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...

As we <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aquarium-fish-caught-cyanide/">reported recently</a>, the destructive practice of poisoning fish with cyanide to capture them for the aquarium trade is sadly quite common.  Not only are some of the fish accidentally killed with the cyanide used, other species are poisoned and sometimes hiding fish are pried from broken reefs after being poisoned.  An estimated 14 million fish are killed before they can be sold as aquarium pets due to unsafe wild capture techniques. 

Interestingly, different fish poisons have been used for much longer periods with less devastating effects.  Cyanide in many ways is just a poor adaptation of ancient techniques to the modern world via chemistry and global economics.    

Different plants have been used to poison fish to catch as food the world over.  Yellow cheesewood, (Nauclea orientalis) is a tree native to Australia, Papua New Guinea and Southeast Asia.  Yellow cheesewood has a bark that was traditionally used in Australia as a poison added to slow moving water to stun fish making them easier to catch.  <a href="http://www.jstor.org/stable/4256362">One study</a> of Indigenous people in Guyana found that at least 11 species of plants were used by Amerindians for fish poison.  The practice of using toxins to catch fish is a global one, having been used independently in Africa, North America and Europe as well.

The practice of fishing with poison is ancient.  <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_toxins">King Frederick II</a> of Germany outlawed certain fish poisons in 1212 and other European countries followed suit a few centuries later.  Poison fishing has been practiced the world over much longer than that, with much of it probably predating any written record by centuries.        

Another type of fishing similar in some ways to the practice of using poison for fishing is dynamite fishing, or blast fishing.  Blast fishing is similar to fishing with poison superficially in that the explosion doesn’t always immediately kill fish. Instead, shock waves from an explosion stun fish that then float to the water’s surface to be captured.  This type of fishing began to spread across the world from contact between locals and European militaries. Soldiers sometimes used grenades to stun fish for quick meals during World War I, sometimes locals learned the technique this way and adapted it to dynamite.

Fishing with explosives is illegal in most of the world but it doesn’t stop people from trying anyway.  <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-peru-earthquake-fishing-idUSN0532212720080806">Reuters</a> quotes a Peruvian fisherman saying that the illegal practice of fishing with dynamite allows some to catch as many as 100 or 200 kilos of fish with ease.  <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/15/world/asia/philippines-dynamite-fishing-coral.html">The New York Times</a> reported earlier this year on the devastation fishing with bombs is causing in the Philippines.  The World Bank reported in 2015 that $8 in dynamite can capture about 400 fish in Tanzania. 

The thing that is interesting about these practices is that they aren’t carried out by large, highly commercial fishing vessels.  The New York Times article describes a man in an outrigger canoe fishing this way.  The Reuters article gives the impression that the people in Peru are largely small scale fishermen just supporting their families.  But $8 isn’t a largescale commercial investment. Another thing to note about dynamite fishing: it takes place in fresh water streams, rivers and lakes as well as in the ocean.

The Philippines are in the midst of the oceanic biodiversity of coral reefs.  With climate change, reefs are already threatened with bleaching. Overfishing is a continuous global problem hurting the Philippines as well.  Practices like blast fishing can exasperate threats already facing the local environment. Not only do blasts kill or stun fish indiscriminately, they kill other smaller organisms unused by fishermen and even blow apart the reef systems where fish live.  According to the New York Times, 90% of Philippine reefs surveyed from 2015 to 2017 were found to be poor or fair in condition, none found to be excellent.  

An unfortunate effect of fishing with explosives (or cyanide for that matter) as opposed to organic toxins is that it often kills fish, even if they aren’t eaten.  Some of the organic fish toxins used by many indigenous groups didn’t actually kill fish. The poisons only stunned fish long enough for them to be caught. Fish not picked out of the water to be eaten often survived the encounter, swimming away when the toxins wore off.  This isn’t always the case. Toxins vary widely by region but one thing is true: organic toxins eventually break down and they don’t harm the physical environment with explosions. 

Blast fishing is more dangerous, and in places like the Amazon Rainforest, the practice comes from contact with outsiders.  Fishing and hunting practices in many indigenous groups have changed from contact with outsiders less familiar with the region.  

<a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130213094115.htm">Science Daily</a> reported on research from Stanford in 2013 finding that contact from missionaries has changed taboos related to meat consumption in the Amazon region.  The change in consumption habits has in turn affected the biodiversity of the world’s largest tropical rainforest. One of the researchers, Jose Fragoso, told Science Daily:

“Based on field observations, I think that the removal of shamans has translated into more killing of animals… Our perception is that they are killing more animals that are not taboo, such as pigs, and also that they are making kills in the holy areas, which were previously off-limits.”

Along with the change in food taboos, technology has changed as well.  Hunting now may be done in the Amazon with a shotgun instead of arrows or blow gun darts.  Fishing may now be done with gunpowder instead of tree bark poison. Certain taboos and technical limitations are part of what made the lives of many indigenous peoples the world over sustainable.  These factors are certainly part of fishing. 

The Philippines, so hurt by blast fishing, is reported by the <a href="https://asiasociety.org/education/religion-philippines">Asia Society</a> to be the only Christian nation in Asia.  86% of the country is said to be Roman Catholic with another 8% belonging to other Christian sects.  Religion also plays a role in places like Fiji, <a href="https://news.mongabay.com/2014/11/reeling-in-religious-messages-how-faith-impacts-fisheries-in-fiji/">Mongabay</a> reports, a nation where both Christianity and fishing play important roles in daily life.  

