In July 2025, the Mediterranean Sea reached an average water temperature of 80.4°F - the warmest ever recorded. In places such as Spain, Italy, and Greece, waters are now hitting 82°F or even higher - more like a hot tub than a sea.



For swimmers, that might sound like a dream, but for marine life and ecosystems that depend on stable conditions, it’s a serious red flag.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-warning-for-global-oceans">Early warning for global oceans</h2>



Unlike wide-open oceans, the Mediterranean is semi-enclosed. It connects to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cold-spot-in-the-atlantic-could-signal-big-trouble-for-global-climate/">Atlantic</a> through the narrow Strait of Gibraltar, which limits how fast it can exchange water. That means heat, pollution, and acidification build up more quickly here than in most other seas.



Between 1982 and 2019, its surface water temperature rose by 2.3°F. In the same period, the global ocean average went up by just over 1°F. 



That difference matters. It’s why scientists call the Mediterranean a “climate change hotspot.” It’s warming and acidifying faster than most of the rest of the planet.



“What happens in the Mediterranean often foreshadows changes to be expected elsewhere," said Abed El Rahman Hassoun, a biogeochemical oceanographer at the <a href="https://www.geomar.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel</a>. 



"The Mediterranean Sea acts like an early warning system for processes that will later affect the global ocean.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mediterranean-temperature-risk-map">Mediterranean temperature risk map</h2>



A group of researchers considered 131 scientific papers that studied the influence of climate change on marine and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/restoring-coastal-ecosystems-can-mitigate-climate-change/">coastal ecosystems</a> within the Mediterranean. 



The team relied on the data from the IPCC’s climate scenarios to know what will probably occur at various emission levels.



The researchers built a risk map - called a "burning ember" diagram - to visualize how serious the threats are at various temperature increases.



“The diagram clearly shows how strongly climate change threatens key ecosystems," said Meryem Mojtahid, a professor of paleo-oceanography. "I hope our results will help raise awareness and inspire real action to protect these unique ecosystems.” 



The findings are clear: even small temperature increases can lead to major ecological damage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-warming-big-consequences">Small warming, big consequences</h2>



Some people think a fraction of a degree isn’t a big deal. But the research shows that even an additional 0.8°F of warming puts many ecosystems in serious trouble.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natural-climate-solutions-enhancing-the-role-of-seagrass-meadows/">Seagrass meadows</a> such as Posidonia oceanica - vital to oxygen production and nursery grounds for marine animals - would be reduced dramatically and potentially disappear by 2100. Indigenous seaweeds such as Cystoseira are likely to decrease, and invasive algae will probably dominate.



Fish stocks might fall by 30 to 40 percent. Some will move north into cooler seas, leaving space for newcomers such as lionfish, which disrupt food webs.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-corals-can-survive-high-ocean-heat-which-could-save-reefs/">Corals</a>, surprisingly, are more resistant - but only up to a point. They face moderate to high risk starting at 5.6°F above today’s temperatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coastal-ecosystems-under-rising-threat">Coastal ecosystems under rising threat</h2>



Warming isn’t the only issue. Sea level rise, including in the Mediterranean, adds another layer of stress, especially for areas up to 30 feet above sea level. Beaches, dunes, and rocky shores are losing ground - literally.



Sea turtle nesting sites are at risk, too. Over 60 percent of them could disappear. And even rocky coasts, which usually resist erosion better than sand, are beginning to lose biodiversity.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wetlands-are-a-hidden-source-of-rising-methane-emissions/">Wetlands</a>, salt marshes, lagoons, and deltas are also feeling the heat. Many are already showing damage at just +0.8°F to +1.0°F. 



Plants are dying off, invasive species are moving in, and water supplies are drying up due to changes in rainfall. Flooding and excess nutrients only make things worse as temperatures climb.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-every-fraction-of-a-degree-counts">Every fraction of a degree counts</h2>



Scientists used two IPCC emissions scenarios to project future outcomes. In the moderate scenario, known as RCP 4.5, emissions level off in the near future.



Even along this more optimistic path, the Mediterranean is expected to warm by a temperature of 1.1°F by 2050 and up to 2.3°F by 2100. In the high-emissions scenario, called RCP 8.5 - where emissions continue to rise without major policy changes - warming could reach between 4.9°F and 6.8°F by century’s end.



The impacts multiply with every increase. More heat means greater acidification, faster sea-level rise, and larger disruptions in food chains.



