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...

Scientists have sounded the alarm that the deep <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/preparing-for-ocean-acidification-a-silent-killer-of-climate-change/">ocean</a> circulation forming around Antarctica may be heading towards collapse, with potentially severe long-term impacts on climate and marine ecosystems worldwide.



This circulation is part of a vast global network of ocean currents, known as the overturning circulation, which transports heat, carbon, oxygen, and nutrients around the planet. It plays a crucial role in regulating Earth's climate, sea levels, and the productivity of marine ecosystems.&nbsp;



Cold water sinking near Antarctica drives the deepest flow of this circulation, with approximately 250 trillion tonnes of cold, salty, and oxygen-rich water sinking in the region each year. This water then travels northwards, carrying oxygen into the deep Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans.



Describing the importance of this process, Professor Matthew England, Deputy Director of the <a href="https://antarctic.org.au/">ARC Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science</a> (ACEAS) at UNSW Sydney, says: "If the oceans had lungs, this would be one of them."



In a new study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-05762-w">Nature</a>, an international team of scientists led by Professor England modeled the production of Antarctic deep water until 2050 under the IPCC's "high emissions scenario." The researchers collaborated with co-authors from the Australian National University (ANU) and CSIRO.



The model used in the study captures details of ocean processes that previous models have not been able to represent, including the potential influence of meltwater from ice on the circulation. According to the researchers, this deep ocean current has remained in a relatively stable state for thousands of years. However, due to increasing greenhouse gas emissions, Antarctic overturning is predicted to slow down significantly over the next few decades.



"Our modeling shows that if global carbon emissions continue at the current rate, then the Antarctic overturning will slow by more than 40 per cent in the next 30 years – and on a trajectory that looks headed towards collapse," warns Professor England.



If this deep ocean current were to collapse, the ocean below 4,000 meters would stagnate, trapping nutrients in the deep ocean and reducing their availability for supporting marine life near the ocean surface. "This would trap nutrients in the deep ocean, reducing the nutrients available to support marine life near the ocean surface," says Professor England.



The researchers found that melting ice around Antarctica makes the nearby ocean waters less dense, slowing the Antarctic overturning circulation. Furthermore, the melt of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets is expected to continue to accelerate as the planet warms.



"Our study shows that the melting of the ice sheets has a dramatic impact on the overturning circulation that regulates Earth’s climate," notes study co-author Dr. Adele Morrison.



"We are talking about the possible long-term extinction of an iconic water mass," says Professor England. He warns that such profound changes to the ocean's overturning of heat, freshwater, oxygen, carbon, and nutrients would have a significant adverse impact on the oceans for centuries to come.



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Deep ocean circulation near Antarctica on the brink of collapse

Scientists have sounded the alarm that the deep ocean circulation...

As the world's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-population-could-peak-below-nine-million-by-2050/">population</a> grows, concerns over food security have become increasingly urgent. David Beasley, the World Food Programme leader, stated in a recent interview with Time magazine: “There’s no doubt we can produce enough food for the world’s population - humanity is strategic enough to achieve that. The question is whether - because of war and conflict and corruption and destabilization - we do.” 



Projections indicate that we are not on track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 of Zero Hunger by 2030, a milestone that is threatened by climate and security crises that destabilize our food sources.



In response to these challenges, researchers are taking a critical look not just at how we produce food, but at the entire systems behind our food supplies. One such area of investigation is seed systems, which are crucial to the production of food crops. Ola Westengen, a crop scientist and food system expert, emphasizes that "whilst adapting crops to climate change and conserving their variation is essential for food security, these measures are meaningless if farmers do not have access to the seeds."



Westengen leads a team of researchers from the <a href="https://www.nmbu.no/en">Norwegian University of Life Sciences</a> (NMBU) who recently reviewed the state of seed systems for small-holder farmers in low/middle-income countries. Their findings have been published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2218777120">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



But what exactly are seed systems? In essence, they encompass the provision, management, and distribution of seeds. This includes the conservation of seed diversity and variety development, as well as their production and distribution, and the rules governing these activities. Seed systems play a vital role in making seeds available to farmers, ensuring that crops can be sown, harvested, and eventually reach our plates.



A well-functioning seed system would ideally ensure seed security for all farmers. However, the NMBU researchers argue that seed systems rarely function as effectively as they could. Seed systems can be disrupted by conflict and disasters, as well as by issues stemming from social inequality, lack of coordination, or inappropriate policies. These disruptions can have a significant impact on food security, particularly for small-holder farmers in low/middle-income countries who are often most vulnerable to these challenges.



The study sheds light on the current state of seed systems and highlights the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the complex factors that contribute to their effectiveness. By identifying the challenges facing seed systems, scientists and policymakers can work towards solutions that ensure seed security and ultimately contribute to global food security.



“There are recent innovations and investments by governments and donors to improve farmers’ access to diverse crop varieties and quality seeds,” explains study co-author Teshome Hunduma, a seed governance researcher. “For example, there are now more flexible policies and regulations that encourage diversity in the seed systems used by farmers, rather than pushing farmers to switch to commercial seed systems that focus on less diverse commodity crops - which is the norm.”&nbsp;



Commodity crops are those grown in large volume and high intensity for the purpose of sale, as opposed to those grown by small-holder farmers for direct processing and consumption.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



“The study highlights emerging initiatives that are helping farmers to secure food supplies, such as participatory plant breeding,” says Teshome.&nbsp;



Participatory plant breeding is the development and selection of new crop varieties where the farmers are in control. Farmers, who know the needs of their farms best, work with researchers and others to improve crops and develop plant varieties that are in line with their household needs and culture, and that are resilient to environmental and climate challenges.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Farmers prefer and need different types of seeds, based on diverse social, cultural and ecological conditions,” says study co-author Sarah Paule Dalle.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