To a degree, limiting the dangers of technology like dynamite and other explosives may depend on new laws but also the restrictions of new taboos.  In a world where traditional taboos limiting hunting, gathering and fishing have been eroded, it is important that new taboos based on sustainability and ethics are developed.  Despite blast fishing being illegal in the Philippines, it continues and ideas that fish are doing well despite marked declines are popular. Ideas of environmental health often seem to be driven by belief systems more than direct evidence.       

Mongabay reported in 2014 that the belief that abundance of fish is directly controlled by God was a commonly held one in Fiji.  Mongabay also reported on efforts to promote a different philosophy of humans being held responsible as stewards of nature, including fisheries.  Sometimes ideas like these hold more weight than scientific ones of sustainable harvest. Religion, unlike law, is a choice and may help turn people away from blast fishing in the end as well as promote the idea that protected areas are sacred.                                                                                 

--

By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Contributing Writer

From organic poison to blast fishing, technique has an impact

As we reported recently, the destructive practice of poisoning fish...

Wall Of Fans Will Capture CO2 And Turn It Into Clean Fuel

To limit <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2030-limit-climate-change-warming/">warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius</a> above pre-industrial levels will require a massive effort to curb greenhouse gas emissions worldwide and effective methods to capture carbon from the atmosphere. 

Current carbon capture and storage methods involve scrubbing CO2 from power plants and storing it deep below the Earth.

Carbon capture and storage is costly for coal and other power plants, but it also does nothing for the carbon already emitted into the atmosphere or the emissions from cars and planes. 

An obvious solution to help solve the carbon crisis might be to plant more trees, but the globe just doesn't have enough land for forests to make that a possibility. 

The amount of land and trees required to combat today’s current emissions would mean taking over viable agricultural land in a world where increasing food demands are a top concern. 

But now, <a href="http://carbonengineering.com/">Carbon Engineering</a>, a Canadian-based clean energy company, has developed promising direct air capturing technology that could capture carbon dioxide using fans. 

Not only could the carbon fans be placed anywhere to capture emissions, but the carbon captured would also be turned to carbonate and could be used again for fuel. This would start a sustainable process of emitting carbon, capturing it, storing, turning it into fuel where it will again be emitted. 

The company now has the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/04/carbon-emissions-negative-emissions-technologies-capture-storage-bill-gates">backing of Bill Gates</a>, but the question is will the costs make it feasible for a wide scale. 

A study published in the journal Joule earlier this year found that the that the costs of operating such technology would be between $94 and $232 per ton. 

This is well below previous cost estimates of around $600 per ton, which had been calculated by David Keith, a founder of Carbon Engineering and <a href="https://www.harvard.edu/">Harvard University</a> professor. 

“I hope to show that this as a viable energy industrial technology, not something that is a magic bullet ... but something that is completely doable,” Keith told <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climatechange-carbon/scientists-say-cost-of-sucking-carbon-from-thin-air-could-tumble-idUSKCN1J325H">Reuters. </a>

Because the carbon capture technology harvests carbon for fuel that can be used to power planes and cars, it could make fuel as cheap as a dollar a liter, according to Keith. 

Direct carbon capture promises to be a viable solution for removing carbon from the atmosphere and could be a crucial part of limiting emissions and mitigating climate change. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Carbon Engineering

Wall of fans can suck carbon out of the air for a reasonable price

To limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels...

To say that Juliana vs. the U.S. is one of the more unusual lawsuits to arise in the United States court system is an understatement.

But what makes this case so unique are the plaintiffs, the unchartered territory that it represents, and what it could mean for future climate change legislation in this country.

Juliana vs. the U.S. (also known as the Children’s Climate Lawsuit) is a landmark constitutional climate lawsuit that was filed in 2015 against the federal government by 21 people who are now ages 10 through 21, according to the <a href="https://www.ourchildrenstrust.org/us/federal-lawsuit">Children’s Trust website</a>. 

The lawsuit states that the U.S. government's “affirmative actions” have violated the constitutional rights to life, liberty, and property of the youngest generation and failed to protect public trust resources. 

In short, the plaintiffs say that the government has robbed future generations and caused harm by allowing global warming to continue unchecked and creating an energy system that caused <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/humans-driving-climate-change/">climate change</a>.

The case is not an environmental one, it's a civil rights case, and the legal team for the Children’s Trust is cautious in its wording.

For fifty years, it’s argued, the defendant (the U.S. government) knew that CO2 emissions caused irreversible damage to the earth's climate but chose to implement policies that would directly aggravate the situation and ignore the realities of climate science. 

In its most recent development, Chief Justice John Roberts issued a temporary stay for the case and trial. The plaintiffs were given until Wednesday, October 24th to respond but issued their response early Monday morning requesting that the trial proceed as scheduled. 

This is the second time in three months, according to an <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/571d109b04426270152febe0/t/5bce195ce2c48363bc5d152a/1540233565765/18.10.22+Press+Release+on+Response.pdf">Our Children’s Trust press release</a>, that the Department of Justice has filed for a stay. 

The Children’s Trust is an organization dedicated to advocating for the right to a stable climate for future generations. 