“These scenarios show we can still make a difference - every tenth of a degree counts,” said Hassoun. “Political decisions made now will determine whether ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea collapse or remain functional, supporting the ecosystem services they provide.”



“At the same time, our study also shows that even with moderate climate protection and an additional 0.8°C warming, we must expect some consequences. Our focus should be on minimizing the impacts as much as possible.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-data-gaps-cloud-mediterranean-future">Data gaps cloud Mediterranean future</h2>



The study also pointed out a big gap in what we know. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-temperature-has-been-steadily-rising-since-the-1850s/">Temperature data</a> is scarce for parts of the Mediterranean, especially in the south and east. That means the risk in those areas might be underestimated.



There’s also a lack of research on how multiple stressors - like pollution, overfishing, and invasive species - combine to make things worse. Deep-sea habitats, salt marshes, and marine megafauna still need more attention.



“We found that Mediterranean ecosystems are remarkably diverse in how they respond to climate-related stress. Some are more resistant than others, but none are invincible,” said Mojtahid. “Only strict climate protection measures can keep the risks at a level to which ecosystems can still adapt."



This isn’t just about saving a few species. The Mediterranean supports millions of people - from fishing to tourism to coastal agriculture. When ecosystems collapse, the damage doesn’t stop at the shoreline. The science is clear. We can slow this down. But only if action is taken now.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-07858-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Mediterranean Sea reaches its hottest temperatures ever recorded

In July 2025, the Mediterranean Sea reached an average water temperature of 80.4°F - the warmest ever recorded. In places such as Spain, Italy, and Greece, waters are now hitting 82°F or even higher - more like a hot tub than a sea. For swimmers, that might sound like a dream, but for marine life and ecosystems that depend on stable conditions, it’s a serious red flag. Early warning for global oceans Unlike wide-open oceans, the Mediterranean is semi-enclosed. It connects to the Atlantic through the narrow...

International team collaborates to improve earthquake prediction. Forecasting seismic activity is an important advantage for us humans, as it allows us to better prepare for an impending earthquake or volcanic eruption. But just how accurate are these forecasts? That’s the question the <a href="http://cseptesting.org/">Collaboratory for the Study of Earthquake Predictability</a> (CSEP) is looking to answer in an article published in <a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/srl">Seismological Research Letters</a>. 

Since 2007, CSEP has been analyzing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/leaning-tower-pisa-earthquakes/">earthquake</a> forecast models to determine the accuracy of each model in predicting seismic activity compared to its competitors. CSEP has four testing centers in California, New Zealand, Europe and Japan – with a fifth being developed in China – where CSEP’s experiments and testing procedures have helped advance our knowledge of the predictability of earthquakes.International team collaborates to improve earthquake prediction

“The fundamental idea of CSEP is simple in principle but complex in practice: forecasting models should be tested against future observations to assess their performance, thereby ensuring an unbiased test of the forecasting power of a model,” explains Danijel Schorlemmer of <a href="https://www.gfz-potsdam.de/startseite/">GFZ Potsdam</a> in Germany. 

At each testing center, earthquake forecasts — produced automatically from a collection of models — are compared with the region’s actual observed seismic activity. These experiments are held to strict rules that involve a precise description of the region being studied and the seismic recordings themselves, among other stipulations. 

These experiments assess how well the number, distribution, and magnitudes of observed earthquakes in each region match up with each model’s forecasted prediction. For example, in Italy there are three CSEP experiments currently ongoing to assess one-day, three-month, and five-year earthquake forecasts for the country. According to the study’s authors, the one-day forecasts are accurate enough to have been incorporated into Italy’s Department of Civil Protection’s seismic forecasts.

CSEP has been conducting experiments since 2008, during which there were a number of major earthquakes. The 2011 magnitude 6.2 Christchurch quake and the 2016 magnitude 7.8 Kaikoura quake provided data used to refine real-time community warnings during these earthquakes.

Researchers have also used CSEP to test candidate seismicity models to be used in forecasting. This can help newer, more advanced models have their accuracy confirmed and determine whether they are worth using in the future. Ultimately, the experiments being done by CSEP could refine our ability to predict seismic activity, and help save lives in the process.

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By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

International team collaborates to improve earthquake prediction

International team collaborates to improve earthquake prediction. Forecasting seismic activity...