“A seed system that only serves a segment of a farming society contributes to seed insecurity. For example, commercial seed systems deliver high-yielding varieties of quality hybrid seeds. Whilst wealthy farmers can afford such seeds, poor farmers can’t," explains Teshome.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Similarly, whilst commercial seed systems that focus on commodity crops may benefit men who might primarily be interested in market value, such systems have little to offer women who want crops that provide household nutrition and meet their cultural preferences.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



“This means poor farmers and women do not have the same access to seeds that meet their needs. The result is seed, and thus food, insecurity due to social and economic inequality.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



Over the past few decades, political and economic factors have contributed to the globalization of food systems, including seed systems. As the researchers point out, "seeds have become big business."&nbsp;



The article cites studies which reveal that the four largest multinational companies in seed trade currently control approximately 60 percent of the global commercial seed market, worth around 50 billion USD. These large private actors hold considerable power, enabling them to shape markets as well as influence scientific research, innovation agendas, and policy frameworks.



However, the researchers argue that this concentration of power can lead to problems, particularly when private sector research and development tend to focus on the most profitable crops, such as maize and soy. As a result, crops that are primarily grown and consumed by subsistence farmers are often overlooked.&nbsp;



Consequently, the potential of crop diversity, which serves as the foundation of agriculture, remains largely underutilized. Technologies that could help develop more robust crop varieties, and thus contribute to food security, are not fully explored or realized.



Crop diversity encompasses both the variety of crops themselves and the different varieties within a particular crop. The Global Crop Diversity Trust, one of the world's foremost international organizations focused on crop diversity conservation, maintains that securing and making available the world's crop diversity is crucial for future food and nutrition security.



Benjamin Kilian, a plant genetics expert at the Global Crop Diversity Trust, elaborates on the importance of crop diversity, stating, “Plant breeders and scientists use crop diversity to develop new, more resilient and productive varieties that consumers want to eat, that are nutritious and tasty, and that are adapted to local preferences, environments and challenges.”&nbsp;



The Crop Trust collaborates with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences on the Biodiversity for Opportunities, Livelihoods and Development (BOLD) project, which serves as the basis for this study. Coordinated by Kilian, the BOLD project aims to support the conservation and utilization of crop diversity in order to strengthen global food and nutrition security. The project is built upon the Crop Wild Relatives project and receives funding from the Norwegian government.



Dalle expresses optimism about the potential for seed system development to benefit small-holder farmers: “We hope so, if we make the right moves to include small-holder farmers in seed system development.” He emphasizes that a well-functioning seed system should be resilient, capable of withstanding shocks such as droughts or pandemics, as well as breakdowns or disruptions caused by war and conflict.



Dalle further explains that in order to achieve this resiliency, seed systems should promote a diversity of seeds, encompassing both local varieties and those improved to better adapt to stressors. Additionally, the involvement of diverse groups of people, including farmer cooperatives/groups and both public and private companies, is essential to increase the choice of seeds and seed sources. He cites the example of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which "farmers’ own seed systems enabled access to seeds in developing countries when the activities of private companies and agro-dealers were restricted."



“Our study highlights links between the crucial work of the Global Crop Diversity Trust and the farmers on the frontline of adapting our food systems to climate change," says Westengen. "It is an argument for co-designing seed system development in full cooperation with farmers and other actors in the seed system.”&nbsp;



By collaborating with various stakeholders, efforts can be tailored to meet the needs of different groups of farmers in diverse agroecological contexts. Westengen emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. "If there is one natural law in biology, it is that diversity is key to future evolution. That also goes for seed systems - and food system development.”



As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, conflict, and social inequality, a thorough examination of seed systems and their role in food security is crucial. By understanding the intricacies of seed systems and working towards improvements, we can increase the chances of achieving the ambitious goal of Zero Hunger by 2030.



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Seed systems will play a key role in future food security 

As the world's population grows, concerns over food security have...

Planetary scientists at <a href="https://wustl.edu/">Washington University in St. Louis</a>, Paul Byrne and Rebecca Hahn, have compiled the most comprehensive map of all volcanic edifices on Venus, with a database of 85,000 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/volcanoes-were-the-key-driver-of-earths-mass-extinctions/">volcanoes</a> using radar imagery from NASA’s Magellan mission. According to the experts, this is a critical breakthrough in the understanding of the volcanic properties of the planet.



“This paper provides the most comprehensive map of all volcanic edifices on Venus ever compiled. It provides researchers with an enormously valuable database for understanding volcanism on that planet - a key planetary process, but for Venus is something about which we know very little, even though it’s a world about the same size as our own,” said Byrne.



The new database will enable scientists to think about where to search for evidence of recent geological activity, either by trawling through the decades-old Magellan data or by analyzing future data and comparing it with Magellan data.&nbsp;



The study includes detailed analyses of where volcanoes are, where and how they’re clustered, and how their spatial distributions compare with geophysical properties of the planet such as crustal thickness. According to Hahn, the volcano dataset is hosted at Washington University and is publicly available for other scientists to use.&nbsp;



“We’ve already heard from colleagues that they’ve downloaded the data and are starting to analyze it - which is exactly what we want,” said Byrne. “Other people will come up with questions we haven’t, about volcano shape, size, distribution, timing of activity in different parts of the planet, you name it. I’m excited to see what they can figure out with the new database!”



The scientists found relatively fewer volcanoes in the 20-100 km diameter range, which they believe may be a function of magma availability and eruption rate.&nbsp;



The experts also wanted to take a closer look at smaller volcanoes on Venus - those less than three miles across that have been overlooked by previous volcano hunters. Hahn says that they represent about 99 percent of her dataset. “We looked at their distribution using different spatial statistics to figure out whether the volcanoes are clustered around other structures on Venus, or if they’re grouped in certain areas."



