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Caribbean,Sea,Covered,By,Sargasso,Algae.,Seaweed,Top,View

The Atlantic Ocean holds a secret: a patch of calm water ringed by swift currents, sitting about 590 miles east of Florida yet never touching land. Known as the Sargasso Sea, sailors have crossed it for centuries, but few notice the border when they slip into glassy indigo waters. 



Those who linger find the surface scattered with golden-brown seaweed - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-drives-the-great-atlantic-sargassum-belt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sargassum</a> - named for the Portuguese word sargaço, a type of grape-like algae. The plants bob in slow motion, rolling gently like tumbleweeds on a prairie of water.



Within minutes, the stillness feels uncanny. No surf pounds. No gulls scream from cliffs. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sargassum-seaweed-a-growing-problem-could-become-a-sustainable-solution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The seaweed</a>, however, bursts with residents: shrimp the size of rice grains, neon juvenile fish, porcelain-white crabs, and even young loggerhead turtles paddling their first miles of life. 



This floating cover grows so thick that early Spanish crews feared their wooden caravels would halt and “never again feel a breath of wind,” as Christopher Columbus wrote in 1492.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-sargasso-sea-holds-a-drifting-forest">The Sargasso Sea holds a drifting forest</h2>



Strip away the romance, and the Sargasso Sea looks like an 800-mile-wide nursery. Scientists call the drifting mats “habitat islands,” and for good reason. Hatchling turtles hide here until their shells harden.



Porbeagle sharks cruise the shade below, while Bermuda storm-petrels skim the fringe, plucking shrimp in mid-dive.



Researchers have counted more than 100 invertebrate species clinging to the weed—tiny colonists that hitch a ride for years before the mats eventually break apart.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-cycles-in-migration">Life cycles in migration</h2>



European and American eels begin their lives beneath these mats, no bigger than clear threads. They drift west or east on ocean currents, slip into rivers as far inland as Indiana, then, after decades in freshwater, swim back the entire 3,000-mile journey to spawn once and die. 



How they locate the same watery cradle baffles zoologists. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-humpback-whales-are-born-in-places-we-didnt-expect/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humpback whales</a> also cross the sea each spring, and high-speed tuna streak through on their way to spawning grounds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-climate-engine-calls-the-shots">Unique climate engine calls the shots</h2>



Longtime observers quickly learn that calm water masks heavy lifting. In summer, the surface warms to about 82–86 °F; in winter, it cools to roughly 64–68 °F. 



Those seasonal swings drive mixing that helps push warm, salty water northward and return cooler water south - a conveyor that steadies weather patterns on both sides of the Atlantic. 



The open water also pulls carbon dioxide from the air, locking it into plankton shells that eventually snow to the seafloor.



Only after two years of sampling did chemical oceanographer Nicholas Bates and colleagues at the <a href="https://bios.asu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences</a> realize just how much heat the sea was absorbing. 



“The ocean is the warmest it’s been for ‘millions and millions of years,’” he told LiveScience, warning that the trend could reshape “where it rains or where it doesn’t.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-problems-threaten-the-sargasso-sea">Human problems threaten the Sargasso Sea</h2>



Jules Verne once called the Sargasso “a perfect lake in the open Atlantic.” Today that lake collects trash from four converging currents: the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/collapse-of-main-atlantic-ocean-circulaton-current-amoc-is-already-happening/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North Atlantic Current</a>, Canary Current, North Equatorial Current, and Antilles Current. 



Those loops act like a mile-wide drain, funneling plastic bags, bottle caps, and ghost fishing gear into a slowly rotating slick. 



One survey estimated roughly 200,000 pieces of debris per square kilometer - about 518,000 pieces per square mile - spreading for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-hotspots-currents-identified-cleanup-efforts-great-pacific-garbage-patch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">several hundred miles</a>.



Underwater microphones pick up the growl of cargo vessels cutting straight through mats. Propellers shred the weed; paint chips flake from hulls, releasing copper and zinc. 



