatters-heat-records-earths-hottest-year-is-here/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crisis</a> is a common experience. It leads to a troubling cycle: concern increases, but the ability to act feels out of reach.



This state can discourage people from getting involved in climate efforts. Instead of making small changes or joining collective movements, they withdraw. Anxiety whispers that nothing will ever be enough. But that voice can be challenged.



Understanding that eco-anxiety is a shared experience can help. You are not alone in your concern. Millions of people feel the same pressure, fear, and urgency. That shared reality can become a source of strength.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-space-for-emotions">Making space for emotions</h2>



The first step toward healing is simple but powerful: allow yourself to feel. Guilt and fear are natural responses to a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-is-accelerating-beyond-control-as-co2-levels-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crisis</a>. 



Suppressing these feelings only adds to the mental load. Give yourself time to sit with your emotions without judgment. Talk to a friend or write in a journal.



When people open up about their eco-anxiety, they often discover relief. They feel seen and heard. That emotional release is not a sign of weakness - it’s a step toward resilience.



Coping starts with acceptance. Once we allow ourselves to feel, we can begin to shift from anxiety to action. But this shift doesn’t happen overnight. It takes intention and often, community.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-strength-through-connection">Finding strength through connection</h2>



Climate change is a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666719324002607" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global issue</a>, but action starts locally. Joining a neighborhood tree planting group or attending a local environmental meeting might seem small. 



But these actions build momentum. They connect people with shared values. They create purpose and belonging.



Being part of a collective effort reduces the isolation that often comes with climate anxiety. It reminds people that they are not alone, and that their efforts matter. 



Even picking up litter with others or helping with a community garden can offer a powerful sense of contribution.



When people act together, they start to believe in change again. That belief builds hope - and hope fuels continued <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-ocean-warming-in-2024-is-a-warning-for-our-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">action</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-professional-help-offers-relief">Professional help offers relief</h2>



Sometimes, talking to friends and joining groups isn't enough. For those deeply impacted by eco-anxiety, professional support can offer relief. 



Therapists trained to address climate-related fears understand the emotional landscape of environmental grief.



One method gaining attention is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (<a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/acceptance-and-commitment-therapy-act-therapy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACT</a>). It encourages people to live by their values while accepting that some fears may not go away. It helps people move forward even when uncertainty remains.



Reaching out for help is not a sign of defeat. It’s a commitment to wellbeing. Mental health is just as important as physical action in climate work. Both need care and attention.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reclaiming-calm-through-mindfulness">Reclaiming calm through mindfulness</h2>



Eco-anxiety often pulls people into the future. What if we lose the rainforests? What if the sea swallows our cities? These fears are valid, but they also disconnect us from the present. Mindfulness offers a way back.



Simple practices, such as deep breathing, nature walks, or sitting quietly, can help reduce stress. These moments of calm ground people in the now. They remind us of what we love and what we want to protect.



Spending time in nature can be especially healing. It renews our bond with the planet. It reminds us that beauty still exists, even in troubled times.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turning-awareness-into-advocacy">Turning awareness into advocacy</h2>



Once grounded, people often feel ready to speak out. Climate advocacy doesn’t require fame or a large platform. 



Everyday conversations can spark awareness. A chat with a friend, a letter to a local leader, or a school project can all make waves.



Education is part of advocacy too. Learning about the science, the solutions, and the successes already happening helps replace despair with informed hope. It turns passive worry into motivated energy.



Knowledge builds confidence. It shows that people are already making progress - and that we can join them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-living-with-eco-anxiety">Living with eco-anxiety</h2>



Eco-anxiety will not vanish overnight. But it doesn’t have to take over our lives. By acknowledging our feelings, connecting with others, and choosing thoughtful action, we create space for hope. 



Each step we take - no matter how small - builds a future that is more connected, more resilient, and more just.



In 2025, as environmental threats grow, so does the need for emotional support and collective action. We can meet that need with compassion and courage. And in doing so, we can turn fear into fuel for change.



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Coping with eco-anxiety: Turning climate worry into action

The world is warming. With each new disaster, worry deepens....

Nature lovers worldwide are turning to EarthSnap, the AI-powered identification app that can instantly recognize over 2 million plants, animals, bugs, birds, and more. 



Built by the team behind Earth.com with over 15M monthly visitors, EarthSnap has quickly gained traction among outdoor enthusiasts looking for a smarter, more interactive way to explore and understand the natural world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-celebrate-earth-month-with-earthsnap">Celebrate Earth Month with EarthSnap</h2>



With the official rollout timed for April in celebration of Earth Month, EarthSnap invites users across the globe to reconnect with nature and explore biodiversity like never before. 



As environmental awareness reaches a peak during this globally recognized month, EarthSnap offers a powerful, tech-driven way to engage with the planet and share discoveries with others.



With its advanced AI, EarthSnap allows users to identify species in seconds simply by snapping a photo. 



