Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features Lake Hamun, a seasonal lake in the Sistan region on the Afghanistan-Iran border. The lake and surrounding wetlands have been shrinking as a result of persistent drought, leading to reduced vegetation and exposed dust. These changes have transformed the basin into a major source of dust storms.



"While dust storms are most common in the summer, they happen year-round as long as the lake is dry and the winds are strong. That was the case on January 12, 2023, when the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the NOAA-20 satellite captured this image of dust streaming from the dry lake bed," says NASA.



In January 2023, a team of experts led by UCLA reported that airborne dust has likely increased by 55 percent on a global scale since pre-industrial times. The researchers said this is largely due to more frequent dust storms in Asia and North Africa.&nbsp;



The team estimates that the cooling effect of airborne dust has likely masked about eight percent of the warming caused by greenhouse gases since the preindustrial era.



“Our findings imply that greenhouses gases alone could cause even more climate warming than models currently predict,” said UCLA atmospheric physicist Jasper Kok. “This is of tremendous importance because better predictions can inform better decisions of how to mitigate or adapt to climate change.”



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&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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Lake Hamun is a major source of dust storms

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features...

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features Typhoon Mawar, also known as "Betty," which is the first typhoon of the season in the northwest Pacific. The intense storm struck Guam and the Philippines before heading toward Taiwan and southern Japan.



"With sustained winds that reached 295 kilometers (185 miles) per hour on May 25, the super typhoon grew to be one of the strongest May storms on record," says NASA.&nbsp;



"The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired this natural-color image of Mawar at 05:20 Universal Time on May 30, 2023. Though the storm appeared to be bearing down on Taiwan, it was in the process of turning north and away from the island."



"After rapidly intensifying between May 24 and 25, Mawar then weakened significantly as it encountered cooler water temperatures and less favorable wind shear conditions as it neared Taiwan."



NASA reports that although Mawar did not strike the Philippines or Taiwan directly, the outer bands of the storm brought heavy rains to northern Luzon and rough seas to the eastern coast of Taiwan.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Typhoon Mawar is one of the strongest May storms on record

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the Messina Strait, a channel in the Mediterranean Sea that separates Sicily and Calabria. The photograph was captured by an astronaut onboard the International Space Station



The Messina Strait is 20 miles long with a depth of 820 feet, and joins the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north and the Ionian Sea to the south.&nbsp;



"Waves that follow the tide from west to east are visible in the right half of the photo. These are caused by internal waves, a process where stratified water layers of changing density and increasing depth horizontally propagate beneath the water surface. The waves are illuminated by sunglint—an optical phenomenon that occurs when sunlight is directly reflected off the water and into a satellite’s sensor, or in this case, the astronaut’s camera," explains NASA.



"Alternating currents, relatively low water temperature, and high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen contribute to the region’s aquatic biodiversity. The strait hosts several deep-sea fish species such as Sloane’s viperfish (a predatory dragonfish) as well as commercially valuable fish like yellowtail and snapper. On the left side of the image, thin, white lines are likely ship wakes, some of which may belong to fishing boats."



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&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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Messina Strait in the Mediterranean Sea

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features an astronaut photograph of the Amazon River in Brazil. This particular stretch of river is located near the port city of Parintins.



"The river is the largest on Earth and allows seagoing ships to reach Parintins even though it is 800 kilometers (500 miles) inland from the Atlantic Ocean," says NASA.



"Seagoing ships can progress 3,600 kilometers (2,200 miles) up the Amazon River - more than halfway across the South American continent - to the port of Iquitos in Peru."&nbsp;



The muddy color of the river is tied to the Andes Mountains, a major source of sediments and mineral nutrients. According to NASA, the sediment erodes from the Andes Mountains located to the west and is carried generally eastward toward the ocean.&nbsp;



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&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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The lower Amazon River in Brazil

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features an astronaut photograph of the Espíritu Santo Archipelago, a group of islands located in the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, off the eastern coast of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico.&nbsp;



"Sunglint reflects off the water surface, accentuating wave movement, ship wakes, and cloud shadows," said NASA. "The islands appear rust-colored due to previous tectonic and volcanic activity that deposited layers of black lava and pink volcanic ash."



