Historical,House,With,Wind,Towers,In,Abarkuh,,Iran

Our buildings usually remain comfortable during warm days because of constant air conditioning, sealed windows, and an assumption that power never fails. But as large parts of the country have learned, blackouts can hit at the worst possible moment. 



When that happens, glass towers and sealed-off homes can quickly become stiflingly hot, showing why passive cooling methods are essential.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-builders-had-better-cooling-methods">Ancient builders had better cooling methods</h2>



Ancient builders had no electricity, yet they made structures that protected people from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2024-confirmed-as-earths-hottest-year-in-recorded-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">worst heat</a>. Some devised thick walls that absorbed heat by day and released it at night.&nbsp;



Others planned entire neighborhoods to maximize shade. These time-tested ideas remain relevant for anyone who wants to stay cooler without cranking up the air conditioner.



This view is shared by Dr. Pablo La Roche, an architecture professor at <a href="https://www.cpp.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">California State Polytechnic University, Pomona</a>, and sustainable design director at <a href="https://www.arcadis.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arcadis</a>.&nbsp;



With decades of research on passive cooling systems and low-energy architecture, his work highlights how historical construction techniques effectively addressed the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2024-shatters-heat-records-earths-hottest-year-is-here/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">challenges of harsh climates</a> with intense summer heat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-ancient-iraq-managed-scorching-heat">How ancient Iraq managed scorching heat</h2>



Archaeologists have <a href="https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&amp;lr=&amp;id=xpTkEAAAQBAJ&amp;oi=fnd&amp;pg=PA3#v=onepage&amp;q&amp;f=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">documented</a> the Sumerians’ buildings in what is now southern Iraq. Walls made of mud brick or adobe were thick and had only small windows. This design helped reduce heat inside during the sun’s intense hours. 



In some places, homes were built side by side, so fewer walls were directly hit by sunlight. The neighborhoods also included narrow streets that created cooling shade as people walked through the city.



That compact arrangement worked when indoor temperatures had to stay tolerable. Families gathered in inner courtyards where light and breezes could get in but the scorching rays had trouble reaching the seating areas.



Some of these principles might still be practical in hot, urban environments today.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-cities-can-learn-from-passive-cooling">Modern cities can learn from passive cooling</h2>



Major power failures can be disastrous during a heat wave. In <a href="https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2024/07/22/784992.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">July 2024</a>, the Houston area lost electricity for several days. When air conditioning shut off, many high-rises became uncomfortable in a hurry.&nbsp;



Some designers suggest that reintroducing features like operable windows, thicker walls, or rooftop shade structures might help with indoor temperature control and lower energy consumption at the same time.



Studies indicate that extremely hot summers are occurring more <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2822854" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">frequently</a>. Placing more emphasis on passive cooling could reduce the stress on power grids and keep people safer when the grid goes down.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-egypt-s-simple-but-clever-wind-catchers">Egypt’s simple but clever wind catchers</h2>



In ancient Egypt, builders knew that porous materials such as mud brick would block intense sunlight and slow the movement of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mapping-2024s-record-heat-unveiling-earths-climate-danger-zones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat</a> indoors. Residents also slept outdoors on rooftops at night, taking advantage of the cooler air.&nbsp;



One striking invention was the <a href="https://www.egyptianarch.com/post/mulqaf-origin-language-design-and-development" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mulqaf</a>, which used a tall opening to catch breezes and push them downward into a building. 



That airflow let hot indoor air escape through other vents. This system is still used in parts of the Middle East, where tall <a href="https://www.archdaily.com/971216/what-is-a-traditional-windcatcher" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wind catchers</a> provide fresh air without the need for electricity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-secrets-from-the-ancient-puebloans">Secrets from the ancient Puebloans</h2>



In the U.S. Southwest, the ancestral <a href="https://blog.nativehope.org/pueblo-native-americans-their-history-culture-and-traditions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Puebloans</a> built with mud brick and stone for many centuries. They placed dwellings close together and used smaller windows to limit excessive heat. Cliffs provided natural shade in places like <a href="https://greenpassivesolar.com/2010/04/mesa-verde-cliff-dwellings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mesa Verde</a>.&nbsp;



The layout took advantage of the sun’s angle to block the harsh summer rays and let in lower winter sunlight that warmed the interior.



