General — Environment — November 26th, 2025
A global shipping detour just revealed a hidden climate twist
A global shipping disruption exposed how cleaner fuels sharply reduce cloud-cooling effects, reshaping climate predictions and policy trade-offs.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Archaeologists uncover a 2,000-year-old crop in the Canary Islands
Millennia-old Canary Island lentils reveal a resilient genetic legacy with major potential for future climate-smart crops.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Avalanches are of key importance to glaciers worldwide
An international research team has shown that avalanches are crucial to the survival of many glaciers worldwide. The study aims to contribute to better predictions of water resources and natural hazards in the context of global warming.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Century-old cosmic ray mystery is close to being solved
Michigan State University astrophysicists are closing in on one of space science's biggest mysteries: where the galaxy's most energetic particles come from. Their studies uncovered a pulsar wind nebula behind a mysterious LHAASO signal and set important X-ray constraints on other potential sources.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Climate change could expand habitats for malaria mosquitoes, researchers warn
An insistent buzzing at sunset followed by itchy, spotted legs. Here in Denmark, mosquitoes are mostly an annoying—but generally harmless—nuisance. That is far from the case in many parts of the world.
November 23, 2025 — Source
County Planning Commission in Virginia Delays Vote Again on Proposed Gas Plant That Aims to Link to PJM Grid
Fluvanna County planners will vote in January to assess whether a proposal by Tenaska fits its comprehensive plan.
November 23, 2025 — Source
COP30: Petrostates block climate deal once again, but some countries are taking their own steps
The latest United Nations climate summit (COP30) was held between 10 and 21 November in Belem, Brazil. Although the event did not end with any significant progress toward the goals of mitigating global warming or advancing climate finance, it did leave us with one positive outcome: a group of countries has launched an initiative to phase out fossil fuels.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Earthquakes Did Something Unexpected to Life Deep Beneath Yellowstone
Researchers took a look at how earthquakes change what's available on the underground microbial menu.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Eco-friendly method detects trace illicit drugs on surfaces in just 5 minutes
The research group FQM-215—Affordable and Sustainable Sample Preparation at the University of Córdoba has developed a method that is not only faster and easier to perform but also more environmentally sustainable. It can detect illicit drugs on surfaces and determine their exact quantity in just five minutes, using everyday items such as cotton fabric swabs for sampling.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Exceptional points alter the order of lasing modes
Exceptional points (EPs) are non-Hermitian singularities where two or more eigenstates coalesce, resulting in the eigenspace collapsing in dimensionality. Over the past decade, researchers have uncovered a wealth of exotic phenomena near EPs.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Floods in Thailand, Malaysia kill over 30, displace thousands
Tens of thousands of people in Thailand and neighboring Malaysia were displaced by widespread flooding, with streets submerged, homes inundated and at least 34 dead, officials said Wednesday.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Gender imbalance hinders equitable environmental governance, say UN scientists
Inclusive representation is fundamental to equitable and effective environmental governance, particularly in addressing the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation, the three focus areas of the well-known Rio Conventions.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Here's why there's a solar canopy in a sprawling parking lot at the University of Washington
The University of Washington is powering up its vision for a brighter, more sustainable future with a newly completed solar canopy installed in a sprawling parking lot north of Husky Stadium.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Island-wide field surveys illuminate land-sea connections in Mo'orea
A massive, multi-year scientific expedition led by researchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara and collaborating institutions, including the University of Hawai'i (UH) at Mānoa, determined that land use on tropical islands can shape water quality in lagoons and that rainfall can be an important mediator for connections between land and lagoon waters.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Maine's First Major Data Center Project Touts Green Innovation
The proposed project promises hydro-powered data and cutting-edge cooling technology, yet questions remain about its true environmental footprint and local impact as it borders indigenous land and a national wildlife refuge.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Making LAZY plants stand up: Research reveals new pathway plants use to detect gravity
A study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin--Madison has revealed a previously unknown pathway plants use to detect gravity and orient the direction they grow in. Publishing in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study may one day open the door for improvements in crop cultivation.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Microplastics disrupt gut microbiome and fermentation in farm animals, study reveals
Microplastics, tiny plastic particles pervasive in agricultural environments, interact with and disrupt the microbial ecosystem in the rumen—the first stomach chamber of cattle, reveals an international study.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Members of America's Largest Power Grid Can't Agree on How to Power Data Centers
With no consensus among stakeholders, PJM Interconnection's 10-member board now must craft a policy for surging data-center demand that has already driven up electricity prices for millions.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Musk's xAI to build small solar farm adjacent to Colossus data center
Artificial intelligence startup xAI, founded by Elon Musk, told city and county planners in Memphis last week that it plans to build a solar farm next to its Colossus data center — one of the world's largest facilities for training AI models.
November 23, 2025 — Source
New evidence shows the Maya collapse was more than just drought
Climate shifts, conflict, and farming innovations built Maya cities — and freedom and better conditions unraveled them.
November 23, 2025 — Source
New Jersey city expands its urban forest, trains residents to care for the trees
The We Grow Camden initiative aims to plant 3,000 trees across the city.
November 23, 2025 — Source
New mapping tool could help preserve centuries-old forests in B.C.
A proactive new tool that can help preserve old forests in British Columbia has been developed by University of Alberta researchers.
November 23, 2025 — Source
New US National Parks Fees For International Visitors Draw Scrutiny
Environmentalists and former agency employees warn of increased workloads for park employees at a time when park staffing is already low.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Non-toxic solvent enables near-perfect recycling of mixed-fiber textiles
We are producing more textiles than ever before: worldwide, well over one hundred million tons of textiles are manufactured every year—more than twice as much as in the year 2000. This makes it increasingly important not to simply throw away old textiles, but to recover them in an environmentally friendly way.
November 23, 2025 — Source
North and Baltic seas show widespread contamination by MRI contrasting agents
A comprehensive study by the CritMET research group, led by Prof. Michael Bau, a geochemist at Constructor University in Bremen, provides evidence of widespread contamination of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea with MRI contrast agents. As modern wastewater treatment plants cannot remove these contaminants from the wastewater, they can freely enter the environment and pollute rivers and lakes. Recently published research from a Bremen area group has shown that rare earth elements directly attributed to MRIs are now present in the North and the Baltic seas.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Old air samples hint at effects of climate change
Through DNA analysis of old air samples collected by the Swedish Armed Forces, researchers at Lund University in Sweden can show that spore dispersal of northern mosses has shifted over the past 35 years. It now starts several weeks earlier, revealing how quickly nature's calendar can reset in line with a warmer climate.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Persistent environmental toxins already accumulate in animal tissues during the fetal stage, research finds
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) begin to accumulate in the tissues of mammals already during the fetal stage, according to new research from the University of Oulu, Finland. The animal-model study found that environmental toxins had built up in the tissues of sheep raised in clean organic production, and that the same substances were transferred in notable amounts to the developing fetuses' adipose tissue.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Plants use engineering principles to push through hard soil
Across the globe, soil compaction is becoming an ever more serious challenge. Heavy vehicles and machinery in modern agriculture compress the soil to such an extent that crops struggle to grow. In many regions, the problem is aggravated by drought linked to climate change.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Public trust in science eroded by UN climate change language, study suggests
The United Nations' climate change body may unintentionally be eroding public trust in science because of the way it communicates risk, new University of Essex research shows.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Scientists discover a hidden deep sea hotspot bursting with life
Beneath the waters off Papua New Guinea lies an extraordinary deep-sea environment where scorching hydrothermal vents and cool methane seeps coexist side by side — a pairing never before seen. This unusual chemistry fuels a vibrant oasis teeming with mussels, tube worms, shrimp, and even purple sea cucumbers, many of which may be unknown to science. The rocks themselves shimmer with traces of gold, silver, and other metals deposited by past volcanic activity.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Researchers find smaller amounts of microplastics in southern Narragansett Bay
It's safe to say Rhode Islanders have a symbiotic relationship with Narragansett Bay.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Scientists use textile ash to create extremely strong cement
Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) are developing new ways to turn textile waste into energy and high-performance cement materials, offering sustainable solutions for two resource-intensive sectors—textiles and construction.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Solar's growth in US almost enough to offset rising energy use
Over the course of 2025, electricity demand has gradually declined.
November 23, 2025 — Source
The collapse of Maya civilization: Drought doesn't explain everything
Between 750 and 900 CE, the population of the Maya lowlands in Central America experienced a major demographic and political decline which, according to the scientific literature, coincided with repeated episodes of intense drought.
November 23, 2025 — Source
The Ozone Hole Continues To Prove Climate Action Can Work
More than 30 years in, the ozone layer continues to improve, showing the power of global collective action.
November 23, 2025 — Source
UAV-based system could predict sag and environmental risks for power transmission lines
Power transmission lines (TLs) are ubiquitous, spanning diverse landscapes, including forests, agricultural regions, as well as mountains. Therefore, it is crucial to develop novel technologies to monitor their condition in terms of environmental infringement as well as sag estimation.
November 23, 2025 — Source
Turning up the heat on steel's carbon pollution problem
EU researchers are testing new hydrogen-powered burners that could slash emissions from one of the world's most carbon-intensive industries—without shutting down production.
November 23, 2025 — Source
What meadows reveal about the future: Spatial data can predict biodiversity loss before species disappear
Meadows once teeming with buzzing insects and colorful plants are quietly losing their diversity. But how fast is this change happening and can we detect it before species disappear? A German-Swiss research team led by Professor Dr. Lena Neuenkamp of Bielefeld University has found an answer.
November 23, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — November 23rd, 2025
Anticipation, Then Handwringing, at the UN Climate Talks
Go behind the scenes with executive editor Vernon Loeb and climate science reporter Bob Berwyn as they break down the key outcomes of COP30.
November 23, 2025 — Source or Watch Video
How chemistry could finally fix the mixed plastics problem
A new recycling method breaks mixed plastics into their building blocks and selectively rebuilds each one, turning multilayer packaging and complex waste into usable materials again.
November 23, 2025 — Source
How China Silences Environmental Reporters Beyond Its Borders
Journalists who report on the harms caused by China’s overseas infrastructure buildout in Africa face intimidation, surveillance and police pressure.
November 23, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — November 22nd, 2025
A New Tropical Forest Fund Will Pay Countries, Locals and Indigenous Tribes to Protect Their Trees
This is how the fund, which was seeded with $5.5 billion during COP30, will work—and why the Earth needs it.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Amazon climate deal a 'win' for global unity but fossil fuels untouched
Nations sealed a modest agreement at the UN climate summit in the Brazilian Amazon on Saturday as many countries swallowed weaker terms on a fossil fuel phaseout to preserve unity.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Bill aims to preserve funding for key solution to Colorado River drought
For Las Vegas to keep its taps flowing, Rep. Susie Lee says this one drought measure must survive federal spending purges: water recycling.
November 21, 2025 — Source
COP30 Backpedals on Climate Action
Offering no new plans to cut fossil fuels, the UN's climate conference failed to produce a roadmap to stop global warming.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Engineered microbes could tackle climate change, if we ensure it's done safely
As the climate crisis accelerates, there's a desperate need to rapidly reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, both by slashing emissions and by pulling carbon out of the air.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Fuel made from just air, power and water is taking off, but several things are holding it back
Imagine powering long-haul aircraft and heavy ships with fuels derived from just air, water and renewable electricity. This is moving from science fiction to the verge of reality, thanks to the falling price of renewables like wind and solar.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Hidden copper switch supercharges green ammonia production
A surprise shift in copper may be the key to making ammonia production far cleaner.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Machine learning model sharpens snowfall forecasts for the Mountain West
The varied topography of the Western United States—a patchwork of valleys and mountains, basins and plateaus—results in minutely localized weather. Accordingly, snowfall forecasts for the mountain West often suffer from a lack of precision, with predictions provided as broad ranges of inch depths for a given day or storm cycle.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Meta wants to get into the electricity trading business
In order to accelerate the construction of new power plants needed to provide energy for its data centers, Meta is looking to get into the business of trading electricity.
November 21, 2025 — Source or Source
New research measures how much plastic is lethal for marine life
Marine animals inevitably eat what we toss in the ocean, including pervasive plastics—but how much is too much?
November 21, 2025 — Source
Plant robotics is redefining what a robot can be
Plant robotics shows how living movement and sensing can power biodegradable machines that work with natural environments, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional robotic materials and actuators.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Reintroduced Carnivores' Impacts on Ecosystems Are Still Coming Into Focus
Yellowstone has long been a mecca for scientists studying how predators affect everything from elk grazing to vegetation height. They are still debating how to make sense of what they've learned.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Scientists track recent solar flare disruptions in Earth's ionosphere
As this month's string of powerful X-class solar flares sparked brilliant auroras that lit up skies across an unusually wide swath of the globe—from northern Europe to Florida—researchers at NJIT's Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research (CSTR) captured a less visible, but crucial, record of the storm's impact on Earth's upper atmosphere.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Solar Desalination Electricity Plant Promises Power & Water, Can It Deliver?
What if solving three of the world's most pressing challenges, water scarcity, energy demand, and environmental sustainability, could be achieved with a single, innovative system? Imagine a technology that not only transforms seawater into fresh drinking water but also generates electricity and produces valuable salt, all while leaving behind zero waste. It sounds almost too good to be true, doesn't it? Yet, this is precisely what a new desalination process promises to deliver. By harnessing the power of the sun and advanced thermal techniques, this system could transform how we think about resource management, offering a sustainable solution to regions grappling with dwindling water supplies and rising energy needs.
November 22, 2025 — Source
Sustainable pastoralism is an asset, not a threat, in stemming biodiversity loss
A new analysis published in the journal BioScience challenges conventional conservation approaches by demonstrating that traditional livestock grazing on rangelands represents a crucial but often overlooked strategy for protecting global biodiversity.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Tea leaf experiments suggest tropical forests may better withstand climate change
Researchers at Northern Arizona University and the Smithsonian found an unconventional method to understand how rainforests will survive with climate change—making tea with living leaves at the top of the rainforest canopy.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Thousands of oysters are being re-introduced to Dublin Bay as nature's super water cleaners
Thousands of oysters are being re-introduced to Dublin Bay as nature's super water cleaners
November 21, 2025 — Source
What do we know about climate change? How do we know it? And where are we headed?
Amid all the talk with politicians, policy experts and scientists, it's worth reminding ourselves of the state of Earth's climate—a kind of long-term average of weather conditions—what's driving the changes we're seeing, and where we're heading next.
November 21, 2025 — Source
When trade routes shift, so do clouds: Researchers uncover ripple effects of new global shipping regulations
When militia attacks disrupted shipping lanes in the Red Sea, few imagined the ripple effects would reach the clouds over the South Atlantic. But for Florida State University atmospheric scientist Michael Diamond, the rerouting of cargo ships offered a rare opportunity to clarify a pressing climate question—How much do cleaner fuels change how clouds form?
November 21, 2025 — Source
Why now is the best time to invest in climate tech
Conventional wisdom suggests that climate tech is entering a winter season, where political and investor interest and investment levels are cooling — an ironic contrast with the climate itself, which keeps delivering years of record warmth.
November 21, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — November 21st, 2025
A drying-up Rio Grande basin threatens water security on both sides of the border
One of North America's longest rivers, the Rio Grande—or Rio Bravo as it's called in Mexico—has a history as deep as it is long. Indigenous people have tapped it for countless generations, and it was a key artery for Spanish conquistadors centuries ago.
November 21, 2025 — Source
At UN climate conference, some activists and scientists want more talk on reforming agriculture
With a spotlight on the Brazilian Amazon, where agriculture drives a significant chunk of deforestation and planet-warming emissions, many of the activists, scientists and government leaders at United Nations climate talks have a beef. They want more to be done to transform the world's food system.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Biodegradable mulching film can protect plants without pesticides or plastics
Whether you're a home gardener or an industrial farmer, you might be familiar with mulching films—plastic sheets laid over the soil to protect seedlings and promote crop growth. But like many other plastic materials, these films can release damaging microplastics and don't have any insect-repelling power. So, a team reporting in ACS Agricultural Science & Technology has developed an alternative biodegradable mulching film that also naturally repels pests using citronella oil.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Bringing environmental policymakers together to focus on future sparks empathy, study finds
When environmental policymakers are invited to imagine the future together, they don't just think differently, they feel differently, too.
November 21, 2025 — Source
California regulators approve rules to curb methane leaks and prevent fires at landfills
In one of the most important state environmental decisions this year, California air regulators adopted new rules designed to reduce methane leaks and better respond to disastrous underground fires at landfills statewide.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Earth's crust under stress: Researchers decipher energy release during earthquakes
Why do some earthquakes release more energy than others? A research team led by Prof. Dr. Armin Dielforder from the University of Greifswald has managed to demonstrate a clear physical connection between the energy released during earthquakes and the strength of rocks deep in the Earth's crust.
November 21, 2025 — Source
First-eve3r full Earth system simulation provides new tool to understand climate change
Climate change is responsible for more extreme hurricanes, more destructive wildfires, severe droughts, and increased human disease, among other harmful outcomes. Experts warn that if carbon emissions are not significantly reduced within a few decades, the damage to Earth's ecosystem will be irreversible.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Fossil fuel showdown looms on UN climate summit's final day
A breach, a blockade, and a blaze: tumultuous UN climate talks head into their final day Friday in the Brazilian Amazon, with countries still sharply split over fossil fuels.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Genetic engineering reduces plant's chromosome number without affecting its growth
Higher yields, greater resilience to climatic changes or diseases—the demands on crop plants are constantly growing. To address these challenges, researchers of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) are developing new methods in genetic engineering.
November 21, 2025 — Source
How Electric Companies Are Trying To Squeeze More Cash Out Of Solar Users
Home solar panels aren't just an environmentally friendly choice. They're designed to cut costs, at least after you've paid off the initial investment. Not only will you see a reduction in your electric bill, solar panels may help insulate you against rising costs in the future — at least, that's what proponents of solar energy have said for years. However, you'll want to be aware of any hidden costs, including additional fees from your electric company, before installing solar panels. Recently, many states have added new fees for solar users, while some utility companies have attempted to lower compensation rates.
November 21, 2025 — Source
International Effort to Curb Emissions of a Climate Super Pollutant Falls Short, UN Report Reveals
Methane emissions continue to climb despite a pledge by countries to curb climate pollution.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Ionic thermoelectric film uses body heat to power LED lights
A research team affiliated with UNIST has unveiled a novel thermoelectric (TE) film, capable of powering LED lights using a mere 1.5°C temperature difference between the human body and ambient air. This innovative technology promises new possibilities for self-powered wearable devices and energy-harvesting applications.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Known for its oil, Texas became a renewable energy leader. Now it's being unplugged.
The state was to get $400 million for solar energy in disadvantaged communities. The Trump administration took it all back.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Mercury pollution in marine mammals is increasing, new study finds
In 2017, a new global treaty was meant to bring mercury pollution under control. But three decades of data from UK harbor porpoises show mercury is still increasing, and is linked to a higher risk of dying from infectious disease.
November 21, 2025 — Source
New membrane sets record for separating hydrogen from CO2
When designing membranes that separate industrial gases, scientists often incorporate structures that attract the gas they want to obtain. This attraction can enhance the membrane's permeability, and help isolate the desired gas more efficiently.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Pentagon pumps $29.9M into bid to turn waste into critical minerals
It's unclear how much scandium and gallium ElementUSA will contribute to the supply chain, or when
November 21, 2025 — Source
Researchers find simple way to destroy PFAS on activated carbon
Researchers at Clarkson University have discovered a new way to destroy "forever chemicals," known as PFAS, using only stainless steel ball milling equipment. The method does not need added chemicals, heat, or solvents.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Secure land rights linked to lower deforestation in Brazil's Amazon, study shows
Who owns the rainforest—and who has the right to use it—might seem like a simple question.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Soil food webs boost carbon retention in farmlands, finds study
Researchers from the Institute of Applied Ecology (IAE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have uncovered how soil food webs promote the transformation and storage of photosynthetic carbon in farmlands.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Trump's Plans to Expand Offshore Drilling Meet Bipartisan Opposition
California and Florida lawmakers oppose the plan. It's the latest in the president's doubling down on fossil fuels, and a rare example of Republican pushback.
November 21, 2025 — Source
Week Two at COP30: What Happens When the World Can't Agree
Brazil's presidency pushed hard to close the deal, with President Lula returning to witness what they hoped would be a historic finish. Draft texts circulated rapidly. But negotiators were still debating language that over 80 countries wanted included, while others refused. The venue briefly shut down after a fire, then reopened. Civil society held a "funeral for fossil fuels" in the streets while diplomats removed any mention of a fossil fuel phase-out from the draft agreement.
November 21, 2025 — Source
World's biggest nuclear plant edges closer to restart
Japanese local authorities approved the restart of the world's biggest nuclear plant on Friday for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
November 21, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — November 20th, 2025
A key to unlock billions in private investment: the GGG Guarantee Directory
Guarantees can help bridge the finance gap for viable climate projects. In 2023, they mobilized USD 17 billion in private finance, according to the OECD. While they can support risk management to crowd in much-needed capital for climate action, their low visibility and a fragmented data landscape have kept them underused.
November 20, 2025 — Source
'A mini pot of gold': Researchers discover new tiny fungi species in Alberta
Three new evolutionary groups and 13 new species of "stubble fungi"—so named because they resemble beard whiskers—have been identified and described through a 13-year study, which also reported an additional 29 species found in the province for the first time, including nine in Edmonton.
November 20, 2025 — Source
After SEC investigation, Curastory founder resigns, hires replacement
The Securities and Exchange Commission has accused content monetization startup Curastory of overstating revenue to investors and misrepresenting true client numbers, according to paperwork seen by TechCrunch.
November 20, 2025 — Source
As Seas Rise, So Do the Risks From Toxic Sites
Flooding from surging seas is likely to inundate thousands of U.S. hazardous sites in coming years as global temperatures rise, placing the nation's most vulnerable at greatest risk.
November 20, 2025 — Source
Australia's algal bloom catastrophe has left more than 87,000 animals dead. What will happen this summer
An underwater bloom of toxic algae has wreaked havoc off the coast of South Australia since mid-March 2025. After eight months, this harmful algal bloom is the longest and one of the most environmentally devastating events ever recorded in Australian waters.
November 20, 2025 — Source
Behind every COP is a global data project that predicts Earth's future—here's how it works
Over the past week we've witnessed the many political discussions that go with the territory of a COP—or, more verbosely, the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
November 20, 2025 — Source
Brazil is trying to stop fossil fuel interests derailing COP30 with one simple measure
In recent years, more and more lobbyists from the oil, gas and coal industries have taken part in international climate negotiations. Estimates of lobbyist numbers have risen sharply, from 503 at the 2021 Glasgow talks to 1,773 at last year's talks in Azerbaijan's capital Baku.
November 20, 2025 — Source
California has a new wolf pack after another was euthanized
California wildlife officials have confirmed there's a new wolf pack in the northern part of the state, as the population of the endangered canids—and the number of livestock they have preyed on—continues to rise.
November 20, 2025 — Source
Congress Axes Biden-Era Protections That Shielded Alaskan Wetlands From Drilling
Congress Axes Biden-Era Protections That Shielded Alaskan Wetlands From Drilling
November 20, 2025 — Source
Could the solution to the carbon problem be carbon itself?
Can we use carbon to help decarbonize the world and transform the energy and chemical industries? Yes, it seems, but there are some key challenges to overcome first.
November 20, 2025 — Source
Google and Westinghouse lean on AI to speed US nuclear plant builds
Pair say digital twin-powered scheduling will cut costs, shrink timelines for 10 planned reactors
November 20, 2025 — Source
Groundwater, a missing link in coastal carbon storage
As global efforts intensify around restoring coastal wetlands to curb climate change, a new JCU-led study published in Reviews of Geophysics is the first to link wetland restoration and carbon cycling with groundwater dynamics, showing that subsurface flows can tip the balance from storing carbon to emitting it.
November 20, 2025 — Source
Korea establishes its first ultra high-voltage DC standards, accelerating the 'energy highway'
The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) has established Korea's first national standards for the reliable performance verification of High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission systems. Based on these newly established standards, KRISS will begin providing calibration and testing services for national power authorities and related industries.
November 20, 2025 — Source
Machine learning beats classical method in predicting cosmic ray radiation near Earth
Cosmic rays are high-energy particles that constantly bombard Earth from space and are influenced by the sun's magnetic activity. When the sun is active, fewer of these particles reach Earth; when the sun is quiet, more are detected. Understanding these variations is essential for space-weather research, astronaut safety, satellite operations, and aviation.
November 20, 2025 — Source
Monsoon storms will bring heavier rains but become weaker
Climate change will make monsoon storms in South Asia wetter and weaker, with more storms pushing further inland across India.
November 20, 2025 — Source
Moss spores survive 9 months outside International Space Station
Mosses thrive in the most extreme environments on Earth, from the peaks of the Himalayas to the sands of Death Valley, the Antarctic tundra to the lava fields of active volcanoes. Inspired by moss's resilience, researchers sent moss sporophytes—reproductive structures that encase spores—to the most extreme environment yet: space.
November 20, 2025 — Source
Nearly 47 million Americans live near hidden fossil fuel sites
A new analysis reveals how a vast, often unseen fossil fuel network surrounds millions of Americans, raising fresh concerns about pollution and health risks.
November 20, 2025 — Source
One Key State Remains in Limbo on Climate and Clean Energy Policies As Several Others Retreat
Arizona, Connecticut, New York and North Carolina are backsliding on climate issues. But Massachusetts isn't, at least for now.
November 20, 2025 — Source
Reprogrammed poplar trees can make key industrial chemical for biodegradable plastics
A team led by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory has engineered poplar trees to produce valuable chemicals that can be used to make biodegradable plastics and other products. The modified trees were more tolerant of high salt levels in soil and were easier to break down for conversion into biofuels and other bioproducts.
November 20, 2025 — Source
Scientists 'resurrect' 1960s data to learn more about how continents break apart
Magnetic data collected in the late 1960s has been brought back to life by a research team including a Keele scientist, who have used it to learn more about how the continent of Africa is stretching and splitting apart.
November 20, 2025 — Source
Seeing the hidden microbial world beneath our feet—from the sky
A new study by Dr. Angela Harris from The University of Manchester and Professor Richard Bardgett from Lancaster University has revealed that scientists can now detect the hidden world of microbes living in the soil—from the air.
November 20, 2025 — Source
Shark and ray diversity is declining, challenging previous assumptions
A team of international researchers led by the University of Vienna have investigated the development of shark and ray biodiversity over the past 100 million years. Their surprising results show a continuous decline in diversity since the Eocene, 45 million years ago, which contradicts previous assumptions that biodiversity was either stable or increasing.
November 20, 2025 — Source
Smart toilets in Cambodia fall short due to improper use
A smart toilet design introduced in rural Cambodia was supposed to change lives—keeping families safe and protecting the environment. However, while households reported that they liked the new system, a crucial piece was missing: using it correctly.
November 20, 2025 — Source
Some California landfills are on fire and leaking methane: Newly proposed rules could make them safer
A vast canyon of buried garbage has been smoldering inside a landfill in the Santa Clarita Valley, inducing geysers of liquid waste onto the surface and noxious fumes into the air.
November 20, 2025 — Source
Sortera is turning America's scrap aluminum problem into cash
When it comes to recycling, few materials can match aluminum. It can be reused an infinite number of times, and it's often cheaper to recycle than to produce new aluminum because it requires so much less energy. Yet only about a third of the aluminum used in the U.S. gets recycled.
November 20, 2025 — Source
Study shows waste cardboard is effective for power generation
A new study has shown for the first time that waste cardboard can be used as an effective source of biomass fuel for large-scale power generation.
November 20, 2025 — Source
The road ahead: Why conserving the invisible 99% of life is fundamental to planetary health
A new paper outlines how scientists came together to put together the first microbial conservation roadmap under the leadership of Applied Microbiology International President, Professor Jack Gilbert.
November 20, 2025 — Source
Turkey will host COP31, Australia will play a role. So where does that leave the Pacific?
The announcement is more complex than expected, even for the often labyrinthine world of global, multilateral event negotiations. But what will this arrangement mean for Australia's commitment to partnering with Pacific nations in delivering COP31?
November 20, 2025 — Source
We're not going anywhere: Mining town faces transition from coal head on
As the Hunter region of New South Wales inches toward the closure of the state's largest coal mine, Muswellbrook community members are urging industry to leave a positive legacy in their wake.
November 20, 2025 — Source
What do trees remember?
The Feanedock Oak stands out so clearly in Derbyshire's section of the National Forest, you'd think it was calling to you. Surrounded by open fields, hawthorn hedges and young beech forest, a majestic old oak like this anchors the English countryside.
November 20, 2025 — Source
Why saving microbes may be the most important conservation effort ever
Researchers have launched the first coordinated plan to protect microbial biodiversity, calling attention to the "invisible 99% of life" that drives essential Earth systems. The IUCN has formally recognized this effort through the creation of the Microbial Conservation Specialist Group. By developing new metrics, policies, and restoration tools, scientists aim to make microbial life a core part of global conservation action. The roadmap also outlines upcoming goals such as microbial hotspot maps and new microbe-based conservation solutions.
November 20, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — November 14th, 2025
Massive hidden waves are rapidly melting Greenland's glaciers
Calving icebergs unleash hidden wave forces that supercharge Greenland's melt and push the ice sheet closer to collapse.
November 14, 2025 — Source
Sustainable Tech Recycling: Get Paid to Declutter with Gadget Salvation
Gadget Salvation is a US-based buyback platform you'll want to check out to declutter your tech.
November 14, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — November 13th, 2025
A 400-million-year-old plant creates water so weird it looks alien
Researchers discovered that living horsetails act like natural distillation towers, producing bizarre oxygen isotope signatures more extreme than anything previously recorded on Earth—sometimes resembling meteorite water. By tracing these isotopic shifts from the plant base to its tip, scientists unlocked a new way to decode ancient humidity and climate, using both modern plants and fossilized phytoliths that preserve isotopic clues for millions of years.
November 13, 2025 — Source
A wealth of genes for seed improvement uncovered in living fossils
Seed plants are essential as a source of food, fuel, medicine, and more. Now, a multidisciplinary team of researchers has combined deep botanical knowledge with powerful genomic technology to decode and mine the DNA of non-flowering seed plants and uncover genes that evolved to help plants build seeds.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Britain's first small modular reactors to be built in Wales
Government picks Wylfa on Anglesey for initial trio of units, but power unlikely before mid-2030s
November 13, 2025 — Source
Can invasive plants increase tick exposure risk? Scientists reveal a surprising link to human health
An invasive grass found on almost every continent and considered a pest in 73 countries isn't just weeding out native plants, it is creating a haven for disease-carrying ticks and raising public health risk concerns.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Coastal ocean acidification advancing faster than expected, threatening local economies
New research from the University of St Andrews has found that some coastal areas will become much more acidic than previously anticipated. With added atmospheric CO2, these areas are acidifying more quickly than thought, posing an existential threat to coastal economies around the world.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Enhanced climate models reveal how our cities are driving and feeling the effects of climate change
Scientists have developed a new way to represent the world's cities in global climate and Earth system models (GCM & ESMs), offering a more accurate picture of how urban areas are being affected by—and contributing to—climate change.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Families from deprived areas and ethnic minorities face the worst indoor air quality, research finds
Harmful levels of indoor air pollution have been discovered in U.K. homes, with families from deprived areas and ethnic minority backgrounds facing the highest levels of exposure, according to a new study from the University of York's INGENIOUS research program.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Forget burgers and pizza. These teens want beans.
A youth-led campaign is urging school cafeterias to serve fiber-rich, plant-powered meals every day.
November 13, 2025 — Source
From sewer to furnace: How wastewater sludge is greening steel production
By turning wastewater sludge into biocoal and green hydrogen, EU researchers are helping reduce the steel industry's environmental impact.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Gas-switch reduction enables alloying in supported catalysts
Supported catalysts are systems in which the active catalytic materials, such as metals, are dispersed on a solid support material, such as alumina, silica, etc. These catalysts are widely used in various chemical processes. Several methods are available for preparing supported catalysts.
November 13, 2025 — Source
How fishes of the deep sea have evolved into different shapes
Fish species living in the deep sea feature a surprisingly large range of body shapes that evolved in different ways and at different rates depending on where the fishes live in the ocean, new research shows.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Hybridization helps mountain birds adapt to climate change, study finds
Climate change is driving drastic environmental shifts and accelerating global biodiversity loss. Hybrid introgression has recently emerged as a key mechanism enabling rapid adaptation to historical climate change. Yet empirical evidence remains scarce on whether this process can enhance future climate resilience, particularly for narrow-ranged species in mountainous biodiversity hotspots.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Inside the Fight to Stop the Illegal Trade Driving the Vaquita Porpoise Toward Extinction
An international investigation uncovers how criminal networks traffick parts of the totoaba, an endangered fish caught in Mexico's Gulf of California, to overseas underground markets. Andrea Crosta, from Earth League International, explains how.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Longer growing seasons fail to counteract drought-driven declines in forest growth, study finds
Longer growing seasons fail to counteract drought-driven declines in forest growth, study finds
November 13, 2025 — Source
Microbial network restructuring mitigates long-term soil carbon emissions from warming, decade-long study finds
Soils release approximately 40--60 petagrams (Pg) of carbon annually into the atmosphere through microbial metabolism. Climate warming is projected to further enhance soil microbial respiration, intensifying positive carbon--climate feedback loops. However, it remains unclear whether this feedback might weaken over several years.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Monarch migration mapped along Texas highways
Each fall, millions of monarch butterflies fly across Texas skies on their 3,000-mile journey to the mountains of central Mexico. The state's position in the center of the migratory route makes it critical to the species' success, both in the spring, when monarchs move north to reproduce, and in the fall, when they travel south to overwinter.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Nectar wars between bumble bees and invasive ants drain the hive
Bees may win fights with Argentine ants, but the hive pays the price in lost food and wasted energy.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Paperwork won't prepare us for climate change: Planning might
As global climate talks at COP30 shift from setting lofty targets to transforming the systems that will get us there, Australia has been quietly strengthening its climate resilience rulebook.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Producing bio-methane and CO2 directly from moist biogas
Thanks to novel flat membranes, biogas can be processed directly and energy-efficiently—even in small plants. In the Bio4Value project, the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP in the Potsdam Science Park, together with KS Kunststoffbau GmbH and the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy ATB, is developing a technology that opens new perspectives for the material use of methane and CO2.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Rare Sightings of Critically Endangered Vaquita Spark Cautious Optimism About the Species' Ability to Recover
Expert marine mammal researchers spotted up to 10 of the porpoises during a recent survey in the Upper Gulf of California. They warn the species remains at risk of extinction until safer fishing gear is developed to prevent deadly entanglements.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Record rains turn Argentina's farm-filled Pampas plains to wetlands
Parts of the Argentine Pampas, a vast expanse of flat grasslands, look more like wetlands these days following record rains, with local farmers warning of a "catastrophic" impact to their livelihoods.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Reducing the risks of wildlife corridors
Efforts to join up isolated plant and animal habitats across the world should also protect against unintentionally harming them, new research shows.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Sam Altman-backed Exowatt wants to power AI data centers with billions of hot rocks
When Hannan Happi started thinking about how to solve the AI power crisis, he kept one figure in mind: one cent per kilowatt-hour.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Space dust reveals how fast the Arctic is changing
Arctic sea ice is disappearing fast, and scientists have turned to an unexpected cosmic clue—space dust—to uncover how ice has changed over tens of thousands of years. By tracking helium-3--bearing dust trapped (or blocked) by ancient ice, researchers built a remarkably detailed history of Arctic coverage stretching back 30,000 years. Their findings reveal powerful links between sea ice, nutrient availability, and the Arctic food web, offering hints about how future warming may reshape everything from plankton blooms to geopolitics.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Species identification key to understanding South Australia's harmful algal bloom
In a significant step toward dealing with the persistent harmful algal bloom affecting the South Australian coast, researchers have identified the species chiefly responsible for mass deaths of marine animals and potential human health impacts during the past seven months.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Teen founders raise $6M to reinvent pesticides using AI — and convince Paul Graham to join in
Two teenage founders walked into Y Combinator co-founder Paul Graham's backyard with an idea no one in agriculture seemed to want — an AI model to help design better pesticides. By the time they left, they had a new business model, a new company, and eventually, Graham's backing.
November 13, 2025 — Source
The 1.5°C target—an obituary?
"The truth is that we have failed to avoid an overshooting above 1.5°C in the next few years," UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently admitted ahead of the COP30 UN Climate Change Conference.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Tracing mountain water to its hidden sources
In mountain regions like the Rockies, headwater streams make up more than 70% of the river network and support the downstream waterways and communities. These headwaters are also home to many forms of aquatic life. While these sources are crucial, very few are monitored, and aspects of their hydrology are not well understood.
November 13, 2025 — Source
When ants battle bumble bees, nobody wins
When bumble bees fight invasive Argentine ants for food, bees may win an individual skirmish but end up with less to feed the hive.
November 13, 2025 — Source
World oil market 'lopsided' as supply outpaces demand: IEA
The world's oil market is experiencing a period of imbalance as growing supply outstrips demand despite stronger deliveries to China, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said Thursday.
November 13, 2025 — Source
Yes, shouting at seagulls actually works, scientists confirm
Did you get through your beach picnics unscathed this summer? Or did you return from a swim only to find a "seagull" (most likely a herring gull if in the UK) rifling through your bags in search of food? If the latter, shouting at it should help to stop the gull in its tracks and make it fly off—as my team's latest research shows.
November 13, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — November 9th, 2025
500 disposable vapes recycled into a powerwall to power a house and workshop — enough juice for up to eight hours of home usage or three days of work
The ambitious DIY project turns e-waste into a sustainable energy source.
November 9, 2025 — Source
9,000-year-old ice melt shows how fast Antarctica can fall apart
New research reveals that East Antarctica's ancient ice collapse was driven by a self-reinforcing feedback between melting ice and warm ocean currents.
November 9, 2025 — Source
Deep-sea mining risks disrupting the marine food web, study warns
Drilling for minerals deep in the ocean could have immense consequences for the tiny animals at the core of the vast marine food web—and ultimately affect fisheries and the food we find on our plates, according to a new study.
November 9, 2025 — Source
Green alternative for light-emitting materials in displays uses plant waste and amino acids
Scientists have devised a way to create a green alternative to the light-emitting materials often used in TV, smartphones and other display technologies.
November 9, 2025 — Source
Life found in a place scientists thought impossible
Life defies limits in the deep sea—microbes flourish where Earth's chemistry seems too extreme for survival.
November 9, 2025 — Source
Meet the desert survivor that grows faster the hotter it gets
In Death Valley's relentless heat, Tidestromia oblongifolia doesn't just survive—it thrives. Michigan State University scientists discovered that the plant can quickly adjust its photosynthetic machinery to endure extreme temperatures that would halt most species. Its cells reorganize, its genes switch on protective functions, and it even reshapes its chloroplasts to keep producing energy. The findings could guide the creation of crops capable of withstanding future heat waves.
November 9, 2025 — Source
Microbes that breathe rust could help save Earth's oceans
Microbes that breathe iron and eat sulfide could be quietly saving Earth's oceans.
November 9, 2025 — Source
Philippines evacuates hundreds of thousands as super typhoon nears
Nearly one million people have been evacuated in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Fung-wong, with sustained winds of 185 km h−1 and gusts up to 230 km h−1, approaches. The typhoon is causing widespread flooding, storm surges, and heavy rainfall, with over 200 mm expected in many areas. Intensifying storms are linked to climate change, with warmer oceans and atmosphere increasing storm strength and rainfall.
November 9, 2025 — Source
This AI Aced Hurricane Season in 2025. Here's What That Means
Google DeepMind's Weather Lab only began releasing forecasts in June, and it's out-performing traditional models.
November 9, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — November 8th, 2025
A Data Center Could Be Coming to an Upstate New York Town, and Residents Are Speaking Out
The town board in Lansing is considering a temporary ban on large-scale development that could delay construction.
November 8, 2025 — Source
Climate intervention may lower protein content in major global food crops
A new study in Environmental Research Letters reports that cooling the planet by injecting sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere, a proposed climate intervention technique, could reduce the nutritional value of the world's crops.
November 8, 2025 — Source
Despite Headwinds, One Climate Group Sees Opportunity Ahead for Clean Power
In a new report, Giving Green describes how advances in so-called "clean firm power" technologies and action on permitting reform can keep the U.S. on a forward path.
November 8, 2025 — Source
Geopolitics, backsliding and progress: Here's what to expect at this year's COP30 global climate talks
Along with delegates from all over the world, I'll be heading to the United Nations COP30 climate summit in the Brazilian Amazon city of Belem. Like many others, I'm unsure what to expect.
November 8, 2025 — Source
How a Historic Meeting Between Pope Leo and King Charles Might Shift the Narrative on 'Creation Care'
A longtime advisor to King Charles offers perspective on the value of the leaders coming together on climate and environmental concerns ahead of COP30, the upcoming global climate conference.
November 8, 2025 — Source
Is Burying the Trees Killed by Wildfires a Climate Solution?
Proponents tout biomass burial to create carbon credits as a win-win-win for the climate, fire-scarred landscapes and those looking to offset their emissions.
November 8, 2025 — Source
Rainfall's origin reveals a hidden driver behind drought risks for farmers
A new University of California San Diego study uncovers a hidden driver of global crop vulnerability: the origin of rainfall itself.
November 8, 2025 — Source
Water temperatures in Amazonian lakes rise to unprecedented levels, killing wildlife
During a severe drought and heat wave in 2023, Amazonian lakes reached their highest recorded temperatures. Water temperatures in some areas climbed to an astonishing 41 degrees Celsius (105.8 degrees Fahrenheit) and resulted in the deaths of thousands of aquatic animals, including dozens of river dolphins.
November 8, 2025 — Source
We studied 217 tropical cyclones globally to see how people died. Our findings might surprise you
Tropical cyclones—also known as hurricanes, typhoons or storms, depending on their location and intensity—are among the world's most destructive and costly climate disasters.
November 8, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — November 7th, 2025
Antarctic ice melt triggers further melting: Evidence for cascading feedbacks 9,000 years ago
A study has revealed that the substantial retreat of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) approximately 9,000 years ago was driven by a self-reinforcing feedback loop between ice melt and ocean circulation.
November 7, 2025 — Source
As global climate action threatens to stall, can Australia step up at COP30 in Brazil?
Ten years on from the landmark Paris Agreement, countries have taken big strides in limiting emissions and the clean energy transition is accelerating rapidly. But geopolitical headwinds are growing and the damage bill for climate pollution is rising. Climate action hangs in the balance.
November 7, 2025 — Source
Big leap in quest to get to bottom of climate ice mystery
Stanislav Kutuzov felt the drillhead he was controlling smash into the rock more than 100 meters below him high on a glacier in the Pamir peaks of Tajikistan. The ice core samples it took could help solve one of climate science's great mysteries.
November 7, 2025 — Source
Biofuel pledge at climate summit highlights India's ethanol blending debate
India's push to blend ethanol with gasoline shows the benefits and challenges of the sustainable fuel efforts being showcased at global climate talks this week.
November 7, 2025 — Source
Controversial Plan to Kill 500,000 Barred Owls in U.S. Clears Major Hurdle
A controversial conservation strategy that has sparked division among both lawmakers and environmentalists will move forward.
November 7, 2025 — Source
Cracks in Antarctic 'Doomsday Glacier' ice shelf trigger accelerated destabilization
Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica—often called the "Doomsday Glacier"—is one of the fastest-changing ice--ocean systems on Earth, and its future remains a major uncertainty in global sea-level rise projections. One of its floating extensions, the Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf (TEIS), is partially confined and anchored by a pinning point at its northern terminus.
November 7, 2025 — Source
Deadly Typhoon Kalmaegi ravages Vietnam, Philippines
Typhoon Kalmaegi churned across Vietnam Friday, claiming five more lives after its devastating passage through the Philippines where the death toll rose to 188.
