Household energy costs do not hit everyone equally. Some families spend a much larger share of their income keeping the lights and heat on, and that strain adds up over time.



A large national analysis looked at what happens when homes install rooftop solar, and the results point to real relief. The picture is nuanced, and the numbers tell an important story.



<a href="https://emp.lbl.gov/people/sydney-forrester" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sydney P. Forrester</a> of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (<a href="https://www.lbl.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LBL</a>) led the analysis. The <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-48967-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work</a> helps separate hopeful claims from what the data actually show.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-panels-and-energy-burden">Solar panels and energy burden</h2>



The term <a href="https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022-07/16.%20How%20high%20are%20household%20energy%20burdens_0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">energy burden</a> refers to the share of a household’s gross income that goes to energy bills like electricity, gas, and heating fuel. 



By definition, a high burden begins above 6 percent of income, while a severe burden begins above 10 percent.



Those thresholds matter because a high or severe burden often forces tradeoffs that affect comfort, health, and stability. When energy takes too big a slice of income, it can crowd out essentials and reduce options.



Policymakers use this metric to track equity and target support to households under pressure. Clear definitions help programs focus on the people who need help most.



Cutting energy burden is not only about saving money. It is also about reducing the risk that families have to ration heat or power during unsafe conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-found">What the researchers found</h2>



The new study examined roughly 500,000 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/floating-solar-panels-could-power-every-home-in-the-u-s/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. households</a> that adopted rooftop solar. It found that the median energy burden fell from 3.3 percent to 2.6 percent across adopters.



The authors put it plainly, “rooftop solar reduces energy burden across a majority of adopters during our study period from a median of 3.3% to 2.6%,” wrote Forrester. That is a national view, not a single city snapshot.



Low income and moderate income households also saw declines. Median burden dropped from 7.7 percent to 6.2 percent for low income households, and from 4.1 percent to 3.3 percent for moderate income households.



The share of low income households facing high or severe burden fell from 67 percent to 52 percent after adoption. For moderate income households, the share fell from 21 percent to 13 percent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-panel-results-differ">Solar panel results differ</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/solar-panels-are-1000-times-more-powerful-with-new-tech-breakthrough/">Solar</a> does not play out the same way in every region. The study reports larger average reductions in the West, smaller in the Midwest and Northeast, and increases for the median household in the South due to cheaper electricity that limits bill reductions.



Income levels shape outcomes as well. When energy already costs a high share of income, even moderate bill cuts can matter a lot.



Heating fuel type also influences results. Homes that rely on propane or fuel oil have higher burdens that solar cannot fully offset because those fuels are not displaced by on site generation.



Weather, housing stock, and local tariffs round out the picture. Those details explain why two similar systems in different places can yield very different financial outcomes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-loans-leases-and-the-fine-print">Loans, leases, and the fine print</h2>



There is a difference between what the utility bill shows and what the full budget feels like. The study compared bill savings alone to net savings after including off bill costs like loan or lease payments and incentives.



On bills alone, the median customer saved about 1,987 dollars per year. After counting loans or leases, the median net savings was about 691 dollars per year.



That gap is not a trick, it reflects financing and incentive structures. It also shows why simple bill comparisons can overstate what households actually keep.



The ownership model matters. Lease customers, on average, saw slightly larger percentage point burden reductions than loan financed owners, but they tended to start with higher burdens.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-household-savings-from-solar-panels">Household savings from solar panels</h2>



Solar helps many households, but it is not a magic switch. You still need to look at total costs, incentives, and how your utility credits excess generation through <a href="https://seia.org/net-metering/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">net metering</a> if it applies in your area.



Comparing quotes from vetted installers can lower upfront costs and clarify long term terms. Transparent proposals make it easier to choose a system size and financing plan that fits your usage.



If your home uses natural gas, fuel oil, or propane for heat, solar will not touch those costs directly. You might see bill relief on electricity but still face high heating expenses in winter.



Pairing solar with weatherization and efficient electric heating can change the math. Insulation, air sealing, and heat pumps lower total energy needs, which lowers burden.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-policy-and-equity-angles">Policy and equity angles</h2>



“Policymakers at the federal and state level have begun to incorporate energy burden into equity goals and program evaluations,” wrote Forrester. That framing reflects a shift toward measuring whether programs reduce strain on households.



Results in the South underline a key point. Where electricity is cheap, solar may not reduce bills enough to cover financing costs in the short term, even if burdens remain relatively low.



For households with very high burdens, solar may help but not solve the problem. Pairing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/solar-cells-made-from-moon-dust-work-incredibly-well-providing-hope-for-lunar-colonies/">solar</a> incentives with weatherization and targeted bill assistance can bring burdens below 6 percent.



Data like these help agencies set realistic goals. They also help identify groups that need tailored support, such as households heated by fuel oil or propane.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-panels-and-the-future">Solar panels and the future</h2>



The analysis used modeled hourly household loads tied to real homes, which allows coverage of many places but adds uncertainty. That approach is standard when metered data are not available at the needed scale.



Tariff assumptions reflect 2021 conditions and may differ from more recent rate reforms in some states. Changing compensation structures for exported solar can shift household outcomes.



Income estimates came from 2021 data to match the study period. That choice captures the right year for burden calculations but can differ from income at the time of adoption.



Future studies can track newer tariffs, time of use rates, and evolving incentive designs. They can also follow households over time to see how savings hold up across years.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-48967-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Solar panels save families an average of $2,000 a year, according to a new study

Household energy costs do not hit everyone equally. Some families spend a much larger share of their income keeping the lights and heat on, and that strain adds up over time. A large national analysis looked at what happens when homes install rooftop solar, and the results point to real relief. The picture is nuanced, and the numbers tell an important story. Sydney P. Forrester of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL) led the analysis. The work helps separate hopeful claims from what the data actually show. Solar...

The ocean is slowly losing its breath, and fish that spend their days in the twilight depths are starting to pay the price. 



A new study tracking 10,000 years of fossil ear bones shows that some of the most numerous vertebrates on Earth vanished whenever deep water oxygen fell below a critical threshold.



Lanternfish expert Sven Pallacks of the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (<a href="https://portalrecerca.uab.cat/en/organisations/institut-de-ci%C3%A8ncia-i-tecnologia-ambientals-icta-uab" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UAB</a>) says the pattern is a clear warning for today’s warming seas. 



The disappearance of a group with such enormous biomass would likely put many other marine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-fish-bones-reveal-clues-about-the-evolution-of-eating/">species</a> at risk as well.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lanternfish-need-deep-sea-oxygen">Lanternfish need deep sea oxygen</h2>



Oxygen dissolves into seawater at the surface and is carried downward by currents and mixing. In parts of the mid water column, consumptive microbes form an oxygen minimum zone that can drop to just a few micromoles per liter.



Since the 1960s, the global ocean has already lost roughly two percent of its oxygen inventory, an amount equivalent to the volume needed to supply every person on the planet for a year. Less mixing and warmer water both make it harder for fresh oxygen to reach depth.



When that deficit climbs, the low oxygen layer expands upward, squeezing habitat for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-fish-had-flexible-joints-like-humans/">organisms</a> caught between breathless water below and surface predators above. Fish that once sheltered hundreds of feet deep end up in plain sight, exposed and stressed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-lanternfish-are-important">Why lanternfish are important</h2>



The slim, glowing lanternfish make nightly ascents of up to 2,600 ft to feed, then retreat to 660 ft or deeper before sunrise. Their combined weight may reach six hundred million tons.



Because they commute between surface and depth, lanternfish shuttle carbon in their bodies into long term storage - a service called the biological pump. 



A 2019 <a href="https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2023.926063" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">synthesis</a> estimated that their nightly rise moves roughly four gigatons of carbon downward each year. That is more than the annual carbon emissions of the European Union, highlighting why the loss of lanternfish would weaken a key climate stabilizer. 



Lanternfish also feed whales, tuna, and many squid, so their absence would ripple through commercial fisheries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossils-reveal-what-happened">Fossils reveal what happened</h2>



Pallacks and colleagues recovered a sediment core from 1,835 feet down in the Aegean Sea. They sorted more than 3,200 fossil otoliths - the tiny calcified ear stones that record a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/living-fossil-reveals-clues-about-how-animals-learned-to-breathe/">fish</a>’s identity like fingerprints.



Each layer of mud offered a snapshot of who was living above at the time it settled. Because the Aegean toggled between well oxygenated and suffocating states over the past ten millennia, it served as a natural experiment.



During the most severe low oxygen phase, called Sapropel S1, lanternfish counts plummeted to near zero. Anchovies and other surface dwellers filled some of the gap, but overall fish abundance stayed low until oxygen crept back.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-past-loss-warns-the-present">Past loss warns the present</h2>



Archaeological <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-025-02568-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence</a> shows that early coastal cultures around the Mediterranean suffered reduced fish catches during the same sapropel interval, hinting at cascading effects on human food security. 



Historical records suggest that once oxygen levels recovered, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-fish-coelacanth-presumed-extinct-for-60-million-years-before-rediscovery/">fish</a> markets rebounded within a few generations.



The core indicates that oxygen rebounded about 6,000 years ago, and lanternfish stormed back, tripling total fish abundance within a few centuries.&nbsp;



"Our findings corroborate expectations that future expansion of midwater deoxygenation could severely deplete mesopelagic fish communities," noted the study authors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-lanternfish-vanish">When lanternfish vanish</h2>



Lanternfish sit at a crucial hinge in food webs. Many whales, seabirds, and predators such as swordfish depend on them for calories.



