For over a century, oil and gas companies have been pulling carbon out of the ground in the form of fossil fuels. Now, researchers are flipping that idea on its head - by putting carbon back underground. And not just anywhere, but into the very same wells that once helped release it.



This new approach doesn’t rely on fancy tech or sci-fi ideas. Instead, it uses leftovers from farms and forests - like corn stalks and tree trimmings - to create a thick liquid called bio-oil. 



Packed with carbon pulled from the air by plants, bio-oil can then be pumped into abandoned <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/abandoned-oil-wells-could-revolutionize-energy-storage/">oil wells</a> for permanent storage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-old-oil-wells-meet-new-solutions">Old oil wells meet new solutions</h2>



Across the U.S., there are hundreds of thousands of old oil and gas wells sitting empty. Many of these wells weren’t properly sealed and now pose environmental and safety hazards. 



Plugging the wells costs about $1 million each. At the same time, tons of plant waste is discarded every year, ranging from corn stover in the Midwest to forest debris in the West. This is where researchers at <a href="https://www.iastate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Iowa State University</a> saw a match.



“On the one hand, you have these underutilized waste products. On the other hand, you have abandoned oil wells that need to be plugged. It’s an abundant resource meeting an urgent demand,” said Professor Mark Mba-Wright, who led the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oil-wells-for-carbon-capture">Oil wells for carbon capture</h2>



The process at the center of the research is called fast pyrolysis. It sounds complicated, but the idea is simple: you heat dried plant bits to extremely high temperatures (over 1,000°F) in the absence of oxygen. 



The result is three products - bio-oil, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-is-biochar-and-how-can-it-help-us-mitigate-climate-change-carbon-storage/">biochar</a>, and gas. The bio-oil captures most of the carbon. The gas helps fuel the system. The biochar can be sold to farmers to improve soil.



“One of the innovations here is that you can do <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-capture-technology-faces-uncertainty-despite-heavy-investment/">carbon capture</a> with units the size of a skid loader or a combine. You can start small,” Mba-Wright said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bio-oil-machines-for-the-job">Bio-oil machines for the job</h2>



The team modeled a network of 200 mobile pyrolysis units that could be moved around rural areas to process plant waste on-site. 



Each machine would handle about 10 tons of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/satellite-view-of-forest-biomass-reveals-hidden-carbon-trends/">biomass</a> daily, producing bio-oil that could be stored in terminals before being transported to empty well sites for injection.



Each unit would cost around $1.3 million to build. According to the study, the system could sequester carbon for about $152 per ton, which makes it cost-competitive with other carbon capture methods. For wood-based materials, the cost could drop closer to $100 per ton.



Filling a single crude oil well requires more than 216,000 gallons of liquid - plenty of space to lock away carbon for good. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-undocumented-oil-wells">Undocumented oil wells</h2>



The researchers estimate that there could be as many as 800,000 undocumented orphaned wells in the U.S., far beyond the 120,000 wells targeted by a $4.7 billion federal cleanup effort passed in 2021.



“The more units they build, the better they would get at building them,” Mba-Wright said. This is thanks to what’s called a “learning rate,” which means that building more machines over time helps lower both production and operating costs.



This isn’t just theory. A San Francisco startup, Charm Industrial, has already started using this method and signed deals with large companies to help them meet climate goals. These companies want carbon-removal credits, and bio-oil injection is emerging as one of the most promising ways to earn them.



"We hear it time and again: after taking a close look among their options, leading carbon-removal buyers find that bio-oil sequestration represents one of the highest-quality and most cost-effective approaches,” said Peter Reinhardt, CEO and co-founder of Charm Industrial.



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



Charm funded part of the Iowa State study to better understand the technology’s full potential.



“While they were confident about the technology itself, they were looking for some validation of how much <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mountains-both-carbon-sinks-and-carbon-sources/">carbon</a> could be sequestered and how economical the process could be,” Mba-Wright said. “There are a lot of steps involved in getting this to work at scale.”



One important detail is that this method stacks up well against another popular carbon-removal option - direct air capture. That system also removes carbon from the air, but it’s more expensive to build and doesn’t offer the side benefits of using agricultural waste or creating new revenue for rural communities.



“What we’re trying to show here is that carbon removal doesn’t need to be either/or. There are a lot of opportunities,” Mba-Wright said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-win-for-rural-economies">A win for rural economies</h2>



Besides helping the climate, this system could give new life to the rural economy. Farmers could sell their leftover crop waste. Forest managers could get paid to clear wildfire-prone debris. 



Furthermore, small towns could host bio-oil terminals and benefit from new jobs and investments.



"Iowa State’s experts showed that bio-oil sequestration using corn stover can deliver a high-value, durable carbon removal product that outcompetes other technologies, while providing new markets for crop residues and delivering new economic value to the rural economy,” Reinhardt said. 



“As the carbon-removal sector grows, Charm is grateful to work with farm and forest communities to grow this opportunity."



The full study was published in the journal <a href="http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0196890425005047">Energy Conversion and Management</a>.



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Old oil wells are getting a new job - storing carbon

For over a century, oil and gas companies have been pulling carbon out of the ground in the form of fossil fuels. Now, researchers are flipping that idea on its head - by putting carbon back underground. And not just anywhere, but into the very same wells that once helped release it. This new approach doesn’t rely on fancy tech or sci-fi ideas. Instead, it uses leftovers from farms and forests - like corn stalks and tree trimmings - to create a thick liquid called bio-oil. Packed...

After flames tore across the Brazilian Pantanal in 2020, destroying over 11 million acres of forest and wetland, most would expect a drop in wildlife. But something strange happened in one remote stretch of this vast landscape - jaguars didn’t just survive. More showed up.



This patch of wetland, a 36,700-acre floodplain deep in the northern Pantanal, already held the highest concentration of jaguars ever recorded anywhere. Then came the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fast-wildfires-are-gaining-even-more-speed/">fires</a>.&nbsp;



As smoke settled and camera traps kept rolling, researchers were stunned to find not only that local jaguars stuck around, but their numbers actually grew. New jaguars had moved in.



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



There are no roads or towns here. To get to the site, the researchers traveled five hours by boat, swatting through clouds of biting insects just to check their equipment. But the isolation appears to be part of its strength.



This stretch of wetland has been studied since 2014 by a team that includes researchers from <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/">Oregon State University</a> and their partners in Brazil. The group has learned that jaguars here are different.&nbsp;



Jaguars in the Pantanal behave more like tolerant neighbors than rivals and have a surprising diet: they mainly hunt fish and caiman, the small alligator-like reptiles common in the area. This means less competition over land animals and fewer territorial disputes.



This behavior may help explain why the area could absorb so many newcomers without descending into chaos.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-than-just-jaguar-survival">More than just jaguar survival</h2>



“Finding even more jaguars and other mammals in the study area following the 2020 wildfire and extreme drought suggests that it may serve as a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/life-oasis-provided-refuge-for-plants-during-earths-worst-extinction-event/">climate refuge</a>, buffering the effects of extreme climate events,” said Charlotte Eriksson, a post-doctoral scholar who has worked on the project for years.



To understand the full picture, the researchers examined footage from camera traps before, during, and after the fire. They also collected nearly 175 scat samples to analyze what the jaguars were eating. The results showed a striking pattern.



Jaguars that were living in the area before the fires continued to appear on camera afterward at about the same rate. They hadn’t fled or died out.&nbsp;



Instead, their numbers grew with the arrival of migrant jaguars - some possibly pushed out of their home territories by the fires or drought elsewhere. New cubs were also born in the area within a year of the disaster, further boosting the population.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-surprising-level-of-resilience-nbsp">A surprising level of resilience&nbsp;</h2>



The kind of resilience seen in the Pantanal is rare for big cats. Typically, large <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snow-leopards-the-carnivores-that-eat-plants/">carnivores</a> are solitary and territorial. Seeing them so concentrated, and so tolerant of one another, is highly unusual.&nbsp;



According to Eriksson, seeing a jaguar that often on camera would be similar to most frequently seeing a cougar or mountain lion on cameras in North America instead of deer.



