<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...

By documenting and sampling 75 locations across Alaska’s Brooks Range, researchers have found that dozens of Alaska’s remote streams and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-is-disrupting-the-seasonal-flow-of-rivers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rivers</a> have turned from crystal clear blue to cloudy orange, likely due to minerals exposed by thawing permafrost.&nbsp;



This significant transformation of Alaska’s rivers could impact drinking water and fisheries in Arctic watersheds as the climate changes, according to a team of experts led by the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Park Service</a> (NPS), the <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Geological Survey</a>, and the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Davis</a>&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-color-changes-in-alaska-s-rivers">Color changes in Alaska’s rivers</h2>



“The more we flew around, we started noticing more and more orange rivers and streams,” said lead author Jon O’Donnell, an ecologist at the NPS’ Arctic Inventory and Monitoring Network. 



“There are certain sites that look almost like a milky orange juice. Those orange streams can be problematic both in terms of being toxic but might also prevent migration of fish to spawning areas.”



O’Donnell first noticed the issue in 2018 when he saw a river that appeared rusty, despite being clear the previous year. He began compiling locations and collecting water samples from the remote region, where helicopters are often the only way to access these rivers and streams. 



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="sMz4krAm5b-3633602-12187" type="single"]</div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-river-changes-are-visible-from-space">River changes are visible from space</h2>



“The stained rivers are so big we can see them from space,” said senior author Brett Poulin, an assistant professor of environmental toxicology at UC Davis. “These have to be stained a lot to pick them up from space.” While&nbsp; the staining resembled acid mine drainage, no mines are near the impaired rivers.



One hypothesis is that thawing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/time-traveling-pathogens-from-melting-permafrost-pose-great-risk-to-the-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">permafrost</a>, which stores minerals, releases metal ores when exposed to water and oxygen, causing acid and metal release. “Chemistry tells us minerals are weathering,” Poulin explained. “Understanding what’s in the water is a fingerprint as to what occurred.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-metals-are-changing-the-colors-of-alaska-s-rivers">Metals are changing the colors of Alaska’s rivers</h2>



The affected rivers are on federal lands managed by the <a href="https://www.blm.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bureau of Land Management</a>, <a href="https://www.fws.gov/">Fish and Wildlife Service</a>, and NPS, including Gates of the Arctic and Kobuk Valley national parks. Poulin and Ph.D. candidate Taylor Evinger analyzed initial samples and collected more in August, with additional samples taken in June and July. This year, they will conduct three more sampling trips during the summer.



Some water samples had a pH of 2.3, compared to an average pH of 8, indicating highly acidic conditions that release metals such as iron, zinc, nickel, copper, and cadmium. “We see a lot of different types of metals in these waters,” Evinger said. “One of the most dominant metals is iron. That’s what is causing the color change.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-the-water-changes-nbsp">Implications of the water changes&nbsp;</h2>



While O’Donnell first noticed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/river-colors-are-shifting-from-blue-to-yellow-and-green/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">changes</a> in 2018, satellite images have shown stained waters dating back to 2008. “The issue is slowly propagating from small headwaters into bigger rivers over time,” he said. “When emergent issues or threats come about, we need to be able to understand them.”



The researchers are in the second year of a three-year grant aimed at understanding the water changes across Alaska's rivers, modeling other at-risk areas, and assessing implications for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strict-pfas-limits-will-make-drinking-water-safer-for-100-million-americans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drinking water</a> and fisheries.&nbsp;



The problem affects habitat, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rivers-at-risk-climate-change-is-diminishing-global-water-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water quality</a>, and ecological systems, turning healthy areas into degraded habitats with fewer fish and invertebrates. If rural communities rely on these rivers for drinking water, they may eventually need treatment, and local fishing stocks could be impacted.



“There’s a lot of implications,” said O’Donnell. “As the climate continues to warm, we would expect permafrost to continue to thaw and so wherever there are these types of minerals, there’s potential for streams to be turning orange and becoming degraded in terms of water quality.”



More research is needed to understand whether rivers and streams can recover, possibly after cold weather promotes permafrost recovery. “I think there will be a lot more detailed work to follow up to address some of the uncertainties that we currently have,” O’Donnell concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01446-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications: Earth &amp; Environment</a>.



Image Credit: Ken Hill / National Park Service



Video Credit: UC Davis CAES



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Alaska’s rivers are rusting and the changes are visible from space

By documenting and sampling 75 locations across Alaska’s Brooks Range,...

Antarctica, the vast, icy continent at the bottom of our world, holds a chilling secret that could drastically reshape our coastlines within the next few decades. Scientists have just unveiled alarming new evidence: warm seawater is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/doomsday-glacier-seems-to-have-lost-its-ability-to-recover/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">relentlessly melting</a> away at the underbelly of the Thwaites Glacier, a massive ice formation ominously nicknamed the "Doomsday Glacier."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-doomsday-nickname">Why the "Doomsday" nickname?</h2>



Thwaites <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predicting-the-future-behavior-of-thwaites-the-doomsday-glacier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glacier</a>, often called the Doomsday Glacier, is a colossal ice sheet in Antarctica. It spans 74.56 miles (120 kilometers) in width and plunges 0.75 miles (1.2 kilometers) in depth. 



The sheer volume of ice it holds is staggering, with the potential to raise global sea levels by 23.62 inches (60 centimeters) if it were to melt completely. 



This is a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-sheets-can-retreat-much-faster-than-previously-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">significant threat</a>. We've already seen notable social and economic impacts from just a few centimeters of sea-level rise. 



For instance, coastal erosion, increased flooding, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources have already posed challenges to communities worldwide. 



The potential rise of seawater could lead to widespread devastation, particularly in low-lying areas. Coastal cities, small island nations, and vulnerable ecosystems would face severe impacts. 



This underscores the urgent need to understand and mitigate the effects of Thwaites Glacier's melting.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-doomsday-glacier-melt-from-warm-water">Doomsday glacier melt from warm water</h2>



For the first time, researchers have witnessed the insidious process of warm seawater intrusion beneath Thwaites Glacier. This discovery was made possible by the keen eyes of the <a href="https://www.iceye.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ICEYE</a> satellite.



This isn't just a gentle lapping at the edges; it's a forceful pumping that lifts and drops the glacier in a <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/doomsday-thwaites-glacier_melting-illustration_UC_Irvine_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">continuous cycle</a>. Each time the ice touches the intruding seawater, intense melting occurs.



The glacier sits in a basin, and right now, the seawater is only reaching the edges. But scientists predict that within the next 10 to 20 years, this destructive dance will reach the deeper parts of the basin. That's when things could get truly catastrophic, with melting rates accelerating at an alarming pace.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-underestimating-the-doomsday-glacier-urgency">Underestimating the Doomsday Glacier urgency</h2>



"Thwaites is the most unstable place in the Antarctic. The worry is that we are underestimating the speed that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-is-causing-the-rapid-retreat-of-the-thwaites-glacier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glacier</a> is changing, which would be devastating for coastal communities around the world,” warns Dr. Christine Dow, a professor at the <a href="https://uwaterloo.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Waterloo</a> and a co-author of the study.



If sea levels rise by half a meter or more, cities like Vancouver, Miami, and countless others would face severe flooding. Infrastructure would be damaged or destroyed, displacing millions of residents. 



Entire low-lying countries like Bangladesh, where vast areas are already at or below sea level, would struggle to cope with the encroaching waters. 



Pacific islands such as Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands would be particularly hard-hit. Rising sea levels could submerge entire communities, leading to mass migrations and loss of habitable land.



