Natural,Environment,Climate-neutral,Long-term,Emissions,Strategy,Net,Zero,2050,Carbon

Balancing cleaner air with rising incomes is not a luxury question for developing countries. It is a real-world, and real-life, policy problem that shapes health, jobs, and the future of their cities.



A new <a href="https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/10.1142/S0217590825500304" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> lays out when zero emissions can go hand in hand with steady <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-temperatures-will-cut-world-gdp-by-a-staggering-40-percent-if-nothing-changes/">growth</a>, even when governments rely on foreign aid.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-zero-emissions-and-economic-growth">Zero emissions and economic growth</h2>



The work comes from <a href="https://tus.elsevierpure.com/en/persons/hideo-noda" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hideo Noda</a> at the Tokyo University of Science (<a href="https://www.tus.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TUS</a>) with coauthor Fengqi Fang, a Ph.D. candidate in Business Administration from the Graduate School of Business Administration at TUS. 



The team builds a simple but testable way to check if a country can hit zero net <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-trade-is-fueling-a-dangerous-rise-in-methane-emissions/">emissions</a> while its economy keeps expanding.



They also verify the model numerically using real world style parameters so it is not just a chalkboard exercise. 



The paper connects theory to a specific United Nations target on decoupling growth from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/limiting-global-warming-to-1-5c-is-almost-certainly-out-of-reach/">environmental damage</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-zero-emissions-models">Zero emissions models</h2>



First, the authors define a zero-emissions <a href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/net-zero-coalition" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">policy</a> as keeping net pollution at zero at every point in time, by matching abatement to emissions. That requires money, technology, and clear rules to assign who pays.



They run two versions of the economy. 



One is a public goods <a href="https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/stantcheva/files/lecture8.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">model</a> where government services like roads or schools lift private production for everyone at once, a standard growth <a href="https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/261726" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">model</a> introduced by Robert Barro in 1990. 



The second adds <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-will-climate-change-hit-hardest-global-index-reveals-vulnerability/">congestion</a>, where more people share the same public services so the boost per person shrinks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-minimum-income-rule">Minimum income rule</h2>



The key test is whether gross domestic product (<a href="https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GDP</a>) per capita rises above a minimum income threshold so a country can fully clean what it emits. 



The authors call this the kindergarten rule level of abatement, as in: “clean-up what you make dirty.”



"Following the Kindergarten rule means implementing zero emission technologies in either finite time or asymptotically," noted M. Scott Taylor and William Brock in their related <a href="https://www.nber.org/papers/w9597" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a>. 



This frame anchors the new threshold concept for developing countries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aid-supports-clean-income-growth">Aid supports clean income growth</h2>



Many low income governments fund services with official development assistance (<a href="https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/policy-issues/official-development-assistance-oda.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ODA</a>), so the model lets outside aid pay for both cleaning and public services. 



That design reflects classic work showing how aid aimed at productive public services can shift long run growth.



In related <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304387806000290" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">theory</a>, flexible labor and aid tied to public capital influence the path of output and welfare. The new paper extends this logic to pollution control that must be paid for every year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-income-threshold">Changing income threshold</h2>



The threshold depends on clean technology, population size, and how much aid is fixed to environmental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/expanding-oil-and-gas-fields-threaten-global-climate-goals/">uses</a>. Better abatement technology lowers the income bar because each dollar of cleanup removes more pollution.



Population matters differently across the two models. In the public goods case, a larger labor force can raise growth because services scale with the economy, while in the congestion case that scale effect drops out as services get diluted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taxes-and-zero-emissions-targets">Taxes and zero emissions targets</h2>



The model also looks at tax policy, focusing on a labor income tax that finances services. 



There is a tax rate that maximizes the growth of income per person, and under both models governments can reach the needed income threshold in finite time if they choose that growth maximizing rate.



Public services that complement private capital are the link. When governments tax and spend on those services efficiently, private firms produce more and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-action-economies-can-grow-while-cutting-emissions/">economy climbs</a> to the income level that makes full abatement feasible.



"Both models indicate that implementing the zero-emissions policy is compatible with sustainable economic growth," wrote Noda. 