Although there are volcanoes across almost the entire surface of Venus, Hahn believes there are hundreds of thousands of additional geologic features that have some volcanic properties lurking on the surface of Venus, too small to be picked up.



“A volcano one kilometer in diameter in the Magellan data would be seven pixels across, which is really hard to see,” explained Hahn. “But with improved resolution, we could be able to resolve those structures.”&nbsp;



Future missions to Venus in the 2030s by NASA and the European Space Agency are set to acquire high-resolution radar images of the surface that will help scientists search for these smaller volcanoes.



“This is one of the most exciting discoveries we’ve made for Venus - with data that are decades old! But there are still a huge number of questions we have for Venus that we can’t answer, for which we have to get into the clouds and onto the surface. We’re just getting started,” said Byrne.



The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2023JE007753">Journal of Geophysical Research Planets</a>.



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Volcanoes cover nearly the entire surface of Venus

Planetary scientists at Washington University in St. Louis, Paul Byrne...

A groundbreaking study published today in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/acc085">Environmental Research Letters</a> presents an innovative framework for governments worldwide to assess their preparedness for one of the most critical threats to marine ecosystems: ocean acidification. The research, conducted by an international team of scientists from over a dozen institutions, including the <a href="https://www.calacademy.org/">California Academy of Sciences</a>, aims to guide future policies addressing the issue.



"Ocean acidification is one of climate change's silent killers," said Dr. Rebecca Albright, founder of the Coral Regeneration Lab (CoRL). "While not as high-profile as threats like coral bleaching, ocean acidification will cause widespread destruction of marine environments by the end of this decade if we don't take urgent action."



Ocean acidification is a process that occurs when the pH of seawater decreases due to the absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. As humans release more CO2 through activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, a significant portion of this excess CO2 dissolves into the oceans.



When CO2 dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, which then dissociates into bicarbonate ions and hydrogen ions. This increase in hydrogen ions leads to a reduction in pH, making the ocean water more acidic. The process also reduces the availability of carbonate ions, which are essential building blocks for many marine organisms, such as corals, shellfish, and some types of plankton, to form their shells and skeletons.



Ocean acidification can have severe consequences for marine ecosystems, as it negatively affects the growth, reproduction, and survival of many marine species. It can also disrupt food webs and impact the overall health and biodiversity of ocean habitats. Moreover, ocean acidification has socioeconomic implications, as it threatens the livelihoods of communities that depend on marine resources for food, tourism, and other economic activities.



Albright and her team sought to determine what actions governments should take to develop comprehensive plans to protect both the environment and society from ocean acidification. The researchers identified six aspects of effective ocean acidification policy, each with specific indicators that policymaking bodies, from local governments to federal agencies, can use to evaluate and guide their policies.



The six aspects of effective policy include: climate protection measures, ocean acidification literacy, area-based management, research and development, adaptive capacity of dependent sectors, and policy coherence. These factors encompass considerations such as greenhouse gas emissions reduction, public awareness, resilience in marine protected areas, investment in research, understanding of impacts on political and socioeconomic sectors, and consistency with evidence-based, science-backed efforts to address climate change and ocean acidification.



As a case study, the researchers applied the framework to evaluate Australia's preparedness for ocean acidification. The country, home to the world's largest system of coral reefs, supports the livelihoods of over a billion people but is uniquely vulnerable to acidification.&nbsp;



The experts found that although Australia possesses a deep understanding of the adaptive capacity of vulnerable socioeconomic sectors and management strategies explicitly addressing ocean acidification, it lacks policy coherence and broader climate protection measures, which may hinder its ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the primary contributor to ocean acidification.



"Ocean acidification is not an isolated issue, but rather one that is closely linked to other anthropogenic hazards - in Australia and elsewhere - such as warming, sea level rise, oxygen loss, and eutrophication," said Dr. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg from the University of Queensland. "Therefore, any policy designed to address ocean acidification either locally or globally must consider the many interconnected factors and their impacts on both ecosystems and society."



The researchers believe that their framework will help countries establish a baseline to assess their preparedness for ocean acidification, enabling scientists, conservationists, and governing bodies at all levels to identify areas for investment or collaboration to better protect their environments and societies.



"After governments self-assess their readiness for ocean acidification, they'll have a better sense of where gaps may exist," said Dr. Sarah Cooley, director of Climate Science at the Ocean Conservancy. "This self-test will help governments focus future efforts to make sure they are emphasizing the most essential areas for them and can take the necessary steps to address the salient threats from acidification."



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Preparing for ocean acidification, a silent killer of climate change

A groundbreaking study published today in the journal Environmental Research...

The world's coastal salt marshes serve as crucial carbon storage hotspots, building up sediments and plant material to maintain their elevation above sea level. However, as sea levels rise at an increasing rate, the scientific community is divided on whether these wetlands can continue to win the race against rising waters.&nbsp;



A new study has now shed light on how salt marshes along the U.S. East Coast have responded to accelerating sea level rise by building elevation more quickly over the last century.



Published in the <a href="https://www.agu.org/">AGU</a> journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2022EF003037">Earth's Future</a>, the study examined soil accretion rates across nine salt marshes from Maine to Georgia using soil cores that provide over 100 years of marsh history. The researchers dated the soil to calculate how quickly the wetlands grew over time and how those rates changed.&nbsp;



According to Nathaniel Weston, an ecosystems ecologist at Villanova University who led the study, this research is the first to document what's happening on this scale.



Two primary factors determine how quickly a salt marsh accumulates soil: the amount of sediment deposited during tidal floods and the amount of organic matter from the marsh's plants that escape decomposition.



Human activities, such as building dams or clearing land for agriculture, can disrupt sediment supply to marshes. Additionally, cooler temperatures facilitate the accumulation of more organic matter.