Lose the commuters, and both seafood supply and natural carbon sequestration take a hit. Models show that removing lanternfish from global ecology would cut twilight zone carbon export by at least twenty five percent.



Such a reduction would accelerate atmospheric warming, creating a feedback loop that drives oxygen even lower. The biological pump is not a luxury. It is planetary life support.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-models-point-to-steeper-declines">Climate models point to steeper declines</h2>



Earth system simulations that include projected emissions paths suggest oxygen minimum zones could grow by up to seven percent by 2100. 



The upper boundary of low oxygen water could climb from roughly 1,300 feet today to less than 650 feet in some basins.



That shift would erase the safe daytime refuge for many mid-water species, forcing them closer to nets and predators. Warmer water also speeds fish metabolism, so they need more oxygen just as it becomes scarce.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-we-can-do-now">What we can do now</h2>



Cutting greenhouse gas emissions remains the fastest lever for stabilizing ocean oxygen. Local steps, like reducing nutrient runoff that fuels coastal dead zones, protect regional fisheries while the planet decarbonizes.



Monitoring programs that deploy autonomous sensors into the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24509953/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mesopelagic zone</a> now give managers early warning when oxygen starts to fall. Data from these floats already help reroute fishing effort away from emerging hypoxic patches



Scientists are also testing marine protected areas designed around depth bands rather than coastlines, preserving critical migration corridors. Protecting the pathways lanternfish use may buy time while global actions take hold.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-we-don-t-know-about-lanternfish">What we don’t know about lanternfish</h2>



Lanternfish biomass estimates still span an order of magnitude, and only a handful of regions have been sampled with modern acoustics. Expanding surveys will refine how much organic carbon these fish ferry to depth.



Meanwhile, paleo records such as the Aegean core offer rare, long term baselines against which future change can be measured. More sediment cores from other basins will reveal whether regional oxygen thresholds line up globally.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-coming-next">What’s coming next</h2>



Technology that tracks individual fish with miniaturized tags is beginning to map their vertical routes in three dimensions. Combining that data with oxygen sensors will reveal tipping points beyond which migration breaks down.



Policy makers armed with such thresholds can set clearer targets for climate mitigation and fishery protection. The past cannot predict every detail, but it shows how sharply deep sea life responds when the ocean runs short of air.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-025-02568-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Earth &amp; Environment</a>.



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Lanternfish fossils warn of looming ocean oxygen crisis

The ocean is slowly losing its breath, and fish that...

A massive pocket of unusually hot rock buried deep under the Appalachian Mountains might be a lingering echo of ancient tectonic shifts that split Greenland from North America 80 million years ago.



This strange heat zone - known as the Northern Appalachian Anomaly (NAA) - sits about 200 kilometers beneath New England.



For a long time, scientists thought it was a remnant from when North America tore away from Northwest Africa around 180 million years ago. 



But new research from scientists at the <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southampton</a>, the Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences in Germany, and the University of Florence in Italy points to a different story.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-appalachian-mountains-are-still-rising">Appalachian Mountains are still rising</h2>



The Northern Appalachian Anomaly spans about 350 kilometers and is hotter than the surrounding mantle. But it likely didn’t form where it is today.



According to the researchers, this zone of heat may have originated over 1,800 kilometers away, near the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oxygen-flow-from-the-labrador-sea-sustains-life-globally/">Labrador Sea</a> - between Greenland and Canada - when those landmasses began to split apart between 90 and 80 million years ago.



Since then, the anomaly has likely crept southwest across the base of the North American continent, traveling at roughly 20 kilometers per million years.



“This thermal upwelling has long been a puzzling feature of North American geology,” said Professor Tom Gernon from the University of Southampton. 



“It lies beneath part of the continent that’s been tectonically quiet for 180 million years, so the idea it was just a leftover from when the landmass broke apart never quite stacked up."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-helps-the-appalachians-rise">Heat helps the Appalachians rise</h2>



According to Professor Gernon, the team's research suggests the heat zone is part of a much larger, slow-moving process deep underground that could potentially help explain why <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-mountain-range-under-antarctica-is-older-than-dinosaurs/">mountain ranges</a> like the Appalachians are still standing. 



"Heat at the base of a continent can weaken and remove part of its dense root, making the continent lighter and more buoyant, like a hot air balloon rising after dropping its ballast." 



"This would have caused the ancient mountains to be further uplifted over the past few million years.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-heat-moves-under-continents">How heat moves under continents</h2>



The researchers used seismic imaging, geodynamic simulations, and tectonic plate reconstructions to understand how the anomaly formed and where it came from. 



The team's work leans on a recent theory they’ve proposed, known as “mantle wave” theory. It describes how pieces of hot, dense rock peel away from the base of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/life-earth-tectonic-plates/">tectonic plates</a> and migrate slowly under <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-only-has-six-continents-not-seven-tectonic-plates-under-iceland-study/">continents</a> - similar to blobs floating in a lava lamp.



The slow, deep movements can have surprising effects at the surface, from creating areas of uplift to triggering rare volcanic activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-beneath-the-appalachians-is-moving">Heat beneath the Appalachians is moving</h2>



“These convective instabilities cause chunks of rock, several tens of kilometers thick, to slowly sink from the base of the Earth’s outer layer known as the lithosphere,” said Professor Sascha Brune of the Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences. 



“As the lithosphere thins, hotter mantle material rises to take its place, creating a warm region known as a thermal anomaly."



“Our earlier research shows that these ‘drips’ of rock can form in series, like domino stones when they fall one after the other, and sequentially migrate over time. The feature we see beneath New England is very likely one of these drips, which originated far from where it now sits.”



If their model is correct, the Northern Appalachian Anomaly will likely continue its slow southwestward journey. In about 15 million years, it may sit directly beneath the New York region. Its current size and depth match what models predict for these types of migrating thermal zones.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-mirror-beneath-greenland">A mirror beneath Greenland</h2>



Interestingly, the team believes a similar heat anomaly exists beneath north-central Greenland - likely formed at the same time, on the opposite side of the Labrador Sea, when the landmasses split.



Beneath Greenland, this heat zone affects how the ice sheet above moves and melts. "Ancient heat anomalies continue to play a key role in shaping the dynamics of continental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-sheet-patterns-point-to-rapid-melting-risks/">ice sheets</a> from below,” said Professor Gernon.



According to Dr. Derek Keir, a co-author from the University of Southampton, the idea that rifting of continents can cause drips and cells of circulating hot rock at depth that spread thousands of kilometers inland makes us rethink what we know about the edges of continents both today and in Earth’s deep past.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deep-earth-forces-remain-active">Deep Earth forces remain active</h2>



The findings add to a growing body of evidence showing that deep Earth processes can stay active long after surface plate movements have stopped. 



Even places like the Appalachians -geologically quiet for millions of years - are still shaped by what’s happening far below.



“Even though the surface shows little sign of ongoing tectonics, deep below, the consequences of ancient rifting are still playing out,” said Professor Gernon. “The legacy of continental breakup on other parts of the Earth system may well be far more pervasive and long-lived than we previously realised.”



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/geology/article/doi/10.1130/G53588.1/659899/A-viable-Labrador-Sea-rifting-origin-of-the">Geology</a>.



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Deep heat zone may be lifting the Appalachian Mountains

A massive pocket of unusually hot rock buried deep under...

The ocean has long seemed too vast to manage, too deep to control, and too distant to monitor. But this perception is changing fast. With satellites, machine learning, and global cooperation, the idea of protecting the marine life is no longer theoretical. It’s real, measurable, and effective.



That message is at the heart of Marine Protected Areas Day (MPA Day), celebrated every year on August 1st. Since its launch in 2021, MPA Day has grown from a national campaign in South Africa into a global movement.



The 2025 edition, themed “Ocean Protection Needs Human Connection,” brought together scientists, activists, educators, artists, and everyday <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-oceans-are-rapidly-changing-colors-matching-climate-predictions/">ocean</a> lovers across 12 countries and online platforms. From kayak tours to beach cleanups and global running challenges, people showed up for the sea.



This year’s celebration coincides with recent scientific evidence. A massive new global study shows that&nbsp;MPAs are working - not just in principle, but in practice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-marine-protected-areas-matter">Why marine protected areas matter</h2>



Marine Protected Areas are zones where human activities are regulated or banned to protect ecosystems. Some allow sustainable fishing or tourism. Others, the most effective ones,&nbsp;ban industrial fishing altogether. These stricter MPAs are known as “fully” or “highly protected” zones.



Their benefits are enormous. They preserve biodiversity, protect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-oceans-day-2025-sustaining-what-sustains-us/">coral</a> reefs, restore fish stocks, and create safe zones for breeding and migration. 



MPAs also support coastal communities through tourism and eco-friendly jobs. They absorb carbon, helping to fight climate change. Despite this, only 8% of the world’s oceans are protected. The goal, set by international agreements, is 30% by 2030.



For years, critics have questioned their effectiveness. Many believe these zones are just lines on a map - unenforced and ignored by illegal fishers. But thanks to new technology and a powerful new dataset, we now know the truth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marine-protected-areas-are-working">Marine protected areas are working</h2>



A large-scale global study recently examined 1,380 MPAs that strictly prohibit industrial fishing. 



