Researchers from Japan and Thailand have found that microplastics are invading all three parts of coral anatomy - the exterior mucus, tissue, and skeleton. This alarming discovery may offer new clues about the "missing plastic problem."



A whopping 70% of the plastic litter that has entered the oceans has vanished without a trace. The researchers propose that corals may be the unsuspecting culprits, absorbing microplastics from the oceans, acting as a "plastic sink."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enormous-issue-of-plastic-pollution">Enormous issue of plastic pollution</h2>



We can’t deny, plastics have made our lives easier. But <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-are-infiltrating-the-human-body-even-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">at what cost</a>? The repercussions of our reliance on plastics are becoming evident, damaging ecosystems in ways that are still being unearthed. 



Picture this - an estimated total of 4.8 to 12.7 million tons of plastics make their way into marine environments each year.



Study lead author Suppakarn Jandang is a professor at <a href="https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyushu University</a>’s Research Institute for Applied Mechanics (<a href="https://www.riam.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/index-e.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RIAM</a>) in Japan.



“In Southeast Asia, plastic pollution has become a significant issue. Collectively, nearly 10 million tons of plastic waste are dumped annually, equivalent to 1/3 of the world’s total,” said Professor Jandang.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extracting-microplastics-from-corals">Extracting microplastics from corals</h2>



To battle plastic pollution, RIAM partnered with Thailand's <a href="https://www.chula.ac.th/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chulalongkorn University</a> in 2022, initiating the Center for Ocean Plastic Studies. 



Led by Professor Atsuhiko Isobe from RIAM, the research team set out to explore the impact of microplastics on local coral reefs. The experts focused on the coast of Si Chang Island in the Gulf of Thailand, known for its reef flats and anthropological study potential.



Each coral has three anatomical parts: surface mucus on the outside, tissue on the inside, and a skeleton made of calcium carbonate deposits. The researchers developed a simple yet effective way to extract and identify microplastics from corals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-identifying-microplastics-in-corals">Identifying microplastics in corals</h2>



The team collected 27 coral samples, discovering 174 microplastic particles which were mostly the width of a human hair.



Among these particles, 38% were found in the surface mucus, 25% in the tissue, and a shocking 37% in the coral skeleton. 



The most common microplastics were nylon, polyacetylene, and PET. The findings suggest that corals might be playing a role in the missing plastic problem. 



“Since coral skeletons remain intact after they die, these deposited microplastics can potentially be preserved for hundreds of years. Similar to mosquitos in amber,” explained Professor Jandang.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threat-to-marine-life">Threat to marine life</h2>



The infiltration of microplastics into coral anatomy represents a grave threat to marine biodiversity. As primary ecosystems in tropical waters, coral reefs support a vast array of organisms. 



However, when microplastics invade these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-seeding-increases-resistance-to-extreme-heatwaves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">corals</a>, the repercussions ripple through the food chain. Fish that depend on coral for shelter and sustenance may inadvertently consume these plastics, leading to bioaccumulation. 



This process not only adversely affects marine health but also poses a threat to human populations reliant on seafood. The delicate balance of these ecosystems is at risk, highlighting the urgency for targeted interventions aimed at mitigating plastic pollution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-action-is-needed">Global action is needed</h2>



Recognizing the profound implications of their findings, the research team advocates for stronger global initiatives to combat the proliferation of microplastics. 



Efforts to reduce plastic production and enhance waste management systems are imperative. On this front, international cooperation is essential for enacting regulations and fostering sustainable practices. 



Innovations in biodegradable materials and increased recycling rates could curtail further environmental degradation.



By emphasizing education and awareness campaigns, the scientific community can rally public support for policies aimed at <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-process-converts-microplastics-into-valuable-graphene-wonder-material/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preserving our oceans</a>. Continued research will be pivotal in devising sustainable solutions to safeguard marine biodiversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-our-oceans">Future of our oceans</h2>



While the results are eye-opening, the team agrees that more global studies on an array of coral species are needed for a comprehensive understanding. 



“We also do not know the health effects of microplastics on coral and the larger reef community. There is still much to be done to accurately evaluate the impact of microplastics on our ecosystem,” said Professor Isobe.



The story of plastic's invasion in the oceans is still unfolding, and the role of corals in this narrative is just beginning to be understood.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969724063666?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science of The Total Environment</a>.



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Microplastics found in the tissue and skeletons of corals

Researchers from Japan and Thailand have found that microplastics are invading all three parts of coral anatomy - the exterior mucus, tissue, and skeleton. This alarming discovery may offer new clues about the "missing plastic problem." A whopping 70% of the plastic litter that has entered the oceans has vanished without a trace. The researchers propose that corals may be the unsuspecting culprits, absorbing microplastics from the oceans, acting as a "plastic sink." Enormous issue of plastic pollution We can’t deny, plastics have made our lives easier....

Scientists at the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/">University of Cambridge</a> have broken new ground, ushering in a new era of green energy. The researchers have unveiled a cutting-edge solar-powered technology that transforms carbon dioxide and water into liquid fuels.&nbsp;



The real game changer here is that these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-emissions-can-be-turned-into-clean-fuels/">fuels</a> can directly power a car's engine without any modifications - a so-called "drop-in" fuel.



This innovative technology leverages photosynthesis, the natural process through which plants convert sunlight into energy. It manages to replicate this process, using the sun's power to turn CO2 and water into multicarbon fuels. These fuels, ethanol and propanol, pack a high energy density, and the bonus is that they're also simple to store and transport.



<h2 id="h-zero-net-carbon-emissions-thanks-to-photosynthesis">Zero net carbon emissions thanks to photosynthesis</h2>



There's an important difference between these solar fuels and their fossil fuel counterparts. The solar fuels developed by these researchers produce zero net carbon emissions - a critical factor in our fight against climate change.&nbsp;



They are fully renewable, and in contrast to the majority of bioethanol fuels, their production does not encroach on any agricultural land that could otherwise be used for food production.



Although this technology remains at the laboratory stage, it's seen as a significant step toward our departure from a fossil fuel-dependent economy. The groundbreaking findings are documented in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41560-023-01262-3">Nature Energy</a>.



<h2 id="h-breaking-free-of-biofuels">Breaking free of biofuels</h2>



Bioethanol has long been championed as a cleaner substitute for petrol, being plant-derived rather than reliant on fossil fuels. It's noteworthy that many cars and trucks on our roads today operate on petrol with an ethanol content of up to 10% (known as E10 fuel).&nbsp;



The United States holds the title as the world’s largest bioethanol producer. Around 45 percent of all corn grown in the US is dedicated to ethanol production, as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.



However, biofuels like ethanol have not escaped controversy. "They take up agricultural land that could be used to grow food instead,” said Professor Erwin Reisner, who led the research.



Reisner and his team, based in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, have been working tirelessly for several years on developing sustainable, zero-carbon fuels. These are inspired by photosynthesis and utilize artificial leaves.



Prior to this breakthrough, these artificial leaves could only generate simple chemicals, such as syngas, a combination of hydrogen and carbon monoxide used in the manufacture of fuels, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and fertilizers. The real challenge was to create more complex chemicals in a single step powered by the sun.



<h2 id="h-major-breakthrough-by-the-research-team">Major breakthrough by the research team</h2>



The team's latest accomplishment has been to adapt the artificial leaf to produce clean ethanol and propanol directly, bypassing the intermediate syngas production step.&nbsp;



This was made possible by developing a catalyst based on copper and palladium. This catalyst was specifically optimized to allow the artificial leaf to create these multi-carbon alcohols.



This achievement is a first. While other scientists have produced similar chemicals using electrical power, it's the first time that such complex chemicals have been produced with an artificial leaf harnessing only solar energy.



Dr. Motiar Rahaman, the paper's first author, expressed his excitement: “Shining sunlight on the artificial leaves and getting liquid fuel from carbon dioxide and water is an amazing bit of chemistry.”&nbsp;



He emphasized that their achievement of converting CO2 into a practical liquid fuel using only sunlight was a tremendous leap forward, one that opens up a whole new path in their work.



<h2 id="h-still-lots-of-work-to-be-done">Still lots of work to be done</h2>



As it stands, this device is a proof of concept, currently demonstrating only modest efficiency.&nbsp;



The experts are striving to improve the light absorbers for enhanced sunlight absorption and tweaking the catalyst for better sunlight to fuel conversion. Moreover, the device's scalability needs attention for it to produce fuel in larger volumes.



"Even though there's still work to be done, we've shown what these artificial leaves are capable of doing," said Reisner. He believes it’s vital to demonstrate that they can push beyond the production of the simplest molecules and generate materials that are directly useful in our transition away from fossil fuels.



This revolutionary research was funded in part by the European Commission Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship, the Cambridge Trust, and the Winton Programme for the Physics of Sustainability.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-a-very-bright-future-for-clean-cars-thanks-to-sunlight">A very bright future for clean cars, thanks to sunlight</h2>



This groundbreaking work undertaken by the Cambridge team signals a promising future for renewable fuels. It's a major advancement in green energy research that could pave the way towards a future less reliant on fossil fuels.&nbsp;



While the technology is still in its early stages, its potential implications for combating climate change and promoting sustainable fuel production are truly exciting. As we continue to battle the effects of climate change, this pioneering work on solar fuels could be a critical piece of the puzzle in our quest for a cleaner, greener world.



<h2 id="h-more-about-clean-energy-and-zero-net-carbon-emissions">More about clean energy and zero net carbon emissions</h2>



Clean energy, also known as renewable energy, refers to energy produced from sources that do not deplete when used or those that naturally replenish within a human lifetime. These sources include wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and even certain forms of biomass.&nbsp;



As a result of their renewable nature, they have a significantly lower environmental impact compared to conventional energy sources like coal, oil, and gas.



One of the most compelling arguments for the use of clean energy is its potential to help achieve zero net carbon emissions or carbon neutrality.&nbsp;



<h3 id="h-the-importance-of-carbon-neutrality">The importance of carbon neutrality</h3>



Carbon neutrality means balancing the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the atmosphere with an equivalent amount of CO2 sequestered or offset, or buying enough carbon credits to make up the difference. In essence, it’s when the net amount of carbon dioxide emissions (emissions minus offsets) equals zero.



Why is achieving carbon neutrality important? Well, carbon dioxide is one of the primary greenhouse gases contributing to global warming and climate change. An excess of CO2 in the Earth's atmosphere traps heat, leading to a rise in global temperatures—a phenomenon known as the greenhouse effect.



Clean energy technologies play a crucial role in achieving zero net carbon emissions. For example, solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity, and wind turbines generate power from wind flow. Both methods produce electricity without releasing CO2, unlike traditional fossil fuel power plants.