Bill Gates backs new system to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. As you read this, vast amounts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/co2-emissions-cars-uk/">carbon dioxide</a> are being pumped into the air by industrial practices and the vehicles that fill up our roads. The contribution of this gas to climate change is significant, and it doesn’t seem to be halting anytime soon. But in a response to these emissions, <a href="http://carbonengineering.com/">Carbon Engineering</a> – a Canadian-based clean energy company – has outlined the design of a large industrial plant that is capable of capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at a cost of $94 to $232 per ton.

Previous estimates for the cost of extracting greenhouse gases from the air were around $600 per ton, according to the <a href="https://www.aps.org/">American Physical Society</a>. This price point proposed by Carbon Engineering would be well below that.Bill Gates backs new system to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere 

“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,” says David Keith, a <a href="https://www.harvard.edu/">Harvard University</a> physics professor and founder of the company. 

Carbon Engineering has around 40 employees, and produces about a ton of carbon dioxide per day from their experimental plant. The company is owned by several private investors, including famous billionaire Bill Gates.

The technology for this project, outlined in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/joule/home">Joule</a>, makes synthetic fuels using only water, air, and renewable power. Keith believes that an industrial-scale plant would be able to make fuel at a dollar per liter, which would be competitive in California, where fuel prices are high due to the effort to reduce car pollution through low carbon fuel standards. An industrial plant could potentially capture a million tons of carbon dioxide per year, which is equivalent to the emissions of 250,000 cars.

Other experts commend the study as an advancement in clearing up major uncertainties about the costs of “direct air capture.” Reports from the United Nations suggest that governments may have to deploy similar technologies sometime this century in order to remove carbon from the atmosphere and bury it to limit global warming as part of the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

“Direct air capture is a politically promising route for carbon dioxide removal,” says Oliver Geden, of the <a href="https://www.swp-berlin.org/en/">German Institute for International and Security Affairs</a>. One of the many benefits is that an air capture plant could be built almost anywhere, as it would not impact farmland – unlike the planting of forests to take in carbon dioxide.

As we look to combat climate change in the future, these efforts will involve not only limiting our emissions, but finding ways to reverse the damage we’ve already done.

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By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: <a href="http://carbonengineering.com/">Carbon Engineering</a>

Bill Gates backs new system to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere

Bill Gates backs new system to absorb CO2 from the...

LED lights last longer, but some shades are harmful to wildlife. Noise and light pollution can be harmful to natural ecosystems, and studies have shown that human-caused <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/noise-pollution-reproduction-birds/">noise pollution can disrupt habitats</a> and even drive species decline. 

Now, a new study has found that certain shades of LED (light-emitting diode) outdoor lamps can also negatively impact wildlife, and researchers have created a database for consumers to know which LED colors are the least harmful.

The team determined that blue and white LED lights are the worst for animals while softer yellows, greens, and ambers are more benign. 

The study was conducted by a team of biologists from the <a href="https://www.usc.edu/">University of Southern California </a>and published in the journal Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological and Interactive Physiology. 

LED lamps are popular and are expected to make up 69 percent of the global market by 2020. LEDs have many benefits including conserving energy and lasting longer than other traditional lights, however, these benefits can come at a cost to wildlife.

Previous studies have examined how light brightness and direction affects species’ migration, attraction, and circadian rhythms.

The researchers collected data from these light studies to help build a new database that developers, designers, and policymakers can use to choose wildlife-friendly LED lighting colors. 

“Outdoor environments are changing rapidly and in ways that can impact wildlife species," said Travis Longcore, lead author of the study. “We provide a method to assess the probable consequences of new light sources to keep up with the changing technology.”

For the study, the researchers focused on insects, sea turtles, salmon and the Newell’s shearwater seabird.

The researchers also found that sea turtles and insects are more vulnerable to bright LED lights at night. Sea turtles can follow the bright light inland after hatching instead of going to the sea. 

In order to reduce further species decline and help protect those species most vulnerable to LED light brightness, the researchers created the "Rapid Assessment of Lamp Spectrum to Quantify Ecological Effects of Light at Night,” a <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/19325231">database</a> that shows how two dozen different types of artificial lights impact animals. 

The hope is that city planner and policymakers will use the database to help pick the least disruptive and harmful light options for species. 

“If we don't provide advice and information to decision makers, they will go with the cheapest lighting or lighting that serves only one interest and does not balance other interests,” said Longcore. “We provide a method to assess the probable consequences of new light sources to keep up with the changing technology and wildlife concerns.”