These older methods still guide some modern builders who adopt adobe for its ability to moderate indoor temperatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserving-water-for-passive-cooling">Preserving water for passive cooling</h2>



Many cities today send rainwater away as quickly as possible through storm drains. Old societies in arid regions did the opposite. 



During the eighth century, the Muslim caliphates in northern Africa and southern Spain put a high value on every drop of rain. Their structures often had <a href="https://www.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38028-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">systems</a> that channeled water from rooftops and courtyards into underground cisterns. That water cooled patios and irrigated gardens during scorching months.



In other parts of the world, societies like the Mayans in Mexico built huge <a href="https://link.springer.com/book/9783031577307" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reservoirs</a> to store the wet-season rainfall. Modern <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301479721002851?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">researchers</a> are exploring ways to adopt or improve rainwater harvesting, especially in places threatened by droughts or limited water supplies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adapting-passive-cooling-ideas-today">Adapting passive cooling ideas today</h2>



Some architects believe that new designs should rely more on passive cooling and water collection. Orienting buildings in the northern hemisphere to take advantage of south-facing windows can help regulate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scorching-summer-of-2024-could-make-it-the-hottest-year-on-record/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat</a> gain and loss (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors). 



Rainwater captured onsite can be <a href="https://www.energy.gov/femp/rainwater-harvesting-systems-technology-review" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reused</a> for landscape needs, thus reducing the burden on public water supplies.



Larger cities that hope to reduce their energy usage and keep people safe during emergencies could integrate these techniques into upcoming developments. Some methods might look old-fashioned compared to modern high-rises.&nbsp;



Yet people who live in the world’s driest and hottest places have been testing these approaches for a long time, and their successes can offer strong guidance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-forward-with-less-power-dependence">Moving forward with less power dependence</h2>



There is a growing call to learn from strategies that rely on local resources. Converting entire cities will take effort, but these ideas do not belong in the distant past.&nbsp;



There is a need to reconsider glassy towers and single-purpose rooftops, especially as blackouts become an increasing risk in regions experiencing more frequent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-added-41-extra-days-of-dangerous-heat-in-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat waves</a>. 



Historical knowledge of staying cool in extreme heat could provide valuable solutions for maintaining comfort when air conditioning is not an option.



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Ancient buildings used passive cooling methods to reduce heat with out air conditioning

Our buildings usually remain comfortable during warm days because of constant air conditioning, sealed windows, and an assumption that power never fails. But as large parts of the country have learned, blackouts can hit at the worst possible moment. When that happens, glass towers and sealed-off homes can quickly become stiflingly hot, showing why passive cooling methods are essential. Ancient builders had better cooling methods Ancient builders had no electricity, yet they made structures that protected people from the worst heat. Some devised thick walls that absorbed...

Soil causes climate change, states a shocking report.

There is a developing potential that soil causes climate change, which could become a major source of carbon dioxide if humans continue to utilize and change the land at the same rate they currently do. 

Until now, soil has had the opposite effect, absorbing carbon dioxide and thereby countering the effects of climate change. But scientists in France have found that about 25% of the carbon found in soil could be released into the atmosphere over the course of the next century.

A report was published in the journal Scientific Reports in which scientists from the University of Exeter write that changing climate conditions and warming temperatures over the next century will make the soil less capable of storing carbon. Meanwhile, humans continue using the land, causing the soil to lose its stored carbon.

Soil that loses its carbon not only releases carbon dioxide into the air, it becomes less capable of producing food and storing water, which in turn could result in increased risk of erosion and flood damage.

