Wildfires in the western U.S. have become a growing crisis. They’re lasting longer, burning hotter, and spreading into areas that rarely burned in the past. 



But another danger is rising, beyond heatwaves and droughts. Lightning - sudden, fierce, and incredibly powerful - is becoming one of the biggest wildfire risks.



In the coming decades, scientists warn that lightning will become an increasingly dominant spark for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-making-wildfire-smoke-more-deadly/">wildfires</a>, adding to the already mounting risks across the West.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lightning-is-fueling-more-wildfires">Lightning is fueling more wildfires</h2>



Wildfires need a few things to get going: dry fuel, hot temperatures, low humidity, and a spark. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lightning-is-changing-the-atmosphere-in-surprising-ways/">Lightning</a> is one of the most powerful natural igniters.



In the western U.S., lightning already causes more than two-thirds of the area burned by wildfires. And now, new research shows that number is going to rise sharply due to climate change. 



Warmer air holds more moisture, which means more unstable weather patterns. Those patterns, in turn, set the stage for more lightning.



A recent study has revealed that virtually all of the western U.S. - 98 percent of the region - will have more days with a greater likelihood of lightning-ignited wildfires starting as early as the 2030s. 



For regions already accustomed to such fires, such as Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, the risk is even greater. As early as 2060, those states may have as many as 12 additional lightning-filled days per summer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-model-to-forecast-lightning">A model to forecast lightning</h2>



Traditional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-models-underestimate-sea-ice-melt-and-global-warming/">climate models</a> don’t really track lightning. That’s why a team of researchers led by Dmitri Kalashnikov built their own system to fill in the gaps.



“The first step was to project lightning,” said Kalashnikov, a research scientist at the <a href="https://www.ucmerced.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California Merced</a>. “The typical climate models don’t directly simulate lightning. It’s too small a process.”



The researchers applied machine learning to forecast where lightning would hit based on variables that we can quantify - such as temperature, humidity, and the level of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moisture-in-the-atmosphere-causes-extreme-weather-to-last-longer/">moisture in the air</a>. 



The team merged those results with the Fire Weather Index (FWI), a mechanism that was developed back in 1968 to monitor how probable wildfire initiation and spread is from local weather.



The result is a forecast model tailored to the western U.S., designed to project conditions from 2030 to 2060 - decades earlier than most studies, which typically look only to the end of the century.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-lightning-in-the-northwest">More lightning in the Northwest</h2>



The northwestern states of Idaho, Oregon, and Montana are projected to experience the greatest growth in lightning days. But strangely, they may not experience the most rapid expansion in wildfires. 



Although lightning will grow, the conditions favoring fires (such as extreme heat or dryness) are not expected to worsen as quickly in the Northwest compared to other regions.



That doesn’t mean northwestern states are off the hook. Cloud-to-ground lightning, the kind that hits trees or grass directly, is still expected to rise significantly in those areas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-less-lightning-greater-wildfire-risk">Less lightning, greater wildfire risk</h2>



In contrast, the Southwest - including Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona, and New Mexico - won’t see as much of a jump in lightning strikes. But the fire risk will still climb. 



This is because even a small spark becomes a big threat when the land is extra dry, the heat is intense, and there’s little rain to cool things off.



The researchers found that these southern states are likely to experience the biggest increases in wildfires caused by lightning, despite the smaller bump in lightning activity. That’s because climate change is pushing up the number of fire-prone days overall.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dry-and-wet-lightning">Dry and wet lightning</h2>



Kalashnikov said the next steps could involve separating the kinds of lightning events. “You can’t help but wonder what the future will look like, especially if you dig in and you realize that there’s actually a lot that we don’t understand,” he said.



One key factor will be figuring out how to distinguish between "dry lightning" and "wet lightning." Dry lightning happens without much rain, making it a fire hazard. 



Wet lightning brings <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heavy-rainfall-poses-extreme-risks-in-the-western-us/">heavy rain</a>, which can reduce fire risk but increase flood danger. Understanding that difference could help emergency services respond more precisely to fire threats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfire-risks-are-rising-fast">Wildfire risks are rising fast</h2>



As climate patterns shift, the West isn’t just getting warmer and drier - it’s getting stormier in a dangerous way. Lightning is expected to spark more fires, and fires are expected to find more dry fuel waiting. It’s a feedback loop that could reshape fire seasons in the U.S.



This isn’t about something that might happen a hundred years from now. The changes are coming within the next few decades - some may already be happening. 



And for the people living in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/double-hazard-wildfire-zones-identified-in-the-american-west/">high-risk areas</a>, that means more heat, more smoke, and a greater need for preparation.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2025EF006108" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's Future</a>.



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Lightning will ignite even more wildfires as the climate heats up

Wildfires in the western U.S. have become a growing crisis. They’re lasting longer, burning hotter, and spreading into areas that rarely burned in the past. But another danger is rising, beyond heatwaves and droughts. Lightning - sudden, fierce, and incredibly powerful - is becoming one of the biggest wildfire risks. In the coming decades, scientists warn that lightning will become an increasingly dominant spark for wildfires, adding to the already mounting risks across the West. Lightning is fueling more wildfires Wildfires need a few things to get...

Many studies have provided evidence that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/severity-of-covid-symptoms-linked-to-air-pollution/">air pollution</a> is linked to a variety of adverse health outcomes, including lung cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and diabetes. Now, a team of experts led by the <a href="https://www.isglobal.org/en">Barcelona Institute for Global Health</a> (ISGlobal) has identified another significant problem caused by air pollution: people exposed to higher levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and blank carbon (BC) before the Covid-19 pandemic appeared to have lower antibody responses to Covid-19 vaccines, suggesting that air pollution has a negative effect on the immune system too.



The scientists analyzed data from 927 participants in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.germanstrias.org/en/technology-services/gcat/">GCAT Genomes for Life</a>&nbsp;cohort (aged 40-65), who answered questionnaires and provided blood samples both in the summer of 2020, after the first lockdowns, and in the spring of 2021, after the beginning of Covid-19 vaccination. The participants’ exposure to air pollution was estimated based on their address before the pandemic.