The social upheaval will be immense as communities relocate, creating climate refugees and straining resources in less affected regions. 



Economically, the impact of Doomsday Glacier melt would be devastating. Critical infrastructure, including ports, airports, and transportation networks, would be compromised. 



Agricultural lands would be lost to saltwater intrusion, affecting food supply chains. The cost of rebuilding and adapting to these changes would be astronomical, burdening both local economies and international aid systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-the-models">Improving the models</h2>



To understand just how dire this situation is, scientists like Dr. Dow are working tirelessly to refine their models of glacier melt. 



They're accounting for the complex interactions of seawater flowing in, subglacial water flowing out, and the mixing of the two. 



Their goal is to create more accurate predictions of how fast Thwaites is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/petermann-glacier-melting-has-tripled-due-to-warm-ocean-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">melting</a> and how much time we have left to act.



"At the moment, we don't have enough information to say one way or the other how much time there is before the ocean water intrusion is irreversible," admits Dr. Dow. 



But through rigorous research, they hope to narrow down sea level rise estimates to decades rather than centuries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climbing-everest-in-tennis-shoes">"Climbing Everest in tennis shoes"</h2>



The urgency of this research is clear, but the resources to support it are lagging. 



"We operate at the same budget in 2024 in real dollars that we were in the 1990s. We need to grow the community of glaciologists and physical oceanographers to address these observation issues sooner rather than later, but right now we’re still climbing Mount Everest in tennis shoes,” notes Dr. Eric Rignot, the lead author from <a href="https://uci.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Irvine</a>.



In other words, the scientific community is ready and eager to tackle this challenge, but they need the funding to do so effectively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-our-future-our-responsibility">Our future, our responsibility</h2>



The melting of Doomsday Glacier is a stark reminder that climate change is not a distant threat. It's happening now, with the potential to cause immense suffering within our lifetimes.



The focus should remain on reducing carbon emissions to avert the worst-case scenarios. Understanding the processes unfolding beneath Thwaites is crucial for adapting to the inevitable changes in our oceans.



The Doomsday Glacier is a ticking time bomb, but with continued research and swift action, we might just be able to defuse it before it's too late. Our future, and the future of our coastlines, depends on it.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2404766121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Doomsday Glacier is relentlessly melting away due to warm water

Antarctica, the vast, icy continent at the bottom of our...

Summer is just around the corner, and for many Illinois residents, that means the familiar drone of cicadas will soon fill the air. But this summer is unique. As we gear up for this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trillions-of-cicadas-set-to-emerge-in-historic-u-s-invasion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extraordinary even</a>t, there's one question buzzing in the minds of many: what does this mean for people with tinnitus?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cicadas-hearing-damage-and-tinnitus">Cicadas, hearing damage, and tinnitus</h2>



Cicadas are insects known for their distinct, rhythmic calls, which can be both a soothing soundtrack for some and an irritating noise for others. 



But why are these insects so loud? And why is this year expected to be even louder than usual?



We are experiencing a rare convergence of cicada Broods XIII and XIX, who haven't synchronized their schedules since 1803. 



"We are all aware of the sounds of summer, with the sounds of cicadas being a distinctive part of that. But what we are talking about this summer is the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cicada-urination-defies-what-scientists-thought-was-possible/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">13-year and 17-year</a> periodical cicadas, which far outnumber the annual cicadas in number and in sheer sound levels," explains Fatima Husain, a professor of speech and hearing science at the <a href="https://illinois.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign</a>.



These periodical cicadas are expected to create a veritable wall of sound, reaching decibel levels comparable to a jet engine (90-110 decibels). That's loud enough to cause concern for anyone's hearing health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-tinnitus">Understanding tinnitus</h2>



Tinnitus is the perception of noise or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-health-risks-of-headphones-and-earbuds-in-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ringing in the ears</a>. A common problem, tinnitus affects about 15% to 20% of people. 



Tinnitus isn't a condition itself -- it's a symptom of an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, ear injury, or a circulatory system disorder.



The phantom noise of tinnitus may vary in pitch from a low roar to a high squeal, and you may hear it in one or both ears. 



In some cases, the sound can be so loud it interferes with your ability to concentrate or hear actual sound. Tinnitus may be present all the time, or it may come and go.



Tinnitus has various causes, such as exposure to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/video-gamers-may-be-at-risk-of-irreversible-hearing-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">loud noises</a>, ear infections, and earwax buildup. Age-related hearing loss, certain medications, and conditions like Meniere's disease can also contribute. Head or neck injuries and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are additional factors.



The impact of tinnitus can be profound. For some, it is a mild annoyance. For others, it causes severe distress, affecting concentration and sleep. 



Moreover, the psychological effects, including anxiety, depression, and stress, can worsen the perception of the sound.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cicadas-can-often-ease-tinnitus-symptoms">Cicadas can often ease tinnitus symptoms</h2>



In some cases, the loud, broad frequency sounds of the cicadas can have a masking effect on tinnitus, reducing or even eliminating the perceived ringing in the ears. 



This effect was reported by many during previous cicada emergences in 2004 and 2021.



"In masking, what happens is that the external sound (the cicadas) is loud enough and of sufficient breadth of frequencies that it reduces all or some part of your tinnitus, such that the tinnitus becomes soft or inaudible," says Husain. 



However, this effect isn't universal and depends on the specific type of tinnitus and the cicada species involved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-cicadas-worsen-tinnitus-and-hearing">When cicadas worsen tinnitus and hearing</h2>



While some tinnitus sufferers might find relief in the cicada chorus, others may experience an exacerbation of their symptoms. 



Additionally, individuals with hyperacusis, a condition characterized by heightened sensitivity to everyday sounds, might find the cicadas' noise particularly bothersome.



"The loud sounds of the cicadas may also exacerbate tinnitus. So you need to check how the sounds make you feel," Husain cautions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tips-for-a-safe-and-enjoyable-cicada-summer">Tips for a safe and enjoyable cicada summer</h2>



Whether you're hoping for tinnitus relief or dreading the noise, it's crucial to take steps to protect your ears this summer. Here are some tips:



<ul>
<li>Limit exposure:&nbsp;The male cicadas produce their loudest sounds during the warmest parts of the day.&nbsp;If possible,&nbsp;stay indoors during peak hours.</li>



<li>Use ear protection:&nbsp;If you need to be outside,&nbsp;consider wearing foam earplugs or earphones.</li>



<li>Be mindful of your environment:&nbsp;The cicada calls are loudest near trees.&nbsp;If the noise is bothering you,&nbsp;move away from wooded areas.</li>



<li>Seek air-conditioned comfort:&nbsp;The hotter the day,&nbsp;the louder the cicadas.&nbsp;Enjoy the cool indoors to escape the noise.</li>
</ul>



Remember, this is a temporary phenomenon. The cicadas will subside in about six weeks, leaving us to enjoy the rest of our summer in peace and quiet (until they return in another 13 or 17 years, that is).



If you experience any discomfort or worsening of your tinnitus or hyperacusis symptoms, consult a healthcare professional immediately.



As we anticipate the arrival of Brood XIII and XIX, let's approach this unique event with curiosity, caution, and a healthy dose of respect for our noisy neighbors. 



After all, their summer symphony is a reminder of the fascinating complexity and diversity of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/are-insects-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural</a> world around us.



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Cicadas' deafening noise can harm hearing and worsen tinnitus

Summer is just around the corner, and for many Illinois...