Experts used France as a case study, combining soil carbon and land-use models with climate change predictions. The study found that most land will be subject to significant losses of soil carbon in the next 100 years. Only land converted into grass or forest results in additional stored carbon.

Dr. Dominique Arrouays of the French National Institute for Agricultural Research put it simply: “Purposive, targeted land use and agricultural practice changes would be needed if climate change mitigation is to be maximized. Therefore, the efforts to enhance carbon sequestration in soils, as proposed by France during the COP21, should be promoted immediately.”

Soil causes climate change, shocking report attests

Soil causes climate change, states a shocking report. There is...

Earth's magnetic field cracked, a new report reveals.

Earth's magnetic field is important: it protects life on Earth from solar radiation, and scientists believe it may be responsible for the planet's plentiful atmosphere.

And last year, it seems to have had a crack for several hours. 

In a worrying article released by scientists at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, observations of a short-lived gap in the Earth's magnetic field were described. 

The incident on June 22, 2015 was observed by researchers at the <a href="http://grapes-3.tifr.res.in/" target="_blank">GRAPES-3 muon telescope</a> in Ooty, India. A massive burst of plasma from a solar storm compressed the Earth's magnetosphere, causing a magnetic reconnection. During this time, which lasted about two hours, low-energy cosmic rays were able to enter Earth's atmosphere through a break in the magnetic field.

The solar storm triggered stunning displays of aurora borealis, better known as the northern lights, and disrupted radio signals in many northern countries, the study said. 

Scientists believe the crack was caused by "magnetic reconnection," a <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/science-of-magnetic-reconnection" target="_blank">rare phenomenon caused by a magnetic field</a> – in this case, Earth's – interacting with magnetic fields found in plasma. Plasma is hard to find on Earth, but when the plasma from the storm on the sun's surface hit the Earth's magnetosphere, the two fields may have interacted in a way that briefly warped and cracked the Earth's magnetic field.  

The gap in the planet's magnetosphere was temporary, but future massive solar storms could place similar pressure on our magnetic field. A long-term break in the Earth's magnetic field could lead to widespread radio and GPS disruption, exposure to solar or cosmic radiation, and perhaps even power blackouts. 

Earth has experienced other "geomagnetic storms" in the past. In 2003, <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/halloween_storms.html" target="_blank">the Halloween Storms</a> featured entrancing displays of the aurora borealis as far south as Texas, but also disrupted radio signals &amp; GPS and prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to warn traveling planes to fly low due to radiation risks.

Earth's magnetic field cracked, new report reveals

Earth's magnetic field cracked, a new report reveals. Earth's magnetic...

The Polar Vortex is linked to loss of Arctic sea ice, say climate scientists. 

Things may soon get very cold in the Northern Hemisphere. A study recently published in the journal <a href="http://www.nature.com/nclimate/index.html">Nature Climate Change</a> discovered that over the past three decades, the so-called Polar Vortex has steadily weakened. It also linked that weakening to the loss of Arctic sea ice and the vortex's growing instability in recent years.

When the vortex is unstable, researchers found, parts of it surge southward to regions of North America, Europe and Asia, spreading cold air down into places that don't normally experience such freezing temperatures. When the Polar Vortex is strong, it contains cold air to the Arctic.

What that means, at least this year, is rising potential for a longer, colder winter than usual for much of the Eastern U.S., especially in March – though scientists are quick to point out that the vortex is unpredictable and study of it is fairly new. The Polar Vortex could hit the U.S. in January, and parts of Europe and Asia could see extreme cold in February, the study said.

The vortex also appears to be active already this year, which is unusually early, climate scientists said – normally it is not active until January. 

The Polar Vortex first gained mainstream attention in 2014, when severe cold weather hit the U.S. Midwest and parts of the East Coast, affecting some 200 million residents and causing billions of dollars in damage. Researchers said 2014 was an unusual case because normally cold temperatures from the "stretching" Polar Vortex are not so severe or persistent in one location.