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By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

LED lights last longer, but some shades are harmful to wildlife

LED lights last longer, but some shades are harmful to...

Biggest iceberg ever moving toward the equator, set to disappear.  After 18 years of drifting around at sea, the world's largest iceberg will soon vanish forever near the Equator. The massive piece of ice, which was 160 nautical miles long and 20 nautical miles wide when it first broke off of the Ross Ice Shelf in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/east-antarctica-seismically-active/">Antarctica</a> in March of 2000, has traveled 6,600 miles.

Only four pieces of iceberg B-15 remain that are at least 20 square nautical miles, which is a size that is large enough to be tracked by the National Ice Center. The iceberg set off on its journey as an ice chunk larger than the size of Jamaica, originally measuring a total of 4,250 square miles.

The huge iceberg spent most of the past 18 years floating in the cold ocean waters of the Antarctic, traveling an estimated three-quarters of the way around Antarctica. However, according to NASA, northerly winds have changed its path over the last year. Biggest iceberg ever moving toward the equator, set to disappear

The largest remaining portion of the ice chunk, which is referred to as B-15Z, has a visible fracture and is breaking down into smaller pieces. An image captured last October shows the location of B-15Z in the Southern Ocean off the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.

By May of 2018, the iceberg was spotted in an image captured by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in the southern Atlantic Ocean about 150 nautical miles northwest of the South Georgia islands, which is where it is predicted to rapidly melt and disappear. 


NASA glaciologist Kelly Brunt said that icebergs this close to the Equator “tend to pond with water, which then works its way through the iceberg like a set of knives.”

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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

Image Credit: <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a>

Biggest iceberg ever moving toward the equator, set to disappear

Biggest iceberg ever moving toward the equator, set to disappear. ...

A new study led by the <a href="https://www.washington.edu/">University of Washington</a> has confirmed the theory that higher temperatures associated with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/developing-countries-global-warming/">global warming</a> will lead to smaller yields of corn across the world by the end of the century. 

The researchers also found that the variability of corn yields from year to year will increase the likelihood that high-producing regions will experience low yields simultaneously, leading to global shortages and high corn prices.

“Previous studies have often focused on just climate and plants, but here we look at climate, food and international markets,” said lead author Michelle Tigchelaar.

“We find that as the planet warms, it becomes more likely for different countries to simultaneously experience major crop losses, which has big implications for food prices and food security.”

Most people across the planet rely heavily on corn, which is the most widely grown crop in the world used for food, cooking oil, livestock feed, and fuel.

The United States, Brazil, Argentina, and the Ukraine account for 87 percent of the world's corn exports. The probability that all four of these major exporters could have a bad year at the same time is currently at around zero percent.

However, if the world experiences an additional four degrees Celsius of warming - which is the amount that has been projected to happen by the end of this century - the chance that all four major exporting countries could simultaneously have a bad year increases to 86 percent.

“Yield variability is important for determining food prices in international markets, which in turn has big implications for food security and the ability of poor consumers to buy food,” said Tigchelaar.

The researchers combined data from global climate projections with data from corn-growth models to confirm the negative impact of warmer temperatures on corn crops.

“When people think about climate change and food, they often initially think about drought, but it's really extreme heat that's very detrimental for crops,” said Tigchelaar. 

“Part of that is because plants grown at a higher temperature demand more water, but it's also that extreme heat itself negatively affects crucial stages in plant development, starting with the flowering stage and ending with the grain-filling stage.”

The study revealed that warmer temperatures will severely decrease average maize yields in the southeastern United States, Eastern Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa.

"Even with optimistic scenarios for reduced emissions of greenhouse gases, results show that the volatility in year-to-year maize production in the U.S. will double by the middle of this century, due to increasing average growing season temperature," said study co-author David Battisti.

“The same will be true in the other major maize-exporting countries. Climate change will cause unprecedented volatility in the price of maize, domestically and internationally."

The research is published in the <a href="http://www.pnas.org/">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</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

Warmer temperatures will threaten corn availability

A new study led by the University of Washington has...

100 cities are responsible for 18 percent of the world’s carbon emissions, according to a new <a href="http://citycarbonfootprints.info/">interactive map</a> of the most polluting cities on Earth. 

The tool was created as part of a study conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://www.ntnu.edu/">Norwegian University of Science and Technology</a>, and is the first time such a complete worldwide map measuring the carbon footprints of cities has ever been drawn. 

