Many expect warmer winters to reduce cold snaps, but that isn't how it works. A new study reveals that the polar vortex, happening high in the stratosphere, still controls much of what happens at ground level.



In this study, scientists looked at how changes in that polar vortex - especially in the stratosphere (a layer of the atmosphere way above us) - affect winter weather in the U.S. 



They discovered that the shape and strength of the vortex at two different heights can look totally different, and this matters a lot.



The study was conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://www.uml.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Massachusetts Lowell</a>, <a href="https://en.huji.ac.il/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hebrew University</a> of Jerusalem,&nbsp;and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (<a href="https://www.mit.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIT</a>).



“The public often hears about the ‘polar vortex’ when winter turns severe, but we wanted to dig deeper and understand how variations within this vortex affect where and when extreme cold hits,” the research team explained.



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



Imagine the atmosphere above the North Pole as a swirling dome of icy air - that’s the polar vortex, officially called the stratospheric polar vortex (<a href="https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/understanding-arctic-polar-vortex" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SPV</a>). 



When it’s strong and stable, winter in the U.S. tends to stay fairly calm. But when this vortex gets stretched, twisted, or broken apart, cold air can spill southward, triggering severe winter weather across the country.



This study dug into how different shapes and behaviors of the polar vortex - not just at one level of the atmosphere but at two - affect winter storms in the U.S. 



Over the last decade, the worst <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astonishing-global-heat-in-january-2025-defied-climate-expectations/">cold snaps</a> have been hitting farther west than before. That shift seems to line up with more frequent La Niña events - times when the Pacific Ocean is cooler than usual. 



La Niña tends to favor the version of the vortex that affects the western U.S., while El Niño, its warmer sibling, leans more toward the version that affects the east.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-different-types-of-polar-vortexes">Different types of polar vortexes</h2>



The researchers used a technique called <a href="https://stanford.edu/~cpiech/cs221/handouts/kmeans.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">K-means clustering</a> (basically, pattern detection in big datasets) to spot five different types of stratospheric behavior. 



Two of these polar vortex classes stood out because they often came with extreme cold and snow.



One pattern (called P2) leads to severe weather in the Northwest U.S.. The other (P3) hits the Central and Eastern regions of the U.S.



P2 features a strong vortex centered over the pole with a stretched lower vortex. It often brings snow and cold to the Northwestern U.S. 



P3 shows a weaker, displaced vortex toward the North Atlantic, steering cold into the Central and Eastern U.S. These variations do not just depend on vortex position but also on how atmospheric waves behave.



Planetary waves can either be absorbed or reflected in the stratosphere. When reflected, they can send cold air barreling southward. 



P3 events consistently show this reflection during the cold wave itself. P2 events often have wave reflection before the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-equation-predicts-a-rapid-rise-in-extreme-heatwaves/">cold</a> snap hits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-the-cold-hits-and-why">Where the cold hits and why</h2>



The researchers used the <a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2024EGUGA..26.2134C/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rAWSSI index</a>, which considers temperature, snow depth, and snowfall.



The analysis revealed that P3 patterns produce the most extreme winter conditions in the Central and Eastern U.S., while P2 patterns primarily affect the Northwestern region with intense cold and snowfall. 



The findings help explain recent cold events, including the severe <a href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/great-texas-freeze-february-2021" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas freeze of 2021</a>.



The Northwest has seen more P2 days recently. This increase matches a northwestward shift in cold air <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-is-accelerating-beyond-control-as-co2-levels-rise/">outbreaks</a>. The central and eastern parts still get hit, but less often now.



Wave activity flux (WAF) offers clues. Before P2 events, reflection happens over Siberia and Alaska. During P3 events, strong reflection occurs over Asia and the Pacific. In P3, this reflection continues as the cold air descends.



Cold air starts in the east, spreads across the Midwest, and settles in the Northwest. These transitions help forecast where the next cold wave might land.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-cycles-and-the-polar-vortex">Global cycles and the polar vortex</h2>



P2 is more frequent during La Niña conditions. P3 prefers El Niño phases. This suggests tropical ocean <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-is-on-pace-to-surpass-1-5c-global-temperature-increase-for-second-year-in-a-row/">temperatures</a> influence how the polar vortex behaves.



Other climate patterns play a role as well. The westerly phase of the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/quasi-biennial-oscillation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">QBO</a>) often coincides with P2 days.



On the other hand, the Arctic Oscillation (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_oscillation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AO</a>) tends to be more negative during P3 events, a state that supports increased cold outbreaks in the Central and Eastern United States.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-winter-cold-is-shifting">Winter cold is shifting</h2>



What makes this research unique is that it doesn’t just focus on surface temperatures like most studies. It includes snow cover and snowfall, too, giving a fuller picture of how the stratosphere connects to what we experience on the ground. 



Despite a warming climate, these findings suggest extreme cold will continue to return each year, even though its location may shift. In the past decade, the coldest anomalies moved westward, which is a change from decades of more common Eastern U.S. cold.



This deeper understanding could help forecasters predict harsh winter conditions weeks in advance by watching patterns in the stratosphere and tropical oceans.



In the end, this study shows that what happens high above the Earth - and even far across the ocean - can shape the winter weather we feel in a big way. And by getting better at reading those signals from way up in the sky, we might get better at preparing for the coming storms.



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The research was funded by the&nbsp;National Science Foundation (<a href="https://www.nsf.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NSF</a>)&nbsp;, the&nbsp;U.S.–Israel Binational Science Foundation (<a href="https://www.bsf.org.il/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BSF</a>)&nbsp;, the&nbsp;U.S. Department of Energy (<a href="https://www.doe.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DOE</a>)&nbsp;, and the&nbsp;National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (<a href="https://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA</a>).



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adq9557" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Why global warming hasn't ended extreme winter cold, and why you shouldn't expect it to

Many expect warmer winters to reduce cold snaps, but that isn't how it works. A new study reveals that the polar vortex, happening high in the stratosphere, still controls much of what happens at ground level. In this study, scientists looked at how changes in that polar vortex - especially in the stratosphere (a layer of the atmosphere way above us) - affect winter weather in the U.S. They discovered that the shape and strength of the vortex at two different heights can look totally different, and this...

Animals have long navigated nature’s challenges, but mountain roads bring a fresh level of peril. These paved strips stretch deeper into wild corners, cutting across habitats once safely out of reach.



Mountains, once celebrated for their rugged isolation, now host busy highways and higher traffic volumes. Many endangered or vulnerable mammals listed by The International Union for Conservation of Nature (<a href="https://iucn.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN</a>) are turning up as roadkill, a term for animals fatally hit by vehicles in these craggy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cities-are-largely-unprepared-for-the-effects-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">regions</a>.



​Professor Aliza le Roux, a professor in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the <a href="https://www.ufs.ac.za/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of the Free State</a>, examined patterns of collisions in elevated landscapes.​



She collaborated with other researchers to explore why species like African wild dogs, lions, and elephants are often lost on twisting roads high above sea level.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mountain-roads-invade-wild-habitats">Mountain roads invade wild habitats</h2>



Mountains in regions around the globe were once free from major traffic. Now, expansions in road infrastructure have placed creatures in harm’s way. 



The researchers note that high elevations, above roughly 6,560 feet, can harbor near threatened or vulnerable animals that become casualties on winding routes.



Steep slopes and sudden weather changes do not help anyone on these roads. It is tough for drivers and wildlife to see each other in time to avoid collisions. This leads to unexpected hazards for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-birds-get-road-rage-when-exposed-to-traffic-noise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> already struggling to survive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-roads-cutting-through-habitats">Roads cutting through habitats</h2>



Amphibians appear to be hit most often in mountainous terrain, while mammals are struck more in lower zones. 



Yet those same mammals at high elevations face a greater extinction <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-is-accelerating-beyond-control-as-co2-levels-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">risk</a> because many are already on watch lists for population declines. The concern is that collisions remove individuals from breeding populations that cannot easily replenish themselves.&nbsp;



One global <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/geb.13375" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">assessment</a> warned of serious outcomes for certain mammals when roads cut through their habitats. The study highlighted animal fatalities on mountain peaks.



“We identified four populations among the 70 species in the target group that could become extinct in 50 years if observed roadkill levels persist,” stated <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Clara-Grilo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Clara Grilo</a>.



Dr. Grilo is a principal researcher in conservation biology at BIOPOLIS who has published over 100 studies on the effects of road networks on birds and mammals, such as behavior, relative abundance, mortality, genetic structure and extinction risk.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mounting-collision-risks">Mounting collision risks </h2>



Big birds, including some eagles and vultures, have also suffered. They can fail to gain enough flight height to clear vehicles along narrow turns. 