Eriksson said that whenever she got off the boat, she would see jaguar tracks. One of her cameras recorded a jaguar just seven minutes after she set it up.



“I have never been to a place where the presence of a large carnivore is so obvious,” said Eriksson.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-jaguar-survival">Beyond jaguar survival </h2>



The study didn’t just focus on jaguar survival. The researchers were also curious about how other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mammal-evolution-kicked-off-with-daring-experiments/">mammals</a> responded to the fire and prolonged drought.&nbsp;



The team found that the richness and abundance of mammals increased over time. But here’s the twist: this trend started in 2018 - two years before the fires. That suggests drought, not fire, may have been the main factor driving changes in wildlife numbers.&nbsp;



Species seemed to move in or flourish as water patterns shifted, not necessarily in direct response to the flames. There also wasn’t a clear difference between burned and unburned camera sites in terms of species richness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jaguar-survival-after-the-fires">Jaguar survival after the fires</h2>



Still, fire did have some short-term effects. Right after the blaze, jaguar activity dropped, likely due to disturbance and smoke. But it rebounded quickly. Over time, the population didn’t just recover - it grew.



And through all this, the jaguars stuck to their unusual diet. Despite more mammals being around, they kept hunting aquatic prey, especially fish and caiman.&nbsp;



The researchers noted that their preference for wetland prey likely eases pressure on land animals, allowing more species to coexist in this space.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-fragile-edge-of-the-world">A fragile edge of the world</h2>



The Pantanal is the world’s largest tropical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/restored-wetlands-cut-carbon-fast-without-the-methane-problem/">wetland</a>, but that doesn’t mean it’s invincible. Even in protected zones like this one, climate pressures are mounting.&nbsp;



Extreme drought, record heat, and increased human activity all helped fuel the 2020 fires. The devastating outbreak was responsible for the estimated loss of 17 million vertebrates.



The study highlights how some landscapes - especially those with water, rich habitat, and limited human interference - may serve as essential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-mammals-live-depends-more-on-climate-than-human-activities/">climate</a> refuges. These are places where animals can ride out the worst of a warming world.



But that doesn’t mean they’re safe. The researchers warned against assuming that what works here will work everywhere.&nbsp;



The Pantanal has unique protections and geography that make it special. Without careful planning and proactive fire management, even this rare refuge could be at risk.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.70344">Global Change Biology</a>.



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Jaguars offer a glimpse of survival in a changing world

After flames tore across the Brazilian Pantanal in 2020, destroying...

The Dead Sea is one of the most unique bodies of water on the planet. Sitting at the lowest point on Earth's land surface, it's known for its extreme salinity and incredible density. But there's more happening beneath its surface than meets the eye. 



Among the many unusual things scientists are learning about this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-salt-lake-agriculture-is-draining-a-natural-wonder/">hypersaline lake</a> is the ongoing formation of what they call “salt giants” - massive underground salt deposits.



“These large deposits in Earth's crust can be many, many kilometers horizontally, and they can be more than a kilometer thick in the vertical direction,” noted Eckart Meiburg, a professor of mechanical engineering at UC Santa Barbara..



“How were they generated? The Dead Sea is really the only place in the world where we can study the mechanism of these things today.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salt-formation-in-the-dead-sea">Salt formation in the Dead Sea</h2>



While salt formations have been found under other seas - including the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-the-shores-of-the-red-sea-turn-pink-every-year/">Red Sea</a> and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-mediterranean-nearly-lost-all-of-its-water-6-million-years-ago/">Mediterranean</a> - only the Dead Sea lets scientists observe them forming right now. 



This gives researchers a rare chance to understand the actual physical processes behind these deposits, especially how their thickness changes across space and time.



A recent paper published by researchers at <a href="https://www.ucsb.edu/">UC Santa Barbara</a> and the Geological Survey of Israel explains how evaporation, water temperature, and salt saturation all combine to build these structures. 



Because the Dead Sea is a terminal lake - one with no outlet - water can only leave by evaporation. As that water vanishes, salt stays behind, accumulating layer by layer.



This process has been going on for millennia, shrinking the lake and increasing salinity. The damming of the Jordan River, the lake's main water source, has sped up this decline, with the lake now dropping by about one meter (three feet) per year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-layers-of-salt-and-shifting-temperatures">Layers of salt and shifting temperatures</h2>



Temperature also plays a crucial role. The Dead Sea used to be what scientists call "meromictic," with a stable layering of warm, less salty water on top and cooler, saltier water at the bottom.



“It used to be such that even in the winter when things cooled off, the top layer was still less dense than the bottom layer,” Meiburg explained. “And so as a result, there was a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lakes-are-struggling-to-maintain-oxygen-as-temperatures-rise/">stratification</a> in the salt.”



That changed in the early 1980s when water levels fell and surface salinity caught up to deeper levels. 



Mixing between the layers began, turning the lake from meromictic to holomictic - meaning it now undergoes full mixing in the water column each year. Today, the Dead Sea stays stratified only during the warmer eight months of the year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salt-snow-in-the-summer">Salt snow in the summer</h2>



In 2019, scientists made a surprising discovery: halite crystals - or "salt snow" - were forming in the lake during the summer, not just in winter as expected. 



Halite, or rock salt, forms when water can no longer dissolve salt due to high concentrations. Normally, this happens in the colder, deeper parts of the lake. But in summer, something unusual was happening. 



The top layer of the lake grew even saltier due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/light-can-vaporize-water-cause-evaporation-without-heat/">evaporation</a>. At the same time, its warm temperature allowed it to keep dissolving salt. This led to a special process known as "double diffusion." 



In this process, salty warm water from the top cools and sinks, while slightly less salty cool water below warms and rises. When the upper layer cools, the salt falls out, like underwater snowfall.



The constant shift in density and temperature, along with other factors like waves and currents, creates salt deposits in all kinds of shapes and sizes. 



Unlike other shallow salt lakes where this happens mostly in dry seasons, the Dead Sea sees the most salt formation in winter. This year-round activity helps explain the birth of the salt giants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-lesson-from-the-distant-past">A lesson from the distant past</h2>



The process happening in the Dead Sea today may also explain salt formations from long ago. Around 5.96 to 5.33 million years ago, the Mediterranean Sea dried up during what’s known as the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-flood-refilled-the-mediterranean-sea-millions-of-years-ago/">Messinian Salinity Crisis</a>.



“There was always some inflow from the North Atlantic into the Mediterranean through the Strait of Gibraltar,” Meiburg said. “But when tectonic motion closed off the Strait of Gibraltar, there couldn't be any water inflow from the North Atlantic.” 



The sea level dropped dramatically - up to 5 kilometers (about 3 miles) - due to evaporation, leaving behind thick salt crusts. These can still be found beneath parts of the Mediterranean. Later, the Strait of Gibraltar reopened, and the sea filled again.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salt-features-of-the-dead-sea">Salt features of the Dead Sea </h2>



The Dead Sea continues to be full of surprises. Springs on its floor and varying salt flows create even more formations - including salt domes and chimneys.



Beyond learning how these features form, the study of the Dead Sea could have broader implications. 



Watching how sediment moves on the newly exposed beaches may help scientists understand how coastlines in dry regions respond to sea level changes. It could also point to new ways to manage resources from such salty environments.