The response of Arctic phytoplankton to heatwaves differs significantly from their response to constantly elevated temperatures. The findings from new research broaden our understanding of the complex effects of temperature fluctuations on these crucial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plankton-help-predict-ocean-biodiversity-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine organisms</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fascinating-world-of-arctic-phytoplankton">Fascinating world of Arctic phytoplankton</h2>



Arctic phytoplankton are microscopic algae that form the foundation of the Arctic marine food web. These tiny organisms <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-temperatures-may-flip-plankton-into-carbon-emitters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thrive in the cold</a>, nutrient-rich waters of the Arctic Ocean and play a crucial role in the ecosystem's health and productivity.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Crucial role in the Arctic ecosystem</h3>



Arctic phytoplankton are the primary producers of the Arctic Ocean. They harness the energy of the sun through photosynthesis, converting carbon dioxide and water into organic compounds. 



This process forms the basis of the entire marine food chain, supporting a wide range of organisms, from tiny zooplankton to massive whales.



In addition to their role in the food web, Arctic phytoplankton also contribute to the global carbon cycle. As they photosynthesize, they absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to regulate the Earth's climate. 



When phytoplankton die, some of this carbon sinks to the ocean floor, where it can remain sequestered for hundreds or even thousands of years.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Phytoplankton adaptations to the Arctic environment</h3>



Arctic phytoplankton have evolved unique adaptations to survive in the harsh conditions of the Arctic Ocean. They can thrive in water temperatures near the freezing point of seawater. 



They have evolved special enzymes and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plankton-tiny-ocean-creatures-overlooked-critical-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cellular mechanisms</a> that allow them to maintain their metabolic processes in these extreme conditions.



The Arctic experiences dramatic seasonal changes in light availability, from the 24-hour darkness of the polar night to the constant daylight of the midnight sun. 



Arctic phytoplankton have developed strategies to optimize their light-harvesting abilities, such as adjusting their pigment composition and cellular structures to capture as much light as possible.



Finally, nutrients in the Arctic Ocean are limited, particularly in terms of nitrogen and iron. Arctic phytoplankton have evolved efficient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-plankton-hold-a-long-record-of-ocean-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nutrient uptake mechanisms</a>, such as specialized transport proteins and symbiotic relationships with bacteria, to maximize their access to these essential elements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-phytoplankton-paradox-heatwaves-vs-constant-warming">Phytoplankton paradox: Heatwaves vs. constant warming</h2>



The study was conducted by a team led by Dr Klara Wolf from the Universities of <a href="https://www.uni-hamburg.de/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hamburg</a> and <a href="https://www.uni-konstanz.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Konstanz</a>, and Dr Björn Rost from the Alfred Wegener Institute (<a href="https://www.awi.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AWI</a>). The experiments took place at the Alfred Wegener Institute's AWIPEV Station in Svalbard.



One of the key findings of the study is that the phytoplankton's behavior primarily depends on the cooling phases after or between heatwaves. 



"Under stable temperatures, even an extreme increase of +7° C led to accelerated growth and higher productivity, with surprisingly small changes in the composition of species, even over weeks," explains Klara Wolf. 



"In contrast, the effects of heatwaves are considerably more complex and don't follow the same pattern. This implies that our knowledge about constant temperature increases cannot readily be applied to these short-term warm phases, which normally only last a few days," Wolf continued.



The team emphasizes that not just the exposure to increased temperatures has a major <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceans-are-quickly-losing-ability-to-support-fish-due-to-plankton-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">impact on productivity</a>, but also and especially the cooling phases after or between heatwaves. However, very little is known about these effects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-puzzle-for-scientists">Complex puzzle for scientists</h2>



Björn Rost, an AWI biologist, highlights the importance of gaining a better understanding of how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/additional-heat-is-being-transferred-to-the-arctic-ocean-as-the-climate-warms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heatwaves</a> impact the polar regions. 



"Our study represents an important first step and shows which aspects of heatwaves and which phytoplankton-related processes we need to take a closer look at," Rost explained. 



"In addition, our study shows that what we know about the processes and effects of constantly higher temperatures can't simply be applied one-to-one," he concluded.



The study reveals that scenarios involving fluctuating temperatures can produce a broad range of effects, making it more challenging to predict their implications compared to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-warming-could-speed-up-global-2c-temperature-rise-by-eight-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">continuous warming</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maintaining-the-food-web">Maintaining the food web</h2>



Phytoplankton form the basis of the marine food web in the Arctic, and changes in their behavior could have far-reaching consequences for the entire ecosystem. 



To develop better projections and models regarding how primary production and the Arctic ecosystem will change in response to climate change, researchers need to investigate not only the effects of mean temperatures but also the effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frequent-heatwaves-have-become-the-norm-in-the-arctic-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperature fluctuations</a>.



"While stable warming up to a certain temperature increases productivity, some heatwaves can decrease it, while others increase it," the researchers explain. 



A better grasp of the effects of variable temperatures, especially the cooling phases, is therefore essential to improving forecasts on potential biodiversity changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-lessons-from-arctic-phytoplankton">Climate change lessons from Arctic phytoplankton</h2>



The study emphasizes the crucial role of phytoplankton research in understanding the potential impacts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vegetation-impacts-energy-movement-in-the-arctic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> on the Arctic ecosystem. Changes at the basis of the food web can impact all higher trophic levels, all the way up to fisheries.



As heatwaves become more common in the Arctic due to climate change, it is essential to continue investigating their effects on phytoplankton and the broader ecosystem. 



By gaining a better understanding of these complex processes, researchers can develop more accurate models and projections, helping to inform conservation efforts and sustainable management practices in the face of a changing climate.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adl5904" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Arctic heatwaves have complex effects on phytoplankton

The response of Arctic phytoplankton to heatwaves differs significantly from...

Microplastics,On,The,Surface,Of,Polluted,Water.,Concept,Of,Global

Microplastics in the ocean are well-documented hazards, posing direct threats to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-floor-harbors-up-to-11-million-tons-of-plastic-debris/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine</a> life such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hundreds-of-plastic-items-found-in-deceased-sea-turtles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">turtles</a> and fish. However, a recent collaborative study has uncovered an additional, more insidious risk. 



These tiny <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-pollution-kills-ocean-embryos-during-development/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">particles</a> not only endanger marine organisms but also compromise the ocean's capacity to mitigate climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-microplastics-on-the-ocean">Impact of microplastics on the ocean</h2>



The ocean has long been a crucial component in the Earth’s carbon cycle, acting as a significant carbon sink. 



This process involves the formation of what is often referred to as "<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-snow-cools-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine snow</a>," a phenomenon where dead <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-temperatures-may-flip-plankton-into-carbon-emitters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phytoplankton</a>, the tiny plants of the sea, clump together and sink to the ocean's depths, effectively sequestering carbon away from the atmosphere.



However, the introduction of microplastics into this environment is altering this age-old process. 



The study, co-authored by researchers from <a href="https://www.northeastern.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northeastern University</a> and the <a href="https://www.unh.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of New Hampshire</a>, reveals that these microplastics increase the buoyancy of marine snow, slowing its descent to the ocean floor. 



“Plastics want to float. If phytoplanktons grow on microplastics in biofilms, instead of as free-living organisms, that changes the buoyancy of the phytoplankton when they die,” explains lead researcher, Aron Stubbins, a professor of marine and environmental sciences at Northeastern.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-slowing-down-the-marine-snow">Slowing down the marine snow</h2>



The research team conducted experiments that involved growing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plankton-help-predict-ocean-biodiversity-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phytoplankton</a> in controlled environments both with and without microplastics. 



