Recent research highlights the link between air pollution and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children, particularly those with a genetic predisposition.&nbsp;



The study explores the role of nitric oxide (NO) and other pollutants in triggering complex biological responses that can impact neurodevelopment.



The research was led by Dr. Haitham Amal, head of the Laboratory of Neuromics, Cell Signaling, and Translational Medicine at the <a href="https://en.huji.ac.il/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hebrew University</a> of Jerusalem.



“Meeting families and children with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/autism-diagnoses-have-almost-tripled-in-the-us-over-the-past-ten-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">autism</a> in Boston during my time at MIT inspired me to focus on a single goal: to help develop biological diagnostics and treatment for autism spectrum disorder,” Amal said.&nbsp;



This encounter shaped his career, leading him to investigate the ways environmental and genetic factors combine to influence ASD risk.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollution-s-impact-on-neurodevelopment">Pollution’s impact on neurodevelopment</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/understanding-how-air-pollution-forms-may-help-us-prevent-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Air pollution</a> contains several harmful elements, including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and ozone. 



These pollutants, when inhaled, can bypass the blood-brain barrier, leading to inflammation and changes in neural functioning. 



The research emphasizes how particles such as PM2.5 - microscopic particles from sources like construction and car exhaust - and NO products can cross the placenta, directly impacting fetal brain development.&nbsp;



“My lab has shown that nitric oxide plays a major role in ASD,” Amal said, highlighting NO’s key role in brain health.



The review notes how urban areas with high pollution levels, such as Phoenix, San Jose, and Eugene, expose residents, particularly expectant mothers, to levels of pollution that may impact early childhood development.&nbsp;



A report from the <a href="https://www.lung.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Lung Association</a> shows that 39 percent of the U.S. population lives in areas with concerning air quality, which, combined with genetic predispositions, could be a driving factor behind rising autism rates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollution-exposure-and-biological-pathways">Pollution exposure and biological pathways</h2>



The review presents evidence of several biological pathways that may link pollution exposure to increased autism risk.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nitrosative-stress-and-nitric-oxide">Nitrosative stress and nitric oxide</h3>



Nitrosative stress caused by NO has been shown to affect neurological development. This was one of Dr. Amal’s foundational discoveries.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neuroinflammation-and-oxidative-stress">Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress</h3>



Inhaled pollutants can prompt inflammation within the brain, which interferes with nerve development, potentially contributing to the behavioral symptoms associated with autism.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neurotransmitter-disruption">Neurotransmitter disruption</h3>



Pollutants may interrupt the balance of crucial brain chemicals like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dopamine-helps-us-learn-from-positive-and-negative-experiences/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dopamine</a> and norepinephrine, which play a role in decision-making and overall cognitive development.



The experts reviewed studies on both human and animal models to examine these biological effects, linking the presence of certain pollutants to changes in neural functioning. 



The findings show that pollutants, particularly NO, can cross the placenta and directly affect the fetus.&nbsp;



This sensitivity during prenatal and early childhood development stages, when the brain is rapidly growing, makes the body especially vulnerable to external factors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-convergence-of-genetics-and-environment">Convergence of genetics and environment</h2>



Autism has a strong genetic component, with estimates suggesting that 40-80% of cases may have a genetic basis. However, the scientists argue that genetics alone cannot explain the condition’s rising prevalence.&nbsp;



“The timing of exposure appears crucial, with heightened vulnerability during prenatal development and early childhood,” Amal explained.&nbsp;



The review suggests that while a genetic predisposition to autism can increase sensitivity to pollutants, environmental triggers -- especially air pollution -- may interact with genetics to further elevate autism risk.



A separate Harvard study showed that exposure to fine particulate matter early in life may increase the risk of autism by up to 64 percent, and prenatal exposure may elevate risk by 31 percent. 



