Many expect warmer winters to reduce cold snaps, but that isn't how it works. A new study reveals that the polar vortex, happening high in the stratosphere, still controls much of what happens at ground level.



In this study, scientists looked at how changes in that polar vortex - especially in the stratosphere (a layer of the atmosphere way above us) - affect winter weather in the U.S. 



They discovered that the shape and strength of the vortex at two different heights can look totally different, and this matters a lot.



The study was conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://www.uml.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Massachusetts Lowell</a>, <a href="https://en.huji.ac.il/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hebrew University</a> of Jerusalem,&nbsp;and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (<a href="https://www.mit.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIT</a>).



“The public often hears about the ‘polar vortex’ when winter turns severe, but we wanted to dig deeper and understand how variations within this vortex affect where and when extreme cold hits,” the research team explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-polar-vortex">Understanding the polar vortex</h2>



Imagine the atmosphere above the North Pole as a swirling dome of icy air - that’s the polar vortex, officially called the stratospheric polar vortex (<a href="https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/understanding-arctic-polar-vortex" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SPV</a>). 



When it’s strong and stable, winter in the U.S. tends to stay fairly calm. But when this vortex gets stretched, twisted, or broken apart, cold air can spill southward, triggering severe winter weather across the country.



This study dug into how different shapes and behaviors of the polar vortex - not just at one level of the atmosphere but at two - affect winter storms in the U.S. 



Over the last decade, the worst <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astonishing-global-heat-in-january-2025-defied-climate-expectations/">cold snaps</a> have been hitting farther west than before. That shift seems to line up with more frequent La Niña events - times when the Pacific Ocean is cooler than usual. 



La Niña tends to favor the version of the vortex that affects the western U.S., while El Niño, its warmer sibling, leans more toward the version that affects the east.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-different-types-of-polar-vortexes">Different types of polar vortexes</h2>



The researchers used a technique called <a href="https://stanford.edu/~cpiech/cs221/handouts/kmeans.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">K-means clustering</a> (basically, pattern detection in big datasets) to spot five different types of stratospheric behavior. 



Two of these polar vortex classes stood out because they often came with extreme cold and snow.



One pattern (called P2) leads to severe weather in the Northwest U.S.. The other (P3) hits the Central and Eastern regions of the U.S.



P2 features a strong vortex centered over the pole with a stretched lower vortex. It often brings snow and cold to the Northwestern U.S. 



P3 shows a weaker, displaced vortex toward the North Atlantic, steering cold into the Central and Eastern U.S. These variations do not just depend on vortex position but also on how atmospheric waves behave.



Planetary waves can either be absorbed or reflected in the stratosphere. When reflected, they can send cold air barreling southward. 



P3 events consistently show this reflection during the cold wave itself. P2 events often have wave reflection before the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-equation-predicts-a-rapid-rise-in-extreme-heatwaves/">cold</a> snap hits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-the-cold-hits-and-why">Where the cold hits and why</h2>



The researchers used the <a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2024EGUGA..26.2134C/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rAWSSI index</a>, which considers temperature, snow depth, and snowfall.



The analysis revealed that P3 patterns produce the most extreme winter conditions in the Central and Eastern U.S., while P2 patterns primarily affect the Northwestern region with intense cold and snowfall. 



The findings help explain recent cold events, including the severe <a href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/great-texas-freeze-february-2021" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas freeze of 2021</a>.



The Northwest has seen more P2 days recently. This increase matches a northwestward shift in cold air <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-is-accelerating-beyond-control-as-co2-levels-rise/">outbreaks</a>. The central and eastern parts still get hit, but less often now.



Wave activity flux (WAF) offers clues. Before P2 events, reflection happens over Siberia and Alaska. During P3 events, strong reflection occurs over Asia and the Pacific. In P3, this reflection continues as the cold air descends.



Cold air starts in the east, spreads across the Midwest, and settles in the Northwest. These transitions help forecast where the next cold wave might land.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-cycles-and-the-polar-vortex">Global cycles and the polar vortex</h2>



P2 is more frequent during La Niña conditions. P3 prefers El Niño phases. This suggests tropical ocean <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-is-on-pace-to-surpass-1-5c-global-temperature-increase-for-second-year-in-a-row/">temperatures</a> influence how the polar vortex behaves.



Other climate patterns play a role as well. The westerly phase of the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/quasi-biennial-oscillation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">QBO</a>) often coincides with P2 days.



On the other hand, the Arctic Oscillation (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_oscillation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AO</a>) tends to be more negative during P3 events, a state that supports increased cold outbreaks in the Central and Eastern United States.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-winter-cold-is-shifting">Winter cold is shifting</h2>



What makes this research unique is that it doesn’t just focus on surface temperatures like most studies. It includes snow cover and snowfall, too, giving a fuller picture of how the stratosphere connects to what we experience on the ground. 



Despite a warming climate, these findings suggest extreme cold will continue to return each year, even though its location may shift. In the past decade, the coldest anomalies moved westward, which is a change from decades of more common Eastern U.S. cold.



This deeper understanding could help forecasters predict harsh winter conditions weeks in advance by watching patterns in the stratosphere and tropical oceans.



In the end, this study shows that what happens high above the Earth - and even far across the ocean - can shape the winter weather we feel in a big way. And by getting better at reading those signals from way up in the sky, we might get better at preparing for the coming storms.



-----



The research was funded by the&nbsp;National Science Foundation (<a href="https://www.nsf.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NSF</a>)&nbsp;, the&nbsp;U.S.–Israel Binational Science Foundation (<a href="https://www.bsf.org.il/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BSF</a>)&nbsp;, the&nbsp;U.S. Department of Energy (<a href="https://www.doe.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DOE</a>)&nbsp;, and the&nbsp;National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (<a href="https://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA</a>).



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adq9557" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Why global warming hasn't ended extreme winter cold, and why you shouldn't expect it to

Many expect warmer winters to reduce cold snaps, but that isn't how it works. A new study reveals that the polar vortex, happening high in the stratosphere, still controls much of what happens at ground level. In this study, scientists looked at how changes in that polar vortex - especially in the stratosphere (a layer of the atmosphere way above us) - affect winter weather in the U.S. They discovered that the shape and strength of the vortex at two different heights can look totally different, and this...

A new study from <a href="https://www.cnrs.fr/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CNRS</a> and the University of Montpellier provides yet another example of how human activities are impacting the natural world. 



The experts have discovered that flowering plants in farmlands are increasingly adapting to self-fertilization due to the widespread decline of insect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-expansion-linked-to-global-decline-of-wild-pollinators/">pollinators</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenging-conditions-nbsp">Challenging conditions&nbsp;</h2>



This adaptation is a direct response to the challenging conditions faced by plants as reproduction becomes more difficult for them in an environment depleted of pollinating insects.