Further, when used for heating, cooling, and transportation – which together account for a large portion of global CO2 emissions – clean energy technologies can help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and thereby lower greenhouse gas emissions.



<h3 id="h-achieving-energy-efficiency-through-clean-energy">Achieving energy efficiency through clean energy&nbsp;</h3>



It's worth noting that clean energy also involves energy efficiency. By optimizing how we use energy, we can achieve the same results with less, reducing the overall demand for energy and thereby contributing to lower emissions.



While transitioning to a clean energy future involves significant challenges – including technology and infrastructure development, costs, and policy and regulatory hurdles – the long-term benefits for our environment, health, and economy make it a compelling goal.&nbsp;



This is the context in which the work by the researchers at the University of Cambridge, as well as many other scientists worldwide, takes on such importance. These efforts represent vital steps towards creating sustainable and scalable solutions for clean energy and achieving zero net carbon emissions.



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Breakthrough: Sunshine will soon power your car instead of gasoline

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have broken new ground,...

The resurgence of apex predators and wolf populations across the continental United States, a result of measures under the Endangered Species Act, has been a hot topic among conservationists. While <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-wolves-headed-to-south-carolina-from-ohio/">wolves</a>, along with other apex predators, have been recognized for their role in keeping smaller predator species in check, new research now reveals an unexpected facet of this ecological dance.



The study, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.adf2472">Science</a> on May 18, reveals that in Washington state, the dual presence of apex predators – wolves and cougars – does regulate populations of mesopredators, such as bobcats and coyotes.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-surprising-discoveries">Surprising discoveries</h2>



However, the twist in the tale lies in the fact that these apex predators were not found to be the primary cause of mortality among the mesopredators.



Instead of falling prey to the fangs and claws of their larger counterparts, the bobcats and coyotes were driven into areas with higher human activity. The consequences were inevitable - it was the humans who ended up playing the grim reaper.



The study was led by wildlife ecologist Laura Prugh and her collaborative team from the <a href="https://www.washington.edu/">University of Washington</a>, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Spokane Tribe of Indians.&nbsp;



The experts discovered that bobcats and coyotes were more than three times as likely to die from human activities, such as hunting or trapping, than from encounters with cougars and wolves.



This revelation provides a stark illustration of how humanity's ever-expanding footprint is significantly altering interactions among wildlife species.&nbsp;



"When cougars and wolves moved into an area, coyotes and bobcats employed a specific strategy to avoid apex predators by moving into more human-impacted regions," explained Professor Prugh.



"That indicated to us that coyotes and bobcats likely perceived these large carnivores as a greater threat to them than people. But when we looked at causes of mortality for the mesopredators, humans were by far the largest cause of death.”



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



For the investigation, the researchers embarked on a five-year journey, from winter 2017 to summer 2022, tracking the activity of 22 wolves, 60 cougars, 35 coyotes, and 37 bobcats in two study areas in north-central and northeastern Washington as part of the Washington Predator-Prey Project.&nbsp;



They used GPS collars to monitor the animals across a diverse landscape comprising national forests, camping, hunting, and fishing recreational areas, as well as lands devoted to agriculture, timber harvesting, ranching, and residential use.



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-about-apex-predators">What the researchers learned about apex predators</h2>



The study revealed a fascinating shift in animal behavior. When wolves or cougars moved into their region, bobcats and coyotes altered their movements to avoid them.&nbsp;



"Coyotes and bobcats started using areas that had twice as much human influence compared to where they were before the large carnivores moved in," said Prugh.



Further, upon investigating the causes of death for any animals tracked during the study, the team found that areas with high human activity were far more lethal for mesopredators than those with a lesser human presence.



For instance, of the 24 coyotes that died during the study, over half were killed by humans. Similarly, humans were responsible for half of the 22 bobcat deaths recorded. Some mesopredators were shot after preying on livestock, others were targeted for threatening poultry.



In a nutshell, human activities accounted for three to four times more mesopredator deaths in this study than the apex predators – wolves and cougars.



<h2 id="h-no-urgent-need-for-action">No urgent need for action</h2>



Interestingly, the study doesn't signal immediate danger for the overall populations of bobcats and coyotes, which rank among the most widespread mesopredators in North America. Neither are endangered, and coyotes especially are highly adaptable to human presence.&nbsp;



However, Professor Prugh warns that not all mesopredator species share this resilience. Some reproduce more slowly, while others may be vulnerable in multiple ways to human activities. For example, rodent poisons used in pest control can be lethal for fishers, another type of mesopredator.



Looking forward, researchers need to investigate how mesopredators use space and resources in areas with high human activity. They should also explore the potential risks these shifts pose to humans. "These are not trivial shifts in territory or space. There are real consequences," said Professor Prugh.



<h2 id="h-human-shield-hypothesis">Human shield hypothesis</h2>



The study also sheds new light on the "human shield hypothesis," a working theory in wildlife-human interactions. This hypothesis suggests that prey species move to areas with higher human activity due to the presence of predators.&nbsp;



Instances of this behavior can be seen in Yellowstone National Park, where elk have moved near hiking trails, typically avoided by wolves and other large carnivores.



However, the human impact in areas like Yellowstone is typically less compared to other recreational spaces or farming, grazing, and residential developments. This has prompted scientists to question the efficacy of humans as a "shield" in such environments.



"In these areas with higher levels of human activity, it was unknown whether a mesopredator would perceive the apex predator or humans as the greater threat," Prugh said.&nbsp;



"Here, we found that bobcats and coyotes perceived their apex predators as the greater threat, but their strategy of avoiding those large carnivores backfired by bringing them into contact with a much more effective predator: us."



<h2 id="h-apex-predators-and-humans-a-complex-relationship">Apex predators and humans - a complex relationship</h2>



The research presents a sobering reminder of our role in reshaping wildlife interactions. As apex predators continue to reclaim their former habitats, our growing human footprint also modifies these ecosystems.&nbsp;



Balancing our presence with the needs of these animals becomes an ever more pressing issue. The dance between apex predators, mesopredators, and humans continues to play out, and only time will tell where this dynamic interaction will lead us.



The research was funded by the National Science Foundation, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Australia Fulbright Program.



<h2 id="h-more-about-mesopredators">More about mesopredators</h2>



A "mesopredator" is a term used in the science of ecology to identify medium-sized, mid-ranking predators that are not apex predators. This category includes a broad variety of species across numerous animal groups, which can vary according to the specific ecosystem and food web under consideration.



Generally speaking, mesopredators are small to medium-sized carnivores that occupy an intermediate trophic level in food webs. Examples of mesopredators include raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes in North America, or jackals and servals in Africa. In aquatic environments, mesopredators might include certain species of sharks or large fish.



One crucial role of mesopredators in an ecosystem is controlling the populations of smaller animals, usually herbivores or omnivores, which they prey upon. This relationship can help maintain a balance and biodiversity in the ecosystem.



However, the population and behavior of mesopredators are often controlled by larger predators, or apex predators. In ecosystems where apex predators have been removed or their populations significantly reduced (often due to human activity), mesopredators can become overabundant.&nbsp;



<h3 id="h-complex-relationship-with-humans">Complex relationship with humans</h3>



This situation, referred to as "mesopredator release," can lead to declines in the prey species and overall biodiversity loss. For example, in the absence of wolves (an apex predator), coyote (a mesopredator) populations can increase, leading to declines in smaller mammal and bird populations.



Furthermore, as demonstrated in the study discussed earlier, mesopredators can have complex relationships with humans.&nbsp;



Some mesopredators have adapted well to human-dominated environments and can live in close proximity to human settlements (e.g., urban foxes or coyotes). However, this proximity can also make them more susceptible to threats such as vehicle collisions, hunting, trapping, or poisoning.



In terms of reproduction and survival rates, mesopredators can vary widely. Some species, like coyotes, can quickly adapt to a variety of environments and have relatively high reproduction rates, enabling their populations to sustain despite threats. In contrast, other mesopredators may reproduce more slowly or be more vulnerable to human activities, potentially leading to population declines in certain areas.



Overall, mesopredators play a vital role in maintaining the health and balance of ecosystems. Understanding their behavior, interactions with other species, and responses to human activity is essential for effective wildlife management and conservation strategies.



—-



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Coyotes move into towns to avoid apex predators, only to be killed by humans

The resurgence of apex predators and wolf populations across the...

In a landmark study published today in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.abo2812">Science</a>, experts warn that over half of the world's largest lakes are experiencing water loss. As expected, the primary culprits are a warming climate and unsustainable human consumption patterns.



Fangfang Yao, the lead author of the study and a visiting fellow at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), now a climate fellow at the University of Virginia, offers a silver lining amid the alarming data.&nbsp;



“This is the first comprehensive assessment of trends and drivers of global lake water storage variability based on an array of satellites and models,” says Yao.



Yao's motivation to conduct the research originated from witnessing environmental crises in some of the planet's largest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-water-is-the-key-to-a-long-and-healthy-life/">water</a> bodies, such as the drying of the Aral Sea situated between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.&nbsp;



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



To measure changes in water levels in almost 2,000 of the world's largest lakes and reservoirs, Yao teamed up with colleagues from the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/">University of Colorado Boulder</a>, Kansas State University, France, and Saudi Arabia. These bodies of water account for 95 percent of the total lake water storage on Earth.



The researchers created an innovative technique that combines three decades of satellite observations with models to track and explain changes in lake storage on a global scale.&nbsp;



Freshwater lakes and reservoirs store 87 percent of Earth's water, underscoring their importance to both human and natural ecosystems. Despite their significance, these lakes have been under-monitored compared to rivers, even though they supply more water to human communities.



“Until now, our understanding of long-term trends and changes to water levels has been largely limited," said study co-author Professor Balaji Rajagopalan. “We are able to provide insights into global lake level changes with a broader perspective using this novel method,” he adds.



The team used a quarter of a million snapshots of lake areas captured by satellites from 1992 to 2020 to survey the area of 1,972 of Earth's biggest lakes. They combined recent water level measurements with long-term area measurements to reconstruct the volume of lakes dating back decades.



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-learned">What the researchers learned</h2>



The findings are sobering: 53 percent of lakes worldwide have seen a reduction in water storage. This loss equates to the volume of 17 Lake Meads, the largest reservoir in the United States.



To unpack these trends in natural lakes, Yao and his team drew on the latest advances in water use and climate modeling. Both climate change and human water consumption were found to be primarily responsible for the global net decline in natural lake volume, as well as water losses in about 100 large lakes.



“Many of the human and climate change footprints on lake water losses were previously unknown, such as the desiccations of Lake Good-e-Zareh in Afghanistan and Lake Mar Chiquita in Argentina,” said Yao.



Worryingly, lakes in both dry and humid regions globally are losing volume. This loss in humid tropical lakes and Arctic lakes indicates a broader drying trend than previously acknowledged.



