Top ocean experts have published a report that redefines the concept of sustainable fishing and proposes 11 “golden rules” that challenge the current flawed approach in fisheries management.&nbsp;



The report, released shortly before <a href="https://www.oceanweek.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brussels’ Ocean Week</a> and ahead of the <a href="https://ocean-climate.org/en/unoc2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UN Ocean Conference</a> in Nice, aims to halt the ongoing destruction of the oceans caused by fishing and ensure the restoration of abundant fish populations to sustain future generations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-guiding-principles-of-sustainable-fishing-nbsp">Guiding principles of sustainable fishing&nbsp;</h2>



The rules are introduced at a time when scientists have dramatically downgraded their assessment of the ocean's health. The guiding principles underlying the rules aim to revolutionize the way we manage the ocean's exploitation.



According to the first guiding principle, fishing must minimize impacts on marine species and habitats, adapt to climate change, and promote the regeneration of depleted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-impacting-marine-life-more-than-we-realized/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine life</a>.



In addition, fishing must support the health, well-being, and resilience of communities, particularly the most vulnerable, rather than merely benefit corporations that funnel profits to owners and shareholders while others bear the costs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-vision-of-sustainable-fishing-nbsp">A new vision of sustainable fishing&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers hope their work will serve as the foundation for a complete reform of the current mismanagement of the Earth's largest common resource - the ocean.



The scientists call on policymakers, retailers, fishers, and industry leaders to embrace this new vision and commit to implementing these reforms.



Today, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sustainable-fishing-gets-a-boost-from-genomics-roadmap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fishing</a> is widely recognized as the leading cause of ocean destruction. The authors of the report decided to collaborate after reaching a consensus that the current definition of “sustainable fishing” is dangerously outdated and contributes to the depletion of marine species, destruction of natural habitats and carbon sinks, and the decline of artisanal fishing communities worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outdated-concept-of-sustainability-nbsp">Outdated concept of sustainability&nbsp;</h2>



“The current concept of ‘sustainable fishing,’ adopted by governments and private actors since the post-war period is scientifically obsolete,” said lead author Callum Roberts, a professor at the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a> and chief scientist at the <a href="https://convexseascapesurvey.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Convex Seascape Survey</a>.&nbsp;



“It relies on a simplistic, productivist theory which assumes that as long as global catch volumes remain below a set limit, anyone can fish just about anything, anywhere, with any method.”



“Can we truly claim that all fishing gear is environmentally and socially equal? We currently label fisheries as sustainable without considering their impact on marine ecosystems or human factors, such as crew safety and rights,” added Jennifer Jacquet, a professor at the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Miami</a>.



The scientists denounce the outdated approach to sustainability, which fails to address key environmental, human, and developmental factors.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pressing-issues-like-biodiversity-loss-nbsp">Pressing issues like biodiversity loss&nbsp;</h2>



Despite widespread acceptance by industry and consumers, current sustainability standards overlook pressing issues like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-ocean-day-a-unified-approach-to-protect-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> loss and climate change, while supporting high-capital industrial practices that primarily benefit the Global North.&nbsp;



These practices harm ecosystems, threaten artisanal fishing and food security, and jeopardize jobs, while undermining humans' universal right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable ocean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-minimizing-environmental-harm">Minimizing environmental harm</h2>



The scientists reached another consensus: fisheries must be managed in a way that minimizes environmental harm while maximizing social benefits, particularly in the context of a rapidly warming planet and growing global hunger.



To address these challenges, a group of leading ocean researchers has developed a visionary approach to ocean exploitation.&nbsp;



This comprehensive, interdisciplinary definition of “fisheries sustainability” incorporates insights from biology, oceanography, social sciences, and economics.



The proposed rules provide a foundation for economic stakeholders and political leaders to transition to a sustainable fishing model that is viable for the long term.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-sustainable-fishing-nbsp">Rethinking sustainable fishing&nbsp;</h2>



The framework envisions a future where fishing ensures abundant fish stocks for humanity’s long-term needs.



“Our work advocates for fisheries that preserve ocean ecosystems’ vital functions, mitigate climate change, guarantee food security and respect human rights,” said Daniel Pauly, a professor at the <a href="https://www.ubc.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of British Columbia</a>.



This innovative approach recognizes the ecological, social, and ethical roles of fishing, proposing a systemic and sustainable model that involves market players, policymakers, and legal frameworks.&nbsp;



Roberts emphasized the need for a shift in perspective: “We must view fishing as a privilege rather than a right. Marine life is a public good that should both benefit society and nature, not be the object of a resource race driven by private gains.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ambitious-yet-realistic-proposals-nbsp">Ambitious yet realistic proposals&nbsp;</h2>



The proposals outlined in the report are ambitious yet realistic, with many actions rooted in proven successful practices.



The scientists urge policymakers, retailers, and fisheries managers to acknowledge the failures of current fishing practices and prioritize adopting the proposed golden rules.&nbsp;



Supermarkets, which are responsible for nearly two-thirds of European seafood sales, play a pivotal role in driving this transition. They can influence fishing practices through their sourcing policies, scrutinize “sustainability” labels, and respond to growing consumer concerns about the hidden impacts of their food.



“We are witnessing a growing disconnect between the widespread availability of supposedly sustainable fish products, the collapse of ocean <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-ecosystems-survive-extinctions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a> and the frequency of reported human rights’ abuses. Supermarkets must stop misleading consumers,” said Pauline Bricault, markets campaign manager at <a href="https://www.bloomassociation.org/en/about-us/the-team-at-bloom/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BLOOM</a>.



“Both the IPCC and IPBES have set 2030 as a deadline for critical changes. Industry stakeholders have no more excuses, they must act now.”



The call to action is urgent, with 2030 looming as a critical deadline for implementing necessary changes to avert further damage to ocean ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future for global fisheries.



The report, titled “Rethinking sustainability of marine fisheries for a fast-changing planet,” was published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s44183-024-00078-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">npj Ocean Sustainability</a>.&nbsp;



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‘Sustainable fishing’ must be redefined to halt ocean destruction

Top ocean experts have published a report that redefines the concept of sustainable fishing and proposes 11 “golden rules” that challenge the current flawed approach in fisheries management.&nbsp; The report, released shortly before Brussels’ Ocean Week and ahead of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, aims to halt the ongoing destruction of the oceans caused by fishing and ensure the restoration of abundant fish populations to sustain future generations. Guiding principles of sustainable fishing&nbsp; The rules are introduced at a time when scientists have dramatically downgraded their...

