<p>For years, scientists believed they had a decent handle on what was melting the ice in West Antarctica. Warmer oceans and stronger winds blowing in from the west - that was the popular theory.</p>



<p>But now, after running climate simulations using local data, researchers have discovered that we might have been looking the wrong way entirely. It’s not the westerly winds causing the biggest trouble - it’s the northerly winds.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ice-loss-means-rising-seas">Ice loss means rising seas</h2>



<p>Antarctica holds most of the planet’s freshwater, frozen in a massive sheet of ice that covers an area bigger than the U.S. and Mexico combined. </p>



<p>That ice isn’t just sitting still. Some of it flows slowly into the ocean, held back by giant floating extensions called <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarcticas-melting-ice-shelves-threaten-global-sea-levels/">ice shelves</a>. If the ice sheet in West Antarctica collapses, sea levels around the world could rise by as much as 20 feet.</p>



<p>Even small changes in how fast that ice melts can have huge consequences for coastal cities, global currents, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-prediction-model-is-a-major-breakthrough-in-weather-forecasting/">weather systems</a>. </p>



<p>That’s why scientists have spent decades trying to understand what’s causing the West Antarctic ice sheet to shrink. It’s been getting smaller since at least the 1940s. But not all the pieces of the puzzle were adding up.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-antarctica-s-hidden-winds">Tracking Antarctica’s hidden winds</h2>



<p>The new study was led by researchers at the <a href="https://www.washington.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Washington</a> (UW). They weren’t satisfied with the usual <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-models-underestimate-sea-ice-melt-and-global-warming/">climate models</a>, which often rely on global data and struggle with the lack of weather stations in Antarctica. So they decided to build something better.</p>



<p>They pulled in proxy data - long-term records preserved in things like ice cores, tree rings, and coral. These natural sources can give clues about past wind and weather patterns, helping fill in the gaps left by satellite data and on-the-ground observations.</p>



<p>“We thought that we were going to support what the climate models showed, which was that the westerly winds were getting stronger near the coast of Antarctica,” said Gemma O’Connor, lead author and a UW postdoctoral researcher. </p>



<p>“But there was no evidence of westerly winds strengthening in this part of Antarctica.” That finding was odd. If westerly winds weren’t to blame, what was?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-northerly-winds-drive-the-ice-melt">Northerly winds drive the ice melt</h2>



<p>The team used high-resolution simulations to test 30 different wind scenarios. Each run of the model applied a different wind pattern to see what happened to the ice over a five-year stretch. They repeated the process again and again.</p>



<p>One pattern kept showing up: when winds came from the north, ice loss accelerated. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-westerly-winds-are-changing-and-the-consequences-are-unknown/">Westerly winds</a> didn’t do much.</p>



<p>Northerly winds shifted sea ice, closing small open areas in the ice cover known as polynyas. These are basically patches where heat can escape from the ocean into the atmosphere. When the winds closed them off, the ocean held onto more of its heat.</p>



<p>“Sea ice is a really good insulator, it keeps the ocean relatively warm compared to the air,” said Kyle Armour, a UW professor. “When northerly winds close the polynyas, it reduces ocean heat loss, which means warmer waters and more melting of ice shelves below the surface.”</p>



<p>This hidden heating creates a chain reaction. As the warmer water melts the ice shelves from below, freshwater enters the salty sea. That mix causes a difference in density, which pulls even more warm ocean water into the region - speeding up the melt further.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-climate-connection-we-didn-t-expect">A climate connection we didn’t expect</h2>



<p>The big question is: what’s making those northerly winds stronger? Early signs point to climate change. </p>



<p>Emissions of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenhouse-gas-emissions-reach-another-all-time-high/">greenhouse gases</a> are likely decreasing air pressure over the Amundsen Sea, a region that shapes many of Antarctica’s weather patterns. Lower pressure strengthens the northerly winds - the same ones that are making the melt worse.</p>



<p>“This mechanism provides a connection between West Antarctic ice loss and human-induced climate change, albeit a different mechanism than we previously suspected,” O’Connor said.</p>



<p>This isn’t just a scientific curiosity. It’s a real link between our actions and the future of the world’s ice. If our emissions are playing a role in these winds, then reducing those emissions could slow the melting.</p>



<p>“We know the Earth is warming up on average, but that alone doesn’t explain ice loss in Antarctica,” said Eric Steig, professor of Earth and space sciences at UW. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-northerly-winds-change-the-story">Northerly winds change the story</h2>



<p>For decades, the focus has been on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-westerly-winds-are-changing-and-the-consequences-are-unknown/">westerly winds</a> - the ones that blow from west to east across the Southern Hemisphere. </p>



<p>Scientists thought they were pushing warm ocean water toward Antarctica and driving the ice to melt faster. But they missed something important.</p>



<p>“I think what Gemma has done is going to lead to a complete revolution in the understanding of what drives Antarctic ice loss,” Armour said. “We had all sorts of theories about the winds that blow from west to east, but the northerly winds weren’t even on our radar. We were off by 90 degrees.”</p>



<p>The lesson here is clear. Climate science is constantly evolving, and even long-standing ideas can be turned on their head. In this case, or rather, on their side.</p>



<p>Understanding which way the wind is blowing - literally - might be one of the keys to protecting the future of Earth’s ice.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-025-01757-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a></em>.</p>



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



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Antarctic ice melt traced to an overlooked source

For years, scientists believed they had a decent handle on what was melting the ice in West Antarctica. Warmer oceans and stronger winds blowing in from the west - that was the popular theory. But now, after running climate simulations using local data, researchers have discovered that we might have been looking the wrong way entirely. It’s not the westerly winds causing the biggest trouble - it’s the northerly winds. Ice loss means rising seas Antarctica holds most of the planet’s freshwater, frozen in a massive sheet...

<p>A recent study from the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Birmingham</a> brings exciting news: cloud engineering might cool our planet more than we thought.</p>



<p>The researchers highlight the significant role of increased cloud cover in cooling the Earth, suggesting that marine cloud brightening (MCB) could be a powerful tool against <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/geoengineering-program-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global warming</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cloud-engineering-a-potential-painkiller">Cloud engineering: A potential "painkiller"</h2>



<p>Think of cloud engineering as a potential way to temporarily lower the Earth's temperature. It won't directly address the root cause of global warming – the excess greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. </p>



<p>However, it could offer some short-term cooling, providing valuable time to implement the essential long-term solution of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.</p>



<p>The concept involves injecting tiny particles (aerosols) into the atmosphere. The particles would act as additional "seeds" for water droplets within clouds, leading to denser and brighter clouds. This increased brightness would reflect more sunlight back into space, resulting in a cooling effect on the planet.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-does-cloud-engineering-work">How does cloud engineering work?</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/atmospheric-aerosols-can-significantly-cool-down-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clouds</a> are a collection of tiny water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. But how exactly do these droplets form? It all boils down to microscopic particles called cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). </p>



<p>These CCN act as like tiny platforms or seeds that water vapor can cling to and condense upon. The more CCN present, the easier it is for water vapor to condense and form those visible water droplets or ice crystals that make up clouds.</p>



<p>This is where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-clouds-influence-earths-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cloud</a> engineering comes in. The idea is to introduce more CCN into the atmosphere, specifically over the vast areas of ocean where many marine clouds reside. By introducing these additional CCN (often in the form of tiny sea salt particles or aerosols), the theory goes that more water vapor will condense around them, forming a greater number of cloud droplets.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-denser-brighter-clouds">Denser, brighter clouds</h2>



<p>The additional droplets would create denser clouds. Imagine a fluffy white <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysteries-in-the-sky-how-trees-impact-cloud-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cloud</a> compared to a thick, gray storm cloud. The denser cloud has more water droplets packed together, giving it a more substantial appearance. In cloud engineering, the goal is to create more clouds with this denser characteristic.</p>



<p>Now, here's the key part: why would denser clouds help cool the planet? Clouds have a particular property – they reflect sunlight. Think about how much brighter a cloudy day feels compared to a sunny one. </p>



<p>The denser a cloud is, with more water droplets packed together, the more sunlight it reflects. This reflected sunlight gets sent back out towards space, preventing it from reaching Earth's surface and heating it up. </p>



<p>In essence, cloud engineering aims to create more reflective <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollution-smoke-cloud-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clouds</a>, like giant mirrors in the sky, to deflect sunlight and produce a cooling effect.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-kilauea-volcano-study">The Kilauea volcano study</h2>



<p>Volcanoes naturally release large amounts of aerosols into the atmosphere. Scientists seized a unique opportunity to study the real-world effects of these aerosols on clouds by focusing on Hawaii's Kilauea volcano. </p>



<p>Initially, the researchers collected historical satellite and weather data from periods when the volcano was both active and inactive. They then used advanced machine learning techniques to build a model. This model could simulate how clouds would have behaved naturally if the volcano hadn't been erupting.</p>



<p>By comparing actual observations during volcanic eruptions to their model's predictions (what would have likely happened without the volcano), they could pinpoint the direct impact the volcanic aerosols had on cloud formation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-findings-supporting-cloud-engineering">Findings supporting cloud engineering</h2>



<p>The study revealed these significant results. When the volcano was actively erupting, cloud cover in the region increased by an impressive 50%. This suggests the volcanic aerosols were acting as additional "seeds" (CCN) for water vapor, leading to the formation of more clouds in the area.</p>



<p>The increased cloud cover produced a substantial cooling effect within the region, measured at up to -10 watts per square meter (W/m²). </p>



<p>To put this in context, the scientists estimate that doubling the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere would lead to a global average warming of approximately +3.7 watts per square meter. This comparison highlights the potential of cloud engineering strategies to counteract some degree of warming.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-benefits-and-risks">Potential benefits and risks</h2>



<p>The results of the Kilauea volcano study hint that cloud engineering might be a more powerful tool for temporary cooling than previous models suggested. This is a significant finding, but it's important to emphasize that the approach is far from a simple solution to climate change.</p>



<p>Currently, our understanding of the potential full-scale global impacts and risks associated with cloud engineering remains limited. </p>



<p>For example, intentionally altering cloud brightness could unintentionally disrupt rainfall patterns, potentially leading to droughts or floods in certain regions. We urgently need extensive research to fully grasp these potential consequences.</p>



<p>It's crucial to stress that cloud engineering does not address the underlying problem of global warming: the excessive amounts of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. </p>



<p>This technology, even if successful, would only offer a temporary reduction in temperature. The essential task remains drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions to achieve long-term climate stability.</p>



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



<p>The Kilauea study has fueled global interest in cloud engineering. Research programs across the UK and the US are investigating the possibilities and risks of the technology. The goal is to provide policymakers with solid scientific evidence to make informed decisions about this potential tool.</p>



<p>Could spraying particles into the atmosphere help combat global warming? The short answer is that it might have some potential. However, it's far too early to say whether it's a safe and effective solution, as much more research is needed. </p>



<p>The key message is that reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains our most urgent and essential task in tackling the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/revolutionizing-aerodynamics-airplane-emissions-ai-deep-learning-tool/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> crisis.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-024-01427-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a></em>.</p>



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



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Cloud engineering can temporarily cool our planet

A recent study from the University of Birmingham brings exciting...