The fact that the Chief Justice stepped in at this point is out of character for the highest court, and at this point, there are more questions than answers as to what exactly the stay means and when or if Juliana will see it’s day in court. 

“The Supreme Court has never before stopped a trial for the reasons argued by the defendants and I’m confident our brief will assure the Chief Justice that there is no intrusion into the ability of the executive branch to do its job while the Department of Justice defends this case at trial,” said Julia Olson, the executive director and chief legal counsel of Our Children’s Trust, <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/571d109b04426270152febe0/t/5bce195ce2c48363bc5d152a/1540233565765/18.10.22+Press+Release+on+Response.pdf">in a press release</a>. “The Supreme Court and our constitutional democracy will be better served if the Supreme Court reviews this case after a final judgment, as it does in every other matter where review is granted.”

From it’s beginning, Juliana vs. the U.S. came up against many roadblocks but time and time again kept pushing forward.  

At first, the fossil fuel industry stepped in as defendants for the case and along with the U.S. government, tried to have the case dismissed, but the motion was denied by Judge Thomas Coffin, a U.S Magistrate in April of 2016. 

Later the defendants sought an appeal which was again denied in the summer of 2017. At this point, the fossil fuel industry was released from the case, and a trial date was set. 

In July of 2017, the government filed a petition for a “writ of mandamus,” just one of the more unusual aspects of this case. According to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2018/10/22/the-us-supreme-court-slows-childrens-climate-lawsuit-for-now/#f99cbe7297e4">Forbes</a>, a mandamus is a court order to correct prior actions. However, this petition was again denied in 2018. 

A few months later another motion to stay the lawsuit was denied, and despite every effort by the Trump Administration to have the lawsuit dismissed citing that it was too costly, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the lawsuit, and a new trial date was set for October 29th. 

This brings us to the most recent motion to stay and the unknown future of Juliana vs. the U.S. 

The stay was granted on Friday, October 19th and all eyes are on the Supreme Court waiting to see if Juliana’s Court date will be allowed to proceed. 

The lawyers representing Juliana have been careful in the way they present their case against the government, which is why the plaintiffs are leaning so heavily on the idea of “affirmative action” and that it’s a civil rights issue. 

Atmospheric trust litigation peaked the interest of Mary Wood, a professor at <a href="https://law.uoregon.edu/">University of Oregon’s Law School</a>, and she wrote up a proposal in the book <a href="https://law.uoregon.edu/images/uploads/entries/atmo.pdf">Climate Change, a Reader</a> defining what the legal duties of government should be based on the public trust doctrine and protecting climate. 

James Conca, a writer for Forbes, explained the public trust best <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2018/10/22/the-us-supreme-court-slows-childrens-climate-lawsuit-for-now/#41c2bed8297e">when he said:</a>

“As is often stated in political discourse lately, ‘We are a Nation of Laws.’ And since the founding of this nation, courts have affirmed that the government is a trustee of the natural resources that we depend on, a doctrine long-known as public trust.”

Wood’s legal framework, which is evidenced in the arguments of Juliana vs. U.S., states that the atmosphere is an environmental resource and the government has a duty to ensure that the public is allowed access to a safe atmosphere as much as it is owed safe drinking water or soil free of toxic waste. 

“The public trust doctrine imposes a fundamental limitation on the power of government over natural resources,” Wood Writes. “Government holds crucial natural resources in trust for its citizens and bears the fiduciary obligation to protect such resources for present and future generations.” 

Everything about this case is new and treads on new, never before considered territory. As such, the implications for future litigation are monumental. 

If allowed to proceed, it could open the floodgates for environmental and climate lawsuits against the government, EPA, fossil fuel industry, and energy and transportation companies. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Juliana vs. the U.S.: Will climate change see its day in court?

To say that Juliana vs. the U.S. is one of...

An oil spill off the coast of Louisiana has been steadily dumping oil into the Gulf of Mexico since 2004, when a mudslide triggered by Hurricane Ivan buried an offshore platform. As oil continues to spew at a rate of between 300 and 700 barrels of oil per day, the spill is joining the ranks of the worst offshore accidents in the history of the United States.

According to the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/">Washington Post</a>, there are many wells owned by Taylor Energy that have not been capped, and the leakage could continue throughout this century. With no solution in sight, this disaster will likely pass up <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/long-term-damage-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill/">BP’s Deepwater Horizon</a> event as the largest marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry.

The Taylor Energy spill was not discovered for six years, when oil slicks were found by experts investigating the Deepwater Horizon accident just north of the site in 2010. A lawsuit against Taylor alleges that the company was not disclosing the oil spill to protect its reputation.

The spill was initially reported by Taylor Energy to the Coast Guard, which monitored the site for over five years without fully disclosing its observations to the public. In July 2008, the Coast Guard informed Taylor Energy that the spill was “a continuous, unsecured crude oil discharge” which posed “a significant threat to the environment.” 

In a deal with government officials, Taylor established a $666 million fund to stop the oil spill. Despite extensive efforts to seal the wells, the leakage continues.

Meanwhile, a proposal by the Trump administration aims to open 92 percent of the outer continental shelf to oil and gas exploration, leasing, and drilling. Along the Atlantic coast, where drilling has not taken place in over 50 years, the shoreline is much more susceptible to hurricane disasters compared to the Gulf Coast.

