Floating photovoltaics (FPV), or “floatovoltaics,” are spreading across water bodies worldwide. From California’s vineyards to China’s massive energy projects, these solar systems glide atop irrigation ponds, reservoirs, and wastewater treatment plants. 



They produce clean energy without consuming precious land, a seemingly perfect solution in a space-constrained world.



But the water beneath these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/floating-solar-panels-could-power-entire-countries/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">panels</a> isn’t empty. It teems with life. Birds drift, dive, nest, and hunt in these waters. As FPV systems expand, they introduce a new dynamic to these habitats - and nobody knows yet what the consequences might be.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-floating-solar-and-bird-habitats">Floating solar and bird habitats</h2>



A recent study from the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Davis</a>, published in the journal Nature Water, raises a vital question: Can renewable energy and wildlife coexist without collateral damage? The researchers, part of the UC Davis Wild Energy Center, are among the first to examine how waterbirds respond to FPV systems.



“That’s why it’s so important to understand how waterbirds are going to respond to floating solar and if there is the possibility for conservation concessions at new floating solar facilities,” said Elliott Steele, a postdoctoral scholar with the UC Davis Wild Energy Center within the Energy and Efficiency Institute.



Steele’s words are urgent. Bird populations are plummeting. Habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and avian influenza have combined into a perfect storm of threats. If floating solar disrupts waterbird behavior, it could exacerbate an already dire situation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bird-responses-to-floating-solar-systems">Bird responses to floating solar systems</h2>



Imagine a black-crowned night heron standing motionless on a solar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/floating-solar-panels-could-power-every-home-in-the-u-s/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">panel</a> before dawn. Below, cormorants dart through the water, jostling for a place to perch. A black phoebe builds a nest beneath the panels, sheltered but close to human-made structures.



These are not imagined scenes. During their fieldwork, the UC Davis researchers observed all these behaviors. Birds are not just interacting with FPV systems — they are adapting to them, sometimes in unexpected ways.



“Our team has been documenting such a diversity of bird <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/floridas-waterbirds-expert-divers-with-bold-hunting-techniques/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behavior</a> with floating PV, so we immediately knew this was a very important interaction, especially given the precipitous decline in waterbird numbers globally,” said senior author and UC Davis Professor Rebecca R. Hernandez.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-and-risks-of-floating-solar">Benefits and risks of floating solar</h2>



Renewable energy projects have not always considered <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-americas-birds-scientists-declare-a-full-on-emergency-in-the-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a>. Now, as FPV systems expand, researchers are determined not to repeat past mistakes. The UC Davis team identified five areas demanding urgent study.



First, the researchers are exploring how waterbirds interact with FPV structures, questioning whether these birds use the solar panels as nesting sites, hunting perches, or safe resting places.



In addition, they are investigating the direct and indirect effects of FPV systems on waterbirds. While a panel may provide shelter to one species, it may simultaneously deter another.



The team is considering how conservation strategies can be tailored to specific sites, regions, and seasons, recognizing that bird populations vary significantly in their behaviors and needs.



Furthermore, they are examining how best to design monitoring systems at FPV sites. Should they rely on cameras, sensors, or traditional bird counts to collect data effectively?



The researchers are also assessing the potential for pollutants to be released from FPV systems. If such contamination occurs, they aim to determine what can be done to mitigate the risks to aquatic and avian life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-renewable-energy-design">Rethinking renewable energy design</h2>



Study co-author Emma Forester is a Ph.D. candidate with the UC Davis Land, Air and Water Resources department and the Wild Energy Center.



“There are some things we wished we’d known before other kinds of renewable energy were developed,” said Forester.



“While we’re at this critical threshold of renewable energy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/solar-panels-are-1000-times-more-powerful-with-new-tech-breakthrough/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">development</a>, we want to put more thought into the design that can benefit birds and other wildlife as we go forward.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-balancing-act-energy-vs-ecology">The balancing act: Energy vs. ecology</h2>



Floating solar systems present a compelling case for water conservation. They can reduce evaporation by shading the water surface, an added benefit in drought-prone areas. But there’s a catch.



While some birds, like the black-crowned night heron, seem to thrive on the panels, others might not. Researchers observed birds using FPV systems in various ways - nesting, perching, feeding - but the long-term impacts remain unclear.



And then there’s pollution. Solar panels are not inert objects. As they age, they can degrade, releasing chemicals into the water. What happens to the fish, algae or the birds? These questions linger, unanswered.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-designing-for-wildlife">Designing for wildlife</h2>



To ensure that FPV systems are truly green, wildlife considerations must be integrated from the start. 