<p>Over a century ago, the U.S. government set aside 23 million acres of Alaska's North Slope to serve as an emergency oil supply. This vast, remote region, known as the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (<a href="https://www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/oil-and-gas/about/alaska/NPR-A" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NPR-A</a>), has long been viewed as a major growth opportunity for the oil and gas industry. However, President Joe Biden is now moving to block Arctic oil drilling and gas development across roughly half of this territory.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-aspects-of-arctic-oil-drilling">Key aspects of Arctic oil drilling</h2>



<p>Arctic oil drilling is a complex and controversial subject due to the extreme conditions, environmental concerns, and geopolitical implications involved. Here are its various aspects:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Geography and reserves</h3>



<p>The Arctic region encompasses the area around the North Pole, extending into territories of several countries including the United States (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Norway, and Greenland (Denmark). This region is believed to hold a significant portion of the world's undiscovered oil and natural gas reserves. </p>



<p>The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that the Arctic holds about 13% of the world's undiscovered conventional oil resources and 30% of its undiscovered natural gas.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Technical challenges</h3>



<p>Drilling for oil in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-ocean-found-to-be-a-biological-treasure-trove/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic</a> is technologically challenging and expensive. The extreme cold, ice coverage, and remote locations complicate every aspect of exploration and production. </p>



<p>Winter darkness and severe weather conditions restrict operations to a limited part of the year. Special equipment and techniques are required to deal with the freezing temperatures and to minimize environmental impact.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Environmental impact</h3>



<p>The environmental risks of Arctic oil drilling are significant. The Arctic ecosystem is fragile, and its wildlife, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-bears-are-struggling-to-survive-longer-summers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polar bears</a>, seals, and various bird species, are susceptible to disturbance. </p>



<p>Oil spills pose a severe threat due to the difficulty of carrying out effective clean-up operations in icy waters. The slow degradation rates in cold climates mean that oil can persist longer in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-biodiversity-will-get-a-boost-from-rising-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environment</a>, exacerbating its impact.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Indigenous communities</h3>



<p>Many indigenous communities in the Arctic depend on the natural environment for their subsistence and cultural practices. Oil drilling and the accompanying industrial activity can affect the land and wildlife resources that these communities rely on. </p>



<p>There are concerns about the social and economic impacts on indigenous peoples, including changes to traditional lifestyles and potential benefits such as employment opportunities.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Regulatory and political landscape</h3>



<p>Arctic oil drilling is subject to intense regulatory scrutiny to manage environmental risks. Countries have different regulations and levels of enforcement. International agreements and national policies also influence the extent and nature of drilling activities. Political decisions about drilling rights and environmental protections can lead to significant shifts in the operational landscape.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Climate change considerations</h3>



<p>The role of Arctic drilling in contributing to climate change is a key issue in global discussions about energy production. Burning fossil fuels extracted from the Arctic contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. </p>



<p>Moreover, the Arctic is warming significantly faster than the rest of the planet, leading to melting ice and changing habitats, which further complicates the environmental calculus of drilling operations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biden-s-conservation-efforts">Biden's conservation efforts </h2>



<p>The Biden administration's proposed initiative, set to be finalized within days, marks one of the most sweeping efforts yet by the president to limit oil and gas exploration on federal lands. </p>



<p>This move aligns with Biden's broader campaign which promises to boost land conservation and fight climate change. As he seeks a second term, Biden is doubling down on his commitment to protecting the environment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-industry-concerns-regarding-arctic-oil">Industry concerns regarding Arctic oil</h2>



<p>Interestingly, the changes wouldn't affect ConocoPhillips's controversial 600-million-barrel Willow oil project in the NPR-A. However, oil industry leaders say the plan is more expansive than initially anticipated and threatens to make it nearly impossible to build another megaproject in the region.</p>



<p>This has sparked concerns from companies with holdings in the NPR-A, which was once viewed as a promising growth area for the industry. In recent years, interest in the region has surged again due to major discoveries, and tapping into its reservoirs could yield decades of oil production.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-sensitive-ecosystems">Protecting sensitive ecosystems</h2>



<p>The proposed regulation would limit future oil development in some 13 million acres (20,000 square miles) of designated "special areas" within the reserve, including territory currently under lease. There would also be an outright prohibition on new leasing in 10.6 million acres.</p>



<p>The administration argues that these changes are necessary to balance oil development with the protection of sensitive landscapes that provide habitat for polar bears, migratory birds, and the 61,500-strong Teshekpuk caribou herd. </p>



<p>As Interior Secretary <a href="https://www.doi.gov/secretary-deb-haaland" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deb Haaland</a> stated, "We must do everything within our control to meet the highest standards of care to protect this fragile ecosystem."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-arctic-oil-development">The future of Arctic oil development </h2>



<p>The proposed rule would also create a formal program for expanding protected areas at least once every five years, making it difficult to undo those designations. Additionally, it would raise the bar for future development elsewhere in the reserve.</p>



<p>While the Interior Department has stated that the regulation wouldn't affect existing leases, the proposed rule text doesn't offer a similar, explicit assurance. Instead, it proposes to give the government broad authority to limit or bar access to existing leases, "regardless of any existing authorization." </p>



<p>This has oil companies and Alaska lawmakers increasingly concerned, as they believe the measure could thwart oil and gas development across much of the reserve, even on existing leases.</p>



<p>Opponents argue that the plan would shift the role of the reserve from oil development to conservation, contrary to its congressional intent. </p>



<p>"The current statute says that the primary purpose is to increase domestic oil supply as expeditiously as possible, but the rule takes a completely different premise," said Kara Moriarty, president of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-management-of-arctic-oil-drilling">Management of Arctic oil drilling</h2>



<p>Despite these concerns, environmentalists and some Alaska Natives have widely praised Biden for setting aside territory for conservation. </p>



<p>"These are resources that once they're gone, they're gone forever, and we can't wait until they have disappeared to go and get them back," said Rachael Hamby, policy director for the <a href="https://westernpriorities.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Center for Western Priorities</a>. "We need to manage now to protect those resources and values for present and future generations."</p>



<p>The fate of Arctic oil development hangs in the balance as the Biden administration moves forward with its sweeping plan to limit drilling in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. </p>



<p>While the Willow project remains unaffected, the broader implications of this initiative could have significant consequences for the industry and the delicate ecosystems of the region.</p>



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Biden policy aims to block Arctic oil drilling for conservation

Over a century ago, the U.S. government set aside 23...

3d,Illustration,Of,Burning,Meteors,Shower,Falling,To,Earth.,Asteroid

<p>Scientists warn that climate change is causing thousands of meteorites to disappear in Antarctica, where the majority of these cosmic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-meteorite-impacts-formed-the-earths-continents/">treasures</a> are found.</p>



<p>By 2050, we may lose up to a quarter of the estimated 300,000 to 800,000 meteorites in Antarctica. This alarming trend outpaces collection efforts fivefold, highlighting a desperate need for intensified recovery operations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meteorites-and-their-importance">Meteorites and their importance</h2>



<p>Meteorites aren't just rocks that fell from space. They are remnants of celestial bodies like asteroids, comets, or even pieces broken off from other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meteorites-life-outside-earth/">planets</a> like Mars or the Moon. These fragments endured a fiery journey through Earth's atmosphere, leaving them as precious survivors carrying secrets of the universe.</p>



<p>Meteorites contain materials that date back to the earliest days of our solar system. By analyzing their composition, scientists can piece together a timeline of how a swirling cloud of dust and gas eventually coalesced into the planets, moons, and asteroids we see today. It's like having a fossilized record of the solar system's birth.</p>



<p>Meteorites hold the clues to the ingredients that formed planets, including our own. Their composition reveals the types of elements and compounds that existed in the early solar system. </p>



<p>These elements formed minerals, which clumped together, eventually assembling into larger and larger bodies – the planets. Studying meteorites is like examining the individual bricks that built the house of our solar system.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-origins-of-life-on-earth">Origins of life on Earth</h2>



<p>Meteorites offer a tantalizing link to the question of how life began on Earth. The discovery of complex organic molecules, including amino acids, within some meteorites raises intriguing possibilities. </p>



<p>Did these molecules form in the vast expanse of space, suggesting that the building blocks of life are common in the cosmos? </p>



<p>Perhaps meteorites acted as delivery vehicles, bombarding early Earth and seeding it with the ingredients necessary for life to emerge. </p>



<p>Further, could the energy from meteorite impacts have helped jumpstart the chemical reactions that transformed those ingredients into the first life forms?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antarctica-meteorites-hold-secrets">Antarctica meteorites hold secrets</h2>



<p>Scientists are meticulously analyzing these space rocks to find answers. By studying the isotopes within organic molecules, they can trace their origins. </p>



<p>The discovery of specific biomolecules, like DNA components, would strongly suggest that life's building blocks came from elsewhere in the solar system. </p>



<p>Lab experiments that simulate early Earth conditions and meteorite impacts can help determine if those events could have triggered the development of life. </p>



<p>The findings of this research could change our understanding of life in the universe. If meteorites directly contributed to life on Earth, it suggests the potential for life to exist elsewhere, carried by meteorites to other worlds.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antarctica-s-meteorite-collection">Antarctica's meteorite collection</h2>



<p>Antarctica's unique environment makes it a remarkably effective meteorite collector. Here's how it works:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-glacier-conveyor-belt">The glacier conveyor belt</h3>



<p>Glaciers are massive, slow-moving rivers of ice. As they flow across the landscape, they entrain anything in their path, including meteorites. </p>



<p>Over time, the movement of glaciers carries these meteorites towards specific regions where factors like wind and ice ablation cause them to become concentrated in what are known as "meteorite stranding zones."</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-easy-detection">Easy detection</h3>



<p>Meteorites generally have a dark coloration. These dark <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bizarre-shape-meteorites/">objects</a> stand out distinctly against Antarctica's vast expanses of white snow and ice, making them relatively easy for scientists to spot during search expeditions.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-proven-track-record">A proven track record</h3>



<p>The combined effect of these factors explains why the overwhelming majority of Earth's discovered meteorites were found on the Antarctic continent. This icy wilderness acts as a natural collection and preservation system for these cosmic treasures.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-and-disappearing-antarctic-meteorites">Climate change and disappearing Antarctic meteorites</h2>



<p>The preservation of meteorites on Antarctica's ice sheets is under direct threat from rising temperatures associated with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/survey-mother-nature-is-more-likely-to-solve-climate-change-than-geoengineering/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>. While the disappearance of these cosmic treasures may seem surprising, the physical processes behind it are relatively straightforward:</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Heat collectors</strong>: The typical dark coloration of meteorites means they absorb a significant amount of solar radiation. This absorbed sunlight is converted into heat energy, efficiently warming the meteorite itself.<br></li>



<li><strong>Localized melting</strong>: The heat from the meteorite radiates outward, directly warming the ice in contact with it. This localized warming leads to the formation of a small meltwater pool beneath the meteorite.<br></li>



<li><strong>Sinking into the depths</strong>: The meteorite, being denser than liquid water, begins to sink into this meltwater pool. However, as temperatures drop (particularly at night or during colder seasons), the meltwater refreezes. This traps the meteorite, now embedded within the ice.<br></li>