They observed the rate at which these clumps sank in cylinders filled with seawater, noting that the descent of phytoplankton entwined with microplastics was approximately 20% slower. 



“Basically, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-sea-turtle-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastics</a> are slowing down the sinking rate of the marine snow, which is potentially reducing the efficiency with which the ocean can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,” Stubbins says.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-sequestration-implications">Carbon sequestration implications</h2>



The implications of this slowed descent are profound, especially at a time when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-a-new-ocean-carbon-sequestration-process/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon sequestration</a> is crucial to offsetting human emissions of carbon dioxide. 



As marine snow travels deeper into the ocean, it transports carbon away from the atmosphere, playing a vital role in regulating the Earth’s temperature. The disruption of this process by microplastics could thus have significant effects on global warming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microplastics-and-ocean-nutrients">Microplastics and ocean nutrients</h2>



A secondary aspect of the study focuses on another troubling impact of microplastics. When exposed to sunlight, these plastics dissolve, releasing organic carbon that bacteria can utilize, subsequently robbing vital nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from phytoplankton. 



This not only slows the growth of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robots-phytoplankton-absorb-co2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phytoplankton</a> but also diminishes their ability to capture atmospheric carbon, further weakening the biological carbon pump.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Imperative for caution and action</h2>



Microplastics are now ubiquitous in our oceans, and their concentrations continue to rise, posing a potential threat to critical global processes like the carbon cycle. 



“We’re finding that it could be a threat to global scale processes, such as the carbon cycle that is so important <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plankton-tiny-ocean-creatures-overlooked-critical-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">for all life</a>,” Stubbins states, underscoring the gravity of the situation. 



While definitive conclusions are yet to be drawn about the full impact of microplastics on the ocean’s ability to sequester carbon, the study's findings are a cause for concern and a call for careful consideration and action.



As the research progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that the proliferation of microplastics could significantly alter fundamental environmental processes. 



The insights provided by this study deepen our understanding of the ecological roles of our oceans and remind us of the interconnectedness of our actions and the natural world.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030442032400046X?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Chemistry</a>.



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Microplastics hinder the ocean's ability to absorb carbon, worsening climate change

Microplastics in the ocean are well-documented hazards, posing direct threats...

In a disconcerting update from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the agency revealed that bleaching has affected nearly two-thirds of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deepest-known-coral-reef-bleaching-discovered-alarming-scientists/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">world’s coral reefs</a> due to significant heat stress in just the past year. 



As of now, an alarming 60.5% of coral reefs globally have been impacted by this phenomenon, and unfortunately, this percentage is on the rise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-catalysts-behind-the-reef-bleaching-crisis">Catalysts behind the reef bleaching crisis</h2>



This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-barrier-reef-mass-bleachings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mass bleaching</a> is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing trend exacerbated by climate change and a recent El Niño event, which have collectively driven <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-temperatures-were-a-driving-force-behind-2023s-record-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean temperatures</a> to unprecedented highs. 



"We are seeing ocean temperatures that are very extreme in nature," expressed Derek Manzello, coordinator of NOAA’s <a href="https://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coral Reef Watch</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-coral-bleaching">Understanding coral bleaching</h2>



Coral bleaching occurs when corals, under stress, expel the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caribbean-coral-reef-symbiotic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">symbiotic</a> algae residing in their tissues -- algae that provide essential nutrients through photosynthesis. This expulsion turns the corals pale and greatly heightens their vulnerability to starvation and disease. 



Furthermore, the gravity of the current situation is underscored by historical comparisons. The last major global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-worlds-largest-coral-bleaching-event-is-now-underway/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bleaching event</a>, spanning from 2014 to 2017, affected 56.1% of the world’s reefs, while earlier events in 1998 and 2010 impacted 20% and 35% of reefs, respectively. 



Although the current event has impacted a broader area, Derek Manzello notes that the 2014-2017 episode remains the most severe on record, owing to its duration and intensity. 



However, the ongoing 2023-2024 event may soon exceed it in severity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caribbean-reed-at-the-epicenter-of-bleaching">Caribbean reed at the epicenter of bleaching</h2>



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-disease-is-pushing-caribbean-reefs-toward-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Caribbean reefs</a> have been particularly hard-hit, with a staggering 99.7% of the Atlantic basin’s reefs experiencing bleaching-level heat stress in the past year. "The Atlantic Ocean has been off the charts," Manzello highlighted. 



A recent study indicated severe coral mortality, ranging between 50% and 93%, in areas like Huatulco, Oaxaca, along the Mexican Pacific.



The situation appears grim as we approach the summer, with heat stress already accumulating in the Southern Caribbean. 



Alarmingly, the thresholds for bleaching have been crossed much earlier in the year than ever before. "This is alarming because this has never happened so early in the year before," Manzello warns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-coral-reef-bleaching-and-its-global-impact">Addressing coral reef bleaching and its global impact</h2>



Looking ahead, scientists anticipate further bleaching events in the Southern Caribbean, around Florida, and at the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the world’s second-largest reef. 



"El Niño is dissipating, but the ocean is still anomalously hot. It won’t take much additional warming to push temperatures past the bleaching threshold," Manzello explained.



The distressing trend of coral bleaching poses a severe threat to marine biodiversity and the health of ocean ecosystems globally. 



This ongoing crisis underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to mitigate climate change and protect our planet's vital coral reefs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tips-to-save-coral-reefs-from-bleaching">Tips to save coral reefs from bleaching</h2>



Following measures may potentially reduce the current rate of coral reefs bleaching:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions">Reduce greenhouse gas emissions</h3>



Shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. Lowering CO2 emissions reduces global warming, which is a major cause of coral bleaching. Elevated water temperatures stress corals, leading them to expel the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) they rely on for energy, causing bleaching.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protect-marine-areas">Protect marine areas</h3>



Designate and enforce Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) where activities such as fishing and mining are restricted. MPAs provide safe havens for corals and marine life, reducing stress from human activities and increasing resilience against bleaching events.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-promote-sustainable-fishing">Promote sustainable fishing</h3>



Implement quotas and regulations to prevent overfishing, use of destructive fishing methods, and bycatch. Healthy fish populations maintain balanced ecosystems, which support coral health. Sustainable practices also prevent physical damage to coral structures.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-control-coastal-development">Control coastal development</h3>



Enforce zoning laws and environmental impact assessments for coastal projects. Implement sustainable development practices. Reducing runoff from construction, agriculture, and other activities decreases sediment and nutrient pollution, which can smother corals and promote harmful algal blooms.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reduce-pollution">Reduce pollution</h3>



Minimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides, improve waste management, and control plastic pollution. Lowering the amount of pollutants entering the ocean prevents water quality degradation that stresses coral reefs. Nutrient pollution can lead to eutrophication, causing algal blooms that block sunlight and deplete oxygen.



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Over 60% of global coral reefs face bleaching amid rising temperatures

In a disconcerting update from the U.S. National Oceanic and...

Woman,Using,Smart,Phone,While,Standing,With,Electric,Push,Scooter

Are we too busy scrolling on social media to save the planet from climate change? It's a question that might make you want to hurl your smartphone into the nearest recycling bin, but it's a pressing concern raised by Dr. Hamish van der Ven, a professor at the <a href="https://www.ubc.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of British Columbia</a>, and his colleagues.