The investigations revealed that, in previously uninfected individuals, pre-pandemic exposure to PM2.5, NO2, and BC was linked to a five to ten percent reduction in vaccine-induced antibodies, both for early IgM responses and later ones measured by IgG, with lower antibody levels persisting for several months after vaccination. These results were similar for all the three vaccines that were used (AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Moderna).



“Air pollution can induce chronic inflammation, which has been associated with a negative effect on vaccine efficacy,” explained co-senior author Carlota Dobaño, an associate professor of Immunology at ISGlobal. “Our findings are consistent with evidence that persistent organic pollutants reduce vaccine responses in children.”



Further research is needed the clarify the role of long-term exposure to air pollution on hybrid immunity (infection plus vaccination) and assess whether the reduction in antibody responses led to an increased risk of breakthrough infections.



“However, our findings add to a&nbsp;growing body of evidence on the adverse effects of air pollution&nbsp;even at the relatively low levels observed in Western Europe. They also call for&nbsp;stricter air pollution limits, as recommended by the WHO,” concluded co-senior author Cathryn Tonne, an environmental epidemiologist at ISGlobal.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP11989">Environmental Health Perspectives</a>.



—



By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Air pollution associated with lower Covid-19 vaccine responses

Many studies have provided evidence that air pollution is linked...

According to a new study led by <a href="https://www.ncl.ac.uk/">Newcastle University</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-is-heading-for-a-tipping-point-as-antarctic-ice-sheets-melt/">ice sheets</a> can retreat at an astonishing rate of up to 600 meters per day during periods of climate warming. The experts used high-resolution seafloor imagery to map more than 7,600 small-scale landforms called “corrugation ridges” to reveal the speed at which a former ice sheet that extended from Norway retreated about 20,000 years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age.



These ridges, less than 2.5 meters high and spaced between about 25 and 300 meters apart, were formed when the ice sheet’s retreating margin moved up and down with the tides, pushing seafloor sediments into a ridge at every low tide. 



By calculating the rate at which the ridges were produced, the researchers found that the former ice sheet underwent pulses of rapid retreat at a speed of 50 to 600 meters per day - 20 times faster than the highest rate of retreat previously measured. This is much faster than any ice sheet retreat rate observed from satellites or inferred from similar landforms in Antarctica.



These findings could inform computer simulations that predict future ice-sheet and sea-level change, by showing how rates of ice-sheet retreat averaged over several years or longer can conceal shorter episodes of more rapid retreat. “It is important that computer simulations are able to reproduce this ‘pulsed’ ice-sheet behavior,” said study co-author Professor Julian Dowdeswell, a glaciologist at the University of Cambridge.



The seafloor landforms also provide insight into the mechanism by which such rapid retreat can occur. The analysis revealed that the former ice sheet had retreated fastest across the flattest parts of its bed, where less melting was required to thin the overlying ice to the point where it starts to float. According to the scientists, pulses of similarly rapid retreat could soon be observed in parts of Antarctica, including at West Antarctica’s vast Thwaites Glacier, which has recently retreated close to a flat area of its bed.



“Our findings suggest that present-day rates of melting are sufficient to cause short pulses of rapid retreat across flat-bedded areas of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, including at Thwaites,” said study lead author Christine Batchelor, a physical geographer at Newcastle. “Satellites may well detect this style of ice-sheet retreat in the near-future, especially if we continue our current trend of climate warming.”



“Our research provides a warning from the past about the speeds that ice sheets are physically capable of retreating at. Our results show that pulses of rapid retreat can be far quicker than anything we’ve seen so far,” she concluded.



About ice sheets



Ice sheets are enormous masses of ice that cover large areas of land. These ice sheets are found mostly in Antarctica and Greenland.



Ice sheets form when snow that falls on the land does not melt, but instead piles up over time. As more snow falls, the weight of the snow on top compresses the snow underneath. This compression causes the snow to turn into ice, and over time, the ice can become thousands of meters thick.



Ice sheets are important because they play a critical role in regulating the Earth's climate. They reflect sunlight back into space, which helps to cool the planet. They also store massive amounts of freshwater, which can affect ocean currents and sea level.



Unfortunately, ice sheets are also at risk due to climate change. As the Earth's temperature rises, the ice sheets are melting at an alarming rate. This melting can lead to rising sea levels, which can have devastating effects on coastal communities.



Scientists are studying ice sheets to better understand how they work and how they are changing. By studying ice sheets, we can better predict the impacts of climate change and take steps to mitigate its effects.



Ice sheets are fascinating and important features of our planet. While they are at risk due to climate change, we can work together to better understand them and protect them for future generations.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-05876-1.">Nature</a>.



Image Credit: ©NASA/USGS, processed by Dr. Frazer Christie, Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Ice sheets can retreat much faster than previously thought

According to a new study led by Newcastle University, ice...

The next full moon, also known as the Pink Moon, is set to shine brightly on Thursday morning, April 6, 2023, appearing opposite the Sun in Earth-based longitude shortly after midnight at 12:35 a.m. EDT. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/longest-full-moon-of-the-year-will-peak-saturday/">moon</a> will appear full for three days, from Tuesday evening to Friday morning. During this time, the bright star Spica will be approximately eight degrees to the lower left of the moon. 



The Maine Farmers' Almanac first published "Indian" names for full moons in the 1930s, and these names have now become widely known and used. The Pink Moon in April is named after the herb moss pink, also known as creeping phlox, moss phlox, or mountain phlox. This plant, which is native to the eastern United States, is one of the earliest widespread flowers of spring. Other names for this moon include the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and among coastal tribes, the Fish Moon, as this is when shad swim upstream to spawn.



In addition to its various names, this full moon is also known as the Pesach or Passover Moon. Pesach or Passover begins at sundown on Wednesday, April 5, and ends at nightfall on Thursday, April 13, 2023. The Seder feasts are on the first two evenings of Passover.



In the Christian ecclesiastical calendar, this is the Paschal Moon, from which the date of Easter is calculated. Paschal is the Latinized version of Pesach. Typically, the Christian holiday of Easter, also called Pascha, is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring.



However, there are differences between the times of these astronomical events and the calendars used by the Eastern and Western churches. This year, Western Christianity will celebrate Easter on Sunday, April 9, 2023, the Sunday after this first full moon of spring. Eastern Orthodox Easter will be a week later on Sunday, April 16.