Noise can mask the low-frequency calls of sperm whales passing beneath. Meanwhile, floating nets entangle juvenile turtles exactly where they once found refuge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-change-through-decades">Tracking change through decades</h2>



Researchers have monitored these waters near Bermuda since 1954, recording temperature, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caribbean-salt-affects-global-climate-study-reveals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">salinity</a>, dissolved oxygen, and pH every month. 



Instruments show that winter water is slightly saltier than summer water, thanks to dry winds that whisk moisture off the surface, while rainfall each June and July freshens the mix. 



Since the 1980s, the average temperature has climbed roughly 1 °C - a small number that packs a punch. Warmer layers resist vertical mixing, starving deeper water of oxygen and hoarding nutrients that would normally rise to feed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-from-africa-sparked-a-massive-phytoplankton-bloom/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plankton blooms</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sargasso-sea_map-location_credit-Bates-Johnson_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sargasso-sea_map-location_credit-Bates-Johnson_1s.webp" alt="Location map of the island of Bermuda and two ocean time-series (Hydrostation S, 1954 to present; and the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series, BATS, 1988 to present) sites. The position of the Ocean Flux Program (OFP, 1978 to present; deep ocean sediment trap program) is also shown. Ruth Curry is thanked for the main panel figure which is modified here. Credit: Bates and Johnson" class="wp-image-1970759"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Location map of the island of Bermuda and two ocean time-series (Hydrostation S, 1954 to present; and the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series, BATS, 1988 to present) sites. The position of the Ocean Flux Program (OFP, 1978 to present; deep ocean sediment trap program) is also shown. Ruth Curry is thanked for the main panel figure which is modified here. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Bates and Johnson</figcaption></figure>



Scientists have developed new metrics, such as “salinity anomaly” maps and basin-scale alkalinity indices, to compare one year to the next. 



Paired with drifting Argo floats and satellite color scans, the 60-year record has become a gold standard for tracking ocean acidification.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-race-against-warmth">Race against warmth</h2>



<a href="https://www.sargassoseacommission.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Sargasso Sea Commission</a>, an intergovernmental body formed in 2014, calls the region a “haven of biodiversity” and urges countries to designate shipping lanes that skirt dense mats. 



Marine protected area status remains complicated; no nation owns the sea, and enforcement on the high seas is costly. 



Yet conservationists note that simple steps - rerouting tankers by 50 miles or banning longline fishing during peak turtle season - could preserve critical habitat without hampering trade.



Policy moves slowly, while climate shifts quickly. 



Between stronger hurricanes and hotter summers, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robot-discovers-surprising-food-source-sargassum-for-deep-ocean-creatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sargassum</a> now grows so prolifically in the Caribbean that beach resorts hire bulldozers to clear it. Excess weed sinks, rots, and releases greenhouse gases, turning a carbon sink into a source. 



Paradoxically, the very organism that lends the sea its name may become a casualty of warming if rising acidity weakens its holdfasts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-protecting-the-sargasso-sea">Importance of protecting the Sargasso Sea</h2>



If we lose the Sargasso Sea, rivers from Newfoundland to the Gulf of Mexico would send eels searching in vain for a birthplace erased by heat. 



Humpbacks might arrive in spring to find the larder bare. Storm tracks over Europe could drift, and the Atlantic might store even more of the planet’s excess heat, accelerating feedback loops we scarcely understand.



Governments are now weighing a treaty to curb plastic discharge at sea and expand no-take zones around key migratory corridors. 



Shipping firms experiment with quieter propeller designs and biodegradable packing bands. None of these fixes alone will restore the Sargasso, but together they could keep the floating forest alive long enough for cooler heads - and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceans-hidden-skin-could-protect-us-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cooler oceans</a> - to prevail.



For something that looks like an empty patch of blue on a map, the Sargasso Sea manages to knit continents together, nourish creatures halfway across the world, and offer humanity a running log of planetary change. 



The still water speaks softly, but its message rings clear: protect the calm, or brace for the storm that follows.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1289931/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Marine Science</a>.



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There is one sea on Earth that touches no land, because it has no shore

The Atlantic Ocean holds a secret: a patch of calm...