This interaction between genes and environment presents a new model for understanding autism’s etiology.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-interventions-for-at-risk-populations-nbsp">Early interventions for at-risk populations&nbsp;</h2>



As air quality deteriorates with urban expansion, there is an urgent need to assess pollution’s impact on vulnerable populations.&nbsp;



Amal’s findings suggest that governments may need to adjust urban planning and pollution monitoring to safeguard <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prenatal-pollution-exposure-linked-to-cognitive-impairment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prenatal</a> health.



The study also points to future research opportunities, particularly in developing biomarkers for early ASD detection.&nbsp;



By identifying specific indicators of pollution-related neurological stress, doctors may one day be able to screen infants and at-risk populations with greater accuracy.



“Different kinds of neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, can be associated with this environmental factor,” Amal said.&nbsp;



His team is examining whether combining genetic and environmental data can improve diagnostics, which could enable earlier intervention for at-risk populations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollution-and-autism-prevalence">Pollution and autism prevalence </h2>



The study calls for extensive research to explore how various pollutants impact brain development.&nbsp;



“The research suggests that individuals with genetic predisposition to ASD may be more vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution exposure,” Amal said.&nbsp;



As ASD prevalence rises worldwide, this research may drive the development of preventive policies, such as targeted air quality monitoring in cities.



In addition, Amal’s work highlights the need for preventive strategies in communities facing heightened pollution levels.&nbsp;



His insights may prompt city planners, healthcare providers, and families to prioritize air quality improvements, especially in high-risk areas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollution-and-neurological-disorders">Pollution and neurological disorders</h2>



Amal’s pioneering work not only contributes to autism research but has implications for other neurological conditions.&nbsp;



The connections he draws between nitric oxide, ASD, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alzheimers-disease-attacks-the-brain-in-two-separate-phases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer’s disease</a> suggest shared molecular pathways. By addressing NO-related neuroinflammation, treatments may eventually target multiple brain conditions.



The study ultimately underscores the power of interdisciplinary research in addressing complex conditions like autism.&nbsp;



As Amal concludes, his laboratory’s commitment to examining environmental factors alongside genetic predispositions could significantly impact the landscape of neurological disorder treatment, benefiting both current and future generations.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://bm.genomicpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/BM0115-Amal-2024.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brain Medicine</a>.



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Air pollution discovered to be a "critical risk factor" for autism

Recent research highlights the link between air pollution and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children, particularly those with a genetic predisposition.&nbsp; The study explores the role of nitric oxide (NO) and other pollutants in triggering complex biological responses that can impact neurodevelopment. The research was led by Dr. Haitham Amal, head of the Laboratory of Neuromics, Cell Signaling, and Translational Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. “Meeting families and children with autism in Boston during my time at MIT inspired me to...

From the California drought and wildfires to the string of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hurricane-harvey-worst-hurricanes/">hurricanes</a> that devastated Texas, Florida, and the Caribbean, 2017 has been full of extreme weather events. While politicians argue over environmental policy, climate change is set to bring even more extreme weather in the years to come.

Two recent reports by the <a href="http://www.nationalacademies.org/">National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine</a> examine disaster readiness and discuss measures that would improve both emergency response systems and the public’s ability to respond and react in the face of a disaster.

The research outline two different categories: the systems used to alert the public during or before an event, and social and behavioral factors.

The researchers argue that improving alert and warning systems is a must, especially because there are so many facets of technology, like social media platforms, that aren’t fully utilized for emergency warning purposes.

Gaining a better understanding of social and behavioral factors can enhance how severe weather events are prepared for and discussed, possibly improving evacuation protocols and infrastructure, among other disaster readiness situations.

The first report focuses on emergency alert and warning systems. Early warning systems like Wireless Emergency Alerts and the Integrated Public Alert Warning System need to match the rapid advances in being made technology.

However, researchers note that any advances made in early warning systems should also take into account social and behavioral sciences.

Facebook, Google, and other social media platforms could be maximized to help inform the public of a disaster, and utilizing private companies and social media will expand the government’s potential to reach more people.  

Another way modern advances in technology could improve alert and warning systems is through improved geotargeting, which could more accurately pinpoint the location of individuals in danger. 

