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....

When did <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/radioactive-material-drinking-water/">water</a> first form on Earth? Meteorites containing important elements brought the makings of water to a very early Earth, but there’s still some speculation as to when exactly that happened. 

It was previously thought that the Earth was initially dry, as the volatile beginnings of the planet would have made it impossible for water to congregate and stay put. 

However, a new study shows that water may have come to Earth much earlier than was thought, during the first two million years of the solar system. 

Researchers from the <a href="http://web.mit.edu/">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a> analyzed angrite meteorites to help create a more accurate picture of when the first life sustaining elements came to Earth. 

Angrite meteorites are basaltic meteorites that formed in the inner solar system about four and a half billion years ago. The researchers analyzed the meteorites noting the volume of hydrogen and carbon inside the space rocks. 

By studying the meteorites themselves, the researchers were able to create a better understanding of the parent body that the meteorites originated from.

The study was published in the journal Geochimica and Cosmochimica Acta. 

“We’re looking at as many meteorite parent bodies as possible right now to figure out where they were in the early Solar System and how much water they had,” said Adam Sarafian, the leader of the study in an interview with <a href="https://www.astrobio.net/news-exclusive/meteorites-brought-water-to-earth-during-the-first-two-million-years/">Astrobiology Magazine</a>. “We’re trying to build a map of the very early inner Solar System. Where was the water, where was it going and where did it come from?”

In this case, the angrite meteorites all came from one parent asteroid that had a high water content, roughly 20 percent of the Earth’s current water content. 

This means that water could be found during the solar system’s early beginnings, and angrite meteorites coming from a water-rich parent body likely brought the necessary elements for water and life to Earth earlier than was previously theorized.  

“It's a fairly simple assumption to say that Earth's water at least started accreting to Earth extremely early, before the planet was even fully formed,” said Sarafian. “This means that when the planet cooled enough so that liquid water could be stable at the surface, there was already water here.” 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette,</a> <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The building blocks of life came to Earth earlier than thought

When did water first form on Earth? Meteorites containing important...

Many see the age of exploration as part of a romanticized past, something dead and gone.  We have maps of the world that are seemingly very complete.  Satellite photos of any part of Earth are not uncommon.  Long gone are the times when an explorer could set sail in a ship without any idea of what was to be encountered.  All the continents have been found, the islands where no one’s yet set foot are small and remote.  In fact it’s almost impossible to know if someone has visited a place or not unless like a mountain summit it’s exceedingly hard to reach.

I would argue that as the classical, romanticized era of exploration ends, so begins a new golden age of exploration.  Exploring can mean discovering new animals, plants, fossils or intimate geographic features that can’t be seen (yet) from a satellite image.  There are fossil remains buried everywhere, even on private ranches in the US, sometimes one comes to light from simple highway construction digging it up.  A New ant species was once discovered in an office in Harvard.  There are wonders unknown to science all around us.  To me even these common place discoveries are a form of real exploration.

The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/public-agrees-oceans-trouble/">ocean</a> of course is a mystery lapping at every land mass in the world; a dark abyss filled with an alien geology and biology.  Exploration of the ocean will still take many years of submarine, SCUBA and boat work.  There is little known about the deepest parts of the sea and many nooks and crannies are equally open for exploration.

What I mainly want to talk about is a form of exploration I know even better than the paleontology work I’ve done.  I want to talk about a form of exploration that any brave soul with a reasonable fitness level could carry out.  Caves lie hidden throughout the US and the world.  Caves can be everything from aquifers full of live giving water to pockets full of ancient crystals discovered by mine excavation.  There are tiny caves that can barely fit a human to caves hundreds of miles long.  What is it like exploring caves?