With its strange physics and active processes, the Dead Sea gives researchers a rare look at how massive salt deposits grow - one underwater snowflake at a time.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-fluid-031424-101119">Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics</a>.



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How the Dead Sea builds 'salt giants' beneath its waters

The Dead Sea is one of the most unique bodies...

The growing number of rocket launches may pose a threat to Earth’s ozone layer. While the expanding space industry holds great promise, researchers warn that its environmental impacts are being overlooked.



With thousands of satellites now cluttering low Earth orbit, emissions from launches and back-end debris are making alarm bells ring over atmospheric well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-space-boom-comes-with-a-cost">Space boom comes with a cost</h2>



A team of scientists from the <a href="https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/">University of Canterbury</a> and ETH Zurich investigated how pollution from rocket launches and falling space junk could slow the ozone layer’s recovery. 



The researchers used a chemistry-climate model developed at ETH Zurich and the Physical Meteorological Observatory in Davos (PMOD/WRC) to forecast rocket emission impacts through 2030.



Back in 2019, there were only 97 orbital launches. By 2024, that number had nearly tripled to 258 - and it's expected to rise to over 2,000 per year by the end of the decade. 



This increase is concerning because emissions in the upper atmosphere linger much longer than those released at ground level. 



Without natural washout processes like rain or clouds, these pollutants can circle the globe and remain in the air for years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-ozone-layer-s-fragile-recovery">The ozone layer’s fragile recovery</h2>



The model predicts that, if current growth trends continue, the global ozone layer could thin by nearly 0.3 percent by 2030. Over Antarctica, seasonal losses could reach up to four percent.



These might seem like small numbers, but context matters. The ozone layer is still recovering from the damage caused by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), banned in 1989 by the Montreal Protocol. 



Global ozone levels are still about two percent below pre-industrial levels and aren’t expected to fully recover until 2066. 



According to the researchers, unregulated rocket emissions could delay this timeline by several years - or even decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-ozone-layer-still-matters">Why the ozone layer still matters</h2>



The ozone layer may seem like a distant part of the atmosphere, but it plays a vital role in shielding life on Earth. It absorbs most of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can cause skin cancer, cataracts, and immune system damage in humans.



 It also affects ecosystems, particularly marine life, by influencing the health of phytoplankton - tiny organisms that form the base of the ocean’s food chain.



Even modest declines in ozone can boost the amount of UV radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface. That is to say, any quantifiable decrease is more than a number - it’s an alarm. 



Ongoing harm could bring about additional UV-related health threats, upset delicate ecosystems, and undermine the gains achieved since CFCs were banned. 



Simply put, every percentage point of recovery counts, and every delay threatens human and environmental well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fuel-type-matters-more-than-you-think">Fuel type matters more than you think</h2>



The problem lies mainly with emissions of chlorine gas and soot. Chlorine breaks apart ozone molecules, and soot particles heat the middle atmosphere, speeding up ozone-damaging reactions. 



Solid rocket motors are the main source of chlorine emissions, while most rocket types release soot.



Only rockets using cryogenic fuels - like liquid oxygen and hydrogen - are nearly ozone-neutral. But these fuels are tricky to handle, and only about 6 percent of current launches use them. 



That means the vast majority of launches still contribute to ozone depletion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-re-entry-the-hidden-threat">Re-entry: the hidden threat</h2>



The study focused on emissions during rocket ascent, but what about the return journey? Most satellites burn up when they re-enter the atmosphere, releasing nitrogen oxides and metal particles. 



Nitrogen oxides are already known to harm the ozone, while metals could form clouds or act as chemical surfaces that accelerate ozone loss.



Scientists still poorly understand these effects and often leave them out of climate models. But with satellite constellations growing rapidly, more and more debris will re-enter the atmosphere, making this an urgent area for further research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clean-fuels-offer-a-path">Clean fuels offer a path</h2>



“There is a risk that the rapid rise in global rocket launches could slow the recovery of the vital ozone layer,” said Sandro Vattioni. “The problem is being underestimated - yet it could be mitigated by forward-looking, coordinated action.”



The researchers believe there’s still time to act. Better monitoring of emissions, using cleaner fuels, and encouraging the switch to cryogenic systems could help protect the ozone layer. 



Setting international regulations would allow the space industry to grow sustainably.



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Rocket launches threaten Earth's ozone recovery

The growing number of rocket launches may pose a threat...

Humpback whales travel thousands of kilometers each year, migrating between Antarctic feeding grounds and tropical breeding areas. This journey demands energy, timing, and favorable environmental conditions.



New research from the <a href="https://www.uq.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Queensland</a> has revealed that these whales now head south significantly earlier than before, by about three weeks.



This shift in humpback whale migration is not just a quirk of nature. It may be a response to deeper changes in the Southern Ocean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whales-are-now-migrating-earlier">Whales are now migrating earlier</h2>



Between 2003 and 2024, the southern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-humpback-whales-are-born-in-places-we-didnt-expect/">migration</a> peak shifted from early October to mid-September. 



“Acoustic and visual surveys show the peak of the southern migration in 2003 was in early October but by 2024, we observed it was in the middle of September,” noted Professor Rebecca Dunlop, lead author of the study.



This change was found across different <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-helps-humans-have-20-minute-conversation-with-humpback-whale-named-twain/">whale</a> groups: adult males, mothers with calves, and mixed adult groups. 



Singing males, tracked through acoustic surveys, also showed a 22-day shift. These consistent patterns point to a population-wide response, not just isolated variation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-less-ice-and-krill">Less ice and krill </h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/whales-blow-bubble-smoke-rings-near-humans-to-communicate/">Whales</a> feed mostly on Antarctic krill, which depend on sea ice for food and shelter. Since 2016, sea ice in regions like the Ross Sea has declined sharply. By 2024, ice levels had dropped by over six million square kilometers.



Whales do not eat much during their migration. They rely on the fat reserves built up during the summer. 



“Fewer available krill prior to the migration could be forcing the whales back to the feeding grounds earlier,” said Dunlop.



Environmental records confirm the link. An earlier return south was strongly correlated with low sea ice and specific chlorophyll-a levels (a marker of ocean productivity) during summer feeding periods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whales-migrate-with-growing-pressure">Whales migrate with growing pressure</h2>



The eastern Australian humpback whale population has rebounded from near extinction. It grew from just 300 individuals in the 1960s to around 40,000 today.



But this success comes with consequences. More whales mean more competition for krill. At the same time, krill fishing for fishmeal and supplements has intensified.



Earlier shifts in whale migration were not seen during past periods of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/whales-transport-nutrients-across-entire-ocean-basins-in-their-urine/">population</a> growth. But now, under growing environmental pressure, the timing has started to change. This suggests that climate impacts, not crowding, may drive the shift.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whales-show-similar-trends-globally">Whales show similar trends globally</h2>



This pattern is not isolated to Australia. Populations along the western coast of Australia, California, and even South America have also shown changes in timing. Some arrive earlier at breeding grounds, others leave feeding grounds sooner.



“The later years of this study coincide with a pronounced decline in sea ice coverage beyond usual annual fluctuations,” said Dunlop.



These declines were especially sharp after 2021. That is exactly when the migration pattern began to shift.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-greater-energy-cost">A greater energy cost</h2>



Humpback whales are resilient. They have bounced back before. But the current situation is different. Environmental changes are now faster and broader. While whales still migrate and reproduce, the energy cost may be increasing.



“I am concerned at some point we may see a decline in birth rates because females won't have the energy to support migrating north, giving birth and getting their calf back to the feeding grounds,” warned Dunlop.