The app goes beyond just identification - offering an extensive database filled with detailed insights, a search function for learning more about specific species, and an interactive SnapMap where users can explore identified species from around the world. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-deeper-connection-with-nature">A deeper connection with nature</h2>



As more people seek deeper connections with nature, EarthSnap has emerged as a must-have tool for hikers, travelers, gardening enthusiasts and anyone curious about nature.



"EarthSnap is redefining how people interact with the world around them," said Eric Ralls, CEO of EarthSnap and Earth.com. 



"With over 15 million visitors to Earth.com each month, we've seen firsthand the growing demand for accessible, AI-driven tools that make nature exploration easier and more engaging. EarthSnap brings that vision to life.”



EarthSnap is more than just an identification app - it’s a global hub for nature lovers. 



The EarthSnappers Community allows users to share their discoveries, engage with fellow outdoor enthusiasts, and contribute to a growing database of species observations. 



Whether it’s a rare orchid spotted on a mountain trail or a never-before-seen bird in a backyard, EarthSnap makes it easy to document and discuss nature with a like-minded community.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><a href="https://www.earthsnap.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/EarthSnap_feature-graphic_press-release_V3s.webp" alt="EarthSnap is FREE, download today. Click here." class="wp-image-1966695" style="width:300px;height:auto"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">EarthSnap is FREE, download today. Click here.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-features-driving-earthsnap-s-popularity">Key features driving EarthSnap’s popularity</h2>



● AI-Powered Identification: Instantly recognize over 2 million plants and animals by snapping a photo.



● Search &amp; Learn: Look up species by name to access detailed facts and insights.



● Global SnapMap: Explore photos of identified species from users worldwide.



● Personalized Snap Collections: Save and organize nature discoveries in a digital library.



● Cross-Platform Accessibility: Access all saved photos and data on both mobile and desktop.



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Nature enthusiasts are flocking to EarthSnap for plant and animal ID

Nature lovers worldwide are turning to EarthSnap, the AI-powered identification...

Every year, the climate conversation grows more urgent. We hear about rising temperatures, melting ice, and dwindling biodiversity. But alongside these sobering facts, 2025 has brought a new dimension - some real climate wins.



These are not sweeping global fixes, but they matter. They show how pressure, persistence, and innovation can lead to tangible <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-extremes-in-2024-what-have-we-learned/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">change</a>.



The world’s environmental crisis hasn’t ended. Yet this year reminds us that progress can happen in courtrooms, in local communities, and through new ideas. 



These aren’t perfect solutions, but they create momentum. And momentum, once built, can shift entire systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lawsuits-against-climate-polluters">Lawsuits against climate polluters</h2>



Early in 2025, a number of U.S. states made bold legal moves. They successfully challenged large corporations known for polluting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2024-confirmed-as-earths-hottest-year-in-recorded-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">practices</a>. These weren’t symbolic lawsuits. Courts imposed penalties that set important legal precedents.



Such actions sent a clear message - states don’t have to wait for federal intervention to demand accountability. Environmental protection can start with localized action.



This movement placed legal tools in the hands of smaller governments and demonstrated that real results can emerge outside Washington.



The victories also had a cultural impact. Residents, who often feel powerless in the face of industrial giants, saw change made possible. Their concerns led to outcomes that reshaped how corporations operate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-renewable-energy-surpasses-expectations">Renewable energy surpasses expectations</h2>



While global energy demand continues to rise, the expected emissions spike did not materialize. The reason? Renewables. 



In <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2024-shatters-heat-records-earths-hottest-year-is-here/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2024</a>, solar, wind, and battery storage broke records. That success continued into 2025, with global clean energy capacity growing faster than <a href="https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2025/Mar/IRENA_DAT_RE_Capacity_Statistics_2025.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">projected</a>.



This was not limited to one region. Countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America played a vital role. They adopted decentralized energy systems that cut emissions and improved energy access.



This trend matters for two reasons. First, it shows that economic growth doesn’t require higher emissions. Second, it proves that affordable, clean energy is no longer a distant goal. It’s happening now, and it’s reaching people who need it most.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-climate-wins-from-activists">Local climate wins from activists</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-added-41-extra-days-of-dangerous-heat-in-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Climate</a> activism at the grassroots level has long been a driving force for change. 



In 2025, this influence was publicly acknowledged. The <a href="https://www.goldmanprize.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goldman Environmental Prize</a> honored several activists, including Laurene Allen from the U.S., whose work led to real change in chemical regulation.



Allen's research was focused on PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” which pose severe health risks. Her campaigning led to legislation in New Hampshire that holds polluters accountable and pushes for cleanup efforts.



Her success demonstrated the power of local voices. It also highlighted how environmental justice is not just a global issue - it’s deeply personal. When communities organize around clean air and water, they can push governments to act.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-innovation-celebrated-on-the-global-stage">Innovation celebrated on the global stage</h2>



While activism plays one role, innovation plays another. The <a href="https://earthshotprize.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earthshot Prize</a>, to be held in November this year, in Rio de Janeiro, continues its mission to support creative environmental solutions. Last year's winners came from around the world, each offering ideas that solve specific challenges.