Cave exploration is often casual.  Many cave maps are made by National Speleological Society members creating maps for little more than their own recreation.  This doesn’t mean that cave surveying isn’t precise.  The same techniques I learned to survey mudstone caves in western Colorado applied to surveying as a volunteer for the National Park Service in South Dakota or for Northern Arizona University near the Grand Canyon.  There just isn’t a huge demand for most cave maps and there isn’t a lot of organization put into cataloging cave surveys or maps.  Most cave mapping work is unpaid and carried out by dedicated volunteers who find fulfillment in the work itself.  Making the first summit of a mountain peak is more glamorous than exploring a virgin cave passage but not necessarily more exciting.  Mountains are obvious to those who don’t climb them; sometimes you can see a peak rising through snow and fog, beckoning.  Caves look like little more than dark holes from the outside, no one knows how far or how hard they are to explore until they go in.  

Cave exploration is dark.  Turn off all the lights in your house on the darkest night.  Caves are darker.  Close your eyes and stand in an empty closet with all the lights off in your house on the darkest night; that’s about as dark as a cave with no flashlight.  We are used to needing to bring food and water (or a way to obtain these) with us on outdoor excursions.  Often maps, compasses and/or a GPS are essential to safely travelling out of doors.  In a cave, a light source is as essential as water, food or a good map.  Without a light, you won’t usually find your way out of a cave of any length; things can quickly become confusing to the uninitiated even with a light source.  Cave explorers who have been underground for long periods sometimes report vivid hallucinations in the dark.  Laying in a small crack hidden in the back of a lava tube cave in Northern Arizona, I turned off my light for thirty minutes, after a while I almost believed I could see dots of light that weren’t there.  Reality seems to become porous in dark silence by yourself, separated from the world above by solid, thick, sound-swallowing stone.

Cave exploration is exhausting.  Imagine crawling for hours, squeezing through tiny tubes of stone, elbowing your way up, over, down, and around boulders.  Imagine pulling yourself up a hundred feet of rope with a small device that slides up but not down.  Imagine hunching and walking as quickly as you can down a small passageway, ducking sharp rock formations.  Time can be of the essence in cave exploration, especially in the larger caves where you have to travel a long distance to get to the unexplored “frontier” with only the supplies you can carry.  In Jewel Cave, when I was practicing/training to make a long exploration expedition, we travelled for over 12 exhausting hours just to map small side passageways that didn’t go much of anywhere.  One passage we travelled through in Jewel was called “The Miseries” you can imagine why.

Cave exploration is rewarding.  I spent days digging mud from the bottom of a cave passage with my friend Matt.  In the end we were rewarded by discovering a small but gorgeous room.  Long, delicate soda straws hung from the ceiling, dripping water on a floor where no humans had set foot before.

Cave exploration can also damage caves if one is not careful or adequately trained.  I’ve seen my share of graffiti in caves but even touching a wall with a bare hand can leave oils that destroy cave formations.  Moving from one cave to another without properly disinfecting equipment can spread White Nose Syndrome, a disease deadly to already imperiled bats.

The best way to learn about cave exploration and participate is to look up a local grotto (cave club) in your area online, as there are more grottos out there than you may imagine.    

--     

By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Caves and the new age of exploration

Many see the age of exploration as part of a...

Formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project, the <a href="https://www.cdp.net/en">CDP</a> is a nonprofit organization that is urging companies to take responsibility for their environmental impacts. 

In collaboration with the Climate Accountability Institute, the CDP published the <a href="https://b8f65cb373b1b7b15feb-c70d8ead6ced550b4d987d7c03fcdd1d.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/cms/reports/documents/000/002/327/original/Carbon-Majors-Report-2017.pdf">Carbon Majors Report</a> in 2017. The data revealed that more than half of global industrial emissions can be traced to just 25 corporate and state-owned companies.

Furthermore, the report disclosed that only 100 companies have been responsible for over 70 percent of all <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceans-buffer-greenhouse-gas/">greenhouse gas</a> (GHG) emissions since 1988. The following entities were the top ten highest producers of harmful emissions between 1988 and 2015.


China (Coal)
China is the world's largest producer and consumer of coal, and it shows in the results of the investigation by the CDP. According to the report, the coal industry in China was responsible for 14.32 percent of the world's GHG emissions.

&nbsp;

Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco)

The Saudi Arabian Oil Company, also known as simply Aramco, is the world's largest oil and gas company. During the study period, Aramco contributed 4.5 percent of emissions across the planet.


