Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory </a>&nbsp;features an astronaut photograph of Abu Dhabi, located on the coast of the Persian Gulf.



Abu Dhabi is the capital and the second-most populous city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is also the capital of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the largest of the UAE's seven emirates.&nbsp;



Abu Dhabi possesses around 9% of the world's proven oil reserves and about 5% of the world's natural gas. Consequently, oil exports have fueled its rapid development and provided substantial wealth.



"Prior to the formation of the UAE in the 1970s, Abu Dhabi was a municipality of less than 62,000 people. The region experienced a rapid population increase over the past five decades due to its role in the petroleum and financial industries, which enabled the city’s population to grow to about 1.5 million people by the early 2020s," said NASA.



The city places a strong emphasis on promoting Emirati culture and heritage. It hosts numerous events, festivals, and has several museums and cultural centers.



"The landscape of the Abu Dhabi emirate is mainly composed of wind-blown sand, mangroves, rocky outcrops, and intertidal flats. The Abu Dhabi Sabkha, visible along the coastline as brown, non-vegetated land, was produced by wind erosion of ancient dunes and the deposition of tidal sediments," said NASA.



"Sabkhas are flat coastal areas that are characteristically high in salt. The abundance of salt in the soil limits the ability of vegetation to develop on the sabkha."



"In contrast to the barren sabkha, green mangrove forests are present along the coastline as well. Mangrove forests are regions of shrubs and trees with dense root systems that protect the intertidal zones from coastal erosion."



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates

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

Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features a Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission view of Tutuila, a tropical island in the American Samoa archipelago.



American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of five main islands and two atolls. The largest and most populous island is Tutuila, where Pago Pago, the capital city, is situated.



The eastern part of the chain of islands forms the American Samoa, while the western part forms the independent state of Samoa.



Tutuila Island is known for its rugged terrain, lush landscapes, and deep harbors. It's the economic and political center of American Samoa, with the majority of the population residing here. The island's geography features volcanic peaks, with Mount Alava and Matafao Peak being the highest points, offering stunning views and rich biodiversity.



American Samoa as a whole has a unique blend of American and Samoan culture. The territory maintains traditional Samoan customs, making it a fascinating place for cultural studies. The economy primarily revolves around fishing and the services sector, with canned tuna being a significant export.



The National Park of American Samoa, partly located on Tutuila, helps preserve the tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and Samoan culture. This park is unique because it's one of the only national parks in the United States that's leased rather than owned by the government, reflecting the strong communal land traditions of Samoa.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Tutuila in the American Samoa archipelago 

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency...

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the summit crater of Mount Erebus peeking through the clouds. Erebus is the southernmost active volcano on Earth and the second-highest volcano in Antarctica.



Mount Erebus is situated on Ross Island in the Ross Sea. It was discovered in 1841 by the British explorer Sir James Clark Ross, who named it after his ship, the Erebus.



It stands at an elevation of about 3,794 meters (12,448 feet). It's a stratovolcano, characterized by a conical shape and layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash.



Mount Erebus is known for its persistent lava lake, which is visible in the image. "The lake has been active since at least 1972 and is one of only a few long-lived lava lakes on Earth. It constantly churns and occasionally spews bombs of molten rock in Strombolian eruptions," said NASA.



"Geologists want to learn why an active lava lake has persisted here for so long. Recent research suggests one reason could be the magma’s low water content, which makes it less volatile as it approaches the surface."



Due to its unique features, Mount Erebus is an important site for scientific research. Researchers study its geology, unique gas emissions, and microbial life in its extreme environment.



However, the harsh Antarctic climate and its remote location make it a challenging environment for research. Additionally, its volcanic activity poses risks.



The image was captured on November 25,2023 by the OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) on Landsat 9.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Mount Erebus breaks through the clouds

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

Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency </a>&nbsp;features Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, and its surroundings. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission on February 21, 2023.



"Situated some 50 km south of the North Korean border, the metropolitan area of Seoul appears as the grey area in the center of the image," says ESA.



"The Han River runs through the city, and to the right of the image it can be seen partly covered by ice. It is one of the biggest rivers in the Korean peninsula. It flows westward through Seoul into the Yellow Sea, named so because of the yellowish sand that colours its water."



"Seoul is surrounded by forested mountains, which appear brown in this wintery image. Bukhansan National Park lies just north of the city. The park is like an island, acting as a big green lung for the surrounding urban environment."



The population of Seoul is over 9 million people, and the metropolitan area, which includes neighboring cities like Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, is one of the most populous in the world.



Seoul is a city where ancient traditions meet cutting-edge technology. It is known for its vibrant cultural scene, extensive history, and rapid economic development. The city's skyline is a blend of modern skyscrapers and traditional palaces like Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, showcasing its rich heritage.