These ranged from ocean restoration to smart waste systems. Many were already operational and impacting lives. The awards ceremony itself has become a platform for global collaboration, drawing attention to practical, working ideas.



This shift from abstract promises to tested solutions brings hope. It encourages experimentation and shared learning. And it proves that large-scale climate wins can begin with small, well-executed ideas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-news-that-focuses-on-hope">Climate news that focuses on hope</h2>



Another encouraging development came not from courts or communities, but from media rooms. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-is-accelerating-beyond-control-as-co2-levels-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Climate</a> reporting in 2025 saw a subtle but important change. More outlets chose to highlight positive stories.



These stories didn’t sugarcoat the crisis - they added depth. They featured farmers using regenerative practices, towns switching to clean grids, and cities restoring native wildlife. The result was something rare - hope based on real action.



This narrative shift affects public response. When people only see catastrophe, they disengage. But when they see progress, they’re more likely to get involved. This year, journalists helped build a new kind of climate literacy, one that includes both warning and inspiration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-ahead-with-cautious-optimism">Looking ahead with cautious optimism</h2>



The wins of 2025 do not mark the end of the climate struggle. They do not erase rising seas or undo deforestation. But they show that people, institutions, and systems can move.



From state-led lawsuits to village-level clean energy, change came from many directions. It came from citizens speaking out, from innovators refusing to wait, and from reporters choosing to tell a fuller story.



The challenge remains massive. But with each win, the path forward becomes less uncertain. 2025 gave us reasons to believe that efforts made today can shape a better tomorrow.



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Climate wins in 2025 came from unexpected places

Every year, the climate conversation grows more urgent. We hear...

Earth Day serves as a yearly reminder of the urgent care that our planet needs. For decades, environmental campaigns have raised awareness - yet global action has been slow. 



Today, that pace is changing. Innovation is stepping in where traditional efforts to protect Earth have stalled.



In 2025, environmental solutions no longer remain locked in research labs. Governments, tech companies, and grassroots innovators are now building systems to reverse environmental damage. 



From renewable energy breakthroughs to plastic degradation and atmospheric carbon removal, technology plays a critical role.



These solutions are not futuristic experiments. They are in use today, shaping how we tackle some of the most persistent threats to our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-walls-cool-cities-and-create-urban-habitats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environment</a>.



This Earth Day, the focus shifts from problems to progress. The latest green technologies are creating a cleaner, more resilient world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-friendly-innovation-targets-plastic">Earth-friendly innovation targets plastic </h2>



Plastic pollution remains one of the world’s most visible <a href="https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/em/d4em00688g" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental issues</a>. While recycling efforts have improved, microplastics still escape into soil and water.



These particles, often invisible, enter food chains and even our drinking water. Traditional solutions fall short in removing or breaking them down effectively.



In 2025, researchers are testing a biological approach. Certain microbes in wastewater contain enzymes that can break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET).



This type of plastic appears in countless everyday items, including bottles and clothing. By introducing these enzymes into treatment plants, scientists aim to degrade plastic before it reaches rivers and oceans.



The method shows promise. Early trials suggest the enzymes can function efficiently in industrial environments. If widely adopted, this approach could shrink plastic accumulation significantly. It may also reduce reliance on energy-intensive recycling and landfill use.



Though still in development, this innovation offers a powerful, nature-inspired solution for protecting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-green-spaces-are-urgently-needed-across-the-global-south/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-technology-is-gaining-momentum">Solar technology is gaining momentum </h2>



Clean energy is a cornerstone of any plan to reduce global warming. Solar power, <a href="https://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2025/EE/D5EE00342C" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">long hailed</a> as a key part of this shift, is seeing a major transformation in 2025. 



Thanks to new materials and design strategies, solar technology is more efficient, flexible, and accessible than ever before.



One major advance involves perovskite tandem cells. These cells layer perovskite atop traditional silicon to boost energy absorption. 



With this design, panels can produce more electricity from the same amount of sunlight. That reduces the land area needed for solar farms and increases potential output in dense urban areas.



In parallel, engineers have developed solar panels that are both transparent and flexible. These innovations open new use cases - from energy-generating windows to bendable surfaces on portable electronics.



Cities can now embed solar power into their infrastructure without altering building aesthetics. These changes make <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-environments-and-sidewalks-improve-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clean</a> energy not just a choice, but a practical solution in diverse settings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-technology-powers-earth-s-carbon-cleanup">Technology powers Earth’s carbon cleanup</h2>



While clean energy reduces future emissions, carbon capture addresses the damage that has already been done. 



The concentration of CO₂ in our atmosphere continues to rise, pushing global temperatures higher. In response, carbon removal strategies have accelerated in both funding and execution during 2025.



