Central Asia is running faster than nature can keep up. The latest region‑wide audit shows that human claims on land, water, and ecosystem productivity have blown past levels scientists call safe.



The research was led by Professor Duan Weili of the <a href="http://english.egi.cas.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese Academy of Sciences</a> and post‑doctoral researcher Zhu Ziyang. Together with an international team, they tracked six environmental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-water-day-2025-preserving-glaciers-protecting-our-future/">footprints</a> from 2000 to 2020.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-asia-s-rising-water-crisis">Asia’s rising water crisis</h2>



Across the five republics the land footprint already triples the share allowed under the down‑scaled <a href="https://www.stockholmresilience.org/research/planetary-boundaries.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planetary boundaries</a>. Meanwhile, the metric known as <a href="https://wad.jrc.ec.europa.eu/humanappropriation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human appropriation of net primary production</a> climbs even higher. 



Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are the two biggest borrowers from nature, earning a “priority management” label in the study for their outsized ecological withdrawals.



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-discovery-water-molecules-will-force-chemistry-textbooks-to-be-rewritten/">pattern</a> is lopsided in another way: more than 80 percent of every footprint originates inside the region, so trade alone cannot solve the crunch. 



Researchers link the spike to rapid population growth and a construction boom fueled by fossil fuel revenues. They also point to an agricultural model inherited from Soviet central planning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-land-use-threatens-wildlife-and-soil">Land use threatens wildlife and soil</h2>



Converting pasture and desert fringe into irrigated farms strips wild vegetation of the carbon it once fixed and fragments habitats needed by pollinators and large herbivores. 



By 2020, Tajikistan’s sustainability ratio for land‑based productivity had climbed above 90 - a level ecologists regard as ecological emergency territory.



Heavy harvesting of photosynthetic energy thins the soil. Downstream, dust storms take over, carrying eroded silt hundreds of miles into parched <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-land-based-water-storage-has-drastically-diminished-and-its-not-being-replaced/">basins</a>. Biodiversity follows the same downward slope, squeezing ancient steppe communities that evolved with far lighter grazing pressure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-asia-s-old-farming-wastes-water">Asia’s old farming wastes water</h2>



Irrigated farming absorbs roughly 90 percent of diverted water, and aging Soviet‑era canals leak about 40 percent of that volume before it ever reaches a field. 



Cotton, the historic export staple, drinks more than twice as much water per pound of lint as winter wheat, further draining the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers of Central Asia.



Field trials in the Fergana Valley show that drip lines trimmed water use by 18-42 percent while boosting <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/222181065_Water_use_efficiency_of_irrigated_cotton_in_Uzbekistan_under_drip_and_furrow_irrigation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">irrigation efficiency</a> by up to 103 percent. 



Yet only a sliver of cropland currently benefits from such technology, largely because farmers lack capital and clear water‑pricing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-might-have-formed-long-before-galaxies/">signals</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollution-from-farming-and-factories-nbsp">Pollution from farming and factories&nbsp;</h2>



Greenhouse‑gas <a href="https://longreads.cabar.asia/climatechangecentralasia_en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inventories</a> put the region’s annual emissions near 470 million metric tons of CO2‑equivalent, roughly one percent of the global load. 



Nitrogen fertilizer use has increased alongside emissions, adding 628 million kilograms of reactive nitrogen over two decades. This surge has fueled algal blooms that clog irrigation gates.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/central-asia_climate-change_illustration_credit-Earths-Future_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/central-asia_climate-change_illustration_credit-Earths-Future_1s.webp" alt="Schematic diagram of the main components of human appropriation of net primary production in arid Central Asia. Credit: Earth's Future (2025)" class="wp-image-1977470"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Schematic diagram of the main components of human appropriation of net primary production in arid Central Asia. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Earth's Future (2025)</figcaption></figure>



Domestic energy burning, petrochemical refining, and steel production together dominate the carbon tally, leaving little room for expansion without efficiency gains.



Because phosphorus runoff is smaller but more concentrated, it acts as a chronic pulse that degrades reservoir water quality. It also shortens canal life through biofouling.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-asia-s-farming-can-save-water">Asia’s farming can save water</h2>



Uzbekistan’s gradual pivot from cotton to wheat and fruit since 2010 has already slowed land‑footprint growth, offering a glimpse of how crop diversification pays ecological dividends. 



Livestock policy is another lever; rotational <a href="https://thescipub.com/abstract/ojbsci.2025.209.218" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">t</a>r<a href="https://thescipub.com/abstract/ojbsci.2025.209.218" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ials</a> in northern Kazakhstan improved pasture biomass and soil organic matter within three seasons, even under heavy stocking rates.



Integrated crop-livestock systems recycle manure locally, cutting both chemical fertilizer demand and methane emissions from open lagoons.



 Precision seeding and deficit‑irrigation scheduling, common in U.S. Southwest farming, could translate readily to the warm, dry climate zones of the Kazakh steppe and the Karshi plain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simple-solutions-can-save-nature">Simple solutions can save nature</h2>



“Our study shows that Central Asia's environmental pressure mainly stems from its domestic consumption," said study lead author Zhu Ziyang. "That calls for policies like better irrigation and scientific land management to bring development back inside a safe space.”



Canal lining, pressurized pipe networks, and solar‑powered pump retrofits each deliver quick water savings that postpone contentious upstream‑downstream negotiations.



On rangelands, subsidies that reward seasonal rests or herd rotation cost less than reseeding bare hillsides once degradation sets in. 



International lenders have begun to take notice. In May 2025, the World Bank approved a $200 million credit to modernize Uzbekistan’s irrigation and drainage grid. Disbursements are tied to measurable reductions in leaks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-asia-s-future-depends-on-water">Asia’s future depends on water</h2>



Scientists warn that six of nine planetary guardrails are already breached worldwide, so the region’s overshoot lands on a planet with shrinking shared headroom. 



Achieving absolute environmental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-urgent-plea-sustainable-climate-solutions-save-earth-humanity/">sustainability</a> will demand that Central Asia cap resource use even as its population edges toward 45 million and summers grow hotter and drier.



How the five republics respond will shape whether future generations inherit a livable, functioning landscape. Their response will determine whether scarce resources are stabilized or continue to unravel under rising demand and outdated systems.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2025EF006129" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's Future</a>.