The second report discusses the need for weather enterprises to include social and behavioral sciences to improve weather predicting technologies.

“Weather forecasts and warnings are being made with greater accuracy, geographic specificity, and lead time, which allow people and communities to take appropriate protective measures,” said the report. “As recent hazardous weather events have illustrated, social and behavioral factors -- including people's contexts, experiences, knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes -- shape responses to weather risks.”

The new research has outlined specific steps that the government and public safety official can integrate to better prepare communities for severe weather events. Whether or not the suggestions will be applied, however, remains to be seen.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com </a>Staff Writer

More extreme weather events will require improving public safety

From the California drought and wildfires to the string of...

The sun has always been crucial to keeping Earth’s lakes clean and safe. That’s because ultraviolet (UV) sunlight acts as a natural disinfectant, penetrating down into bodies of water and killing harmful pathogens.

But this effect is dampened when organic matter runoff builds up in bodies of water, which is happening at an increased rate due to climate change. 

Now, a new study has found that increased organic matter runoff in lakes and rivers clouds the water and hinders the sun's ability to disinfect harmful waterborne pathogens. 

The study was conducted by researchers from the<a href="http://www.rpi.edu/"> Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute</a> and the <a href="https://www.miamioh.edu/">Miami University in Ohio</a>, and published in the journal Scientific Reports.  

“Water clarity is dropping in many regions due to factors such as browning, and this research demonstrates that this change is likely decreasing natural disinfection of potentially harmful pathogens," said Kevin Rose, the Frederic R. Kolleck Career Development Chair in Freshwater Ecology at Rensselaer.

Harmful waterborne pathogens are responsible for making 12 to 19 million people sick every year, and without the natural disinfecting potential of UV rays, those numbers could increase.  

For the study, the researchers gathered and analyzed water samples from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/salt-lakes-drying/">lakes</a> all around the world, including in New Zealand and Wisconsin. 

In order to measure the impact of UV radiation on pathogens, the researchers first tested each sample to see how much light was absorbed by the organic matter. 

This helped the research team determine how much UV radiation could penetrate the bodies of water and kill pathogens, also known as the “solar inactivation potential” (SIP). 

The results showed that the disinfecting potential of UV radiation in water has significantly decreased over the years because of an increase in organic matter runoff. 

For example, after a heavy rainfall where the Manitowoc River flows into Lake Michigan, an increase in organic matter caused the SIP or disinfecting ability of UV rays to drop by 22 percent. 

The study shows how climate change is impacting the world’s water sources and serves as a warning of how our ponds and lakes could be compromised.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>,<a href="https://www.earth.com/"> Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Climate change could cause lakes to fill with dangerous diseases

The sun has always been crucial to keeping Earth’s lakes...

New <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a> images of Greenland’s coast have revealed that 2 to 4 times as many glaciers are at risk of melting due than previously thought. 

The new maps, created using data from NASA's Ocean Melting Greenland (OMG) campaign, give a much more extensive portrayal of the seafloor and bedrock beneath the glaciers along <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-melting-impacts-global-ocean/">Greenland’s</a> coast.

Researchers from over 30 institutions, including NASA and the <a href="https://uci.edu/">University of California, Irvine</a>, published some of the most comprehensive topographic maps of the ice sheets along Greenland’s coast.

The researchers also used data from NASA’s IceBridge airborne surveys, which measure ice sheet depth, to create BedMachine, a comprehensive map of Greenland's seabed topography and glacial bathymetry. 

Bathymetry refers to the shape and depth of underwater areas, which in this case means the depth and mass of submerged glaciers. 

The numerous data sources gave the researchers a much more accurate measurement of Greenland’s coast. 

The new maps show that climate change has put even more glaciers at risk of accelerated melting. This is because 2 to 4 times more oceanfront glaciers have depths reaching 600 feet deeper compared to earlier maps.  

Glaciers at those depths are exposed to water at least 6 to 8 degrees warmer than the water above because deep down the water comes from sources further south. 