One large-scale example in Louisiana is backed by Microsoft. This project uses a method called bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS).



The technology captures emissions from burning biomass and stores the CO₂ deep underground. Over the next 15 years, the project aims to remove over six million metric tons of carbon dioxide.



Another advance comes in the form of a yellow powder - a covalent organic framework. This lab-made material absorbs carbon dioxide directly from ambient air. It offers an affordable, low-energy way to capture <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-methanol-the-next-green-power-player-clean-energy-source/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emissions</a> without large machinery.



While smaller in scale, materials like this could work alongside forests and oceans in balancing carbon levels. These strategies, if used together, hold real promise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-green-tech-adapts-to-every-need">Green tech adapts to every need</h2>



What links all these technologies is their adaptability. They work in diverse locations, under various conditions, and alongside existing infrastructure. That makes them especially powerful in a fragmented world where climate responses vary widely.



Instead of waiting for global consensus, innovation is delivering tools that Earth needs right now.



Take solar windows in high-rise apartments, enzyme treatments in local sewage systems, or portable carbon traps at remote factories. Each fits into current systems while delivering clear environmental benefits. 



These tools meet communities where they are, enabling action without disruption. Their success doesn’t depend on perfect policy or international agreements.



This kind of flexible design reflects a broader shift. Environmental tech is no longer asking the world to change first. 



It changes itself to match the world’s complexity. That mindset is critical if we want to reverse the existing damage at scale and speed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-day-2025-celebrates-innovation">Earth Day 2025 celebrates innovation</h2>



This Earth Day marks a turning point. For the first time, many climate technologies are mature enough to scale. 



Governments and businesses have started investing not just in research, but in real-world deployment. The focus has moved beyond awareness and into action. Solutions are no longer ideas - they are results.



None of these innovations solves everything on its own. But each helps repair a part of the whole. Together, they form a strong base for long-term environmental recovery.



With every new material, enzyme, or solar panel installed, we move closer to a world where sustainability is standard - not exceptional.



Earth Day 2025 reminds us that our future depends on what we build now. And this year, what we’re building is working.



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Earth Day 2025: Innovation takes the lead in environmental action

Earth Day serves as a yearly reminder of the urgent...

There’s good reason why tropical forests are often called the lungs of the planet. They produce oxygen through photosynthesis and absorb massive amounts of carbon dioxide. In this way, they help regulate Earth’s climate.



But these vital ecosystems are not immune to the growing stress of a changing climate.



A new study, conducted by researchers from <a href="https://www.harvard.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard University</a>, used a special laser detection system mounted aboard the International Space Station. This remote sensing technology is able to measure the 3D structure of objects on Earth's surface. It is used as part of the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI).



The new findings offer a deeper, more complete look at how global warming is impacting the height - and health - of tropical forest canopies across Asia, Africa, and South America, using canopy height as a key indicator of forest health and carbon storage capacity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-forest-height-matters">Why forest height matters</h2>



The forest canopy - the uppermost layer formed by mature trees - is essential for ecosystem stability.



"The canopy is a very critical indicator of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-mammals-play-a-vital-role-in-maintaining-forest-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forest health</a> and ecosystem productivity," explained Shaoqing Liu, a postdoctoral fellow and lead author of the study. 



"In general, taller canopies are associated with high <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mixed-forests-with-many-tree-species-are-more-effective-at-carbon-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon storage</a> and greater above-ground biomass. Tall canopies can buffer the microclimate."



In fact, tall trees can even help cool the air during extreme heat events.



By using GEDI’s space-based LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), the research team was able to gather global data on tropical forests in great detail with a level of coverage and accuracy that far surpasses earlier studies, which were mostly conducted on local or regional scales.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-unique-eye-from-space">A unique eye from space</h2>



"Over the past decade, NASA has been using the International Space Station as a convenient platform for evaluating new forms of space-based remote sensing measurements," said Paul Moorcroft, senior author of the study. 



"The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation waveform LiDAR is a prime example of this approach."



GEDI - pronounced like "Jedi" - uses laser pulses to measure the vertical structure of forests. This includes not just canopy height, but also the density of leaves and branches throughout the forest column.



“Our study demonstrates that climate, topography, and soil properties account for almost three-quarters of the variation in tropical forest canopy height,” said Liu. 



In addition, the study revealed that elevation, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-variability-drives-tropical-tree-growth-during-dry-season/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dry season</a> length, and solar radiation are the most important drivers of canopy height both locally and regionally.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-face-big-climate-challenges">Forests face big climate challenges</h2>



Not all tropical forests are reacting to climate change in the same way. The southern Amazon, for example, faces a distinct risk. 



Liu noted that tropical forests in the southern Amazon area are vulnerable to climate change because of increasingly prolonged dry seasons. "The dry season is the dominant driver determining forest canopy height in this area."



With <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weather-in-dry-regions-isnt-behaving-as-climate-models-predict/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate models</a> predicting even longer dry seasons in the future, Liu warned that we may see significant reductions in canopy height in the southern Amazon. Other regions show different trends.