A coastal wetland can keep pace with rising waters if sea level rise is slow, sediment is abundant, and vegetation thrives. However, if the sea level rises too rapidly, this delicate balance is lost. "These feedback cycles allow a marsh to keep up and increase its rate of soil accretion up until a point where it just can't," said Weston. "After that, it falls off the other end and can no longer exist as a marsh. And it's very likely that will happen in many places."



While soil accretion rates increased in all nine marshes studied, only six managed to build soil at roughly the same rate as sea level rise over the past century. Three marshes in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia fell behind due to rapid sea level rise, low sediment supplies from damming, and warmer temperatures. Weston suggests that many coastal salt marshes worldwide might be accelerating their growth for now, but the future remains uncertain.



Molly Keogh, a coastal geologist at the University of Oregon not involved in the study, expressed concern about the future of these wetlands.&nbsp;



"There's got to be a tipping point where wetlands simply can't keep up with these increasingly fast rates of sea level rise," said Keogh. "There are places, like the Mississippi Delta, that have already reached these tipping points. At this point, the drowning of [coastal] wetlands is essentially inevitable."&nbsp;



Slowing sea level rise is essential but poses an immense and slow-moving challenge that might not come quickly enough to save salt marshes.



To mitigate inundation, communities could implement "living shorelines" of vegetation to retain sediment, said Weston. A more expensive and temporary solution involves spraying a slurry of mud and water over the marsh, which adds a few millimeters of sediment and can offset sea level rise for a few years. However, the long-term survival of these critical ecosystems ultimately depends on finding ways to slow down the rising sea levels.



Coastal salt marshes are important for several reasons, as they provide a variety of ecological, economic, and protective functions:



<ol>
<li>Carbon storage: Salt marshes are highly effective in capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. They sequester carbon in the form of plant biomass and sediment, making them essential for mitigating the impacts of climate change.</li>



<li>Biodiversity: Salt marshes are rich, productive ecosystems that support a wide range of plant and animal species, including birds, fish, crustaceans, and other marine life. They serve as critical habitats, nesting grounds, and nurseries for many species, contributing to the overall health and diversity of coastal environments.</li>



<li>Water quality: Salt marshes act as natural filters for pollutants, absorbing and breaking down contaminants that enter the ecosystem from land runoff and industrial discharges. By improving water quality, they protect the health of marine organisms and maintain the ecological balance of coastal waters.</li>



<li>Shoreline protection: Salt marshes serve as natural barriers against coastal erosion and storm surges, as their dense vegetation helps to dissipate wave energy and trap sediments. This function is particularly important in mitigating the impacts of sea-level rise and protecting coastal communities from flooding and storm damage.</li>



<li>Economic value: Coastal salt marshes contribute to local economies by supporting commercial and recreational fisheries, as well as tourism-related activities such as birdwatching, boating, and nature photography. The ecosystem services they provide, such as water filtration and shoreline protection, also have significant economic value.</li>



<li>Education and research: Salt marshes offer unique opportunities for scientific research, environmental monitoring, and educational programs, helping to advance our understanding of coastal ecosystems and their response to environmental changes.</li>
</ol>



Coastal salt marshes are vital ecosystems that play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance, protecting coastal communities, and supporting local economies. Their conservation is essential for the long-term health and resilience of our coastal environments.



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Some coastal salt marshes are keeping pace with sea level rise

The world's coastal salt marshes serve as crucial carbon storage...

A groundbreaking study published today sheds light on the historical contributions of different nations to global warming through their emissions of key greenhouse gases since 1850. This research marks a significant step in tracking the impacts of climate change in a critical decade for climate policy.&nbsp;



The collaborative effort includes several members of the team responsible for the annual Global Carbon Budget and utilizes published records of historical emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) from the pre-industrial period to 2021.



The study, led by Dr. Matthew Jones from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the <a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/">University of East Anglia</a> (UEA) calculated the global mean surface temperature response to emissions of all three gases. The researchers also analyzed national contributions to warming resulting from emissions of each gas, including those from fossil fuel and land use sectors.&nbsp;



The findings, published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/sdata/">Scientific Data</a>, offer a comprehensive ranking of countries that have contributed the most to global warming and provide insights into how these contributions have evolved over recent decades.



For instance, the study highlights changes since 1992, when the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was established, representing a key milestone in international climate policy.&nbsp;



Up to 2021, the largest contributors to global warming through emissions of all three gases since 1850 were the USA (0.28°C / 17.3% of warming induced by global emissions of all three GHGs), China (0.20°C / 12.3%), Russia (0.10°C / 6.1%), Brazil (0.08°C / 4.9%), India (0.08°C / 4.8%), and Indonesia, Germany, UK, Japan, and Canada (each contributing 0.03-0.05°C).



Of the three greenhouse gases, global emissions of CO2 have had the most significant impact on warming. The study reveals that up to 2021, warming through global CO2 emissions was 1.11°C, through CH4 emissions it was 0.41°C, and through N2O emissions it was 0.08°C.&nbsp;



Moreover, 69.1% of the total warming caused by the three gases was related to CO2 emissions alone. This percentage varies across countries and tends to be lowest in nations with large agricultural sectors, as agriculture is a major source of CH4 and N2O emissions.



As an example, the research breaks down the contributions of each gas for several countries: UK (CO2 accounts for 87.6% of warming induced by national emissions of all three GHGs), USA (83.3%), Russia (76.1%), Indonesia (71.3%), Brazil (64.7%), and China (64.3%).



The emissions data for CO2 used in this study came from the Global Carbon Budget, while figures for CH4 and N2O were provided by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). This research represents a crucial tool for understanding the historical contributions of various countries to global warming and informing future climate policy discussions.