A single collision might eliminate a breeding adult from a small, isolated population, further weakening a species’ chances for long-term survival.



Motorists also face real risks if large animals cross suddenly. Elephants, lions, and big antelope species can do serious damage to vehicles, placing people in danger and forcing emergency responses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-missing-data-for-mountain-road-collisions">Missing data for mountain road collisions</h2>



Some areas of Africa and other continents do not collect consistent data on wildlife collisions. Researchers often rely on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/traffic-noise-increases-the-risk-of-hypertension/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">roadside</a> surveys that capture only brief snapshots. 



This patchy approach misses detailed seasonal trends, making it difficult to pinpoint best solutions for engineers and policymakers.



A lack of large-scale, systematic monitoring hampers efforts to identify hotspots. More investment in studies is needed, especially in central and western Africa, to understand which roads demand the most urgent intervention.



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



Better-planned routes could reduce these accidents. Roads placed away from crucial migration paths or built with safe crossing structures can lower wildlife deaths. 



In many regions, alerting drivers through improved signage and enforcing slower speeds where threatened species roam also helps.



Some experts suggest new technology and fresh ideas for wildlife-friendly design. Yet these efforts require funding and cooperation between governments, road planners, and research institutions. Many animals thrive if given the space and safety to move freely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-guarding-wildlife-from-traffic-hazards">Guarding wildlife from traffic hazards </h2>



Mountain road impacts remind us that nature does not end where pavement begins. When expanding infrastructure, it is vital to account for local species’ needs. 



This balanced approach preserves biodiversity and promotes healthier connections between people and wildlife.



Many countries are taking steps to guard wild populations against traffic hazards. Effective plans often emerge when ecologists, engineers, and community leaders join forces to create solutions that serve both sides.



The study is published in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/geb.13375" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Ecology and Biogeography</a>.



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Mountain roads are deadly for endangered animals

Animals have long navigated nature’s challenges, but mountain roads bring...

Many people think of Antarctica as an unchanging mass of ice. Scientists, however, know that its hidden underbelly is active and unpredictable. 



A new investigation that was based on 34 million years of data suggests that we would be wise to take note of these dynamic phenomena as <a href="https://blogs.egu.eu/divisions/cr/2021/02/19/subglacial-hydrology-for-dummies-water-water-everywhere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">subglacial water</a> movements may reshape our understanding of future sea-level <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-much-did-sea-levels-rise-after-the-last-ice-age-alarming-new-clues-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">changes</a>.



“Many studies say the past is an analogue of what might happen in the future,” said Anna-Mireilla Hayden, a PhD candidate from the <a href="https://uwaterloo.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Waterloo</a>, and first author of the study. She noted that ignoring the invisible waterways under the ice could lead to big surprises.



Hayden worked alongside Dr. Tyler Pelle from <a href="https://scripps.ucsd.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scripps Institute of Oceanography</a> in the U.S., and other experts, to understand how these secret river systems evolve over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-subglacial-rivers-shape-antarctica-s-ice">Subglacial rivers shape Antarctica's ice</h2>



Antarctica is more than just a block of ice. Beneath its frozen surface, water travels through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarcticas-hidden-ice-dynamics-will-redefine-sea-level-projections/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">channels</a> deep below the ice sheet. The subglacial water moves with a force that scientists have rarely factored into the usual models of sea-level change.



The researchers focused on the <a href="https://data.aad.gov.au/aadc/gaz/display_name.cfm?gaz_id=2505" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aurora Subglacial Basin</a> which, if fully melted, might push global sea levels up by about 13 feet (4 meters).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-flow-data-and-sea-level-predictions">Water flow data and sea-level predictions</h2>



Scientists already knew that warm ocean waters can melt floating ice shelves from below. However, the recent findings indicate that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sinking-land-will-intensify-the-effects-of-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water flow</a> at the base of the ice adds another layer of complexity to the story.



“It’s important that scientists who model ice sheets account for hydrology because it could reduce uncertainty in estimates of sea-level rise,” said Hayden.



The group noticed that underground rivers have shifted repeatedly, and have influenced how and where the ice might thin or break.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-impact-and-ice-shelf-melting">Ocean impact and ice shelf melting</h2>



The shape and path of these subglacial networks matter because they can channel <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-heat-of-2024-triggered-a-surge-in-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fresh water</a> into the sea at sensitive spots. When cold, fresh water pours out at certain areas beneath ice shelves, it can disrupt the usual ocean patterns and speed up local <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1235798" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice thinning</a>.



Climate experts have often focused on air temperatures or large-scale currents in their models. Fresh water cycling under the ice is now emerging as a hidden factor that could make existing estimates of sea-level rise less certain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-call-for-global-awareness">A call for global awareness</h2>



“It’s critical that projections of sea-level rise include as much relevant information as possible so that the world can take appropriate measures to lessen the devastation to global coastal communities,” said Dr. Christine Dow, a professor at the University of Waterloo.



Dr. Dow pointed out that these findings underscore how fragile the balance really is under Antarctica’s frozen surface. Her team does not expect the ice sheet to give way overnight, but shifts under the glaciers can make them more prone to breaking off faster.



With coastal areas around the globe already facing erosion and higher flooding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/major-coastal-cities-around-the-world-could-disappear-under-rising-seas-by-2100/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">risks</a>, the science community sees this as a reminder that small tweaks in the environment can yield very large consequences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forecasts-need-subglacial-water-insights">Forecasts need subglacial water insights</h2>



Going forward, experts suggest that any attempts to forecast future sea levels take these long-buried waterways into account. Models that leave out the subglacial picture could be missing critical pieces of how glaciers might evolve as temperatures warm.



The researchers say further work is needed to track how the flow beneath the ice might accelerate or change direction in the next few decades. Understanding these rivers could help refine local and global strategies for coastal planning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-past-reveals-about-the-future">What the past reveals about the future</h2>



The study showed that subglacial drainage systems, which influence sea level, have never stayed in one configuration for long. As the climate shifted over millions of years, so did the routes and volumes of meltwater flowing beneath the ice.



During a period known as the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/eocene-oligocene-boundary" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eocene-Oligocene Boundary</a>, 34 million years ago, long underground rivers carried high volumes of water under thick ice. 



Surprisingly, the predicted drainage patterns for 2100 under extreme warming closely resemble those ancient conditions, even though they are derived from opposite climate extremes



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57700-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Hidden rivers beneath Antarctic ice reshape sea-level predictions

Many people think of Antarctica as an unchanging mass of...

California,Wildflower,Super,Bloom,In,Carrizo,Plain,National,Monument,-

Flowers are more than just a sign of spring - they’re part of a natural rhythm shaped by light, temperature, and rainfall. Scientists are now studying that rhythm to better understand how our planet is changing.



A recent study has shown that wildflowers in California can be tracked from above using aircraft and space-based tools. 



The technology, originally designed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (<a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JPL</a>), picks up subtle changes in color that occur during a plant’s life cycle.



These findings could offer a new way for farmers and natural-resource managers to monitor the health and timing of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tree-of-life-created-for-flowering-plants-using-400-million-specimens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flowering plants</a>, which are essential to ecosystems and agriculture.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monitoring-seasonal-plant-life">Monitoring seasonal plant life</h2>



Scientists from the <a href="https://umd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maryland-College Park</a> and NASA’s <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goddard Space Flight Center</a> teamed up to test how remote sensing could capture large-scale flowering patterns.



They surveyed thousands of acres of protected land using a high-tech tool called an imaging spectrometer. 



Built by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, the instrument was mounted on a plane and scanned the land below as the plane flew along.



It recorded light in hundreds of narrow wavelength bands, far beyond what the human eye can see. This allowed it to map out the extent of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flowers-blooming-92-days-earlier-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blooming</a> and fading flowers over several months.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/wildflowers_monitoring_imaging-spectrometer_airplane_nasa_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/wildflowers_monitoring_imaging-spectrometer_airplane_nasa_1s.webp" alt="In this illustration, an imaging spectrometer aboard a research plane measures sunlight reflecting off California coastal scrub. In the data cube below, the top panel shows the true-color view of the area. Lower panels depict the spectral fingerprint for every point in the image, capturing the visible range of light (blue, green, and red wavelengths) to the near-infrared (NIR) and beyond. Spatial resolution is around 16 feet (5 meters). Credit: NASA" class="wp-image-1963384"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">In this illustration, an imaging spectrometer aboard a research plane measures sunlight reflecting off California coastal scrub. In the data cube below, the top panel shows the true-color view of the area. Lower panels depict the spectral fingerprint for every point in the image, capturing the visible range of light (blue, green, and red wavelengths) to the near-infrared (NIR) and beyond. Spatial resolution is around 16 feet (5 meters). Click to enlarge Credit: NASA</figcaption></figure>



It was the first time the instrument had been deployed to track vegetation steadily through the growing season, making this a "first-of-a-kind study,” according to David Schimel, a research scientist at JPL.