"In the central Amazon, because it is relatively moist, the first important driver is actually elevation," Liu explained. The same holds true in parts of Africa, where elevation appears to play a stronger role than drought or heat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-policy-implications-and-future-goals">Policy implications and future goals</h2>



The findings have significant implications for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/progressive-approach-brings-new-hope-to-forest-conservation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forest conservation</a> and climate strategies. According to Moorcroft, understanding the environmental controls of tropical forest height is important for assessing the carbon sequestration and conservation value of different tropical forest areas. 



"Understanding the environmental drivers of forest canopy height variation is also crucial for understanding how tropical forests will respond to climate change," said Moorcroft.



Liu believes that the research can help inform policy decisions on where conservation efforts should be concentrated.



“In terms of climate-change policies, we see the tropical forests are not only <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-amazon-became-a-biodiversity-hotspot/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity hotspots</a>, they are critical for carbon storage. Protecting them is essential for mitigating climate change,” said Liu.



“We hope to help policymakers identify areas that are vulnerable to climate change and prioritize them.”



Liu also plans to expand this research beyond untouched primary forests. He hopes to include other types of woodlands and forested areas to build a fuller picture of how Earth’s greenery is adapting - or struggling - to cope with climate pressure.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2401755122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



Image Credit: NASA



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Laser technology measures forest canopy height from space

There’s good reason why tropical forests are often called the...

The Endangered Species Act (ESA), long regarded as a cornerstone of U.S. environmental policy, is facing a dramatic reinterpretation. Federal agencies have proposed the removal of habitat changes from the definition of “harm” to endangered and threatened species. 



This move, conservation groups warn, could accelerate extinctions by allowing logging, mining, construction, and other development to proceed unimpeded in sensitive areas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-protections-face-a-major-shift">Wildlife protections face a major shift</h2>



Since the ESA was enacted in 1973, regulators and courts have treated the term “harm” broadly. Under the existing framework, an activity that destroys or degrades the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/satellite-data-could-help-protect-30-of-atlantic-ocean-habitats/">habitat</a> of a listed species can be deemed unlawful even if the action is not intended to kill or harass individual animals.



The <a href="https://www.fws.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service</a> (FWS) and the <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Marine Fisheries Service</a> (NMFS) now argue in their newly released proposal that habitat loss should not count as “harm” because it differs from the direct targeting of wildlife - referred to in the statute as “take.”



The agencies’ notice, recently made public and slated for official publication in the Federal Register, states that the act’s prohibition on “take” was never meant to cover changes to the landscape. Agency lawyers argue the ESA uses other tools, like critical habitat designations, to protect spaces species depend on.



If that interpretation is finalized, private landowners and industry operators could no longer be held liable under the ESA for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-deforestation-crisis-how-can-we-stop-massive-forest-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clearing forests</a>, draining wetlands, or reshaping shorelines so long as they claim no intention to injure protected animals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changes-could-have-dire-consequences">Changes could have dire consequences</h2>



The announcement drew swift rebuke from environmental organizations. Noah Greenwald, who directs endangered species work at the <a href="https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Center for Biological Diversity</a>, noted that habitat destruction is the biggest cause of extinction.



Greenwald argued that the proposed rule “cuts the heart out of the Endangered Species Act.” It does this by removing a key safeguard that has blocked or modified countless development projects over the past half‑century.



“If (you) say harm doesn't mean significant habitat degradation or modification, then it really leaves endangered species out in the cold."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-rule-threatens-decades-of-progress">The rule threatens decades of progress</h2>



Greenwald also pointed to two high‑profile examples that currently depend on habitat protections: the northern spotted owl in the Pacific Northwest’s old‑growth forests and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/save-the-panther-day-protecting-floridas-big-cats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida panther</a> in the state’s shrinking swamplands. 



Greenwald warned the new policy lets loggers and developers act freely if they claim any wildlife harm was unintentional.



<a href="https://earthjustice.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earthjustice</a> attorney Drew Caputo echoed those concerns. He said the rule “threatens a half‑century of progress in protecting and restoring endangered species,” listing bald eagles, gray wolves, Florida manatees, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humpback-whale-travels-farther-than-any-mammal-ever-recorded/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">humpback whales</a> as beneficiaries of the existing interpretation. 



“Destroying a forest, beach, river, or wetland that a species relies on for survival constitutes harm to that species,” he said, citing decades of legal precedent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supreme-court-s-role-in-the-esa">Supreme Court’s role in the ESA</h2>



The current definition of “harm” has already survived judicial scrutiny at the highest level. In the 1995 case Babbitt v. Sweet Home Chapter of Communities for a Great Oregon, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the government’s inclusion of habitat modification within the scope of “take.” That decision has guided agency practice ever since.