Their assertion? Our beloved generative AI tools, like the ever-so-helpful ChatGPT, along with our social media habits, could be dousing the flames of our climate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-earth-energy-imbalance-temperature-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">change</a> efforts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-digital-impact">Digital impact</h2>



<a href="https://forestry.ubc.ca/faculty-profile/hamish-van-der-ven/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. van der Ven</a> argues that the typical view of technology's role in climate change is too narrow. "Most analysis that we've seen to date focuses on counting the direct emissions associated with the life cycle of tech products," he says. 



We're all familiar with energy-guzzling server farms and the digital gold rush of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-hidden-and-destructive-environmental-impact-of-bitcoin-mining/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin mining</a>. However, the UBC professor points out another issue. There's a less obvious villain lurking in the shadows.



"There is very little examination of the adverse and indirect impacts of generative AI and social media on the climate," Dr. van der Ven warns. 



He's referring to the way these technologies shape our behavior, our attitudes, and ultimately, our response to the looming crisis of climate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/38-trillion-dollars-per-year-economic-losses-expected-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">change</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-media-distraction-from-climate-issues">Social media distraction from climate issues</h2>



Ever found yourself mindlessly scrolling through social media, your eyes glazing over as you absorb an endless stream of news, memes, and targeted ads? That's the first part of the problem, according to Dr. van der Ven.



"In offering always new, ever-changing content, social media platforms can take attention away from slower-moving issues," he explains. Climate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-has-increased-premature-birth-risk-by-60/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">change</a>, unfortunately, falls into the "slow-moving" category, and our short attention spans, honed by the digital age, might not be up to the task.



But it gets worse. "The other side of that is constant exposure to negative news on social media may also erode optimism and increase feelings of hopelessness," Dr. van der Ven points out. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/panic-driven-doom-gloom-climate-change-messages-do-not-work/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Doom-scrolling</a> our way through the latest climate disasters can leave us feeling paralyzed and defeated, exactly the opposite of the mindset needed to tackle this global challenge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-generative-ai">Generative AI</h2>



As for generative AI, it might be a double agent. Sure, it can help us craft eloquent emails and whip up creative content, but Dr. van der Ven cautions that our growing reliance on it could have unintended consequences.



"As people become more dependent on it, we could find our capacity for creativity and forward-thinking solutions decreasing," he observes. Could our digital assistants be dulling our own problem-solving skills? It's a disturbing thought.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-misinformation-on-social-medial-and-climate-change">Misinformation on social medial and climate change</h2>



The researchers also highlight another concern. Both social media and AI can amplify false or biased information. This makes climate change discussions more complicated. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-than-48-million-americans-deny-that-climate-change-is-real/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Misinformation</a> can disrupt public understanding and support for climate action. It can hinder effective policy-making and delay critical measures needed to address climate change. 



By spreading incorrect information, these technologies can create confusion and skepticism, making it harder to mobilize collective efforts and implement effective solutions. 



This amplification of misinformation poses a significant challenge to achieving meaningful progress in combating climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cautious-optimism-and-critical-thinking">Cautious optimism and critical thinking</h2>



So, are we doomed to a future of digital distraction and AI-induced apathy? Not necessarily. But Dr. van der Ven and his colleagues urge us to take a more critical look at the role of technology and social media in the fight against climate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-increase-the-value-of-solar-panels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">change</a>.



"We urge more skepticism about individuals and businesses that position digitalization as a solution to the climate crisis," he says. We need to ask tough questions and demand evidence-based answers, rather than simply accepting the promises of tech evangelists.



The researchers call for more research into the indirect effects of internet-enabled technologies. They urge us to move beyond the simple tally of emissions. We need to delve into the complex ways these tools shape our thoughts and actions.



"Only through fact-based analysis can we achieve a more holistic understanding of the internet's true impact on the climate," Dr. van der Ven concludes.



So, the next time you find yourself lost in a digital rabbit hole, remember that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-want-to-fight-climate-change-more-than-you-think/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> crisis demands our attention, our creativity, and our collective action. Don't let the glow of the screen blind you to the urgency of the moment.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://direct.mit.edu/glep/article/doi/10.1162/glep_a_00747/120588/Generative-AI-and-Social-Media-May-Exacerbate-the" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Environmental Politics</a>.



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Gen AI and social media divert people's attention from climate crisis

Are we too busy scrolling on social media to save...

Bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies, bats, and hummingbirds, are increasingly under threat due to human activities. Pollination is vital for the survival of ecosystems, with nearly 90% of wild flowering plant species and over 75% of food crops relying on animal pollination.&nbsp;



Moreover, pollinators are also crucial for food security and biodiversity conservation. To highlight their importance, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-bee-day-highlights-urgent-need-to-protect-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UN designated</a> May 20 as World Bee Day. The aim is to enhance measures to protect pollinators, thereby addressing global food supply issues and reducing hunger, especially in developing countries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-getting-young-people-involved">Getting young people involved</h2>



World Bee Day 2024 focuses on the theme “Bee engaged with Youth,” emphasizing the involvement of young people in beekeeping and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-pollinators-wild-bees-boosts-food-supply-income/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinator conservation</a>. This year's campaign seeks to raise awareness among youth and other stakeholders about the critical role of pollinators in agriculture, ecological balance, and biodiversity.&nbsp;



Engaging young people in beekeeping activities, educational initiatives, and advocacy can inspire future environmental leaders and empower them to make a positive impact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-severe-threats-to-bees-worldwide-nbsp">Severe threats to bees worldwide&nbsp;</h2>



Immediate action is necessary as bees face severe threats, with species extinction rates 100 to 1,000 times higher than normal due to human impacts. Nearly 35% of invertebrate pollinators, like bees and butterflies, and 17% of vertebrate pollinators, such as bats, are at risk of extinction globally.&nbsp;



The continuation of this trend could lead to the replacement of nutritious crops with staple crops like rice, corn, and potatoes, resulting in an imbalanced diet.&nbsp;



Intensive farming practices, land-use changes, monocropping, pesticides, and climate change-related higher temperatures all pose significant threats to bee populations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prioritizing-conservation-nbsp-on-world-bee-day-nbsp">Prioritizing conservation&nbsp;on World Bee Day&nbsp;</h2>



Recognizing the pollination crisis, the <a href="https://www.cbd.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Convention on Biological Diversity</a> has prioritized the conservation and sustainable use of pollinators. The <a href="https://www.pollinator.org/international" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Pollinator Initiative</a> (IPI), established in 2000, aims to monitor pollinator decline, address the lack of taxonomic information, assess the economic value of pollination, and protect pollinator diversity.&nbsp;



The <a href="https://www.fao.org/home/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations</a> (FAO) coordinates the IPI and provides technical assistance on issues such as queen breeding, artificial insemination, and sustainable honey production and export marketing.



The decline of pollinators affects <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-production-is-one-of-the-biggest-drivers-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global food production</a>, as their role in pollinating food crops is indispensable.&nbsp;



By fostering diverse agricultural systems and reducing reliance on toxic chemicals, we can facilitate increased pollination, improving food quality and quantity. This benefits human populations and the ecosystem as a whole. Moreover, pollinators also play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and ensuring the resilience of ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-our-pollinators">Protecting our pollinators </h2>



There are numerous national and international initiatives dedicated to the protection of pollinators. These efforts are essential for safeguarding our food supply and maintaining healthy ecosystems. 