Researchers are now investigating if whales also leave the feeding grounds earlier. If both legs of the journey shift, it may point to long-term changes in life cycle and reproductive success.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whale-migration-and-ocean-changes">Whale migration and ocean changes</h2>



Whales respond to changes in food, ice, and temperature. Their migration is tied to the pulse of the ocean. Shifts in their patterns signal broader disruptions in marine ecosystems, affecting balance and biodiversity.



Monitoring whale timing can help track how quickly the Southern Ocean changes. The data may also provide insight into the health of connected species. But more studies on whale health and krill populations are needed to understand the full impact.



For now, whales continue their incredible journey. But their timing tells a different story - one that's shaped by a changing planet.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-07010-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Humpback whales now migrate weeks early, signaling big ocean changes

Humpback whales travel thousands of kilometers each year, migrating between...

Ocean warming is altering the mating routines of angelsharks, according to a new study. Instead of showing up to breed, females are heading for cooler waters - leaving the males behind.



This mismatch in behavior, scientists say, could spell trouble for the future of the species. 



A team of researchers from <a href="https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lancaster University</a> and the Angel Shark Project: Canary Islands uncovered this shift using acoustic trackers.



The study was focused on the Canary Islands, where sea temperatures have been rising steadily - particularly around La Graciosa Marine Reserve, off the coast of Lanzarote.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-angelsharks-in-a-warming-ocean">Angelsharks in a warming ocean</h2>



In 2022, the ocean around the reserve experienced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-heat-is-pushing-parts-of-earth-beyond-human-survival/">extreme heat</a>. Sea surface temperatures climbed above 23.8°C and stayed over 22.5°C for almost three times longer than in previous years. That temperature threshold, it turns out, is critical. 



“The males were much more resilient to temperature rises and stuck to their regular patterns of arrival and departure, seemingly prioritizing mating despite these temperature extremes,” said Dr. David Jacoby, a zoologist at Lancaster University and lead investigator on the study.



But while the males arrived in November as usual, the females were largely absent. This disrupted their usual <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/whale-shark-mating-behaviors-observed-for-the-first-time-in-the-wild/">mating</a> season, which typically begins in late autumn when the waters are cooler.



Unlike males, females have higher energy demands due to their reproductive biology. Staying cool is more than a preference - it’s a matter of survival.



“With angelsharks we observed important sex differences in behavior, with the females being disproportionately influenced by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-temperatures-are-rising-faster-than-expected-and-likely-to-accelerate/">sea temperature rises</a>,” noted Dr. Jacoby.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heatwaves-beneath-the-surface">Heatwaves beneath the surface</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mapping-marine-heatwaves-to-understand-their-impacts/">Marine heatwaves</a> may not be as visible as wildfires on land, but they can be just as disruptive. 



"These more frequent and extreme heatwaves are potentially the wildfires of the ocean and are having untold effects on marine species,” Dr. Jacoby explained.



Between 2018 and 2023, the team tracked over 100 angelsharks. Until 2022, male and female sightings in the reserve peaked around the same time each year. 



But then the pattern was broken. Female presence dropped off dramatically, and researchers believe 22.5°C is close to the upper temperature limit for their comfort.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-refuge-for-the-angelshark">A refuge for the angelshark</h2>



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/fuerteventura-and-lanzarote-of-the-canary-islands/">Canary Islands</a> are a major refuge for the angelshark, and one of the few places where both adults and juveniles are regularly seen. 



The region supports a growing dive industry that relies on this rare predator as a flagship species. However, as ocean temperatures creep upward, the window for successful mating narrows.



“That fact that environmental extremes are driving differing male and female arrival times at coastal mating sites is of particular concern for this critically endangered species,” said Dr. Lucy Mead of ZSL’s Institute of Zoology and Lancaster University.



"Angelsharks - as with most other sharks - are ectothermic, which means their body temperature directly depends on surrounding water temperatures.'



"It seems that male angelsharks prioritize mating even when conditions are unfavorable, while females prioritize staying within their preferred temperature range."



According to Dr. Mead, the Canary Islands are already at the warmer end of tolerable temperatures for angelsharks, and with significant warming projected here, our concern is that key areas may become inhospitable for females. 



"These findings have important implications for how we conserve this highly threatened species in a warming world," said Dr. Mead.



“Climate change impacts in the ocean tend to be ‘out of sight, out of mind’, but just as heatwaves and wildfires are becoming more frequent on land, so are extreme events in the oceans.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-long-term-monitoring-matters">Why long-term monitoring matters</h2>



The long-term tracking efforts behind this study show how vital it is to monitor temperature and shark movement together. 



“These findings are a reminder of how climate extremes are already reshaping the behavior of threatened marine species,” said Eva Meyers, co-lead of the Angel Shark Project and researcher at the <a href="https://leibniz-lib.de/en/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change</a>.



“This study highlights exactly why long-term monitoring of critical habitats in the Canary Islands must be a key pillar of any effective marine biodiversity recovery plan. The Canary Islands are one of the main strongholds for this species - safeguarding these waters is more urgent than ever.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bigger-picture-for-ocean-life">The bigger picture for ocean life</h2>



Beyond angelsharks, the findings point to a broader concern - how warming oceans are unsettling the ecological balance of coastal ecosystems.



Dr. David Jiménez Alvarado is co-lead of the Angel Shark Project and postdoctoral researcher at the EcoAQUA Institute at the <a href="https://www.ulpgc.es" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria</a>.



“It’s important to understand how changes in the ocean’s physicochemical conditions can affect the species that inhabit coastal ecosystems," said Dr. Alvarado.



"These environmental shifts may alter the habitat use and behavior of key predatory species that play a crucial role in maintaining trophic balance."



“Since many of these species are already globally threatened, studying how climate-related stressors impact their ecological function is essential for developing effective conservation and management strategies.”



The message from the angelsharks is simple: if the ocean keeps heating up, they may stop showing up. And if that happens, it’s not just bad news for the sharks - it’s a warning sign for all of us.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.70331" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Change Biology</a>.



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Angelsharks are skipping the mating season due to ocean warming

Ocean warming is altering the mating routines of angelsharks, according...

Restoring wetlands might be one of the fastest ways to cut carbon emissions - and it doesn’t come with the methane problems seen in other landscapes.



A new study shows that bringing life back to floodplain wetlands can slash carbon emissions by 39% in just one year. Even more impressive: the restored wetlands bounced back quickly, bringing multiple ecosystem benefits with them. 



And because these wetlands are widespread across the globe, their restoration could have far-reaching climate impacts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-fast-turnaround-with-big-payoffs">A fast turnaround with big payoffs</h2>



The research comes from scientists at <a href="https://www.rmit.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RMIT University</a> and was focused on floodplain, or riparian, wetlands - the kind often found alongside rivers and streams. 



These wetlands make up more than half of the world’s wetlands but are usually overlooked in climate discussions.



Floodplain wetlands store less <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rivers-are-releasing-a-massive-amount-of-carbon-dioxide-into-the-air/">carbon</a> than peatlands, which are traditionally seen as the heavyweights of natural carbon capture.



But <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/happy-world-peatlands-day-what-is-it-and-why-should-you-care/">peatlands</a> come with a catch: after restoration, they can release up to 530% more methane - a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide - potentially canceling out their climate benefits in the short term.



Floodplain wetlands, on the other hand, recover quickly and don’t have the same methane spike. That makes them a promising tool for both climate and environmental repair.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-restored-wetlands-and-carbon-emissions">Restored wetlands and carbon emissions</h2>



“Restoring wetlands could be a secret weapon against <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-earth-energy-imbalance-temperature-rise/">climate change</a>,” said Dr. Lukas Schuster from RMIT University’s Centre for Nature Positive Solutions.



“We found managing freshwater wetlands for carbon benefits also boosts flood and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-a-humble-plant-may-help-us-save-crops-from-drought/">drought resilience</a>, highlighting the dual benefits of restoration.”