"The Baja Peninsula acts as a natural wind and wave break that protects islands in the Gulf of California from erosion. Slowed erosion has resulted in the preservation of rock shelters and caves."



"Exploration and excavation of these shelters contribute to understanding the geomorphology, geology, and ancient human patterns on the islands. Archeologists have found human artifacts artifacts dating back approximately ten thousand years, providing evidence of human activity on the islands."



The Espíritu Santo Archipelago is part of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur and consists of several islands, the largest and most well-known of which is Isla Espíritu Santo. The other main islands in the archipelago are Isla Partida, Los Islotes, and a few smaller islets.



Espíritu Santo and its surrounding islands are known for their stunning natural beauty, featuring dramatic cliffs, white sand beaches, and turquoise waters. The region is home to a rich diversity of marine life, including sea lions, manta rays, whale sharks, and various species of whales and dolphins. It also supports a variety of bird species, such as blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and pelicans, making it a popular destination for birdwatching.



The Espíritu Santo Archipelago has been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a Mexican Protected Natural Area, which helps to preserve its unique ecosystems and biodiversity. Ecotourism is popular in the area, with visitors participating in activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and wildlife watching.



The islands are accessible by boat from the nearby city of La Paz, which is the capital of Baja California Sur. There are numerous tour operators that offer day trips and multi-day excursions to the Espíritu Santo Archipelago, allowing visitors to explore the islands and their remarkable natural features.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&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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Espíritu Santo Archipelago in the Gulf of California

Tree,In,Two,With,Very,Different,Environments,Earth,Day,Or

In the face of growing concerns about the planet's sustainability, a group of more than 40 international scientists, under the banner of the <a href="https://earthcommission.org/">Earth Commission</a>, have presented alarming findings. The study suggests that humans have surpassed almost all the protective boundaries that ensure Earth remains a safe and habitable environment.&nbsp;



The research points towards the grim reality that we, as a species, are propelling our planet towards irreversible destabilization due to unsustainable resource extraction and consumption.



<h2 id="h-safe-and-just-limits">Safe and just limits</h2>



The research, published in the prominent scientific journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/">Nature</a>, involved a meticulous analysis of multiple facets of our environment such as climate, biodiversity, freshwater, and diverse forms of pollution affecting our air, soil, and water. The scientists set out to define "safe and just limits," parameters that work towards maintaining the planet's equilibrium, protecting other species, minimizing significant harm to humans, and fostering inclusive human development.



Of the eight <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06083-8">Earth System Boundaries</a> (ESBs) recognized in this study, the researchers found that we have crossed seven, with only aerosol pollutants staying within tolerable limits. The team reported that we have gone beyond the just limit of 1°C in terms of climate change, although we are still within the safe limit of 1.5°C above the pre-industrial global average temperature.



The human cost of these transgressions is already being observed, the scientists warn. The changing climate has affected tens of millions of people, revealing "significant societal impacts."



<h3 id="h-irreversible-tipping-points-may-be-unavoidable">Irreversible tipping points may be "unavoidable"</h3>



Professor Johan Rockstrom of the <a href="https://www.pik-potsdam.de/en/home">Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research</a>, who led this extensive study, expressed deep concern over the findings. He stated: "The results of our health check are quite concerning. Within the five analyzed domains, several boundaries, on a global and local scale, are already transgressed."



"This means that unless a timely transformation occurs, it is most likely that irreversible tipping points and widespread impacts on human well-being will be unavoidable." He further emphasized the necessity to avoid this grim scenario to ensure a safe and just future for current and future generations.



<h3 id="h-action-is-urgently-needed">Action is urgently needed</h3>



Despite the agreement among UN member states since 2015 to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C and protect biodiversity in 30% of the world's land, sea, and freshwater areas, the Earth Commission scientists indicate we are far from achieving these targets. They argue for a sweeping global transformation across all ESBs to ensure human well-being.