The researchers used data from Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), which track ship signals, and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), which detects vessels even when they try to hide. These technologies helped scientists monitor fishing activity with remarkable accuracy.



The team found that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-nature-conservation-day-2025-a-healthy-future-for-all/">fishing</a> vessels appeared, on average, only once per 20,000 square kilometers in protected areas. That’s nine times fewer than in surrounding unprotected zones. This means most MPAs are indeed doing their job.



SAR was especially useful in places like Southeast Asia. It detected ships in MPAs where AIS showed nothing. 



The radar confirmed no industrial fishing in 91 MPAs. In fact, 25% of all MPAs recorded zero vessels. In areas where activity was detected, it appeared on only 3% of the observed days. This is a monumental shift in our understanding. 



“The ocean is no longer too big to watch. With cutting-edge satellites and AI, we’re making illegal fishing visible and proving that strong marine protections work,” said Juan Mayorga, co-author and scientist at <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/our-programs/pristine-seas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pristine Seas</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-fishing-still-happens">Where fishing still happens</h2>



The study also examined where some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/darkening-oceans-are-shrinking-vital-marine-habitats/">fishing</a> continues despite protections. A few areas, like the Chagos Archipelago, recorded up to 2,700 hours of fishing per year. 



Others like the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands saw about 900 hours annually.



But these are outliers. Over&nbsp;1,000 MPAs&nbsp;had no detected activity. Around&nbsp;78.5%&nbsp;of them saw fishing on less than one day per year. The global average fishing effort in MPAs came out to just&nbsp;0.0004 hours per day per 100 square kilometers.



Some of the apparent “high-density” fishing zones turned out to be small MPAs, where even a few boats skewed the data. For example, Marado Island in Korea had the highest density, but it’s only 2 km² and had just 6 to 18 vessels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-we-see-marine-protected-areas">How we see marine protected areas</h2>



Many believe MPAs are weak because of two reasons: weak legal rules and poor enforcement. Some MPAs only exist on paper or allow industrial fishing under loopholes. Others are hard to patrol due to their location or lack of resources.



This study challenges those doubts. It focused only on MPAs with clear bans and accounted for when the laws came into effect. This removed confusion caused by phase-out periods, like in&nbsp;Palau, where a five-year transition affected fishing data.



In fact,&nbsp;Palau&nbsp;serves as a strong example of success. After full protection, its fishing hours dropped from&nbsp;51,000&nbsp;to just&nbsp;215&nbsp;per year. That is not symbolic change - it is real impact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tech-helps-stop-illegal-fishing">Tech helps stop illegal fishing</h2>



The combination of AIS, SAR, and&nbsp;machine learning&nbsp;processed&nbsp;over five billion signals&nbsp;and thousands of radar images. This allowed scientists to detect hidden fishing vessels, even those trying to stay invisible.



In 163 MPAs, SAR found ships where AIS saw nothing. In many others, radar confirmed that no boats were present. 



“By using satellites to track fishing vessels, countries can predict the locations of illegal activities and target patrol efforts, saving both manpower and money,” said Jennifer Raynor, lead author from the <a href="https://www.wisc.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Wisconsin-Madison</a>.



MPAs are not perfect. Some small-scale legal fishing may go undetected, especially if boats are under 15 meters long. Some zones also allow certain activities under sunset clauses or temporary permits. But the broader message is clear:&nbsp;strong enforcement deters illegal fishing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-people-make-ocean-protection-work">People make ocean protection work</h2>



The 2025 MPA Day theme,&nbsp;“Making Connections,”&nbsp;goes beyond science and policy. It reminds us that protecting the ocean isn’t just about rules - it’s about relationships. Communities, scientists, artists, students, and citizens must come together. When people feel connected to the sea, they’re more likely to protect it.



Celebrations this year reflected that spirit. Events took place in South Africa, Sweden, Peru, Egypt, Brazil, and more. 



Artists shared ocean-themed work. Kids learned how MPAs help fish and dolphins thrive. Online, people ran for the sea, posted about marine biodiversity, and joined virtual sessions about ocean science.



The ocean is no longer too vast to protect. With global cooperation, cutting-edge technology, and strong local engagement, MPAs are showing real results. The world has the tools and the proof. Now it needs the will.



Marine Protected Areas Day 2025 reminded us of something powerful: oceans are not just ecosystems - they are lifelines. To protect them, we must stay connected, informed, and engaged.



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Marine Protected Areas Day: Ocean protection needs human connection

The ocean has long seemed too vast to manage, too...

For decades, the world’s forests, grasslands, and wetlands have quietly pulled roughly one-third of the carbon dioxide that people pour into the sky. That safety net is fraying, and the latest numbers suggest it could be tearing faster than most climate models imagined.



Preliminary satellite and atmospheric data show that in 2024 the terrestrial carbon sink offset almost zero of humanity’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-is-just-three-years-away-from-dangerous-carbon-milestone/">emissions</a>, while atmospheric CO₂ leaped by a record 3.73 parts per million, eclipsing the 2015-16 El Niño spike. 



The finding shocked researchers who expected a rebound after the fire-scorched year of 2023.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-land-carbon-sink-weakens-faster">Land carbon sink weakens faster</h2>



“Everybody I’ve talked with who is working on this subject is very surprised,” remarked Guido van der Werf of Wageningen University (<a href="https://www.wur.nl/en.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WUR</a>) in the Netherlands. His surprise reflects how quickly a system long seen as resilient has moved into the danger zone.



Under typical conditions terrestrial photosynthesis, measured as <a href="https://www.un-redd.org/glossary/gross-primary-productivity-gpp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gross primary production</a>, outweighs the carbon returned by decay and fire, locking away billions of tons of CO₂ each year. 



The balance varies, but even during strong drought years the land sink has historically removed about <a href="https://academic.oup.com/nsr/article/11/12/nwae367/7831648" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">30 percent</a> of fossil fuel emissions.



Plants absorb faster when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-innovation-takes-the-lead-in-environmental-action/">CO₂</a> is abundant, a phenomenon sometimes called fertilization, and global restoration projects have added new leaf area across entire continents. Those gains lulled planners into assuming the sink would remain at least modestly helpful well past mid-century.



Climate models do predict a gradual slowdown, yet most place an abrupt collapse several decades away. The back-to-back weak years of 2023 and 2024 hint that tipping points may lurk closer than advertised.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-wet-conditions-weaken-carbon-sink">Hot-wet conditions weaken carbon sink</h2>



The 2024 pattern differs from the fire-driven slump of the previous year. Grasslands and shrublands across the tropics turned extraordinarily green, but microbes and plant tissues respired even faster, releasing roughly 2.6 billion extra tons of CO₂, a deficit equal to the annual <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-burps-from-earths-past-warn-of-ocean-trouble-ahead/">emissions</a> of India.



“The large decline in land sink is caused by the respiration. It’s two quite different underlying mechanisms,” explained Guanyu Dong of <a href="https://www.nju.edu.cn/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nanjing University</a>, who led the new analysis. 



Heat speeds biochemical reactions, and moisture provides the dissolved oxygen microbes need to break down leaf litter. When both arrive together, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/ecosystem-respiration" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystem respiration</a> roars, overpowering photosynthetic gains.



Such compound hot-pluvial extremes are becoming more frequent as global mean temperature now sits about 2.7°F above the late nineteenth-century level. Models that include these extremes project stronger positive feedbacks between the biosphere and climate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-and-microbes-exhale-carbon">Plants and microbes exhale carbon</h2>



Autotrophic respiration, the oxygen-using metabolism of living plant cells, rises naturally with bigger harvests of solar energy. 



In 2024 satellite instruments recorded record greenness for several months, meaning plants were working overtime and burning more carbohydrates even before microbes joined the party.



Heterotrophic respiration, run by bacteria and fungi, jumped when swollen rivers spread organic debris across floodplains and when nighttime lows stayed unusually high, preventing cool-season recovery. 



The combined effect raised total ecosystem respiration to its highest level since global monitoring began in the late 1990s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microbial-respiration-is-invisible">Microbial respiration is invisible </h2>



Unlike forest fires, which release carbon in dramatic plumes, microbial respiration operates invisibly, so its influence often hides in the background noise of year-to-year variability. 



The new study isolates the signature by comparing satellite estimates of productivity with atmospheric inversions of CO₂ fluxes.



Van der Werf noted that even small errors in decomposition rates can swing the balance sheet by billions of tons. That uncertainty highlights the need for more field-based measurements of soil carbon dynamics in warm, wet regions that have historically been understudied.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-past-el-nino-hit-carbon-sink-differently">Past El Niño hit carbon sink differently</h2>



The infamous 1997-98 and 2015-16 El Niño events also slashed the land sink, but their main culprit was drought-induced fire in Southeast Asian peatlands. 



Those episodes added visible smoke to the sky and left charred scars that satellites tracked for months.



By contrast, 2024 featured a relatively modest burned area, down about 35 percent from 2023’s Canadian-dominated fire season. That difference matters because a policy focused purely on fire prevention would have missed this year’s stealthy respiration surge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-sink-with-two-switches">Carbon sink with two switches </h2>



Scientists sometimes speak of the land sink as having two switches, one controlled by precipitation and another by temperature. 



El Niño often flips one, but climate-change warming is now pushing the temperature switch toward the red zone even in neutral-Pacific years.