<li><strong>A cycle of disappearance</strong>: With repeated cycles of daytime melting and refreezing at night, the meteorite sinks deeper and deeper into the ice sheet. Eventually, it becomes buried beyond the reach of scientific recovery, effectively vanishing from the surface.</li>
</ul>



<p><em>Key point</em>: The greater the degree of warming caused by climate change, the faster and more extensive this process of meteorite loss becomes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-climate-change-on-antarctic-meteorites">Impact of climate change on Antarctic meteorites</h2>



<p>Scientists have established a direct link between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humanity-should-brace-for-catastrophic-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> and the rate at which meteorites are disappearing in Antarctica. </p>



<p>For every mere 0.1 degrees Celsius increase in average global temperature, an estimated 9,000 meteorites are lost each year due to increased melting and sinking within the ice. This is an astounding number, highlighting the urgency of the situation.</p>



<p>As discussed, if current climate trends continue, it's estimated that we could lose a staggering quarter of the meteorites currently accessible on Antarctica's ice sheets by the year 2050. That translates into tens or even hundreds of thousands of meteorites vanishing, removing them from the reach of scientific study.</p>



<p>Under a worst-case scenario, where global warming accelerates, the losses could be even more devastating. Researchers project the potential disappearance of up to three-quarters of the remaining meteorites by the end of the 21st century.</p>



<p>Veronica Tollenaar from <a href="https://www.ulb.be" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Université Libre de Bruxelles</a>, co-author of the study, highlights, "Losing Antarctic meteorites is a loss of scientific data, much like when ice cores disappear from vanishing glaciers. It means losing some of the secrets of the universe."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saving-antarctic-meteorites-from-climate-change">Saving Antarctic meteorites from climate change</h2>



<p>While the situation is serious, there's still a chance to preserve a significant portion of Antarctica's meteorites. Scientists emphasize the need for immediate action:</p>



<ul>
<li>We must dramatically increase the scale and frequency of meteorite recovery missions across Antarctica. Every year that passes leads to the loss of thousands more meteorites.<br></li>



<li>Advances in satellite imagery, remote sensing, and data analysis can help pinpoint promising "meteorite stranding zones," including unexplored regions and areas of blue ice where meteorites are often found.<br></li>



<li>Ultimately, the most effective way to slow and eventually reverse meteorite loss is to curb greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the worst effects of climate change. This underscores the interconnectedness of scientific discovery and environmental action.</li>
</ul>



<p>Losing these cosmic treasures is a huge setback for our understanding of the universe. Meteorites spark awe and help answer fundamental questions about where we came from.</p>



<p>It's crucial that we support projects to recover these valuable space rocks and do everything in our power to reduce the impact of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-earth-energy-imbalance-temperature-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>. The future of our knowledge about the universe depends on it.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-024-01954-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Climate Change</a></em>.</p>



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Meteorites are disappearing in Antarctica due to melting ice

Scientists warn that climate change is causing thousands of meteorites...

<p>In a recent study from <a href="https://www.unm.edu/">The University of New Mexico</a>, researchers David Tan and Nicholas Freymueller reveal that blue light significantly increases the risk of building collisions for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/light-pollution-exposes-migrating-birds-to-toxic-chemicals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">night-migrating birds.</a> </p>



<p>The research illuminates a crucial but previously underexplored factor contributing to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-light-is-luring-birds-to-their-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">avian fatalities</a> in urban environments.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-global-context-of-bird-building-collisions">The global context of bird-building collisions</h2>



<p>Each year, hundreds of millions of birds perish in North America alone due to building collisions. A significant portion of these incidents involve <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/light-pollution-is-a-growing-issue-for-migratory-birds/">migratory species</a>.</p>



<p>Although well-documented in North America, the bird collisions issue also casts a shadow across tropical regions. This is particularly true within Asian and African cities, where substantial gaps in knowledge persist.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-approach-to-studying-urban-bird-fatalities">A new approach to studying urban bird fatalities</h2>



<p>The researchers adopted a unique methodology. By expanding their study across Singapore - a densely populated city-state with over 100,000 buildings - they utilized ecological niche modeling. This approach helped predict collision hotspots by identifying a "death niche" for the city’s birds.</p>



<p>"It’s a counterintuitive way to think about niche models, but if we can use environmental factors like temperature and rainfall to predict where living animals occur, it makes sense that the same methods can also be used to predict where birds might die from building collisions since these collisions are strongly affected by the urban environment," explained Tan.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-illuminating-findings-the-crucial-insights-and-their-implications">Illuminating findings: the crucial insights and their implications</h2>



<p>The study authors analyzed nearly 225 bird-building collision records from 2013-2020. They found that migratory pittas and resident pigeons were most affected. Pittas were particularly sensitive to blue light, showing increased collision frequencies.</p>



<p>"These results confirm what we previously suspected about pittas from bird banding studies conducted in the 1960s – that pittas are strongly attracted to light when they migrate at night," said Tan. "This is the first time anyone has demonstrated a specific attraction to blue light in this group of birds."</p>



<p>The researchers also noted that non-migratory birds like green pigeons and emerald doves often collide with buildings near forest edges. This is likely due to their movement through the urban landscape as they navigate between fragmented forest patches.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-proactive-measures-for-urban-planning">Proactive measures for urban planning</h2>



<p>Drawing on their findings, the researchers identified potential future collision hotspots in Singapore. They linked these hotspots to planned developments near forests and high blue light pollution areas.</p>



<p>"One of the benefits of working in Singapore is that the government tends to plan everything well ahead of time," noted Tan. </p>



<p>"Because of this, we were able to use long-term land-use plans published by the Singapore government to predict where future collision hotspots might occur, which will in turn allow urban planners and developers to incorporate bird-friendly measures into building designs even before the first foundations are laid."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recommendations-for-mitigating-bird-collisions">Recommendations for mitigating bird collisions</h2>



<p>The research underscores a key environmental issue and provides practical insights for urban planning and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/best-habitats-bird-conservation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird conservation</a> strategies.</p>



<p>To mitigate the identified risks of collisions, the experts recommend using bird-safe architectural elements. These include bird-friendly glass and shading devices, especially in forest-adjacent high-risk areas.</p>



<p>Additionally, they suggest using warmer LED lighting and shielding to reduce light spill. This can lessen the negative effects of blue <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/light-pollution-exposes-migrating-birds-to-toxic-chemicals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">light pollution</a> on migratory birds.</p>



<p>"Our discovery that blue light pollution increases the building collision risk of night-migrating birds in tropical Asia adds to the small but growing number of studies worldwide showing that blue light pollution attracts migratory birds," Tan concluded. "Reducing blue light emissions at night during the migratory months could help reduce the number of bird deaths in cities, especially in tropical Asia."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">More about light pollution and bird collisions</h2>



<p>Light pollution significantly contributes to bird collisions, especially affecting migrating birds. Many species of birds migrate at night and rely on natural light cues from the moon and stars for navigation. </p>



<p>Artificial lights, such as those from buildings, street lamps, and other infrastructure, can disorient these nocturnal migrants, leading to what is often referred to as "fatal light attraction."</p>



<p>When birds encounter intense artificial light, particularly in cloudy or foggy conditions, they can become disoriented and circle the light sources until they collide with an object or exhaust themselves. </p>



<p>This phenomenon is particularly observed in cities with skyscrapers and during events like the "Tribute in Light" in New York, where beams of light have been known to attract and disorient large numbers of birds.</p>



<p>Efforts to reduce these collisions include initiatives such as "Lights Out" programs in various cities, where building owners turn off or dim non-essential lights during peak migration periods in the spring and fall. </p>



<p>These programs aim to decrease the risks to birds by minimizing the attractions and distractions caused by artificial lights, thereby helping to ensure safer migration paths for these species.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cobi.14255" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Conservation Biology</a></em>.</p>



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Blue light in cities increases risk of bird collisions with buildings

In a recent study from The University of New Mexico,...

<p>The spectacular sights of large flocks of flamingos around East Africa’s lakes, immortalized in films like "Out of Africa" and David Attenborough’s "A Perfect Planet," might soon become a thing of the past, according to new research from <a href="https://www.kcl.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">King’s College London</a> (KCL).&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study indicates that the lesser flamingo of East Africa is at risk of losing its historical feeding grounds due to rising water levels, which are diminishing their main food source, with potentially grave implications for the species.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flamingo-feeding-lakes-in-east-africa-nbsp">Flamingo feeding lakes in East Africa&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The researchers used satellite earth observation data to analyze all significant flamingo feeding lakes in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania over two decades.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The analysis revealed that increasing water levels are curtailing the availability of food for these birds. This situation may force the flamingos to migrate to new, unprotected areas, particularly with expected higher rainfall from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/safety-on-frozen-lakes-declining-due-to-climate-change/">climate change</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coordinated-conservation-efforts-are-needed">Coordinated conservation efforts are needed</h2>



<p>The scientists involved in the study are now urging for coordinated conservation efforts across borders, enhanced monitoring, and more sustainable land management practices around key flamingo habitats.</p>



<p>“Lesser flamingos in East Africa are increasingly vulnerable, particularly with increased rainfall predicted for the region under climate change. Without improved lake monitoring and catchment management practices, the highly specialized species found in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/life-on-earth-may-have-first-sparked-in-shallow-soda-lakes/">soda lake</a> ecosystems – including lesser flamingos - could be lost,” said study lead author Aidan Byrne, a PhD student at KCL.</p>



<p>The study is the first to use satellite data to assess all 22 essential flamingo feeding soda lakes in East Africa, while also including climate records and bird observation data spanning more than two decades.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-degradation-of-flamingo-habitats-nbsp">Degradation of flamingo habitats&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Dr. Emma Tebbs, a co-author from King’s College London, noted the inherent adaptability of flamingos but expressed concern over the degradation of their habitats.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“East African populations could potentially move north or south away from the equator in search of food resources. And whilst six study lakes increased in habitat suitability from 2010 to 2022, only three of those have some level of conservation protection. Increases in water levels could lead to lesser flamingos becoming more reliant on lakes that are unprotected, outside of current nature reserves and protected sites, which has implications for conservation and ecotourism revenues,” explained Dr. Tebbs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-characteristics-of-the-soda-lakes">Shifting characteristics of the soda lakes</h2>



<p>Soda lakes are among the most extreme environments on the planet, characterized by high salinity and alkalinity. Nonetheless, various species, including flamingos and their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/phytoplankton-resilient-nutrient-stress/">phytoplankton</a> prey, have adapted to flourish under these conditions. Flamingos, for instance, utilize their specialized, sieve-like beaks to filter these microscopic plants from the water.</p>



<p>The study revealed that increasing water levels are diluting the typical saline and alkaline characteristics of the region’s soda lakes, which is leading to a reduction in phytoplankton populations. This decrease was quantified by measuring the levels of chlorophyll-a, a photosynthetic pigment found in the lakes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decline-in-phytoplankton-levels-nbsp">Decline in phytoplankton levels&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Over the 23 years covered by the study, the researchers observed a consistent decline in phytoplankton levels, correlating this trend with the expanding surface areas of these lakes during the same timeframe.</p>