By promoting sustainable agricultural practices and protecting pollinator habitats, we can help reverse the decline of these vital species and ensure their survival for future generations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-can-we-help-improve-bee-conservation">How can we help improve bee conservation?</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-individually">Individually:</h3>



<ul>
<li>Plant diverse native plants that flower throughout the year.</li>



<li>Purchase raw honey from local farmers.</li>



<li>Support sustainable agricultural products.</li>



<li>Avoid using <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pesticides-have-become-increasingly-toxic-to-insects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pesticides</a>, fungicides, or herbicides in gardens.</li>



<li>Protect wild bee colonies when possible.</li>



<li>Sponsor a beehive.</li>



<li>Create a bee water fountain by placing a water bowl outside.</li>



<li>Help sustain forest ecosystems.</li>



<li>Raise awareness by sharing information within communities and networks.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-as-beekeepers-or-farmers">As beekeepers or farmers:</h3>



<ul>
<li>Reduce or modify pesticide use.</li>



<li>Diversify crops and plant attractive crops around fields.</li>



<li>Create hedgerows.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-as-governments-and-decision-makers">As governments and decision-makers:</h3>



<ul>
<li>Enhance local community participation in decision-making, especially indigenous peoples.</li>



<li>Implement strategic measures and provide financial incentives.</li>



<li>Foster collaboration among national and international organizations, and academic networks to monitor and evaluate pollination services.</li>
</ul>



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



Beyond the critical ecological roles they play in our world, bees are truly fascinating creatures. There are over 20,000 known species of bees, and they come in diverse sizes, colors, and behaviors. Not all bees live in hives; many are solitary and make their nests in the ground or in hollow stems.



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



Bees have an exceptional sense of direction which allows them to navigate and find their way back to their hive, even over long distances. They use landmarks, the position of the sun, and even magnetic fields to orient themselves.



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



Honeybees can regulate the temperature of their hive. During the winter, they generate heat by shivering, and to cool the hive during hot conditions, they collect water and distribute it throughout the hive, fanning their wings to evaporate it and cool the air.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-queen-bee">The Queen bee</h3>



In many bee species, the queen can live for several years, whereas worker bees may only live for a few weeks. Queens are the only females in the hive to reproduce, spending their lives laying eggs, sometimes up to 2,000 a day in peak season.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-communication">Communication</h3>



Bees <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bee-communication-is-hindered-by-human-activity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">communicate</a> with each other using a "waggle dance" to convey information about the direction and distance to sources of food. This dance includes various movements that can inform other bees precisely where to find nectar and pollen.



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World Bee Day 2024: Bee engaged with youth

Bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies, bats, and hummingbirds,...

Happy,Young,Woman,Choosing,Meat,From,Glass,Cabinet,In,Grocery

In the bustling world of consumer food choices, the factors that influence our purchasing decisions are as diverse as they are complex. 



Recent research dives into the intricate web of considerations that shape our selections when it comes to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/12-of-americans-are-responsible-for-over-half-of-all-u-s-beef-consumption/">meat and d</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/12-of-americans-are-responsible-for-over-half-of-all-u-s-beef-consumption/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/12-of-americans-are-responsible-for-over-half-of-all-u-s-beef-consumption/">iry products</a>, revealing a thought-provoking hierarchy of priorities.



The study was conducted across five countries -- Czechia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK. It was led by Dr Andy Jin from the <a href="https://www.port.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Portsmouth</a>. Jin, along with his colleagues, sought to identify the attributes that hold the most sway over consumers as they navigate the grocery aisles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hierarchy-of-importance">Hierarchy of importance</h2>



In an online survey, 3,192 participants were asked to rate the importance of 18 different factors on a scale from 1 (not at all important) to 5 (extremely important). 



These factors encompassed a wide range of attributes, including freshness, quality/taste, healthy eating, nutrition, price, processing, special offers, convenience of use/preparation, and familiarity of brand.



Interestingly, the study found that across all surveyed countries, consumers consistently prioritized freshness, quality/taste, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-welfare-concerns-more-people-than-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal welfare</a> as the most important attributes. 



"Our study highlights the complex interplay of factors that influence consumer behavior when buying meat and dairy products," Dr. Jin explained. 



"Consumers indicated that information related to animal welfare, food safety, and health and nutrition was considered more important than environmental sustainability when making food choices," he continued.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-choices-and-the-sustainability-conundrum">Food choices and the sustainability conundrum</h2>



While environmental factors such as food miles, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mixed-diets-offer-health-benefits-and-lower-carbon-footprint/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon footprint</a>, and organic production were deemed less important in influencing purchasing decisions, sustainability labels were still perceived as helpful among consumers. 



This finding suggests that while consumers may not prioritize sustainability as highly as other factors, they still value the information provided by these labels.



The implications of this research extend beyond the realm of consumer behavior. Policymakers, producers, and retailers in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-food-system-must-change-if-nations-hope-to-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food industry</a>, who are striving to meet evolving consumer demands for more sustainable products, can glean valuable insights from these findings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-environmental-sustainability">Importance of environmental sustainability</h2>



When it comes to food, consumers play a crucial role in promoting sustainability through their purchasing decisions and eating habits. By making informed choices, individuals can support environmentally friendly practices, reduce waste, and contribute to a more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-food-system-is-unsustainable-and-must-be-transformed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustainable food system</a>.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Making eco-friendly food choices</h3>



Consumers can opt for products that have a lower <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-meat-and-dairy-alternatives-will-dramatically-transform-the-global-food-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental impact</a>, such as:



<ul>
<li>Organic produce: Organic farming methods avoid the use of synthetic pesticides and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nitrogen-pollution-from-food-production-could-be-halved/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fertilizers</a>, promoting healthier soil and ecosystems.</li>



<li>Sustainably sourced seafood: Choosing seafood from well-managed fisheries or responsible aquaculture farms helps prevent overfishing and protect marine habitats.</li>



<li>Products with minimal packaging: Selecting items with reduced or eco-friendly packaging minimizes waste and reduces the demand for single-use plastics.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Local and seasonal food choices</h3>



Buying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/home-food-production-helped-combat-hunger-during-the-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">local and seasonal</a> produce offers several sustainability benefits:



<ul>
<li>Reduced transportation emissions: Local food travels shorter distances, cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.</li>



<li>Supporting local economies: Purchasing from local farmers and producers helps maintain a thriving local economy and preserves agricultural land.</li>



<li>Minimizing food waste: Seasonal produce is more likely to be consumed before spoiling, reducing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-food-waste-greater-food-security-less-environmental-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food waste</a>.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Adopting plant-based diets</h3>



Shifting towards a more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/increasing-plant-based-food-production-would-have-extremely-positive-impact/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant-based diet</a> can significantly reduce an individual's environmental footprint:



<ul>
<li>Lower greenhouse gas emissions: Plant-based foods generally require less land, water, and energy to produce compared to animal-based products.</li>



<li>Reduced deforestation: Animal agriculture is a major driver of deforestation, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss.</li>



<li>Improved resource efficiency: Plant-based diets use resources more efficiently, as crops are directly consumed rather than being used as animal feed.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Minimizing waste through food choices</h3>



Consumers can adopt practices that minimize food waste, such as:



<ul>
<li>Proper meal planning: Planning meals in advance and buying only what is needed helps reduce food waste at home.</li>



<li>Storing food correctly: Proper storage techniques extend the shelf life of food, reducing the likelihood of spoilage.</li>



<li>Composting: Composting food scraps and other organic waste diverts waste from landfills and creates nutrient-rich soil for gardening.</li>
</ul>



By making sustainable food choices, consumers send a powerful message to producers, retailers, and policymakers. As more people prioritize <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/agricultural-technologies-can-reverse-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustainability</a> in their purchasing decisions, it creates a demand for more environmentally friendly products and practices, ultimately driving positive change throughout the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seed-systems-will-play-a-key-role-in-future-food-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food system</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bridging-the-gap-from-attitudes-to-behavior">Bridging the gap: From attitudes to behavior</h2>



Dr Jin emphasizes that labels alone are not sufficient to change behavior, particularly for consumers who have low or no behavioral intention to buy sustainable meat or dairy products. 