-----



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



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



-----

Central Asia has surpassed climate safety limits and now faces 'extreme unsustainability'

Central Asia is running faster than nature can keep up. The latest region‑wide audit shows that human claims on land, water, and ecosystem productivity have blown past levels scientists call safe. The research was led by Professor Duan Weili of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and post‑doctoral researcher Zhu Ziyang. Together with an international team, they tracked six environmental footprints from 2000 to 2020. Asia’s rising water crisis Across the five republics the land footprint already triples the share allowed under the down‑scaled planetary boundaries. Meanwhile, the...

An,Asian,Boy,Is,Picking,Vegetables,From,A,Plot,In

In a world that continually strives for efficient agricultural production, the use of herbicides has become commonplace. However, a recent study has exposed the potential dangers associated with the use of certain herbicides, particularly their impact on the brain function of adolescents.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-herbicides-and-brain-health">Herbicides and brain health</h2>



Scientists from the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at the <a href="https://hwsph.ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California San Diego</a> have discovered alarming associations between exposure to popular herbicides and diminished brain function in adolescents. Their research highlights the presence of herbicides in various environments and the corresponding risks they pose to young individuals.



The study focused on metabolite concentrations of widely used herbicides — glyphosate and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) — and the insect repellent DEET in adolescents. These substances were found in urine samples of individuals aged 11 to 17, living in the agriculturally intensive region of Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-several-critical-issues-with-herbicides">Several critical issues with herbicides</h2>



The research, led by senior author Dr. Jose Ricardo Suarez, underlines several critical findings. Notably, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weed-killer-glyphosate-cancer-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glyphosate</a>, a nonselective herbicide integral to numerous crops and residential vegetation control, was found in 98 percent of the participants. Simultaneously, 2,4-D, known for its broadleaf weed control in various settings, was detected in 66 percent of individuals.



The presence of these chemicals is not benign. Higher concentrations of 2,4-D corresponded with lower neurobehavioral performance across several domains, including attention, inhibitory control, memory, learning, and language skills. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weed-killer-roundup-causes-convulsions-in-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glyphosate</a>'s impact appeared somewhat less broad, significantly affecting only social perception, while DEET metabolites showed no association with neurobehavioral performance.



The implications of these findings are substantial, considering the global reliance on these herbicides following the introduction of genetically modified, herbicide-resistant crops.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-health-concerns-from-herbicides">Mental health concerns from herbicides</h2>



Dr. Briana Chronister, the study's first author, emphasizes the herbicides' prevalence in agricultural industries worldwide, outlining the exposure risks for both children and adults, particularly in agricultural communities. Alarmingly, there is still much unknown about how these chemicals affect life stages.



The study resonates with growing global health concerns, as 20 percent of adolescents and 26 percent of young adults now face diagnosable mental health conditions. The distressing rise in issues such as anxiety, depression, and learning disorders over the past two decades highlights the urgent need to understand environmental neurotoxicants' roles in this trend.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comprehensive-research-and-regulation-needed">Comprehensive research and regulation needed</h2>



With 2,4-D negatively impacting all assessed neurobehavioral areas and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/popular-herbicide-impairs-bumblebee-color-vision/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glyphosate</a> significantly affecting social perception, the study underscores an urgent call for more extensive research on the chemicals we release into our environment.



Dr. Suarez points out the shocking reality: every year, hundreds of new chemicals enter the market, with over 80,000 currently registered for use, and yet, there is minimal understanding of their long-term human impact. This knowledge gap suggests potential oversight in the regulatory practices surrounding chemical approval and use.



The research is a crucial part of <a href="https://knit.ucsd.edu/espina/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESPINA</a>, a study focused on understanding pesticide exposures' effect on human development from childhood through adulthood. As the team moves into the 15th year of follow-up, there is a planned evaluation to determine if these associations persist as the participants transition into early adulthood.



This disturbing study is a wake-up call. The findings serve as a stark reminder of the unseen dangers lurking in our environment, particularly in practices considered standard in industries such as agriculture.



The evidence linking common herbicides to developmental issues in adolescents highlights the need for immediate action. This action involves not only further scientific research but also a comprehensive re-evaluation of regulatory standards governing chemical use. The safety and well-being of future generations may very well depend on such proactive measures.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/EHP11383" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Health Perspectives</a>.



---



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



---



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

Common herbicides linked to diminished brain functioning in young adults

In a world that continually strives for efficient agricultural production,...

Every national park has its own unique acoustic environment or "soundscape," but anthropogenic noise increasingly threatens these sounds of nature.&nbsp;



Whitney Wyche, a recent graduate from Franklin &amp; Marshall College, conducted a study to document how the soundscape of Glacier National Park has transformed over the past 19 years. The research is published by the <a href="https://www.geosociety.org/GSA/GSA/News/pr/2023/23-38.aspx">Geological Society of America</a>.



“The focus of my project in Glacier was to conduct sound monitoring to see how the soundscape has changed," said Wyche. “Many visitors come to national parks to experience natural peace and the sounds of nature. To preserve this natural soundscape for future generations, it needs to be monitored and managed.”



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



Noise affects our environment more than we might think. It can disrupt both marine and terrestrial wildlife, causing shifts in their vocal and foraging behaviors.&nbsp;



Furthermore, the abundance of species decreases in noisy habitats, and this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-turtles-suffer-from-hearing-loss-caused-by-noise-pollution/">noise</a> can alter how they navigate their environments.&nbsp;



Wyche noted the profound effect of even a small increase in noise. For example, a predator that typically hears sounds within a 9m^2 radius in a natural environment would find this radius reduced to 7m^2 with the addition of just one decibel of sound, she explained.&nbsp;



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



“My project, which is a continuation of a soundscape project in Glacier from 2004, can provide more information about the natural soundscape,” said Wyche.



The primary concern at the time was aircraft noise, especially from scenic helicopter rides originating outside the park that nevertheless intruded its soundscape.



In 2019, a comparative study by Worcester Polytechnic Institute students found that aircraft noise remained relatively unchanged from the 2004 baseline.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-perspective">A new perspective</h2>



However, Wyche’s recent research paints a slightly different picture. Commercial air tours have decreased since 2004, thanks to the park's new Air Tour Management Plan. By contrast, visitor numbers have surged by 50%. This led to a mixed impact on the acoustic environment.



Wyche, along with co-authors Jillian McKenna and Damon Joyce from the park service, set out to understand these shifts. They used advanced monitoring equipment across various sites in the park to capture and analyze the changing sounds.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



Notably, while audible propeller aircraft noise remained consistent in areas near current air tour routes, it decreased at Logan Pass, a location away from authorized air tour routes.