<h2 id="h-the-team-also-studied-reservoirs">The team also studied reservoirs</h2>



In addition to studying natural lakes, Yao and his colleagues examined water storage trends in reservoirs. They discovered that almost two-thirds of Earth's large reservoirs have undergone substantial water losses.



“Sedimentation dominated the global storage decline in existing reservoirs," noted study co-author Professor Ben Livneh. For reservoirs established before 1992, sedimentation was found to be more impactful than either droughts or years of heavy rainfall.



However, not all lakes are shrinking. The study shows that 24 percent of global lakes have witnessed significant increases in water storage.&nbsp;



These expanding lakes are primarily located in underpopulated areas, such as the inner Tibetan Plateau and Northern Great Plains of North America, and in regions with new reservoirs, such as the Yangtze, Mekong, and Nile river basins.



The study's authors estimate that approximately 2 billion people, or roughly one-quarter of the world's population, live in the basins of these drying lakes. This striking statistic underscores the urgent need to consider the impacts of human consumption, climate change, and sedimentation on water management strategies.



<h2 id="h-disturbing-results-lead-to-potential-solutions">Disturbing results lead to potential solutions</h2>



While the news seems concerning, the study's authors believe it could provide a pathway to potential solutions. According to Livneh, "If human consumption is a significant factor in lake water storage decline, then we can adapt and explore new policies to curb large-scale declines."



The team's research highlights one such success story: Lake Sevan in Armenia. Over the past two decades, Lake Sevan has witnessed an increase in water storage, a positive trend that the authors attribute to the enforcement of conservation laws restricting water withdrawal since the early 2000s.



In conclusion, the study marks a significant advancement in the understanding and tracking of global lake water storage trends. Though the results are worrying, they offer invaluable insights that could potentially guide policy changes and prompt more sustainable water use.&nbsp;



The findings underscore the urgent need for policymakers, water managers, and communities around the world to pay heed and take action to protect this critical resource and the vital ecosystems it supports.



<h2 id="h-more-about-climate-change-and-earth-s-freshwater-supply">More about climate change and Earth’s freshwater supply</h2>



Climate change is having a significant impact on Earth's freshwater supply in several ways. Here are some of the most notable effects:



<h3 id="h-changes-in-precipitation-patterns">Changes in Precipitation Patterns</h3>



Climate change is altering the global water cycle, which affects where, when, and how much precipitation falls. Areas that are dry may become drier, and places that are wet may become wetter or experience more intense rainfall leading to flooding. Both scenarios can have serious implications for freshwater availability.



<h3 id="h-rising-temperatures-and-increased-evaporation">Rising Temperatures and Increased Evaporation</h3>



As global temperatures rise due to climate change, evaporation rates also increase. This leads to a reduction in the amount of surface water in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, as well as groundwater in aquifers. Higher temperatures can also increase water demand from both humans and vegetation.



<h3 id="h-melting-glaciers-and-reduced-snowpack">Melting Glaciers and Reduced Snowpack</h3>



Many regions, particularly those in the western United States and parts of Asia, depend on runoff from snowmelt and glaciers for their freshwater supply. As global temperatures rise, glaciers are melting at an accelerated pace and winter snowpack is declining, leading to decreased water availability in spring and summer when it's most needed.



<h3 id="h-sea-level-rise-and-saltwater-intrusion">Sea-Level Rise and Saltwater Intrusion</h3>



As sea levels rise due to the melting of polar ice caps, saltwater can intrude into freshwater aquifers, particularly those near coasts. This phenomenon is known as saltwater intrusion and can contaminate drinking water supplies and agricultural lands, reducing the availability of freshwater for those purposes.



<h3 id="h-changes-in-ecosystem-health">Changes in Ecosystem Health</h3>



Climate change can impact the health of freshwater ecosystems. Higher water temperatures, changes in water flow, and increased prevalence of drought can stress or even kill fish, birds, and other wildlife that depend on freshwater habitats.



<h3 id="h-increased-frequency-and-severity-of-droughts">Increased Frequency and Severity of Droughts</h3>



Climate change is expected to make droughts more frequent and severe in certain regions, reducing the availability of freshwater.



All of these factors pose significant challenges to managing water resources effectively and ensuring a sustainable freshwater supply for both human and ecological needs. It highlights the urgent need for implementing water conservation measures and developing resilient water management strategies in the face of a changing climate.



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Alarming study: Most of the world’s largest lakes are quickly losing water

In a landmark study published today in the journal Science,...

The global phenomenon of El Niño events - a warm band of ocean water stretching from South America to Asia - periodically disrupts worldwide <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-anxiety-can-lead-to-climate-action/">climate</a> patterns. 



When it occurs, it often brings severe floods, destroys crops through drought, decimates fish populations, and increases the frequency of tropical diseases. This year, El Niño is expected to return.&nbsp;



A new study by <a href="https://home.dartmouth.edu/">Dartmouth</a> researchers, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.adf2983">Science</a>, suggests that the economic impact of this recurring climatic pattern extends well beyond the event itself. It could cause a lingering financial aftermath that lasts for years, potentially amounting to trillions of dollars in lost income worldwide.



<h2 id="h-el-nino-impacts-more-than-the-weather">El Niño impacts more than the weather</h2>



The Dartmouth study is a pioneering work in the field, offering an evaluation of El Niño's long-term costs. The projected losses it outlines far surpass previous estimations.



El Niño is part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation - a natural fluctuation between warm and cold temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean. This cycle also includes the cooler La Niña phase.&nbsp;



El Niño events alter global weather patterns, generally resulting in a wetter, warmer winter for the West Coast of the US and a milder Atlantic hurricane season.



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



Over two years, the researchers scrutinized worldwide economic activity in the decades following the significant El Niño events of 1982-83 and 1997-98. They detected a "persistent signature" of slowed economic growth extending for over five years.&nbsp;



These two events led to global economic losses of $4.1 trillion and $5.7 trillion, respectively, in the subsequent half-decade. Most of this burden fell upon the world’s poorest nations located in the tropics.



Looking to the future, the researchers anticipate that global economic losses during the 21st century could reach a staggering $84 trillion. This figure takes into account the potential amplification of El Niño's frequency and strength due to climate change.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-learned">What the researchers learned</h2>



Even if world leaders fulfill their current pledges to reduce carbon emissions, these predictions will remain the same. For instance, they estimate that the upcoming 2023 El Niño could constrain the global economy by up to $3 trillion by 2029.



Christopher Callahan, the lead author of the study and a doctoral candidate in geography at Dartmouth, shared that this research contributes to an ongoing discussion about society's resilience in the face of major climatic events like El Niño.



"We can say with certainty that societies and economies absolutely do not just take a hit and recover," said Callahan, explaining that the negative economic impact following an El Niño event could linger for up to 14 years, if not longer.



"In the tropics and places that experience the effects of El Niño, you get a persistent signature during which growth is delayed for at least five years." He emphasized the need to account for this prolonged impact when quantifying the financial cost of such events.



<h2 id="h-seeking-to-determine-the-economic-toll-of-climate-change">Seeking to determine the economic toll of climate change</h2>



Study senior author Professor Justin Mankin highlighted the significance of year-to-year climate variations in determining the economic toll of global warming. Even though these climate swings largely operate independently from global warming, they can either intensify or reduce its effects.



El Niño events, which Mankin calls the "trunk of the tree of climate variability," is the most significant source of year-to-year climate variation. It alters weather globally and leaves a substantial imprint on national economies.



Mankin argues that while world leaders and the public rightly focus on the consistent rise in global average temperature when discussing climate change, they must also consider El Niño.&nbsp;



"If you're estimating the costs of global warming without considering El Niño, then you are dramatically underestimating the costs of global warming," said Professor Mankin.



"Our welfare is affected by our global economy, and our global economy is tied to the climate." His research demonstrates that El Niño's effect on climate variation is incredibly costly, stagnating growth for years. This finding has led to cost estimates much larger than previous ones.



<h2 id="h-analysis-of-past-el-nino-events">Analysis of past El Niño events</h2>



According to Mankin and Callahan's analysis, the 1982-83 and 1997-98 El Niño events resulted in the gross domestic product (GDP) of the United States being approximately 3% lower in 1988 and 2003, respectively, than it would have been otherwise. In contrast, the GDPs of tropical coastal nations like Peru and Indonesia were more than 10% lower in the same years.



"The global pattern of El Niño's effect on the climate and the prosperity of different countries reflects the unequal distribution of wealth and climate risk - not to mention the responsibility for climate change - worldwide," Mankin said. He pointed out that El Niño magnifies existing climate change inequities, disproportionately affecting the least resilient and prepared among us.



According to Professor Mankin, the prolonged and substantial financial repercussions revealed by their research suggest that we are currently maladapted to our existing climate.&nbsp;



"Our accounting dramatically raises the cost estimate of doing nothing. We need to both mitigate climate change and invest more in El Niño prediction and adaptation because these events will only amplify the future costs of global warming.”



<h2 id="h-concerns-about-the-2023-el-nino-impact">Concerns about the 2023 El Niño impact</h2>



The El Niño predicted for 2023 is slated to arrive at a time of record-high sea-surface temperatures. Callahan noted that the last major El Niño event, which occurred in 2016, contributed to making that year the hottest in recorded history.



Since then, global warming has only intensified. Moreover, the world is now emerging from a prolonged La Niña phase, and these two phases can intensify each other. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a higher than 80% chance of El Niño setting in by late summer.



"The deck is potentially stacked for a really big El Niño," said Callahan. He suggests that there is likely to be a significant economic toll that depresses economic growth in tropical countries for potentially up to a decade. This could result in a global loss of trillions of dollars in productivity compared to a world without this El Niño.



<h2 id="h-more-about-el-nino">More about El Niño</h2>



El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern that involves changes in the temperature of waters in the central and eastern part of the tropical belt of the Pacific Ocean. Its full name, "El Niño Southern Oscillation" (ENSO), refers to the cycle of warm (El Niño) and cool (La Niña) phases this area undergoes.



During El Niño events, the ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific become significantly warmer than usual. This heating affects the atmospheric pressure patterns, leading to a reversal of the usual trade winds. 



Normally, these winds blow east to west, pushing warm water toward the western Pacific (near Asia). However, during El Niño, these winds weaken or even reverse, causing warm water to spread eastward toward South America.



The effects of El Niño are wide-ranging and global. Here are some of its potential impacts:



<h3 id="h-rainfall">Rainfall&nbsp;</h3>



Regions that are normally dry might receive heavy rainfall, leading to flooding. On the flip side, areas that typically have a wet climate may experience drought. For example, during El Niño events, countries like Peru and Ecuador often face heavy rain and flooding, while Australia and parts of Southeast Asia may experience drought.



