<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grapevines-could-offer-a-breakthrough-alternative-to-plastic-packaging/">Plastic</a> bags are everywhere, and too many slip into rivers and onto beaches. A new analysis finds that policies that either charge a small fee per bag or prohibit them outright cut the share of bags found during shoreline cleanups by 25 to 47 percent.



The study combed through hundreds of city, county, and state rules passed between 2017 and 2023. It matched those policies to more than 45,000 volunteer cleanups across the United States to see what actually changed on the ground.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-ran-the-study">Who ran the study</h2>



The research was coauthored by <a href="https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/ceoe/departments/smsp/faculty/kimberly-oremus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kimberly L. Oremus</a> of the University of Delaware’s School of Marine Science and Policy (<a href="https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/ceoe/departments/smsp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UDEL</a>). 



Oremus and her collaborator set out to measure litter, not just shopping behavior, so the results speak to what ends up in nature.



The team relied on citizen science, meaning trained volunteers recorded what they collected during beach, river, and lake cleanups. 



They drew on <a href="https://www.coastalcleanupdata.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TIDES</a>, a public database that stores those counts in one place so researchers can analyze patterns across time and place.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-plastic-bag-policies">Studying plastic bag policies</h2>



To isolate the effect of bag policies, the authors used a Difference-in-Differences (<a href="https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/research/population-health-methods/difference-difference-estimation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DiD</a>) approach that compares places with and without new laws over the same period. 



That design helps rule out unrelated trends that affect everyone, such as national shifts in shopping or packaging.



The headline result is simple. In communities with full bans or fees, the share of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-from-plastic-bottles-linked-to-high-blood-pressure-and-heart-problems/">plastic</a> bags in the litter mix fell relative to similar places without policies, and the decline grew in the years after a law took effect.



State level rules tended to be more reliable in the data than city or county policies. Effects looked similar along coasts and rivers, with hints of larger gains along lakes where winds and currents spread litter differently.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-policy-fees-vs-bans">Plastic policy: Fees vs. bans</h2>



Fees change the default at every checkout and discourage taking a bag when you do not need one, which reduces both thin and thicker bag use.



Other <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/carrier-bag-charge-summary-of-data-in-england/single-use-plastic-carrier-bags-charge-data-for-england-2024-to-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence</a> points in the same direction outside the United States. England reports an almost 98 percent drop in single use carrier bags at major retailers since its charge began.



Policies that only restrict thin bags often allow thicker <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/agricultural-soil-is-now-the-worlds-biggest-plastic-dumping-ground/">plastic</a> labeled as reusable. 



Those partial bans showed the smallest and least precise effects in the analysis, which is consistent with shoppers substituting one kind of plastic for another.



Some states also pass preemption <a href="https://www.ncsl.org/environment-and-natural-resources/state-plastic-bag-legislation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">laws</a> that block cities and counties from regulating bags at all. When local governments cannot act, the study’s data suggest statewide policies become especially important.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-and-entanglement">Wildlife and entanglement</h2>



The cleanup records include notes on animals found <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-found-in-99-percent-sea-turtles-organ-tissue-reproductive-system/">entangled in debris</a>. 



In areas with bag policies, the presence of entangled animals dropped by roughly 30 to 37 percent, although the authors caution that the estimates are imprecise and more data are needed.



That finding aligns with what we know about <a href="https://www.nrdc.org/stories/single-use-plastics-101" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">single-use-plastics</a>. Thin bags linger in water and along shorelines, where they can snag, smother, or be eaten by turtles, birds, and fish.



Many studies track what happens at store checkouts, but fewer track what ends up outdoors. Shoreline cleanups offer a window into that last step in the chain from purchase to pollution.



Across the study period, the share of bags among collected items rose overall, but it rose less where bag laws existed. That pattern is exactly what you want to see if policies are slowing the flow of litter into the environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-plastic-policy-steps">Global plastic policy steps</h2>



A small, universal fee is a simple tool that nudges behavior without banning choices. Full bans can work too, and the analysis shows both approaches reduce the share of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/glass-bottles-contain-more-microplastics-than-plastic-containers/">plastic</a> bags found during cleanups.



The mix of policies should match local conditions. In places with more bag litter to begin with, impacts were largest, so targeting high problem areas with fast action can deliver quick gains.



Plastic bag rules are only one part of the picture. Negotiators from 175 countries are working toward a plastics treaty under <a href="https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNEP</a> that could standardize action on a wider set of products and chemicals.



The study notes that bottles, caps, and other items did not decline when bag policies passed. That is a signal that targeted rules for other single use products would be needed to curb overall litter.



Adopt a modest fee or a full ban that applies across retail and restaurant settings, and keep the text simple so it is easy to enforce. Pair the policy with clear signs at checkout and with retailer reporting that tracks compliance.



Measure results in the same way the researchers did. Recruit volunteers, log items in TIDES, and watch how the litter mix changes year over year so the policy can be adjusted as needed.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adp9274" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Studies confirm that a small tax definitely helps curb plastic pollution

Plastic bags are everywhere, and too many slip into rivers and onto beaches. A new analysis finds that policies that either charge a small fee per bag or prohibit them outright cut the share of bags found during shoreline cleanups by 25 to 47 percent. The study combed through hundreds of city, county, and state rules passed between 2017 and 2023. It matched those policies to more than 45,000 volunteer cleanups across the United States to see what actually changed on the ground. Who ran the study...

Wildfire,Near,Diablo,Lake,In,North,Cascades.,North,Cascades,National

As much as 70% of California, including most lakes, was blanketed by wildfire <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-is-an-underestimated-threat-to-public-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">smoke</a> during parts of 2020 and 2021, according to a new study led by the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Davis</a>. 



The research used lake-based sensors and satellite imagery to reveal that maximum smoke cover has increased by about 116,000 square miles since 2006.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-history-of-wildfire-smoke">History of wildfire smoke</h2>



The study examined lake responses to wildfire smoke during California's largest fire seasons in 2018, 2020, and 2021. 



On average, lakes experienced 33 days of high-density smoke from July to October, with the peak smoky days in August and September. 



This research highlights the significant and prolonged exposure of lake ecosystems to wildfire smoke during these critical periods, emphasizing the need to understand and address the impacts on aquatic health and function.



Since the 1970s, the extent of wildfires in California has increased fivefold, yet the impact of smoke on lake <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nitrogen-overlooked-component-eutrophication-lake-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a> remains poorly understood. 



“We’re looking at a scenario where for the next 100 years or longer, smoke will be a feature on the landscape,” said senior author <a href="https://sadrolab.squarespace.com/people" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Steven Sadro</a>, a UC Davis limnologist and associate professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy. 



“What does that mean for fundamental ecology? What are the implications of those changes? Those are the big questions we’re focused on in aquatic systems.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfires-and-lakes">Wildfires and lakes</h2>



Addressing these questions required a bit of serendipity. Scientific instrumentation needs to be present in lakes when and where wildfire smoke occurs to measure effects. As smoke settled over California during the three main study years, sensors in 10 lakes recorded changes.



The lakes varied widely, ranging from cold mountain lakes to warmer, murkier waters. They included Castle Lake in the Klamath Mountains, Lake Tahoe, Emerald Lake in the southern Sierra Nevada, Clear Lake in the Coast Range, and a site in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.



“We were measuring things like temperature, light, and oxygen in the water,” said lead author Adrianne Smits, a research scientist in the UC Davis Environmental Science and Policy Department. 



“These are all components of lake productivity and health. We were interested in how those things change under smoky conditions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-wildfire-smoke-on-lake-ecosystems">Impact of wildfire smoke on lake ecosystems</h2>



The researchers hypothesized that smoke and ash would “dim the lights,” affecting photosynthesis and respiration rates of the lake’s plant and aquatic life, which are fundamental to healthy lake ecosystems.



The study confirmed that wildfire smoke alters light, water temperature, and oxygen in lakes -- key drivers of lake function and health -- but these changes are as variable as the lakes themselves.