November 7, 2025 — Source
Death Valley plant yields blueprint for building heat-resilient crops
In California's Death Valley, where summer temperatures regularly soar above 120 degrees Fahrenheit, life seems almost impossible. Yet among the cracked earth and blinding sunlight, one native plant not only survives—it thrives.
November 7, 2025 — Source
Google's AI weather model is outperforming US supercomputer forecasts this hurricane season
AI-driven predictions show striking gains in accuracy and speed over physics-based hurricane models
November 7, 2025 — Source
How one founder plans to save cities from flooding with terraforming robots
Parts of San Rafael, a city just north of San Francisco, are sinking about half an inch per year. That might not sound like much, but altogether, it has meant that some neighborhoods — like the Canal District that borders the bay — have sunk three feet, placing them at greater risk of flooding from sea-level rise.
November 7, 2025 — Source
Hurricane? Cyclone? Typhoon? Here's the difference
Typhoon Kalmaegi has killed at least 114 people in the Philippines with even more missing and then hit Vietnam Friday. A second typhoon, Fong-Wong, is forecast to hit the Philippines around Sunday and strengthen to a major storm by that time.
November 7, 2025 — Source
'Hurtling Toward Climate Chaos' as COP30 Nears
Negotiators gathering for the global climate talks must acknowledge their failures and seek alternatives to spur action, scientists say.
November 7, 2025 — Source
Leaders turn up the heat on fossil fuels at Amazon climate summit
World leaders will meet for a second day of climate talks in the Brazilian Amazon on Friday after fiery speeches and renewed criticism of Big Oil marked the opening session.
November 7, 2025 — Source
New AI method boosts microplastic classification
Recently, a research team from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a new deep learning method that improves the classification accuracy of mixed microplastics in infrared spectroscopy to 98%.
November 7, 2025 — Source
New report sheds light on how UN SDG 11 is shaping urban planning systems around the globe
https://phys.org/news/2025-11-sdg-urban-globe.html#:~:text=The%20global%20planning%20community%20must%20move%20%22from%20awareness%20to%20action%22%20if%20the%20UN%27s%20goal%20of%20sustainable%20and%20inclusive%20urban%20development%20is%20to%20be%20achieved%20by%202030%2C%20authors%20of%20a%20new%20report%20have%20warned.
November 7, 2025 — Source
Operation Cloudburst: Dutch train for 'water bomb' floods
A twin-prop Chinook helicopter shatters the calm of the Dutch countryside, hovering just meters from a canal before dumping four huge sandbags into the water: welcome to Operation Cloudburst.
November 7, 2025 — Source
Reinsurance: Meet your insurance company's insurance company
Insurance companies turn to reinsurance companies when they have to pay out many claims at once, like after a hurricane or other disaster.
November 7, 2025 — Source
Study finds soil health in organic orchards isn't so different to conventional orchards
Organic agriculture is an increasingly popular management approach, embraced by growers and consumers alike for its potential to reduce environmental impacts.
November 7, 2025 — Source
Surprising iron corrosion during electrochemical charging explains origin of atypical hydrogen permeation behavior
The transition from a carbon-based fuel economy to that centered on hydrogen has gained interest worldwide given the focus on sustainability. As researchers in corrosion, it became obvious for us to look at the underlying interaction of hydrogen with materials as it forms the backbone of the hydrogen infrastructure, especially with respect to hydrogen transportation. For example, pipelines carrying hydrogen blended with natural gas offer an economic means of transporting hydrogen over long distances.
November 7, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — November 6th, 2025
Another Dry Spell Hits New England, Raising Alarm About Flash Droughts
Researchers say sudden, short-lived droughts in the region may become more frequent, putting farms, grasslands and water supply systems at risk.
November 6, 2025 — Source
Antarctica’s collapse may already be unstoppable, scientists warn
Researchers warn Antarctica is undergoing abrupt changes that could trigger global consequences. Melting ice, collapsing ice shelves, and disrupted ocean circulation threaten sea levels, ecosystems, and climate stability. Wildlife such as penguins and krill face growing extinction risks. Scientists stress that only rapid emission reductions can avert irreversible damage.
November 6, 2025 — Source
Bright blue aurora formation: Hyperspectral camera captures first precise altitude distribution
The Institute for Fusion Science installed the Hyperspectral Camera for Auroral Imaging (HySCAI) in Kiruna, Sweden, in May 2023 and commenced full-scale observations in September of the same year. A research group has now succeeded in observing the altitude distribution of blue nitrogen ion (N₂⁺) auroras emitting light during astronomical twilight using HySCAI.
November 6, 2025 — Source
Does nature have rights?
These articles will help you ponder that question.
November 6, 2025 — Source
From the depths to discovery: Tiny limpet reveals big secrets of the deep sea
In the inky depths of the Central Pacific Ocean, nearly 2,400 meters below the surface, scientists have discovered a new species of deep-sea limpet clinging to a sunken log.
November 6, 2025 — Source
Growing transgenic plants in weeks instead of months by hijacking a plant's natural regeneration abilities
Plant biologists have developed a method for growing transgenic and gene-edited plants that cuts the slow and expensive process down from months to weeks.
November 6, 2025 — Source
How manure can be transformed into animal feed
A research project within Resource Recovery at the University of Borås in Sweden explored how valuable substances can be extracted from organic waste—such as animal manure—and how this loop can be closed by producing animal feed.
November 6, 2025 — Source
How the plastics industry shifted responsibility for recycling onto you, the consumer
The plastics industry historically shifted recycling responsibility onto consumers through advertising, while knowing large-scale plastics recycling was unviable. This deflects accountability from producers.
November 6, 2025 — Source
Hurricane and Tropical Storm Remnants Impact the Midwest, Too
Storms that move through the region can cause flooding but also provide needed rainfall.
November 6, 2025 — Source
Illinois General Assembly Passes Energy Reform Act Aiming to Reduce Rates and Reach Clean Energy Goals
The state passed the legislation during a veto session after months of lobbying from advocacy groups, but some concerns over planning provisions and consumer costs linger.
November 6, 2025 — Source
Nature's resilience inspires an improved power grid
Natural ecosystems made up of plants, animals and microorganisms face constant challenges from natural hazards, like extreme weather or invasive species.
November 6, 2025 — Source
New 2D material transforms air into fuel and fertilizer
MXenes could revolutionize green ammonia production by turning air into fuel and fertilizer at the atomic level.
November 6, 2025 — Source
No fences: Research shows high-tech collars keep cattle from straying
A high-tech, no-fence solution is teaching cattle to stay home on the range, University of Alberta research has found.
November 6, 2025 — Source
The solar panels Germans are plugging into their walls
Plug-in solar technology is making it easier for renters and low-income households to harness the power of the sun – but they aren’t yet allowed in many places in the U.S.
November 6, 2025 — Source
Trucks Move the Country’s Goods Through This County. As Even More Loom, People Are Pushing Back.
Illinois’ Will County has North America’s largest inland intermodal transport hub. Residents worry about more traffic and pollution from a huge new warehouse complex.
November 6, 2025 — Source
Typhoon Kalmaegi hits Vietnam after killing 140 in Philippines
Typhoon Kalmaegi made landfall Thursday in Vietnam's already storm-battered central belt, where thousands have been evacuated from areas in the path of one of the world's deadliest cyclones this year.
November 6, 2025 — Source
When the Power Grid Needs Relief from High Demand, Here’s Who You Call
CPower Energy is among the firms helping companies dial down their energy use at times of high demand. Here’s why that’s important.
November 6, 2025 — Source
Why even pro-climate action organizations may pull in different directions
Emissions growth may be slowing, but even pro-climate action strategies seem to be pulling in different—or even, antagonistic—directions. Our new book presents these antagonisms as a choice between "stability" and "politicization" in climate governance.
November 6, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — November 5th, 2025
Battery system promises clean cooking with hydrogen for remote African communities
A new project, led by experts from Loughborough University, has seen the creation of a battery system that will provide remote African communities the energy they need to cook cleanly and more environmentally friendly.
November 5, 2025 — Source
Body preservation technique applied to wood to make it stronger, protect from decay
A technique used for the long-term preservation of human and animal remains is now being tested on one of Canada's most iconic building materials—the Western red cedar.
November 5, 2025 — Source
California agriculture dept. is hiding bird flu information, legal aid group alleges in lawsuit
A rural legal aid group is suing the California Department of Food and Agriculture for refusing to disclose the locations of dairies infected with H5N1 bird flu.
November 5, 2025 — Source
Coastal groundwater rivals rivers and volcanoes in shaping ocean chemistry, study finds
We've gone to the bottom of the ocean to study how its chemistry shapes our planet's climate, even chasing lava-spewing underwater volcanoes to do it. But it turns out we may have missed something far closer to home: the water beneath our feet.
November 5, 2025 — Source
Coca-Cola's 'Reverse Vending Machine' Is Environmental Tech Many Can Get Behind
There's no denying that Coca-Cola is an iconic brand, with the soda company standing at the forefront of pop culture for decades. With that said, it hasn't necessarily been in the good graces of the general public in recent years. Between its use of generative artificial intelligence for holiday advertisements and product recalls due to contaminated metal, Coca-Cola hasn't been looked at in the best light as of late. With that said, the company does seem committed to doing some good, as evidenced by its efforts to reduce the negative impact of product packaging on the environment.
November 5, 2025 — Source
Data integration key to understanding Asia-Pacific marine change, researchers say
Integrating physical oceanography, environmental genomics, and ecological observations is essential for effective marine biodiversity monitoring in the Asia-Pacific region. Fragmented data collection limits understanding and conservation, but shared, cross-border frameworks and transparent data sharing can enhance collaboration, support innovation, and improve protection of vital marine ecosystems.
November 5, 2025 — Source or Watch Video
Ecological refuges or traps? Mapping a future for Australia's islands
University of Queensland researchers have completed the first comprehensive studies of recent fire history and koala populations across Australia's 9,300 islands.
November 5, 2025 — Source
EU strikes last-ditch deal on climate targets as COP30 looms
The European Union struck a deal Wednesday on the 27-nation bloc's next big emissions-cutting targets in time for next week's UN COP30 climate summit at the cost of deep concessions to reluctant capitals.
November 5, 2025 — Source
First complete 3D structure of yellow fever virus reveals key differences between strains
University of Queensland researchers have captured the first high-resolution images of the yellow fever virus (YFV), a potentially deadly viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes that affects the liver.
November 5, 2025 — Source
From more meat to less waste: How food companies use AI
At a Cargill slaughterhouse in Texas, AI-equipped cameras scan every cattle carcass and let workers know when they're literally leaving too much meat on the bone.
November 5, 2025 — Source
Frozen for 6 million years, Antarctic ice rewrites Earth's climate story
Scientists have unearthed 6-million-year-old ice, by far the oldest directly dated ice and air ever found.
November 5, 2025 — Source
Major hurricanes likely pushed a small Bahamanian bird to extinction
The Bahama nuthatch was already threatened by habitat loss and non-native predators when Hurricanes Matthew and Dorian came along.
November 5, 2025 — Source
New modeling shows difficult future for the Great Barrier Reef under climate change
The most sophisticated modeling to date forecasts that, under the current global emissions pathway, the Great Barrier Reef could lose most of its coral by the end of the century, but curbing climate change and strategic management will help coral resilience.
November 5, 2025 — Source
Polar ocean turbulence projected to intensify as sea ice declines
Ultra-high-resolution climate simulations indicate that as sea ice declines due to global warming, mesoscale horizontal stirring (MHS) and turbulence in the Arctic and Southern Oceans will intensify. This is driven by increased wind energy input in the Arctic and enhanced density gradients in the Antarctic, with significant implications for ocean mixing, ecosystem dynamics, and pollutant dispersal.
November 5, 2025 — Source
Proposed all-climate battery design could unlock stability in extreme temps 'Brain-free' robots that move in sync are powered entirely by air
A team led by the University of Oxford has developed a new class of soft robots that operate without electronics, motors, or computers—using only air pressure.
November 5, 2025 — Source
November 5, 2025 — Source
Raw Sewage Sneaking Into West Hawaii's Coastal Waters Threatens Coral Reefs and Public Health, Scientists Find
The long-standing use of cesspools in Hawaii makes it harder to keep waste contamination from spreading. A new study identified problem spots.
November 5, 2025 — Source
Solid electrolyte enables stable, fast lithium-ion movement at room temperature
Lithium-metal batteries are garnering attention as the next-generation high-energy battery expected to replace existing lithium-ion batteries. However, commercialization has been difficult due to the high fire risk associated with using flammable liquid electrolytes.
November 5, 2025 — Source
Taiwan's ancient vanished ecosystem: Today's forests were once warm savanna, elephant teeth show
A study by research teams at the National Museum of Natural Science and National Taiwan University has, for the first time, unveiled Taiwan's vanished Pleistocene ecosystem: a warm, arid savanna environment dominated by grasslands and rivers.
November 5, 2025 — Source
Termite 'jumping genes' provide template to resolve tree of life
Genomes are key to unlocking life's evolutionary history. The presence and absence of certain genetic sequences and mutations can give us clues to the order in which species diverge. However, even state-of-the-art methods struggle to accurately map evolutionary events from hundreds of millions of years ago.
November 5, 2025 — Source
This TikToker Used An AirTag To Track His Donated Shoes And Discovered Where They Really Ended Up
A TikToker used an AirTag to track donated shoes, discovering they ended up in Bosnia. The German Red Cross sells most donations, with only 10% going to those in need.
November 5, 2025 — Source
Turning CO2 into clean fuel faster and cheaper
Researchers in Korea have created a low-temperature copper catalyst that converts CO2 into fuel components with record speed and efficiency.
November 5, 2025 — Source
UK agri dept spent hundreds of millions upgrading to Windows 10 -- just in time for end of support
After a £312M upgrade to the retiring OS, Defra still has 24,000 devices to replace
November 5, 2025 — Source
Why Are Rates Rising Faster at Investor-Owned Utilities Than at Public Utilities?
Case studies from California offer a look into the pros and cons of public and private utilities.
November 5, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — October 31st, 2025
Brazil boasts drop in deforestation ahead of UN climate talks
Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest has fallen for the fourth straight year, the government said Thursday, a boost for the country just days before it hosts UN climate talks.
October 31, 2025 — Source
Contrasting optical properties of fine particulate matter in Seoul and Mexico City highlight climate impacts
Severe fine dust pollution over Seoul and Mexico City, being composed of the same type of fine particulate matter, exhibits markedly different characteristics. Seoul's air tends to reflect sunlight, contributing to a cooling effect on Earth, whereas Mexico City's particles are more inclined to absorb sunlight, potentially accelerating global warming.
October 31, 2025 — Source
Detailed map of US air-conditioning usage shows who can beat the heat—and who can't
As climate change produces ever more heat waves, how many homes in the U.S. lack adequate cooling? Who's most vulnerable to lethal temperatures, and exactly where do they live?
October 31, 2025 — Source
Five science-backed ways to make cheese production greener
A research team at the DTU National Food Institute has conducted a literature review of cheese fermentation and ripening and identified five underused, evidence-based measures to improve efficiency and sustainability in cheese production.
October 31, 2025 — Source
Growing rice in the UK 'not so crazy' as climate warms
Wearing large rubber boots, Nadine Mitschunas joyfully handled mature rice plants peeking through the water of her small plot growing in the fertile soil of eastern England.
October 31, 2025 — Source
Key indicator signals nutrient distribution in chicken feed, researchers report
In poultry houses where broiler chickens—birds bred and raised specifically for meat production—are grown, feed is delivered through long feed lines, which are mechanized systems that automatically deliver feed from storage silos to feeding pans. They run from the front of the houses to the back, and sometimes nutrients become unevenly distributed. This can lead to inconsistent feed quality, which can affect bird growth and health.
October 31, 2025 — Source
How Meta Is Using AI to Standardize and Cut Carbon Emissions
Meta has developed an AI-based approach to improve the quality of Scope 3 emissions estimates across its IT hardware supply chain. The method combines machine learning and generative models to classify hardware components and infer missing product carbon footprint (PCF) data.
October 31, 2025 — Source
How ship's logs have shaped our understanding of the sea
What drives a wealthy Danish-Norwegian general to delve into ship's logs and become almost obsessed with understanding ocean currents in the 1800s? And why has this amateur researcher remained unknown until now?
October 31, 2025 — Source
Lower Your Electric, Gas and Water Bills This Winter: 8 Tips That Actually Work
These eight energy-saving hacks can keep your utility bills manageable this winter.
October 31, 2025 — Source
Maryland Leads Multistate Push to Shield Consumers from New Data Center Costs
Tensions with PJM Interconnection have escalated after the grid operator dismissed legislators' concerns about rising prices.
October 31, 2025 — Source
Mature ecosystems show strong drought adaptability in karst areas, research finds
A research team led by Prof. Wang Li from the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has found that ecosystems with more complete ecological succession and longer existence exhibit strong adaptability to drought.
October 31, 2025 — Source
Pulsed electrolysis could harvest nitrogen from the air for sustainable fertilizer
Pulsed electrolysis enables the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen and water into ammonia and urea at room temperature, offering a more energy-efficient and sustainable alternative to the Haber-Bosch process. This method can utilize renewable electricity, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and may help close the nitrogen cycle for cleaner fertilizer production.
October 31, 2025 — Source
Simple checklist can help you choose the best way to green your space
A practical, evidence-based checklist developed by scientists at the University of Surrey is helping everyone from keen gardeners to local councils plan their next greening project with confidence.
October 31, 2025 — Source
Study links climate anxiety to social media use
A new University at Buffalo-led study suggests greater social media use is linked to emotional distress caused by the perceived threats of climate change.
October 31, 2025 — Source
Sunlight split in two: Organic layer promises leap in solar power efficiency
In the race to make solar energy cheaper and more efficient, a team of UNSW Sydney scientists and engineers have found a way to push past one of the biggest limits in renewable technology.
October 31, 2025 — Source
Trump Administration Suggests Listing Florida's Elusive Ghost Orchid as Endangered
The proposal is among the more high-profile actions taken under the Endangered Species Act by the Trump administration, which has targeted many other environmental protections.
October 31, 2025 — Source
Turning city wastewater into clean hydrogen
A sunlight-powered reactor turns ordinary sewage into hydrogen fuel while cleaning the water, showing how simple materials could make wastewater treatment more efficient and energy producing.
October 31, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — October 30th, 2025
Can We Produce More Food With Less Land?
Rattan Lal, one of the world's most renowned soil scientists, says yes.
October 30, 2025 — Source
China's new controls on rare earths create challenges for the West's plans for green tech
China recently announced that it was putting new controls on the export of rare earth elements, sparking a new round in the country's ongoing trade war with the US.
October 30, 2025 — Source
Drones reveal unexpectedly high emissions from wastewater treatment plants
Greenhouse gas emissions from many wastewater treatment plants may be more than twice as large as previously thought. This is shown in a new study from Linköping University, where the researchers used drones with specially manufactured sensors to measure methane and nitrous oxide emissions.
October 30, 2025 — Source
Falling panel prices lead to global solar boom, except for the US
The economic case for solar power is stronger than ever.
October 30, 2025 — Source
Fatal attraction: How international trade is driving African hornbills towards extinction
Massive birds whose loud wingbeats and rollicking cries resound through tropical rainforests, African hornbills were a common sight in my experience working in Gabon, Central Africa, 30 years ago. Highly gregarious, African hornbills are impossible to miss as they fly around in large, boisterous flocks in search of fruiting trees, and I had the pleasure of seeing them often during that time. Ten years later, I returned to the African rainforests, this time in Ghana.
October 30, 2025 — Source
Fats provide clues to life at its limits in the deep sea
Diverse life forms exist on and within the ocean floor. These primarily consist of microbes, tiny organisms that can cope with extreme environmental conditions. These include high pressures and salinities, as well as extreme pH values and a limited supply of nutrients. A team of researchers has now been able to detect microbial life in two newly discovered mud volcanoes with very high pH values.
October 30, 2025 — Source
Growing Threat to Heat-Exposed Workers: Chronic Kidney Disease
Some experts believe CKD is the first chronic illness directly linked to climate change.
October 30, 2025 — Source
How ammolite gemstones get their vivid colors
The origins of vivid colors within the gemstone ammolite—a rare type of brightly colored fossilized ammonite shell—are reported in research published in Scientific Reports.
October 30, 2025 — Source
In 2024, the climate crisis worsened in all ways. But we can still limit warming with bold action
In 2024, global warming and climate impacts intensified, with 22 of 34 planetary indicators at record extremes, including CO2 levels, ocean heat, and tree loss. Fossil fuel use and emissions reached new highs, while renewable energy growth remains insufficient. Ecosystem degradation and rising meat consumption further drive emissions. Rapid, collective action across energy, nature, and food is essential to limit warming.
October 30, 2025 — Source
In controversial move, LADWP says it will shift its largest gas power plant to hydrogen
On Oct. 28, the board of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power approved a controversial plan to convert part of the city's largest natural gas-fired power plant into one that also can burn hydrogen.
October 30, 2025 — Source
Keeping clothes in circulation: How EU research is transforming textile waste
EU research is helping to turn old clothes into new, quality products, aiming to reduce textile waste and make recycled textiles the norm.
October 30, 2025 — Source
Microbial memory in Kansas soils: How 'legacy effects' influence plant performance
A study appearing in Nature Microbiology analyzes soils sampled across the state of Kansas to determine the importance of "legacy effects"—or how soils from a specific location are influenced by microbes that have evolved in response to the specific climate at that site for many years.
October 30, 2025 — Source
New surrealist play explores climate justice themes
Rishi Varma's 'Sulfur Bottom' centers on a family living next to a toxic waste site.
October 30, 2025 — Source
Offshore wind projects feel brunt of Trump policy decisions
On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive memorandum prohibiting new offshore wind leasing for all areas of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf and directing his Cabinet to review previously approved projects.
October 30, 2025 — Source
RFK Jr. Is Going After Trump's Mortal Enemy: Wind Farms
Kennedy wants to get to the bottom of this whole wind farm thing.
October 30, 2025 — Source
The anthropologists holding funerals for the world's dying glaciers
To help people grasp what it means to lose 273 billion tons of ice a year, two researchers are treating glaciers like community members -- and giving them the memorials they deserve.
October 30, 2025 — Source
Sprayable RNA pesticide works best when potato beetles are small
The first sprayable insecticide made of RNA can target and kill ravenous Colorado potato beetles while sparing most beneficial insects, making it a promising environmentally friendly option.
October 30, 2025 — Source
Synthetic biology to supercharge photosynthesis in crops
Scientists built a nano-cage to house Rubisco, the slow enzyme driving photosynthesis, offering a path to boost energy conversion in staple crops.
October 30, 2025 — Source
Underwater robot reveals ocean carbon storage in real time
SINKER is an innovative new instrument equipped with advanced microscopes and cameras to collect detailed data about carbon sinking in marine snow.
October 30, 2025 — Source
Winter Storm Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need to Conquer Snow and Ice Season
Winter weather is on its way, delivering cold weather and punishing blizzards. Use these tips to keep your home and family safe.
October 30, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — October 26th, 2025
Category 5 Hurricane Melissa strengthens as it heads for Jamaica
Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 4 storm with winds of 140 mph, is moving slowly toward Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, bringing heavy rain, flooding, and landslides. The storm has caused multiple deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with up to 76 cm of rain expected in some areas. Major disruptions, including airport and seaport closures, are underway as landfall approaches.
October 26, 2025 — Source or Watch Video
Data Center Developer Takes a Small Michigan Farming Community to Court
Following a pricey settlement, Related Digital will make rural Saline Township, Michigan, the home of its latest data center project.
October 26, 2025 — Source
How Did This State Become the Data Center Capital of the World?
From America Online to the rise of AI, Virginia has been good for an industry now transforming the economy and grid. Has the industry returned the favor?
October 26, 2025 — Source
Satellites Discovered A Surprisingly Simple Strategy To Combat Climate Change
Tropical forests are a haven for all kinds of species, but their dense trees and fertile soil also make them valuable for logging and agriculture. Local farmers, national corporations, and international conglomerates can all clash over access rights to the best land — bizarrely, even automaker Ford built a large-scale plantation in the jungle, although it was later abandoned. In many cases, once these plantations or cleared forests become abandoned, they're considered to be mostly useless. However, scientists have recently suggested that they could form part of a major strategy to combat climate change.
October 26, 2025 — Source
The Data Center Capital of the World
Go behind the scenes with executive editor Vernon Loeb and renewables reporter Dan Gearino as they discuss how Virginia has become the data center capital of the world.
October 26, 2025 — Source or Watch Video
Trump and Republicans Join Big Oil's All-Out Push to Shut Down Climate Liability Efforts
Republican attorneys general, GOP lawmakers, industry groups and the president himself are all maneuvering to foreclose the ability of cities and states to hold the fossil fuel industry liable for damages linked to climate change.
October 26, 2025 — Source
What's The Largest Solar Farm In California And How Much Electricity Does It Produce?
For decades now, governments and individuals alike have made it a point to explore alternative sources of energy. As a result of its renewable nature, solar energy has become prevalent in recent decades, with the solar panels that help generate it also having evolved remarkably. While many homeowners have implemented this technology on a small scale, such as by adding solar panels to their roofs for power, some states have taken it upon themselves to build massive solar farms to harvest even more energy from the sun.
October 26, 2025 — Source
What's The Largest Solar Farm In Texas And How Much Electricity Does It Produce?
One of the common myths about solar panels is that using them to produce electricity isn't worth the expense. The Solar Energy Industries Association, or SEIA, would disagree, with "more than 8,100 major solar projects" on record.
October 26, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — October 25th, 2025
America's Rye Whiskey Resurgence Could Help the Climate, but Not by Itself
Liquor is just one of the markets needed for the cover crop and cereal grain to improve the health, water retention and carbon sequestration of soils, and keep them from blowing away.
October 25, 2025 — Source
Earth is splitting open beneath the Pacific Northwest
Earth's tectonic engine is tearing itself apart, and scientists just caught it in the act.
October 25, 2025 — Source
Google says its new carbon capture initiative unlocks 'a critical technology pathway to enable a clean, affordable, reliable energy future,' but are initiatives like this a savior or a smokescreen as AI becomes more power-hungry?
AI is set to ruin the planet, and even Google knows it.
October 25, 2025 — Source
New Trump Administration Energy Rule Would Enable Data Centers with 'Large Loads'
The "urgent" regulatory amendment from the Energy Department would benefit AI companies.
October 25, 2025 — Source
Queensland's forests are still being bulldozed—and new parks alone won't save them
Queensland has lost at least 21% of its original woody vegetation since European colonization, with one-fifth of this loss occurring since 2000 despite a doubling of protected areas. Most new parks are in regions already well-protected, while heavily cleared areas continue to lose vegetation rapidly. Effective conservation requires stricter clearing limits, targeted protection, and restoration efforts.
October 25, 2025 — Source
Taking Stock in Altadena Nine Months After the Devastating LA Fires
David Brancaccio lost his house there. As he tries to rebuild, he's seeing how the community has pulled together—and how the loss has weighed on people.
October 25, 2025 — Source
There's a New Plan and Funding to Clean Up the Muck Plaguing Lake St. Clair
After years of algae decomposing on the small lake's shoreline, the Army Corps of Engineers has a remedy to stop the stink.
October 25, 2025 — Source
Two iconic coral species are now functionally extinct off Florida, study finds
Staghorn and elkhorn corals are now functionally extinct on Florida's reefs, with 97.8--100% mortality following the 2023--2024 marine heat wave, which caused unprecedented heat stress. Remaining populations are too small to sustain ecological roles or recover naturally. Restoration may be possible using assisted gene flow and propagation, but success depends on curbing ocean warming driven by climate change.
October 25, 2025 — Source
Why electricity costs so much in the UK (it's not all about the weather)
The UK government is reportedly considering abandoning its goal of removing fossil fuels from the country's electricity supply by 2030 in an attempt to keep energy bills down.
October 25, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — October 24th, 2025
Aerial Photographer Reveals the Beauty of Sweden’s Island Archipelago
The Nordic country of Sweden has over 260,000 islands — the most of any country in the entire world. Recently, photographer Bernhard Lang explored a handful of them from above, picking out patterns that are invisible from the ground.
October 24, 2025 — Source
Conflicting Sony A7V specs shared by two Sony Artisans :)
A well-known Sony Artisan from India recently shared some A7V specifications. It’s unclear whether these were based on speculation or genuine insider information, but the post has since been deleted. Here’s what he revealed:
October 24, 2025 — Source
Deadly bacteria may thrive in warmer soils
Climate change may be helping bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics. Antimicrobial resistance factored in 1.27 million deaths worldwide in 2019, the WHO said.
October 24, 2025 — Source
Defect passivation strategy sets new performance benchmark for Sb2S3 solar cells
A research team led by Profs. Wang Mingtai and Chen Chong from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed an antimony trisulfide (Sb2S3) solar cell with a record conversion efficiency of 8.21%. This achievement marks the highest performance ever reported for this type of solar cell.
October 24, 2025 — Source
El Niño could soon turn deadly predictable, scientists warn
Scientists have discovered that El Niño and La Niña could become far more powerful and predictable as the planet warms. By 2050, the tropical Pacific may hit a tipping point, locking ENSO into strong, rhythmic oscillations that synchronize with other global climate patterns. The result could be intensified rainfall extremes and greater risk of “climate whiplash” across multiple continents.
October 24, 2025 — Source
Environmentalists Sue Regulator Over Extension of Construction Permit for LNG Export Terminal in New Jersey
The Delaware River Basin Commission says the terminal’s developer has not materially changed its plans and has “diligently” pursued its goals.
October 24, 2025 — Source
Global warming is reshaping extreme precipitation events across Northern Hemisphere
As global warming continues to reshape Earth's climate, both the occurrence and mechanisms of extreme precipitation events, such as rain and snow, are undergoing profound transformation. These changes in frequency and intensity directly affect agricultural security, ecosystem stability, and infrastructure resilience.
October 24, 2025 — Source
Google Earth AI leans on Gemini to bring researchers closer to disaster predictions
Google's highlighting a few updates it's preparing for researchers and analysts with its Earth AI models and Gemini.
October 24, 2025 — Source
In a California farming region, researchers are mapping rural heat to protect farmworkers
Rural heat mapping in California's Imperial Valley shows farmworkers face significant heat stress, with ground-level crops and summer months posing higher risks. Wet-bulb globe temperature data reveal that irrigation cools fields by day but raises nighttime humidity, limiting workers' recovery. Findings support targeted interventions and improved rest break guidelines to better protect farmworkers.
October 24, 2025 — Source
Iowa Counties Keep Water Quality Monitoring Afloat After State Funding Cuts
Polk County will invest $200,000 to help keep the network operational. It offers key information for a state struggling with water pollution from agricultural runoff
October 24, 2025 — Source
Isotropic MOF coating reduces side reactions to boost stability of solid-state Na batteries
In recent years, energy engineers have been trying to design new reliable batteries that can store more energy and allow electronics to operate for longer periods of time before they need to be charged. Some of the most promising among these newly developed batteries are solid-state batteries, which contain solid electrolytes instead of liquid ones.
October 24, 2025 — Source
Leaked tritium reveals mechanism of radioactive cesium flow from Fukushima Daiichi to the ocean
Tritium leaked from storage tanks was used as a tracer to identify the main sources of radioactive cesium (137Cs) flow from Fukushima Daiichi to the ocean. About 53% of 137Cs discharge is attributed to rainwater runoff from reactor building roofs, with additional contributions from surface runoff and groundwater. These findings clarify discharge mechanisms and support improved contamination control.
October 24, 2025 — Source
Magnetic Nanocarbon Composite Cleans Chernobyl's Wastewater
Tested on Chernobyl wastewater, scientists have created a magnetic carbon-clay hybrid that scrubs radioactive waste clean - a new benchmark for sustainable water treatment.
October 24, 2025 — Source
Nutritional supplements can boost baby coral survival to aid reef restoration
Providing coral larvae with tailored lipid supplements, particularly omega-3-rich oils and essential sterols, significantly improves their survival, growth, and stress resilience. Early nutritional support enhances larval settlement and may increase the effectiveness of reef restoration efforts threatened by climate change. Field trials are underway to assess scalability in real-world conditions.
October 24, 2025 — Source
Permafrost study finds abrupt thaw accelerates soil phosphorus cycling, offsetting carbon release
Permafrost thaw can stimulate the release of soil carbon, triggering a positive carbon-climate feedback that may be mediated by changes in soil phosphorus (P) availability.
October 24, 2025 — Source
'Rapid increase' in bird flu in Germany: minister
Bird flu is spreading quickly across Germany, authorities warned Friday, with birds on farms and in the wild both affected by the outbreak.
October 24, 2025 — Source
Recyclable fluorine improves properties of degradable polyester plastics
Incorporating fluorine into certain polyesters accelerates polymer chain formation, makes longer chains accessible, and enables targeted modification of the material's properties. As a result, fluorinated polyesters become more competitive with other types of plastics, while the fluorine can be recovered during degradation.
October 24, 2025 — Source
Scientists reveal mechanism of deep intraseasonal variability in western equatorial Pacific
A research team led by Prof. Wang Jianing from the Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS), analyzed five consecutive years of mooring data collected at the equator (142°E). Their analysis uncovered significant intraseasonal kinetic energy (IKE) in the deep ocean, which is primarily concentrated in the 40--90-day period and dominated by meridional currents.
October 24, 2025 — Source
‘Solar suitcases’ bring safe lighting to more than 10,000 clinics across sub-Saharan Africa
The off-grid electric systems provide power for medical lights, fetal monitors, and other devices – helping more women give birth safely.
October 24, 2025 — Source
Transforming waste plastics into valuable carbon nanomaterials
Plastic waste can be turned into carbon nanomaterials that act as efficient single-atom catalysts for clean energy and water purification, reducing pollution sustainably.
October 24, 2025 — Source or Source
There's a Growing Weak Spot in Earth's Magnetic Field. What it Means
The weak spot has been known about for over half a century, but it's now getting bigger.
October 24, 2025 — Source
Your AI Videos Use Way More Energy Than Chatbots. It's a Big Problem
As AI video generation climbs with tools like Sora, energy demands will rise, too.
October 24, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — October 20th, 2025
A new AI-based method to help prevent biological invasions
An AI-driven framework has been developed to predict which plant species are likely to become invasive before introduction to new regions. By combining ecological data and machine learning, the model identifies key predictors such as prior invasion history, reproductive plasticity, and rapid generational turnover, achieving over 90% accuracy and offering a data-driven complement to traditional risk assessments.
October 20, 2025 — Source or Source
A New Generation of Industries Emerges in Texas From Federal Push for Mining Revival
The U.S. doesn't produce the minerals and metals needed for renewable energy, microchips or military technology. Authorities want to change that as quickly as possible.
October 20, 2025 — Source
Blue energy powers self-sustaining hydrogen production
A new membrane system turns the natural mix of seawater and freshwater into enough electricity to produce hydrogen, showing how simple salt differences could power clean fuel generation.
October 20, 2025 — Source
Corals are disappearing, pushing Earth to its first major 'tipping point'
A new report says Earth has reached a dire milestone with the widespread death of warm-water coral reefs. But it's not too late to save what remains.
October 20, 2025 — Source
DeePFAS: AI tool advances 'forever chemical' detection
DeePFAS, a novel deep-learning model, streamlines large-scale non-targeted screening of "forever chemicals" (PFAS) by projecting raw MS2 spectra into a latent space of chemical features, offering a rapid, AI-driven solution to replace complex traditional analysis.
October 20, 2025 — Source
Drought, sand storms and evacuations: How Iran's climate crisis gets ignored
Iran is experiencing severe environmental crises, including its worst drought in decades, extensive land subsidence from groundwater overuse, and frequent sand and dust storms. Major water sources, such as the Karaj dam, are critically depleted, and iconic lakes have dried up. Despite evacuations and infrastructure risks, these issues receive minimal international media attention, which remains focused on conflict.
October 20, 2025 — Source
Europe's climate is changing fast: How it's affecting people and the economy
Temperatures across Europe are rising at twice the global average. This alarming trend is leading to more frequent and intense heat waves, droughts, floods and storms.
October 20, 2025 — Source
Ever Wondered What Nuclear Fusion Looks Like? We Have Pics
The footage offers an unprecedentedly colorful look at the extreme physics at play—revealing valuable information for researchers studying fusion
October 20, 2025 — Source
Formation of environmental consciousness in preschool children through the media
The influence of the media on the public understanding of environmental issues reaches far beyond headlines and news reports. Online content, interactive apps, television, and even print outlets are shaping what people know and think about the environment and, perhaps more importantly, are shaping their behavior.
October 20, 2025 — Source
How a more flexible energy grid can cope better with swings in Britain's weather
For most Brits, January 8, 2025, was an uneventful Wednesday, albeit slightly cold. But these low temperatures, coupled with a significant drop in wind speed, contributed to a spike in the real-time electricity price to over seven times the 2024--25 winter average.
October 20, 2025 — Source
How 'conflict-free' minerals are used in the waging of modern wars
Minerals such as tin and tantalum, often labeled "conflict-free," are essential to modern military technologies and are sourced from central Africa, frequently passing through Rwanda. Despite regulations aiming to ensure ethical sourcing, these minerals remain linked to violence both at extraction sites and in their use in advanced weaponry. Current oversight focuses mainly on origins, neglecting their role in fueling conflicts downstream.
October 20, 2025 — Source
Illinois Wants Climate Education in Schools. Now Teachers Need to Figure Out How to Make It Happen.
It's the seventh state to pass a law requiring climate education in public schools. The requirement will kick in next fall.
October 20, 2025 — Source
Inland communities are increasingly vulnerable to rainfall from tropical systems
More than half the deaths from U.S. hurricanes between 2013 and 2022 were the result of freshwater flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center.
October 20, 2025 — Source
Japan's Newest Power Plant Turns Seawater Into Electricity -- Here's How It Works
In the coastal city of Fukuoka, a place known for its ancient temples, beaches, and modern shopping districts, Japan has quietly taken an important step toward sustainable energy, and while there are many strange renewable energy sources being explored today, this one certainly stands out from the rest. The country has launched its first osmotic power plant, a state-of-the-art facility that generates electricity by capturing energy that is a byproduct of the meeting of fresh water and seawater.
October 20, 2025 — Source
Marineland's decline raises questions about the future of zoo tourism
Marineland's closure and the potential euthanasia of 30 beluga whales highlight ongoing ethical and welfare concerns in zoo tourism, despite existing regulations like Canada's 2019 ban on new cetacean captivity. The industry faces increasing scrutiny, prompting a shift toward conservation, education, and technological alternatives to live animal displays, reflecting evolving public attitudes on animal welfare.
October 20, 2025 — Source
Misunderstanding the tide is putting millions at risk on UK coasts
Millions in the UK are at risk of being cut off by tides due to widespread misconceptions about tidal behavior. Many are unaware that tides vary in timing and height, and that water can advance rapidly and unpredictably. Accurate tide predictions and tables are available, but a significant portion of the public struggles to interpret them, highlighting the need for improved tidal literacy.
October 20, 2025 — Source
Most of wine country's agricultural workers have been exposed to wildfires, survey finds
Sonoma County is known for its rolling fields and famed vineyards, making the region a pillar in California's wine industry. But a sweeping new survey from UC Berkeley has found that approximately 75% of agricultural workers there have worked during wildfires since 2017, raising questions about worker safety and a program that could further expose workers during wildfire evacuations.
October 20, 2025 — Source
Nitrogen fixation phenomenon discovered in the Arctic could boost marine life
Nitrogen fixation by non-cyanobacterial bacteria has been detected beneath Arctic sea ice, increasing available nitrogen for algae growth. As sea ice retreats, nitrogen fixation rates are expected to rise, potentially enhancing algae production and supporting marine food webs. This process may also increase regional CO2 uptake, affecting the Arctic carbon budget.
October 20, 2025 — Source
OceanGate Titan sub's camera found mostly intact with SanDisk SD card still holding images and videos
12 images and 9 videos were recovered from the card
October 20, 2025 — Source
Protecting Brazil and Indonesia's tropical forests requires political will, law enforcement and public pressure
The vast tropical forest nations of Brazil and Indonesia are both home to millions of people, including Indigenous communities. They store enormous amounts of carbon to protect our climate and are home to staggering numbers of species found nowhere else in the world.
October 20, 2025 — Source
'Reduce, reuse, recycle' is corporate gaslighting—the real change must come from the fossil fuel industry
On the face of it, the three Rs sound like an empowering call for each of us to play our part for the planet. However, the individualist approach behind the slogan has come in for increasing criticism by climate change activists.
October 20, 2025 — Source
Report finds more effort needed for UK companies to meet sustainability goals
Most UK business sectors are not on track to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, despite financial investments. Only the Consumer Staples sector shows strong sustainability leadership, while others face significant gaps, particularly in environmental impact, equity, and human rights. Accelerated, measurable progress is needed across all sectors to achieve SDG targets.
October 20, 2025 — Source
Research shows COVID-19 made people appreciate street cleaners more—but it also made their lives harder
During the COVID-19 pandemic, street cleaners and other key workers in the UK experienced increased public recognition and appreciation for their essential roles. However, this visibility did not lead to lasting improvements in their social status or working conditions. Instead, the pandemic highlighted and intensified existing socioeconomic divisions, leaving key workers feeling both more visible and yet still undervalued.
October 20, 2025 — Source
Researchers Mapped the Carbon Cost of Meat in Every US City
Researchers mapped greenhouse gas emissions associated with meat production for cities across the United States.
October 20, 2025 — Source
Revealing the 'carbon hoofprint' of meat consumption for American cities
Depending on where you live in the United States, the meat you eat each year could be responsible for a level of greenhouse gas emissions that's similar to what's emitted to power your house.
October 20, 2025 — Source
Software designs eco-friendly clothing that can reassemble into new items
It's hard to keep up with the ever-changing trends of the fashion world. What's "in" one minute is often out of style the next season, potentially causing you to re-evaluate your wardrobe.
October 20, 2025 — Source
Soil fungus and calcium team up to break down bioplastics faster
Combining the soil fungus Purpureocillium lilacinum BA1S with calcium ions and mildly alkaline conditions (pH 7.5) accelerates the degradation of PBAT bioplastic, achieving about 55% weight loss in two weeks. Calcium enhances enzyme secretion and stability, while the fungus shifts its metabolism to efficiently break down and absorb plastic fragments.
October 20, 2025 — Source
The global race is on to secure critical minerals. Why do they matter so much?
Critical minerals are having a moment. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is at the White House to talk up Australia's rich deposits with President Donald Trump. China, which has a global stranglehold on rare earth elements, recently imposed new export restrictions, much to Trump's annoyance.
October 20, 2025 — Source
These 'Metal-Organic Structures' Won A Nobel Prize -- Now They Could Fight Climate Change
Since the Nobel Foundation's establishment at the turn of the 20th century, 1,026 recipients have been recognized by the prestigious award across six categories for their contributions to the advancement of mankind. The award has served as a barometer for scientific development, recognizing the world's brightest minds, from Marie Curie to Albert Einstein and Niels Bohr, for delivering some of the greatest discoveries of the modern age, including the X-Ray, Penicillin, in Vitro Fertilization, and the underlying technology behind the COVID-19 vaccine. 2025's recipients are no different, with honorees including visionaries in quantum mechanics, Hungary's master of the literary apocalyptic, and the orchestrators of immune system science who might break open man's understanding of autoimmune disorders and cancer.
October 20, 2025 — Source
Tropical disturbance poses torrential rainfall threat for the central Caribbean
Tropical disturbance poses torrential rainfall threat for the central Caribbean
October 20, 2025 — Source
Unmasking the culprits of battery failure with a graphene mesosponge
To successfully meet the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we need significant breakthroughs in clean and efficient energy technologies. Central to this effort is the development of next-generation energy storage systems that can contribute to our global goal of carbon neutrality. Among many possible candidates, high-energy-density batteries have drawn particular attention, as they are expected to power future electric vehicles, grid-scale renewable energy storage, and other sustainable applications.