Hernandez and her team emphasize that waterbirds are ideal subjects for these studies. They occupy both the water and the air, making them sensitive indicators of environmental change.



But there’s a deeper challenge. Conservation strategies that work in California may fail in Florida. Solutions for herons may not suit cormorants. Customization is key.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-at-stake">What’s at stake</h2>



Floating solar may be new, but the questions it raises are not. When energy projects collide with nature, unintended consequences often follow. As renewable energy scales up, researchers must consider not just the panels but the ecosystems they disrupt.



Floating solar has enormous potential. But without rigorous, long-term studies, that potential could come at a steep ecological cost. For now, the researchers at UC Davis are watching the waterbirds - and hoping the world will pay attention.



The study, funded by the <a href="https://uckeepresearching.org/california-climate-action/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">California Climate Action Seed Grant</a>, <a href="https://www.enelgreenpower.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Enel Green Power</a>, and several U.S. government agencies, is a starting point. 



The research team includes scientists from UC Davis, the <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Geological Survey</a>, the <a href="https://www.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Central Florida</a>, <a href="https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lancaster University</a>, and <a href="https://www.enelgreenpower.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Enel Green Power</a> in Italy.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44221-025-00429-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Water.</a>



Image Credit: Rebecca R. Hernandez, UC Davis.



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Floating solar panels affect bird habitats in unexpected ways

Floating photovoltaics (FPV), or “floatovoltaics,” are spreading across water bodies worldwide. From California’s vineyards to China’s massive energy projects, these solar systems glide atop irrigation ponds, reservoirs, and wastewater treatment plants. They produce clean energy without consuming precious land, a seemingly perfect solution in a space-constrained world. But the water beneath these panels isn’t empty. It teems with life. Birds drift, dive, nest, and hunt in these waters. As FPV systems expand, they introduce a new dynamic to these habitats - and nobody knows yet what the...

Two major developments happening now in the motor vehicle industry involve the rise of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/self-driving-cars-sensors/">self-driving cars</a> and the push towards electric cars. Both technological advancements aim to increase efficiency – electric cars would make vehicles more fuel efficient, while self-driving cars could decrease motor vehicle accidents and aid with everything from shipping products to moving people.

Currently, electric vehicles make up less than one percent of new car sales. This is mainly attributed to slow charging capabilities, high prices, and limited travel ranges. Furthermore, self-driving cars still emit a significant amount of greenhouse gasses, and also have a major sticker price. But a recent study published in the American Chemical <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/toc/esthag/0/0">Society’s Environmental Science &amp; Technology</a> used a mathematical model to determine that self-driving, electric taxis may be able to reduce emissions, energy use, and overall costs.

Researchers Gordon Bauer, Jeffery Greenblatt and Brian Gerke developed a mathematical model in order to test the cost and capabilities of a fleet of shared, automated electric vehicles in New York City. They varied the types of vehicles used and charging infrastructure parameters, identifying which options cost the least amount of money and have the greatest impact on energy and greenhouse gas emission reductions. 

The results showed that roughly 6,500 vehicles with a battery range of 70 miles or more could be sustained on 1,500 medium-power electric vehicle chargers across Manhattan. These electric vehicles would produce about 33,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year. This would be a 57 percent reduction compared to a hybrid vehicle fleet, and a 73 percent reduction over an automated gasoline-powered car fleet. Furthermore, shared vehicles – especially self-driving electric ones – could place the up-front cost and burden on the taxi fleet operator, mitigating the cost of the relatively pricey automated vehicles.

Overall, the study’s results suggest that electric vehicles could reduce operating costs by as much as 18 percent, and energy consumption by up to 55 percent when compared to a fleet of hybrid or gasoline vehicles. However, the researchers do state that this model might be more difficult to apply to less dense regions, saying the more research needs to be done on this subject.

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Self-driving electric taxis can cut both emissions and costs

Two major developments happening now in the motor vehicle industry...

The quest for clean energy alternatives may soon include the ability to harvest energy from leaves shifting in the wind. 

Researchers from the <a href="https://liu.se/en/research/laboratory-of-organic-electronics">Laboratory of Organic Electronics </a>at <a href="https://liu.se/en">Linköping University</a> have discovered a way to power a small electric circuit using the fluctuations between sun and shade, similar to a leaf fluttering in the wind. 