He suggests, "These results should be translated into additional policy measures, such as nudges or behavioral interventions, helping individuals translate their attitudes into behavior and facilitating the choice of sustainably produced products."



The study underscores the need for a multi-faceted approach to promoting sustainable food choices. 



While labels play a crucial role in providing information, they must be accompanied by targeted marketing strategies and policy initiatives that address the complex interplay of factors influencing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/modern-human-diets-pose-many-risks-health-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumer decisions</a>.



As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of food choices, it is clear that the path to sustainability is not a straightforward one. 



By understanding the hierarchy of priorities that guide consumer behavior, we can work towards developing more effective strategies to encourage the adoption of sustainable practices in the meat and dairy industry.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0950329324000818?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food Quality and Preference</a>.



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Animal welfare is the biggest concern for people when making food choices

In the bustling world of consumer food choices, the factors...

The expansive journey of a young whale, tracked as she ventured across the Mediterranean Sea, serves as a poignant reminder of the multitude of threats marine creatures face today. 



A recent study highlights the vast distances these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-20-minute-conversation-with-a-humpback-whale-named-twain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">majestic beings</a> cover and the myriad dangers they encounter along the way.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Young whale's journey in Mediterranean</h2>



Scientists tracked the movements of various marine species, including Cuvier’s beaked whales, bottlenose dolphins, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/sperm-whale-physeter-macrocephalus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sperm whales</a>, off the coast of Israel. 



Utilizing advanced tracking technology, they observed these species to understand their migration patterns and the challenges they face. 



Among the animals they studied, a young adult male sperm whale stood out due to its remarkable journey. This particular whale, previously spotted off the coast of southern France, exhibited an extraordinary range of travel. 



A dedicated team of researchers from Greenpeace, the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a>, and the <a href="https://www.haifa.ac.il/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Haifa</a>, observed a unique <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/whales-face-increasing-dangers-along-their-migration-routes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migration</a> pattern in this particular whale.



It covered the longest recorded distance for a sperm whale within the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollution-in-the-mediterranean-sea-is-an-urgent-issue/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mediterranean Sea</a>. This unprecedented movement not only highlights the whale's incredible endurance but also underscores the interconnectedness of marine habitats across the region. 



The whale’s journey serves as a crucial data point, illustrating the vast distances these creatures travel and the various threats they encounter, including heavy maritime traffic, pollution, and noise, which pose significant risks to their survival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-young-whale-s-fight-for-survival">Young whale's fight for survival</h2>



The young whale's journey, filled with obstacles, underscores the perilous conditions marine animals endure. 



“Marine life in the Mediterranean faces numerous <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-mining-poses-unknown-threats-to-whales/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">threats</a> -- from fishing and pollution to noise and boat strikes,” explained Dr. Kirsten Thompson, from the Greenpeace Research Laboratories at the University of Exeter. 



She noted the whale likely navigated through either the Sicily Channel or the Strait of Messina -- both heavily trafficked and hazardous routes for deep-diving species like sperm whales.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unified-call-for-conservation">Unified call for conservation</h2>



This research transcends being a mere account of migration; it serves as a powerful call to action for the protection of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/top-marine-predators-may-suffer-massive-habitat-loss-by-2100/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine habitats</a>. 



The study's findings revealed that the vocal patterns of whales off the Israeli coast matched those of whales across the Mediterranean. This match indicates a connected regional population, suggesting that these whales migrate and interact across vast distances. 



Such interconnectedness underscores the necessity for comprehensive conservation efforts that span national borders. Marine habitats face numerous threats, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-and-habitat-degradation-have-devastated-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overfishing</a>, pollution, and maritime traffic, which endanger the lives of these majestic creatures. 



By highlighting the shared vocal patterns, the study on young whale across the Mediterranean emphasizes that protecting one region is insufficient. 



Effective conservation requires international collaboration and coordinated efforts to ensure the survival of these species. 



The research underscores the urgent need for protective measures and policy changes to safeguard the rich biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea, ensuring a healthier environment for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-impacting-marine-life-more-than-we-realized/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine life</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-innovative-solutions-for-marine-safety">Innovative solutions for marine safety</h2>



Dr. Thompson suggested that installing listening devices in narrow and shallow seas could pioneer an alert system to prevent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-new-approach-to-protecting-whales-from-ship-strikes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ship strikes</a> -- a significant threat to whales. This technological intervention could form a protective barrier around these vulnerable giants of the sea.



“The Mediterranean is the busiest sea in the world, with rich wildlife and a high human population. Unfortunately, some species like these threatened whales are facing further industrial development, with oil and gas exploration and the construction of a new gas pipeline between the eastern basin and Italy,” Dr. Thompson added. 



She highlighted how such developments not only challenge EU environmental protection laws but also threaten the survival of marine wildlife.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-safeguarding-our-seas">Safeguarding our seas</h2>



The conclusions of this study of the young whale venturing across the Mediterranean Sea are based on visual-acoustic surveys conducted over a two-month period.



During that time, scientists captured multiple interactions with these magnificent creatures. The findings highlight the urgent need for further research to protect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dramatic-increase-in-shipping-traffic-threatens-marine-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine life</a> in the Eastern Mediterranean effectively.



By chronicling the journey and challenges faced by a young whale, the researchers aim to illuminate the widespread issues impacting all marine inhabitants. 



The adoption of advanced monitoring technologies coupled with stringent conservation measures is essential for creating a safer environment for the region’s marine species. 



These efforts are vital not only for preserving biodiversity but also for upholding the ecological integrity of one of the world’s most historically important seas.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aqc.4155" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems</a>.



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Young whale's epic voyage exposes perils of the Mediterranean

The expansive journey of a young whale, tracked as she...

Photo,Collage,Of,Sunset,And,Solar,Panel,,Photovoltaic,,Alternative,Electricity

In a remarkable shift away from fossil fuels, researchers have developed a method with thermal mapping to achieve temperatures over 1,800°F (1,000 degrees Celsius) using solar energy -- a significant leap toward <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/solar-power-has-won-the-prize-to-become-earths-main-source-of-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clean energy solutions</a> for heavy industries like steel and cement production. 



Typically reliant on carbon-intensive fossil fuels, these sectors could see a transformation as this solar technology promises a sustainable alternative for high-temperature processes essential to modern civilization.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pushing-solar-energy-to-new-heights">Pushing solar energy to new heights</h2>



The concept, which has been detailed in a recent study from a team in Switzerland, revolves around the use of synthetic quartz to trap solar energy effectively at extremely high temperatures. 



This innovative approach utilizes a semitransparent quartz rod paired with an opaque silicon disk, which serves as the energy absorber. 



When exposed to an intense light equivalent to that from 136 suns, the setup not only reached but maintained a remarkable temperature of 1,922°F (1,050°C) at the absorber plate, while the opposite end of the quartz rod remained significantly cooler at 1,112°F (600°C). 



This striking temperature differential underscores the efficiency and potential of the thermal-trap effect in practical applications.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-game-changer">Potential game-changer</h2>



Emiliano Casati of <a href="https://ethz.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ETH Zurich</a>, the study's corresponding author, explains that the significance of this technology extends beyond its impressive temperature achievements. 