<p>The most significant declines in phytoplankton biomass were recorded in the equatorial lakes of Kenya - specifically, the popular tourist destinations of Lakes Bogoria, Nakuru, and Elmenteita, as well as in the northern Tanzanian lakes that experienced the greatest increases in surface area.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-viable-breeding-sites-for-flamingos">Viable breeding sites for flamingos</h2>



<p>Lake Nakuru, a crucial feeding site for over one million flamingos historically, saw its surface area swell by 91% between 2009 and 2022, while the average concentration of chlorophyll-a in the lake dropped by half.</p>



<p>Lake Natron in Tanzania, the primary regular breeding ground for lesser flamingos in East Africa, has also seen a drop in productivity coinciding with the rising water levels in recent years. Should this decline in phytoplankton biomass persist at Lake Natron and other adjacent feeding lakes, these areas may no longer be viable as breeding sites for the flamingos.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-lesser-flamingos-of-east-africa-nbsp">More about lesser flamingos of East Africa&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Lesser flamingos are one of the most interesting and vibrant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pink-flamingos-once-thrived-in-the-australian-outback/">bird species</a> found in East Africa. They are smaller than their relative, the greater flamingo, and are noted for their stunning pink feathers which gain their color from the carotenoid pigments in their algae-based diet.</p>



<p>A significant characteristic of lesser flamingos is their dependence on alkaline or saline lakes for breeding. They are highly gregarious birds, forming large <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flamingos-of-a-feather-flock-together/">flocks</a> that can number in the thousands, which helps reduce the threat of predation.</p>



<p>East Africa hosts some of the world’s most important habitats for these birds, including Lake Natron in Tanzania and Lake Bogoria in Kenya. The conservation status of lesser flamingos is of concern due to habitat degradation and water pollution affecting their food supply and breeding sites.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(24)00302-6?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0960982224003026%3Fshowall%3Dtrue">Current Biology</a></em>.</p>



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Africa’s flamingos at risk due to rising lake levels

The spectacular sights of large flocks of flamingos around East...

<p>A new study led by <a href="https://home.dartmouth.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dartmouth College</a> has revealed that frequent seafood eaters may be at increased risk for exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-source-water-exceeds-safe-drinking-limits-of-pfas/">PFAS</a>), a group of persistent, synthetic chemicals often referred to as “forever chemicals.” </p>



<p>As a consequence, the experts emphasize the need for stricter public health policies to define safe levels of seafood consumption to minimize exposure to PFAS. </p>



<p>This is particularly critical in coastal regions like New England, where longstanding industrial activity and PFAS contamination intersect with a strong cultural affinity for seafood.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risk-benefit-trade-off-for-seafood-consumption-nbsp">Risk-benefit trade-off for seafood consumption&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“Our recommendation isn't to not eat seafood - seafood is a great source of lean protein and omega fatty acids. But it also is a potentially underestimated source of PFAS exposure in humans,” said senior author Megan Romano, an associate professor of epidemiology at Dartmouth.</p>



<p>“Understanding this risk-benefit trade-off for seafood consumption is important for people making decisions about diet, especially for vulnerable populations such as pregnant people and children.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pfas-concentrations-in-commonly-consumed-seafood">PFAS concentrations in commonly consumed seafood</h2>



<p>The research included an analysis of PFAS concentrations in commonly consumed seafood in New Hampshire, complemented by a statewide survey on eating habits. </p>



<p>Given that inhabitants from New Hampshire and the broader New England rank among the highest seafood consumers nationally, this region provided a perfect setting for studying PFAS exposure through marine diets.</p>



<p>“Most existing research focuses on PFAS levels in freshwater species, which are not what people primarily eat. We saw that as a knowledge gap in the literature, especially for a New England state where we know people love their seafood,” Romano said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-origins-and-impacts-of-pfas-in-seafood">Origins and impacts of PFAS in seafood</h2>



<p>The scientists also examined extensive data from New Hampshire concerning the origins and impacts of PFAS, chemicals widely used in consumer products like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-containers-may-release-forever-chemicals-into-food/">plastics</a> and nonstick coatings.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In humans, PFAS have been linked to several health issues, including cancer, fetal abnormalities, and disorders affecting the thyroid, liver, and reproductive systems. </p>



<p>They have permeated environments worldwide, accumulating in soil, water, and wildlife, with nearly all Americans showing detectable levels in their blood.</p>



<p>“PFAS are not limited to manufacturing, fire-fighting foams, or municipal waste streams—they are a decades-long global challenge,” explained co-author Jonathan Petali, a toxicologist at the <a href="https://www.des.nh.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services</a>. </p>



<p>“New Hampshire was among the first states to identify PFAS in drinking water. We're a data-rich state due to years spent investigating the impacts of PFAS and trying to mitigate exposure.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-highest-pfas-concentrations-found-in-shrimp-and-lobster">Highest PFAS concentrations found in shrimp and lobster</h2>



<p>The analysis measured 26 types of PFAS in several marine species - including cod, haddock, lobster, salmon, scallop, shrimp, and tuna - all purchased fresh from a market in coastal New Hampshire and sourced from various regions. </p>



<p>The highest PFAS concentrations were found in shrimp and lobster, with certain compounds reaching up to 1.74 and 3.30 nanograms per gram, respectively.</p>



<p>The widespread presence of PFAS in the environment complicates efforts to trace how these chemicals infiltrate the marine food chain. </p>



<p>Certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shellfish-consumed-by-humans-are-ironically-more-resistant-to-extinction/">shellfish</a> might be more susceptible to accumulating PFAS due to their feeding habits and habitat on the seafloor, coupled with their closeness to coastal PFAS sources. </p>



<p>In a similar vein, larger marine species could absorb PFAS by consuming smaller creatures that tend to accumulate these chemicals in their bodies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evaluation-of-pfas-consumption-levels-from-seafood">Evaluation of PFAS consumption levels from seafood</h2>



<p>The experts carried out a survey involving 1,829 residents from New Hampshire to assess seafood <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dietary-shift-to-forage-fish-could-prevent-millions-of-deaths/">consumption</a> levels in the state, which proved to be substantial. </p>



<p>The results revealed that men in New Hampshire consume slightly more than one ounce of seafood daily, while women consume slightly less than one ounce. </p>



<p>These figures surpass those recorded for men and women in the Northeast by the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey</a> and are over 1.5 times the national average for both genders. </p>



<p>For children aged 2 to 11 in New Hampshire, the daily seafood intake was around 0.2 ounces, placing them at the upper limit nationally.</p>



<p>Approximately 95% of the adults surveyed indicated they had eaten seafood within the last year, with 94% of them having consumed fish or shellfish in the month prior to the survey. Over two-thirds of this group had eaten seafood in the week before the survey.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seafood-consumption-varies-by-region">Seafood consumption varies by region</h2>



<p>However, seafood consumption varies across New Hampshire. Over half of the individuals who consumed seafood the week before the survey resided along the state’s coastal areas or near the Massachusetts border. </p>



<p>More than 60% of residents with household incomes below $45,000 per year reported eating seafood at least weekly, in contrast to those with higher incomes, who reported less frequent consumption.</p>



<p>Among the seafood tested for PFAS, shrimp, haddock, and salmon were eaten by more than 70% of adults who consumed seafood at least once a month. Lobster was on the menu for just over 54% of these adults. Among children, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-salmon-can-help-lower-your-cholesterol/">salmon</a>, canned tuna, shrimp, and haddock were the most commonly eaten.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-establishing-consumption-advisories">Establishing consumption advisories</h2>



<p>According to co-author Celia Chen, a biologist at Dartmouth, despite existing federal guidelines that regulate mercury and other contaminants in seafood, no such guidelines are in place for PFAS. </p>



<p>“Top predator species such as tuna and sharks are known to contain high concentrations of mercury, so we can use that knowledge to limit exposure. But it's less clear for PFAS, especially if you start looking at how the different compounds behave in the environment,” she said.</p>



<p>Lead author Kathryn Crawford, an assistant professor of environmental studies at <a href="https://www.middlebury.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Middlebury College</a>, stressed the importance of establishing consumption advisories tailored for those most vulnerable to pollution.</p>



<p>“Seafood consumption advisories often provide advice for those individuals that is more conservative than for the rest of the population. People who eat a balanced diet with more typical, moderate amounts of seafood should be able to enjoy the health benefits of seafood without excessive risk of PFAS exposure,” she concluded.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12403-024-00640-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Exposure and Health</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Seafood is an underestimated source of PFAS exposure in humans

A new study led by Dartmouth College has revealed that...

Penguins,Gather,On,An,Iceberg,In,The,Weddell,Sea,Of

<p>In recent years, the issue of microplastic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-environment-day-2023-beatplasticpollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution</a> has emerged as a forefront concern in environmental discussions. Studies have increasingly revealed the pervasive presence of microplastics, even in the world's most remote and pristine locations, including Antarctica.</p>



<p>A disturbing new study by researchers from the <a href="https://www.unibas.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Basel</a> and the Alfred-Wegener Institute (<a href="https://www.awi.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AWI</a>) brings to light the alarming extent of microplastic contamination in the Weddell Sea, a remote part of the Antarctic Ocean. </p>



<p>Their spring 2021 expedition data reveals a situation far more severe than previously recognized.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-particles-titanic-problem">Tiny particles, titanic problem</h2>



<p>In the context of growing environmental concerns, the term '<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-plastics-drastically-reduce-microplastic-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microplastics</a>' refers to minuscule plastic fragments, typically smaller than 5 millimeters in diameter.</p>



<p>Consequently, these particles often originate from the gradual breakdown of larger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/4200-harmful-plastic-chemicals-hidden-in-everyday-objects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic objects</a>. Over time, environmental factors like sunlight exposure, wave action, and physical wear cause these objects to deteriorate.</p>



<p>Moreover, microplastics include intentionally created tiny plastic beads used in cosmetic products like exfoliating face washes and toothpastes.</p>



<p>The issue with microplastics lies in their propensity to infiltrate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastic-pollution-found-in-every-aquatic-species-tested/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aquatic ecosystems</a>, leading to ingestion by wildlife under the mistaken belief that they are food.</p>



<p>This poses a direct threat to marine and freshwater species and carries broader implications for human health and environmental integrity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-analyzing-microplastics-in-antarctica">Analyzing microplastics in Antarctica</h2>



<p>The research team analyzed 17 seawater samples from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/looking-for-microplastics-in-the-remote-weddell-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weddell Sea</a>. They found significantly higher concentrations of microplastics than those reported in earlier studies.</p>



<p>Subsequently, Clara Leistenschneider, the study's lead and a doctoral candidate at the University of Basel, credits the discrepancy to their innovative sampling method.</p>



<p>Unlike traditional techniques, which use fine nets to capture particles larger than 300 micrometers, their approach targeted a wider range of particle sizes, from 11 to 500 micrometers.</p>



<p>Employing this method, which involved pumping water into tanks, filtering it, and analyzing it with infrared spectroscopy, the team made a striking discovery. </p>



<p>They uncovered a staggering 98.3 percent of plastic particles smaller than 300 micrometers -- sizes likely overlooked by previous studies.</p>