<h3 id="h-temperature">Temperature&nbsp;</h3>



El Niño often causes above-average winter temperatures over western and northern Canada and over the western and northern United States. Simultaneously, it can lead to cooler than normal temperatures in the southeastern states of the U.S.



<h3 id="h-agriculture">Agriculture</h3>



Changes in rainfall and temperature can significantly affect agricultural productivity. This can lead to food shortages, increased food prices, and economic problems, especially in countries heavily reliant on agriculture.



<h3 id="h-fisheries">Fisheries&nbsp;</h3>



El Niño can disrupt marine ecosystems. The warmer water temperature leads to a decline in nutrients, which causes a reduction in the marine food chain's productivity. This has a direct impact on the fishing industry, especially in South American countries where economies can be significantly affected.



<h3 id="h-health">Health</h3>



There can be health implications too. Increased rainfall in certain regions can create breeding grounds for mosquitoes, potentially leading to outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus.



<h3 id="h-wildlife">Wildlife</h3>



Shifts in ocean temperatures and rainfall can also disrupt terrestrial and aquatic wildlife, impacting species distribution and behavior.



El Niño events typically occur every two to seven years and can last for up to a year or sometimes longer. They are part of a natural cycle and have been occurring for thousands of years. However, scientists are researching how climate change might impact the frequency and severity of El Niño events.



El Niño is followed by a phase called La Niña, characterized by cooler than average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific. This phase also has its own set of global impacts, often opposite to those of El Niño.



Predicting El Niño events and their intensity is an active area of scientific research. Improved prediction models can help countries better prepare for the potential environmental and socio-economic impacts.



—-



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El Niño events cost the global economy trillions of dollars

The global phenomenon of El Niño events - a warm...

Big,Ben,And,Shining,Orange,Sun,Heat,Wave,In,London

A recent study led by the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/">University of Oxford</a> has found that climate change is causing the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heat-index-is-greatly-underestimated-on-the-hottest-days/">hottest days</a> in North-West Europe to warm at double the rate of average summer days, particularly in England, Wales, and Northern France. The research suggests that extreme heat events – such as UK’s massive heatwave last summer – are likely to become more common in the near future.&nbsp;



Moreover, the experts discovered that although current climate models accurately predict the warming of average summer days, they greatly underestimate the rate at which the hottest days are warming compared to real-life observations.&nbsp;



“These findings underline the fact that the UK and neighboring countries are already experiencing the effects of climate change, and that last year’s heatwave was not a fluke. Policy makers urgently need to adapt their infrastructure and health systems to cope with the impacts of higher temperatures,” said study author Matthew Patterson, a postdoctoral fellow in Climate Dynamics at Oxford.



By analyzing data from the past 60 years (1960-2021) recording the maximum daily temperature (provided by the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts), Patterson discovered that while the maximum recorded temperature varied between years, the hottest days for North-West Europe had warmed at twice the rate of average summer days.&nbsp;



For instance, while average summer days temperatures in England and Wales increased by about 0.26C per decade, the temperatures in the hottest days increased by 0.58C per decade. This faster warming of the hottest days was not observed to this extent in other regions in the Northern Hemisphere.



According to Patterson, the reason causing this faster warming may be linked to hot air transported north from Spain. Since Spain is warming faster than countries in North-West Europe, the air carried in from this region is considerably hotter than the ambient air in the north.&nbsp;



One such phenomenon occurred in 2022, when a plume of hot air carried north from Spain and the Sahara led to massive heatwaves. However, further research is needed to verify these hypotheses.



“Understanding the warming rate of the hottest days will be important if we are to improve climate model simulation of extreme events and make accurate predictions about the future intensity of such events. If our models underestimate the rise in extreme temperatures over the coming decades, we will underestimate the impacts this will have,” Patterson concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2023GL102757">Geophysical Research Letters</a>.



<h2 id="h-global-warming-and-human-health">Global warming and human health</h2>



Global warming, a type of climate change, has significant potential impacts on human health, both directly and indirectly. These impacts can be categorized into several broad areas:



<h3 id="h-heat-related-illnesses-and-deaths">Heat-related illnesses and deaths</h3>



Rising temperatures can increase the likelihood of heat strokes, heat exhaustion, and other heat-related illnesses. This is particularly concerning for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and those with existing health conditions.



<h3 id="h-air-quality">Air quality</h3>



Warmer temperatures can increase the concentration of pollutants like ozone in the air, exacerbating respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis. Additionally, higher temperatures can enhance the production of allergens such as pollen, leading to more severe and prolonged allergy seasons.



<h3 id="h-vector-borne-diseases">Vector-borne diseases</h3>



Warmer climates can extend the range of disease-carrying vectors like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas, potentially leading to a rise in diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, Lyme disease, and Zika virus.



<h3 id="h-water-and-food-supply-impacts">Water and food supply impacts</h3>



Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can affect the availability and quality of water and food supplies. For example, droughts can lead to water shortages, and warmer temperatures can increase the risk of food contamination.



<h3 id="h-mental-health-impacts">Mental health impacts</h3>



The effects of climate change, such as extreme weather events, can lead to mental health problems such as stress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.



<h3 id="h-extreme-weather-events">Extreme weather events</h3>



Global warming can increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as storms, floods, droughts, and wildfires. These can directly cause injuries and deaths, as well as indirectly affect health by causing displacement, damaging infrastructure, and disrupting essential services such as healthcare.



To mitigate these effects, it's crucial to undertake both mitigation strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation strategies to prepare for and respond to the health risks associated with climate change.



<h2 id="h-rising-temperatures-and-wildlife">Rising temperatures and wildlife</h2>



Rising temperatures due to global warming can have profound impacts on wildlife and biodiversity. Here are several ways this can occur:



<h3 id="h-habitat-loss">Habitat Loss</h3>



One of the most significant impacts of rising temperatures is the potential for habitat loss. For instance, warmer temperatures are causing Arctic ice to melt, threatening species like polar bears and seals that depend on sea ice for survival. Similarly, warmer temperatures can also dry out wetlands, harm coral reefs, and lead to forest die-offs.



<h3 id="h-altered-timing-of-natural-events">Altered Timing of Natural Events</h3>



Many species rely on the timing of natural events, such as flowering or insect emergence, for survival. For example, birds may migrate and breed based on the length of daylight. If these patterns are disrupted by changing temperatures, it can lead to mismatches between animals and their food sources.



<h3 id="h-threat-to-cold-adapted-species">Threat to Cold-adapted Species</h3>



Species adapted to cold climates, such as penguins, snow leopards, and many species of fish, may struggle to survive as temperatures rise.



<h3 id="h-spread-of-diseases-and-invasive-species">Spread of Diseases and Invasive Species</h3>



Warmer temperatures can allow disease vectors and invasive species to move into new areas, impacting native wildlife. For example, warmer winters have allowed pine beetles to devastate North American forests they couldn't previously inhabit due to cold.



<h3 id="h-changes-in-food-availability">Changes in Food Availability</h3>



Changes in temperature can affect the availability of food sources for many species. For example, changes in sea temperature can affect the abundance and location of fish stocks, impacting the birds and mammals that rely on them for food.



<h3 id="h-species-distribution-and-migration">Species Distribution and Migration</h3>



Warmer temperatures can cause changes in species distribution and migration patterns. Some species may move to higher altitudes or latitudes to find cooler conditions, potentially leading to competition with other species.



In many cases, wildlife's ability to adapt to rising temperatures is hindered by other human impacts, such as habitat destruction and pollution. Therefore, efforts to protect wildlife from climate change often involve addressing these other threats as well.



—--



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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Brutal effects of climate change have already arrived in the UK

A recent study led by the University of Oxford has...

At the beginning of 2023, the U.S. <a href="https://www.epa.gov/">Environmental Protection Agency</a> (EPA) proposed new rules for maximum allowable levels in drinking water for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Although these human-made so-called “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forever-chemicals-are-raining-down-all-over-the-world/">forever chemicals</a>” have been widely used since the 1940s in various industrial and consumer products due to their unique properties, such as oil and water resistance, temperature resistance, and low friction, they can persist for a very long time in the environment, accumulate in the food chain, and lead to a number of health risks.



Unfortunately, according to a recent study led by the&nbsp;<a href="https://seas.harvard.edu/">Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences</a>&nbsp;(SEAS), in various sites across the U.S. – particularly in the vicinity of military bases – drinking water currently contains significantly higher levels of PFAS than EPA’s new guidance would allow.



PFAS are present in fire retardant foams which are widely used by the U.S. military for fire training drills and fighting fires in the form of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), which is one of the largest sources of PFAS contamination in drinking water.&nbsp;



The problem with monitoring the levels of these chemicals in and around military bases stems from the fact that PFAS compounds come in two forms – a precursor and a terminal form. While the terminal compounds do not degrade under normal environmental conditions, the precursor ones are usually transformed through biological and environmental processes into terminal forms. 



Since the EPA’s draft drinking water rules are for six terminal compounds, they fail to take into account the massive presence of precursor compounds in military fire-retardant foams.



“Many PFAS precursors present in AFFF are difficult to measure. This work shows that they are slowly transforming into PFAS of health concern at AFFF-contaminated sites and contributing to downstream contamination,” said senior author Elsie Sunderland, a professor of Environmental Chemistry and Earth and Planetary Sciences at SEAS.&nbsp;



Since much of the PFAS at military sites consists of precursors which are omitted from standard analytical methods, Sunderland and her colleagues used a previously developed technique to capture all the precursors in AFFF and model the expected duration and contribution of these precursors to groundwater contamination. The analysis revealed that the contamination of two newly regulated PFAS chemicals - perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) and perfluorbutane sulfonate (PFBS) – at a military base in Cape Cod, Massachusetts is sustained by microbial precursor transformation in the soil, from which they subsequently leak into groundwater in their terminal form at concentrations thousands of times higher than EPA’s safe threshold.&nbsp;



According to the experts, without urgent advances in remediation technology that are effective at cleaning both terminal and precursor compounds, widespread PFAS contamination of drinking water supplies at the Cape Cod military base, as well as possibly 300 other military facilities across the country, is likely to persist for centuries.



“The role of PFAS precursors in sustaining hazardous levels of contamination at Joint Base Cape Cod raises concern about whether exposure risks are underestimated near hundreds of other sites where they are not measured,” concluded lead author Bridger Ruyle, a postdoctoral fellow at <a href="https://carnegiescience.edu/">Carnegie Institution for Science</a> in California and former doctoral student in Sunderland’s lab.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.est.3c00675">Environmental Science &amp; Technology</a>.



<h2 id="h-more-about-forever-chemicals">More about forever chemicals&nbsp;</h2>



"Forever chemicals" is a term used to describe a group of man-made chemicals that are highly persistent in the environment and in the human body – meaning they don’t break down and can accumulate over time. The most well-known and widely studied of these are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).