The health and climate benefits of cutting methane from fossil fuels are potentially enormous. These benefits are detailed in a new assessment released today by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the United Nations Environment Programme (<a href="https://www.unep.org/resources/report/imperative-cutting-methane-fossil-fuels-assessment-benefits-climate-and-health">UNEP</a>).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-premature-deaths-nbsp">Premature deaths&nbsp;</h2>



<a href="https://www.ccacoalition.org/resources/imperative-cutting-methane-fossil-fuels">The Imperative of Cutting Methane from Fossil Fuels</a> report states that immediate, targeted methane abatement in the fossil fuel sector could prevent nearly one million premature deaths due to ozone exposure and 90 million tons of crop losses due to ozone and climate changes.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lost-labor">Lost labor</h2>



The researchers add that about 85 billion hours of lost labor due to heat exposure could be avoided by 2050, providing roughly 260 billion dollars in direct economic benefits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-warming-nbsp">Global warming&nbsp;</h2>



The experts emphasize that rapid cuts in methane emissions from fossil fuels would also help limit global warming in the short term. Methane cuts could avoid up to 0.1 °C in global temperature rise by 2050 - a greater impact than taking all the cars and trucks and trucks off the road - according to the report.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-goals">Climate goals</h2>



The assessment builds on findings from the IEA’s recently updated pathway to limit global warming to 1.5 °C. The experts say that while a drop in fossil fuel demand would cut methane emissions, these reductions by themselves would not occur fast enough to meet the world’s climate goals.



"Reductions in fossil fuel use alone do not achieve deep enough cuts in methane emissions to reach levels consistent with limiting&nbsp;warming to 1.5 °C with no or low overshoot," the experts state in the report.&nbsp;



"Additional, targeted actions to tackle methane emissions from fossil fuel production and use are essential to limit the&nbsp;risk of crossing irreversible climate tipping points."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-methane-emissions-nbsp">Methane emissions&nbsp;</h2>



Methane emissions are responsible for approximately 30% of global warming experienced since the onset of the Industrial Revolution.&nbsp;



This greenhouse gas is predominantly released through fossil fuel operations, which represent the second-largest source of anthropogenic methane emissions.&nbsp;



The most recent estimates suggest that annual global methane emissions are around 580 million tons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-emissions">Reducing emissions</h2>



The report emphasizes that it is possible to mitigate a significant portion of these emissions using current technology.



"More than 75% of methane emissions from oil and gas operations and half of emissions from coal today can be abated with existing technology, often at low cost."&nbsp;



"The oil and gas sector has the greatest share of ready-to-implement and&nbsp;cost-effective technical opportunities to reduce methane emissions. Cuts in methane emissions from fossil fuel operations will likely need to provide half of the reduction in total methane emissions from human activities needed to 2030 to limit warming to 1.5 °C."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-escalating-crisis">Escalating crisis</h2>



To effectively curb the escalating climate crisis, the report suggests that more focused and deliberate actions are crucial, especially in tackling methane emissions originating from the production and consumption of fossil fuels.&nbsp;



These targeted strategies are not only needed for avoiding irreversible climate tipping points, but are also urgently needed to protect public health.



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Rapid methane cuts could prevent nearly a million premature deaths

The health and climate benefits of cutting methane from fossil...

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Africa's Copperbelt, spanning Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, is no stranger to the world of mineral extraction. This region alone generated an impressive 73% of the global cobalt supply in 2022, as reported by the Cobalt Institute. 



This intense mining activity, driven in part by the increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries, which are a mainstay in modern electric vehicles, laptops, and smartphones, has raised concerns about the environmental and health impacts on nearby communities.



A recent study by the <a href="https://ncar.ucar.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Center for Atmospheric Research</a> (NCAR) offers a new way to monitor these impacts remotely. This research reveals that satellites can detect and quantify the emissions from mining operations in this region.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mining-satellite-data-for-emissions">Mining satellite data for emissions</h2>



The Copperbelt's mining surge presents challenges in monitoring. Ground-based monitoring in the region is sporadic, and reports from mine operators are often inconsistent, if not entirely missing. This backdrop set the stage for NCAR's research, aimed at identifying an alternative way to gauge the mining industry's ecological footprint.



Leveraging data from the <a href="https://www.tropomi.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument</a> (TROPOMI) aboard the European Space Agency's Copernicus Sentinel-5 Precursor satellite (S-5P), researchers honed in on nitrogen dioxide emissions, a primary component of smog. 



Nitrogen dioxide is generated from various sources, including biomass burning, urban activities, and certain natural processes. However, a significant proportion in the Copperbelt comes from the burning of diesel fuel, a mainstay in copper and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/underwater-upheaval-the-ecological-impact-of-deep-sea-mining/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cobalt mining</a> operations.



The satellite data showed distinct patterns of emissions corresponding to individual copper and cobalt mines. Interestingly, these emission levels had a strong correlation with the annual <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/23-million-people-are-exposed-to-toxic-waste-from-mining-activities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metal production of the mines</a>, validating the satellite's accuracy in monitoring activities on the ground.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-and-applications">Implications and applications</h2>



The potential implications of this research extend beyond the Copperbelt. "Mining operations can profoundly impact the quality of life for adjacent communities," explains Pieternel Levelt, the senior author of the paper. 



Using satellite technology to monitor such regions can yield insights into the environmental consequences of mining and also serve as a tool for estimating the growth of such activities in remote regions, which might otherwise be underreported or unmonitored.



In the context of the Copperbelt, understanding emissions is crucial, especially given the proximity of mining activities to populated centers. As NCAR scientist and study lead author Sara Martínez-Alonso notes, the satellite observations enabled researchers to not only quantify emissions but also put them in context for the affected regions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-monitoring-emissions-from-satellites">Future of monitoring emissions from satellites</h2>



While the S-5P satellite's once-a-day pass over the Copperbelt provided invaluable data, more comprehensive monitoring is possible. A geostationary satellite, which remains fixed over a specific location, could offer hourly updates on emission levels, thereby painting a much clearer picture of pollution patterns and sources.



Currently, such satellites do not cover Africa or any other region in the global South. Yet, the implementation of such satellites could revolutionize air quality forecasting and provide vital information to local regulatory agencies, according to Levelt.