“Countries have made commitments to reduce their emissions of CO2, CH4&nbsp;and N2O with the goal of avoiding the most detrimental impacts of climate change, including from drought, wildfires, flooding and sea level rise,” said Dr. Jones.



“This new dataset will prove a critical tool for tracking the effect of changing national emissions on warming, for example as a result of climate policies implemented since the Paris Agreement. During the coming years, we hope to see the warming contributions by all countries level off, with no new additions to warming year-on-year, as commitments to reach net-zero emissions are met or surpassed.”



Since 1992, there has been a shift in the contributions of various countries to global warming. China, for instance, has surpassed Russia and is now the second largest contributor to global warming. Similarly, Indonesia has overtaken Germany and the UK, securing the sixth spot on the list of top contributors to global warming.



“Notably, the combined contributions to warming from Brazil, South Africa, India and China rose from 17% in 1992 to 23% in 2021, whereas the contribution from the industrialised OECD countries fell slightly from 47% to 40%," said Dr. Jones.



“These examples illustrate how the contributions to global warming from industrialising nations are rising as their emissions grow relative to early-industrialisers, many of which have begun to decarbonise.”



The study sheds light on the differing causes of national contributions to global warming, particularly in countries at varying stages of industrialization. It reveals that in 50% of the world's nations, the land use and forestry sectors continue to have a significant impact on global warming, accounting for a substantial portion of emissions since 1850.&nbsp;



“The contributions of Brazil, Indonesia and Argentina and many other countries are still dominated by emissions linked to historical deforestation and agricultural expansion since 1850,” said Dr. Jones.



“However, in most countries, fossil emissions have exceeded land use during the past few decades, meaning&nbsp;additional&nbsp;contributions to warming have mainly been caused by fossil fuel emissions.



“Since 1992, the additional warming caused by global fossil fuel emissions has been over four times greater than the additional warming caused by land use change.”



The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) regulates the emissions of CO2, CH4, and N2O due to their enduring and potent impact on the climate. Under the Paris Agreement, countries set CO2 targets through nationally determined contributions (NDCs), with approximately 90% of NDCs also incorporating targets for CH4 and N2O emissions.



As a result, closely monitoring the emissions of CO2, CH4, and N2O, as well as the climate's response to these emissions, is essential for maintaining accountability in relation to NDCs.



Additionally, this research aims to contribute to the first Global Stocktake of the UNFCCC, a process outlined in the Paris Agreement to evaluate each nation's progress in achieving the agreement's objective of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. The results of this study will be presented at the COP28 conference this year.



The group responsible for the creation of this new dataset comprises scientists from various prestigious institutions, including the Center for International Climate Research (CICERO) in Norway, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in Germany, the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Austria, the Woodwell Climate Research Center in the United States, and the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom.



Study co-author Professor Pierre Friedlingstein, a member of Exeter's Global Systems Institute, emphasized the dataset's distinctiveness. “This publication is quite unique. It will provide not only an annual update on the greenhouse gas emissions for all countries of the world but also their respective contribution to global warming. The dataset reveals the dominant role of some key countries, such as the USA, China, and EU27, which together account for 40% of the global warming due to CO2, CH4, and N2O.”



Setting this dataset apart from its predecessors is its commitment to regular updates, with at least an annual refresh as new national emissions figures emerge, for instance, during the publication of the Global Carbon Budget. The dataset is accessible to the public through an online repository.



“By focusing on the three gases that most countries include in their NDCs, this dataset is uniquely positioned to informing climate policy and benchmarking,” said Dr. Jones. “It should become a living resource for continually tracking contributions to climate change and, more importantly, how those are changing.”



The warming resulting from the emissions of CO2, CH4, and N2O closely aligns with the values reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). However, the present study does not take into account the cooling effect of human-generated aerosols, estimated by the IPCC to be 0.4°C, or the warming impact of certain other emitted gases, such as chlorofluorocarbons. These aerosols and gases are infrequently included in nationally determined contributions (NDCs).



The full dataset described in the paper is available via this link: <a href="https://zenodo.org/record/7636699#.Y_c9O-zP1JE">https://zenodo.org/record/7636699#.Y_c9O-zP1JE</a>&nbsp;



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Tracking every nation’s contribution to climate change

A groundbreaking study published today sheds light on the historical...

Lizards, despite their small size and relatively simple ear structure, have surprisingly good hearing. While their range of hearing frequencies may not be as wide as that of humans, recent research indicates that these creatures can be impacted by noise pollution.&nbsp;



Scientists have studied the effects of low-flying military aircraft noise on an uncommon lizard species, the Colorado checkered whiptail (Aspidoscelis neotesselatus), in a unique collaboration with the US Army.



The Colorado checkered whiptail is considered a "species at risk" by the US Army and a "species of special concern" by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Native to southeastern Colorado, these lizards inhabit shrubland and mixed grassland along dry creek beds. They are exclusively triploid females that reproduce asexually and are around 30 cm long, including their thin, long tails.



In a study conducted at Fort Carson US military Installation near Colorado Springs, researchers observed several A. neotesselatus populations on the 550 square km of land. With military helicopters and jets frequently flying over their habitat, the researchers set out to examine the effects of such noise disturbance on the lizards' behavior and well-being.



Led by Megen Kepas, a doctoral student at Utah State University, the team conducted an experimental study in 2021. They coordinated with US army pilots to schedule aircraft flyovers of the designated study area, where noise levels reached up to 112.2 dB – comparable to an orchestra or a power saw.



During the study, the researchers observed and caught unmarked lizards, weighing, measuring, and collecting blood samples for hormone measurements. They also used portable ultrasounds to determine pregnancy status and the number and size of developing eggs. The lizards were then marked according to approved Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols.



Back in the lab, the researchers analyzed the preserved blood samples for concentrations of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as glucose, ketones, and reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs). While they found that cortisol levels increased sharply immediately after flyovers, glucose, ROMs, and ketone concentrations remained unaffected.