<p>"Pollution in the Antarctic Ocean goes far beyond what was reported in past studies," Leistenschneider remarks, underscoring the gravity of their discovery.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-microplastics-reach-antarctica">How microplastics reach Antarctica</h2>



<p>The study also delves into the factors influencing the distribution of microplastics in the Weddell Sea. Samples collected north of the continental slope, particularly in areas influenced by the Antarctic Slope Current, showed the highest concentrations. </p>



<p>While the precise reasons for this pattern remain uncertain, researchers speculate on the role of coastal ice and ocean currents in trapping and releasing microplastics. </p>



<p>Gunnar Gerdts from the AWI proposes a theory regarding ocean currents. He suggests they might act as a barrier, limiting the exchange of water -- and thereby microplastics -- between the ocean's northern and southern parts.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-microplastics-beyond-the-ocean-s-surface">Tracking microplastics beyond the ocean's surface</h2>



<p>Further investigation is needed to understand the vertical distribution of microplastics, as the study focused solely on surface waters.</p>



<p>However, challenges like limited sampling time and inadequate equipment have hindered a comprehensive analysis of deeper waters.</p>



<p>Such an analysis could uncover different dynamics, given the contrasting nature of deep and surface currents.</p>



<p>The origin of these microplastics in the Weddell Sea remains a puzzle, sparking significant scientific inquiry.</p>



<p>On one hand, possible sources include local ship traffic from tourism, fishing, and research activities. On the other hand, distant regions could contribute through ocean currents or atmospheric transport.</p>



<p>Amidst these uncertainties, one thing is clear: the enduring presence of microplastics in the Antarctic waters poses significant ecological risks. </p>



<p>This situation is potentially exacerbated by the strong Antarctic Circumpolar Current, which may hinder these pollutants from leaving the area.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microplastics-and-the-future-of-antarctica">Microplastics and the future of Antarctica</h2>



<p>Leistenschneider plans to study sediment samples to understand microplastic seabed accumulation and its impact on Antarctic icefish habitats. She notes the need for action, especially as Antarctic tourism grows.</p>



<p>She remains hopeful, citing increased global awareness and efforts to combat microplastic pollution. "Research on the topic has dramatically increased awareness in recent years of the problems that microplastics cause for the environment and all living organisms," she states, advocating for individual responsibility and global solutions.</p>



<p>Overall, her research aims to highlight and address the critical yet overlooked problem of microplastics in Antarctic waters, urging a collective reassessment and action plan.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969724022678?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science of The Total Environment</a></em>.</p>



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



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

Microplastics pollution in Antarctica is much worse than previously believed

In recent years, the issue of microplastic pollution has emerged...

<p>A recent study led by the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado, Boulder</a> (CU Boulder) has found that, over the span of sixty years, climate change has pushed certain ant species beyond their traditional boundaries in Gregory Canyon near Boulder, Colorado. </p>



<p>This shift, leading ant species unable to cope with rising temperatures to vacate their original habitats, signals a profound alteration in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-biodiversity-crisis-is-actually-worse-than-we-thought/">biodiversity</a> that could have far-reaching consequences for local ecosystems.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-valuable-indicators-of-climate-change">Valuable indicators of climate change</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-social-nature-of-ants-will-them-tolerate-climate-change/">Ants</a>, being ectothermic organisms, rely heavily on environmental temperatures for their metabolism and other vital functions, rendering them particularly susceptible to the effects of climate change. This feature makes ants valuable indicators for studying ecosystem responses to temperature shifts.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The foundation for this study was laid more than six decades ago by CU Boulder entomologist Robert Gregg and his student John Browne. Intrigued by their pioneering work, lead author Anna Paraskevopoulos and her research team embarked on a mission to examine how the ant community in Gregory Canyon has evolved since then.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isolated-impacts-of-climate-change-nbsp">Isolated impacts of climate change&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Despite the significant urban expansion of Boulder, Gregory Canyon has remained relatively untouched, offering a unique window into the isolated impacts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-earth-energy-imbalance-temperature-rise/">climate change</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This gave us an opportunity to study the isolated impacts of climate change. In many other studies, the effect of land use and climate change are often entangled,” Paraskevopoulos said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dynamic-shift-in-ant-populations-nbsp">Dynamic shift in ant populations&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The researchers discovered a dynamic shift in ant populations, noting the emergence of some species not previously recorded in the canyon alongside the expansion and dominance of others. Conversely, certain species documented by Browne and Gregg have either dwindled in prevalence or vanished entirely.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Across the different environments and habitats in the canyon, we're seeing the composition of ant species becoming more similar,” said senior author Julian Resasco, an expert in ecology and evolutionary biology at CU Boulder.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ants-and-ecosystem-stability-nbsp">Ants and ecosystem stability&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The significance of ants as crucial ecosystem engineers cannot be overstated. They play essential roles in enhancing soil aeration, accelerating the decomposition process, and dispersing seeds. Different ant species contribute uniquely to the ecosystem, affecting various ecological processes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The shift in ant biodiversity observed in Gregory Canyon raises questions about the broader implications of these changes. “If the ecosystem has only a single type of ant, it could mean that the animal is only contributing to ecosystem functioning in one way, potentially reducing ecosystem stability,” Paraskevopoulos explained.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-widespread-decline-in-insect-populations-nbsp">Widespread decline in insect populations&nbsp;</h2>



<p>This study contributes to the growing body of evidence pointing to a global decline in insect populations, a phenomenon many scientists have termed an "insect apocalypse." It underscores the urgent need for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms driving these changes and their potential impact on ecosystem functioning.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“In response to climate change, species are changing the ranges where they're occurring. Some of them are spreading and becoming winners, while others are crashing and becoming losers. This work helps us understand how those communities reshuffle, which could have implications on how ecosystems function,” Resasco concluded.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ants-as-bioindicators-of-climate-change-nbsp">Ants as bioindicators of climate change&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Ants serve as bioindicators of climate change due to their sensitivity to changes in their environment, making their behaviors, distributions, and community compositions useful indicators of shifts in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-are-not-properly-adapting-to-warming-temperatures/">climate conditions</a>. Here’s how ants can reflect changes in the climate:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sensitivity-to-temperature">Sensitivity to temperature</h3>



<p>Ants are ectothermic, meaning they rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature. Changes in temperature and humidity can directly affect their survival, foraging behavior, reproduction, and distribution. For example, warmer temperatures might lead to shifts in ant species distributions, with some species moving to higher elevations or latitudes in search of suitable conditions.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diverse-ecological-roles-nbsp">Diverse ecological roles&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Ants play various crucial roles in ecosystems, such as soil aeration, seed dispersal, and predation. Climate change can alter these roles and affect the broader ecosystem. For instance, changes in precipitation patterns and temperature can impact ant-mediated seed dispersal, potentially affecting plant community composition.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community-composition-nbsp">Community composition&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Changes in climate can lead to shifts in ant community composition and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/treasure-map-will-help-experts-find-new-ant-species/">diversity</a>. Some species may thrive under new conditions, while others decline or disappear, leading to altered interactions among species. Monitoring these changes can provide insights into the impacts of climate change on local and broader ecosystems.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-symbiotic-relationships">Symbiotic relationships</h3>



<p>Ants engage in symbiotic relationships with plants and other insects, such as aphids. Climate change can disrupt these relationships by shifting the phenology (timing of biological events) of the involved species, potentially impacting ecosystem health and function.</p>



<p>By studying changes in ant populations and communities, scientists can gain valuable insights into the impacts of climate change on ecosystems. This data can inform conservation strategies and help predict future changes in biodiversity and ecosystem services.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ecy.4302" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Ecology</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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



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Ants are shifting to new habitats to cope with climate change

A recent study led by the University of Colorado, Boulder...

The,Nanaimo,River,Estuary,Aka,The,Largest,Estuary,On,Vancouver

<p>Estuaries, the vital wetland ecosystems and carbon sinks that connect freshwater rivers to saline ocean waters, have been quietly disappearing over the past 35 years. </p>



<p>A new study reveals that worldwide, dams and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tulare-lake-has-re-emerged-in-california-after-130-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">land reclamation</a> activities have converted a staggering 250,000 acres of estuary -- an area roughly 17 times the size of Manhattan -- to urban land or agricultural fields. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-estuaries-as-carbon-stores">Importance of estuaries as carbon stores</h2>



<p>The majority of this land conversion and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/estuaries-are-warming-at-twice-the-rate-of-the-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">estuary</a> loss has occurred in rapidly developing countries, and the findings could help these nations avoid the problems faced by countries that have already lost or degraded their estuaries.</p>



<p>Estuaries are gateways connecting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parts-of-new-york-city-are-sinking-while-others-are-rising/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">land and sea</a>, providing habitat for wildlife, sequestering carbon, and serving as hubs for transport and shipping. </p>



<p>According to Guan-hong Lee, a geoscientist at <a href="https://eng.inha.ac.kr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Inha University</a> in South Korea who led the study, "Estuary change is really interesting, especially in 20th century, because estuaries have been altered by humans by the construction of estuarine dams and land reclamation. When estuaries are modified by humans, the consequences for land loss are surprisingly huge."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-price-of-estuary-degradation">Price of estuary degradation</h2>



<p>People have been molding estuaries to fit their needs for thousands of years, and now, some countries are paying the price. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invasive-species-are-transforming-coastal-estuaries/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Estuary degradation</a> and loss can lower water quality, shrink and fragment critical habitats, and remove coastlines' protection from storms. </p>



<p>Many developed countries, such as the Netherlands and Germany, have already modified or lost large areas of urban estuaries. </p>



<p>These countries could serve as a warning for developing nations, and acting soon to conserve estuaries is an opportunity to protect their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coastal-ecosystems-store-much-more-greenhouse-gas-than-they-emit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental</a> and economic benefits.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-carbon-footprint-and-estuary-loss">Measuring carbon footprint and estuary loss</h2>



<p>The study, published in the AGU journal <em>Earth's Future</em>, used <a href="https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Landsat</a> remote sensing data from 1984 to 2019 to identify 2,396 estuaries around the world that were large enough to measure with satellite imagery (those with mouths wider than 90 meters, or 295 feet). </p>



<p>Nearly half (47%) of these large estuaries are in Asia, and the dataset includes estuaries on all major land masses except Antarctica and Greenland. The researchers also identified land-use changes, including land conversion and dam building.</p>



<p>The team then measured the change in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-induced-changes-in-ocean-salinity-threaten-biodiversity-and-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">estuarine surface</a> area and compared those changes to where land reclamation and dam building had occurred. </p>



<p>For the studied estuaries, between 1984 and 2019, humans converted 1,027 square kilometers (397 square miles, or 250,000 acres) of estuary to urban or agricultural lands in a process called land reclamation. </p>



<p>Land reclamation, which can include drying land and adding sediment to build land, accounted for 20% of estuary loss. Globally, humans altered 44% of the estuaries with dams and/or land reclamation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economic-development-linked-to-estuary-loss">Economic development linked to estuary loss</h2>



<p>To explore the relationship between estuary gain or loss and economic development, the researchers compared countries' gross income per capita to land reclamation and estuary area. </p>



<p>They also analyzed historical maps of high-income countries to find evidence of earlier <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/restoring-coastal-ecosystems-can-mitigate-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">estuary alteration</a> and included 8 case studies of low-, middle-, and high-income countries' estuary loss.</p>