Gazprom OAO

Russia's largest company is Gazprom OAO, which extracts, produces, transports, and sales natural gas. During 28 out of 29 years of the company's existence, Gazprom OAO contributed nearly 4 percent of the world's total emissions.

&nbsp;

National Iranian Oil Co (NIOC)
The NIOC is a government-owned oil and natural gas producer and distributor located in Tehran, and is the second largest oil and gas company on the planet. NIOC’s activity was found to be the source of 2.28 percent of global emissions.

&nbsp;

ExxonMobil Corp

With operations all over the world, ExxonMobil is the largest publicly traded oil and gas company. This corporation racked up 1.98 percent of total emissions.

&nbsp;

India (Coal)
India is the world's fourth largest producer of coal and had an estimated 306.6 billion metric tons of coal reserves in 2015. India's coal industry accounted for 1.87 percent of overall GHG emissions.

&nbsp;

Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex)

Pemex is a state-owned oil company in Mexico City which was single-handedly responsible for 1.87 percent of harmful emissions during the study period.

&nbsp;

Russia (Coal)

Russia is the sixth largest coal producer in the world. Even though coal-powered energy consumption has been declining since 1990, Russia's coal industry still pumped out 1.86 percent of all harmful emissions.

&nbsp;

Royal Dutch Shell PLC

Shell is a multinational oil and gas company based in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Royal Dutch Shell is the sixth-largest oil and gas company and the source 1.67 percent of overall emissions.

&nbsp;

China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC)
As one of the largest integrated energy groups, CNPC is made up of multiple oil and gas companies. These subsidiaries collectively emitted 1.56 percent of all greenhouse gases from 1988 to 2015, according to the CDP.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/earth/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The 10 worst environmental offenders

Formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project, the CDP is...

New research from <a href="https://www.colostate.edu/">Colorado State University</a> has revealed the effects of global warming on the muskoxen, which is the largest land mammal in the Arctic. Weather events like ice tidal surges are putting a major strain on mothers, leading to underdeveloped skeletal growth in their offspring.

Joel Berger is a professor in the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology and the study's lead author.

“When rain-on-snow events occur in the Arctic, due to warming temperatures, and the snow freezes again, this leads to mothers not being able to access food for adequate nutrition,” said Berger. “The babies then, unfortunately, pay the price.”

According to the researchers, the smaller body size found in juvenile muskoxen corresponds with poor health and fitness as well as increased mortality. The experts also documented a mass mortality event which was caused by an extreme tidal surge in 2011. At least 52 muskoxen were submerged at the northern coast of Bering Land Bridge peninsula.

“Unlike polar bears, which are on the world's stage, no one really knows about muskoxen or cares,” said Berger. “They roamed with wooly mammoths but still survive. Muskoxen are feeling the heat, just as we humans are feeling the extremes of climate. These wild weather swings have massive impacts on us. Solutions are clear, but we fail to respond by changing our consumptive ways."

Berger, who teamed up with Russian scientists in Asia and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snowfall-alaska-mountains-doubled/">Alaskan Arctic</a> for the study, acknowledged the role this research plays “in a challenging political era.” Berger works closely with Russian government researchers, and he praised them for their active engagement.

“To better understand how species like the muskoxen are responding to a changing Arctic, we must collaborate, so that we can document rare and often tragic events, and gain additional insight from local people,” said Berger.

The study is published in <a href="http://www.nature.com/srep/">Scientific Reports</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Joel Berger/ Colorado State University

Arctic’s largest land mammal struggling with global warming

New research from Colorado State University has revealed the effects...

Wildfires, extreme storms, and major weather events are happening much more frequently as the Earth’s climate changes. Researchers at the <a href="http://www.arizona.edu/">University of Arizona</a> set out to determine how people's perception of global climate change is affecting their mental health.

The study revealed that some people are not impacted much by the threat of global climate change, yet others are dealing with high levels of stress and even depression.