The warmer water at lower depths means faster melting of glaciers in those areas. 

According to the research, the glaciers could cause sea level to rise by 24 feet if they melted completely. 

“These results suggest that Greenland's ice is more threatened by changing climate than we had anticipated,” said Josh Willis from <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/">NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> at the<a href="http://www.caltech.edu/"> California Institute of Technology</a> and the principal investigator for OMG.

--

By<a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com"> Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: NASA/UCI

New images of Greenland show more glaciers at risk of melting

New NASA images of Greenland’s coast have revealed that 2...

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

As <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-bleaching-havoc-hawaiian/">we’ve reported</a>, climate change has wreaked havoc on coral reefs around the world, with warmer waters sparking coral bleaching events that have devastated entire ecosystems.

In addition to climate change, habitat degradation and commercial fishing operations have also caused coral populations to dwindle considerably. Researchers are especially concerned with how coral will survive amid warming ocean waters. 

But a new study of tabletop corals in the Cook Islands has found that corals might be able to adapt to warming waters, but certainly not at the current rapid pace that climate change has set. In order for the corals to stand a chance, greenhouse gas emissions will need to be reduced. 

The study was conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/">University of California, Davis </a>and published in the journal, Nature Advances. 

Researchers discovered that tabletop coral in the Cook Islands are predisposed to tolerate heat, but only to a certain degree.

“These corals aren't going to adapt at an unlimited rate. Keeping these reefs around requires curbing emissions,” said Rachael Bay, the study’s lead author. 

For the study, the researchers first identified genes in tabletop corals that make them tolerant to heat. 

Next, the researchers ran computer simulations to see how the coral would adapt to climate change based on projections of global warming and greenhouse gases. 

The simulations showed that tabletop coral could survive in moderate and mild scenarios where temperatures rise, and emissions rapidly decline by 2040. 

But if climate change continues unmitigated, then the coral would not be able to adapt quickly enough and would die off as a species. 

The researchers plan to study different species next to see if other corals would have similar capabilities. 

Understanding how coral will adapt to a changing climate is especially important given their vital role in marine ecosystems.  If emissions are reduced, coral species may be able to withstand the rising temperatures. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com </a>Staff Writer

Image Credit: Rachael Bay/UC Davis

Corals may be able to adapt to climate change under one condition

As we’ve reported, climate change has wreaked havoc on coral...

The edges of forests – where the woods meet human habitats – have long been known to have an impact on the species that live within them. But this effect may extend further than previously thought.

In the largest-ever analysis of arboreal vertebrate species, involving over 1,600 species on five continents, researchers found that 46 percent are attracted to the edges of forests and 39 percent avoid these edges. That last number is a cause of concern for many scientists, as forest areas are commonly divided into smaller and smaller areas, increasing the prevalence of forest edge habitats. This puts species that prefer deep woods at an increased threat of extinction.

Previous studies have shown that fragmentation of the world’s forests is affecting both animal extinctions and biodiversity. It is believed that roughly half of the world’s forested acres are now within 500 meters of the edge of a road, pasture, or other non-forest land use. 

This particular study gathered data on animal abundance from a range of mostly tropical landscapes, which ranged from open non-forested habitats to forest edges and deep within remote jungles. Studies involving deep forest habitats are rather rare, as these areas can be extremely difficult to reach.

Overall, the data clearly showed that the edges of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/city-dwellers-brain-health/">forests</a> have a significant effect on many species. "There are few remaining areas where you don't have intrusions into the forests, such as roads and other activities,” says Adam Hadley, a research associate at <a href="http://oregonstate.edu/">Oregon State University</a> and co-author of the paper. “Maybe we should consider not putting roads into them. It may be valuable just to keep them as remote as possible. There aren't that many left.”

This study was the first of its kind to document universal patterns across so many species of animals. It’s results point to the fact that we need to increase conservation efforts in large areas of forestland in order to prevent them from being divided into smaller fragments. 

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Forest edges leave species around the world at risk

The edges of forests – where the woods meet human...