Ironically, some researchers believe the cause of the unusually cold weather south of the Arctic Circle is global warming. The severe loss of sea ice in the Arctic – which scientists have connected to rising sea and air temperatures around the globe – appears to be behind the weakening of the Polar Vortex. Large expanses of open water in the Arctic may also become snow that falls on southern locations during the colder winters.

Polar Vortex linked to loss of Arctic sea ice, say climate scientists

The Polar Vortex is linked to loss of Arctic sea...

Northeast Asian temperature extremes will continue, say experts.

Northeast Asia, which includes Northeast China, Japan, the Russian Far East, and the Korean Peninsula, has seen both its economy and population grow rapidly over the past 20 years. But it has also seen extreme climate variability.

Experts from the <a href="https://www.reading.ac.uk/">University of Reading</a> in the UK and the <a href="http://english.iap.cas.cn/">Institute of Atmospheric Physics</a> conducted a study to find out how much anthropogenic forces affect the climate of a region like Northeast Asia. The study was also intended to determine if the Northeast Asian temperature extremes would continue in future decades. 

“Northeast Asia has experienced abrupt summer warming and changes in temperature extremes since the mid-1990s,” said Dr. Dong Buwen. “And accompanying the warming surface mean temperature, significant changes in certain temperature extremes, characterized by increases in summer mean daily maximum temperature, daily minimum temperature, annual hottest day temperature, and annual warmer night temperature, have been observed.”

The climate experiments forced by changes in sea surface temperature (SST) and sea ice extent (SIE) showed the same patterns of observed changes. The findings showed that changes in SST/SIE are a major factor in summer mean surface warming. 

The study also found that reduced aerosol emissions over Europe are a major contributing factor in creating temperature extremes.

“As long as GHG concentrations continue to increase and anthropogenic aerosol precursor emissions over both North America and Europe continue to decrease, the abrupt summer surface warming and increases in hot temperature extremes over Northeast Asia since the mid-1990s will probably sustain for the next few decades,” said Dr. Buwen.

Northeast Asian temperature extremes will continue, say experts

Northeast Asian temperature extremes will continue, say experts. Northeast Asia,...

Operation IceBridge reveals further Antarctic ice loss, a new report from NASA reveals.

How bad is global warming, really? That's the question NASA took on when it launched Operation IceBridge eight years ago.

Now, a few weeks into its eighth annual Antarctic survey, the agency has released a series of disturbing photos partially answering that question.

Operation IceBridge uses a fleet of research aircraft, satellite imagery and other tools to monitor the health of Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets. The aircraft fly in 12-hour missions over the ice to measure how it has changed since the previous year, along with data such as ice thickness and age, and the topography of the land and sea below the frozen sheets.

One of the aircraft being used in the current Antarctic survey, a DC-8, has been turned into a flying laboratory carrying a laser altimeter to record changes in the height of the ice's surface, three radars, and a high-resolution camera setup.

In late October, NASA released an animation showing year-by-year changes in polar ice in the Arctic from 1985 to their most recent Arctic mission earlier this year. The animation shows both shrinking amounts of polar ice, and ice that is "younger" – older ice tends to be thicker, scientists on that campaign noted.

Now, NASA is conducting its survey of ice at the South Pole for the eighth time. The campaign was scheduled to coincide with the beginning of melt season, when ice growth from the winter should be at its highest.

Two weeks into the survey, a series of photos released by Getty photojournalist Mario Tama, who joined the scientific expedition, and NASA's Earth Observatory are demonstrating the extent of ice loss in the western part of the continent. It's estimated that the Antarctic is losing 91.5 billion tons of glacier ice per year to rising temperatures.

Data gathered in previous years, especially in 2014, has indicated that the loss of ice at the West Antarctic Ice Sheet may be irreversible. 

The scientists hope to follow flight lines from previous years as well as tracing new ones in order to get a better sense of how Antarctic ice is changing. The Antarctic Campaign is scheduled to run until Nov. 19.

—

Source: <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NASA</a>

Operation IceBridge reveals further Antarctic ice loss

Operation IceBridge reveals further Antarctic ice loss, a new report...