The study of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-butterfly-migration-sparked-by-a-surge-in-vegetation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vegetation</a> in relation to seasons is known as phenology and it is important to botanists and agriculturalists alike. From wildflowers to crops, most flowering plants are triggered by shifts in weather and daylight length. 



In addition, scientists are increasingly focused on this connection to monitor how ecosystems respond to warmer temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-flowers-are-hard-to-track">Why flowers are hard to track</h2>



Field surveys and time-lapse photography have long been used to monitor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildflowers-are-self-fertilizing-to-deal-with-a-lack-of-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildflower</a> life histories. But those methods only offer a limited view.



“One challenge is that, compared to leaves or other parts of a plant, flowers can be pretty ephemeral,” said Yoseline Angel, a scientist from the University of Maryland-College Park and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. “They may last only a few weeks.”



That fleeting nature makes it tough to gather reliable data, especially across large areas. Angel and her team turned to one of the most distinct traits of flowers - their color - as a way to study the timing of blooming from the sky.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-behind-flower-color">Science behind flower color</h2>



The bright colors of flowers come from pigments that fall into three main groups. Carotenoids and betalains create yellow, orange, and red tones. Anthocyanins are behind the deep reds, purples, and blues. 



These pigments absorb and reflect light in unique ways, creating a “spectral fingerprint.” Using spectrometers, researchers can therefore scan light patterns to identify plants and even track changes as they grow and bloom. 



These tools have been used for decades to study Earth and other planets, but now they’re being fine-tuned to observe the seasonal changes in flowering plants.



In 2022, a spectrometer called <a href="https://avirisng.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AVIRIS-NG</a> (Airborne Visible/InfraRed Imaging Spectrometer – Next Generation) flew over two nature preserves in Santa Barbara County: the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve and the Sedgwick Reserve.



Among the native plants monitored were Coreopsis gigantea and Artemisia californica. The scans ran from February to June.



The team developed a method to differentiate the flower signals from soil, leaves, and shadows. In doing so, they captured 97% of the spectral differences among those features and were able to pinpoint flowering stages with 80% accuracy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-wildflowers-to-agriculture">From wildflowers to agriculture</h2>



This method could one day help track flowering plants across the globe. 



Since flowers make up nearly 90% of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thousands-of-plant-species-remain-unphotographed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant species</a> on land, this kind of remote sensing could support a wide range of work - from ecology to food production.



A key goal, Angel noted, is to support farmers and land managers who rely on flowering plants - along with the insects and pollinators that depend on them. These plants are vital for producing fruits, nuts, cotton, and even many medicines.



She’s now applying the same technique to data from <a href="https://earth.jpl.nasa.gov/emit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EMIT</a> (Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation), another NASA instrument that operates from the International Space Station.



While EMIT’s main purpose is to study mineral dust in dry regions, it can also detect plant pigments. 



By combining this space-based data with weather and environmental information, researchers may one day be able to predict events like <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/poppy-superbloom-in-the-california-desert/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">superblooms</a> - rare bursts of flowers in the desert that follow heavy rains.



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



Superblooms are nature’s way of showing off. They happen when a rare combo of perfect weather conditions - like heavy rains after a long drought - triggers wildflowers to explode across a landscape in crazy, vibrant color. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/superbloom_carrizo-plain-national-park_california_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/superbloom_carrizo-plain-national-park_california_1s.webp" alt="Wildflower super bloom in Carrizo Plain National Monument - one of the best place to see wildflowers in California" class="wp-image-1963388"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wildflower super bloom in Carrizo Plain National Monument - one of the best place to see wildflowers in California. Click to enlarge.</figcaption></figure>



Think entire valleys carpeted in orange poppies, purple lupines, and yellow goldfields, stretching as far as the eye can see. 



These blooms don’t just pop up anywhere; they’re most famous in arid places like California’s deserts, where wildflowers lie dormant in the soil, waiting years - sometimes decades - for just the right moment to wake up and party.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-citizen-science-and-the-joy-of-flowers">Citizen science and the joy of flowers</h2>



Angel said one of the most rewarding parts of her research is seeing how much people love flowers. 



“I have social media alerts on my phone,” she added, sharing how she stays updated on wildflower sightings around the world.



As flowers continue to signal the pulse of the planet, new technologies are helping us pay closer attention - from the ground, the air, and even from space.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecs2.70127" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecosphere</a>.



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NASA tracks changes in seasonal flower cycles and migration patterns from the air

Flowers are more than just a sign of spring -...

In the heart of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll, off the coast of Belize in the Caribbean, lies a fascinating geological wonder - the Great Blue Hole. This vast, circular sinkhole bears an uncanny resemblance to a giant oceanic eye gazing up at the sky.



Nestled in the turquoise waters of the atoll, about 43 miles from the coast of Belize, this dark circular pit is surrounded by coral and contains sediments that tell a story about centuries of storms.



The Great Blue Hole began as a limestone cave on a dry island. During the last ice age, its roof collapsed, leaving it open to the elements. 



Today, this underwater cave plunges to a depth of 410 feet, spans 980 feet, and is one of the most fascinating places to scuba dive.



As glaciers melted and sea levels rose, the cave filled with water, turning it into a natural vault of sediment that has quietly recorded the passage of time.



In the summer of 2022, a team of scientists from <a href="https://www.goethe-university-frankfurt.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goethe University Frankfurt</a> led a mission to explore this hidden archive. 



Funded by the German Research Foundation, the researchers brought a drilling platform out to sea and extracted a 30-meter-long sediment core from the bottom of the Great Blue Hole.



The analysis, carried out by researchers from the universities of Frankfurt, Cologne, Göttingen, Hamburg, and Bern, has given new insight into storm history and climate change in the southwestern Caribbean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-storm-record-written-in-sediment">Storm record written in sediment</h2>



Roughly 7,200 years ago, the limestone island that once held the Great Blue Hole was overtaken by the sea. Since then, layers of sediment have quietly accumulated at the bottom of the underwater cave.



These layers act like a natural time capsule, offering a window into 5,700 years of storm activity. Each layer records the passing of time, just as is found in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/californias-weather-extremes-found-in-600-year-old-tree-rings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree rings</a>.



“Due to the unique environmental conditions – including oxygen-free bottom water and several stratified water layers – fine marine sediments could settle largely undisturbed in the Great Blue Hole,” said Dr. Dominik Schmitt, a researcher in the Biosedimentology Research Group at Goethe University Frankfurt.



“Inside the sediment core, they look a bit like tree rings, with the annual layers alternating in color between gray-green and light green depending on organic content.”



But not all layers are the same. Some are made up of coarser, lighter-colored particles. 



These event layers, called tempestites, formed when powerful waves from hurricanes and tropical storms swept coarse material from the atoll’s outer reef into the hole. 



“The tempestites stand out from the fair-weather gray-green sediments in terms of grain size, composition, and color, which ranges from beige to white,” Schmitt added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-climate-patterns">Long-term climate patterns </h2>



The team identified and dated 574 individual storm events that were preserved in the sediment core. This detailed storm record stretches far beyond the reach of written or instrumental history, which only covers about 175 years. 



The results offer a unique look into long-term climate patterns and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-propose-adding-a-category-6-to-the-current-hurricane-intensity-scale/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hurricane</a> behavior in the region.



The data paints a clear picture: storm activity in the southwestern Caribbean has steadily risen over the past 6,000 years.



“A key factor has been the southward shift of the equatorial low-pressure zone. Known as the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-rains-will-shift-northward-in-the-coming-decades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Intertropical Convergence Zone</a>, this zone influences the location of major storm formation areas in the Atlantic and determines how tropical storms and hurricanes move and where they make landfall in the Caribbean,” Schmitt said.



The researchers also discovered a connection between sea surface temperatures and storm frequency. Warmer waters matched up with periods of increased storm activity. 



“These shorter-term fluctuations align with five distinct warm and cold climate periods, which also impacted water temperatures in the tropical Atlantic,” Schmitt noted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-warning-from-the-storm-record">A warning from the storm record</h2>



Historical averages suggest that the Great Blue Hole experienced between four and sixteen major storms per century. However, the sediment record shows that nine storms have already occurred in just the past 20 years.