October 20, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — October 17th, 2025
AI-driven mapping captures daily global land changes
A new AI-based framework integrates satellite imagery, near-surface cameras, and advanced segmentation models to enable near real-time, global land cover mapping. FROM-GLC Plus 3.0 achieves 70.52% average accuracy, detects rapid land changes missed by satellite-only systems, and provides high-resolution, parcel-level classification, supporting applications in agriculture, conservation, and disaster response.
October 17, 2025 — Source
Amazon reveals 960 megawatt nuclear power plans to cope with AI demand — Richland, Washington site tapped for deployment of Xe-100 small modular reactors
The Cascade Advanced Energy Facility would use next-gen Xe-100 reactors to deliver 960 megawatts of carbon-free power — but it's years from becoming reality.
October 17, 2025 — Source
Book reviews technologies aiming to remove carbon from the atmosphere
The book reviews a range of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies, including engineered systems like direct air capture and nature-based solutions such as afforestation. It evaluates these approaches using metrics like accounting, permanence, cost, additionality, and governance. No single method excels in all areas, but CDR could complement emissions reduction in addressing climate change.
October 17, 2025 — Source
Double-shelled carbon spheres drive cleaner nitrate-to-nitrogen conversion
A dual single-atomic catalyst on double-shelled mesoporous carbon spheres enables efficient, selective conversion of nitrate to N2 with 92.8% removal and 95.2% selectivity, minimizing ammonia byproducts. The Fe--N4 and Mg--N4 sites promote N--N coupling and suppress hydrogenation, offering stable, safe, and scalable nitrate remediation for wastewater treatment.
October 17, 2025 — Source
Earth's Oceans Lose Some of Their Luster
New research reveals that a key biological carbon pump is weakening, threatening ecosystems and the climate.
October 17, 2025 — Source
Fender Studio review: Easy-peasy play-along and recording for the guitar player in your life
This free guitar-focused recording app/amp sim is handy indeed for quick takes and practice, though it lack features such as MIDI and loop recording
October 17, 2025 — Source
First fully recyclable, sub-micrometer printed electronics could reshape how displays are made
Electrical engineers at Duke University have demonstrated the ability to print fully functional and recyclable electronics at sub-micrometer scales. The technique could impact the more than $150 billion electronic display industry and its environmental impact while providing a toehold for U.S. manufacturing to gain traction in a vital and quickly growing industry.
October 17, 2025 — Source
Global analysis reveals how biochar supercharges composting and cuts greenhouse gases
A new study by researchers from Sichuan Agricultural University and international collaborators provides the most comprehensive evidence to date that biochar, a charcoal-like substance made from organic materials, plays a crucial role in faster, cleaner composting.
October 17, 2025 — Source
How a Bush-era 'green' solution made climate change worse
Journalist Michael Grunwald digs into this and other uncomfortable truths about food and agriculture in his new book, 'We Are Eating the Earth.'
October 17, 2025 — Source
How a Declaration of Ancestral Wisdom Is Changing Law, Science and Our Understanding of the World
Jose Gualinga discusses his Kichwa People of Sarayaku's visionary Living Forest Declaration and the importance of collaborating across cultures and areas of expertise.
October 17, 2025 — Source
International Coalition Joins Push for Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty: 'We Cannot Protect Nature While Expanding Fossil Fuels'
An international coalition of more than 1,400 governmental and civil conservation organizations has called on its members to increase efforts to curb fossil fuel extraction and work toward a global fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty.
October 17, 2025 — Source
'Less and less sea ice': Brazil woman sails solo through Arctic
A solo voyage through the Arctic's Northwest Passage, once impassable without icebreakers, was completed with minimal sea ice encountered, reflecting a significant decline in Arctic ice due to climate change. This trend aligns with record global temperatures in 2024 and highlights the increasing navigability of the region as sea ice continues to diminish.
October 17, 2025 — Source
Many rooftops are perfect for solar but owners and renters can't afford it—here's our answer
Australians love rooftop solar power. About 4 million homes have solar panels on their roofs, and we generate more solar energy per person than any other country.
October 17, 2025 — Source or Watch Video
Microsoft parks Landsat and Sentinel satellite data in Azure's orbit
NASA's Earth-watching archives find new home in Redmond's cloud, complete with Copilot hype
October 17, 2025 — Source
MIT finds traces of a lost world deep within planet Earth
Hidden deep beneath our feet, traces of Earth's first incarnation still endure — untouched since before the world we know was born.
October 17, 2025 — Source
NOAA Forecast Maps Reveal What's in Store for Your State This Winter
The agency's Climate Prediction Center expects warmer-than-average conditions for much of the contiguous U.S.
October 17, 2025 — Source
Promising medium can capture and convert carbon dioxide, while regenerating itself for reuse
Over the past decades, energy researchers have developed various promising solutions to limit the emission of greenhouse gases and source fuels or other chemicals more sustainably. These solutions include so-called carbon capture technologies and electrolyzers, devices that can capture carbon dioxide (CO2) and convert it into other valuable products, such as carbon monoxide (CO), methanol (CH₃OH), methane (CH₄) and various other compounds.
October 17, 2025 — Source
Report reveals nearly 80% of the world's poor live in regions exposed to climate hazards
Nearly 8 in 10 people living in multidimensional poverty—887 million out of 1.1 billion globally—are directly exposed to climate hazards such as extreme heat, flooding, drought, or air pollution.
October 17, 2025 — Source
Researchers discover new species of Sinocrassula in Tibet
A new species, Sinocrassula cuonaensis, has been identified in Cuona County, Tibet. Distinguished by its rosette-shaped, thick, nearly cylindrical basal leaves, greenish-white flowers, and sub-rectangular nectar scales, it is morphologically and genetically distinct from related species. This discovery expands knowledge of Crassulaceae diversity and Sinocrassula biogeography.
October 17, 2025 — Source
Wyoming's Draft Pilot Conservation Program 'a Good Starting Point' but There's Room for Improvement
State water officials heard public feedback on its proposed water conservation program as Wyoming prepares for the fallout of Colorado River negotiations.
October 17, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — October 15th, 2025
A rare variety of wheat with three ovaries—gene discovery could triple production
Activation of the WUSCHEL-D1 (WUS-D1) gene in wheat enables flowers to develop three ovaries instead of one, potentially tripling grain yield per spike. This genetic trait, if harnessed by breeders, could significantly increase wheat production without expanding farmland, offering a promising strategy to address rising food demand and resource constraints.
October 15, 2025 — Source
A skeleton and a shell? Ancient fossil finally finds home on the tree of life
Salterella, an early Cambrian fossil, uniquely combined a conical shell with an inner mineral lining, a construction rarely seen in other animals. Analysis of its morphology, mineral selection, and shell structure indicates Salterella and Volborthella are best placed within cnidarians, clarifying their evolutionary position and offering insights into the origins of animal skeletons and shells.
October 15, 2025 — Source
Award-winning Nigerian agronomist dreams of a cassava 'revolution'
Hydroponic and semi-autotrophic hydroponics (SAH) techniques for yam and cassava cultivation in Nigeria can increase yields from 5 to 30 tonnes per hectare and reduce disease vulnerability. These methods support food security, enable value-added processing, and have potential for broader adoption across Africa, despite challenges such as limited resources and ongoing conflicts.
October 15, 2025 — Source
Boron isotopes reveal how nuclear waste glass slowly dissolves over time
Boron isotope analysis reveals that the dissolution rate of nuclear waste glass depends on its composition and exposure time to water. Magnesium-containing glass forms a dense protective layer that slows boron release, while magnesium-free glass offers less protection. Isotopic tracing enables improved prediction and monitoring of long-term contaminant release from waste glass.
October 15, 2025 — Source
Brazil, other nations agree to quadruple sustainable fuels
Brazil, India, Italy and Japan vowed Tuesday to quadruple their production and consumption of renewable fuels, hoping other countries will join the pledge during UN climate talks in November.
October 15, 2025 — Source
Carbon opportunities highlighted in Australia's utilities sector
Australia's utility sector accounts for some 43.1% of the country's carbon footprint, and some 37.2% of its direct emissions, new research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has revealed.
October 15, 2025 — Source
Criminal psychologists are profiling a different kind of killer—environmental offenders
After years of trying to understand the minds of people who hurt others, I have recently turned my attention as a criminal psychologist from violent crimes to the less well-known world of green crime.
October 15, 2025 — Source
Earthquake damage at deeper depths occurs long after initial activity, study finds
Earthquakes often bring to mind images of destruction, of the Earth breaking open and altering landscapes. But after an earthquake, the area around it undergoes a period of post-seismic deformation, where areas that didn't break experience new stress as a result of the sudden change in the surroundings. Once it has adjusted to this new stress, it reaches a state of recovery.
October 15, 2025 — Source
Federal Actions Make New York's Energy Future More Uncertain
Amid cuts to federal clean energy grants and pressure from activists to meet the state's climate targets, Governor Kathy Hochul faces tough choices and lofty expectations.
October 15, 2025 — Source
Harnessing technology and global collaboration to understand peatlands
Peatlands, though covering a small land area, store the most carbon-rich soils and are vital for water cycles, biodiversity, and climate regulation. Human activities have drained extensive peatland areas, reducing global carbon sequestration. Standardized, community-driven data collection using accessible technology, such as smartphone photography, enables large-scale, cost-effective monitoring and supports improved predictions and conservation efforts.
October 15, 2025 — Source
Here's How to Recycle Your Old PC, Laptop and Printer for Free in 2025
Face it, your old PC from 2008 is not going to make it to 2026. Here's how to give it a proper burial.
October 15, 2025 — Source
Hotter does mean wetter: As climate change intensifies, so will extreme rainfall in Japan
A 4°C rise in global temperature is projected to intensify extreme rainfall in Japan, with precipitation increasing by about 7% per degree Celsius of warming. However, extreme rainfall is most likely when atmospheric moisture is high, not on the hottest days, as very high temperatures can reduce humidity and weaken rainfall. Regional variations and higher-resolution data are important for future assessments.
October 15, 2025 — Source
How green infrastructure is revamping city storm sewers
Installing green infrastructure in residential areas can prevent stormwater from flooding sewer systems and significantly curb heavy metal pollution, suggests a new study.
October 15, 2025 — Source
Indonesia's Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano unleashes new burst of hot ash
Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, erupted for a second straight day Wednesday, spewing towering columns of hot ash that later blanketed villages. No casualties were immediately reported.
October 15, 2025 — Source
It actually rains on the Sun. Here's the stunning reason
Scientists at the University of Hawaiʻi have discovered why it rains on the Sun. Solar rain, made of cooling plasma, forms rapidly during solar flares, a mystery now solved by modeling time-varying elements like iron. The finding upends long-held assumptions about the Sun's atmosphere and could improve predictions of space weather events. It's a breakthrough that forces a rewrite of how we understand the Sun's outer layers.
October 15, 2025 — Source
Methane from overlooked sources higher than predicted in Osaka, Japan
Methane emissions in Osaka are higher than official estimates, with significant contributions from city gas, industrial activities, restaurants, sewage, reservoirs, dairy farms, compost, and unique local sources such as water-filled ditches around burial mounds and fermented food production. These findings indicate that several urban methane sources have been underestimated.
October 15, 2025 — Source
Minnesota farmer digitized his old planning system and then turned it into a startup
A Minnesota farmer developed Farm Flow, a digital platform aimed at replacing traditional paper-based planning for small and mid-sized farms. The tool streamlines labor, inventory, and record-keeping, addressing challenges from rising costs and complex finances. Adoption of digital tools remains uneven, but Farm Flow seeks to bridge the gap with accessible, farmer-focused technology.
October 15, 2025 — Source
More milk, less methane in mixed pastures?
Pasture plant diversity does not significantly affect milk production or methane emissions in dairy cows, according to a meta-analysis of 16 studies. However, a higher proportion of legumes in pastures is associated with increased milk yield. No clear link was found between species-rich grasslands and reduced methane emissions, but diverse pastures offer broader ecosystem benefits.
October 15, 2025 — Source
New catalyst unlocks low-temperature hydrogen from methane with reduced carbon emissions
A Fe-doped nickel magnesium aluminate spinel catalyst, NiOMgAl2-xFexO4, enables efficient hydrogen production from methane at 650°C with over 91% methane conversion and high hydrogen purity. The catalyst resists carbon buildup, maintains stability over multiple cycles, and yields solid carbon byproduct, supporting cleaner, more sustainable hydrogen generation.
October 15, 2025 — Source
Rigorous approach quantifies and verifies almost all quantum states
A scalable protocol enables efficient quantification and verification of almost all quantum states using only single-qubit measurements, overcoming the limitations of previous methods that required complex circuits or exponentially many measurements. This approach can detect global entanglement and quantum correlations, providing a practical tool for benchmarking and validating quantum information systems.
October 15, 2025 — Source
Rising seas and sinking cities signal a coastal crisis in China
Global sea levels have risen at an average rate of 1.5 mm yr-1 since 1900, the fastest in at least 4,000 years. Coastal cities in China face heightened risk due to both rapid sea level rise and land subsidence, especially in delta regions where human activities like groundwater extraction accelerate sinking. Vulnerability maps can guide mitigation and adaptation efforts.
October 15, 2025 — Source
Securing biodiversity requires better forest management, say researchers
Intensive forest management, including harvesting, occurs in Finnish forests with high biodiversity value, not just in less valuable areas. Only about one-third of the top 10% highest biodiversity forests are protected. Without changes, all unprotected high-value forests risk being affected within decades, highlighting the need to better integrate biodiversity conservation into forest management.
October 15, 2025 — Source
Smartphone-powered AI predicts avocado ripeness
A smartphone-based AI system predicts avocado ripeness and internal quality using iPhone images, achieving 92% accuracy for firmness and over 84% for internal quality. The technology, leveraging deep learning, could help reduce food waste by guiding consumers and retailers on optimal use and sale timing, with potential applications for other foods.
October 15, 2025 — Source
Studying tsunamis with GPS satellites
GPS satellites can detect tsunamis by monitoring disturbances in the ionosphere caused by ocean surface motion during such events. The GUARDIAN system identified ionospheric ripples from the Kamchatka earthquake within 20 minutes, enabling a 40-minute warning before the tsunami reached populated areas. Satellite data, including from SWOT, confirmed and improved tsunami modeling.
October 15, 2025 — Source
The government wants more of us living in high rises. Here's why Australians don't want to
High-rise living in Australia remains uncommon, with only about 4% of the population residing in such dwellings. Key barriers include limited availability of affordable, family-sized apartments, concerns over build quality, and higher rates of housing cost stress compared to separate houses. Current high-rise residents are typically younger, more mobile, and more likely to rent.
October 15, 2025 — Source
Trump's anti-sustainability agenda comes to Eurozone
ESG kicked like a 'toxic political football' amid greenwashing
October 15, 2025 — Source
Typhoon leaves flooded Alaska villages facing a storm recovery far tougher than most Americans will ever experience
Remnants of Typhoon Halong caused severe flooding in Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, displacing hundreds and damaging homes, with at least one fatality. The storm's unusual track and intensity were difficult to forecast, possibly affected by reduced weather balloon data. Recovery is hampered by remoteness, limited resources, and approaching winter. Warm Pacific waters likely intensified the storm.
October 15, 2025 — Source
We turned off moths' sex signals—this could be the key to greener pest control
Deleting a single desaturase gene in female oriental fruit moths prevents pheromone production, disrupting their ability to attract mates. This genetic approach identifies the key gene for pheromone synthesis, enabling sustainable pest control by facilitating bioengineered pheromone production, potentially reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and minimizing environmental impact.
October 15, 2025 — Source
Young farmers face steep odds in a changing climate
High land costs, student debt, and climate shocks make it hard for the next generation of farmers to get started and stay on the land.
October 15, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — October 13th, 2025
Algae and water fleas in lakes: Light color influences food webs
The color of underwater light, not just its intensity, significantly affects phytoplankton growth and nutrient cycling in lakes. Different light spectra alter phytoplankton fatty acid composition, which impacts the nutritional quality for consumers like water fleas. These findings indicate that changes in light spectrum can influence lake food webs more than previously recognized.
October 13, 2025 — Source
An expensive gas bill inspired him to help others
AJ Patton's new all-electric housing project in Chicago is designed to keep utility costs low.
October 13, 2025 — Source
Chemobiological platform enables renewable conversion of sugars into core aromatic hydrocarbons of petroleum
With growing concerns over fossil fuel depletion and the environmental impacts of petrochemical production, scientists are actively exploring renewable strategies to produce essential industrial chemicals.
October 13, 2025 — Source
Decades-old photosynthesis mystery finally solved
Scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Caltech have finally solved a decades-old mystery about how photosynthesis really begins. They discovered why energy inside plants flows down only one of two possible routes — a design that lets nature move sunlight with astonishing precision. Using advanced computer simulations, the researchers showed that one branch has a much higher energy barrier, blocking electrons from moving freely.
October 13, 2025 — Source
Earth's climate just crossed a line we can't ignore
Humanity has reached the first Earth system tipping point, the widespread death of warm-water coral reefs, marking the beginning of irreversible planetary shifts. As global temperatures move beyond 1.5°C, the world risks cascading crises such as ice sheet melt, Amazon rainforest dieback, and ocean current collapse. Scientists from the University of Exeter warn that these interconnected tipping points could transform the planet unless urgent, systemic action triggers "positive tipping points," like rapid renewable energy adoption.
October 13, 2025 — Source
Green solvents could unlock plant protein from rapeseed waste
Environmentally friendly natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) can extract up to 53% of protein from rapeseed press cake, compared to 15% with water extraction. While NADES increase yield, they reduce protein purity due to co-extraction of other plant compounds. This method offers a sustainable approach to utilizing agricultural waste for plant protein production.
October 13, 2025 — Source or Watch Video
Lab tests explore effects of nitrogen fertilizer run-off on marine sponges
Marine sponges generally exhibit high tolerance to short-term increases in nitrogen concentrations, with survival rates above 95%, though some species, such as Cliona celata, display stress responses at elevated levels. Variability in tolerance exists among species, and indirect effects from nitrogen-driven plankton blooms may still threaten sponge communities.
October 13, 2025 — Source
Mechanical method uses collisions to break down plastic for sustainable recycling
A mechanochemical method uses mechanical collisions to break down PET plastic into its basic monomers at room temperature, avoiding heat and harsh chemicals. This process relies on energy from impacts to trigger chemical reactions, enabling efficient, cleaner recycling. Mapping energy distribution reveals optimal conditions for plastic decomposition, supporting the development of sustainable recycling systems.
October 13, 2025 — Source
Moderate warming may not doom humid subtropical forests' carbon storage
Humid subtropical forests may continue to accumulate soil carbon under moderate warming of up to 2.1°C, rather than becoming carbon sources. Initial soil carbon loss is followed by recovery and accumulation, driven by sustained plant inputs and microbial adaptation. These findings suggest afforestation in cool, humid subtropical regions could enhance carbon sequestration under modest warming.
October 13, 2025 — Source
MXene current collectors could reduce size and improve recyclability of Li-ion batteries
MXene films used as current collectors in Li-ion batteries are three to four times thinner and about ten times lighter than conventional copper foils, enabling reduced battery size and weight while increasing capacity. MXene collectors maintain electrochemical stability, compatibility with various electrodes, and can be efficiently recycled without performance loss, supporting improved sustainability.
October 13, 2025 — Source
Natural World Heritage sites under growing threat, but bright spots remain
Natural World Heritage sites face increasing threats from climate change, invasive species, and insufficient funding, with the proportion rated as having a positive conservation outlook dropping to 57%. Climate change poses high or very high risks to 43% of sites, and invasive species and human activities further endanger many areas. Local conservation actions have improved some sites, but broader support and integration of local knowledge are needed.
October 13, 2025 — Source
New Report Finds One of Earth's Most Precious Ecosystems Has Already Crossed a Scary Climate Tipping Point
The 2025 Global Tipping Points Report finds that the world's warm-water coral reefs have become the first Earth system to cross its thermal tipping point, putting them at dire risk.
October 13, 2025 — Source
On Louisiana's Gulf Coast, residents fume as insurers hike rates and invest in fossil fuel projects
Locals face a perfect storm — they can't afford insurance and climate change threatens their livelihood.
October 13, 2025 — Source
PJM Pursues Rule Change to Meet Data Center Surge. Critics Fear Gas Suppliers Could Benefit.
PJM is racing to craft new rules to meet surging data center demand through a fast-track process, one that could reshape the grid if federal regulators sign off.
October 13, 2025 — Source
Rural women farmers in South Africa: How global promises aren't translating into support on the ground
Rural women farmers in South Africa face persistent barriers including insecure land tenure, limited access to finance, and exclusion from decision-making roles. Gender-neutral agricultural programs often fail to address these issues, resulting in women benefiting less than men. Bridging the gap between policy and practice requires targeted support, gender-disaggregated data, and increased women's leadership.
October 13, 2025 — Source
Scientists' electrochemical process enables biodiesel producers to transform waste into planet-friendly profit
An electrochemical process developed by scientists at a Loughborough University spin-out company enables biodiesel producers to turn waste into profit—while slashing emissions and energy use.
October 13, 2025 — Source
Strictly protected Mediterranean forests stay cooler, study finds
Strictly protected Mediterranean forests maintain summer canopy temperatures up to 2 °C lower than managed woodlands, primarily due to taller, denser canopies and higher moisture content. These structural features enhance local cooling, reduce heat and drought stress, and support biodiversity, highlighting the value of passive restoration and strict protection for climate adaptation in the region.
October 13, 2025 — Source
Study reveals crowberry expansion and bilberry decline in Arctic tundra
Researchers at the University of Oulu, Finland, have observed significant vegetation changes in the treeless heath and tundra regions of northern Finland and Norway over recent decades, marked by the expansion of crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) and the decline of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus).
October 13, 2025 — Source
Study reveals global patterns and drivers of soil microbial succession
Analysis of over 5,000 global soil samples shows that soil microbial communities consistently converge during succession, regardless of disturbance type or initial conditions. This convergence is driven by directional species replacement linked to changing soil properties. Early succession is marked by species addition, while later stages are dominated by species replacement, confirming universal patterns of community convergence.
October 13, 2025 — Source
The disasters we talk about shape our priorities and determine our preparedness
Disaster risk reduction has evolved from viewing disasters as divine punishment to recognizing their roots in human actions and societal structures. Media and political focus on rapid-onset events often overshadows slow-onset crises like drought and climate change, despite their significant long-term impacts. Addressing disaster risk requires holistic strategies, human accountability, and investment in prevention and equity.
October 13, 2025 — Source
The US-Mexico Border Wall May Pose Perils to Pollinators
Environmentalists worry about pollinating species in the pivotal desert borderland as more tall barriers are planned by the U.S. government to curb migration and trafficking.
October 13, 2025 — Source
The XR Week Peek (2025.10.13): Valve is ramping up the production of Steam Frame, Apple is prioritizing smartglasses, and more!
It's been a nice week for me. I've also been honored by seeing the publication of the episode of the AI/XR Podcast where I have been a guest of three legends like Charlie Fink, Ted Schilowitz, and Rony Abovitz. I was pretty excited, and I hope I managed to say something smart.
October 13, 2025 — Source
Tropical Storm Lorenzo forms in the central tropical Atlantic
Lorenzo's formation brings the Atlantic hurricane season to near-average in three out of four categories.
October 13, 2025 — Source
Why some people turn off the lights and others don't
Saving energy isn't just about keeping bills down. A new analysis of 100 existing studies across 42 countries shows that people with positive attitudes to the environment, or who want what they do at home to make a difference to society, are more likely to save energy.
October 13, 2025 — Source
Wild honeybees now officially listed as endangered in the EU
Wild populations of Apis mellifera in the EU are now officially classified as endangered due to declining numbers, habitat loss, disease, invasive parasites, and hybridization. Unlike managed colonies, wild honeybees live independently and form a crucial genetic reservoir for resilience. Their new status highlights the urgent need for targeted conservation efforts.
October 13, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — October 10th, 2025
A Bitcoin Mine Came to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and Dafter Township Isn't Happy
The mine's computers emitted a loud, persistent hum that has, for the time being, been silenced by litigation.
October 10, 2025 — Source
A conservative voice calls for climate unity
Benji Backer, founder of the Nature Is Nonpartisan coalition, says protecting the planet should transcend politics.
October 10, 2025 — Source
AI Is the 'Biggest Driver' of Electricity Use in North America, a New Energy Report Shows
By 2040, AI data centers alone will account for 12% of North American electricity consumption, according to a report on the global energy transition.
October 10, 2025 — Source
AI shortens time taken to measure the sustainability impact of a product
Researchers have developed a streamlined life cycle assessment method that makes environmental evaluation faster, cheaper, and more accessible to product designers without compromising reliability.
October 10, 2025 — Source
Analysis suggests attitudes, not income, drive energy savings at home
Analysis suggests attitudes and social perceptions, not income, primarily drive household energy-saving behaviors, according to a study published in Cell Reports Sustainability.
October 10, 2025 — Source
Autonomous robot glider to circle the globe in historic ocean mission
Redwing, an advanced autonomous underwater glider, is set to become the first robot to circumnavigate the globe, collecting real-time ocean data on salinity, temperature, and depth over a five-year mission. Its energy-efficient design enables extended operation, supporting improved climate modeling, weather prediction, and marine life tracking, while also serving as an educational platform for students worldwide.
October 10, 2025 — Source
Batteries that recycle themselves
Controlled thermal runaway lets lithium-ion batteries recycle themselves using stored energy, cutting external heat, chemicals, and emissions while improving recovery efficiency and economic viability.
October 10, 2025 — Source
Biochar helps composting go greener by cutting greenhouse gas emissions
A global study has found that adding biochar to organic waste composting can significantly reduce emissions of potent greenhouse gases, offering a promising pathway for sustainable waste recycling and climate change mitigation.
October 10, 2025 — Source or Source
Boring Company cited for almost 800 environmental violations in Las Vegas
Violations include digging without permits and dumping wastewater into storm drains.
October 10, 2025 — Source
Chemical pollutants affect wildlife and human behavior—but toxicologists are reluctant to carry out tests
Chemical pollutants can negatively impact both wildlife and human behavior, yet behavioral effects are rarely assessed in standard toxicity tests. Industry toxicologists are hesitant to use behavioral studies due to concerns about repeatability, increased costs, and potential findings. Many chemicals, including those in plastics, lack sufficient toxicity data, highlighting a need to incorporate behavioral assessments into risk evaluations.
October 10, 2025 — Source
Climate goals go up in smoke as US datacenters turn to coal
High gas prices and surging AI demand send operators back to the dirtiest fuel in the stack
October 10, 2025 — Source
Investors are betting $21 billion that the energy transition isn't going away
Despite political headwinds, investors are betting $21 billion on the energy transition, with new funds from Brookfield and Energy Impact Partners demonstrating durable growth expectations.
October 10, 2025 — Source
Karen becomes the Atlantic's northernmost named storm on record
Karen popped up at the same latitude as Minneapolis, while Jerry douses the Northern Leeward Islands, Priscilla threatens to drench the U.S. Southwest, and an unnamed storm will be slamming the Mid-Atlantic coast.
October 10, 2025 — Source
"Like putting on glasses for the first time"—how AI improves earthquake detection
AI is "comically good" at detecting small earthquakes—here's why that matters.
October 10, 2025 — Source
New Study Suggests Solar Panels Could Last Even Longer Than We Thought
If you're weighing up whether or not it's worth getting solar panels fitted to your house, one of the key considerations is how long you can expect those panels to last. A new study reports that, with the right conditions, solar panels can continue to operate efficiently for significantly longer than most tests initially expected. However, there is a catch.
October 10, 2025 — Source
Pacific circulation key to lower CO2 during ice ages, simulations show
Simulations show vigorous Pacific circulation during ice ages reduced Southern Ocean carbon outgassing by 50%, potentially lowering atmospheric CO2 levels.
October 10, 2025 — Source
Researchers uncover hidden plant-microbe strategy that boosts crop growth under nutrient stress
Soil microbes competing in the rhizosphere release glutathione, which enhances plant growth under sulfur-deficient conditions but reduces microbial growth, representing a trans-kingdom fitness trade-off. This mechanism offers a natural strategy for improving crop resilience and reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, supporting more sustainable agriculture and soil health.
October 10, 2025 — Source
Review: Harnessing Green-Synthesized Nanoparticles for Water Purification
A new review reveals how plant- and microbe-derived nanoparticles can power next-gen water disinfection, delivering cleaner, safer water without the environmental cost of traditional treatments.
October 10, 2025 — Source
Senegal records 17 deaths in rare major outbreak of Rift Valley Fever
RVF is a viral disease that mainly affects livestock. Humans typically become infected through mosquito bites or contact with infected animals.
October 10, 2025 — Source
Texas Grid Operators and Regulators Iron Out New Rules for Data Centers
New state legislation seeks to address grid challenges from hosting large energy users like data centers while remaining an attractive place to do business.
October 10, 2025 — Source or Watch Video
The Trump Administration Is Cutting Billions in Clean Energy Investments—But the Savings Are Overstated
As prices for wind and solar drop, favoring fossil fuels means the U.S. is "putting all of our money on a horse that's already lost," as one clean energy advocate put it.
October 10, 2025 — Source
Thousands fall ill as mosquito fever explodes across southern China
China's Guangdong Province is battling its worst-ever chikungunya outbreak, with thousands of infections spreading across major cities and nearby regions. Transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, the disease underscores how climate change, urbanization, and global travel are fueling mosquito-borne threats.
October 10, 2025 — Source
When a hurricane hits, she shows up for those left behind
Trans advocate Jasmine McKenzie is building a lifeline for Black and trans Floridians who often can't safely access disaster services from FEMA or religious organizations.
October 10, 2025 — Source
Wild lupine flower genetics could be key to conservation of species
Researchers at Penn State studying declining populations of sundial lupines in the eastern part of the United States are closer to determining how the plant's genetics could be used to inform reseeding strategies to help with conservation efforts of the blue flowering plant.
October 10, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — October 8th, 2025
Arizona Rural Grassroots Organizers Take on Industrial Developers, Aided by Urban Allies
When residents of Benson, Arizona, began organizing against an aluminum recycling plant, a Tucson group offered to help.
October 8, 2025 — Source
As ocean temperatures warm, fish in Western Australia are heading south
Colorful tropical fish are heading south along the WA coast, including around Rottnest. This sounds spectacular, but it's not.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Brits sitting on £1.6B gold mine of Windows 10 junk as support ends
Recyclers reckon millions of obsolete PCs could yield a small fortune in precious metals
October 8, 2025 — Source
Canal Istanbul stirs fear and uncertainty in nearby villages
In Sazlibosna village, along the planned route of the vast Canal Istanbul project, 68-year-old Yasar Demirkaya fidgets with worn prayer beads as he sips tea at a cafe, uncertain about the future.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Climate-smart housing design helps cities beat the heat
Painting walls in light colors, insulating roofs, choosing medium-sized windows, and aligning buildings to the sun's path may seem like simple choices. But they could provide powerful defenses against climate change for millions of people in the world's most vulnerable regions.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Deadwood brings wild orchids to life: Study uncovers important carbon flux in the ecosystem
Orchid seeds are as small as dust and do not provide any nutrients for the young plant to grow. The adult plants are known to rely on a certain type of fungi that develop structures within the plant's roots, but whether these same fungi also help with germination has not been established.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Deforestation can cause eight-fold increase in flood event risk
Extensive deforestation in catchment areas can increase the risk of large-scale flooding by up to 700%, shifting flood event probability from 1 in 64 years to 1 in 8 years. This heightened risk is primarily due to the loss of forest canopy and leaf litter, which normally absorb and disperse rainfall, rather than changes in soil properties after fires.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Energy flexibility is reshaping Finland's electricity market
Energy flexibility, enabled by digitalization and smart devices, is allowing Finnish consumers to influence the electricity market by adjusting their energy use in response to price signals. Financial incentives, rather than sustainability concerns, are the primary motivators for adopting flexible habits. This shift supports market efficiency, cost savings, and the integration of new business models.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Energy storage and new materials eyed for chemistry Nobel
The development of new compounds and novel ways of storing energy are some of the research fields commentators say could be contenders for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry announced Wednesday.
October 8, 2025 — Source
EPA reverses stance on coke oven rules that U.S. Steel called unachievable
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is allowing implementation of a 2024 hazardous air pollution rule that imposed new emission control and monitoring requirements on facilities like the U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works, a few months after seeking to delay and rework it.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Every third school in Vilnius lies in a high air pollution zone, Lithuanian study reveals
A study carried out by researchers at the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC) revealed that 37% of primary and secondary schools in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, are exposed to harmful air pollutants due to their proximity to major high-traffic roads.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Floating electrons on a sea of helium
Yes, it's another potential qubit. But it's also some very cool physics.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Four things to know about climate change and human migration
Climate change alters migration patterns by increasing both forced movement and involuntary immobility, particularly affecting middle-income groups who are most likely to migrate. The poorest often lack resources to move, while the wealthiest can adapt in place. Migration from middle- and lower-income countries generally leads to areas with lower climate risk, but restrictive border policies heighten vulnerability. International cooperation is essential to reduce climate-related risks and address gaps in governance.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Ganiga will showcase its waste-sorting robots at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
Italian startup Ganiga Innovation is showcasing its AI-enabled robotic waste bins, Hoooly, at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, aiming to improve recycling rates. They've already sold over 120 robots and raised €1.5 million.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Global atlas of thermal tolerance provides heat check for freshwater organisms
Climate change not only causes temperatures on land and in the sea to rise, but also leads to warming rivers, lakes, and streams—with serious consequences for the animals living within them. A research team at the University of Duisburg-Essen has published the largest openly accessible collection of data on the thermal tolerance of freshwater organisms to date. This data helps water management and government authorities to enact preventive measures to protect animals living in and around water.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Half the UK's fish stocks are overfished—but the evidence shows how they can be revived
Most of the UK's commercial fish stocks are not in a healthy state, according to a new landmark report.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Illegal cannabis cultivation leaves lasting chemical footprint on California's public lands
A study found illegal cannabis cultivation leaves lasting chemical contaminants—pesticides, THC, plastics—on California's public lands, impacting ecosystems and water quality.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Los Alamos and University of Michigan Want to Build a National Security 'Data Center' in Ypsilanti. Residents and Local Officials See Few Benefits.
Local officials allege the University of Michigan is being "deceptive" over its plans for the $1.2 billion "computation center," which could bring few benefits and many costs to Ypsilanti Township.
October 8, 2025 — Source
New Zealand's seas warming faster than global average: Report
The seas around New Zealand are warming much faster than global averages, scientists said Wednesday in a new study warning how climate change could batter the island nation.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Once dominant, US agricultural exports falter amid trade disputes and rising competition
The U.S. has traditionally been an agricultural powerhouse with a healthy trade surplus. But global dynamics are changing due to a confluence of political and economic factors. U.S. agricultural imports now exceed exports, and the trade deficit is projected to worsen in the coming years.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Protected areas in the Hauraki Gulf nearly triple under a new law—but it comes with a catch
A new law that almost triples the protected area in the Hauraki Gulf Tīkapa Moana—New Zealand's largest marine park at more than 1.2 million hectares, surrounding Auckland and the Coromandel peninsula—is something to be celebrated.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Record Amazon fires release more carbon than an entire country
The Amazon has suffered its most destructive fire season in more than two decades, releasing a staggering 791 million tons of carbon dioxide—on par with Germany's annual emissions. Scientists found that for the first time, fire-driven degradation, not deforestation, was the main source of carbon emissions, signaling a dangerous shift in the rainforest's decline. Using advanced satellite systems and rigorous simulations, researchers uncovered vast damage across Brazil and Bolivia, exposing the fragility of the Amazon's ecosystems.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Satellite program aims to track every wildfire on Earth
A nonprofit coalition is building a fleet of satellites to help firefighters and communities respond when disaster strikes.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Satellites record 20-meter high wave, showing the power of ocean swell
During recent storms, satellites recorded ocean waves averaging nearly 20 meters high—as tall as the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and the largest ever measured from space. Moreover, satellite data now reveal that ocean swells act as storm "messengers": even though a storm may never make landfall, its swell can travel vast distances and bring destructive energy to distant coastlines.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Scientists discover orchids sprouting from decaying wood
Kobe University researchers found that orchids rely on wood-decaying fungi to germinate, feeding on the carbon from rotting logs. Their seedlings only grow near deadwood, forming precise fungal partnerships that mirror those seen in adult orchids with coral-like roots. This discovery highlights a hidden carbon pathway in forest ecosystems and explains the evolution of fully fungus-dependent orchid species.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Sinking balls of krill food could be good news for the planet
Antarctic krill, tiny shrimp-like creatures, are an important species in the Southern Ocean ecosystem and global carbon cycle, in part because of their poop. Their dense and rich fecal pellets sink rapidly, transporting carbon from surface waters to the deep ocean.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Slime mold metabolites are a promising, eco-friendly repellent of root-knot nematodes
Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) are worm-like parasites of the genus Meloidogyne that are found in many parts of the world. They attack the roots of plants, causing them to wilt and eventually die. It is estimated that crops worth nearly USD 173 billion are lost every year due to RKN infestations. While chemical pesticides are effective in controlling RKNs, they also kill other microorganisms that are beneficial to plants, thereby reducing soil fertility.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Sticky ammonia is tricky to measure: Innovative field method reveals scale of problem
Many studies have looked at emissions of potent greenhouse gases from treatment plants; however, little attention has been paid to ammonia (NH₃).
October 8, 2025 — Source
The Lost Decade: Why Australia is playing climate catch-up
For ten long years, Australia earned an unenviable reputation as one of the world's climate change "laggards." From 2013 to 2022 its governments weakened environmental rules, cut renewable energy funding and fought against international climate agreements—climate scientists and activists dubbed it the nation's "Lost Decade."
October 8, 2025 — Source
The Red Sea that vanished and the catastrophic flood that brought it back
KAUST researchers find the Red Sea experienced a massive disruption 6.2 million years ago completely changing its marine life
October 8, 2025 — Source
We tested if a specialized magnetic powder could remove microplastics from drinking water: The answer is yes
Specialized magnetic nanocomposite powders efficiently remove microplastics from water, achieving up to 96% removal for small polyethylene and 92--94% for polystyrene in both purified and real-world water samples. The powders are reusable, cost-effective, and show minimal toxicity, offering a practical and scalable solution for microplastic pollution in household and municipal water systems.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Wild mushroom harvesters in Mid-Atlantic region collect fungi, build community
Foragers have been harvesting wild mushrooms in what is now Pennsylvania and the rest of the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region for centuries, but the extent and specifics of the practice in the region had not been formally studied.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Wildlife flee as floods swamp Indian parks
Severe flooding in West Bengal submerged Gorumara and Jaldapara national parks, forcing elephants, tigers, leopards, and other wildlife to flee. Some animals escaped, while others perished, with carcasses of leopards, a rhino, bison, and deer found. Rescue efforts saved a few stranded animals. The region's one-horned rhino population has increased to over 4,000 due to conservation.
October 8, 2025 — Source
Zombie Fires and Historic Hurricanes: The 8 Wildest Weather Events of Summer 2025
A surge in zombie fires. Back-to-back black rainstorms. This summer's weather was something else.
October 8, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — October 3rd, 2025
Accelerated Gulf of Maine warming may pose a serious threat to American lobsters
The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the world's oceans, raising concerns for its $2 billion-a-year American lobster fishery. Scientists at William & Mary's Batten School & VIMS have been studying the impacts of ocean acidification and warming on lobster reproduction, and the results of their most recent research suggest the rising temperatures pose the greatest risk.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Antarctica sees similar climate change effects as Greenland: Study
The planet's warming climate is having effects in Antarctica that increasingly resemble those observed in the Arctic, meaning global sea levels could rise faster than previously predicted, Danish researchers warned on Friday.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Boston’s Food Forests Take Root as a Climate Equity Strategy
Boston is expanding food forests—edible parks created by the Boston Food Forest Coalition—as part of its climate action plan to address inequities and reduce carbon emissions.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Apple Watch and Mac mini are no longer labeled 'Carbon Neutral'
Apple's latest hardware refresh came with a subtle change you might not have noticed. The company no longer calls its Apple Watch or Mac mini carbon neutral, a term it once highlighted as proof of its environmental leadership. The shift is not about the products themselves. It is about how Apple is now required to talk about them.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Cascadia megathrust earthquake could trigger San Andreas fault
Geological evidence from sediment cores indicates that major earthquakes on the Cascadia megathrust and the San Andreas fault have frequently occurred in close succession over the past 3,000 years. Turbidite deposits suggest that a magnitude 9+ Cascadia event could rapidly trigger a significant San Andreas earthquake, posing a compounded seismic hazard along the US Pacific coast.
October 3, 2025 — Source
China trials 'energy-saving' underwater data centers
China is deploying underwater data centers near Shanghai to reduce energy use, utilizing ocean currents for cooling and sourcing over 95% of power from renewables. These facilities may cut cooling energy consumption by up to 90%. Key challenges include construction complexity, corrosion prevention, internet connectivity, and uncertain ecological impacts, particularly thermal effects on marine ecosystems.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Climate shifts alter nectar supply and quality in New Zealand native plants
Nectar traits in New Zealand’s native plants vary significantly across climate zones, with no uniform response among species. Some species showed increased nectar sugar with higher rainfall, while others showed the opposite. Generally, sunnier sites produced larger flowers with less nectar, and drier areas yielded nectar with higher sugar concentrations. These findings aid both honey production and conservation planning.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Counting plastic reveals hidden waste and sparks action
Online supermarket shopping is fueling Britain's plastic waste crisis because packaging is less visible to consumers, according to new research from the Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Energy harvesters surpass Carnot efficiency using non-thermal electron states
Harnessing quantum states that avoid thermalization enables energy harvesters to surpass traditional thermodynamic limits such as Carnot efficiency, report researchers from Japan. The team developed a new approach using a non-thermal Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid to convert waste heat into electricity with higher efficiency than conventional approaches. These findings pave the way for more sustainable low-power electronics and quantum computing.
October 3, 2025 — Source
How Canada can support rural regions in its net-zero transition
As Canada advances toward its 2050 net-zero emissions target, it's facing a fundamental challenge: ensuring all parts of the country can participate in and benefit from the transition to a clean economy.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Illinois Utility Pilots Vehicle-to-Grid Program With Electric School Buses
ComEd is piloting a vehicle-to-grid program with three northern Illinois school districts, testing electric school buses' ability to supply energy back to the grid for potential cost savings.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Illinois utility tries using electric school buses for bidirectional charging
ComEd is piloting bidirectional charging with electric school buses in three Illinois districts. The program aims to reduce grid strain, lower energy costs, and potentially compensate participating schools.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Japan’s hot springs hold clues to the origins of life on Earth
These findings show how life adapted before photosynthesis reshaped the planet and may also guide the search for life on alien worlds.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Lawmakers Scrutinize Secretive Process Behind Energy Bill Hikes
Lawmakers scrutinized New York’s secretive energy bill negotiations at a state Senate hearing, with advocates criticizing the process's power imbalance favoring utilities. Reforms are being considered.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Leaked doc reveals the chaotic politics behind Trump Energy Department cuts
A recently leaked document reveals a more complex picture behind the Trump administration's decision to cancel nearly $8 billion in Department of Energy awards, initially presented as a move to protect fossil fuels. TechCrunch's analysis of the 321 contracts targeted for cancellation shows the projects weren't solely focused on renewable energy; some aimed to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas wells, and others involved carbon capture and removal technologies.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Millions of buildings at risk from sea level rise, analysis finds
Analysis indicates that over 100 million buildings in the Global South could face regular flooding from sea level rise if fossil fuel emissions persist. Even with a 0.5 m rise, about three million buildings are at risk. Densely populated, low-lying areas and critical infrastructure are especially vulnerable, highlighting the need for urgent adaptation and mitigation strategies.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Natural barriers in northern Sweden's rivers challenge downstream assumptions
Research from Umeå University shows that natural barriers in northern Sweden’s rivers, shaped by the last ice age, disrupt downstream assumptions about species and sediment transport.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Proposal to Undo Roadless Rule Would Open Some of Southern California’s Last Wild Forests to Development
The Trump administration plans to repeal the Roadless Rule, a 25-year-old regulation protecting 60 million acres of national forests, citing timber industry and wildfire concerns. Opponents fear increased development and wildfire risk.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Pyrolysis Breakthrough: From Saline Containers to Sustainable Fuel
Researchers developed a method using pyrolysis and nanotechnology to convert medical saline containers into clean-burning, sustainable fuel, addressing plastic waste and energy needs.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Researchers boost efficiency of ultrathin solar cells
Ultrathin solar cells save material and bend on surfaces but lose light. A gold nanostructured mirror with oxide boosts reflection and reduces energy loss.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Scientists create natural plastics for everyday packaging
Food waste sugars have been converted into polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymers, forming compostable plastic films with properties similar to conventional plastics. By blending PHAs from different bacteria, film characteristics such as crystallinity and melting point can be tuned, enabling applications in packaging and medical films while addressing single-use plastic waste.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Supercomputer modeling unlocks longstanding mystery of subducted oceanic slabs
An international research collaboration has harnessed supercomputing power to better understand how massive slabs of ancient ocean floors are shaped as they sink hundreds of kilometers below Earth's surface.