Sabrina Helm is an associate professor of Family and Consumer Science and an author of the study. Helm pointed out that while extensive research has explored the environmental impacts of climate change,  few studies have investigated the psychological impacts.

The research team discovered that the psychological effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-humidity/">climate change</a> directly corresponded with how much people cared about the environment. People with the highest concern for the planet's species were found to be experiencing the most stress.

The researchers identified three different types of environmental concern. Egoistic concern is based on how the environment directly affects the individual. Altruistic concern is a general concern for humanity, including future generations. Biospheric concern is that for nature, including plants and animals.

An online survey of 342 parents with young children revealed that biospheric concern corresponded with the highest rates of stress. Those participants with altruistic or egoistic concerns did not report feeling stressed regarding climate change. Those with biospheric concern were also found to be more likely to experience depression in response to the changing environment.

“People who worry about animals and nature tend to have a more planetary outlook and think of bigger picture issues,” said Helm. 

“For them, the global phenomenon of climate change very clearly affects these bigger picture environmental things, so they have the most pronounced worry, because they already see it everywhere. We already talk about extinction of species and know it's happening. For people who are predominantly altruistically concerned or egoistically concerned about their own health, or maybe their own financial future, climate change does not hit home yet.”

Hound said that climate change has more obvious physical and mental health impacts after extreme events like hurricanes, but that more attention needs to be given to the mental health of people in everyday life.

“Understanding that there are differences in how people are motivated is very important for finding ways to address this, whether in the form of intervention or prevention,” said Helm.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.journals.elsevier.com/global-environmental-change">Global Environmental Change</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/earth/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Climate change impacting mental health across the globe

Wildfires, extreme storms, and major weather events are happening much...

<a href="https://www.weforum.org/">The World Economic Forum</a> recently released their <a href="http://reports.weforum.org/global-risks-2018/preface-2/">Global Risks Report for 2018</a>, and natural disasters were listed as one of the biggest risks to global development in terms of likelihood and impact. 

The report is released annually. This year, with the damage from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hurricane-harvey-global-warming/">2017 hurricane season</a> and the rash of wildfires that ravaged California and the Pacific Northwest, environmental concerns topped the list. 

Other top risks include cyber attacks and weapons of mass destruction along with climate change, failure to mitigate or adapt to climate change, extreme weather events and the possibility of a water crisis. 

The report is based on an annual Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS) where global experts and policymakers are asked to assess the likelihood of global risks on a scale of one (unlikely) to five (very likely to happen). 

2018’s survey included almost 1,000 responders, and of those 59 percent agreed that 2018 was going to be a year of heightened risks compared to 2017. 

The report also emphasized the growing chance that major political powers could clash resulting in conflicts, wars, and the threat of weapons of mass destruction. 

Still, the environment is the biggest priority according to the results of the survey and report.

This presents an opportunity according to the World Economic Forum to focus on the coming challenges of climate change and rising greenhouse gas emissions. 

“A widening economic recovery presents us with an opportunity that we cannot afford to squander, to tackle the fractures that we have allowed to weaken the world’s institutions, societies and environment,” Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of World Economic Forum. “We must take seriously the risk of a global systems breakdown. Together we have the resources and the new scientific and technological knowledge to prevent this.”

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>,<a href="https://www.earth.com/"> Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Environment, nuclear fears top list of global risks

The World Economic Forum recently released their Global Risks Report...

<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a> scientists have ranked 2017 as the second hottest year on record. The experts explained that in 2016, which holds the record as the hottest year in history, an El Niño event pushed temperatures higher. In 2017, however, temperatures broke records without the help of an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/el-nino-ice-shelves/">El Niño</a>.

March of 2017 was particularly exceptional. According to The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), “This marked the first time the monthly temperature departure from average surpassed 1.8°F (1.0°C) in the absence of an El Niño episode in the tropical Pacific Ocean.”

The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, which includes both El Nino and La Niña, causes global changes in temperatures and rainfall levels. El Niño results in warmer sea surface and atmospheric temperatures, while La Niña events leave the ocean and air colder than usual.

