The summer of 2024 has shattered records, emerging as the hottest summer the planet has ever seen. This unsettling development is alarming yet predictable, as the reality of climate change has been manifesting for years. The Northern Hemisphere, in particular, is grappling with the consequences of this unforgiving heat—marked by persistent droughts and extreme heatwaves
Earth
Drought represents one of the most significant environmental challenges of our time, impacting ecosystems, economies, and communities globally. The traditional methods of monitoring and predicting drought have often proven unreliable due to the complexity of the phenomenon and the varying hydroclimatic conditions across different regions. The limitations inherent in conventional drought indices have highlighted the
Throughout Earth’s history, there have been several dramatic climatic events, notably the “Snowball Earth” episodes. These events, which occurred hundreds of millions of years ago, saw our planet enveloped almost entirely in ice, sometimes accumulating thicknesses of up to 0.6 miles (1 kilometer). While these icy occurrences are staggeringly rare, with only a handful documented
Recent research led by Dr. Zoë Thomas from the University of Southampton has uncovered shocking insights into the ecological history of the Falkland Islands, revealing that what is now a barren, windswept grassland was once home to a lush rainforest. Up to 30 million years ago, this remote archipelago, located in the South Atlantic, was
Water plays a critical role in geological processes at depths within the Earth’s crust. The behavior of rocks under extreme conditions—including those deep within the crust—reveals significant interactions with water. This interaction influences not only the stability of these rocks but also the occurrence of natural phenomena such as earthquakes and tectonic plate movements. As
The increasing prevalence of plastic in our environment is not merely an environmental concern; it’s a multifaceted crisis that threatens marine life, human health, and societal structures globally. According to a new report featured in the journal Science, a robust response is urgently needed from all corners of the globe to address the escalating plastic
A collaborative research effort between the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Arizona has yielded groundbreaking insights into Earth’s temperature variations over the past 485 million years. Published on September 19 in the journal Science, this study presents a meticulously crafted curve depicting global mean surface temperature (GMST) throughout the Phanerozoic Eon—a period characterized by
The Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica has become an alarming focal point in discussions concerning climate change and its catastrophic potential. New research conducted by a collaboration of British and American scientists reveals that tidal actions on the glacier’s underside will significantly worsen its melting rates throughout the century. As a critical component of the West
The world’s oceans are critical players in the climate system, absorbing a significant portion of the excess heat generated by global warming. Recent research published in Geophysical Research Letters sheds light on this phenomenon—specifically, the warming of the deep ocean—by harnessing innovative technology and historical data. The implications of these findings are profound, hinting at
Industrial fishing has revolutionized the way we access and consume seafood, providing an abundance of marine options for consumers worldwide. However, as the consumption of large pelagic fish—such as tuna—increases, so does concern over methylmercury contamination. Recent research from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), alongside partners from the
In a remarkable investigation, researchers led by Ryuhei Nakamura from Japan’s RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science and the Earth-Life Science Institute at the Tokyo Institute of Technology have uncovered compelling evidence suggesting that deep-ocean hydrothermal vents could be pivotal for understanding the origins of life. This groundbreaking study, published in Nature Communications, showcases the
The intricate relationship between global warming and ecological disturbances is a critical area of research, particularly concerning permafrost and wildfires. Recent findings published in the journal Nature Communications have spotlighted this issue, revealing that the thawing of permafrost in Subarctic and Arctic regions—such as northern Canada and Siberia—could lead to a sharp increase in wildfire
The 79° N Glacier, located in Northeast Greenland, stands as the largest floating glacier tongue in the country and a sentinel of climate change’s immediate impacts. This expansive ice mass is not just an iconic geographical feature but also a crucial element in understanding the broader implications of global warming. As temperatures rise, particularly in
Urban environments are teeming with unseen threats, particularly when it comes to air quality. Non-exhaust emissions from brakes, tires, and roads pose significant health risks to pedestrians and cyclists who navigate these bustling spaces. These particles, though often invisible to the naked eye, can lead to chronic diseases and escalate healthcare concerns for urban dwellers.
Recent research has illuminated the existence of microbial life in the deep bedrock of Greenland, dating back approximately 75 million years. This revelation, published in the esteemed journal *Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems*, expands our understanding of the deep biosphere—a subsurface habitat where life thrives under extreme conditions devoid of sunlight and oxygen. The conditions in this