Both New York and Los Angeles are in the top five list of the cities with the highest carbon emission levels, while Seoul, South Korea has the number one spot.

[caption id="attachment_1215375" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Screen-Shot-2018-06-12-at-9.22.16-AM.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1215375" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Screen-Shot-2018-06-12-at-9.22.16-AM-300x139.png" alt="" width="300" height="139" /></a> Image Credit: citycarbonfootprints.info[/caption]

For the study, the researchers surveyed the carbon footprints of 13,000 cities around the world and used current carbon footprint estimates and data from previous research. 

The researchers created an interactive map that predicts purchasing power, population, and purchasing patterns for many cities around the globe, according to <a href="https://geminiresearchnews.com/2018/05/new-study-estimates-carbon-footprints-13000-cities/">Gemini Research News</a>. 

Income was used as a proxy for measuring carbon footprint size because it’s been found that people with more to spend have a larger carbon footprint. 

The results of the study show that many cities are in a unique position to drastically reduce the world’s carbon emissions by simply controlling their own.

“The top 100 highest-footprint cities worldwide drive roughly 20 percent of the global carbon footprint,” Daniel Moran, the study’s lead author, told <a href="https://geminiresearchnews.com/2018/05/new-study-estimates-carbon-footprints-13000-cities/">Gemini</a>. “This means concerted action by a small number of local mayors and governments can significantly reduce national total carbon footprints.

Highly populated cities make up the majority of a country’s emissions, and the researchers found that large urban areas account for more than 70 percent of the world’s total energy use. 

The study lists the top polluting cities as well as the cities with the highest carbon footprint per capita. In that list, Hong Kong and cities in the United Arab Emirates have the highest rankings. 

Even in countries with low emissions per capita, an individual city with a high carbon footprint can have a big impact, and 41 of the cities in the top 200 highest polluters come from low emission countries. 

This just further shows how much power a city can have in influencing carbon footprints and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-trade-boom-co2-emissions/">emissions</a>. 

“The fact that carbon footprints are highly concentrated in affluent cities means that targeted measures in a few places and by selected coalitions can have a large effect covering important consumption hotspots,” said Moran. 

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By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

New map reveals the cities with the highest carbon footprint

100 cities are responsible for 18 percent of the world’s...

Climate change could make leafy greens, veggies less available. With both global temperatures and demand for food set to to increase in the coming years, while water resources grow more strained, the impacts on agriculture and crops could cause catastrophic food scarcity.

A new study led by researchers from the <a href="https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/">London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine </a>reveals how climate change will affect the production and nutritional quality of vegetables and legumes.

Leafy greens, vegetables like tomatoes, and legumes are a crucial part of a healthy diet, however, these crops have been largely left out of climate change and agriculture studies.

Instead, the majority of research on crops show that increases in temperature and water scarcity will significantly change staple yields of rice and wheat.  

The study, which was the first of its kind to address this gap in climate change and agriculture research, was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 

The researchers reviewed studies published since 1975 that investigated the impacts of environmental changes on vegetable and legume crop yields.

After examining all the past experiments and studies, the researchers then estimated how increases in greenhouse gases and water scarcity would impact future yields and nutritional quality.

The results show that if nothing is done to mitigate climate change and reduce emissions, vegetable crop yields could be reduced by 35 percent, and legumes by nine percent towards to the end of the century.

“Our study shows that environmental changes such as increased temperature and water scarcity may pose a real threat to global agricultural production, with likely further impacts on food security and population health,” said Pauline Scheelbeek, the study’s lead author.

Vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet, and many health experts and climate studies urge people to increase their consumption of leafy greens and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meat-and-seafood-production-have-a-high-environmental-cost/">reduce red meat in their diets</a> to lower their environmental impact.

However, this research shows that vegetable and legumes may soon be less readily available which could impact population health worldwide.

“Our analysis suggests that if we take a 'business as usual' approach, environmental changes will substantially reduce the global availability of these important foods,” said Alan Dangour, the study’s senior author. “Urgent action needs to be taken, including working to support the agriculture sector to increase its resilience to environmental changes and this must be a priority for governments across the world.”

The researchers emphasize the importance of improving agricultural innovations as well as reducing emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

“This excellent review highlights that some of the most important foods, and some of the world's most vulnerable people, are at highest risk. This research is a wake-up call, underlining the urgency of tackling climate change and of improving agricultural practices,” said Howie Frumkin, head of Our Planet, Our Health Program part of the <a href="https://wellcome.ac.uk/home">Wellcome Trust</a>, which funded the study.