PFAS are a large group of more than 4,000 synthetic chemicals that are used in a wide variety of industries and products thanks to their resistance to heat, water, and oil. These characteristics have led to their use in a wide array of products, including non-stick cookware and food packaging materials.



However, because PFAS don't readily break down in the environment, they can contaminate soil and water and then accumulate in wildlife and humans. Once in the body, they can stay for a long time and have been associated with a number of health concerns, including certain types of cancer, hormone disruption, liver damage, and issues with the immune system.



In recent years, there has been increasing concern about and attention to the environmental and health impacts of PFAS, leading to efforts to limit their use and improve their management. However, their wide use and persistence make this a significant challenge.



<h2 id="h-more-about-water-contamination">More about water contamination&nbsp;</h2>



Water contamination can occur due to various factors, including both natural and human activities. Natural contamination can occur due to the presence of minerals like arsenic or fluoride in the groundwater, for instance. On the other hand, human activities can lead to water contamination through industrial effluents, sewage discharge, agricultural runoff, and more.



When it comes to drinking water, PFAS contamination is a major concern. These chemicals can accumulate in water sources like rivers, lakes, or groundwater, eventually making their way into the water supply.&nbsp;



Several methods are available for the treatment and removal of PFAS from water, such as granular activated carbon (GAC), ion exchange resins, and high-pressure membrane systems like reverse osmosis. However, these technologies can be costly and complex to implement, especially for small communities. Also, they don't destroy the PFAS but merely concentrate them, creating a challenge for safe disposal.



In many regions, regulations are being put in place to limit the levels of PFAS allowed in drinking water, and to mandate testing for their presence. There are also ongoing efforts to limit the use of these chemicals, to manage their disposal more effectively, and to clean up contaminated sites.



—-



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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Forever chemicals are an underestimated source of water contamination

At the beginning of 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency...

Climate change, a global crisis, is poised to push species over their survival tipping points rather abruptly as the geographic range of these species face unprecedented <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/temperature-changes-negatively-impact-bumblebees/">temperature</a> levels. These findings come from a groundbreaking study spearheaded by a researcher at <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/">University College London</a>.



Published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02070-4">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>, the study has provided crucial predictions on when and where species worldwide are likely to encounter dangerously high temperatures due to climate change.&nbsp;



An international team of researchers from UCL, University of Cape Town, University of Connecticut, and University at Buffalo made this possible by examining data from an extensive list of more than 35,000 animal species.&nbsp;



This list included a diverse range of species, including mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, corals, fish, cephalopods, plankton, and seagrasses. The data covered all continents and ocean basins and was studied alongside climate projections running up to 2100.



<h2 id="h-how-the-study-on-tipping-points-was-conducted">How the study on tipping points was conducted</h2>



The researchers' primary focus was on determining when areas within each species' geographic range would cross a crucial threshold of thermal exposure.&nbsp;



They defined this as a period of five consecutive years where temperatures consistently surpass the most extreme monthly temperature experienced by a species across its geographic range over recent history (1850-2014).



Crossing this thermal exposure threshold doesn't spell instant doom for the species, but it certainly rings alarm bells. There is no substantial evidence that these species could survive the higher temperatures. This means that many species could face an abrupt loss of habitat due to future climate change.



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-learned">What the researchers learned</h2>



The results revealed a worrying trend. For many animals, the thermal exposure threshold is likely to be crossed within the same decade for much of their geographic range.



“Climate change isn't likely to make environments gradually more challenging for animals to survive in. Rather, large portions of their geographic range are likely to become unfamiliarly hot in a short span of time," said study lead author Dr. Alex Pigot.



“While some animals may endure these higher temperatures, many others will need to relocate to cooler regions or evolve to adapt, something they likely can't achieve within such short timeframes.”



The study also underscored the devastating impact of global warming. If the planet warms by 1.5 degrees Celsius, 15 percent of studied species will be at risk of experiencing unfamiliarly hot temperatures across at least 30 percent of their existing geographic range in a single decade. However, this risk doubles to 30 percent of species at 2.5 degrees of warming.



“Our study is a stark reminder of the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions to alleviate the harmful effects climate change is inflicting on animals and plants, and to avert a massive extinction crisis,” said Dr. Pigot.



<h2 id="h-using-the-study-results-for-conservation-efforts">Using the study results for conservation efforts</h2>



The findings from this study could aid in directing conservation efforts by providing an early warning system to pinpoint when and where particular animals are likely to be at risk.



“Previously, we had snapshots showing the impact of climate change. But now, our data is more like a film, where you can see the changes unfold over time. This shows that for many species the risk is a bit like everything, everywhere, all at once," said study co-author Dr. Christopher Trisos.



“By animating this process, we hope to direct conservation efforts before it’s too late, while also showing the potentially catastrophic consequences of letting climate change continue unchecked.”



The researchers suggest that this pattern of abrupt exposure may be an inevitable feature of living on a round planet – more area is available to species in hotter environments, such as in low-lying areas or near the equator.



Previous studies by the same lead authors suggest that even if we halt climate change so that global temperatures peak and start to decline, the risks to biodiversity could persist for decades.&nbsp;



Furthermore, they found in another analysis similar to the current study that many species facing unfamiliar temperatures will be living alongside other animals experiencing similar temperature shocks. This situation could pose serious threats to local ecosystem functionality.



<h2 id="h-the-time-to-prevent-tipping-points-is-now">The time to prevent tipping points is now</h2>



The research shines a light on the impending crisis for biodiversity due to climate change and emphasizes the urgency of mitigating its impact. This study underscores the urgency of not just mitigating climate change but also preparing to protect biodiversity from the inevitable changes that will occur even if global warming is slowed or stopped.



Dr. Pigot and his team have given us a stark warning about the impact of climate change on biodiversity and the urgency of taking action.&nbsp;



The time for action is now - to reduce carbon emissions, to prepare for changes, and to protect the myriad species that share our planet. This research has provided an invaluable tool for targeting conservation efforts, and the challenge now lies in using this information before it's too late.



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



Climate change tipping points refer to thresholds where a slight rise in Earth's temperature can cause significant changes in the environment and ecosystems. These changes are often abrupt and potentially irreversible. Here's a deeper look at how these tipping points affect plants, animals, and the environment.



<h3 id="h-tipping-points-for-animals">Tipping Points for Animals</h3>



Many animal species have specific climatic conditions in which they can survive. These conditions involve particular temperature ranges, levels of precipitation, and availability of food and water. If the climate changes and crosses these thresholds, these species may struggle to survive. For example, polar bears rely on sea ice to hunt; if the ice melts too early in the year due to rising temperatures, they have less time to find food and reproduce.



<h3 id="h-plants">Plants</h3>



Similar to animals, plants also have specific climatic conditions that allow them to thrive. They may not be able to survive or reproduce effectively if temperatures rise beyond a certain point, or if there are changes in precipitation patterns. Changes in climate can also make plants more susceptible to diseases, pests, and wildfires. For instance, warmer winters might not kill off pests like pine beetles, leading to large-scale tree mortality.



<h3 id="h-environment">Environment</h3>



Climate change can lead to a variety of environmental tipping points. This includes melting of polar ice caps and glaciers, which contributes to rising sea levels and potential flooding of coastal communities. Changes in ocean temperatures can lead to coral bleaching, a phenomenon that can devastate coral reefs and the marine species that rely on them. Warmer temperatures can also lead to more frequent and severe weather events, such as hurricanes, heatwaves, and droughts.



<h3 id="h-interactions">Interactions</h3>



Climate change can also lead to tipping points through interactions between species. For instance, changes in the availability of a particular plant species can affect the herbivores that rely on them for food, which in turn can impact predators. Changes in one part of an ecosystem can have cascading effects that lead to broader ecosystem changes.



<h3 id="h-feedback-loops">Feedback Loops</h3>



There's also the concern about feedback loops. For instance, as the Arctic warms, ice melts and reveals dark water and land that absorb more sunlight, leading to further warming and melting – this is known as the ice-albedo feedback loop. Another example is the thawing of permafrost, which can release stored methane, a potent greenhouse gas, which then contributes further to global warming.



<h3 id="h-global-scale">Global Scale</h3>



On a larger scale, scientists worry about tipping points in the Earth's climate system that could lead to a much warmer world. For instance, the melting of the Greenland ice sheet could eventually raise sea levels by several meters. The dieback of the Amazon rainforest could release vast amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, exacerbating global warming.



These tipping points, once crossed, could lead to significant and largely irreversible changes. Understanding and predicting these thresholds is a crucial part of climate change research and underscores the urgent need for global action to mitigate climate change.



—-



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Climate change will abruptly push species over their tipping points

Climate change, a global crisis, is poised to push species...

In an intriguing turn of events in space exploration, astronomers have revealed the discovery of an Earth-sized exoplanet, designated LP 791-18 d, potentially veiled in volcanic activity.&nbsp;



This distant world may witness volcanic eruptions as frequent as those seen on Jupiter's moon Io, renowned as the most volcanically active body in our solar system.



The discovery was made possible by the relentless work of astronomers who scrutinized data from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/tess-transiting-exoplanet-survey-satellite">NASA's TESS</a> (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) and the retired Spitzer Space Telescope. To further validate their findings, the team also relied on a host of ground-based observatories.



Merrin Peterson, an alumnus of the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets (iREx) based at the <a href="https://www.umontreal.ca/en/">University of Montreal</a>, spearheaded the research. The results of the study were recently published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/">Nature</a>.



<h2 id="h-what-we-know-about-lp-791-18-d">What we know about LP 791-18 d</h2>



Björn Benneke, an iREx astronomy professor who was a significant contributor to the research, shed light on the planet's unique features.&nbsp;



“LP 791-18 d is tidally locked, which means the same side constantly faces its star,” he explained. “The day side would probably be too hot for liquid water to exist on the surface. But the volcanic activity that we suspect pervades the planet could uphold an atmosphere, which may, in turn, allow water to condense on the night side.”



The exoplanet orbits a petite red dwarf star in the southern constellation Crater, roughly 90 light-years away from us. The team's estimates suggest that LP 791-18 d is just slightly larger and denser than Earth.



Before this discovery, astronomers had already identified two other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-explosions-could-damage-distant-planets/">planets</a> within the same system, tagged as LP 791-18 b and c. The innermost planet, b, surpasses Earth by about 20% in size. Meanwhile, the outer planet, c, is approximately 2.5 times the size of Earth and boasts more than seven times its mass.