This transformation, they suggest, should not be isolated but systemic, addressing the economic, technological, and political drivers of Earth's degradation. Additionally, it should promote equitable access for the impoverished through the reduction and reallocation of resource use.



Study co-author Professor Joyeeta Gupta from the <a href="https://www.uva.nl/en">University of Amsterdam</a> emphasized the essential role of justice in humanity's survival within planetary limits.&nbsp;



"Justice is a necessity for humanity to live within planetary limits. This is a conclusion seen across the scientific community in multiple heavyweight environmental assessments," said Professor Gupta.



"It is not a political choice. Overwhelming evidence shows that a just and equitable approach is essential to planetary stability. We cannot have a biophysically safe planet without justice."



<h2 id="h-mitigating-the-damage">Mitigating the damage</h2>



The scientists aim for their research to guide businesses, cities, and governments in setting science-based targets when tackling issues such as human exposure to climate change, biodiversity decline, water shortages, ecosystem damage due to fertiliser overuse along with unequal access, and health damage from air pollution.



Professor Gupta warned of the immediate risks beyond potential future tipping points. "Damage is already happening to millions of people at 1°C of climate warming." She also emphasized the need for immediate action to phase out fossil fuels and accelerate work towards meeting Paris Agreement goals.&nbsp;



"By setting our climate Earth System Boundary at 1C we are not advocating that the world should adopt this ambitious target, but we are exposing the injustice inherent in current world targets," said Professor Gupta.



<h2 id="h-more-about-climate-tipping-points">More about climate tipping points</h2>



Climate tipping points represent a threshold in the earth's climate system, beyond which a small change in human activity can have significant, and sometimes irreversible, effects on the climate. The term "tipping point" refers to the idea that once these boundaries are crossed, the changes become self-sustaining, and potentially lead to a new, often less hospitable, state.



<h3 id="h-melting-ice-caps">Melting ice caps</h3>



One of the most well-known potential tipping points is the melting of the polar ice caps. Ice is white and highly reflective, meaning it reflects much of the sun's heat back into space. As the ice melts due to increasing global temperatures, it leaves behind darker water or land, which absorbs more heat, which in turn causes more melting. This is known as a positive feedback loop, and it can lead to runaway ice melt.



<h3 id="h-permafrost">Permafrost&nbsp;</h3>



Another potential tipping point involves the release of methane from permafrost. Permafrost is frozen soil that contains large amounts of carbon in the form of organic material. When permafrost thaws due to rising temperatures, microbes in the soil decompose the organic material, releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. This leads to more warming, more thawing, and more methane release, creating another positive feedback loop.



Climate tipping points are a topic of ongoing scientific research, and there is still much uncertainty about when these thresholds might be reached, or what the exact consequences would be. However, the consensus among scientists is that crossing these thresholds could lead to serious and potentially catastrophic changes to the earth's climate system.



The concern of scientists is that these tipping points might be reached sooner than we expect, particularly if greenhouse gas emissions continue at their current rate. That's why researchers like those from the Earth Commission are advocating for urgent action to mitigate the effects of climate change and prevent these tipping points from being reached.



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Humans have surpassed almost every safe limit to keep Earth habitable

In the face of growing concerns about the planet's sustainability,...

This World Milk Day, researchers at the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/">University of Oxford</a> have announced new findings that shed light on the ecological impact of various types of milk, revealing surprising insights about the environmental toll of our favorite breakfast drink.&nbsp;



The researchers analyzed the carbon emissions, land use, and water consumption associated with the production of dairy milk and several vegan alternatives. They present a comprehensive comparison that consumers might want to consider before buying their next carton of milk.



<h2 id="h-the-best-and-the-worst">The best and the worst</h2>



The study, directed by Joseph Poore, has identified almond milk as the most eco-friendly vegan option for those wishing to decrease their greenhouse gas <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/epa-plans-to-eliminate-greenhouse-gas-emissions-from-power-plants-by-2040/">emissions</a>. On the contrary, rice milk was found to be the least sustainable among the plant-based options.