Low-latency carbon budget <a href="https://futureearth.org/2024/10/24/droughts-fires-dramatically-weakened-land-carbon-sinks-last-year-new-paper-reports/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyses</a> suggest the tropics are becoming the swing region, modulating global CO₂ growth more than high-latitude forests once thought to dominate. 



That insight shifts attention to grasslands, which cover almost 40 percent of Earth’s land and have received far less research funding than rainforests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preventing-carbon-sink-collapse">Preventing carbon sink collapse</h2>



A weakened land sink implies the carbon budget for keeping <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-our-power-our-planet/">warming</a> below 2°C is thinner than official tallies suggest. If ecosystems cease to remove that traditional 30 percent slice, governments must cut emissions roughly one-third faster to stay on track.



The <a href="https://globalcarbonbudget.org/fossil-fuel-co2-emissions-increase-again-in-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2024</a> global carbon budget estimated fossil-fuel emissions at 37.4 billion tons, up 0.8 percent from 2023. Subtract a missing sink and the atmospheric load rises as though humanity had burnt several extra countries’ worth of coal.



Ocean uptake once cushioned the blow, absorbing about 90 percent of excess heat, but recent <a href="https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-ocean-heat-content">work</a> shows that buffer is eroding as surface layers warm and stratify. Longer marine heat waves also threaten to reduce the oceanic carbon sink by stressing kelp forests and phytoplankton.



Carbon-dioxide removal technologies, from afforestation to direct air capture, look more like necessities than insurance. Yet their deployment timelines are tight, and none can replace the vast free service that natural ecosystems once provided.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-research-gaps-and-cautious-optimism">Research gaps and cautious optimism</h2>



“You need to be cautious interpreting even two years of growth as a persistent collapse,” said Scott Denning of <a href="https://www.colostate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colorado State University</a>. He urged patience before declaring the land sink permanently broken. 



Statistically, back-to-back anomalies can occur by chance, and some Pacific forecasts hint at a mild La Niña that could cool and dry parts of the tropics next year. If that happens, microbial respiration would likely slow, offering a natural experiment to test the new hypothesis.



Still, the episode highlights blind spots in Earth-system monitoring: scant flux towers in Africa, limited soil moisture sensors, and patchy airborne sampling. Closing those gaps will help scientists distinguish a wobble from a genuine tipping point.



Whether the 2024 surprise becomes a new normal depends on choices made during the remainder of this crucial decade. The next few annual updates will reveal whether the biosphere stages a comeback or leaves humanity to shoulder the full weight of its carbon bill.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-6956425/v1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Research Square</a>.



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Earths natural carbon sink nearly collapsed in 2024

For decades, the world’s forests, grasslands, and wetlands have quietly...

Phoenix summers no longer just feel unbearable. They may age your body faster too. In 2023 alone, the city recorded over 140 days with temperatures surpassing 100°F. 



Now, new research suggests that these extreme heat conditions do more than cause short-term harm.



A recent study published in the journal Science Advances&nbsp;has revealed that long-term exposure to high heat can speed up biological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monthly-exercise-before-the-age-of-50-results-slows-brain-aging-dramatically/">aging</a>. 



The researchers found that people in places like Phoenix show signs of accelerated aging at the molecular level.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-ages-you-like-smoking">Heat ages you like smoking</h2>



"The impact is similar to the effect of smoking and drinking," said Eunyoung Choi, lead author and gerontologist at the <a href="https://usc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southern California</a>. 



Choi's team compared older adults from across the U.S., including heat-struck Phoenix and cooler cities like Seattle.



People living in hotter areas appeared around 14 months older biologically than their cooler-region counterparts. These results reflect how consistent heat exposure may silently wear down the body's internal systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aging-affects-health-and-work">Aging affects health and work</h2>



<a href="https://www.bu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boston University</a> gerontologist Deborah Carr noted that even small differences in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-aging-how-some-people-live-past-100-years/">aging</a> matter. "It's just a tremendous strain not only on their own lives and the lives of their families and caregivers, but also has a larger societal impact."



Faster aging may lead to earlier onset of conditions like diabetes, dementia, and cardiovascular disease. 



If those health issues appear sooner, they may push people out of the workforce or into expensive, long-term care. "It really can have tremendous impacts," said Carr.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-changes-how-your-genes-work">Heat changes how your genes work</h2>



The researchers focused on biological age, not just chronological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-are-experimenting-with-new-approach-to-fight-and-stop-human-aging-necrosis/">age</a>. They used DNA samples to track changes linked to a process called methylation. This chemical process affects how genes behave. It acts like switches that can turn genes on or off.



Methylation doesn't alter the DNA sequence but changes how genes are expressed. These shifts can occur in response to environmental stress, poor diet, inactivity, pollution, and heat.



The team used several epigenetic clocks to measure aging. These clocks rely on different sets of DNA methylation markers and offer insight into both pace and risk of biological decline.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-makes-aging-speed-up">Heat makes aging speed up</h2>



Increased heat exposure was linked to faster aging in several clocks. Short-term exposure, such as a few days or weeks, raised PCPhenoAge, a measure tied to general physiological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organ-aging-can-predict-diseases-decades-in-advance/">aging</a>. 



Longer-term exposure, such as one to six years, also accelerated PCGrimAge and DunedinPACE, which reflect mortality risk and pace of decline.



Animal studies support this. Heat stress can leave a lasting “epigenetic memory” that alters how immune cells and heart cells function. These changes persist long after the initial heat exposure.



In humans, heat has been linked with reduced methylation of genes like TLR-2. This gene affects inflammation and immunity. Such changes may explain how heat accelerates disease onset.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-heat-makes-things-worse">Rising heat makes things worse</h2>



Emergency visits and deaths spike during heat waves. With climate change, those risks only grow. The U.S. may see 20 to 30 more extreme heat days each year by mid-century, according to the National Climate Assessment.



Choi warned that this rising heat comes as the population ages. Older people cannot cool themselves as efficiently. Medications and declining circulation increase their vulnerability.



But heat affects everyone. "It's basically like if you're trying to tread water and someone hands you a brick," said Robert Meade, a heat physiology expert from <a href="https://www.harvard.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard</a>. "It's just an extra weight."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-levels-at-home-matter">Heat levels at home matter</h2>



What matters isn’t just the outdoor temperature. Conditions inside homes vary widely. Some people live in overheated trailers or apartments without cooling. Others have access to reliable air conditioning.



Future research aims to explore these differences. Personalized data could reveal how daily exposure shapes long-term health. That could guide public health policies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-heat-exposure-and-aging">Long heat exposure and aging</h2>



The researchers note that not all gene changes are harmful. Some may reflect adaptation that helps bodies handle heat better. But current evidence leans toward damage, not resilience.



Prolonged exposure may reduce physical activity, disturb sleep, and increase stress. These effects accumulate over time, pushing bodies into faster aging even without visible symptoms.



By capturing these changes with precision tools like epigenetic clocks, scientists now offer a clearer view into how heat transforms health at its core.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adr0616" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Living in extreme heat can age your body just like smoking does

Phoenix summers no longer just feel unbearable. They may age...

The Pacific Ocean is running a fever, and the symptoms are showing on every shore. Between 2014 and 2016 surface waters along North America’s west coast warmed by as much as 7°F above normal, forming a heat patch sailors nicknamed “<a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/looking-back-blob-chapter-2-marine-heat-wave-intensifies-completely-chart" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Blob</a>.”



“The marine heatwave resulted in unprecedented ecological disturbance across thousands of miles of coastline,” says Samuel Starko, <a href="https://www.uvic.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Victoria</a>. 



Researchers sifted through 331 field reports to trace everything that changed during that long marine heatwave in a recent study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pacific-heatwaves-move-sea-creatures">Pacific heatwaves move sea creatures</h2>



Hundreds of animals and plants abandoned their usual haunts as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-heatwaves-are-accelerating-for-a-surprising-reason/">warm water</a> crept northward, with many spotted more than 600 miles beyond their normal range. 



Northern right whale dolphins leapt off Vancouver Island, while tiny sea slugs followed the tide into Alaskan coves.



Such shifts scramble local food webs because predators arrive without familiar prey and newcomers compete for space and shelter. 



In some tide pools south of Seattle, tropical fish briefly replaced cold water sculpins before winter currents pushed them back.



Range changes also matter for managers because existing fishing quotas and protected areas rarely anticipate sudden guest appearances. 



Biologists now log these sightings in real time to update risk maps for shipping, aquaculture, and endangered species patrols.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marine-heatwaves-and-kelp-forests">Marine heatwaves and kelp forests</h2>



Giant kelp and <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-51114-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bull kelp</a> forest canopies shrank by more than 90 percent along 220 mi of northern California coast, a collapse traced to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astonishing-global-heat-in-january-2025-defied-climate-expectations/">heat stress</a> and urchin grazing. With the shade gone, ultraviolet light and grazing sea urchins finished off many stumps.



Kelp loss is a double blow because the fronds feed herbivores and the holdfasts shelter juvenile fish. In bare zones, purple urchins exploded in number, chewing through any young kelp shoots that tried to rebound.



Abalone fisheries closed for safety and stock protection in 2018 and still have not reopened fully. Local divers who once harvested a prized dinner now organize volunteer culls of urchins to give kelp a chance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animal-deaths-during-marine-heatwaves">Animal deaths during marine heatwaves</h2>



Warm water favored pathogens, and sea star wasting disease nearly wiped out the sunflower sea star, a top invertebrate predator. Without that curb, urchins and mussels multiplied, changing reef chemistry and clarity.