"Plant-pollinator interactions evolved early in the angiosperm radiation. Ongoing environmental changes are however leading to pollinator declines that may cause pollen limitation to plants and change the evolutionary pressures shaping plant mating systems," wrote the study authors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



The research team conducted a comparative study involving field pansies, analyzing both current specimens and those grown from seeds collected between 1992 and 2001.&nbsp;



"We used resurrection ecology methodology to contrast ancestors and contemporary descendants in four natural populations of the field pansy (Viola arvensis) in the Paris region (France), a depauperate pollinator environment," wrote the researchers.



"We combine population genetics analysis, phenotypic measurements and behavioral tests on a common garden experiment."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alarming-findings">Alarming findings</h2>



The researchers found that today's flowers are approximately 10% smaller, produce 20% less nectar, and attract fewer pollinators than their predecessors.



According to the experts, their analysis revealed a 27% increase in realized selfing rates in the field during the study period.&nbsp;



"We documented trait evolution towards smaller and less conspicuous corollas, reduced nectar production and reduced attractiveness to bumblebees, with these trait shifts convergent across the four studied populations."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-evolutionary-response-nbsp">Rapid evolutionary response&nbsp;</h2>



This change in the plants' traits is thought to be a rapid evolutionary response to the decline in pollinator populations across Europe.&nbsp;



Alarmingly, a separate study in Germany highlighted this issue, noting a 75% reduction in the biomass of flying insects in protected areas over the past thirty years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vicious-cycle-nbsp">Vicious cycle&nbsp;</h2>



The CRNS study reveals a concerning feedback loop: the decline in pollinators leads to reduced nectar production, which could further exacerbate the decline of these essential insects.&nbsp;



This vicious cycle poses a significant threat to the longstanding symbiotic relationship between plants and pollinators, a relationship that has existed for millions of years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



"In summary, our study highlights the potential of natural populations to respond quickly to environmental changes. However, such evolutionary responses may have impacts on ecological interactions, here plant–pollinator interactions, and potentially cascading trophic consequences in ecosystems," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"There is thus an urgent need to investigate whether these results are symptomatic of a broader pattern among angiosperms and their pollinators, and if so understanding whether there is a possibility to reverse this process and break this eco-evolutionary-positive feedback loop."



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/nph.19422" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Phytologist</a>.&nbsp;



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.



—-&nbsp;



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

Wildflowers are self-fertilizing to deal with a lack of pollinators

A new study from CNRS and the University of Montpellier...

The impact of climate change on wildlife behavior, particularly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-predator-prey-equilibria/">predator-prey</a> dynamics in snowy environments, is a growing area of interest among ecologists.&nbsp;



Laura Prugh, a wildlife ecologist and associate professor at the <a href="https://www.washington.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Washington</a>’s School of Environmental &amp; Forest Sciences, is exploring how changing weather patterns and snow consistency due to global warming will affect hunting strategies in various species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advantages-and-disadvantages-nbsp">Advantages and disadvantages&nbsp;</h2>



“When you wear snowshoes in deep snow, you stay on top of the snow. But if you take the snowshoes off, you might go up to your waist. Certain species, such as wolves and lynx, have adapted to deep snow conditions because their feet act like snowshoes,” Prugh said.&nbsp;



However, she points out that their prey, like caribou and moose, are at a disadvantage due to their weight and hoofed feet, leading to deeper sinking in snow.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



“As climate change is making things warmer and changing the amount of precipitation, it’s going to affect how deep and hard the snow is. And that’s going to affect how deep the animals are sinking into the snow. Few scientists have looked at this before.”



To delve deeper into this phenomenon, Prugh collaborated with Jessica Lundquist, a professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Washington.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-danger-zones">Danger zones</h2>



Together with their research team, they studied snow properties to identify “danger zones” where prey animals are more likely to sink, while predators remain on the surface. Their recent paper focuses on these zones for ten predator-prey pairs in Washington’s Methow Valley and Denali National Park in Alaska.



“Imagine having a snow fort - you’ve got this cave under the snow and it has a roof. And when people run on top of your snow fort, you hope it doesn’t collapse on you, right? This is what we are trying to measure: the strength of the snow to support itself against collapsing,” Lindquist said.&nbsp;



"But snow is such a dynamic thing. It’s not even one phase; you can’t call it a solid, liquid or gas. It’s all of the above, and that makes snow really fun to study.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-snow-density-nbsp">Snow density&nbsp;</h2>



The team used snow density as a proxy for its strength, hypothesizing that denser snow would better support an animal’s weight than light, fluffy snow. They tested this theory in the field, traveling through Denali National Park and the Methow Valley to examine animal tracks and study the surrounding snow’s density and other properties.



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



Both Prugh and Lundquist emphasized the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in this study. Prugh gained a deeper understanding of snow types, while Lundquist learned about identifying animal tracks. They also relished the opportunity to conduct research outdoors. Lundquist shared an anecdote to illustrate this point:&nbsp;



“There’s this Calvin and Hobbes cartoon where Calvin’s standing in front of his class holding a box of water. And he says, ‘this was a snowflake outside.’ It’s unique and exquisite, but when you bring it into the classroom, it melts. The science is outside. You cannot bring snow inside and have the same characteristics as the snow outside.”



This study - published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/oik.09925" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oikos</a> - underscores the complexity of ecological systems and how climate change could significantly alter predator-prey dynamics.



"Understanding when and where danger zones occur remains an outstanding, urgent need for resource managers to anticipate and proactively adapt to changing snow conditions," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



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.



—-



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

Danger zones: Climate change is altering predator-prey dynamics

The impact of climate change on wildlife behavior, particularly predator-prey...

A recent study led by <a href="https://www.stanford.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford University</a> has uncovered alarming trends regarding the impact of tropical cyclones on global populations. 



According to the researchers, there is a steady increase in the number of people at risk from tropical cyclones and the number of days per year these storms threaten health and livelihoods.&nbsp;



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



With climate change fueling more frequent and intense <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-rainfall-will-wreak-havoc-on-mountain-ranges-as-warming-climate-turns-snow-to-rain/">weather events</a>, this type of research is critical in understanding and responding to these growing threats.