Smits emphasized that there is no single answer to how wildfire smoke impacts lakes. The responses depend on factors such as lake size, depth, smoke cover, and nutrient levels. However, changes are evident.



“We’re seeing changes -- often decreases -- in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/revealing-the-secrets-of-photosynthesis-through-pep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a> and respiration rates that drive almost everything else,” Smits said. “Food webs, algal growth, the ability to emit or sequester carbon — those are dependent on these rates. They’re all related, and they’re all being changed by smoke.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-significance-and-future-directions">Study significance and future directions</h2>



These findings underscore the need for more research to understand how the scale, scope, and intensity of recent and future wildfires affect lake ecosystems.



“We need to reframe how we’re thinking about wildfire smoke — as a seasonal weather phenomenon and not just an ‘event’ that happens and goes away,” Smits explained. “We think about it for our health, but we should be thinking about it for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-ecosystems-are-needed-to-prevent-future-pandemics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystem health</a>, as well.”



Recognizing wildfire smoke as a recurring environmental factor allows us to better prepare and mitigate its impacts on both human and ecological health. 



This awareness leads to improved strategies for protecting air quality, public health, and natural ecosystems. By understanding smoke's effects on lakes and other environments, we can develop more effective conservation and management plans. 



This proactive approach ensures that communities and ecosystems are resilient to the challenges posed by increasing wildfire activity, fostering a healthier and more sustainable future for all.



The study is recently published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01404-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Wildfire smoke significantly impacts lake ecosystems

As much as 70% of California, including most lakes, was...

In 2023, Antarctic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-ice-levels-in-antarctica-have-reached-an-unprecedented-low/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea ice</a> reached historically low levels, with over two million square kilometers less ice than usual during winter, equivalent to about ten times the size of the UK. 



This significant reduction follows decades of steady growth in sea ice up to 2015, making the sudden decline even more surprising.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-remarkably-low-antarctic-sea-ice-levels">Remarkably low Antarctic sea ice levels</h2>



Researchers from the British Antarctic Survey (<a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BAS</a>) used a large climate dataset called CMIP6 to investigate this unprecedented sea ice loss. 



They analyzed data from 18 different climate models to understand the probability of such a significant reduction in sea ice and its connection to climate change.



According to lead author Rachel Diamond, although 2023's extreme <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-sheet-fracture-sets-a-speed-record-in-antarctica/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">low sea ice</a> was made more likely by climate change, such an occurrence was still considered very rare.



"This is the first time this large set of climate models has been used to find out how unlikely 2023’s low sea ice actually was. We only have forty-five years of satellite measurements of sea ice, which makes it extremely difficult to evaluate changes in sea ice extent,” she explained. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-models-predictions">Climate models predictions</h2>



According to the climate models, the record-breaking minimum sea ice extent would be a one-in-a-2000-year event without climate change. 



"This tells us that the event was very extreme – anything less than one-in-100 is considered exceptionally unlikely," Diamond continued.



Caroline Holmes, a co-author on the study, added, “Strong <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctica-in-distress-the-escalating-consequences-of-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> – i.e. the temperature changes we’re already seeing, and those expected if emissions continue to rise rapidly - in the models makes it four times more likely that we see such a big decline in sea ice extent."



To Holmes and her team, this suggests that 2023’s extreme low was made more likely by climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-for-recovery">Potential for recovery</h2>



The researchers also used the models to examine the potential recovery of Antarctic sea ice. They found that after such <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctica-suffered-extremely-rapid-ice-loss-after-the-last-ice-age-alarming-scientists/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme sea ice loss</a>, not all the sea ice around Antarctica returns, even after twenty years. This suggests that recent low sea ice could indicate a lasting regime shift in the Southern Ocean.



“The impacts of Antarctic sea ice staying low for over twenty years would be profound, including on local and global weather and on unique <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctica-ice-shelves-melting-faster-due-to-ocean-currents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southern Ocean</a> ecosystems -- including whales and penguins,” said co-author Louise Sime, an expert in ice dynamics and paleoclimate at BAS.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historic-data-records-of-antarctic-ice">Historic data records of Antarctic ice</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-happened-when-antarctic-ice-melted-in-the-past/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Satellite records</a> of Antarctic sea ice began in late 1978, showing a slight and steady increase in sea ice extent until 2015. However, 2017 saw a record low, followed by several years of relatively low sea ice extent.



Various complex factors influence Antarctic sea ice, making it difficult to pinpoint why 2023 was a record-breaking year. 



Recent studies have emphasized the roles of ocean processes, heat stored below the surface, and warm sea surface temperatures during the first half of 2023. 



Additionally, strong variations in north-to-south winds and storm systems played a role.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-antarctic-sea-ice">Protecting Antarctic sea ice</h2>



Antarctic sea ice is crucial for understanding climate change. It influences ocean currents, weather patterns, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarcticas-protective-ice-barriers-are-melting-at-double-the-pace/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protects ice shelves</a> from waves, thereby reducing Antarctica’s contribution to sea level rise. 



It is also vital for marine life, as seen in the catastrophic breeding failures of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/emperor-penguins-will-not-survive-the-current-rate-of-sea-ice-decline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emperor penguin</a> colonies due to low sea ice in recent years.



Studies like this are critical to determining the likelihood of rapid sea-ice losses and whether sea ice is likely to remain low in the coming decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Education and public awareness</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-than-48-million-americans-deny-that-climate-change-is-real/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Public awareness</a> and education about Antarctic sea ice loss, and climate change in general, are crucial in addressing this global challenge. 



Understanding the science behind climate change helps people grasp its impacts on the environment, economy, and society. 



Increased awareness can drive collective action and policy changes necessary to mitigate its effects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simple-ways-to-help">Simple ways to help</h2>



Individuals can contribute significantly to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-people-fear-climate-change-will-end-the-world-during-their-lifetime/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">combating climate change</a> through everyday actions. Reducing energy consumption at home is a straightforward way to start. 



<ul>
<li>Switching to energy-efficient appliances, using public transportation, biking, or walking instead of driving can lower carbon footprints. </li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Simple habits like turning off lights when not in use and setting thermostats to energy-saving temperatures also help.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Waste reduction is another critical area. Recycling, composting, and minimizing single-use plastics can decrease greenhouse gas emissions from landfills. </li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Supporting and buying from companies with sustainable practices encourages more businesses to adopt eco-friendly operations.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Advocacy and community involvement are powerful tools for change. People can join or support environmental organizations, participate in local clean-up events, or advocate for green policies in their communities. </li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Educating others, especially younger generations, about the importance of sustainability ensures a long-term commitment to climate action.</li>
</ul>



Collectively, these actions foster a culture of environmental stewardship, driving progress toward a more sustainable future. Public awareness and individual contributions form the foundation of a global effort to combat climate change.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/19448007" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a>.



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Record low Antarctic sea ice, rapid melting pace, stuns climate scientists

In 2023, Antarctic sea ice reached historically low levels, with...

The ocean, our planet's vast blue heart, has been sending out CO2 alert signals for years. Rising sea levels, acidification, and coral bleaching are just a few of the symptoms of an ocean under immense distress. 



Now, in a landmark decision, an international court has confirmed what many scientists and activists have long suspected: carbon dioxide (CO2), the notorious <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/met-office-2024-co2-levels-will-surpass-the-point-of-no-return/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gas</a>, is officially a pollutant of the sea.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-co2-pollution-in-ocean">CO2 pollution in ocean</h2>



Imagine a courtroom where the plaintiff isn't an individual, but the entire ocean itself. Nine small island nations, facing the devastating effects of rising sea levels, took their case to the <a href="https://www.itlos.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea</a>. 



Their argument? The CO2 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-ice-reveals-that-co2-is-rising-at-the-fastest-rate-in-50000-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emissions</a> from industrialized countries, absorbed by the oceans, constitute marine pollution. This landmark case saw these nations fighting for their survival, arguing that the greenhouse gases responsible for climate change are also polluting the marine environment.



The court, in its first-ever climate-related judgment, agreed. This ruling sends a powerful message: the ocean is not a limitless dumping ground for our carbon waste. 