October 3, 2025 — Source
The flaws of carbon credits designed to protect forests – and how to fix them
Forest carbon credits, designed to fund forest conservation, are gaining popularity as a climate solution. However, experts find current protocols often underestimate risks and lack rigor, hindering their effectiveness and trustworthiness.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Three-layer membrane design extracts lithium from brines with greater speed, less waste
A team of researchers at Rice University has developed a new membrane that selectively filters out lithium from brines, offering a faster, cleaner way to produce the element at the heart of nearly every rechargeable battery.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Too hot to harvest: Rising heat threatens farm labor and food security
Imagine a farm in 2050. It's summer and solar radiation and humidity are peaking. Fruit picking machines hum and cooling mist sprays overhead. In the haze, a robot stands among the rows of fruit. It scans two strawberries—one red and ripe, the other still green.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Unique videos show how trawling restrictions bring back life to the sea
Trawling restrictions not only benefit fish and shellfish; anemones and corals are also becoming more common, according to a new study from the University of Gothenburg. Twenty-six years of underwater videos from the depths of the Koster Sea also show long-term changes in the ecosystem as the water becomes warmer.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Why climate change adaptation is a key piece of our climate risk puzzle
Climate change adaptation, alongside mitigation, is essential for managing Australia's climate risks, as highlighted by the National Climate Risk Assessment and National Adaptation Plan. Adaptation measures—such as urban greening, shoreline protection, and disaster planning—can reduce exposure and vulnerability to hazards, helping limit negative impacts even as some climate changes remain unavoidable.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Why coral reefs damaged by blast fishing struggle to recover—even after decades
Research shows coral reefs damaged by blast fishing struggle to recover for decades due to unstable rubble, hindering natural regrowth and restoration efforts.
October 3, 2025 — Source
Would cockroaches really survive a nuclear apocalypse?
Cockroaches are more resistant to radiation than humans, tolerating doses six to 15 times higher, but they are not the most radiation-resistant insects and would not survive extreme nuclear fallout. While some individuals might persist briefly, long-term survival is unlikely due to radiation effects, ecosystem collapse, and eventual food scarcity.
October 3, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — September 29th, 2025
5 Of The Best Solar Panel Kits For Your Home Or RV, According To Users
In the era of rising electricity costs, solar panels are a one-time investment that will greatly reduce the weight of high monthly bills. The panels, depending on their maximum power limit, can generate enough electricity to recharge your batteries and electrical devices, given that the placement is adjusted at the correct angle to absorb maximum sunlight for higher energy output. All you need for solar panels to work is a bright and shining sun outdoors.
September 29, 2025 — Source
Bacteria attached to charcoal could help keep an infamous 'forever chemical' out of waterways
Attaching PCB-degrading bacteria, specifically Paraburkholderia xenovorans LB400, to biochar made from corn kernels enhances bacterial survival and PCB breakdown in contaminated sediments. Biochar adsorbs PCBs, bringing them into contact with the bacteria, while a protective sol-gel coating further improves bacterial stability. This approach may offer a cost-effective, in situ method for reducing PCB pollution.
September 29, 2025 — Source
Citing 'AI Arms Race,' Trump Administration Announces Efforts to Rekindle US Coal Industry
The administration is opening millions of additional acres of public land to mining while slashing royalty rates and environmental regulations for coal. Environmentalists warn of skyrocketing costs and threats to land, water and air.
September 29, 2025 — Source
Citizen scientists reveal global hotspots of plastic pollution
Global coastal microplastic pollution shows sharp regional differences in type and concentration, with nurdles most common overall and highest in the Netherlands, while secondary plastics dominate in Kenya and Honduras. Citizen science enables large-scale data collection, though sustained volunteer engagement remains challenging. Combining citizen and traditional science may best inform policy and monitoring.
September 29, 2025 — Source
Climate Activists Thwarted in U.S. Courts Are Headed to an International Tribunal for Review
Plaintiffs who sued the U.S. government in 2015 for promoting fossil fuel policies and failing to protect them from climate change have petitioned the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for an investigation and remedies.
September 29, 2025 — Source
Decades in the making: Seeing the full impact from air pollution reductions
Long-term reductions in SO1 emissions, mainly from power plants, have led to significant decreases in sulfate aerosols (a major PM2.5 component) in the U.S. Seasonal differences in sulfate levels, once pronounced due to atmospheric chemistry, have narrowed as emissions declined. Projections indicate continued decreases in both winter and summer sulfate through 2050.
September 29, 2025 — Source
Disasters caused over $131 billion in losses in the first half of 2025
The costs of such disasters have been rising in the U.S. for a few different reasons.
September 29, 2025 — Source
Do We Really Need a Category 6 for Hurricanes?
As climate change leads to more destructive hurricanes, some experts have proposed adding a "Category 6" to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, but not everyone thinks it's a good idea.
September 29, 2025 — Source
Double Storm Threat Expected to Unleash Dangerous Surf Along U.S. East Coast
The National Hurricane Center is watching these two storms closely as they encroach on the U.S.
September 29, 2025 — Source or Watch Video
How sea star wasting disease transformed the West Coast's ecology and economy
Sea star wasting disease and marine heat waves devastated West Coast kelp forests, causing urchin populations to explode. Innovative aquaculture is now utilizing these urchins as a culinary resource.
September 29, 2025 — Source
How water fuels conflict in Pakistan
Water scarcity and inequitable distribution in Pakistan drive conflicts at household, city, and provincial levels, exacerbated by supply-focused mega projects and neglect of equitable access. Over 95% of water is used for agriculture, while urban poor face acute shortages and inflated prices. Inter-provincial disputes, especially between Punjab and Sindh, persist, and climate change further strains rigid, infrastructure-based management.
September 29, 2025 — Source
Index unlocks a market for nature recovery work: New method values mangrove and salt marsh recovery
A multi-diversity index (MDI) has been developed to quantify biodiversity gains from coastal wetland restoration, enabling projects involving mangroves and salt marshes to earn tradable biodiversity certificates. The MDI integrates multiple biodiversity indicators into a single score, supporting standardized assessment and potentially increasing the market value of restoration efforts.
September 29, 2025 — Source
Indigenous Land Defender Killed in Ecuador as Government Cracks Down on Environmental and Human Rights Activists
Efraín Fueres was gunned down Sunday while marching in protest against high costs of living and government crackdowns that include freezing the bank accounts of activists and suspending a media organization.
September 29, 2025 — Source
Meet the key players in the Pacific Northwest's fusion energy hub
The future hasn't yet arrived as local physicists and engineers are still laboring to recreate the atom-smashing reactions that power the sun. If any companies succeed in doing this in a cost-effective manner, it would unlock an abundant source of safe, clean energy — the so-called "Holy Grail" of renewable power.
September 29, 2025 — Source
Q&A: Arizona's AG Takes on Utilities, Big Water Users and the Trump Administration
Kris Mayes has long been one of the state's biggest climate champions. As attorney general, she's taking on the Trump administration and the state's biggest utility as it pushes a 14 percent rate hike.
September 29, 2025 — Source
Scientists return from Tonga with clues to uncover what led to the 'eruption of the century'
Extensive mapping and sampling around Tonga's Hunga Volcano reveal that the 2022 eruption deposited thick volcanic ash and mud over 80 km from the site, destabilizing the seafloor and volcanic slopes. These changes increase risks of slope failure and local tsunamis, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and improved hazard preparedness in the region.
September 29, 2025 — Source
Study warns climate leadership falling short in New Zealand
New Zealand leaders favor small, incremental changes in response to escalating climate impacts rather than the bold changes needed to make a real difference, according to research by University of Auckland academic Dr. Sasha Maher and Professor Brad Jackson (University of Waikato).
September 29, 2025 — Source
The climate needs a chorus': Teenagers from around the world speak up
The five winners of the Climate Cardinals-Yale Climate Connections youth essay contest share their ideas for addressing the global crisis.
September 29, 2025 — Source
With Federal Support for Wind and Solar Waning, States Are Trying to Push Policy Through on Their Own
A new report from the think tank Clean Tomorrow tracks how states are expanding—or restricting—where renewable energy projects can be built.
September 29, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — September 26th, 2025
400,000 evacuated, 3 dead as fresh storm batters Philippines
The Philippines evacuated hundreds of thousands of people and confirmed at least three deaths on Friday as it faced yet another tropical storm, days after it was battered by deadly Super Typhoon Ragasa.
September 26, 2025 — Source
Baltic diatoms remained genetically stable for millennia—then humans came into play
After humans started using the Baltic Sea, its diatom populations started to experience accelerated—and, so far, irreversible—changes in genetic composition and diversity, according a recent study led by researchers in Konstanz.
September 26, 2025 — Source
Energy-efficient catalyst converts water pollutants into useful ammonia
When the current method for producing something is estimated to consume a staggering 1--2% of the annual global energy supply, it means we need to make a change. The Haber-Bosch process produces ample amounts of ammonia (NH3)—a valuable chemical compound that has a wide array of uses in fields such as agriculture, technology, and pharmaceuticals—while consuming a lot of energy.
September 26, 2025 — Source
Engineered protein switches may lead to safer, smarter medicines
A new way to potentially control when drugs are active or inactive in the body is introduced in a study reported Sept. 24 in Nature. The research showed that, instead of controlling how tightly proteins bind to partner molecules, scientists can now directly control how long they stay bound. This advance has broad implications for developing safer medicines.
September 26, 2025 — Source
Fewer hailstorms but bigger hailstones: Climate change shifts Europe's severe weather risks
Warming may lead to less frequent but bigger and more devastating hail storms, new research has shown.
September 26, 2025 — Source
Global project unearths new species of wildflowers
A long-term study compiled from field work on four continents over five decades has unearthed new species of kangaroo paws and related genera.
September 26, 2025 — Source
How could AI help (and hurt) forestry?
The whole world is buzzing about the potential and pitfalls of artificial intelligence—including those who work in forestry.
September 26, 2025 — Source
Intense groundwater flow destabilizes ice in North America's Great Lakes, simulations show
Powerful pulses of groundwater flow up from beneath Lakes Michigan and Huron, which together form one of the largest freshwater systems in the world. This groundwater flux may dramatically alter how and where ice forms, with important implications for ice-climate models. As climate change pressures the system, new research suggests that conventional models may underestimate how groundwater can destabilize lake ice along its shorelines (coasts).
September 26, 2025 — Source
Layered cobalt catalyst reimagines pigment as a pathway for CO2 recycling
Researchers at the Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR), Tohoku University, have introduced a new approach for electrochemical carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction. By designing multilayer cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc)/carbon core-shell structures, the team has demonstrated a catalyst architecture that makes CO2 conversion into carbon monoxide (CO) both stable and efficient.
September 26, 2025 — Source
New catalyst turns water pollution into clean ammonia at high efficiency
Researchers developed a catalyst that converts nitrate pollution in water into ammonia with 94.8% efficiency, offering a cleaner alternative to the Haber-Bosch process.
September 26, 2025 — Source
Pulp mill waste becomes green solution to remove toxic dyes
Dyes like Congo red and methyl orange create brightly hued shirts, sweaters and dresses. But these commonly used azo dyes can be toxic, carcinogenic and are hard to remove from wastewater.
September 26, 2025 — Source
Researchers develop new variety of broccoli: A co-hybrid for cold weather climates
A new variety of broccoli called "NorthStar," a co-hybrid between parents developed at Cornell University and the global seed company Bejo Zaden, can withstand warmer, more unpredictable conditions such as the ones in the Northeast growing region. The hybrid greatly expands the regions where broccoli can be grown, increasing food security, sustainability and access—while reducing the carbon and financial costs of shipping.
September 26, 2025 — Source
Scientists eye hurricanes, rainfall in global high-def
Even before thunderstorms over the Pacific Ocean began to significantly build last week, experimental forecasts at the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR) showed the emerging weather system intensifying into a super typhoon. And, indeed, the thunderstorms ultimately spawned Super Typhoon Ragasa, whose 165-mile-per-hour winds made it the most powerful storm on Earth so far this year.
September 26, 2025 — Source
South Asia monsoon: climate change's dangerous impact on lifeline rains
South Asia's annual monsoon rains sustain more than a billion people, but climate change is making them increasingly erratic and deadly, with poor infrastructure only exacerbating the impact.
September 26, 2025 — Source
Study reveals hidden 'electron highways' that power underground chemistry and pollution cleanup
Beneath our feet, an invisible world of electron exchanges quietly drives the chemistry that sustains ecosystems, controls water quality, and even determines the fate of pollutants.
September 26, 2025 — Source
Warn, hide or stand out? How color in the animal world is a battle for survival
Most animals use camouflage, covering themselves in stealthy patterns to hide from predators. Others display bright and bold colors to warn potential predators they are not a good meal. This second strategy is known as aposematism or warning coloration. Although less common than camouflage, it has evolved hundreds of times in butterflies, beetles, bugs, sea slugs, poison frogs and even birds.
September 26, 2025 — Source
Wealthier countries waste more food per person, but urbanization is narrowing this gap
Globally, the average person wastes around 132 kg of food per year, and this number is rising. Wealthy countries waste more food per person, but in an opinion paper published in the journal Cell Reports Sustainability, agricultural economists highlight how urbanization and economic expansion are driving increases in food waste in lower- and middle-income countries.
September 26, 2025 — Source
Whales are getting tangled in lines and ropes off the California coast in record numbers
The number of whales getting tangled up in fishing nets, line, buoys and other miscellaneous rope off the coasts of the United States hit a record high in 2024, with California taking the ignominious lead.
September 26, 2025 — Source
World's first mushroom-powered waterless toilet appears in botanical garden
UBC researchers have launched the world's first mushroom-powered waterless toilet, the MycoToilet, at the UBC Botanical Garden. The prototype turns human waste into nutrient-rich compost using mycelia—the root networks of mushrooms—and features a modern, sustainable design that can be dropped into parks, remote communities and areas without plumbing.
September 26, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — September 25th, 2025
A Tumultuous Moment for Public Lands and All Who Rely on Them
The fourth installment in our special Climate Week video series.
September 25, 2025 — Source or Watch Video
Can the Latest Youth Climate Case Win Where Others Have Failed?
In Lighthiser v. Trump, 22 young people are asking a federal court to declare executive orders that "unleash" fossil fuels unconstitutional. They face some of the same challenges that led to the dismissal of another famous climate case.
September 25, 2025 — Source
Drought and low water levels could slow global trade at the Panama Canal
A vital waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the Panama Canal relies on fresh water supplied by a reservoir to raise and lower the locks that allow the transit of thousands of ships a year.
September 25, 2025 — Source
Glimmering sea of solar as China expands desert installation
An ocean of blue solar panels ripples across the ocher dunes of Inner Mongolia's Kubuqi desert, a glittering example of China's almost inconceivably mammoth energy transition.
September 25, 2025 — Source
Goodbye petrostates, hello 'electrostates': How the clean energy shift is reshaping the world order
For more than a century, global geopolitics has revolved around oil and gas (PDF). Countries with big fossil fuel reserves, such as Saudi Arabia and Russia, have amassed significant wealth and foreign influence, helping shape the world order.
September 25, 2025 — Source
High tech gardens at the Natural History Museum are switched on
A new sensor network using AWS technology will collect live data, making the Museum gardens the most intensively studied urban nature site of its kind in the world.
September 25, 2025 — Source
How a utility shut-off can trigger a family crisis
Food spoils. Health threats rise. Eviction risks loom. And with energy costs rising, more people could face gas or electricity shutoffs.
September 25, 2025 — Source
How climate policy can be made socially just and enforceable worldwide
A model study now explores how carbon pricing with redistribution can help the energy transition and the climate worldwide, while increasing welfare and reducing economic inequality—which is important for enforceability.
September 25, 2025 — Source
Indigenous Australians are crucial to hitting our 2035 climate targets. That transition has to be fairer
"If we act now and move with common purpose, then we can do more than just guard against the very worst. We can protect our environment and build a stronger and fairer economy for the next generation."
September 25, 2025 — Source
News roundup: Scientists challenge misleading Department of Energy climate report
The report received nearly 60,000 comments, some of which were written by climate scientists whose work was misrepresented.
September 25, 2025 — Source
Solar-powered system produces green hydrogen directly from air moisture
A team led by Prof. Yin Huajie from the Hefei Institute of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a solar-powered system that produces green hydrogen directly from atmospheric moisture without relying on external water or energy sources.
September 25, 2025 — Source
Sunk debris from World Wars provides home for wildlife
More marine life is living on some World War II munitions disposed of on the Baltic Sea's seabed than on the sediment surrounding it. The findings, reported in a paper in Communications Earth & Environment, show that some marine organisms can tolerate high levels of toxic compounds if there is a hard surface for them to inhabit. The results also demonstrate how detritus from human conflict can provide habitats for wildlife, which is similarly shown in a Scientific Data study mapping a fleet of World War I shipwrecks in Maryland, U.S.
September 25, 2025 — Source
These rural Minnesota towns were clean energy skeptics: Now they're installing solar
No, the solar panels wouldn't blow off the roof during storms. Yes, ice and snow would collect on them, but both melt as the panels heat up in the sun. No, pests have never been an issue and, yes, they can be easily removed and reattached if you need to patch a leak or replace the shingles.
September 25, 2025 — Source
Tiny iron oxide stones reveal Earth's ancient oceans were carbon-poor, challenging previous assumptions
Earth scientists often face huge challenges when researching Earth's history: many significant events occurred such a long time ago that there is little direct evidence available. Consequently, researchers often have to rely on indirect clues or on computer models.
September 25, 2025 — Source
Trump Raised $8 Million for Hurricane Helene Survivors. Where Did It All Go?
The presidential campaign bad-mouthed FEMA while using crowdfunding to donate to evangelical nonprofits.
September 25, 2025 — Source
Turning rust into fuel: Green rust catalyst developed for cost-effective hydrogen storage
As the world moves toward hydrogen-powered societies, one major challenge remains: storing and releasing hydrogen efficiently. Sodium borohydride (SBH) is a promising hydrogen storage material that can generate hydrogen through simple contact with water. However, this reaction typically relies on expensive catalysts made from precious metals like platinum, limiting its large-scale use.
September 25, 2025 — Source
Unmanned submersible developed to collect typhoon data and improve forecasting
Typhoons and their Atlantic counterparts—hurricanes—can develop into massively destructive storms that can take a severe toll on both infrastructure and human life. Climate change is additionally spurring even more intense storms with higher wind speeds and rainfall.
September 25, 2025 — Source
Urban Heat and Air Pollution May Harm Developing Brains in the Womb, Study Suggests
Focusing on minority populations, the study's findings show how low-income communities in New York City can bear generational consequences from climate change.
September 25, 2025 — Source
Which States Are Getting Hit Hardest by Electricity Price Increases?
The pain of rate hikes is not distributed evenly across the U.S.
September 25, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — September 22nd, 2025
7,200-year-old climate shift coincides with Dadiwan Culture disappearance, scientists discover
The Dadiwan Culture, a key representative of China's Neolithic period in the Yellow River Basin and considered one of the origins of the Yangshao Culture, experienced a mysterious 500-year gap between its first and second phases, according to new research.
September 22, 2025 — Source
AI cameras are spotting wildfires across California—often before humans call 911
For generations, fire lookout towers stood as landmarks across the American West.
September 22, 2025 — Source
As air pollution gets worse, these parents are getting louder
As the federal government weakens protections, Moms Clean Air Force is fighting pollution at the state and local level.
September 22, 2025 — Source
As California installs more artificial turf, health and environmental concerns multiply
Fields of plastic, or fake turf, are spreading across the Golden State from San Diego to Del Norte counties.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Bumble bees pollinated linden flowers 24 million years ago, fossil evidence shows
An international research team led by the Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research at the University of Vienna has made an extraordinary discovery: fossilized lime blossoms and fossilized bumble bees were found in 24-million-year-old sediments at the Enspel Fossil-Lagerstätte (Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany)—along with evidence of their interaction in the form of preserved pollen grains. These findings show that bumble bees were already among the most important pollinators of linden (or lime/basswood) trees millions of years ago—just as they are today.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Can Solar Panels Replace A Home Generator? Here's What You Need To Know
Homes traditionally run on power grids, but it isn't 100% reliable. Technical problems can happen at any time, high consumer demand leads to blackouts, and there's the occasional weather disturbance like hurricanes and snowstorms. If you live in an area where outages happen more often than you'd like, then it's a must to have backup power installed in your home. Two of the most popular options for this are solar panels and home generators.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Cathode overcomes key challenges in water electrolysis for clean energy
A new kind of cathode that is more resistant to power fluctuations can render (sea)water electrolysis more sustainable, cost-effective, and more suited for coupling with intermittent renewable energy in real-world applications, according to scientists at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK).
September 22, 2025 — Source
Cardboard and earth combine to create low-carbon alternative to concrete
Engineers in Australia have developed a new building material with about one quarter of concrete's carbon footprint, while reducing waste going to landfill.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Chinese Mining Firm Downplays Toxic Waste Spill as Residents Reel From Impacts
China Nonferrous Mining told investors its waste pit collapse did not have a "significant impact" on Zambia's environment or residents. A new lawsuit, however, chronicles illnesses, lost livelihoods and fear among locals.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Climate goals and fossil fuel plans don't add up, experts say
Countries are still planning to increase production of fossil fuels to levels incompatible with global commitments on climate change, according to new research published on Monday.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Commonwealth Fusion Systems books a $1B+ power deal for its future fusion reactor
Commonwealth Fusion Systems has agreed to sell Italian energy company Eni more than $1 billion worth of power from its first fusion reactor.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Drought gripping the Northeast, NYC raises fears of autumn wildfires
Waterways and wells are running dry in parts of New England and trees in New York City are already shedding their leaves as a late-summer drought engulfs the U.S. Northeast, raising the risk of wildfires.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Earthmover wants to become the Snowflake of weather and geospatial data
Few things generate as much data as simply observing Earth from above. But Ryan Abernathey and Joe Hamman very quickly realized that all that data still wasn't enough for their startup to thrive. Their data-centric, climate tech startup, Earthmover, would need to pivot.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Forest plants increasingly colonize Arctic tundra, altering ecosystems and permafrost
A new international study involving researchers from the University of Gothenburg shows that vegetation in the Arctic is changing rapidly as species from nearby forests spread into the tundra.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Gizmodo Science Fair: A Giant 'Kite' That Generates Clean Energy Underwater
Minesto, a Swedish energy company, is bringing tidal kite turbines to the Faroe Islands.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Gizmodo Science Fair: A Greener Way to Fuel Nuclear Fusion
An innovative method for trapping lithium ions has led to a promising technology for extracting precious lithium isotopes—a crucial ingredient for fueling nuclear fusion experiments.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Gizmodo Science Fair: A Non-Toxic Alternative to 'Forever Chemicals'
Researchers invented a water- and oil-resistant material that could replace harmful plastic and PFAS coatings in food packaging.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Gizmodo Science Fair: A 'Window' That Harvests Drinking Water From Desert Air
Researchers developed an atmospheric water harvester so effective it was able to extract moisture from the air in Death Valley—one of the driest places on Earth.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Growth switch for plant adaptability discovered
How does a plant manage to quickly adapt its growth to changing environmental conditions? A research team at the University of Freiburg led by plant physiologist Prof. Dr. Jürgen Kleine-Vehn has discovered a previously unknown mechanism for this: A cellular degradation machinery acts in the background like a switch that decides whether the plant hormone auxin is available or not.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Ice dissolves iron faster than liquid water, offering explanation for Arctic's rusty rivers
Ice can dissolve iron minerals more effectively than liquid water, according to a new study from Umeå University. The discovery could help explain why many Arctic rivers are now turning rusty orange as permafrost thaws in a warming climate.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Insects in Britain not in freefall, but facing local upheavals, study finds
Fears of a nationwide collapse in Britain's insect populations may be overstated, according to a major new study recently published in the journal Nature Communications. Instead, researchers have found a more complex picture: While some species are holding steady or even expanding, many communities are being reshaped at a local level by climate change and urban development.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Is AI Throwing Climate Change Under the Bus?
Watch our reporters discuss the prospects for big tech and clean energy under the Trump administration, how Texas has become a leading renewables state, what communities think when data centers move in next door, and how the commitments of tech giants could change what's ahead.
September 22, 2025 — Source or Watch Video
New biodegradable film made from onion skins can boost solar panel lifespan
Renewable solar cell filters stay effective after simulated year of use
September 22, 2025 — Source
New research shows Black Summer's megafires left lasting scars far beyond property damage
Beginning in the second half of 2019, what we now know as the Black Summer fires began devastating eastern Australia.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Nuclear in your backyard? Tiny reactors could one day power towns and campuses—but community input will be key
You might imagine nuclear power plants as behemoth facilities spanning hundreds of acres. Nuclear microreactors, by contrast, could sit on land the size of a football field and power a whole town.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Pennsylvania Was Once a National Leader in Renewable Energy. What Happened?
Natural gas was pitched as a stopgap between fossil fuels and renewables. Instead, it has derailed Pennsylvania's energy transition.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Rare-earth tritellurides reveal a hidden ferroaxial order of electronic origin
The discovery of "hidden orders," organization patterns in materials that cannot be detected using conventional measurement tools, can yield valuable insight, which can in turn support the design of new materials with advantageous properties and characteristics. The hidden orders that condensed matter physicists hope to uncover lie within so-called charge density waves (CDWs).
September 22, 2025 — Source
Rivers in the sky, Arctic warming, and what this means for the Greenland Ice Sheet
"Atmospheric rivers" are large-scale extreme weather systems that are making headlines more frequently. When viewed in satellite images, they appear just as described—like rivers in the sky. Though they are often reported in places like California, these weather systems have the potential to bring high heat and dump disastrous amounts of precipitation on areas throughout the mid and high latitudes.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Scientists develop new quantitative model to measure tree shade tolerance
A research team led by Academician Zhu Jiaojun from the Institute of Applied Ecology (IAE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has introduced a new quantitative method to classify shade tolerance in trees, offering a valuable tool for forest ecology research and management.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Simple hospital menu changes could deliver major health and climate benefits
A UK study reveals that simply reordering hospital meal options, without changing recipes, may deliver significant health and climate gains.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Study highlights benefits of biodiversity for commercial fisheries
A new study published in Ecological Applications demonstrates that commercial fisheries function much like an investment portfolio: diversity brings stability. The research shows that when different fish species in the Chesapeake Bay peak at different times, a dynamic known as "asynchrony," the overall fishery becomes more resilient and watermen are better protected from boom-and-bust cycles.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Texas vineyards report high-quality wine grapes
Texas wine grape growers are reporting high-quality fruit this season despite scattered weather-related challenges and ongoing uncertainty in wine markets, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist.
September 22, 2025 — Source
The shocking reason Arctic rivers are turning rusty orange
Ice doesn't just freeze, it fuels hidden chemistry that could turn rivers rusty as the planet warms.
September 22, 2025 — Source
Thousands evacuated in Philippines as super typhoon nears land
More than 10,000 evacuees sheltered in schools and evacuation centers in the Philippines on Monday as heavy rains and gale-force winds from Super Typhoon Ragasa lashed the country's far north.
September 22, 2025 — Source
What climate targets? Top fossil fuel producing nations keep boosting output
Top producers are planning to mine and drill even more of the fuels in 2030.
September 22, 2025 — Source
What the WTO's deal to curb fisheries subsidies means and what it could achieve
After nearly 25 years of negotiations, the World Trade Organization (WTO) finally has its first legally binding agreement to tackle government fisheries subsidies. After two-thirds of WTO members ratified the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, the deal has entered into force. It marks a long-overdue step toward addressing the role harmful fisheries subsidies play in overfishing.
September 22, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — September 19th, 2025
A volcano or a meteorite? New evidence sheds light on puzzling discovery in Greenland's ice sheet
Buried deep in Greenland's ice sheet lies a puzzling chemical signature that has sparked intense scientific debate. A sharp spike in platinum concentrations, discovered in an ice core (a cylinder of ice drilled out of ice sheets and glaciers) and dated to around 12,800 years ago, has provided support for a hypothesis that Earth was struck by an exotic meteorite or comet at that time.
September 19, 2025 — Source
After Trump Cut the National Science Foundation by 56 Percent, a Venerable Arctic Research Center Closes Its Doors
The Arctic Research Consortium of the United States funded programs that aided Indigenous communities and tracked melting sea ice, among dozens of initiatives. President Donald Trump has emphasized energy and national security in the Arctic.
September 19, 2025 — Source
Buffalo Tests Its Status as a Climate Refuge
Politicians tout its mild summers. Its Puerto Rican population has grown since Hurricane Maria. But can Western New York retain its insulation from the worst outcomes of climate change in the future?
September 19, 2025 — Source
Bundled climate solutions for better production: Scientists listen to West African farmers
The rain delays, sorghum withers; when a storm finally breaks, complaints rise again. To break this cycle of uncertainty, scientists from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, INERA, and the University of Ghana conducted the first large-scale survey on agricultural climate services in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, and Senegal.
September 19, 2025 — Source
Call for better monitoring and mitigation of offshore wind turbines
As the need for renewable energy increases, offshore wind farms are playing a pivotal role in the transition to net-zero but their rapid global expansion poses significant challenges for ocean ecosystems.
September 19, 2025 — Source
Chicago just went all in on renewable energy
From City Hall to O'Hare Airport, every city-owned building now runs on renewables.
September 19, 2025 — Source
Children Plead With U.S. Lawmakers to Protect EPA's Endangerment Finding
At a press conference in the Capitol, they made the case for regulating greenhouse gases in the interest of youth and future generations.
September 19, 2025 — Source
Climate Activists Disrupt Fossil Fuel Executive at Harvard University Symposium
Protesters condemned Harvard's decision to host Occidental Petroleum's CEO during the school's Climate Action Week.
September 19, 2025 — Source
Despite congressional threat, National Academies releases new climate report
Things have changed since 2009: We're more certain about the problems.
September 19, 2025 — Source
Electrochemistry enables upcycling of polymer waste into high-performance materials
The superior strength and light weight of high-performance carbon and plastic composite materials have reduced the fuel consumption and harmful emissions of automobiles and airplanes and improved the efficiency of electric cars and wind turbine blades.
September 19, 2025 — Source
From bud to branch: How buds communicate to shape plant architecture
Scientists have shown that two previously separate modes of plant branching regulation can be connected, revealing the most complete picture yet of how plants control their architecture.
September 19, 2025 — Source
From the Atlantic to Asia: How an ocean thousands of miles away dictates rainfall on the Tibetan Plateau
Deep in the heart of Central Asia, the Kunlun Mountains form a vital barrier on the northern Tibetan Plateau. Their rainfall is a lifeline, feeding the oases and rivers of the arid Tarim Basin. While scientists have mapped the region's basic climate patterns, one question remained: what drives the large year-to-year swings in summer rainfall here?
September 19, 2025 — Source
Grazing cattle at low intensities could sustain biodiversity on modern farms
Grazing is regarded as one particularly beneficial practice to biodiversity on farms, especially if it is practiced on natural pastures in traditional ways.
September 19, 2025 — Source
How a plant hormone helps roots bend and grow downward toward gravity
Scientists have uncovered how the plant hormone auxin helps roots bend and downwards towards gravity—a process called gravitropism—even after encountering obstacles in soil.
September 19, 2025 — Source
In Nepal, scientists and spiritual leaders honor a dying glacier
On May 12, 2025, Buddha Day, Buddhist monks and scientific researchers gathered to pay tribute to Yala Glacier in Nepal's Langtang Valley. The International Center for Mountain Development (ICIMOD), an international NGO housed in Kathmandu, collaborated with local Indigenous community leaders to organize this event to raise awareness of Yala's rapid retreat and highlight the risk across Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) glaciers.
September 19, 2025 — Source
LEDs shed light on efficient tomato cultivation
Researchers, including those from the University of Tokyo, have successfully grown large tomatoes and cherry tomatoes, both rich in nutrients, in tightly controlled environments where the light source was energy-efficient LEDs. Such methods were often limited by the types or sizes of plants that could thrive in such conditions.
September 19, 2025 — Source
Novel hydrothermal system links two seabed phenomena
An international research team led by the GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel has discovered a globally unique system on the seabed off the coast of Papua New Guinea. During their expedition aboard the research vessel SONNE, they came across the "Karambusel" field, where hydrothermal vents and methane seeps occur immediately adjacent to one another.
September 19, 2025 — Source
Octopus Energy spins off its Kraken utility billing and AI platform
British renewable energy provider Octopus Energy said this week that it's spinning off Kraken, its tech platform for utilities, spurred in part by $500 million in committed annual revenue from other utilities and energy providers.
September 19, 2025 — Source
One of the First to Benefit From Trump's Cuts to Environmental Review: a Nevada Gold Mine
Orla Mining's project near Elko will be the first open-pit mine to receive an accelerated review following the Trump administration's push to speed permitting for extraction. Opponents fear the public's concerns will go unheard.
September 19, 2025 — Source
Quakes can reshape rivers and raise flood risks
Earthquakes don't just shake the ground, they can also shift rivers, damage stop banks and raise the risk of flooding for years afterward.
September 19, 2025 — Source
Silent speed: The fast, fuel-efficient European helicopter setting the pace for clean aviation
With its sleek design and groundbreaking aerodynamics, the Airbus RACER isn't just a prototype—it's a symbol of Europe's commitment to clean aviation.
September 19, 2025 — Source
Solar-Powered System produces green hydrogen directly from air moisture
Researchers developed a solar-powered system that produces green hydrogen directly from atmospheric moisture without relying on external water or energy sources.
September 19, 2025 — Source
Tropical Storm Gabrielle Breaks 'Unprecedented' Atlantic Storm Drought
The National Hurricane Center predicts Gabrielle will reach hurricane status by Sunday, September 21.
September 19, 2025 — Source
Wildfire smoke could kill 70,000 Americans a year by 2050
Wildfires are no longer a seasonal nuisance but a deadly, nationwide health crisis. Fueled by climate change, smoke is spreading farther and lingering longer, with new research warning of tens of thousands of additional deaths annually by mid-century. The health costs alone could surpass all other climate damages combined, revealing wildfire smoke as one of the most underestimated threats of our warming world.
September 19, 2025 — Source
Will electric tractors gain traction? At a pilot event for farmers, researchers see possibilities
In the soft dirt of an indoor horseback riding ring last month, a group of farmers got ready to test drive a new piece of equipment: an electric tractor.
September 19, 2025 — Source
Zuck has the power! Meta applies to sell excess electricity
With new electricity sources for AI datacenters, the company will have some juice left over
September 19, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — September 16th, 2025
2025 summer was Spain's warmest on record: Weather agency
Spain this year sweltered through its hottest summer ever, the national meteorological agency AEMET said Tuesday, the latest in a string of global temperature records.
September 16, 2025 — Source
Ancient crop discovered in the Canary Islands thanks to archaeological DNA
The lentils now grown in the Canary Islands have a history that stretches back almost 2,000 years on the site. This is shown in the very first genetic study of archaeological lentils, carried out by researchers at Linköping University and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain.
September 16, 2025 — Source
AI and molecular simulations get to the root of better plants
By combining AI with molecular dynamics simulations, researchers have developed a new tool to more accurately predict how plants and helpful microbes communicate and form partnerships at the most fundamental level.
September 16, 2025 — Source
Blending climate finance for Latin America's agrifood systems
Agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU) is the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), accounting for 55% of regional emissions, nearly double the global average of 30%. LAC is home to over 40% of the world's animal and plant species, yet faces the highest rate of biodiversity decline globally, primarily driven by agricultural practices. Current farming and ranching practices are major drivers of deforestation and land degradation, consuming 75% of freshwater resources in the region, on which these species depend.
September 16, 2025 — Source
Campaigners urge EU to mandate 15 years of OS updates
Nothing says 'circular economy' like Microsoft stranding 400 million PCs on International E-waste Day
September 16, 2025 — Source
Can vertical farms really feed the UK sustainably? New study weighs climate costs and benefits
Vertical farming offers a much-needed opportunity to secure food production in the face of climate change, but can it truly deliver a sustainable alternative to field-grown crops? A new study led by the University of Surrey has found that while vertical farms dramatically increase lettuce yields and use far less water, the carbon footprint still exceeds traditional lettuce farming—raising important questions about how the U.K. can balance food security with environmental responsibility.
September 16, 2025 — Source
Challenge to Maryland Offshore Wind Project Stokes Concerns Among Legal Scholars
The Trump Administration wants to vacate approval of US Wind's Maryland project. Experts believe the move could be illegal and could jeopardize the clean energy transition nationwide.
September 16, 2025 — Source
Chameleons shine in black for better camouflage
Despite their image as masters of camouflage, it has long been assumed in science that chameleons change color to communicate with one another or in response to predators.
September 16, 2025 — Source
Fossil fuels harm health from 'cradle to grave': Report
The extraction, transportation and burning of planet-heating fossil fuels have a huge impact on people's health that starts before they are born and lasts until they die, a report warned Tuesday.
September 16, 2025 — Source
From beer to useful fats and medicines
The residues that remain when a brewery makes beer or whiskey are called spent grain or brewer's spent grain (BSG). Spent grain is available in large quantities, and is full of proteins and amino acids that should be possible to use.
September 16, 2025 — Source
Geologists discover where energy goes during an earthquake
The ground-shaking that an earthquake generates is only a fraction of the total energy that a quake releases. A quake can also generate a flash of heat, along with a domino-like fracturing of underground rocks. But exactly how much energy goes into each of these three processes is exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to measure in the field.
September 16, 2025 — Source or Watch Video
Government must overhaul small and medium-sized business climate policy with less focus on 'low-hanging fruit'
Experts have called for the U.K. government to overhaul its decarbonization strategy for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
September 16, 2025 — Source
Houses of Worship Could Help Fuel the Energy Transition. Solar Evangelists Are Hard at Work on That
Some faith-based nonprofits are helping congregations fund energy alternatives, an effort that complements a national Sun Day event this weekend to promote solar use.
September 16, 2025 — Source
MAHA Outraged Over GOP Plan to Protect Pesticide Makers
MAHA influencers have been smacked in the face with reality.
September 16, 2025 — Source
Monitoring sediment buildup in underwater bridge tunnels with the help of high-energy muons
Over 200 underwater bridge tunnels exist for vehicular traffic around the world, providing connectivity between cities. Once constructed, however, these tunnels are difficult to monitor and maintain, often requiring shutdowns or invasive methods that pose structural risks.
September 16, 2025 — Source
Santa Monica's waves have turned a bright pink: How can the dye job improve water quality?
Over the next two weeks, surfers and beachgoers in Santa Monica may spot waves that have a pink, fluorescent hue—but officials say not to worry.
September 16, 2025 — Source
Study calculates value of Virginia coastal wetlands at $90 million
Wetlands in Hampton Roads are an important part of the ecosystem, and a new study attempts to quantify their worth to the community by calculating a monetary value.
September 16, 2025 — Source
Thinking Of Buying A House With Solar Panels? Here Are The Most Important Things To Know
Buying a home is not an easy decision, and there's more to consider than curb appeal, location, or square footage. Sustainability is another key factor. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), more than half of clients show interest in eco-friendly features, including solar panels.
September 16, 2025 — Source
Tropical rainforest soil may fuel climate change as Earth warms, accelerating global warming
A new study led by the U.S. Forest Service, with Chapman University as a key senior collaborator, published in Nature Communications, suggests Earth's own tropical soils may contribute to climate change as global warming continues, releasing vast amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) as they warm and potentially accelerating a dangerous feedback loop.
September 16, 2025 — Source
Volcanoes can help us untangle the evolution of humans—here's how
How did humans become human? Understanding when, where and in what environmental conditions our early ancestors lived is central to solving the puzzle of human evolution.
September 16, 2025 — Source
Want more people to eat plant-based foods? Make them the default.
A nonprofit is working with hospitals to offer vegetarian meals first -- and it's working.
September 16, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — September 9th, 2025
Ani Dasgupta talked to 100 climate experts. He came away optimistic.
In his new book, 'The New Global Possible,' Dasgupta shares what he learned from talking with dozens of climate luminaries and how that can reshape how we think about climate action.
September 9, 2025 — Source
Arctic-bound birds can still keep up with climate change for now
As climate change drives earlier spring conditions in the Arctic, bird species that travel there to breed there are under pressure to migrate faster. A new study led by researchers from the University of Amsterdam and the Netherlands Institute of Ecology reveals that many Arctic-breeding waterfowl still have some flexibility when it comes to speeding up their migrations. However, this strategy may only work for a limited time.
September 9, 2025 — Source
Black wattle as firewood: How South African communities are putting invasive species to work
Australia's black wattle tree (Acacia mearnsii) has spread across South Africa, taking over millions of hectares of land and pushing indigenous plants aside. Economist Saul Ngarava researches agriculture and the connection between water, energy, food, social justice and land reform. He was part of a team who surveyed 1,184 homes in South Africa's North West, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape provinces, to see if those who burn black wattle for cooking have more energy security than those who don't.
September 9, 2025 — Source
Cerrado wetlands are legally protected but neglected in practice
Despite their importance to water security and their legal protection, diffuse seeps—which are primarily responsible for the formation of wetlands in Brazil's Cerrado savanna biome—continue to be systematically neglected by public policies, environmental consultants, rural landowners, and regulatory agencies. A group of Brazilian researchers points to the disconnect between technical and legal language as one of the main causes of this institutional invisibility.
September 9, 2025 — Source
Chronic risks from single-use plastic water bottles are dangerously understudied, says study
The sun-drenched paradise of Thailand's Phi Phi islands isn't the usual starting point for a Ph.D. But for Sarah Sajedi, those soft, sandy beaches—or rather, what she found under them—inspired her pivot from a business career to an academic one.
September 9, 2025 — Source
Climate tracking apps measure your carbon footprint. Here's how they work
This idea of a carbon footprint comes up a lot in news coverage about personal climate impact.
September 9, 2025 — Source
Decades-Old Waste Barrels Are Creating Toxic Dead Zones off LA's Coast
The caustic waste that leaked from the barrels created an extreme environment similar to that of hydrothermal vents, colonized by specialized bacteria that thrive in such harsh conditions.
September 9, 2025 — Source
Flow-powered pollution sensor detects toxic amines in water
With pollution levels rising, the need to quickly check water quality has become more urgent than ever. Traditional monitoring systems often rely on expensive bulky equipment with operational difficulty, making them impractical in remote areas or in places with limited resources.
September 9, 2025 — Source
From the frontlines of climate change: Survey investigates stances of small-island states
Small island states are among the most vulnerable to climate change, but there's surprisingly scant research revealing what such residents think about these threats, says Parrish Bergquist, assistant professor of political science in the School of Arts & Sciences.