The intersection of technology and environmental monitoring is proving to be a potent tool in the quest to understand and mitigate the impacts of human activities on the planet. As the global demand for resources like cobalt continues to rise, utilizing advanced methods like satellite monitoring becomes not just advantageous, but imperative. 



The findings from NCAR's research in Africa's Copperbelt serve as a testament to the possibilities that lie ahead in environmental stewardship and sustainable growth.



The full study was published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/acf82e" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a>, a journal of the American Geophysical Union.



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Monitoring mining emissions with satellites: New era of remote environmental surveillance

Africa's Copperbelt, spanning Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo,...

Global water security is under threat due to a combination of extreme weather events and increased demand from booming populations. A recent study from the <a href="https://www.uu.nl/en/home-en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Utrecht University</a> has investigated the relationship between water use by various sectors and the prevalence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-has-made-droughts-20-times-more-likely/">droughts</a> and heatwaves.



"Water use for various sectors (e.g. irrigation, livestock, domestic, energy and manufacturing) is increasing due to a growing global population and economic development," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"Additionally, increases in frequency and severity of droughts, heatwaves and compound drought-heatwave events, also lead to responses in sectoral water use and a reduction in water availability, intensifying water scarcity. However, limited knowledge exists on the responses in sectoral water use during these hydroclimatic extremes."



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



The research stands out as the first-ever global investigation focused on the complex issue of water use under extreme conditions.



Study lead author Gabriel Cardenas Belleza defines "sectoral water use responses" as the modifications or stability in water consumption practices by different sectors under the influence of droughts, heatwaves, or a combination of these extreme events.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-water-security">Studying water security</h2>



The comprehensive analysis was focused on sectoral water use data from the last three decades, including usage at global, national, and local scales.



“We focused on the water used by various sectors, namely irrigation, livestock, domestic, energy and manufacturing, because we expected particular responses to the occurrence of different extreme events, ” explained Belleza.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-observations">Crucial observations</h2>



The study revealed that extreme weather events have substantially altered water consumption habits worldwide over the last thirty years. However, these alterations are not uniform across sectors or regions.



“Socio-economic factors and public water management plans strongly influence water use responses, and even more so during extreme events. For instance, while Western continental United States decreases its water use during extremes, the central US increases it," said Belleza.



Among the sectors analyzed, the domestic and irrigation sectors often get prioritized when it comes to water utilization. However, the findings indicate a shift in favor of the domestic sector when water usage is restricted during extreme events.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-compound-weather-events">Compound weather events</h2>



Heatwaves and combined drought-<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/once-in-a-century-heatwave-may-soon-happen-every-other-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heatwave events</a> were found to exert a greater influence on water consumption than droughts alone.



“Heatwaves and compound events can lead to higher water use as a consequence of the temporary increase in water demand under high temperatures, which can still be satisfied due to the short duration of such extremes, compared to longer-lasting events like droughts," said Belleza.



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



The study sheds light on the relationship between extreme weather patterns and global water consumption practices.&nbsp;



The researchers noted that given the future threats to water availability and the limited accessible information of water use, there is an urgency to collect more data of sectoral water use for improved assessments of water scarcity under these extremes.



“Our research provides a first step to evaluate multi-sectoral water use behavior during extremes," said Belleza. "However, more local-scale information from data-scarce areas, like Africa and parts of Asia and South America, is needed to better understand sectoral water use behavior and improve water management strategies."



The research is published in the respected journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/acf82e" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Research Letters</a>.



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Is the Earth running out of water? Global water security is complicated

Global water security is under threat due to a combination...

A recent study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16208" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PeerJ</a> reveals that the world’s oceans are becoming increasingly noisy due to the changing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dangerous-climate-feedback-loops-have-been-underestimated/">climate</a>.&nbsp;



Study lead author and <a href="https://www.nioz.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NIOZ</a> oceanographer Luca Possenti noted that in some places, by the end of this century, the sound of ships, for example, will be five times as loud. "That will interfere with the behavior of many species of fish and marine mammals."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-noise-propagation">Ocean noise propagation </h2>



"Since the industrial revolution, oceans have become substantially noisier. The noise increase is mainly caused by increased shipping, resource exploration, and infrastructure development affecting marine life at multiple levels, including behavior and physiology," wrote the researchers.



"Together with increasing anthropogenic noise, climate change is altering the thermal structure of the oceans, which in turn might affect noise propagation."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



The study was based on mathematical modeling conducted in collaboration with Utrecht University. The researchers used moderate to extreme climate scenarios provided by the UN climate panel IPCC, exploring the effects of water temperature and acidity on underwater sound propagation.&nbsp;



The ongoing release of greenhouse gases is causing seawater to become more acidic. When combined with rising ocean temperatures, these factors are anticipated to allow underwater sounds to travel farther in the majority of ocean regions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changes-in-temperature-layers-nbsp">Changes in temperature layers&nbsp;</h2>



Possenti explained that as warmer surface water supply to the northern Atlantic Ocean decreases, this will cause changes in temperature layers throughout the ocean.&nbsp;



“As a result of this, a separated ‘sound channel’ in the upper part of the North Atlantic may be formed. This will act as a kind of tunnel, which will carry sounds much further,” said Possenti.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-underwater-noise">Underwater noise</h2>



Consequently, under a moderate climate scenario, the underwater sound level in this part of the oceans is expected to increase by seven decibels by the end of the century.



Although a 7 dB increase may seem minimal, it represents nearly a fivefold increase in underwater noise energy. Sounds from marine traffic and other sources, such as air guns utilized for seismic surveys, will be significantly amplified.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-profound-impacts-of-ocean-noise">Profound impacts of ocean noise</h2>



With an expected increase in marine traffic contributing to the total underwater noise, the impact of these changes is poised to be substantial, even under moderate climate scenarios.



The implications of this noise increase are profound for marine life, which relies heavily on sound for communication due to limited underwater visibility.&nbsp;



Possenti emphasized the critical importance of sound for these species, noting that increased human-generated noise will undoubtedly affect marine ecosystems.&nbsp;



"In the absence of good visibility underwater, fish and also marine mammals communicate mainly through sounds," said Possenti. "If fish can no longer hear their predators, or if whales have a harder time communicating with each other, this will affect the entire ecosystem."



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



Possenti and his colleagues from TNO and MARIN are actively measuring underwater sounds. Using glass spheres that break at great depths, they generate and record sounds used by marine mammals, capturing these noises from tens to hundreds of kilometers away.&nbsp;



This combination of theoretical and experimental research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges posed by increased underwater noise, offering crucial insights for the protection of marine life.