Dogs aren’t the only animals that seem curious about melodies. Birds sway to rhythms, cows gather near speakers, and even cats perk up when they hear familiar tunes.&nbsp;Some zoo animals have even been seen responding to background music with calmer behavior or increased play. 



From barns to living rooms to enclosures, animals across species seem to pick up on patterns and tones that affect how they feel.



Dr. Katrina Meinkoth, an assistant professor at <a href="https://go.okstate.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oklahoma State University</a>’s College of Veterinary Medicine, found that gentle music helped her own anxious dog settle down. 



She was surprised to discover that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-triggers-unique-prediction-zones-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">certain harmonies</a> may reduce nervous pacing and whining.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-helps-animals-stay-calm">Music helps animals stay calm</h2>



Mild background music appears to reduce sudden startles in many animals. A 2017 <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28093218/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> from the <a href="https://www.gla.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Glasgow</a> revealed that dogs exposed to certain songs had lower cortisol levels and steadier heart rate variability.



The results align with older <a href="https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/ufaw/aw/2002/00000011/00000004/art00002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">findings</a> from <a href="https://www.queensu.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen’s University</a> in Belfast, where soft classical pieces triggered calmer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-brain-plays-our-behaviors-like-a-music-box/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behavior</a> and less barking in kenneled dogs. 



Some veterinarians suggest that these gentle tunes can mask jarring background noises.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-affects-large-and-small-animals">Music affects large and small animals</h2>



Slow tempo chords can also influence farm species. Several <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/laban.162" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a> hint that dairy cows produce more milk in calm settings with soothing melodies.



<a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347550706_Effects_of_long-term_exposure_to_music_on_behaviour_immunity_and_performance_of_piglets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swine</a> show interest in audio played at moderate volumes, though fast <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-music-help-plants-grow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rhythms</a> sometimes boost their restlessness. For shelter animals, stable background tunes can lessen reactivity and help staff manage daily chores.



Small pets often respond to familiar pitches. Parrots and parakeets have been documented bobbing heads or becoming more alert when they hear <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-causes-similar-emotional-experiences-and-sensations-in-all-cultures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">certain tunes</a>.



Studies in laboratory settings have noted that sudden noise spikes cause birds to startle, but consistent lower-pitch chords can <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8472833/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reduce fear responses</a>. This calmer state might promote better feeding patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pitch-and-tempo-matter">Pitch and tempo matter</h2>



Gorillas and elephants in captivity sometimes appear more relaxed with select <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-doesnt-just-hear-music-it-becomes-the-rhythm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">music playing</a>, though researchers emphasize the importance of volume and tempo. 



A <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2008-16424-001" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> of captive elephants found fewer repetitive motions during soft classical pieces.



In zoo habitats, moderate tones can provide a distraction from loud visitors. It is still unclear how often playlists should change, since repeated exposure may lead to boredom in some species.



Some scientists propose that animals do not perceive all musical elements the way humans do. A review at the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sydney</a> reported that animals appear to respond most positively to lower pitches and slower tempo.



These structural details may mirror natural vocal calls and help regulate emotional states. Pets or captive creatures under stress might settle more quickly when they hear a style of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-orangutan-day-2024-protecting-the-people-of-the-forest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">music</a> that matches their hearing range.



High-volume music can agitate skittish animals. Volume spikes or heavy metal may raise tension and spark pacing or vocal outbursts.



Experts warn that continuous loud tracks might block meaningful signals animals rely on, such as subtle calls or caretaker cues. Keeping a balanced decibel level can maintain a calm backdrop.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-animals-respond-to-live-music">How animals respond to live music </h2>



<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nibu-thomas_amazing-how-music-catches-attention-and-activity-7329346628237123585-np-z?utm_medium=ios_app&amp;rcm=ACoAACAhL9IBs9K5RHCqoSxjuR2WPJHF0BZJDsM&amp;utm_source=social_share_video_v2&amp;utm_campaign=copy_link" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Several videos have surfaced</a> on social media and video platforms showing animals approaching live music performances, even when a person is physically present and playing the instrument.