Study lead author Renzhi Jing, a postdoctoral scholar at the Stanford School of Medicine, emphasized the importance of the study.&nbsp;



"Understanding the demographics of populations exposed to cyclones is crucial for understanding evolving risks,” said Jing. “It’s particularly important for risk mitigation and achieving other socially desirable objectives, such as education and poverty alleviation.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study-nbsp">Focus of the study&nbsp;</h2>



Tropical cyclones, characterized by rotating systems of clouds and thunderstorms, bring strong winds and heavy rain. Traditional estimates of exposure to these cyclones have been regional, lacking a global perspective and failing to consider population vulnerabilities.



For the investigation, researchers from Stanford, the RAND Corporation, and other institutions used a new model to merge demographic estimates with tropical cyclone wind fields estimates. This allowed the experts to create a comprehensive global profile of populations exposed to these storms between 2002 and 2019.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-insights">Critical insights</h2>



The study revealed that approximately 560 million people are exposed to cyclones annually and there has been an increase in the number of people exposed across all cyclone intensities.&nbsp;



The researchers also found that the demographic profile of those exposed has shifted, with a decrease in children and an increase in individuals over 60.



Furthermore, socioeconomically deprived populations are more likely to be exposed to tropical cyclones, and this exposure is more pronounced in higher-intensity storms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



The findings suggest tropical cyclones can worsen existing inequalities, and highlight the need for targeted interventions to support vulnerable groups, noted the researchers.



“Severe storms hit the poor the hardest, and could worsen socioeconomic and health inequalities,” said study senior author Professor Eran Bendavid. “Interventions for mitigating tropical cyclone impacts should address this vulnerability.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-tropical-cyclones-nbsp">More about tropical cyclones&nbsp;</h2>



Tropical cyclones are intense circular storms that originate over warm tropical oceans. Their formation is fueled by the energy released when moist air rises and condenses, a process that is most efficient when the ocean waters are at least 26°C (79°F).&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-structure">Structure</h3>



These systems are distinguished by their organized structure, typically featuring a calm eye at the center, surrounded by a wall of thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rainfall.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-cycle">Life cycle</h3>



The life cycle of a tropical cyclone begins with a tropical disturbance, which is essentially a disorganized cluster of thunderstorms. Under the right conditions, such as sufficient ocean heat and low vertical wind shear, this disturbance can evolve into a tropical depression, then a tropical storm, and eventually a cyclone. These stages are marked by increasing organization and wind speed.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-damage">Damage</h3>



Tropical cyclones are known for their potential to cause significant damage. High winds can wreak havoc on infrastructure, vegetation, and power systems. However, the storm surge – the rise in sea level that occurs as the storm approaches the coast – is often the most destructive element, leading to severe coastal flooding.&nbsp;



Additionally, the heavy rains associated with these storms can result in inland flooding, and in mountainous areas, trigger landslides or mudslides.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-names">Names</h3>



Globally, these storms are called different names based on their location: hurricanes in the North Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, typhoons in the Northwest Pacific, and simply cyclones in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-category">Category</h3>



They are categorized based on their wind speeds, with the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale being a common method in some regions. This scale ranges from Category 1 (least severe) to Category 5 (most severe).



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



The impact of climate change on tropical cyclones is a growing concern. While it's not clear if climate change will increase the total number of cyclones, it is expected to intensify the proportion of high-category storms and increase the volume of rainfall they deliver. Furthermore, rising sea levels can amplify the impact of storm surges, leading to more significant coastal damage.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06963-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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.



—-



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

The rising impact of tropical cyclones in a warming world

A recent study led by Stanford University has uncovered alarming...

Valley,Of,Himalayan,Mountains,With,Mountain,Lake,On,Track,To

In an era where climate change poses a significant threat to natural resources, recent research highlights a glimmer of hope for the Himalayan glaciers. 



The findings suggest that reducing air pollution to levels experienced during the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-made-covid-19-patients-sicker-for-longer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID-19</a> lockdowns could significantly slow the melting of these glaciers, crucial for billions of people in Asia.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-reduced-air-pollution">Impact of reduced air pollution</h2>



During the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the world witnessed an unprecedented reduction in industrial activities and transportation, resulting in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/safe-levels-of-air-pollution-can-negatively-impact-the-developing-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cleaner air</a>. This period offered a unique opportunity for scientists to study the effects of reduced air pollution on the environment, particularly on the Himalayan glaciers. 



An international team, including researchers from India, Germany, and the UK, analyzed data from this period and found that less soot deposition on the glaciers led to a decrease in snowmelt by 0.5 to 1.5 mm per day.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-himalayan-glaciers-a-critical-resource">The Himalayan glaciers: A critical resource</h2>



The Himalayas and the Tibetan highlands form the largest snow-covered region outside the polar areas. The meltwater from these glaciers is a lifeline for rivers in India and China, supporting agriculture, hydropower, and the economies of these nations. 



Approximately 4 billion people in South and East Asia depend on the Himalayan snowmelt for their annual fresh water supply. 



However, global warming has already caused a significant reduction in the Himalayan glacier area, making the preservation of these glaciers more crucial than ever.



While climate change and its resultant higher air temperatures and precipitation changes are long-term challenges, short-term factors like the deposition of light-absorbing particles, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-from-fossil-fuels-kills-5-million-people-each-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dust and soot</a>, are also major contributors to glacier melting. 



The study revealed that reduced emissions during the COVID-19 lockdowns led to less soot and greenhouse gases polluting the air, which, in turn, resulted in a substantial decrease in snowmelt.



The research team utilized the <a href="https://gmd.copernicus.org/articles/11/1695/2018/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ECHAM6-HAMMOZ</a> chemistry-climate model with updated soot-snow parameterization for their analysis. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-findings-covid-slowed-himalayan-glaciers-melt">Findings: COVID slowed Himalayan glaciers' melt</h2>



This model was complemented by data from NASA's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (<a href="https://modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MODIS</a>) and ground-based measurements from Aerosol Robotic Network (<a href="https://www.aeronet.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AERONET</a>) stations in Pakistan and Tajikistan. 



These comprehensive data sets helped the scientists understand the impact of reduced air pollution on the snow and atmospheric conditions in the region.



The findings are clear: reduced anthropogenic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/almost-no-place-on-earth-is-safe-from-air-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air pollution</a> leads to less soot on snow, which in turn reduces snowmelt. During the lockdown period, there was a 25 to 70 mm decrease in snowmelt compared to the 20-year average. This resulted in an increased water storage due to reduced surface water runoff.



"The aerosol optical thickness (AOD), i.e. the atmospheric opacity, over this region decreased by around 10 per cent in April 2020 compared to before the pandemic. This is supported by measurements from MODIS, which also show a reduction in AOD compared to the average of the last 20 years," reports Dr Suvarna Fadnavis from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (<a href="https://www.iitm.ac.in/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IITM</a>).