"We found that whiptails at the Fort Carson show a stress response to aircraft flyovers, after we accounted for individual differences in body size and reproductive investment, in particular the number of developing eggs," said Layne Sermersheim, a master's student at Utah State University and the study's co-first author.



The results revealed that the lizards reacted to flyover noise by increasing their blood cortisol and ketone levels, indicating a stress response that rapidly mobilizes more energy resources. Interestingly, females with more developing eggs tended to have a higher increase in cortisol, suggesting that reproductive females may be more susceptible to noise disturbance.



Moreover, the researchers found that the lizards' behavior was also affected by the noise pollution: they spent less time moving about but more time eating when exposed to noise from flyovers.&nbsp;



"Compensatory eating would allow individuals to maintain their energy levels during a stressful event. This is important because metabolism, physical activity, investment into reproduction, and hormonal responses require energy," explained Sermersheim.



Overall, the study highlights the physiological and behavioral impacts of noise pollution on the Colorado checkered whiptail lizards. It also underscores their resilience, as the lizards seem to be able to compensate for these disturbances by adjusting their feeding and movement behaviors.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/famrs.2023.1129253">Frontiers in Amphibian and Reptile Science</a>.



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Lizards are stress eating during military flyovers 

Lizards, despite their small size and relatively simple ear structure,...

In the heart of North America's most arid and scorching desert, climate change is driving the decline of plant species once believed to be nearly indestructible. In their place, shorter shrubs are emerging, capitalizing on sporadic rainfall and warmer temperatures.&nbsp;



Although this phenomenon has been observed in temperate mountain regions, a new study from the <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/">University of California, Riverside</a> (UCR) reveals unexpected patterns of plant redistribution in the Sonoran Desert.



Study first author Tesa Madsen-Hepp pointed out that the findings challenge conventional expectations: "The plants are shifting, but in weird ways. We thought most of them would move to higher elevations with cooler temperatures. But while some lower-elevation trees are declining and shifting upwards, we’re also seeing some other species moving down, toward hotter parts of the desert."



The research, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.14308">Functional Ecology</a>, not only documents these surprising shifts in elevation but also investigates the physical characteristics of the plants in question to uncover the reasons behind this change.



The research team conducted their study in 2019 at the Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center, located just south of Palm Desert. This area, spanning an 8,000-foot desert-to-mountaintop range, had been previously examined by ecologists in 1977 and 2008, providing valuable context for the recent findings.



Madsen-Hepp notes that some traditionally stress-tolerant species, such as California juniper and pinyon pine, are declining or shifting upwards, yet they are not thriving in their new locations. By contrast, plant species with shallower root systems, like brittlebush, burrow bush, and ocotillo, are taking over their former low-elevation spots. These shorter plants are not only less reliant on deep soil water, but they can also grow faster and invest fewer resources in their leaves.



Study senior author Professor Marko Spasojevic describes these species as "weedier." He says that these plants have "cheaper" leaves in terms of carbon cost to produce them, and they are drought deciduous, meaning they can shed leaves during stressful conditions and wait for the drought to subside.



Plants that retain their leaves year-round typically invest in thicker leaves with higher carbon content, putting them at a disadvantage compared to those that can easily shed leaves. When plants drop their leaves, the atmosphere can no longer draw water from them, reducing the burden on their roots to replenish the lost water.



According to Madsen-Hepp, the "live-slow-die-old" strategy that used to work for plants in this extreme environment is no longer effective due to increased climate stress. Once these plants reach their physiological thresholds, she warns, there is little that can be done to revive them.



The researchers also discovered that, contrary to more temperate ecosystems, the lower desert elevations are warming faster than the higher ones. The shrubs and bushes taking over are not necessarily originating from the highest points in the desert, but rather are lower-elevation plants expanding their range.



The observed upward range shifts of approximately 29 meters per decade are consistent with the higher end of global rates for plant movement in response to climate warming. On average, plants in temperate regions have shown range shift rates between 5 and 30 meters a decade.



Professor Spasojevic emphasizes the vulnerability of desert ecosystems to climate change, stating that they may be even more sensitive than Arctic and alpine ecosystems, which are typically seen as bellwethers for climate change. He urges the reduction of fossil fuel emissions as the key to alleviating stress on these fragile environments.



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Even desert plants are not immune to climate stress

In the heart of North America's most arid and scorching...

In the rapidly urbanizing world we live in, urban <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blue-and-green-spaces-are-beneficial-in-all-stages-of-life/">green spaces</a> such as parks and gardens serve as vital connections to nature for city dwellers. Not only do these green areas contribute to our physical and mental well-being, but they also play a crucial role in regulating heat waves, floods, and carbon sequestration.&nbsp;



However, until recently, the factors affecting carbon sequestration in urban green spaces remained largely unknown, leaving considerable uncertainty in future predictions about the magnitude of carbon sequestration in these ecosystems.



A groundbreaking study led by the <a href="https://www.irnas.csic.es/en/laboratorio-de-biodiversidad-y-funcionamiento-ecosistemico-biofunlab/">BioFunLab research group</a> sheds light on this critical issue, as they collected samples from 56 cities across all continents. The study emphasizes the importance of urban green spaces as carbon reservoirs, with soil carbon levels equivalent to those found in natural areas near cities.&nbsp;



"Our study shows that urban parks in green spaces around the world have an equivalent amount of carbon in the soil to natural areas near our cities, highlighting the role of our parks in a context of climate change," said lead author Manuel Delgado Baquerizo.



The research also reveals that the carbon stored in natural areas and urban parks is controlled by similar climatic factors. "Warmer cities have lower soil carbon content in urban parks and natural ecosystems, which is not good news in our fight against climate change in a warmer world," said Delgado Baquerizo.