They also show the kindergarten rule threshold is higher with congestion than without it, so crowding of public services slows the crossing.



"We call this threshold the kindergarten rule level of pollution abatement in terms of GDP per capita," wrote Noda. The result gives policymakers a clear income target, not just a slogan about decoupling.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-income-growth-and-sdgs">Income growth and SDGs</h2>



Target 8.4 of the Sustainable Development Goals (<a href="https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SDGs</a>) asks countries to decouple growth from environmental degradation. 



The authors argue their framework helps explain when that is possible in practice, and how policy levers change the timing.



The UN defines the <a href="https://metadata.un.org/sdg/8.4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">target</a> as improving resource efficiency and decoupling growth from environmental harm through 2030. The paper’s threshold view fits that mandate with a concrete yardstick.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-results-still-matter">Why results still matter</h2>



Earlier <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652621009112" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work</a> in the same research stream focused on developed, innovation-driven economies and showed that zero emissions could be achieved alongside continued growth. 



That study examined whether sustained economic expansion could occur while also maintaining <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-net-zero-world-will-require-75-trillion-of-investment-and-1-billion-electric-cars/">zero net pollution emissions</a>.



The new paper shows the same compatibility can hold in aid dependent settings where innovation is not the main growth engine. 



That extension fills a real gap, because many low income countries face tighter fiscal and technological limits.



Build or buy cleaner technology so the threshold falls. Treat tied aid for environmental programs as a growth tool and not just a cost center.



Set tax policy to raise the growth rate of income per person, then sustain it long enough to pass the threshold. Guard against congestion by scaling services with population, so gains are not diluted.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/10.1142/S0217590825500304" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Singapore Economic Review</a>.



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Net-zero emissions and rising income levels can both be achieved simultaneously

Balancing cleaner air with rising incomes is not a luxury question for developing countries. It is a real-world, and real-life, policy problem that shapes health, jobs, and the future of their cities. A new study lays out when zero emissions can go hand in hand with steady growth, even when governments rely on foreign aid. Zero emissions and economic growth The work comes from Hideo Noda at the Tokyo University of Science (TUS) with coauthor Fengqi Fang, a Ph.D. candidate in Business Administration from the Graduate School...

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...

The Earth is exposed to restless forces that are never still or settled. Over thousands of years, it has shifted, cracked, and reformed itself in ways both violent and gradual. 



Ice has come and gone, swallowing landscapes and then revealing them again. And through it all, the sea has kept its own record - rising, falling, shaping coastlines, and erasing entire worlds.



Today, as melting ice sheets push <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-heat-of-2024-triggered-a-surge-in-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean levels</a> higher, scientists are looking back to a time when the planet last emerged from an ice age and experienced changes in sea level.



A recent study published in the journal Nature provides a rare and detailed look at how sea levels rose during the early Holocene epoch, about 11,700 years ago.



​Led by researchers from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.deltares.nl/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deltares</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uu.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Utrecht University</a>, and the&nbsp;Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (<a href="https://www.nioz.nl/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NIOZ</a>), the study reveals the staggering speed at which ice sheets once melted, and offers unsettling parallels to our modern climate crisis.​



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-land-was-swallowed-by-sea-level-rise">Land was swallowed by sea-level rise</h2>



There was a time when the North Sea was not a sea at all. It was a vast, habitable land, home to rivers, forests, and early human settlements. 



That land, Doggerland, now rests beneath the ocean, a drowned world preserved in layers of sediment. Scientists have long known that rising waters consumed it, but exactly how fast and how much the sea rose remained uncertain - until now.



By analyzing layers of ancient peat and borehole samples from the seabed, researchers reconstructed sea-level changes with remarkable precision. 



Their findings show that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sinking-land-will-intensify-the-effects-of-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea levels</a> did not rise steadily. Instead, there were sudden surges - two in particular - that transformed the landscape in dramatic ways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-planet-in-flux">A planet in flux</h2>



The end of the last ice age triggered a global transformation. As temperatures increased, glaciers that had once towered over North America and Europe began to shrink. 