This full moon also corresponds with the Hanuman Jayanti festival for many followers of the Hindu lunisolar calendar. The celebration of the birth of Lord Hanuman is held in most areas on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra.



For Buddhists, especially in Sri Lanka, this full moon is Bak Poya, which commemorates when the Buddha visited Sri Lanka and settled a dispute between chiefs, avoiding a war.



The impact of the moon on human health has been a topic of fascination for centuries. Early folklore suggested that the moon could influence human health, with common beliefs linking the full moon to increased sleep problems and seizures. While there is little scientific evidence to support these beliefs, recent studies have suggested a connection between the moon and sleep.



In 2021, scientists at <a href="https://www.yale.edu/">Yale</a> and the University of Washington conducted a study to investigate the impact of the moon on sleep. The study found that people generally fall asleep less on nights prior to a full moon, with lighting intensity differences preventing sleep initiation in the early hours of the night.&nbsp;



The study suggests that "moonlight available during the first hours of the night is more likely to drive changes in the onset of sleep. In contrast, moonlight late in the night, when most individuals are typically asleep, should have little influence on sleep onset or duration."



It is estimated that a full moon may bring 250 times more luminance than a moonless night, and 25 times more than when a half-moon is visible. However, the impact of this was largely explored in the context of communities that live without electricity, so it remains unclear if this holds true for the general population.



Dr. David Cunnington, a sleep specialist at <a href="http://www.msdc.com.au/MSDC/Home.html">Melbourne Sleep Disorders Centre</a>, suggests that the connection between the moon and sleep may be due to our evolutionary history. "We evolved to be in tune with our environment, and the moon is a big part of that environment. The theory is that if we were still living in caves, the moon would have been a very good way to keep track of time."



Despite the findings of the 2021 study, there are other studies that contradict the idea that the moon impacts human sleep. In 2015, a study of over 2,000 people found no link between sleep and lunar cycles. This suggests that while the moon may impact sleep in some individuals, it is not a universal phenomenon.



While the connection between the moon and sleep remains somewhat mysterious, it is clear that further research is needed to fully understand this complex relationship. In the meantime, it may be worth paying attention to the moon's phases and seeing if they have any impact on your own sleep patterns.



For generations, there has been a belief that full moons are linked to anxiety and even violent behavior, with Aristotle proposing that water in the brain makes humans susceptible to lunar phases. However, new scientific evidence suggests that this is not the case, and that the influence of the moon on human behavior may be limited in more urban environments.



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/">University of Copenhagen</a> believe that the effect of moonlight on human behavior is probably minor in modern urban societies where most people are surrounded by an abundance of artificial light and spend evenings and nights mostly indoors. The experts say the effect may be greater in rural areas without artificial lighting, but the effect size is unknown.



The prevailing scientific evidence also contradicts the notion that full moons are linked to violent behavior. One study even found a drop in homicide rates during a full moon. Furthermore, an analysis of 17,966 medical records showed no link between psychiatric patient admissions or hospital stay times and lunar cycles.



So, what causes the Pink Moon? "Like Earth, the Moon has a day side and a night side, which change as the Moon rotates," explains <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a>. "The Sun always illuminates half of the Moon while the other half remains dark, but how much we are able to see of that illuminated half changes as the Moon travels through its orbit."



During a full moon, the sun illuminates the entire day side of the moon, making it appear full and bright in the night sky. "The moon is opposite the sun, as viewed from Earth, revealing the moon's dayside," says NASA. "A full moon rises around sunset and sets around sunrise."



While the Pink Moon won't actually turn pink, it may appear to have an orange or yellow hue as part of a rare blood moon event. Very rarely, the moon can even appear blue if it's being viewed through a haze of dust such as volcanic ash, according to Royal Museums Greenwich.



As we enjoy the sight of the Pink Moon, it's important to remember that any influence it may have on human behavior is likely to be limited in urban environments, and that the prevailing scientific evidence suggests that the moon has no link to violent behavior or psychiatric admissions.



The Pink Moon is a fascinating celestial event that is rich in tradition and significance across many cultures and religions. Regardless of your beliefs, it is a beautiful sight to behold. Enjoy!



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The Pink Moon will shine brightly in the skies tonight

The next full moon, also known as the Pink Moon,...

Autumn,Day.,Rural,Garden.,In,The,Frame,Ripe,Red,Apples

Scientists have long known that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/apples-evolved-animals-domesticated/">apples</a> have a variety of health benefits. Since they are rich in fiber and antioxidants, they protect against many chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Unfortunately, in the past 15 years, increasingly warm and wet weather during the spring has sparked epidemics of fire blight – a disease caused by a bacterial plant pathogen that often leads to the death of trees and causes losses of up to $22 million per year in apple and pear crops in the US.&nbsp;



Now, a team of researchers from <a href="https://www.vt.edu/">Virginia Tech</a> has received two substantial grants from the <a href="https://www.usda.gov/">United States Department of Agriculture</a> to develop new treatments for this infectious disease.



Fire blight - caused by the bacterium&nbsp;Erwinia amylovora - was discovered at the beginning of the 19th century and is the first-ever described bacterial disease in the history of plant pathology. This bacterium thrives in warm and wet conditions and usually appears during spring, when the frequent mixture of rain and sun allows it to infect flowers, causing blossom blight. Then, the infection spreads into the shoots and eventually in the wood tissue and trunk of the plant, causing cankers which harbor bacteria that can hibernate during winter (a process called “overwintering”) and spread in the next spring to new flowers.



This disease remains a major challenge for today’s scientists due to a variety of factors, such as climate change, the fact that fruit trees are now planted in high-density orchards, and the bacteria’s ability to spread quickly, and often secretly. Traditional treatments involve spraying the trees with copper-based pesticides in the spring. Unfortunately, although such methods may disinfect the surface of the branches and cankers, bacteria can remain dormant inside.



“No matter how well the growers prune the orchards to take cankers out, there will always be enough cankers remaining in the orchard to allow the bacterium to overwinter and potentially infect again the flowers in the spring,” said project leader Srdjan Acimovic, an expert in Plant Pathology at Virginia Tech. “What I want to do with this research is develop new spray management options that target the bacterium inside of the bark of the cankers and target this stage that has been very poorly investigated in the past.”