Dr. Bernd Heinold from <a href="https://www.tropos.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TROPOS</a> adds, "In the model, we were able to show that the decrease in air pollution reduced snowmelt in spring 2020 by 0.5 to 1.5 millimeters per day and thus reduced the runoff meltwater in the year by up to half."&nbsp;



Prof. Ina Tegen from TROPOS emphasizes the importance of this discovery, saying, "Our results make it clear that of the two processes causing the retreat of the Himalayan glaciers - global climate change and local air pollution - a reduction in air pollution in particular could be a short-term help." 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-urgent-call-to-action">An urgent call to action</h2>



Reducing air pollution to levels experienced during the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-term-exposure-to-air-pollution-linked-to-severe-covid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coronavirus pandemic</a> could cut snowmelt by up to half. Such clean air measures would benefit not only the health of billions of people in Asia but also enhance the water supply, agriculture, and ecosystems across vast regions of the continent.



"Even if we were to stop CO2&nbsp;emissions immediately, temperatures would not initially fall. However, our results confirm the importance of reducing short-lived climate drivers such as soot and their complementary role in CO2&nbsp;mitigation. Reducing air pollution to similar levels as during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 could protect the Himalayan glaciers, which are otherwise at risk of disappearing by the end of the 21st century," Tegen concluded.



In summary, the research underscores the need for clean energy and lower-emission transport to protect the Himalayan glaciers. Such measures would not only improve air quality but also ensure sustainable water supplies, agriculture, and ecosystems in Asia. 



As the glaciers currently lose nearly half a meter of ice annually, the urgency to replicate the air quality levels of the COVID-19 lockdowns becomes a critical environmental imperative.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/23/10439/2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics</a>.



-----



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.



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



-----

COVID-19 pandemic reduced the melting rate of Himalayan glaciers

In an era where climate change poses a significant threat...

Hurricane,Over,The,Atlantic,Seen,From,A,Satellite.,Elements,Of

In a significant advancement in climate research, an international team of experts has linked <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/good-news-ocean-oxygen-loss-may-ultimately-reverse/">ocean</a> weather systems with the global climate.&nbsp;



The research, led by Professor Hussein Aluie from the <a href="https://www.rochester.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Rochester</a>, offers a new perspective on how the Earth's climate system operates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-the-ocean-s-influence-on-weather">Studying the ocean's influence on weather</h2>



The ocean has weather patterns like what we experience on land, but on different time and length scales, explained study lead author Benjamin Storer, a research associate in Professor Aluie’s Turbulence and Complex Flow Group.&nbsp;



A weather pattern on land might last a few days and be about 500 kilometers wide, while <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caribbean-salt-affects-global-climate-study-reveals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a> weather patterns such as swirling eddies last three to four weeks but are about one-fifth the size, noted Storer.



These patterns have always been thought to impact climate scales, but until now, the specifics of this interaction were unclear. 



“Scientists have long speculated that these ubiquitous and seemingly random motions in the ocean communicate with climate scales, but it has always been vague because it wasn’t clear how to disentangle this complex system to measure their interactions,” said Professor Aluie.&nbsp;



“We developed a framework that can do exactly that. What we found was not what people were expecting because it requires the mediation of the atmosphere.”



The method used for the study involved a mathematical technique devised by Professor Aluie in 2019, which the team refined and implemented into advanced coding.&nbsp;



This technique enabled the experts to analyze energy transfers across various scales, from global circumferences to as small as 10 kilometers, using both advanced climate models and satellite data.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-and-key-insights">Implications and key insights</h2>



The findings indicate that ocean weather systems both gain and lose energy when interacting with climate scales. This interaction closely mirrors global atmospheric circulation patterns.&nbsp;



Particularly noteworthy is the role of the intertropical convergence zone near the equator, responsible for a significant portion of global precipitation. This atmospheric band is a hotbed for energy transfer, intensifying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-warming-has-nearly-doubled-in-the-last-decade/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a> turbulence.



Storer and Aluie said that studying such complex fluid motion happening at multiple scales is not easy, but it has advantages over previous attempts to link weather to climate change. They believe the team’s work creates a promising framework for better understanding the climate system.



“There’s a lot of interest in how global warming and our changing climate is influencing extreme weather events,” said Professor Aluie. “Usually, such research efforts are based on statistical analysis that require expansive data to have confidence in the uncertainties."&nbsp;



"We are taking a different approach based on mechanistic analysis, which alleviates some of these requirements and allow us to understand cause and effect more easily.”



The collaborative effort included contributions from Michele Buzzicotti of the <a href="https://web.uniroma2.it/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Rome Tor Vergata</a>, Hemant Khatri of the <a href="https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Liverpool</a>, and Stephen Griffies from <a href="https://www.princeton.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Princeton</a>. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adi7420" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>. 



-----



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.



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



-----

Study reveals the ocean's hidden influence on global weather patterns

In a significant advancement in climate research, an international team...

In a new study, researchers have uncovered the profound impact that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-great-for-mosquitoes/">climate change</a> is expected to have on the world's natural capital by 2100. This research, supported by the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Science Foundation</a>, anticipates a 9% decline in ecosystem services, a measure of the benefits nature provides to humanity.



The concept of "natural capital" encompasses a range of vital services including breathable air, clean water, healthy forests, and biodiversity. These elements are crucial to human well-being, though they are often challenging to quantify in economic terms. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-natural-capital">Studying natural capital</h2>



The study was led by Bernardo Bastien-Olvera, who was a doctoral student at <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Davis</a> during the research and is now a postdoctoral fellow at <a href="https://scripps.ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scripps Institution of Oceanography</a>.&nbsp;



The researchers investigated how the redistribution of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ripple-effects-wildfires-reshape-aquatic-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">terrestrial ecosystems</a> due to climate change will negatively impact natural capital.



The team combined global vegetation models, climate projections, and World Bank data on natural capital values to assess the impact of climate shifts on various countries' ecosystem services, economic production, and natural capital stocks. 



The research reveals a stark reality: by the end of the century, climate-induced changes, such as alterations in vegetation, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-diversity-is-driven-by-global-precipitation-patterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainfall patterns</a>, and increased CO2 levels, are expected to reduce global gross domestic product (GDP) by an average of 1.3%. This economic impact, however, will not be evenly distributed. 



The researchers found that the poorest 50% of countries are projected to bear about 90% of the GDP losses, while the wealthiest 10% may experience only a 2% reduction. 