However, the researchers found that carbon levels in cities and natural areas are regulated by different biological factors. While carbon in natural areas is closely linked to the primary productivity of the ecosystem, soil microbes play a crucial role in determining carbon levels in urban parks and gardens.&nbsp;



Tadeo Sáez, a member of BioFunLab and co-author of the paper, explained that ecosystem management, such as mowing, is essential in explaining carbon sequestration in urban green spaces. "Our study demonstrates that soil microbes are the main drivers of carbon in urban areas."



The researchers also discovered that the role of microbes as carbon regulators in urban parks has its drawbacks. "Carbon in park and garden soils is more vulnerable to loss through microbial respiration in response to global warming," said Delgado Baquerizo. "These soils have a high proportion of genes associated with the decomposition and mineralization of organic matter," added Tadeo Sáez.



Given the importance of urban parks as carbon reservoirs in a world where seven out of ten people will live in cities by 2050, the researchers conclude that future parks and urban policies should take soil microbiomes into account to maintain soil carbon and its capacity to support multiple ecosystem services, as well as the sustainability of our parks.&nbsp;



"Our study demonstrates the importance of parks as carbon reservoirs in an urbanized world, where 7 out of 10 people will live in cities by 2050. Future parks and urban policies should take into account the soil microbiome to maintain soil carbon and its capacity to maintain multiple ecosystem services as well as the sustainability of our parks," said Delgado Baquerizo.



The proportion of the population with access to urban green spaces can vary significantly depending on the city, country, and region in question. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that urban residents should have access to at least 9 square meters of green space per capita, and that green spaces should be within a 15-minute walk (or 300 meters) of every resident's home.



It's essential for city planners and policymakers to prioritize the creation and maintenance of urban green spaces, as they contribute to the overall quality of life, promote physical and mental health, and offer environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration and heat regulation.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41558-023-01646-z">Nature Climate Change</a>.



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Parks play an integral role in the fight against climate change

In the rapidly urbanizing world we live in, urban green...

Climate change has predominantly been studied in the context of larger, long-lived species with low reproductive rates. However, researchers from the <a href="https://www.dpz.eu/en/home.html">German Primate Center</a> – Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Zurich, have turned their attention to the often overlooked smaller species with high reproductive rates, focusing on the mouse lemurs of Madagascar. These tiny creatures, known for their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions, could provide critical insights into the impact of climate change on biodiversity in the tropics.



Mouse lemurs thrive in the forests of Madagascar, where they depend on the five-month rainy season to produce offspring and build up a fat reserve to endure the cool dry season when food becomes scarce. But with the rainy season growing drier and the dry season warmer due to climate change, can mouse lemurs continue to adapt and survive? The researchers' long-term data analysis suggests that climate change is causing significant destabilization in mouse lemur populations, putting them at an increased risk of extinction.



Claudia Fichtel and Peter Kappeler from the German Primate Center have been studying lemurs in Madagascar for many years, compiling an invaluable data set that spans 26 years, from 1994 to 2020. Their work has centered on the demographic structure of a mouse lemur population at the DPZ research station in Madagascar. During the same period, climate data revealed a trend of increasingly drier rainy seasons and warmer dry seasons in the region.



In collaboration with their University of Zurich colleagues, Fichtel and Kappeler analyzed the data and discovered an alarming correlation between climate change and the stability of the mouse lemur population. They observed a rise in mortality rates alongside increasing reproductive rates in the lemurs.&nbsp;



"These opposing trends have prevented a collapse of the mouse lemur population, but have nevertheless led to a destabilization of the population, as the already fast life cycle of the animals has been further accelerated," explained Fichtel.



Mouse lemurs have been living on Madagascar for millions of years. The exact time of their arrival on the island is challenging to pinpoint, but fossil and genetic evidence suggests that lemurs have inhabited Madagascar for at least 50 million years. The ancestors of modern lemurs likely reached Madagascar by rafting on vegetation mats from mainland Africa, after which they diversified into the many different lemur species we see today, including mouse lemurs.



This fluctuation in population size, driven by climate change, poses a significant threat to the survival of mouse lemurs and could ultimately result in the extinction of the species. Peter Kappeler notes that "even an animal species that is supposedly able to adapt easily to changing environmental conditions thanks to a high reproductive rate is threatened in its survival by climate changes." This is particularly concerning, as lemurs are endemic to Madagascar and are considered the world's most endangered mammals.



Claudia Fichtel emphasizes the importance of incorporating demographic stability data when assessing the extinction risk of a species, although she acknowledges that such long-term observations are not yet available for many animal species. The researchers' findings serve as a stark warning of the potential biodiversity losses in the tropics due to climate change, even among species previously believed to be adaptable to environmental shifts.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2214244120">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Mouse lemurs of Madagascar are threatened with extinction

Climate change has predominantly been studied in the context of...

The Greenland Ice Sheet, a massive body of ice covering an area of 1.7 million square kilometers (660,200 square miles) in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-sea-ice-will-soon-vanish-during-the-summer/">Arctic</a>, has the potential to raise global sea levels by about seven meters (23 feet) if it were to melt completely.&nbsp;



Understanding the timeline and rate of this melting process is crucial for scientists, as it helps them predict and prepare for the potential impacts on coastal regions worldwide. However, determining the rate at which the ice sheet could melt has proven to be challenging due to the myriad of factors that influence it.



In a groundbreaking new study, climate scientist Dennis Höning from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and his team have identified two critical tipping points that could determine the fate of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Tipping points are thresholds where a system's behavior undergoes an irreversible change, and in this case, could lead to the permanent loss of large portions of the ice sheet.&nbsp;



According to the study, published in AGU's journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2022GL101827">Geophysical Research Letters</a>, if humanity releases 1,000 gigatons of carbon into the atmosphere, it will trigger the melting of the southern portion of the ice sheet.&nbsp;



A more alarming tipping point of 2,500 gigatons of carbon would result in the near-total loss of the ice sheet. Currently, we have emitted about 500 gigatons of carbon, placing us halfway to the first tipping point.