"Much is still unknown about the exact effects of underwater conditions on the speed of sound. But because of the potentially profound effects on the ecosystem, that knowledge is essential if we want to understand what the changing climate may do to marine life," said Possenti.



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Ocean noise is getting louder: What does this mean for animals?

A recent study published in the journal PeerJ reveals that...

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Researchers from institutions including the <a href="https://www.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pennsylvania State University</a> and <a href="https://www.purdue.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Purdue University</a> have recently found that if the Earth’s temperatures rise only one degree Celsius over current measurements, each year countless individuals will experience unbearable heat and humidity levels that will render their bodies incapable of cooling themselves.&nbsp;



Moreover, the experts found that temperature increases of more than 1.5 C above pre-industrial times will result in significant negative impacts on human health worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-thresholds-nbsp">Heat thresholds&nbsp;</h2>



Humans have certain thresholds for the combined effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scorching-reality-extreme-heat-worsens-cognitive-decline/">heat</a> and humidity. Crossing these thresholds can lead to severe health issues, like heat strokes or cardiac incidents. As the climate continues to change, these boundaries could be exceeded, putting billions at risk.



Since the industrial era’s onset, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/summer-of-extremes-earth-just-endured-it-hottest-three-month-stretch-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global temperatures</a> have risen approximately 1 C (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit). This led to the 2015 Paris Agreement, where 196 countries committed to restricting global temperature rise to 1.5 C over the pre-industrial average.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-problems-nbsp">Complex problems&nbsp;</h2>



The scientists analyzed several potential scenarios, looking at global temperature rises from 1.5 C up to 4 C. They aimed to identify regions where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-temperatures-linked-to-vision-impairment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human tolerance</a> levels for heat and humidity would be breached.



“To understand how complex, real-world problems like climate change will affect human health, you need expertise both about the planet and the human body,” said co-author W. Larry Kenney, a professor of Physiology and Kinesiology at Penn State.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“I am not a climate scientist, and my collaborators are not physiologists. Collaboration is the only way to understand the complex ways that the environment will affect people’s lives and begin to develop solutions to the problems that we all must face together.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exceeding-human-limits-nbsp">Exceeding human limits&nbsp;</h2>



A study by Penn State researchers last year pinpointed the wet-bulb temperature limit for young, healthy individuals at about 31 C (87.8 F at 100 percent humidity). Multiple factors influence this limit, such as exertion, wind speed, and solar radiation.&nbsp;



The researchers noted that only a handful of instances in human history have registered temperatures and humidity exceeding human limits, typically in areas like the Middle East and Southeast Asia.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intolerable-heat-levels-nbsp">Intolerable heat levels&nbsp;</h2>



The current study projects that with a 2 C temperature rise, billions residing in areas like Pakistan and India’s Indus River Valley, eastern China, and sub-Saharan Africa will regularly face intolerable heat levels.&nbsp;



The scientists express concern over the high-humidity nature of these heatwaves and the socioeconomic status of these regions. Moreover, the affected populations might lack access to essential cooling measures, exacerbating health risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncertainties-remain">Uncertainties remain</h2>



A temperature increase of 3 C above pre-industrial levels could make places like the US’ Eastern Seaboard and central areas, South America, and Australia too hot for humans. While the US might be spared the worst direct impacts, Daniel Vecellio, the study’s lead author, cautioned that models like these might not account for extreme, unprecedented weather events.



Another 2022 study by the team found that the previously theorized limits for heat and humidity tolerance were too high.&nbsp;



“The data collected by Kenney’s team at Penn State provided much needed empirical evidence about the human body’s ability to tolerate heat. Those studies were the foundation of these new predictions about where climate change will create conditions that humans cannot tolerate for long,” said co-author Matthew Huber, a professor of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences at Purdue.



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



Huber’s graduate student, Qinqin Kong, emphasized the need for governments to address the threat of humid heat, which poses more danger than dry heat.&nbsp;



“Around the world, official strategies for adapting to the weather focus on temperature only. But this research shows that humid heat is going to be a much bigger threat than dry heat. Governments and policymakers need to re-evaluate the effectiveness of heat-mitigation strategies to invest in programs that will address the greatest dangers people will face,” he said.



The experts advised the public to always be vigilant regarding extreme heat events, particularly for vulnerable groups like older people.&nbsp;



“Models like these are good at predicting trends, but they do not predict specific events like the 2021 heatwave in Oregon that killed more than 700 people or London reaching 40C last summer,” said lead author Daniel Vecellio, a bioclimatologist who completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Penn State with Kenney.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uninhabitable-regions">Uninhabitable regions</h2>



“And remember, heat levels then were all below the limits of human tolerance that we identified. So, even though the United States will escape some of the worst direct effects of this warming, we will see deadly and unbearable heat more often. And — if temperatures continue to rise — we will live in a world where crops are failing and millions or billions of people are trying to migrate because their native regions are uninhabitable.”



In order to address rising temperatures, the scientists stressed the urgent need for curbing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels. If such proactive measures are not taken, countries with middle and lower economic statuses will be hit hardest.



Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the team drew attention to Al Hudaydah in Yemen, a bustling port city on the Red Sea with a population exceeding 700,000.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-billions-will-suffer">Billions will suffer</h2>



According to the study’s findings, should global warming reach an increase of 4 C, residents of this city might endure temperatures exceeding human comfort thresholds for over 300 days annually, rendering it close to unlivable.



“The worst heat stress will occur in regions that are not wealthy and that are expected to experience rapid population growth in the coming decades. This is true despite the fact that these nations generate far fewer greenhouse gas emissions than wealthy nations. As a result, billions of poor people will suffer, and many could die. But wealthy nations will suffer from this heat as well, and in this interconnected world, everyone can expect to be negatively affected in some way,” Huber concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2305427120" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Unbearable heat could make some parts of the world uninhabitable if warming continues

Researchers from institutions including the Pennsylvania State University and Purdue...

Researchers at the <a href="https://www.helsinki.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Helsinki</a> have recently discovered unexpected changes in bird communities within protected areas due to climate change. The study was focused on shifts in Canadian bird communities from 1997 to 2019.



"An increasing number of species are under threat from climate change and many populations are at risk of decreasing in abundance. Consequently, some species have become endangered," wrote the study authors.