In many of these clips, animals such as elephants, horses, cats, or even wild deer appear to be drawn toward musicians playing guitar, piano, violin, or flute in outdoor or barnyard settings.&nbsp;



The animals often stand still, approach slowly, or display relaxed body language, suggesting curiosity or calmness in response to the live sound. 



While anecdotal, these moments have captured widespread attention and add to growing public interest in how animals respond to music made in real time by humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-custom-music-for-each-species">Custom music for each species </h2>



Some animals show no reaction to ordinary human songs. However, targeted “species-appropriate” music uses frequencies close to each animal’s own calls.



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.wisc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Wisconsin-Madison</a> observed that specially composed <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016815911500060X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cat music</a> drew more interest from felines than standard classical tunes. This concept might extend to other species with unique vocal ranges.



Gradual exposure is often best. Start with short sessions of gentle harmonies at a moderate level.



If an animal shows signs of increased rest or decreased agitation, the chosen style may be working. Watch closely for signs of stress, such as panting, freezing, or attempts to flee the area.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-use-calming-music-wisely">Use calming music wisely</h2>



Not every animal needs constant sound. For some, bursts of mellow <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-reveal-how-music-can-heal-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">music can soothe</a> anxious behaviors, especially in new or chaotic environments.



Farm caretakers sometimes rotate playlists to maintain novelty and keep animals engaged. Each environment has unique acoustic challenges, so small adjustments can make a big difference.



Owners can experiment with classical, reggae, or specially crafted pieces, checking for calmer posture or quieter vocalizations. Veterinary behaviorists suggest playing music while leaving the house or during events like <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/dog-scared-of-thunder/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">storms</a>.



For wild species in sanctuaries, short intervals may reduce monotony and help staff with medical or feeding routines. The immediate payoff is often fewer stress-related issues among the animals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-moves-all-forms-of-life">Music moves all forms of life</h2>



Music will not fix every problem, but it might bring a welcome shift in many creatures’ routines. 



Domestic pets, farm animals, and exotics all show varied responses, yet the shared theme is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/classical-music-orchestrates-a-mood-lifting-dance-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">improved well-being</a> when the notes hit the right frequency.



The key is to remain open to each animal’s signals. A small dose of tunes and a careful eye on behavior can reveal surprising benefits.



The study is published in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28093218/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physiology &amp; Behavior</a>.



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Music reduces anxiety in dogs, cats, and most other animal species

Dogs aren’t the only animals that seem curious about melodies....

In the waters of the South Pacific, geologists have identified a massive land area that has stayed mostly hidden below the surface. Many scientists now consider it a separate continent spanning nearly two million square miles (5 million square kilometers).



Experts call this sunken stretch of terrain Zealandia, and only about five percent of it breaks the ocean’s surface in places like New Zealand. 



Researchers suggest that it split from larger landmasses many millions of years ago, making it the planet’s newest candidate for a <a href="https://rock.geosociety.org/net/gsatoday/archive/27/3/article/GSATG321A.1.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fully fledged continent</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-beginnings-of-zealandia">Ancient beginnings of Zealandia</h2>



<a href="https://www.gns.cri.nz/about-us/staff-search/nick-mortimer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nick Mortimer</a> from GNS Science has been at the forefront of examining how Zealandia formed. He and his colleagues looked back over 100 million years to when <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/gondwana" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gondwana</a> was a huge supercontinent consisting of South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, and parts of Asia.



Pieces of Gondwana started drifting apart over time, with one section eventually evolving into Zealandia. The land that once stood high above sea level began to slip below the ocean’s surface because of changes in tectonic forces.



As movement within <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/significant-rare-earth-metal-deposit-discovered-in-kazakhstan-third-largest-in-world/">Earth’s</a> outer layers continued, Zealandia gradually edged away from West Antarctica about 85 million years ago. Later, it drifted apart from Australia and became an isolated mass.



The crust in this isolated region lost thickness and cooled, which led to the land's final dip below sea level. Today, it remains mostly out of sight, but its presence has significant scientific value.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geological-findings-across-zealandia">Geological findings across Zealandia</h2>



While <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/publications/reconnaissance-basement-geology-and-tectonics-north-zealandia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plenty of geologists</a> guessed for decades that this submerged area was continental in nature, the label of a separate continent was not widely accepted. Many believed these underwater ridges and plateaus were just fragments.



