A Styrofoam (polystyrene plastic) take‑out food box can outlive its owner and their children. It weathers rain, sunlight, and curbside crushes yet still hangs around, splintering into smaller shards instead of disappearing.



An Australian research team now reports a way to erase 90% of that throw‑away <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/common-plastic-food-packaging-contains-9936-harmful-chemicals/">plastic</a> in just thirty minutes, using nothing more exotic than air, purple light, and a pinch of table-grade chemicals.



<a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=XqtHx8oAAAAJ&amp;hl=fr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Maxime Michelas</a> of the University of New South Wales School of Chemical Engineering (<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/engineering/our-schools/chemical-engineering">UNSW</a>), working with colleagues in the <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/science/our-schools/chemistry" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School of Chemistry</a> and <a href="https://www.csiro.au/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CSIRO</a>, describes the method in a recent study. 



Their approach slices stubborn polymers into bite‑size molecules that industry already uses to make solvents, coatings, and flavors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-polystyrene-plastic-linger-for-centuries">Polystyrene plastic linger for centuries</h2>



Humanity produces more than four hundred million tons of plastic per year, and the figure keeps climbing even where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-scientists-are-using-air-to-recycle-plastic/">recycling</a> programs thrive. Most items are designed for single use, yet their bonds resist microbial attack and sunshine alike.



Polystyrene poses a special headache. The foamed version is restricted in several U.S. states, yet analysts expect global demand to reach sixty‑two million tons within a decade. 



Its light weight means flakes travel far on the wind, then fracture into microplastics that slip through standard filters and into drinking water.



Medical <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11117644/">journals</a> now link those particles to oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in animal and cell models. Surgeons have even found plastic fragments embedded in arterial plaque removed from heart patients.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turning-sunlight-into-a-scalpel">Turning sunlight into a scalpel</h2>



Michelas’ team turns the low‑cost salt iron trichloride into an aggressive photocatalyst. 



When a 405‑nanometer LED excites the salt, it spawns chlorine radicals that yank hydrogen atoms off the polymer backbone. 



The orphaned carbon grabs oxygen from the air, the chain snaps, and the plastic’s mass plunges.



The setup looks almost rudimentary. A glass flask sits on a stir plate, air or pure oxygen bubbles through a dichloromethane solution of shredded plastic and five mole percent catalyst, and a small LED panel shines from the side.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dissolving-plastic-by-90">Dissolving plastic by 90%</h2>



Under those conditions the authors report a 90% mass loss for seven commodity polymers in half an hour.



Extending exposure to three hours pushes conversion to 97%, a milestone that once demanded day‑long lamp times.



For the fastest substrates, including <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8435462/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">poly(ethylene oxide)</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/polymethyl-methacrylate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">poly(methyl acrylate)</a>, most bond‑breaking happens in the first ten minutes. 



Even polyvinyl chloride, notorious for its tight packing and limited solubility, gave up seventy‑eight percent in the half‑hour window.



“I think it’s very important to degrade the polymer and turn it into another feedstock we can use for other things, or just to reduce the amount of microplastics in the world,” noted Dr. Michelas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-trash-to-toolkit-chemicals">From trash to toolkit chemicals</h2>



Breaking chains is only half the story. Gas‑chromatography traces reveal a soup rich in small aldehydes and carboxylic acids that can feed into paint, adhesive, or fragrance manufacture with little additional purification.



Because the catalyst is iron and the reaction runs near room temperature, the energy bill looks minimal compared with pyrolysis or incineration. 



The group demonstrated a fifty‑gram‑per‑liter run that held over eighty‑five percent efficiency, then regained speed simply by bubbling in fresh oxygen when the gas was spent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-checking-the-energy-math">Checking the energy math</h2>



A 2023 <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/12/3041" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">case study</a> of a decentralized pyrolysis unit showed that processing 360 tons of mixed plastic per year demanded about 560 MWh of electricity, or roughly 1,550 kWh for every ton treated. 



That figure dwarfs the LED‑lit UNSW setup, which relies mainly on ambient heat and the modest power draw of a few lamps.



While the pyrolysis plant did recover energy by burning the oil it made, the upfront input highlights why lower‑temperature chemistry matters. 



Slashing kilowatt‑hours per ton means smaller carbon footprints and lower operating bills, especially in regions where electricity still comes from coal.



For context, running a fifteen‑watt LED strip for half an hour consumes about 0.015 kWh, orders of magnitude below even the leanest pyrolysis benchmarks. 



Multiply that by thousands of lamps in parallel, and the energy tab still lands far south of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128228104000221" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thermochemical routes</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-savings-for-cities-and-companies">Savings for cities and companies</h2>



Foamed polystyrene can occupy up to thirty percent of landfill volume by space, prompting bans in California, Maine, and Maryland that steer eateries toward plant‑based or recyclable packaging. 



Yet many municipalities still receive tons of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-ai-designed-material-is-light-as-foam-tough-as-steel/">foam</a>, paying transport costs on material that weighs almost nothing but swallows cubic yards.



A low‑temperature, bench‑scale unit could let waste haulers liquefy that foam onsite, drain the product into drums, and sell it to chemical distributors. Haulers would cut diesel miles, and cities would shrink the footprint of their transfer stations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-less-polystyrene-plastic-better-health">Less polystyrene plastic, better health</h2>



Environmental <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10151227/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">researchers</a> estimate the average person ingests about five grams of dispersed plastic per week, roughly the weight of a credit card. 



By tackling items most prone to shedding, like takeaway containers, the UNSW chemistry could noticeably dent that intake.



Though the catalyst cannot vacuum particles already loose in rivers, less fragmentation upstream means fewer specks small enough to cross gut or lung barriers. 



Lower exposure could reduce inflammatory burdens now documented in lab studies, easing a growing public‑health worry.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saving-earth-from-polystyrene-plastics">Saving Earth from polystyrene plastics</h2>



No exotic materials are required, so startups could prototype light‑reactor tubes that rely on midday sun instead of LEDs in sunny regions. 



Developers might even graft the concept onto existing plastic‑sorting lines, dropping shredded waste into solvent loops rather than balers.



Regulators drafting extended‑producer‑responsibility rules can nudge investment by counting photochemical conversion toward plastic‑recovery targets. 



Clarity on permitting would address solvent handling and air emissions, two hurdles that often stall new recycling infrastructure.



Further lab work will probe whether iron salts push <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-catalyst-precatalyst-improves-clean-hydrogen-production-to-99-9-efficiency/">hydrogen</a>‑atom transfer in cross‑linked elastomers or complex multilayer films. Each additional success widens the path to a circular economy that values the carbon already in circulation.



Funding agencies often favor technologies that link waste reduction to high‑value outputs, and solvent‑phase depolymerization fits that brief. 



Venture groups in Australia and Singapore have already begun scouting pilot‑scale demonstrations, according to the authors.