In order to more accurately detect bacteria hidden in tree bark, Abramovic has devised a new technology called Droplet Digital (dd) PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), which can detect even low amounts of the pathogen and determine how much of the bacteria is present in a canker.&nbsp;



“This is the latest technology, and we have made many more advances with this research in my lab. We are excited to continue this revolutionary study that we hope will soon benefit our industry partners and stakeholders across the commonwealth,” Abramovic explained.



The grants will also fund two related projects aiming to develop effective dormant copper spray treatments in a mix with bark-penetrating oil to eradicate the bacterium from cankers, assess spray programs with different plant activators which prevent shoot blight and fire blight cankers, and test recently designed antimicrobial enzymes that can degrade the bacterium’s biofilm in order to control blossom and shoot blight.



—



By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Study aims to protect apple trees from fire blight

Scientists have long known that apples have a variety of...

As climate change continues to intensify, urban planners are constantly seeking innovative ways to prevent flooding caused by heavy downpours. Techniques such as planting rain gardens and installing green roofs have been implemented in various cities.&nbsp;



However, a recent study conducted by <a href="https://www.uc.edu/">University of Cincinnati</a> geography students in collaboration with the Hamilton County Conservation District suggests that a simple hole in the ground, known as a detention basin, can be just as effective.



Man Qi, a doctoral student at the UC College of Arts and Sciences, led the study. She explained that cities are constantly developing new ways to trap rainwater and direct it where it is most needed, especially during droughts. These methods, called low-impact development practices, include innovations like permeable pavement, which allows rainwater to seep into the ground instead of being diverted elsewhere.&nbsp;



Another such innovation is the bioretention cell, which consists of ornamental or landscaping plants atop soil designed to drain quickly, spread over a thick bed of gravel for optimal absorption. These cells can soak up large volumes of rain without creating standing pools of water.



Urban planners must consider how to prevent rainwater from spilling onto neighboring properties or roads when designing commercial or housing developments. Hard surfaces like buildings and parking lots cannot absorb heavy rains, necessitating the collection or diversion of water to avoid property damage.&nbsp;



"A detention pond is a common practice. It temporarily stores the water and releases it into the air or the groundwater or nearby streams at a low rate to reduce the risk of flooding. It also provides some ecological benefits," said Qi.



Working with the Hamilton County conservation district, the researchers assessed the effectiveness of flood-prevention techniques such as detention basins and bioretention cells under five different scenarios. The results were presented at the annual American Association of Geographers' conference in Denver.&nbsp;



Qi explained that in residential areas where the impervious area is less than 40 percent, low-impact development practices are better. "But if 70 percent or more of the ground surface is impervious, it's best to put in detention basins. The flood risk can be greatly reduced."



Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of rainstorms, making deliberate drainage planning even more crucial for cities. Professor Lin Liu, a study co-author and co-director of UC's Joint Center of GIS and Spatial Analysis, elaborated on this issue: "Global warming and urban sprawl have contributed to extreme weather. Coupled with the urban heat island effect, many metropolitan cities have experienced more extreme precipitation events. As a result, urban flooding has become an increasing threat to the loss of human life and property damage in many cities around the globe."



'Intense, heavy rains could inundate networks designed to prevent flooding, and the capacity of drainage networks could fail because they simply can't hold that much stormwater," said Qi, who experienced the reality of urban flooding firsthand in 2021 when her sister's home was flooded in China's Zhengzhou City. The disaster affected more than 10 million people, killing nearly 400 and causing $10 billion in property damage.



Urban flooding disproportionately impacts lower-income residents who lack the resources to recover quickly from disasters. Flood insurers create maps based on once-in-a-century disasters, but due to climate change, these events are becoming more frequent.&nbsp;



Qi emphasized the widespread consequences of flooding, noting that it "affects roads and infrastructure and interrupts society. Schools are closed. Businesses are closed. The impacts are widespread."



As climate change exacerbates the risk of urban flooding, it is essential for planners to consider innovative and effective strategies like detention basins to protect lives, property, and the environment.



Climate change and sea level rise will have significant impacts on cities, especially those located in coastal areas. Some of the primary consequences include:



<ol>
<li>Flooding: As sea levels rise, low-lying coastal cities will experience more frequent and severe flooding. This will lead to disruptions in transportation, damage to infrastructure, and potential loss of life and property. Inland cities may also face increased flooding due to more intense precipitation events caused by climate change.</li>



<li>Infrastructure damage: Rising sea levels and storm surges can erode coastlines and damage critical infrastructure, such as bridges, roads, ports, and power plants. This damage can disrupt essential services, leading to economic losses and potentially impacting public health and safety.</li>



<li>Saltwater intrusion: As sea levels rise, saltwater can infiltrate freshwater sources, including rivers, aquifers, and wells, making them unsuitable for drinking, agriculture, and industrial use. This could exacerbate water scarcity issues in many cities, especially those already struggling with water management.</li>



<li>Loss of land: Coastal cities may experience a loss of land due to erosion, submersion, and permanent inundation as sea levels rise. This can lead to displacement of residents, loss of property, and shrinking tax bases, putting additional pressure on city budgets.</li>



<li>Human displacement and migration: As climate change and sea level rise make certain areas uninhabitable, people will be forced to relocate, leading to increased migration and potential conflicts over resources in receiving communities. This will put additional strain on social services, housing, and infrastructure in the cities where these migrants relocate.</li>



<li>Public health risks: Warmer temperatures associated with climate change can exacerbate air pollution and facilitate the spread of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever. Additionally, extreme heat events can lead to heat stress, dehydration, and heat-related illnesses, especially among vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions.</li>



<li>Economic impacts: Climate change and sea level rise can negatively affect a city's economy through disruptions in trade, tourism, and industry. Damage to infrastructure and property, along with increased insurance costs, can also strain local economies.</li>



<li>Ecosystem disruption: Climate change and sea level rise can disrupt coastal ecosystems, leading to the loss of essential habitats and services, such as natural flood protection from wetlands and storm surge buffering from barrier islands.</li>
</ol>



To mitigate these impacts, cities need to develop and implement comprehensive adaptation and resilience strategies, including improving infrastructure, implementing nature-based solutions, promoting sustainable urban planning, and investing in early warning systems and disaster risk reduction measures.