“The percentage of time with audible propeller aircraft remained similar at sites near the current air tour route, while decreasing at Logan Pass, which is not near the currently authorized air tour route,” said Wyche.



As the park plans to cease commercial air tours by 2029, continuous monitoring of Glacier National Park's soundscape will be crucial.&nbsp;



Wyche noted that monitoring how the park's soundscape has changed will help inform park management on threats to be addressed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mosaics-in-science">Mosaics in Science</h2>



Wyche's efforts in Glacier National Park during the summer of 2023 were part of the <a href="https://www.mosaicsinscience.org/">Mosaics in Science</a> Diversity Internship Program.&nbsp;



This initiative provides underrepresented college students and recent graduates in STEM fields with hands-on experience in the National Park System, promoting diversity and inclusion. The program operates in collaboration with Environment for the Americas.



“I greatly enjoyed my experience working as a Mosaics in Science intern,” says Wyche. “I especially appreciated the goal of the internship program because it makes environmental careers more accessible to people of color.”



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



—-



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

How much have humans changed the soundscape of Glacier National Park?

Every national park has its own unique acoustic environment or...

Although efforts have been made to curb deforestation, the Brazilian Amazon, a key carbon sink and a hotbed of biodiversity and cultural richness, is currently grappling with escalating uncontrolled <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-is-an-underestimated-threat-to-public-health/">wildfires</a>.



This grave concern has been highlighted in a recent letter in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/natecolevol/">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a> titled "Increasing wildfires threaten progress on halting deforestation in Brazilian Amazonia."&nbsp;



The letter is a collaborative effort between researchers from the <a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/">University of East Anglia</a> (UEA), the <a href="https://www.southalabama.edu/">University of South Alabama</a>, and other prominent institutions from North and South America and Europe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increasing-fire-activity">Increasing fire activity</h2>



According to the experts, data from June 2023 shows that the number of active Amazon fires surged to its highest since 2007. Moreover, the total number of fires for the first six months of 2023 was an alarming ten percent more than the previous year.



“Climate change has led to a rise in drought and extreme heat, priming forests to burn more often,” said co-author Matthew Jones, an environmental scientist at UEA.&nbsp;



“On top of this, deforestation and the expansion of agriculture have damaged the integrity of the region’s forests and weakened their resilience to drought. As a result, wildfires have become far more common than they would be in a normally functioning rainforest.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decoupling-of-fires-from-deforestation-nbsp">Decoupling of fires from deforestation&nbsp;</h2>



Historically, fire count spikes, such as the unprecedented fires in August and September 2022, correlated with rampant deforestation, a significant fire catalyst and predictor of affected regions.&nbsp;



Interestingly, 2023 saw a 42 percent decrease in deforestation alerts from January to July compared to the same timeframe in 2022. This period also witnessed the shutdown of large-scale illegal mining operations, which posed threats to the ecosystem and Indigenous communities, especially within the Yanomami territory.



“This year’s high and climbing fire counts, in the context of reduced deforestation, highlight a decoupling of forest fires from deforestation,” explained lead author Gabriel de Oliveira, an assistant professor of Geography at Southern Alabama. “Indeed, only 19 percent of the fires were related to recent deforestation during January-June 2023, down from 39 percent in 2022.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-additional-factors">Additional factors</h2>



The 2023 El Niño’s hotter and drier conditions have affected parts of the Amazon, potentially fueling more fires, as observed in past El Niño events.&nbsp;



Another factor increasing fire counts could be the lagging impacts of prior deforestation surges linked to lax environmental regulation enforcement during President Jair Bolsonaro’s tenure. In addition, anticipating potential fire bans later this year due to President Lula’s robust environmental governance, landowners might be setting fires earlier in the dry season.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community-impacts">Community impacts</h2>



“Effective and equitable fire governance is essential in order to avoid further marginalizing forest-dependent peoples who are both most heavily impacted when uncontrolled fires invade the forests upon which they depend, and most impacted by one-size-fits-all fire policy such as fire-bans,” said co-author Rachel Carmenta, a lecturer in Climate Change and International Development at UEA.



“The role of distant consumers is huge. But the small traditional communities are often blamed, representing a double burden because they also suffer the most when invasive fires damage the forest, leaving it without the game, fruits, timber, medicines and resources they depend on. Identifying ways to manage these fires is essential in order to avoid further marginalizing forest-dependent peoples who are most heavily impacted when uncontrolled fires invade their territories, and most impacted by one-size-fits-all fire policy such as fire bans.”



“While research is needed to better understand the comparative contributions of these drivers, a clear expectation is that fire incidence will rise even higher with the anticipated drier conditions over coming months,” added co-author Scott Stark, an expert in Forest-Atmosphere Interactions at <a href="https://msu.edu/">Michigan State University</a>. 



Meanwhile, Dr. de Oliveira proposed holistic approaches, such as reforestation, forest management, and agroforestry, to counter the threat of uncontrollable forest fires.



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



Moreover, the researchers advocate for international collaboration to effectively address this mounting challenge.



August saw Brazil hosting an Amazon nations summit, focusing on sustainable growth and forest conservation. The resulting Belém Declaration outlined several key goals but stopped short of committing to zero deforestation by 2030 or significant reductions in forest fire frequencies.&nbsp;



The declaration, however, did underscore the importance of combating deforestation and recognized fires as a pivotal concern. It also established a scientific body, akin to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), tasked with crafting evidence-backed, Amazon-specific resolutions.



In conclusion, the authors stressed the need for cooperation, urging Brazil, other Amazon nations, and the global community to “commit the support needed to rapidly advance research and governance for equitable fire-safe land management.”



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



—-



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

Wildfires threaten environmental gains in the Amazon

Although efforts have been made to curb deforestation, the Brazilian...

A recent study from <a href="https://www.climate.columbia.edu/">Columbia Climate School</a> has explored the effects of rising sea levels on Miami-Dade County, and the results paint a disturbing picture of the future. The research suggests that four out of five residents may face disruption or displacement, whether or not they currently reside in flood-prone areas.



“Most studies focus on the direct effects of inundation,” said lead author Nadia Seeteram. “Here, we were able to look at flooding on a very granular level, and add in other vulnerabilities.”



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



In an effort to gain a comprehensive understanding of how various resident groups might be impacted, the researchers fused projections of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seeking-ways-to-prevent-flooding-caused-by-climate-change/">flooding</a> from direct sea-level rise, rainfall, or storm surge with detailed demographic data.