The study is published in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/marc.202400358" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Macromolecular Rapid Communications</a>.



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New chemical process breaks down 90% of plastic in just 30 minutes

A Styrofoam (polystyrene plastic) take‑out food box can outlive its owner and their children. It weathers rain, sunlight, and curbside crushes yet still hangs around, splintering into smaller shards instead of disappearing. An Australian research team now reports a way to erase 90% of that throw‑away plastic in just thirty minutes, using nothing more exotic than air, purple light, and a pinch of table-grade chemicals. Dr. Maxime Michelas of the University of New South Wales School of Chemical Engineering (UNSW), working with colleagues in the School of...

The <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/countdown-health-climate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2023 Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change Report</a> starkly underscores the grave danger looming over billions worldwide due to delays in vital climate action. With projections leaning towards a 2.7°C increase by 2100, urgent steps are necessary to avert catastrophic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-are-one-indivisible-global-health-crisis/">health</a> and survival impacts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growing-hazards-need-climate-action">Growing hazards need climate action</h2>



“Our health stocktake reveals that the growing hazards of climate change are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-are-one-indivisible-global-health-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">costing lives</a> and livelihoods worldwide today. Projections of a 2°C hotter world reveal a dangerous future, and are a grim reminder that the pace and scale of mitigation efforts seen so far have been woefully inadequate to safeguard people’s health and safety,” said Marina Romanello, Executive Director of the Lancet Countdown at <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/">University College London</a>. 



“With 1,337 tons of carbon dioxide still emitted every second, we aren’t reducing emissions anywhere near fast enough to keep climate hazards within the levels that our health systems can cope with. There is an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/clinical-terminology-fails-to-represent-climate-related-health-impacts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enormous human cost</a> to inaction, and we can’t afford this level of disengagement – we are paying in lives. Every moment we delay makes the path to a liveable future more difficult and adaptation increasingly costly and challenging.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-action-needed-for-global-health">Climate action needed for global health</h2>



This eighth installment of the Lancet Countdown, involving 114 experts from 52 institutions, presents 47 indicators, including new metrics, to evaluate the interplay between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/life-under-siege-earths-vital-signs-reach-an-all-time-low/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health and climate change</a>. It urges immediate action ahead of the 28th UN Conference of the Parties (COP).



“There is still room for hope,” Romanello said. “The health focus at COP28 is the opportunity of our lifetime to secure commitments and action. If climate negotiations drive an equitable and rapid phase out of fossil fuels, accelerate mitigation, and support adaptation efforts for health, the ambitions of the Paris Agreement to limit global heating to 1.5 °C are still achievable, and a prosperous healthy future lies within reach."



"Unless such progress materializes, the growing emphasis on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-are-one-indivisible-global-health-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health within climate change</a> negotiations risks being just empty words, with each fraction of a degree of heating exacerbating the harms felt by billions of people alive today and the generations to come.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deteriorating-global-health-landscape-nbsp">Deteriorating global health landscape&nbsp;</h2>



The report, led by University College London and encompassing work from global experts, highlights the escalating health-related losses and damages due to climate inaction. The rise in heat-related deaths and food insecurity, along with the spread of infectious diseases like Vibrio, reflects the deteriorating global health landscape even at the current average heating of 1.14°C.



Healthcare systems are under significant pressure, with many cities reporting concerns about being overwhelmed by climate change impacts. The report also notes substantial economic losses due to extreme weather and labor hours lost to heat exposure, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-crisis-on-top-of-a-crisis">A crisis on top of a crisis</h2>



Dr. Georgiana Gordon-Strachan, Director of the Lancet Countdown Regional Centre for Small Island Developing States, voiced concern: “We’re facing a crisis on top of a crisis. People living in poorer countries, who are often least responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, are bearing the brunt of the health impacts, but are least able to access funding and technical capacity to adapt to the deadly storms, rising seas and crop-withering droughts worsened by global heating."&nbsp;



"Despite this, rich nations have broken their long-standing pledge to deliver the comparatively modest sum of US$100 billion a year to help vulnerable countries cope with climate change, jeopardizing a fair, equitable transition to a healthy future.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-climate-change-projections">New climate change projections</h2>



The report offers new projections, developed with the <a href="https://thecvf.org/">Climate Vulnerability Forum</a> (CVF), outlining the escalating risks if the 1.5°C target is missed. Under a 2°C scenario, heat-related deaths could increase by 370 percent by mid-century, with significant rises in food insecurity and infectious diseases.



Professor Stella Hartinger, Director of the Lancet Countdown Regional Centre for Latin America, stressed the need for primary prevention: “We must go beyond treating the health symptoms of climate change to focus on primary prevention."



"The root causes of climate change must be tackled through rapidly accelerating mitigation across all sectors to ensure the magnitude of health hazards do not breach the capacity of health systems to adapt. Unless governments finally start to act on these warnings, things will get much, much worse.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-zero-carbon-future-nbsp">Zero-carbon future&nbsp;</h2>



Despite the severity of these challenges, the report outlines the transformative health benefits of a zero-carbon future. Professor Ian Hamilton, Lancet Countdown Working Group Lead on Mitigation Actions and Health Co-benefits, highlights the necessity of enabling clean energy transitions, especially in low-income countries, to achieve equitable health outcomes and reduce socioeconomic disparities.



Professor Paul Ekins from Lancet Countdown Working Group Lead on Economics and Finance, criticizes the ongoing investment in fossil fuels, calling for urgent redirection towards renewable energy and public health initiatives.



Ultimately, the report calls for unprecedented global collaboration and action. Professor Anthony Costello, co-chair of the Lancet Countdown, emphasized the need for health-centered climate action and mitigation to enable a thriving future for current and future generations.



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



“Climate breakdown has begun, and humanity is staring down the barrel of an intolerable future. We are already seeing a human catastrophe unfolding with the health and livelihoods of billions across the world endangered by record-breaking heat, crop-failing droughts, rising levels of hunger, growing infectious disease outbreaks, and deadly storms and floods," said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in response to the Lancet report.



"There is no excuse for our collective inertia. Only powerful and immediate action will limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C and avert the very worst of climate change. The evidence is unequivocal—a just and equitable transition from fossil fuels to renewables together with a global surge in adaptation investment will save millions of lives and help protect the health of everyone on earth."



The report is published in the journal <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01859-7/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lancet</a>.



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Scientists: Immediate climate action critical to safeguard billions of lives

The 2023 Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change Report...

Air pollution, typically associated with respiratory issues, is now being linked to potential harms in reproductive health, according to new research from <a href="https://www.rutgers.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rutgers University</a>. This discovery adds a new layer of concern regarding the impact of air pollution on human health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-air-pollution-and-reproductive-health">Air pollution and reproductive health</h2>



The study conducted by Rutgers researchers examined air pollution data in relation to reproductive development markers in infancy. Focusing on anogenital distance (AGD), a key measure of prenatal hormonal exposure, the study aimed to uncover how air pollutants might affect this aspect of development.