“Our results suggest that some 45 tropical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-heat-fueled-unexpected-and-deadly-storms-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">storms</a> and hurricanes could pass over this region in our century alone. This would far exceed the natural variability of the past millennia,” said Prof. Eberhard Gischler of Goethe University Frankfurt.



The team emphasizes that natural climate changes alone cannot explain this dramatic increase. Instead, they point to human-driven global warming. 



The rise in ocean temperatures and the growing strength of La Niña events are creating the perfect conditions for more frequent and more intense storms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-sediment-core-with-a-message">A sediment core with a message</h2>



The Great Blue Hole, once thought to be a quiet underwater marvel, is now telling a louder story - one of climate shifts and increasing storm risk.



As the sediment layers continue to build, so does the urgency to address the accelerating pace of extreme weather. 



This research reminds us that history, especially the kind written in mud and sand, still has much to teach us.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ads5624" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Sediment in the Great Blue Hole reveals an alarming storm record

In the heart of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll, off the...

Humans are good at using the things that the natural world has to offer. Trees are used for their timber and fruits, bees and other insects pollinate our crops, and mountains bring us peace. But what happens when nature is pushed too far? 



As the planet heats up and extreme weather becomes more frequent, we may soon find ourselves counting the real cost - not just in lost trees or damaged trails, but in disappearing livelihoods and shaken communities.



Imagine Colorado’s wildflower meadows scorched by wildfire, or a strawberry field yielding less because heat drives away pollinators. These aren’t just <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-day-2025-a-global-call-to-protect-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental losses</a>; they impact economies, families, and entire ways of life. 



As extreme weather becomes more frequent, scientists are asking a new kind of question: How do we measure what we’re about to lose? A recent study led by <a href="https://www.colorado.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CU Boulder</a> researchers brings new tools to that conversation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-extreme-weather-harms-nature">How extreme weather harms nature</h2>



In a paper published in Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution, ecologist Laura Dee and her team introduced a computer model that looks at extreme weather with a fresh perspective.



The model connects environmental damage with economic and social consequences. It’s designed to predict what could happen if violent storms, fires, or floods hit ecosystems that people depend on.



The study’s example is striking: a forest in Minnesota could lose up to 50% of its timber income if a severe windstorm strikes.



“With climate change, there’s an urgent need to incorporate the impacts [that] extreme <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-must-reconnect-with-nature-now-to-save-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">events</a> like mega-fires and hurricanes have on the benefits nature provides,” said Laura Dee, the paper’s first author and associate professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.



“This research is an important step toward anticipating impacts to ecosystem services so that we can adapt management strategies accordingly.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-ecosystem-services">Understanding ecosystem services</h2>



The model focuses on what scientists call “ecosystem services,” which are the direct and indirect benefits that people derive from natural processes.



These include water purification by tree roots, crop pollination by insects, and carbon storage in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-grip-on-co2-is-slipping-what-it-means-for-us-all/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a>. They also include less obvious values, like the joy of hiking or the cultural significance of a mountain lake.



Traditionally, climate models have treated environmental changes as gradual - things that happen slowly over time. But extreme weather doesn’t follow a smooth path. Wildfires, hurricanes, and floods hit fast and hard, causing damage that lingers long after the skies clear.



Dee’s model fills this gap by focusing on sudden disturbances and how they ripple through both ecosystems and economies. It doesn’t just track what gets damaged - it also accounts for how people value what is lost.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-forest-put-to-the-test">A forest put to the test</h2>



To demonstrate how the model works, the researchers applied it to a mixed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/we-must-live-in-harmony-with-nature-to-create-a-sustainable-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forest</a> in northern Minnesota. They studied how various tree species - each with different levels of wind resistance and market value - respond to intense windstorms.



For instance, white cedar trees are sturdy against strong winds but bring in less profit. Balsam firs are weaker but sell at a higher price.



The simulation showed a striking result: depending on storm strength, timber value could drop by between 23% and 50%. And timber isn’t the only thing at risk. Hiking, birdwatching, and camping opportunities also take a hit after such damage, further reducing the forest’s value to surrounding communities.



Dee said that researchers and land management officials could use the model to evaluate the impacts of any disturbances, from drought to invasive species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-extreme-weather-to-protect-nature">Reducing extreme weather to protect nature</h2>



Dee’s work doesn’t stop with predicting wind damage. Her research group at CU Boulder also looks at fire management. Specifically, they study how prescribed burns - intentional fires set under controlled conditions - can reduce wildfire <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tackling-the-dual-crises-of-climate-and-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">risks</a>.



The new model supports these efforts by identifying areas where controlled burns could offer the greatest benefits. This includes not only reducing the risk of massive wildfires but also protecting other ecosystem services like clean water and carbon removal.



“Nature’s contributions to people have not typically been valued and are usually left out of key decision-making processes when developing land management policies and strategies,” Dee said.



By offering a clearer picture of what’s at stake, this model helps planners make smarter choices about which lands to protect and how.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-wake-up-call-for-economic-systems">A wake-up call for economic systems</h2>



This isn’t just about trees and trails. It’s about how we prepare for a future where nature’s disruptions affect jobs, housing, and national economies. 



On March 5, the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization reported that over 150 record-breaking weather events occurred across the globe last year. The pattern is not only repeating - it’s accelerating.



Dee believes our economic models must change to reflect this new reality. Traditional indicators like Gross Domestic Product don’t account for the value of clean air, stable forests, or functioning watersheds. But as these systems grow more vulnerable, leaving them out of the equation could become a costly mistake.



“If we fail to consider the growing risks from extreme weather events, we could lose more than we realize,” she said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-value-of-nature">The value of nature </h2>



What if planning for the future required not just spreadsheets and projections, but listening more closely to forests, rivers, and skies? Dee’s model is a reminder that nature’s value goes far beyond dollars. 



When we account for it properly, we make better decisions - not just for the environment, but for ourselves.



Extreme weather doesn’t wait. It strikes hard and fast. And with tools like this new simulation, we can at least be ready to measure the fallout and prepare. Because in the age of climate uncertainty, knowing what we stand to lose is the first step in making sure we don’t lose it.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-024-02626-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>.



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Extreme weather is pushing nature toward a breaking point

Humans are good at using the things that the natural...

It's easy to think that older forests, with their diverse and well established trees, are better at storing carbon. Many assume that, as trees grow and ecosystems mature, they naturally become more effective at soaking up carbon from the atmosphere. 



A new study from scientists at the <a href="https://umich.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan</a> Biological Station challenges this assumption, however, and suggests that the reality is much more complicated.



The research team, which included more than 100 scientists over several decades, found that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mixed-forests-with-many-tree-species-are-more-effective-at-carbon-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon storage in forests</a> depends more on what's happening within the ecosystem than how old it is. 



Factors like the structure of the forest canopy, the types of trees and fungi present, and how nutrients move through the soil all play a bigger role than previously thought.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-at-two-centuries-of-change">Looking at two centuries of change</h2>



The research was conducted at the U-M Biological Station in Pellston, Michigan. This historic field site, founded in 1909, spans over 10,000 acres and has long served as a hub for studying northern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-rich-tree-diversity-adapt-better-changing-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forest ecosystems</a>. 



Scientists used data from a wide range of forest stands on the property. Some were untouched remnants from the 1800s, while others had been logged or burned at different points in the 20th century.



At the heart of the study was a massive dataset that had been built over decades. It included information from the station’s 150-foot AmeriFlux tower, which tracks carbon dioxide, water, and energy flows between forests and the atmosphere.



Additional data covered everything from soil respiration and microbial activity to leaf litter, root growth, and nutrient cycling.



Luke Nave was the study's lead researcher and a faculty member at Michigan Technological University.



"Time is not what drives <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-release-carbon-faster-than-we-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon cycling</a>," said Nave. "Time is more of a playing field, and the rules of the game on that field are things like canopy structure, tree and microbial community composition, and soil nitrogen availability."



"That means that changes in things like structure, composition and soil nitrogen are what control forest carbon trajectories, whether those changes happen quickly or slowly, and whether we are influencing those changes through management or letting them happen on their own terms."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-long-term-carbon-research">The power of long-term carbon research</h2>



One of the study’s strengths lies in its use of both historical and current data. 



With so much emphasis on real-time monitoring, the researchers were able to paint a detailed picture of how carbon moves through forest ecosystems - and how that movement has changed over time.