Greenhouse gas emissions are also affecting temperatures, and global warming has raised temperatures an average of 1 degree Celsius since the late 19th century. Since 2001, the planet has experienced 17 out of the 18 hottest years since record-keeping began in 1880.

Gavin A. Schmidt is the director of <a href="https://www.giss.nasa.gov/">NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies</a>, which conducted the study.

“Individual ranking of years is not necessarily the most important thing,” Schmidt told the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/">New York Times</a>. “What we’re seeing is an increasing string of years of temperatures more than 1 degree above the pre-industrial era. And we’re not going to go back.”

Scientists are linking an abnormally warm February, in particular, to climate change. And the experts are saying that Earth’s changing environment is also to blame for the extent of the damaging hurricanes and wildfires that struck the United States in 2017.

“Despite colder than average temperatures in any one part of the world, temperatures over the planet as a whole continue the rapid warming trend we’ve seen over the last 40 years,” said Schmidt.

More details on the study by NASA can be found on their Global Climate Change <a href="https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2671/long-term-warming-trend-continued-in-2017-nasa-noaa/">website</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/earth/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

2017 was the second hottest year on record

NASA scientists have ranked 2017 as the second hottest year...

Megacities are defined as cities that contain at least 10 million people, and while that may seem like an overwhelming place to live, almost 10 percent of the world’s population lives in megacities. Dominated by skyscrapers and concrete, these cities are testaments to man’s triumph over nature. But could nature make these megacities a better place to live?

Many modern megacities use a good portion of their land to contain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-grow-faster-cities/">urban forests</a>. These forests can be as small as a few trees in someone’s backyard, or a major park in the middle of a city. Roughly 20 percent of the area in each of the world’s megacities today is urban forest. But a recent study in <a href="https://www.journals.elsevier.com/ecological-modelling">Ecological Modelling</a> finds that planting just 20 percent more trees in megacities would serve to double the benefits that urban forests provide.

These benefits include pollution reduction, carbon sequestration, and energy reduction. “By cultivating the trees within the city, residents and visitors get direct benefits," says Theodore Endreny, Ph.D., PH, PE, lead author of the paper and a professor in the Department of Environmental Resources Engineering at the <a href="http://www.esf.edu/">State University of New York ESF</a> campus. “They’re getting an immediate cleansing of the air that’s around them. They’re getting that direct cooling from the tree, and even food and other products. There’s potential to increase the coverage of urban forests in our megacities, and that would make them more sustainable, better places to live.”

The study took place at <a href="https://www.uniparthenope.it/">Parthenope University</a> of Naples in Italy, and utilized a tool called i-Tree Canopy to estimate the tree coverage in cities, and the potential for more urban forest cover. In ten megacities across five continents, the researchers analyzed current tree cover, as well as the benefits of urban forests. They estimate that these benefits carry a monetary value of more than $500 million per year.

Researchers also found that each city they assessed had the potential to host 20 percent more forest canopy coverage. However, city planners and local authorities will have to change their perception of the natural resources that are currently available to cities in order to see the true benefits of building up nature within a metropolitan area.

“Everyone can take action to increase the urban forest areas in our cities, not just city planners,” says Dr. Endreny. “You can visit the free resource itreetools.org to find out how much coverage there is in your city now, find out where you could plant more trees in your area and see how the benefits of the urban forest increase as more trees are planted.” You too can feel the power of environmental benefits in your own hands, and it feels a lot like soil and seeds.

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Quality of life improves if megacities add 20 percent more trees

Megacities are defined as cities that contain at least 10...

What do we appreciate from nature? Most people would likely answer the food we eat, water we drink, and air we breathe. But this type of thinking is what has led to the potentially shortsighted idea that nature is solely a source of services or commodities.

In a new publication in the journal <a href="http://www.sciencemag.org/journals">Science</a>, thirty international experts associated with the <a href="https://www.ipbes.net/">Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services</a> (IPBES), present a new approach to our thinking. They outline the idea of using all of nature’s contributions to people in order to inform policies and decisions.