Emily Barrett is a professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the Rutgers School of Public Health and the lead author of the study. She highlighted the importance of their findings. 



"These findings suggest air pollution may interfere with normal hormone activity during critical periods of prenatal and early infant development, and we suspect that disruption may have long-term consequences for reproductive health," Barrett stated. 



This revelation points to a hidden aspect of air pollution's impact, extending beyond immediate respiratory concerns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anogenital-distance-agd">Anogenital distance (AGD)</h2>



AGD, the distance between the genitals and the anus, is a significant indicator of prenatal hormonal exposure. Researchers have linked alterations in AGD to hormone levels, semen quality, fertility issues, and reproductive disorders in adults.



In animal research, AGD is a standard measure for assessing developmental toxicity of pollutants, particularly on the reproductive system. Reduced AGD in male offspring, for instance, indicates disruption in fetal testosterone production caused by toxic exposure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-infant-development-and-environment-study-tides">The Infant Development and Environment Study (TIDES)</h2>



To explore these findings in humans, Barrett and colleagues used data from <a href="https://bushlab.ucsf.edu/tides-infant-development-and-environment-study" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TIDES</a>, a longitudinal study initiated in 2010 across four U.S. cities. This study involved measuring AGD in children at birth and at one year for boys.



Researchers compared the TIDES data with levels of nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). These particles are produced from burning gasoline, oil, diesel, and wood. An air pollution monitoring system tracked pollution levels in the residential areas of TIDES participants during pregnancy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-air-pollution-reproductive-health-and-agd">Air pollution, reproductive health, and AGD</h2>



The researchers found a correlation between exposure to air pollution during critical developmental periods and AGD. Higher exposure to PM2.5 during crucial developmental stages associated male infants with shorter AGD.



These findings suggest multiple developmental stages where the reproductive system may be vulnerable to air pollution. This highlights the potential for long-term health impacts due to exposure to certain air pollutants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trojan-horse-effect-of-pm2-5">Trojan horse effect of PM2.5</h2>



Barrett describes PM2.5 as a "trojan horse" that can carry harmful metals such as cadmium and lead, known for disrupting endocrine functions. 



"When these disruptors interfere with the body’s hormones, the result could be lifelong impacts on our health, from cancer risks to impaired ability to conceive a child," Barrett explains.



In summary, the Rutgers study offers a crucial insight into the hidden dangers of air pollution, particularly regarding reproductive health. It underscores the need for more rigorous environmental protections and public health policies to mitigate the impact of air pollution on human health, especially during critical developmental stages.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/EHP12627" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Health Perspectives</a>.



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Air pollution exposure in the womb harms offspring reproductive health

Air pollution, typically associated with respiratory issues, is now being...

Microplastic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unprecedented-increase-in-global-ocean-plastic-pollution-since-2005/">pollution</a>, previously observed from oceans to mountain tops, has now been detected in clouds, raising concerns about its potential impact on weather patterns.&nbsp;



Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments, smaller than five millimeters, that originate from commonly used products like clothing, packaging, and car tires. Once released into the environment, they can travel through the air and end up in unexpected places.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microplastics-in-the-sky">Microplastics in the sky</h2>



In a new study published by the <a href="https://www.acs.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Chemical Society</a>, a team of researchers led by Yan Wang has discovered microplastics in cloud samples from Mount Tai in eastern China. Their findings reveal that lower-altitude, denser clouds contain higher amounts of microplastics, consisting of common polymers like polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene.



"Airborne microplastics (MPs) have the potential to travel a long distance and undergo several cloud processes through atmospheric transport. However, little is known about the interactions between MPs and clouds," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cloud-formation-nbsp">Cloud formation&nbsp;</h2>



The experts found that microplastics, typically smaller than 100 micrometers, can sometimes stretch up to 1,500 micrometers. Notably, the older and rougher microplastics contained additional substances like lead, mercury, and oxygen on their surfaces, which could facilitate cloud development.



Wang and the team used computer models to trace the origins of these microplastics, pointing to inland areas as the primary source, rather than oceans or neighboring mountains.&nbsp;



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



Laboratory experiments further showed that microplastics exposed to cloud-like conditions, involving ultraviolet light and filtered cloud-sourced water, undergo changes in size and texture.&nbsp;



These modified particles, bearing more lead, mercury, and oxygen-containing groups, suggest that clouds alter microplastics in ways that might influence cloud formation and the distribution of airborne metals.



The researchers emphasize that this is a growing area of study, and more research is needed to understand the full extent of microplastics' effects on clouds and weather. This discovery adds to the growing concern about the pervasive nature of microplastic pollution and its unforeseen impacts on the environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dangers-of-microplastics-nbsp">Dangers of microplastics&nbsp;</h2>



Microplastics pose significant environmental and health risks due to their widespread presence and persistence. Here are some of the key dangers associated with microplastics:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-impact">Wildlife impact</h3>



Microplastics are often ingested by marine and terrestrial animals, mistaking them for food. This can lead to physical harm, digestive blockages, and even death. Additionally, the chemicals in these plastics can be toxic and may accumulate in the food chain, affecting biodiversity and ecosystem health.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-health-risks">Human health risks</h3>



Microplastics can make their way into human food sources, particularly seafood. The long-term health effects of ingesting microplastics are not fully understood, but there is concern about potential toxicity from the chemicals in plastics and the pollutants they can carry.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-persistence">Environmental persistence</h3>



Plastics are highly durable and can persist in the environment for hundreds of years. This long lifespan means that the accumulation of microplastics is a growing problem, with particles continually breaking down into smaller and more widespread forms.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemical-contamination">Chemical contamination</h3>



Microplastics can absorb and concentrate environmental pollutants like heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants. These toxic substances can then be transferred to organisms that ingest the microplastics, potentially causing various health issues.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-on-soil-health">Impact on soil health</h3>



Microplastics are not just a marine issue; they are also found in soils. Their presence can affect soil structure, water retention, and microbial communities, ultimately impacting plant growth and soil health.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-airborne-particles">Airborne particles</h3>



Microplastics have been found in the air, raising concerns about inhalation by humans. Breathing in microplastic particles, particularly those small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs, could have health implications, although this area requires more research.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-quality">Water quality</h3>



Microplastics can affect the quality of both freshwater and marine ecosystems, leading to changes in water clarity and chemistry. They can also impact wastewater treatment processes.



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



There is ongoing research into how microplastics interact with climate change. For example, their role in cloud formation and potential impact on weather patterns is a subject of current study.



The research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.3c00729" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Science &amp; Technology Letters</a>.