This discrepancy highlights the greater dependency of lower-income countries on natural resources for their economic output and the larger proportion of their wealth tied to natural capital.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservative-estimates-nbsp">Conservative estimates&nbsp;</h2>



While comprehensive, the authors acknowledge that their estimates might be conservative, as they primarily focused on land-based systems like forests and grasslands. 



The researchers also did not factor in disturbances such as wildfires or insect-driven <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/emerging-diseases-threaten-trees-globally-and-the-trend-is-escalating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree mortality</a>, which could further impact these ecosystems. Future research is planned to address the impacts on marine ecosystems.



Study senior author Frances C. Moore, an associate professor in the <a href="https://desp.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Davis</a> Department of Environmental Science and Policy, emphasized the importance of integrating the unique values derived from natural systems into climate policies. 



“With this study, we’re embedding natural systems and human well-being within an economic framework,” said Professor Moore. “Our economy and well-being depend on these systems, and we should recognize and account for these overlooked damages when we consider the cost of a changing climate.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-natural-capital-implications-and-future-study">Natural capital implications and future study</h2>



Jeffrey Mantz, an NSF program officer, highlighted the significance of this study.



“Thanks to the efforts of this research team, we now know that damage to ecosystems impacts human well-being in ways that are both measurable and wildly disproportionate across populations. The results will be critical to abating economic losses in the coming decades.”



In summary, this research sheds light on the urgent need to consider the full scope of climate change's impact on natural systems and human economies, and to develop policies that comprehensively address these challenges.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06769-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>. 



-----



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.



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



-----

How climate change will impact the world's "natural capital"

In a new study, researchers have uncovered the profound impact...

A recent study led by the <a href="https://www.ceh.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UK Centre for Ecology &amp; Hydrology</a> (UKCEH) reveals the startling impact of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/river-deltas-are-threatened-by-human-activities/">human activities</a> on bird populations worldwide. The research indicates that the number of human-driven bird extinctions is significantly greater than previously understood.



The study was led by Dr. Rob Cooke, an ecological modeler at UKCEH, and Dr. Søren Faurby of the <a href="https://www.gu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Gothenburg</a>.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-impacts">Human impacts</h2>



The researchers estimate that about 1,430 bird species have gone extinct due to human activities since the Late Pleistocene around 130,000 years ago. This number is double the current estimates and includes species that disappeared before written records, vanishing without a trace.&nbsp;



"Our study demonstrates there has been a far higher human impact on avian diversity than previously recognized," said Dr. Cooke.



"Humans have rapidly devastated bird populations via habitat loss, overexploitation and the introduction of rats, pigs and dogs that raided nests of birds and competed with them for food. We show that many species became <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/the-12-endangered-birds-most-at-risk-of-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extinct</a> before written records and left no trace, lost from history.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodiversity-crisis-from-bird-extinctions">Biodiversity crisis from bird extinctions</h2>



“These historic extinctions have major implications for the current biodiversity crisis," said Dr. Faurby. “The world may not only have lost many fascinating <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/why-are-birds-endangered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> but also their varied ecological roles, which are likely to have included key functions such as seed dispersal and pollination." 



"This will have had cascading harmful effects on ecosystems so, in addition to bird extinctions, we will have lost a lot of plants and animals that depended on these species for survival.”



Islands that were once undisturbed paradises, such as Hawaii, Tonga, and the Azores, have seen significant ecological changes due to human colonization, leading to bird <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/australias-rarest-predatory-bird-is-facing-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extinctions</a>. 



The study reveals that 90 percent of the 640 known bird extinctions since the Late Pleistocene occurred on islands with human inhabitants, including species like the Dodo of Mauritius and the Great Auk of the North Atlantic.



The researchers used statistical modeling to estimate undiscovered bird <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farming-hunting-birds-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extinctions</a>, revealing the largest human-driven vertebrate extinction event in history during the 14th century, primarily in the Eastern Pacific. They also identified a significant extinction event in the 9th century BC, related to human arrival in the Western Pacific and Canary Islands.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-threats">Ongoing threats</h2>



The ongoing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diving-birds-face-a-greater-risk-of-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extinction event</a>, which began in the mid-18th century, poses additional threats from climate change, intensive agriculture, and pollution. 



The team's model, based on known extinctions and research efforts compared to New Zealand – where the pre-human bird fauna is completely known – suggests the possibility of losing up to 700 more bird species in the next few centuries.



Dr. Cooke emphasizes the importance of conservation efforts. “Whether or not further bird species will go extinct is up to us. Recent conservation has saved some species and we must now increase efforts to protect birds, with habitat restoration led by local communities.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-43445-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



-----



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.



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



-----

Human activities linked to 1,430 bird species extinctions 

A recent study led by the UK Centre for Ecology...

Killer,Whale,(orcinus,Orca),Jumping,Out,Of,The,Water

In the pristine waters off the coast of British Columbia (B.C.), a concerning discovery has emerged. Researchers have found toxins in both Southern Resident and Bigg’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-orca-day-the-crucial-role-of-the-oceans-apex-predator/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">killer whales</a>, shedding light on the unseen dangers lurking in our oceans.



This discovery marks the first time polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been identified in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lack-of-prey-is-changing-the-behavior-of-killer-whales/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">orcas</a> in these waters, revealing a direct impact on marine life from human activities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-toxins-called-pahs-are-harming-killer-whales">Toxins called PAHs are harming killer whales</h2>



PAHs, a group of chemicals found in coal, oil, and gasoline, are ever-present in our oceans. Now, scientists have confirmed that these toxins are moving through food chains, ultimately accumulating in top predators like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toxin-from-toilet-paper-production-found-in-killer-whales/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">killer whales</a>. 



These compounds, known for their carcinogenic and mutagenic properties, enter the ocean through various sources, including oil spills, burning coal, and forest fires. The study's alarming revelation that PAHs are transferring from mother orcas to their fetuses underscores the pervasiveness of this pollution.



Dr. Juan José Alava, the study's senior author and a principal investigator at the <a href="https://oceans.ubc.ca/research/research-units/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UBC Ocean Pollution Research Unit</a>, highlights the significance of these findings. 



"Killer whales are iconic in the Pacific Northwest, playing a critical role culturally, economically, and ecologically. Their ability to metabolically process PAHs indicates recent exposures. These majestic creatures are like our 'canary in the coal mine' for oceans, indicating the health of our waters."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-orcas-and-ocean-health">Orcas and ocean health</h2>



The research team analyzed muscle and liver samples from twelve <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/killer-whales-dietary-preferences-expose-them-to-pollutants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">killer whales</a> stranded between 2006 and 2018. Their findings were startling. 