"It's exciting to see the results of this study. It was a lot of work and many years in the making," said Jason Tallant, data manager and research specialist at the University of Michigan Biological Station.



"At the U-M Biological Station, we put a lot of effort into data curation and digitization. It's nice to see the carbon synthesis research team leverage our historic data sets and crunch real-time <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forest-modeling-study-reveals-new-insights-into-carbon-sequestration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon sequestration</a> information to illuminate what's happening in our forests and inform future management."



The project brought together a wide range of measurements, including fungal community studies, root production, carbon pool tracking, and soil enzyme activity. All of these factors helped the team understand how different pieces of the ecosystem influence carbon storage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-forest-management">Rethinking forest management</h2>



The takeaway from this study is clear: managing forests means more than just letting them grow old. 



If we want forests to help mitigate climate change, we need to pay close attention to their structure and species makeup, both above and below the ground.



"With the rates of change we're now seeing in things like climate, forest health and disturbance, and tree species composition, management will have to contend with more challenges and constraints all the time. What was true a decade or two ago can't be assumed as truth at this point," Nave commented.



"A good example for folks who know the territory is on the Burn Plots - the 1998 burn is a thriving young stand of post-clearcut aspen, and the 2017 burn is a regeneration failure. You might not think that 19 years is a long time to a tree, but it is in today's world."



"Researchers and managers who take a whole-ecosystem perspective like we did in the paper will have an easier time understanding what has changed over the last few decades and what we can do about it to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-forests-which-tree-species-can-survive-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustain forests</a>."



This study reminds us that forests are dynamic systems, and treating them as such is essential for their health and their ability to store carbon. 



Simply counting the years isn't enough. Understanding what happens within those years is what really matters.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/eap.70001">Ecological Applications</a>.



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Older forests do not necessarily store more carbon

It's easy to think that older forests, with their diverse...

Ocean currents swirl, surge, and shift across vast blue territories. Once clean and free, they now carry drifting human waste - on its way to find a settling place.



One of these destinations is the <a href="https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/great-pacific-garbage-patch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Great Pacific Garbage Patch</a>, an enormous stretch of floating plastic located between Hawaii and California. Larger than the state of Texas, it has become a symbol of the ocean’s pollution <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weakening-ocean-currents-could-cost-trillions-of-dollars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crisis</a>.



But it’s not alone. Similar garbage patches exist all over the globe. Invisible highways of water link distant shores, pulling in bottles, nets, and microplastics. Cleaning the circulating water has proven difficult and expensive.



Fuel costs, environmental risks, and the sheer scale of the problem leave many efforts stuck in trial stages. But now, a group of scientists might have found a smarter way - by looking down from space.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-currents-that-clean-for-us">Ocean currents that clean for us</h2>



A recent study in Ocean Science offers a new idea: stop chasing the trash, and let the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/critical-ocean-current-may-be-more-stable-than-previously-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a> bring it to you. 



Using satellite data and knowledge from years of tracking ocean currents, scientists have identified areas where debris naturally gathers. These hotspots form through specific current patterns and making use of these could help clean the seas more efficiently.



"With this information, we can let the currents do the work. Instead of boats slowly trawling and burning fuel, they can hold their position and keep the nets steady at a location where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-circumpolar-current-speed-increasing-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">currents</a> funnel and aggregate drifting objects, which will theoretically save cleanup crews time, money and fuel," explained <a href="https://www.psi.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Planetary Science Institute</a> research scientist Rodrigo Duran.



Instead of deploying sweeping boats over long distances, crews could position nets at fixed points. The currents, not engines, would collect the waste. This method could reduce fuel usage, lower emissions, and cut down on operational costs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-ocean-clean-up">The Ocean Clean Up</h2>



The lead author of the study is Luca Kunz, a graduate student from the University of Hamburg.



The project received support from <a href="https://theoceancleanup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ocean Cleanup</a>, a nonprofit in the Netherlands that is developing plastic removal technologies. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-duran" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rodrigo Duran</a>, the U.S.-based co-author, explains how ancient physics ideas now help decode ocean behavior.



"Sir Isaac Newton was the first to solve trajectory problems while trying to understand celestial bodies orbiting within a gravity field. But, he was thinking in terms of how Earth orbits the sun," Duran said.



"Over the following centuries, new tools and ideas were used to solve these kinds of extremely complicated problems. However, it wasn't until the last couple of decades that these tools were adapted to surface <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-warming-broke-records-for-450-straight-days/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a> currents and wind, which bring an additional level of complexity. It's not like the equations of gravity, which remain predictable for a very long time. The ocean is always changing."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-traps-and-why-they-matter">TRAPs and why they matter</h2>



To study these unpredictable currents, the researchers analyzed more than 20 years of satellite observations. They also used data from “drifters” - floating devices that move with currents and log their paths.



From this data set, the team identified 3.5 million Transient Attracting Profiles, known as TRAPs.



TRAPs are not fixed garbage patches. They are temporary zones where currents merge and pull in floating objects. These zones are created when two or more eddies - circular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/atlantic-ocean-currents-slowing-as-water-temperature-rises/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">current</a> systems - interact in specific ways.



Each eddy can stretch between 60 and 180 miles (96 and 290 kilometers) wide. When combined, they form a larger area, up to 60 miles (96 kilometers) across, that holds drifting material for several days.



These regions don’t last forever. On average, TRAPs stay active for about six days before dissolving or shifting. Still, that window offers a valuable opportunity for targeted cleanup.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geometry-of-stability">Geometry of stability</h2>



Among the many TRAPs identified, some stand out for their efficiency. The research team found that the most stable and common configuration involves four eddies positioned in a special arrangement. 



If imagined on a grid, counterclockwise eddies sit in the top right and bottom left. Clockwise eddies spin in the top left and bottom right.



"This is almost 60% of cases," Duran said. "These are common because they are the most stable."



This balance helps the TRAP hold its shape and function more reliably. It offers a predictable way to plan cleanup strategies. Rather than reacting to ocean chaos, scientists can work with nature’s patterns and set traps in advance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-garbage-broader-possibilities">Beyond garbage: Broader possibilities</h2>



While the focus of the study was on cleaning ocean waste, the applications don’t stop there. Knowing where the ocean pulls material can help in emergencies or scientific predictions. The same method could guide rescue missions, track oil spills, or monitor airborne hazards.



"An obvious example would be search and rescue of missing people," Duran said, "or maybe a cargo ship loses their cargo. This can even be used for atmospheric data. When volcanoes erupt or wildfires break out, airports need to know whether to redirect flights. It's a very exciting time."



These insights give agencies tools to act quickly and precisely. By reading the invisible pull of the ocean, we gain not just cleanup opportunities, but also protection and preparedness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-working-with-nature-to-clean-oceans-nbsp">Working with nature to clean oceans&nbsp;</h2>



The collaboration behind this research unites institutions from Germany, the U.S., and the Netherlands. With the <a href="https://www.uni-hamburg.de/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Hamburg</a> leading the data science, and The Ocean Clean Up pushing forward practical solutions, the project blends theory and action.



Rather than relying solely on expensive equipment, this approach embraces simplicity and efficiency. Nature's own movements offer guidance. If we can learn to predict and use them, we may finally be able to manage what we’ve dumped into the sea.



The path ahead remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: the ocean is not a passive victim. It moves, it organizes, and now - with the right science - it might help us repair what we’ve broken.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://os.copernicus.org/articles/20/1611/2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ocean Science</a>.



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Ocean currents may soon clean up waste, thanks to space tech

Ocean currents swirl, surge, and shift across vast blue territories....

Climate change has long been framed as a battle between what humans emit and what nature can absorb. At the heart of this balance lies carbon sequestration - the process where plants, trees, and soils pull carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and store it.



For decades, this natural mechanism offered a quiet form of resistance against rising emissions. But now, researchers have uncovered a troubling shift: the Earth’s ability to absorb CO2 is weakening.



A new study by the <a href="https://www.strath.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Strathclyde</a> suggests that the safety net we once relied upon is beginning to fray. As sequestration declines, the race to cut emissions becomes even more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-must-reconnect-with-nature-now-to-save-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urgent</a>. 



While the planet continues to green in appearance, the inner mechanisms that drive long-term carbon storage may be breaking down. The implications stretch far beyond science - they strike at the heart of climate policy, land use, and our collective future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-is-storing-less-co2-each-year">Nature is storing less CO2 each year</h2>



The study reveals that natural sequestration once kept pace with growing emissions. In the 1960s, carbon sequestration grew by 0.8% annually. 