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Microplastics found in clouds may be affecting the weather

Microplastic pollution, previously observed from oceans to mountain tops, has...

Seabirds are found across the world's oceans and have unique adaptations that allow them to survive in these often harsh conditions. However, a recent study has exposed a concerning gap in seabird protection, especially in the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean.&nbsp;



The research highlights the need for ocean-wide protection for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-most-endangered-seabirds-are-also-threatened-by-plastic-pollution/">seabirds</a>, which are increasingly threatened by the impacts of human activities such as plastic pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction.



The study, conducted by teams from Exeter, Heriot-Watt, and Réunion universities, along with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), marks a significant step in marine conservation efforts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lack-of-hotspots-nbsp">Lack of hotspots&nbsp;</h2>



Unlike other oceans, which are known to have specific "hotspots" where predators, including seabirds, gather in large numbers to feed, the Indian Ocean lacks such concentrated feeding areas. This lack of hotspots is particularly concerning given the various threats seabirds face due to human activities.



Dr. Alice Trevail, a researcher from the Environment and Sustainability Institute at <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/cornwall/about/penryn-campus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Exeter's Penryn Campus</a>, emphasized the importance of this discovery. 



“Efforts are being made to protect key breeding colonies, but until now little was known about where Indian Ocean seabirds go when they’re not breeding,” said Dr. Trevail. “We found that seabirds are extremely mobile outside of breeding times, with no focused hotspots."



This mobility poses a challenge for conservation efforts. The researchers found that even the largest Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Indian Ocean provided limited refuge for these birds, with them spending an average of no more than four days per year in any of the five largest MPAs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-international-action-is-needed">International action is needed</h2>



The researchers gathered tracking data on nine seabird species during their non-breeding periods. The data showed that these birds, which primarily feed on small fish, are significantly impacted by human activities like overfishing and pollution.



“As the birds roam widely and spend much of their time outside national waters, we need international action - like the recent High Seas Treaty - to protect them," said Dr. Trevail. “No country can act in isolation to protect these birds.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tropical-marine-ecosystems">Tropical marine ecosystems</h2>



"Tropical marine ecosystems are in urgent need of protection to arrest catastrophic biodiversity loss. Spatial protection of static habitats, such as reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves, have produced conservation dividends and often include core distributions of resident and breeding species," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"However, it is more challenging to implement a coherent strategy for mobile marine predators, which play a key role in tropical ecosystem function, especially coral reef conservation."



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



The researchers noted that tropical seabird communities are currently a fraction of historic sizes, largely due to the impacts of habitat destruction, human exploitation, invasive species, and overfishing. "Land-based interventions at colonies provide hope for halting and reversing tropical seabird population declines."



"Nevertheless, threats at sea are more challenging to resolve. This is particularly the case during non-breeding, which can represent &gt;50% of the annual cycle and is when migratory species may cross ocean basins and international boundaries, potentially being exposed to anthropogenic impacts on the high seas and risking high mortality rates," wrote the researchers.



"It is imperative, therefore, that we gain better knowledge of the migratory range of tropical seabirds and factors driving their at-sea distributions."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seabird-protection">Seabird protection </h2>



Seabird conservation is a critical aspect of preserving marine ecosystems, as seabirds are important indicators of ocean health and play vital roles in these environments. However, seabird populations worldwide face numerous threats, leading to declining numbers in many species.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-threats-nbsp">Key threats&nbsp;</h3>



<ul>
<li>Overfishing: Reduces the availability of food for seabirds, affecting their ability to survive and reproduce.</li>



<li>Climate change: Alters oceanic conditions, impacting seabird food sources and breeding habitats.</li>



<li>Pollution: Oil spills, plastic waste, and chemicals in the oceans can be lethal to seabirds.</li>



<li>Invasive species: Introduced predators on breeding islands, such as rats and cats, can decimate seabird colonies.</li>



<li>Human disturbance: Direct disturbance at breeding sites and accidental bycatch in fishing gear also pose significant threats.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-strategies">Conservation strategies</h3>



<ul>
<li>Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Establishing and enforcing MPAs can provide safe havens for seabirds by conserving their feeding and breeding grounds.</li>



<li>Sustainable fisheries: Implementing sustainable fishing practices helps ensure adequate fish stocks for seabirds.</li>



<li>Eradication of invasive species: Removing invasive predators from important seabird breeding islands has been highly successful in some areas.</li>



<li>Pollution control: Efforts to reduce pollution, including oil spills and plastic waste, are crucial.</li>



<li>Climate change mitigation: Addressing the broader issue of climate change is vital for protecting seabird habitats.</li>



<li>Research and monitoring: Ongoing research and monitoring are necessary to understand seabird ecology and the effectiveness of conservation measures.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-and-opportunities">Challenges and opportunities</h3>



Despite the challenges, there have been successful conservation stories, such as the recovery of specific seabird species following invasive predator eradication and the establishment of large-scale MPAs. Continued effort and global cooperation remain key to the effective conservation of seabirds.



The study was funded by the Bertarelli Foundation. The findings are published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.10.060" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Seabirds need ocean-wide protection to survive human impacts

Seabirds are found across the world's oceans and have unique...

Breathing,Toxic,Pollutants,Inside,The,Human,Body,And,Inhaling,Pollution

Climate change, a phenomenon primarily driven by human-induced greenhouse gases, has been a topic of intense study and discussion. However, certain aspects of this complex issue, such as the behavior of minuscule particles formed from air molecules, remain shrouded in mystery. 



Dominik Stolzenburg from the Institute of Materials Chemistry at <a href="https://www.tuwien.at/en/tch/imc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TU Wien</a> sheds light on these lesser-known elements of climate change. This exploration aims to enhance the precision of future climate models.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-air-particles-invisible-climate-architects">Air particles: Invisible climate architects</h2>



Stolzenburg draws attention to the unnoticed influencers of climate: tiny air <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aerosol-particles-contribute-to-rapid-warming-in-the-arctic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">particles</a> formed from volatile organic substances. 



"You know this from a walk in the woods: you take a deep breath and it smells really nice like a forest," he explains. 



Fragrances, emitted from trees, are not greenhouse gases but play a crucial role in climate dynamics. They oxidize in the air, leading to reaction products that clump together. 



These eventually form clusters 100 to 200 nanometers in diameter. Though invisible to the naked eye, these particles significantly impact water vapor.



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



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-aerosol-emissions-directly-linked-to-stronger-hurricanes-in-the-atlantic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aerosols</a>, once airborne, become pivotal in cloud formation. Water molecules adhere to these particles, creating a condensation nucleus. This is essential for fog or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-aerosols-impact-the-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cloud development</a>. 



Stolzenburg reveals an intriguing aspect. He says, "It can be shown that high concentrations of these aerosols make clouds denser and whiter than they would otherwise be, and that they take longer to dissipate." 