Peg Howell is a petroleum engineer who has worked in the oil industry and is a founding member of Stop Offshore Drilling in the Atlantic (SODA).

In a commentary for <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/">CNBC</a>, Howell said: 

“We were able to stop Atlantic drilling in 2016, but once again find ourselves fighting to protect our coast. However, this time, the opposition is even stronger.”

“Now, more than 190 East Coast communities, and tens of thousands of businesses, fishing and trade groups, and tourism associations have come out opposing Atlantic drilling and seismic air gun surveys.”

Referring to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of over 200 million gallons, Howell added, “We know that it doesn't take a catastrophic spill like what we saw in the Gulf of Mexico to ruin our pristine coast. Offshore drilling is a dirty and dangerous industry."

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer
Image Credit: Oscar Garcia-Pineda, Water Mapping, LLC

Oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has been ongoing since 2004

An oil spill off the coast of Louisiana has been...

Since the widespread expansion of humankind, biodiversity has suffered. 

Hunting, habitat loss and degradation, and overexploitation have been some of the main drivers of species loss over the years. 

According to the Living Planet Assessment from the <a href="https://www.zsl.org/">Zoological Society of London</a>, there has been a <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37775622">58 percent decline in global wildlife populations since 1970</a>, and this number could fall by as much as two-thirds in the next two years. 

Some species that have been particularly hard hit are large herbivores like elephants and rhinos. Once common across the world, large herbivores have been largely replaced by livestock. 

Livestock are some of the biggest emitters of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/new-cattle-feed-methane-emissions/">methane</a>, a potent greenhouse gas, and as such are major contributors to climate change and atmospheric greenhouse gas levels. 

How do we combat biodiversity loss, livestock emissions, and climate change? Trophic rewilding may be the answer. 

The Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B recently published a special issue dedicated to rewilding. 

The <a href="http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/373/1761">issue includes 16 papers</a> that discuss the different aspects of rewilding which is considered a modern conservation solution that could help reduce the impacts of climate change and restore large herbivores to their native habitats. 

Rewilding involves restoring habitats and declining animal populations by reinstating the natural ecosystem of an area. 

One main argument for rewilding is that by bringing back large herbivores and reducing our demand for livestock, it will reduce the amount of methane emissions from cattle. 

Native herbivores like elephants and rhinos are thought to have a small methane footprint, according to a <a href="https://www.carbonbrief.org/in-depth-could-rewilding-help-tackle-climate-change">Carbon Brief article. </a>

Joris Cromgist, an author <a href="http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/373/1761/20170432">of one of the 16 studies</a>, explained to Carbon Brief that though there is little research on the methane emissions of large herbivores because many large herbivores have different digestive systems, they produce less methane when they graze. 

“Little empirical data is out there for wildlife. The largest emissions, per individual animal, come from large ruminants, such as cattle, and similar wild species, such as African buffalo or American bison,” Cromgist told Carbon Brief. “The least methane is, in principle, produced by the large non-ruminants, such as rhino, elephant, and equid [horse] species.”

Trophic rewilding could also help reduce the <a href="http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/373/1761/20170443">severity and frequency of wildfires</a> caused by weather extremes, drought, and habitat loss. 

One study suggests that large vertebrates could help combat fires by eating plant matter that could increase fire risk and limit the spread of dense vegetation. 

Rewilding could provide a crucial lifeline for today’s rapidly declining populations of animals while also tackling the major challenge of climate change. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Paid for by <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com </a>

Trophic rewilding may be an effective tool to fight climate change

Since the widespread expansion of humankind, biodiversity has suffered. Hunting,...

The Earth’s soil is a rich blend of minerals, organic material from decomposed plants and animals, and a thriving network of bacteria and other organisms. 

All of these components are essential for healthy soil, and just one handful of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-microbes-communicate-battle/">dirt is teeming with life</a>. 

Now, a new study has revealed that soil microbe distribution is impacted by climate and today’s soil microbe levels were driven by climate change 50 years ago.

While it’s been suspected that climate change influences the geographical distribution of soil microbes, there has been little research investigating how climate changes soil biodiversity. 

Researchers from the <a href="https://gladstone.org/institutes/data-science-and-biotechnology">Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology</a> and the <a href="http://english.issas.cas.cn/">Chinese Academy of Science's Institute of Soil Science</a> conducted a study and sequenced soil samples from North America and the Tibetan Plateau. 

“The past climate can better predict bacteria distribution than today's climate,” said Katherine Pollard, the senior author of the study. 

The research was published in the journal mSystems. 

First, the team from the Chinese Academy of Science sequenced 180 soil samples from 60 different sites on the Tibetan Plateau and sent the sequencing data to Gladstone. 

There, the sequenced soil samples and soil from North America were compared to historical climate records dating back to 1950. 

The researchers found that the mix of soil bacteria present was heavily impacted by climate 50 years ago, which suggests that soil microbe distribution is likely to change significantly in the coming years.  

Lagging distribution of certain bacteria was discovered in the soil samples, and this aligns to previous studies that found similar stagnant periods for plants and animals that took years to adjust to climate change. 

“We found these surprisingly long lags in how the distribution of microbes responds to shifts in the climate and the environment,” said Joshua Ladau, a leader of the study. 