The team used a range of metrics, including U.S. Census Bureau data, to discern potential vulnerabilities based on age, race, education level, income, homeownership, employment status, and more.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-findings">Key findings</h2>



With a one-meter sea-level rise by the end of this century, 56% of the Miami-Dade population might be pressured into relocation. These individuals, primarily residing on higher ground, are classified as "displaced."



Furthermore, 19% of residents could end up "trapped," living in frequently flooded regions with no means to move to safer zones. Another 19% would be "stable," unaffected by flooding and capable of staying in their current locations.



Seven percent of Miami-Dade County residents, primarily the wealthiest, would have the means to migrate from waterfront or low-elevation areas to safer zones within the county.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-higher-sea-levels">Higher sea levels</h2>



If sea levels surge beyond one meter, the narrative shifts dramatically. At a two-meter increase, a staggering 55% of the population would face direct inundation from heightened sea levels and exacerbated rainfall, significantly transforming the area's demographic landscape.&nbsp;



This scenario would result in almost half the population becoming trapped, a quarter displaced, and only 8% remaining stable.



“This is where it gets to be more drastic, more existential." In either scenario, said Seeteram, the results would include potential depopulation of the area and devaluation of flooded properties, as people flee to safer inland regions.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-physical-and-economic-decline-nbsp">Physical and economic decline&nbsp;</h2>



Such disruptions could severely hamper local authorities' ability to generate tax revenue, necessary for funding infrastructural adaptations to combat the rising sea. Essentially, Miami-Dade could find itself ensnared in a vicious cycle of both physical and economic decline.



Flooding is already a recurring issue for the region. Regular occurrences of "sunny day flooding" and pooling rainwater, conditions that would be considered extreme elsewhere, have become the new norm for parts of Miami during the wet season.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-gentrification-nbsp">Climate gentrification&nbsp;</h2>



Signs of "climate gentrification," where low-income individuals are displaced from elevated areas, appear to be emerging. 



The Little Haiti neighborhood, for example, which stands 10 feet above sea level, has recently seen rapid property value increases. This has raised concerns among its community about their future there.



Study co-author Katharine Mach of the University of Miami said there is a great, raging debate about whether climate gentrification is underway. “I suspect it is already happening,” she said. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-real-estate-values-nbsp">Shifting real estate values&nbsp;</h2>



However, at least for now, other factors may be playing larger roles in rapidly shifting real-estate values, said Mach. These factors include longtime pro-development policies and what she calls “real-estate tourism,” with speculators snapping up relatively inexpensive properties in a still booming region.&nbsp;



“The question is, what fraction (of rising prices) can you put on climate?” said Mach. She pointed out that real-estate prices are also going up in low-lying and waterfront areas, but not as fast as in less flood-prone areas - one possible indicator that sea-level rise is playing a role in buyers’ decisions.



Seeteram remains cautiously optimistic, believing that proactive steps, such as revamping infrastructure, could mitigate some of the predicted outcomes. The real challenge lies in balancing these solutions with ensuring affordability and sustainability for the majority of residents.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/acfe22">Environmental Research Letters</a>.



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



—-



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

More than half of Miami-Dade residents may be displaced by sea level rise

A recent study from Columbia Climate School has explored the...

Antarctic fur seals, once hunted to the brink of extinction, have made an impressive comeback in their population.&nbsp;



But now, research led by the <a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">British Antarctic Survey</a> (BAS) has exposed a looming threat due to a decline in the primary food source for these seals.



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



The study was conducted primarily on the sub-Antarctic islands of South Georgia, where most fur seals reside. The experts found that the fur seal population peaked in 2009 with around 3.5 million <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-fur-seals-are-struggling-in-a-warmer-climate/">seals</a>. Although this is a substantial figure, it's much lower than past estimations.&nbsp;



A detailed count on Bird Island indicated a sharp decrease in the availability of krill, a shrimp-like crustacean essential to the fur seal diet, over the last decade.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-good-news-and-bad-news">Good news and bad news</h2>



“We found both good and bad news about the fur seals. The population has recovered very impressively throughout the twentieth century when seal hunting was banned. But twenty-first century changes to the abundance of krill in the Southern Ocean are now threatening these iconic animals all over again," explained study lead author Dr. Jaume Forcada.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inflated-figures-nbsp">Inflated figures&nbsp;</h2>



Historically, fur seals were hunted for their pelts during the 1700s and 1800s. By the early 20th century, their numbers dropped so drastically that commercial hunting became unviable.&nbsp;



Benefiting from strict conservation measures, ample food, and rapid reproduction rates, the fur seal population surged, outpacing other hunted species in the region like the humpback whale.&nbsp;



It was estimated that South Georgia harbored between 4.5 to 6.2 million fur seals by 2000. Nevertheless, a closer look at this data suggests that these figures were likely inflated.&nbsp;



“Our new results show this was a massive overestimation. That matters because the fur seal population size is used to judge the overall health of the species and the wider Antarctic ecosystems. And it turns out that neither were as robust as people thought," said Dr. Forcada.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biased-surveys">Biased surveys</h2>



Contrary to what might be assumed, accurately counting seals is a complex endeavor. Standard surveys usually focus on seal breeding beaches, but these counts are often biased.&nbsp;



The majority of male fur seals in South Georgia typically breed only when they're about ten years old and even then, just for a few years.&nbsp;



Consequently, almost 80 percent of the male population is excluded from these counts, leading to potential exaggerations.&nbsp;



The recent estimate of 3.5 million is a product of intensive week-long helicopter surveys between 2007 to 2009, coupled with advanced assessment techniques.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bird-island-nbsp">Bird Island&nbsp;</h2>



Interestingly, Bird Island's fur seal population showcased one of the swiftest recoveries over the last century. Yet, this trend has taken a concerning turn. Since peaking in 2009, there has been an annual decline of seven percent.



This means that the island’s current population has dwindled to a level not seen since the 1970s, when the population was still recovering.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-conditions">Environmental conditions</h2>



Upon investigating the role of krill fishing on fur seal populations, the researchers found that it has been insignificant.&nbsp;



However, preliminary climate data analysis has linked escalating sea temperatures in the area with the decline in seal numbers, suggesting that a krill shortage is the probable culprit.



"Krill can make up to 80% or more of the diet of fur seals at South Georgia, so they experience catastrophic declines in the number of pups produced and survival of individuals when environmental conditions remove the krill from their immediate foraging areas,” explained Dr. Forcada.



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



Given the fur seals' pronounced dependency on krill, and the availability of extensive population data, they serve as a pivotal indicator for the ecosystems surrounding Bird Island.