<p>Middle-income countries lost the most estuarine area during the study period, and almost 90% of all land reclamation (921 square kilometers, or 356 square miles) occurred there, too. "As a country is transitioning to middle-income, they tend to increase development," Lee said.</p>



<p>High-income countries lost little estuary area over the study period. In most cases, that's because estuary alteration occurred decades earlier when they were in developing, middle-income statuses. </p>



<p>In those countries today, the focus has moved from development to environmental conservation efforts -- attempts to undo the environmental damage that estuarine development caused.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-opportunities-for-developing-countries">Opportunities for developing countries</h2>



<p>The findings highlight the opportunities developing countries have to minimize the negative environmental and economic impacts of degraded estuaries while balancing their own economic and development needs. </p>



<p>Lee emphasized that acting soon to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-based-solutions-improve-coastal-defenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conserve estuaries</a> is an opportunity for developing countries to protect their environmental and economic benefits.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecology-and-economics-of-estuaries">Ecology and economics of Estuaries</h2>



<p>Estuaries host an incredible diversity of life, serving as nurseries for countless species of fish, shellfish, and other marine organisms. </p>



<p>The mixing of freshwater and saltwater creates a nutrient-rich environment that supports complex food webs and provides shelter and feeding grounds for a wide array of wildlife, including migratory birds, mammals, and reptiles.</p>



<p>In addition to their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coastal-wetlands-are-inching-closer-to-extinction-as-the-world-heats-up/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecological significance</a>, estuaries contribute substantially to local and global economies. They serve as natural harbors and ports, facilitating trade and transportation. </p>



<p>Estuaries also support thriving fishing and shellfish industries, as well as recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and wildlife watching, which generate billions of dollars annually.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserving-estuaries-for-future-generations">Preserving estuaries for future generations</h2>



<p>Estuaries act as natural buffers against storms, floods, and erosion, protecting coastal communities and infrastructure. </p>



<p>The wetland vegetation and intricate root systems found in estuaries help absorb wave energy, stabilize shorelines, and filter pollutants from the water, maintaining the health and resilience of coastal ecosystems.</p>



<p>To ensure that estuaries continue to thrive and provide their invaluable services, it is essential that we prioritize their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coastal-squeeze-americas-tidal-flats-are-threatened-by-urban-expansion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation and restoration</a>. </p>



<p>This involves implementing sustainable land-use practices, reducing pollution, and promoting public awareness about the importance of these ecosystems. </p>



<p>By working together to protect and preserve estuaries, we can safeguard these vital links between land and sea for generations to come.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-estuaries-carbon-and-earth-s-environmental-future">Estuaries, carbon, and Earth's environmental future</h2>



<p>In summary, the study by Guan-hong Lee and his team at Inha University in South Korea reveals the alarming extent of global estuary loss due to dams and land reclamation activities, particularly in rapidly developing countries. </p>



<p>The findings underscore the urgent need for developing nations to balance their economic growth with the protection of these vital ecosystems, learning from the experiences of developed countries that have already suffered the consequences of estuary degradation. </p>



<p>By taking proactive measures to conserve estuaries, developing countries can safeguard the environmental and economic benefits these wetlands provide, ensuring a more sustainable future for generations to come.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023EF003691">Earth’s Future</a></em>.</p>



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Humans are rapidly transforming carbon-storing estuaries into cities

Estuaries, the vital wetland ecosystems and carbon sinks that connect...

<p>Did you know that something as simple as living near <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-spaces-are-beneficial-for-childrens-lung-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">green spaces</a> full of trees, grass, and parks could lead to greater emotional well-being in children? A new study suggests that it very well could. </p>



<p>Researchers have found that kids who grow up with nature nearby tend to have fewer emotional problems in their preschool years. This fascinating discovery has us asking: could a daily dose of outdoor adventure be a key to better mental health in the critical years of early development?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-green-spaces-happy-emotional-states-in-children">Green spaces, happy emotional states in children</h2>



<p>The study, which received funding from the National Institutes of Health (<a href="https://www.nih.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NIH</a>), involved a large and diverse group of children from all over the United States. This broad scale allowed the researchers to draw stronger conclusions about how green spaces might affect overall childhood wellbeing.</p>



<p>The team used a fascinating approach to gather information. They employed satellite data to measure the amount of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lack-of-green-space-linked-to-adhd-in-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">green space</a> surrounding each child's home. This includes vibrant natural areas like parks, forests, or even backyards with lots of trees and plants.</p>



<p>Once the researchers had a picture of how much nature each child was exposed to, they combined this information with parent reports detailing the child's emotional state and any behavioral concerns.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-green-spaces-and-better-emotional-health">Green spaces and better emotional health</h2>



<p>The analysis revealed a clear pattern: children who lived in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exposure-to-green-space-reduces-oxidative-stress-in-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greener environments</a> from birth had a decreased likelihood of experiencing anxiety or depression in their preschool years (ages 2 to 5).</p>



<p>Dr. Nissa Towe-Goodman is an ECHO researcher from the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the <a href="https://www.unc.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of North Carolina</a>, Chapel Hill. </p>



<p>"Our research supports existing evidence that being in nature is good for kids," said Dr. Towe-Goodman. "It also suggests that the early childhood years are a crucial time for exposure to green spaces.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-green-spaces-and-emotional-well-being-in-children">Green spaces and emotional well-being in children</h2>



<p>While the link between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-spaces-are-beneficial-for-young-adults/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">green spaces</a> and our emotional well-being isn't new, understanding <em>why</em> it works is exciting. Here are a few theories:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improved-brain-activity">Improved brain activity</h3>



<ul>
<li>A quieter environment:&nbsp;Green spaces like parks and forests tend to be naturally quieter than busy streets or homes filled with electronic devices. This reduced noise and distraction provides our brains with a much-needed break, allowing for relaxation and improved focus.</li>



<li>Reduced sensory overload:&nbsp;In addition to being quieter, the natural sights and sounds we experience outdoors are often less overwhelming than the constant stimulation of screens, crowds, and traffic. This helps lower levels of stress and anxiety, which can be especially beneficial to young children.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-joy-of-exploring">The joy of exploring</h3>



<ul>
<li>Active play:&nbsp;Natural environments invite exploration and active play in a unique way. Trees are there to be climbed, puddles demand to be splashed in, and sticks and rocks become tools for imaginative building projects. This encourages healthy physical activity and supports a child's overall development.</li>



<li>Creativity:&nbsp;Unlike highly structured playgrounds, nature offers open-ended possibilities. With no set rules, children can use their imaginations to invent games, build their own worlds, and follow their curiosity. This freedom boosts creativity and problem-solving skills.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-sense-of-wonder">A sense of wonder</h2>



<ul>
<li>Observation and discovery:&nbsp;The natural world is full of surprises - from tiny insects to awe-inspiring weather patterns. Observing and interacting with these elements fosters a deep sense of wonder and teaches children about the world around them.</li>



<li>Appreciation of the simple:&nbsp;Nature highlights the beauty found in things like a colorful bug, a uniquely shaped rock, or a bird in flight. These joyful encounters nurture an appreciation for the everyday marvels that might otherwise be ignored in a busy, technology-driven world.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-about-older-children">What about older children?</h2>



<p>The study's findings were specific to younger children (ages 2 to 5) and did not show the same strong connection between green spaces and mental health in older children (ages 6 to 11). </p>



<p>Preschool-aged children are less independent and tend to spend the majority of their time within their immediate neighborhood. The amount of green space directly around their home likely has a significant impact on their regular exposure to nature.</p>



<p>Once children reach school age, their world broadens. School field trips, family outings, sports activities, and time spent at friends' homes might take them out to a variety of natural settings further away from their primary residence. This means the greenness around their house may be a less important factor in their overall nature experience.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-green-spaces-wisely">Using green spaces wisely</h2>



<p>Now that we know green spaces can be beneficial for emotional well-being, how can we make them a bigger part of daily life with children? Here are some actionable ideas:</p>



<ul>
<li>Make green space a priority:&nbsp;Intentionally schedule visits to parks, trails, or other natural areas into your family's routine. Even if it's just a quick walk around a green neighborhood, frequent exposure is valuable.</li>



<li>Turn exploration into a game:&nbsp;Nature scavenger hunts are an easy way to make outdoor time more engaging. Create a simple list of things to find (a pinecone, a smooth rock, a yellow flower) or focus on spotting wildlife like birds and squirrels.</li>



<li>Embrace the mess:&nbsp;While it might feel tempting to keep kids pristine, fighting against a little dirt is often counterproductive. Allow kids to dig, splash, and get messy – that's how they connect most deeply with the natural environment.</li>



<li>Support green initiatives:&nbsp;Your individual actions matter, but there's power in collective effort. Be a voice for preserving and expanding green spaces in your community. This could involve planting trees, volunteering at a local park cleanup, or supporting organizations that protect natural areas.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-directions">Future directions</h2>



<p>"In the future, researchers could look into what kinds of experiences in nature are connected to kids' early mental health," said Dr. Towe-Goodman. "Also, we should study how creating or preserving natural areas around homes and schools might make a difference in a child's mental health.”</p>



<p>While more research is needed, this discovery is a wonderful reminder of the power of the outdoors. When we give children the space to explore nature at their own pace, something beautiful blooms – and not just wildflowers.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em>JAMA Network Open</em>.</p>



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Green spaces near homes reduce emotional problems in children

Did you know that something as simple as living near...

<p>We all make food choices every day. But did you know those choices can affect not only your health but also the health of the planet? A recent study out of the <a href="https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Tokyo</a> has researchers thinking about the food we eat a little differently. The experts are not just looking at basic food groups – they're studying the carbon impacts of dishes and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mixed-farming-could-increase-food-productivity-and-reduce-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mixed diet</a> as a whole.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-focus-on-individual-dishes">Why focus on individual dishes?</h2>



<p>How we relate to food is cultural. The ingredients available, the way food is prepared, and the cultural significance of meals vary drastically from place to place. </p>



<p>A traditional Italian tomato-based pasta relies on different resources and creates different environmental impacts compared to a Japanese seafood-based pasta dish.</p>



<p>Focusing on complete dishes helps researchers understand how people&nbsp;<em>actually</em>&nbsp;eat and what choices are realistic within a specific culture. By studying dishes, we gain more precise knowledge. That knowledge empowers consumers to select specific meals that improve both their own health and the health of the planet.</p>



<p>"Our main conclusion is this: Mixed diets can offer good health and environmental outcomes," said study lead author Professor Yin Long. "This is because mixed diets can afford consumers a larger diversity of dishes that can meet both nutritional requirements and have low <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-dietary-changes-could-offset-carbon-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a> footprints."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-a-mixed-diet-nbsp">What is a "mixed diet"?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>A mixed diet includes a balanced variety of foods from all of the food groups. </p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Fruits and vegetables</strong>: These nutritional powerhouses offer vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants which are crucial for good health.<br></li>



<li><strong>Whole grains</strong>: Opt for whole grains (brown rice, whole-wheat bread, oats) over refined versions. They provide sustained energy, fiber, and important nutrients.<br></li>