"Anthropogenic GHG emissions into the atmosphere constitute pollution of the marine environment," the court declared, citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (<a href="https://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/unclos_e.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNCLOS</a>).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-health">Ocean health </h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alarming-shifts-in-ocean-health-less-oxygen-more-heat-and-acidity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ocean's health</a> affects us all. It provides half the oxygen we breathe, playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of our atmosphere. Additionally, the ocean regulates our climate by absorbing significant amounts of CO2 and heat. 



It supports a vast web of life, from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plankton-tiny-ocean-creatures-overlooked-critical-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microscopic plankton</a> to the largest whales, forming the basis of the food chain that feeds billions of people. 



The degradation of our oceans threatens biodiversity, food security, and the stability of our climate, impacting everyone.



This ruling could have a ripple effect, influencing future climate litigation and potentially holding polluting countries accountable for the damage their emissions cause to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-plastic-pollution-has-become-a-global-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine environment</a>. 



"Some [island nations] will become uninhabitable in the near future because of the failure to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. We demand that the major polluters respect international law and stop the catastrophic harm against us before it is too late," notes Gaston Browne, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-behind-the-ruling">Science behind the ruling</h2>



While this ruling might seem like a sudden wake-up call, the science behind it has been building for decades. Scientists have long known that the ocean <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/clues-from-the-last-ice-age-help-predict-oceans-response-to-continued-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">absorbs</a> about a quarter of the CO2 we release into the atmosphere. 



At first glance, this might seem beneficial, as it reduces the amount of greenhouse gases in the air. However, it comes at a steep price.



When CO2 dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid in a process called <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/preparing-for-ocean-acidification-a-silent-killer-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean acidification</a>. This increases the acidity of the water, disrupting the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. It's like a slow-burning chemical reaction that threatens the very foundation of ocean life. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-co2-impact-on-ocean-ecosystems">CO2 impact on ocean ecosystems</h2>



The effects of this acidification are already being felt around the world. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-worlds-largest-coral-bleaching-event-is-now-underway/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coral reefs</a>, vibrant underwater cities that support a quarter of all marine species, are particularly vulnerable. 



Acidic water makes it difficult for corals to build their skeletons, leading to widespread bleaching and death.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-level-rise-will-cost-coastal-cities-over-1-trillion-in-damages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rising sea levels</a>, another consequence of climate change, are threatening coastal communities and ecosystems. Low-lying islands, like those that brought this case to court, are facing an existential crisis. 



Their land is slowly being swallowed by the sea, a direct result of the greenhouse gases we've pumped into the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glimmer-of-hope">Glimmer of hope</h2>



While the situation is dire, this court ruling offers a glimmer of hope. It's a recognition that we can't ignore the ocean's plight any longer. 



"For the first time, an international court has recognized that the fates of two global commons -- the oceans and the atmosphere -- are intertwined and imperiled by the climate crisis," said Joie Chowdhury, a senior attorney at the <a href="https://www.ciel.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Center for International Environmental Law</a>.



This ruling could be a catalyst for change, pushing governments and industries to take more aggressive action to reduce emissions. 



It's a reminder that we're all connected to the ocean, whether we live by the coast or not. The ocean's health is our health, and it's time we started treating it with the respect it deserves.



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CO2 is declared an ocean pollutant by international court

The ocean, our planet's vast blue heart, has been sending...

Siberian,Chipmunk,(eutamias,Sibiricus),In,The,Forest,In,Noord,Brabant

Deep within the Penobscot Experimental Forest in Maine, a team of researchers has uncovered a fascinating phenomenon involving small mammals. 



These woods, located about 10 miles north of Bangor, are scattered with hidden treasures -- not gold or jewels, but eastern white pine seeds. 



These seed caches were strategically placed by researchers to study the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mammal-social-behavior-dates-back-to-the-age-of-dinosaurs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behavior</a> of the forest's small mammal inhabitants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-behavior-of-small-mammals-in-forests">Behavior of small mammals in forests</h2>



This intriguing study is led by Brigit Humphreys, a graduate student at the <a href="https://umaine.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maine</a>, as part of her National Science Foundation-funded research. 



For the past two years, Humphreys has been investigating how the personalities of small mammals influence their behavior, particularly in the context of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/woodlice-prove-crucial-players-plant-seed-dispersal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seed dispersal</a>. 



Her work is part of a larger, eight-year project nearing its conclusion, aimed at understanding the role of individual animal personalities in ecological processes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecological-importance">Ecological importance</h2>



The point of the project was to figure out how small mammal personality and animal personality in general influence different ecological processes. 



"We’re focused on small mammals because they’re abundant, we get a really good sample size, and we can conduct experiments on them in the forest. Seed dispersal is crucial to Maine’s economy, recreation, and aesthetics," Humphreys explained.



This research sheds light on an often overlooked aspect of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/history-can-affect-the-outcome-of-ecological-restoration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecology</a> -- individual behavioral differences within species. 



By focusing on these differences, Humphreys aims to highlight their significance in ecosystems, tree growth, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-ants-make-a-huge-contribution-to-forest-regeneration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forest regeneration</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-catching-the-thieves-in-action">Catching the thieves in action</h2>



Under the guidance of Professor Alessio Mortelliti from the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology, Humphreys and her team conducted their fieldwork from June to October 2022.



They set traps for various small mammals, including squirrels, chipmunks, mice, voles, and shrews, across a six-grid system in the forest. Each captured animal was tagged and its personality traits recorded.



After clearing the traps from each grid, the team planted artificial seed caches equipped with circular antennas to detect the tagged animals. Game cameras were also installed to capture footage of the animals pilfering the seeds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovering-personality-traits">Discovering personality traits</h2>



Humphreys' findings reveal that the personality of small mammals significantly influences their seed-stealing success. 



"We found that more exploratory deer mice were more likely to find caches to pilfer," Humphreys notes. "They move around more and don't consider predation risk as much, so they find these caches and steal them."



The research also highlighted that skinnier animals were more desperate to pilfer due to hunger, and female voles were more likely to steal seeds, aligning with previous research on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-behavior-of-voles-linked-to-oxytocin-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vole behavior</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-pilferers">Unexpected pilferers</h2>



Throughout the study, the team observed a variety of species pilfering the caches. 



"We had over 10 different species come and pilfer the caches," Humphreys says. "Some were unexpected, like raccoons. The other common pilferers were American red squirrels, eastern chipmunks, Sorex shrews, and jumping mice."



Even with a small sample of jumping mice, their effectiveness was notable. "The ones that were present in our areas were very effective. They got like 10 caches in a night," Humphreys adds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-mammals-healthy-forests-happy-planet">Small mammals, healthy forests, happy planet</h2>



Humphreys’ research, recently published in the Journal of Animal Ecology, emphasizes the importance of individual behavioral diversity within species. 



"The take-home message of all the research we are doing is that individuals are important," she concludes. "There’s a big push in the science community to conserve biodiversity, but beyond biodiversity, we have to be conserving behavioral diversity within a species if we truly want to have fully functional ecosystems."



In summary, as we delve deeper into the secret lives of forest critters, Brigit Humphreys and her team at the University of Maine continue to unravel the complex relationships between small mammal personalities and the ecosystems they inhabit. 



Their research not only highlights the importance of individual quirks in shaping forest dynamics but also underscores the need to conserve behavioral diversity within species.



By understanding and preserving the unique personalities of these furry thieves, we can ensure the health, resilience, and beauty of our forests for years to come. 



So the next time you take a walk in the woods, remember that beneath the tranquil canopy, a lively cast of characters is busy pilfering, exploring, and shaping the world around them, one stolen seed at a time.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2656.14059" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Animal Ecology</a>.



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Small mammals play a vital role in maintaining forest health

Deep within the Penobscot Experimental Forest in Maine, a team...

A recent survey has unveiled a startling statistic: nearly half (48%) fear they will witness climate change <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-want-to-fight-climate-change-more-than-you-think/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wreak havoc</a> on Earth within their lifetime. 