Higher up the ladder, <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/386988554_Catastrophic_and_persistent_loss_of_common_murres_after_a_marine_heatwave" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">common murres</a> suffered the largest seabird die off ever recorded in Alaska, losing an estimated four million birds. Many carcasses held empty stomachs, pointing to starvation rather than toxins.



Humpback whales, sea lions, and harbor seals recorded simultaneous unusual mortality <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-has-made-heatwaves-more-deadly/">events</a>, hinting at the same shortage of calorie rich forage fish. Each loss rippled outward, affecting tourism, tribal harvests, and nutrient cycling.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-food-sources-dropped">Tiny food sources dropped</h2>



At the microscopic scale, the heatwave reshuffled <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-023-04645-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plankton communities</a> across the Gulf of Alaska. Those replacements carry less fat, reducing the energy budget for everything that eats them.



Satellite data showed chlorophyll plunging in winter 2014, a sign that primary production faltered when it was most needed to seed spring food chains. 



Zooplankton surveys later found warm water copepods dominating nets normally filled with lipid rich northern species.



Less nutritious prey forces predators to spend more time foraging, burning the very calories they are chasing. Such inefficiency likely tipped already stressed birds and mammals past survival thresholds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-damage-to-the-fishing-industry">Damage to the fishing industry</h2>



Economic pain soon matched ecological pain. A coast wide harmful <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/science-data/hitting-us-where-it-hurts-untold-story-harmful-algal-blooms" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algal bloom</a> linked to the heatwave shut the Dungeness crab fishery and erased $97.5 million in landings in 2015 alone.



Tour operators cancelled whale watching trips when sightings dwindled, and coastal towns lost an estimated $40 million in visitor spending that year. Some crews switched to far off fisheries, raising fuel costs and safety risks.



Disaster aid arrived years late, highlighting how climate shocks outpace existing relief channels. 



Policy advisers now call for insurance pools and flexible permits that track environmental triggers rather than calendar dates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-these-events-keep-coming">Why these events keep coming</h2>



Marine heatwaves are no longer rare outliers, their global frequency has jumped <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44358-025-00058-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">six fold</a> since the 1980s. Longer events give ecosystems less time to heal before the next hit arrives.



Atmospheric blocking patterns, <a href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/ninonina.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">El Niño cycles</a>, and steadily rising greenhouse gases can overlap, stacking the odds toward hotter, more persistent surface layers. When oxygen and nutrients decline in those layers, even hardy species struggle.



Scientists argue for proactive steps such as mobile <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-equation-predicts-a-rapid-rise-in-extreme-heatwaves/">marine</a> reserves that shift boundaries when key habitats move. 



Early warning temperature dashboards already guide some fishery openings, and similar thresholds could trigger kelp restoration teams.



Cutting emissions remains the only lasting cure, yet local actions, reducing pollution, restoring wetlands, and diversifying coastal economies, buy crucial breathing room. As Starko’s team concludes, the Blob was a preview, not a one off warning.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-edit/10.1201/9781003589600-2/ecological-responses-extreme-climatic-events-systematic-review-2014%E2%80%932016-northeast-pacific-marine-heatwave-samuel-starko-graham-epstein-lia-chalifour-kevin-bruce-daisy-buzzoni-matthew-csordas-sean-dimoff-rebecca-hansen-dominique-maucieri-jennifer-mchenry-kristina-tietjen-brian-timmer-julia-baum" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oceanography and Marine Biology</a>.



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Marine heatwaves offer a disturbing preview of how warmer waters impact ocean life

The Pacific Ocean is running a fever, and the symptoms...

Climate change is rapidly joining overexploitation and habitat destruction as a third major driver of global biodiversity loss, forcing thousands of animals onto the endangered species list.



A sweeping analysis recently identified at least 3,500 animal species already deemed directly threatened by rising temperatures, intensifying storms, droughts, and other climate-related stresses.



The research, led by <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a> ecologist William Ripple, draws on international databases to show that risk is especially acute for invertebrates. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alarming-climate-impacts-threaten-key-marine-species/">Marine species,</a> in particular, face heightened danger because they cannot easily move away from warmer waters.



The study also warns that true vulnerability is likely far greater because scientists have not formally assessed most animal groups for climate danger.



“We’re at the start of an existential crisis for the Earth’s wild animals,” Ripple said. “Up till now, the primary cause of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-action-and-biodiversity-striking-the-right-balance/">biodiversity</a> loss has been overexploitation and habitat alteration. As climate change intensifies, we expect it to become a third major threat to the Earth’s animals.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-threats-to-animal-species">Climate threats to animal species</h2>



Ripple and colleagues analyzed records for 70,814 species across 35 taxonomic classes, relying on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (<a href="https://iucn.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN</a>) threat categories.



The team discovered that in six whole classes - arachnids, centipedes, anthozoans, hydrozoans, and two other invertebrate groups - climate change threatens at least one-quarter of species.



Other classes, including mammals, birds, and reptiles, contain smaller but still significant proportions of climate-imperiled members. 



The oceans stand out as a danger zone because seawater absorbs most excess heat from greenhouse forcing.



“We are particularly concerned about invertebrate animals in the ocean,” Ripple said. “Those animals are increasingly vulnerable because of their limited ability to move and promptly evade adverse conditions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-iucn-red-list">Understanding the IUCN Red List</h2>



The IUCN <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Red List of Threatened Species</a> is like the world’s pulse check for wildlife. It tracks the health of thousands of species - plants, animals, fungi - and tells us who’s thriving, who’s struggling, and who’s on the brink of extinction. 



Scientists use a detailed set of criteria to evaluate risk, ranging from population trends and habitat range to actual threats like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dehorning-rhinos-significantly-cuts-down-on-poaching/">poaching</a> or climate change. 



When a species lands in categories like “Endangered” or “Critically Endangered,” it’s not just a label - it’s a cry for help backed by data.



Governments, conservationists, and communities use the Red List to make decisions about land use, funding, and protection strategies. It influences environmental policies and helps prioritize where to focus resources. 



When we protect what’s on that list, we’re safeguarding ecosystems, cultures, and future generations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-disasters-kill-millions-of-animals">Climate disasters kill millions of animals</h2>



In recent years extreme climate events have delivered dramatic proof of these vulnerabilities. Off Israel’s coast, a 90 percent crash in mollusk abundance followed a jump in sea-surface temperature.



During the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat dome, billions of intertidal mussels, clams, and snails died in a matter of days. A severe marine heatwave in 2016 bleached nearly 30 percent of Australia’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-barrier-reef-is-on-the-brink-of-extinction/">Great Barrier Reef</a>.



Terrestrial and pelagic vertebrates have suffered too. An extreme warm spell in 2015-2016 altered the marine food web in the North Pacific, starving four million common murres, slashing Pacific cod numbers by 71 percent, and contributing to the loss of roughly 7,000 humpback whales.



Ripple noted that such <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-was-the-cause-of-earths-largest-mass-extinction/">mass mortality</a> events reverberate through ecosystems. “The cascading effects of more and more mass mortality events will likely affect carbon-cycle feedbacks and nutrient cycling.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-missing-data-on-a-massive-scale"><a></a>Missing data on a massive scale</h2>



Although the headline figures are sobering, the authors emphasize that they represent only a fraction of the problem. 



Sixty-six of the planet’s 101 recognized animal classes have not had any species evaluated for climate risk by the IUCN. The 70,814 species examined in the study account for just 5.5 percent of all described animals.



“Our analysis is meant to be a preliminary effort toward assessing climate risk to wildlife species,” Ripple said. “Understanding the risk is crucial for making informed policy decisions."



"We need a global database on mass mortality events due to climate change for animal species in all ecosystems, and an acceleration in assessing currently ignored species.”



The <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/">Red List</a> itself is heavily skewed toward vertebrates, which make up fewer than six percent of named animal species, leaving the vast majority of invertebrates - essential to pollination, soil health, and marine food webs - largely unexamined.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-merging-climate-and-conservation">Merging climate and conservation</h2>



Ripple argued that policymakers must couple improved risk assessments with policies that synchronize biodiversity conservation and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-mitigation-strategies-may-be-endangering-biodiversity/">climate mitigation</a>.



“There is also a need for more frequent climate risk assessments of all species and better consideration of adaptive capacity,” he added. “We need the integration of biodiversity and climate change policy planning on a global scale.”



Ripple and his co-authors call for real-time monitoring of die-off events and expansion of citizen science initiatives to cover overlooked taxa. 



They also advocate incorporating species’ dispersal abilities and genetic diversity into risk models.



Only with such knowledge can policymakers design interventions that help vulnerable species stand a fighting chance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saving-animals-with-climate-action">Saving animals with climate action</h2>



With global temperatures already flirting with the 1.5°C threshold that scientists warn will unleash accelerating hazards, the time for closing data gaps is rapidly shrinking.



The new study shows that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-the-largest-threat-to-u-s-endangered-species/">climate change</a> is no longer a distant or incremental danger for wildlife; it is a present crisis that compounds longstanding threats.



Whether governments heed the warning will decide how many species remain confined to the 3,500-strong endangered column - and how many more quietly slide into it as the planet continues to warm.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/advance-article/doi/10.1093/biosci/biaf059/8127685?login=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BioScience</a>.