The researchers also used their data to project future soil microbe distribution based on current climate trends and found that microbial diversity will increase over the next half-century while adjusting to the impacts of today’s climate. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette,</a> <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Paid for by <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a>

Climate change alters the distribution of bacteria in soil

The Earth’s soil is a rich blend of minerals, organic...

With the U.S. midterm elections quickly approaching, many in the States may be so focused on domestic politics that you might wonder: why should I care about who the next president of Brazil will be?

There are a couple of reasons why the next president of Brazil is important.  First is that the physical world, the world non-humans live in, the world of rocks and water, trees is not a world that recognizes political boundaries.  The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/10-largest-rainforests/">Amazon Rainforest</a> is the largest in the world at 1.2 billion acres, containing 10% of the earth’s known species.  The whole of the Amazon Rainforest is contained within the borders of nine different nations. A full 60% of the Amazon is in Brazil.  The next largest amount is the 13% of the rainforest governed by Peru. 

I’ve visited the Ecuadorian Amazon, and even though less than 10% of the Amazon is in Ecuador, that small fragment is a wonderland like few places I’ve visited.  The Amazon is a place patrolled by ants in ancient relationships with trees and fungi. Orchids bloom from tree branches, sloths hang, hidden in lichen spotted coats.  Everything bursts with violent life quickly eaten up by other life. There are 16,000 species of trees in the Amazon. Drugs that rattle the senses with psychedelic epiphany are known by tribespeople.  Other drugs lie hidden in plants, frog venom and fungi waiting perhaps to cure cancer or kill. <a href="https://news.mongabay.com/">Mongabay</a> reported in 2012 that 25% of plants used in modern medicine were produced in the Amazon.  

The Amazon is like no other place on Earth, a place that reflects in some ways the deep connection between humans and the rest of the world.  The Amazon is a hidden store of knowledge and also a giver of life. 

The Amazon Rainforest has been described as the lungs of our planet.  According to the <a href="https://rainforestfoundation.org/commonly-asked-questions-and-facts/">Rainforest Foundation</a>, this isn’t exactly true.  Only 20% of our oxygen is produced by rainforests, 80% being produced by microorganisms in the ocean.  It’s important to note that the Amazon Rainforest has an important impact on the Atlantic Ocean as well.  According to NASA’s <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/7021/amazon-river-in-the-atlantic-ocean">Earth Observatory</a>, 7,740,000 cubic feet of water flow from the Amazon River into the Atlantic, every second.  

As the water from tributaries in the high Andes mountains melt out of the snow, as the river twists and turns its way 4,049 miles through the rainforest, something important happens.  Fungi, leaves, rotting wood, dead animals, nutrient rich soil, all mix into the water. Fish defecate. Parrots drop seeds. The water that bursts into the Atlantic is not water alone but a fertile brew of nutrient rich tea.  The nutrition from the Amazon feed microorganisms (including cyanobacteria), which also create oxygen and feed fish, some which people eat. It’s unknown the full extent of the relationship between the world’s oceans and the Amazon but it’s clear that the world’s largest river is important to the Atlantic and the forest on the banks of that river is important as well.  

Whether you ever visit the Amazon or not, you may breathe air that was created by an Amazonian tree.  You enjoy weather patterns wrapped into a global whole which includes the Amazon. Fresh water, fertile land for banana and coffee plantations, gorgeous house plants are all products of the Amazon.  The greatest jungle in the world, a land of piranhas, crocodiles, monkeys and tarantulas is a part of your world whether or not you know it. The people, animals and plants that live there depend on people they’ve never met in their restraint.  

Jair Bolsonaro is running for president in Brazil and threatens the world’s largest rainforest in doing so.  In just six days on the 28th of October, Bolsonaro is set to win the presidential election, polling recently at 58% with voters.  

According to <a href="https://news.mongabay.com/2018/10/jair-bolsonaro-looming-threat-to-the-amazon-and-global-climate/">Mongabay</a>, Bolsonaro has vowed to open the Amazon for exploitation like no one before him.  Bolsonaro has said he would abolish Brazil’s Environmental Ministry, saying it will be absorbed by the Ministry of Agriculture.  Brazil is a unique country, having set aside large pieces of land for indigenous peoples. <a href="https://www.survivalinternational.org/tribes/brazilian">Survival International</a> reports that there are 240 tribes living in Brazil, making up .4% of the nation’s overall population.  Brazil’s government has recognized 690 territories for indigenous peoples, setting aside about 13% of Brazil’s total landmass.  60% of that Indigenous territory is located in the Amazon Rainforest. In a speech Bolsonaro revealed his plans for Indigenous communities and quilombos, communities of quilombolas the descendants of runaway slaves recognized by the Brazilian constitution, 

“You can be sure that if I get there [to the Presidency], I will not have money for NGOs. If it depends on me, every citizen will have a firearm at home [to defend their property, and] there won’t be one centimeter [or inch] demarcated for indigenous reserves or quilombolas.”       

Mongabay goes on to quote Bolsonaro again at a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUueYXzr9jE">street campaign event</a>, saying that the government must work for the majority, implying that the minorities might simply disappear.  Bolsonaro has said he wants to open up mining even on Indigenous lands and economic exploitation of the Amazon including more dam projects in the region.  