Although the technology is in its early stages, the study shows that heat fluctuations from sunlight to shade can be converted into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-solar-panels-appealing/">energy</a>. 

“Plants and their photosynthesis systems are continuously subjected to fluctuations between sunshine and shade,” said Magnus Jonsson, an author of the study. “We have drawn inspiration from this and developed a combination of materials in which changes in heating between sunshine and shade generate electricity.” 

The study was published in the journal Advanced Optical Materials. 

Previously, Magnus Jonsson had worked on a project that developed small nanoantennas made up of gold nanodiscs with the ability to absorb sunlight and generate heat by reacting to near-infrared light. 

In this new study, the nanoantennas powered a tiny optical generator using pyroelectric film. Pyroelectric means that power is generated from changes in heat. 

As the antennae were subjected to fluctuations in sunlight and shade, they generated heat which was then converted to electricity. 

“The nanoantennas can be manufactured across large areas, with billions of the small discs uniformly distributed over the surface,” said Jonsson. “The spacing between discs in our case is approximately 0.3 micrometres. We have used gold and silver, but they can also be manufactured from aluminium or copper.” 

A polarized polymer was also required for energy conversion. 

“We force the polarisation into the material, and it remains polarised for a long time, “ said Mina Shiran Chaharsoughi, the lead author of the study. 

The researchers tested their theory with experiments and computer simulations. In one of the experiments, a twig with leaves in front of a fan powered a small external circuit. 

The study has many exciting applications and result in another dependable source of renewable energy. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Fluttering leaves could be one day generate electricity

The quest for clean energy alternatives may soon include the...

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mount-etna-hot-spring/">Mount Etna</a> is an active volcano all year round and one of Sicily’s most famous tourist attractions. Every year the volcano spews enough lava to fill over a 100 story skyscraper. 

Now, new research has found the volcano is sliding towards the sea with the entirety of mount Etna creeping downward at a rate of half an inch per year.

While the current sloping of the volcano is not a cause for immediate alarm, geologists warn that the site should be heavily monitored as this type of movement could lead to landslides. 

A team of researchers from the United Kingdom conducted a study monitoring and collecting data from GPS sensors placed around Mount Etna.

The research team used data from 2001 to 2012 to gauge the rate of Mount Etna’s gravitational slide. 

More than 100 GPS stations were set up on the volcano and used throughout the study.

The results were recently published in the journal Bulletin of Volcanology and show that Mount Etna is sliding a little every year because of its weak basement.  

Volcano basements are the rocks that underlie the volcano, and Mount Etna's basement is comprised of weak sediments. These sediments shift and the whole volcano then moves along with it. 

“This is the first time basement sliding of an entire active volcano has been directly observed,” write the researchers. “'This is important because the geological record shows that such sliding volcanoes are prone to devastating sector collapse on the downslope side, and whole volcano migration should be taken into account when assessing future collapse hazard.”

--

By<a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com"> Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Active volcano Mount Etna is sliding into the Mediterranean

Mount Etna is an active volcano all year round and...

Land degradation caused by human activities is pushing the planet towards a sixth mass species extinction, according to a recent report.

It is one of the main causes of species loss and at the current rates of land use, two-fifths of the world’s population is at risk.

Intensifying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-driving-climate-change/">climate change</a> could force the mass migration of millions of people, creating conflict, food shortages, and habitat loss, according to the report.

The three-year assessment report was conducted by over 100 leading experts from 45 different countries and shows the costly economic and environmental toll of land degradation.

The report was produced by the <a href="https://www.ipbes.net/">Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services</a>, and was a collaborative effort that drew on more than 3,000 scientific, government, indigenous and local knowledge sources.

The conclusions of the assessment show that land restoration should be a priority as worsening land degradation threatens the well being of billions of people.

“Avoiding, reducing and reversing this problem, and restoring degraded land, is an urgent priority to protect the biodiversity and ecosystem services vital to all life on Earth and to ensure human well-being,” said Robert Scholes, a co-chair of the assessment.

A rapid, yet largely unsustainable expansion of croplands and grazing areas is the biggest driver of land degradation worldwide.

According to the report, the threat to food security and biodiversity has reached critical levels in some regions.

The report also notes that humanity’s high-consumption lifestyles in developed economies coupled with rising consumption in developing and emerging economies are major motivators behind land degradation.

As the world’s population increases, the costs of land degradation will only get worse.