As climate change continues to impact ecosystems around the world, remote rainforests continue to host much of the planet’s most rare fauna and flora. In an effort to help battle <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mining-deforestation-amazon-rainforest/">deforestation</a> of these unique treasures, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> brings you the top 10 rainforests you have to see!

VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, RWANDA

Lush tropical forests collide with epic volcanic scenery. The first national park to be established in Africa, Volcanoes National Park was set up to protect the rare and endangered mountain gorillas.

SINHARAJA FOREST, SRI LANKA

Designated a World Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO,  this virgin rainforest is home to many endemic species, as well as elephants, leopards, and many types of monkeys.

VALDIVIAN TEMPERATE RAINFOREST, SOUTH AMERICA

Extending along the west coast of South America  from Chile to Argentina, the Valdivian Rainforest is lush with bamboo and  ferns as well as evergreen flowering trees. It is also host to a number of hot springs.

MONTEVERDE FOREST, COSTA RICA

Exotic birds like the quetzal, the bare-necked umbrellabird, the three-wattled bellbird, and the keel-billed toucan can be found here, but the Monteverde forest is also home to 400 different types of orchid.

MOUNT KINABALU NATIONAL PARK, MALAYSIA

Home to the carnivorous Kinabalu giant red leech and Kinabalu giant earthworms, Mount Kinabalu National Park also has a beautiful orchid garden near the park headquarters and the Poring Hot Springs. 

ECUADOR’S CLOUD FOREST 

With 1500 different types of birds, the cloud forest is the fourth most avian diversified forest in the world. The best time to visit is between June and December, during the dry season.

TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST, ALASKA

Spreading across 17 million acres, it is the biggest national forest in the USA and home to many rare and endangered animals and plants.

SAPO NATIONAL PARK, LIBERIA

One of the world’s last virgin rainforests, Sapo is so oppressively hot and humid that it’s common to get disoriented.  Not only is malaria a threat, the forest vegetation also carries cholera, and the tree sap can carry flesh-eating micro-organisms. But the rainforest is one the most visually stunning places on earth.

THE AMAZON

The world’s largest rainforest and river basin spans the territories of nine nations, including Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, and Bolivia. Deforestation and river degradation are especially detrimental as the forest provides 20% of the world’s oxygen.

DAINTREE RAINFOREST, AUSTRALIA 

Located in Far North Queensland, Daintree is the oldest rainforest on earth with trees as old as 2,500 years old. Home to the largest range of animals on earth, it’s  one of the few places you can step out of a tropical rainforest onto a beautiful white sandy beach and then wade  into a coral reef. 

--

By <a href="mailto:rarnold@earth.com">Darryl Joseph</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The top 10 rainforests you have to see

As climate change continues to impact ecosystems around the world,...

The asteroid that formed the Chicxulub Crater, named after the Mexican village that it struck near its center, wiped out over half of the species on Earth including the dinosaurs. Researchers are now learning that the asteroid released far more climate-altering sulfur gas into the atmosphere than previously realized.

To estimate the amount of sulfur and carbon dioxide released during the Chicxulub event, the scientists used computer simulations to represent the pressure of the shock waves created by the asteroid's impact. They changed variables such as the angle of the asteroid as it struck to reduce the uncertainty of their calculations.

The research team found that more than three times as much sulfur may have entered the air compared to what previous models indicated. This suggests that the weather on Earth after the impact may have been much colder than previously thought.

The new study shows that the impact likely released 325 gigatons of sulfur and 425 gigatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In contrast, a previous investigation had assumed 100 gigatons of sulfur and 1,400 gigatons of carbon dioxide were expelled as the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteroid-killed-dinosaurs-worst-place/">asteroid</a> struck the planet.

The dust and sulfur that shot out into the atmosphere formed a cloud that reflected sunlight and drastically reduced temperatures by as much as 47 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the experts, and the freezing temperatures persisted for up to three years.