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Thousands of animal species face an imminent threat of extinction from climate change

Climate change is rapidly joining overexploitation and habitat destruction as...

Methane traps more than 25 times as much heat as carbon dioxide over a century, so even modest changes in its release can tilt the climate balance.



Scientists already recognize Arctic and sub‑Arctic lakes as natural methane vents, where gas bubbles up from sediments laid down over millennia. But the exact processes controlling how much is produced and how fast it escapes have remained poorly understood.



Now, a new study led by PhD researcher Marie Bulínová from <a href="https://en.uit.no/startsida">UiT The Arctic University of Norway</a> offers fresh insight into these dynamics, revealing how lake productivity plays a central role in methane release.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-life-more-methane">More life, more methane</h2>



Bulínová and an international team cored sediments and analyzed pore‑water chemistry in ten <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-lakes-produce-less-methane-than-previously-thought/">lakes</a> scattered across Svalbard and Arctic Scandinavia. 



They then modeled how methane diffuses from the mud into the overlying water and, ultimately, into the air. The surprise wasn’t that methane was present - every lake emitted some - but that the same factors consistently drove those emissions.



“We were surprised by how clearly the productivity of the ecosystem was linked to methane production,” Bulínová said.



The researchers found that lakes with thicker mats of algae, more aquatic plants, lush shore vegetation, and shallower depths generated the most methane in their sediments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-arctic-methane-begins">Where Arctic methane begins</h2>



Across the lakes, production peaked within the upper decimeter of sediment. That thin layer is rich in freshly fallen, easily digestible organic matter and pulsing with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-activities-underground-revealed-by-new-technology/">microbial activity</a>. Beneath it, older, nutrient‑poor mud yields much less gas.



By combining concentration profiles with mass‑transfer equations, the researchers estimated diffusive fluxes between - 0.46 and 3.1 millimoles of methane per square meter per day.



Those numbers match earlier spot measurements in boreal and Arctic water bodies and are far lower than typical tropical or temperate values. Yet, given the sheer abundance of lakes across high‑latitude landscapes, the regional methane budget remains formidable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lakes-vary-in-emissions">Lakes vary in emissions</h2>



When the team compared their data with more than sixty published estimates from lakes worldwide, a striking pattern emerged. Arctic lakes as a group emit less per unit area than tropical ones, but individual northern lakes vary wildly.



“Some release much more methane than others, depending on local factors like vegetation cover, lake shape, or sediment composition,” Bulínová noted. 



Machine‑learning models confirmed that climate variables - especially <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-earth-energy-imbalance-temperature-rise/">temperature</a> and precipitation - rank alongside primary productivity and basin morphometry as key predictors. 



The upshot is that Arctic methane output will not rise evenly. Hot spots will appear where warming and wetter weather most strongly boost in‑lake photosynthesis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-living-lakes-drive-feedbacks">Living lakes drive feedbacks</h2>



The findings dovetail with satellite observations of a “greening” Arctic: longer ice‑free seasons and warmer waters spur algae blooms, while shrubs and grasses spread along shorelines.



More plant growth means more organic carbon raining onto lake bottoms, where microbes convert it into methane. That methane, in turn, accelerates warming, potentially creating a feedback loop.



“Our work suggests that increases in ecosystem productivity - something we could think of being positive - can also increase methane release and further accelerate warming,” Bulínová warned.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arctic-methane-escapes-in-many-ways">Arctic methane escapes in many ways</h2>



The study focused on diffusion, one of several pathways methane follows from mud to sky. Bubbling, or ebullition, can deliver large, sudden pulses when gas pockets overcome sediment pressure. 



Plant stems can vent methane directly, and spring ice‑out may release winter stores in a burst. Accounting for these modes will refine regional budgets. 



But diffusion is a baseline flux that operates almost continuously - and scientists can model it more easily across thousands of lakes once they understand the main controls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-need-to-study-more-arctic-lakes">Need to study more Arctic lakes</h2>



Because each Arctic lake tells a slightly different story, the authors emphasize breadth as well as depth. “That’s why it’s essential to study a wide range of lake types if we want to understand the Arctic’s role in future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceans-in-crisis-have-we-reached-a-climate-tipping-point/">climate</a> feedbacks,” Bulínová explained.



Their random‑forest approach shows promise for up‑scaling. Feed the algorithm satellite data on lake size, depth, productivity proxies, and local climate, and it can predict methane diffusion with reasonable accuracy.



The same framework could extend to boreal or even temperate basins. This would help Earth‑system models gauge how global lake emissions will shift under various warming scenarios.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-researchers-must-do-next">What researchers must do next</h2>



The study demonstrates that tallying greenhouse gases in the Arctic requires looking beyond <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/permafrost-is-becoming-a-source-of-global-warming/">thawing permafrost</a> soils to include seemingly placid waters.



Policies aimed at limiting methane rise might need to consider land‑use changes that alter nutrient runoff into lakes or protect certain high‑productivity basins from additional disturbance. 



For scientists, the next steps include year‑round monitoring to capture seasonal swings, experiments that manipulate nutrient inputs, and integration of ebullition measurements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lakes-face-a-warming-future">Lakes face a warming future</h2>



As climate change redraws the Arctic map, lakes will likely become more productive biological engines. Paradoxically, they may also become more potent methane releasers.



The research led by Bulínová offers a first quantitative framework to anticipate that transformation. 



It reminds us that in the delicate dance of climate feedbacks, what looks like a burst of life on a warming tundra can carry an invisible, high‑powered greenhouse cost.



The study is published in the <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1029/2024JG008508" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences</a>.



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Microbes in Arctic lakes are fueling a large methane surge

Methane traps more than 25 times as much heat as...

In the summer of 2002, the smoke in the air caught Loretta Mickley’s attention. She was on vacation in Western Massachusetts when the sunlight turned strange.



“There was something kind of sparkly about the air,” she recalled. “I’d never seen anything like it, and I said to my husband, ‘What’s going on?’ I’m an atmospheric chemist - I should know, right?”



The shimmering particles turned out to be soot, carried by wind from a wildfire in Quebec. That was over two decades ago. Since then, smoke has gone from a curiosity to a central focus of Mickley’s work.



She’s now a senior research fellow at the <a href="https://seas.harvard.edu/">John A. Paulson</a> School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University. Her research is part of a growing wave of attention on wildfire smoke - where it comes from, what it carries, and what it’s doing to our health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfire-smoke-wasn-t-always-on-the-radar">Wildfire smoke wasn't always on the radar</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-seasons-are-now-overlapping-worldwide/">Wildfires</a> have burned for as long as the planet has existed. But for many years, their consequences were overlooked.



“For a long time, smoke was not considered very important,” Mickley said. "People thought of climate change as temperature and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-heat-of-2024-triggered-a-surge-in-sea-level-rise/">sea level rise</a>, and that was it."



"They didn't realize there could be this other consequence of climate change that could be terribly scary, terribly bad for human health - not just close to the fire, but many miles downwind.”



That perception is changing fast. Today, scientists are working across disciplines to understand smoke in detail. 



Chemists break down its chemical components. Engineers build tools to sample the air in and around fire zones. Medical researchers track how it enters the human body. Environmental scientists model future fire risks as the planet heats up.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smoke-travels-far-and-so-does-the-risk">Smoke travels far - and so does the risk</h2>



Mickley has co-authored dozens of studies on wildfire smoke since 2015. Her work spans continents, even when she doesn’t travel to the fire sites herself.



“I look at agricultural fires in India, and their smoke, which affect millions of people,” she said. “I don't go to these places, but we've done work in the Amazon, work in Australia … working with local people as much as possible.”



What researchers are finding is that wildfire smoke is not just dirty air - it’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/almost-everyone-in-europe-breathes-toxic-air/">toxic</a>. When vegetation, buildings, or vehicles burn, they release not only <a href="https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Soot" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">soot</a>, but also heavy metals and organic compounds that can damage the body.



According to Mickley, many of these chemicals can “attach to and react with human cells.” 



In places like Southern California, where wildfires often spread into developed areas, the smoke can contain harmful synthetic compounds like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forever-chemicals-threaten-arctic-wildlife-and-human-health/">PFAS</a> - chemicals linked to cancer and hormonal disruption. These compounds don’t break down easily and can linger in the environment for decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-particles-big-health-risks">Tiny particles, big health risks</h2>



The real threat lies in the size of the particles. Most of the health damage comes from PM2.5 - particles that are 2.5 microns in diameter, or smaller. That’s about 20 times smaller than the width of a human hair.



Pollen grains are roughly four times larger than PM2.5 particles, and they get stuck in the nose. By contrast, PM2.5 specks are small enough to enter deep into the lungs and also into the bloodstream. 



"It causes a cascade of inflammation, and it can wreak havoc on <a href="https://www.epa.gov/wildfire-smoke-course/health-effects-attributed-wildfire-smoke">health</a>,” stated Nicholas Nassikas, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. He’s also a pulmonologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-cost-of-wildfire-smoke-exposure">Human cost of wildfire smoke exposure</h2>



In a study of wildfires in Australia, Mickley and her colleagues found that pregnant women exposed to prolonged smoke had higher risks of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-has-increased-premature-birth-risk-by-60/">premature birth</a>, miscarriage, or needing intensive care for their newborns.



And It’s not just lung or heart disease that are involved. Smoke may worsen COVID-19 symptoms. Early research hints at a link between smoke exposure and dementia. 