“In just over three decades from now, an estimated 4 billion people will live in drylands,” Scholes. “By then it is likely that land degradation, together with the closely related problems of climate change, will have forced 50-700 million people to migrate. Decreasing land productivity also makes societies more vulnerable to social instability -- particularly in dryland areas, where years with extremely low rainfall have been associated with an increase of up to 45% in violent conflict.”

The assessment emphasizes the need for land restoration which will become critical in the coming years. There have been many examples of successful land restoration in every ecosystem and well-tested practices and techniques.

The key then becomes implementing these practices on a wide-scale. The assessment also found that the benefits of restoration are ten times higher than the costs, just further proof that land restoration should be a priority. 

These benefits include more employment opportunities, improved quality of life, and better business spending.

“Fully deploying the toolbox of proven ways to stop and reverse land degradation is not only vital to ensure food security, reduce climate change and protect biodiversity," said Luca Montanarella, the fellow assessment co-chair.  “It's also economically prudent and increasingly urgent.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>,<a href="https://www.earth.com/"> Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Blanscape/Shutterstock

Global land degradation could displace millions in the future

Land degradation caused by human activities is pushing the planet...

Archaeologists from the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter</a> have uncovered evidence of thriving communities in regions of the Amazon that were previously believed to have never been inhabited. Hundreds of villages that were developed in the rainforest away from major rivers were home to up to a million people who spoke different languages.

There are vast areas of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-road-biodiversity-hotspot/">Amazon</a> that have not been investigated due to the assumption that ancient people preferred to live close to waterways.

“There is a common misconception that the Amazon is an untouched landscape, home to scattered, nomadic communities. This is not the case,” said study co-author Dr. Jonas Gregorio de Souza. “We have found that some populations away from the major rivers are much larger than previously thought, and these people had an impact on the environment which we can still find today.”

“The Amazon is crucial to regulating the Earth's climate, and knowing more about its history will help everyone make informed decisions about how it should be cared for in the future.”

The archaeologists found the remains of fortified villages in a region which is now the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso. They also documented the discovery of earthworks called geoglyphs, which are man-made ditches with mysterious square, circular, or hexagonal shapes. The earthworks may have been used as part of ceremonial rituals.

The analysis of charcoal remains and excavated pottery revealed that an 1,800- kilometer stretch of the southern Amazon was continuously occupied from 1250 until 1500. The experts believe they will ultimately find evidence of up to 1,500 fortified villages, yet only a third of this number has been found so far.


“We are so excited to have found such a wealth of evidence,” said study co-author Professor José Iriarte. “Most of the Amazon hasn't been excavated yet, but studies such as ours mean we are gradually piecing together more and more information about the history of the largest rainforest on the planet.”

“Our research shows we need to re-evaluate the history of the Amazon. It certainly wasn't an area populated only near the banks of large rivers, and the people who lived there did change the landscape. The area we surveyed had a population of at least tens of thousands.”

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

Image Credit: <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter</a>

Millions lived in parts of the Amazon thought to be uninhabited

Archaeologists from the University of Exeter have uncovered evidence of...

In 1755, an earthquake strong enough to knock down chimneys and steeples hit the city of Boston, Massachusetts. The Cape Ann earthquake was the most damaging earthquake to ever occur in New England, and is estimated to be classified at modified Mercalli intensities of “strong” to “very strong” – based off contemporary descriptions of damage from Boston and surrounding areas. Now, researchers report in <a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/srl">Seismological Research Letters</a> that the signs of this earthquake can be seen in a sediment core taken from Sluice Pond in eastern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/court-massachusetts-failed-to-adopt-greenhouse-gas-emissions-rule/">Massachusetts</a>.

Researcher Katrin Monecke of <a href="https://www.wellesley.edu/">Wellesley College</a> and her colleagues identified a layer of light brown organic-rich mud within the sediment core, which is estimated to have been deposited between 1740 and 1810 due to an underwater landslide. They believe this landslide was caused by the 1755 Cape Ann Earthquake.

Although the epicenter of the earthquake was likely located offshore in the Atlantic Ocean, the tremors could be felt along the eastern seaboard from Nova Scotia to South Carolina. New England is located within a tectonic plate, which means that it is not nearly as active an earthquake zone as a place like California, which is on an active tectonic plate margin. “There are zones of weakness mid-plate in New England and you do build up tectonic stress here, you just don’t build it up at the same rate that would occur at a plate boundary,” explains Monecke.