This denser cloud cover reflects more sunlight, potentially cooling the Earth. If these effects are stronger than current models predict, it suggests that the warming impact of CO2 is even more substantial. This is because the CO2 impact is partially masked by increased cloud density from human-made particles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-aerosol-particles">Significance of aerosol particles</h2>



The review article delves into the growth dynamics of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/airborne-pollutants-amplify-the-effects-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aerosol particles</a>. Their small size and mobility mean they often collide with larger particles, like pollen or soot, disappearing from the atmospheric stage as potential condensation nuclei.



"Only the fastest growing particles are relevant for the climate," Stolzenburg notes. Research indicates that organic molecules are critical for these particles' growth over land, while iodine-related substances or sulfate compounds are vital over oceans. These elements, however, are often overlooked in global models.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenge-of-reliable-modeling">Challenge of reliable modeling</h2>



Despite significant advances in measurement technology, accurately modeling the complexity of aerosol growth remains a challenge. Stolzenburg emphasizes the need for more reliable models to understand the human-induced masking of climate change. 



"We want to understand exactly which substances interact with each other and in what way, and what processes need to be included in our models to make them better," he states.



Dominik Stolzenburg's work highlights a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of climate change: the role of tiny, human-made particles in cloud formation and, consequently, climate regulation. 



As the scientific community strives to unravel the complexities of these processes, this research paves the way for more accurate climate models, offering deeper insights into the intricate mechanisms driving our changing climate.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://journals.aps.org/rmp/abstract/10.1103/RevModPhys.95.045002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Review of Modern Physics</a>.



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Tiny air particles play an outsized role in climate change

Climate change, a phenomenon primarily driven by human-induced greenhouse gases,...

A,Single,Tree,Left,In,A,Deforested,Landscape

A recent analysis by the <a href="https://act.ran.org/page/54751/donate/1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rainforest Action Network</a> (RAN) has evaluated key global brands on their efforts to eradicate deforestation and human rights abuses within their supply chains.&nbsp;



Titled “Keep Forests Standing 2023 Scorecard: Evaluating the Brands Driving Deforestation and Human Rights Violations,” the annual report assigned letter grades to brands based on their policies, with a focus on forest-risk commodities such as palm oil, pulp and paper, soy, beef, cocoa, coffee, and wood products.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deforestation-and-investor-risk">Deforestation and investor risk</h2>



The report revealed that despite their commitments, no brand is close to securing an “A grade” and are not aligned with upcoming regulations like the <a href="https://www.live-eo.com/solution/eudr-compliance?utm_term=eu%20deforestation%20regulation%20eudr&amp;utm_campaign=Supply+Chain&amp;utm_source=adwords&amp;utm_medium=ppc&amp;hsa_acc=1040347615&amp;hsa_cam=20072955823&amp;hsa_grp=149485792260&amp;hsa_ad=657077673316&amp;hsa_src=g&amp;hsa_tgt=kwd-2037225965213&amp;hsa_kw=eu%20deforestation%20regulation%20eudr&amp;hsa_mt=b&amp;hsa_net=adwords&amp;hsa_ver=3&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAr8eqBhD3ARIsAIe-buP4iw5iYKnKBpgKlUU58eme35Nf7TqlvBhaMtwEMUCp7HXH5QuMu1oaAuxPEALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EU Deforestation Regulation</a> (EUDR), potentially exposing their investors to significant risks.



Gemma Tillack from RAN has highlighted the gap between brands’ commitments and the actual <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-deforestation-crisis-how-can-we-stop-massive-forest-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rise in deforestation</a> and violence against frontline land defenders globally. The report identified major loopholes in the brands’ adopted policies, which contribute to ongoing forest destruction and rights violations.



Procter &amp; Gamble, Mondelēz, Ferrero, and Nissin Foods received the lowest grades in the report, while Nestlé, PepsiCo, Kao, Colgate-Palmolive, and Mars performed moderately. Unilever, although not perfect, earned the highest score of ‘C’ for its recent policy aimed at protecting Human Rights Defenders (HRDs).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lack-of-transparency-nbsp">Lack of transparency&nbsp;</h2>



The report also alerts consumers to a worrying trend where brands like Nestlé, Mars, and Ferrero claim ‘deforestation-free’ supply chains without transparent, third-party verified evidence.&nbsp;



It further reveals that corporate practices continue to contribute to the destruction of intact forest landscapes and indigenous territories, with brands lacking concrete deadlines to halt deforestation, ecosystem conversion, and human rights violations in their supply chains.&nbsp;



Despite nominal adherence to the <a href="https://www.proforest.net/fileadmin/uploads/proforest/Documents/Publications/infonote_04_introndpe.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">No Deforestation, No Peatland, No Exploitation</a> (NDPE) framework, many of these policies do not encompass all forest-risk commodities used by these brands.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-deforestation-standards">New deforestation standards</h2>



The impending EUDR poses a significant challenge for these brands, requiring stringent traceability of commodities back to their production sites. The report suggests that most global brands and their suppliers are unprepared for these new standards.



On a positive note, some companies, like Unilever and PepsiCo, are investing in landscape initiatives and jurisdictional approaches, especially in regions like Aceh and North Sumatra in Indonesia. However, the report cautions that these efforts, while promising, are not progressing rapidly enough to counteract ongoing deforestation in critical rainforest areas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications">Broader implications</h2>



The report underscores the necessity of a cross-commodity and corporate group approach for brands to fully address their impact on forests and communities. It exposes the practice of brands engaging with different arms of the same corporate group, where one complies with policy commitments while another continues business as usual, often through undisclosed operations.&nbsp;



This highlights a systemic issue where conglomerates supplying ingredients to major brands manage to bypass accountability while maintaining destructive practices.



The full report can be downloaded <a href="https://www.ran.org/kfs-scorecard/">here</a>.



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Major consumer brands are failing to fight against deforestation

A recent analysis by the Rainforest Action Network (RAN) has...

Arctic,Fox,In,The,Rays,Of,The,Autumn,Sun

A new modeling study led by researchers at <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University College London</a> (UCL) has revealed a concerning connection between rapid warming in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-free-arctic-summers-could-be-the-new-normal-by-2030/">Arctic</a> and the acceleration of global temperature increases.&nbsp;



According to the study, accelerated warming in the Arctic is set to speed up the global 2°C temperature rise by eight years compared to the scenario where the Arctic warms at the average global rate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temperature-thresholds">Temperature thresholds</h2>



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-arctic-dipole-the-atmospheric-pattern-shaping-our-future-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic region</a> is heating up nearly four times faster than the global average. The new study sheds light on the global ramifications of this phenomenon, particularly regarding the temperature thresholds established in the Paris Agreement.&nbsp;



These thresholds, set at 1.5°C and 2°C, are critical markers in the global effort to manage climate change.