Fresh data has now changed that perspective. Researchers used <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topiccs/earth-and-planetary-sciences/geochronology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">geochronology</a>, a method that determines rock ages through radioactive decay, to establish a timeline for the region’s formation.



“By dating these rocks and studying the magnetic anomalies they presented, we were able to map the major geological units across North Zealandia,” the researchers said. 



Evidence showed that this underwater land shares key traits with other recognized continents.



The scientists collected rock samples in the northern sections of Zealandia using advanced dredging tools. Their results mapped out sandstone, volcanic pebbles, and basaltic lavas with ages ranging from the <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/the-cretaceous-period.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Early Cretaceous</a> to the <a href="https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/tertiary/eocene.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eocene epoch</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-confirmed-by-magnetic-clues">Confirmed by magnetic clues</h2>



Magnetic data played a key role in confirming Zealandia’s hidden shape. Using measurements of magnetic anomalies, researchers spotted clear patterns tied to ancient volcanic activity that helped mark the continent’s boundaries.



These anomalies aligned with rock ages from dredged samples, revealing stretches of intraplate basalts which were formed during the Cretaceous and Eocene periods. 



The consistent signals supported the idea that Zealandia wasn’t just random ocean crust - it was structured like a true continent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tectonic-plates-explained">Tectonic plates explained</h2>



Much of Zealandia’s descent can be traced back to movements of tectonic plates, which are massive slabs of Earth’s surface that shift over time. In some regions, plates converge, causing one plate to sink beneath the other in a process called <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/subduction-zone-science/science/introduction-subduction-zones-amazing-events" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">subduction</a>.



Zealandia’s thinning crust was shaped by such shifts. Plate stretching allowed deep ocean waters to flood over much of the land, leaving only a few islands sticking out above sea level.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



Scientists find Zealandia valuable for learning how continents evolve under changing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/continent-sized-islands-llsvp-found-inside-earth-are-100-times-taller-than-mount-everest/">plate conditions</a>. This sunken landmass preserves clues about Earth’s past that might not be visible on continents above the surface.



“Zealandia’s underwater status in no way diminishes its geological significance,” stated a GNS Science researcher. That perspective encourages a closer look at how plate dynamics affect continental shapes and positions over geologic time.



Many sedimentary rocks within Zealandia date to the Late Cretaceous period, indicating that parts of it remained above water long after it separated from other continents. Basalt samples reveal younger volcanic pulses that arose when new plate boundaries formed.



The combination of rock dating methods, magnetic signatures, and tectonic mapping helped define where Zealandia’s boundaries lie. Researchers now have a clearer view of this submerged landscape and its distinct geological zones.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-exploration-of-zealandia">Ongoing exploration of Zealandia</h2>



Large portions of Zealandia remain unexplored. Technologies like seismic imaging and deep-sea drilling will likely uncover more details of its structure and past.



Some investigators hope to find further clues about how drifting continents influence sea level, climate patterns, and the distribution of plants and animals. Each discovery could refine our understanding of how Earth’s surface <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-continental-rift-african-splitting-landmass-creating-ocean-basin/">rearranges</a> itself.



Several areas on the planet exist as microcontinents or submerged fragments, but Zealandia stands out for its size and completeness. It is not only a trove of history but also a reminder that Earth still holds secrets.



Future fieldwork and collaborative international studies may refine ideas about how Zealandia contributes to global tectonic activity. 



This hidden expanse highlights the complexities of continental classification and sparks discussion about what qualifies as a continent.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023TC007961" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tectonics</a>.



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Scientists confirm the location of Earth’s missing eighth continent

In the waters of the South Pacific, geologists have identified...

When the conversation turns to solving the climate crisis, discussions often focus on technology, global treaties, and large-scale infrastructure overhauls that are aimed at reducing carbon emissions and driving systemic change.



Yet, there’s an equally powerful driver that often slips under the radar: lifestyle. How we live, what we eat, how we travel, what we buy - these things shape a huge share of our planet’s carbon footprint.