The new research supports the theory that the impact played a significant role in the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event that eradicated nearly three-quarters of Earth's plant and animal species. Study co-author Joanna Morgan is a geophysicist at <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/">Imperial College London</a>.

"Many climate models can't currently capture all of the consequences of the Chicxulub impact due to uncertainty in how much gas was initially released," said Morgan. "We wanted to revisit this significant event and refine our collision model to better capture its immediate effects on the atmosphere."

According to climate scientist Georg Feulner, the new findings could ultimately help scientists better understand how Earth's climate radically changed in the aftermath of the Chicxulub event.

"The key finding of the study is that they get a larger amount of sulfur and a smaller amount of carbon dioxide ejected than in other studies," said Feulner. "These improved estimates have big implications for the climatic consequences of the impact, which could have been even more dramatic than what previous studies have found."

The research is published in <a href="http://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1944-8007/">Geophysical Research Letters</a>, a journal of the <a href="https://sites.agu.org/">American Geophysical Union</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The asteroid that killed the dinosaurs cooled Earth’s climate

The asteroid that formed the Chicxulub Crater, named after the...

Global climate change is becoming more of a concern every year. It’s responsible for major heatwaves and droughts, floods, wildfires, frequent and severe storms, and is even bringing earlier and earlier springs each year. 

But now, a new study from the <a href="http://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> (ESA) has found that early springs and melting snow in boreal forests due to rising carbon emissions might actually help in mitigating climate change. 

The research revealed that as spring and snowmelt have been coming earlier, boreal forests and other huge carbon sinks are then free to absorb more of the world’s carbon. 

When it comes to predicting the effects of carbon emissions and future carbon levels, researchers need to know both how emissions will increase and the absorption rate on land and in the oceans. 

Boreal forests can absorb huge quantities of carbon, but winter snow cover hinders this effect. With an early spring and melting snow, trees have more time to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. 

The study used data from the European Space Agency’s GlobSnow project, which produced daily snow cover maps using satellites over the whole northern hemisphere from 1979 to 2015. 

A team of researchers led by the <a href="http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/">Finnish Meteorological Institute </a>analyzed the data from the Globsnow project and discovered that over the last 36 years, spring came early by an average of eight days. 

The early snow melt has resulted in boreal forests increasing their uptake of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/co2-levels-record-highs/">carbon emissions</a> by 3.7 percent per decade. 

In Eurasian forests, the effect is doubled compared to North American Forests. 

“By combining satellite and ground-based information, we were able to turn observations of melting snow into higher-order information on springtime photosynthetic activity and carbon uptake,” said Professor Jouni Pulliainen, leader of the research team.

ESA and the researchers involved with the study say that these findings will help inform future climate change models and help accurately predict carbon absorption compared to increasing carbon emissions. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com </a>Staff Writer

Earlier spring actually helps combat carbon emissions

Global climate change is becoming more of a concern every...

A report released earlier this week reveals that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cities-combat-climate-change/">climate change</a> is not a future problem that we may be able to prevent, but already a critical public health issue. The impacts of air pollution and heat waves are causing serious health consequences for millions of people and weakening labor productivity across the globe.

“The Lancet Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change” is the result of an international, multidisciplinary collaboration from the British medical journal <a href="http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current">The Lancet</a>. The research closely examines five various aspects of what the authors refer to as the “complex association between health and climate change.” 

"The human symptoms of climate change are unequivocal and potentially irreversible - affecting the health of all populations today," says the report. In addition, the consequences are disproportionately affecting communities that are least responsible for climate change yet most vulnerable to its impacts, according to the researchers.

While most research on climate change focuses on future impacts, this research demonstrates that critical health impacts of environmental changes are now occurring across the globe. "The delayed response to climate change over the past 25 years has jeopardized human life and livelihoods," say the authors of the study.

The analysis found that between 2000 and 2016, there was a 46 percent spike in the number of weather-related disasters. Within the same time frame, 125 million more people were exposed to heat waves than in previous decades. Furthermore, harmful exposure to air pollution increased by 11.2 percent worldwide since 1990.