This increase suggested that as human activity released more CO2, plants and forests were also working harder to absorb it. That gave many scientists and policymakers hope that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-timing-is-drastically-changing-due-to-extreme-weather/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural systems</a> could buy time as humanity worked on long-term solutions.



But that growth didn’t last. The research found that the sequestration rate peaked in 2008 and is now in decline - falling by 0.25% per year. The numbers show a concerning reversal.



If the 1960s growth had continued uninterrupted, natural carbon uptake would have increased by 50% between 1960 and 2010. Instead, if the current downward trend continues, nature’s ability to absorb CO2 could drop by half over the next 250 years.



The study, published in the journal Weather, offers a stark warning. As emissions rise and sequestration shrinks, the margin for error disappears. Carbon is staying in the atmosphere longer, intensifying the warming effect and weakening our natural climate buffer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-emissions-keep-climbing">Human emissions keep climbing</h2>



While <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-climate-solutions-mixed-forests-store-more-carbon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nature</a>’s absorption rate drops, human-generated emissions continue to climb. The report states that emissions from human activities are growing at a rate of about 1.2% annually. That figure may seem modest, but when matched against a declining carbon sink, it becomes overwhelming.



To cancel out this increase, emissions would need to fall by at least 0.3% per year. That translates to about 100 million tons of CO2 annually. 



Achieving such a reduction would require global shifts in energy, transportation, agriculture, and consumption. It’s a monumental task - made harder by the realization that natural systems are no longer absorbing carbon at past levels.



The findings raise difficult questions about how much longer we can lean on forests and soil to balance our carbon books. 



For decades, policies around <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-forests-rose-again-after-the-planets-most-extreme-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reforestation</a> and conservation hinged on the assumption that sequestration would continue to improve. This assumption may no longer hold true.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-s-co2-rhythm-isn-t-enough-anymore">Nature’s CO2 rhythm isn’t enough anymore</h2>



James Curran, a visiting professor at Strathclyde’s Centre for Sustainable Development, co-authored the study with Dr. Sam Curran. He explained how the Earth's seasonal rhythms once helped maintain a carbon balance.



“Most of the Earth's land mass is in the Northern Hemisphere,” said Professor Curran. “During the northern summer, the abundant vegetation of the north absorbs a huge amount of CO2 from the atmosphere.



“In the northern winter, some of this CO2 is released back into the atmosphere through the natural biodegradation of dead vegetation, but a portion remains locked in roots, soil and dormant woody matter. The overall curve of CO2 concentrations still rises year-on-year, owing to additional emissions from human activity.”



This process, known as the seasonal carbon cycle, is visible in atmospheric CO2 data. Every year, levels dip in the summer and rise in the winter. But the long-term trend remains upward. The Earth’s vegetative cover can no longer absorb enough to offset what humans emit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodiversity-loss-weakens-earth-s-defense">Biodiversity loss weakens Earth’s defense</h2>



Professor Curran emphasizes that restoring nature’s ability to trap carbon is still possible - but time is running out. Reversing the decline in sequestration will require deep investment in ecosystems. That means rethinking how we treat forests, wetlands, grasslands, and even agricultural land.



“It's urgent that every effort is made to rebuild biodiversity and associated ecosystem services, including sequestration. Deforestation must stop; rewilding must be encouraged; forest fires must be prevented,” said Professor Curran.



”For large-scale habitats, which are more resilient and offer enhanced ecosystem services, defragmentation must be prioritized; fossil fuels must be phased out; timber and fiber products must be reused for as long as possible, as part of a wider circular economy.”



These actions are not optional. They are necessary if we want nature to continue helping us in the fight against global warming. Yet restoring biodiversity is not just about planting trees. It involves protecting complex systems that depend on balance - between species, water cycles, soil health, and climate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greener-nature-doesn-t-mean-more-co2-absorption">Greener nature doesn’t mean more CO2 absorption</h2>



There is a common belief that as CO2 levels rise, so does plant growth. Higher CO2 can act like a fertilizer, making plants grow faster. 



This “greening” has been observed in satellite imagery, especially across cold northern regions like Canada and Russia. But this image of a greener Earth may be misleading.



“There was a widespread belief that sequestration was still increasing but would begin to decline at some point in the future, whereas data showed the fall was already underway,” said Professor Curran.



The assumption that more vegetation means better CO2 absorption is now in doubt. Plants may grow faster in warmer, CO2-rich conditions, but other pressures cancel out the gains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-web-of-threats-to-vegetation">A web of threats to vegetation</h2>



Curran explained why increased plant growth doesn’t guarantee more sequestration.



“It is known that increasing CO2 in the atmosphere acts like a plant fertilizer, while a warming world also allows vegetation to grow more rapidly and easily, particularly in the extensive chilly northern latitudes of Canada and Russia.



“Satellite observations are reported as seeing the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/we-can-prevent-future-pandemics-by-protecting-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth becoming ‘greener’</a> as vegetation spreads. However, that simple assumption is countered by all the other effects that can kick in, including damage to vegetative growth by excessive heat, drought, floods, wind damage, wildfires, desertification and potentially wider spread of plant pests and diseases.”



These threats create a volatile and uncertain future for ecosystems. Heat waves and wildfires can destroy decades of growth in a matter of days. 



Drought can halt photosynthesis, stopping carbon absorption. Pests and diseases, spread by warming temperatures, can decimate entire regions of plant life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-can-still-absorb-co2">Nature can still absorb CO2</h2>



As the Earth’s capacity to absorb CO2 weakens, the pressure on human systems increases. Emissions must fall faster. Renewable energy must scale quicker. 



Land use must prioritize restoration, not destruction. Circular economies - where materials are reused and waste is minimized - must become the norm.



The study from the University of Strathclyde doesn’t just outline a problem. It offers a wake-up call. Nature, once our quiet climate ally, is losing strength. If we want to regain control, we must support ecosystems not just as scenery, but as active partners in climate stability.



Nature is still fighting. But without urgent human action, it won’t keep winning for much longer.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wea.7668" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weather</a>.



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Nature’s grip on CO2 is slipping: What it means for us all

Climate change has long been framed as a battle between...

Nearly three out of four older adults in the United States have experienced at least one extreme weather event in the past two years. Living through such conditions has apparently heightened their concerns about climate change’s impact on health. 



These are among the new findings released by the <a href="https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging</a>, which surveyed over 3,400 people aged 50 to 94 across the nation in August 2024.



The poll found that 59% of respondents worried about how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-are-one-indivisible-global-health-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> could harm their health. That figure jumped to 70% among individuals who had been through a major weather emergency - such as a wildfire, heat wave, severe storm, or prolonged power outage lasting more than a day - within the last two years.&nbsp;



By contrast, only 26% of those who hadn’t encountered such events expressed similar concerns.&nbsp;



Sue Anne Bell is a nurse practitioner and associate professor at the U-M School of Nursing who specializes in evaluating how disasters and public health crises affect seniors.



“Our findings suggest a need to help more older adults understand and take steps to prepare for the impacts of wildfires, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-hurricanes-help-oceans-fight-climate-change/">hurricanes</a>, tornadoes, extreme heat waves, winter storms and more, especially when it comes to the medications, medical supplies, electricity and access to care that these emergencies can disrupt,” said Bell.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-fears-and-missed-opportunities">Climate fears and missed opportunities</h2>



While a considerable segment of older Americans are anxious about climate change’s ramifications, the poll also indicates that only 6% have had a conversation with a health care provider about how extreme weather might endanger their health or how to prepare accordingly.&nbsp;



Potential discussion topics could include lung protection from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-is-an-underestimated-threat-to-public-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildfire smoke</a>, strategies to manage essential medical equipment during blackouts, and how to find local cooling or warming centers when temperatures spike or plummet.



The new results emerged from a poll run by the <a href="https://ihpi.umich.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation</a>, with support from <a href="https://www.michiganmedicine.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michigan Medicine</a>, the university’s academic medical center.&nbsp;



NORC at the University of Chicago administered the survey, collecting data both online and by phone. The sample was then weighted to mirror the demographic profile of the U.S. population.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-personal-experience-increases-concern">Personal experience increases concern</h2>



In addition to the overall 59% who had climate fears, the poll found certain subgroups reporting higher levels of anxiety. Women, those with fair or poor mental health, and residents of urban areas all showed heightened apprehension. 



It appears the experience of living through severe weather events - ranging from hurricanes and tornadoes to winter storms - plays a critical role in shaping older Americans’ perspectives on climate’s link to well-being.