September 9, 2025 — Source
Geoengineering will not save humankind from climate change
The research by a team of top ice and climate scientists debunks some speculative technological climate fixes for preserving the polar ice caps.
September 9, 2025 — Source or Source
Geothermal is too expensive, but Dig Energy's impossibly small drill rig might fix that
On a farm near Manchester, New Hampshire, I was recently treated to a gusher of dirty water, not exactly the sort of thing that most startups will show a reporter. But for Dig Energy, the mud is a feature, not a bug, of its compact drilling rig.
September 9, 2025 — Source
How harmful bacteria hijack crops
Aphids, grasshoppers and other bugs aren't the only pests that can quickly wipe out a crop. Many harmful bacteria have evolved ways to bypass a plant's defenses. A once-healthy tomato plant can quickly turn sick and blotchy, thanks to microscopic foes armed with an arsenal of tricks.
September 9, 2025 — Source
How the most home-energy savvy slash their electric bills by 78%
Investing in solar and battery storage has its challenges - but also some big perks.
September 9, 2025 — Source or Watch Video
How uneven ocean warming is altering propagation of the Madden-Julian Oscillation
Earth's tropical regions drive some of the most powerful weather and climate variability globally. Among these, the Madden--Julian Oscillation (MJO) is a dominant intraseasonal climate signal, characterized by large clusters of clouds and rainfall that slowly move eastward across the warm tropical oceans. In doing so, the MJO shapes rainfall patterns, influences tropical cyclones, modulates monsoons, and even impacts weather far beyond the tropics. Understanding the factors that govern its speed and intensity is therefore essential for improving subseasonal to seasonal climate forecasts.
September 9, 2025 — Source
Nematode worms enter a sleep-like state when captured by predatory fungi, shedding light on ancient survival strategies
When the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans gets caught by its fungal predator Arthrobotrys oligospora, it doesn't just wriggle endlessly—it suddenly "freezes," stopping all movement and feeding as if going into a deep rest.
September 9, 2025 — Source
Nuclearn gets $10.5M to help the nuclear industry embrace AI
Companies that have dug deep into AI have fallen in love with nuclear power for its promise of 24/7 electricity. Meta, Google, and Microsoft have all made deals with startups or reactor operators. But does the nuclear industry love AI back?
September 9, 2025 — Source
Palladium nanocatalyst transforms CO2 into clean-burning ethanol
Research team designs a palladium-zirconium phosphate catalyst that converts CO2 into ethanol with 92% efficiency, pointing to scalable clean fuel solutions.
September 9, 2025 — Source
Sea level report cards track uneven flood risk across U.S. regions
Sea levels are rising more quickly in some places than others.
September 9, 2025 — Source
Soil runoff from logged forests releases more reactive carbon, undermining climate mitigation efforts
The global demand for wood-based products is constantly increasing, creating a challenge for the logging industry. In an attempt to keep up in a sustainable manner, the industry replaces logged areas with tree farms and nurseries to eventually replenish supplies. This use and regrowth of wood has also been thought to help maintain a carbon sink. While this may be true to some extent, a new study has found that an important source of carbon loss is often being left out of the equation.
September 9, 2025 — Source
Super-habitats could hold key to shark conservation
In the heart of French Polynesia, a narrow channel carves its way through the Fakarava Atoll, connecting a vast lagoon to the open ocean. To the casual eye, it's a beautiful stretch of turquoise water. To a thriving community of grey reef sharks, it's a bustling metropolis, a nursery and a sanctuary all in one. And it might just be the key to solving a perplexing conservation challenge.
September 9, 2025 — Source
Spatial patterns of Tianshui's folk fortresses show how local landscapes shaped community defense
A research team from the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has systematically mapped and analyzed the cultural landscape of historical folk fortresses in Tianshui, a city in northwest China's Gansu Province, uncovering new insights into a long-neglected form of grassroots cultural heritage.
September 9, 2025 — Source
Superhydrophobic recycled tire coating shields steel from marine corrosion
Researchers developed a superhydrophobic coating from recycled tires that resists wear and protects steel from rust in tough marine environments while recycling waste rubber.
September 9, 2025 — Source
Targeted snow monitoring at hotspots outperforms basin-wide surveys in predicting water supply
Measuring mountain snowpack at strategically selected hotspots consistently outperforms broader, basin-wide mapping in predicting water supply in the western United States, a new study has found.
September 9, 2025 — Source
Tesla revamps the Megapack in attempt to reverse its declining storage business
Tesla is updating its utility-scale Megapack batteries as it seeks to stem the decline of its lucrative energy-storage business.
September 9, 2025 — Source
The fair trade paradox: Competition helps reach more consumers but reduces farmer benefits
Walking down the aisles of your local grocery store, you've likely noticed products labeled "fair trade" alongside other product options. These certified items, from coffee and chocolate to bananas and tea, come with a promise: The farmers who grew these products received fair wages, worked in safe conditions and followed environmentally sustainable practices.
September 9, 2025 — Source
The hidden plastic problem in your daily dental routine, and what's being done about it
You brush twice daily, floss religiously and see your dentist every six months. But what if these acts of oral hygiene are quietly contributing to one of the planet's most pressing environmental crises?
September 9, 2025 — Source
The Okefenokee Swamp is safe for now, but talk of mining near it hasn't stopped
On a blast furnace of an August day in Georgia's southernmost county, Joe Hopkins gripped the steering wheel to steady his truck on the sandy road.
September 9, 2025 — Source
These Climate Hacks to Save the Poles Could Totally Backfire
Researchers evaluated five geoengineering concepts proposed for Earth's polar regions and found them to be "environmentally dangerous."
September 9, 2025 — Source
Today more than ever, biodiversity needs single-species conservation
Through the federal Building Canada Act, "projects of national interest" are being fast-tracked while hundreds of major resource projects are already under construction or planned in the next decade.
September 9, 2025 — Source
Top US Energy Official Lobbies for Fossil Fuels in Europe
European climate experts say the pro-fossil fuel arguments are based on climate disinformation.
September 9, 2025 — Source
U.S. Bans on Certain Foreign Fish Imports Could Help Conserve Marine Mammals Worldwide, Experts Say
The Trump administration set strict import bans on fisheries in more than 40 nations that do not meet standards for conserving marine mammals like whales and dolphins.
September 9, 2025 — Source
Unique concept for observing Arctic sea ice successfully implemented
The Polarstern recently ended a two-month expedition in the central Arctic in Longyearbyen, Svalbard. The international and interdisciplinary research team, led by the Alfred Wegener Institute, focused on the summer melting of Arctic sea ice in three different regimes.
September 9, 2025 — Source
Well-publicized polar geoengineering ideas will not help and could harm, warn experts
Five well-publicized polar geoengineering ideas are highly unlikely to help the polar regions and could harm ecosystems, communities, international relations, and our chances of reaching net zero by 2050.
September 9, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — September 5th, 2025
Google quietly removes net-zero carbon goal from website amid rapid power-hungry AI data center buildout — industry-first sustainability pledge moved to background amidst AI energy crisis
Google's goal to be net-zero in carbon emissions by 2030 is still apparently company policy, it's just not broadcasting it anymore
September 5, 2025 — Source
Peru Votes Against Creating New Indigenous Reserve in Amazon Region
The reserve had been proposed to protect Indigenous people living in isolation along the border with Brazil. Indigenous groups called the vote a setback that could endanger inhabitants and expose the forest to logging.
September 5, 2025 — Source
Solar breakthrough—hotter panels mean better storage
Scientists have uncovered a surprising advantage in next-generation solar technology—the hotter it gets, the better it can store energy. Traditionally, heat has been seen as the enemy of solar power. Standard solar panels lose efficiency as temperatures rise.
September 5, 2025 — Source
Transparent mesoporous WO3 film enhances solar water splitting efficiency and stability
A team of scientists have unveiled a breakthrough in the field of renewable energy materials. They have developed a transparent, crystalline mesoporous tungsten trioxide (WO3) film that exhibited exceptional efficiency and stability for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting.
September 5, 2025 — Source
Trust between community, researchers, nature can transform climate adaptation
Long-term relationships built on a foundation of trust between communities, researchers and the natural world can transform science, education and climate adaptation. That is the central message of a study published in Emotion, Space and Society by Scott Laursen, a climate adaptation extension specialist with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center (PI-CASC).
September 5, 2025 — Source
U.S. mines are literally throwing away critical minerals
There's enough lithium in one year of U.S. mine waste to power 10 million electric vehicles.
September 5, 2025 — Source
What climate change means for the Mediterranean Sea
Temperatures in the Mediterranean are currently rising to record levels. Instead of a refreshing dip, holidaymakers in places like Greece, Italy, and Spain, among other places, are now facing water temperatures up to 28° C or even higher. With an average water temperature of 26.9° C, July 2025 was the warmest since records began for the Mediterranean Sea, according to the Copernicus Earth Observation Service.
September 5, 2025 — Source
When wildfire hit her street, even a climate expert felt unprepared
Gale Sinatra lost her home in California's Eaton Fire -- and urges others to get ready for more extreme events.
September 5, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — September 4th, 2025
Ash boosts biogas production and fertilizer quality, study shows
Researchers from the University of Jyväskylä and the Natural Resources Institute Finland have discovered that ash appears to be an excellent additive in the anaerobic digestion process in terms of methane production and the fertilizing properties of the remaining digestate.
September 4, 2025 — Source
Best shot to save Florida reefs? An industrial factory making heat-hardy babies
When Andrew Baker looks out at the vacant lot next to his office on Virginia Key, he doesn't see the trees or grass that are there now. He sees a factory of the future. One story tall, roughly the size of half a football field. A high-efficiency production line designed not for electronics or auto parts—but for coral.
September 4, 2025 — Source
Broccoli seeds can spread resistance to multiple fungicides
A new study found evidence that commercial broccoli seeds can harbor a fungal seedborne pathogen, Alternaria brassicicola, with cross resistance to two commonly used fungicides.
September 4, 2025 — Source
Cameras that see the unseen promise smarter, faster recycling of everyday waste
A new study uses advanced imaging technology to identify materials in municipal solid waste that can be separated for recycling or to produce energy.
September 4, 2025 — Source
Can clownfish adapt to rising sea temperatures? Study shows promise for successful acclimation
In the next 75 years, surface sea temperatures may rise by up to 4°C, with increasingly frequent short-term marine heat waves also predicted. This could cause significant damage to our essential marine ecosystems, for example, with corals widely known to be vulnerable to bleaching. But how will fish fare in these changing climates?
September 4, 2025 — Source
Coal Is Rising Along with Solar in the U.S. Power System, While Gas Loses a Step
Power plant owners responded to high gas prices by burning more coal in the first half of this year.
September 4, 2025 — Source
Computer graphics model captures the diverse world of plant leaves
Researchers at The University of Osaka have developed a computer graphics (CG) model, NeuraLeaf, capable of representing a wide variety of plant species and their deformations using a single, unified model. This innovative approach leverages deep learning to overcome the limitations of traditional manual modeling, opening doors for advancements in agriculture, plant science, and breeding.
September 4, 2025 — Source
Cooling pollen sunscreen can block UV rays without harming corals
Materials scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have invented the world's first pollen-based sunscreen derived from Camellia flowers.
September 4, 2025 — Source
Cotton crop thrives with timely rains across the state
Despite some challenges, cotton production is expected to be better than average due to timely rains this season, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service reports around the state.
September 4, 2025 — Source
Effective urban planning from real-world population tracking
Tracking human behavioral patterns in cities can be used to determine urban delineations and urban land use, which has the potential to improve urban planning.
September 4, 2025 — Source
Fighting extinction, coral reefs show signs of adapting to warming seas
As coral reefs decline at unprecedented rates, new research has revealed that some coral species may be more resilient to warming temperatures than others.
September 4, 2025 — Source
Grid modeling approaches to bridge the gap between transmission and distribution
Fifteen years ago, planning for a new substation upgrade barely considered how distributed energy resources (DERs) might impact the larger grid. Today, failing to account for them could lead to overloaded transformers, grid instability, or even power outages.
September 4, 2025 — Source
How environmental RNA can give us a real-time picture of freshwater biodiversity
As climate change and human activity threaten freshwater ecosystems like lakes and rivers, it's more important than ever to know how the species who inhabit them are being impacted. But traditional methods of monitoring species, such as catching animals, are challenging to implement and can miss rapid changes.
September 4, 2025 — Source
How unexploded bombs cause environmental damage—and why climate change exacerbates the problem
There are a record number of conflicts raging around the world—from Ukraine and Gaza to Sudan and Myanmar. Alongside their devastating human toll, these conflicts are all wreaking havoc on the environment.
September 4, 2025 — Source
Light focused on dark swamp revealed 'eyes as far as we could see,' research team says
A scene straight out of a horror movie greeted researchers when they shined lights on a dark Georgia swamp and saw hundreds of red eyes staring back, photos show.
September 4, 2025 — Source
Milk ingredient helps produce a new bioplastic—and more can be done
With rising risk to the environment and human health, the race for biodegradable plastics is gaining pace—with several projects under way at Flinders University in South Australia.
September 4, 2025 — Source
New method to pinpoint soil erosion could help protect waterways
New method to pinpoint soil erosion could help protect waterways
September 4, 2025 — Source
Orchard Robotics, an agtech startup using AI to solve farming's data problem, raises $22M
Orchard Robotics, an agtech startup using artificial intelligence to deliver precise data on farm operations, has raised $22 million from investors.
September 4, 2025 — Source
Organic solutions for better aquaculture and ecosystems
Farmed fish are increasingly replacing wild fish to meet consumer demand in China, as well as Australia—and barramundi is a popular choice.
September 4, 2025 — Source
PFAS water treatment has double benefits, cutting toxic 'forever chemicals' and carcinogens
Advanced systems for removing the toxic "forever chemicals" known as PFAS from drinking water can deliver far greater health benefits than previously thought.
September 4, 2025 — Source
Pretreatment methods bring second-gen biofuels from oilcane closer to commercialization
In collaboration with other Bioenergy Research Centers (BRCs), researchers at the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) are developing industrially feasible techniques for second-generation biofuel production from oilcane, an oil-rich variety of sugarcane, to help meet our growing societal demand for fuels.
September 4, 2025 — Source
Robotic harvester uses AI vision and soft grippers to pick hidden strawberries
Strawberries are delicate and hard to harvest—easily bruised and often hidden under a canopy of leaves. This creates headaches for scientists trying to design robotic harvesters. Now a Washington State University-led team has designed one that combines an artificial-intelligence vision system, soft silicone "fingers," and a fan that gently moves leaves out of the way to get at hidden fruit.
September 4, 2025 — Source
Scientists might have accidentally discovered how lightning forms -- from bending ice
Findings could pave the way for advanced cold-climate electronics
September 4, 2025 — Source
The 1995 Chicago heat wave killed hundreds. A new tool aims to prevent the next tragedy.
Researchers, city officials, and residents teamed up to pinpoint which neighborhoods face the greatest danger.
September 4, 2025 — Source
The hidden chemistry of Earth's core is revealed by how it froze
A study by researchers at the University of Oxford, University of Leeds, and University College London has identified a new constraint on the chemistry of Earth's core, by showing how it was able to crystallize millions of years ago
September 4, 2025 — Source
This Unlikely Chemical Could Be a Powerful Weapon Against Climate Change
New research provides a framework for carbon capture driven by photochemistry, a potentially cheaper and less energy-intensive alternative to leading technologies.
September 4, 2025 — Source
Turning shopping bags into streets: Research tackles plastic waste
Discarded shopping bags and spent milk bottles could be given a second life by becoming part of critical infrastructure, new research published in Applied Sciences by Edith Cowan University (ECU) has found.
September 4, 2025 — Source
What I've learned from photographing (almost) every British wildflower
The wildflowers of Britain include all manner of treasures—yet many people are only aware of a few, such as bluebells and foxgloves. A lot of its other flora are rare because of Britain's location at the northern, western or even southern edges of their natural geographic—and hence climatic—ranges.
September 4, 2025 — Source
What Is A Powership And Why Do Some Countries Need Them?
Ships come in all shapes and sizes, from behemoths like the largest aircraft carrier in the world — the USS Gerald R. Ford -- to diminutive tugboats; each ship has a size and a design that fits its purpose. Perhaps one of the most unusual types of ship to be found on the oceans is a powership. These ships are — as the name suggests — designed to sit offshore and generate power that can then be fed into an onshore power grid.
September 4, 2025 — Source
Zambia Ordered a Mining Company to Pay Villagers After a Toxic Waste Spill. The Firm Made Them Sign Away Their Rights First
China's Sino-Metals Leach Zambia spilled toxic sludge into communities and rivers, an accident that could cost billions to clean up and restore. The firm got impoverished and often illiterate villagers to sign away their right to sue in exchange for government-ordered payments ranging from $17 to $2,000.
September 4, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — September 1st, 2025
A monster seaweed bloom is taking over the Atlantic
Sargassum has escaped the Sargasso Sea and exploded across the Atlantic, forming the massive Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt. Fueled by nutrient runoff, Amazon outflows, and climate events, these blooms now reshape ecosystems, economies, and coastlines on a staggering scale.
September 1, 2025 — Source
Earthquake in eastern Afghanistan destroys villages and kills 800 people, with 2,500 injured
Desperate Afghans clawed through rubble in search of missing loved ones after a strong earthquake killed some 800 people and injured more than 2,500 in eastern Afghanistan, according to figures provided Monday by the Taliban government.
September 1, 2025 — Source
How a Rock Band Bassist Is Remixing Climate Activism
Adam Met of the indie-rock band AJR thinks fan-building strategies can amplify the climate movement's reach and impact.
September 1, 2025 — Source
In the Once Heavily Polluted Chicago River, More Fish, a Giant Snapping Turtle and an Upcoming Swim
Kayaking on the river reveals signs of life that earlier had been stamped out. The city's first open-water swim in nearly a century is planned there this month.
September 1, 2025 — Source
Rare oceanic plate delamination may explain Portugal's mysterious earthquakes
One of the worst earthquakes in European history ripped through Portugal in 1755, causing a tsunami, fires and shaking that killed tens of thousands of people and caused widespread destruction. Another less well-documented earthquake occurred in the same region in 1356, and a more recent 7.9 magnitude earthquake occurred in 1969. The most recent event was recorded by seismic instruments and has been found to have originated from the flat Horseshoe Abyssal Plain, which is not near any known major tectonic faults.
September 1, 2025 — Source
Permits were expedited for a California clean energy project: Were residents sidelined?
The fallowed farmland—too dry, salty and barren to grow crops—stretches across a remote, sunbaked expanse crisscrossed by rutted dirt roads.
September 1, 2025 — Source
Satellite laser ranging technique reveals 90 mm sea-level surge over past 30 years
The rise in global mean sea level (GMSL) is a critical indicator of climate change. Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) researchers have utilized advanced space geodetic technologies to deliver the first precise 30-year (1993--2022) record of global ocean mass change (also known as barystatic sea level), revealing its dominant role in driving GMSL rise.
September 1, 2025 — Source or Source
Scientists fear the Atlantic's great ocean conveyor could shut down
A new study projects that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)—the system of currents that includes the Gulf Stream—could shut down after 2100 under high-emission scenarios. This shutdown would drastically reduce heat transport northward, leaving Europe vulnerable to extreme winters, summers of drying, and shifts in tropical rainfall. Climate models show the tipping point is linked to collapsing winter convection in the North Atlantic, which weakens vertical mixing and creates a feedback loop that accelerates decline.
September 1, 2025 — Source
Seaweed on sandy coastlines contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, study shows
A team of researchers from Monash University has made a discovery that could reshape our understanding of greenhouse gas emissions from coastal ecosystems. Published in Nature Geoscience, the study reveals sandy coastlines, which make up half the world's continental margins, are a previously overlooked source of methane.
September 1, 2025 — Source
Styrofoam-based hydrogen storage: New process offers safe, reusable solution
A research team affiliated with UNIST has unveiled a novel technology that enables hydrogen to be stored within polystyrene-derived materials, particularly those originating from Styrofoam. The research is published in the journal ACS Catalysis.
September 1, 2025 — Source
Sustainable energy: 'Fairy circles' can provide clues to depth of natural hydrogen sources
Natural hydrogen from deep underground could be an important building block for the sustainable energy system of the future, but it is currently still difficult to predict where and at what depth elevated concentrations are located. New study results from the Department of Geology at the University of Vienna could make such predictions easier in the future. So-called "fairy circles"—round patches with vegetation damage—could be helpful indicators.
September 1, 2025 — Source
The Pacific's united front on climate action is splintering over deep-sea mining
But this united front is now under strain as some Pacific nations pursue a controversial new industry—deep-sea mining. Nauru, the Cook Islands, Kiribati and Tonga have gone the furthest to make it a reality, attracted by new income streams. But nations such as Fiji, Palau and Vanuatu have called for a moratorium on deep-sea mining in international waters.
September 1, 2025 — Source
The top hot spots in Tokyo: Revealing the impact of climate change through data fusion
Global climate change is making temperatures hotter, particularly in densely populated cities, which can adversely affect the health of residents. While mitigation efforts are urgent, it is hard for urban planners to identify exactly where to target as accurate, long-term climate records created over fine spatial scales have been unavailable.
September 1, 2025 — Source
UK, Japan, South Korea endure hottest summer on record
The UK, Japan and South Korea sweltered this year through the hottest summers since each country began keeping records, their weather agencies said Monday.
September 1, 2025 — Source
Why a group of Catholics urged Congress to take climate action
They made a pilgrimage to Washington to mark the 10th anniversary of the late Pope Francis' groundbreaking call to protect the Earth.
September 1, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — August 29th, 2025
A Colorado manufactured home community is getting more energy efficient
A project is helping to retrofit 16 homes with more insulation, sealing, and electric stove tops and heat pumps.
August 29, 2025 — Source
AI turns simple plant images into early drought warnings, giving crops a voice in the fight against water stress
What if plants could speak when they were thirsty? Agriculture, in essence, is a dialog among crops, soil and climate. Yet drought, the most insidious stressor, remains largely silent until its damage is visible.
August 29, 2025 — Source
Antarctica Is Unraveling
"Abrupt changes" threaten to send the continent past the point of no return, a new study finds
August 29, 2025 — Source
Buzzword or genuine commitment? Study finds corporate net zero pledges often lack substance for real climate chang
Many of the world's largest corporations have adopted "net zero" carbon reduction pledges because they feel the need to conform to expected 'appropriate behavior' or risk reputational damage, a new study reveals.
August 29, 2025 — Source
California Updates Pesticide Alert System
Regulators say they tweaked the notification system based on community feedback. But some residents and pesticide reform advocates say they still need precise locations—and bans on the most toxic chemicals.
August 29, 2025 — Source
Deep-learning-based method enables field measurement of flag leaf angle in wheat
A research team led by Prof. Jiang Ni from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (IGDB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) proposed a cost-effective method for in-field acquisition of flag leaf angle (FLANG) images and developed a lightweight deep learning model, LeafPoseNet, for accurate FLANG estimation.
August 29, 2025 — Source
Despite HUD Mandate Withdrawal, the Push for Clean Air Moves Forward in Chicago
The community members who pressed for action say they'll continue to do so without federal intervention. The mayor's office says it "will not waver" from its commitments.
August 29, 2025 — Source
Extreme experiments on perovskite may offer insight into Earth's interior and deep earthquakes
https://www.pcworld.com/article/2893463/watch-amd-talks-rocm-and-how-its-a-game-changer-for-radeon-pcs.html
August 29, 2025 — Source
Financing the fast wins: Indonesia's opportunity to lead on methane through its Sustainable Finance Taxonomy
Methane abatement is gaining traction as a fast, effective way to curb climate change and Indonesia is uniquely poised to play a significant role. Methane is 80 times more potent than CO2 over 20 years and accounts for about 30% of current global warming (IEA, 2021), but its short atmospheric lifetime means reductions will deliver near-immediate climate benefits.
August 29, 2025 — Source
Florida's once-pristine springs threatened by pollution, development and climate change
Seen from the air, a Florida freshwater spring is a bit of liquid heaven, luring humans and wildlife to enjoy its aquamarine cool. With at least 1,000 of them—more than any other state—the springs serve as beaches for large swaths of central and northwestern Florida far from the ocean, with teenagers backflipping from docks and snorkelers peering into the crystalline depths.
August 29, 2025 — Source
Hot days make for icy weather, Philippines study finds
The Philippines, like other tropical countries, is known more for its balmy climate than for hailstorms. But a new Philippine study—the first of its kind—has found that the country's hottest days are, in fact, more likely to produce hail.
August 29, 2025 — Source
Infamous 'Erin Brockovich' Toxin Polluted Air for Months After LA Fires
Researchers detected unusually tiny particles of carcinogenic hexavalent chromium that may be able to penetrate deeper inside the body.
August 29, 2025 — Source
Microalgae are more significant for CO2 absorption in Southern Ocean than previously thought, study reveals
Some 14,000 years ago, algal blooms in the Southern Ocean helped to massively reduce the global carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere—as has now been revealed by new analyses of ancient DNA published by a team from the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) in the journal Nature Geoscience. In the ocean around the Antarctic continent, these algal blooms had a significant impact on global carbon dynamics.
August 29, 2025 — Source
Mysterious earthquake reveals Cascadia's hidden dangers
In 1954, a powerful earthquake shook Northern California near Humboldt Bay, baffling scientists for decades. Most quakes in the region come from the Gorda Plate, but this one didn't fit the pattern. After digging through old records, modern models, and eyewitness accounts, researchers now believe the quake originated on the Cascadia subduction interface—the same fault capable of producing catastrophic megaquakes.
August 29, 2025 — Source
Program that teaches forest management sees record enrollment: What's driving the interest?
The Connecticut Forest and Park Association's Master Woodland Manager program is returning for its fifth year this fall with a record-breaking 75 students despite having half the budget it started with last year.
August 29, 2025 — Source
Repurposing wood waste for a clean, green alternative to fossil-based chemicals
The EU and Europe's bio-based industries are tapping into the hidden potential of wood to replace fossil resources in the production of high-performance resins with a low carbon footprint.
August 29, 2025 — Source
Texas Suit Alleging Anti-Coal 'Cartel' of Top Wall Street Firms Could Reshape ESG—and Wall Street Itself
Republican attorneys general accuse three of the world's biggest asset managers of conspiring to depress U.S. coal output. It's a first-of-its-kind and closely watched test of whether corporate alliances on climate efforts violate antitrust laws.
August 29, 2025 — Source
Thawing permafrost raised carbon dioxide levels after the last ice age, study shows
Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere vary naturally between ice ages and interglacial periods. A new study by researchers at the University of Gothenburg shows that an unexpectedly large proportion of carbon dioxide emissions after the ice age may have come from thawing permafrost.
August 29, 2025 — Source
Tokyo City Releases AI-Generated Videos of Mount Fuji Eruption to Scare the Living Crap Out of Japanese Citizens
Though Mount Fuji isn't showing any signs of an imminent eruption, one video warns that this disaster could strike "at any moment, without warning."
August 29, 2025 — Source
UK's journey from seafood self-sufficiency to dependence on imports transformed by overfishing and regulation
More than a century of data reveals how the UK has gone from supplying domestic seafood needs from productive home waters to importing seafood from almost 90 countries.
August 29, 2025 — Source
Unraveling the proton translocation dynamics behind photoprotective mechanisms in plants
Photosynthesis refers to the biochemical process by which plants convert light energy into chemical molecules. Within plant cells, the chloroplast—a specialized organelle containing green pigments—captures incident sunlight for photosynthesis, giving plants their characteristic color.
August 29, 2025 — Source
What happens to New Orleans' levees when a Category 4 hurricane hits?
The city's $23 billion levee system is only rated to withstand a Cat 3.
August 29, 2025 — Source
Why seismic waves are slower shortly after an earthquake
Solid as they are, rocks are not static materials with constant properties. Even small loads are enough to alter their mechanical properties; their reaction to being deformed is a loss of stiffness. Rocks which have been damaged in such a way are then less able to withstand loads, such as gravity or tectonic stresses. This phenomenon is therefore of relevance for understanding the occurrence of material failure, as in landslides or earthquakes.
August 29, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — August 25th, 2025
African swine fever vaccine candidate shows promise against some virus strains, but broad protection still a challenge
An international team of scientists has found that a promising African swine fever (ASF) vaccine can protect pigs against some strains of the virus but offers little or no protection against others. The findings point to the need for region-specific vaccines to tackle one of the world's most devastating animal diseases.
August 25, 2025 — Source
After Fernand, a quiet spell on tap for the Atlantic
With its out-to-sea track, Tropical Storm Fernand takes a cue from Erin.
August 25, 2025 — Source
Art installation amplifies hundreds of voices on climate change
At Rice University, light and sound immerse visitors in a global chorus calling for climate action.
August 25, 2025 — Source
Chemists develop molecule for important step toward artificial photosynthesis
Researchers created a photosynthesis-inspired molecule that uses light to store two positive and two negative charges, aiming to turn sunlight into carbon-neutral fuel.
August 25, 2025 — Source
Data that is stored and not used has a carbon footprint. How companies can manage dark data better
In today's world, huge amounts of data are being created all the time, yet more than half of it is never used. It stays in silos, or isn't managed, or can't be accessed because systems change, or isn't needed because business priorities change. This "dark data" accumulates in servers and storage devices, consuming electricity and inflating the digital carbon footprint.
August 25, 2025 — Source
Discovery of wild cereal foraging far from Fertile Crescent challenges assumptions about agriculture's origins
The dawn of agriculture in the Neolithic was a major development in the evolution of modern human culture. Although scientists agree that farming developed independently several times around the world, including in Africa, the Americas, and eastern Asia, the origins of many key crops, such as wheat, barley, and legumes, have been traced to the Fertile Crescent and the harvesting of wild grains by a people known as the Natufians, roughly 10,000 years ago.
August 25, 2025 — Source
EVs reduce climate pollution, but by how much? Analysis covers powertrain type, size, usage and location
Choosing a more electrified vehicle will reduce drivers' greenhouse gas emissions, regardless of where they live in the contiguous United States, according to a new study from the University of Michigan.
August 25, 2025 — Source
Fiber technology achieves high-purity CO2 capture with smartphone-level power consumption
Direct air capture (DAC) is a technology that filters out carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere at extremely low concentrations (below 400 ppm). A KAIST research team has now succeeded in capturing more than 95% high-purity carbon dioxide using only low power at the level of smartphone charging voltage (3V), without hot steam or complex facilities.
August 25, 2025 — Source
Huge Parts of the North Sea Seabed Are Upside Down, New Study Reveals
We're starting to stash our planet-warming carbon emissions beneath the seafloor, but we might have to take these strange mounds of underground sand into account.
August 25, 2025 — Source
Hydrogen from solar heat: Novel oxide material discovered for carbon-free hydrogen production
A research team from POSTECH and Seoul National University (SNU) has discovered a novel oxide material that can produce large quantities of clean hydrogen using only heat, without carbon emissions. The discovery, enabled by a new high-throughput computational screening method, was recently published in Advanced Science.
August 25, 2025 — Source
Maryland's Governor and Legislature Just Got So-So Grades on Their Environmental Scorecards
Two new assessments from the Maryland League of Conservation Voters found the Moore administration's actions have not consistently aligned with its climate pledges.
August 25, 2025 — Source
Nature can keep up with climate change -- but not at this speed
Earth's systems evolved to handle disturbance, but human-driven climate change is pushing them past the breaking point.
August 25, 2025 — Source
Photographer Upends His Whole Life to Chase Auroras Around the Arctic
One night in 2018, I was viewing the international space station through a telescope in the observatory of Helsinki. Suddenly, I looked into the opposite direction and there, for the first time ever, I would see the northern lights dancing over the city below. The experience was otherworldly and I wanted to see them again and again.
August 25, 2025 — Source
Photographer's Images of Hurricane Katrina Aftermath Still Shock 20 Years Later
20 years ago, Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans claiming 1,833 lives — one of the worst U.S. disasters of all time.
August 25, 2025 — Source
Plant cell wall mechanics informs how to grow sustainable architectural forms
Clothing that adapts to one's needs and senses the external habitat. A lunar lava tunnel that uses bacteria, plants and fungi to create sustainable human habitats within otherwise unlivable places. Buildings grown from living things.
August 25, 2025 — Source
Plasma group publishes new framework to advance fusion energy research
Scientists pursuing magnetically-confined nuclear fusion as a clean energy source grapple with the "core-edge challenge," the need to integrate the core of the reactor, where plasma must be 10 times hotter than the sun, with the reactor's edge. The edge must sustain a lower temperature to avoid melting of the material containing the plasma and extracting its energy to produce power.
August 25, 2025 — Source
Portugal counts the cost of its biggest ever forest fire
Nearly 1,000 firefighters remained mobilized Monday in central Portugal to prevent flare-ups of what authorities said was the biggest forest fire the country has seen—ravaging an area more than 10 times bigger than Manhattan island.
August 25, 2025 — Source
Rising deep-ocean oxygen levels likely opened up new marine habitats and spurred speciation
Some 390 million years ago in the ancient ocean, marine animals began colonizing depths previously uninhabited. New research indicates this underwater migration occurred in response to a permanent increase in deep-ocean oxygen, driven by the above-ground spread of woody plants—precursors to Earth's first forests.
August 25, 2025 — Source
Scalable metal-organic framework electrodes boost efficiency and cut costs for hydrogen production
A research team led by Prof. Zhao Shenlong from the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed scalable metal-organic framework (MOF) electrodes for alkaline water electrolysis, featuring facile synthesis, high efficiency, and industrial compatibility.
August 25, 2025 — Source
Study finds US could replace key mineral imports by recycling mine waste
America's critical minerals are already in its mines but recovery remains the hurdle
August 25, 2025 — Source
To get that perfect ear of corn, weather has to cooperate. But climate change is making it dicier
Robb Rynd and his brother grew up farming and wanted to do more of it outside their day jobs, so they went in together on what's now a little over 200 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and sorghum. Last year was a good year, and Rynd said he enjoyed walking the fields with his kids to see how the corn was doing.
August 25, 2025 — Source
Trump Administration Issues Stop Work Order for Offshore Wind Project, Citing National Security Concerns
The project was already 80 percent complete and slated to provide enough energy to power more than 350,000 homes.
August 25, 2025 — Source
Trump told a major offshore wind project to stop construction just before it reached the finish line
It's another costly blow to the energy industry Trump loves to hate.
August 25, 2025 — Source
Typhoon Kajiki lashes Vietnam, killing one as thousands evacuate
Vietnam's central belt was lashed by Typhoon Kajiki on Monday, with at least one person killed by deluges and gales howling more than 130 kilometers per hour, as tens of thousands of residents were evacuated from the path of the tempest.
August 25, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — August 22nd, 2025
80% of Europe's Renewable Power Could Come From Space by 2050, Study Shows
A detailed projection shows that a previous proposal from NASA could be the future of solar power generation.
August 22, 2025 — Source
AI model maps building emissions to support fairer climate policies
An open-source artificial intelligence model to accurately map the carbon emissions of buildings across multiple cities could become a powerful new tool to help policymakers plan targeted and equitable decarbonization strategies.
August 22, 2025 — Source
Analysis reveals phytoplankton's contribution to centuries-long ocean carbon storage
Phytoplankton—microscopic algae that form the base of ocean food webs—have long been viewed as transient players in the global carbon cycle: They bloom, die, and the carbon they contain is quickly recycled back into the ecosystem.
August 22, 2025 — Source
As AI becomes part of everyday life, it brings a hidden climate cost
Marissa Loewen first started using artificial intelligence in 2014 as a project management tool. She has autism and ADHD and said it helped immensely with organizing her thoughts
August 22, 2025 — Source
Berlin's waters carry bacterial traces of the city's population—with potential implications for the ecological status
A research team from the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) has investigated the interplay between hydrology and microbial communities in small water bodies in Berlin.
August 22, 2025 — Source
Colombia's President Called Out an Alabama Company's Coal Exports to Israel. Now Alabamians Are Protesting
President Gustavo Petro banned coal shipments to Israel over what he's called a genocide in Gaza. He's now cracking down on Drummond Company and others he says may have violated that ban.
August 22, 2025 — Source
Expert shares concept of 'net positive' carbon grain farming
As the global conversation around climate change intensifies, the agricultural sector is emerging as both a contributor to the problem and a potential part of the solution. In this interview, we explore the concept of "net positive" carbon grain farming with Ph.D. graduate, David Rourke, through his thesis. Rourke is a seasoned grain farmer and researcher who focuses on the Northern Great Plains.
August 22, 2025 — Source
Microbes form living electrical networks to filter methane from ocean floor, scientists discover
Methane—a potent greenhouse gas—constantly seeps from the ocean floor and can rise into the atmosphere. Now, an international team led by scientists with the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences has uncovered how tiny microorganisms work together as a living electrical network to consume some of this gas before it escapes, acting as a powerful living filter.
August 22, 2025 — Source
Model could improve water service for more than 1 billion people
A new numerical modeling tool developed by researchers at the University of Toronto could help improve the design and operation of intermittent water distribution systems, which supply more than a billion people around the world.
August 22, 2025 — Source
Oil and gas air pollution linked to 91,000 early deaths in the US each year
Air pollution from oil and gas is causing 91,000 premature deaths and hundreds of thousands of health issues across the United States annually, with Black, Asian, Native American and Hispanic groups consistently the most affected, finds a major new study led by researchers at UCL and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI).
August 22, 2025 — Source
One of the World's Tallest, Oldest Trees Is Ablaze in Oregon
Firefighters have been racing to save the centuries-old "Doerner Fir" since they received reports of on Saturday, August 16.
August 22, 2025 — Source
Ozone recovery could trigger 40% more global warming than predicted
As the ozone layer recovers, it's also intensifying global warming. Researchers predict that by 2050, ozone will rank just behind carbon dioxide as a driver of heating, offsetting many of the benefits from banning CFCs.
August 22, 2025 — Source
Pennsylvania Lured Shell to the State With a $1.65 Billion Tax Break. Now the Company Wants to Sell Its Plant
Looking back, "this was a terrible investment of taxpayer money," one analyst said.
August 22, 2025 — Source
Pollinators in the city: Europe-wide synthesis evidences the relevance of biodiversity-friendly urban management
Pollinators receive considerable interest due to their fundamental role in ecosystem functioning and human well-being. Unlike farmlands, studies of urban pollinator-promoting interventions have only started to grow rapidly recently and have not yet been synthesized, hampering all the related policies.
August 22, 2025 — Source
Previously unknown peptide sheds light on how tomato plants regulate their defenses
Tomato plants possess a sophisticated system to protect themselves against herbivores: the signaling peptide Systemin triggers a cascade of plant defense responses.
August 22, 2025 — Source
Scientists are building cyborg jellyfish to explore ocean depths
"There's really something special about the way moon jellies swim."
August 22, 2025 — Source
Sea-level projections from the 1990s were spot on, study says
Global sea-level change has now been measured by satellites for more than 30 years, and a comparison with climate projections from the mid-1990s shows that they were remarkably accurate, according to two Tulane University researchers whose findings were published in Earth's Future.
August 22, 2025 — Source
Self-renewing Fe-N-C catalyst shows improved durability for oxygen reduction in acid
Researchers at Tohoku University have created a new catalyst that can partly renew itself while working, opening possibilities for more durable materials in energy and chemical applications. The catalyst is designed for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), an essential process for fuel cells and other clean energy technologies.
August 22, 2025 — Source
Space-based solar panels could supply 80% of Europe's renewable energy by 2050
Mirrors would reflect sunlight down to receivers on Earth
August 22, 2025 — Source
Study confirms that properties adjacent to tornado destruction initially plunge in value
The power of a tornado can inflict tremendous damage on residential property, but the impact is also felt by nearby homeowners, even when their property is unscathed.
August 22, 2025 — Source
Surprising adaptations let yeast beat the heat
As global temperatures rise, scientists are turning to an unexpected source—the same yeast that makes bread rise and beer fizz—to uncover what allows some lifeforms to survive extreme heat while others cannot.
August 22, 2025 — Source
The asset owner-manager relationship: A lever for change
The financial system shapes the economy not only through direct contributions by financing projects, but also indirectly as an enabler through its shareholding and corporate lending activities, as explored by CPI's Ownership Methodology.
August 22, 2025 — Source
There's a 'Lake' of Oil Under LA's Soon-to-Close Refinery. Who's Going to Clean It Up?
Climate policies could lead to future refinery closures as Californians transition to electric vehicles.
August 22, 2025 — Source
US already has the critical minerals it needs—but they're being thrown away, new analysis shows
The catch? These minerals, such as cobalt, lithium, gallium and rare earth elements like neodymium and yttrium, are currently being discarded as tailings of other mineral streams like gold and zinc, said Elizabeth Holley, associate professor of mining engineering at Colorado School of Mines and lead author of the new paper.
August 22, 2025 — Source
Using game theory to explain how institutions arise naturally to manage limited resources
A simple model developed by a RIKEN researcher and a collaborator predicts the emergence of self-organized institutions that manage limited resources such as fisheries or irrigation water. This model provides a window into the mechanism behind the emergence of such institutions.
August 22, 2025 — Source
Water Management in Great Lakes States Deserves a Closer Look, Group Says
Demand for water in the region is increasing from data centers and other businesses, prompting one organization to call for more government oversight.
August 22, 2025 — Source
What can state governments do about climate change?
As the federal government withdraws from climate action, states can step up.
August 22, 2025 — Source
What skin temperature reveals about human comfort
New research has shown that the skin temperature on specific areas of the body is a strong indicator for how hot, cold or comfortable people feel. These findings could inform the design of wearable technology and smarter, more intuitive building climate control systems.
August 22, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — August 21st, 2025
A geothermal network in Colorado could help a rural town diversify its economy
Town pitches companies to take advantage of "reliable, cost-effective heating and cooling."
August 21, 2025 — Source
Adding biochar to cement yields concrete that's stronger, more environmentally friendly
In Canada, it can seem like there are two seasons: winter and construction. Whether it's repairing sidewalks and streets, or building new homes and apartments, much of this work uses cement—the key ingredient of concrete.
August 21, 2025 — Source
Atlantic Shore Towns Feel Hurricane Erin's Sting Without It Ever Making Landfall
The unusually large storm has prompted evacuations and beach closures in coastal communities across the East Coast during an important time for tourism-related businesses.
August 21, 2025 — Source
Big quakes in lower North Island 'clustered' in time, study shows
Large earthquakes along some of New Zealand's major faults are commonly clustered in time and place, according to recent research.
August 21, 2025 — Source
Cities obey the same laws of living systems, researchers claim
An EPFL study has found that urban areas follow the same universal rules observed in the natural world. From population size to carbon emissions and road networks—could the key to sustainable urbanization lie in the very "metabolism" of our cities?
August 21, 2025 — Source
Commenters Decry Proposed Repeal of Endangerment Finding in First Day of Public Hearings
Out of roughly 200 people who testified on Tuesday, Inside Climate News counted fewer than ten who spoke in favor of the EPA's move.
August 21, 2025 — Source
Enhancing hydrogen production using modified ilmenite oxygen carriers
Potassium- and calcium-modified ilmenite oxygen carriers, developed by the Institute of Science Tokyo, significantly improve hydrogen yields and redox reaction efficiency in chemical looping systems. The chemical modification of ilmenite results in the formation of a calcium titanate phase with iron substitution.
August 21, 2025 — Source
Extending the lifespan of large-scale safe energy storage with iron-chromium flow batteries
Researchers affiliated with UNIST have managed to prolong the lifespan of iron-chromium redox flow batteries (Fe-Cr RFBs), large-capacity and explosion-proof energy storage systems (ESS). This advancement enhances the safety and reliability of storing renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, which often produce electricity intermittently, enabling secure storage and on-demand retrieval.
August 21, 2025 — Source
Gene sequencing uncovers differences in wild and domesticated crops
With climate change and more frequent extreme weather events, researchers predict that global yields of important crops like maize, rice, and soybeans could decline by 12 to 20% by the end of the century. To prepare, plant scientists are hoping to find ways to improve yields and grow hardier varieties of these crops.