Seoul is a hub for education, with several top-ranked universities and research institutes. The city also thrives in technology and innovation - home to global companies like Samsung and LG. Street markets like Myeongdong and Insadong offer a taste of local life and traditional crafts, while districts like Gangnam are famous for their upscale shopping and entertainment.



Seoul's green spaces, like Namsan Park and the Han River Park, provide a refuge from the urban hustle. The city's blend of history, culture, technology, and nature makes it a unique and dynamic metropolis, attracting millions of visitors each year.



Image 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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The city of Seoul, South Korea 

Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Space Agency</a> features a Copernicus Sentinel-2 photograph of the city of Bentiu in South Sudan.



"The country has always experienced a degree of seasonal flooding, which normally recedes in the dry season. However, four consecutive years of incessant flooding have submerged villages, farmlands and roads. In 2023, flood waters reached almost 2 meters in some places," said ESA.



"This false-color image, captured in January 2023, clearly shows the extent of the flooded areas around Bentiu. Information from the mission’s near-infrared channel was used to process this image so water bodies appear in dark blue or black. Sediment in the waters is bright blue, while the vibrant shades of red, mainly bordering rivers, denote vegetation."



According to ESA, the yellowish area in the center of the image is the city of Bentiu - standing out like an island surrounded by floods.&nbsp;



"From Bentiu, the Bahr el-Ghazal River meanders through the inundated floodplain in a northeasterly direction. It can be traced in black in the right of the image flowing through Lake No into the White Nile," said ESA.



"Fed by the White Nile, the large, swampy area running from the centre of the image to the bottom right is the Sudd. It is a network of channels, lakes and swamps and one of Africa’s largest floodplains, providing watering and feeding grounds for many endemic mammals and birds, as well as for large populations of migratory species."



Bentiu is known for its significance in the oil industry. It's the capital of Unity State, an area rich in oil fields, making it a crucial economic hub for South Sudan. However, this wealth in natural resources has also made Bentiu a focal point of conflict, particularly during the South Sudanese Civil War.



The city's history has been shaped by its strategic importance in the region. It has seen significant development in the oil sector, but this has been marred by political and ethnic conflicts. These conflicts have often resulted in severe humanitarian crises, affecting the local population with issues like displacement and shortages of basic necessities.



Despite its challenges, Bentiu is a key player in South Sudan's economy and its future development. The city's role in the oil industry cannot be overstated, and efforts are ongoing to stabilize the region and improve living conditions for its residents.



The city's demographics are diverse, reflecting the ethnic variety of South Sudan, but this diversity has also been a source of tension at times. Efforts towards peace and reconciliation in Bentiu and the wider Unity State are crucial for the long-term stability and prosperity of South Sudan.



Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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The city of Bentiu in South Sudan

The <a href="https://www.un.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United Nations</a> (UN) has released a critical report which signals an "unprecedented emergency on a planetary scale" due to human-induced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-has-made-droughts-20-times-more-likely/">droughts</a>. 



The Global Drought Snapshot, launched at <a href="https://www.cop28.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COP28</a> climate talks in the UAE, is a comprehensive analysis of recent drought data over the past two years, emphasizing the escalating crisis of drought worldwide.



The analysis was led by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), established at the 1992 Earth Summit, along with the UNFCCC and UN CBD.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-silent-devastation-nbsp">Silent devastation&nbsp;</h2>



“Unlike other disasters that attract media attention, droughts happen silently, often going unnoticed and failing to provoke an immediate public and political response," said UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw.



"This silent devastation perpetuates a cycle of neglect, leaving affected populations to bear the burden in isolation."&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alarming-trends">Alarming trends</h2>



In China, 15–20 percent of the population faces more frequent moderate-to-severe droughts, with drought intensity expected to increase by 80 percent by 2100.



The Horn of Africa has 23 million people severely food insecure, attributed to drought.



The United States experienced severe drought across five percent of its contiguous states in May 2023. The La Plata basin in Brazil–Argentina faced its worst drought in 78 years in 2022, impacting global crop markets.



Europe was hit by its worst drought in 500 years in 2022, affecting an area almost four times the average since 2000.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-agriculture-and-forests">Agriculture and forests</h2>



The report also touches on the severe impact of drought on agriculture and forests, including 70 percent damage to cereal crops in the Mediterranean from 2016–2018.



Consecutive rainfall season failures in the Horn of Africa caused the region’s worst drought in 40 years (with Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia particularly hard hit), contributing to reduced agricultural productivity, food insecurity and high food prices.



There have also been significant losses in grazing land and an expected increase in forest losses in various regions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-conditions">Water conditions</h2>



California's Central Valley is facing accelerated groundwater decline and water-quality degradation.