Some of this meltwater trickled into the oceans slowly, but at times, vast quantities were released all at once.



This study identified two major pulses of rapid sea-level rise, one around 10,300 years ago and another at 8,300 years ago. 



During these peak periods, waters rose at rates exceeding one meter per century, which is comparable to the worst-case projections for the future.



One of the reasons for the rapid rise was a catastrophic drainage event from Lake Agassiz–Ojibway, an immense glacial lake in North America. 



When its ice dams collapsed, an enormous surge of freshwater spilled into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarcticas-hidden-ice-dynamics-will-redefine-sea-level-projections/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a>, contributing to one of the most rapid rises in recorded history.



These events reshaped coastlines, submerged settlements, and forced human populations to adapt or move.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-ancient-sea-level-rise">Mapping ancient sea-level rise </h2>



Reconstructing ancient sea levels is no small feat. The research team compiled 88 sea-level data points from the North Sea and removed the effects of glacial isostatic adjustment - the slow rebounding of land after the weight of ice sheets disappears. 



The result, a much clearer picture was obtained of how much water was added to the oceans and how quickly this happened.



Earlier estimates of sea-level rise between 11,000 and 3,000 years ago have ranged from 32 to 55 meters (105 and 180 feet). 



The current study refined these previous estimates, narrowing down the total rise to approximately 38 meters (125 feet). This updated figure provides crucial insight into how Earth's climate system responds to rapid warming.



Another key finding involved the role of thermosteric effects - the expansion of seawater as it warms. While not the dominant factor, this process still contributed to the overall rise, adding yet another layer to the complex relationship between temperature and sea level.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-if-sea-levels-rise-125-feet">What happens if sea levels rise 125 feet?</h2>



If sea levels rose by 38 meters (125 feet), the world would look completely different. Entire coastal cities like New York, Miami, London, and Shanghai would vanish beneath the waves. 



Major ports and power plants would be lost, along with roads, subways, and historical landmarks. 



People living in low-lying regions - places like Florida, Bangladesh, the Netherlands, and parts of Southeast Asia - would have no choice but to move inland or across borders. 



We're not talking about thousands or even millions of climate refugees here - we're talking about hundreds of millions, maybe over a billion. 



That kind of mass migration would put enormous pressure on food supplies, housing, governments, and economies, reshaping politics and societies around the world.



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



In just a few thousand years, Doggerland went from a thriving environment to an underwater relic. The forests disappeared. The rivers merged with the sea. Entire communities were destroyed or displaced.



The lesson from this is that the Earth doesn’t wait. It doesn’t pause for human civilization to catch up. When the conditions are right, changes happen fast.



The peak rates of early Holocene sea-level rise reached nearly 9 mm (0.35 inches) per year - a number that is concerning to anyone following modern <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">climate projections</a>. 



The ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica are already melting rapidly. The oceans are rising. And the conditions that led to rapid change in the past are aligning once again.



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



Marc Hijma, a geologist at Deltares and the lead author of the study, spoke to the broader significance of these findings. 



"With this groundbreaking research, we have taken an important step towards a better understanding of sea level rise after the last ice age," said Hijma.



"By drawing on detailed data for the North Sea region, we can now better unravel the complex interaction between ice sheets, climate, and sea level. This provides insights for both scientists and policymakers, so that we can prepare better for the impacts of current climate change, for example by focusing on climate adaptation."



The implications are massive. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (<a href="https://www.ipcc.ch" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IPCC</a>) warns that, if current trends persist, sea levels could rise by several meters by 2300. 



Some projections suggest an increase of more than a meter per century - on par with what the ancient world experienced after the last ice age.



The big difference now is that today’s coastlines are home to cities, industries, and billions of people. The stakes are infinitely higher.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-from-the-water-s-edge">Learning from the water’s edge</h2>



Modern satellites can track sea-level rise with incredible accuracy. Yet, even with all our technology, there is no substitute for the deep records stored in the Earth itself.



The seabed holds a memory that no human archive can match - a history of climate, ice, and water that stretches back through time.



The data from Doggerland is more than just numbers and graphs. It’s a message from a world that no longer exists. 