<li><strong>Lean proteins</strong>: Think chicken, fish, beans, tofu, or lentils. These sources of protein help build and repair body tissue.<br></li>



<li><strong>Healthy fats</strong>: Found in foods like nuts, seeds, avocados, and olive oil. These fats are important for heart health, brain function, and keep you feeling full.</li>
</ul>



<p>But how do we know which dishes within those diets are the "best" choices? The University of Tokyo study has some insights.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-footprint-of-mixed-diet">Carbon footprint of mixed diet</h2>



<p>The researchers analyzed 45 popular Japanese dishes, breaking them down by ingredient, cooking time, and, crucially, their environmental impact.</p>



<p>You might be surprised to learn that some plant-based dishes, while low in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-science-behind-a-smoothie-the-fruit-you-choose-makes-a-difference/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a> emissions, didn't pack the same nutritional punch as one might expect. This is where the research gets helpful. It identifies those healthy, eco-friendly dishes and gives us tools to find similar foods in our own regional cuisines.</p>



<p>“We believe dish-based approaches can inform better the day-to-day organization of food consumption... by acting as a reality check to inform, design, and convey feasible and acceptable ways to steer dietary habits toward more sustainable directions,” said study co-author Professor Alexandros Gasparatos.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mixed-diets-with-a-lower-carbon-footprint">Mixed diets with a lower carbon footprint</h2>



<p>The beauty of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-dietary-shifts-could-keep-global-climate-goals-within-reach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mixed diet</a> is that with a few simple shifts, we can make a difference by reducing our carbon footprint</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-become-a-label-detective">Become a label detective</h3>



<p>Ingredient lists and nutritional information on packaged foods tell you a lot. Look for terms like "whole grain," prioritize shorter ingredient lists, and be mindful of things like added sugars and sodium content.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expand-your-recipe-repertoire">Expand your recipe repertoire</h3>



<p>Don't be afraid to experiment. There are countless resources online and in cookbooks with delicious, healthy recipes that use a wide range of ingredients. A bit of exploring can lead to wonderful discoveries.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-choose-sustainable-businesses">Choose sustainable businesses</h3>



<p>When eating out or shopping for groceries, consider businesses that make sustainability a priority. Ask about locally sourced ingredients, inquire about their food waste policies, or look for certifications that show ethical practices.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-remember-small-steps-matter">Remember, small steps matter</h3>



<p>You don't have to overhaul your entire diet overnight. Even small changes, like replacing one processed snack with some fruit or trying a new vegetarian recipe once a week, add up over time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-mixed-diets-reduce-carbon-emissions">How do mixed diets reduce carbon emissions?</h2>



<p>A mixed food <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-the-environmental-impacts-of-various-diets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diet</a> lowers carbon emissions primarily by diversifying the sources of food we consume. Here's how it works in more detail:</p>



<ol>
<li><strong>Reduced reliance on meat</strong>: Meat, especially red meat, has a high carbon footprint due to methane emissions from livestock and the energy-intensive nature of meat production. By incorporating more plant-based options, mixed diets can significantly reduce carbon emissions.<br></li>



<li><strong>Efficient use of resources</strong>: Plant-based foods generally require less water and land than animal-based foods. A diet that includes a variety of plant-based dishes can lead to more efficient use of resources and lower emissions.<br></li>



<li><strong>Variety leads to sustainability</strong>: Mixed diets encourage the consumption of a wider range of foods, which can include locally sourced and seasonally available produce. This reduces the need for transportation and the associated carbon emissions.<br></li>



<li><strong>Optimization of nutrient intake without excess</strong>: By focusing on the nutritional value and environmental impact of individual dishes, mixed diets can optimize nutrient intake without the excess associated with some high-carbon foods, thereby reducing waste and emissions.<br></li>



<li><strong>Encourages mindful eating practices</strong>: Mixed diets also promote mindfulness about food choices, encouraging consumers to consider the environmental impact of their meals. This awareness can lead to choices that are both nutritionally beneficial and lower in carbon footprint.</li>
</ol>



<p>By diversifying our diet, we can support food production systems that are generally more sustainable and have a lower environmental impact.</p>



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



<p>Taking these kinds of actions builds awareness and makes you an informed consumer. Not only are you making better choices for your body, but you're also sending a message. Your choices can influence the food industry and push for the broader changes needed for a healthier planet.</p>



<p>“Varying cultural preferences and ingredient availability lead to radically different ways to build healthy and sustainable diets between different countries and local contexts," said Gasparatos.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adh1077" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a></em>.</p>



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Mixed diets offer health benefits and lower carbon footprint

We all make food choices every day. But did you...

<p>Cane <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brazilian-flea-toad-worlds-smallest-vertebrate-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">toads</a> hopped onto the Australian scene in the 1930s, promising to fix a beetle problem for sugarcane farmers. The catch? These toads have poison glands that make them deadly snacks for unsuspecting predators. Young cane <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toxic-toad-species-madagascar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">toads</a>, it turns out, can teach native animal species to avoid the fatal mistake of consuming them.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-problem-with-cane-toads">The problem with cane toads</h2>



<p>If you're a big predator in Australia, cane toads are bad news. Apex predators like goannas (large monitor lizards), crocodiles, and some snakes love a juicy toad snack. </p>



<p>The problem is that cane toads are walking poison sacs. If an animal tries to eat a full-grown cane toad, they don't just get a tummy ache – the poison can very quickly kill them.</p>



<p>When hungry predators vanish, the consequences are disastrous for the entire ecosystem. With no predators to keep them in check, smaller animals like snakes and other lizards multiply, putting pressure on the smaller frogs and insects they prey upon. It's a domino effect that can throw the delicate balance of nature completely out of whack.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-young-cane-toads-teach-goannas">Young cane toads teach goannas</h2>



<p>Dr. Georgia Ward-Fear, a wildlife biologist at <a href="https://www.mq.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Macquarie University</a>, has spent years researching <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cane-toads-swallow-their-tongue-when-they-eat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cane toads</a> and the devastation they cause. Her studies uncovered an intriguing possibility: young cane toads could help goannas learn a vital survival lesson. </p>



<p>Young cane toads possess less potent poison in their glands than adult toads. If a goanna eats a young toad, the poison will make it sick, but won't be fatal. This negative experience teaches the goanna to avoid cane toads in the future. </p>



<p>Dr. Ward-Fear describes this as "ecological immunization," as it provides the goannas with a form of resistance against the cane toad's deadly poison.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unleashing-the-teacher-toads">Unleashing the teacher toads</h2>



<p>This fascinating discovery got Dr. Ward-Fear thinking – could she use this immunization to save goanna populations on a bigger scale? And so began a remarkable project.</p>



<p>Teaming up with Professor Rick Shine, an evolutionary biologist, and many other organizations, they formed the <a href="https://www.canetoadcoalition.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cane Toad Coalition</a>. Together, they set out to test her theory in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, right at the frontline of the cane toad invasion.</p>



<p>The plan involved releasing hundreds of "taster toads" – tiny baby cane <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/losing-the-harlequin-toad-means-losing-potential-medicines/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">toads</a> – just before the big, poisonous adult toads arrived in an area. It was like setting up a mini-classroom for the local goannas.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-did-it-work">Did it work?</h2>



<p>The results of this strategy were striking. In locations where researchers released the young teacher cane toads, ahead of the invasive cane toad front, goanna populations remained stable or even increased. </p>



<p>This is a significant finding, especially when compared to areas without this intervention. In those areas, goanna populations experienced devastating declines of up to 94% after the arrival of the highly poisonous adult cane toads.</p>



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



<p>This study tracked Australia's biggest cane <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychedelic-drugs-secreted-from-toad-skin-greatly-improve-cognitive-functioning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">toad</a> defense project so far. It could be beneficial for the following:</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>Protecting a vital link in the food web</strong>: Goannas, as apex predators, play a crucial role in maintaining balanced ecosystems. They help regulate the populations of smaller animals, preventing any single species from becoming too numerous. Their disappearance can destabilize the entire food web.<br></li>



<li><strong>Long-term benefits</strong>: The initial "toad training" may have lasting effects. When trained goannas reproduce, their offspring may instinctively avoid cane toads, inheriting this survival advantage.<br></li>



<li><strong>Beyond just goannas</strong>: The success of this technique offers hope for protecting other native Australian predators vulnerable to cane toad poison. It could be adapted to help other species learn to avoid these toxic invaders.<br></li>



<li><strong>A shift in conservation strategy</strong>: This project highlights a new approach in conservation. Instead of solely focusing on eradicating invasive species (which is often incredibly difficult or impossible), the emphasis shifts to helping native wildlife adapt and survive alongside the invaders.</li>
</ul>



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



<p>It's impossible to send "teacher <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cane-toads-make-long-distance-calls-for-love/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">toads</a>" everywhere across the Australian tropics. However, this technique could save populations of goannas in key areas, allowing them to survive and hopefully repopulate areas where they've been wiped out.</p>



<p>Dr. Ward-Fear's research is changing how we think about conservation. Clever behavioral training could be a vital tool in protecting wildlife from invasive species the world over. Who knew these toxic toads could teach us such a valuable lesson?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-cane-toads-beyond-teaching">More about cane toads beyond teaching</h2>



<p>Cane toads' impact extends beyond direct poisoning of native predators; they also compete with local species for food and habitat, exacerbating their invasive threat. </p>



<p>They are omnivorous and consume a wide range of foods - from insects and small animals to pet food left outside - often outcompeting native species for these resources. This competition for food can lead to a decrease in the populations of native species that rely on the same food sources.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cane-toads-and-humans">Cane toads and humans</h3>



<p>Another less discussed aspect is their effect on human activities. Cane toads have been known to cause power outages by short-circuiting electrical equipment, including substations and domestic air conditioners, when they seek warmth. </p>



<p>Their prolific numbers and willingness to inhabit human-modified landscapes mean they can also become a nuisance in residential areas, impacting gardens and local fauna.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cane-toads-and-disease">Cane toads and disease</h3>



<p>The toads' ability to spread diseases to native amphibians and other species adds another layer of complexity to their impact. Cane toads carry and transmit diseases such as chytridiomycosis, which affects native amphibian populations, further endangering them.</p>



<p>Efforts to control cane toad populations have included physical removal, traps, and the exploration of biological control methods, though finding an effective and ecologically safe solution has proven challenging. </p>



<p>The adaptability of cane toads, combined with Australia's vast and varied landscapes, makes their management a significant conservation challenge.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.13012" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Conservation Letters</a></em>.</p>



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Cane toads teach other animals to avoid their poison

Cane toads hopped onto the Australian scene in the 1930s,...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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<p>—–</p>

Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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<p>—–</p>

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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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>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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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>



<p>Organizations that offer comprehensive artificial intelligence training to their workers find remarkable value that extends well beyond basic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-wandering-might-be-more-productive-than-you-think/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">productivity improvements</a>. Emerging research demonstrates that carefully crafted AI training programs <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-does-not-replace-human-creativity-but-enhances-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enhance</a> corporate performance, lower operational costs, and dramatically improve employee psychological well-being by turning workplace uncertainty into professional empowerment.</p>