"Therefore, predicting how the range, distribution, abundance, and phenology of species may change in response to a warming climate is a timely and important step in planning actions to mitigate the negative impacts of climate warming."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increasingly-similar-trends">Increasingly similar trends</h2>



The experts found that bird communities in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protected-areas-provide-a-thermal-buffer-against-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protected and unprotected areas</a> are becoming increasingly similar, with both witnessing a rise in southern species and a decline in northern species. 



One significant observation was that during the breeding season, communities within protected spaces began to mimic those in unprotected spaces in terms of their climate requirements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protected-areas-are-not-immune-to-climate-change-nbsp">Protected areas are not immune to climate change&nbsp;</h2>



“Protected areas are more effective in helping cold-dwelling northern bird species, but it was surprising to discover that southern species increased faster in abundance inside than outside protected areas,” explained Leena Hintsanen of the <a href="https://www.luomus.fi/en/natural-history-museum" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Finnish Museum of Natural History</a>.



This finding highlights that the impact of climate change in protected areas is greater than previously anticipated.



For example, while protected areas continue to be crucial for the conservation of northern species like the Lapland longspur, these spaces are not immune to the alterations brought about by climate change.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-requirements-nbsp">Climate requirements&nbsp;</h2>



The 22-year study documented that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/do-birds-dream-of-flying-scientists-say-they-now-know-the-answer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird</a> communities within protected areas are increasingly reflecting those in non-protected areas due to their similar climate requirements.



Hintsanen explained that the trend poses significant challenges for conservation efforts aimed at preserving the vitality of various bird species in the face of global warming. 



Communities that have comparable climate requirements tend to have a balanced proportion of species that prefer cold and warm climates, respectively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-southern-species-moving-north">Southern species moving north</h2>



Furthermore, the researchers noted that the observed changes in bird communities in both protected and unprotected areas are primarily driven by southern species, such as the grass wren and the northern cardinal.&nbsp;



These species are expanding their habitats further north as the climate warms, seeking environments that are conducive to their survival.



“This indicates that protected areas, in particular, are highly significant for the northern spread of southern species. However, protected areas cannot entirely guarantee protection for declining northern species,” explained Hintsanen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-changes">Rapid changes</h2>



Past studies conducted in various countries, including Finland, have shown that protected areas generally slow down alterations in species communities.&nbsp;



However, the recent findings highlight the overwhelming influence of climate change on these areas, leading to faster-than-expected changes in bird communities.&nbsp;



According to Hintsanen, a complex network of factors might be contributing to the rapid changes observed in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-negatively-impact-wildlife-even-in-protected-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protected areas</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-data-nbsp">Long-term data&nbsp;</h2>



Long-term data from bird surveys conducted since the 1960s in North America have been crucial for this kind of research, providing valuable insights into the effects of climate change on bird populations.&nbsp;



The digitalization of decades-old data has further empowered researchers to gain a better understanding of these impacts, shedding light on the subtle yet significant changes unfolding in the avian world due to the changing climate.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cobi.14134" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Conservation Biology</a>.



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Bird communities in protected areas are rapidly changing

Researchers at the University of Helsinki have recently discovered unexpected...

Tropical ecosystems are significantly dependent on emerging aquatic insects, which could expose them to greater risks, according to a new study led by researchers from Queen Mary University of London.



Published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ele.14322" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecology Letters</a>, the study is the first to directly analyze and compare the interconnectedness between land and water in tropical and temperate environments through the lens of aquatic insects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



The study was focused on English, Welsh, and Scottish forests as well as Amazonian and Atlantic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amazons-rainforests-are-at-risk-of-transforming-into-dry-grassy-savannas/">rainforests</a> in Brazil.&nbsp;



The researchers used stable isotope analysis to trace signals of aquatic prey within the tissues of arthropod predators, such as spiders. This technique illuminated the predators' dietary patterns away from water bodies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned">What the researchers learned</h2>



Notably, spiders in tropical locales exhibited higher consumption of aquatic insects compared to their UK counterparts. Such dietary diversity indicates that terrestrial fauna in the tropics heavily relies on aquatic insects.&nbsp;



According to the researchers, these results suggest that tropical environments are more vulnerable to future disruption to the interconnections between land and water.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increasing-pressures-nbsp">Increasing pressures&nbsp;</h2>



“Our findings show that we cannot simply apply knowledge from research in temperate zones to protect tropical ecosystems,” said study senior author Dr. Pavel Kratina.&nbsp;



“That tropical ecosystems are more vulnerable to disruptions to the links between land and water is worrying considering the increasing human pressures on tropical freshwater ecosystems, which are among the most threatened in the world.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-negative-human-impacts">Negative human impacts</h2>



Emerging aquatic insects serve as pathways through which negative human impacts can travel from aquatic to terrestrial environments.&nbsp;



Activities that diminish insect populations, like stream pollution, inadvertently affect land-based predators by limiting their access to essential nutrition derived from insects.&nbsp;



Given that tropical aquatic insects are perilously declining due to human endeavors and climate shifts, the study forewarns of consequential ripple effects throughout tropical regions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-riparian-buffers-nbsp">Riparian buffers&nbsp;</h2>



The study highlights the urgent need for robust protection measures for “riparian buffers,” or safeguarded land strips surrounding waterways that are crucial for maintaining the land-water connections.&nbsp;



Present buffer dimensions, ranging between 5 to 100 meters, are deemed insufficient to protect vast terrestrial biodiversity around water bodies.&nbsp;



With buffer regulations in Brazil having been eased in recent years, the researchers advocate for enhanced protection policies for these buffers and a more integrated approach considering the interconnectivity between different ecosystems, especially in tropical areas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-challenges">Study challenges</h2>



“Our research took us to remote parts of the world from the Amazon jungle and Iguaçu River basin in Brazil to Snowdonia national park in Wales and The Trossachs in Scotland,” said study lead author Dr. Liam Nash.



“We braved ticks, wasps, midges, and snakes to collect our samples, and saw animals such as harpy eagles and tapirs along the way. We ran into challenges with the pandemic, which saw me having to fly out of Brazil on one of the last available flights in March 2020 as travel rules were changing hourly! This work could not have happened without the help of experienced local field guides and close collaboration with scientists and students from Brazil.”



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Tropical ecosystems at risk: The critical role of aquatic insects

Tropical ecosystems are significantly dependent on emerging aquatic insects, which...