Whale songs revealed a whole new melody, researchers report.

Scientists from <a href="http://www.whoi.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution</a> (WHOI) got a surprise during a recent study into humpback whale songs: there may be another whole layer to their music than was previously believed.

In an article in the Nov. 2 edition of <a href="http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Biology Letters</a>, WHOI researchers explained that they were studying humpback whale songs in Hawaii while recording both pressure waves and particle motion. Pressure waves create the part of whale songs that humans can hear. Particle motion, however, creates vibrations similar to those a human might feel if the bass on a stereo is very loud.

Particle motion in whale songs hadn’t been studied before because it’s complicated to record, the underwater equipment needed wasn’t available to most researchers, and scientists expected it would only carry a few feet anyway.

However, the WHOI biologists had the equipment needed to record particle motion for an unrelated study, so they decided to use it with the whales. They traveled as far as 200 meters away from the whales – about 656 feet – and the particle motion was still strong, especially at the lower end of the whales’ vocal range.

The WHOI research team was unable to gather enough data to explore how or whether the pressure motion affected the whales’ communication, but did note that humpback whales’ ears are fused to their skulls, unlike most other marine mammals. This could allow them to sense the vibrations that particle motion would cause, adding a whole new layer of depth to their songs and perhaps helping them better “see” the underwater world around them.

It wouldn’t be a first among the animal kingdom, the biologists said, as both elephants and hippopotami have some degree of “vibrational hearing.”

The whales’ use of particle motion could also offer some explanation for why they and other underwater animals are so sensitive to sounds like underwater blasting and low-frequency active sonar.

Whale songs reveal new melody, researchers report

Whale songs revealed a whole new melody, researchers report. Scientists...

UK diesel vehicles may face a new tax. Diesel car drivers in the UK may soon face fees when driving in large city centers after a ruling from the High Court in London found the government was failing to meet European emission standards. 

The Supreme Court called for immediate action to cap nitrogen dioxide emissions, estimated to cause over 50,000 premature deaths per year. Justice Garnham declared that the current plan in place doesn’t do enough to limit diesel vehicles from entering major city centers.

In 1999, the EU first introduced legislation limiting NO2 emissions. But Justice Garnham accused these measures of “adopting too optimistic a model for future emissions.”

In December 2015, five new low-emission zones were announced, paving the way for new penalties for any diesel vehicle driving through them. But the UK Automobile Assocation and RAC Limited campaigners argue that a blanket penalty would be unfair for families who bought diesel vehicles in an attempt to be more environmentally friendly.

The previous administration introduced a “Dash For Diesel” program that more than tripled the number of UK diesel vehicles. The program issued tax incentives for those buying diesel vehicles, which were thought to be more environmentally friendly because they emitted less carbon dioxide. But scientists have since found that diesel vehicles emit more nitrogen oxide particles that are very damaging to human health. 

Simon Peevers, spokesman for the RAC, argued against new diesel fees: “This ruling will set alarm bells ringing for millions of motorists and business who are reliant on their diesel vehicles.” But something clearly must be done, as ClientEarth found that 37 out of 43 zones across the UK “remain in breach of legal limits.”

Sadiq Kahn, mayor of London, has said “this must now act as a real wake-up call to Government to finally get to grips with the national health emergency that is causing 9400 deaths every year just in London alone.”

But motoring broadcaster Quentin Willson counters that “punishing millions of diesel drivers for the mistakes in past government policy is neither fair nor honest.”

The new fees for diesel vehicles still need to be approved before being set into law. Regardless of whether or not this particular legislation is the answer, Dr. Penny Woods of the British Lung Foundation put it simply: “It’s a public health crisis.”

UK diesel vehicles face new tax in large city centers

UK diesel vehicles may face a new tax. Diesel car...

African striped mouse reveals his stripes in a report published in this week’s Nature. It was determined that the stripes found on the African striped mouse are due to a gene called Alx3.