The survey, conducted by <a href="https://talkerresearch.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Talker Research</a>, found Hawaiians to be the most anxious, with 61% expressing this belief. Vermont and New Mexico residents followed closely behind, with 59% and 56% respectively.



However, this widespread fear might be misplaced. "Belief in the urgent fight against climate change has shot far past the territory of science and become an ideology," notes <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cambridge</a> professor Mike Hulme.



He terms this "climatism," arguing that it skews our approach to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-earth-energy-imbalance-temperature-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global issues</a>, potentially overshadowing other pressing concerns like poverty.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-debate">Climate change debate</h2>



The climate change debate is complex, with opinions ranging from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-than-48-million-americans-deny-that-climate-change-is-real/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outright denial</a> to apocalyptic predictions. While the survey results highlight a significant portion of Americans fearing the worst, other perspectives challenge this narrative.



Data scientist Hannah Ritchie of the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a> offers a contrasting perspective. Once convinced of an impending climate disaster, she now believes that such extreme predictions can overshadow significant achievements. 



In her book, Ritchie highlights that emissions per person have plateaued since 2012, suggesting some stabilization. She also argues that the dreaded 2.7°F (1.5°C) <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/limiting-global-warming-to-1-5-degrees-celsius-would-save-billions-of-lives/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warming threshold</a> is not necessarily a catastrophic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-global-temperature-exceeded-2c-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tipping point</a>.



Ritchie’s views suggest that while climate change remains a serious issue, it’s essential to recognize progress and avoid undue pessimism. She calls for a balanced approach that acknowledges both the ongoing challenges and the advancements made. 



This perspective encourages a more nuanced understanding of climate change, promoting informed and effective action rather than fear-driven responses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-positive-action-vs-climate-change-fear">Positive action vs climate change fear</h2>



The survey indicates that 37% of respondents engage in environmental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-want-to-fight-climate-change-more-than-you-think/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">actions</a> primarily for personal satisfaction. However, a larger portion, 50%, believes that both intent and results are equally important. This suggests a growing shift toward a more conscientious approach to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-most-people-view-climate-change-as-a-very-important-issue/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmentalism</a>.



Additionally, 32% of respondents stated that their eco-friendly actions help them sleep better at night. This connection between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/conservatives-liberals-unite-climate-action-despite-different-beliefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental responsibility</a> and personal well-being suggests that taking care of the planet can also benefit individuals' mental health. 



The sense of doing something positive for the environment might provide a sense of purpose and satisfaction, which can improve overall well-being.



These findings highlight that while some people may initially act out of self-interest, many are beginning to value the broader impact of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/media-coverage-of-climate-change-fails-to-inspire-action/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">their actions</a>. The positive personal effects, such as improved sleep, can serve as powerful motivators for encouraging more widespread environmental responsibility. 



As more people recognize the dual benefits of their actions, both for themselves and the planet, the momentum for meaningful change could grow stronger. 



This shift in perspective can lead to more sustainable behaviors becoming the norm, fostering a healthier relationship between individuals and the environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-conversation">Climate change conversation</h2>



The climate change discourse is often fraught with fear-mongering and misinformation. Sensationalist narratives can lead to unnecessary fear and a sense of helplessness among the public. 



While acknowledging the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/38-trillion-dollars-per-year-economic-losses-expected-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">potential impacts</a> of climate change is crucial for raising awareness and driving policy changes, it's equally important to avoid exaggeration. Overstating the dangers can overshadow the significant progress being made and can undermine public trust in scientific discourse.



Focusing on actionable solutions is vital for fostering a constructive approach to tackling climate issues. Instead of dwelling on apocalyptic scenarios, we should highlight practical measures that individuals, communities, and governments can take to mitigate climate change. 



"It has become common to tell kids that they're going to die from climate change," states Ritchie. Such alarmist messages can be counterproductive, fostering despair instead of encouraging <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-forests-which-tree-species-can-survive-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">action</a>.



Promoting sustainable practices, investing in renewable energy, and supporting climate-friendly policies are steps that can make a real difference. 



By emphasizing solutions over fear, we can empower people to take <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/panic-driven-doom-gloom-climate-change-messages-do-not-work/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meaningful action</a> and foster a more informed, proactive, and optimistic attitude toward addressing climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hope-action-and-balance">Hope, action, and balance</h2>



The climate change conversation needs a balanced perspective. While the challenges are real, so is the progress we've made. By focusing on solutions and fostering a sense of hope, we can empower individuals to take meaningful action.



Remember, as Professor Hulme reminds us, climate change isn't the only global issue. By adopting a holistic approach that addresses multiple challenges simultaneously, we can create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.



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Most people fear climate change will end the world during their lifetime

A recent survey has unveiled a startling statistic: nearly half...

A team of researchers has shed new light on the mysterious pockmarks that dot the seafloor off the coast of Central California. The findings reveal that powerful sediment flows, not methane gas eruptions, may be responsible for maintaining these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-mysterious-ocean-pits-linked-to-porpoises/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prehistoric formations</a>.



The research was conducted by a collaborative team from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (<a href="https://www.mbari.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MBARI</a>), the United States Geological Survey (<a href="https://www.usgs.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USGS</a>), and <a href="https://www.stanford.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford University</a>. 



Their work provides crucial information to guide decision-making about responsible use and management of the seafloor off California, including site assessments for the development of offshore wind farms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solving-the-mystery-of-the-sur-pockmark-field">Solving the mystery of the Sur Pockmark Field</h2>



The Sur Pockmark Field, located off the coast of Big Sur, California, spans an area comparable to the size of Los Angeles and contains over <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pockmarks_holes_ocean-floor_map_credit-mbari_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5,200 circular depressions</a>. 



Each of these pockmarks measures approximately 200 meters across and five meters deep. Resource managers were particularly interested in understanding the role of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/methane-emissions-are-higher-than-previously-estimated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">methane</a> in these formations due to planned offshore wind farms in Central California.



However, data collected by the experts found no evidence of methane gas in the pockmarks. Instead, they discovered that sediment gravity flows, akin to underwater avalanches of mud, sand, and water, have been maintaining these formations for hundreds of thousands of years.



“There are many unanswered questions about the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seafloor-spreading-has-slowed-down-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seafloor</a> and its processes,” said MBARI Senior Research Technician Eve Lundsten, who led the study. “This research provides important data about the seafloor for resource managers and others considering potential offshore sites for underwater infrastructure to guide their decision-making.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sending-in-the-robots-autonomous-underwater-vehicles-auvs">Sending in the robots: Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs)</h2>



The research team utilized MBARI’s advanced underwater robots to study the Sur Pockmark Field. Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) mapped the region with greater detail than previous sonar surveys. 



These maps guided the sampling process conducted by MBARI’s remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Doc Ricketts, which collected sediment samples to reconstruct the history of individual pockmarks.



The scientists discovered multiple layers of sandy deposits, known as turbidites, within the pockmarks, indicating that large <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-sediments-predict-future-stressors-for-cold-water-corals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sediment</a> gravity flows have occurred intermittently for at least the past 280,000 years. These flows cause erosion at the center of each pockmark, maintaining their distinctive shape over time.



“We collected a massive amount of data, allowing us to make a surprising link between pockmarks and sediment gravity flows. We were unable to determine exactly how these pockmarks were initially formed, but with MBARI’s advanced underwater technology, we’ve gained new insight into how and why these features have persisted on the seafloor for hundreds of thousands of years,” said Lundsten.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-offshore-wind-energy-development">Implications for offshore wind energy development</h2>



Pockmarks found in other parts of the world have been associated with the release of methane gas, which could destabilize the seafloor and pose risks to structures like offshore wind turbines. 



The findings from the Sur Pockmark Field are crucial for ensuring the stability and safety of proposed offshore wind energy projects in Central California. 



MBARI's research, driven by the need for renewable energy development, has provided critical insights into the stability of the seafloor in this region.