Patrick Parenteau, an emeritus professor at the <a href="https://www.vermontlaw.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vermont Law and Graduate School</a> who has argued endangered species cases, noted that reversing course now raises questions of legal consistency. 



Opponents may argue the agencies shouldn't abandon a Supreme Court-backed definition without strong new evidence if they finalize the Endangered Species Act rule.



Because the existing standard has been in place for decades, landowners and federal planners have used it to conserve “many, many millions of acres of land,” according to Parenteau. 



Removing habitat from the definition of “harm” could upend scores of conservation plans negotiated between agencies and private stakeholders.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-endangered-species-in-hawaii">Endangered species in Hawaii</h2>



Hawaii may feel the impacts more acutely than anywhere else. Although the islands cover less than one percent of U.S. land area, they host roughly 40 percent of all species listed under the ESA. 



Maxx Philipps, Hawaii and Pacific Islands director for the Center for Biological Diversity, warned that weakening habitat safeguards will accelerate Hawaii’s extinction crisis. 



Philipps also said it will destroy the biological and cultural heritage of the islands, highlighting one example, tiny native bees that pollinate coastal dune plants.



Development has already fragmented the few remaining stretches of shoreline. If development proceeds without habitat review, she said, bees and other shoreline species - including green sea turtles - could see their last refuges disappear. 



“Habitat is life, right?” she asked. “And without it, there is no recovery and without recovery, there is only extinction.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lawsuits-begin-agencies-remain-silent">Lawsuits begin, agencies remain silent</h2>



The <a href="https://www.doi.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Department of the Interior</a>, which oversees FWS, declined to comment, referring inquiries to the agency. 



Officials also noted that the proposal will soon appear in the Federal Register, opening a 30‑day window for public input.



Environmental advocates are already preparing litigation. Caputo said groups like Earthjustice will challenge the rule if it becomes final, arguing that the administration’s narrow interpretation conflicts with the statute’s language and the Supreme Court’s guidance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-removing-habitat-protections">Removing habitat protections </h2>



Supporters of the rule change - including industry associations representing forestry, mining, and farming - contend that private landowners have shouldered disproportionate burdens under the ESA. They argue penalizing habitat changes hurts development and may prompt landowners to clear areas before species are discovered.



Critics counter that streamlined approvals come at the expense of irreplaceable ecosystems and the species dependent on them.



The debate underscores a broader tension within environmental law: balancing economic opportunity against the preservation of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/effective-conservation-efforts-key-to-saving-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>. Though Congress could revise the ESA’s habitat rules, past efforts have failed under both Republican and Democratic control.



As a result, the practical meaning of “harm” often hinges on regulatory interpretation and judicial review.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-the-endangered-species-act">Future of the Endangered Species Act </h2>



If the proposed rule to the Endangered Species Act takes effect after the comment period, it would mark one of the most significant shifts in ESA enforcement in decades. 



Conservation organizations predict a surge of lawsuits aimed at reinstating the broader definition of “harm.” They also worry about immediate on‑the‑ground consequences as businesses test the new limits. 



For researchers and advocates vested in species recovery, the stakes could not be higher: without habitat to return to, plants and animals already on the brink may have no path back from the edge.



As Philipps put it, preserving habitat is the foundation for recovery. The ESA’s future hinges on public comments, agency decisions, and expected legal challenges in the months ahead.



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Endangered Species Act faces its biggest legal shift in decades

The Endangered Species Act (ESA), long regarded as a cornerstone...

Each year, hundreds of millions of tons of food never make it from the kitchen - or grocery shelf - to the table. Instead, they end up in landfills, where rotting lettuce leaves and stale bread emit methane, a greenhouse gas roughly 28 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at trapping heat.



According to the <a href="https://www.un.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United Nations</a>, food waste now accounts for up to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions - more than the entire aviation sector. If wasted food were its own nation, it would trail only China and the United States in annual climate pollution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-waste-and-climate-repercussions">Food waste and climate repercussions </h2>



Robert Sanders, an assistant professor of marketing and analytics at the <a href="https://rady.ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California San Diego’s Rady School of Management</a>, has spent the last decade examining why so much edible food goes to waste and how policy interventions can bend the curve.



In a recent interview, Professor Sanders argued that trimming food waste may be the single fastest, most cost‑effective way to curb climate repercussions. 



“It is nearly impossible for the globe to meet emissions targets set forth by the Paris Accords without reducing waste from the food system,” he warned.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-waste-hiding-in-plain-sight">Food waste: Hiding in plain sight</h2>



Although lawmakers and the public often focus on tailpipes and smokestacks, Sanders points out that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-waste-crisis-why-u-s-goals-remain-out-of-reach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leftovers</a> scraped off dinner plates or the strawberries that spoil in grocery back rooms punch far above their weight.



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-methane-emissions-threaten-earths-habitability/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">methane</a> produced as they decompose lingers in the atmosphere for about a decade but delivers an intense burst of warming during that period, making short‑term action on food waste a potent lever for averting near‑term climate tipping points.