Until recently, there had still been some mystery surrounding how are animal color patterns are determined. Dr. Hopi Hoekstra of Harvard University studies the development and evolution of stripe patterns in wild mice, because the stripes are most likely involved in mice’s defense from predators.

To figure out how African striped mice get their stripes, Hoekstra’s colleague Ricardo Mallarino studied how the stripes form during mouse embryogenesis. Dr. Mallarino observed that pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes failed to differentiate in the areas where the stripes were ultimately located. By failing to differentiate, the melanocytes cannot produce pigment, creating the lighter hair found in the stripes.

Using RNA sequencing, Mallarino and team compared the genes in the skin of the light-colored stripe and the skin of the areas with darker hair. They found that the gene Alx3 was highly present in the light stripe but not the skin with darker hair. “It looks like what happened,” Hoekstra explained, “is that Alx3 has been co-opted from its role in making light-colored bellies, and now it’s expressed where the stripe is going to form.”

To find out exactly how Alx3 affects mouse hair color, the team used protein-DNA binding assays. They found that when Alx3 binds to the promoter, it represses MITF, a regulator of melanocyte differentiation. Then, to see if this Alx3 effect occurred in other species as well, the team studied the North American chipmunk. Surely enough, the skin of the chipmunk showed a very similar Alx3 expression as was found on the African striped mouse.

“The next step is to figure out what controls Alx3 expression,” said Mallarino. 

“Can you just tinker with where and when Alx3 is expressed to generation a diversity of striping patterns? We don’t know the answer but it’s something we are excited about,” reported Hoekstra.

African striped mouse reveals stripes due to newly discovered gene

African striped mouse reveals his stripes in a report published...

Canned clean air, the once-novelty product, sees an uptake in highly polluted areas.

Australians enjoy deep breaths of clean, pure air in the pristine Yarra Valley wine country or along beautiful Bondi Beach. The fresh air in Canada’s Rocky Mountains and Britain’s countryside are favorites among those countries’ populations.

The people living in Beijing, China? Their air’s not so clean – and they’re willing to buy air that is. It sounds like a joke, but the bottled air business has been going strong in parts of China since at least 2013. That’s when the Daily Mail, a British news outlet, first reported that recycling magnate Chen Guangbiao was selling small canned clean air from less polluted parts of the country to residents in the north.

The cans of air were a joke, he said, and his goal was to draw attention to pollution in northeastern China, especially Beijing.

Sales of bottled air have skyrocketed in the past year, however, as desperate residents in Beijing and the surrounding area deal with unprecedented air pollution.

Beijing’s smog comes both from the industrial factories and plants located in the area that burn coal for power, and the coal heating systems still used in most Chinese homes. Air pollution in the region is at its worst during the winter months; the city issued its first-ever “red alert” in December 2015, shutting down schools in reaction to the smog covering Beijing so thickly it looked like heavy fog.

This year, officials in the region have already declared “hazardous” pollution three times, warning it could get even worse. Air purifier sales are also on the rise.

Vitality Air, which bottles air in the Rocky Mountains of Canada, started out to sell a novelty product to tourists. But in December 2015, demand in China prompted them to enter the market there.

At least one bottler, Green and Clean of Australia, plans to expand to other polluted cities in India, Malaysia and elsewhere beginning next year.

Prices range from 80 cents for Chen Guangbiao’s cans of air, to $97 or more for luxury brand Aethaer’s British and Welsh countryside air.

Canned clean air, once a joke, sees uptake in polluted areas

Canned clean air, the once-novelty product, sees an uptake in...

U.S. gas consumption has hit a record high, according to a new governmental report.

There’s good news and bad news on gasoline consumption.

Here’s the bad news: U.S. consumption of gasoline has hit a record high. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) published a report this week saying the amount of gasoline and total miles traveled during the summer set a new record. Total gas consumption in June hit 9.7 million barrels a day, besting the previous record of 9.6 million barrels set in July 2007.