Bolsonaro also wants to follow in the footsteps of Trump, his American counterpart, and pull Brazil out of the Paris Climate Accords.   

In another way Bolsonaro mirrors Trump with sexist and hateful rhetoric.  <a href="http://time.com/3630922/brazil-politics-congresswoman-rape-comments/">Time</a> reports that the presidential candidate told a congresswoman she’s ‘not worthy’ of sexual assault. 

Also disturbing is that if he’s elected president, Bolsonaro might have strong support from Brazil’s congress, leaving only the country’s Supreme Court standing between Bolsonaro and achieving his goals.  

There are some signs that Bolsonaro faces strong <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/08/in-brazil-only-the-grandest-of-coalitions-can-now-defeat-bolsonaro">resistance</a> from indigenous peoples, from women’s groups, from environmentalists and others.  If our own recent history is any indication, they need as much support as they can get.  When you think that as an outsider you have no place in another country’s politics, consider the influence America has on the rest of the world already.  Consider the importance of a whole world to everyone. The eyes of the world should be on Brazil and the Amazon. 

--

By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Contributing Writer

The next president of Brazil could devastate the Amazon rainforest

With the U.S. midterm elections quickly approaching, many in the...

During a recent <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a> Operation IceBridge Flight over Antarctica, scientists captured an image of a mysterious, perfectly-rectangular iceberg measuring a mile in width.

The missions of <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/icebridge/index.html">Operation IceBridge</a> is to provide three-dimensional images of the Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets, ice shelves, and <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/thickest-arctic-sea-ice-melting/">sea ice</a>. When completed, it will be the largest polar ice survey ever conducted by flight and will provide a more thorough picture of the world’s polar ice. 

The rectangular iceberg was spotted by NASA scientists near the Larsen C Ice Shelf, the same shelf where earlier this summer an iceberg the size of Delaware, A68, broke free from the shelf. 

Measuring about a mile wide, the rectangular iceberg looks nothing like the typical icebergs we imagine with jagged edges and peaks. 

NASA called the phenomenon a tabular iceberg, which is it why it has such a smooth, rectangular shape. 

“A tabular iceberg can be seen on the right, floating among sea ice just off of the Larsen C ice shelf,” NASA ICE <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA_ICE/status/1052601381712887809">tweeted on October 17th</a>. “The iceberg's sharp angles and flat surface indicate that it probably recently calved from the ice shelf.” 

Kelly Brunt, A NASA scientist, spoke with <a href="https://www.livescience.com/63875-weird-square-iceberg-antarctica.html">LiveScience </a>about tabular icebergs and explained that they are wide, flat and long and due to its size could easily break apart at any moment.  

Researchers have been keeping a close eye on A68, and in September of this year, it was reported that the iceberg started to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/enormous-iceberg-antarctica-spinning/">spin and will soon collide </a>with the ice shelf it came from. 

--

By<a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com"> Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA_ICE/status/1052601381712887809/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-25523083052812638194.ampproject.net%2F1810052220151%2Fframe.html">NASA</a>

Perfectly rectangular, mile-wide iceberg spotted in Antarctica

During a recent NASA Operation IceBridge Flight over Antarctica, scientists...

A new study by experts at the <a href="https://www.unc.edu/">University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill</a> has revealed that <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-intelligence/">air pollution</a> significantly decreased in the United States between 1990 and 2010. The researchers also found that deaths related to air pollution exposure were reduced by almost 50 percent, dropping from around 135,000 to 71,000.

These major improvements in public health and air quality occurred despite increases in population, energy demand, and vehicle usage, and can be tied to the enforcement of new federal regulations during the twenty-year study period.

Study co-author Jason West is a professor of Environmental Sciences and Engineering at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. 

“We've invested a lot of resources as a society to clean up our air,” said Professor West. “This study demonstrates that those changes have had a real impact with fewer people dying each year due to exposure to outdoor air pollution.”

The research, which was led by Yuqiang Zhang of the <a href="https://www.duke.edu/">Duke University</a> Nicholas School of the Environment, confirms several other recent studies which found similar reductions in air pollution-related deaths. Unlike previous investigations, however, the current study used a 21-year computer simulation to estimate air pollution deaths each year.

The team analyzed concentrations of two pollutants, PM2.5 and ozone, across the country between 1990 and 2010. The researchers then compared these declining pollution levels to the causes of death in different geographical areas at the same time.

Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they estimated deaths from ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory disease related to ozone, and from lung cancer and stroke related to PM2.5.

“These health improvements likely have continued beyond 2010 as we observe that air pollutant concentrations have continued to decrease,” said Zhang.

Regardless of the recent progress, air pollution remains an important public health issue in the United States. For example, the total of 71,000 deaths attributed to air pollution in 2010 is the equivalent of one out of every 35 deaths in the country, and also the number of deaths from all traffic accidents and all gun shootings combined.

“Even though we've seen some tangible success, there are still people dying, and a public health challenge remains going forward,” said Professor West. “New federal policies curtailing air pollution regulations likely will slow the improvement in air quality or possibly make air quality worse.”

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmospheric_Chemistry_and_Physics">Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Significant decline in air pollution has cut related deaths in half

A new study by experts at the University of North...

Coral reefs contain vibrant ecosystems of marine species that depend on the corals for food, shelter, and protection. 

Fish who call coral reefs home can provide researchers with an excellent early warning system and potential solutions for reef recovery. 