Since researchers in the less active areas don’t have many faults to study, they can look for signs of seismically-induced landslides, or the deformation of soft soils, in order to analyze the history and prehistoric record of earthquakes in these regions. For this particular sediment core taken from Sluice Pond, the researchers hope that it will give seismologists a way to assess the sedimentary record of earthquakes for other lakes in the region.

“It is important to see what an earthquake signature looks like in these sediments, so that we can start looking at deeper, older records in the region and then figure out whether 1755-type earthquakes take place for example, every 1000 years, or every 2000 years,” says Monecke.

The research team analyzed the sediment size and composition, as well as pollen and plant material and even industrial contaminants in order to identify changes in sediment layers over time in the core. Their attention was drawn to a light brown layer deposited at the time of the Cape Ann earthquake, since it had a coarser mix of sediments and slightly different plant microfossils. 

“These were our main indicators that something had happened in the lake. We saw these near shore sediments and fragments of near-shore vegetation that appear to have been washed into the deep basin,” says Monecke.

The researchers plan to sample even older layers of New England lakes in hopes of building their record of past earthquakes. They are currently assessing Walden Pond, the famous site of Henry David Thoreau’s memoir Walden; or, Life in the Woods.

“It got slightly less ground shaking [than Sluice Pond] in 1755, but it might have been affected by a 1638 earthquake in southern New Hampshire,” Monecke says. “We already have sediment cores from that lake, and now we are unraveling its sedimentary history and trying to get an age model there as well.”

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The most damaging earthquake to ever hit Boston

In 1755, an earthquake strong enough to knock down chimneys...

Research examining the environmental impacts of logging are crucial for implementing regulations and conservation measures in order to prevent population loss and habitat degradation. 

The effects of the logging industry on large species such as jaguars can be particularly devastating.

The loss of habitat and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/land-partnerships-protect-biodiversity/">biodiversity</a> is becoming a serious concern among conservationists, which is why some countries have implemented reduced impact logging operations as a means to help protect certain species. 

A new study reviewing these well-managed logging concessions in Peru and Guatemala found that jaguars do well if policies are put in place to strictly regulate logging areas. 

The study was conducted by researchers from <a href="http://www.sandiegozooglobal.org/">San Diego Zoo Global,</a> <a href="https://bronxzoo.com/">The Bronx Zoo Wildlife Conservation Society,</a> and the <a href="https://www.serfor.gob.pe/">Servicio Nacional Forestal y de Fauna Silvestre</a> in Lima, Peru. 

The results, published in the online journal Biological Conservation, are hopeful and suggest that logging operations and conservation are not mutually exclusive.

“Our findings indicate that certified logging operations can play an important role in maintaining vital habitat for jaguars and other large wildlife species,” said Mathias W. Tobler, the lead author of the study.

For the study, the researchers set up large-scale camera trap surveys that would record and monitor the number of jaguars in certain logging concession areas in Guatemala and Peru. 

The cameras captured 23 jaguars Guatemala's Maya Biosphere Reserve and 43 jaguars in Peru's Madre de Dios region. Jaguars have unique spot patterns, so the researchers were able to accurately calculate the individuals in an area without fear of counting the same jaguar twice. 

The number of individual jaguars in the different areas were then used to create spatial capture-recapture models that calculated the total jaguar densities, or the estimated number of jaguars in the protected regions. 

In Guatemala, the researchers estimated that there 1.5 jaguars per 100 square kilometers and in Peru the density was 4.5 per 100 square kilometers. 

The team also found that strictly controlled logging roads, previously thought a hindrance to certain species, was helpful for the jaguars to move through the area. 

All in the all the results show that well managed logging operations with a goal of protection and conservation are successful in maintaining biodiversity. 

“Controlling access into an area and hunting of prey are paramount considerations for the objectives of preserving biodiversity and ecological function, both of which are selling points for certified lumber products,” said John Polisar, a co-author of the study. “The presence of jaguars in a logging concession is testimony that environmental guidelines are being followed.”

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Logging and conservation efforts can successfully coexist

Research examining the environmental impacts of logging are crucial for...

A new study from the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/">University of Leeds</a> has revealed that nearly 40 percent of childhood asthma cases in Bradford are caused by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fetal-exposure-air-pollution/">air pollution</a> each year. Traffic-related air pollution, in particular, is responsible for at least 12 percent of asthma cases.

The team used a newly-developed model to investigate the impact of the gases that make up air pollution, or nitrogen oxides, on the development of asthma in children. 

The model combines data on four distinct scenarios of traffic, emissions, atmospheric dispersion, and health assessments to track the pollution all the way from its source to its impact in children.