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Seeking ways to prevent flooding caused by climate change

As climate change continues to intensify, urban planners are constantly...

Antarctica, the Earth's southernmost continent, holds a staggering 60 percent of the world's fresh water in its ice sheets. This amounts to 30 million cubic kilometers of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-ice-sheet-is-approaching-a-critical-tipping-point/">ice</a>, a figure that is often difficult to comprehend. If all of the ice in Antarctica were to melt, global sea levels would rise by an average of 58 meters, wreaking havoc on coastal communities and dramatically altering our planet's landscape.



Irina Rogozhina, an associate professor at the <a href="https://www.ntnu.edu/">Norwegian University of Science and Technology</a> (NTNU), explained the potential consequences of ice sheet melting in East Antarctica: “The ice sheet in East Antarctica stores enormous amounts of water. This means that this is the biggest possible source of future sea level rise – up to 53 meters if all of the East Antarctic ice melts – and is seen as the largest source of uncertainties in the future sea level adaptation planning.”



Antarctica's ice loss occurs primarily through ocean-driven melting of ice shelves and ice calving. These processes accelerate the movement of ice streams on land, which discharge more ice into the ocean where it is eventually lost to melting and calving. Professor Rogozhina noted that this phenomenon was likely responsible for more significant ice loss during the Earth's warmer periods. In Greenland, for example, these two processes account for approximately 65 percent of all ice loss.



However, it is important to understand that the entire ice sheet does not need to melt for significant consequences to occur. Researchers from NTNU, including Rogozhina's group, recently examined the ice in Queen Maud Land in East Antarctica. They discovered that the ice sheet in this region has experienced significant variation over time. This research is crucial in improving our understanding of the Earth's climate and how it is changing.



The team analyzed the East Antarctic ice sheet and a meltdown that occurred several thousand years ago. Their findings have been published in the Nature journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s43247-022-00673-6">Communications Earth &amp; Environment</a>.



The distribution of ice in Antarctica is not uniform. In the west, large portions of the ice sheet lie below sea level, reaching depths of up to 2,500 meters, making them highly vulnerable to ocean warming. In contrast, much of the ice sheet in the east is located on land above sea level, rendering it less susceptible to the ocean's influence.



The researchers found that the East Antarctic ice sheet was thinner in the past, particularly following the end of the last ice age, when massive ice sheets covered North America, northern Europe, and southern South America. As these ice sheets melted, sea levels rose by over 100 meters.



Rogozhina explained the team's findings: “From the evidence we presented in our study, we concluded that the East Antarctic ice sheet in Queen Maud Land also melted rapidly along its margins between 9,000 to 5,000 years ago, in a period we call the mid-Holocene. At this time, many parts of the world experienced warmer-than-present summers.”



The rapid response of the East Antarctic ice sheet to warmer conditions during the Holocene epoch is alarming, as Rogozhina said, "it is still difficult and worrisome to believe that the sluggish East Antarctic ice sheet can change so rapidly."



Determining the exact timing of the melting and finding a simple explanation for this behavior has proven challenging due to the inhospitable conditions in Antarctica. However, the researchers have begun to unravel this mystery, which will undoubtedly contribute to our understanding of the planet's climate and inform future adaptation strategies to cope with rising sea levels.



The research group, led by Professor Ola Fredin, focused on analyzing rock samples from various nunataks in Queen Maud Land for evidence of exposure to cosmic radiation. Nunataks are mountains that protrude through ice sheets.&nbsp;



The researchers then analyzed different isotopes or variants of elements such as chlorine, aluminum, beryllium, and neon in the rocks from the nunataks. Through the study of cosmogenic isotopes, they were able to determine how high the ice was over geological time in Queen Maud Land. Professor Fredin likens this process to "using a dipstick to measure the level of engine oil in your car."



By determining how long the rocks have been exposed to cosmic radiation, the researchers could also estimate the duration since the rocks were last covered by a protective layer of ice, which shielded them from cosmic radiation exposure. This was achieved by utilizing data from different areas and running various computer simulations.



The study also shed light on a possible explanation for the rapid thinning of the ice sheet sector in East Antarctica following the last ice age.&nbsp;



"We believe that the ice sheet became less stable due to higher, regional sea levels and warmer water rising from the ocean depths in the polar regions, penetrating under the ice margins and melting them from below," explained Professor Rogozhina.&nbsp;



This process led to the break-up of large icebergs and accelerated the movement of ice from land to ocean, consequently thinning the inland section of the ice sheet. Rogozhina likens this to "when a house on a hill slope loses its supporting foundation and starts sliding downhill."



The researchers also used cosmic radiation to determine how frequently ice has covered certain areas. Their findings indicated that it is most common for the ice in Queen Maud Land to be thick along the coast, but not further inland, where mountain peaks protrude through the ice and land elevations can reach several thousand meters.



According to Professor Fredin, the land masses along the coast of Queen Maud Land have been covered by ice between 75 and 97 percent of the time during the last one million years. By contrast, mountain summits further inland have been ice-covered as little as 20 percent of the time.&nbsp;



This suggests that the ice sheet thickness and movement speed vary significantly over longer periods, and the mountain range further inland serves as a critical division between the dynamic coast and the ice sheet closer to the South Pole, which experiences less variation in thickness.



—-



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What happened when Antarctic ice melted in the past?

Antarctica, the Earth's southernmost continent, holds a staggering 60 percent...

By studying over 220 different wheat and barley varieties from over half a century of plant breeding, a team of researchers from the <a href="https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/university">University of Bonn</a> has discovered genetic variants in these crops that help improve nitrogen utilization.&nbsp;



“We studied a large number of wheat and barley genotypes under different nitrogen supply conditions and analyzed their root architecture and nitrogen accumulation in the plants,” said study lead author Md. Nurealam Sidiqqui, an expert in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Bonn.



At the University of Bonn’s agricultural research campus Klein-Altendorf, the experts studied these different varieties on plots with both high and low nitrogen levels and, for each variety, analyzed root trait characteristics and the nitrogen content of leaves and grains, while performing genetic analyses to find links between DNA sequences and various traits.



The investigations revealed that certain variants of a specific gene called NPF2.12 caused plants to develop larger root systems when facing deficiencies in soil nitrogen supply. 