The intriguing dynamics of this system emerge during each orbit. Both planets d and c have a close encounter, during which the heavier planet c exerts a gravitational tug on planet d, resulting in a somewhat elliptical orbit.&nbsp;



This gravitational dance causes planet d to deform slightly with each orbit, which in turn could generate sufficient internal friction to heat the planet's core, triggering surface volcanism - a phenomenon akin to the gravitational effects of Jupiter and its moons on Io.



<h2 id="h-lp-791-18-d-lives-inside-the-habitable-zone">LP 791-18 d lives inside the habitable zone</h2>



LP 791-18 d resides on the inner fringe of the habitable zone, the region around a star where scientists theorize the existence of liquid water on a planet's surface. Assuming the planet exhibits as much geological activity as the researchers suspect, an atmosphere could be sustained. This would allow temperatures to plummet enough on the planet's dark side for water to condense.



The team already secured observing time for planet c on the James Webb Space Telescope, and they believe planet d presents an equally promising candidate for atmospheric studies.



Jessie Christiansen, a research scientist at NASA's Exoplanet Science Institute at Caltech, emphasized the implications of these findings.&nbsp;



“A big question in astrobiology, the field that broadly studies the origins of life on Earth and beyond, is if tectonic or volcanic activity is necessary for life,” she said. “In addition to potentially providing an atmosphere, these processes could churn up materials that would otherwise sink down and get trapped in the crust, including those we think are important for life, like carbon.”



<h2 id="h-the-enduring-value-of-the-spitzer-space-telescope">The enduring value of the Spitzer Space Telescope</h2>



Finally, these discoveries underscore the enduring value of Spitzer's mission, despite its decommission in January 2020.&nbsp;



“It is incredible to read about the continuation of discoveries and publications years beyond Spitzer’s end of mission,” said Joseph Hunt, Spitzer project manager at NASA's <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/">Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> in Southern California. "That really shows the success of our first-class engineers and scientists. Together they built not only a spacecraft but also a data set that continues to be an asset for the astrophysics community.”



The enduring legacy of the Spitzer Space Telescope is evident in the new findings about LP 791-18 d. The data it collected over its operational lifespan continues to unveil new worlds, fostering a deeper understanding of the universe.



The discovery of LP 791-18 d, a world that might resemble a fiery, volcanic version of our own, stirs up excitement and curiosity in the scientific community. Its unique features and dynamics also open up new questions regarding the conditions required for life to exist.



As our quest for understanding the universe continues, it's discoveries like these that fuel our collective imagination and deepen our knowledge of the cosmos.&nbsp;



Undoubtedly, the study of LP 791-18 d and its system will provide invaluable insights into the mechanisms that govern other celestial bodies, perhaps even shedding light on the mysteries of our own planet.



As we await further observations from the James Webb Space Telescope, the scientific community is abuzz with anticipation, eager to unveil more secrets of LP 791-18 d.&nbsp;



This discovery is not just an achievement in the field of exoplanetary research; it's a testament to human curiosity and the relentless pursuit of understanding the universe that surrounds us.



<h2 id="h-more-about-the-hunt-for-habitable-exoplanets">More about the hunt for habitable exoplanets</h2>



The search for habitable exoplanets — planets that orbit stars outside our solar system — is a hot topic in the field of astronomy and astrobiology. Scientists aim to find worlds that could potentially support life as we know it.&nbsp;



This primarily involves seeking planets, such as LP 791-18 d, that are not only within the habitable zone, also known as the "Goldilocks zone," of their respective stars, but also have conditions that could support liquid water - a crucial ingredient for life as we know it.



<h2 id="h-the-goldilocks-zone">The Goldilocks zone</h2>



To begin, the "Goldilocks zone" is a term used to define the region around a star where the conditions are just right - not too hot, not too cold - for liquid water to exist on a planet's surface. This zone's location depends on the star's size and temperature. For instance, a small, relatively cool star's habitable zone would be much closer to the star compared to the habitable zone around a larger, hotter star.



In the hunt for these potentially habitable exoplanets, scientists primarily use two methods: the transit method and the radial velocity method.



The transit method involves observing the light coming from a star and looking for periodic dimming. This dimming suggests that a planet is passing in front of the star, blocking some of its light. NASA's <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/overview/index.html">Kepler Space Telescope</a> and TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) have been remarkably successful in finding exoplanets using this method.



On the other hand, the radial velocity method - also known as Doppler spectroscopy - involves observing the star's light for periodic shifts in its color. These shifts suggest that a planet is pulling on the star as it orbits, causing the star to move towards and away from us in a regular pattern.



<h2 id="h-complexity-of-determining-if-life-can-exist-on-an-exoplanet">Complexity of determining if life can exist on an exoplanet</h2>



While these methods can identify exoplanets and provide some information about their size, orbit, and mass, determining whether these planets are truly habitable is a much more complex task.&nbsp;



Scientists use computer models to simulate the planets' potential atmospheres and surface conditions based on their size, distance from their star, and their star's temperature.



The <a href="https://webb.nasa.gov/">James Webb Space Telescope</a> will provide even more sophisticated tools for characterizing the atmospheres of exoplanets. It's expected to detect and analyze the chemical composition of exoplanet atmospheres, offering clues about whether these worlds could support life.



Although LP 791-18 d shows promise being in the "Goldilocks zone,", no exoplanet has been confirmed as habitable, and the search continues. However, several potentially habitable exoplanets have been found. These include Proxima Centauri b, located in the habitable zone of the nearest star to our solar system, and the seven Earth-sized planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system.



The hunt for habitable exoplanets is not just about finding alien life. It's also about understanding the conditions that make life possible and how common these conditions might be in the universe. Each discovery brings us one step closer to answering the fundamental question: Are we alone in the universe?



Image Credit: NASA



—--



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New exoplanet: Earth-sized world, dubbed LP 791-18 d, is covered in volcanoes

In an intriguing turn of events in space exploration, astronomers...

Although they occupy only seven percent of our planet’s land area, tropical rainforests are the Earth’s largest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-sinks-are-a-powerful-weapon-against-climate-change/">carbon sinks</a>, storing between 25 and 40 percent of global soil carbon and thus mitigating to a certain extent some of climate change’s most severe impacts.&nbsp;



According to a new study led by <a href="https://www.colostate.edu/">Colorado State University</a> (CSU) and supported by the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/">National Science Foundation</a>, climate change will significantly affect the carbon storage capacities of tropical rainforests, with persistent drying caused by reductions in rainfall leading to carbon loss from the most fertile soils.



“Tropical forests can be really sensitive to reductions in rainfall and they have some of the largest stores of carbon on Earth. As climate is drying, that carbon is vulnerable,” said study lead author Daniela Cusack, an associate professor of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability at CSU.



“All that carbon that’s stored in rainforests right now is like a bank. We’re banking all that carbon and anything that releases that carbon is going to exacerbate climate change and impact everybody.”



By assessing the effects of natural seasonal drying and persistent reductions in rainfall on carbon fluxes in tropical forests, the experts discovered that these phenomena suppress the release of carbon dioxide.&nbsp;



“There was some resilience at first, which makes sense because these are seasonal forests, so they’re used to a dry season,” Cusack explained. “But it seems like after that initial resilience, we’re hitting a threshold where things are shifting more rapidly in some tropical forests.”



The ecosystem model that the experts used predicted that chronic drying would increase the release of carbon dioxide from wetter and more fertile tropical forests, while decreasing carbon dioxide fluxes from drier forests.&nbsp;



“We had predicted that the wettest site would be most sensitive to drying. It’s the least adapted to drier conditions,” Cusack said.



The scientists expected that, as the wettest sites dry down, they would become more favorable for microbes that decompose carbon in soil and turn it into carbon dioxide. Surprisingly though, the investigation revealed that the wettest sites lost the least carbon, while the most fertile ones lost the most.&nbsp;



These findings suggest that different tropical forests will respond differently – and on different time frames - to climate change, and that the most fertile soils across the tropics could be the first to lose high amounts of carbon as the planet keeps warming.



“This research adds to our understanding of the relationship between tropical forest conditions and carbon sequestration,” said NSF’s program director Tom Evans. “Tropical rainforests are an important carbon sink, and this research documents that different types of tropical forest regimes exhibit different responses to changing climate conditions.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GB007473">Global Geochemical Cycles</a>.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-the-future-of-tropical-rainforests">The future of tropical rainforests&nbsp;</h2>



The future of tropical rainforests is a topic of concern and interest due to their critical importance for biodiversity, climate regulation, and human well-being. Here are some key aspects that are currently being discussed and addressed by scientists, environmentalists, and policymakers:



<h3 id="h-deforestation">Deforestation</h3>



Deforestation remains a significant threat to tropical rainforests. The expansion of agriculture, logging, and infrastructure development, driven by economic interests, poses a severe risk to these ecosystems. Efforts are being made to promote sustainable land-use practices, increase protected areas, and enforce stricter regulations to combat deforestation.



<h3 id="h-climate-change">Climate Change</h3>



Climate change is expected to impact tropical rainforests in multiple ways. Rising temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events can affect the distribution and health of rainforest ecosystems. Mitigating climate change through global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is crucial for the long-term survival of these forests.



<h3 id="h-biodiversity-loss">Biodiversity Loss</h3>



Tropical rainforests are home to an incredible array of plant and animal species. However, deforestation and habitat fragmentation threaten biodiversity by reducing available habitats and disrupting ecological processes. Conservation initiatives, such as the creation of protected areas, habitat restoration, and species conservation programs, are vital for preserving biodiversity in rainforest regions.



<h3 id="h-indigenous-rights-and-local-communities">Indigenous Rights and Local Communities</h3>



Recognizing and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities who live in or depend on rainforest ecosystems is crucial. Their traditional knowledge and sustainable practices can contribute to the conservation and sustainable management of these forests. Empowering these communities to participate in decision-making processes and supporting their livelihoods are important for the future of rainforest conservation.



<h3 id="h-technology-and-innovation">Technology and Innovation</h3>



Technology can play a significant role in monitoring and managing tropical rainforests. Advances in remote sensing, satellite imagery, and data analysis enable more accurate monitoring of deforestation and forest health. Additionally, sustainable practices such as agroforestry, which combines agriculture and forestry, can provide alternative livelihoods while conserving forested areas.



<h3 id="h-international-collaboration">International Collaboration</h3>



Addressing the challenges facing tropical rainforests requires global collaboration. Governments, organizations, and individuals need to work together to implement effective policies, share knowledge and resources, and support initiatives that prioritize rainforest conservation. International agreements like the Paris Agreement and initiatives like REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) aim to address these issues.



It is important to note that the future of tropical rainforests depends on the collective efforts of governments, organizations, and individuals to protect and sustainably manage these invaluable ecosystems. By promoting sustainable practices, reducing deforestation, combating climate change, and supporting local communities, we can contribute to a more positive future for tropical rainforests.