“U.S. gasoline consumption during summer 2016 – June through August – increased by 169,000 bpd, or 1.8 percent, relative to the same period in 2015,” the EIA reported.

That may not be so great for the environment, but there is a silver lining. Miles traveled set a new record for June, up 3% from 2015. This figure is attributed to a more efficient fuel economy, with drivers traveling more miles on less fuel. 

Gasoline production is just shy of an all-time record, keeping prices low. According to the Automobile Association of America, the average national price of gas is currently $2.21 per gallon, on par with this time last year. The all-time record average national price was set in July 2008 when gasoline hit $4.11 per gallon.

U.S. gas consumption hits record high, says gov't report

U.S. gas consumption has hit a record high, according to...

Wind farm benefits &amp; hazards were analyzed by recent report out by The Scientific Alliance at the UK’s Adam Smith Institute.

Since their inception and throughout their implementation, wind farms have courted controversy. Supporters praise wind turbines as a useful source of clean energy, while critics find them to be an inefficient eyesore.

On the bright side, wind power can provide a domestic source of clean energy. Unlike power plants that rely on fossil fuels, wind energy doesn’t pollute the environment and provides the world with a more self-sufficient energy source.

Wind turbines are especially effective in rural areas, where farmers can continue to work their land after installing wind turbines to generate additional income from their existing property. But while wind energy is the lowest-priced renewable energy technology available, even its most enthusiastic supporters concede it’s still tough to compete with conventional energy sources on a cost level.

The recent report from The Scientific Alliance blasted wind energy as overhyped and inefficient, arguing wind turbines do in fact pollute communities – with noise. Depending on the volume of turbines in one particular area, the whipping noise can be a nuisance to neighbors.

The report also argues a single turbine can kill over 100 birds per year. Moreover, critics suggest that wind turbines generate energy at the wrong times, being active during warm weather when energy is less needed, and lying dormant in the winter when demand is higher. 

The latter argument is shaky at best, especially depending on geographical location. While the issue of wind farm benefits continues to be politicized, it’s clear that imperfect wind turbines do offer a low-cost, clean energy source.

Wind farm benefits & hazards analyzed by researchers

Wind farm benefits &amp; hazards were analyzed by recent report...

U.S. fuel economy reached a new record high, says the EPA.

Automakers can be proud of themselves this week as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released the news that nearly every car manufacturer had produced more efficient vehicles in 2015.

Average mileage per gallon across all vehicles went up to 24.8 mpg, from 24.3 mpg in 2014.

Part of this success comes from the use of lighter materials such as aluminum, the EPA said. This led to 2015 models that averaged about 25 pounds lighter than their 2014 counterparts.

Improvements in engine and transmission technologies are also improving U.S. fuel economy, the EPA said.

The improvements are important for a number of reasons. The main one, of course, is that as vehicles become more fuel efficient, they reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases are thought to be linked to climate change and other environmental issues.

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, about 24 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. come from personal cars and trucks.  

Fuel efficiency also reduces dependence on oil, leading to lower costs for drivers. And using less oil lowers the risks of drilling and transporting oil – which could prevent major environmental disasters like some we’ve seen in the past.

The Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 has caused long-lasting negative effects on the environment. Barataria Bay in Louisiana was a key nesting site for a number of birds; those sites were mostly lost. Dolphins living in the Gulf have shown illness linked to oil poisoning.

The 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill had similar aftereffects. More than 25 years later, some species are only just beginning to reach pre-spill numbers.

According to the EPA, Mazda has the best average fuel economy among its models at 29.6 mpg. Fiat Chrysler's average, 20.8, is the lowest. General Motors and Toyota, which produce the largest number of pickup trucks, backslid in their average fuel efficiency from 2014 to 2015, the EPA said.

U.S. fuel economy reaches record high, says EPA

U.S. fuel economy reached a new record high, says the...

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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

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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

[sendtonews key="fxH3eJHEkQ-2010196-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from 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



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



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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



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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



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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...