“It is likely that the gene, or rather the protein it encodes, acts as a sensor that needs to be switched off when nitrogen levels in the soil are low in order to indirectly increase the messenger nitric oxide as part of a signaling cascade, which in turn induces root growth, thereby improving nitrogen utilization,” explained senior author Agim Ballvora, an expert in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology at Bonn.



“Under low nitrogen conditions and in the presence of certain variants of the NPF2.12 gene, increased nitrogen content in leaves and grains is detectable compared to high nitrogen availability.”&nbsp;



By analyzing wheat plants with a defect in the NPF2.12 gene, the scientists discovered that, when nitrogen supply was poor, these plants behaved like cultivars inherently possessing this helpful genetic variant. 



“These results show that NPF2.12 is a negative regulator, whose reduced expression in corresponding cultivars results in more root growth and higher nitrogen content in the shoot through a sophisticated mechanism,” said co-author Gabriel Schaaf, a professor of Plant Nutrition at the same university.



In the future, a better understanding of the genetic and molecular function of nitrogen sensing could accelerate the breeding of varieties with improved efficiency.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/nph.18820">New Phytologist</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Genetic variants help plants adapt to nitrogen deficiency

By studying over 220 different wheat and barley varieties from...

Autumn,Forest,On,A,Sunny,Day.,Autumn,In,The,Park.

Many studies have argued that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spending-time-in-nature-improves-physical-and-mental-health/">spending time in nature</a> provides numerous psychological, emotional, and physical benefits. Now, by examining the attitudes, beliefs, and actions of a group of elders (people over 65) who regularly spent time in a nature area, an international team of scientists has found that fostering social connections around nature-based activities may improve health and quality of life.



In Japan, the term “shinrin-yoku,” or “forest bathing” refers to spending time in nature while engaging all of one’s senses. For elders who encounter difficulties in hiking over difficult trails, forest bathing could be an enjoyable and safe alternative to spend time in nature. In fact, this activity has become increasingly popular among older adults not only in Japan, China, and Taiwan, where this practice originated, but also more recently in the United States.



Between April and June 2022, the scientists surveyed a cohort of 292 older visitors to the Xitou Nature Education Area, a natural preserve in Taiwan. The participants – who were over 65 and visited the park at least once a week – were asked a variety of questions, such as whether they felt supported by others, how much they thought about their futures, and how much purpose they felt their lives had. The analysis revealed that those who discussed their experiences in nature with others had a greater sense of attachment to forest bathing and a stronger sense of purpose in life – factors which, according to previous research – are associated to better physical and mental health and higher quality of life.



These findings could help leisure-service providers working in community recreation departments or retirement villages facilitate leisure activities for the elderly. “Elders can access community and state parks where it is safe for them to spend time in nature: places with walkable paths and convenient, accessible parking, are helpful,” said study co-author John Dattilo, a professor of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management at the <a href="https://www.psu.edu/">Pennsylvania State University</a>.&nbsp;



“Better yet, leisure-service providers could arrange transportation and then afterwards facilitate social interactions among participants. Enabling people to get out into nature to experience their surroundings is one aspect of forest bathing. Part of what we found is the linkage between positive social relationships and spending time in nature. So, if leisure-service providers create opportunities for elders to return from an experience, meet over a warm beverage and talk about their experiences, there will be value in these connections for people’s sense of purpose.”



“Forest bathing seems to connect people to the moment and the world. When elders use that same experience to develop social connections and support, they may experience a broad range of benefits associated with physiological functioning as well as cognitive health. These are associations, not cause and effect, but the potential consequences are exciting to consider,” concluded lead author Liang-Chih Chang, a professor of Living Sciences at the <a href="https://www106.nou.edu.tw/~eng/">National Open University</a> in Taiwan.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2023.2174217">Leisure Sciences</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Nature improves the life quality of older adults

Many studies have argued that spending time in nature provides...

In the culinary world, adjusting the proportions of ingredients in a recipe can lead to the creation of entirely new flavors. Similarly, the binding of CO2 in the sea is sensitive to changes in the substances found in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-water-reservoir-found-on-the-moons-surface/">water</a>. 



This acid-binding capacity, also known as alkalinity, is primarily produced by the weathering of rocks and their subsequent introduction into the ocean. An increase in erosion on land results in a higher rate of weathering of silicates and carbonates, which in turn contributes to the ocean's alkalinity.



A team of researchers led by Nele Lehmann from the Hereon Institute for Carbon Cycles, in collaboration with the Alfred Wegener Institute <a href="https://www.awi.de/">Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung</a> (AWI), sought to identify the factors contributing to alkalinity using a statistical model, with funding provided by the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD).&nbsp;



"The model we used is a statistical, not a mechanistic model. We applied it to identify the factors influencing alkalinity based on our compiled data set and to describe their interdependencies,"explained Lehmann.



The model identified several factors that influence alkalinity, including the degree of erosion, area fraction of carbonate, temperatures, catchment size, and soil thickness. The study found that the ocean's ability to sequester CO2 would be significantly affected by climate change.&nbsp;



If global warming progresses slowly, alkalinity could drop by as much as 68 percent by 2100, depending on the watersheds. However, rapidly advancing warming would lead to higher temperatures and increased precipitation in temperate climate zones, which could boost alkalinity by up to 33 percent.



Lehmann cautions that this increase in alkalinity does not imply that higher emissions are beneficial for the climate. "The impact of alkalinity is small compared to the amounts of man-made CO2 emitted around the world. The process of weathering unfolds its effects over much longer periods of time," she said.



To conduct their study, the researchers first searched for existing data, specifically targeting alkalinity measurements near erosion measurement sites. They then investigated the factors influencing alkalinity using their new model.&nbsp;



A significant limitation of their study is the scarcity of erosion rate measurements, particularly in higher latitudes, due to the complexity and expense of obtaining such data. Consequently, the research is primarily focused on mid-latitudes.



Lehmann's next objective is to examine alkalinity and erosion rates in the Arctic, where data is sparse and climate change is making a noticeable impact. It is possible that the most significant changes in alkalinity flux may occur in this region. A critical question that remains to be answered is whether erosion itself is being altered as a direct result of climate change.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-37165-w">Nature Communications</a>.



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Does dissolved rock affect CO2 sequestration in the ocean?