The researchers compared three restored wetlands to three degraded ones along the Loddon River in Victoria, Australia - and the differences were clear.



In the restored sites, rewetting and revegetation reduced carbon emissions by 39%, while emissions in the unrestored wetlands rose by 169%. Soil carbon, stored in roots and organic matter, increased by 12% in the restored areas but dropped by 10% in the degraded ones. 



Even after the wetlands dried, soil moisture in the restored sites remained 55% higher, showing strong potential for retaining water and withstanding drought. These results show real potential for drought mitigation, water retention, and long-term soil health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wetlands-that-work-smarter">Wetlands that work smarter</h2>



Dr. Schuster pointed to a deeper connection between carbon, water, and overall <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/groundwater-plays-critical-role-ecosystem-health/">ecosystem health</a>.



“We observed a vital link between carbon dynamics and ecosystem function,” he said. "Wetlands are nature’s purification system, removing nitrogen from waterways and carbon from the atmosphere."



“Now we know even more about the important role they play and how quickly their recovery can be, it’s time to act.”



Freshwater wetlands may only cover a small part of the Earth, but they’re responsible for up to 25% of global methane emissions. Even so, they hold strong potential as long-term carbon sinks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-restored-wetlands-and-carbon-outcomes">Restored wetlands and carbon outcomes</h2>



One key finding involved plant life. Native species returned in force to the restored wetlands. 



Their leaves decomposed more slowly than those of invasive grasses, meaning carbon stayed locked in the soil longer. That’s good news for long-term carbon capture.



The restored wetlands also retained 45% more nitrogen in the soil. That’s important because it helps clean water, reduces the risk of algae blooms, and keeps ecosystems in balance.



“More nitrogen removed from these wetlands has a positive flow-on effect to connected waterways,” said Dr. Schuster. “If you manage the carbon outcome, you get other benefits like drought resilience and healthier farmland where flora and fauna can thrive."



“We’ve shown wetland restoration pays off, so we hope this study will inform future land management policies.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-payoff-of-restored-wetlands">Long-term payoff of restored wetlands </h2>



The payoff isn’t just short-term. One of the restored wetlands had been monitored for six years after water flow was reintroduced. It showed a 53% increase in surface carbon stocks - proof that these benefits aren’t just fast, but lasting.



In a time when climate solutions often feel slow and uncertain, restoring floodplain wetlands stands out for its speed, simplicity, and multiple payoffs. 



It's not just about cutting carbon. It’s about building healthier ecosystems, one wetland at a time.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0301479725024090" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Environmental Management</a>.



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Restored wetlands cut carbon fast - without the methane problem

Restoring wetlands might be one of the fastest ways to...

Some of the oldest trees in Oregon are vanishing - and fast. In the Malheur National Forest in Eastern Oregon, old-growth pine, fir, and larch trees are dying off at a shocking rate. Many of these trees are more than 500 years old.



Between 2012 and 2023, one in four trees over the age of 300 died in remote areas of the forest. A mix of drought, insect damage, and overcrowding from younger trees appear to be the main causes.



"It's sad to see so many old trees dying," said lead researcher James Johnston, an assistant research professor in the University of Oregon's Institute for Resilient Organizations, Communities, and Environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-old-trees-dying-fast">Old trees dying fast</h2>



The new study builds on research that started over a decade ago. Back then, Johnston was working on his doctoral dissertation and collected core samples from old-growth trees in untouched, roadless parts of the Malheur. 



These were <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-provide-different-health-benefits-based-on-their-structure/">forests</a> that hadn’t been logged or disturbed, offering a clear look at how the trees live - and die - when left alone.



Ten years later, Johnston returned to the same sites with a research team from the <a href="https://www.uoregon.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oregon</a>. They relocated 1,617 trees from the original survey. Their ages ranged from just a few decades old to over 600 years.



The results were stark. One-third of trees aged 150–300 years were gone. A full quarter of those older than 300 had died.



"We're talking about trees that easily live to be 500 years old, and a quarter of them died in just 10 years. That's really alarming," Johnston said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-young-trees-compete-with-older-ones">Young trees compete with older ones</h2>



The team found a pattern. Trees that had slowed in growth in the last five years were more likely to die. Those in forests that hadn’t seen <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-seasons-are-now-overlapping-worldwide/">wildfire</a> in more than 130 years were also at higher risk.



Wildfires, it turns out, play a <a href="https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/ecological-benefits-fire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">key role</a>. They thin the forest naturally by removing younger trees. Without fire - or human thinning - newer vegetation grows unchecked, competing with older ones for light, water, and nutrients.



"In the moistest and most productive <a href="https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Plants-and-Fungi/Douglas-Fir" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Douglas-fir</a>-dominated forests in Western Oregon, setting forests aside as protected reserves has proven to be a successful strategy for protecting old trees," Johnston said. 



"But this research shows that we need active management to remove younger trees in order to protect old trees in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tree-diversity-in-temperate-and-dry-forests-should-not-be-overlooked/">dry forests</a> of Eastern and Southern Oregon."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drought-and-pests-play-a-part">Drought and pests play a part</h2>



And it's not just about space. <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/malheur" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Malheur</a> is a dry forest system. While these trees are used to some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-a-thirsty-atmosphere-is-making-global-droughts-much-worse/">drought</a>, recent conditions have gone beyond what they can handle. The region has grown significantly drier over the past decade.



At the same time, pests like the western spruce budworm and Douglas-fir tussock moth have taken a heavy toll. These insects strip forests of their needles, weakening them further.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-bleak-forecast-without-action">A bleak forecast without action</h2>



Looking ahead, the outlook isn’t promising unless something changes. Using statistical models, the team projected that fewer than one in four of the old-growth trees will still be standing in the next 50 to 60 years.



One major reason is that it takes centuries to grow a replacement. "You can't replace a 300-year-old tree in 10 years or 20 years," Johnston said.



Still, there’s hope - if the right steps are taken. Thinning younger trees to reduce competition could help the old ones hold on longer. In forests where thinning is allowed, the researchers believe outcomes could be more positive - but there’s not enough long-term data yet to be sure.



"We need significantly more research about the fate of old trees and dry forests," Johnston said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-old-trees-matter">Why old trees matter</h2>



Old-growth trees aren’t just impressive for their size or age. They’re essential. They store large amounts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-models-may-overestimate-how-much-carbon-trees-release/">carbon</a>, support biodiversity, and help filter and hold water through their deep roots. 



Losing them doesn’t just mean fewer ancient trees - it could mean more fragile ecosystems and a harder time adapting to climate change.



As the forest keeps changing, researchers from the University of Oregon warn that we’ll need to rethink how we protect these old giants. It won’t be enough to just leave them alone. Some may need our help in order to survive.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0378112725004153" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forest Ecology and Management</a>.



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Centuries-old trees are dying at a shocking rate in Oregon

Some of the oldest trees in Oregon are vanishing -...

Climate change conversations often focus on dramatic ecosystem collapse such as icebergs shearing off shelves or coral reefs bleaching overnight. These striking images capture our attention. 



But what if the real danger lies elsewhere? Not in the visible collapse - but in ecosystems quietly shifting out of balance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-magnetic-clues-about-ecosystems">Magnetic clues about ecosystems</h2>



A recent study led by Professor John Dearing at the <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southampton</a> offers a new perspective. It shows that many ecosystems may collapse quietly, without obvious warning signs. This insight emerges from a surprising source: magnetic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-what-were-really-fighting-for/">materials</a>.



Laboratory tests on ferromagnets helped researchers compare how systems respond to stress. 