Now, a breakthrough study reveals just how impactful our daily choices can be. By focusing on changes made by just 23.7% of the global population - the top emitters - household consumption-based emissions could be reduced by as much as 10.4 gigatons of CO2 equivalent (CO2e).



That amounts to 40.1% of the household carbon footprint across 116 countries. This level of reduction could significantly close the gap in global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-is-accelerating-beyond-control-as-co2-levels-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> goals, especially as we look ahead to COP30.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lifestyle-changes-for-climate-action">Lifestyle changes for climate action </h2>



The international team behind this study examined 21 low-carbon lifestyle <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chatgpts-carbon-footprint-is-astronomical-and-not-sustainable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">actions</a>. These are not obscure or hypothetical; they are practical changes that households can adopt without waiting for new technologies or massive reforms.



The research captures the emissions from both direct energy use and upstream supply chain effects, and offers a complete view of consumption-related emissions.



To guide these changes, the team adopted the "avoid, shift, improve" framework. 



Avoid involves absolute reduction in consumption. Shift means changing consumption patterns toward lower-carbon alternatives. Improve focuses on efficiency gains. Each type has its place in driving emission cuts, but their effectiveness varies depending on region, infrastructure, and economic status.



Adopting low-carbon lifestyles isn’t just about making ethical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-ozone-day-2024-advancing-climate-action/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">choices</a> - it is now a quantifiable tool for real-world reductions in emissions.



“Our study shows that adopting low-carbon lifestyles can play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change. By targeting high-emitting households, we can achieve significant carbon reductions and move closer to our global climate targets,” said Dr. Yuli Shan from the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk">University of Birmingham</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-actions-to-limit-climate-change">Small actions to limit climate change</h2>



The researchers identified which consumption actions offer the biggest carbon payoffs. At the top of the list is reducing commercial service use. This alone can account for a 10.9% drop in emissions. 



Next is shifting to a healthy vegan diet, which reduces the intake of animal-based foods, sugar, and processed products. This lifestyle change could contribute an 8.3% reduction.



Improving energy efficiency in buildings - such as implementing passive house standards - offers a 6.0% drop. Switching from private vehicles to public transport provides another 3.6% savings. 



Even repairing or sharing appliances at home, while seemingly minor, adds a further 3.0% cut. These figures are not abstract estimates; they are based on an expansive input-output model and paired with household expenditure data, which makes them both realistic and globally applicable.



"This study, a key component of my doctoral thesis, demonstrates that adopting consumption-based low-carbon strategies is essential for climate mitigation," noted Dr. Yuru Guan, the study’s first author. 



Her comment draws attention to the growing body of research that places household decisions at the center of climate action.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-mitigation-by-region">Climate change mitigation by region</h2>



One of the more intriguing aspects of this study is how the mitigation potential differs by region. Unsurprisingly, North America tops the list, with 85.4% of its population exceeding the global per-capita carbon threshold of 4.6 tons CO2e per year.



These households account for a substantial share of global emissions, but also hold the largest potential for change.



Less expected are the findings from Sub-Saharan Africa. Although the region has a lower overall footprint, countries like Mauritius, Namibia, and Chad showed surprisingly high reduction potential. In Namibia, for instance, changing food and travel behaviors could slash emissions by up to 45.6 percent.



In Mauritius, potential savings reach 52.5%. These numbers demonstrate that even lower-emitting nations have valuable roles to play, particularly when their economic structures include carbon-heavy sectors like tourism.



"This research provides valuable insights into the potential of lifestyle changes for reducing carbon footprints. It is crucial for policymakers to consider these findings and implement strategies that encourage sustainable consumption patterns," noted Professor Klaus Hubacek from the University of Groningen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-rebound-effect-is-a-hidden-risk">The rebound effect is a hidden risk</h2>



Changing lifestyles can save money. But that’s where an issue arises - how people spend the money they save. Known as the rebound effect, this phenomenon can erode the climate benefits of low-carbon choices. 



For example, if someone saves money by flying less but then spends it on home entertainment that uses more electricity, the net emissions might not decrease as much as intended.