In the culinary world, adjusting the proportions of ingredients in...

A groundbreaking research initiative, led by the Institute for the Cooperative Upcycling of Plastics (iCOUP), is poised to revolutionize the way we deal with plastic waste. This <a href="https://www.energy.gov/">Department of Energy</a> (DOE) Office of Science Energy Frontier Research Center combines the expertise of chemists and materials scientists from national labs and universities across the United States. The collective goal is to develop innovative chemical pathways that empower companies to transform plastic waste into valuable commodities.



It's no secret that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-pollution-is-making-the-ocean-more-acidic/">plastic</a> recycling presents a formidable challenge. The inherent nature of plastic, consisting of long chains of molecules called polymers, makes it difficult to recycle. Polymers give plastic its strength and durability; however, once these chains are broken, they are nearly impossible to reassemble, leading to degraded properties. 



Recycling processes that involve melting and remolding often result in the breaking of polymer chains, producing plastic of lower quality than the original material. Moreover, since most plastics are derived from inexpensive petrochemicals, the cost of manufacturing new plastics is typically lower than that of recycling. The durability of plastics means they can linger for more than 1,000 years in a landfill before breaking down. But what if we could prevent plastics from ending up in landfills altogether?



Aaron Sadow, the director of iCOUP and a chemist at Ames Lab, envisions a future in which science propels technologies that address the growing issue of plastic waste accumulation. "At iCOUP, we are developing the science needed to advance technologies that can address the plastic waste accumulation problem," he said.&nbsp;



If successful, a new carbon cycle could emerge that repurposes the carbon in plastics for other chemicals and materials, ultimately incorporating plastics into a circular economy and eliminating the need for landfills.



To achieve this ambitious goal, the team is working on novel chemical recycling methods that will not only create sustainable, high-quality plastic materials but also convert plastic into valuable chemical products. These products include lubricants and surfactants, which serve to reduce the surface tension of a liquid.



Massimiliano Delferro, a chemist at Argonne and the deputy director of iCOUP, is optimistic about the long-term impact of their research. "In 20 or 30 years, we want to use the technology we develop at iCOUP to make new products from plastic waste that is currently lost in the environment," he said. However, he acknowledges the scientific hurdles ahead, admitting that the task is a "big challenge."



The researchers have had a stream of recent successes. One notable achievement is the development of a method to make plastics easier to recycle. The team successfully broke up plastics and transformed them into a new biodegradable polymer, which is simpler to recycle. This innovative chemical recycling method resulted in plastic products with quality comparable to the original plastic waste. Remarkably, the process allows plastics to be recycled repeatedly without compromising their quality.



Another significant breakthrough came in the form of a new catalyst. The researchers created a zirconia-based catalyst capable of separating polymers in plastic waste. Current catalysts often rely on expensive rare earth metals, such as platinum. Zirconia serves as an effective, relatively inexpensive, and abundant alternative. By suspending ultrasmall zirconia nanoparticles in silica, the scientists managed to separate the long plastic polymers at specific intervals, producing new high-value chemicals at a low cost.



The experts also focused on developing a more efficient way to produce a particular catalyst that transforms plastic waste into lubricants. Originally created by their partners at Northwestern University, this catalyst is highly effective but challenging and costly to produce. The iCOUP researchers discovered a simpler and less expensive chemical technique for producing large quantities of the catalyst, paving the way for potential commercial applications in the future.



In their most recent accomplishment, the team found a method to add functionality to plastic polymers once they are broken apart. This process involves chemically modifying the plastic waste to make it suitable for use in more valuable products, such as surfactants or emulsifiers, which help keep two liquids mixed.



“In this latest round of research, the APS successfully delivered molecular-level information about the newly developed catalysts, elucidating how they function and providing a technical clue toward higher performance,” explained Byeongdu Lee, a physicist at Argonne and a group leader at the APS. ​“This work shows how the knowledge collected from this powerful X-ray facility can be put to use to solve some of the world’s biggest problems, such as plastic pollution.”



With a focus on bringing their technology to market, the researchers have already begun collaborating with companies, including Chevron Philips and a startup launched by their former iCOUP post-docs, to commercialize their technologies. As they continue to develop innovative ways to upcycle plastics, these partnerships may pave the way for practical solutions to the global plastic waste challenge.



“Our goal now is to create a product that companies can use in a way to make a profit,” said Magali Ferrandon, a chemist at Argonne and part of the iCOUP team. ​“We want to make it cheaper and easier for companies to be able to do this commercially.”



As the experts continue to make strides in addressing plastic waste, their efforts could have far-reaching implications for the environment, the economy, and the future of our planet. In time, their work may contribute to a world where plastic waste no longer poses a threat, and instead becomes a valuable resource for new materials and applications.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41929-023-00910-x">Nature Catalysis</a>.



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Upcycling plastic waste into valuable products 

A groundbreaking research initiative, led by the Institute for the...

Diagnostic imaging, including X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, has long been a crucial tool in monitoring human and animal health. However, for researchers studying wild populations, administering these common tests can be challenging.&nbsp;



In an effort to overcome this obstacle, a collaborative project has been initiated by scientists at the <a href="https://www.whoi.edu/">Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution</a> (WHOI) and colleagues at the Cincinnati Zoo &amp; Botanical Garden, as well as other zoos and aquariums. The team is currently testing the use of thermal video and image analysis to measure heart and respiration rates in a variety of animals in a controlled environment.&nbsp;



The ultimate goal of this research is to advance the development of non-invasive techniques for assessing the health of animals in the wild, particularly threatened and endangered species for which more invasive diagnostic procedures might carry prohibitive risks.



A new paper detailing the team's work was published today in the journal <a href="https://bmcbiol.biomedcentral.com/">BMC Biology</a>. The study highlights the importance of understanding an animal's metabolic rate, or energetic expenditure, as it provides crucial insight into a species' reproductive and survival chances.&nbsp;



Unfortunately, collecting these benchmark measurements from wild populations is logistically complex and frequently invasive. Even more straightforward tests, such as obtaining heart and respiration rates, often necessitate immobilizing the animal, which can pose its own risks. Additionally, attaching tracking devices can be both expensive and invasive.