All samples contained PAHs, with one particular compound, C3-phenanthrenes/anthracenes, accounting for a significant portion of the total contamination. These results tell a story of an environment under stress, with implications that ripple through ecosystems and communities.



The contaminants varied between the two orca groups. Bigg’s killer whales, ranging from California to southeastern Alaska, showed signs of exposure to PAHs from burning coal and vegetation. In contrast, the Southern Residents, inhabiting areas closer to urban centers, bore the chemical signature of oil spills and fossil fuel combustion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-source-of-toxins-in-killer-whales">Source of toxins in killer whales</h2>



Kiah Lee, the study's first author, points out the various activities contributing to this toxic load. "From oil pipeline developments to tanker traffic and forest fires, these sources introduce PAHs into the marine food web, ultimately affecting orcas, the apex predators." 



The presence of these toxins in such a critical species raises alarm bells for the health of the entire marine ecosystem.



Dr. Stephen Raverty is a co-author of the study and IOF adjunct professor and veterinary pathologist with the <a href="https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/organizational-structure/ministries-organizations/ministries/agriculture" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food</a>. He emphasizes the limited population of Southern Residents and how pollution is one of the many threats they face. 



“There’s only a small population to draw from -- 74 individuals in the case of the Southern Residents,” said Raverty. “There are many potential causes for their decline, pollution being one.”



The case of 'Luna', an orca with a unique life history, highlighted how varied habitats can lead to a mix of hydrocarbon contaminants, further complicating the picture.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-and-action">Conservation and action</h2>



Paul Cottrell from <a href="https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/index-eng.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fisheries and Oceans Canada</a> sees this study as a vital step in understanding and managing the impacts on killer whale habitats. Baseline data on current PAH levels are essential for monitoring future trends and impacts. 



“The preliminary findings from this study will add key information to inform management approaches in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/southern-orca-decline-may-be-tied-to-hunting-behaviors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">killer whale</a> habitats,” said Cottrell. “The source of the PAHs is often from human activity and it is important we have baseline data on current PAH levels in killer whales to monitor those trends and impacts in marine ecosystems into the future.”



Dr. Alava concludes with a call to action. Reducing and eventually eliminating fossil fuel consumption is crucial not only for combating climate change but also for preserving marine biodiversity. This effort will benefit coastal communities and future generations, reinforcing the interconnectedness of our actions and the health of our planet.



In summary, this study is a wake-up call. It reminds us of the intricate connections within our environment and the responsibility we have to protect these majestic creatures and their habitats. The health of the orcas is a reflection of the health of our oceans, and ultimately, our planet.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-45306-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



-----



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.



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



-----

Toxins from oil spills and wildfires are found in killer whales and their offspring

In the pristine waters off the coast of British Columbia...

Researchers at <a href="https://www.ntu.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nanyang Technological University, Singapore</a> (NTU Singapore), in collaboration with <a href="https://www.camfil.com/en/">Camfil</a>, a global air filter manufacturer, have discovered that office <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/improving-air-quality-could-reduce-severe-cases-of-covid-19/">air quality</a> significantly influences creativity. 



The study revealed that high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) - gases emitted from products like detergents, pesticides, perfumes, aerosol sprays, and paint - adversely affected creativity in individuals tasked with constructing 3D models from LEGO bricks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-total-volatile-organic-compounds">Total volatile organic compounds</h2>



Based on a statistical analysis, the NTU team determined that reducing total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) by 72 percent could potentially improve an individual’s creative potential by 12 percent.&nbsp;



TVOC is a measure of the concentration of volatile organic compounds in the air, commonly originating from interior decoration materials, household products, and other sources.



This study, conducted on the NTU Smart Campus, is part of a broader partnership between the University and Camfil.&nbsp;



This collaboration aims to examine the impact of indoor air quality on adult cognitive performance, evaluate air filter technologies in tropical climates, and develop innovative, energy-efficient clean air solutions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-air-quality-on-creativity">Impact of air quality on creativity</h2>



Professor Ng Bing Feng and Professor Wan Man Pun, leading the research team and serving as Cluster Directors for Smart &amp; Sustainable Building Technologies at the Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), emphasized the significance of their findings.&nbsp;



“While most people would correctly associate indoor air quality with effects on the lungs, especially since we just emerged from a pandemic, our study shows that it could also have an impact on the mind and creative cognition, or the ability to use knowledge in an unconventional way," said Professor Ng.



"Our findings suggest that relatively low TVOC levels, even if well within the accepted threshold, could impact an individual’s creative potential."



Professor Wan highlighted the practical implications of these findings, particularly for creative industries. “This could have serious consequences for industries that rely on creativity for the bulk of their work. For instance, artists often use paints and thinners that release high levels of volatile organic compounds and may not know they need adequate ventilation to clear them from their workplace."



"The findings also point to how making minor adjustments in the office, such as reducing the use of aroma diffusers or ensuring adequate ventilation, could positively impact employees and their productivity,” he explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-assessing-creativity-from-air-quality">Assessing creativity from air quality</h2>



To assess creativity, the NTU researchers employed the Serious Brick Play method, adapted from the LEGO Serious Play framework. This method involves participants building 3D LEGO models and providing written descriptions. These models and descriptions are then evaluated for creativity by a panel of judges.



“While the LEGO Serious Play framework has been used in various settings to unleash creative thinking and has even been used to support dementia patients, it does not have a quantitative assessment component and cannot systematically assess creativity. This is why we added a component to score participants on their creativity,” Ng said.



The findings suggest a notable link between air quality and cognitive functions, particularly creativity, underscoring the importance of maintaining healthy indoor environments in workplaces and other settings.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-42355-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Scientific Reports</a>.



-----



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.



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



-----

Indoor air quality influences creativity

Researchers at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), in collaboration...

In a significant shift towards sustainable energy, U.S. utilities have committed to achieving 100 percent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-could-be-powered-entirely-by-renewable-energy/">renewable energy</a> by 2060. This move, as highlighted in a study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10584-023-03645-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Climatic Change</a>, is primarily driven by the utilities themselves, rather than state mandates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-transition-nbsp">Rapid transition&nbsp;</h2>



Study co-author Matthew Burgess, assistant professor at <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CU Boulder</a>, commented on the pace of this transition. 