It tells us what happens when ice melts too fast, when seas rise unchecked, and when the planet reshapes itself with little regard for what stands in the way.



This research is not just about the past - it’s a glimpse into our future. What happened once can happen again. The only difference is whether we choose to listen.



The study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08769-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Alarming new data on sea level rise does not bode well for humanity

The Earth is exposed to restless forces that are never...

New research highlights how certain storms can briefly transform parts of the Sahara into watery landscapes. Scientists have long been curious about occasional lakes in this desert, which is usually considered too dry to sustain these features for long.



The study involved meticulous analysis of rare flooding patterns in northwestern Algeria.



The research was led by Dr. Moshe Armon from the Institute of Earth Sciences at <a href="https://www.studyinjerusalem.com/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=US+ALO+Google+Search&amp;utm_content=Brand&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwnPS-BhBxEiwAZjMF0oGGYSkwUHMUnpDuPfeYKd8UHEwdldQR_xZB8s7sLLV6EnQ-UqrOsRoCz1gQAvD_BwE" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hebrew University</a> and Dr. Franziska Aemisegger from <a href="https://www.unibe.ch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bern</a>, in collaboration with colleagues at University of Haifa and ETH Zurich.



The team investigated how strong rainfall events can temporarily fill a usually empty lake called <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/36093/sebkhat-el-melah-tunisia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sebkha el Melah</a>, challenging older ideas about how moisture used to reach the desert in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saudi-arabia-is-turning-degraded-desert-sand-into-blooming-soil/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">past</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-causes-rare-desert-lakes">What causes rare desert lakes?</h2>



Rain rarely falls in this region. The researchers wanted to see why short-lived lakes still appear now and then. They collected satellite data on heavy-precipitation events (<a href="https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-heavy-precipitation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HPEs</a>) and mapped out when those storms coincided with significant increases in lake volume. 



“Results show that hundreds of HPEs occurred between 2000 and 2021, but only six LFEs (Lake-Filling Events) eventuated,” noted the study authors. 



These episodes involved exceptionally intense storms that bypassed the usual rain shadow of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Atlas-Mountains" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Atlas Mountains</a> and carried oceanic moisture deep into the desert.



The scientists observed that <a href="https://www.undrr.org/understanding-disaster-risk/terminology/hips/mh0031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extratropical cyclones</a> along the Atlantic coast are an important driver. These weather patterns can pull in huge amounts of water vapor and direct it around the high terrain.



The moisture sometimes bounces through the Sahara, where it evaporates from falling raindrops that never reach the ground. The damp air then travels on, leading to a domino effect that amplifies water availability over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intense-storms-fill-the-desert-lake">Intense storms fill the desert lake</h2>



Most rain systems lose intensity over the Atlas Mountains. When these storms are powerful enough and last for several days, the wind can navigate around higher ground before dropping rainfall into the normally parched basin. 



Slower-moving cyclones can create heavier precipitation by allowing more moisture to flow into the desert.



Climate experts say such storms are more common during autumn and winter, though they occasionally happen in other seasons. The repeated appearance of these systems is crucial. A single day of light showers is not enough to fill a desert lake. 



Multiple days of downpours, mixed with local convection and large-scale air lifting, seem necessary to generate the runoff that finally pools into Sebkha el Melah.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-warming-scenarios">Future warming scenarios </h2>



The researchers also considered how rising temperatures might affect storm behavior. Some models predict an increase in moisture transport toward the Sahara under certain warming scenarios.



Any uptick in storm frequency or intensity could temporarily boost the region’s water resources. This does not promise permanent greenery, but it raises questions about how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oases-grow-by-human-effort-but-face-threats-from-desertification/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">desert habitats</a> and human activities might adapt if such precipitation patterns become more frequent.



Another surprise is that the rare flooding of Sebkha el Melah in September 2024 aligns with the same large-scale <a href="https://ugc.berkeley.edu/background-content/atmospheric-circulation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric patterns</a>. 