August 21, 2025 — Source
German firm gives 'second life' to used EV batteries
A German company is putting used electric vehicle batteries to new use by stacking them into fridge-size units that homes and businesses can use to store their excess solar and wind energy.
August 21, 2025 — Source
Groundwater: How scientists explore the mysteries of ancient aquifers
Beneath Australia's soils lie ancient aquifers which supply 30% of the water consumed across the country. The groundwater they hold can be some of the oldest water on the planet, dating back as far as two million years.
August 21, 2025 — Source
Heat-stressed Australian forests are thinning fast, producing carbon emissions
Heat-stressed Victorian mountain ash forests are thinning fast, turning from carbon sinks to carbon sources, new research reveals.
August 21, 2025 — Source
How a robotic hand uses nanosensors to detect toxic metals in water
An autonomous robotic system detects toxic heavy metals in water using self-powered nanosensors and ambient heat, enabling safe, real-time environmental monitoring without external power or manual sampling.
August 21, 2025 — Source
Human disturbances drive significant soil carbon loss in hyper-arid deserts, study reveals
A recent study led by Prof. Zeng Fanjiang from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has revealed concerning trends in soil organic carbon (SOC) loss due to prolonged human disturbance in hyper-arid desert ecosystems.
August 21, 2025 — Source
Hurricane Erin brings coastal flooding to N. Carolina, Virginia
Hurricane Erin brought coastal flooding to parts of North Carolina and Virginia as it made its closest approach to the US mainland early Thursday.
August 21, 2025 — Source
Lead-resistant lizards in New Orleans could hold clues to combating lead poisoning
New research from Tulane University found that brown anole lizards in New Orleans carry the highest blood-lead levels ever recorded in a vertebrate—amounts that would be lethal to most other animals—yet they appear unaffected.
August 21, 2025 — Source
Meet Surya, a New AI Model From NASA and IBM That Can Predict Solar Flares
The new AI model may help NASA and NOAA better forecast auroras.
August 21, 2025 — Source
New AI tool tracks early signs of hurricane formation
A research team has developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool that can automatically identify and track tropical easterly waves (TEWs)—clusters of clouds and wind that often develop into hurricanes—and separate them from two major tropical wind patterns: the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and the monsoon trough (MT).
August 21, 2025 — Source
Novel cement lets buildings cool themselves
When temperatures get too hot to handle, most of us crank up the air conditioning to keep cool. It does the job, but it's expensive and uses a significant amount of energy. But now an innovation by scientists, primarily from Southeast University in China, could help us cut our reliance on AC. They've developed a new type of cement that allows buildings to stay cool on their own.
August 21, 2025 — Source
PET plastic gets antimicrobial boost through plasma treatment and zinc nanoparticles
Polymers are essential in modern food packaging thanks to their low cost, light weight, flexibility, and chemical stability. They provide a crucial barrier to protect food from moisture, oxygen, sunlight, and microorganisms that cause spoilage and health risks. Among them, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is especially valued for its transparency, stability, and strong mechanical properties.
August 21, 2025 — Source
Rare pygmy whale swallows plastic bag and dies on Honduras coast
A rare whale died off the coast of Honduras after ingesting a plastic bag in what's been described as a "tragic event."
August 21, 2025 — Source
Remote work spurs grassroots environmental action in New York City
Remote and hybrid work arrangements enabled New Yorkers to participate in community environmental action by giving them both the time and the motivation to do so, a new study from NYU finds.
August 21, 2025 — Source
Researchers find ways to improve liquid hydrogen tank efficiency
Washington State University researchers have developed a mathematical model and a set of recommendations to improve liquid hydrogen storage tank operations that could someday make hydrogen a more viable alternative for powering vehicles and other industrial processes.
August 21, 2025 — Source
Scientists discover how heat 'awakens' carbon food source for deep Earth biosphere
Deep beneath the ocean's surface lies Earth's largest carbon reservoir: marine sediments that have accumulated organic matter over millions of years. Long assumed to be permanently "locked away," this vast carbon pool is far more dynamic than scientists previously believed, according to a new international study.
August 21, 2025 — Source
She lost her Louisiana home to disaster. Now she's fighting oil and gas companies.
Roishetta Sibley Ozane is helping her community recover from devastating events -- and then take on the fossil fuel industry.
August 21, 2025 — Source
Solar panels in space could cut Europe's renewable energy needs by 80%
Space-based solar power has the potential to reduce Europe's need for land-based renewable energy by up to 80%—a potential game-changer for reaching net-zero by 2050.
August 21, 2025 — Source
Study maps New Zealand's residential carbon emissions
Led by Associate Professor Michael Jack, Director of the Sustainable Energy Program in the Department of Physics, the research maps how much energy is used in each Aotearoa region to heat its homes and hot water, and the carbon emissions associated with this.
August 21, 2025 — Source
Terrain complexity index helps scientists predict soil erosion and plant diversity in mountains
A team of researchers from the Institute of Applied Ecology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a new method to quantify the three-dimensional complexity of mountainous terrain. The novel tool, called the terrain complexity index (TCI), offers a more accurate way to understand and predict key ecological factors like soil erosion and plant biodiversity in difficult-to-study landscapes.
August 21, 2025 — Source
The Researcher Who Wrote the Book on How Solar Got Cheap Is Back to Assess the Current Moment
With an updated edition of his 2019 book, Greg Nemet looks at global progress and puts U.S. obstacles in perspective.
August 21, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — August 19th, 2025
Aalo Atomics raises $100M to build a microreactor and data center together
Nuclear startups have been soaking up attention from hyperscalers and cash from investors. Aalo Atomics is the latest beneficiary of the Big Tech-small nuclear love affair, raising $100 million in a Series B, the company announced today.
August 19, 2025 — Source
An extinct volcano in Arkansas hosts the only public diamond mine on Earth
Visitors have unearthed over 35,000 diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park since 1972.
August 19, 2025 — Source
California's Next 'Big One' Might Not Follow the Script
Myanmar's Sagaing Fault ruptured more than 124 miles (200 km) farther than seismologists had predicted. California should take notice.
August 19, 2025 — Source
Carbon markets undervalue shade-grown coffee farms, global analysis shows
A new global analysis reveals a critical oversight in sustainable coffee and carbon-capture initiatives. These programs incentivize the planting of new trees yet fail to reward the preservation of mature shade trees in existing agroforestry farms, despite their far greater carbon storage potential.
August 19, 2025 — Source
Eco-friendly upcycling: Turning spent batteries into high-voltage energy storage systems
As electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS) become increasingly widespread, the management and recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries has emerged as a pressing global issue. Traditional recycling methods, such as energy-intensive smelting or chemically aggressive wet processes, require significant energy and pose environmental risks.
August 19, 2025 — Source
Forecasters Warn of 100-Foot Waves as Hurricane Erin Brushes the East Coast
The first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season is poised to bring life-threatening impacts to much of the East Coast even though it's unlikely to make landfall.
August 19, 2025 — Source
Heavy metals found in the scales of black mambas allow tracking of pollutants
Black mambas, Africa's fastest and most feared snakes, can be a key player in tracking pollution, while at the same time keeping ecosystems healthy.
August 19, 2025 — Source
How could we clean up the algal bloom?
South Australia's catastrophic harmful algal bloom now affects almost 30% of the state's coastline, stretching from the Coorong in the state's southeast to the seafood-rich Spencer Gulf to the west.
August 19, 2025 — Source
In Africa, heat waves are hotter and longer than 40 years ago, researchers say
Heat waves—prolonged periods of abnormally hot weather—influence egg prices, energy bills and even public transit. And they're becoming more common as temperatures increase.
August 19, 2025 — Source
Maize plants use a volatile gas to fight off pests in densely crowded fields
When maize fields become too crowded, the plants signal each other to boost their defenses. A research team led by Dongsheng Guo of Zhejiang University found that in crowded conditions, maize plants release a volatile gas called linalool into the air. When it reaches neighboring plants, the gas triggers a defensive response in their roots.
August 19, 2025 — Source
One atom, endless power: Scientists create a shape-shifting catalyst for green chemistry
A team in Milan has developed a first-of-its-kind single-atom catalyst that acts like a molecular switch, enabling cleaner, more adaptable chemical reactions. Stable, recyclable, and eco-friendly, it marks a major step toward programmable sustainable chemistry.
August 19, 2025 — Source
Orphan wells leave toxic legacy across Pennsylvania
The state has plugged hundreds of the unused wells, but thousands are still leaking dangerous chemicals and climate-warming methane.
August 19, 2025 — Source
Physicists create stable, 'breathing' solitons in settings without energy conservation
Solitonic waves—waves that keep their shape and direction of motion for a long time—have intrigued physicists for almost two centuries. In real-world circumstances, these waves eventually die out due to energy loss. A team of UvA physicists have now discovered how a particular type of interaction can be used to create very stable solitons, even in circumstances where energy is not conserved.
August 19, 2025 — Source
Poplar tree discovery could help shape the future of energy and biomaterials
A new study, led by researchers at the University of Missouri, has uncovered how poplar trees can naturally adjust a key part of their wood chemistry based on changes in their environment. This discovery—the result of a collaboration with scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Georgia—could help create better biofuels and other sustainable products.
August 19, 2025 — Source
Researchers develop weekly monitor as global indicator for plant health
A common data basis is the prerequisite for efficient and informed action. Up to now, this has, however, been lacking for plant health, which is of great importance for global agriculture and climate research.
August 19, 2025 — Source
Scientists decode water's key role in platinum-catalyzed biomass conversion
Biomass, one of the planet's most abundant renewable resources, can be catalytically transformed into fuels and chemicals to replace fossil-derived products—a key pathway for achieving global carbon neutrality goals.
August 19, 2025 — Source
Scientists reveal how just two human decisions rewired the Great Salt Lake forever
Utah geoscientist's analysis of carbon and oxygen isotopes documents profound human-driven changes arising from agriculture and rail causeway.
August 19, 2025 — Source
Scientists unravel long-standing mystery of ENOD40, a gene in legume nodulation research that marks nodule identity
A gene identified more than 30 years ago has now revealed its role as a natural microRNA (miRNA) sponge to fine-tune the legume nodulation pathway, thanks to an international collaboration led by Wageningen University and the Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge University.
August 19, 2025 — Source
Supercharged Hurricanes Mean More 'Ghost Boats' Haunting Waterways
Abandoned vessels can linger in waterways for years, polluting ecosystems and complicating navigation. A new initiative is trying to shift the tides.
August 19, 2025 — Source
Svalbard lost 1% of its ice in the summer of 2024, more than any year on record
Svalbard, an Arctic archipelago that is technically a part of Norway, lies about halfway between the northernmost part of Norway and the North Pole. Currently, about 60% of Svalbard's surface is covered in glaciers, but these glaciers are melting rapidly. During the summer of 2024, Svalbard experienced a record-breaking heat wave that melted more of its glaciers than ever before.
August 19, 2025 — Source
Utilities Want to Regain the Ability to Build Power Plants in PJM. Consumer Advocates Say That's Probably a Bad Idea
Decades after deregulation, rising electricity demand from data centers is leading to a new push to change rules.
August 19, 2025 — Source
Why does Australia have earthquakes? The whole continent is under stress from distant forces
Last Saturday at 9:49am local time, a magnitude 5.6 earthquake occurred about 50km west of Gympie in Queensland. The earthquake was experienced as strong shaking locally, but did not produce any significant damage, likely because of the remote location of the epicenter.
August 19, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — August 17th, 2025
Coastal communities restoring marshes, dunes, reefs to protect against rising seas and storm surges
In San Francisco Bay, salt ponds created more than a century ago are reverting to marshland. Along the New York and New Jersey coasts, beaches ravaged by Superstorm Sandy underwent extensive restoration. In Alabama, a rebuilt spit of land is shielding a historic town and providing wildlife habitat.
August 17, 2025 — Source
Deadlocked on Plastic Pollution
Go behind the scenes with executive editor Vernon Loeb and reporter Bob Berwyn as they explain why global talks on plastics pollution reached a disappointing end.
August 17, 2025 — Source
Downgraded Hurricane Erin lashes Caribbean with rain
Offshore Hurricane Erin was downgraded to a Category 3 storm early Sunday, as rain lashed Caribbean islands and weather officials warned of possible flash floods and landslides.
August 17, 2025 — Source
El Paso's Heat Is Killing in Record Numbers. It May Only Get Worse
In El Paso, heat deaths hit record highs in 2023 and 2024. Advocates say not enough is being done to protect the region's most vulnerable people.
August 17, 2025 — Source
Major Plastics Treaty Ends in Failure
"Consensus kills ambition": Procedural hurdles once again foil progress on a global agreement to end plastic pollution.
August 17, 2025 — Source
Self-propelled ice could be the green power of the future
Scientists from Virginia Tech have discovered a way to make ice move on its own. It's not a magic trick or a supernatural occurrence but a clever engineering feat. The team designed a flat metal surface that allows ice disks to slide across it without needing a push. The research has a host of potential applications, including rapid defrosting and new ways to harvest green energy.
August 17, 2025 — Source
The Chinese Dam Threatening the World's Most Endangered Ape
When a new orangutan species was found near a Chinese-owned hydrodam in Indonesia, scientists and advocates launched a campaign to block the project. Then some who spoke against it lost their jobs and ability to work in the area—and, in the case of one activist, his life.
August 17, 2025 — Source
The global plastics treaty process has fallen flat—here's what went wrong, and how you can help
Progress toward a legally binding global treaty on plastics pollution stalled and went into reverse this week. The United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, ran overtime. It's likely to conclude this evening, without agreement.
August 17, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — August 16th, 2025
After a Drought Last Year, Ohio Farmers Wished for Rain. Now Downpours Are Destroying Their Crops
The variation in weather—extreme drought one year, flash flooding the next—has made it nearly impossible for small farmers to plan their growing seasons.
August 16, 2025 — Source
From Landfills and Recycling Programs to Desks in Offices, Toxic Chemicals in Plastics Poison Workers
The plastics contaminating every corner of the Earth contain thousands of unregulated toxic chemicals. As global plastic talks end without a treaty, health experts say negotiators must consider their toxic cargo.
August 16, 2025 — Source
Hurricane Erin intensifies in Atlantic, eyes Caribbean
Hurricane Erin gained strength Friday as it churned in the Atlantic Ocean and bore down on the Caribbean, where it could bring heavy rain to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
August 16, 2025 — Source
The ocean's fragile fortresses are crumbling under climate pressure
A pioneering study led by ICM-CSIC reveals how climate change may alter the structure, mineralogy, and microbiome of bryozoans, a key group of invertebrates responsible for creating underwater habitats.
August 16, 2025 — Source
Tribal Solar Projects Meet Different Fates in Wyoming After Trump Administration Kills Funding
The Eastern Shoshone are moving ahead with a solar-powered micro-grid, but the Northern Arapaho rooftop PV program stalled after the EPA clawed back Solar for All funding.
August 16, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — August 11th, 2025
An Alabama program paid homeowners to fortify their roofs. It paid off.
The program, funded by insurance companies, helped homes better withstand a 2020 hurricane, a recent study found.
August 11, 2025 — Source
Are African countries aware of their own mineral wealth? Ghana and Rwanda offer two very different answers
Imagine running a business for over a century without knowing what's in your warehouse. That's essentially what many African countries are doing with their mineral wealth. Governments across the continent still have very little knowledge of what lies beneath their soil.
August 11, 2025 — Source
Assessing US temperature and precipitation analysis in July 2025
Warm overnight minimum temperatures set July records, impacting more than 55 million people across the eastern states. In July, 1,434 flash flood warnings—the second-highest July total in 40 years—and 17 flash flood emergencies were issued nationwide, along with over 2,000 preliminary flood-related storm reports. Most notably, catastrophic flooding in the Texas Hill Country in early July resulted in at least 135 fatalities, following extreme rainfall of up to 20 inches over just a few days.
August 11, 2025 — Source
Climate polluters may be allowed to stop reporting their emissions. That doesn't mean they can hide them.
Even as the EPA moves to block greenhouse gas reporting, satellites and aircraft are stepping in to expose the truth.
August 11, 2025 — Source
Coal Company Sues UK After Environmentalists Win Major Climate Case in British Court
The dispute over the cancellation of a coal mine comes as governments face hundreds of billions of dollars in exposure to claims from foreign investors over fossil fuel phaseouts.
August 11, 2025 — Source
Computational method determines omega positions of lipids in biological samples
Omega-3 fatty acids are known to be an essential part of a healthy diet. As humans cannot produce them, they have to be consumed in sufficient amounts. However, omega-6, -7, -9, and -10 fatty acids also play important roles in the metabolism of fats. These numbers indicate the position of the first double bond in a fatty acid chain. Deviations in the omega position can signal enzyme malfunctions or pathological metabolic processes, such as those occurring in cancer.
August 11, 2025 — Source
Experiment will attempt to counter climate change by altering ocean
Gulf of Maine will be site of safety and effectiveness testing.
August 11, 2025 — Source
Expert explains rare earth elements—and why the Department of Defense is investing in them
Rare earth elements thread invisibly through daily life, quietly powering everything from laptops to smartphones to cars. "They're essential ingredients for our modern lives," said Virginia Tech mining expert Aaron Noble.
August 11, 2025 — Source
Genome-scale metabolic model can increase potato yield
To study growth-defense trade-offs in the context of metabolism in crops, scientists from the Universities of Potsdam and Erlangen, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, and the National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, have generated the genome-scale metabolic model potato-GEM. The first large-scale metabolic reconstruction of its kind presents a useful resource to breed plant varieties with improved stress tolerance and high yields in the future.
August 11, 2025 — Source
Hot on the range: Research shows how cattle cope with extreme summer heat
New research shows how cattle are coping with searing summertime heat while grazing on rangeland, which could help prairie ranchers better understand how to manage their herds in a warming climate.
August 11, 2025 — Source
Inside the search for sustainable aviation fuels, which are on the federal chopping block
The federal spending law passed in early July 2025, often called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, significantly reduces federal funding for efforts to create renewable or sustainable types of fuel that can power aircraft over long distances while decreasing the damage aviation does to the global climate.
August 11, 2025 — Source
Lakes may be carbon sinks, not sources, thanks to overlooked shorelines
Lakes have long been viewed as sources of carbon dioxide emissions, but new research suggests they may actually act as carbon sinks. A study led by Uppsala University reveals that lake shorelines store more carbon than previously believed, highlighting the need to include these littoral zones in calculations of the continental carbon balance.
August 11, 2025 — Source
Megatonne-scale plants planned to turn captured CO2 into industrial nanocarbons
Researchers present a megatonne-scale design that converts captured CO2 into graphene nanocarbons, combining carbon removal with production of valuable industrial materials.
August 11, 2025 — Source
Moving on From the Heartbreak Hotel
A year after a devastating flood, a small town in Vermont is working to rebuild.
August 11, 2025 — Source
New coating improves thermal stability of flexible perovskite solar devices
Lead-free coating improves heat stability and durability of flexible perovskite solar cells for portable and building-integrated applications.
August 11, 2025 — Source
Ocean anomalies traveling north crucial for the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
Anomalies in temperature and salinity that originate in the midlatitude North Atlantic can affect the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) in the Nordic Seas up to a decade later. A new study published in Communications Earth & Environment shows that the anomalies that travel northward with the Atlantic Water are an important part of the system, and actively modulate both the inflow of warm water into the Nordic Seas and the overflow of dense water back into the deep Atlantic.
August 11, 2025 — Source
Q&A: Why these hairy caterpillars swarm every decade—then vanish without a trace
Western tent caterpillars might not be on your mind every year, but during their peak outbreaks, they're impossible to ignore—hairy larvae wriggling across roads and swarms of caterpillars climbing houses to form yellow silken cocoons.
August 11, 2025 — Source
Rebuild or relocate? Study finds residents and officials split on flood adaptation spending priorities
As climate hazards escalate, communities facing repetitive disasters in high-risk areas must weigh the economic and social trade-offs of rebuilding versus relocating. A Risk Analysis study has found that residents and government officials may have different ideas about how public funds should be spent to adapt to extreme weather events brought on by climate change.
August 11, 2025 — Source
Refined genome editing in aphids reveals key gene for overwintering egg adaptation
Surviving the harsh winter months is a major challenge for many insects. One widely adopted survival strategy, especially in temperate regions, is the production of overwintering eggs with hard, dark-colored shells that can withstand cold, dryness, and microbial infection.
August 11, 2025 — Source
Shifting foundations of the Antarctic food web could ripple through the entire ecosystem
Researchers from Denmark, New Zealand, Australia, Spain and the U.S. have reconstructed the composition of phytoplankton communities around Antarctica over nearly three decades, the most comprehensive study of its kind to date.
August 11, 2025 — Source
Strategically bringing back beavers could support healthy and climate-resilient watersheds
After enduring centuries of hunting, habitat loss, and disease, North American beavers (Castor canadensis) are making a comeback—and bringing benefits for both humans and nature with them.
August 11, 2025 — Source
Study outlines new blueprint to help tackle the biodiversity impacts of farming
A study led by researchers at the University of Oxford, working closely with colleagues from Duurzame Zuivelketen (DZK), among others, has developed a framework to help agricultural sectors better contribute to global biodiversity targets without causing unintended harms.
August 11, 2025 — Source
The UK is losing its small fishing boats—and the communities they support
If you walk the harbor in Hastings in south-east England or the beach further north in Cromer at dawn, you'll see the signs of a centuries-old way of life: small boats landing their fresh catch and crews unloading crates of crab, lobster or bass.
August 11, 2025 — Source
Triple whammy: How 3 types of drought crippled southern Australia this year
Soaking mid-winter rains have brought some relief to drought-stricken farms and rural towns across southern Australia, but the crisis is not over yet.
August 11, 2025 — Source
When a beach walk feels like grief: Disasters like SA's algal bloom cut us off from nature when we need it most
In March 2025, surfers and swimmers were the first to notice the harmful algal bloom taking hold in South Australian waters. People catching waves at a popular break on the Fleurieu Peninsula later reported feeling sick with flu-like symptoms.
August 11, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — August 10th, 2025
Can We Alter the Ocean to Counter Climate Change Faster? This Experiment Aims to Find Out
As corporate interest in ocean carbon removal grows, researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution are testing the safety and effectiveness of one such technique in the Gulf of Maine.
August 10, 2025 — Source
Climate-fueled El Niño events are devastating butterflies, beetles and other tropical insects
Insects are arguably the most important animals on the planet. Their variety is unparalleled in nature, and they carry out vital tasks such as pollinating plants and providing food for other animals.
August 10, 2025 — Source
Our DNA analysis of 75,000-year-old bones in Arctic caves reveals how animals responded to changing climates
As the Arctic warms faster than anywhere else on Earth, animals that have evolved to survive the cold face unprecedented challenges. While scientists are learning more about how modern wildlife responds to environmental change, we still know little about how species coped in the past.
August 10, 2025 — Source
The Slow-Moving Fight to Clean New Jersey's Most Contaminated River
More than 40 years after the Passaic River was declared a Superfund site, cancer-causing toxins still line its bottom. While residents drink from its waters, cleanup stalls under corporate resistance and potential federal budget cuts.
August 10, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — August 9th, 2025
Atmospheric Rivers May be Diminishing on the West Coast and Surging in the East, Study Finds
Over a 20-year period, atmospheric rivers could double the amount of rain falling on part of the Southeast, the researchers found.
August 9, 2025 — Source
Great Barrier Reef records largest annual coral loss in 39 years
The Great Barrier Reef has experienced its greatest annual loss of live coral across most of its expanse in four decades of record-keeping, Australian authorities say.
August 9, 2025 — Source
New York declares total war on prolific rat population
New York is waging a war on multiple fronts to combat the near ubiquitous rats that plague city streets and the subways, leaving some residents afraid to let their children walk on sidewalks.
August 9, 2025 — Source
Viral Myanmar Earthquake Video Shows First Visual Evidence of Rare Seismic Phenomena
Now-famous CCTV footage from March confirms faulting dynamics that researchers could previously only infer.
August 9, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — August 8th, 2025
AI model enhances crop growth monitoring with minimal field data
A new method, which uses synthetic datasets and transfer learning to overcome data scarcity and variability, significantly outperforms conventional techniques in multi-year field trials.
August 8, 2025 — Source
Australia's Great Barrier Reef suffers record coral loss after fifth mass bleaching event
The largest annual decline in healthy coral covers over 39 years
August 8, 2025 — Source
Deep learning tool sets benchmark for accurate rice panicle counting across growth stages
By integrating large-kernel convolutional blocks and a novel loss function, LKNet effectively addresses challenges such as overlapping targets, annotation bias, and variability in panicle structure across growth stages. Tested on UAV imagery and multiple crop datasets, the model demonstrates superior performance and robustness, offering a high-throughput solution for precision agriculture and crop.
August 8, 2025 — Source
Environmentalist Lawsuit Halts Construction of Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz'
Environmental groups allege that officials broke federal law by rushing construction without attaining public input or an environmental impact statement.
August 8, 2025 — Source
Get ready for an active mid-August in the Atlantic
Several factors will be aligning to boost tropical activity.
August 8, 2025 — Source
How a rare cycad's wax crystals conjure blue without pigment
The endangered South African cycad Encephalartos horridus may resemble a relic from the Jurassic age, but the species itself evolved long after dinosaurs disappeared. Still, it carries a biochemical legacy inherited from its distant ancestors—plants that once thrived alongside Jurassic fauna. A team led by Hiroshima University (HU) researchers found that its spiky, silvery-blue leaves owe their color not to pigment, but to a wax-based optical effect produced by a lipid compound that may date back to the dawn of land plants.
August 8, 2025 — Source
How Big Is The Largest Wind Turbine In The World & How Much Electricity Can It Produce?
If you have ever seen a wind turbine in action, or simply being transported, you have an idea as to how massive they are. But have you ever wondered how big these things get in terms of sheer numbers? Looking at data from the U.S. Department of Energy, the average hub height of land-based wind turbines have steadily increased over the years. As of 2023, with an average hub height of 103 meters, the average land-based wind turbine in the U.S. is taller than the Statue of Liberty.
August 8, 2025 — Source
Led by Gen Z Activists, Community Opposition Mounts to Residential Development Next to South Jersey's Black Run Reserve
A developer wants to build 270 homes next to the reserve, but residents concerned about protecting fresh drinking water and unique animal habitats, among other issues, are pushing back.
August 8, 2025 — Source
Looking to Recycle an Old Laptop or Printer? Here's Where You Can Take It
You may be able to recycle old printers and PCs for free and even score store credit.
August 8, 2025 — Source
Mineral shortages could limit the low-carbon transition
These minerals, including silver and tin, are essential for the decarbonization of energy systems and ensuring less than 1.5 °C or 2 °C of global warming above pre-industrial levels by 2100. The findings highlight the need for strategies that address emissions reductions and mineral resource security, improved recycling, materials substitution and international cooperation.
August 8, 2025 — Source
National Academies to fast-track a new climate assessment
Move comes in response to government's questioning of climate science.
August 8, 2025 — Source
North Atlantic faces more hurricane clusters as climate warms
Tropical cyclones, commonly known as typhoons or hurricanes, can form in clusters and impact coastal regions back-to-back. For example, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria hit the U.S. sequentially within one month in 2017. The Federal Emergency Management Agency failed to provide adequate support to hurricane victims in Puerto Rico when Maria struck because most rescue resources and specialized disaster staffers were deployed for the responses to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
August 8, 2025 — Source
Public data reveal extent of air quality impacts during 2025 Los Angeles wildfires
In early 2025, wildfires spread in Los Angeles, destroying tens of thousands of homes and businesses. During the fires, smoke blanketed the region and online maps provided residents with rapid air quality information.
August 8, 2025 — Source
Record Krill Catch Prompts Early End to Fishing Season in Antarctica and Growing Calls to Protect its Fragile Ecosystems
The unprecedented haul is intensifying concerns over increasing strain from industrial fishing and climate change on marine life in the Southern Ocean, especially whales and penguins.
August 8, 2025 — Source
Study unveils novel approach that turns cotton straw into eco-friendly products
A new study led by Dr. Duo Jia from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences unveils a novel and environmentally friendly approach to remediating saline-alkali soils using cotton straw, a by-product of agricultural practices.
August 8, 2025 — Source
Telomere-to-telomere assembly of two Medicago genomes uncovers evolutionary landscape of plant centromeres
In an advance in legume genomics, researchers from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (IGDB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have produced the first gap-free, telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genome assemblies for two model Medicago species.
August 8, 2025 — Source
Towards better earthquake risk assessment with machine learning and geological survey data
"A building is only as strong as its foundation" is a common adage to signify the importance of having a stable and solid base to build upon. The type and design of foundation are important for ensuring the structural safety of a building.
August 8, 2025 — Source
Trump moves to kill $7 billion in solar panel grants
President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday moved to kill a $7 billion program designed to bring rooftop solar to low-income and disadvantaged communities across the United States.
August 8, 2025 — Source
Tsunami detectives at work: Marine geologists discuss the science behind the destructive waves
Towering walls of water traveling at the speed of a jetliner, with coastal communities from Japan and Hawaii to South America and the U.S. West Coast in their path.
August 8, 2025 — Source
Vision model brings almost unsupervised crop segmentation to the field
By leveraging a vision foundation model called Depth Anything V2, the method can accurately segment crops across diverse environments—field, lab, and aerial—reducing both time and cost in agricultural data preparation.
August 8, 2025 — Source
'Where's the Money Going?': Why Brazilian Towns Awash With Royalties From Oil Are Still Among the Poorest
Though 60 miles (100km) apart, the Brazilian municipalities of Presidente Kennedy in Espírito Santo state and Campos dos Goytacazes in Rio de Janeiro state have one big thing in common: oil. Since late in the last century, their public funds have been bolstered by billions in royalties from oil finds in the offshore Campos Basin.
August 8, 2025 — Source
Why you might get bumped from a flight during a heat wave
Hot air makes it harder for engines to get a plane airborne -- a problem that is set to get more common as the climate warms.
August 8, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — August 4th, 2025
How California can cash in on federal incentives for green power before they disappear
California is often criticized for high electricity costs and slow development timelines. But critics confuse the real reasons for this problem. According to California's utility regulators, power bills are soaring because of drought, wildfires and an antiquated approach to rooftop solar.
August 4, 2025 — Source
'Let's go fly a kite': Capturing wind for clean energy in Ireland
On Ireland's blustery western seaboard researchers are gleefully flying giant kites—not for fun but in the hope of generating renewable electricity and sparking a "revolution" in wind energy.
August 4, 2025 — Source
National parks are key conservation areas for wildlife and natural resources
The United States' national parks have an inherent contradiction. The federal law that created the National Park Service says the agency—and the parks—must "conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife ... unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."
August 4, 2025 — Source
Over 50 million Americans struggle to pay an energy bill
Proposed cuts to the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program may leave people without heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer.
August 4, 2025 — Source
Previously unreported 'plant destroyers' detected in Minnesota
University of Minnesota researchers found 14 previously unreported species of Phytophthora in the state. These devastating water molds are known for causing extensive damage and economic losses to nurseries, forest stands and landscapes worldwide.
August 4, 2025 — Source
Scientists Pinpoint Cause of Massive Sea Star Die-Offs, and Suspect a Link to Global Warming
Outbreaks from ocean pathogens that can be deadly to marine life and even threaten humans are more frequent in overheated waters.
August 4, 2025 — Source
The man-made marvels off Western Australia's coast
If you stand on a Western Australian beach and gaze into the sunset, you'll see stunning reds, oranges, yellows and purples dancing over deep blue waves that stretch into infinity.
August 4, 2025 — Source
We're not minimizing the cost of the net zero transition—these reforms will help
Getting our response to climate change right will be crucial to getting Australia back on the path to productivity growth.
August 4, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — August 3rd, 2025
Smoke from Canadian wildfires brings unhealthy air to large swaths of the Midwest
Smoke from Canadian wildfires hovered over several Midwestern states Saturday, bringing warnings of unhealthy air for at least the third day.
August 3, 2025 — Source
Sweden, an Early Climate Leader, Is Retreating From Its Environmental Commitments, Part of an EU Trend
As the U.S. abandons international climate agreements, the EU is hesitating to lead. A once-admired Nordic nation's backtracking on its climate goals offers clues as to why.
August 3, 2025 — Source
Unplugging these 7 common household devices greatly reduced my electricity bill
You've probably heard of 'vampire devices,' but you might be surprised at how many electronics in your home are quietly sapping power.
August 3, 2025 — Source
Virginia's Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Embraces Renewables, Natural Gas and Community Planning for Data Centers
Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger strikes a different tone than the current Republican administration and wants to expand energy possibilities.
August 3, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — August 2nd, 2025
Marine Tourism in Mexico Remains Damaging to Wildlife Despite Regulations, Research Finds
Each year, thousands of tourists travel to Mexico to see humpback whales and swim with whale sharks. Although existing government guidelines seek to ensure such tourism remains safe for marine wildlife, recent studies document harmful practices.
August 2, 2025 — Source
New push to reach plastic pollution pact
Negotiators will take another stab at reaching a global pact on plastic pollution at talks opening Tuesday in Geneva but they face deep divisions over how to tackle the health and ecological hazard.
August 2, 2025 — Source
'Sleeping Giant' Fault Under Canada Shows Major Earthquake Potential
The Tintina fault hasn't produced a large earthquake in 12,000 years, but that could soon change, researchers warn.
August 2, 2025 — Source
The Tricky Problem of 'Zombie' Fires
As the Earth warms and soils dry out, underground fires are becoming more of a concern for the environment and for public health.
August 2, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — August 1st, 2025
A warming climate means more mosquito bites
As temperatures rise, mosquitoes are thriving. And urban dwellers may be especially vulnerable to mosquito-borne illness.
August 1, 2025 — Source
Climate-protecting carbon sinks of EU forests are declining
Forests cover about 40% of the EU's land area. Between 1990 and 2022, they absorbed around 10% of the continent's man-made carbon emissions. However, the carbon dioxide absorption capacity of forests, also known as carbon sinks, is becoming increasingly weaker.
August 1, 2025 — Source
Drought has a limited effect on tropical-tree growth—but hotter planet threatens that resilience
The top-line findings of a massive analysis of the growth rate of more than 20,000 tropical trees in more than 30 countries may at first seem reassuring: that droughts over the past century have had a minimal effect on their growth. Because tropical forests play a crucial role in naturally sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere—combating global warming—the trees' resilience should be a relief.
August 1, 2025 — Source
Eco-friendly sensor enables rapid detection of pharmaceutical contaminants in water
Researchers developed a carbon nanofiber-based sensor that detects two drugs at once in water, offering a sensitive, low-cost, eco-friendly monitoring solution.
August 1, 2025 — Source
Groundwater depletion sinks home prices in California's Central Valley
A UC Riverside study has found that as land in California's Central Valley sinks due to excessive groundwater pumping, so do local housing values.
August 1, 2025 — Source
Here's how you can make your garden a safe and biodiverse space for urban wildlife
Biodiversity is essential to mitigating and adapting to climate change, enhancing the resilience of ecosystems and safeguarding the ecological functions that all living beings depend on for survival.
August 1, 2025 — Source
In Rural Puerto Rico, Water Systems Depend on Volunteers—and Threatened Federal Grants
Across the archipelago, community leaders and academic partners are collaborating to bridge funding gaps and ensure disconnected residents maintain water access as storms grow stronger.
August 1, 2025 — Source
Is 'heat dome' overhyped? Why some meteorologists dislike this term
A closer look at the buzzy phrase dominating summer forecasts.
August 1, 2025 — Source
Key gene OsBZR4 for regulating embryoless rice traits shows agricultural potential
Rice seed development is crucial for determining both crop yield and grain quality. The embryo and endosperm—specialized structures for propagation and nutrient storage, respectively—must grow in a coordinated manner to ensure the viability of the seed.
August 1, 2025 — Source
Marine climate interventions can have unintended consequences—we need to manage the risks
The world's oceans are being rapidly transformed as climate change intensifies. Corals are bleaching, sea levels are rising, and seawater is becoming more acidic—making life difficult for shellfish and reef-building corals. All this and more is unfolding on our watch, with profound consequences for marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them.
August 1, 2025 — Source
Most US homes can save money and affordably weather blackouts with solar plus storage
Most U.S. households could reduce their electricity costs and endure power outages by installing rooftop solar panels and battery packs, according to a new Stanford University study, though people may need to buy the equipment by Dec. 31.
August 1, 2025 — Source
Private Companies Step up to Gather Weather Data for NOAA as Staffing Cuts Hobble Agency Forecasting
WindBorne Systems is one of several companies launching balloons, drones, buoys and other devices to provide critical data to the beleaguered agency's National Weather Service, but they can't fill all the gaps.
August 1, 2025 — Source
Real-time measuring method extends lifespan and enhances safety of batteries
Powerful, safe batteries are a key component in the success of electric mobility. This makes measuring a battery's capacity and state a crucial factor. The most informative method of doing this is impedance spectroscopy. Impedance itself cannot be measured directly; instead, it is calculated from the relationship between current and voltage. Impedance provides information on the battery's state of charge (SoC) and permits conclusions regarding its state of health (SoH, i.e., the condition inside the battery, where the cathode, anode and electrolyte are located) or its safety status.
August 1, 2025 — Source
Remote detection system developed for wind turbine blade damage
Maintaining wind turbines and identifying potential vulnerabilities is expensive and time-consuming, especially when they are located offshore. As a result, rotor blades are often simply replaced, a costly process when damage is merely suspected. The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, working in concert with the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES, has developed a solution that can be used to identify cracks and breakage inside the blades remotely at an early stage.
August 1, 2025 — Source
Satellite data reveals 15-year trends in forest carbon storage worldwide
Forests play a central role in the global carbon cycle as trees store carbon in their trunks, branches, roots and leaves. However, climate change and human activities can change the ability of forests to absorb carbon and the annual changes in these carbon stocks are highly variable in space and time around the globe. That's why having continuous observations of the evolution of forest biomass over a long period is important for monitoring this essential climate variable.
August 1, 2025 — Source
Study links European electricity price surges to geopolitical events, not extreme weather
Geopolitical shocks are much more likely to trigger price bubbles in the British and European electricity markets than extreme weather events—and they are predictable, new academic research concludes.
August 1, 2025 — Source
Study reveals optimal planting way for sustainable high-quality tea production in forest habitats
Tea (Camellia sinensis) is an important cash crop and the most widely consumed beverage in the world. The global tea industry, particularly the booming Pu'er market, has increasingly relied on converting forests to monoculture plantations for higher productivity. This has raised alarms over soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and deteriorating tea quality
August 1, 2025 — Source
This Detroit startup is turning to utilities to make home efficiency upgrades cheaper
Ask any homeowner: Renovation projects are no fun at all. From finding a contractor to determining a fair price, the process is rife with uncertainty.
August 1, 2025 — Source
The hidden mental health cost of climate distress
A new Stanford-led study sheds light on "an emerging psychological health crisis" that disproportionately affects girls. Published July 30 in The Lancet Planetary Health, the study is among the first to quantify how repeated climate stressors impact the psychological well-being and future outlook of adolescents in low-resource settings.
August 1, 2025 — Source
The Pacific Dodged a Monster Tsunami After One of the Biggest Quakes Ever. Here's Why
An 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula shook the Pacific, but its tsunami fizzled. A geologist explains why.
August 1, 2025 — Source
The Republican campaign to stop the U.S. EPA from protecting the climate
An audacious effort to destroy climate regulations is likely headed for a showdown at the Supreme Court.
August 1, 2025 — Source
Ultra-low gossypol cottonseed takes next step toward humanitarian use
Texas A&M AgriLife Research has reached a major milestone in increasing the value of cotton, marking the initial step toward commercial adoption of food-ingredient cottonseed. This innovative development was led by Keerti Rathore, Ph.D., AgriLife Research plant biotechnologist in the Texas A&M Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.
August 1, 2025 — Source
Uncovering an ancient mechanism of growth and development in land plants
Researchers at the Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), have uncovered a long-sought mechanism employed by primitive land plants such as bryophytes (including mosses and liverwort) to regulate plant growth—a mechanism that is conserved in more recently evolved flowering plants.
August 1, 2025 — Source
Using starlight to measure greenhouse gases
University of Warwick astronomers, in partnership with institutions in Spain, are showing how astronomy tools, that are usually used to study stars, can be repurposed as climate sensors, helping us track how Earth's atmosphere is changing in the face of global warming.
August 1, 2025 — Source
Vast majority of new US power plants generate solar or wind power
The grid is becoming cleaner thanks to projects that have been in the works for years.
August 1, 2025 — Source
Why some underwater earthquakes cause tsunamis—and others, just little ripples
After a massive earthquake off the coast of Kamchatka, a peninsula in the far east of Russia, on July 30, 2025, the world watched as the resultant tsunami spread from the epicenter and across the Pacific Ocean at the speed of a jet plane.
August 1, 2025 — Source
Wild Video Captures Alien-Like Creatures Thriving in the Deepest Ocean Ecosystem
Researchers have discovered a highly specialized community of sea creatures living 6 miles beneath the ocean surface—deeper than any found before.
August 1, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — July 29th, 2025
Algal blooms are waging chemical warfare in our oceans
But off South Australia's coast, these same organisms have unleashed a toxic bloom that's closed beaches, shut down oyster farms and left marine life dead by the thousands.
July 29, 2025 — Source
As Climate-Related Wastewater Threats Grow, U.S. and Mexico Sign a Deal to End the Tijuana Sewage Crisis
Under the agreement, the countries are committed to updating outdated wastewater infrastructure to handle higher flows.
July 29, 2025 — Source
Assessing photovoltaic-heat pump systems for social housing retrofits
Researchers at the University of the Basque Country (EHU) have explored how a combination of photovoltaic energy and heat pumps could be used to carry out the energy retrofitting of social rental housing. Published in Building and Environment, the Basque Government's Zero Plan was used as the basis, and the technologies that the European Union is keen to promote were assessed. The buildings in Araba-Álava were generally found to offer the greatest potential for implementing the system.
July 29, 2025 — Source
Brace for the Most Expensive Coffee Yet, as Trump's Tariffs Mix With the Climate Crisis
From drought-stricken farms to rising trade barriers, the global coffee industry is facing unprecedented strain.
July 29, 2025 — Source
Digital twins are reinventing clean energy — but there's a catch
Researchers are exploring AI-powered digital twins as a game-changing tool to accelerate the clean energy transition. These digital models simulate and optimize real-world energy systems like wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, and biomass. But while they hold immense promise for improving efficiency and sustainability, the technology is still riddled with challenges—from environmental variability and degraded equipment modeling to data scarcity and complex biological processes.
July 29, 2025 — Source
Cheyenne to host massive AI data center using more electricity than all Wyoming homes combined
An artificial intelligence data center that would use more electricity than every home in Wyoming combined before expanding to as much as five times that size will be built soon near Cheyenne, according to the city's mayor.
July 29, 2025 — Source
Earth's Wetlands Are Disappearing and Global Efforts to Save Them Are Unraveling
More than 170 countries have gathered to save critical ecosystems. But the U.S. was a no-show for most of the summit and Russia said it will withdraw from the wetlands treaty.
July 29, 2025 — Source
Global databases reveal how climate shapes soil fungal traits
Many soil microbes play a vital role in ecosystems, as they help plants access nutrients and water and assist in stress tolerance, such as during drought, and to defend against pathogens.
July 29, 2025 — Source
Great Lakes offshore wind could power the region and beyond
Offshore wind power could provide far more electricity (PDF) than the U.S. uses (PDF) for residential, commercial and industrial purposes. But the federal government has recently stopped approving offshore projects in the ocean (PDF).
July 29, 2025 — Source
Lake ecosystem health declines as acoustic sensors track underwater powerboat disturbances
Large surface waves produced by powerboats are a mainstay for recreational watersports. A new study from the University of Minnesota shows that beneath the surface, factors such as propeller thrust and other types of waves can impact delicate lakebed ecosystems.