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By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Climate change could make leafy greens, veggies less available

Climate change could make leafy greens, veggies less available. With...

Scientists underestimated how quickly oceans are losing oxygen. The world’s oceans are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-deoxygenation-history-repeating/">losing oxygen</a>, but the technology to model this loss and project future rates of deoxygenation is insufficient, according to a new study. 

Recent research has found that the oceans have already lost two percent of their oxygen content worldwide in the past fifty years, and deoxygenation is expected to increase in the future. 

Now, a new study conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://www.geomar.de/en">GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel</a> shows how current methods to measure deoxygenation and identify drivers of oxygen loss need improvement. 

The study was published in the journal Nature Geoscience, and the research shows why current models for deoxygenation are limited while also listing several drivers of oxygen loss that previous research had underestimated. 

“The comparison with our observation data reveals various inadequacies of the models and gives us indications in which direction we must concentrate our research efforts,” said Peter Brandt, the study’s co-author.

Global warming driver of ocean deoxygenation, but because there are so many different processes at work in the world’s oceans, it is difficult to accurately illustrate the full scope of how warming affects these different processes. 

“We often lack the data or the knowledge about many processes that interact in the ocean's response to global warming,” said Andreas Oschlies, the lead author of the study. “Our study shows that previous models significantly underestimate the effects of this interaction, at least on the oxygen distribution.”

One way that warmer temperatures affect ocean oxygenation is through oxygen solubility in the water. As the surface layers of the ocean warm up, fewer gases are able to be stored in the water. 

This process explains around 20 percent of deoxygenation in the ocean so far and models are able to efficiently represent solubility.  

However, models are less able to show how warmer temperatures affect the patterns of global ocean circulation which consists of both deep and shallow currents that supply oxygen to different layers of the ocean. 

“Many models have problems to describe this effect realistically because transport processes are often not resolved well enough or reproduced incorrectly,” said Lothar Stramma, a fellow co-author of the research. 

If climate change is a major driver of oxygen loss, it will impact both oxygen and carbon storage in the world’s oceans in the future. 

“We need multidisciplinary process studies to better understand the delicate balance of oxygenation and oxygen consumption in the ocean,” said Oschlies. “therefore, international initiatives such as the Global Ocean Oxygen Network are helpful. Oxygen is ideal for calibrating models that calculate the uptake of carbon dioxide by the ocean. So, at the same time, we would improve our knowledge of the carbon cycle.” 

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By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/earth/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Scientists underestimated how quickly oceans are losing oxygen

Scientists underestimated how quickly oceans are losing oxygen. The world’s...

Pope warns oil execs climate change could destroy civilization. During a Vatican conference on Saturday, Pope Francis warned top oil execs that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-driving-climate-change/">climate change</a> could result in a catastrophe that could destroy humanity, according to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oil-vatican-conference-pope/pope-warns-energy-bosses-of-global-destruction-without-fuel-shift-idUSKCN1J50BD">Reuters</a>.

“Civilization requires energy but energy use must not destroy civilization,” Pope Francis said. 

The pope called for less dependence on fossil fuels and a transition to renewable energy. 

The closed-door conference was organized by the <a href="https://www.nd.edu/">University of Notre Dame</a> and executives from Asset Manager Blackrock, British Petroleum, Equinor, and other oil and energy companies had been invited to attend, <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/391470-pope-warns-oil-executives-climate-change-may-destroy-civilization">The Hill</a> reported.

Pope Francis has made his thoughts on the dangers of climate change very clear, having written <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pope-francis-calls-for-urgent-action-on-environment/">a papal encyclical </a>on the impacts of human-caused climate change. An encyclical is a formal letter issued by the pope regarding the church’s stance on a given subject. 

The 183-page call to action urged world leaders to do more, and President Trump himself was even given a personal copy of the encyclical when he met with Pope Francis last year. 

“There is an urgent need to develop policies so that, in the next few years, the emission of carbon dioxide and other highly polluting gases can be drastically reduced, for example, substituting for fossil fuels and developing sources of renewable energy,” <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-environment-excerpts-idUSKBN0OY17320150618">Pope Francis wrote</a>. 

During this latest conference, which took place nearly a year after Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris Accord, Francis spoke to top oil executives about the dangers of climate change. 