“For more than a decade, policies about nature have been dominated by knowledge from the natural sciences and economics,” says Professor Sandra Diaz. “The vibrant research developed from this ‘ecosystem services’ approach - popularized by the landmark 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment - has advanced sustainability, but largely excluded insights and tools from the social sciences, humanities and other key worldviews.”

Diax believes that by broadening our notion of nature’s contributions to our society, we see that culture is the consistent factor linked to people and nature. Thinking in this manner also allows us to recognize other “knowledge systems,” like those of local communities and indigenous peoples.

In both developed and developing countries, people rely on nature’s contributions – whether they’re rich or poor. But in order to ensure that we are using our natural resources sustainably, we need to change the way we value nature. 

“This new inclusive framework demonstrates that while nature provides a bounty of essential goods and services, such as food, flood protection and many more, it also has rich social, cultural, spiritual and religious significance - which needs to be valued in policymaking as well,” says Sir Robert Watson, IPBES Chair and former co-chair of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.

One example of this new way of thinking revolves around <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-junk-food-tax/">food</a>. Obviously, food comes from nature and food security is an important part of any nation, with policies implemented and contested around the world. But food is also a major factor in cultural identities, art, and basic human festivities. This new approach to thinking would better represent these more abstract concepts.

While this all sounds slightly abstract, one concrete application for this approach is its uptake in large-scale expert assessments and how they are conducted. Overall, the researchers believe it will increase the effectiveness and legitimacy of policies and decisions about nature. “This inclusiveness and equity among knowledge systems and perspectives will not only make assessment processes more legitimate; it will also lead to better policy results because we will be drawing from a much richer and wider information base,” the authors say.

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By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Changing the way we think about nature to inform policies

What do we appreciate from nature? Most people would likely...

A team of researchers at the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/">University of Colorado Boulder</a> have constructed the first-ever global atlas of soil bacterial communities. The researchers have identified around 500 key soil species from across the planet, resulting in a guide that may be used in the future to manipulate certain functions such as soil fertility and nutrient cycling.

Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo is a postdoctoral researcher at the <a href="http://cires.colorado.edu/">Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences</a> (CIRES) and the lead author of the study.

“With this research, we have started to open the black box and are gaining a better understanding of what microbes are living in our soils,” said Delgado-Baquerizo. 

Even though soil bacteria account for a large amount of Earth's living biomass and promote critical processes such as carbon cycling, the microorganisms living in soil are still poorly understood. This is primarily due to the fact that there are tens of thousands of soil species and most of them have not yet been described, which means that they do not match any existing genomic records.

“It is amazing how much we still don't know about even the most dominant microorganisms found in soil,” said study co-author Noah Fierer. “Many of them don't even have names yet.”

The research team gathered soil samples from 237 different sites across six continents and 18 countries. This collection was expansive enough to represent an entire range of climates from deserts to wetlands. The experts used DNA sequencing to identify the different bacteria and to determine which species of bacteria appeared across the various types of soil.

The study revealed that just two percent of all bacterial species, which is around 500 individual species, consistently appear in half of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antibiotics-animals-contaminating-soil/">soil</a> bacterial communities in the world. These common and dominant species will undoubtedly be the target of many future studies.

“Now that we have this list, we can really focus our research efforts to categorize these major groups and see where they are and what they do,” said Fierer.

Knowledge of the composition and function of soil bacteria could ultimately lead to useful agricultural applications.

“Eventually, knowing more about these bacteria might allow us to improve soil health and fertility,” said Delgado-Baquerizo. “There's a lot that we can do now that we have some tractable information.”

The study is published in the journal <a href="http://www.sciencemag.org/">Science</a>.

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Scientists explore what types of bacteria live in everyday dirt

A team of researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder...

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is discreetly changing its system of approving new chemicals, according to a report from <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/">NBC News</a>. While the previous safety review process was criticized for being too slow, experts are saying that the new approach will not be as thorough.

In 2016, The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act was passed, which required the EPA to systematically review the safety of commercial chemicals. But now, former <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pruitt-clean-power-plan/">EPA</a> officials are claiming that some critical steps of the chemical review process are being eliminated, raising concerns about whether the new approach will effectively protect Americans from exposure to hazardous chemicals.