An escalating trend of carbon-capture tree plantations has been primarily driven by the urgency of the climate crisis.&nbsp;



In an opinion piece published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2023.08.012">Trends in Ecology and Evolution</a>, experts warn that these initiatives might inadvertently endanger tropical biodiversity while offering minimal gains in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-level-rise-influences-coastal-carbon-storage-capacity/">carbon</a> sequestration. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-net-zero-emissions">Net zero emissions</h2>



"The escalating threat of climate change has spurred global commitments to achieve net zero emissions by the middle of this century," wrote the researchers.



"To reach a balance between reducing emission sources and enhancing greenhouse gas sinks, land-based carbon sequestration is viewed as an important strategy to offset emissions, most prominently via nature-based solutions."



"This, together with the commodification of carbon and the substantial growth of the voluntary carbon market, has resulted in a boom in the number of commercial tree plantation projects across tropical ecosystems with significant financial flows from private and public sectors towards carbon offsetting projects."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecosystem-degradation-nbsp">Ecosystem degradation&nbsp;</h2>



The experts argue that carbon-offset plantations might come with hidden costs. Instead, they say, we should prioritize conserving and restoring intact ecosystems.



“Despite the broad range of ecosystem functions and services provided by tropical ecosystems, society has reduced value of these ecosystems to just one metric - carbon,” wrote the authors, led by Jesús Aguirre-Gutiérrez of the Environmental Change Institute at the University of Oxford.&nbsp;



“Current and new policy should not promote ecosystem degradation via tree plantations with a narrow view on carbon capture.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tropical-ecosystems-nbsp">Tropical ecosystems&nbsp;</h2>



Tropical ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, and savannas, are favored for tree plantation because they promote rapid tree growth.&nbsp;



Yet, contrary to popular belief, tree plantations designed for carbon capture seldom contribute to biodiversity or social-economic welfare, noted the researchers.&nbsp;



Tropical ecosystems are renowned biodiversity hotspots that provide invaluable ecosystem services, including water quality maintenance, soil health preservation, and pollination.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-capture-plantations-nbsp">Carbon-capture plantations&nbsp;</h2>



Unfortunately, many carbon-capture plantations, typically monocultures, predominantly cultivate five tree species: teak, mahogany, cedar, silk oak, and black wattle. Although economically viable, these plantations tend to support lower biodiversity levels.&nbsp;



For instance, the Brazilian Cerrado savannah experienced approximately 30% reduction in plant and ant diversity following a 40% increase in woody cover.&nbsp;



Such plantations also inadvertently inflict ecological harm, including stream flow reduction, groundwater depletion, and soil acidification.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-little-gain-in-carbon-sequestration-nbsp">Little gain in carbon sequestration&nbsp;</h2>



The experts noted the limited effectiveness of even the most aggressive carbon-capture plantation endeavors in sequestering carbon.&nbsp;



“The current trend of carbon-focused tree planting is taking us along the path of large-scale biotic and functional homogenization for little carbon gain,” wrote the researchers. “An area equivalent to the total summed area of USA, UK, China, and Russia would have to be forested to sequester one year of emissions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-subterranean-carbon-storage-nbsp">Subterranean carbon storage&nbsp;</h2>



The paper also highlights that intact tropical grasslands and savannas already function as significant carbon sinks, predominantly storing carbon underground.&nbsp;



This subterranean storage, at risk of being lost if these areas are afforested, proves more resilient to environmental disruptions like droughts and fires compared to above-ground carbon stores in tree plantations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-financial-incentives-nbsp">Financial incentives&nbsp;</h2>



Driven by substantial financial incentives, private firms are investing heavily in carbon-capture initiatives, a trend the authors believe is propelled more by economic considerations than ecological concerns.&nbsp;



While carbon metrics are straightforward to quantify and monetize, an excessive focus on tree-planting for carbon capture could potentially undermine efforts to protect intact ecosystems, leading to unfavorable compromises between carbon, biodiversity, and ecosystem functionality.



The experts say we should prioritize conserving intact ecosystems instead of focusing on commercial tree planting.



“An overarching view on maintaining original ecosystem functioning and maximizing as many ecosystem services as possible should be prioritized above the ongoing economic focus on carbon capture projects."



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Tree plantations have hidden impacts on tropical biodiversity

An escalating trend of carbon-capture tree plantations has been primarily...

A recent study suggests an uncertain future for coral reefs, as their growth struggles to match the pace of rising sea levels.&nbsp;



The study, which investigated 9,000 years of coral growth, highlights a discernible decrease in coral growth rates.&nbsp;



The research was focused on the analysis of 22 drill cores collected from the Belize barrier reef and atolls. The drill cores measured a total of 215 meters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dwindling-accretion-rates">Dwindling accretion rates</h2>



The team used radioisotope dating to estimate the age of the coral fragments. This method allows scientists to infer the age of a material through the decay rates of radioactive samples.



Next, the researchers calculated the distances between the samples in the drill cores to estimate growth rates.&nbsp;



“Our data show that coral accretion rates in Belize decreased during the Holocene. While at 3.36 millimeters per year, the average accretion rates of reef margins are in the same range as other regions in the western Atlantic, they are somewhat lower than those in the Indo-Pacific," explained Professor Eberhard Gischler of Goethe University.



This discrepancy has significant implications for tropical island-nations that depend on or are protected by coral reefs and is particularly noteworthy in light of ongoing climate change discussions.



“The growth rates are at the lower end of the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) predictions of future sea-level rise until 2100," said Gischler.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shift-in-coral-composition">Shift in coral composition</h2>



The study corroborates the observed decline in live corals in the Caribbean. Today, many reefs in the region are not dominated by corals, but rather by fleshy algae and generalistic weedy taxa.



Older sections of the reef, as noted by Gischler and colleagues, predominantly feature stress-tolerant, reef-building corals.&nbsp;



“At the base of our cores, directly overlying Pleistocene reef limestone, Pseudodiploria brain corals and Orbicella star corals are most common, illustrating that members of the stress-tolerant taxa are clearly dominating,” said Gischler.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-centennial-scale-growth-gaps">Centennial-scale growth gaps</h2>



The drill cores revealed intriguing centennial-scale gaps in the fossil records of the fast-growing Acropora palmata, or elkhorn coral.&nbsp;



These gaps, occurring approximately 2,000, 4,000, and between 5,500-6,000 years ago, might be indicative of environmental shifts such as higher temperatures, increased storm activity, or altered nutrient supply.