While the experts estimated that traffic-related pollution contributed to 12 percent of asthma-related illness in children, this estimate had to be adjusted.

Study co-author Professor Mark Nieuwenhuijsen is the Director of the Urban Planning, Environment and Health Initiative at <a href="https://www.isglobal.org/en">ISGlobal</a>.

“We knew our model was underestimating the traffic related fraction of air pollution,” said Professor Nieuwenhuijsen. “When we adjusted our results using actual measurements of air pollutants we saw that up to 24% of the annual cases could be attributable to traffic related air pollution.”


Study lead author Dr. Haneen Khreis said that traffic pollution is a major concern to the community of Bradford.  

“Overall rates of childhood asthma cases in Bradford are higher than the national average as were emergency hospital admissions for asthmatic children under 16 years of age,” said Dr. Khreis.

“Our team's previous research has shown that children exposed to high levels of traffic-related air pollution have a higher risk of developing asthma. Quantifying the number of childhood asthma cases that are directly attributable to traffic-related air pollution has not been done in the past and as we show now, a significant portion of cases is largely preventable.”

Dr. Khreis emphasized that, while proposed initiatives such as providing routes with cleaner air for pedestrians are important, traffic pollution mitigation strategies should not be restricted to localized areas.


“New policies aimed at reducing the effects of traffic-related air pollution need to target each link in the full chain of events - from traffic volume and type, to exhaust and non-exhaust emissions, to dispersion to exposure.”

“There is very little research that explores the impact of different exposure assessments,” said Professor Nieuwenhuijsen.

“Cases of childhood asthma have been steadily increasing since the 1950s. Future progress with childhood asthma requires a focus beyond controlling and treating the disease toward asthma prevention starting with reducing traffic related air pollution.”

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.journals.elsevier.com/environment-international/">Environment International</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

UK study: 40 percent of child asthma cases due to air pollution

A new study from the University of Leeds has revealed...

The Paris Agreement is a global collaboration that seeks to reduce carbon emissions and stop the world’s temperature from increasing past two degrees Celsius.

While many nations are already working to implement policies that reduce carbon emissions and transition from fossil fuels to renewables, the exact temperature and emissions requirements to meet the Paris Agreement are not widely understood.

Researchers from the <a href="http://www.nies.go.jp/index-e.html">National Institute for Environmental Studies</a> in Japan and the <a href="https://ncar.ucar.edu/">U.S. National Center for Atmospheric Research</a> examined several new emissions and temperature scenarios to find out what exactly was needed to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change.

The new study found that meeting the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/country-paris-agreement/">Paris Agreement</a> does not necessarily mean cutting all greenhouse gas emissions and also that even under a zero-emission scenario, temperatures could still climb higher than preferred.

Their findings highlight the uncertainty and inconsistencies that come with the Paris Agreement’s plans.

“What we found is that the two goals do not always go hand in hand,” said Katsumasa Tanaka, a lead author of the study. “If we meet temperature targets without first overshooting them, we don't have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero. But if we do reduce emissions to zero, we still might not meet the temperature targets if we don't reduce emissions quickly enough.”

The results were published in the journal Nature Climate Change.

For the study, the researchers used an integrated assessment computer model to create and analyze ten different emissions scenarios.

The model factored in both the environmental and economic impact of temperature and emissions reductions.

“We investigated the consistency between the Paris targets in two ways,” said Brian O'Neill, a fellow lead researcher. “First, we asked, what happens if you just meet the temperature target in a least-cost way? What would emissions look like? Then we said, let's just meet the emissions goal and see what kind of temperatures you get.”

The scenarios showed that if emissions were reduced sooner, the Earth’s temperature wouldn’t exceed two degrees Celsius.

All in all, the results showed that the biggest driver of temperature changes in the latter half of the century is when emissions are reduced.  

“The timing of when emissions are reduced really matters,” said O'Neill. “We could meet the goal set out in the Paris Agreement of reducing emissions to zero in the second half of the century and still wildly miss the temperature targets in the same agreement if we wait to take action.”

The researchers hope their work will help provide a better foundation for implementing the most effective and consistent policies under the Paris Accord.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Different methods of achieving the Paris Agreement climate goals

The Paris Agreement is a global collaboration that seeks to...

In 2016, the UK successfully cut carbon emissions from electricity production by 25 percent with an unprecedented transition from coal to natural gas. This strategy ultimately had the same effect of taking one in three cars off the road.