The overall environmental impacts of animal milks far exceeded that of plant-based alternatives, due primarily to the substantial greenhouse gas emissions associated with cows. Livestock farming at its current scale is a significant source of greenhouse gases, thereby propelling our planet further towards a climate crisis, according to the scientists.



Dairy milk, a mainstay in many households, was found to have the highest emissions at approximately 1.41lbs (0.64kg) for every 200ml glass. After dairy milk, rice milk was shown to have the second highest emissions, clocking in at around 0.66lbs (0.3kg) per glass, followed by soy milk, oat milk, and almond milk.



<h2 id="h-beyond-the-carbon-footprint">Beyond the carbon footprint&nbsp;</h2>



The environmental impact of milk alternatives is not solely dictated by their carbon footprint. The researchers also examined the land and water resources utilized in milk production, key factors in determining the sustainability of food choices.&nbsp;



Almond milk was found to have a significant water footprint, with 74 liters required to produce a 200ml glass, largely due to the high water demands of almond trees. Similarly, the semi-aquatic nature of rice plants necessitates constant irrigation, leading to a considerable water use of 54 liters per glass for rice milk. Comparatively, soy and oat milks had low water use.



When it comes to land use, all four vegan alternatives outperformed dairy milk, which was the least eco-friendly choice by a large margin. Land use of dairy milk was found to be a staggering 1.7 square meters per 200ml glass, whereas the vegan alternatives required 0.1 square meters or less.



<h2 id="h-plant-based-versus-dairy-milk">Plant-based versus dairy milk</h2>



These findings prompt the question of how best to make sustainable choices in the dairy aisle. According to Jena Williams, a dietitian at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington, who wasn't involved with the study, opting for any plant-based milk is a step in the right direction, provided efforts are made to recycle the packaging.



"Plant-based milk has a smaller impact on water and land as well as carbon emissions when compared to dairy milk," explained Williams. She recommends soy, oat, hemp, and pea milks as more eco-friendly choices than almond or rice milk and advocates for plant-based milks in recyclable containers and organic options to reduce waste and pesticide use.



The University of Oxford's research supports data from the "food carbon footprint calculator," an online tool that assigns a "carbon rating" to hundreds of food items. The tool uses CO2 equivalent (CO2e), a unit of measurement that standardizes the climate effects of various greenhouse gases, to rank items. According to this tool, no vegan milk has a carbon footprint close to that of dairy milk.



<h2 id="h-nutritional-values">Nutritional values</h2>



Soy milk, in particular, is an attractive alternative to dairy milk not just from an environmental standpoint but also from a nutritional one. Meagan Bridges Durkin, a nutrition specialist at the University of Virginia, explains that soy milk closely matches the nutritional values of regular cow's milk, particularly in terms of protein, vitamin C, and calcium.



"Soy milk has gotten a bad rap lately, as other alternative forms have come onto the market, people are maybe trying to find reasons not to drink soy milk," said Durkin.



"Soy milk is a really good alternative and the best thing is that, from a nutrition standpoint, it's as close to cow's milk as you're going to get in terms of protein, vitamin C and calcium."



<h2 id="h-more-about-world-milk-day">More about World Milk Day&nbsp;</h2>



World Milk Day is celebrated on June 1 every year and was first established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in 2001. This day is recognized worldwide to focus attention on the importance of milk, which is a staple part of the diet for millions of people across the globe.



World Milk Day serves as an occasion to highlight the contributions of the dairy sector to sustainability, economic development, livelihoods, and nutrition. Various activities and events are held across the globe to celebrate.&nbsp;



The recent study from the University of Oxford, exploring the environmental impact of various types of milk, is a critical contribution to this year's World Milk Day. 



By highlighting the ecological implications of our milk choices, the research adds another dimension to our understanding of this globally significant beverage. As we strive for sustainability and health, such insights become invaluable in making informed dietary decisions.



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World Milk Day: How do milk products impact the environment?

This World Milk Day, researchers at the University of Oxford...