“Expanding renewable energy is critical to achieving the dramatic cuts in carbon dioxide emissions needed to prevent further irreversible climate change. However, there are still many unanswered questions about the possible environmental impacts of offshore <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/environmental-impacts-solar-wind-energy/">wind energy</a> development,” said MBARI President and CEO Chris Scholin. 



“This research is one of many ways that MBARI researchers are answering fundamental questions about our ocean to help inform decisions about how we use marine resources," Scholin continued.



The Sur Pockmark Field is now one of the best-studied seafloor areas on the west coast of North America, thanks to the efforts of MBARI and other institutions. 



However, questions remain about the initial formation of these pockmarks. Further research will be necessary to fully understand the processes that shaped these unique underwater features.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-steps-computer-modeling-and-further-research">Next Steps: Computer modeling and further research</h2>



In summary, by deploying advanced underwater technology and fostering collaborative research efforts, scientists have uncovered the surprising link between sediment gravity flows and the maintenance of the prehistoric formations in the Sur Pockmark Field. 



This discovery enhances our knowledge of the deep sea ecosystem and provides crucial information to guide decision-making for responsible use and management of the seafloor, particularly in the context of offshore wind energy development. 



As we continue to explore the mysteries of the deep, studies like this underscore the importance of ongoing research and collaboration in advancing our understanding of the complex and dynamic processes that shape our oceans.



The study is published in the <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023JF007374" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Geophysical Research Earth Surface</a>.



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Mystery deepens over origin of thousands of holes on the ocean floor

A team of researchers has shed new light on the...

Established in 2000 by the non-profit organization <a href="https://www.tortoise.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Tortoise Rescue</a>, World Turtle Day aims to raise awareness about turtles and tortoises, which are increasingly threatened by human activities and environmental changes.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/peltocephalus-maturin-giant-turtle-named-after-stephen-king-novel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Turtles</a> and tortoises are among the oldest surviving reptile groups in the world. These creatures, which have been around for over 200 million years, play essential roles in their ecosystems.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reintroduction-of-green-turtles-has-been-a-success-in-the-cayman-islands/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aquatic turtles</a> contribute to the health of marine and freshwater environments by maintaining healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs, while land-dwelling tortoises help disperse seeds and maintain forest and grassland habitats. However, despite their ecological importance, many species are now critically endangered.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significant-threats-to-turtles-and-tortoises-nbsp">Significant threats to turtles and tortoises&nbsp;</h2>



Turtles and tortoises around the world face significant threats from habitat loss due to various human activities. Many species depend on specific environments that are being increasingly encroached upon or destroyed.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-freshwater-turtles-nbsp">Freshwater turtles&nbsp;</h3>



For freshwater turtles, the draining of wetlands, pollution of water bodies, and construction of dams disrupt their natural habitats, making it difficult for them to survive and reproduce.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marine-turtles">Marine turtles</h3>



Marine turtles suffer from similar issues as their nesting beaches are often prime targets for development and tourism, leading to habitat degradation and increased vulnerability to predators.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-terrestrial-tortoises-nbsp">Terrestrial tortoises&nbsp;</h3>



Terrestrial tortoises are not immune to these pressures. The expansion of agricultural land and urban areas into wild landscapes has led to the fragmentation of their habitats. This not only reduces the areas available for foraging and nesting but also isolates populations - making it harder for tortoises to find mates and leading to genetic bottlenecks.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-nbsp">Climate change&nbsp;</h3>



Climate change adds another layer of stress, altering the temperature and precipitation patterns that these species have adapted to over millennia, which can affect their food availability, nesting conditions, and ultimately their survival.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-these-threats">Addressing these threats</h3>



World Turtle Day seeks to address these issues by educating the public on the plight of turtles and tortoises and promoting actions to help safeguard them.&nbsp;



Activities associated with this occasion include educational workshops, conservation efforts like beach clean-ups, and advocacy work to promote stronger regulations on the trade of turtles and their parts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turtles-and-tortoises-what-s-the-difference">Turtles and tortoises: What's the difference?</h2>



Turtles and tortoises are both reptiles from the order Testudines, but they have distinct differences in their habitats and physical characteristics.&nbsp;



Turtles are generally adapted to life in water. They have streamlined bodies and webbed feet or flippers, which make them excellent swimmers. Most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/leatherback-sea-turtles-where-the-worlds-largest-turtles-go-to-eat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">turtles</a> are either fully aquatic or spend a significant amount of time in water bodies such as oceans, rivers, and lakes.



On the other hand, tortoises are exclusively land-dwellers and are not equipped for swimming. They have dome-shaped shells and stumpy, elephantine legs suitable for terrestrial life.&nbsp;



Tortoises tend to have a more herbivorous diet, feeding on grasses, weeds, and fruit. Turtles are typically omnivorous, consuming both plant and animal matter depending on their environment.



The habitats of tortoises are mainly dry land areas like grasslands and deserts, while turtles can be found in a wide array of aquatic environments around the world.



These adaptations to different environments also reflect their differing reproductive behaviors and life spans. Tortoises are known for their longevity, whereas many turtles have shorter life spans. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fascinating-facts-about-turtles-and-tortoises">Fascinating facts about turtles and tortoises </h2>



Turtles and tortoises are fascinating creatures with unique traits and behaviors that highlight their evolutionary success.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turtle-shells">Turtle shells</h3>



One of the most remarkable features is their shells, which are actually part of their skeleton. The shells are made up of over 50 bones including the rib cage and spine, providing protection from predators - a function that is crucial for their survival.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temperature-dependent-sex">Temperature-dependent sex</h3>



Interestingly, the sex of many turtle species is determined by the temperature at which the eggs are incubated. Warmer temperatures generally produce females, while cooler temperatures produce males. 



This temperature-dependent sex determination is critical and could be impacted by climate change, potentially skewing population dynamics.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-longevity-nbsp">Longevity&nbsp;</h3>



Another unique aspect is the longevity of tortoises. Some species are among the longest-living animals on the planet. 



For instance, the Aldabra giant tortoise is known to live over 150 years. This long lifespan is accompanied by a slow metabolism, which also contributes to their ability to survive without food or water for long periods.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-navigational-abilities-nbsp">Navigational abilities&nbsp;</h3>



Turtles also display remarkable navigational abilities. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hundreds-of-plastic-items-found-in-deceased-sea-turtles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sea turtles</a> can travel thousands of miles across oceans and still return to the exact beach where they were born to lay their eggs. This homing ability involves a combination of magnetic orientation and possibly olfactory cues to find their way back after years and across vast distances.



The celebration of World Turtle Day is crucial not just for the survival of turtles and tortoises, but for the broader environmental impact that their protection would signify. 



By preserving these creatures, we also conserve vast tracts of ecosystems essential for other species, including humans. This interconnectedness of biodiversity is a central theme in the message of World Turtle Day.



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World Turtle Day: Protecting turtles, tortoises, and their vanishing habitats

Established in 2000 by the non-profit organization American Tortoise Rescue,...

Climate change is a pressing issue that affects every corner of our planet. As temperatures continue to rise, it's crucial to understand how this warming trend will impact our summer and winter seasons and the environment around us. 



Recent research has shed light on the effects of a warmer climate on seasonal temperatures, providing valuable insights into what we can expect in the future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossil-shells-tell-an-ancient-climate-story">Fossil shells tell an ancient climate story</h2>



Niels de Winter, an earth scientist affiliated with the Department of Earth Sciences at <a href="https://vu.nl/nl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam</a> and the AMGC research group at <a href="https://www.vub.be/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vrije Universiteit Brussel</a>, led a team of researchers in an important study published in Science Advances. 



The team analyzed the chemical composition of <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/fossil-Arctica-islandica_summer-warming_climate-history_Doris-Smudde_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil shells</a> from Antwerp, Belgium, which originated from mollusks such as oysters, cockles, and scallops that lived during the Pliocene epoch, approximately three million years ago.