Researchers at <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/">Imperial College London</a> are reporting that global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-emissions-save-lives/">carbon emissions</a> could be cut by 3 percent, or one gigaton, in less than five years if other countries adopted this strategy.

“Switching from coal to gas is not a long-term solution, but it is an important step to start reducing emissions quickly and at minimal cost,” said study co-author Dr. Iain Staffell. “This will give us time to build up the required renewable energy capacity to permanently cut global carbon emissions.”

Government policy has made it cheaper to burn gas than coal in the UK, and burning natural gas produces less than half the carbon dioxide of coal. 

The researchers found that carbon pricing, or charging those who emit carbon dioxide, was the main driver in the UK’s successful switch from coal to gas. Stronger policies have made it more profitable to burn natural gas in power plants.

The strategy used by the UK is easy to implement because it does not rely on building new infrastructure or increasing the capacity of existing facilities.

“Having a longer-term view, it is likely to prove vastly cheaper not to emit a ton of CO2 into the atmosphere over the near-term, rather than to have to take it back out of the atmosphere after 2050,” said co-author Dr. Grant Wilson.

“This is especially the case if the infrastructure has already been built but is underutilized. This report suggests that the option of fuel switching in the power sector deserves greater consideration to reduce emissions.”


The researchers analyzed the 30 largest coal-consuming countries to see if these savings could be replicated. Based on existing underused capacity, they estimated that annual carbon dioxide emissions could be cut by 0.8-1.2 gigatons if natural gas was burned instead of coal.

“To avoid the worst impacts of climate change we cannot afford to build new fossil-fuel power stations. Building high-carbon infrastructure, such as new gas power plants, is at least a 30-year commitment, which will further lock countries into dependence on carbon,” said Dr. Staffell.

“The UK is leading by example. In the last year all new power stations were renewable; powered by the wind and sun. With the cost of these new technologies coming down rapidly, the economic case for eliminating carbon-based electricity is very strong, but there are still difficult political issues to tackle.”

The UK has committed to becoming the world's first country to completely transition away from coal generation by 2025.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/nenergy">Nature Energy</a>.

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

UK cut carbon emissions from electricity by 25 percent in 2016

In 2016, the UK successfully cut carbon emissions from electricity...

Looking for somewhere to move or vacation with a decent climate but don’t know where to start? A new, easy to use, interactive global climate map with a wide array of applications could be your best bet.

Tomasz Stepinski, a <a href="http://www.uc.edu/">University of Cincinnati</a> geography professor and expert on mapping data and statistics, created a new climate map that compares the climates of areas anywhere in the world.

The map also shows the drastic temperature and precipitation variations over the years due to climate change, and could predict which geographic regions may experience extreme weather events in the coming years.

“The map demonstrates climate change over time but also climate diversity. The concept is powerful and can inspire a lot of research,” Stepinski said.

The map is called <a href="http://www.climatex.com/en/">ClimatEx</a> and was created in Stepinkski’s <a href="http://www.artsci.uc.edu/departments/geography/research/space-informatics-lab.html">Space Informatics Lab</a> with the help of researcher Pawel Netzel.

The two collected five decades of data from monthly climate records from <a href="http://www.worldclim.org/">WorldClim</a>, a public database. This data was then used to develop a visual way to study patterns and climate variability in locations all over the world.

The data is mapped in a four-square-kilometer grid which allows people to see how temperatures and precipitations are changing in cities all around the globe. The map also shows which areas have experienced the most change over time, such as the warmer temperatures in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/warmer-arctic-northeast-winter/">Arctic</a>.

There are many potential applications for ClimateEx outside of educational purposes or research. The map could also help climatologists see which areas are most at risk of extreme weather due to climate change.

“ClimateEx enables an easy search for locations where climate change may lead to the occurrence of such extreme phenomena in the future,” said Stepinski. “The user simply indicates the location where tornadoes are presently frequent, and ClimateEx finds all locations where in 50 years the climate will be conducive to tornadoes.”

Stepinski says his map is a useful tool but also provides further proof of the way climate change is reshaping climate, weather, and precipitation on a global scale. 

“If you were looking at climate change at a scale of a million years, you wouldn't worry too much,” Stepinski said. “But if you see dramatic changes on the order of a few decades, it's a big problem. Personally, I'm not happy there are people who seem to disregard this as not much of a problem. It is a problem.”