Landsat imagery from <a href="https://worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA Worldview</a> confirmed that heavy rainfall again pushed Atlantic moisture far into the desert, mirroring what had been seen in previous lake-filling events.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-long-term-climate-shifts">Implications for long-term climate shifts</h2>



The researchers note that rainfall alone does not explain historical wet periods. They think massive storms, along with more frequent short-term flood events, may have shaped past moisture levels in the Sahara.



These findings add depth to the debate over how certain parts of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/this-desert-moss-might-help-humans-live-on-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">desert</a> were once dotted with wetland habitats. The research also emphasizes the importance of understanding not just annual rainfall, but the specific kinds of storms likely to deliver enough water all at once.



The team calculated how each flood event translated into changes in the lake’s volume. Despite hundreds of storms over two decades, only the most powerful ones made a real difference.



This suggests that future projections about water availability should focus on both storm intensity and the pathways moisture takes, rather than looking solely at average rainfall statistics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grasping-changes-in-harsh-environments">Grasping changes in harsh environments</h2>



The team applied meteorological reanalysis, satellite data, and field expertise to confirm that mixing science disciplines is necessary to grasp changes in harsh environments. 



There is a sense of urgency when thinking about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-desert-plants-are-not-immune-to-crop-viruses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">desert</a> communities and the fragile ecosystems relying on sporadic water sources. Shifts in storm patterns could mean more frequent floods in certain pockets of the Sahara, offering hints of how water cycles might respond to a warming planet.



There is still an open question of whether these insights apply to other deserts with similar climates. The authors see value in investigating the synergy between large-scale atmospheric flows and local geographical features in regions where storms appear elusive. 



The researchers also suggest that future climate models need higher resolution to capture these fleeting, powerful rainfall events to improve forecasts for <a href="https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/1-4020-4497-6_59" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">desert hydrology</a>.



The study is published in <a href="https://hess.copernicus.org/articles/29/1395/2025/#section14" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hydrology and Earth System Sciences</a>.



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Rare storms create temporary lakes in the Sahara desert

New research highlights how certain storms can briefly transform parts...

Scientists who study our planet’s energy imbalance have noticed Earth now holds onto more energy than it sends away. This extra heat is raising global temperatures, warming the planet, and sparking questions about how changes in clouds and oceans might hasten climate shifts.



<a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/adb448" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Researchers</a> have discovered surprising cloud patterns that no longer bounce as much light back into space. This effect makes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astonishing-global-heat-in-january-2025-defied-climate-expectations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warming</a> from greenhouse gases worse and could speed up changes in weather, sea levels, and marine life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clouds-reflect-less-sunlight">Clouds reflect less sunlight </h2>



“Think of Earth as a mirror reflecting sunlight back to space,” said Professor Richard Allan from the <a href="https://www.reading.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Reading</a>, who is the lead author of the study.



This is now referred to as a "dirty mirror" because certain clouds, especially over the ocean, have become less reflective than in past decades.



When cloud layers fade or become thin, more solar energy travels through into the water below. Warmer oceans then release <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-is-accelerating-beyond-control-as-co2-levels-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat</a> into the air, which boosts temperatures in a cycle that can reshape wind and precipitation patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-cloud-changes-matter">Why cloud changes matter</h2>



Any decrease in cloud brightness increases the total heat that Earth keeps enclosed within the atmosphere. This, in turn, intensifies storms, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-chaos-the-mass-extinction-that-reshaped-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat waves</a>, and heavy rainfall. Scientists have traced these changes to areas off California and Namibia, where <a href="https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/learn-about/weather/types-of-weather/clouds/low-level-clouds/stratocumulus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stratocumulus clouds</a> once helped bounce more light back into space.



Ongoing reductions in sea ice near Antarctica also matter. Darker seas absorb extra warmth, reinforcing the heating that <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gases</a> already cause.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warm-oceans-trap-heat-shift-clouds">Warm oceans trap heat, shift clouds</h2>



The top few hundred feet of the ocean, sometimes called the <a href="https://timescavengers.org/climate-change/ocean-layers-mixing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean mixed layer</a>, quickly absorb incoming heat. Warm water can then sink or shift horizontally, making temperature changes at the surface look unpredictable.