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



The researchers set out to investigate by creating alternative climate change projections. The hypothetical models excluded the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-free-arctic-summers-could-be-the-new-normal-by-2030/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rapid warming</a> currently observed in the Arctic.&nbsp;



By comparing these projections with those based on current trends, the team could assess the impact of Arctic warming on global temperatures.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rate-of-arctic-warming-is-a-concern">Rate of Arctic warming is a concern</h2>



The results showed that without the Arctic's rapid warming, the 1.5°C and 2°C thresholds would be breached five and eight years later than the projected dates of 2031 and 2051, respectively.



An additional concern raised by the study is the concept of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-amplification-is-destabilizing-the-delicate-balance-of-the-ecosystem/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic amplification</a>, which refers to the disproportionately fast warming of the Arctic region. This not only accelerates global temperature rise but also introduces significant uncertainty into climate projections.&nbsp;



The researchers noted that the variability in model forecasts for the Arctic is considerably larger than for other regions of the planet, complicating efforts to predict and prepare for future climate scenarios.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncertainty-in-climate-forecasts-nbsp">Uncertainty in climate forecasts&nbsp;</h2>



“Our study highlights the global importance of rapid Arctic warming by quantifying its large impact on when we are likely to breach critical climate thresholds. Arctic warming also adds substantial uncertainty to climate forecasts," said study lead author and PhD candidate Alistair Duffey.



“These findings underscore the need for more extensive monitoring of temperatures in the region, both in-situ and via satellites, and for a better understanding of the processes occurring there, which can be used to improve forecasts of global temperature rise.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-direct-contribution-of-arctic-warming">Direct contribution of Arctic warming</h2>



The researchers did not quantify the ways in which Arctic warming affects the rest of the world, such as through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-arctic-glaciers-are-releasing-a-new-source-of-potent-methane-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea ice retreat</a>. Instead, the goal was to estimate the direct contribution of Arctic warming to global temperature increases.



“While our study focuses on how Arctic warming affects global temperature change, the local impacts should not be overlooked. A 2C temperature rise globally would result in a 4C annual mean rise in the Arctic, and a 7C rise in winter, with profound consequences for local people and ecosystems," said study co-author Professor Julienne Stroeve.&nbsp;



“In addition, rapid warming in the Arctic has global consequences that we do not account for in this study, including sea level rise and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/time-traveling-pathogens-exposing-the-dangers-of-melting-permafrost/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thawing of permafrost</a> which leads to more carbon being released into the air.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arctic-warming-through-amplification">Arctic warming through amplification&nbsp;</h2>



Arctic amplification, which is most intense during winter, arises from various factors including the retreat of sea ice. This retreat leads to more sunlight and heat being absorbed by water, rather than being reflected back into space.&nbsp;



Additionally, the less vertical mixing of air at the poles compared to the tropics traps warmer air near the Earth's surface.



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



The study utilized 40 climate models from the UN's 2021 climate change report. These models use a three-dimensional grid to simulate physical processes across the Earth's surface.&nbsp;



The researchers modified these models to create a hypothetical scenario where rapid Arctic warming was absent. They adjusted the temperature change rate in areas north of 66° North to match the rest of the planet, examining how this alteration would affect temperature projections under various emissions scenarios.



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



In scenarios where emissions are significantly reduced and net zero is achieved shortly after 2050, the study found that Arctic amplification could lead to a seven-year difference in reaching the 1.5°C increase threshold.&nbsp;



Notably, temperature projections for the Arctic showed greater variability across models compared to other regions, contributing 15 percent to the uncertainty in global projections, despite the Arctic's relatively small surface area.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-paris-agreement-nbsp">The Paris Agreement&nbsp;</h2>



The study underscores the significance of the 1.5°C and 2°C limits set by international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement. These limits are defined as the average global temperatures over a 20-year period being 1.5°C or 2°C higher than pre-industrial levels.&nbsp;



The Paris Agreement aims to keep global temperature rise "well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels" and pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unfolding-crisis-nbsp">Unfolding crisis&nbsp;</h2>



The Arctic region has warmed by approximately 2.7°C since pre-industrial times, with this warming accelerating in the 21st century. The study's findings are critical in understanding and addressing global climate change.&nbsp;



Dr. Robbie Mallett noted that Arctic climate change is often overlooked by politicians because most of the region is outside national boundaries. "Our study shows how much the Arctic impacts global targets like the Paris Agreement, and hopefully draws attention to the crisis that’s already unfolding in the region.”



This research was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council (<a href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/nerc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NERC</a>), the European Space Agency (<a href="https://www.esa.int" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>), and the Canada 150 Research Chairs Program.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://esd.copernicus.org/articles/14/1165/2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth System Dynamics</a>.&nbsp;



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Arctic warming could speed up global 2°C temperature rise by eight years

A new modeling study led by researchers at University College...

An international team of researchers led by the <a href="https://www.univie.ac.at/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vienna</a> has revealed the potential impact of <a href="https://www.earth.com/search-results/?search=climate%20change&amp;start=0">climate change</a> on the human brain. The experts are investigating how our changing environment might affect brain function now and in the future.



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



"Anthropogenic climate change poses a substantial threat to societal living conditions. Here, we argue that neuroscience can substantially contribute to the fight against climate change and provide a framework and a roadmap to organize and prioritize neuroscience research in this domain," wrote the researchers.



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



Study lead author Dr. Kimberly C. Doell emphasized the urgency of this research. “We’ve long known that factors in our environment can lead to changes in the brain. Yet we’re only just beginning to look at how climate change, the greatest global threat of our time, might change our brains," said Dr. Doell.



"Given the increasingly frequent extreme weather events we’re already experiencing, alongside factors such as air pollution, the way we access nature and the stress and anxiety people experience around climate change, it’s crucial that we understand the impact this could all have on our brains. Only then can we start to find ways to mitigate these changes.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-development-nbsp">Brain development&nbsp;</h2>



Studies conducted since the 1940s, primarily on mice, have demonstrated that environmental factors can significantly influence brain development and plasticity.&nbsp;



Similar effects have been observed in humans, particularly in research examining the impacts of poverty on brain development, highlighting environmental influences on brain function.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urgent-research-nbsp">Urgent research&nbsp;</h2>



The paper calls for urgent research into how exposure to extreme weather events like heatwaves, droughts, hurricanes, forest fires, and floods may alter brain structure, function, and overall health. It seeks to unravel how these changes might explain shifts in well-being and behavior.



Furthermore, the study explores the role neuroscience could play in shaping our understanding of climate change and influencing our judgments and responses.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neural-activity">Neural activity</h2>



“Understanding neural activity that is relevant to motivations, emotions and temporal horizons may help predict behavior, and improve our understanding of, underlying barriers preventing people from behaving as pro-environmentally as they might wish," said study co-author&nbsp;Dr. Mathew White of the Universities of Exeter and Vienna.