The study simulated three different re-spending <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-conservation-day-2024-saving-species-from-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scenarios</a> to estimate how much carbon savings might be lost. In the worst-case scenario, where all saved money is spent on carbon-intensive items, 45.8% of the gains are erased. The most optimistic case still shows a 6.5% loss, meaning rebound effects are almost unavoidable, but they can be controlled.



Rebound effects are especially strong in emerging economies. As more households reach middle-income levels, saved income tends to be spent quickly on goods and services that may carry a heavy carbon cost. 



This highlights the need for guidance, nudges, and even regulation to make sure that carbon savings aren’t lost through backdoor increases in other areas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-action-needs-strong-support">Climate action needs strong support</h2>



The study’s impact goes beyond the theoretical. It presents a clear call to action for governments and institutions. 



Policies that support remote work, encourage plant-based diets, and provide incentives for energy-efficient homes are already in place in some countries. Spain and Pakistan, for instance, have supported shorter work weeks and remote work to cut energy use.



Carbon pricing, eco-labeling, and investment in cycling infrastructure are additional tools in the policy toolkit. In Europe, recent energy price crises have even pushed countries to promote energy-saving behavior through national campaigns.



However, the report also cautions against one-size-fits-all strategies. What works in a high-income urban setting may not be feasible in rural or low-income contexts. 



Policymakers must consider income, access, and readiness when crafting solutions that involve behavior change. The goal should be to enable, not burden.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consumer-behavior-and-climate-action">Consumer behavior and climate action</h2>



While supply-side solutions like renewables and carbon <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-plant-diversity-can-help-combat-climate-change/">capture</a> remain crucial, this study makes the case that they are not enough. Lifestyle changes offer a faster, often cheaper way to make immediate progress while long-term technologies mature. But they need support.



The idea is not to guilt individuals but to empower those who have the most capacity to change. The study focuses on carbon-exceeding households precisely because they have the biggest footprints and the greatest ability to make a difference.



"Reducing household demand could lead to rebound effects due to re-spendings elsewhere," the authors note. This makes it all the more important to guide consumer behavior toward low-carbon alternatives and ensure that sustainable goods are accessible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lifestyle-changes-are-crucial">Lifestyle changes are crucial</h2>



With the COP30 summit approaching, this research arrives at a critical time. Climate negotiations often stall on national pledges and technological feasibility. This study reframes the conversation by highlighting what people can do - right now, in their homes, with their choices.



The evidence is clear: when supported by thoughtful policy, lifestyle changes offer massive potential for carbon reduction. They complement, rather than replace, technological solutions.



And they show that the power to reshape our planet’s future may lie as much in our kitchens, commutes, and shopping lists as in government boardrooms.



As global leaders gather to chart a new path, this research should serve as both a guide and a challenge. Change is not only possible - it’s already in our hands.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59269-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Lifestyle changes hold the key to climate action

When the conversation turns to solving the climate crisis, discussions...

Team,Of,Ants,Delivers,Red,Currant,With,Trailer,Of,Sunflower

Sneaking aboard a minivan or clinging to the bumper of a delivery truck, small creatures like ants hitch rides on cars every day for long-distance trips across continents.



Tires roll through soil, doors brush against tree limbs, and before anyone notices, a living stowaway is on its way to a brand-new zip code. 



Seeds, moth eggs, and even mosquitoes have taken advantage of this free transit, but <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-many-ants-live-on-earth-at-any-point-in-time-total-number-is-astounding/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ants</a> may be the most surprising passengers of all.



Those trips can reshape local nature. 



When a species lands far from its old haunts, it meets plants and animals that have never learned to handle its tricks. Some newcomers fizzle out, yet others spread fast and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/just-a-few-ants-can-change-an-entire-colonys-social-structure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shove resident species aside</a>. 



Hitchhiking turns vehicles, built for human convenience, into silent partners in a biological shuffle that plays out across parking lots and interstates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ants-invading-by-cars">Ants invading by cars</h2>



After watching ants scurry onto car tires in Taipei, entomologist Scotty Yang, an assistant professor in Virginia Tech’s <a href="https://www.ento.vt.edu/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Department of Entomology</a>, decided to document the behavior. 