The 4,000-year-old gap coincides with a potential mass mortality event affecting grazing echinoids in the region.&nbsp;



The researchers propose that this could have led to increased abundance of fleshy algae or may be related to the 4.2 k-event, a significant climatic shift thought to have caused mid-latitude droughts and warmer sea surface temperatures.



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



"Studying the drill cores enables us to develop both detailed and systematic reconstructions of the environmental conditions that prevailed during the Holocene, based on which previous ecological and environmental conditions can be reconstructed, allowing us to determine whether the current coral and coral reef declines are in fact unprecedented,” explained Gischler.&nbsp;



Coral reefs are already under threat due to global warming, ocean acidification, water quality deterioration, and diseases.&nbsp;



These latest results suggest that tropical coral reefs may become one of the first victims of climate change as they fail to grow fast enough to keep up with rising sea levels.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-38118-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Coral growth cannot keep pace with rising sea levels

A recent study suggests an uncertain future for coral reefs,...

Young,Mother,With,A,Baby,Boy,Doing,Housework.

Contamination in U.S. drinking water exposes millions of Americans to health risks, including cancer, according to a new study led by Johnnye Lewis of the <a href="https://hsc.unm.edu/news/2023/10/u.s-drinking-water-often-contains-toxic-contaminants-unm-scientist-warns.html">University of New Mexico</a> (UNM). In collaboration with scientists from various parts of the country, Lewis warns that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-water-is-the-key-to-a-long-and-healthy-life/">drinking water</a> from many wells and community water systems contains unsafe levels of toxic contaminants.



While many Americans believe the water from their taps is unpolluted and safe for consumption, this research suggests this is not always the case.&nbsp;



Alarmingly, the experts report that people living in tribal areas or underserved communities are at a higher risk. The research also raises concerns about the exacerbating effects of climate change on sourcing safe drinking water.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study-nbsp">Focus of the study&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers investigated the presence of seven contaminants frequently found in drinking water: arsenic, fracking fluids, lead, nitrates, chlorinated disinfection byproducts, synthetic chemicals (specifically PFAS or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), and uranium.



“There were several of us that have expertise in dealing with these particular contaminants, and we were seeing that they’re not always at safe levels in drinking water sources for a number of reasons,” said Lewis.



Several of the contaminants, such as arsenic, uranium, lead, and nitrates, are known or suspected to cause cancer. Prolonged exposure to many of these contaminants has also been associated with neurological and developmental disorders.



“Some of these, like uranium and arsenic - and even nitrates - are just common,” Lewis said. “They commonly occur in groundwater, and sometimes it is the source that you have access to.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emerging-new-threats">Emerging new threats</h2>



On the other hand, chemicals such as fracking fluids and PFAS, which are human-induced, are emerging as new threats. Notably, PFAS, due to its nature, can persist in the environment for extended periods without breaking down.



The research emphasizes that the identified seven contaminants are just a drop in the bucket. Thousands of chemical agents potentially pollute drinking water, and the possibility of their combined effects poses further threats.



“We’re only really now starting to come up with good methods to assess what those mixtures do,” said Lewis. “There’s always a lot of uncertainty, because a mixture is not the same in one community as it is in the next.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-water-systems-nbsp">Public water systems&nbsp;</h2>



The report highlights the varying capacities of water systems in detecting and eliminating these contaminants. Of the 150,000 public water systems in the United States, about a third are community water systems that cater to 320 million Americans – a staggering 95% of the population.&nbsp;



A significant 91% of these community water systems provide for fewer than 10,000 individuals, which amounts to 52 million people. Meanwhile, over 43 million Americans depend on private wells for their drinking water.



With these findings, the authors stress the urgent need for enhancing the nation's drinking water infrastructure, solidifying water standards, advancing water treatment procedures, and enforcing more rigorous chemical safety tests.



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



Highlighting the broader implications, Lewis pointed out that the changing climate, especially in the western U.S., is complicating the quest for clean water sources.&nbsp;



“For me the thing that is most concerning is that you start looking at drought and the stresses that that puts on looking for additional water sources,” said Lewis. “The potential for making sure those sources are clean could become more limited.”



The impact of climate change will most heavily burden those who are least equipped to handle it, such as people living in communities with minimal or no water monitoring.



"When we talk about racial injustice and societal injustice in communities that are underserved, they're the ones that are going to bear the brunt of this," said Lewis.&nbsp;



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41370-023-00597-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology</a>.



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95% of U.S. drinking water contains unsafe levels of toxic contaminants

Contamination in U.S. drinking water exposes millions of Americans to...

Gliding,Frog,Look,Like,Laughing,On,Moss,,Flying,Frog,Laughing,

Scientists warn the state of amphibians worldwide continues to rapidly deteriorate, according to a new study.&nbsp;Researchers found that over 40 percent of the world's more than 8,000 amphibian species could face extinction in the coming decades.&nbsp;This makes <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/why-are-some-endangered-amphibians-going-extinct/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amphibians</a> the most endangered group of vertebrates in the world today.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commonly-documented-threats-nbsp">Commonly documented threats&nbsp;</h2>



"When considering all threatened amphibians, the most commonly documented threats are types of habitat loss and degradation, with the top three being agriculture (77% of species impacted), timber and plant harvesting (53%), and infrastructure development (40%)," wrote the study authors.



"Climate change effects (29%) and disease (29%) are other common threat types. Although these are important findings, they do not account for the severity and scope of these threats."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extinction-threat-for-amphibians-is-escalating">Extinction threat for amphibians is escalating</h2>



In tracing the evolutionary journey of <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/are-amphibians-cold-blooded/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amphibians</a>, the researchers found an escalating trend of extinctions.&nbsp;



Researchers recorded a mere 23 species as extinct in 1980, and that number surged to 37 by 2022.