One of the biggest changes the EPA is making is the elimination of consent orders. This means that manufacturers will no longer have to sign a legal agreement that they will not use the chemicals under certain conditions. Consent orders will now only be given if the EPA believes that the intended use of a chemical poses a public health or environmental risk.

Experts explain that, under the new system, a new commercial chemical may be approved for one purpose and then end up being used later for other manufacturing purposes without a comprehensive review. The modified safety review process undermines the legislation passed with widespread approval by Congress in 2016.

Under the Obama administration, Bob Sussman served as co-chair of the Transition Team for the EPA and then as senior policy counsel to the EPA administrator.

“EPA is explicitly disavowing and downplaying a tool that’s really been a cornerstone of new chemical regulation,” Sussman told NBC News. “We believe EPA is taking a big step backward in the protection of health and the environment without an offsetting benefit.”

As an alternative to consent orders, the EPA will now put their confidence into a measure known as “significant new-use rules” to regulate chemicals that may pose a public risk if used for different purposes. Critics say there is a major difference between the former standards and the use of significant new-use rules, which often do not require testing.  

The 2016 legislation not only gave the EPA the authority to enforce a stricter review of commercial chemicals, but also required the EPA to reevaluate the safety of chemicals already in use by a certain deadline.

“What I’m observing is an effort by the agency and also some in the industry to turn back the clock and behave as though the Lautenberg Act was never passed in the first place,” former EPA official Lynn Goldman told NBC News. “The agency has been granted more authority to do testing, then it put hands in its pockets and said it doesn’t want to use this authority.”
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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

EPA’s new approach to approving chemicals causing big concerns

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is discreetly changing its system...

New research out of the UK has found that microwaves in the EU emit as much carbon dioxide as nearly 7 million cars.

In the first-ever comprehensive study of the environmental impact of the ultra-popular appliance, the results show that microwaves emit 7.7 million tonnes of <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/oceans-remove-carbon-dioxide/">carbon dioxide</a> each year. This amount is equal to how much carbon is emitted annually by 6.8 million cars in the EU.

The study was conducted by researchers from the <a href="http://www.manchester.ac.uk/">University of Manchester</a>, who also found that microwaves across the EU consume as much electricity as three large power plants do every year. 

For the study, the researchers used life cycle assessment to determine the environmental impacts of microwaves. The life cycle, in this case, includes manufacturing and waste management after the microwaves are thrown out. 

Twelve different environmental factors, such as climate change and ecological toxicity, were taken into consideration when measuring the full ecological impact.

Both Manufacturing and the materials used to make microwaves are a major contributor to their impact, as they contribute more than 20% to the depletion of natural resources and climate change alone. 

In order to reduce the environmental impact, the researchers say that focus should be put on consumer awareness and creating more energy efficient models. Because of the large supply and affordability of appliances, microwaves are thrown out before the end of their lifeline. 

Throwing out appliances like microwaves not only generates tons of waste but also creates toxic waste in the process. 

“Consumers now tend to buy new appliances before the existing ones reach the end of their useful life as electronic goods have become fashionable and 'status' items,” said Dr. Alejandro Gallego-Schmid, the study’s lead author. “As a result, discarded electrical equipment, such as microwaves, is one of the fastest growing waste streams worldwide.”

According to the study, appliance lifespans are getting shorter, which causes consumers to throw them away at an increasing rate. Microwave lifespans are now almost 7 years shorter than they were 20 years ago. 

As more and more people purchase and throw out common household appliances like microwaves, the impact on the environment will increase. The research shows that implementing policies for both manufacturers and consumers is vital to reducing waste, power use, and carbon emissions. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>,<a href="https://www.earth.com/"> Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Microwaves may be as harmful to the environment as cars

New research out of the UK has found that microwaves...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Carl...

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

[sendtonews key="EjmSP20gQK-2593093-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

[sendtonews key="f8fukm28Vz-2491833-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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



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

Plants help remove heavy metals from contaminated soil

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides

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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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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

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