"Both brain function and climate change are highly complex areas. We need to start seeing them as interlinked, and to take action to protect our brains against the future realities of climate change, and start using our brains better to cope with what is already happening and prevent the worse-case scenarios.”



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



"We outline how neuroscience can be used to: (1) investigate the negative impact of climate change on the human brain; (2) identify ways to adapt; (3) understand the neural substrates of decisions with pro-environmental and harmful outcomes; and (4) create neuroscience-based insights into communication and intervention strategies that aim to promote climate action," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"The paper is also a call to action for neuroscientists to join broader scientific efforts to tackle the existential environmental threats Earth is currently facing."



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-023-01857-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Climate Change</a>.



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How is global warming affecting the human brain?

An international team of researchers led by the University of...

A new study published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06723-z">Nature</a> has found that allowing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mixed-forests-with-many-tree-species-are-more-effective-at-carbon-storage/">forests</a> to naturally recover could capture approximately 226 Gigatons (Gt) of carbon. However, this is only feasible if there is a simultaneous reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.&nbsp;



The study emphasizes the importance of community-driven efforts in conserving and restoring forest biodiversity to achieve these carbon capture goals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forest-carbon-potential-nbsp">Forest carbon potential&nbsp;</h2>



The role of forests in carbon capture has been a subject of heated debate. A previous study published in the journal Science argued that forest restoration could sequester over 200 Gt of carbon, but subsequent discussions raised concerns about environmental impacts and the accuracy of this estimate.



Now, an international team of researchers led by <a href="https://ethz.ch/de.html">ETH Zurich</a> has integrated ground-sourced data and satellite datasets to clarify the forest carbon potential.&nbsp;



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



The analysis revealed that forests currently store about 328 Gt less carbon than they could naturally, largely due to deforestation.



Excluding areas used for urban and agricultural purposes, forests could sequester around 226 Gt in low human footprint regions.&nbsp;



Moreover, protecting and allowing existing forests to mature can contribute to 61 percent of this potential, with the remainder achievable through ecosystem restoration and management.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-redefining-forest-restoration-nbsp">Redefining forest restoration&nbsp;</h2>



These findings emphasize the need for a diverse range of species to maximize the forest carbon potential. According to the scientists, biodiversity accounts for approximately half of the global forest productivity, highlighting the necessity of including natural species diversity in restoration efforts.



The authors stress that effective restoration is a deeply social endeavor involving various community-driven efforts to promote biodiversity. “We need to redefine what restoration means to many people,” said senior author Thomas Crowther, a professor of Ecology at ETH Zurich.&nbsp;



“Restoration is not about mass tree plantations to offset carbon emissions. Restoration means directing the flow of wealth towards millions of local communities, Indigenous populations, and farmers that promote biodiversity across the globe. Only when healthy biodiversity is the preferred choice for local communities will we get long-term carbon capture as a byproduct.”



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



Thus, the study underscores the vital role of forests in carbon storage but cautions against considering them a substitute for reducing fossil fuel emissions.&nbsp;



“My biggest fear is that corporations misuse this information as an excuse to avoid cutting fossil fuel emissions,” Crowther added. “The more we emit, the more we threaten nature and people. There can be no choice between reducing emissions and protecting nature because we urgently need both. We need nature for climate, and we need climate action for nature!”&nbsp;



“Forests are incredible places, teeming with life and delivering countless benefits for humanity. This research reaffirms that we can make meaningful contributions to the fight against climate change by protecting and restoring degraded forests, and drawing on the wisdom and leadership of the local communities that know these ecosystems best. We owe it to nature, to future generations and to ourselves to meet this global challenge,” concluded world-famous primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall.



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Restoring forest biodiversity has massive potential for carbon capture

A new study published in the journal Nature has found...

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-sea-turtles-have-returned-to-the-same-place-to-eat-for-3000-years/">Green sea turtles</a> (Chelonia mydas), are listed as endangered on the <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/">IUCN Red List of Threatened Species</a>. They face extinction risks from poaching, boat collisions, habitat destruction, and accidental capture in fishing gear. Yet, another insidious threat linked to climate change is emerging: temperature-dependent sex determination.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hundreds-of-females-for-every-male">Hundreds of females for every male</h2>



As temperatures rise, an increasing number of embryos develop into females. In the northern Great Barrier Reef off Australia, this has led to a significant skew, with hundreds of females born for every male.



Adding to this concern, researchers have now shown that pollution may compound the risk of extinction due to a lack of male green sea turtles.&nbsp;



“Here we show that contaminants from human activities may also influence the sex ratio of developing green sea turtles, increasing the already extant bias towards females,” said lead author Arthur Barraza, a researcher at the Australian Rivers Institute at <a href="https://www.griffith.edu.au/">Griffith University</a>.



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



The study focused on the effects of pollution on green sea turtles on Heron Island, a small coral sand cay in the southern Great Barrier Reef. This site, where 200 to 1,800 females nest annually, has a more balanced sex ratio than locations closer to the equator, with approximately two to three females hatching for every male.



The researchers collected 17 entire clutches shortly after laying and monitored temperatures with automatic probes. Upon emergence, the hatchlings were euthanized, their sex determined, and liver contaminants measured using ICP-MS and bioassays on cultured sea turtle cells.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-various-pollutants-nbsp">Various pollutants&nbsp;</h2>



The study focused on metals like chromium, antimony, barium, and organic pollutants such as PAHs, PCBs, and PBDEs, known or suspected as "xenoestrogens."



“Accumulation of these contaminants by a female turtle happens at the site where she forages. As eggs develop within her, they absorb the contaminants that she accumulated. These then are sequestered in the liver of the embryos, where they can stay for years after hatching,” Barazza explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heavy-metals-nbsp">Heavy metals&nbsp;</h2>



The experts found a direct correlation between the amount of heavy metals antimony and cadmium in the hatchlings’ liver and a bias towards females within the nest. These contaminants mimic estrogen, influencing developmental pathways towards females.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sex-ratio">Sex ratio&nbsp;</h2>



“As the sex ratio gets closer to 100 percent females, it will get harder and harder for adult female turtles to find a mate. This becomes especially important as climate change will continue to make nesting beaches warmer and more female-biased,” Barazza said.



“Determining which specific compounds could change the hatchling sex ratios is important for developing strategies to prevent pollutants from further feminizing sea turtle populations,” added senior author Jason van de Merwe, a marine biologist and ecotoxicologist at Griffith.&nbsp;



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



“Since most heavy metals come from human activity such as mining, runoff, and pollution from general urban center waste, the best way forward is to use science-based long-term strategies to reduce the input of pollutants into our oceans.”



This study - published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1238837">Frontiers in Marine Biology</a> - highlights the multifaceted threats to green sea turtles, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate the impacts of both climate change and pollution on these endangered species.