By studying the shells from the Pliocene, the researchers were able to take a "snapshot" of the climate and gain insight into the difference between the seasons in a warmer world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-pliocene-epoch">Understanding the Pliocene epoch</h2>



During the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-cooling-trend-reversed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pliocene</a>, which lasted lasted from 5.3 million to 2.6 million years ago, Earth experienced a warmer and more stable climate compared to the present day, with average global temperatures around 2-3°C higher than now.



This warmer climate had significant impacts on the environment and life on Earth. Sea levels were higher, as much as 25 meters (82 feet) above present levels, due to the melting of ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica. The higher sea levels affected the coastlines and the distribution of land and ocean.



The Pliocene also saw the expansion of grasslands and savannas, as well as the evolution and diversification of many modern plant and animal species. 



Mammals such as horses, camels, and wolves roamed the landscapes, while early human ancestors, like Australopithecus, began to emerge in Africa.



The warmer climate of the Pliocene allowed for the growth of lush forests in regions that are now tundra, like the Canadian Arctic. The distribution of flora and fauna differed from today, with many species inhabiting areas they no longer occupy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clumped-isotope-analysis-method">Clumped isotope analysis method</h2>



To conduct their study, the researchers employed the "clumped isotope analysis" method. This innovative technique allows scientists to examine the composition of shells in greater detail by measuring the occurrence of rare heavy isotopes of both oxygen and carbon in the carbonate from which shells are built. 



These isotopes are more common in shells that formed in colder waters, making it possible to reconstruct the temperature in which the shells were formed.



The clumped isotope analysis method offers a more accurate approach to temperature reconstructions compared to conventional methods, as it does not rely on assumptions about the composition of the seawater in which the mollusks grew.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-summer-temperatures-vs-winter-temperatures">Summer temperatures vs. winter temperatures</h2>



The key finding of the study is that in a warmer climate like the Pliocene, summers warm much more than winters. 



While winters became about 2.5 degrees warmer, temperatures during summer were approximately 4.3 degrees higher. 



This pattern is consistent with the projections of future climate models, which predict a similar amount of warming for the year 2100.



Niels de Winter, the lead researcher, explains the implications of this finding: "We will likely experience stronger temperature differences between summer and winter, and the chance of heatwaves during the summer will increase."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preparing-for-future-summer-temperature-rise">Preparing for future summer temperature rise</h2>



This study of fossil shells from the Pliocene epoch provides a compelling glimpse into the potential impact of climate change on seasonal temperatures. 



By employing cutting-edge research methods like clumped isotope analysis, scientists have uncovered valuable insights into how summers warm faster than winters in a warmer climate. 



These findings enhance our understanding of the Earth's past but also serve as a stark warning about the consequences of continued global warming. 



As we grapple with the challenges of climate change, studies like this one underscore the importance of taking action to mitigate its effects and adapt to the changes that lie ahead. 



By heeding the lessons of the past, we can work towards a more sustainable and resilient future for our planet and all its inhabitants.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adl6717" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Summers warm faster than winters throughout Earth's climate history

Climate change is a pressing issue that affects every corner...

In a surprising twist, rare earth elements, traditionally sourced from overseas, have been discovered within coal mines in the United States.



Recent research has uncovered significant concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) in active coal mines in the Uinta coal belt of Colorado and Utah. These elements are crucial for the transition to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/u-s-utilities-may-be-100-percent-renewable-energy-by-2060/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">renewable energy</a> and the advancement of high-tech applications.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-rare-earth-elements-in-coal-mines">Finding rare earth elements in coal mines</h2>



A study led by the <a href="https://www.utah.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Utah</a> has documented elevated levels of REEs in these coal mines and opened the possibility of extracting these critical minerals. 



This dual resource stream could provide valuable metals used in renewable energy technologies, according to Lauren Birgenheier, an associate professor of geology and geophysics at the university.



"The model is if you're already moving rock, could you move a little more rock for resources towards energy transition?" Birgenheier explains. "In those areas, we're finding that the rare earth elements are concentrated in fine-grain shale units, the muddy shales that are above and below the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-breakthrough-g7-commits-to-close-coal-plants-by-2035/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coal</a> seams."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rare-earth-element-potential-in-utah-and-colorado">Rare earth element potential in Utah and Colorado</h2>



The link between coal and REE deposits has been established elsewhere, but little data had previously been gathered or analyzed in Utah and Colorado’s coal fields. The initial phase of this project aimed to collect additional data to determine if these deposits were worth pursuing in the West.



"The goal of this phase-one project was to collect additional data to try and understand whether this was something worth pursuing in the West," Michael Vanden Berg, Energy and Minerals Program Manager at the Utah Geological Survey, elaborates. "Is there rare earth element enrichment in these rocks that could provide some kind of byproduct or value added to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coal-mining-aquatic-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coal mining</a> industry?"



Researchers analyzed 3,500 samples from 10 mines, four mine waste piles, seven stratigraphically complete cores, and some coal ash piles near power plants. The results were promising. 



"The coal itself is not enriched in rare earth elements. There's not going to be a byproduct from mining the coal, but for a company mining the coal seam, could they take a couple feet of the floor at the same time? Could they take a couple feet of the ceiling? Could there be potential there? That's the direction that the data led us," Vanden Berg concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economic-viability-of-rare-earth-elements">Economic viability of rare earth elements</h2>



To measure the levels of rare earths in the samples, the team used two methods: a hand-held device for quick field readings and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) in an on-campus lab. 



"We’re mostly using this portable x-ray fluorescence device, which is an analysis gun that we hold to the rock for two minutes, and it only gives us five or six of the 17 rare earth elements," Birgenheier says. 



If samples showed concentrations higher than 200 ppm, a more comprehensive analysis was conducted using mass spectrometry.



The Department of Energy has set 300 ppm as the minimum concentration for rare earth mining to be economically viable. 



For this study, concentrations greater than 200 ppm were considered “REE enriched.” The study found the highest prevalence of such concentrations in coal-adjacent formations of siltstone and shale, while sandstone and the coal itself were mostly devoid of rare earths.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-core-cm-project">CORE-CM project</h2>



This research was conducted in collaboration with the <a href="https://geology.utah.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Utah Geological Survey</a> and <a href="https://coloradogeologicalsurvey.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colorado Geological Survey</a> as part of the Department of Energy-funded Carbon Ore, Rare Earth and Critical Minerals (<a href="https://netl.doe.gov/resource-sustainability/critical-minerals-and-materials/core-cm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CORE-CM</a>) project. 



The findings will support a grant request for an additional $9.4 million in federal funding to continue this promising research.



While these metals are essential for U.S. manufacturing, especially in high-end technologies, they are predominantly sourced from overseas. 



Michael Free, a professor of metallurgical engineering and the principal investigator on the DOE grant, highlights the importance of this project. 



"When we talk about them as 'critical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thousands-of-new-minerals-have-now-been-classified/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">minerals</a>,' a lot of the criticality is related to the supply chain and the processing. This project is designed around looking at some alternative unconventional domestic sources for these materials," Free explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-era-of-critical-mineral-research">New era of critical mineral research</h2>



To date, the team has analyzed 11,000 samples, far exceeding the number used in the published study.



The next steps involve determining how much rare earth ore is present, likely in collaboration with colleagues at the <a href="https://www.uwyo.edu/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Wyoming</a> and New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (<a href="https://nmt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NMT</a>).



This innovative research could revolutionize the way we view <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-breakthrough-g7-commits-to-close-coal-plants-by-2035/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coal mines</a>, transforming them from relics of the fossil fuel era into valuable sources of critical minerals for the future of renewable energy.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2024.1381152/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers of Earth Science</a>.



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Crucial 'rare earth elements' discovered in coal mines in the US

In a surprising twist, rare earth elements, traditionally sourced from...