—-



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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Tropical forests are losing their carbon storage capacity

Although they occupy only seven percent of our planet’s land...

Over 80 percent of habitats within the European Union are currently classified as vulnerable, leading to butterflies declining and other adverse effects on the functional capacity of wildlife habitats and the services they offer to humans. To address this issue, the European Commission has introduced a fresh set of regulations known as the “<a href="https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/nature-restoration-law_en">Nature Restoration Law</a>.” 



This law is a crucial component of the <a href="https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/biodiversity-strategy-2030_en">EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030</a>, which is scheduled to be released in May 2023, and aims to establish binding objectives for the restoration of diverse ecosystems throughout the entire EU. Within two years of the law taking effect, member states are required to submit plans outlining their strategies for achieving these targets and provide evidence of the effectiveness of their implemented measures.



However, this will be far from easy, since there are only a few indicators that can reliably show the state of biodiversity. For most plant and animal species, there is a lack of comparable data across Europe that could be used to assess the status of populations. Fortunately, there are a few exceptions, such as bats, birds, and butterflies, for which a larger amount of data is currently available.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mystery-solved-when-butterflies-evolved-and-what-plants-they-used-for-food/">Butterflies</a> in particular are ideal bioindicators since they live in a wide range of habitats and react sensitively to environmental changes. Moreover, they are attractive and popular, making it relatively easy to motivate volunteers to participate in scientifically oriented butterfly counts.&nbsp;



For instance, since the establishment of the citizen science project Butterfly Monitoring Germany in 2005, such programs have been developed all across Europe, leading to over 5,000 volunteers currently participating in butterfly monitoring efforts, with data collected and analyzed in the central <a href="https://butterfly-monitoring.net/">European Butterfly Monitoring Scheme</a> (eBMS). This data can then be used to track the population development of individual species and identify common trends for the inhabitants of certain habitats.



This is the idea behind the recent “<a href="https://assets.vlinderstichting.nl/docs/290cb16a-e90f-4c5b-a7df-9b954d511cfa.pdf">Butterfly Grassland Indicator 1990-2020</a>,” which is based on the population trends of 17 butterfly species inhabiting Europe’s meadows and pastures.&nbsp;



This indicator currently shows that, across the 27 EU members states, only the Orange Tip&nbsp;(Anthocharis cardamines) butterfly is displaying a moderate increase, while three species - the Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus), the Common Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), and the Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) - are stable.



Meanwhile, butterflies are declining across five species, including the Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) and the Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera). 



“The biggest loser in recent years has been the large blue (Phengaris arion), which for example has disappeared completely in the Netherlands,” said Josef Settele, an agricultural ecologist at the <a href="https://www.ufz.de/">Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research</a> (UFZ).&nbsp;For the remaining species among the 17 grassland butterflies, there is either no clear trend or insufficient data. If the analysis is extended to Europe as a whole, the situation is even more dire, with no species on the rise and only three currently stable.



According to the experts, the issue of butterflies declining across populations is mainly due to changes in agriculture. In Northwestern Europe, the intensive use of meadows and pastures and the heavy employment of fertilizers have particularly unfavorable effects. On the rest of the continent, the main problem is the complete abandonment of cultivation.



In order to reverse these negative trends, scientists and policymakers should urgently promote the sustainable use of meadows and pastures, while creating new valuable habitats and better connecting the already existing ones. Moreover, effective climate change mitigation could also play a significant role in protecting butterfly populations.



“Despite all efforts, these insects are still declining in many parts of Europe. We hope that the upcoming Nature Restoration Law can stop this decline so that our children can also enjoy butterflies in flower-rich grasslands,” concluded Chris van Swaay, an expert in Conservation Biology at Butterfly Conservation Europe.



<h2 id="h-more-about-why-butterflies-are-declining">More about why butterflies are declining</h2>



Butterfly populations have been experiencing significant declines worldwide for several decades. The causes are multifaceted, and factors contributing to butterfly decline include:



<h3 id="h-habitat-loss-and-fragmentation">Habitat Loss and Fragmentation</h3>



This is perhaps the most significant reason for the decline in butterfly populations. Natural habitats are being destroyed at an alarming rate due to human activities such as urbanization, intensive agriculture, and deforestation.&nbsp;



These activities not only reduce the amount of space available for butterflies but also result in fragmented habitats that make it difficult for butterflies to migrate and find the resources they need for survival.



<h3 id="h-climate-change-and-butterflies-declining-populations">Climate Change and butterflies declining populations</h3>



Changes in weather patterns, increased temperatures, and higher frequency of extreme weather events can disrupt butterfly life cycles and affect their survival. Some butterfly species are particularly sensitive to temperature changes, and global warming could lead to mismatches in the timing of butterfly emergence and the availability of food resources.



<h3 id="h-pesticides-and-pollution">Pesticides and Pollution</h3>



The use of chemical pesticides in agriculture can directly kill butterflies or reduce their food sources. Similarly, air and water pollution can have detrimental effects on butterfly populations.



<h3 id="h-invasive-species">Invasive Species</h3>



Non-native plants and animals can outcompete native species for resources, change habitats, or even prey on butterflies directly.



<h3 id="h-disease-and-parasites">Disease and Parasites</h3>



Disease and parasites can also contribute to butterfly decline, especially when combined with other stressors that weaken butterfly populations.



To combat this phenomenon of butterflies declining, conservation efforts are being made, such as creating butterfly-friendly habitats, reducing pesticide use, and conducting research to better understand the needs and threats to butterfly species. Many of these efforts involve public participation, like citizen science projects where people help monitor butterfly populations and report sightings.



—-



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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Grassland butterflies declining all over Europe

Over 80 percent of habitats within the European Union are...

Unprecedented, scorching temperatures around the world are on the horizon, warns the <a href="https://public.wmo.int/en">World Meteorological Organization</a> (WMO). Greenhouse gases coupled with an impending <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/satellite-detects-early-warning-signs-of-an-el-nino-event/">El Niño</a> event are anticipated to thrust our planet into new thermal territory over the next five years.



The WMO's latest update presents a daunting 66% likelihood that at least one year between 2023 and 2027 will see the annual average near-surface global temperature exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-dire-warnings-from-the-wmo">Dire warnings from the WMO</h2>



Furthermore, there's a staggering 98% chance that one or more of the upcoming five years will set new warmth records, with the five-year span as a whole anticipated to be the hottest yet recorded.



WMO Secretary-General, Professor Petteri Taalas, clarified, “This report does not mean that we will permanently exceed the 1.5°C level specified in the Paris Agreement which refers to long-term warming over many years."&nbsp;



Nevertheless, the WMO is adamant about the imminent risk of breaching the 1.5°C threshold temporarily with increasing frequency.



“A warming El Niño is expected to develop in the coming months and this will combine with human-induced climate change to push global temperatures into uncharted territory," said Professor Taalas.



<h2 id="h-impact-of-these-scorching-temperatures">Impact of these scorching temperatures</h2>



The impact of this trend, he highlighted, will extend beyond mere scorching temperatures and meteorological records. It also has the potential implications for health, food security, water management, and the environment at large. He urged preparedness in face of these unprecedented climatic challenges.



The UK's Met Office, leading the WMO's climate predictions, indicates that the five-year mean exceeding the 1.5°C threshold holds a less intimidating but still significant 32% likelihood. The odds of breaching the 1.5°C mark, even temporarily, have been on the rise since 2015, when the likelihood was virtually nil. By contrast, between 2017 and 2021, the odds had grown to a notable 10%.



Dr Leon Hermanson, a Met Office expert scientist who spearheaded the report, expressed concern over the forecast. “Global mean temperatures are predicted to continue increasing, moving us away further and further away from the climate we are used to,” he stated.



<h2 id="h-the-report-also-highlighted-several-key-points">The report also highlighted several key points:</h2>



The average global temperature in 2022 stood roughly 1.15°C above the 1850-1900 average. La Niña conditions over the past three years have momentarily slowed the long-term warming, but with La Niña's end in March 2023 and an impending El Niño, the currently scorching temperatures are expected to rise even further in 2024.



Every year between 2023 and 2027 is predicted to record an annual mean global near-surface temperature between 1.1°C and 1.8°C above the 1850-1900 average – a time when industrial activities and human behaviors had yet to contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.



The likelihood of at least one year in the next five breaking the 2016 record temperature - a year of an exceptionally potent El Niño - is 98%.



The five-year average for 2023-2027 surpassing the last five years stands at a similar 98% chance.



The Arctic is warming at an alarming rate, with the temperature anomaly predicted to be over three times the global mean anomaly throughout the next five northern hemisphere winters.



Rainfall patterns from May to September 2023-2027, compared to the 1991-2020 average, predict more rain in the Sahel, northern Europe, Alaska, and northern Siberia, and less in the Amazon and parts of Australia.



<h2 id="h-can-the-paris-agreement-help-prevent-these-scorching-temperatures">Can the Paris Agreement help prevent these scorching temperatures?</h2>



The Paris Agreement, which aims to substantially reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and limit the global temperature increase and the scorching temperatures this century to 2 °C - ideally to



1.5 °C - is even more critical given these projections. Greenhouse gases, primarily human-induced, are causing not only global temperatures to rise but also leading to increased ocean heating and acidification, more rapid melting of sea ice and glaciers, rising sea levels, and an uptick in extreme weather events.



The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change asserts that the risks climate change poses to both natural and human systems are significantly higher for global warming of 1.5 °C compared to the current state, and far more severe at 2 °C.



<h2 id="h-underscoring-the-urgency-of-these-findings">Underscoring the urgency of these findings</h2>



The urgency of these findings is underscored by the timing of the report's release, just ahead of the World Meteorological Congress (22 May to 2 June). The Congress will focus on bolstering weather and climate services to aid in climate change adaptation.&nbsp;



Key items on the agenda include the ongoing Early Warnings for All initiative, aiming to protect people from increasingly extreme weather, and the development of a new Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Infrastructure to better inform climate mitigation efforts.



The rallying cry from the scientific community is clear: increasing global temperatures are a reality we must face. It's not just about hotter summers; it's about a fundamental shift in our planet's climate system. The question now is, how will we respond? The time for preparation and action is now. After all, our future, as these predictions indicate, is likely to be warmer than our past.



<h2 id="h-more-about-global-warming-and-scorching-temperatures">More about global warming and scorching temperatures</h2>



Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average temperature due to human activities, primarily the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). This gradual rise in scorching temperatures, which began during the Industrial Revolution, has accelerated in recent decades, with the warmest years on record occurring since the late 20th century.



The primary driver of global warming is the greenhouse effect. Certain gases in Earth's atmosphere, known as greenhouse gases, trap heat from the sun, preventing it from escaping back into space. This natural process is vital for life as it keeps the planet warm enough to sustain it.&nbsp;



However, human activities such as burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy and deforestation have increased the concentration of these gases in the atmosphere, enhancing the greenhouse effect and causing the planet to heat up more than it naturally would.