July 29, 2025 — Source
Machine learning improves accuracy of climate models—particularly for compound extreme events
Researchers have devised a new machine learning method to improve large-scale climate model projections and demonstrated that the new tool makes the models more accurate at both the global and regional level. This advance should provide policymakers with improved climate projections that can be used to inform policy and planning decisions.
July 29, 2025 — Source
Nations Denounce Deep Sea Mining Company's Bid to Exploit Metals in the Pacific Under US Law
A U.S. subsidiary of The Metals Co., based in Vancouver, has applied for permits to mine a deep sea zone in international waters under an executive order issued in April by President Donald Trump.
July 29, 2025 — Source
Need to Recycle an Old Laptop or Printer? Here's Where to Take It
You can recycle old printers and PCs for free and even score store credit.
July 29, 2025 — Source
Robotic machine helps rescue wood from the scrap heap
A device in use near San Francisco automates the labor-intensive process of extracting metal fasteners from salvaged lumber so the wood can be used again.
July 29, 2025 — Source
Scientists issue urgent call ahead of final plastics treaty talks
With the final round of UN negotiations on a global plastics treaty fast approaching, a group of over 60 leading scientists from around the world has issued an urgent call for governments to agree on ambitious, enforceable action to tackle plastic pollution, such as reducing plastic production and prioritizing human health.
July 29, 2025 — Source
To protect coral reefs, we must also protect the people who depend on them
Coral reefs are vital ecosystems that sustain millions of people, yet they face a growing crisis. Rising ocean temperatures are causing coral bleaching, a process where heat disrupts the relationship between corals and the microalgae living inside them. If the stress continues, the corals may die.
July 29, 2025 — Source
Tracking precipitation data, doorbells may help lower water bill
Doorbell cameras are already used for home security. But what if they could save you money on your water bill?
July 29, 2025 — Source
Trump Promised a Drilling Boom. The New Rigs Haven't Showed Up Yet
With clean energy more cost-competitive than it once was, the White House's oil-first strategy is faltering in a changing energy landscape.
July 29, 2025 — Source
Warmer with a chance of ice: Hailstorms could hit Australian cities harder
New research from UNSW shows climate change could cause hailstorms to get worse in some of Australia's most densely populated cities.
July 29, 2025 — Source
Why modern masculinity is a climate issue
What does masculinity have to do with the climate? A surprising amount.
July 29, 2025 — Source
Wildfire Evacuees and Asylum Seekers Strain Niagara Falls' Housing Capacity During Tourism Season
As wildfires plague Manitoba, the city's leaders say they are happy to help but complain that Canada's national government doesn't consult them when contracting area hotels to provide emergency housing.
July 29, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — July 27th, 2025
Alabama Research Center Works to Understand 'One of the Last Great Wild Places'
What conservationists study and document at Paint Rock Valley will inform and influence biodiversity strategies across the globe.
July 27, 2025 — Source
Eco-friendly 3D-printed house uses soil, not cement — building still scores top earthquake resistance rating
The material reminds us of wattle and daub, a home building material harking back 6,000 years.
July 27, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — July 26th, 2025
Belgian region grapples with forever chemical scandal
A water contamination scandal has gripped a leafy corner of southern Belgium, causing anxious residents to queue up for blood tests to confirm potential exposure to so-called forever chemicals.
July 26, 2025 — Source
Floods and Other Disasters Kill More People at Night, but Not for the Reasons You Think
It's not just that it's dark and people are asleep. Urban sprawl, confirmation bias, and other factors can play a role.
July 26, 2025 — Source
This aerogel and some sun could make saltwater drinkable
Previous aerogels didn't work on a scale that was large enough to matter.
July 26, 2025 — Source
Turning local know-how into European solutions for smarter bio-based farming
Farmers and foresters across Europe are sharing sustainable bio-based practices and technologies, showing how local knowledge and European collaboration can help drive the transition to a greener future.
July 26, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — July 25th, 2025
Activists Pledge to Resist Any Federal Effort to Lift Fracking Ban in Delaware River Basin
Fracking supporters have long tried to get around the ban. Environmentalists worry the interstate agency that imposed it is facing pressure from the Trump administration.
July 25, 2025 — Source
As oceans warm, tropical fish are moving south. New friendships may be helping them survive
When you think about climate change in our oceans, you may picture coral bleaching, melting sea ice, or extreme weather events. But beneath the ocean's surface, another quiet shift is underway. Australia's tropical fish are heading south into cooler waters.
July 25, 2025 — Source
Dealing with wildfires requires a whole-of-society approach
As the summer heat intensifies, people across Canada are facing the full brunt of wildfire season. Communities are being evacuated and properties are being destroyed as fires grow in size.
July 25, 2025 — Source
Design strategies for reshaping stability and sustainability of perovskite solar cells
A research team from the School of Engineering (SENG) at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has introduced comprehensive bio-inspired multiscale design strategies to address key challenges in the commercialization of perovskite solar cells: long-term operational stability. Drawing inspiration from natural systems, these strategies aim to enhance the efficiency, resilience, and adaptability of solar technologies.
July 25, 2025 — Source
Detroit advocate helps girls of color lead on climate
Her book, 'Sage Sails the World,' aims to inspire kids to get involved.
July 25, 2025 — Source
Discarded ancient 'trash' now protecting Georgia barrier islands
Penn State Assistant Professor of Anthropology Jacob Holland-Lulewicz is among a group of archaeologists who have spent years conducting research on the barrier islands off the coast of Georgia. The islands have changed shape and even numbers over the centuries, with Hurricane Irma splitting one into two distinct masses in 2018 and potential changes on the horizon now that the current hurricane season is underway.
July 25, 2025 — Source
Earth's Unusual Rapid Spin Could Prompt First-Ever 'Negative Leap Second'
Since 2020, Earth has been rotating unusually fast on its axis, leading scientists to consider whether we should correct for the shorter days.
July 25, 2025 — Source
Energy-efficient strategies may produce 10 times more health benefits in Eastern Europe than in Western Europe
In order to achieve this goal, it is imperative that EU countries' energy policies and strategies quantify both the health and climate impacts of the air pollution generated from electricity use because these burdens vary substantially by country, region, and energy source, according to a new study by Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
July 25, 2025 — Source
Fact-Checking Claims About a Proposed Hyperscale Data Center
The developer behind the $14.5 billion project in Alabama has suggested residents' concerns are based on misinformation. Here's what we know about the project and its impacts.
July 25, 2025 — Source
Global Soil Biodiversity Observatory begins to take concrete shape to protect life below ground
Expanding efforts to measure, monitor and protect soil biodiversity around the world will intensify further with the establishment of the Global Soil Biodiversity Observatory, to be led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and serving as a global reference for scientific collaboration and policy design.
July 25, 2025 — Source
High-elevation tropical forest soils in Colombian Andes found rich in carbon from past fires
The soil in high-elevation, cooler, drier tropical forests in the Colombian Andes stores more carbon from fires than lower, warmer regions, new research shows.
July 25, 2025 — Source
'It's not over': An open letter to David Suzuki
The famed scientist and environmentalist recently said the fight against climate change is over. That's not honest realism -- it's depressing cynicism.
July 25, 2025 — Source
Illegal fishing in marine protected areas—satellites and AI show most bans are respected
Marine protected areas cover more than 8% of the world's oceans today, but they can get a bad rap as being protected on paper only.
July 25, 2025 — Source
Puerto Rico's community-owned solar power: Alternative to frequent blackouts
Enid Medina Guzman always has candles on hand—not for creating ambiance, but because one of the blackouts that plague Puerto Rico could strike at any time.
July 25, 2025 — Source
Record marine heat waves in 2023 covered 96% of oceans, lasted four times longer than average
Heat waves aren't just getting worse on land, the majority of the world's oceans are experiencing record-breaking temperatures too. These marine heat waves are getting longer, more intense and reaching farther than ever before. In particular, 2023's marine heat waves (MHWs) exhibited the longest duration, widest extents, and highest intensities on record—and 2024 wasn't any better.
July 25, 2025 — Source
Scientists develop dynamic landslide prediction method using hydrological and machine learning data
Northwestern University and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) scientists have developed a new process-based framework that provides a more accurate and dynamic approach to landslide prediction over large areas.
July 25, 2025 — Source
Scuba diving tourism dollars flow into ocean protection and local communities worldwide
The global scuba diving tourism industry generates up to around $20 billion US per year, finds a study published in Cell Reports Sustainability. This revenue helps boost local economies by employing local people and supports marine conservation initiatives both by raising funds and increasing public awareness.
July 25, 2025 — Source
Study finds plant alkaloid triggers unique two-phase response in cell cleanup process
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba have discovered a unique biphasic cellular response triggered by tetrandrine, a naturally occurring alkaloid containing nitrogen.
July 25, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — July 22nd, 2025
Atomic-level platinum catalyst boosts carbon monoxide removal from air
Platinum selenaide is a two-dimensional material formed by the layered combination of platinum (Pt) and selenium (Se). Its excellent crystallinity and precise control of interlayer interactions allow for the modulation of various physical and chemical properties. It has been actively researched in various fields, such as semiconductors, photodetectors, and electrochemical devices.
July 22, 2025 — Source
Burn Scars Can Exacerbate Flooding, Posing Compounding Climate Hazards
Wildfires can burn so hot that they give rise to water-repellent soil, which could make ecosystems more susceptible to flooding.
July 22, 2025 — Source
Canadian Company Exits Contentious Uranium Mining Project in Western Alaska
Opponents cautiously celebrate, but the owner of the mining claims is looking for a new partner.
July 22, 2025 — Source
Data from 1,000 farms over 13 years suggests agricultural survival depends on being flexible without losing stability
A study by UCO's Department of Agricultural Economics, Finance and Accounting identifies stability and flexibility as the two components of farms' economic resilience and underscores the need for more targeted agricultural policies to ensure their effectiveness.
July 22, 2025 — Source
How young people have taken climate justice to the world's international courts
The opinion carries significant legal, moral and political weight: since states often refer to advisory opinions when shaping policies, judges cite them for decisions and they're used by civil society to hold governments accountable. An advisory opinion can influence shifting governance and principles governing it. I like to think of it as a northern star—it won't change the reality but can guide potential outcomes and pave the way for future change.
July 22, 2025 — Source
Igniting response to wildfires: The power of metaphors
As wind-whipped walls of flame destroyed hundreds of Los Angeles-area residences last January, one media report framed the disastrous wildfires in beastly terms, saying they were "ripping through homes." The report then shifted to militaristic imagery: "Firefighters here have an uphill battle."
July 22, 2025 — Source
Microsoft's climate math gets creative: AI emissions are out, sludge is in
Microsoft's carbon credits are full of crap -- literally
July 22, 2025 — Source
Naval Postgraduate School launches sustainable buoy to advance research
Located about 3 miles offshore and 5 miles north of the Naval Postgraduate School is a first-of-its-kind ocean-sensing buoy. With 5G technologies and solar panels built in, the buoy has the capabilities to collect oceanographic and meteorological data 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the next three years.
July 22, 2025 — Source
New model indicates 320 million trees are killed by lightning each year—considerable biomass loss
Lightning has a greater impact on forests than previously thought. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed new model calculations that, for the first time, estimate the global influence of lightning on forest ecosystems.
July 22, 2025 — Source
Novel Sonication Method Creates Realistic Nanoplastics for Pollution Research
Scientists have developed a simple sonication method to create nanoplastics that closely mimic environmental particles, promising more realistic studies of their ecological impact.
July 22, 2025 — Source
Ocean warming slows growth of even hardy Caribbean coral species
A long-term study investigating the growth of corals in the Caribbean over the past century has shown that even stress-tolerant species of corals are finding it difficult to adapt to increasing ocean temperatures and other human-induced factors such as coastal pollution and overfishing.
July 22, 2025 — Source
Overlooked climate-change danger: Wildfire smoke
"I was on vacation in Western Massachusetts, and on that day, there was something kind of sparkly about the air," Mickley recalled. "I'd never seen anything like it, and I said to my husband, "What's going on?" I'm an atmospheric chemist—I should know, right?"
July 22, 2025 — Source
Potential Repeal of Roadless Rule Could Permanently Damage Midwest National Forests
Regional experts believe eliminating the 2001 rule could impact the carbon capturing ability, fire resistance and integrity of the region's forests.
July 22, 2025 — Source
Recycled glass helps build sustainability into construction
Recycled glass could become a staple ingredient in building, paving the way for greener construction materials and more sustainable development.
July 22, 2025 — Source
Researchers use AI to identify landslides and target disaster response
Researchers from the University of Cambridge are using AI to speed up landslide detection following major earthquakes and extreme rainfall events—buying valuable time to coordinate relief efforts and reduce humanitarian impacts.
July 22, 2025 — Source
Simple filter method boosts rare earth element recovery from electronic waste
Rare earth elements sustain the Information Age, and securing a supply of these metals has become a matter of national and economic security. They're ubiquitous in our smart technologies, high-performance materials and industrial catalysts. Yet reclaiming them is complex, dangerous and expensive.
July 22, 2025 — Source
Study on 'blue economy' shows interdependence between Brazil's coastal and inland regions
A study conducted by researchers from the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil has revealed the structure of the so-called "blue economy" in the country—the set of economic activities that depend directly on marine resources. Using an interregional input-output model, the researchers mapped the direct and indirect impacts of these activities. This highlighted the economic importance of the coast and its deep connection with the country's interior.
July 22, 2025 — Source
South Australia's algal bloom may shrink over winter—but this model suggests it will spread to new areas in summer
South Australia is desperate for help to tackle an unprecedented harmful algal bloom that has decimated marine life up and down the coast. While the extent of the damage is still unknown, my preliminary research suggests there's no end in sight. It may just get better over winter before it gets worse next summer.
July 22, 2025 — Source
Synthetic microbial communities greatly promote compost material transformation and crop growth
A research team led by Prof. Li Dejun from the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has made significant strides in using synthetic microbial communities (SynCom) to enhance lignocellulose degradation, improve compost transformation and promote crop growth.
July 22, 2025 — Source
These must-read story series explore our climate-changed world
From first-person accounts to scientific explorations, these reads will help you deeply understand our changing climate.
July 22, 2025 — Source
Three things veteran planetary health investors look for in a startup
Ask any founder or investor: Fundraising is never easy. And in a market with this level of uncertainty, the difficulties are compounded.
July 22, 2025 — Source
UK gives green light to £38 bn Sizewell C nuclear plant
The UK government on Tuesday gave new British nuclear power plant Sizewell C the final go-ahead after reaching a deal with investors, aiming to bolster net zero and energy security goals.
July 22, 2025 — Source
Want To Fight Climate Change? Give Afro-Descendant Communities Land Rights, New Report Says
A peer-reviewed study found Afro-descendant territories outperform comparable lands in preventing forest loss thanks to centuries of sustainable land management practices.
July 22, 2025 — Source
Win for chemical industry as EPA shutters scientific research office
Companies feared rules and lawsuits based on Office of Research and Development assessments.
July 22, 2025 — Source
Yellowstone aspen showing signs of recovery following 1995 reintroduction of wolves to park
Yellowstone National Park is celebrating an ecological milestone along with a key anniversary this summer, Oregon State University researchers report.
July 22, 2025 — Source
You Can Recycle Your Old Computers and Printers for Free. Here's Where to Take Them
By trading in your old printers and PCs, you could even snag store credit at some places.
July 22, 2025 — Source
You Don't Want to Know Where Scientists Just Found 27 Million Tons of Plastic
Despite the hundreds of millions of metric tons of plastic floating in our oceans—not to mention the microplastics in our saliva, blood, breast milk, and semen—researchers have been unable to account for all the plastic ever produced. A new study has just tracked down a large portion of it.
July 22, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — July 20th, 2025
Are You a Customer of PJM? Its Capacity Auction Will Affect Your Electricity Prices in 2026
Surging data center demand and sluggish clean energy growth are converging as PJM, the pivotal power grid operator, awaits capacity auction results.
July 20, 2025 — Source
Efforts to Reduce Toxic Algae in Lake Erie Appear to Be Making Progress. Now They Face State and Federal Cuts
With fewer resources, researchers and advocates are still working to understand how climate change will impact their efforts to contain annual cyanobacteria blooms.
July 20, 2025 — Source
Hong Kong hit by strong winds, heavy rain as Typhoon Wipha skirts past
Hong Kong was battered by strong winds and heavy rain on Sunday as Typhoon Wipha skirted along China's southern coast, with fallen trees and collapsed scaffolding spotted across the city.
July 20, 2025 — Source
Japan sees bright future for ultra-thin, flexible solar panels
Japan is heavily investing in a new kind of ultra-thin, flexible solar panel that it hopes will help it meet renewable energy goals while challenging China's dominance of the sector.
July 20, 2025 — Source
Out in the Storm
LGBTQ+ Americans are organizing disaster protection for each other as political weather worsens.
July 20, 2025 — Source
Restoring sea floor after mining may not be possible, researchers warn
Scientists present at the latest effort to hash out international rules for deep-sea mining say it's unclear if it's possible to restore damaged seafloor ecosystems—or how long it would take.
July 20, 2025 — Source
South Korea rain death toll hits 17, with 11 missing
Heavy rain in South Korea has killed at least 17 people in recent days, government records showed Sunday, while 11 remain unaccounted for in the intense downpours.
July 20, 2025 — Source
We detected deep pulses beneath Africa—what we learned could help us understand volcanic activity
Earth's continents may look fixed on a globe, but they've been drifting, splitting and reforming over billions of years—and they still are. Our new study reveals fresh evidence of rhythmic pulses of molten rock rising beneath east Africa, reshaping our understanding of how continents break apart.
July 20, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — July 19th, 2025
18x more floods, 105% bigger storms — all from a single clear-cut
New research finds long-term impacts on flood size and frequency decades after trees are removed
July 19, 2025 — Source
A futuristic polar station is set to make history in the Arctic
Over 25 years, the Tara Polar Station will study climate change's impact in the Arctic.
July 19, 2025 — Source
A mushroom casket marks a first for 'green burials' in the US
A biodegradable casket made from mushrooms is one way to limit waste.
July 19, 2025 — Source
Canada wildfires burn area the size of Croatia
Canada's wildfires have burned more than 13.6 million acres (5.5 million hectares) this year, an area roughly the size of Croatia, officials said Friday as the country endures one of its most destructive fire seasons.
July 19, 2025 — Source
Dead Sea's salt giants reveal how massive salt deposits form over time
The Dead Sea is a confluence of extraordinary conditions: the lowest point on Earth's land surface, with one of the world's highest salinities. The high concentration of salt gives it a correspondingly high density, and the water body's status as the deepest hypersaline lake gives rise to interesting and often temperature-related phenomena below the water's surface that researchers are still uncovering.
July 19, 2025 — Source
Is Climate Change an Existential Threat?
If a 60-mile-wide (100-kilometer-wide) asteroid slammed into Earth tomorrow, it would render the planet inhospitable to nearly all life forms, save for the hardiest extremophiles. This mass extinction event would wipe humanity off the face of the Earth—there would be no survivors.
July 19, 2025 — Source
Machine learning uncovers 10 times more earthquakes in Yellowstone caldera
Yellowstone, a popular tourist destination and namesake of an equally popular TV show, was the first-ever national park in the United States. And bubbling beneath it—to this day—is one of Earth's most seismically active networks of volcanic activity.
July 19, 2025 — Source
Myanmar earthquake's fault rupture exceeded seismic wave speeds, offering rare evidence of supershear
The first studies of the 28 March 2025 magnitude 7.8 Myanmar earthquake suggest that the southern portion of its rupture occurred at supershear velocity, reaching speeds of 5 to 6 kilometers per second.
July 19, 2025 — Source
US environment agency axes nearly a quarter of workforce
The US Environmental Protection Agency said Friday it was moving ahead with plans to ax its workforce by more than 3,700 employees, as part of sweeping government cuts under President Donald Trump's second term.
July 19, 2025 — Source
What Trump's Budget Cuts Mean for Disaster Preparedness
As floods and fires ravage the U.S., communities will increasingly be "flying blind."
July 19, 2025 — Source
Wyoming's Crowded Lonesome Lake Tops EPA's National Survey for Fecal Contamination
Environmental regulators have launched an investigation into a heavily trafficked lake below the Cirque of the Towers in the Wind River Range, with an enterococci reading 384 times the safety threshold
July 19, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — July 18th, 2025
Analysts Expect More Oil and Gas Mergers. What Could That Mean for the Climate?
It depends on multiple factors. But as one expert put it, “if they’re not producing those barrels of oil, somebody else will.”
July 18, 2025 — Source
As summers heat up, air conditioning becomes a right in some places
A Maryland county now requires landlords to provide cooling in most rentals, treating it as essential for tenant health.
July 18, 2025 — Source
How Google's Android earthquake detection system can save lives
If you're in an earthquake-prone area and own an Android phone, it could save your life. It may even have already done so. The Android Earthquake Alert (AEA) system, which began in the U.S. in 2020 and has since expanded globally, sends an automatic alert approximately one minute before the ground starts shaking. That can be enough time to take cover or warn others nearby.
July 18, 2025 — Source
Model predicts long-term effects of nuclear waste on underground disposal systems
As countries across the world experience a resurgence in nuclear energy projects, the questions of where and how to dispose of nuclear waste remain as politically fraught as ever. The United States, for instance, has indefinitely stalled its only long-term underground nuclear waste repository. Scientists are using both modeling and experimental methods to study the effects of underground nuclear waste disposal and ultimately, they hope, build public trust in the decision-making process.
July 18, 2025 — Source
New perovskite-silicon solar cell pushes the limits of efficiency
Commercial silicon-based solar cells have made significant improvements in efficiency over the past decade, increasing from around 15% efficiency in 2015 to just shy of 25% in 2025.
July 18, 2025 — Source
New solar cell coating maintains high efficiency despite summer humidity
As the global demand for renewable energy grows, solar cells continue to gain attention as a key clean energy source. Among them, solution-processed solar cells offer advantages such as low cost and scalability, as they can be manufactured by simply coating and drying ink-like materials over large surfaces.
July 18, 2025 — Source
One Small Country, Nearly $20 Billion in Corporate Claims
Using a secretive arbitration system, multinational companies could bankrupt Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the world. A recent advisory opinion from a human-rights court calls for an overhaul.
July 18, 2025 — Source
Researchers unveil efficient, eco-friendly method for recycling lithium-ion batteries
In a major step forward for sustainable energy technology, researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), led by Professor Yan Wang, William B. Smith Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, have developed a new, scalable method to recycle lithium-ion batteries in a way that is both efficient and environmentally friendly.
July 18, 2025 — Source
Restoring nature beyond forests: A new map for rethinking ecological conservation
An international study led by the University of Liège proposes a new map of the potential for natural vegetation on Earth, far beyond forests. By incorporating the role of fire and herbivores, researchers are paving the way for a more realistic and inclusive approach to ecosystem restoration.
July 18, 2025 — Source
Scientists Will Melt Some of Earth’s Oldest Ice to Solve Climate Mystery
These ancient cores may contain clues about an unexplained change in Earth’s glacial-interglacial cycles, and could shed light on how human-generated emissions will shape our planet’s future.
July 18, 2025 — Source
Southwestern Drought Likely to Continue Through 2100, Research Finds
Climate change is warming the North Pacific Ocean, leading weather patterns that drive drought in the U.S. Southwest to persist decades longer than they have in the recent past.
July 18, 2025 — Source
Spain taming fire that belched smoke cloud over Madrid
Spanish firefighters on Friday were bringing under control a forest fire near Madrid that had cloaked the capital in a huge cloud of acrid smoke.
July 18, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — July 17th, 2025
30 Years After Chicago's Deadliest Heat Wave, Systemic Racism Is Still the Root Problem
The disaster disproportionately killed Black residents in neighborhoods that still face the worst health and resource crises. A new city effort tracks these vulnerabilities.
July 17, 2025 — Source
Barcelona could suffer heat waves up to 6ºC more intense by the end of the century
Heat waves that already affect the population of the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB) could significantly intensify in the future, with temperature increases of up to 6ºC and a general reduction in relative humidity in cities by the end of the century.
July 17, 2025 — Source
Climate-friendly 401(k)s can help protect your future
Many 401(k)s include investments in fossil fuels, but there are alternatives.
July 17, 2025 — Source
Consumers (and a Utility) Get a Win in Ohio, While Data Centers Take the Loss
Regulators have approved a plan to protect against data centers that may contract for lots of electricity and then skip town.
July 17, 2025 — Source
Heat and smart mixing boost enzymatic recycling of unsortable polyester plastics
Polyester plastics, commonly found in synthetic textiles and plastic components of home appliances, are notoriously difficult to recycle. In a study recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers from France unveiled a clever method for breaking down polyester waste into reusable building blocks using heat and leveraging the residual catalysts embedded within the plastic during the manufacturing process, eliminating the need for tedious sorting.
July 17, 2025 — Source
How money or donations shape what we share about nature
Voluntary contributions from citizens are increasingly used to monitor biodiversity—but what motivates people to participate, and how do incentives influence the kind of data they provide? A new study led by the University of Osaka and the National Institute for Environmental Studies offers answers. Using a popular nature app, the researchers showed how different incentives influence user behavior—revealing new ways to support biodiversity conservation through citizen science.
July 17, 2025 — Source
In South Memphis, Elon Musk's Colossus Operated Gas Turbines Without Appropriate Permits, Residents and Activists Claim
In an area long plagued by air pollution, permitting irregularities have opponents of what's predicted to be the world's largest supercomputing facility fearing the world's richest man is getting special treatment.
July 17, 2025 — Source
Museum study shows human impact on chipmunks and voles in Chicago
Three stories above the Field Museum's exhibits, rows and rows of taxidermied chipmunks filled a tray in the museum's mammal archives. Pointing to two of the oldest critters, mammalogist Stephanie Smith picked up the pair of chipmunks off the tray, balancing them in the palm of her hand.
July 17, 2025 — Source
New study assesses ecological and social vulnerabilities in Yarlung Tsangpo river basin
Biodiversity is critical to humanity's sustainable future, but global species extinction is accelerating due to environmental changes and human activities. The Yarlung Tsangpo River, which originates in the Himalayas, flows through one of the world's most biodiverse yet ecologically sensitive regions—making it vital to understanding the area's vulnerability for both global biodiversity preservation and regional conservation efforts.
July 17, 2025 — Source
People power: How scientists built an accurate, catchment-wide flood model
It wasn't just data from maps, machines and rainfall readings that led CSIRO scientists to build Australia's most comprehensive and accurate flood model for the Richmond River catchment.
July 17, 2025 — Source
Scientists repurpose old solar panels to convert CO2 exhaust into valuable chemicals
Centuries ago, alchemists worked furiously to convert the common metal lead to valuable gold. Today, chemists are repurposing discarded solar panels to create valuable organic compounds from carbon dioxide (CO2), a common greenhouse gas.
July 17, 2025 — Source
Solar farms look like lakes to birds—and it's messing with their migrations
Murdoch University researchers call for wildlife-friendly solar farm designs to protect biodiversity amid global renewable energy expansion.
July 17, 2025 — Source
The secret stories of trees are written in the knots and swirls of your floorboards. An expert explains how to read them
Have you ever examined timber floorboards and pondered why they look the way they do? Perhaps you admired the super-fine grain, a stunning red hue or a swirling knot, and wondered how it came to be?
July 17, 2025 — Source
Unpacking climate finance quality: a common framework for collective action
Public climate finance providers have long acknowledged the importance of climate finance quality—parallel to the emphasis on quantity. However, to date, a common understanding of what high-quality climate finance looks like, in practice, has not yet emerged across multiple public actors.
July 17, 2025 — Source
Weaker Atlantic currents bring more oxygen to tropical ocean's shallow depths
Salt water in the oceans is not the same everywhere; there are water layers that have different salinities and temperatures. The phenomenon of thermohaline circulation—which results from the differences in density caused by variations in temperature and salinity—drives the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), among other current patterns. Near the surface, however, ocean circulation is also influenced by winds, which are responsible for producing the large subtropical gyres in the Atlantic, both on the northern and southern sides of the equator.
July 17, 2025 — Source
Why drones and AI can't quickly find missing flood victims, yet
For search and rescue, AI is not more accurate than humans, but it is far faster.
July 17, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — July 14th, 2025
A novel copper nanocluster for efficient and selective CO2 conversion
A novel copper nanocluster for efficient and selective CO2 conversion
July 14, 2025 — Source
A smarter way to tear buildings down
Researchers are using high-tech tools to identify reusable materials that can be salvaged during building demolitions.
July 14, 2025 — Source
Air Pollution Can Speed Aging, New Study Finds, but Measuring Other Factors Is Challenging
Considering environmental factors is critical to understanding what drives the physical and cognitive declines, the researchers find in broad survey.
July 14, 2025 — Source
Chicago Was Supposed to Warn Residents About Toxic Lead Pipes. It's Barely Started
Eight months past a federal deadline, more than 90 percent of at-risk Chicagoans haven't been told their drinking water could be unsafe.
July 14, 2025 — Source
Freshwater ecosystems depend on little creatures like insects and snails: Study maps overlooked species
Freshwater ecosystems depend on little creatures like insects and snails: Study maps overlooked species
July 14, 2025 — Source
Funding focus: Fusion startups shatter investment records in push for clean energy
Fusion tech ventures have already raised more funding in 2025 than in any previous year
July 14, 2025 — Source
High-purity green hydrogen with very low tar from biomass, with chemical looping gasification
A promising industrial process can turn crushed sugar cane waste into green hydrogen far more efficiently than previously thought, shows a SECLG process simulation from the University of Johannesburg.
July 14, 2025 — Source
How plants respond to scattered sunlight in different ecosystems
When sunlight hits clouds or other atmospheric particles, it scatters and becomes diffuse light. Unlike direct sunlight, diffuse light can reach deeper into shaded plant canopies, where plants have dense, layered leaves. The diffuse-light fertilization effect theory suggests that diffuse light in such environments can promote carbon uptake and influence canopy temperature and evapotranspiration. Prior research suggests that some diffuse light can also boost photosynthesis, but after an optimal point, the overall reduction in total radiation will decrease photosynthesis.
July 14, 2025 — Source
New Nanotech Boosts Solar Cell Efficiency Over 10%
Scientists in China have developed a precise method to grow titanium dioxide nanorod arrays with controllable spacing, independent of rod size. This innovation boosts solar cell efficiency by allowing light capture and charge movement to be fine-tuned.
July 14, 2025 — Source
New Research Shows More Extreme Global Warming Impacts Looming for the Northeast
One new study identifies a 17 percent increase in the destructive potential of the strongest nor'easters, while another bolsters links between Arctic ice melt and dangerous blizzards.
July 14, 2025 — Source
Researchers identify five steps to successful nature restoration
Many European ecosystems—whether it's forests, rivers, fields, or meadows—are in poor condition. Despite all conservation efforts, biodiversity continues to decline. However, experts are hopeful that this could change.
July 14, 2025 — Source
The science behind Texas' catastrophic floods
More than 100 people died in the flash floods. The disaster has the fingerprints of climate change all over it.
July 14, 2025 — Source
Tracing black carbon's journey to the ocean
Whether from a forest on fire or gasoline powering a car, organic matter rarely combusts completely: Remnants such as char and soot can persist in the environment for decades. Over time, as physical and biological processes break down the scorched leftovers, some of the carbon they contain leaches into groundwater, lakes, and rivers, eventually making its way to the ocean.
July 14, 2025 — Source
Universal dispersant strategy boosts efficiency and stability in next-generation solar cells
Scientists have introduced a second molecule to achieve a donor--acceptor (push--pull) effect, aiming to enhance both the efficiency and stability of perovskite and organic solar cells.
July 14, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — July 13th, 2025
A new Martian climate model suggest a mostly cold, harsh environment
A model built using data from the Curiosity rover suggests wet periods were rare.
July 13, 2025 — Source
Baltimore’s Wetlands Restoration Pushes Ahead Despite Federal Funding Setbacks
But critics caution that the efforts, as designed, cut off some historically Black and disadvantaged communities in South Baltimore from the promised benefits of shoreline restoration.
July 13, 2025 — Source
Faced with US heat waves, the Navajo push for power—and A/C
Workmen plant electricity poles in the rust-orange earth of the Navajo Nation and run cables to Christine Shorty's house—finally giving her power against the searing Arizona desert heat.
July 13, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — July 12th, 2025
As Deadly Floods Hit America, a Meteorologist Looks Ahead
"Be prepared for flooding, heat, in ways that maybe you didn't think of before and pay attention to those warnings—they can save your life."
July 12, 2025 — Source
Don't plug these 7 appliances (including AC units) into extension cords - here's why
Extension cords and power strips are fine for everyday devices, but using them with certain appliances - especially in summer - can be risky.
July 12, 2025 — Source
Hot Tick Summer Is Here. Here's What You Need to Know and How to Stay Safe
Ticks and the diseases they carry are only becoming more common. But new treatments and vaccines might not be too far off.
July 12, 2025 — Source
Michigan Environmental Groups Argue Line 5 Tunnel Project Lacks Key Climate Considerations
In comments on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' draft environmental impact statement, the groups said the Corps did not adhere to federal law.
July 12, 2025 — Source
Permanent retention of exceptional trees can improve ecosystem integrity in managed forests
Even-aged forest management is geared towards timber production with ecosystem health as a lesser consideration. This creates a dichotomy where forests are treated either as plantations or reserves. Uneven-aged management can bring compromise to conflicting land uses by reducing ecosystem impacts while still allowing timber extraction. Whereas selection forestry focuses on which trees are taken, retention forestry focuses on protecting features that will remain after logging.
July 12, 2025 — Source
Sand and dust storms affect about 330 million people in over 150 countries, UN agency says
Sand and dust storms affect about 330 million people in over 150 countries and are taking an increasing toll on health, economies and the environment, the U.N. World Meteorological Organization says.
July 12, 2025 — Source
The U.S. Is Testing Tiny Nuclear Reactors That Can Go Practically Anywhere
Compact, energy-efficient microreactors could soon help generate electricity for remote locations.
July 12, 2025 — Source
Water Utility Says It Can't Meet Demand for Alabama Data Center Without 'Significant Upgrades'
Secrecy around the project, including public officials bound by non-disclosure agreements, has left residents with more questions than answers.
July 12, 2025 — Source
Why America's still freezing — even as the world heats up
Even in a warming climate, brutal cold snaps still hammer parts of the U.S., and a new study uncovers why. High above the Arctic, two distinct polar vortex patterns — both distorted and displaced — play a major role in steering icy air toward different regions. One sends it plunging into the Northwest, while the other aims it at the Central and Eastern U.S. Since 2015, the westward version has been more common, bringing intensified cold to the Northwest in defiance of global warming trends.
July 12, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — July 11th, 2025
A parasitic worm may help rebuild blue crab populations in the Chesapeake Bay
Parasitic, egg-eating worms might sound like the stuff of nightmares, but they're simply a fact of life for blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay.
July 11, 2025 — Source
A sensor patch could help protect the lives of outdoor workers
'The idea is to stop people dying from heat, which is a preventable death.'
July 11, 2025 — Source
Artificial sweeteners leave bitter aftertaste for the environment
New research has found increasing levels of artificial sweeteners in wastewater treatment plants, with downstream impacts on the environment.
July 11, 2025 — Source
Best Beach Tents
CR evaluated four pop-up beach tents and disliked half of them—but two offered stress-free setup, privacy, and plenty of shade
July 11, 2025 — Source
Dams Have Redistributed Earth's Mass, Shifted Its Poles
A new study has found that dams are so effective at 'impounding' massive amounts of water that they've effectively shifted Earth's poles.
July 11, 2025 — Source
Detecting electricity demand patterns using a new method for high-dimensional binary data
Forecasting electricity demand in buildings is now more accurate with Group Encoding (GE), a new method that uses only existing device operation data. Developed by researchers at the Institute of Science Tokyo, the method improved prediction accuracy by 74% in real-world tests.
July 11, 2025 — Source
Engineers shake tallest steel-framed building ever tested on an earthquake simulator
The tallest steel-framed building ever tested on an earthquake simulator started moving slowly, swaying and twisting. The 10-story, 100-foot structure was experiencing simulations of real earthquakes, including the 6.9 magnitude, 1989 Loma Prieta temblor, as part of an effort to determine if height limits for buildings made of cold-formed steel could be increased.
July 11, 2025 — Source
Four fungi related to species that hijack brains of insects discovered in Thailand
The cordyceps species in "The Last of Us," Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, is real and does exactly what the show purports —just not in humans, according to medical experts.
July 11, 2025 — Source
Illinois Lawmakers Vote to Limit Carbon Sequestration Near a Major Aquifer
The state's vast farmlands sit atop an underground basin of rock that is ideal for some carbon dioxide storage, but legislators want to protect a valuable aquifer that provides water to hundreds of thousands of people.
July 11, 2025 — Source
Indian Ocean fisheries play outsized role in nutritional security
A new study by an international team of researchers has revealed the huge role Indian Ocean fisheries play in feeding the world and supporting nutritional security.
July 11, 2025 — Source
Mantle's hidden role in tungsten formation upends long-held geological theories
Tungsten (W), a hard, heat-resistant, and corrosion-resistant metal, is indispensable to modern high-tech industries—from aerospace and defense to computing. While its global distribution is uneven, most tungsten deposits share defining geological traits: close ties to highly evolved, volatile-rich granites; formation from melted sedimentary rocks (anatexis) in tungsten-rich granitoids; and occurrence in back-arc or intraplate zones rather than convergent tectonic margins.
July 11, 2025 — Source
Plant phototropism regulated by acetylation--phosphorylation cross-talk, study finds
Plant phototropism—directional growth in response to light—serves as a key adaptive mechanism, optimizing photosynthesis and development. Central to this process is phototropin 1 (phot1), a primary blue light photoreceptor that mediates light perception and subsequent phototropic responses. While downstream signaling pathways of phot1 have been well characterized, the upstream regulators of its kinase activity in light responses have remained elusive—until now.
July 11, 2025 — Source
Polyethylene packaging may have lower global warming impact than alternatives, study finds
A new Europe-focused study reveals that polyethylene (PE), the most widely used packaging material in Europe, has lower life cycle global warming potential (GWP)—often used to assess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—than conventional packaging alternatives, such as paper, metals, and glass, in most applications.
July 11, 2025 — Source
Solar becomes Europe's main energy source in June: consultants
Solar power became the European Union's biggest single energy source for the first time in June, an energy think tank said Thursday.
July 11, 2025 — Source
Solid-state alloy enables safe, low-cost hydrogen storage and transport
A research team led by Dr. Young-Min Kim and Dr. Byeong-Chan Suh from the Lightweight Materials Research Division at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) has developed the world's first solid-state hydrogen storage material capable of storing and transporting hydrogen safely without the need for high-pressure tanks or cryogenic systems.
July 11, 2025 — Source
Sparking new ideas on how wildfire influences climate
Wildfires have spread across the planet for millennia, but they are increasing as the climate warms. Decimated forests, depleted crops, and destroyed buildings are the hallmark of wildfire devastation. Another is the effect on air quality and even the entire climate system. Researchers at Georgia Tech offer solutions for not only surviving—but also benefiting from—fire.
July 11, 2025 — Source
Time machine in drones? Photorealistic depiction shows Great Hungarian Plain before water regulations
Many of us have wondered what a landscape we see in a modern photograph might have looked like centuries ago. This question is especially intriguing when we know that the scenery has been radically transformed by human intervention over the past centuries.
July 11, 2025 — Source
Toward a zero-explosion hydrogen era
Researchers develop solid-state hydrogen storage technology with enhanced safety and cost efficiency.
July 11, 2025 — Source
What Risks Texas' Grid Faces
A new report outlines how ERCOT's transformation, increased load growth and extreme weather risks challenge Texas' grid reliability.
July 11, 2025 — Source
World-first study uses First Nations calendars for solar power forecasting
The in-depth observations of First Nations seasonal calendars could be key to improving solar power forecasting, according to a world-first study by Charles Darwin University (CDU).
July 11, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — July 10th, 2025
As Glaciers Melt, Volcanic Eruptions Are Expected to Increase
And every volcanic eruption releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, triggering a gnarly environmental feedback loop.
July 10, 2025 — Source
Can Shoreline Restoration Rein in Rising Flood Insurance Prices?
A pilot program on Dauphin Island, Alabama, aims to find out.
July 10, 2025 — Source
Capturing anesthetic gases could prevent global warming, new study shows
A new study from the University of Nottingham has looked at how the anesthetic gases breathed out by animal patients are released into the atmosphere and contribute to global warming.
July 10, 2025 — Source
Earth's 'oldest' impact crater is much younger than previously thought
Ever been late because you misread a clock? Sometimes, the "clocks" geologists use to date events can also be misread. Unraveling Earth's 4.5-billion-year history with rocks is tricky business.
July 10, 2025 — Source
Filters inspired by nose hair and nasal mucus promise cleaner air
One of the problems of conventional filters used in homes, businesses and public spaces is their poor performance. They rely on weak van der Waals forces to capture particles like dust and pollen, meaning they let a lot of stuff slip through. Nature, however, does the job a whole lot better.
July 10, 2025 — Source
First the dire wolf, now NZ's giant moa: Why real 'de-extinction' is unlikely to fly
The announcement that New Zealand's moa nunui (giant moa) is the next "de-extinction" target for Colossal Biosciences, in partnership with Canterbury Museum, the Ngāi Tahu Research Center and filmmaker Peter Jackson, caused widespread alarm among scientists.
July 10, 2025 — Source
From robotic trucks to smart bins: How technology is helping cities sort their waste problem
Since early January 2025, residents of Birmingham in the UK have been caught in the dispute between the city council and the Unite union over pay, terms and conditions for waste and recycling collectors. The latest attempt at talks broke down in acrimony.
July 10, 2025 — Source
Ghost factories are a warning sign for green manufacturing's future
The vast tract of land off Route 85 was meant to be a symbol of Made-in-America manufacturing. A billion-dollar battery factory was going to rise, bringing thousands of new jobs. The business announced, "Get Ready Arizona," the governor said the state was thrilled and even the U.S. president gave the project a shoutout.
July 10, 2025 — Source
Ground-Mounted Or Roof-Mounted Solar Panels: Which Is Better For Your Home?
If you're tired of your sky-high electricity bill every month or the frequent power outages in your neighborhood, then a solar panel system might just be what you need. Sure, its installation can be a bit on the pricier side, but the benefits can easily outweigh the upfront costs. That's why solar adoption has been consistently on the rise at about a 28% yearly growth, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.
July 10, 2025 — Source
In Indonesia, a start-up captures coolants to stop global warming
In the basement of a Jakarta housing complex, surrounded by the silver piping of the air-conditioning system, Indonesian technician Ari Sobaruddin is doing his part to tackle climate change.
July 10, 2025 — Source
In the Sweltering Southwest, Planting Solar Panels in Farmland Can Help Both Photovoltaics and Crops
Agrivoltaic solar arrays can shade crops from sun while moisture from vegetation cools the panels to increase their productivity, researchers and farmers have found.
July 10, 2025 — Source
Institutions team up to save two species of fish during the 2025 Los Angeles fires
As some of the worst fires in Los Angeles history swept through the Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods in January 2025, Rosi Dagit, who was herself evacuated from her home in Topanga, couldn't stop thinking about the fish.
July 10, 2025 — Source
It Just Got Easier to Build Nuclear Power Plants in Wisconsin
A new bipartisan bill speeds up the timeline for building new nuclear reactors in Wisconsin, which state leaders say will be key to powering new data centers.
July 10, 2025 — Source
Measuring how—and where—Antarctic ice is cracking with new data tool
A total collapse of the roughly 80-mile-wide Thwaites Glacier, the widest in the world, would trigger changes that could lead to 11 feet of sea-level rise, according to scientists who study Antarctica. To better predict fractures that could lead to such a collapse—and to better understand the processes driving changes in Antarctic ice shelves—a team led by researchers at Penn State developed a new method to evaluate cracks that destabilize ice shelves and accelerate those losses.