Simple magnetic structures behaved like lakes turning abruptly green. But more complex ones - like rainforests - shifted gradually. This behavior echoes in nature, revealing how forests or ice sheets might quietly degrade over time.



“Some systems snap. Others sag,” said study co-author Professor Simon Willcock of <a href="https://www.rothamsted.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rothamsted Research</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-many-ecosystems-collapse-slowly">Many ecosystems collapse slowly</h2>



Traditional tipping point models assume abrupt shifts. But the study challenges that idea using new frameworks like Turing bifurcations. These models suggest that complex systems re-organize in stages. They may remain in partial balance while adjusting to rising stress.



This “soft tipping” aligns with real-world observations. Large <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-innovation-takes-the-lead-in-environmental-action/">ecosystems</a> often show slow responses and don’t follow classic tipping behaviors. 



For example, changes in lake water quality often happen linearly. Spatially complex areas like semi-arid landscapes shift in patterns, not dramatic breaks.



Importantly, the study warns against relying solely on early warning signals. These signs - like rising variance - may not appear in complex systems. Instead, change may already be happening silently.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecosystem-collapse-and-recovery">Ecosystem collapse and recovery</h2>



In magnetic systems, changes in domain alignment under stress mirror <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-day-for-biological-diversity-2025-bonding-with-nature/">ecosystem</a> responses. Hard magnetic materials behave like simple systems - they change abruptly. Soft magnetic materials shift incrementally. The same applies to ecological systems.



A table in the study compares magnet terms like “coercive force” with ecological ideas like “tipping point.” These parallels reveal how much energy or stress is needed to push a system into collapse - or recovery.



This analogy also explains why recovery in some systems takes more energy than collapse. In magnets, reversing the field after a collapse takes extra effort. In nature, restoring a damaged ecosystem often requires sustained action and sometimes shock interventions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-slow-changes-are-deceptive">Slow changes are deceptive </h2>



According to the study, the speed at which stress is applied matters as much as its size. A rapid rise in temperature or pollution levels can cause systems to tip sooner. These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-day-2025-a-global-call-to-protect-nature/">systems</a> then show more resistance to recovery.



Magnetic tests support this. When magnetic fields change quickly, domains flip faster and require more force to reverse. Climate models show similar results. Fast warming leaves systems less time to adapt, pushing them closer to collapse.



“Slow changes can be deceptive,” said co-author Professor Roy Thompson.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-subtle-signs-of-ecosystem-collapse">Subtle signs of ecosystem collapse</h2>



Viewing ecosystems at the wrong scale hides early damage. Forests may look healthy overall while many small areas degrade internally. These patches act like magnetic domains - each with its own threshold and response rate.



This fragmented degradation explains why early warnings are rare. It also means policymakers might miss the chance to act in time. Waiting for big, visible signs - like widespread forest death - may be too late.



“Our work suggests we may already be crossing tipping points without realising,” said Dearing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recovery-may-still-be-possible">Recovery may still be possible</h2>



The study offers hope. Systems that collapse gradually may still recover - if we act early. Passive recovery, like letting nature heal itself, might help in some cases. But more often, active measures are needed.



Examples include reintroducing species, removing pollutants, or reshaping collapsed ecosystems. These interventions can push ecosystems back from collapse to a stable state, just like magnetic fields realign domains under the right conditions.



“This work flips the script on climate risk,” said Willcock. “If we wait for ecosystems to scream, we’ll have waited too long. The real danger is in systems that whisper while they fall apart.”



The full study is recently published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/one-earth/fulltext/S2590-3322(25)00184-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">One Earth</a>.



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Some ecosystems collapse quietly without warning signs 

Climate change conversations often focus on dramatic ecosystem collapse such...

By the year 2100, nearly a billion people could be living with drastically reduced access to river water. The finding comes from a new study that used some of the most advanced Earth systems models available.



The research was led by scientists at <a href="https://www.northeastern.edu/">Northeastern University</a>, specifically from the Institute for Experiential AI and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.



The researchers reassessed climate model performance and found that improved simulations shift our expectations about future water availability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-changing-in-the-models">What’s changing in the models?</h2>



Earth systems models simulate the planet’s processes - from the atmosphere and oceans to land surfaces and human activities. They're critical tools for understanding future climate impacts. But not all models are created equal.



The researchers compared two generations of climate models: CMIP5 and the newer CMIP6. 



The CMIP6 system had a clear edge. It used finer spatial resolution - every 100 kilometers instead of 500 - and more advanced physics, including better handling of land, ocean, and ice systems.



"The CMIP6 also did a better job of incorporating comprehensive physics, such as physics of land, ocean and ice into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-models-underestimate-sea-ice-melt-and-global-warming/">climate model</a> equations," noted Puja Das, a post-doctoral research fellow at Northeastern University.



Some climate models handle cloud formation and atmospheric convection through a process known as parameterization.



"There are some critical parameterizations that need to be correct. We saw that the models that use those parameterizations are performing well," said Das.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-river-runoff-and-water-shortages">River runoff and water shortages </h2>



Understanding future water availability means looking at where the stakes are highest. That’s why the researchers zeroed in on the world’s largest river basins - systems that support vast populations and economies.



"We chose the 30 biggest river basins around the world, including the <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/earth-from-space-the-amazon-river/">Amazon</a>, Congo, Ganges, Brahmaputra and <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/heart-shaped-oasis-on-the-nile-river/">Nile</a> rivers," said Das. "We were trying to see how the runoff in those river basins, or water availability in those river basins, are presented in climate models."



Runoff - the water that flows from land into rivers - is a key part of that equation. It feeds into drinking water systems, sustains agriculture, and powers hydroelectric plants. Even small drops in runoff can cause major disruptions.



"Population estimates are important because they give policymakers an idea of what to expect in terms of the availability of food, water and energy," explained Das.



The results were sobering. The five most accurate climate models predict that 40% of these rivers will experience reduced <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/water-cycle/">runoff</a> by the end of the century. That would affect roughly 850 million people - more than triple the number that was previously estimated.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-model-projections-of-water-outcomes">Model projections of water outcomes </h2>



Better resolution and physics help, but that's not enough. The researchers wanted to be sure the improved models actually matched historical data and worked well with each other. That’s where skill and consensus come in.



"She's saying that higher resolution, better parameterization and more physics components do add value. We try to look at all these kinds of metrics based on skills and consensus and that's what Das has done," said study co-author Auroop Ganguly, a professor at Northeastern.



However, even better models can come with trade-offs. As precision improves, the range of possible outcomes - known as uncertainty bounds - can actually grow wider.



"Higher resolutions, more intricate parameterizations and comprehensive physics are hypothesized to improve model projections, but this is not guaranteed until the models are thoroughly evaluated against observations (skills) and against each other (consensus)," said Das.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-shortages-of-river-water">Future shortages of river water</h2>



The research didn’t stop with one future scenario. The team also ran the models through five different emissions pathways. As expected, a lower-emissions world had better results.



"We saw that if there is a greener world, the water availability will be higher and fewer people will be impacted because of the decrease in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-reservoirs-are-shrinking-and-becoming-less-reliable/">water availability</a>," said Das.



Even in the best-case scenario, drying rivers will still threaten hundreds of millions of people with water shortages. 



“We found that 500 million people (would be affected) instead of 900 million people, but water availability will still decrease in certain parts of the world.”



The goal of the research is to inform two key groups: policymakers and water resource managers who use these models for future planning, and scientists and modelers working to improve their accuracy.



By identifying the most reliable models and highlighting their projections, the study equips both groups to make more informed decisions in a rapidly changing world.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41612-025-01134-5">npj Climate and Atmospheric Science</a>.



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Drying rivers could cause water shortages for 850 million people

By the year 2100, nearly a billion people could be...