“Many people feel the transition on the policy side isn’t going fast enough,” Burgess said. “But the private sector is moving faster than we thought. A lot has to do with technology, costs going down, natural gas replacing coal, and renewables replacing fossil fuels - policy is not the only lever.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study-nbsp">Focus of the study&nbsp;</h2>



The study, led by Grace Kroeger for her honors thesis in Environmental Studies at CU Boulder, was motivated by her experiences in energy and sustainability during an internship.&nbsp;



“I wanted to look critically at what the people on the ground are doing. For example, the companies that are responsible for the energy that we all use and consume,”&nbsp; Kroeger said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



Kroeger and Burgess analyzed 30 years of data, comparing state renewable energy targets with the utilities’ own goals.&nbsp;



They examined the impact of Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) and Clean Energy Standards (CES) across various states and how utilities’ own commitments align with these mandates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-insights-nbsp">Critical insights&nbsp;</h2>



Interestingly, the researchers found that the industry is generally surpassing policy-driven efforts. Utilities appear to be on track to meet or exceed state goals, with projections indicating a fully decarbonized electric grid by 2060, assuming utilities adhere to their commitments. Inclusion of nuclear power in renewable portfolios could hasten this timeline to 2050.



A notable discovery was that utility companies plan to decarbonize even in states lacking renewable policies or goals. “For example, Southern Company has goals to decarbonize. But the states the company operates in - Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama - don’t have portfolio standards,” Kroeger said.



The study also revealed differences in approaches between blue and red states, with blue states generally adopting stricter renewable energy policies. However, most states, including red ones, are likely to decarbonize based on utilities’ own objectives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



While the findings are based on stated future plans of utilities, historical data shows a trend of utilities transitioning to renewables faster than anticipated. This progress, however, still falls short of the Biden Administration’s goal to eliminate fossil fuels from the U.S. energy sector by 2035, a target announced without accompanying policies or mandates.



“There’s a lot of really interesting stuff happening in the private sector. The private sector creates interesting decarbonization connections across states, and it has interesting connections to the policy space,” Burgess concluded.



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.



—-&nbsp;



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

U.S. utilities may be 100 percent renewable energy by 2060

In a significant shift towards sustainable energy, U.S. utilities have...

Mosquito,On,A,Leaf,Outdoor,Picture

A recent study led by researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University (<a href="https://www.vcu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VCU</a>) has found that a warmer climate could lead to an increase in mosquito populations, as it becomes more difficult for their predators to control their numbers. 



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



The researchers discovered that rising temperatures, often associated with climate change, can reduce the effectiveness of mosquito larvae predators in controlling <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-mosquitoes-find-tasty-humans-from-hundreds-of-meters-away/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mosquito</a> populations. 



Warmer temperatures accelerate the development time of the larvae. This, in turn, decreases the window of time available for dragonflies, their natural predators, to consume them. As a result, the study suggests that nearly twice as many mosquito larvae could reach adulthood in a warmer climate. 



The researchers conducted their investigation in riverine rock pools at Belle Isle along the James River in Richmond. Even in the presence of their natural predators, warmer temperature pools were found to have a higher number of aquatic mosquito larvae.



It is important to note that the native rock pool mosquito studied in this research is not a significant disease vector. However, these findings could have implications for similar species, such as the invasive Asian rock pool mosquito, which do act as vectors for diseases like West Nile or Zika virus.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-mosquitoes-and-disease">Climate, mosquitoes and disease</h2>



Lead researcher of the study, <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Andrew-Davidson-28" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Andrew T. Davidson</a>, Ph.D., shared his insights, saying, "We might see larger populations of everyone's least favorite bug, mosquitoes. While the mosquito larvae we studied here are the North American rock pool mosquito, these findings likely apply to species of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquito-hearing-could-be-targeted-to-combat-deadly-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mosquito</a> that do act as vectors for diseases like West Nile or even Zika virus." 



Davidson conducted this research as part of his Ph.D. program in VCU's <a href="https://cilse.vcu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Center for Integrative Life Sciences Education</a>.



The study also emphasizes the important role of predators in stabilizing ecosystems and food webs. Specifically, the researchers focused on the interactions between dragonfly nymphs and mosquito larvae. 



Prior to conducting field work, the study was based on concepts of thermal physiology and short-term laboratory experiments, which generated predictive models of the relationship between predators, prey, and temperature in the field. Ultimately, the field study provided empirical evidence to validate these models in a natural environment.



In summary, this research sheds light on the impact of climate change on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-aims-to-control-mosquitoes-by-deactivating-their-sperm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mosquito</a> populations and highlights the need for further studies to better understand the consequences of rising temperatures on the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. 



By uncovering the intricate predator-prey dynamics and demonstrating the influence of temperature on these interactions, this study lays the foundation for future research on effective mosquito control strategies in a changing climate.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">E</a><a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/">cological Society of America</a>.



-----



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.



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



-----

Climate change is great for mosquitoes

A recent study led by researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University...

A new study has found that the prevailing methods used to predict how tree species will respond to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-could-cause-one-billion-deaths-over-the-next-century/">climate change</a> are inaccurate and unreliable. Led by the <a href="https://www.arizona.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Arizona</a> in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service, the research was focused on the ponderosa pine -- a widespread tree in the Western United States.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-space-for-time-substitution-method">Space-for-time substitution method</h2>



The results of the study challenge the reliability of the commonly used "space-for-time substitution" method in forecasting species <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heat-makes-pine-trees-more-susceptible-to-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adaptation to global warming</a>. This technique has been a cornerstone in ecological research for predicting how species might adapt to changing climate conditions. 



The space-for-time substitution method assumes that individuals of a species thriving in hotter climates can be proxies for understanding how those in cooler areas might respond to global warming. The idea is that, as temperatures rise, species at the cooler edge of their distribution would adapt similarly to their counterparts in warmer regions.



However, the new study reveals that this approach might be fundamentally flawed. When applied to the ponderosa pine, the method inaccurately projected a positive response to warming, whereas the actual response was detrimental.&nbsp;



"We found that space-for-time substitution generates predictions that are wrong in terms of whether the response to warming is a positive or negative one," said study co-author Margaret Evans, an associate professor in the UArizona Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research. "This method says that ponderosa pines should benefit from warming, but they actually suffer with warming. This is dangerously misleading."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-insights-on-trees-and-climate">Critical insights on trees and climate</h2>



The experts meticulously analyzed ponderosa pine tree rings dating back to 1900 across the Western United States. They compared the trees' actual growth with the predictions made by the space-for-time model.&nbsp;



The findings were alarming: the model had failed to accurately predict the trees' response to recent warming trends. The tree ring data painted a starkly different picture from the model's predictions.&nbsp;



In reality, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-majority-of-urban-trees-are-threatened-by-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a> consistently exhibited negative impacts due to temperature variability. Warmer years resulted in smaller-than-average growth rings, contradicting the model's suggestion of a beneficial effect of warming. 