The research also determined that global warming is accelerating the spread of Dengue fever and lengthening the duration of allergy seasons in the United States.

Despite these and other discouraging findings from the investigation, the researchers point out that “the past five years have seen an accelerated response, with momentum building across many sectors.” Greenhouse gas emissions are being cut back and a transition from coal to renewable energy has started. “Unprecedented gains in public health" will follow as climate change is tackled, say the authors.

“Preventing illnesses and injuries is more humane, more effective and more economical than treating people once they’ve become sick,” explains study co-author Howard Frumkin of the <a href="http://sph.washington.edu/">University of Washington School of Public Health</a>. “What this report makes clear is that fighting climate change is disease prevention.”

The Lancet Countdown follows up on the work of the 2015 Lancet Commission, which arrived at the conclusion that global response to climate change could be “the greatest global health opportunity of the 21st century.” The Lancet Countdown will continue to track progress on health and climate change every year.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Report: Climate change is already a critical health issue

A report released earlier this week reveals that climate change...

CO2 levels in the Earth’s atmosphere have reached an all-time high, according to the <a href="https://public.wmo.int/en">World Meteorological Organization</a> (WMO). 

In 2015, atmospheric levels of C02 were recorded at 400 parts per million and increased to 403 parts per million in 2016. 

Those numbers may not seem so drastic, but with increasing amounts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-co2-emissions-stalled/">carbon</a> in the atmosphere, climate change could drive sea level rise and increase global temperatures by 3 degrees Celsius. 

The World Meteorological Organization Greenhouse Gas bulletin, published October 30th, calls the increase in carbon “unprecedented.”

To put the rise in CO2 levels in perspective, the last time the Earth’s atmosphere contained carbon levels at 400 parts per million was during the mid-Pliocene era, about 3 to 5 million years ago. 

Anthropogenic or human-made emissions are a major part of why carbon dioxide levels are so high today.

According to the new report, the recent rise in CO2 is occurring 100 times faster than when the world was coming out of its last ice age. 

Every year the WMO publishes its latest observations on greenhouse gas emissions and carbon levels in the atmosphere using data from the WMO Global Atmosphere Watch Programme. 

The unprecedented levels of carbon in the atmosphere can be traced to population growth, an increase in agriculture, growing infrastructure and industrialization, and habitat degradation. 

The WMO and climate researchers are hopeful that an early warning system will help motivate policy change to mitigate the effects of global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions. 

“We are still emitting far too much and this needs to be reversed. The last few years have seen enormous uptake of renewable energy, but we must now redouble our efforts to ensure these new low-carbon technologies are able to thrive. What we need now is global political will and a new sense of urgency,” said Erik Solheim, head of the <a href="http://www.unep.org/">United Nations Environment Programme</a>, in a WMO press release. 

--

By<a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com"> Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com </a>Staff Writer

CO2 levels in the atmosphere have reached record highs

CO2 levels in the Earth’s atmosphere have reached an all-time...

It’s relatively common practice for researchers to look into our past in order to potentially determine our future – this is especially true for studying climate change. By focusing on the earth-shaking eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Tambora in April of 1815, scientists from the <a href="https://ncar.ucar.edu/">National Center for Atmospheric Research</a> (NCAR) studied how a major volcanic eruption might affect our future climate if climate change continues.

The eruption of Mount Tambora was so destructive that it is believed to have triggered what’s referred to as the “year without a summer” in 1816. 

It released enormous amounts of sulfur dioxide into the upper atmosphere, which turned into sulfate particles called <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/volcanic-aerosols-cool-climate/">aerosols</a>. A layer of these aerosols reflected light and cooled the earth, beginning a chain reaction that led to a severely cold summer in 1816 – experienced mainly across Europe and the northeast of North America. It is believed that over 100,000 deaths occurred around the world due to widespread crop loss and disease.