Poll director Jeffrey Kullgren is an internal medicine physician at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System and an associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan.



“These kinds of events can affect an older adult’s health directly - for instance, people with asthma and other lung diseases can have trouble breathing due to wildfire smoke, home medical equipment can be affected by power outages, and older adults can be more vulnerable to extreme heat and cold,” said Kullgren.&nbsp;



“But there are also indirect effects, including mental stress, lack of access to medications and medical care, and in extreme cases, lack of ability to evacuate safely or find shelter.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-widening-reach-of-severe-weather">Widening reach of severe weather</h2>



The poll data was gathered in August 2024, before major weather disasters like Hurricane Helene - described as the deadliest U.S. hurricane since Katrina in 2005 - and wildfires in the Los Angeles area in January 2025.&nbsp;



Officials note that 2023 and 2024 saw close to record-high numbers of weather events costing more than a billion dollars each, a trend that has escalated over older adults’ lifetimes.



According to poll data, the most prevalent forms of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/droughts-and-extreme-weather-events-are-escalating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme weather</a> reported by older adults included extreme heat (cited by 63%), poor air quality from wildfire smoke (35%), severe storms (31%), and multi-day power outages (13%).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-fears-for-future-generations">Climate fears for future generations</h2>



Older adults’ worry about climate change extends beyond their personal health. Seventy-four percent said they also feared the potential effects of a warming planet on younger generations.&nbsp;



More than four in ten (43%) said they were “very concerned,” and another 31% identified themselves as “somewhat concerned.” Among those who had experienced a severe weather event, 83% expressed concern, compared with 45% of those who had not.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emergency-preparedness-and-advice">Emergency preparedness and advice</h2>



Despite these figures, only 8% of older adults with health conditions that limit daily activities reported discussing disaster preparedness with a health care professional - though that was slightly higher than the 5% among older adults overall who had done so.&nbsp;



Sixty-four percent of those who did talk with their doctors took at least one concrete step to be better prepared.



Still, the poll underscores that more comprehensive guidance is needed. Federal resources, such as the U.S. government’s <a href="http://ready.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ready.gov</a> website, can help older Americans devise personal action plans for storms, wildfires, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-outrun-the-flood-risks-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">floods</a>, or other emergencies.&nbsp;



Bell adds that an older individual’s unique medical circumstances, such as needing electric medical devices or taking multiple daily prescriptions, can become critical if a power outage or evacuation scenario occurs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-directions">Future research directions</h2>



Going forward, the poll team suggests that health professionals, policy makers, and community organizations could work together to emphasize the connections between climate fears, extreme weather, and older adults’ health. 



Such initiatives might involve: health systems proactively offering risk assessments and preventive tips to senior patients. In addition, city planners could design accessible cooling and warming centers, or ensure reliable transit to those centers.



Furthermore, community groups could help older residents stock up on medications and medical essentials ahead of storms or heat waves.



The experts hope these findings prompt broader efforts to engage older adults on climate change’s health impacts - before the next big storm, heat wave, or wildfire hits.



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Older adults’ climate fears surge after extreme weather

Nearly three out of four older adults in the United...

Climate targets set by nations under the Paris Agreement outline voluntary commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These targets, known as Percentage Reduction Pledges (PRPs), reflect the commitments of individual countries to combating climate change. 



However, this does not necessarily reflect the willingness of citizens in these countries to contribute financially to climate action.



A recent study from the <a href="https://uol.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oldenburg</a> in Germany examines the question of how closely the PRPs represent citizen buy in, in terms of willingness to contribute financially. The research explores the relationship between national climate targets and the public's willingness to support <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-initiative-led-to-health-benefits-for-800-u-s-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate initiatives</a> financially. 



The findings reveal that, while higher-income countries tend to set more ambitious reduction goals, their populations are often less willing to contribute personally.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-targets-and-public-willingness">Climate targets and public willingness</h2>



The experts analyzed climate pledges from 123 countries, and used data from nearly 130,000 individuals surveyed in 125 nations as part of the Global Climate Change Survey.



The findings highlight that, while 89% of respondents believe their governments should take stronger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/conservatives-liberals-unite-climate-action-despite-different-beliefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate action</a>, only 69% expressed willingness to allocate 1% of their income toward climate mitigation.



The analysis uncovered key economic and environmental factors that influence both national pledges and individual contributions. Higher per-capita income and emissions correlated with more ambitious governmental targets. However, the same factors negatively influenced public willingness to contribute. 



In wealthier, high-emission nations, citizens were less inclined to accept personal financial sacrifices in support of climate initiatives.



Temperature trends further shaped responses. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brutal-effects-of-climate-change-have-already-arrived-in-the-uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warmer countries</a> demonstrated higher individual willingness to contribute, whereas colder countries adopted stronger national targets. 



The study suggests that residents of colder regions may perceive climate change as a less immediate threat, making them less willing to engage in mitigation efforts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-support-of-climate-policies">Public support of climate policies </h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-flood-disaster-in-germany-raises-new-questions-about-extreme-precipitation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Germany</a> exemplifies this trend. It ranks among the top nations in climate pledges, committing to a 39.7% emissions reduction between 2019 and 2030. This places it 12th out of 123 countries in terms of its PRP.



Yet, despite its ambitious government targets, public willingness to contribute financially remains lower than in many other countries. Germany ranks 74th in this category, with 67.9% of its citizens agreeing to allocate a portion of their income toward climate action. 



Meanwhile, only 86% of German respondents supported stronger governmental climate policies, ranking the country 89th globally.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-ethical-and-political-dilemma">The ethical and political dilemma</h2>



The study interprets these findings as a reflection of a broader tension between climate policy and public perception. 



The United Nations’ principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" emphasizes equity in climate action. However, individuals often prioritize economic considerations over ethical responsibility.



"People assume that the lower the temperatures in a country are, the less impact climate change will have there," explained Dr. Heinz Welsch, an environmental economist at the University of Oldenburg.



Additionally, individuals in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/industrialized-countries-owe-roughly-170-trillion-for-co2-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">high-emission nations</a> worry about economic setbacks caused by strict climate regulations. 



"Cost-benefit calculations, therefore, make it likely that in colder, richer and more carbon-intensive countries there will be less willingness to contribute to climate protection," said Dr. Welsch.



Another layer to this issue is democratic satisfaction. The research highlights a notable pattern: when a government's climate targets exceed public willingness to contribute, citizens report lower satisfaction with democracy.



While the study does not establish causation, it suggests that climate policies requiring public sacrifices without broad support could create political challenges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solutions-for-bridging-the-gap">Solutions for bridging the gap</h2>



To bridge this gap, the report recommends policy strategies that minimize the economic cost of climate action for citizens. One such strategy can be a climate fund that recycles revenue from carbon taxes and uses it to benefit poorer citizens. 



These structures can make effective climate policies that are ambitious and also acceptable to people, so action is not undertaken at the risk of political destabilization.



The study underlines the complexity of climate policy. While governments might make firm commitments, public involvement is still necessary for significant progress.



To develop effective, long-lasting climate policies, understanding the determinants of both policy and individual willingness is vital.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urgency-of-achieving-climate-targets">Urgency of achieving climate targets</h2>



Climate change is not an inevitable fate - it is a challenge that can be mitigated through decisive action.



Meeting climate targets is crucial to slowing global warming, reducing extreme weather events, and protecting ecosystems for future generations. 



Every degree of warming prevented means fewer droughts, wildfires and damaging storms, and less increase in sea level.



The window for meaningful action is closing, but success remains within reach if nations commit to real, enforceable solutions. The future depends on turning promises into progress before it’s too late.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800925000035?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecological Economics</a>.



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Wealthier nations set bold climate targets,  but citizens give less

Climate targets set by nations under the Paris Agreement outline...

In the face of climate change, forests have become more than green landscapes. They regulate temperatures, purify air and water, protect soil, and support biodiversity. 



Forests also absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in trees and soil, helping to reduce global warming.



Oceans do the same, but forests offer a land-based solution, one that we can manage directly. The idea of planting more trees has taken hold worldwide. But the story doesn’t end there.



Not all <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-are-losing-the-battle-against-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a> offer the same benefits. Some grow quickly, others slowly. Some survive tough climates, others do well only in ideal conditions. 



The challenge for forest managers is figuring out which trees will trap the most carbon where they are planted.