Between 2017 and 2023, he logged nine species hitching rides on everyday vehicles; seven were invasive in the places where they appeared. His notes mark the first systematic look at ants using personal cars as moving vans.



Seeds have hung on for rides of well over 200 miles, and the spongy moth is infamous for planting eggs on freight containers. 



Tiger mosquitoes have been spotted inside cars cruising across Spain. Ants add another twist: whole colonies, queen included, can march up a tire and disappear under the chassis before the driver turns the key.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-citizen-science-on-wheels">Citizen science on wheels</h2>



Yang’s project leaned on social-media posts from drivers around Taiwan who snapped photos of cars suddenly coated in ants. 



“We saw social-media posts where people were devastated about finding their cars covered in ants,” Yang said. “Although we felt sorry for them, we wanted to examine whether these events had anything in common.” 



Reports poured in about ghost ants, black cocoa ants, and several other species. Observers recorded the month, the weather, the type of car, how long it had been parked, and how many insects they counted.



Patterns emerged. 



A successful trip required three conditions: the insects had to climb the vehicle’s surface, the colony needed to be in a restless foraging or nesting mood, and the chosen nook - often a wheel well - had to remain within their preferred temperature range. 



When all three boxes were ticked, a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-perform-life-saving-amputation-surgeries-on-injured-nest-mates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">family of ants</a> could roll out like seasoned travelers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-invasive-ants-on-cars-matter">Why invasive ants on cars matter</h2>



In a new neighborhood, invasive ants tangle with local species for every crumb and hiding place. Native insects often lose those fights, and the dominoes keep falling. Birds, reptiles, and small mammals that rely on the displaced insects go hungry. 



Some ants act as bodyguards for plant-sucking pests that drip sugary honeydew, allowing the pests to damage crops longer than usual.



Urban life does not escape the trouble. Large colonies can swarm kitchens, chew insulation, or short-circuit traffic lights. 



Farmers face yield losses when ants protect sap-sipping bugs in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolutionary-deja-vu-the-symbiotic-relationships-of-trees-and-ants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">orchards and fields</a>, while homeowners pay for repairs after surprising electrical outages. 



Each unplanned trip in a car, then, is more than an odd anecdote; it is a potential spark for ecological and economic headaches that can stretch for years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-team-learned">What the team learned</h2>



Of the 100 worst invasive species on the planet, five are ants, and two of those - the red <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invasive-red-fire-ants-have-made-their-way-to-europe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">imported fire ant</a> and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-you-give-caffeine-to-ants-many-interesting-things-happen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Argentine ant</a> - are already established in Virginia. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-are-not-properly-adapting-to-warming-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warmer winters</a> over the past decade have let both inch farther north. 



Yang warns that casual rides in pickup trucks and family SUVs could speed that push. Personal vehicles, once dismissed as biologically unimportant, might be handing these tough insects fresh territory one rest-area stop at a time.



Virginia’s experience serves as a cautionary note for the broader Eastern United States. If motorists keep arriving from infested zones without checking their fenders and cargo, colonies can pop up beyond their previous limits. 



Yang hopes to launch a citizen-science network similar to the Taiwanese project so residents can flag outbreaks early, long before fire ants find a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/desert-ants-use-earths-magnetic-field-for-navigation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">foothold in new counties</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-check-your-car-for-ants">Check your car for ants</h2>



Drivers can cut the odds of giving ants a lift. Parking away from overgrown curbs, brushing loose soil from tires, and rinsing wheel wells after off-road jaunts help deny the insects a foothold. 



On long trips, a quick inspection during fuel stops catches roving workers before they settle in.



Communities can pitch in, too. Local extension offices may distribute identification cards, while schools host weekend “bug check” events in parking lots. 



Early warnings from sharp-eyed citizens let pest managers respond before an ant metropolis takes root. Each small action, repeated by thousands of travelers, keeps one more invasive colony from racing down the highway.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/een.13336" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecological Entomology</a>.



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Invasive ants have found a new way to spread across the globe

Sneaking aboard a minivan or clinging to the bumper of...

News coming your way