Furthermore, hospitals report a rise in emergency visits for multiple conditions after days of smoky air - especially among older adults.



At the Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, researchers are digging deeper into these effects. Kari Nadeau and her lab are part of the LA Fire HEALTH Study, which looks at how smoke affects people who live and work along the fire lines.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smoke-s-impact-on-human-cells">Smoke's impact on human cells</h2>



In a June study, researchers examined blood samples from 31 Californians - both firefighters and civilians - who had been exposed to wildfire smoke. 



The experts compared these samples to a control group with no exposure. The results were striking.



“Normally, immune cells are highly regulated, but after smoke exposure, some of those cells begin to behave abnormally - to be hyperactivated,” said study co-author Abhinav Kaushik. Some immune cells, burdened with cadmium and mercury, simply died.



Heavy-metal exposure was most severe among long-term firefighters. Kaushik noted that this may explain the chronic diseases that firefighters experience disproportionately, from cancer to asthma. "Smoke has surfaced as a public-health emergency - no doubt about that,” he added.



The team’s next step is to expand the study and look for a biomarker - something in the blood that would signal smoke exposure. That could help doctors catch issues early or measure the long-term impact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-fires-bigger-numbers">Big fires, bigger numbers</h2>



Even now, the data tells a troubling story. Mickley and co-authors at Harvard and the University of British Columbia estimated that wildfire smoke caused nearly 37,000 excess deaths in 2020 alone.



The range is wide - between 25,000 and 47,000 - but the implication is clear. "In my mind, the exact number is not so important, just that we know it's a big number,” Mickley said. 



“Our goal in giving these numbers is to highlight the sense of urgency and the possible human hazards that follow wildfire smoke which, in turn, is caused by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-making-wildfire-smoke-more-deadly/">climate change</a>.”



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



Wildfires feed on dry air, lightning, and heat - all of which are becoming more common as the planet warms. In 2014, Mickley and then-postdoctoral researcher Xu Yue projected that California’s burn area would double by mid-century under one climate scenario. 



What used to be considered an “extreme fire year” in Southern California - about 25,000 acres burned - could become routine. That threshold has already been surpassed in 2025.



At public talks and alumni events, Mickley shares practical steps: wear N95 masks on smoky days, use HEPA filters indoors, and rethink how we manage fire. 



Rather than suppressing every blaze, she advocates for controlled burns to prevent massive, fuel-fed wildfires. However, Mickley stresses that individual actions and local policies can only do so much.



“Wildfire is natural. We're entering a new climate regime that is not - that is at least in large part, due to the greenhouse gases we're pumping into the atmosphere. And this is a recipe for disaster.”



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://phys.org/journals/environmental-science-technology/">Environmental Science &amp; Technology</a>.



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Wildfire smoke is an escalating public health emergency

In the summer of 2002, the smoke in the air...

The deep sea holds mysteries we’ve barely begun to understand. It’s vast, dark, cold, and alive with astonishing biodiversity. Beneath its crushing pressures lie mineral-rich fields containing metals that are vital to emerging technologies. 



These include cobalt, nickel, copper, and manganese, which are crucial for electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and advanced electronics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-targets-for-deep-sea-mining">Targets for deep-sea mining</h2>



Now, international companies are eyeing this remote frontier for large-scale mining. Their target is polymetallic nodules, potato-sized lumps that are scattered across the ocean floor, especially in the central Pacific. These nodules formed over millions of years. 



Some businesses claim they can harvest the nodules with little environmental damage. Scientists, however, are sounding the alarm. 



At a recent meeting of the International Seabed Authority (<a href="https://www.isa.org.jm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ISA</a>) in Kingston, Jamaica, researchers presented troubling data. They questioned whether deep-sea ecosystems could ever recover from mining <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jadarite-described-as-earths-kryptonite-twin-has-potential-to-replace-fossil-fuels/">disruption</a>. 



This conversation arrives as nations push forward to finalize rules for commercial seabed extraction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mining-may-cause-deep-sea-damage">Mining may cause deep sea damage</h2>



The DEEP REST project, led by European scientists, has spent years examining seafloor restoration. “If we remove nodules from the seabed, we do not know what we lose, only that it's lost forever,” the researchers concluded.



Jozee Sarrazin, a researcher at the French Institute for Ocean Science (<a href="http://eulacfoundation.org/en/french-institute-ocean-science-ifremer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ifremer</a>), explained the scope of the problem. 



“So far, all the restoration operations we have attempted within our DEEP REST project have been short-term. And what we observed is that, in the given time, that is to say a few years, the ecosystems do not recover,” she said.



The DEEP REST team emphasized that the long-term prospects remain uncertain. “If restoration is possible, it will take a very long time, and at the moment we don't have the data to be able to say if that will be 100 years or 1000 years,” Sarrazin said.



These findings question the very foundation of the seabed mining industry's environmental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/could-investing-in-asteroid-mining-make-you-a-billionaire/">claims</a>. The damage may not just last centuries. It might never heal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-life-depends-on-nodules">Ocean life depends on nodules</h2>



Though hostile in appearance, the deep sea teems with life. Far from being barren, the abyss is likely home to millions of unknown species. Creatures survive without sunlight, relying instead on chemical reactions, organic matter from above, and symbiotic relationships.



Among these residents are sponges, soft corals, sea anemones, and countless microorganisms. They depend on the hard surface of polymetallic nodules to anchor themselves in soft <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gold-mining-causes-long-lasting-damage-in-the-amazon-rainforest/">sediment</a>. Without these nodules, many species cannot survive.



Matthias Haeckel, from the German research center GEOMAR, highlighted this critical dependency. “The fauna only exists in these areas because they need the hard substrate of the nodule to attach,” Haeckel said during his presentation of the MiningImpact project in Jamaica.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mining-causes-damage-to-sea-life">Mining causes damage to sea life</h2>



Mining techniques involve vacuuming up nodules while releasing plumes of sediment. These activities disturb a wide radius around each site. 



The MiningImpact study found that this approach decreases population densities and biodiversity while impairing ecosystem <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-mining-impacts-marine-life-for-decades/">function</a>.



The nodules themselves are not replaceable within any human timeframe. “To make the story short, in the end, we're talking about recovery times of thousands of years,” said Haeckel. These timescales stretch far beyond any meaningful conservation plan.



The process does more than displace marine life. It affects how nutrients cycle, how species interact, and how habitats maintain balance. With no way to predict full outcomes, many researchers urge restraint.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-damage-remains-despite-mining-trials">Damage remains despite mining trials</h2>



Some scientists are testing whether restoration can be engineered. “We designed artificial nodules made of deep-sea clay and we placed them at different sites,” noted Sabine Gollner, a biologist at the <a href="https://www.nioz.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Netherlands</a> Institute for Sea Research.



These nodules mimic the natural substrates that marine organisms need. But results take time. 



“When you take into account the slow growth rates in the deep sea, the slow processes, it will take quite some more years to find out if restoration is effective and to what degree,” Gollner noted.



Even with creative ideas and dedicated research, restoration remains hypothetical. No one can yet claim success at bringing back lost deep-sea ecosystems. And until long-term data become available, every mining operation risks doing irreversible damage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-areas-should-remain-untouched">Some areas should remain untouched</h2>



One type of deep-sea habitat holds particular value: hydrothermal vents. These underwater geysers release heated, mineral-rich water through cracks in the seafloor. The ecosystems built around them are among the most unique on Earth.



Massive sulfide deposits near these vents are rich in metals, making them tempting targets for mining. But scientists caution that damage here would be catastrophic. 



“If we extract massive sulfides near active vents, we know what we lose, and we must prevent loss,” the DEEP REST study concluded.



These sites support specialized creatures found nowhere else. Their removal would erase entire evolutionary pathways. The vents also play a role in regulating global chemistry and microbial activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mining-rules-ignore-long-term-damage">Mining rules ignore long-term damage</h2>



The ISA continues negotiating the international mining code. Scientists urge that these rules must include restoration principles, but also acknowledge a hard truth. 



“It's good to include it but with a clear statement that at this moment in time, it cannot be taken into account to reach agreed environmental goals,” said Gollner. “For example, a contractor shouldn't be allowed to use that argument to mine a larger area.”



Until the world better understands the deep sea, calls for caution continue to grow. The rush for critical minerals may lead us to destroy what we do not yet comprehend. 



Mining the seafloor risks losing lifeforms and systems shaped over eons, all for short-term technological gain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-lies-ahead-for-the-deep">What lies ahead for the deep</h2>



The deep ocean holds scientific wonder, ecological value, and untapped biodiversity. Once disrupted, it may never return to its natural state. With mining rules still under negotiation, the time to ask hard questions is now.



Can we afford to treat the seafloor as a resource deposit? Or should we recognize it as a living system, still largely uncharted, and protect it accordingly? The world must decide before the damage becomes permanent.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08921-3">Nature</a>.



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Deep-sea ecosystems may never heal from mining damage

The deep sea holds mysteries we’ve barely begun to understand....

Climate change often appears gradual, but abrupt shifts may occur with little warning. Recent research reveals that sensitive subsystems - such as sea ice, permafrost, and rainforests - can suddenly tip into new states. 



These changes pose serious risks to ecosystems, water resources, and human populations.