"If it's a warmer-than-average year, they put on a smaller-than-average ring, so warming is actually bad for them, and that's true everywhere," explained Professor Evan.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-and-rapid-climate-change">Trees and rapid climate change</h2>



A key insight from the study is that the pace of climate change might be outstripping the trees' ability to adapt. The research underscores a fundamental ecological principle: adaptation and migration are gradual processes, often lagging behind rapid environmental changes.&nbsp;



While evolutionary adaptation and migration could theoretically enable species to cope with shifting temperatures, the current rate of climate change appears too swift for these natural processes to keep pace. 



The team also explored how variations in rainfall affect tree growth, confirming that increased rainfall universally benefits the trees, regardless of temporal or spatial context.



"These spatially based predictions are really dangerous, because the spatial patterns reflect an end point after a long period of time when species have had a chance to evolve and disperse and, ultimately, sort themselves out on the landscape," said Professor Evans.&nbsp;



"But that's just not how climate change works. Unfortunately, the trees find themselves in a situation where change is happening faster than the trees can adapt, which is really putting them at risk of going extinct. It's a word of caution for ecologists."



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



-----



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.



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



-----

Climate change outpaces the ability for trees to adapt

A new study has found that the prevailing methods used...

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>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



-----



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.



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.



-----

Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



<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>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



---



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="EjmSP20gQK-2593093-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



---



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



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

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



---



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



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.

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="f8fukm28Vz-2491833-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



---



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



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

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



---



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="3UUsNkFOuS-2487333-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



---



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



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

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



---



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



---



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



---



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="fxH3eJHEkQ-2010196-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



---



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



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

Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="Ccjk8KEMzv-2550719-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



---



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



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

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="6SdlLLbt0t-1988946-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NTU Singapore



---



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



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

Plants help remove heavy metals from contaminated soil

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="gRpsplpwpe-2251464-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



---



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



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

Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="eAVLRk51oJ-1826888-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



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



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



---



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



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

NASA monitors giant dust storms on Mars

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="sFFhiK9OOn-1720418-12187" type="single"]</div>



Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="http://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. This strait provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean.



Qeshm is separated from the Iranian coast by the Clarence Strait, also known as Khuran.&nbsp;The Hara Forest Protected Area is a network of shallow waterways and forest located between the island and the mainland. This protected region is home to sea turtles, snakes, and more than 150 species of migrating birds.



Qeshm is famous for its wide range of&nbsp;ecotourist&nbsp;attractions, such as the&nbsp;Hara marine forests. According to environmentalists, about 1.5 percent of the world birds and 25 percent of Iran's native <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/female-hummingbirds-avoid-sexual-harassment-by-looking-like-males/">birds</a> annually migrate to the forests, which are the first national geo park in Iran.



Tourists are also drawn to the island to see an age-old Portuguese&nbsp;fort, historic mosques, the&nbsp;Seyyed Mozaffar&nbsp;and&nbsp;Bibi Maryam&nbsp;shrines, and the "Valley of Stars."



The average temperature on the island is 81 degress and the region is often hot and humid. From June to August, the island is described as being oppressively hot. The ideal time to visit is during the winter season. 



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



---



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



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

Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz

[sendtonews key="sFFhiK9OOn-1720418-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="yPSXGZek1I-2312529-12187" type="single"]</div>



Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique.&nbsp;



"Inhambane Bay is a deep inlet into which the small Mutamba River flows," says ESA. "On one side of the bay lies the historical city of Inhambane, capital of the Inhambane Province, while the sister city of Maxixe, the economic capital of Inhambane, sits across from it. The province is the second largest grower of cashews, after Nampula, and it also produces coconut and citrus fruits."



The beaches of Barra and Tofo are popular with tourists. There are also coral reefs along the long coastline of Inhambane, making it an ideal destination for scuba diving and snorkeling.



"Mozambique’s extensive coastline heightens the country’s vulnerability to tropical cyclones that develop in the Indian Ocean as well as storm surge flooding," says ESA.



"More than half of the population lives in low lying coastal areas, putting communities at risk. Inhambane Bay was dangerously close to where Cyclone Idai made landfall in 2019 causing widespread destruction to the country."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



---



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



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

Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique

[sendtonews key="yPSXGZek1I-2312529-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="EPdZexVR30-1731237-12187" type="single"]</div>



Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency </a>&nbsp;features the Kangerlussuaq Glacier, one of the largest tidewater outlet glaciers in Greenland. The glacier is located on the east coast of the Greenland ice sheet.



As human-induced climate change continues to drive up temperatures, global ice loss is accelerating at an alarming rate. ESA reports that, over the past decade alone, 3.5 trillion tons of ice have melted from the Greenland ice sheet. This is enough to cover the UK with meltwater 15 meters deep.



Based on satellite imagery, researchers determined that Kangerlussuaq entered a new phase of rapid retreat and acceleration in 2017. In their study, published in <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2019.00123/full">Frontiers in Earth Science</a>,&nbsp; the experts report that the glacier's ice front is now at its most retreated position since the early 20th century.



"Given Kangerlussuaq’s previous impacts on both the magnitude and pattern of ice sheet wide mass loss, we predict that its new phase of retreat, acceleration and thinning will markedly enhance the south-east region’s contribution to increasing discharge from the ice sheet," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;&nbsp;



"More broadly, accurate forecasting of the ice sheet’s contribution to sea level rise will require a deeper understanding of, and responses to, these non-linear ice dynamic processes."



Video Credit: ESA



---



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



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

Kangerlussuaq Glacier on the Greenland ice sheet

[sendtonews key="EPdZexVR30-1731237-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="uwirCufwYv-2012371-12187" type="single"]</div>



Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes the complex relationship between ocean and climate. ESA's Climate Change Initiative will help us understand how oceans influence the climate and how climate change is impacting the oceans.&nbsp;



"Earth’s oceans are huge heat stores, soaking up 93% of the excess heat from human activity over the past 70 years. Ocean currents redistribute heat around the planet, from the Equator to the poles. Where this ocean heat goes influences weather patterns and regional climate," explains ESA.



"As well as absorbing heat, oceans are a natural carbon sink, absorbing a quarter of carbon dioxide emissions from human activity. This has led to the acidification of ocean water, threating marine life."



The amount of heat and carbon dioxide soaked up by the ocean depends on specific variables, including phytoplankton, temperatures, waves, salinity, and ice cover. Satellites can be used to measure these variables from space.



"From their unique vantage point, satellites provide key information for understanding the complexities of our planet and monitoring environmental issues," says ESA.



Video Credit: ESA



---



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



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

Ocean heat influences regional climate

[sendtonews key="uwirCufwYv-2012371-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

News coming your way