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Sex ratio of green sea turtles is approaching 100 percent females due to pollution

Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), are listed as endangered on...

Flood predictions, traditionally reliant on local historical data, are undergoing a paradigm shift. A research project led by <a href="https://www.tuwien.at/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TU Wien</a> (Vienna) has identified a method to vastly improve flood forecasts by incorporating international data from hydrologically analogous regions. This approach offers a novel perspective on predicting catastrophic "mega-floods."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flood-risk-assessment-nbsp">Flood risk assessment&nbsp;</h2>



Traditionally, flood risk assessment has been based on the worst historical flood events within a specific region. This is considered the realistic upper limit for future floods.&nbsp;



However, recent occurrences of mega-floods have upended this assumption. These extreme events, often outliers based on local data, have repeatedly taken communities by surprise.&nbsp;



"Predicting the extent of such mega-floods is very difficult," said Professor Günter Blöschl, who led the project. He noted that conventional methods focus on extrapolating probabilities from past regional floods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-insights">Crucial insights</h2>



However, the researchers have developed a much better strategy. They analyzed data from more than 8,000 gauging stations across Europe, from the years 1810 to 2021.&nbsp;



This comprehensive data set revealed a crucial insight: mega-floods that appear as anomalies locally are often within the expected range when considering similar hydrological conditions across the continent.



"The decisive step was to anticipate mega-floods in one place by using data from similar river basins in other places on the continent," explained study lead author Dr. Miriam Bertola. "In each river basin we can learn from other areas that have similar climatic and hydrological characteristics where mega-floods may have already occurred.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flood-disasters">Flood disasters</h2>



The 2021 flood disaster in Germany and Belgium, which tragically claimed over 220 lives, serves as a relevant case study. This event, which was unexpected based on regional data, would have been anticipated using the new continental-scale approach.&nbsp;



Such events are no longer statistical outliers when viewed in the broader context of similar river basins across Europe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-areas-with-similar-conditions-nbsp">Areas with similar conditions&nbsp;</h2>



"It is important to consider not only geographically adjacent areas, but also areas with similar conditions - these may also be located further away," said Professor Blöschl.&nbsp;



"It is therefore essential to move beyond national flood-risk assessment and share information on mega-floods across countries and continents, to reduce the surprise factor of their occurrence and save lives."



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



Mega-floods, or paleofloods, represent colossal hydrological events with water flow rates surpassing those recorded in human history. They are not recent phenomena but have occurred throughout the Earth's geological past.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sudden-release-of-water">Sudden release of water</h3>



These floods are identified and studied through the sediments they deposit and the landforms they shape or erode.&nbsp;



Unlike regular floods primarily caused by meteorological events like heavy rain or rapid snowmelt, mega-floods often result from the sudden release of large water volumes due to specific geological or hydrological triggers​​​​.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outburst-floods-nbsp">Outburst floods&nbsp;</h3>



In geomorphology, mega-floods are sometimes referred to as outburst floods, characterized by their high magnitude and low frequency. They are catastrophic events involving the abrupt discharge of vast quantities of water.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mechanisms">Mechanisms</h3>



Throughout the Earth's history, such floods have been caused by various mechanisms, including the collapse of ice sheets or glaciers that formed dams for proglacial lakes, landslides blocking rivers and forming lakes, or volcanic activities creating dams that eventually fail.&nbsp;



These events have been known to occur not only on Earth but are also inferred from geomorphological evidence on Mars​​.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41561-023-01300-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a>.



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Mega-floods can be predicted by looking at other parts of the continent

Flood predictions, traditionally reliant on local historical data, are undergoing...

A recent study from the <a href="https://www.gu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Gothenburg</a> has raised significant concerns about the safety of recycled plastics. The researchers discovered a multitude of toxic chemicals in recycled plastic pellets collected from 13 different countries. 



The experts detected the presence of hazardous substances such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and industrial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-masks-may-expose-users-to-harmful-chemicals/">chemicals</a> in these plastics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-issue">Complex issue</h2>



Professor Bethanie Carney Almroth emphasized the complexity added by these toxic chemicals to the reuse, disposal, and recycling of plastics.&nbsp;



“Plastic recycling has been touted as a solution to the plastics pollution crisis, but toxic chemicals in plastics complicate their reuse and disposal and hinder recycling,” said Professor Almroth.



This revelation casts doubts on the viability of recycled plastics for most purposes and challenges the notion of a circular economy.



The study revealed over 600 chemical compounds in the plastic pellets, including 491 organic compounds that were detected and quantified, along with an additional 170 compounds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limited-regulations">Limited regulations</h2>



The chemicals represent various classes, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, and plastic additives. This issue is further complicated by the limited regulations on chemicals in plastics and the complexities brought by international trade in plastic waste.&nbsp;



A corresponding article published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adk9846" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>, involving researchers from the University of Gothenburg, IPEN, Aarhus University, and the University of Exeter, highlighted these risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hazardous-chemicals">Hazardous chemicals</h2>



“The hazardous chemicals present risks to recycling workers and consumers, as well as to the wider society and environment. Before recycling can contribute to tackling the plastics pollution crisis, the plastics industry must limit hazardous chemicals," wrote the researchers.



The experts also pointed out that over 13,000 chemicals are used in plastics, with about 25% classified as hazardous, and stated that “no plastic chemical [can be] classified as safe.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastics-treaty">Plastics treaty</h2>



To address such issues, delegates, scientists, and health and environmental advocates from around the globe are convening in Nairobi, Kenya, for the third session of the Plastics Treaty Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3).&nbsp;



Here, scientists will urge delegates to consider the latest research indicating that all plastics, due to their inherent toxic chemical content and their ability to adsorb other chemicals during use, cannot be deemed safe or conducive to a circular economy.



Professor Carney Almroth will be bringing a clear message to the Nairobi meeting: “Numerous studies show that hazardous chemicals can accumulate even in relatively close-loop plastic recycling systems. We need to rapidly phase-out plastic chemicals that can cause harm to human health and the environment.”&nbsp;



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



This research is a wake-up call for the global community, emphasizing the need for more stringent regulations and a reconsideration of our reliance on plastic recycling as a primary solution to the plastic pollution crisis.&nbsp;



The safety of recycled plastics is now a critical issue that requires immediate attention and action at both the national and international levels.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2023.109740" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Data in Brief</a>.



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Hundreds of hazardous chemicals found in recycled plastics

A recent study from the University of Gothenburg has raised...

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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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



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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



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NASA monitors giant dust storms on Mars

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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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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Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz

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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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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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Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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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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Kangerlussuaq Glacier 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 the complex relationship between ocean and climate. ESA's Climate Change Initiative will help us understand how oceans influence the climate and how climate change is impacting the oceans.&nbsp;



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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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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Ocean heat influences regional climate

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