There is an urgent need for comprehensive research to investigate why Bird Island's krill availability has dwindled and the potential extent of this trend across the Southern Ocean.



“If the pressure on the fur seals at Bird Island also applies to the greater South Georgia population there could be an ongoing decline there as well," said Dr. Forcada. "So even though there were three and a half million of them there, the fast decline at Bird Island tells us they could be in trouble."



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



—-



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

Antarctic fur seals face an emerging threat of food shortages

Antarctic fur seals, once hunted to the brink of extinction,...

With the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters like hurricanes, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flash-floods-are-set-to-become-much-more-common-in-the-u-s/">floods</a>, and heat waves across the United States, the importance of disaster planning has never been more evident.&nbsp;



Since the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act was enacted in 2000, states and local jurisdictions have been mandated to develop plans that aim to minimize the damages from such events.&nbsp;



However, a recent study from the <a href="https://ku.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Kansas</a> has shown that despite the required updates, there has been little progression in the overall quality and effectiveness of these disaster plans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inadequate-progress">Inadequate progress</h2>



Natural disaster plans are intended to guide communities in routing development to safer regions and decrease exposure of existing infrastructure.&nbsp;



For the study, the researchers analyzed two sets of plans from 84 jurisdictions - one from the late 2000s and the other from the mid-2010s. They found that these plans were of mediocre quality with negligible improvements.



“It’s like a homework assignment that could be great for helping students learn, but sadly most just aim for the minimum standard to get by,” said study lead author Professor Ward Lyles.



“Nationally, the evidence shows a tremendous increase in the amount of hazard planning since passage of the Disaster Mitigation Act 20 years ago. But we wondered if the plans get better over time, and the results unfortunately show us not really.”



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



The study was focused on three states - Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina - based on their shared experiences with recent disasters and similar hazard exposures.&nbsp;



Each state had varying policy frameworks that influenced local planning. The researchers evaluated the plans based on four critical criteria: public involvement, plan integration, land use policies, and property protection policies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-engagement-nbsp">Public engagement&nbsp;</h2>



The experts found that there was a marked improvement in public engagement scores, indicating a growing emphasis on community involvement in formulating and disseminating the plans.&nbsp;



The integration of mitigation plans with other relevant plans like land use and transportation reflected only a slight improvement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disaster-planning">Disaster planning</h2>



“One of the most concerning findings is that too often planning for disasters occurs in a silo separate from other types of planning that shape our future risk,” said Professor Lyles.&nbsp;



“As we see time and again, whether with hurricanes in the southeast, fires out west or in Hawaii, and even with heat waves, communities make short-term choices to promote development in places that are known to be at high risk from devastating events.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-property-protection-nbsp">Property protection&nbsp;</h2>



Scores for land use and property protection showed no significant improvement. Professor Lyle noted that property protection is difficult to legislate as it is strongly influenced by local political will.



“It may be easy to say ‘don’t build in a flood plain,’ but the growth machine industry, which profits by developing and selling real estate, have been historically very influential on local governments,” explained Lyles.&nbsp;



“It is in their interest to maintain maximum flexibility and prevent or reduce land-use controls. And, as we’ve seen tragically time and again, even the best warning systems and engineered protections like levees and dams have failure points.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-land-use-planning">Land use planning</h2>



The DMA requires disaster mitigation plans but enforcement is the responsibility of state and local governments, so the requirements vary.



“It’s less about knowledge and more about political will,” said Professor Lyles said. “Floods do their worst damage in low-lying areas and fires in areas prone to burning."



"We are not compelled to allow development in high-risk areas that are cheap, scenic or otherwise desirable but ill-advised. But the Federal Emergency Management Agency – and the entire approach to disaster management in the United States – fails to require the type of land-use planning needed in the 21st century.”



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



According to the study authors, their findings provide insight into how state and federal officials can update the DMA of 2000 to meet increasingly complex demands of long-term risk reduction, especially in the face of climate change.



“With proactive, pre-event hazard planning, the idea is to talk through hard decisions when you are not in crisis, commit to those decisions and then hold firm to those decisions when a disaster occurs,” said Professor Lyles.&nbsp;



“Otherwise, the urgency to get back to normal as soon as possible after a disaster means repeating the same mistakes that created the disaster conditions in the first place.”



The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0739456X231197182" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Planning Education and Research</a>.



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



—-



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

Natural disasters are on the rise, but hazard plans are inadequate

With the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters like...

Google Street View cars were recently used to detect hyper-local air pollution hotspots in Salt Lake Valley.&nbsp;



These "roving sentinels," as they've been termed, were equipped to sample air quality at an unprecedented fine scale, thereby capturing the varying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-costs-electric-vehicle-tires-emit-20-more-pollution/">pollution</a> levels within neighborhoods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-air-quality-monitors">Air quality monitors</h2>



The initiative, a collaborative effort between University of Utah atmospheric scientists, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and other partners, began in 2019.&nbsp;



Two Google Street View cars were introduced as innovative air quality monitors. Their principal advantage over traditional monitors was their mobility and ability to detect pollution levels that were previously undetectable.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-modeling-technique">New modeling technique</h2>



John Lin, a professor of atmospheric sciences at the <a href="https://www.utah.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Utah</a>, further advanced this initiative by devising a new modeling technique that combined modeled wind-patterns and statistical analysis to trace pollution to its exact source.



“With mobile vehicles, you can literally send them anywhere that they could drive to map out pollution, including sources that are off the road that previous monitoring missed," said Professor Lin. “I think the roving sentinel idea would be quite doable for a lot of cities.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detailed-pollution-map-nbsp">Detailed pollution map&nbsp;</h2>



The mobile labs journeyed through neighborhoods, taking an air sample every second, which accumulated a large dataset of air pollutant concentrations.&nbsp;



This method enabled the research team to craft the most detailed pollution map yet, revealing differences even within a 200-meter radius.



Senior air quality scientist for EDF and study co-author, Tammy Thompson, emphasized the significance of this finding.



“The big takeaway is that there is a lot of spatial variability of air pollution from one end of a block to another. There can be big differences in what people are breathing, and that scale is not captured by the typical regulatory monitors and the policy that the U.S. EPA uses to control air pollution,” said Thompson.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-redlined-neighborhoods-nbsp">Redlined neighborhoods&nbsp;</h2>



Furthermore, this study confirmed the troubling correlation between lower income neighborhoods and higher pollution levels.&nbsp;



This disparity has historical roots tracing back to redlining policies from a century ago, which marked neighborhoods as "hazardous" based on racial and economic demographics.&nbsp;



These areas typically had worse air quality due to nearby industrial activities. Professor Lin emphasized the lasting repercussions of these policies.