Previous attempts at harnessing solar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/underground-climate-change-silent-hazard-is-destroying-our-buildings-from-beneath/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thermal energy</a> struggled with efficiency, particularly at temperatures necessary for industrial applications. 



"Previous research has only managed to demonstrate the thermal-trap effect up to 170°C (338°F)," notes Casati. "Our research showed that solar thermal trapping works not just at low temperatures, but well above 1,000°C (1,800°F). This is crucial to show its potential for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/light-can-drive-water-evaporation-without-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">real-world industrial applications</a>."



Further simulations conducted by the team showcased that the thermal trapping could achieve these target temperatures at lower concentrations with the same performance, or at higher thermal efficiency for equal concentration. 



For instance, a conventional unshielded receiver, which typically has an efficiency of 40% at 2,192°F (1,200°C) with a concentration of 500 suns, is markedly outperformed by the receiver shielded with 300 mm of quartz, which achieves a 70% efficiency at the same conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Solar energy tech and sustainability</h2>



With the foundational research now laid, Casati and his team are focusing on refining this technology and exploring new applications. 



Their ongoing experiments with different materials, such as various fluids and gases, have already demonstrated the ability to reach even higher temperatures. 



This versatility highlights the potential of semitransparent materials in absorbing not just <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/magnetic-field-solar-radiation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar radiation</a> but possibly other forms of light and radiation as well.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Getting governments and the public onboard</h2>



Raising public awareness and educating industry stakeholders about solar thermal energy technology is crucial for its widespread adoption. Educational initiatives play a significant role in this effort. 



Programs designed to inform the public about the benefits of solar thermal technology can help demystify the science and highlight its potential to reduce carbon emissions and enhance <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/epa-awards-20-billion-in-grants-for-clean-energy-projects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">energy efficiency</a>. 



Workshops, seminars, and online courses are effective ways to spread knowledge about how solar thermal systems work and their environmental and economic advantages.



Community programs also contribute to promoting sustainable energy solutions. These programs can include <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-increase-the-value-of-solar-panels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">local solar power</a> projects, where communities come together to install and maintain solar thermal systems. 



Such initiatives not only provide clean energy but also foster a sense of collective responsibility and empowerment. They can include demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and informational sessions that illustrate the practical applications of solar thermal technology.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Harnessing the power of the Sun for a greener tomorrow</h2>



"Energy issue is a cornerstone to the survival of our society," Casati asserts. "<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/solar-technology-heat-cool-air/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Solar</a> energy is readily available, and the technology is already here. To really motivate industry adoption, we need to demonstrate the economic viability and advantages of this technology at scale."



By harnessing the power of the sun and minimizing heat loss, this innovative technology paves the way for a more sustainable future. 



As researchers continue to optimize the process for large-scale implementation, the potential for solar energy to replace <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-from-fossil-fuels-kills-5-million-people-each-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil fuels</a> in challenging industrial applications grows ever closer. 



This breakthrough serves as a reminder that, with ingenuity and dedication, we can find solutions to even the most daunting challenges posed by climate change and create a cleaner, greener world for generations to come.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/device/fulltext/S2666-9986(24)00235-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Device</a>.



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New tech melts steel and concrete using only solar energy

In a remarkable shift away from fossil fuels, researchers have...

Wind farms, often celebrated for their minimal environmental impact, now have new data to underscore their efficiency and sustainability. A recent study reveals that a typical wind farm can balance out its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wind-farms-require-far-less-land-than-previously-believed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon emissions</a> within a brief two-year period -- a striking contrast to its 30-year operational lifespan.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Energy payback in wind farms</h2>



The research, centered on the Harapaki onshore wind farm in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, demonstrates that within just six months, a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-living-near-wind-turbines-have-an-effect-your-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wind turbine</a> at a wind farm can generate the equivalent energy used over its entire lifecycle. 



This finding, while specific to Harapaki, is likely applicable to wind farms on a global scale due to the uniformity of wind turbine technology.



"The technology we use here in New Zealand mirrors that used globally," explains Isabella Pimentel Pincelli, the study's lead author from the Sustainable Energy Systems research group, Wellington Faculty of Engineering, at <a href="https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington</a>. 



She notes that although the extent of carbon offset can vary depending on the type of older technology being replaced, similar results are expected for wind farms worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wind-farms-impact-on-carbon-footprint">Wind farms impact on carbon footprint</h2>



The study, published in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, not only reviewed existing literature but also incorporated actual construction data from wind farms. 



This comprehensive approach included all stages -- from manufacturing individual turbine parts, transporting them, and eventually decommissioning the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/understanding-how-wind-farms-interact-with-wind-can-optimize-their-power/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wind</a> farm, which consists of 41 turbines.



Findings indicate that Harapaki’s carbon footprint is remarkably low at 10.8 grams of CO2 equivalent per kilowatt-hour. This translates to a greenhouse gas payback time of approximately 1.5 to 1.7 years for replacing combined cycle gas turbines at wind farms, with an energy payback time of just about four to six months.



Professor Alan Brent, a co-author and Chair in Sustainable Energy Systems, highlights the alignment of onshore wind plants with sustainable development principles. However, he acknowledges that there is room for improvement, particularly in the manufacturing process.



"The environmental impacts of the installation and transportation phases are notable, accounting for nearly 10% of the total emissions," Brent points out. 



He emphasizes the importance of ongoing efforts to minimize negative environmental effects while maximizing positive contributions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-manufacturing-to-reduce-carbon-emissions">Manufacturing to reduce carbon emissions</h2>



The primary environmental load comes from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/understanding-how-wind-farms-interact-with-wind-can-optimize-their-power/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">turbine</a> manufacturing process, pinpointing a vital area for targeted mitigation strategies. 



In response, the research team suggests developing a recycling process for turbine blades, which are currently disposed of in landfills due to economic constraints. 



Proposing both mechanical and chemical recycling options, they estimate that this could reduce emissions significantly.



Moreover, the team advises regular research updates in this field to keep pace with rapid technological advancements, ensuring that findings remain relevant and can effectively inform decision-making processes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Scope of wind farms</h2>



Despite its strengths, the study acknowledges certain limitations. It primarily focuses on energy intensity and carbon emissions during the lifecycle of the wind farm, leaving out other environmental impacts such as ozone depletion and human toxicity. 



Additionally, it does not cover social, wildlife, or economic impacts, which are equally crucial in the broader context of sustainability.



This research underlines the pivotal role that onshore wind farms play in our energy transition and their significant potential in reducing carbon footprints. 



With targeted improvements in the manufacturing and disposal processes, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/advancing-technology-wind-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wind energy</a> can continue to be a cornerstone of sustainable energy strategies globally.



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



Wind farms generate clean energy with no direct emissions, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels. Over their lifespan, wind farms offset the carbon produced during their manufacturing, installation, and maintenance phases. 



Large-scale wind energy deployment could cut global CO2 emissions by 30% by 2050. Wind energy uses a renewable resource, avoiding environmental degradation from mining or drilling. Economic benefits include job creation and stimulating local economies. 



Technological advancements aim to improve turbine efficiency and recyclability, further lowering environmental impacts. Recycling turbine blades addresses disposal issues, enhancing wind energy's sustainability and global potential.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03036758.2024.2344785" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand</a>.



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Wind farms quickly neutralize carbon footprint left behind after construction

Wind farms, often celebrated for their minimal environmental impact, now...

<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...

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<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



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

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



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

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



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

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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