Distinct species like the gastric-brooding frogs, which had the unique capability of incubating their eggs in their stomachs, have unfortunately been lost forever.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-captives">Climate captives</h2>



‘As humans drive changes to our planet, amphibians are becoming climate captives, unable to move very far to escape the climate change-induced increase in frequency and intensity of extreme heat, drought and hurricanes," said study lead author Jennifer Luedtke Swandby.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-amphibians-face-extinction">Why amphibians face extinction</h2>



While habitat loss, largely due to agriculture, impacts an estimated 77% of <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/how-do-amphibians-breathe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amphibians</a>, it is only the main cause of decline and extinction for about a third of species.&nbsp;



Diseases, particularly chytridiomycosis caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, have historically been more destructive, causing abrupt declines.&nbsp;



Notably, the sharp-snouted day frog from Queensland, Australia, was wiped out within a decade of being infected, marking its extinction in 2021.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-crisis-to-blame">Climate crisis&nbsp;to blame</h2>



However, the changing climate has now emerged as a dominant factor. The climate crisis accounts for declines and extinctions in more than 40% of amphibian species.&nbsp;



Climate change's multifaceted impacts, such as rising temperatures and prolonged droughts, are challenging amphibians' survival, given their reliance on moisture.&nbsp;



Moreover, changing weather patterns can catalyze the spread of diseases.



The findings of the study indicate that amphibians have the highest extinction risk among major animal groups listed on the conservation Red List.



Salamanders and newts emerge as particularly vulnerable within this group.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-amphibians-from-extinction">Protecting amphibians from extinction</h2>



Despite these bleak statistics, there is a glimmer of hope. Over the past 40 years, focused conservation initiatives have revived 60 species.&nbsp;



An additional 57 species seem to be making a natural comeback, potentially developing resistance against diseases.&nbsp;



Yet, the conservation status of many remains uncertain, with over 600 awaiting assessment and 900 listed as "data deficient."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prioritizing-conservation-action-nbsp">Prioritizing conservation action&nbsp;</h2>



‘Though thousands of amphibian species are known about, we know very little about their ways of life of many of them," said study co-author Dr. David Gower, an expert in amphibians at the Natural History Museum.



‘Without detailed information on their population trends or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loss-of-wildlife-happens-five-times-slower-in-protected-lands/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">where they live</a>, it is difficult to accurately categorize species on the Red List. Overcoming this is a major challenge in amphibian conservation biology.’



‘We’re in the process of adding new species to the global inventory and re-assessing the conservation status of known species," said Dr. Loader. "These assessment data help to prioritize conservation action in areas where we see most evidence of change and need.’



The full paper was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06578-4">Nature</a>. Over 100 scientists from across the globe provided insights to back this comprehensive study.



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Over 40% of amphibians face extinction due to escalating climate threats

Scientists warn the state of amphibians worldwide continues to rapidly...

Category,5,Super,Typhoon,Approaching,The,Coast.,The,Eye,Of

The catastrophic consequences of intense tropical cyclones are no news. Torrential rains, deadly flooding, winds of immense destructive power, and storm surges that can wipe out coastal areas have all made headlines. However, a recent study from the <a href="https://manoa.hawaii.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa</a> has unveiled a worrying trend. As the climate warms, devastating hurricanes and cyclones aren't just becoming more frequent or powerful – they're coming earlier.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accelerating-clock-of-nature">Accelerating clock of nature</h2>



The study was spearheaded by <a href="http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/MET/Hsco/chu-index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pao-Shin Chu</a>, an atmospheric sciences professor at the UH Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology and the Hawai‘i State Climatologist. 



His research reveals that since the 1980s, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-slowing-down-hurricanes-making-them-stronger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Category 4 and 5 hurricanes</a> (those with wind speeds greater than 131 miles per hour) are making their presence felt three to four days earlier with each passing decade. Such a shift in the seasonal cycle means these severe storms are arriving not in their expected period, but much earlier, causing unforeseen challenges for affected communities.



Chu remarked, “When intense tropical cyclones occur earlier than usual, they disrupt the preparedness measures of communities. This unexpected arrival can coincide with other weather systems, such as local thunderstorms or seasonal monsoon rainfall, creating compounded extreme events. The result? An overwhelmed emergency response.”



While the characteristics of intense <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/how-to-plan-for-climate-change-hurricanes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hurricanes in a warming climate</a>, like their number, intensity, and lifespan, are already a matter of significant research, the shift in their seasonal timing was a less-explored area – until now.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-data-dive">The data dive</h2>



To gain insights into these changes, Chu and his team delved deep into a variety of data sources. Using satellite imagery, historical cyclone tracks, rainfall records from <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA</a>, and an array of statistical methods, the researchers discerned a significant repositioning of these intense cyclones from autumn months to summer since the 1980s. 



This trend was especially pronounced in regions like the eastern North Pacific off Mexico's coast (the source of most hurricanes impacting Hawai‘i), the western North Pacific, the South Pacific, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic coast of Florida and the Caribbean.



The consistency of earlier <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/back-to-back-hurricanes-will-soon-become-common/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hurricane arrivals</a>, as revealed by both satellite data and traditional ground observations, took Chu by surprise. Citing an example, he mentioned Hurricane Harvey, which in August 2017, as a Category 4 storm, slammed into Texas and Louisiana, resulting in catastrophic flooding and claiming over 100 lives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-connection">Climate change connection</h2>



Probing further, the research team used various global climate model simulations, like the high-resolution CMIP6 models. They found that warmer oceanic conditions, which are conducive to the genesis of intense tropical cyclones, were developing earlier, mainly due to greenhouse gas forcing.



“In a world where carbon dioxide levels continue to rise unchecked, this trend of earlier cyclone arrivals will only intensify,” warned Chu.



Areas like South China and the Gulf of Mexico are already witnessing the repercussions, as the early advent of these cyclones is triggering extreme rainfall ahead of its usual time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-be-prepared">Be prepared</h2>



The implications of these findings are far-reaching. With tropical cyclones appearing earlier than expected, there's a heightened risk of their simultaneous occurrence with other severe weather events. 



Chu emphasized the gravity of this situation, stating, “Given this advancing timeline of intense cyclones, the potential for their confluence with other high-impact weather phenomena should ring alarm bells. It's crucial to understand the shifts in hurricane activity due to global warming, as this knowledge is pivotal for disaster prevention, managing resources, and ensuring community readiness.”



This study underscores the importance of adaptive measures and enhanced preparedness as we grapple with the unpredictable twists and turns of a rapidly changing climate.



Their findings were published recently in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06544-0">Nature</a>.



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Definitive link found between intensity of early hurricanes and climate change

The catastrophic consequences of intense tropical cyclones are no news....

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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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

[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



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Plants help remove heavy metals from contaminated soil

[sendtonews key="6SdlLLbt0t-1988946-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NTU...

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

NASA monitors giant dust storms on Mars

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz

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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique

[sendtonews key="yPSXGZek1I-2312529-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.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...