Francis emphasized the issue of meeting energy demand while still reducing emissions, but he said that it was something that had to be done. 

“We know that the challenges facing us are interconnected. If we are to eliminate poverty and hunger ... the more than one billion people without electricity today need to gain access to it,” said Pope Francis, according to Reuters. “But that energy should also be clean, by a reduction in the systematic use of fossil fuels,” he added. “Our desire to ensure energy for all must not lead to the undesired effect of a spiral of extreme climate changes due to a catastrophic rise in global temperatures, harsher environments and increased levels of poverty.”

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>,<a href="https://www.earth.com/"> Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Pope warns oil execs climate change could destroy civilization

Pope warns oil execs climate change could destroy civilization. During...

Meat and seafood production have a high environmental cost.  Researchers have taken a comprehensive approach to evaluating the environmental impacts of different types of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/agriculture-higher-methane-emissions/">animal production</a>. Overall, they found that the production of beef and farmed catfish have the greatest impacts, while wild-caught fish and the farming of mollusks have the least environmental impacts.

Study lead author Ray Hilborn is a professor in the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at the <a href="https://www.washington.edu/">University of Washington</a>.

“From the consumer's standpoint, choice matters,” said Professor Hilborn. “If you're an environmentalist, what you eat makes a difference. We found there are obvious good choices, and really obvious bad choices.”


For their analysis, the experts reviewed hundreds of assessments focused on different types of animal protein production. Also known as a “cradle-to-grave” analysis, the assessments accounted for the environmental impacts generated by every stage of a product's life.

The researchers used four metrics to compare the effects of various animal production methods including aquaculture, livestock farming, and seafood caught in the wild. The experts accounted for energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, the potential to release excess nutrients, and the potential to contribute to acid rain.Meat and seafood production have a high environmental cost


The results of the analysis clearly showed that the lowest environmental impacts across all measures were generated by farmed shellfish; capture fisheries such as sardines, mackerel, and herring; and mollusks, such as oysters and scallops. 


The research also clearly identified the range of environmental consequences associated with various production practices, and the differences were striking.

Overall, catfish aquaculture and beef production result in 20 times more greenhouse gases than farmed mollusks, small capture fisheries, or farmed salmon and chicken. 

Farmed catfish, shrimp, and tilapia used the most energy, primarily for the constant water circulation required for these systems.


Regarding excess nutrients, capture fisheries consistently scored the best because no fertilizer is used. Mollusk aquaculture actually absorbs excess nutrients that are harmful to ecosystems, while livestock and beef production rated poorly in this measure.

Livestock emit methane in their manure, giving them a poor score in the acid rain category. Farmed mollusks were rated the highest again, with small capture fisheries and salmon aquaculture scoring very high as well.


“I think this is one of the most important things I've ever done,” said Professor Hilborn said. “Policymakers need to be able to say, ‘There are certain food production types we need to encourage, and others we should discourage.’”

The researchers advise that consumers must decide what environmental impacts are the most important to them while making their food selections.


The research is published in the journal <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15409309/">Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment</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

Meat and seafood production have a high environmental cost

Meat and seafood production have a high environmental cost.  Researchers...

Thinking twice about your grocery shopping can reduce emissions. Eating less red meat is often cited as one of the many ways people can reduce their carbon footprints and help decrease the world’s carbon emissions. 

As we’ve reported, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meat-consumption-climate-change/">methane from cows and the emissions from the beef industry</a>, from raising livestock to processing meat, are a major source of greenhouse gases. 

However, what is less understood is how dietary changes and purchasing low carbon food choices can reduce emissions and help mitigate climate change. 

Researchers from the <a href="http://www.uconnruddcenter.org/">UConn Rudd Center</a>, <a href="http://www.zwickcenter.uconn.edu/">the Zwick Center</a>, <a href="https://www.tufts.edu/">Tufts University</a>, the <a href="https://missouri.edu/">University of Missouri</a>, and the <a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/">U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service</a> sought to correct this and conducted an in-depth investigation into how food purchases impact carbon emissions.  

The results, published in the journal Food Policy, provide one of the most comprehensive estimates of greenhouse gas emissions generated by food purchases from U.S consumers.

The study found that purchasing and consuming less meat could have a significant impact on reducing emissions.

In the United States, food purchases accounted for 16 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in 2013, whereas commercial and residential activity only accounted for 12 percent of US carbon emissions. 