A recent study of farmerfish in French Polynesia offered hope to coral resilience in the face of climate change because warm ocean waters increase <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/territorial-fish-coral-reef-recovery/">farmerfish aggression</a> which can boost coral growth. 

Now, a new study conducted by researchers from <a href="http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/">Lancaster University</a> and <a href="https://www.coralcoe.org.au/">the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies</a> found that warm waters have the exact opposite impact on aggressive butterflyfish. 

Butterflyfish are sensitive to reef health, and so observing butterflyfish behavior could forewarn of a bleaching event.

The results were published in the journal Nature Climate Change and reveal that as ocean water temperatures increase, butterflyfish aggression cools down. 

Over a two-year period surrounding a mass bleaching event in 2016, the researchers overserved 5,259 encounters between individuals of 38 different species of butterflyfish. 

The team spent over 600 hours observing butterflyfish across 17 reefs in the central Indo-Pacific in Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia and Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean.

A year following the 2016 bleaching events, butterflyfish populations around the reefs kept their numbers, but their behavior changed drastically. 

“We observed that aggressive behavior had decreased in butterflyfish by an average of two thirds, with the biggest drops observed on reefs where bleaching had killed off the most coral,” said Sally Keith, the leader of the study. “We think this is because the most nutritious coral was also the most susceptible to bleaching, so the fish moved from a well-rounded diet to the equivalent of eating only lettuce leaves - it was only enough to survive rather than to thrive.”

The researchers say that butterflyfish could provide a warning system for reef health and that behavior changes may be an indicator of habitat decline and environmental threats.

“This matters because butterflyfishes are often seen as the ‘canaries of the reef’ due to their strong reliance on coral, they are often the first to suffer after a disturbance event,” said Nathan Sanders, a co-author of the study. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Warming waters and coral bleaching alter reef fish behavior

Coral reefs contain vibrant ecosystems of marine species that depend...

The <a href="https://www.epa.gov/">Environmental Protection Agency</a> (EPA) was established in 1970 in direct response to increased, widespread concern about the environment. 

At the time when President Nixon first established the agency, <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2010/12/gallery-why-nixon-created-the-epa/67351/">photographers hired by the EPA</a> documented the overwhelming pollution problems facing America at the time. The EPA was tasked with monitoring, regulating, and enforcing environmental protection. 

But how well has the agency upheld those key cornerstones of sweeping environmental legislation, and what is the EPA’s role when it comes to the balance between economic gains versus environmental protections? 

The EPA has certainly made the news recently, and mostly because of concerns that the Trump Administration is working to roll back environmental protections set in place by the Obama Administration to help combat climate change. 

Taking a closer look at the early beginnings of the EPA and its actions throughout different administrations can provide us with a better picture of the government environmental agency to see if it has stayed true to its original mission. 

As you’ll soon see, Trump’s moves to rollback EPA policies and regulations is not the first time the agency has been on the chopping block for budget cuts and policy rollbacks. 

A <a href="https://archive.epa.gov/epa/aboutepa/epas-first-administrator-establishment-epa.html">press release</a> written by William D. Ruckelshaus, the first Administrator for the EPA, highlights not only why the EPA was formed but also what Ruckelshaus saw as the key mission of the agency. 

The press release reads:

“It [the EPA] has no obligation to promote agriculture or commerce; only the critical obligation to protect and enhance the environment. It does not have a narrow charter to deal with only one aspect of a deteriorating environment; rather it has a broad responsibility for research, standard-setting, monitoring and enforcement with regard to five environmental hazards; air and water pollution, solid waste disposal, radiation, and pesticides.” 

Ruckelshaus was later chosen to the head the FBI as the acting director, and when Nixon ordered Ruckelshaus to fire the special prosecutor who was investigating Watergate, he <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/william-ruckelshaus-fired-in-watergate-probe-reflects-on-trumps-firing-decision-in-immigration-ban/">refused and was consequently fired</a>. 

It wasn’t long before the idyllic mission statement of the EPA was strongly contested. 

The agency began receiving pushback from industries and businesses, which eventually forced the EPA to take economic issues and risks assessment into consideration, according to Adam Rome, an environmental historian who spoke with <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2010/12/the-triumphs-and-failures-of-the-epa/67372/">The Atlantic</a>.

By all accounts, the EPA’s first few years were successful, as the agency worked diligently to clean up America’s pollution. 

Those first few years of the EPA gave us the <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/epa-clean-air-act-weaken/">Clean Air Act</a> and the Clean Water Act, legislation that has been instrumental in regulating water and air quality and limiting pollutants.  

A few presidential terms later, Ronald Reagan was elected into office as the 40th President of the United States, marking the beginning of a particularly tumultuous chapter of the EPA’s history. 

When Reagan took office, the EPA was going through several scandals and, reminiscent of current events, then EPA Administrator Anne Gorsuch was forced to resign. 

Gorsuch, the first female Administrator in the history of the EPA, seemed to do everything in her power to essentially gut the agency to a shell of its former self. Budget cuts, personnel changes, and gross mismanagement of the Superfund cleanup program were Gorsuch’s legacy. 

The Superfund Cleanup Program had been established by Congress to help clean up hazardous waste, and the program originally identified around 14,000 potential dumping grounds. 