[caption id="attachment_1171083" align="aligncenter" width="996"]<a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/climate-map.png"><img class="wp-image-1171083 size-large" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/climate-map-1024x600.png" alt="" width="996" height="584" /></a> Green areas could see least change while white and brown areas are predicted to see the most. Image Credit: Tomasz Stepinski/ClimateEx[/caption]

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Tomasz Stepinski/ClimateEx

New map reveals the impact of climate change across the globe

Looking for somewhere to move or vacation with a decent...

Each year, scientists in the Arctic measure the region’s sea ice extent – the peak of the winter’s growth, before the ice begins to thaw for the spring and summer.

And this year, researchers found that the sea ice extent was one of the four lowest on record. The other three were 2015, 2016 and 2017.

"The Arctic sea ice cover continues to be in a decreasing trend and this is connected to the ongoing warming of the Arctic," Dr. Claire Parkinson of NASA's <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">Goddard Space Flight Center</a> said in a press release. "It's a two-way street: the warming means less ice is going to form and more ice is going to melt, but also, because there's less ice, less of the sun's incident solar radiation is reflected off, and this contributes to the warming."

Every year, sea ice in the Arctic Circle grows during the winter, peaking around mid-March, then shrinks until it reaches its minimum in September. Then, the cycle repeats.

On March 17, sea ice in the Arctic covered 5.59 million square miles – the peak for the year. That’s about 448,000 square miles smaller on average than the sea ice extent in winters from 1981 to 2010, about the size of California and Texas combined, according to the NASA researchers.

The only time the sea ice extent has been lower was in the winter of 2017. The National Snow &amp; Ice Data Center has <a href="http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/2018/03/arctic-sea-ice-maximum-second-lowest/">published an analysis</a> of this year’s study.

This winter, the Arctic saw several unusual warm spells, at several points reaching temperatures above freezing. In February, one of these warm periods lasted several days. Cooler weather in March spurred ice growth, but not enough to lift this year out of the second-lowest spot.

At one point in February, a thick, multiyear portion of the sea ice cover north of Greenland melted, exposing open water. While that area has refrozen, it remains fragile.

"This old, thicker ice is what we expect to provide stability to the Arctic sea ice system, since we expect that ice not to be as vulnerable to melting out as thinner, younger ice," ice research Dr. Alek Petty said. "As ice in the Arctic becomes thinner and more mobile, it increases the likelihood for rapid ice loss in the summer."

While the Arctic is beginning its melting season at a low point, the scientists can’t predict what that means for the coming months. Chilly spring temperatures or a cooler than usual summer could prevent another record-low summer, Parkinson said.

NASA’s aerial survey project, <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/icebridge/">Operation IceBridge</a>, is currently mapping the Arctic’s sea ice cover. In the fall, the agency will launch a new satellite mission to monitor the thickness of Arctic sea ice and how it is changing.

—

By Kyla Cathey,<a href="http://www.earth.com"> Earth.com</a> staff writer

Image credit: Nathan Kurtz, <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a>

The not-so-big freeze: Arctic sea ice extent low again this year

Each year, scientists in the Arctic measure the region’s sea...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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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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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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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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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NTU Singapore



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



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

Plants help remove heavy metals from contaminated soil

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

NASA monitors giant dust storms on Mars

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz

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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

Kangerlussuaq Glacier on the Greenland ice sheet

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

Ocean heat influences regional climate

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes the importance of monitoring the shape of the sea surface, which is constantly changing. These observations have many applications, such as ship routing, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-modem-ocean-is-a-tough-place-for-whales-to-survive/">ocean</a> current forecasting, and debris tracking.



"A project supported by the Discovery element of ESA’s Basic Activities recently investigated a new technique to measure sea surface topography very precisely," reports ESA.



"The technique involves looking at satellite navigation (GNSS) signals that have been reflected off of the sea surface at very low angles. At these so-called grazing angles, waves and surface roughness have very little impact on the reflection process; the sea surface acts as a very smooth mirror."



Estel Cardellach is the principal investigator at the Institute for Space Studies of Catalonia, who first submitted the idea for the project.



“In a mirror-like reflection the phase of the signal can be tracked – it is continuous," said Cardellach. "Different surface heights result in different phase measurements. It gives a very precise measurement of the surface altitude at a few centimetres’ precision.”



The researchers developed a GNSS receiver and set up an experiment in the Balaeric Islands to collect signals from the receiver that were reflected off the sea surface. Ultimately, these signals will provide improved measurements of the shape of the sea surface.



Image/ Video Credit: ESA



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

Monitoring the dynamic shape of the sea surface

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