As humans, we often perceive our lives as separate from the vast, intricate ecosystems that surround us. Yet, a recent study from Oregon State University (<a href="https://oregonstate.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OSU</a>) serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of nature, revealing how a seemingly isolated event -- a boom in purple sea urchin populations -- can have cascading effects reaching as far as the mighty <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gray-whales-reveal-alarming-effects-of-arctic-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gray whale</a> in kelp <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pacific-kelp-forests-existed-32-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kelp-forest-in-peril-due-to-sea-urchin">Kelp forest in peril due to sea urchin</h2>



Kelp forests are the underwater equivalents of terrestrial rainforests, teeming with life and providing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-otters-have-protected-california-kelp-forests-for-a-century/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crucial habitats</a> for countless marine species. However, a silent predator has been wreaking havoc on these vital ecosystems: the purple sea urchin.



In the aftermath of the Sea Star Wasting Syndrome pandemic, which decimated sea star populations, the purple sea urchin population exploded. 



These spiky invertebrates are voracious kelp consumers, and their unchecked numbers have led to the destruction of vast kelp forests off the Oregon coast.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overpopulation-of-purple-sea-urchins-in-kelp-forests">Overpopulation of purple sea urchins in kelp forests</h2>



The consequences of the ecological shift caused by the overpopulation of purple sea urchins extend far beyond the kelp itself. Because of their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kelp-farms-could-help-clean-up-coastal-nitrogen-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">importance to ecosystems</a>, the loss of kelp forests triggers a cascade of negative effects throughout the food web.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Kelp forests and zooplankton</h3>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/zooplankton-are-rapidly-escalating-the-threat-of-nanoplastics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zooplankton</a>, which are microscopic organisms, play a crucial role in the marine food web. 



These tiny creatures form the base of the marine food chain, serving as a primary food source for many larger marine animals, including fish and whales. Kelp forests provide zooplankton with essential shelter and a steady supply of nutrients.



As purple sea urchins devour kelp forests, the habitat for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-ice-decline-changes-the-behavior-of-zooplankton/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">zooplankton</a> diminishes. The destruction of these forests means that zooplankton lose their primary habitat and the protection it offers from predators. 



Moreover, the kelp forests contribute to a stable environment where zooplankton can thrive and reproduce. Without this environment, their populations decline sharply.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gray whales struggle in kelp forests</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gray-whales-that-forage-on-the-pacific-coast-are-smaller-than-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gray whales</a> rely heavily on zooplankton as a significant part of their diet. The decline in zooplankton populations directly affects the gray whales' ability to find enough food. 



As kelp forests vanish and zooplankton numbers drop, gray whales face a severe food shortage. This lack of food leads to several adverse outcomes for the whales:



<ul>
<li>Reduced foraging efficiency: <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-whaling-wiped-two-species-of-whales-in-the-eastern-atlantic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gray whales</a> have to spend more time and energy searching for food, which can deplete their energy reserves.</li>



<li>Poor health: With insufficient food, gray whales can suffer from malnutrition. This weakens their overall health, making them more susceptible to disease and less capable of reproducing successfully.</li>



<li>Migration patterns: Food scarcity can force gray whales to alter their migration routes, potentially leading them into less favorable or more dangerous waters.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Broader ecological implications</h2>



The decline of kelp forests and the subsequent impact on zooplankton and gray whales exemplify the interconnectedness of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invasive-lionfish-global-domination-mediterranean-sea-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine ecosystems</a>. When one component of the ecosystem is disrupted, the effects ripple through the entire system. 



Other species that rely on zooplankton, either directly or indirectly, are also affected. The loss of kelp forests can lead to reduced biodiversity, altered species compositions, and weakened ecosystem resilience.



"This study shows the cascading impacts of a change in the coastal ocean ecosystem in a way that has not been documented before," said Lisa Hildebrand, the lead author of the study. "These impacts extend indirectly to a top predator, the gray whale, and it affects them in a negative way."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-loss-of-the-sea-otters">Loss of the sea otters</h2>



The absence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunflower-sea-stars-could-help-save-kelp-forests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sunflower sea stars</a>, the primary predator of sea urchins, exacerbated the problem in kelp forest. Historically, sea otters also played a role in controlling urchin populations, but they were hunted to extinction in Oregon waters over a century ago.



"In ecology, we think about the important role of redundancy in an ecosystem," said Leigh Torres, an associate professor at OSU and co-author of the study. 



"This is a good example of an ecosystem that lacks redundancy due to the loss of sea otters. The system could not sustain itself without both the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-otters-use-tools-to-access-larger-prey-and-protect-their-teeth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea otters</a> and the sea stars."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glimmer-of-hope">Glimmer of hope</h2>



Despite the dire situation, there are signs of recovery. In 2023, researchers observed a decrease in urchin <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deadly-sea-urchin-parasite-has-emerged-on-opposite-sides-of-the-globe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">numbers</a> and a resurgence of kelp, zooplankton, and gray whales. This suggests that the ecosystem may be slowly returning to a state of balance.



"We think and we hope this system is recovering and we'll continue to monitor it through our research," said Torres. "Oregonians love having gray whales feeding along our coast and they need a healthy habitat to ensure that continues."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kelp-forest-and-sea-urchin-connection">Kelp forest and sea urchin connection</h2>



The plight of the gray whale and the kelp forest crisis serves as a cautionary tale about the delicate balance of nature. It highlights the importance of protecting biodiversity and the interconnectedness of species.



"These impacts extend indirectly to a top predator, the gray whale, and it affects them in a negative way," notes Lisa Hildebrand. It's a reminder that our actions, or inactions, can have ripple effects far beyond our immediate surroundings.



The future of the gray whale and the kelp forest hangs in the balance. It is a future that depends on our ability to learn from the past, to protect the environment, and to recognize that we are not separate from nature, but an integral part of it.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-59964-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Gray whales struggle as purple sea urchins destroy kelp forests

As humans, we often perceive our lives as separate from...

Corn,Close-up

Climate change is significantly impacting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollution-prevents-nighttime-pollinators-from-finding-flowers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinator activity</a>, leading to a decrease in plant pollen production and diversity. This could have serious implications for global food production. 



Researchers from several institutions have meticulously examined the long-term effects of global warming on plant-pollinator interactions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-pollinators-and-food-production">Climate change, pollinators, and food production</h2>



The study, conducted by researchers at <a href="https://www.uta.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of Texas at Arlington</a>, the <a href="https://www.unr.edu/">University of Nevada, Reno</a>, and <a href="https://www.vt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Tech</a>, investigates how shifts in flowering times and extreme weather events affect the availability of essential food sources for insect pollinators. 



The lead author of the study, Behnaz Balmaki, is an assistant professor of research in biology at UTA. “This research is crucial as it examines the long-term impacts of climate change on plant-pollinator interactions,” Balmaki emphasized.



This study investigates how shifts in flowering times and extreme weather events affect the availability of critical food sources for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/environmental-dna-can-help-monitor-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insect pollinators</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-great-basin-living-laboratory-for-pollinators">Great Basin: Living laboratory for pollinators</h2>



The research team, which included UTA's Masoud A. Rostami, focused their efforts on the Great Basin and Sierra Nevada mountains. 



The Great Basin, spanning across 95% of Nevada and parts of California, Oregon, Idaho, and Wyoming, serves as an ideal location for this type of research due to its unique geographical features. The mountains act as a shield, protecting the region from Pacific storms, rain, and snow.



Home to over 200 butterfly species, many of which act as pollinators, the Great Basin region plays a vital role in agriculture. 



Pollinators are essential for the fertilization of flowers, enabling them to produce fruit. The research team established 19 sampling sites throughout the region, collecting a diverse sample of butterflies to study their role in pollen distribution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warmer-climate-no-pollination-no-food">Warmer climate, no pollination, no food</h2>



To gain a comprehensive understanding of the changes in pollination dynamics over time, the research team collected new samples and examined previously captured butterfly specimens stored at the University of Nevada, Reno <a href="https://www.unr.edu/natural-history" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Museum of Natural History</a>. These samples, dating back to 2000, provided a wealth of historical data spanning 21 years.



Balmaki emphasized the significance of the study's extensive historical data analysis, spanning an impressive 21 years. She noted that this long period provides a clear and comprehensive view of the changes in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insect-apocalypse-australasia-is-facing-a-hidden-pollination-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollination services</a> over time. 