A shallower mixed layer warms up more rapidly when clouds let in extra solar radiation. This explains why we sometimes see abrupt spikes in ocean <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-meltdown-is-accelerating-global-warming-already-changing-earth-in-unimaginable-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperatures</a>, followed by shifts in global weather patterns.



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



Reduced <a href="https://earth.gsfc.nasa.gov/climate/data/deep-blue/aerosols" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aerosols</a> in certain parts of Asia have also let more sunlight pass through, adding to the warming effect. Cleaner air is healthier for people but also contains fewer of the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/particulate-matter-pm-basics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reflective particles</a> that once helped cool some regions.



Scientists noticed that eastern China now sends less light away than expected, which may reflect better pollution controls. This change can interact with greenhouse gases to disturb cloud patterns and ocean currents over the north Pacific.



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



We rely on satellites, ocean floats, and climate models to see how much sunlight our planet reflects or stores. These systems reveal a steady increase in Earth’s net heat gain, prompting governments to plan for possible extremes.



Less reflective clouds - combined with increasing greenhouse gas buildup - could lead to bigger challenges for agriculture, fisheries, and coastal safety. Understanding the dirty mirror effect can guide policies that balance cleaner air with stable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/un-the-world-is-on-track-for-a-catastrophic-level-of-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weather patterns</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-complex-chain-of-events">A complex chain of events</h2>



When sea surfaces get warmer, entire ecosystems shift, as species must adapt or move. Extra heat in the ocean can supercharge storms or disrupt currents that carry nutrients around the globe.



Cycles like <a href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/ninonina.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">El Niño</a> push heated water around the Pacific, which can heighten the overall warming signal. This motion highlights why temperature jumps might feel sudden but are actually part of a complex chain of events.



Experts note that the dirty mirror effect may keep evolving as aerosol policies shift worldwide. Future data will show whether lower pollution levels, combined with thinning clouds, will accelerate warming faster than current forecasts suggest.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-clouds-and-global-warming">Tracking clouds and global warming</h2>



Long-term solutions require better insights into how clouds respond to rising ocean heat. Every region contributes to the bigger story, whether through pollution regulations, carbon cuts, or monitoring local seas.



Although this cycle looks complicated, careful tracking of clouds, aerosols, and ocean temperatures offers hope for action. Some of the same steps that protect human health may also shape how much sunlight gets reflected back into space.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/adb448" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Research Letters</a>.



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Clouds are trapping more heat and making global warming worse

Scientists who study our planet’s energy imbalance have noticed Earth...

High in the Andes Mountains, glaciers have fed life for centuries. Their frozen stores of water support millions of people across six countries - Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. These towering ice reserves aren’t just symbols of beauty and endurance. They’re critical lifelines.



But those lifelines are now unraveling. Global warming is melting these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-glaciers-threaten-global-water-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glaciers</a> at an alarming pace. Scientists report that Andean glaciers are thinning by 0.7 meters each year - 35 percent faster than the global average.



Glacier retreat threatens to dry up rivers, weaken farming systems, limit drinking water, and destabilize power supplies.



At the heart of this crisis is the basic human need for water. In South America, more than 90 million people rely on glacier-fed sources for daily survival. This is not a distant problem for the next generation. 



This is unfolding now. And it is doing so more rapidly than many expected.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glacier-loss-threatens-water-supply">Glacier loss threatens water supply</h2>



On March 21 2025, scientists from the <a href="https://www.sheffield.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sheffield</a> and <a href="https://www.newcastle.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newcastle</a> will issue a direct warning to global policymakers.



The occasion is the first-ever World Day for Glaciers, hosted by UNESCO in Paris. Their policy brief, titled The Future of the Andean Water Towers, outlines how the glaciers are vanishing and what that means for water and food security across the region.



The document draws on years of research and satellite observations. It presents the reality that some feared but hoped would not come so soon. The ice loss in the Tropical Andes could reach near-total collapse, while other parts of the mountain range may lose over half their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/glacier-melting-threatens-global-water-supplies-and-coastal-communities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glacier</a> coverage if current trends continue.