Solar farms are blooming across the planet, carpeting deserts, plains, and even former industrial sites with glittering panels that convert sunlight into carbon‑free electricity.



A new review led by wildlife ecologist Trish Fleming from <a href="https://www.murdoch.edu.au/">Murdoch University</a> finds those installations already occupy almost 14,700 square miles of land - roughly the size of West Virginia. That footprint is expanding rapidly.



The study celebrates the role of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/solar-power-has-won-the-prize-to-become-earths-main-source-of-energy/">solar energy</a> in cutting greenhouse gas emissions but warns that poorly designed solar parks could harm birds, bats, and other wildlife. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-reflections-mislead-wildlife">Solar reflections mislead wildlife</h2>



Flat, dark <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/solar-panels-are-1000-times-more-powerful-with-new-tech-breakthrough/">solar panels</a> act like gigantic mirrors. They polarize and reflect light much as a lake does, a visual cue that many flying insects – and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-are-struggling-to-keep-pace-with-a-warming-climate/">birds</a> and bats that feed on them – instinctively follow.



Migrating waterbirds sometimes circle or land on solar panels, mistaking them for water, researchers have observed.



Insects drawn to panels create feeding hotspots, disrupting foraging patterns and increasing collision risks for birds and other predators.



The same reflective quality produces the “lake effect” hazard at concentrating solar power (CSP) plants, where mirrors focus sunlight onto a central receiver.



Some solar sites kill birds with intense heat or light reflections that confuse wildlife, the Murdoch review warns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fences-block-animal-paths">Fences block animal paths</h2>



To safeguard expensive equipment, solar developers typically surround their sites with chain-link fences. That security measure can have unintended consequences.



Ground-dwelling species such as reptiles, small mammals, and flight-shy birds may find their usual pathways blocked.



In worst-case scenarios, animals become trapped, unable to navigate out of the maze of panels and barriers.



Fleming cites reports from South African vineyards where large birds died after becoming trapped between parallel fences around solar panels.



A more encouraging example comes from Nevada, where a PV project left gaps at ground level and preserved native vegetation corridors.



Motion-camera monitoring has shown desert tortoises, kit foxes, and jackrabbits using those openings to move freely. It’s proof that thoughtful design can meet security needs while allowing wildlife to pass through.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-panels-change-habitat">Solar panels change habitat</h2>



Utility‑scale PV plants usually require two to six hectares of land per megawatt of capacity. Clearing that space can fragment habitat and push sensitive species elsewhere.



Yet the review also finds cases in disturbed agricultural regions where solar parks support more wildlife. 



Managed with flowering groundcovers and minimal mowing, these sites have attracted more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-country-without-butterflies-rapid-decline-in-u-s-populations/">butterflies</a>, bees, and insect-eating birds compared to nearby croplands.



Whether a solar site turns into ecological desert or a surprising refuge depends on what was there before, how vegetation is managed afterward and where panels are placed.



In arid zones, the shade beneath panels can retain soil moisture and support native grasses that would otherwise struggle. This microclimate benefit is known as “agrivoltaics” when combined with grazing or cropping.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smarter-solar-site-layouts">Smarter solar site layouts</h2>



Technological tweaks could further soften solar’s impact. Lab tests show nano-textured panel coatings cut misleading light signals for wildlife and slightly improve solar efficiency.



Other researchers are experimenting with white grid lines or patterned films that break up large reflective expanses without compromising output.



Placement matters too. Orienting arrays to avoid glare toward flyways and leaving gaps for wildlife corridors can cut risk at little extra cost. 



The Australian review urges project planners to incorporate ecological mapping early, just as they already consider grid connection or slope.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fire-risk-and-seasonal-timing"><a></a>Fire risk and seasonal timing</h2>



One concern the scientists highlight is fire hazard: high-voltage weed zappers, trialed as herbicide alternatives, can ignite dry plant matter beneath panels.



Data from Western Australian vineyards show that operating in wetter months nearly eliminates that danger, suggesting it is wise to schedule maintenance during winter and spring.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-solar-wildlife-safe">Making solar wildlife-safe</h2>



Governments are banking on solar, with some projections calling for a tenfold increase in capacity by 2050 to meet climate goals. The study insists that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-action-and-biodiversity-striking-the-right-balance/">biodiversity</a> safeguards must travel in tandem.



The authors advocate mandatory wildlife‑friendly design standards, post‑construction monitoring, and adaptive management that tweaks operations when problems emerge.



Solar energy remains one of the greenest power options humanity has – but only if its rollout respects the creatures that share our sunlit planet. 



Designing solar sites with ecology in mind can protect birds, bats, and biodiversity while still generating clean energy.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032125006689?via%3Dihub">Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews</a>.



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Solar farms need better design to protect wildlife

Solar farms are blooming across the planet, carpeting deserts, plains,...

Heatwaves are getting worse. That’s not new. But a less obvious reason for the rise in extreme heat, especially in cities, might be catching scientists and local governments off guard.



It turns out that a major driver of these heatwaves isn’t just greenhouse gases. It’s the steady decline of something we’ve spent decades trying to eliminate: <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-people-die-from-air-pollution-each-year-yet-theres-still-a-lack-of-monitoring/">air pollution</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smog-cuts-raise-urban-heat">Smog cuts raise urban heat</h2>



A new study from scientists at <a href="https://www.utexas.edu/">The University of Texas at Austin</a> shows that falling levels of aerosols - tiny particles that contribute to smog and haze - are playing a much bigger role in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-heat-is-pushing-parts-of-earth-beyond-human-survival/">extreme heat</a> than previously thought. 



The researchers found that in populated areas, aerosols are up to 2.5 times more influential than greenhouse gases in driving changes in heatwave exposure.



While earlier research had connected aerosols to regional temperature patterns, this is the first study to look specifically at how those changes affect the number and intensity of heatwaves that people actually experience.



“Heatwaves near urban centers was much greater than we expected,” said study co-author Cameron Cummins. “So, as cities seek to curb their aerosol emissions to improve public health, they will also likely experience more heatwaves.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cleaner-air-hotter-cities">Cleaner air, hotter cities</h2>



Using global climate models, the researchers analyzed aerosol trends from 1920 to the present. They found that in cities and other populated regions, higher levels of aerosols helped cut heatwave exposure by nearly half.



That’s because aerosols can reflect sunlight, essentially shielding certain areas from the full brunt of global warming. But here’s the catch: those protective aerosols are disappearing.



As countries around the world pass clean air regulations to improve health and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-air-pollution-could-greatly-boost-carbon-sequestration-by-plants/">reduce pollution</a>, aerosol levels are dropping. This is good news for our lungs - but it also means the natural "shade" they provided is vanishing fast.



“Aerosols are really good at counteracting exposure [to heatwaves] right now, but that could rapidly change in the future,” said Geeta Persad, who led the study. 



“We seem to have already crossed a tipping point where declining aerosols are accelerating heatwave exposure in a lot of places.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-heatwaves-on-the-way">More heatwaves on the way</h2>



If aerosol emissions continue to decline at the current pace, the effects could be dramatic. The researchers project that by 2080, the average number of heatwave days globally could nearly triple - from about 40 days a year to 110.



Regions most likely to be affected include Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, South America, and Western Europe. 



In this study, a heatwave is defined as three or more consecutive days during a region’s warm season that exceed the 90th percentile for temperature. 



Sustained heat like this strains power grids, worsens health risks, and pushes infrastructure to its limits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-all-emissions-are-the-same">Not all emissions are the same</h2>



Aerosols and greenhouse gases often come from the same sources - such as burning fossil fuels - but they behave very differently. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenhouse-gas-emissions-reach-another-all-time-high/">Greenhouse gases</a> trap heat, disperse globally, and can stay in the atmosphere for decades or even centuries. Aerosols, by contrast, have a short lifespan. They tend to stay localized and usually fall out of the air in a matter of weeks.