“Air quality is not a new issue. It's been around for decades and decades, and was probably much worse back then,” said Lin.&nbsp;



“The I-15 corridor follows these redlined neighborhoods. And sadly, there's a fair bit of research supporting the fact that redline neighborhoods, from 80 years ago, still matters. Those are in the neighborhoods still struggling with air quality problems. The legacy of racial discrimination is still there because they tend to be the under-invested neighborhoods.”



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



The instruments used in the Google Street View cars could differentiate chemical signatures of key pollutants such as nitrous oxides (NOx), black carbon (BC), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and methane. Their findings also shed light on previously unknown sources of pollution.



The next step for these researchers is to inspire other cities to adopt this novel method of tracking pollution, aiming for safer urban environments.&nbsp;



An exciting application of this new atmospheric model is its integration into a unique web-based tool, Air Tracker, which provides users with real-time information on air quality in their vicinity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-justice">Environmental justice</h2>



“There are a lot of important environmental justice aspects to this work,” said Thompson. “We need to be able to understand what average air pollution looks like in different communities, and then understand why there is variability and why there are hotspots, and therefore what we can do about it."&nbsp;



"It’s really, really important as we learn more and more about inequity in air pollution and what we're breathing across the country.”



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2023.119995" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Atmospheric Environment</a>.



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



—-



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

Google street view cars expose unknown air pollution sources

Google Street View cars were recently used to detect hyper-local...

The,Man,Gives,Planet,Earth,To,Baby.,Ecology,Concept,,Earth

Governments and organizations around the world are dealing with the challenges posed by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/limiting-global-warming-to-1-5-degrees-celsius-would-save-billions-of-lives/">global warming</a>. Yet, there is a significant lack of coordination, according to a recent study led by the <a href="https://www.uni-hamburg.de/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Hamburg</a>.



The study reveals that individual households are the primary agents of climate change adaptation. However, a systematic networking of the various groups is lacking.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-overview">Global overview</h2>



The research involved 30 experts who analyzed more than 1,400 academic articles. The result of their work is the first-ever global overview of which groups are actively involved in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indisputable-evidence-of-human-caused-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> adaptation.



The researchers found that there is a notable absence of cohesive strategies designed to bolster societies, infrastructures, and risk management against the challenges posed by climate change.&nbsp;



Furthermore, collaborations between diverse governmental and non-governmental entities remain scarce.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isolated-efforts">Isolated efforts</h2>



“Our study indicates that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-have-surpassed-almost-every-safe-limit-to-keep-earth-habitable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> adaptation continues to be largely isolated and uncoordinated,” said study co-author Dr. Kerstin Jantke..“That’s disproportionate to how pressing and vital this challenge is.”



Study first author Dr. Jan Petzold highlighted the need for comprehensive and inclusive solutions.



"Comprehensive, just and forward-thinking adaptation can be considered to be successful when not only official organizations but also a broad range of groups at all levels are involved.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community-involvement-nbsp">Community involvement&nbsp;</h2>



The experts noted that in the Global South, individual households are initiating measures against the effects of climate change, with minimal integration into institutional frameworks.&nbsp;



While individual households are leading climate adaptation efforts in rural areas, governments play a more dominant role in cities. 



Governments tend to focus on ratification, planning, and funding for adaptation. However, it's the smaller households that are mostly responsible for the technical implementation.&nbsp;



According to the study, the scientific community’s involvement in adaptation measures is limited, while that of the private economy is virtually non-existent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sustainable-solutions-nbsp">Sustainable solutions&nbsp;</h2>



“If, around the globe, it’s predominantly individuals like farmers and smallholders who are doing the heavy lifting, it also shows us the lack of cooperation between different groups of actors – which is a prerequisite for sustainable adaptation projects,” said Dr. Petzold.



Such collaboration is crucial for initiatives such as the climate-aware restructuring of forests, urban infrastructure planning, transforming farmlands into floodplains, and relocating coastal populations.



The study also highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach to climate change adaptation, aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).&nbsp;



Dr. Jantke pointed out potential pitfalls of singularly-focused measures, explaining how measures like levees and dams might damage coastlines and wetlands, thereby compromising biodiversity and natural CO2 storage capabilities.&nbsp;



“If I only design a given measure to address a single, pressing problem, it could make the situation worse in other areas,” said Dr. Jantke.&nbsp;



Therefore, for long-term efficacy, it's imperative to envision solutions that are sustainable and holistic.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41558-023-01824-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Climate Change</a>.



---



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



---



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

Global climate change adaptation lacks coordination

Governments and organizations around the world are dealing with the...

TikTok may be an effective tool for farmers to cultivate empathy regarding the pressing issue of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/science-reporting-can-change-climate-change-beliefs/">climate change</a>, according to researchers at <a href="https://www.psu.edu/news/agricultural-sciences/story/tiktok-may-help-farmers-cultivate-empathy-around-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State</a>.&nbsp;



The team analyzed reactions to climate-focused TikTok videos posted by farmers and found that many viewers reacted with warmth and compassion, indicative of emotional empathy.



However, the videos were less successful in stimulating cognitive empathy, which is marked by viewers actively engaging in discussions, providing insights, or seeking further understanding about the content.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhanced-communication">Enhanced communication</h2>



Ilkay Unay-Gailhard, affiliated with the Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies in Germany, noted that platforms like TikTok can enhance the ways farmers communicate with consumers.&nbsp;



“Today’s consumers are increasingly looking for transparency in agri-food systems and want to know who their farmer is and how their food is produced,” said Unay-Gailhard.&nbsp;



“They’re also increasingly willing to ensure a sustainable agri-food sector by supporting farmers involved in decisions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. These trends indicate an opportunity for farmers to engage more directly with citizens, as policymakers, media, scientists and activists already have been doing.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fostering-empathy-nbsp">Fostering empathy&nbsp;</h2>



Study co-author Mark Brennan emphasized that fostering empathy (as opposed to sympathy) can lead to more fruitful understanding and collaboration between farmers and consumers.&nbsp;



“This empathy also shows that farmers and consumers are not that different and want the same things many times," said Brennan. "Connecting with them builds understanding and breaks down the artificial divides that are often propagated in our society. We are better together in the end."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-farmers-use-tiktok">How farmers use TikTok</h2>



According to the researchers, the work was inspired by the dual way that food production both contributes to and is affected by climate change.