However, of these, only five had work done, and Gorsuch was cited for contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over subpoenaed documents on different sites, according <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/anne-gorsuch-new-bill-abolish-epa-551382">to Newsweek. </a>

In 1983, the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/02/01/neil-gorsuchs-mother-once-ran-the-epa-it-was-a-disaster/?noredirect=on&amp;utm_term=.e9978d410f80">Washington Post</a> had this to say of Gorsuch's budget cuts: 

“The cuts are so massive that they could mean a basic retreat on all the environmental programs of the past 10 years, according to agency sources and administration critics. At the same time, divisions between Administrator Anne M. Gorsuch and career agency staff over her approach to policy making have all but reached open warfare.”

After Gorsuch left, Reagan, in a move to restore the public’s faith and trust in the EPA, brought back William Ruckelshaus, according to a piece in <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-next-for-the-epa-heres-what-reagan-did-99548">the Conversation. </a>

Even amidst Reagan’s famed tax cuts, Ruckelshaus was able to implement environmental protections and steer the EPA out of its mired, scandalous past.

Under the direction of the Ruckelshaus, the EPA laid the groundwork for some crucial environmental and human health and safety measures including finding ways to protect the ozone layer and banning asbestos.

According to <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-next-for-the-epa-heres-what-reagan-did-99548">the Conversation</a>, Ruckelshaus’ second involvement with the agency proved that environmentalism still had a place and voice in a conservative, Republican administration, something that we could maybe learn from today. 

Let’s jump forward in time a couple of decades to the early 2000s, when climate change began picking up steam and with it, political discourse about the EPA’s role in mitigating its impact. 

In 2007, the Supreme Court ruled that the EPA had to act on previous findings (by the EPA itself) that greenhouse gas emissions were a form of pollution and as such endanger human health. 

But today, Trump, Scott Pruitt, and now Andrew Wheeler are careful in their discourse on climate change to help push their own agendas without outright denying the impacts of climate change. 

For example, the rolling back of <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/21/politics/epa-climate-power-plants-trump-west-virginia/index.html">coal pollution standards </a>and allowing states to set their own coal plant emission limits chips away at greenhouse gas emission protections.

To the outside eye, and for many concerned environmental groups and politicians, these policies go in the face of the EPA’s mission and what it was legally mandated to do, regulate CO2 emissions which are a threat to public health and the environment.

Andrew Wheeler also recently disbanded EPA committee panels charged with <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/10/trump-s-epa-scraps-air-pollution-science-review-panels">reviewing air quality standards, particulate matter, and ozone levels. </a>

Unbiased and thorough vetting of climate and pollution research is crucial for deciding policy, and by disbanding certain review committees, it could set a dangerous precedent for biased and uninformed policy. 

The EPA, like any government agency, has not been without its problems and is also largely influenced by whichever administration currently holds office. 

The agency can and will only ever be as good as both its administration and its administrator. When these facets act together in the service of private interests rather than the health and safety of the American public and environment, the original aim of the EPA is reduced to a punchline. 

And unless more is done by Wheeler and the EPA to work with energy companies, limit emissions, protect the environment, and shift the focus to renewables, this chapter in the EPA’s history could be looked at decades from now as a major low point of choosing to act against the well-being of the American people and the environment. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Paid for by <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a>

What happens when the EPA doesn’t protect the environment?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established in 1970 in...

Researchers at <a href="https://engineering.columbia.edu/">Columbia Engineering</a> have found that storm runoff extremes and flash flooding have been dramatically increasing in response to both human-induced and natural <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/humans-driving-climate-change/">climate change</a>. 

The world's most recent devastating storms - Hurricane Florence, Hurricane Michael, and Super Typhoon Mangkhut -  demonstrated the widespread damage that can be caused by weather extremes. Flash flooding has caused more deaths and higher economic losses than any other severe weather-related hazard. 

Losses from flooding have been steadily rising over the past five decades, and those losses exceeded $30 billion per year in the last ten years. Nearly one billion people now live in floodplains, a fact that highlights the urgency to better understand and anticipate river flooding from extreme weather events.

The findings of the new study show a large increase in both precipitation and runoff extremes driven by both human activity and climate change. 

The experts also found that storm runoff has a stronger response to human-induced changes than precipitation, which suggests that storm runoff extremes are going to increase dramatically.  

Study lead author Pierre Gentine is an associate professor of Earth and Environmental Engineering at Columbia.

“Our work helps explain the underlying physical mechanisms related to the intensification of precipitation and runoff extremes,” said Professor Gentine. “This will help improve flood forecasting and early-warning alerts. Our findings can help provide scientific guidance for infrastructure and ecosystem resilience planning, and could help formulate strategies for tackling climate change.”

Study co-author Jiabo Yin is a visiting student from Wuhan University that is working on Professor Gentine's team.

“We were trying to find the physical mechanisms behind why precipitation and runoff extremes are increasing all over the globe,” said Yin. “We know that precipitation and runoff extremes will significantly intensify in the future, and we need to modify our infrastructures accordingly. Our study establishes a framework for investigating the runoff response.”

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/ncomms/">Nature Communications</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Paid for by <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a>

Human activity is intensifying deadly flooding, study shows

Researchers at Columbia Engineering have found that storm runoff extremes...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What caused the planet's longest ice age

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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

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