“Our brief shows that what scientists have been predicting for years is now coming true, and swift action needs to be taken if we stand any hope of saving and preserving the glaciers that so many people rely on as a source of water,” noted Dr. Jeremy Ely, a researcher at the University of Sheffield.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-perfect-storm-of-climatic-pressures">A perfect storm of climatic pressures</h2>



The causes are complex but deeply connected to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-glaciers-unleashed-floods-that-reshaped-the-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>. Rising air temperatures, more frequent droughts, decreased snowfall, and erratic weather patterns have combined to weaken the glaciers’ ability to regenerate. 



Since the year 2000, the pace of ice loss has reached levels never seen before. This acceleration aligns with rising greenhouse gas emissions around the globe.



The Andes are especially vulnerable. Many of the glaciers exist at lower elevations compared to other mountain ranges. That makes them more sensitive to even modest temperature increases. 



As warming continues, the glaciers no longer act as natural regulators of water flow. They melt too quickly in hot seasons and can’t replenish during colder months.



The results are clear: unstable water supplies, dry farming lands, energy shortages, and rising tensions over resources. These changes threaten to alter life for both rural communities and sprawling cities that rely on glacial meltwater downstream.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-loss-of-glaciers-and-water">Rapid loss of glaciers and water</h2>



The Paris Agreement of 2015 brought a measure of hope. Countries agreed to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. 



Scientists warned that exceeding this target would cause serious harm, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-ice-age-cycles-are-predictable-but-humans-may-change-that/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme weather</a>, lower crop yields, economic damage, and water scarcity.



However, that 1.5°C ceiling was already surpassed for several months in 2024. Projections now suggest that we are moving toward a world that will warm by more than 2°C. In that future, large swaths of the Andes could become completely ice-free before the century ends.



This raises troubling questions. How will countries adapt to rapid glacier loss? What happens to communities that have relied on consistent freshwater from melting snow and ice for generations? And how can international agreements hold weight when their benchmarks are already being missed?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consequences-of-water-loss">Consequences of water loss</h2>



As glacier-fed rivers weaken, governments will need to act fast. One likely response is to build large-scale water storage systems, such as dams. 



These structures can store water during rainy seasons and release it during dry periods. But such infrastructure requires huge investments. Many of the countries most affected may not have the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/algae-that-thrives-on-ice-plays-an-unexpected-role-in-glacier-melting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resources</a> to afford them.



Without alternatives, rural areas may face food shortages. Crops that rely on irrigation could fail. Livestock may suffer. Urban areas might experience water rationing, which can spark unrest. The loss of water also limits hydropower production, which fuels industries and homes throughout the continent.



“Such a loss of ice across the Andes needs urgent attention as it will increase the stress on freshwater resources relied upon by communities and major cities downstream of the glaciers,” said Dr. Ely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-closing-window-for-global-cooperation">A closing window for global cooperation</h2>



Global coordination is not just helpful - it’s essential. As glaciers shrink, so does the margin for error. Scientists agree that curbing carbon emissions is the only reliable way to slow the damage. No amount of policy writing will reverse the melting unless it’s backed by action.



The longer the world waits, the harder it will be to reverse or even manage the crisis. Temperature increases of up to 4.5°C by 2100 are not just theoretical - they’re becoming real possibilities. If that happens, water and food security will deteriorate for millions.



“All the targets that have been set have already been missed and failed,” Dr Ely said. "Yet the only way to preserve glaciers is to drastically reduce carbon emissions once and for all. 



"The situation is serious, and it will take global cooperation to tackle climate change and make meaningful difference for the communities around the world most vulnerable from the effects of climate change.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-next-matters-most">What happens next matters most</h2>



The Andean glacier crisis is a climate emergency in motion. It touches agriculture, energy, urban life, and rural survival. It is not a regional issue - it is a global one. 



The science is clear, the warnings have been given, and the time for delay has passed.



Whether the glaciers remain or vanish now depends on how quickly and how boldly the world responds.



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Millions could run out of water if glaciers continue to melt

High in the Andes Mountains, glaciers have fed life for...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What caused the planet's longest ice age

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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

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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



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

Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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

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

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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

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

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

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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

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

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