The Rhine and Yangtze rivers experienced drastic reductions in water levels, impacting shipping and affecting millions.&nbsp;



In southern China, five million people have been affected by record-low water levels in the Yangtze River due to drought and prolonged heat.



On the Mississippi River, a backlog of barges in late 2022 due to low water levels caused $20 billion in supply chain disruptions and other economic damage.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-dimensions-nbsp">Social dimensions&nbsp;</h2>



The social dimensions are equally concerning, with 85 percent of people affected by droughts living in low- or middle-income countries.



Furthermore, the likelihood of being killed by floods, droughts and storms is 15 times greater in the highly vulnerable regions.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-call-to-action">Call to action</h2>



The Global Drought Snapshot concludes with a call to action, urging for binding global agreements and proactive measures to mitigate drought impacts.&nbsp;



The report emphasizes the need for nature-based solutions to offset CO2 emissions and agricultural practices that adopt water-efficient technologies.



The experts also stress the importance of respecting the planet's boundaries and ensuring the sustainability of natural hydrological cycles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wake-up-call-nbsp">Wake-up call&nbsp;</h2>



“The Global Drought Snapshot report speaks volumes about the urgency of this crisis and building global resilience to it," said Thiaw.



"With the frequency and severity of drought events increasing, as reservoir levels dwindle and crop yields decline, as we continue to lose biological diversity and famines spread, transformational change is needed.”&nbsp;



“We hope this publication serves as a wake-up call.”



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Global drought crisis: UN warns of unprecedented emergency

The United Nations (UN) has released a critical report which...

The melting of glaciers, rising sea levels, and extreme heat waves are stark reminders of the ongoing climate crisis. Despite the scientific community's consensus on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indisputable-evidence-of-human-caused-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human responsibility</a> for these changes, as reaffirmed by the sixth report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (<a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IPCC</a>), a significant portion of the population remains skeptical, fueled by disinformation campaigns orchestrated by certain vested interests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-combating-climate-change-disinformation">Combating climate change disinformation</h2>



The University of Geneva (<a href="https://www.unige.ch/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNIGE</a>) has taken a novel approach to address this issue by developing and testing six psychological interventions.



A team led by Tobia Spampatti, a PhD Student and Teaching and Research Assistant in the Consumer Decision and Sustainable Behavior Lab (<a href="https://www.cdsb.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CDSB Lab</a>), has conducted extensive research involving nearly 7,000 participants across twelve countries. 



The study underscores the persuasive nature of disinformation and the urgent need to counteract it. According to Spampatti, certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exxons-climate-predictions-were-remarkably-accurate-but-ignored/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">companies</a> and lobbies spreading disinformation over the last 50 years can explain this phenomenon. 



‘‘For instance, these messages can take the form of an unfounded questioning of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenhouse-gas-emissions-reach-another-all-time-high/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scientific consensus</a> or an overestimation of the socio-financial burden of climate policies,’’ says Spampatti. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychological-factors-at-play">Psychological factors at play</h2>



Spampatti and his colleagues have developed a theoretical framework based on the psychology of climate change disinformation. This framework considers various factors, including the source, content, recipients, and psychological aspects influencing the processing of information. 



‘‘As individuals, we do not process <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-are-one-indivisible-global-health-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scientific messages</a> as neutral receivers of information, but by weighing them up against our prior beliefs, desired outcomes, emotional ties and socio-cultural and ideological backgrounds. Depending on the configuration of these psychological factors, anti-scientific beliefs can be amplified and become resistant to correction,’’ explains Spampatti.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preventing-climate-change-disinformation">Preventing climate change disinformation</h2>



Based on their findings, the researchers developed six psychological intervention strategies to prevent climate disinformation from influencing people's climate-related beliefs and actions. They tested these strategies on 6,816 participants across twelve countries. 



Each strategy focused on a specific theme: <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-warning-systems-are-increasingly-accurate-in-predicting-climate-extremes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scientific consensus</a>, trust in climate scientists, transparent communication, moralizing climate action, accuracy, and positive emotions towards climate action. 



The team divided the participants into eight groups. Six groups each received one of the strategies, one group received disinformation without any preventive measures, and one served as a control group.



For example, the researchers gave the "trust in climate scientists" group verified information to establish the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-has-become-a-human-rights-issue/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">credibility of IPCC scientists</a>. Similarly, they presented the "transparent communication" group with information highlighting both the advantages and disadvantages of climate mitigation actions. 



Following this, the team exposed each group to twenty instances of false or biased information, including ten related to climate science and ten to climate policy. The UNIGE scientists then assessed the impact of these interventions by gauging the participants' attitudes towards climate mitigation actions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-results-show-great-challenges-ahead">Results show great challenges ahead</h2>



<a href="https://www.unige.ch/fapse/decisionlab/people/tobias-brosch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tobias Brosch</a> is an associate Professor at the CDSB Lab and the final author of the study. He notes the alarming persuasiveness of disinformation. 