"The first tipping point is not far from today's climate conditions, so we're in danger of crossing it," said Höning. "Once we start sliding, we will fall off this cliff and cannot climb back up."



Between 2003 and 2016, the Greenland Ice Sheet has already experienced significant melting, losing approximately 255 gigatons (billions of tons) of ice each year. A complex interplay of factors, including air and water temperature, ocean currents, precipitation, and others, influences the rate and location of ice loss.&nbsp;



The difficulty in predicting how these factors interact, coupled with the long timescales needed to study such a massive ice sheet, has made it challenging for researchers to accurately forecast how the ice sheet might respond to various climate and carbon emissions scenarios.



Previous research suggested that global warming between one and three degrees Celsius (1.8 to 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit) could irreversibly lead to the melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet. However, this new study employed a more comprehensive model, combining a whole Earth system model that takes into account all key climate feedback processes with an ice sheet behavior model.&nbsp;



The researchers conducted a series of 20,000-year-long simulations with carbon emissions ranging from 0 to 4,000 gigatons to identify the equilibrium states of the ice sheet and the critical tipping points.



As the ice sheet melts, its surface will be exposed to warmer air temperatures at lower elevations, creating a feedback loop that accelerates the melting process. Höning explains that a brief temperature increase of two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) would not trigger this feedback loop, but maintaining elevated global air temperatures for hundreds of years or longer would.&nbsp;



Once the ice sheet crosses the tipping point, its continued melting becomes inevitable, and even a reduction in atmospheric carbon dioxide to pre-industrial levels would not be sufficient to regrow the ice sheet significantly.



"We cannot continue carbon emissions at the same rate for much longer without risking crossing the tipping points," Höning warned. "Most of the ice sheet melting won't occur in the next decade, but it won't be too long before we will not be able to work against it anymore."



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Greenland Ice Sheet is approaching a critical tipping point 

The Greenland Ice Sheet, a massive body of ice covering...

A team of botanists from Ecuador, Germany, and the United States have discovered two new species of carnivorous <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/native-island-plants-may-not-survive-animal-extinctions/">plants</a>. The species are both part of the genus Pinguicula, which is a group of flowering plants known as butterworts.&nbsp;



Butterworts are capable of catching and digesting small insects with their sticky leaves. The new species were found in the high Andes of southern Ecuador, near the border with Peru. This discovery is significant because the majority of butterwort species are distributed in the northern hemisphere.



Carnivorous plants are plants that have evolved to capture and digest small animals, usually insects, in order to obtain additional nutrients that are lacking in their soil or environment. These plants have developed specialized structures, such as sticky leaves or traps, that allow them to catch and consume their prey.



There are many different types of carnivorous plants, including sundews, Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, and bladderworts, among others. Each type of carnivorous plant has its own unique adaptations and mechanisms for catching and digesting prey.



Carnivorous plants are found in a variety of environments, but they are most commonly found in nutrient-poor habitats, such as bogs, swamps, and other wetlands. These plants are able to thrive in these environments by supplementing their nutrient intake with the nutrients obtained from their prey.



The new Pinguicula species, Pinguicula jimburensis and Pinguicula ombrophila, were found in small-scale habitats within the Amotape-Huancabamba zone. This region is characterized by exceptional biodiversity due in part to the fact that the rugged terrain and varied climate of the Andes provide many microhabitats.&nbsp;



Pinguicula jimburensis was found on the shore of a highland lagoon at 3,400 meters, while Pinguicula ombrophila was found on a nearly vertical rock face at 2,900 meters.



Study senior author Tilo Henning is an expert at the Leibniz Center for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), who specializes in this plant family in this region. Álvaro Pérez of the Pontifica Universidad Catolica del Ecuador and his team were the first to discover the plants, before contacting Henning.



"Both of these new species are only known from a single location, where only a few dozens of plant individuals occur in each case," said Henning. He explained that this narrow endemism, or limited distribution in a particular area, is typical of the Amotape-Huancabamba zone, and there are many more new plant and animal species awaiting discovery.&nbsp;



"The results presented in this study show that the assessment of the Neotropical biodiversity is far from complete. Even in well-known groups such as the carnivorous plants, new taxa are continuously discovered and described, in particular from remote areas that become accessible in the course of the unlimited urban sprawl,” wrote the researchers. “This is both encouraging and worrying at the same time".



"Relentless urban sprawl and the accompanying destruction of habitats pose a massive threat to biodiversity in general, and to the tightly-knit and specialized organisms that depend on their fragile microhabitats in particular," said Henning.



While the two new species are relatively safe from direct human interference, as they both occur within protected areas, human-induced climate change is increasingly affecting ecosystems regardless of location, especially those that rely on regular precipitation, such as mountain wetlands.



The dependence on a constant climate is even reflected in the name of one of the two new species: Pinguicula ombrophila means “rain-loving butterwort," as the plant prefers very wet conditions, receiving moisture from the waterlogged paramo-soil and enjoying the frequent rain and fog typical for this area.&nbsp;



With the discovery of these two new species, the number of Pinguicula species recorded in Ecuador has tripled, as previously only P. calyptrata was known, discovered by none other than Alexander von Humboldt. The authors are convinced that there are many more new species of carnivorous plants around the world waiting to be discovered.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.222.98139">PhytoKeys</a>.&nbsp;



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Two new species of carnivorous plants discovered in Ecuador

A team of botanists from Ecuador, Germany, and the United...

<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.



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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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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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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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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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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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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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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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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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

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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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