The effects of global warming are widespread and potentially devastating. They include:



<h3 id="h-rising-sea-levels">Rising Sea Levels</h3>



As global temperatures rise, these scorching temperatures have a direct impact on polar ice caps and glaciers melt, adding more water to the oceans. Additionally, the water in the oceans expands as it warms. Both these factors contribute to a rise in sea levels, which can lead to coastal flooding and the loss of habitable land.



<h3 id="h-increased-frequency-and-severity-of-extreme-weather-events">Increased Frequency and Severity of Extreme Weather Events</h3>



Global warming contributes to more frequent and intense weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, heavy rainfall, and hurricanes. These can have devastating effects on human societies and natural ecosystems.



<h3 id="h-ocean-acidification">Ocean Acidification</h3>



The oceans absorb about a quarter of the CO2 humans produce. When CO2 dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, leading to ocean acidification. This change in ocean chemistry is harmful to marine life, particularly organisms with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons, such as corals, shellfish, and some types of plankton.



<h3 id="h-scorching-temperatures-and-their-impact-on-biodiversity">Scorching temperatures and their Impact on Biodiversity</h3>



Global warming affects ecosystems and habitats, threatening wildlife and biodiversity. Some species may be unable to survive or reproduce in warmer conditions or may be unable to move to more suitable habitats, leading to population declines or even extinction.



<h3 id="h-human-health-risks">Human Health Risks</h3>



Warmer temperatures can lead to heat-related illnesses and deaths. They can also contribute to the spread of diseases carried by vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks, which thrive in warmer climates.



Addressing global warming requires international cooperation and significant changes in how we produce and consume energy. The Paris Agreement, a global effort to combat climate change, aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the scorching temperatures increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. 



Achieving these goals will require transitioning to renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency, protecting and restoring forests, and developing technologies to remove CO2 from the atmosphere.



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Scorching temperatures will soon set new records around the world

Unprecedented, scorching temperatures around the world are on the horizon,...

Long-spined <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-urchins-can-tolerate-hot-acidic-ocean-water/">sea urchins</a> (Diadema antillarum) are vital herbivores that graze on algae. If left unchecked, algae often outcompete corals for space and resources, blanket them, block their light, and ultimately kill them. Thus, by feeding upon them, sea urchins are crucial for maintaining coral health and balance in marine ecosystems.



Unfortunately, in late January 2022, Diadema die-offs started to be reported in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. By late March, urchins from the Lesser Antilles, Jamaica, and the Mexican Caribbean began to be affected too, and by June mortalities were spiking in most of the Great Antilles, Florida, and Curaçao, leading to declines of 85 to 95 percent in sea urchin populations.



Recently, an international team of 42 scientists funded by the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/">National Science Foundation</a> (NSF) has managed to identify the culprit behind these severe die-offs: Philaster apodigitiformis, a unicellular eukaryote belonging to a group of 8,000 species called ciliates. Although P. apodigiformis has been known to infect fish, this is the first time that it was found to infect and cause mass mortality in invertebrates.&nbsp;



“Rarely are we afforded the opportunity to understand marine disease events in this detail, where we can actually work out a cause of it,” said study lead author Ian Hewson, a marine ecologist at <a href="https://www.cornell.edu/">Cornell University</a>.



Although scientists are not yet sure how to treat P. apodigitiformis infections, discovering the identity of this parasite could help them develop strategies for maintaining the health of sea urchins that are currently being raised for restocking efforts across these regions.



“There’s a long history of&nbsp;Diadema&nbsp;die-off; the big one happened in the 1980s, with the cause still unknown, and cascaded into a loss of 80-90 percent of the coral cover in the Caribbean,” said Dan Thornhill, a program director in NSF’s <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=OCE">Division of Ocean Sciences</a>.&nbsp;



“There were a lot of factors involved, but the urchin die-off was the tipping point. It’s an ecological tragedy. It’s fairly rare and exciting to identify the parasite or pathogen behind one of these diseases in marine ecosystems, and to do it this quickly is impressive.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adg3200">Science Advances</a>.



<h2 id="h-more-about-infectious-parasites">More about infectious parasites&nbsp;</h2>



Infectious parasites are organisms that infect hosts, such as humans, animals, and plants, causing various diseases. These parasites can be categorized into three main types: protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites.



<h3 id="h-protozoa">Protozoa</h3>



These are microscopic, single-celled organisms that can multiply in humans. They are typically transmitted through the fecal-oral route (for example, through contaminated food or water or person-to-person contact). They can also be transmitted through vectors, such as mosquitoes.&nbsp;



Some common diseases caused by protozoan parasites include malaria (caused by Plasmodium species), amoebic dysentery (caused by Entamoeba histolytica), and giardiasis (caused by Giardia lamblia).



<h3 id="h-helminths">Helminths</h3>



Also known as parasitic worms, these are larger and more complex organisms. They include flatworms (like tapeworms and flukes) and roundworms (like hookworms, pinworms, and trichinella).&nbsp;



Helminths usually cannot multiply in humans. They are typically transmitted through soil-transmitted routes (i.e., eggs present in human feces are deposited on soil and can infect others if ingested or if they penetrate the skin).



<h3 id="h-ectoparasites">Ectoparasites</h3>



These are parasites that live on the surface of the host. They include lice, fleas, ticks, and mites. Ectoparasites can transmit diseases from one host to another. Lyme disease (caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by ticks) and plague (caused by Yersinia pestis and transmitted by fleas) are examples of diseases transmitted by ectoparasites.



Infectious parasites can cause a range of symptoms from mild discomfort to severe illness and death, depending on the type of parasite, the number of parasites, and the individual's health status. They are more common in areas with poor sanitation and unsafe water sources.&nbsp;



Many preventive strategies focus on improving sanitation, providing safe drinking water, and educating communities about personal hygiene. Treatment usually involves specific anti-parasitic drugs. In some cases, preventive treatments may be administered to at-risk populations.



<h2 id="h-more-about-sea-urchins">More about sea urchins&nbsp;</h2>



Sea urchins are marine invertebrates found in oceans worldwide. Their interactions with the environment, including their response to climate change, are complex and multifaceted. Here are a few key points to understand:



<h3 id="h-role-in-ecosystems">Role in Ecosystems</h3>



Sea urchins play a crucial role in marine ecosystems, particularly in kelp forests where they are a keystone species. They feed on kelp and help maintain balance in the ecosystem.&nbsp;



However, in the absence of their natural predators (like sea otters or some species of fish and lobsters), their population can explode, leading to overgrazing and what's known as an "urchin barren."



<h3 id="h-climate-change-impact-on-sea-urchins">Climate Change Impact on Sea Urchins</h3>



Climate change has been linked to changes in sea urchin populations and behavior. Warming waters may alter the habitats of sea urchins, pushing them towards the poles.&nbsp;



Additionally, ocean acidification, another result of increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, can impact the ability of sea urchins to form and maintain their calcium carbonate shells.



<h3 id="h-sea-urchins-and-carbon-sequestration">Sea Urchins and Carbon Sequestration</h3>



Research has suggested that sea urchins may play a role in carbon sequestration. Kelp forests, which sea urchins help regulate, are excellent at capturing and storing carbon.&nbsp;



However, if urchin populations become too large due to a loss of predators or other factors, they can overgraze and destroy these kelp forests, releasing stored carbon back into the atmosphere and negatively impacting this natural carbon sink.



<h3 id="h-effect-of-sea-urchin-s-diet">Effect of Sea Urchin's Diet</h3>



Some studies have shown that the diet of sea urchins might affect their resilience to climate change. For instance, urchins that feed on a certain type of algae seem to be more resilient to ocean acidification.



<h3 id="h-sea-urchins-as-a-resource">Sea Urchins as a Resource</h3>



In some regions, sea urchins are harvested for their roe, which is a delicacy in many cuisines. Changes in climate could potentially affect the availability of this resource.



The relationship between sea urchins and climate change is an active area of research, and new insights are likely to emerge as scientists learn more about these intriguing creatures and their role in the marine ecosystem.



—-



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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Experts identify the parasite causing mass mortality in sea urchins

Long-spined sea urchins (Diadema antillarum) are vital herbivores that graze...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> features a visual dataset of.methane emissions from wetlands across the globe. Atmospheric methane levels have reached record highs in recent years, and wetlands are a major source of these emissions.&nbsp;



"Methane is an important greenhouse gas that contributes substantially to global warming. On a molecule by molecule basis, methane is much more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, the main driver of warming," says NASA.



"Though human activities, including agriculture, oil and natural gas production and use, and waste disposal, collectively contribute the majority of methane to the atmosphere, about a third of total methane emissions comes from wetlands."&nbsp;



According to NASA, understanding methane emissions from wetlands and other natural sources is critically important for scientists and policymakers who are working to combat climate change by reducing emissions from human activities.



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes how record-breaking heat expressed itself around the world in 2022.



Scientists have determined that 2022 was the 5th warmest year since 1880. Furthermore, the last nine consecutive years have been the warmest on record.



From devastating floods and wildfires to natural disasters like Hurricane Ian, 2022 showed us yet again how a warming climate affects people across the globe.&nbsp;



"As we look back at 20:22 and years past, we see that each year we better understand the challenges we face and how important it is to meet them," says NASA.



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

[sendtonews key="Ccjk8KEMzv-2550719-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NTU Singapore



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Plants help remove heavy metals from contaminated soil

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides

[sendtonews key="gRpsplpwpe-2251464-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

NASA monitors giant dust storms on Mars

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz

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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

Kangerlussuaq Glacier on the Greenland ice sheet

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

Ocean heat influences regional climate

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



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



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



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



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



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



Image/ Video Credit: ESA



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

Monitoring the dynamic shape of the sea surface

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Aerial,Photo,Of,River,In,Amazon,Rainforest,Jungle,In,Peru

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center</a> describes how scientists are using autonomous sound sensors to monitor deforestation in the Amazon. By recording soundscapes, the experts can determine which animals are present through their distinct sounds.&nbsp;



Using this method, sounds can be used as scientific measurements to analyze the effects of deforestation. The researchers will gain a better understanding of how the acoustics of a forest can be used to measure its health.&nbsp;



"From space, parts of the Amazon rainforest that have previously been logged or burned may look lush and green, like a place buzzing with activity and full of sounds. But inside the rainforest, the animal life may tell a different story, of a harsh environment and a quieter soundscape," says NASA.



Video Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center&nbsp;



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

Monitoring deforestation in the Amazon through sounds

[sendtonews key="u0TYxxqfF7-2186404-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA’s...