The answer lies in matching tree traits with the land on which they grow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-global-study-seeks-answers">A global study seeks answers</h2>



To explore this issue, researchers from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.inrae.fr/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">INRAE</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agro-bordeaux.fr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bordeaux Sciences Agro</a>&nbsp;teamed up with global partners. The project brought together the&nbsp;French National Forest Office (<a href="https://www.onf.fr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ONF</a>)&nbsp;and the&nbsp;French National Center for Private Forest Ownership (<a href="https://www.cnpf.fr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CNPF</a>).



Together, they studied 223 tree species in 160 forest sites around the world. These included locations in Western Europe, the United States, Brazil, Ethiopia, Cameroon, and South-East Asia.



Each species was chosen to represent one of the world’s major forest biomes. The team focused on functional traits - specific characteristics that affect how a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tree-crops-a-path-to-feeding-the-world-and-saving-the-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree</a> grows, uses water and nutrients, and stores carbon. 



Their goal was simple yet ambitious: to identify which traits lead to better growth and carbon capture in real-world forest conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-old-beliefs-on-carbon-and-trees">Old beliefs on carbon and trees</h2>



For a long time, scientists believed that trees with acquisitive traits grew the fastest. These trees absorb resources like sunlight, water, and soil nutrients very efficiently. In controlled experiments, such as those in greenhouses, they outperform other trees in height, leaf size, and biomass.



Examples include maples, poplars, English oaks, and sessile oaks. These species have large leaves and long roots that gather nutrients quickly. Their leaves also contain large amounts of nitrogen, which supports rapid photosynthesis. All these features make them ideal candidates for storing carbon - at least on paper.



On the other side are conservative species. These trees invest less energy in fast growth. Instead, they survive by conserving internal resources like water and energy. Fir trees, downy oaks, and holm oaks fit this model. They usually grow more slowly but are better at handling environmental stress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-surprise-from-real-forests">A surprise from real forests</h2>



When the team took their research into real forests, their findings turned the old beliefs upside down. Under natural conditions in boreal and temperate zones, conservative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-forests-which-tree-species-can-survive-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree species</a> actually stored more carbon and grew faster than acquisitive ones. That may seem surprising, but the explanation lies in how these forests function.



Boreal and temperate forests often have cold climates, poor soil, or both. In such settings, being efficient with internal resources becomes more important than fast nutrient absorption.



In tropical forests, the story changes again. These regions have ideal growing conditions - warm temperatures and high rainfall. Here, acquisitive and conservative species grow at similar speeds. Neither group holds a strong advantage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-matching-trees-with-their-environment">Matching trees with their environment</h2>



The biggest lesson from this research is that one size does not fit all. You cannot plant fast-growing trees everywhere and expect success. Tree performance depends heavily on local soil and climate conditions.



In rich, well-watered environments, acquisitive species like maples and poplars will outperform others. They can absorb nutrients quickly and convert them into biomass, storing more carbon. But in dry, cold, or nutrient-poor conditions, conservative species shine. Oaks, firs, and pines may grow more slowly, but they store more carbon over time because they survive and grow when others cannot.



The study highlights the need for precision in reforestation efforts. Forest managers must consider each site’s unique conditions. Planting the right <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-have-an-amazing-ability-to-adapt-to-new-climates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree</a> in the right place is far more effective than planting the same fast-growers everywhere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-choosing-trees-for-better-carbon-impact">Choosing trees for better carbon impact</h2>



This new understanding gives forest managers a sharper tool in the fight against climate change. They can now look beyond growth speed and consider how a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-are-relocating-in-a-race-against-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree’s traits</a> interact with its environment. This leads to smarter choices and healthier forests.



Climate action often demands quick results. But nature does not always work that way. Sometimes the slow-growing, stress-tolerant tree is the one that captures the most carbon in the long run. 



With this knowledge, reforestation can become both more effective and more sustainable.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08692-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Slow and steady tree growth wins the race for carbon capture

In the face of climate change, forests have become more...

Every great civilization began by a river. Empires rose where water flowed freely. Today, we live in a world more connected than ever, yet 2.2 billion people still lack access to safe water. 



Each year on March 22, World Water Day reminds us that the water crisis is not a distant issue - it is already here, and it is growing. 



Since 1993, this <a href="https://www.un.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United Nations</a> observance has emphasized the critical role of freshwater, the lifeblood of our planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-themes-of-world-water-day">Themes of World Water Day </h2>



Each year, UN-Water selects a theme to reflect the world’s most pressing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wave-ripples-discovered-mars-surface-indicate-liquid-water-present-4-billion-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a> concern. 



In 2023, we were asked to speed up progress with "Accelerating Change." In <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-water-day-a-focus-on-prosperity-and-peace/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2024</a>, we saw water as a bridge, not a boundary, with "Leveraging Water for Peace." 



In 2025, the world will turn its focus to "Glacier Preservation," as the silent towers of ice that hold our freshwater reserves are now vanishing at alarming speed.



Glaciers store nearly 70% of the world’s freshwater. They feed rivers, support agriculture, and cool the planet. But they are melting faster than ever. In many parts of the world, these icy reserves are shrinking to record lows. Their disappearance threatens billions of lives.



​According to reports from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unesco.org/en/days/world-glaciers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNESCO</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://public.wmo.int/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Meteorological Organization</a>, many tropical glaciers may vanish completely by the end of this century.&nbsp;This loss signifies more than just rising sea levels; it threatens the primary freshwater sources for millions, especially during dry seasons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-glaciers-matter-to-everyone">Why glaciers matter to everyone</h2>



Even if you’re far from the Himalayas or Andes, melting glaciers still affect you. They influence river flow, alter ocean currents, and shape weather patterns. Their decline impacts agriculture, drinking water, wildlife, and energy resources across the globe.



Glacial retreat also destabilizes the surrounding land. Floods, droughts, and landslides become more frequent. In countries like Peru and Bhutan, entire communities face relocation as their water sources dry up.



Glaciers serve as climate indicators. When they melt too fast, they show us something is deeply wrong. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-climate-crisis-to-water-crisis">From climate crisis to water crisis</h2>



Climate change and the water crisis are deeply intertwined. Rising global temperatures accelerate glacier melt and destabilize freshwater sources, creating scarcity and fueling conflict.



The 2024 theme, "Leveraging Water for Peace," recognized that water stress can spark geopolitical tensions. Rivers that cross borders often become points of disagreement. 



But they can also become grounds for cooperation. Joint management and fair sharing of water resources can build trust and prevent conflict.



With glacier-fed rivers drying up, disputes will likely rise. World Water Day 2025 aims to make nations act before tensions escalate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-goals-on-world-water-day">Global goals on World Water Day </h2>



World Water Day supports Sustainable Development <a href="https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goal 6</a>: water and sanitation for all by 2030. Glaciers are central to that mission. Preserving them isn’t just about protecting nature - it’s about protecting human rights.



Without consistent water, schools can’t operate, hospitals can’t function, and economies collapse. Women and children often bear the burden, walking miles for a daily bucket of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-arrived-on-earth-gradually-not-in-one-big-event/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a>. In mountain communities, where glacier melt is the main supply, that burden grows heavier with each passing year.



Preserving glaciers helps us ensure future generations are not born into thirst. It means infrastructure today must account for shrinking ice tomorrow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-take-action-on-world-water-day">Take action on World Water Day </h2>



World Water Day doesn’t just ask governments to act. It invites everyone to participate. From households to corporations, everyone has a role in managing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-might-have-formed-long-before-galaxies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a> wisely.



It starts with understanding the issue. Education remains a powerful tool. People need to know where their water comes from, how it is used, and how it is wasted. Campaigns, school programs, and media outreach matter more than ever.



On a policy level, governments must invest in glacier monitoring, support clean energy to slow climate change, and ensure mountain communities are protected. Cross-border cooperation will also be essential in managing shared water sources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-ahead-at-our-legacy">Looking ahead at our legacy</h2>



Glaciers stay silent, never protest - yet their silence signals danger, not peace. Their absence will be felt in rivers that dry, crops that fail, and cities that burn in thirst. 



By observing World Water Day, we give glaciers a voice. We turn their melting into a message.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-appears-to-have-a-secret-liquid-phase/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Water</a> connects us all. It flows through our histories, our cultures, and our futures. If we choose not to act, future generations will look back and wonder why.



This World Water Day, let’s be remembered not for our silence, but for our action.



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World Water Day 2025: Preserving glaciers, protecting our future

Every great civilization began by a river. Empires rose where...

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NTU Singapore



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



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

Plants help remove heavy metals from contaminated soil

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

NASA monitors giant dust storms on Mars

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz

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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

Kangerlussuaq Glacier on the Greenland ice sheet

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

Ocean heat influences regional climate

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