"By analyzing 21 years of historical data, a very long period that provides clear views, the research offers detailed perspectives on the consequences of habitat loss, fragmented landscapes and changes in plant assemblages on pollination services," Balmaki stated. 



The study delves into the intricate relationships between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-pollinators-wild-bees-boosts-food-supply-income/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinators and their environment</a>, shedding light on how factors such as habitat loss, landscape fragmentation, and shifts in plant communities can have profound effects on the ability of pollinators to carry out their crucial role in ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Museum specimens reveal alarming trends</h2>



Balmaki highlighted the innovative approach employed in the research, which involved utilizing museum specimens to track changes in pollen over time. 



This novel methodology provides a unique perspective on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hornets-are-the-most-important-pollinators-for-some-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dynamic nature</a> of pollination and offers valuable insights into the long-term trends and patterns that may have gone unnoticed in shorter-term studies. 



By leveraging the wealth of information stored in museum collections, the researchers were able to uncover a new dimension in understanding the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-expansion-linked-to-global-decline-of-wild-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex interplay</a> between pollinators, plants, and the environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-imperative-of-pollinator-conservation">The imperative of pollinator conservation</h2>



One of the key takeaways from this study is the critical importance of pollinators in maintaining food production essential for human survival. 



Without effective pollination, many crops crucial to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-breaking-heat-is-threatening-wheat-and-the-global-food-supply/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global food supply</a> could fail.



"Our research underscores the necessity of developing targeted conservation policies to protect pollinators and maintain essential pollination services during global warming, thereby addressing some of the most significant environmental challenges of our time," Balmaki concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-pollinators-for-sustainable-food-production">Protecting pollinators for sustainable food production</h2>



The findings of this research serve as a powerful call to action, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted conservation policies to safeguard pollinators and preserve the delicate balance of ecosystems. 



By addressing the challenges posed by climate change and implementing effective measures to protect pollinators, we can ensure the sustainability of natural ecosystems and secure the future of human agriculture and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-production-is-one-of-the-biggest-drivers-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food production</a>.



As we face the mounting pressures of global warming, studies like this provide invaluable insights into the complex dynamics of plant-pollinator interactions and the far-reaching consequences of climate change. 



By understanding these intricate relationships and taking proactive steps to conserve pollinators, we can work towards mitigating the impact of climate change and preserving the vital services that pollinators provide for our planet.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00442-024-05533-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oecologia</a>.



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Food production is becoming much more difficult due to climate change

Climate change is significantly impacting pollinator activity, leading to a...

Ephemeral,Arc,Spans,Greenland,Fjord.,Scientists,Have,Some,Ideas,About

The fight against climate change has gained a powerful new ally in the form of an innovative GPS-based method designed to measure daily ice loss in Greenland. 



This breakthrough technology marks a significant step forward in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sentinel-satellites-give-major-support-to-environmental-monitoring/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental monitoring</a>, developed by researchers at the <a href="https://www.dtu.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technical University of Denmark</a> (DTU). 



Unlike previous methods, which provided estimates of mass loss on a monthly or yearly basis, this new system offers unprecedented daily updates.



Senior researcher Valentina Barletta at DTU Space, who led the development, highlighted the impact of this advancement, stating, "This is the first time we can measure the entire mass loss of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shock-discovery-greenland-ice-sheet-is-teeming-with-microorganisms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice sheet</a> day by day." 



This capability is crucial for tracking rapid changes often seen during the summer months, which were previously difficult to monitor effectively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insight-into-greenland-s-rapid-ice-loss">Insight into Greenland's rapid ice loss</h2>



The urgency of this development becomes clear against the backdrop of Greenland's dramatic ice loss --roughly equivalent to draining Denmark's largest lake, Arresø, 40 times a week. 



Over the past two decades, Greenland has consistently lost about 5 cubic kilometers of ice per week, a staggering figure that underscores the scale of the problem.



By leveraging data from the Danish state's GNET, which includes 61 GNSS stations scattered across Greenland, the method utilizes high-precision detection of bedrock movements. 



These movements are key indicators of ice mass changes, as the bedrock rises with the decreasing pressure from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-is-melting-faster-in-greenland-and-slower-in-antarctica/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">melting ice</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-real-world-impact-of-ice-loss-monitoring">Real-world impact of ice loss monitoring</h2>



Beyond its scientific contributions, the new method holds significant practical implications for managing ice loss, particularly for the residents of Greenland.



"By calculating daily changes in the ice sheet's mass, we can monitor the melting season and warn the local population if there is a risk of flooded rivers," explained DTU Space professor Shfaqat Abbas Khan.



This was notably relevant in 2012, when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-melt-seasons-change-the-behavior-of-ice-sheets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme melting</a> led to the collapse of a bridge at Kangerlussuaq due to sudden floodwaters.



Furthermore, the data from this new method enhances the ability of organizations like the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (<a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IPCC</a>) to generate more accurate forecasts for future ice sheet melting and its contributions to global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-will-contribute-almost-a-foot-to-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea-level rise</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greenland-ice-loss-and-sea-level-rise">Greenland ice loss and sea level rise</h2>



When Greenland's ice melts, the water flows into the ocean, directly contributing to global sea level rise. As the ice sheet continues to melt at an increasing rate, it adds more water to the oceans, causing sea levels to rise faster. 



Scientists estimate that if the entire Greenland ice sheet were to melt, it would raise <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-level-rise-will-cost-coastal-cities-over-1-trillion-in-damages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global sea levels</a> by approximately 7.4 meters (24 feet).



Rising sea levels pose a significant threat to coastal communities worldwide. As sea levels rise, low-lying areas become more vulnerable to flooding, erosion, and storm surges. 



This can lead to the displacement of millions of people, damage to infrastructure, and the loss of valuable ecosystems such as wetlands and beaches. 



The impact of sea level rise from Greenland ice loss is not limited to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-breaking-sea-level-rise-found-along-u-s-coasts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coastal areas</a>. It can also affect inland regions through increased flooding along rivers and changes in groundwater levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-technological-and-operational-excellence">Technological and operational excellence</h2>



The implementation of this method is supported by the <a href="https://eng.gst.dk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Danish Geodata Agency</a>'s diligent maintenance of the GNSS stations, ensuring high-quality, reliable data. 



Project manager Malte Nordmann Winther-Dahl emphasized the importance of these efforts, stating, "We are pleased that data from the GNET stations is so widely used and gives us new opportunities to accurately monitor climate change in Greenland."



The study's success also stems from a collaborative effort between DTU Space and DTU Computing Center, the latter providing essential computing power and expertise necessary for managing large volumes of GPS data and running complex simulations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-embracing-new-tools-in-the-fight-against-climate-change">Embracing new tools in the fight against climate change</h2>



The development of this GPS-based method by DTU is not just a technical achievement; it is a vital tool in the global effort to combat climate change. 



By providing a detailed, daily account of ice loss, scientists and policymakers can better understand and react to the challenges posed by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/highest-points-of-greenland-are-now-affected-by-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global warming</a>. 



This method stands as a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in the pursuit of environmental preservation and a more sustainable future.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023GL106891" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a>.



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Greenland ice loss tracked by new GPS system on a daily basis

The fight against climate change has gained a powerful new...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What caused the planet's longest ice age

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

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



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



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.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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



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



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont</a>, in collaboration with local citizens and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, installed two underpass tunnels in 2015. 



Over a 12-year monitoring period, they observed an 80.2% reduction in amphibian deaths, and up to 94% for non-climbing species like salamanders. 



The study used a before-after-control-impact design and documented more than 5,200 amphibians, highlighting the tunnels’ effectiveness even in nearby buffer zones.



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



Local groups initiated the effort after observing mass amphibian deaths. Wildlife cameras later captured over 2,200 amphibians using a tunnel in just one spring, along with other species like raccoons and bobcats, indicating wider ecosystem benefits.



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



The study urges transportation departments to incorporate these designs into road planning and highlights how community action, thoughtful infrastructure, and persistence can make a real difference for biodiversity.



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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

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