“Reducing food waste is pretty much the most actionable measure humanity can take to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in the short and medium term,” he noted. Yet when Professor Sanders first surveyed academic literature, he found a puzzling gap.



Policymakers were proposing rules to standardize expiration‑date labels, nonprofits were urging composting mandates, and states were drafting landfill bans - all based on assumptions that lacked rigorous field evidence.



That knowledge vacuum, he said, motivated him to run controlled experiments in real grocery aisles and back‑of‑house storerooms, tracking how shoppers and retailers actually behave when incentives change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-good-intentions-limited-results">Good intentions, limited results</h2>



One headline solution embraced by several U.S. states is the food‑waste landfill <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-waste-bans-are-ineffective-in-reducing-landfill-waste/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ban</a>. In theory, prohibiting retailers from tossing unsold produce or expired milk forces businesses either to donate surplus food, send it to anaerobic digesters, or pay composting facilities instead of dumping it. 



In practice, Sanders’ research, conducted with colleagues at multiple universities, shows uneven results.



“My co-authors and I investigated the efficacy of the first five food-waste bans in the United States, and we found that only one state, Massachusetts, has been successful at diverting food waste away from landfills,” said Professor Sanders.



The reason appears twofold: enforcement and infrastructure. Massachusetts imposes clearer, better‑publicized penalties.



Additionally, the state offers businesses a robust network of composting centers willing to accept spoiled goods. Elsewhere, minimal fines and scarce processing facilities make compliance optional.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dynamic-pricing-matching-supply-and-demand">Dynamic pricing: Matching supply and demand</h2>



If strict bans are a blunt instrument, Sanders argues that pricing algorithms offer a finer scalpel. Roughly a tenth of all wasted food is chucked by retailers because perishables pass their sell‑by date still sitting on the shelf. 



Shoppers routinely pay the same sticker price for milk expiring tomorrow as for jugs good for another two weeks, so predictable spoilage is baked into store margins. Sanders’ field studies suggest a market‑based alternative: dynamic markdowns. 



By feeding inventory data, expiration horizons, and historical demand into a computer model, a grocery chain can automatically lower prices on soon‑to‑expire yogurt or ground beef several times a day. This nudges bargain‑hunters to snap up aging stock before it goes bad. 



The benefits compound: less landfill methane, lower operating costs for stores, and cheaper staples - often fresher and less processed - for budget‑conscious customers.



“To an economist, it's actually really weird that grocery stores don't dynamically price their perishables,” Sanders observed. “Why should you, the consumer, be paying the same price for milk that will expire one week from now as you would for milk expiring three weeks from now? Not only is it unfair, it's inefficient.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-label-confusion-an-unproven-culprit"><a></a>Label confusion: An unproven culprit</h2>



Industry groups and some legislators have long asserted that ambiguous date stamps - “best by,” “sell by,” and “use by” - drive shoppers to bin perfectly edible food. California recently passed AB 660, mandating standardized phrasing meant to reassure consumers.



Yet Sanders cautions that no large‑scale, real‑world experiment has demonstrated the strategy’s effectiveness. “There's still no scientific evidence of how these date-label formats actually affect purchases and waste in the field - that is, when real choices are made,” he said.



Until randomized trials produce hard numbers on consumer behavior, he ranks uniform <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dont-say-vegan-food-labeling-should-focus-on-health-and-sustainability/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">labeling</a> lower on the priority list than measures that directly raise disposal costs or reward timely purchasing decisions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-household-food-waste-habits-matter">Household food waste habits matter</h2>



While systemic fixes target upstream inefficiencies, Sanders said everyday eaters remain the final link in the waste chain. Composting food scraps is helpful, but prevention trumps recycling. 



He advocates meal planning, accurate head counts for events, and reminding yourself to eat leftovers long before they become science projects. In California, where municipalities now provide curbside green bins, he urges residents to keep those organic carts in regular rotation.



“Composting is better than sending food to landfills, but it's best not to create food waste to begin with,” he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-funding-the-science"><a></a>Funding the science</h2>



Sanders’ investigations into how consumers make expiry‑date decisions recently hit a roadblock when cuts to federal climate‑research budgets stalled a <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Science Foundation</a> grant. 



The project would have generated large data sets on purchasing patterns in response to markdowns tied to shelf life - information the <a href="https://www.usda.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USDA</a> and <a href="https://www.fda.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FDA</a> have explicitly requested.



In the meantime, he and his collaborators are scouting alternative funding to improve food waste, underscoring the broader challenge of studying pragmatic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-log-discovery-inspires-a-simple-yet-effective-climate-solution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate solutions</a> in an era of tightened purse strings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chipping-away-at-a-massive-issue">Chipping away at a massive issue</h2>



Momentum is building: grocery giants in Europe have rolled out dynamic‑discount apps, while startups in the United States pilot real‑time pricing software for deli counters and bakery racks. 