"Abrupt shifts" refer to rapid, large <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-winters-are-starting-to-look-more-like-spring/">changes</a> within a decade or less. These include sudden snow loss on the Tibetan Plateau, permafrost thaw, or sea ice collapse. Once triggered, these events may unfold faster than society can adapt.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-scientists-found-fast-changes">How scientists found fast changes</h2>



To detect these changes, the researchers applied Canny edge detection, a method from computer vision, to climate model data. The team scanned 82 environmental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-winters-are-no-longer-frozen-and-thats-a-problem/">variables</a> across 57 CMIP6 climate models.



The goal was to identify sharp changes in variables like sea surface salinity, snow cover, and carbon storage. 



Each model simulated a future where carbon dioxide rose by one percent per year for 140 years, reaching four times the pre-industrial level.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-many-models-show-sudden-changes">Many models show sudden changes</h2>



The study from <a href="https://www.uu.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Utrecht University</a> found that vulnerable regions included the Arctic, the Tibetan Plateau, and the North Atlantic subpolar gyre. In contrast, the Indian, West African, and South American monsoons remained relatively stable across most models. 



Subsystems showing more consistent abrupt changes included Arctic summer and winter sea ice, Antarctic sea ice, the North Atlantic subpolar gyre, land permafrost, and snow cover over the Tibetan Plateau.



Even systems not officially recognized as tipping elements experienced abrupt changes in several models, suggesting wider potential for sudden <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-climate-will-permanently-change-by-2050-scientists-warn/">climate shifts</a> than previously thought.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fast-cooling-in-the-north-atlantic">Fast cooling in the North Atlantic </h2>



Multiple climate models are detecting early signs of abrupt shifts in major Earth systems. In the North Atlantic subpolar gyre, surface waters are freshening and cooling, weakening ocean convection and disrupting currents like the AMOC. 



Twenty-four models showed abrupt temperature or salinity changes here - sometimes at just 0.5°C above preindustrial levels.



Over the Tibetan Plateau, 12 models showed rapid changes in snow-related variables. Upwelling shortwave radiation - a stand-in for albedo - shifted in 11 models, alongside sharp declines in snow depth and coverage. 



These changes could foreshadow glacier retreat, though most models don’t fully simulate glaciers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-permafrost-and-forest-changes">Permafrost and forest changes</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/permafrost-is-becoming-a-source-of-global-warming/">Permafrost</a> in northern Asia may also thaw faster than expected. Nineteen models showed abrupt losses of frozen soil moisture across areas totaling over one million square kilometers (386,000 square miles), suggesting thawing could happen regionally even if localized shifts appear minor.



Even forests may not be immune. While slow to respond and harder to model, the Amazon and boreal forests showed sudden changes in vegetation indicators like leaf area index and carbon fluxes in up to five models, hinting at potential tipping points in these ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-abrupt-sea-ice-changes">Abrupt sea ice changes</h2>



Sea ice showed some of the clearest abrupt shifts. Arctic summer ice, often seen as stable, experienced large abrupt shifts in 17 models. Winter sea ice showed abrupt losses in 21 models. 



Antarctic sea ice had fewer shifts, but 11 models showed area losses greater than 0.5 million square kilometers (193,000 square miles).



Barents sea ice, above Scandinavia and Russia, showed abrupt shifts in 43 models. Eighteen of them had large-area losses, beginning as early as 0.5°C above preindustrial levels. Two models had losses over 0.5 million square kilometers (193,000 square miles).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-heat-means-more-arctic-sea-ice-shifts">More heat means more Arctic sea ice shifts</h2>



The more a model simulated warming, the more abrupt shifts it showed. At 1.5°C, matching the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/u-s-withdraws-from-the-paris-treaty-as-trump-declares-energy-emergency/">Paris Agreement</a> limit, six of ten subsystems already showed sudden changes. This included the Arctic, North Atlantic, and Tibetan Plateau.



Models with higher climate sensitivity reached tipping conditions sooner. Shifts often happened between 0.5°C and 5°C, depending on the system.



Barents sea ice showed changes at lower warming than Antarctic sea ice or Arctic winter sea ice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-abrupt-changes-may-be-missed">Some abrupt changes may be missed</h2>



Edge detection works well for fast transitions but misses slow-moving collapses. The models used do not simulate all systems fully, such as Greenland’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/glacier-in-antarctica-that-could-drown-cities-is-breaking-apart/">ice sheet</a>. So actual risks may be higher.



Also, fast warming in the models may mask slower but real-world patterns. The current CO₂ increase is slower than in the simulation, so future studies must adjust for that.



Even at 1.5°C of warming, many systems show abrupt shifts in multiple models. Monsoon systems may resist change, but polar and high-altitude regions respond fast.



This study does not predict precise tipping points, but it reveals just how close we might be. The next big change in our climate might not come gradually. It may hit all at once.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2025AV001698" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AGU Advances</a>.



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Abrupt collapse of Arctic sea ice may come with little warning

Climate change often appears gradual, but abrupt shifts may occur...

Environmental concerns can sometimes feel especially urgent - and World Nature Conservation Day is one of those times. 



Observed each year on July 28, this occasion serves as a reminder of the vital role nature plays in our lives and how fragile that support has become.



Forests purify the air we breathe. Rivers nourish ecosystems and communities alike. But the balance is shifting. Temperatures are rising, habitats are shrinking, and pollution is spreading. These changes signal an urgent need for action.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-conservation-nbsp-around-the-world">Nature conservation&nbsp;around the world</h2>



Though people have protected nature for centuries, the official celebration of this day began in the late 1900s. It arose in response to rapid environmental loss.



Since then, the initiative has grown worldwide. <a href="https://wildlifeday.org/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communities</a> hold awareness campaigns and workshops. People plant trees and attend talks. The core message stays the same. A healthy planet means a healthy future for all.



Nature’s health determines our survival. We depend on clean air, fertile soil, and fresh water. Nature gives us food, medicine, and mental peace. 



If ecosystems collapse, everyone suffers. World Nature Conservation Day is not about charity or good intentions. It is about preserving what keeps us alive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smart-tools-for-wildlife-protection">Smart tools for wildlife protection</h2>



Nature is under threat, and illegal hunting remains one of the most serious dangers. Species like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-era-in-wildlife-conservation-how-ai-will-help-protect-elephants/">elephants</a> are often targeted for their tusks - putting entire populations at risk of extinction.



To stop this, experts have created a smart tool called PoachNet. It’s a digital system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and GPS location data.



PoachNet studies patterns and predicts where poachers are most likely to strike next. The system then alerts local conservation teams, so they can act quickly and protect the animals.



This approach demonstrates how technology can protect wildlife before harm occurs. PoachNet isn’t just reactive - it’s proactive, working to stop threats before they happen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-era-of-nature-conservation">A new era of nature conservation </h2>



Protecting animals isn't only about keeping them safe from harm. It also means learning how they live, move, and interact with their environment. Recent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tracking-caribou-movement-patterns-can-transform-conservation/">caribou research</a> is a good example of this idea in action.



Scientists are using GPS tracking devices to study individual caribou. These trackers show where each animal travels over time. 



What the experts discovered is that not all caribou move the same way. Each group has its own pattern, and that means each group needs a different kind of protection.



This research helps conservationists design special paths, called migration corridors, so caribou can move safely across the land. It also helps keep them away from busy roads and industrial areas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-guarding-the-oceans">Guarding the oceans </h2>



Protecting the ocean is difficult, especially because it's so large and hard to monitor. Marine conservation often struggles with enforcing rules, like fishing bans, in remote areas. Many people believe it’s too hard to stop illegal activity in such vast waters.



But <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/are-marine-protected-areas-working-satellites-reveal-the-truth/">recent research</a> shows that ocean protection is possible. Scientists studied over 1,000 marine protected areas using satellites and artificial intelligence (AI). These tools helped them track ship movements, even those trying to hide.



The researchers discovered that in places with strict fishing bans, illegal activity dropped. The radar technology detected hidden ships, and this allowed for better enforcement. The results prove that smart tools can make a big difference



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tagging-rays-to-help-save-them">Tagging rays to help save them</h2>



Conservation sometimes means learning about animals we rarely see. Rays are one such example. They move in ways that make them hard to track. 



For a long time, scientists couldn't follow rays closely because old tracking devices would fall off too soon.



That problem changed with the creation of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tracking-endangered-rays-a-new-chapter-in-marine-conservation/">new biologging tags</a>. These tags are advanced tools that include cameras, sensors, and machine learning. They stay attached longer and collect detailed information.



With these tools, scientists now know where rays swim, how they find food, and how they interact with other rays. This information helps create better marine protection plans, such as safe zones where rays can live without threats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-world-nature-conservation-day">Significance of World Nature Conservation Day </h2>



Every action taken to protect nature - whether it involves tracking the hidden journeys of rays or studying the migration of caribou - plays an important role. No effort is too small when it comes to preserving the delicate balance that supports all life on Earth.



World Nature Conservation Day 2025 serves as a powerful reminder that protecting nature is not just about preserving beauty or wildlife. It is directly connected to our own future, health, and stability. When we care for nature, we care for ourselves.



The latest conservation research - from animal protection to smart ocean monitoring - shows how compassion and innovation can go hand in hand. We’re entering an era where conservation is no longer passive but dynamic, creative, and action-driven.



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World Nature Conservation Day 2025: A healthy future for all

Environmental concerns can sometimes feel especially urgent - and World...

<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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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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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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



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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

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