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



<p>A staggering 53% of employees expressed concern that the use of AI tools to automate work tasks could make them appear disposable to their employers, according to <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft</a>'s 2024 workplace survey. Such pervasive worry about being substituted by machines has caused what researchers have termed "AI technostress" – a psychological state that can result in occupational burnout and poorer mental well-being.</p>



<p>Data published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a> showed that belief in AI learning ability was a moderator in the link between technology adoption and work pressure, and higher confidence significantly lowered negative psychological responses. Workers provided ample training to become competent with AI software have significantly lower stress.</p>



<p>Companies like <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a> have platforms for building what are known as "AI Agents".  In essence, AI Agents are simply tools that employees can build for themselves or their teams quickly and inexpensively.   MindStudio will even train entire companies, from the CEO on down, at no cost. By letting MindStudio empower employees, companies avoid hiring more IT staff, buying more software, and implementing solutions to problems that do not exist.</p>



<p>MindStudio even has partners locally for companies, like <a href="http://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dominnus</a> with offices in the Carolinas, California, and Denver, to help build AI Agents and support employees as they become resident AI experts for their organization.  The training provided by MindStudio is applicable across other AI Agent building platforms as well.</p>



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



<p>Organizations that implement large-scale AI training programs achieve dramatic outcomes. Employees performed tasks significantly better when they utilized AI support compared to when they didn't, according to <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nielsen Norman Group</a> research findings. Their study documented productivity increases of 66% for a variety of professional tasks.</p>



<p>Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis research finds workers record 33% higher productivity in time working with generative AI tools. The benefit is equivalent to 5.4% of work time savings for AI users – around 2.2 hours per week for full-time workers.</p>



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



<p>The emotional transformation when employees are provided with proper technology training is a fundamental transformation from fear to professional confidence. A survey of 600 employees across industries, carried out by ScienceDirect, proved that AI capabilities strengthen work environment commitment and improve job satisfaction.</p>



<p>A <a href="https://www.lut.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LUT University</a> study discovered that AI adoption has no direct effect on workers' well-being but does so indirectly through working conditions like task optimization and safety protocols. Strategically deployed AI that involves correct training can actually increase workplace mental well-being.</p>



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



<p>Although 35% of those interviewed in recent McKinsey studies were concerned about workforce displacement, firms with large-scale training initiatives witness such fears dissipate quickly. The World Economic Forum found that two out of three respondents believe AI competencies will enhance their career prospects and job marketability.</p>



<p>This shift from fear to trust has measurable implications for job satisfaction. Applied Sciences research indicates AI can create tailored wellness programs based on individual employee requirements.</p>



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



<p>The mental health advantages of AI learning have a direct impact on organizational bottom lines in the form of a positive feedback cycle with high retention of employees. Recent ROI research validates that artificial intelligence learning has a beneficial impact on employee turnover and satisfaction levels.</p>



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



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



<p>AI training has unforeseen environmental benefits as it makes the work environment more efficient. According to a study in Scientific Reports, the carbon footprint in writing and illustrating work is significantly lower when AI performs it compared to humans. AI software produces 130 to 1,500 times less CO2 equivalent per page of text created than human authors.</p>



<p>In addition, AI-driven remote work functionality significantly reduces environmental impact. Research by Cornell University and Microsoft indicates that remote workers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 54% by not commuting daily to offices. Hybrid workers working remotely two to four days a week can reduce their carbon footprint by 11% to 29%.</p>



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



<p>The compounding gains of better mental well-being, reduced turnover, increased productivity, and environmental benefits flow to enterprises from the pairing. McKinsey analysis estimates the long-term AI potential at $4.4 trillion in incremental productivity growth opportunity from business use cases.</p>



<p>As of now, 75% of knowledge workers globally utilize generative AI, mirroring widespread adoption patterns. Organizations that provide organized training and assistance see the most favorable results in productivity, worker satisfaction, and ecological sustainability.</p>



<p>The research overwhelmingly indicates that companies that invest in proper AI education, like that offered through <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a>, establish win-win scenarios where employees are both more empowered and less stressed, and companies enjoy the gains of increased productivity, reduced turnover, and improved mental health outcomes throughout their workforce.</p>



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



<p>The research was published across a variety of peer-reviewed journals, including <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a>, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence</a>, and <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci">Applied Sciences</a>.</p>



<p id="block-9bd989d6-2fd3-4580-957f-6cacce134f08">-----</p>



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<p id="block-1f9a227a-ec37-4140-81b8-ffa4a7cc6689">-----</p>



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



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



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

Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4 Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease A natural...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-don-t-we-ever-hear-about-acid-rain-anymore-the-environmental-crisis-that-was-solved">Why don't we ever hear about "acid rain" anymore? The environmental crisis that was solved</h2>



<p>Remember the 1980s when acid rain dominated headlines? Dire warnings about rain eating buildings, killing fish, and destroying forests filled every news cycle. Then, almost like magic, acid rain vanished from public discourse. What happened? Did we actually solve one of the late 20th century's most pressing environmental challenges?</p>



<p>The answer might surprise you. Unlike many environmental issues that drag on indefinitely, acid rain represents one of modern history's most successful ecological recovery stories. It's a tale of science, politics, and technology working together to tackle what seemed impossible.</p>



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



<p>Acid rain isn't regular rain having a bad day – it's precipitation that became significantly more acidic due to air pollution. When power plants, factories, and vehicles burn fossil fuels, they release sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere.</p>



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



<p>Think of acid rain as nature's chemistry experiment gone wrong. These compounds react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. When mixed with water vapor in clouds, they create precipitation with dangerously low pH levels.</p>



<p>While clean rain has a pH of about 5.6, acid rain could drop as low as 4.2 to 4.4 – roughly as acidic as tomato juice or coffee. According to US Geological Survey documentation, Scottish chemist Angus Smith first coined "acid rain" in 1872, but it didn't become a household phrase until the 1960s and 1970s when Swedish scientist Svante Odén documented its devastating effects on Scandinavian lakes and European forests.</p>



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



<p>During the height of public concern, environmental damage was both widespread and visible. This wasn't some abstract future threat – people could see destruction happening in real-time.</p>



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



<p>The most dramatic impacts were impossible to ignore. Research documented by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shows that in the Adirondack Mountains, more than 200 lakes became so acidic they couldn't support fish life. The Adirondack Council reports that 409 lakes once supported brook trout, but many lost their fish populations due to acid rain.</p>



<p>By 1976, when scientists cataloged all acidified lakes in the Adirondack Park, researchers found that half of the lakes over 2,000 feet above sea level had no fish, according to studies published in environmental journals. The acidification process worked like a slow-motion disaster. As acid rain fell into watersheds, it gradually lowered pH levels. Fish couldn't survive in acidic water, and their food sources died off too.</p>



<p>Trees at high elevations showed stress directly linked to acid rain. It weakened them by leaching nutrients and making them susceptible to disease. Historical records show Germany's Black Forest saw nearly half its trees damaged by the mid-1980s.</p>



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



<p>Acid rain wasn't just environmental – it was expensive. Acidic precipitation corroded infrastructure, buildings, and monuments. Historic stone structures deteriorated at accelerated rates. Tourism suffered as lakes became fishless and forests declined. EPA economic analyses from the period documented repair costs mounting into billions annually.</p>



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



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



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



<p>The turning point came with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, signed by President George H.W. Bush. This represented a fundamentally new approach to environmental regulation, as documented in EPA historical records.</p>



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



<p>Instead of mandating specific technologies, the 1990 amendments introduced something revolutionary: a cap-and-trade system for sulfur dioxide emissions. EPA program documentation shows this market-based approach set overall limits but allowed companies to trade emission allowances.</p>



<p>The genius was harnessing market forces to find cost-effective pollution reduction. Companies reducing emissions cheaply could sell excess allowances to those facing higher costs. Research published in environmental economics journals and EPA progress reports shows this resulted in dramatic SO2 reduction at a fraction of projected costs.</p>



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



<p>Policy provided the framework, but technology made reductions possible. Studies in atmospheric science journals document the widespread adoption of flue gas desulfurization systems ("scrubbers") that removed sulfur dioxide before it reached the atmosphere. By the 2000s, new installations could remove over 95% of SO2 emissions, according to EPA technical reports.</p>



<p>The push coincided with cleaner energy development. Natural gas produces fewer sulfur compounds than coal. Wind and solar, emerging in the 1990s, captured growing market share, reducing reliance on high-sulfur coal.</p>



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



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



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



<p>There's an old journalism saying: "If it bleeds, it leads." Environmental success stories don't generate urgency like crisis reporting. Media attention shifted to other challenges: climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss. There's only so much environmental anxiety the public can absorb, and newer concerns replaced acid rain.</p>



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



<p>The primary reason is beautifully simple: interventions worked. EPA monitoring data shows sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990. Academic research published in environmental science journals confirms pH levels in formerly affected areas returned closer to normal. This represents one of history's most dramatic environmental recoveries. Studies by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation show fishless lakes now support healthy populations. Forests recovered, and building damage slowed dramatically.</p>



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



<p>The crisis is largely resolved, but monitoring data shows the problem isn't completely eliminated – it's managed to acceptable levels. Some areas still experience occasional events during high pollution periods. International environmental research indicates that rapidly industrializing Asian countries face similar problems to what we experienced decades ago, though they're implementing successful strategies.</p>



<p>EPA research shows nitrogen oxide emissions proved more challenging than sulfur dioxide, coming from vehicles and mobile sources. Climate science studies suggest changing weather patterns add complexity to how acid rain forms and falls.</p>



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



<p>The acid rain experience proves that seemingly intractable environmental problems can be solved with scientific understanding, political will, and technological innovation. Environmental monitoring data shows recovery speed was remarkable – within a decade, measurable improvements appeared in air quality and ecosystem health.</p>



<p>Success came from bipartisan support across party lines. Policy analysis studies show the market-based approach appealed to those preferring economic incentives while achieving environmental goals. This support created lasting policy surviving political changes.</p>



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



<p>Acid rain's disappearance from public consciousness represents environmental science's greatest success stories. Through effective regulation, technological innovation, and international cooperation, we transformed an overwhelming crisis into a manageable challenge.</p>



<p>Today's silence isn't because we forgot – it's because we solved it. The 1990 Clean Air Act, combined with technology and energy market changes, reduced acid rain emissions over 90%, according to comprehensive EPA data analysis.</p>



<p>This success offers hope for current challenges. It proves complex problems can be solved when science, policy, and technology work together. As we face climate change and plastic pollution, acid rain reminds us that dramatic positive change is possible.</p>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> features a visual dataset of.methane emissions from wetlands across the globe. Atmospheric methane levels have reached record highs in recent years, and wetlands are a major source of these emissions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Methane is an important greenhouse gas that contributes substantially to global warming. On a molecule by molecule basis, methane is much more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, the main driver of warming," says NASA.</p>



<p>"Though human activities, including agriculture, oil and natural gas production and use, and waste disposal, collectively contribute the majority of methane to the atmosphere, about a third of total methane emissions comes from wetlands."&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to NASA, understanding methane emissions from wetlands and other natural sources is critically important for scientists and policymakers who are working to combat climate change by reducing emissions from human activities.</p>



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



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



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



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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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

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