Policymakers, however, still debate whether to expand landfill bans or subsidize compost facilities without proof of impact.



Professor Sanders believes the fastest progress will come from connecting rigorous field experiments with scalable technology. Only then, he contends, will the world chip away at a problem large enough to rival the emissions of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aviations-contribution-to-climate-change-is-expected-to-intensify/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aviation</a> industry.



Until that happens, methane will keep seeping from landfills - one wilted lettuce leaf and one expired gallon of milk at a time.



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Food waste has a surprising impact on climate change

Each year, hundreds of millions of tons of food never...

<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>



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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



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



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.



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%.



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



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.



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.



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.



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



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>.



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



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

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>



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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">Nature Communications</a>.



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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>



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?



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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



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.



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



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



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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



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



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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



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Sources: 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.



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



1. Is acid rain completely gone? 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.



2. How long did solving take? 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.



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



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



5. Could acid rain return? 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.



6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"? 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>



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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



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



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. 



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. 



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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. 



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



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



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



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. 



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).



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



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.



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.



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>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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Today’s Video of the Day 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.



“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. 



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.



“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;



“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.”



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



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.



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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Today's Video of the Day 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. 



"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."



"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.



"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.”



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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."



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;



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. 



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.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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Today's Video of the Day 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;



"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.



"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;



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.



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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Today’s Video of the Day 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;



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



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.



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.



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.



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.



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. 



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.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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;



"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.



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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

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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s Video of the Day 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;



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.



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;



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. 



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

Today’s Video of the Day 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.



“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.”



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.



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.



“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.



Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science



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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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Today’s Video of the Day 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.



"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.



"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."



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



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.



"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."



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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

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Today’s Video of the Day 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.



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.



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.



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.



Video Credit: ESA



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



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Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

[sendtonews key="fxH3eJHEkQ-2010196-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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

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Today's Video of the Day 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. 



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



"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.



"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."



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;



"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.



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.



"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.



"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."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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

Closeup,Of,Fresh,Green,The,Napier,Bush,Grass,As,Animal

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="http://www.ntu.edu.sg/">NTU Singapore</a> reveals that some plants can remove toxic heavy metals from soil.&nbsp;



The researchers analyzed samples of various tropical plant species to test for levels of heavy metals and metalloids. The study showed that there are existing plants with high levels of these contaminants, which means that these species are great candidates for drawing pollutants out of the soil.&nbsp;



Among the plants examined in the study, 12 species had accumulated several types of heavy metals and metalloids. These plants are widely available, including species that are native to Singapore.



“In a small nation like Singapore, land may be repurposed to support new development plans, so it is important that we have a green and sustainable way to remediate land that is contaminated," said Professor Lam Yeng Ming.



"We set out to uncover how to better make use of tropical plants to do phytoremediation and through advanced characterization techniques, we showed how some of these tropical plant species can be an environmentally friendly and literally a 'green' way to remove contaminants in soil."&nbsp;



"Phytoremediation also has benefits of cost effectiveness, simplicity of management, aesthetic advantages, and long-term applicability and sustainability. The strategy prevents erosion and metal leaching by stabilizing or accumulating heavy metals, so that helps reduce the risk of contaminant spread.”



Video Credit: NTU Singapore



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



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.

Plants help remove heavy metals from contaminated soil

[sendtonews key="6SdlLLbt0t-1988946-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NTU...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes why herbicides are not as effective in killing weeds anymore. In the 20th century, chemical companies developed thousands of herbicides. The most commonly used herbicide was glyphosate, which was introduced in 1974.



Over the past few decades, dozens of species of weeds have evolved resistance to glyphosate. Depending on the site of action, the part of the plant that an herbicide interacts with, weeds may even be resistant to herbicides that have not been developed yet.&nbsp;



With increasing resistance to glyphosate and other herbicides, weeds are - once again - becoming a major concern for farmers.&nbsp;



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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.

Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides

[sendtonews key="gRpsplpwpe-2251464-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/">NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> (JPL) describes a dust storm on Mars that was nearly twice the size of the United States. As the storm covered the southern hemisphere of the planet, some of NASA’s explorers had to delay their normal activities.



NASA’s Insight lander put itself in a "safe mode" for 11 days to conserve battery power because solar power was disrupted by the dust. The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter postponed flights until conditions improved.



"A fleet of NASA orbiters monitor Martian dust storms like this one and serve as lifelines to Earth by relaying data from the rovers and lander on the ground back to the team. This includes the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, MAVEN, and Odyssey," reports JPL.



"Dust storms like this recent one start close to the ground and are spread by wind as they rise – warming the cold Martian atmosphere."



The images in the video were captured by NASA’s Curiosity as the dust rolled in. A fleet of orbiters monitored the dust storm from above, relaying data from Mars’ explorers back to scientists on Earth.



Video &amp; Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS



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



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.

NASA monitors giant dust storms on Mars

[sendtonews key="eAVLRk51oJ-1826888-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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