In order to determine what would happen if a similar volcanic event were to occur in 2085, researchers used a sophisticated computer model to create a hypothetical Mount Tambora eruption in 2085, assuming that greenhouse gas emissions occur at the current rate. They discovered that if this event were to occur in 2085, global temperatures would drop even more significantly, but not enough to offset the future warming associated with climate change. Increased cooling would also disrupt the water cycle, decreasing the amount of global precipitation.

The researchers found that this difference between 1815 and 2085 climates is due to the oceans, which are expected to become increasingly stratified as the planet warms. Because of this, they will be less efficient in moderating the climate change exacerbated by volcanic eruptions.

“We discovered that the oceans play a very large role in moderating, while also lengthening, the surface cooling induced by the 1815 eruption,” explains John Fasullo, an <a href="https://ncar.ucar.edu/">NCAR</a> scientist and lead author of the study. “The volcanic kick is just that – it’s a cooling kick that lasts for a year or so. But the oceans change the timescale. They act to not only dampen the initial cooling but also to spread it out over several years.”

The model also showed that if a Mount Tambora type eruption were to occur in 2085, the Earth would undergo an increase in land area covered by snow and ice. However, they are somewhat unsure of what the magnitude of some of these changes would be, as they were only able to run a small amount of simulations.

Study co-author Otto-Bliesner says, “The response of the climate system to the 1815 eruption of Indonesia's Mount Tambora gives us a perspective on potential surprises for the future, but with the twist that our climate system may respond much differently.” How differently? They’re not entirely sure, but it’s safe to say that unabated greenhouse gas emissions combined with a catastrophic volcanic eruption would not be a good combination.

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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

Indonesian volcano eruption made 1816 “the year without a summer”

It’s relatively common practice for researchers to look into our...

A new study shows that political views have a limited impact on our perception of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cities-combat-climate-change/">climate change</a>. The researchers found this to be particularly true when people observe weather conditions which persistently deviate from what is expected.

Human activities are altering the function of the very ecosystems that we all depend upon for survival. To preserve ecological services such as food and water which are critical to the sustainment of human life, humans must become aware of indications that these ecosystems are deteriorating.

At times, signals of ecosystem decline are obvious and can be easily detected. During a water pollution event, for example, it is noticeable that major changes are taking place. At other times, however, the signals are much more subtle and subject to distortion by political motivation or biases.

Researchers at the <a href="https://www.ou.edu/">University of Oklahoma</a> and <a href="https://go.okstate.edu/">Oklahoma State University</a> set out to develop a study on how people perceive climate anomalies such as extreme temperatures or rainfall. The study was focused on people in Oklahoma, a conservative state where a large portion of the population is skeptical about human-caused climate change.

The research team compared high-resolution climate data to the Meso-Scale Integrated Socio-geographic Network (M-SISNet), a panel survey that keeps a consistent measure of the public's perceptions of climate conditions.

"We found that, apart from slight biases at the extreme ends of the political spectrum, people in Oklahoma - a state where the concept of 'global warming' traditionally gets quite a chilly reception - readily perceived feedback from the climate system,” explained lead author Dr. Joseph Ripberger.

"We saw individuals drawing on objective signals, such as departures from average rainfall and temperatures, when they revised their perceptions of climate feedback. As you would expect, this revision was at its most pronounced when the signals were large and consistent,” said Dr. Ripberger.

The results of the study will be encouraging for anyone hoping to see climate change policies agreed upon across party lines.

"While more work is needed to understand how this kind of updating affects broader beliefs about climate change and public policy, analysis of dynamic data on human perceptions allows us identify similarities across the partisan spectrum,” said co-author Dr. Hank Jenkins-Smith.

"These similarities bode well for efforts to promote mitigation, adaptation, and resilience, as human systems continue to interact with a changing climate," said Dr. Smith.

The study is published in the journal <a href="http://iopscience.iop.org/erl">Environmental Research Letters</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Politics have finite impact on how we perceive changing climate

A new study shows that political views have a limited...

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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

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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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Saturn,-,High,Resolution,3d,Images,Presents,Planets,Of,The

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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



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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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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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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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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...