Excess greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, are a major driver of climate change. Mitigating climate change in the future will require both decarbonization - such as transitioning to renewable energy sources - and carbon dioxide removal, which involves extracting already existing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. A recent study led by <a href="https://www.gatech.edu/">Georgia Institute of Technology</a> (Georgia Tech) and <a href="https://www.yale.edu/">Yale University</a> has proposed a unique approach to permanently capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through coastal ecosystem restoration. 



Specifically, the researchers have focused on blue carbon ecosystems, such as seagrass and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mexican-mangroves-have-been-storing-carbon-for-nearly-five-millennia/">mangroves</a>, which naturally capture carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and convert it into living tissue.



<h2 id="h-how-it-works">How it works</h2>



“Mangroves and seagrasses extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere all day long and turn it into biomass,” said&nbsp;senior author Christopher Reinhard, an associate professor of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences&nbsp;at Georgia Tech. “Some of this biomass can get buried in sediments, and if it stays there, then you’ve basically just removed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.”



According to the experts, in addition to potential benefits for local flora and fauna and the revitalization of coastal economies, restoring these ecosystems can also remove additional carbon dioxide through a novel pathway, while also addressing the issue of increasing ocean acidity.



<h2 id="h-types-of-carbon">Types of carbon</h2>



There are two primary types of carbon in the Earth system: organic and inorganic carbon. Organic carbon is found in living matter and can temporarily remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, when it becomes buried in seafloor sediments, it leads to permanent carbon dioxide removal. Inorganic carbon, on the other hand, exists in various forms, including as a dissolved component in ocean water.&nbsp;



Approximately 30 percent of the carbon emitted by human activities since the industrial revolution is now stored as dissolved inorganic carbon in the ocean. Unlike organic carbon, carbon dioxide removal through inorganic carbon is more durable and less susceptible to disruption.



“Even if you change the way a coastal ecosystem restoration project is operating, potentially remobilizing previously stored organic carbon, inorganic carbon capture is largely a one-way street,” said lead author Mojtaba Fakhraee, a postdoctoral researcher in Geochemistry and Geobiology at Yale. “So even if a massive ecosystem disruption in the future undoes organic carbon storage, the inorganic carbon that has been captured will still be in the ocean permanently.”



Benefits of restoring coastal ecosystems&nbsp;



Restoring coastal ecosystems offers multiple advantages, including the natural removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and the provision of environmental and economic benefits to coastal communities. Previous research has mainly focused on carbon removal through the burial of organic carbon, neglecting the potential for carbon removal through the formation of inorganic carbon.&nbsp;



Moreover, human activities - particularly the use of fossil fuels - have resulted in ocean acidification due to carbon dioxide dissolving in the water and lowering the ocean’s pH. Storing carbon dioxide as inorganic carbon in the ocean can help mitigate this issue, as the chemical processes involved in inorganic carbon capture alkalinize ocean waters, thereby counteracting the negative ecological consequences of ocean acidification.



“The basic idea here is that you are shifting the acid-base balance of the ocean to drive conversion of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to inorganic carbon in the ocean,” Reinhard explained. “This means that the process can help to partially offset the negative ecological consequences of ocean acidification.”



<h2 id="h-how-the-study-was-conducted">How the study was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



To assess the effectiveness of restoring coastal ecosystems for inorganic carbon capture, the researchers developed a numerical model that simulates the chemistry and physics of sedimentary systems, which include solid particles, living organisms, and seawater accumulating on the ocean floor.&nbsp;



This model specifically tracks the benefits of restored blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves and seagrass, and their impact on organic and inorganic carbon cycling. It also accounts for the effects of other greenhouse gases, including methane, that may be generated during the restoration process.&nbsp;



“This model comes up with representations for the rates of carbon transformation in the sediment based on how much mangrove is growing above the sediment,” explained co-author Noah Planavsky, a professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Yale. “We found that across an extremely large range of scenarios, restoration of blue carbon ecosystems leads to durable carbon dioxide removal as dissolved inorganic carbon.”