"We found that the protective effect of our strategies is small and disappears after the second exposure to disinformation," says Brosch. "Climate disinformation used in this study has a negative influence on people’s belief in climate change and their sustainable behavior.’’



According to the study, climate change disinformation persuades extremely effectively, apparently more than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/media-coverage-of-climate-change-fails-to-inspire-action/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scientific information</a> does. Only the 'accuracy' group, whom the researchers asked to think deeply about the accuracy of online information, demonstrated a slight advantage.



Tobia Spampatti concludes, "Research in this field is still in its infancy. We are going to continue our work and look for more effective forms of intervention." 



In summary, the urgency to combat climate change disinformation is paramount, as it hinders the implementation of crucial climate change mitigation measures. This research from UNIGE represents a crucial step in understanding and addressing the complex issue of climate change disinformation.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-023-01736-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Human Behavior</a>.



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Why disinformation is a persistent scourge in the battle against climate change

The melting of glaciers, rising sea levels, and extreme heat...

In late 2017, the Thomas Fire in Santa Barbara County became one of the most destructive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/canadian-wildfires-of-2023-were-a-global-environmental-setback/">wildfires</a> in California's history. The fire led to the unprecedented closure of classes at <a href="https://www.ucsb.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Santa Barbara</a> and widespread use of N95 masks. 



This catastrophic event, however, presented a unique opportunity for scientists at the university. Huge amounts of wildfire ash had settled into the oceans, and the experts wanted to investigate what effect it might have on marine life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significant-discovery-nbsp">Significant discovery&nbsp;</h2>



The team embarked on a mission to understand the effects of wildfire ash on ocean ecosystems - a subject that has been relatively unexplored compared to freshwater systems.



The researchers made a significant discovery: wildfire ash can actually fertilize marine ecosystems. This is in stark contrast to its toxic effects in freshwater environments.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-research-expedition-nbsp">Research expedition&nbsp;</h2>



The team, led by Tanika Ladd, had to rapidly adapt their pre-planned expedition. "With a research cruise already on the calendar, the team jumped on the opportunity to investigate. “We planned this out in just a few weeks,” said Ladd.



“The fire broke out Dec. 4; our cruise was scheduled to go out on Dec. 17, and this clearly wasn’t in our plans for all of the cruise prep before the fire started.” The group quickly pivoted the entire cruise itinerary. Senior scientists sent off a flurry of grant applications, and the team revised the schedule a couple weeks before setting sail."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



Study co-author Eleanor Arrington collected ash samples from car windshields across Santa Barbara, creating a saltwater solution with the ash and then filtering out solid particles.&nbsp;



This solution was added to seawater cultures, which were incubated on deck of the research vessel. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-nutrients-nbsp">Key nutrients&nbsp;</h2>



The team's measurements indicated a significant increase in particulate organic carbon in samples with added ash leachate, suggesting enhanced plankton growth and increased carbon drawdown from the atmosphere through photosynthesis.



Further analysis showed that the ash was enriching the seawater with key nutrients like nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, and silicic acid, which are essential for the growth of phytoplankton such as diatoms.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potentially-toxic-metals">Potentially toxic metals</h2>



The ash also introduced metals like copper and iron to the seawater. While essential in small quantities, these metals can be toxic at higher concentrations in freshwater ecosystems.&nbsp;



However, the vastness of the ocean dilutes these elements, reducing their potential harm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



This study sheds light on the complex interactions between terrestrial and marine ecosystems, particularly in the context of increasing wildfires.&nbsp;



The nutrients carried by wildfire ash into the ocean may boost primary production in coastal areas, especially in nutrient-limited regions like the Santa Barbara Channel.&nbsp;



"Coastal ecosystems may have increased primary production during these wildfires, but we need to know what this actually means on a global scale," said Ladd.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2023.1817" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences</a>.



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Wildfire ash fertilizes the ocean and boosts marine life

In late 2017, the Thomas Fire in Santa Barbara County...

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Today&#8217;s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/">USGS</a> describes how the evolving Batagaika Crater in Russia&#8217;s Extreme North is providing scientists with a look into the climate of the past.
Using images captured by Landsat and Sentinel satellites, scientists can assemble a continuous view of the Batagaika Crater over the last 60 years. 
The geological record that is held in layers of permafrost inside of the crater, however, holds a snapshot of Earth&#8217;s climate that may date back as far as 650,000 years.
Video Credit: USGS 
&#8211;&#8212;
By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer
&nbsp;

The Batagaika Crater holds secrets of Earth's past climate