For example, food production can create heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions, and the subsequent climate warming has negative impacts on food production.



Unay-Gailhard said this intersection gives farmers a unique perspective, and while conversations about food production and climate change typically happen at the social and political level, the rise of new social media platforms is giving farmers new ways to speak out.



“Today’s young farmers are becoming involved in climate actions in different forms than previous generations,” she said.&nbsp;



“Even though farmers are still in the early stages of using social media to initiate conversations about climate change, some social media platforms like TikTok present an opportunity to use new forms of communication with ‘millennial- or Gen-Z-style’ humor to connect with diverse communities on the topic.”



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



To unravel TikTok's potential for fostering climate change dialogues, the team executed a two-step analysis.



They examined user engagement with farmer-generated TikTok videos from the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference held in late 2021. Their sample comprised 29 TikTok videos, including almost 3,000 conversations from six countries.



Interviews were conducted with 12 farmers active on TikTok from four countries to gauge their sentiments about climate change discourse on the platform.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



“When we talked to farmers, they believed that creating entertaining content on TikTok resulted in more engagement more quickly than content on YouTube, where it takes longer to reach viewers,” said Unay-Gailhard.&nbsp;



“They also felt that presenting themselves and their viewpoints in ‘imperfect’ ways promotes engagement on TikTok, compared to Instagram, where pleasing aesthetics are valued, or X - previously known as Twitter - which is highly polarized.”



The interviewed farmers added that, on TikTok, presenting a straightforward argument with playful and humorous tones can promote more constructive dialogues, even when disagreements arise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-about-farmers-on-tiktok">Learning about farmers on TikTok </h2>



“What is notable from the narratives of TikTok farmers is how empathy among farm-interested viewers turns the platform into a learning landscape,” said Unay Gailhard.&nbsp;



“The self-representation of farmers on TikTok with professional identities is not only about having a voice and joy but also reciprocally investing in others in their online community. This reciprocity emerges with gathering and sharing experiences and knowledge within informal educational contexts.”



Going forward, the researchers said additional studies could explore how content could go beyond triggering emotional empathy and foster cognitive empathy, as well.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0743016723001419" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Rural Studies</a>.



---



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



---



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

TikTok can help farmers discuss climate change

TikTok may be an effective tool for farmers to cultivate...

New research from <a href="https://www.colostate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colorado State University</a> (CSU) suggests that the aftermath of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/measuring-the-effect-of-wildfires-on-air-quality/">wildfires</a> may be more dangerous than previously thought, with smoke potentially lingering in homes even after the fire is doused or the winds have shifted. This could extend residents’ exposure and increase the risk of health problems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lingering-threats">Lingering threats</h2>



The study, which was recently published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adh8263">Science Advances</a>, highlights that wildfire smoke has a tendency to cling onto surfaces inside homes such as carpets, drapes, and countertops.&nbsp;



This means that even after an initial round of cleaning with air purifiers, residues can remain.&nbsp;



Professor Delphine Farmer of CSU, who played an integral role in the study, noted that simple surface cleaning - like vacuuming, dusting or mopping – can reduce exposure risk.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increasing-number-of-wildfires-nbsp">Increasing number of wildfires&nbsp;</h2>



Farmer points to the increasing number of wildfires in the Western U.S. over the past decade as a potential long-term health concern.



“This research shows that events like the Marshall Fire in Colorado, the wildfires in Canada and the recent fires in Hawaii present serious exposure potential – not just when they occur but well after,” said Farmer.&nbsp;



“This paper is a key initial step towards providing actionable and practical information on how to protect yourself and clean your home.”



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



In a quest to understand how smoke penetrates and remains in buildings, the researchers used the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)’s net zero energy residential testing facility in Maryland.&nbsp;



At this facility, pine wood chips were burned to simulate wildfire smoke, allowing the team to study the behavior of the smoke in real-time.



Dustin Poppendieck, an environmental researcher at NIST, praised the capabilities of the facility.&nbsp;



“The NIST Net Zero House allowed the researchers to track the movement and transformation of chemicals in the air and onto surfaces in real time using instruments in ways that don’t interfere with the behavior of the smoke,” said Poppendieck.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changes-in-the-home">Changes in the home</h2>



Various measurements were taken post-smoke exposure, including the air quality and surface conditions after cleaning and the utilization of the home's built-in air cleaning systems.



A key observation from the CSU team centered on the gas-phase compounds emerging from the smoke. Comparisons were drawn between different states to determine the actual changes in the home post-burn.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-indoor-smoke">Indoor smoke</h2>



Farmer mentioned previous studies on indoor cigarette smoke. She said that while nicotine reacts on surfaces to produce harmful nitrosamines, wildfire smoke releases a diverse range of organic compounds that adhere to surfaces, gradually emitting over time.



“Nicotine reacts on surfaces to create a particularly nasty set of compounds called nitrosamines, which is where the real concern from thirdhand smoke that is left behind comes from,” said Farmer.&nbsp;



“Whereas with wildfire smoke, we found there was a huge diversity of organic compounds that stick to surfaces, which then slowly bleed off.”



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



Understanding the composition and behavior of these compounds is vital for recommending effective cleaning strategies.&nbsp;



Farmer explained that the amount of smoke residue on surfaces was proportional to the surface area cleaned. This insight underscores the importance of thorough cleaning, particularly in overlooked areas like cabinets and HVAC systems.



“As we continue this research, we would like to know just how effective different cleaning approaches are and when residents should move from relatively simple steps like using commercial cleaning supplies for mopping to more drastic steps like replacing the drywall altogether,” said Farmer.



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



—-



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

Wildfire smoke lingers in homes long after the fire is over

New research from Colorado State University (CSU) suggests that the...

Scientists have confirmed that over 40% of the ice shelves in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-ice-levels-in-antarctica-have-reached-an-unprecedented-low/">Antarctica</a> have seen a reduction in volume over the past 25 years. This equates to a net loss of 7.5 trillion tons of meltwater entering the oceans between 1997 and 2021.



Ice shelves play a pivotal role in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-happens-to-antarctic-seals-when-sea-ice-vanishes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctic ecosystem</a>. Floating on the seas, they act as buffers, controlling the rate at which ice drains into the oceans. As they diminish, the rate of ice loss from the glaciers accelerates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disturbing-patterns-of-ice-loss">Disturbing patterns of ice loss</h2>



The ice shelves on the western side of Antarctica were found to be the most affected. Nearly all of these shelves had experienced significant ice loss.&nbsp;



By contrast, many of the eastern ice shelves either remained consistent or experienced an increase in volume. The total ice exported to the ocean during this period was around 67 trillion tons - offset by 59 trillion tons of ice added to the shelves.