<h2 id="h-implications-for-the-future">Implications for the future</h2>



The scientists hope that their findings will raise awareness and encourage the protection of existing coastal ecosystems, as well as pave the way toward economic incentives for the restoration of degraded ecosystems, potentially serving as a new form of carbon offset.&nbsp;



“Companies that are trying to offset their own emissions could potentially purchase carbon removal through funding restoration of coastal ecosystems. This could help rebuild these ecosystems and all of the environmental benefits they provide, while leading to durable carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere,” Reinhard concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01128-2">Nature Sustainability</a>.



<h2 id="h-more-about-coastal-ecosystems">More about coastal ecosystems&nbsp;</h2>



Coastal ecosystems are dynamic and complex environments found along the meeting point of the land and sea. They encompass a wide range of physical and biological components, from sandy beaches and rocky shores to estuaries, mangroves, seagrass beds, salt marshes, and coral reefs.



<h3 id="h-salt-marshes">Salt Marshes</h3>



These are coastal wetlands that are flooded and drained by salt water brought in by the tides. They are typically found along protected coastlines in temperate and high-latitudes. Salt marshes play a crucial role in the aquatic food web and the delivery of nutrients to coastal waters. They also serve as protective buffers between the land and ocean, reducing the impact of storms and preventing erosion.



<h3 id="h-mangroves">Mangroves&nbsp;</h3>



Mangrove forests are tropical and subtropical coastal ecosystems characterized by trees and shrubs that grow in saline or brackish water. They have a complex root system that allows them to withstand strong waves and storms, and they play a critical role in carbon sequestration. Moreover, they provide a habitat for many species and contribute to the livelihoods of local communities through fisheries and tourism.



<h3 id="h-seagrass-meadows">Seagrass Meadows</h3>



Seagrass beds are underwater ecosystems typically found in shallow coastal waters. They play a crucial role in nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and sediment stabilization. Seagrass meadows also serve as nurseries and habitats for many marine species, including commercially important fish and shellfish species.



<h3 id="h-coral-reefs">Coral Reefs</h3>



These are diverse underwater ecosystems held together by calcium carbonate structures secreted by corals. Coral reefs are home to a variety of species, contributing significantly to biodiversity. They also provide protection to coastlines from the damaging effects of wave action and tropical storms.



<h3 id="h-estuaries">Estuaries</h3>



Estuaries are where rivers meet the sea, and their brackish water is a mix of fresh water draining from the land and salty sea water. They are one of the most productive ecosystems on Earth, providing many ecological benefits including water filtration, habitat provision, nutrient cycling, and serving as nurseries for many fish and shellfish species.



<h3 id="h-rocky-shores-and-sandy-beaches">Rocky Shores and Sandy Beaches</h3>



These are often the most visually recognizable coastal ecosystems. They provide important habitats for a range of species, and are crucial for a variety of ecological processes.



Coastal ecosystems are vital for a variety of reasons, including the provision of ecosystem services, the support of diverse biological communities, and the role they play in the carbon cycle. However, they face a multitude of threats such as climate change, pollution, overfishing, habitat destruction, and invasive species. Preserving and restoring these critical habitats is important for the health of our planet.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Restoring coastal ecosystems can mitigate climate change

Excess greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, are a major...

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Europeans are widely supportive of space exploration Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> reveals that nine out of ten residents of European countries have a positive view of space activities. 
A public survey conducted on behalf of the ESA showed that 80 percent of Europeans want to focus on a better understanding of the Earth. Europeans are widely supportive of space exploration as shown in the video above showing the amount of space that is there and the amount of surroundings
Most of the survey respondents hope to make this a priority in order to protect humans from threats beyond our planet. Earth. Enhanced global partnerships and exploration capabilities may also contribute to protecting spacecraft by developing new means for space debris removal. Furthermore, knowledge gained from space exploration can also contributes to implementing policies related to environmentally sustainable development.
European exploration, exploration of regions of Earth for scientific, commercial, religious, military, and other purposes by Europeans, beginning about the 4th century bce. History of the European exploration of regions of Earth for scientific, commercial, religious, military, and other purposes, beginning about the 4th century BCE. The major phases of exploration were centered on the Mediterranean Sea, China, and the New World
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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
Video Credit: European Space Agency