That short-term impact means we can see the effects of reduced aerosols quickly - which is good for health but risky for heat. Persad emphasized that this makes cities especially vulnerable as they clean up their air.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-heatwaves-surge-without-aerosols">Urban heatwaves surge without aerosols</h2>



Western Europe is a clear example. In the latter half of the 20th century, high aerosol levels helped shield the region from heatwaves, even as greenhouse gas concentrations climbed - but that’s changing.



The study showed that in just the next 25 years, reduced aerosols could lead to as many as 40 extra heatwave days per year in urban parts of Western Europe. Still, the researchers aren’t calling for a return to dirtier air. Far from it.



“The study results shouldn’t be taken as a license to pollute,” said Persad. High aerosol levels are dangerous. They contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular problems and cause thousands of premature deaths every year. 



“This work suggests that what happens with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aerosols-have-an-underestimated-effect-on-clouds-and-climate/">aerosols</a> in the near future is going to be really important for what happens with heat wave hazard and exposure and risk in the near future, the next 20 to 30 years.”



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



The key takeaway? Cleaner air is non-negotiable, but it comes with trade-offs. As we cut pollution, cities need to be ready for more intense heat.



That means planning for infrastructure that can handle heatwaves, updating emergency response systems, expanding access to cooling centers, and rethinking urban design - all while continuing to fight climate change on a global scale.



Cleaner air is saving lives. But without better preparation, it could also mean hotter days ahead.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/addee0">Environmental Research Letters</a>.



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Urban heatwaves are accelerating for a surprising reason

Heatwaves are getting worse. That’s not new. But a less...

Coral reefs in the Florida Keys, Hawaii, and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef are showing alarming signs of stress. Where bright, living structures once stretched across the seafloor, many now appear ghostly and drained of color. 



The vivid greens, yellows, and blues of the corals have faded. What remains looks more like underwater ruins than living ecosystems. This phenomenon, known as coral bleaching, happens when climate-driven <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-temperatures-are-rising-faster-than-expected-and-likely-to-accelerate/">ocean warming</a> disrupts the delicate relationship between coral and the algae that live inside them.



Though the organisms remain alive, bleaching makes them vulnerable - to disease, starvation, and eventually, death.



But recent research out of <a href="https://msu.edu/">Michigan State University</a>, in collaboration with Duke University and the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, has uncovered something hopeful: certain corals can pass their heat tolerance to their offspring. This finding could help protect reefs around the world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-corals-under-climate-stress">Corals under climate stress</h2>



Coral reefs support nearly a quarter of all <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/body-size-of-85000-marine-species-mapped-in-new-database/">marine species</a>. They also protect coastlines and help sustain millions of people globally. 



Recently, researchers discovered that resistance to heat isn’t just a fluke of one generation - It can be inherited.



“The Coral Resilience Lab in Hawaii has developed amazing methods to breed and rear corals during natural summer spawning,” said study co-author Rob Quinn.



“This is a true scientific collaboration that can support coral breeding and reproduction to cultivate more resilient corals for the warming oceans of the future.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-color-behind-the-corals">The color behind the corals</h2>



In exchange for shelter and nutrients, the algae use <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-finally-decoded-the-process-of-photosynthesis/">photosynthesis</a> to produce sugars that feed their host - providing up to 95 percent of the energy it needs. It’s a tight-knit relationship. But when water gets too warm, that partnership breaks down.



Bleached coral has kicked out its algae. It becomes pale. It loses its source of energy. And it starts to struggle.



“Corals are like the trees in an old-growth forest; they build the ecosystems we know as reefs on the energetic foundation between the animal and algae,” said study co-author Crawford Drury.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-lab-to-ocean-collaboration">A lab-to-ocean collaboration</h2>



Michigan State University, far from any tropical reef, brings a unique set of tools to the table. Samples collected from spawning events in Hawaii are sent to MSU, where researchers use a method called metabolomics to study them.



This technique lets scientists see what’s happening inside a coral’s cells at a specific moment. The goal is to find the biochemical fingerprints linked to thermal tolerance.



The experts analyzed sperm, eggs, embryos, larvae, and algae. The results showed that heat resistance comes from both the coral and its algae - and that this resistance successfully passes from parent to offspring.



“HIMB and MSU have developed a really amazing partnership. I’m just happy they’ve let me be a part of it. I can’t wait to see what comes out of it next,” said Ty Roach, a visiting faculty at Duke University and lead author of the new study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coral-eggs-carry-algae">Coral eggs carry algae</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natural-sunscreen-helps-blue-rice-corals-adapt-to-warming-climate/">Rice coral</a> comes in many forms - some branch out like tiny fingers, others spread flat like layered shelves. But they all share a remarkable feature: little grain-like bumps that inspired the name, and a surprising ability to pass thermal tolerance to the next generation.



Unlike many coral species that acquire algae from surrounding seawater, rice coral packages its eggs with algae from the start. 



This means that both the coral and its symbiotic algae begin their journey together from the very first moments of life. That early partnership offers a head start in facing warming oceans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-heat-in-coral-babies">Studying heat in coral babies</h2>



Quinn and his team used MSU’s advanced instruments to examine the chemistry of each sample. They set out to investigate whether the molecules linked to heat resistance - such as specific lipids - appeared consistently across generations.



The researchers discovered that even embryos and larvae, the earliest life stages, showed chemical signatures tied to their parents’ heat resilience.



“Corals usually spawn based on the lunar cycle; for our experiment, this means late nights around the summer new moons and months of work rearing coral larvae and juveniles,” Drury said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-traits-passed-during-spawning">Heat traits passed during spawning</h2>



One of those long nights left a big impression on MSU graduate student Sarah VanDiepenbos.



“It was such a serene, beautiful experience. The timing is impeccable, as the process only lasts 20 to 30 minutes total,” she said. 



The coral bundles slowly float upward, trying to find another gamete to combine with once they get to the surface. This release is gradual, so they can have a maximum chance of finding spawn from a different coral.



“To have this algae’s thermal tolerance remain through an entire generation and all the stages of coral development - that’s surprising, and promising for the future of coral reefs,” Quinn said. 



“Coral lipid biochemistry is maintained through all stages of development during reproduction. These lipids come from both the host coral and its algal symbiont, indicating there is crosstalk between them to prepare the next generation to resist bleaching.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coral-resilience-in-a-changing-climate">Coral resilience in a changing climate</h2>



The results don’t just offer insight. They offer an opportunity for action. Understanding how thermal resistance is passed down gives scientists better tools for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/restored-coral-reefs-can-bounce-back-in-just-four-years/">restoring reefs</a>. It also gives them a clearer sense of which corals are worth breeding in a changing climate.



“Our metabolomics research at MSU could support reef restoration efforts at places like the Kāneʻohe Bay by identifying corals that are resistant to bleaching,” Quinn said.



The oceans are changing. But thanks to research like this, we might be ready for what comes next.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-61102-8">Nature Communications</a>.



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Baby corals inherit a powerful climate change defense from their parents

Coral reefs in the Florida Keys, Hawaii, and Australia’s Great...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to implement the latest AI Agent building platform.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-agent-training-transforms-the-workplace-fear-factor-into-a-competitive-advantage">AI agent training transforms the workplace 'fear factor' into a competitive advantage</h2>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
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A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that wildlife tunnels significantly reduce amphibian road mortality during seasonal migrations. 



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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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...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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...

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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...

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NTU Singapore



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



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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

NASA monitors giant dust storms on Mars

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