“There is a mixed picture of ice-shelf deterioration, and this is to do with the ocean temperature and ocean currents around Antarctica," said Dr. Benjamin Davison, a research fellow at the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Leeds</a> who led the study.



“The western half is exposed to warm water, which can rapidly erode the ice shelves from below, whereas much of East Antarctica is currently protected from nearby warm water by a band of cold water at the coast.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-influence-on-antarctica-s-ice-shelves">Human influence on Antarctica's ice shelves</h2>



Dr. Davison believes that human-induced global warming is a significant contributor to the dwindling ice. Without human influence, signs of regrowth would have been observed in the western region.



"We expected most ice shelves to go through cycles of rapid, but short-lived shrinking, then to regrow slowly. Instead, we see that almost half of them are shrinking with no sign of recovery," said Dr. Davison.



The Getz Ice Shelf reported a loss of 1.9 trillion tons of ice over 25 years, with a mere 5% resulting from calving. The Pine Island Ice Shelf wasn’t far behind, losing 1.3 trillion tons. By comparison, the Amery Ice Shelf, situated in colder waters, gained 1.2 trillion tons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-satellite-surveillance">Satellite surveillance</h2>



The study was focused on the analysis of over 100,000 radar images from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Operations/CryoSat-2_operations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CryoSat-2</a> and <a href="https://sentinel.esa.int/web/sentinel/missions/sentinel-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sentinel-1</a> satellites.



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="DNy7iog6g0-3069374-12187" type="single"]</div>



Launched in 2010, CryoSat-2 was dedicated to observing polar ice sheets and glaciers. The precision of these satellite sensors has enabled year-by-year tracking of Antarctic changes.



Dr. Mark Drinkwater of the European Space Agency emphasized the role of the European Copernicus Programme’s Sentinel-1 satellite mission in revolutionizing our ability to take stock of floating ice shelves.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ice-shelves-and-implications-for-antarctica">Ice shelves and implications for Antarctica</h2>



The melted freshwater entering the oceans could disrupt global ocean circulation. The Southern Ocean, in particular, plays a role in the global ocean conveyor belt, which circulates nutrients, heat, and carbon. An influx of freshwater could weaken this system.&nbsp;



“The study has generated important findings. We tend to think of ice shelves as going through cyclical advances and retreats. Instead, we are seeing a steady attrition due to melting and calving," said study co-author Professor Anna Hogg.



“Many of the ice shelves have deteriorated a lot: 48 lost more than 30% of their initial mass over just 25 years. This is further evidence that Antarctica is changing because the climate is warming."&nbsp;



“The study provides a baseline measure from which we can see further changes that may emerge as the climate gets warmer.”



Video Credit: European Space Agency 



---



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



---



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

Antarctica’s ice shelves are dwindling at a startling pace

Scientists have confirmed that over 40% of the ice shelves...

Tropical crops including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-coffee-trade-is-increasingly-threatened-by-climate-change/">coffee</a>, cocoa, watermelon, and mango, face a potential crisis due to the dwindling number of insect pollinators, according to a new study.&nbsp;



The research, led by experts from <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/">University College London</a> and the Natural History Museum, investigated the complex relationship between climate change, alterations in land use, and the consequential effects on pollinator diversity.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alarming-threat-nbsp">Alarming threat&nbsp;</h2>



Drawing upon data from 1,507 crop growing sites worldwide and an extensive cataloguing of 3,080 insect pollinator species, the study has revealed an alarming threat to global crop pollination.



According to the analysis, the collective pressures of climate change and farming activities have resulted in significant declines in both the quantity and variety of insect pollinators.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coffee-is-losing-pollinators">Coffee is losing pollinators</h2>



With nearly three-quarters of all crops being somewhat reliant on animal-driven pollination, the research team devised a model to identify which of these crops face the gravest threats up to the year 2050.&nbsp;



“Our research indicates that the tropics are likely most at risk when it comes to crop production from pollinator losses, primarily due to the interaction of climate change and land use," said study lead author Dr. Joe Millard.



"While localized risks are highest in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, northern South America, and south-east Asia, the implications of this extend globally via the trade in pollination dependent crops.”



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



The study identifies tropical regions as particularly vulnerable due to the combined effects of climate change and land use changes.&nbsp;



Consequently, pivotal crops like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-coffee-trade-is-increasingly-threatened-by-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coffee</a>, cocoa, mango, and watermelon, all heavily reliant on insect pollination, face the most significant peril. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increasing-threat">Increasing threat</h2>



The potential decline of these crops could drastically affect local economies and the global trade sector, posing an increased threat of income instability for countless small-scale farmers.



“As insects decline, due to being unable to cope with the interacting effects of climate change and land use, so too will the crops that rely on them as pollinators," said Dr. Millard.



"In some cases, these crops could be pollinated by hand but this would require more labor and more cost.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-coffee-and-its-pollinators">Implications for coffee and its pollinators</h2>



Highlighting the critical role of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollinator-populations-have-experienced-dramatic-changes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinator abundance</a> and diversity in ensuring effective pollination, the study authors advocate for proactive measures to mitigate climate change in order to secure future crop yields. 



“Climate change poses grave threats not only to the natural environment and biodiversity, but also to human well-being, as the loss of pollinators can threaten the livelihoods of people across the globe who depend on crops that depend on animal pollination," said study senior author Dr. Tim Newbold.



“Our findings underscore the urgent need to take global action to mitigate climate change, alongside efforts to slow down land use changes and protect natural habitats to avoid harming insect pollinators."



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adh0756">Science Advances</a>.



---



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



---



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

Coffee production threatened by loss of pollinators

Tropical crops including coffee, cocoa, watermelon, and mango, face a...

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



-----



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



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



-----

Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



---



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



---



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



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

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



---



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



---



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



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

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



---



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



---



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



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

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



---



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



---



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



---



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



---



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



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

Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



---



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



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

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NTU Singapore



---



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



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

Plants help remove heavy metals from contaminated soil

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



---



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



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

Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



---



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



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

NASA monitors giant dust storms on Mars

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



---



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



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

Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



---



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



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

Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



---



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



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

Kangerlussuaq Glacier on the Greenland ice sheet

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



---



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



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

Ocean heat influences regional climate

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

News coming your way