“We found that households that spend more of their weekly food budget on beef, chicken, pork and other meats are generating more greenhouse gas emissions. Our study shows that encouraging consumers to make food choices that are lower in greenhouse gas emissions can make a real difference addressing climate change,” said Rebecca Boehm, the study's lead author. 

The researchers collected data on food purchases in the United States and used this to calculate greenhouse gas emissions from every stage of food production and distribution. 

After completing their calculations, the researchers found that meat industries produce the largest amount of emissions compared to other food production.  However, even though beef, pork, and other red meat generated 21 percent of emissions from grocery spending, dairy products only accounted for seven percent. 

Those households that had the highest amount of greenhouse gas emissions from food purchases also had more resources and higher incomes. 

“It's striking that many of the opportunities for environmentally-friendly dietary changes are with the households that have the most resources,” said Sean B. Cash, senior author of the study. “Changes in food consumption in these households could reduce greenhouse gases by a disproportionate amount.”

The study shows how food purchases, distribution, and production impact greenhouse gas emissions and shows that reducing red meat consumption is an easy way to lower a household’s carbon footprint. 

“For the first time, our study shows the association between the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the food system, household food spending patterns, and sociodemographic characteristics,” said Boehm. “These findings can inform the debate on which diets and food spending patterns can best mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from the food system while informing educational efforts to encourage low-carbon diets among the U.S. population.”Thinking twice about your grocery shopping can reduce emissions

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By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette,</a> <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Thinking twice about your grocery shopping can reduce emissions

Thinking twice about your grocery shopping can reduce emissions. Eating...

Climate change is slowing down hurricanes, making them stronger. In 2017, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hurricane-harvey-intensified-ocean-heat/">Hurricane Harvey</a> hit the eastern part of Texas – including the city of Houston – resulting in chaos and devastation across the state. Much of the destruction was caused by massive flooding, which only got worse as up to 50 inches of rain fell over the course of several days. The cause of this historic rainfall was due to the fact that the hurricane stalled over eastern Texas, rather than dissipate as it moved over land, as most hurricanes do. Researchers now believe this stalling action may have been a result of the increase in global temperature, which is causing hurricanes to move more slowly.

In a study comparing data from 1949 to 2016 for worldwide hurricane tracking and intensity – known as best-track data – researcher James Kossin of the <a href="http://www.noaa.gov/climate">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Center for Weather and Climate</a> found that hurricane translational speeds have averaged a 10 percent slow down over time. 

The destructive winds that hurricanes bring to coastal regions play a large part in the damage done to people and property, but Kossin says that the speed at which hurricanes track along their paths – the translational speed – also plays a part in how much damage they cause. This is because their movement is a factor in how much rain falls in the areas they affect.

“Just a 10 percent slowdown in hurricane translational speed can double the increase in rainfall totals caused by 1 degree Celsius of global warming,” says Kossin. However, the degree to which hurricanes have slowed depends on where they occur. “There is regional variation in the slowdown rates when looking at the 10 percent global average across the same time frame,” Kossin explains. Climate change is slowing down hurricanes, making them stronger

The most significant slowdown was found along the Western North Pacific Region, where hurricanes decreased their speed by as much as 20 percent. But through further analysis of hurricane speeds over land, Kossin found that they slowed by as much as 30 percent over land in the Western North Pacific. 

In the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/nature/">Nature</a>, Kossin says that these changes are a result of climate change. Hurricanes travel through the strength of environmental steering winds, but as the Earth’s atmosphere warms, these winds may weaken. This weakening is particularly significant in places like the tropics, where hurricanes frequently occur. Furthermore, a warmer atmosphere is able to hold more water vapor, which can increase the amount of rain that hurricanes bring with them.

Previous studies by Kossin have found that hurricanes are reaching their maximum intensities as they move further from the tropics and closer to the poles. These changes can bring hurricanes to areas that have not historically dealt with major storms before, including heavily populated coastal regions.

“The rainfalls associated with the ‘stall’ of 2017’s Hurricane Harvey in the Houston, Texas, area provided a dramatic example of the relationship between regional rainfall amounts and hurricane translation speeds,” says Kossin. “In addition to other factors affecting hurricanes, like intensification and poleward migration, these slowdowns are likely to make future storms more dangerous and costly.”

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Climate change is slowing down hurricanes, making them stronger

Climate change is slowing down hurricanes, making them stronger. In...

<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



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

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

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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

[sendtonews key="gRpsplpwpe-2251464-12187" 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.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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