The research, led by MIT-WHOI graduate student Caroline Rzucidlo, is investigating the potential of infrared thermography (IRT) combined with Eulerian video magnification (EVM) software to measure the vital rates of exotic wildlife species.&nbsp;



Eventually, the team wants to apply this technique to study <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weddell-seals-sacrifice-diving-energy-to-give-iron-to-their-pups/">Weddell seal</a> populations in Antarctica, assessing whether these animals will be physiologically prepared to survive and reproduce in rapidly changing environments.



"Heart and respiration rates are often used as proxies for determining metabolic rate," explained Rzucidlo. "Thermal cameras can detect changes in skin temperature associated with blood flow and changes in air temperature associated with exhalation. Thus, determining if thermal cameras could non-invasively capture these temperature changes in animals was the first step."



While thermal video cameras can easily measure heat and body temperature, as evidenced by the technology used to screen humans for fever at airports, the question remained whether this approach could be applied to exotic animals. Taking their work directly into the field was not feasible, as the researchers first needed to validate the accuracy and precision of the method, which required a controlled setting.&nbsp;



"We had no idea how effectively we could measure temperature fluctuations with the thermal camera, including how close or far away from the animal we needed to be, and how fur, fat, or scale thickness would affect the readings," explained Rzucidlo.



The Cincinnati Zoo &amp; Botanical Garden offered the perfect setting for testing various animals under diverse conditions, allowing researchers to refine their methods. Collaborating with Erin Curry, a reproductive physiologist, and other animal care specialists, Rzucidlo dedicated months to collecting thermal video data on an array of terrestrial and marine creatures at the facility.&nbsp;



The study also encompassed work conducted at other locations, such as the Louisville Zoo (Kentucky), Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (Ohio), and the Salisbury Zoo (Maryland). Overall, 58 individual animals, ranging from Komodo dragons to polar bears, participated in the research.



“Being able to monitor individual animals under human care created a controlled setting to validate this technology that is impossible to replicate in the wild,” said Rzucidlo.



“Zoos offer a unique setting to develop technologies that can contribute to the conservation of wildlife populations. Animals in zoos have regular veterinary check-ups and some individuals are even trained to participate voluntarily in wellness exams, so using a stethoscope to obtain true heartrates while concurrently collecting infrared video of a variety of species was a very achievable goal,” added Curry.



It soon became obvious to the team that the thermal video alone wasn’t enough. “Capturing heat and temperature is one step, but we needed the EVM computer software to amplify changes&nbsp; in temperature associated with respiration rate and heartbeat,” explained Rzucidlo. “Using the two together was the winning combination and offered us an unprecedented view of animal health.”&nbsp;



While thermal cameras have previously been employed to obtain vital rates in a select few species (primarily hairless ones), this groundbreaking study represents the first application of this technology to an extensive array of exotic animals. Additionally, the research identifies the specific traits that render a species suitable for acquiring measurements through thermal imaging.&nbsp;



“This new study takes thermal imaging data in a controlled setting and allows us to build benchmarks across a suite of species. Having developed and fine-tuned these methods in the zoological setting, we can then take these imaging techniques and apply it to answer much broader ecological questions in the wild,” said Michelle Shero, an associate scientist at WHOI.



“We’ve even been using this method in Antarctica to study energy dynamics in Weddell seal populations. We can use these newly developed methods to start asking how an animal’s energetic expenditure may change if environmental conditions change, or what the energetic demands are for reproduction.”



“What’s more, is that using non-invasive and quickly acquired imagery tools will allow us to make better measurements with less disturbance, and for a lot more animals than would ever have been possible using traditional techniques. This is what is really needed to start asking questions about population health.”



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Thermal imaging can help monitor animal health in the wild 

Diagnostic imaging, including X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, has long...

A groundbreaking study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40793-023-00467-z">Environmental Microbiome</a> suggests that urban honeybees could hold the key to unlocking insights into the microbiomes of cities around the world, providing valuable information about both hive and human health. As cities are designed for human habitation, they also host a myriad of other living species.&nbsp;



Understanding this diverse landscape is crucial for urban planning and human health. However, sampling the microbial landscape in a way that covers vast urban areas can be labor-intensive and challenging.



Lead researcher Elizabeth Hénaff and her team delved into the potential of honeybees to help gather samples of microorganisms across cities. Honeybees are known to forage daily up to one mile from their hives in urban environments.&nbsp;



The researchers conducted a pilot study in New York, where they sampled various materials from three hives. They discovered diverse genetic information, including environmental bacteria, in the debris accumulated at the bottom of the hives.&nbsp;



Further samples of hive debris from Sydney, Melbourne, Venice, and Tokyo revealed that each location possesses a unique genetic signature as seen by honeybees.



In Venice, the genetic data was predominantly composed of fungi related to wood rot and date palm DNA. Melbourne's sample was dominated by Eucalyptus DNA, while the Sydney sample showed little plant DNA but contained genetic data from a bacteria species that degrades rubber (Gordonia polyisoprenivorans). Tokyo samples included plant DNA from Lotus and wild soybean, as well as the soy sauce fermenting yeast Zygosaccharomyces rouxii.



The experts also identified genetic material from the hive debris for Rickettsia felis ('cat scratch fever'), a pathogen spread to humans through cat scratches. Although these findings highlight the potential of using this method for surveillance, they are currently too preliminary to suggest its effectiveness in monitoring human diseases.



Moreover, the hive debris contained bee-related microorganisms, likely originating from honeybee parts present in the debris. Based on 33 samples from hives across the four subsequent cities, the authors found known bee microorganisms indicating a healthy hive. In some cases, bee pathogens such as Paenibacillus larvae, Melissococcus plutonius, or the parasite Varroa destructor were detected. These findings suggest that debris analysis could also be employed to assess the overall health of honeybee hives.



In conclusion, the study demonstrates that honeybee hive debris offers a snapshot of the microbial landscape of urban environments. This innovative approach could be used alongside other measures to assess the microbial diversity and health of cities and honeybees alike, helping researchers better understand the complex interactions between humans, bees, and urban ecosystems.



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Honeybees can shed light on the health of cities

A groundbreaking study published in the journal Environmental Microbiome suggests...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What caused the planet's longest ice age

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DuSr87SHY 57 million-year ice age mystery solved by Australian scientists....

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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



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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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

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