July 10, 2025 — Source
Nanosheet material stores heat below 100°C using dual water adsorption modes
Efficiently capturing and storing excess heat, particularly below 200°C, is paramount to achieving a carbon-neutral society. Every year, factories and homes produce excess heat, much of which gets wasted. Likewise, as the world gets more reliant on renewable energy sources, the need to capture and store heat grows.
July 10, 2025 — Source or Source
Plants engineered for optimal biofuel production
Arabidopsis may seem like a simple plant, but at the University of Missouri, plant biochemist Jay Thelen is using it as a powerful model to explore ways to boost oil production—an important step toward creating more sustainable, plant-based energy sources.
July 10, 2025 — Source
Real-time system reveals hidden urban air pollution risks
A new real-time monitoring system captures minute-by-minute changes in toxic metals resulting from traffic pollution. Research indicates that non-exhaust sources, including brake wear, significantly contribute to urban health risks.
July 10, 2025 — Source
Researchers reveal key conditions that facilitate successful invasion by non-native plants
Researchers from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences revealed that water availability combined with phosphorus limitation or herbivory created an advantage for alien plant species over natives.
July 10, 2025 — Source
The Bangladesh delta is under a dangerous level of strain, analysis reveals
Bangladesh is known as the land of rivers and flooding, despite almost all of its water originating outside the territory. The fact that 80% of rivers that flow through Bangladesh have their sources in a neighboring country, can make access to freshwater in Bangladesh fraught. And the country's fast-growing cities and farms—and the warming global climate—are turning up the pressure.
July 10, 2025 — Source
Thirsty future: Australia's green hydrogen targets could require vastly more water than the government hopes
Green hydrogen is touted by some as the future—a way for Australia to slowly replace its reliance on fossil fuel exports. The energy-dense gas has the potential to reduce emissions in sectors challenging to decarbonize, such as steelmaking and fertilizer manufacturing.
July 10, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — July 7th, 2025
10 drivers of global river delta changes identified—scientists warn urgent climate action need
New research from an international team of scientists has identified the causes of changes affecting river deltas around the world—warning of an urgent need to tackle them through climate adaptation.
July 7, 2025 — Source
A climate solution lies a mile underground. But who will reap its benefits?
California's Imperial Valley could become a major supplier of lithium. Valley residents want to make sure they get their fair share of the coming boom.
July 7, 2025 — Source
A conceptual breakthrough has emerged for the Colorado River's future
After months of stalemate, glimmers of hope have emerged for consensus on a new plan to manage the shrinking Colorado River.
July 7, 2025 — Source
As California's Emissions Rules Faces Court Battles, States Scramble To Save Their Climate Goals
With or without authority to regulate heightened tailpipe emissions, states plan to meet climate goals.
July 7, 2025 — Source
Beneficial root microbes can help sustain rice yields in unfertilized fields
Despite rice being the staple food for more than half of the world's population, its cultivation remains highly resource-intensive, requiring large amounts of water and chemical fertilizers. Even as environmental concerns pertaining to global food security and climate change continue to mount, there is a growing interest in finding more sustainable ways to grow this essential crop.
July 7, 2025 — Source
Cape Town's sewage treatment isn't coping: Scientists are worried about what the city is telling the public
Urban water bodies—rivers, lakes and oceans—are in trouble globally. Large sewage volumes damage the open environment, and new chemicals and pharmaceutical compounds don't break down on their own. When they are released into the open environment, they build up in living tissues all along the food chain, bringing with them multiple health risks.
July 7, 2025 — Source
Cities at climate crossroads: Researchers investigate growth and degrowth approaches
Can cities continue to grow without destroying Earth? A new paper from ICTA-UAB, Spain, offers insight into this complex issue.
July 7, 2025 — Source
Ganges basin peak flows fall 17% per decade, shifting flood and water supply patterns across India
Peak water flows in parts of India's largest river basin have been falling by more than one-sixth every decade, according to a study published in npj Natural Hazards that highlights a similar trend across the country, impacting irrigation, domestic water, and hydropower in the world's most populous nation.
July 7, 2025 — Source
Growing surface meltwater in East Antarctica signals new risks for global sea levels
Research involving the University of Liverpool has discovered a trend of increasing surface meltwater in East Antarctica. In an ambitious new study, they produced the first Antarctic-wide, high-resolution monthly dataset of surface meltwater using satellite images.
July 7, 2025 — Source
Fig trees convert atmospheric CO2 to stone, research reveals
Some species of fig trees store calcium carbonate in their trunks—essentially turning themselves (partially) into stone, new research has found. The team of Kenyan, U.S., Austrian, and Swiss scientists found that the trees could draw carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and store it as calcium carbonate 'rocks' in the surrounding soil.
July 7, 2025 — Source
High-performance BaZrS3 solar cells powered by inorganic delafossite HTLs: A step toward replacing Spiro-OMeTAD
As the global demand for clean and sustainable energy continues to surge, the photovoltaic sector remains at the forefront of this transition. Lead halide perovskite solar cells (LHPs) have long been celebrated for their remarkable power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), which have rapidly progressed to over 26% for single-junction cells. However, despite their outstanding performance, the widespread commercialization of LHPs faces persistent challenges.
July 7, 2025 — Source
How a new treatment for phobias could help cut pesticide use
Scared of spiders, storms, dogs or more recently, mushrooms? New research reveals the surprising consequences of biophobias and calls for an innovative approach to treatment.
July 7, 2025 — Source
How lanthanides stabilize chlorophyll to boost plant resilience to UV stress
Lanthanides are a class of rare earth elements that in many countries are added to fertilizer as micronutrients to stimulate plant growth. But little is known about how they are absorbed by plants or influence photosynthesis, potentially leaving their benefits untapped.
July 7, 2025 — Source
How protected are protected areas? What monitoring birds tells us about park management in Togo, West Africa
Protected areas are crucial for wildlife conservation, but many are under unprecedented pressure associated with exponential human population growth in West Africa. In Togo, two national parks that previously hosted iconic African wildlife have been almost entirely destroyed by human activities related to domestic political conflicts. However, Togo's largest protected area, Fazao-Malfakassa National Park, had managed to escape this fate—until now.
July 7, 2025 — Source
New campaign asks young people to help their parents recognize misinformation
False claims about climate change are rampant on social media.
July 7, 2025 — Source
New models improve predictions of snow, rock and ice avalanches
A new 3D simulation tool developed by ETH and SLF researchers now allows for significantly more accurate predictions of complex alpine mass movements, supporting alpine risk management.
July 7, 2025 — Source
NGOs laud tougher Malaysia plastic trash import laws
Environmental groups welcomed on Monday Malaysia's decision to tighten regulations on plastic waste imports, but urged stricter enforcement of the laws in a country that recycles tons of trash from the United States, Europe, and elsewhere each year.
July 7, 2025 — Source
Power paradox: Why wind energy could face an economic squeeze
Wind is doing a better job of displacing carbon from the electricity grid than it gets credit for, according to a recent mechanical engineering master's graduate whose economics-steeped thesis makes the case that wind power generators could become victims of their own success.
July 7, 2025 — Source
Scientists discover giant 'sinkites' beneath the North Sea
Scientists have discovered hundreds of giant sand bodies beneath the North Sea that appear to defy fundamental geological principles and could have important implications for energy and carbon storage.
July 7, 2025 — Source
Scientists' top 10 bee-magnet blooms—turn any lawn into a pollinator paradise
Botanists from the University of Copenhagen and the UK set out to find the best flower combinations for bees and hoverflies.
July 7, 2025 — Source
Solar cycles and climate: Expert shares what you need to know
Solar Maximum 2025 is the expected peak of solar activity in Solar Cycle 25, characterized by heightened sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections. This peak is anticipated around mid to late 2025, coinciding with the sun's magnetic field flip. Such solar activity may influence Canadian climate patterns by potentially affecting weather systems.
July 7, 2025 — Source
Transport and mass budget of biodegradable microplastics in the Seto Inland Sea
Microplastics (MPs) pollution is a prevalent environmental problem that affects ecosystems globally. Despite the growing research on the environmental effects of MPs, a significant research gap remains in understanding the differences of environmental behavior and distribution patterns between biodegradable MPs and traditional MPs.
July 7, 2025 — Source
Why Texas Hill Country is one of the deadliest places in the US for flash flooding
Texas Hill Country is known for its landscapes, where shallow rivers wind among hills and through rugged valleys. That geography also makes it one of the deadliest places in the U.S. for flash flooding.
July 7, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — July 5th, 2025
Most plant-friendly fungi are a mystery to scientists
If you walk through a forest and look down, you might think you're stepping on dead leaves, twigs and soil. In reality, you're walking over a vast underground patchwork of fungal filaments, supporting life above ground.
July 5, 2025 — Source
Scientists thought the Arctic was sealed in ice — they were wrong
For decades, scientists believed the Arctic Ocean was sealed under a massive slab of ice during the coldest ice ages — but new research proves otherwise. Sediment samples from the seafloor, paired with cutting-edge climate simulations, show that the Arctic actually remained partially open, with seasonal sea ice allowing life to survive in the harshest climates. Traces of ancient algae, thriving only when light and water mix, reveal that the region was never a frozen tomb.
July 5, 2025 — Source
The Unexpected Beauty and Deep Meaning of Plastic-Waste Art
Amid a global plastic-pollution crisis, artist Erik Jon Olson turns his own plastic waste into quilted works of art in which the medium is the message.
July 5, 2025 — Source
Trump Pollution Exemptions Would Shield Lawbreakers, Endanger Millions
Analysis shows EPA rollbacks of the HON rule would put overburdened communities at risk and benefit chemical plants that frequently violate their permits.
July 5, 2025 — Source
What Is a Heat Dome? All About the Weather Phenomenon Making Things Hotter
It's super hot in a lot of places around the US right now, thanks in part to the heat dome that has taken hold in the atmosphere.
July 5, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — July 2nd, 2025
Air pollution is linked to adverse birth outcomes in India
Air pollution is linked to adverse birth outcomes in India
July 2, 2025 — Source
Global climate security atlas developed as tool to help prepare for the impacts of climate change
Irina Marinov, associate professor at the Department of Earth and Environmental Science, leads a research community focused on understanding global climate impacts, risks, and vulnerabilities to enable local action.
July 2, 2025 — Source
Spongy, loofah-inspired hydrogel material uses sunlight to remove salt from seawater
Researchers developed a sponge-like material with long, microscopic air pockets that uses sunlight and a simple plastic cover to turn saltwater into freshwater.
July 2, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — June 30th, 2025
A lifesaving lesson for climate activists: You deserve support, too
The Resilient Activist, a Missouri-based nonprofit, helps people move from burnout to balance, combining mental health tools with nature-based practices.
June 30, 2025 — Source
Ants help detect spotted lanternfly invasions by carrying pest DNA in honeydew
Virginia may have a new ally in the fight against one of the most invasive insects threatening trees, crops, and other commodities. Virginia Tech researchers, led by Assistant Professor Scotty Yang, in the Department of Entomology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, have found a new way to use ants and determine if spotted lanternflies have invaded a new area.
June 30, 2025 — Source
Dangerous variant of Salmonella still not eradicated in Danish dairy farms, finds study
The infectious and multi-resistant cattle disease Salmonella Dublin can be fatal to both humans and animals and causes significant losses for farmers. Although Denmark has attempted to eradicate the disease since 2008, it has not yet succeeded.
June 30, 2025 — Source
Engineering nano-clouds that can change color, temperature and outwit heat sensors
How does a cloud stay cool under direct sunlight—or seem to vanish in infrared? In nature, phenomena like white cumulus clouds, gray storm systems, and even the hollow hairs of polar bears offer remarkable lessons in balancing temperature, color and invisibility. Inspired by these atmospheric marvels, researchers have now created a nanoscale "cloud" metasurface capable of dynamically switching between white and gray states—cooling or heating on demand—all while evading thermal detection.
June 30, 2025 — Source
Fireworks light up the sky -- and sometimes the forest
As the risk of wildfires grows, make sure you know the law and how to have a safe display this Fourth of July.
June 30, 2025 — Source
Flying smart: Triple-camera drone detects crop stress for smarter sesame farming
A team of researchers led by Dr. Ittai Herrmann at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in collaboration with Virginia State University, the University of Tokyo and the Volcani Institute, has applied an advanced drone-based system that accurately detects combined nitrogen and water deficiencies in field-grown sesame, paving the way for more efficient and sustainable farming.
June 30, 2025 — Source
Global study shows worldwide threat of antibiotic resistance in livestock waste
An international study by Michigan State University and partner researchers has uncovered a hidden danger lurking in animal farms around the world: Livestock manure is packed with antibiotic resistance genes that could threaten human health.
June 30, 2025 — Source
Google bets on fusion power as its greenhouse gas emissions grow
It's making a nuclear fusion deal that's too little, too late to help the company meet its near-term climate goals.
June 30, 2025 — Source
Helping Bees Find New Homes Across New York City, From Fresh Kills to Street Planters
It's summer and the city is buzzing with pollinators—many of which are in decline. The Parks Department and local nonprofits are trying to help.
June 30, 2025 — Source
I replaced my solar panels with wind power generators at home - here's my verdict after 6 months
Solar generators are handy - until the sun goes away. This backup power solution keeps your devices running no matter the weather. the sun disappears.
June 30, 2025 — Source
Nano-Formulations Boost Plant Growth and Inhibit Nematode Production
A new study explores an eco-friendly alternative for managing root-knot nematodes in eggplants. Nano-formulations of silver nanoparticles and garlic oil can provide effective pest control and significantly enhance plant growth and yield in real-world conditions.
June 30, 2025 — Source
Natural disasters are increasingly putting the value of properties at risk
Whether it's flooding in Toronto or forest fires raging in Alberta and Manitoba, climate change is pushing natural disasters into populated areas and having a dire impact on communities.
June 30, 2025 — Source
New study helps farmers more accurately determine crop nitrogen needs
Farmers often face tough decisions about how much nitrogen to apply to corn, especially when spring weather disrupts pre-plant fertilizer plans. It's a critical decision: too little nitrogen can limit crop yield and reduce profits, while too much nitrogen reduces economic returns on the fertilizer and can lead to environmental degradation, without increasing yield.
June 30, 2025 — Source
Santorini earthquakes traced to sideways magma movement in crust, not traditional volcanic centers
When the island of Santorini was rattled by thousands of small earthquakes earlier this year, many people were left mystified about the source of the tremors.
June 30, 2025 — Source
Tropical Storm Barry has come and gone
We're also watching a threat area near Florida that could spawn a tropical depression over the Fourth of July weekend.
June 30, 2025 — Source
Tuning in to the sounds of Canada's wildlife
A new AI tool that picks out bird and amphibian sounds in audio recordings could improve how ecologists monitor and study Canada's wildlife.
June 30, 2025 — Source
Wildfire smoke app highlights risks for populations living near urban-rural borders
Earlier in 2025, wildfires in southern California killed 30 people, destroyed more than 18,000 homes and burned more than 57,000 acres. The fires were stark reminders of the threat of worsening climate change, and the increased likelihood of future devastating fires. With these fires comes smoke, which has long-term health effects on the people exposed to it—whether they are close to the source, or many miles away.
June 30, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — June 29th, 2025
Cold baths, climate shelters as Southern Europe heat wave intensifies
Authorities across Southern Europe urged people to seek shelter Sunday and protect the most vulnerable as punishing temperatures from Spain to Portugal, Italy and France climbed higher in the summer's first major heat wave.
June 29, 2025 — Source
N.C. Has Allowed a Likely Carcinogen Into Three Rivers Serving 900,000 People
Environmentalists are suing to stop the flow of 1,4-dioxane into the drinking water supply, which one local water utility found at concentrations 17 times higher than the EPA's health advisory goal.
June 29, 2025 — Source
Truckers Say Oil and Gas Companies Are Violating Hazardous Materials Transport Regulations
The fracking industry says its operators strictly adhere to regulations, and it has "no greater priority" than ensuring worker and community safety.
June 29, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — June 28th, 2025
A Class-Action Lawsuit Aims to Restore Climate and Environmental Grants
The lawsuit claims the Trump administration violated the separation of powers when it ordered the cancellation of $3 billion in grants for community-based projects.
June 28, 2025 — Source
For Eastern US, temperatures swing high, then swing low. They'll soon go back up
After days of blistering heat, the nation's sweaty East Coast got to open windows, step outside and get temporary relief on Friday as temperatures plummeted as much as 40 degrees and humidity dropped alongside.
June 28, 2025 — Source
Mediterranean heat wave triggers health alerts and wildfire fears across region
Southern European countries braced Friday for a punishing weekend heat wave, with temperatures predicted to hit up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) and beyond, prompting health warnings and fears of wildfires.
June 28, 2025 — Source
Natural hazards don't disappear when the storm ends or the earthquake stops—they evolve
Hurricane Helene lasted only a few days in September 2024, but it altered the landscape of the Southeastern U.S. in profound ways that will affect the hazards local residents face far into the future.
June 28, 2025 — Source
Safer, faster, and cheaper way to extract gold at 99% purity from electronic waste detailed — new method for recovering gold from PCBs uses a sanitizing reagent and a novel polymer
This will make e-waste recycling much easier and affordable.
June 28, 2025 — Source
Texas' Risk of Summer Blackouts Reduced Thanks to Solar and Batteries
The state's grid operator reported less than a 1 percent chance of emergency events.
June 28, 2025 — Source
This Town Started Charging for Trash by the Bag. Here's What Happened
The small town of Plympton, Massachusetts, took the bold step of making everyone pay for what they toss.
June 28, 2025 — Source
The Danger of Losing the EPA's Endangerment Finding
Although it's not surprising, the EPA's decision to roll back emissions rules for power plants could have lasting implications for the climate.
June 28, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — June 25th, 2025
Bill Gates-backed Airloom begins building its first power plant
Wind power has run into some headwinds, and not the kind that spin its turbines.
June 25, 2025 — Source
Desert lichen offers new evidence for the possibility of life on other planets
The question of whether Earth is alone in harboring life has captivated humanity for millennia. In recent years, scientists have turned to Earth-like planets in other solar systems that may show the most promise, but many revolve around stars that emit much stronger solar radiation than our own. Now, a new study offers evidence that life as we know it may be able to thrive on those Earth-like exoplanets.
June 25, 2025 — Source
Detailed analysis of the benefits and trade-offs of urban street trees in Las Vegas
Earth is hotter than it has been in 125,000 years, scientists say, and Las Vegas continues to break temperature records. The extreme heat claimed more than 500 lives in southern Nevada last year alone, and scientists and city officials are clamoring for solutions.
June 25, 2025 — Source
Epic Timelapse Shows Tornado's 77-Minute Life in 1 Minute
A storm chaser captured adrenaline-inducing video of a tornado raging in Nebraska and compressed it into one awesome timelapse.
June 25, 2025 — Source or Watch Video
Extreme heat could threaten human health on a massive scale
If the world warms 1.8 degrees F more, dangerous heat waves could plague an area the size of the U.S.
June 25, 2025 — Source
Green Guarantee Group
The Green Guarantee Group (GGG) was soft-launched at COP28 by Germany's Federal Foreign Office and the former Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, now Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The GGG is chaired by Professor Lars-Hendrik Röller, Chairman of the Berlin Global Dialogue and former Chief Economic Advisor to Chancellor Angela Merkel (2011--2021). Since March 2025, Nigeria is serving as a co-chair, represented by Mr. Faruk Yabo, Permanent Secretary in Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
June 25, 2025 — Source
High-resolution mapping reveals ocean carbon sink detail
As atmospheric carbon dioxide levels continue to rise, the ocean plays a crucial role in helping to reduce the full impact of human-driven climate change by absorbing roughly a quarter of the carbon dioxide emitted by human activity.
June 25, 2025 — Source
How marine biomass has changed over the past 500 million years
In a first-of-its-kind study, Stanford researchers have measured how the abundance of ocean life has changed over the past half-billion years of Earth's history.
June 25, 2025 — Source
How restoring river catchments can minimize drought and flood risks
This spring has been the driest in the UK since 1893. May's rainfall was 43% lower than the long-term average. Fish rescues have already taken place in Shropshire as rivers dried up. Low water levels have made it difficult for boats to navigate along some canals.
June 25, 2025 — Source
I ditched my solar panels with wind power generators at home - my verdict after 6 months
Solar generators are great - until the sun disappears. This backup device keeps your gear powered, rain or shine.
June 25, 2025 — Source
Nearly half the US population face scorching heat wave
Tens of millions of Americans sweltered outside or sought air-conditioned refuge as an "extremely dangerous" heat wave blanketed the eastern United States on Tuesday with record high temperatures.
June 25, 2025 — Source
New global index aims to help people and nature thrive together
As the world faces an escalating planetary crisis, a paper published in Nature offers hope. The paper proposes a bold new way forward; a global framework that measures how well people and nature are thriving together.
June 25, 2025 — Source
New Nanomaterial Offers Sustainable Drinking Water Solution
An international scientific partnership has created a unique nanomaterial capable of efficiently harvesting clean drinking water from airborne water vapor. The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS).
June 25, 2025 — Source
Over 80,000 people flee severe flooding in southwest China
Flooding in China's southwest has driven more than 80,000 people from their homes, state media said on Wednesday, as a collapsed bridge forced the dramatic rescue of a truck driver left dangling over the edge.
June 25, 2025 — Source
Rethinking food solutions with nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is being reimagined as a solution to agriculture's most urgent challenges.
June 25, 2025 — Source
Satellite's Final Photo Shows Las Vegas Has Doubled in Size Since 1999
The Landsat 7 satellite has signed off on its 25 years of taking photos of Earth with one last image of Las Vegas showing that the City of Sin has almost doubled in size since the spacecraft first snapped it 25 years ago. Since its launch on April 15, 1999, Landsat 7 has captured over 3.3 million images, including the first image of Las Vegas, which was captured in July 1999.
June 25, 2025 — Source
Scientists detect deep Earth pulses beneath Africa
Research led by Earth scientists at the University of Southampton has uncovered evidence of rhythmic surges of molten mantle rock rising from deep within the Earth beneath Africa. These pulses are gradually tearing the continent apart and forming a new ocean.
June 25, 2025 — Source
Study shows cattle grazing has no effect on sage-grouse nest success
Moderate cattle grazing on public lands does not reduce sage-grouse nest success, according to a newly published 10-year University of Idaho study. The findings suggest sage-grouse and cows can coexist on the same land in southern Idaho.
June 25, 2025 — Source
The emotional toll of climate change is broad-ranging, especially for young people
Anxiety, grief, anger, fear, helplessness. The emotional toll of climate change is broad-ranging, especially for young people.
June 25, 2025 — Source
When rain, snow and soil align: The triple threat behind 2024's deadly central Asian floods
From the end of March to April 2024, extensive flooding impacted large areas of Kazakhstan and neighboring southwestern Russia, which was reported as the worst flooding in the area for at least 70 years. The floods resulted in widespread devastation, leaving dams breached and overflowing reservoirs. More than 118,000 people were evacuated and over 12,000 residential buildings were flooded.
June 25, 2025 — Source
Working to reduce the amount of briny waste left over from water desalination
Industries that need ultra-pure water—including semiconductor, battery, pharmaceutical, food and beverage companies—are expanding in Arizona. One of the most overlooked challenges for these businesses is what gets left behind in the pursuit of clean water: brine, the salty byproduct of processes like reverse osmosis.
June 25, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — June 22nd, 2025
How archaeology can offer a blueprint for adapting to climate change
How does climate change affect the way humans organize themselves? How has it shaped the course of human evolution? An international team of scientists, including scientists from the Universite de Montreal, think the key to answering those questions is to pay more attention to the archaeological record.
June 22, 2025 — Source
In California, a Push to Decommission Gas Lines in Low-Income Neighborhoods Moves Forward
Neighborhood-scale decarbonization is an efficient way to electrify neighborhoods that might otherwise be left behind.
June 22, 2025 — Source
Rice University breakthrough keeps CO2 electrolyzers running 50x longer
A Rice University team discovered that bubbling CO2 through a mild acid dramatically improves the lifespan and efficiency of electrochemical devices that convert CO2 into useful fuels. This simple trick prevents salt buildup—a major barrier to commercialization—by altering local chemistry just enough to keep salts dissolved and flowing. The result? A device that ran for over 4,500 hours without clogging, using common catalysts and scalable technology. It's a breakthrough that could make green CO2 conversion far more viable in the real world.
June 22, 2025 — Source
Searching for Hidden Fungi in the Sonoran Desert
Mycorrhizal fungi are vital to ecosystems around the world, but remain largely understudied, especially in arid regions. They may prove critical to the survival of fragile deserts stressed by climate change.
June 22, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — June 21st, 2025
Alabama Environmental Groups Secure Rare Win in Fight to Update Water Toxicity Standards
The new standards will reduce amounts of 12 toxic or cancer-linked pollutants in Alabama waterways, according to clean water advocacy groups that petitioned for the changes.
June 21, 2025 — Source
How a data center company uses stranded renewable energy
Some companies are paying low rates for renewable energy that would otherwise go unused.
June 21, 2025 — Source
Mexican authorities rescue 3,400 trafficked baby turtles
Mexican authorities said Friday they had rescued over 3,400 protected baby turtles stuffed into cardboard boxes set to be trafficked.
June 21, 2025 — Source
Scientists' Letter Urges Brazil's President Lula to Reject New Amazon and Offshore Drilling
The urgent message was delivered to Brazilian officials during annual U.N. climate talks in Bonn, Germany, and includes new warnings about an Amazon rainforest tipping point.
June 21, 2025 — Source
Shifting from quantity to quality in climate adaptation finance to create real impact
The quantity of adaptation finance has been a controversial political issue, and a critical negotiating point for developing countries in international climate negotiations. At the United Nations climate conference (COP29) in Baku last year, developed countries agreed to provide more money for climate adaptation in emerging market and developing economies.
June 21, 2025 — Source
Strange Atlantic cold spot linked to century-long slowdown of major ocean current
For more than a century, a patch of cold water south of Greenland has resisted the Atlantic Ocean's overall warming, fueling debate among scientists. A new study identifies the cause as the long-term weakening of a major ocean circulation system.
June 21, 2025 — Source
The Ecofeminist Movement Is Surging. Here's What Its Advocates Want
More women are connecting environmental degradation with attacks on women's rights, seeing both as rooted in similar values. They're drawing on personal experiences and reams of research to make their case.
June 21, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — June 20th, 2025
Bribe or community benefit? Sweeteners smoothing the way for renewables projects need to be done right
When a renewable energy developer announces a new project, there's one big question mark—how will nearby communities react?
June 20, 2025 — Source
Can Solar and Geothermal Energy Help a Church and Its Neighbors Wean Off Fossil Fuels?
Spurred by rising utility bills, St. Peter's-San Pedro Episcopal Church in Salem, Mass., looked for alternatives. Its "Heaven and Earth" plan would loop in much of downtown Salem.
June 20, 2025 — Source
Colorado River water market could help fish and farmers alike
A market-based approach to managing water in the Colorado River basin could provide more reliable supplies for farmers, communities, and industry amid ongoing drought and excess demand. The right market design and a little extra investment could also help threatened fish species, researchers have found.
June 20, 2025 — Source
Colorful reef fish beauty linked to conservation: Study highlights human connection
An international research team led by the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) with the participation of the Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) in Bremen has taken a close look at reefs worldwide to determine the location of the fish communities that appear most beautiful to the human eye, and what explains these patterns—an important topic, given that fish beauty is a nonmaterial contribution of reefs to human well-being, which directly impacts people's willingness to conserve these vulnerable ecosystems.
June 20, 2025 — Source
Flash floods in the Alps: How climate change is supercharging summer storms
Fierce, fast summer rainstorms are on the rise in the Alps, and a 2 C temperature increase could double their frequency. A new study from researchers at the University of Lausanne and the University of Padova used data from nearly 300 Alpine weather stations to model this unsettling future.
June 20, 2025 — Source
Glass bottles found to contain more microplastics than plastic bottles
Drinks including water, soda, beer and wine sold in glass bottles contain more microplastics than those in plastic bottles, according to a surprising study released by France's food safety agency Friday.
June 20, 2025 — Source
Hidden carbon giants: Satellite data reveals a 40-year Arctic peatland surge
Arctic peatlands are expanding with rising temperatures, storing more carbon at least for now. But future warming could reverse this benefit, releasing massive emissions.
June 20, 2025 — Source
How a genetic tug-of-war decides the fate of a honey bee
Despite having identical genetic instructions, female honey bee larvae can develop into either long-lived reproductive queens or short-lived sterile workers who help rear their sisters rather than lay their own eggs. Now, an interdisciplinary team led by researchers at Penn State has uncovered the molecular mechanisms that control how the conflict between genes inherited from the father and the mother determine the larva's fate.
June 20, 2025 — Source
How banks are shaping resilience to natural disasters and climate shocks
Climate shocks, such as extreme weather events, have disastrous consequences for the livelihoods and economic well-being of affected communities. The banking sector can be an important lever to increase resilience. But how? Research from Maastricht University provides answers.
June 20, 2025 — Source
Indigenous engagement is essential for small modular nuclear reactor projects
With climate change-fueled natural disasters becoming more frequent and devastating for communities around the world, the need for cleaner energy solutions is more urgent than ever.
June 20, 2025 — Source
Island rivers carve passageways through coral reefs, maintaining ecosystem health over millions of years
Volcanic islands, such as the islands of Hawaii and the Caribbean, are surrounded by coral reefs that encircle an island in a labyrinthine, living ring. A coral reef is punctured at points by reef passes—wide channels that cut through the coral and serve as conduits for ocean water and nutrients to filter in and out. These watery passageways provide circulation throughout a reef, helping to maintain the health of corals by flushing out freshwater and transporting key nutrients.
June 20, 2025 — Source
Light-powered reactions could make the chemical manufacturing industry more energy-efficient
Manufactured chemicals and materials are necessary for practically every aspect of daily life, from life-saving pharmaceuticals to plastics, fuels and fertilizers. Yet manufacturing these important chemicals comes at a steep energy cost.
June 20, 2025 — Source
Microbial consortium achieves complete biodegradation of persistent herbicide acetochlor in contaminated soil
Researchers led by Dr. Xu Mingkai from the Institute of Applied Ecology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have identified a highly effective microbial consortium capable of fully degrading acetochlor, a widely used and persistent herbicide. This discovery offers a promising, environmentally friendly approach to mitigating soil pollution caused by herbicide residues on soil ecosystems, food quality, and overall environmental safety.
June 20, 2025 — Source
More summer weather extremes in Europe likely as North Atlantic Oscillation intensifies under climate change
The researchers found evidence of increasing variability in both model simulations as well as historical data, and warned of more frequent and intense weather extremes in Europe.
June 20, 2025 — Source
New homes for endangered native skink aim to improve survival chances
Climate change and habitat loss are affecting animal populations around the world and reptiles such as South Australia's own endangered pygmy bluetongue are susceptible to higher temperatures and declining long-term rainfall trends.
June 20, 2025 — Source
New report offers roadmap for stronger China--Asia partnerships on green independent power projects
A new report released by the Griffith Asia Institute offers practical guidance for accelerating Asia's shift to clean energy by improving collaboration between Chinese Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and their Asian partners.
June 20, 2025 — Source
Octopus species uses taste sensors on sucker cups to detect harmful chemicals
A team of molecular and cellular chemists and biologists from Harvard University and the University of California, San Diego, has found that at least one type of octopus has taste sensors on its sucker cups that allow it to detect harmful chemicals.
June 20, 2025 — Source
Recycling batteries from 'urban mines': How Europe can source critical raw materials at home
From Li-ion batteries and electric vehicles to drones and solar panels, nearly all clean technologies depend on critical raw materials, such as lithium, nickel and cobalt. As the demand for these technologies surges, so too does the demand for their components, placing immense pressure on supply chains.
June 20, 2025 — Source
Research shows how emotional responses are motivating divers to help restore the Great Barrier Reef
Dr. Ella Vallelonga, from the University of Adelaide's Department of Anthropology and Development Studies, examined how reef conservation diving dissolves "human exceptionalism"—the idea that humans are separate from, or superior to, other animals—and builds deep interspecies connections.
June 20, 2025 — Source
Sea spiders found farming methane-eating microbes in cultivated biofilm
A research team led by Occidental College has identified a previously unknown symbiosis; deep sea spiders that cultivate and feed on bacteria that oxidize methane.
June 20, 2025 — Source
Three-mode smart window cut indoor temperature by 27°C and eliminate urban glare
In the building sector, which accounts for approximately 40% of global energy consumption, heat ingress through windows has been identified as a primary cause of wasted heating and cooling energy.
June 20, 2025 — Source
Warmer winters increase West Nile risk
The disease, transmitted to humans by mosquitoes, can cause fatal neurological damage in some cases.
June 20, 2025 — Source
Wildfires can spark shifts in water microbes, threatening ecosystem balance
Wildfires profoundly influence the unseen microbial world within our waters, directly impacting water quality and ecosystem health, according to a study presented at ASM Microbe 2025.
June 20, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — June 18th, 2025
A National Quest for Uranium Comes to Remote Western Alaska, Raising Fears in a Nearby Village
Demand for low-carbon nuclear energy could boost uranium prospects on Alaska's Seward Peninsula. But residents of the small village of Elim fear a mine would pollute the river they depend on.
June 18, 2025 — Source
After decades of pollution, California community secures $550 million settlement from Chevron
One environmental advocate says the deal is a step forward for Richmond -- but not a full solution.
June 18, 2025 — Source
Air Pollution Is 'Keeping Kids Out of School' in Pennsylvania's Allegheny County, Study Shows
Researchers found that students with asthma in the Mon Valley were more likely to miss school on days with higher air pollution.
June 18, 2025 — Source
Ancient groundwater records reveal regional vulnerabilities to climate change
During the last ice age, storms soaked the now-arid Southwestern U.S., while today's rainy Pacific Northwest remained relatively dry. As global temperatures rose and ice sheets retreated, those storms shifted north—reshaping the climate patterns that define both regions today.
June 18, 2025 — Source
Climate change cuts global crop yields despite farmers' adaptation efforts, analysis finds
In contrast to previous studies suggesting that warming could increase global food production, the researchers estimate that every additional degree Celsius of global warming on average will drag down the world's ability to produce food by 120 calories per person per day, or 4.4% of current daily consumption.
June 18, 2025 — Source
Climate change may make prescribed fires rarer, but increases their air quality impacts
Prescribed burns are important for land management and preventing wildfires, but a new study finds these managed fires are also significant contributors to air pollution in the southeastern United States—particularly in areas with large minority and low-income populations. The study also finds these air quality impacts could become more pronounced in the decades ahead as the effects of climate change become more pronounced.
June 18, 2025 — Source
Coal power plants were paid to close. Is it time to do the same for slaughterhouses?
The food industry will go to great lengths (and spend a fortune) to lobby policymakers, confuse the public and politicize scientific findings. You can see the results in the UK's delay of a ban on junk food advertisers targeting children, or the orchestrated backlash to a report that recommended cutting red meat consumption and embracing more plant-based diets.
June 18, 2025 — Source
Diminishing night sky: Light pollution from cities and satellites is making stars harder to see
This week, Aotearoa New Zealand officially celebrates Matariki for the fourth time, marked by the reappearance in the night sky of the star cluster also known as the Pleiades.
June 18, 2025 — Source
Does the Internet Have an Environmental Impact? Yes, Actually. And It's Getting Bigger
From data centers to AI to 5G internet, how we use the internet has a much bigger effect on our Earth than we might imagine.
June 18, 2025 — Source
Energy transition: How coal mines could go solar
Disused coal mines could be refashioned to place vast fields of solar panels, a new report suggests, providing an unlikely solution to a common obstacle to uptake of the green energy source.
June 18, 2025 — Source
Ever since modern environmentalism took off in the 1960s, people have tried to undo the damage humans have caused to nature. Efforts have ranged from reducing threats, to restoring habitats, to reintroducing vanished species—and the results have been mixed.
From depressed polar bears to charismatic pandas, conservationists have used anthropomorphism, or the practice of attributing human qualities to non-human subjects, to garner public support for conservation efforts.
June 18, 2025 — Source
Fast-tracking finance to abate India's SLCPs
Short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs)—methane (CH4), black carbon, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and tropospheric ozone—are among the most potent contributors to global warming. Their abatement, therefore, offers great potential to combat climate change.
June 18, 2025 — Source
Heatstroke alerts issued in Japan as temperatures surge
Sweltering temperatures prompted heatstroke alerts in multiple Japanese regions on Wednesday, with dozens of people seeking emergency medical care in the capital Tokyo.
June 18, 2025 — Source
How Paris's Seine river keeps the Louvre cool in summer
As Paris braces for a heat wave this weekend, a little-known network of underground pipes will be cooling the Louvre museum and other storied landmarks using water from the Seine River.
June 18, 2025 — Source
How ubiquitous small particles turn harmful inside plants
A new UC Riverside-led study reveals how common small particles produced by nature as well as human activities can transform upon entering plant cells and weaken plants' ability to turn sunlight into food. The discovery offers a path to control this issue.
June 18, 2025 — Source
Hurricane Erick could make history with a powerful early season landfall in Mexico
After reaching hurricane strength early Wednesday, Erick could become the earliest landfalling storm so strong along Mexico's Pacific coast.
June 18, 2025 — Source
I set up portable solar panels in my backyard for a month - and the results impressed me
EcoFlow's 125W solar panels are bundled for a total of 500W of power - lightweight, modular, and easy to set up wherever you need them.
June 18, 2025 — Source
In stressful times, our anxiety can rub off on pets. Causes and cures for pet anxiety
In this age of heightened anxiety, many of us turn to our pets for emotional support. But is our behavior increasing our furry friends' fears?
June 18, 2025 — Source
Longer exposure, more pollen: Climate change worsens allergies
Runny nose, itching eyes, worsening asthma symptoms—the effects of hay fever are nothing to sneeze at, experts say, warning of an "explosion" of allergies as climate change lengthens and intensifies pollen seasons.
June 18, 2025 — Source
Mauritius is facing a water crisis: Harvesting water from its rivers with ten reservoirs can help
Mauritius's water supplies are running very low. As a small island, it is affected by tropical cyclones, rising temperatures, rising sea levels, and a warming ocean. Rainfall levels have decreased by 8% over the last 10 years.
June 18, 2025 — Source
Message in a bubble: Physics enables encoding of messages in ice
Inspired by naturally occurring air bubbles in glaciers, researchers have developed a method to encode messages in ice.
June 18, 2025 — Source
Selenium-doped nanoparticles improve fungicide delivery and trigger plant immunity
Selenium-doped nanoparticles improve fungicide retention, activate plant defenses, and lower toxicity in environmentally safer pesticide formulations.
June 18, 2025 — Source
Studying tiny parasites in Japanese sea cucumbers
Sea cucumbers spend their lives prowling the ocean floor, scavenging for food and generally minding their own business. We can see snails leading similar lives, slimy but not bothering anyone.
June 18, 2025 — Source
Successful synthesis of neutral N6 opens door for future energy storage
Nitrogen finally joins the elite tier of elements like carbon that can form neutral allotropes—different structural forms of a single chemical element. Researchers from Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany, have synthesized neutral hexanitrogen (N6)—the first neutral allotrope of nitrogen since the discovery of naturally occurring dinitrogen (N2) in the 18th century that is cryogenically stable and can be prepared at room temperature.
June 18, 2025 — Source
Vermont plastic bag use dropped 91% following ban, researchers find
In the midst of 2020 COVID measures, another change took place in Vermont: A law went into effect banning businesses from offering plastic bags to customers, with paper bags only available for a fe
June 18, 2025 — Source
Where do Antarctic submarine canyons get their marine life?
Submarine canyons around Antarctica tend to have less sea ice, higher sea surface temperatures, and more biomass such as phytoplankton blooms than the shelves they cut into. Phytoplankton blooms feed Antarctic krill, making these canyons an attractive feeding ground for larger predators such as penguins, who make permanent homes for foraging and breeding on the shores surrounding submarine canyons.
June 18, 2025 — Source
Where the wild bees thrive: Combining agricultural and environmental measures can offer more protection
The global decline of wild bee populations is alarming. Landscapes characterized by intensive agriculture offer hardly any suitable habitats. Isolated local efforts are often not enough to counteract this loss.
June 18, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — June 16th, 2025
A solar panel recycling scheme would help reduce waste, but please repair and reuse first
Australia's rooftop solar industry has renewed calls for a mandatory recycling scheme to deal with the growing problem of solar panel waste. Only about 10% of panels are currently recycled. The rest are stockpiled, sent overseas or dumped in landfill.
June 16, 2025 — Source
Australian researchers prove world-leading flood sensing technology
With flooding now an ever-present danger for communities in Australia and around the world, Australian researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of world-first real-time water level and rainfall sensing technology using existing mobile phone networks.
June 16, 2025 — Source
China's Everest obsession: How tourism and climate change are transforming the mountain
"To the discerning eye, other mountains are visible—giants between 23,000 and 26,000 feet high. Not one of their slenderer heads even reaches their chief's shoulder. Beside Everest they escape notice, such is the preeminence of the greatest," George Mallory, 1922.
June 16, 2025 — Source
'Coral in Focus' Premieres at the United Nations Ocean Conference, Spotlighting Innovation and Urgency in Reef Restoration
A new film by Samsung and Seatrees captures the impact and urgency of coral reef restoration through the lens of Galaxy technology
June 16, 2025 — Source
'Forever chemicals' detected in 65% of sampled private wells in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, 3.5 million people are served by private well systems, according to Penn State Extension. To better understand potential contamination of the groundwater feeding these systems, a team of researchers from Penn State conducted a novel three-year citizen science study of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—often referred to as forever chemicals—in 167 private wells across Pennsylvania.
June 16, 2025 — Source
Frozen, thawed: How Arendelle's glacier would fare under modern climate change
As a glaciologist who thinks about ice a lot, rewatching the movie Frozen umpteen times with my six-year-old daughter provides ample opportunity for my imagination to run wild. The movie is set in the fictional kingdom of Arendelle, which is modeled on a fjord landscape, complete with a large glacier at the head of Arenfjord. Ice unsurprisingly plays a very prominent role in the story. Yet this glacier receives very little attention.
June 16, 2025 — Source
Low-income housing for seniors gets a climate-friendly renovation in central New York
The seven-story apartment building is now powered by geothermal and solar energy.
June 16, 2025 — Source
Researchers pioneer nanoparticle approach to fight poultry disease
Researchers have demonstrated that a novel protein-based nanoparticle can make mRNA vaccines more effective to tackle a troublesome pathogen in chickens.
June 16, 2025 — Source
Scientists create a manifesto for the ocean
When the string of dignitaries spoke in Nice, there was a pattern—listen to the science; our oceans are in trouble.
June 16, 2025 — Source
Seabed mining is becoming an environmental flashpoint—NZ will have to pick a side soon
Seabed mining could become one of the defining environmental battles of 2025. Around the world, governments are weighing up whether to allow mining of the ocean floor for metal ores and minerals. New Zealand is among them.
June 16, 2025 — Source
Small towns are growing fast across Ghana—but environmental planning isn't keeping up
Africa's urban future will be shaped not only by large cities and capitals but also by its many small and medium-sized towns.
June 16, 2025 — Source
Stocking up on snacks: How phytoplankton prepare for the future
Single-cell plants called phytoplankton have a surprising way of remembering conditions in the past to help jump-start their growth in the future, but no one is sure exactly how they do this.
June 16, 2025 — Source
The Darter Fish and the Data Center
A newly identified species is already in danger of extinction. A proposed massive data center in Alabama would "nuke" its habitat, scientists say.
June 16, 2025 — Source
The hidden crisis: Groundwater quality in the Philippines and why it matters
A new study found that land use (agricultural or forested) and the season (wet or dry) significantly impact groundwater quality, but in different ways.
June 16, 2025 — Source
The history of the ocean, as told by tiny beautiful fossils
Bountiful remains of foraminifera reveal how organisms responded to climate disturbances of the past. They can help predict the future, too.
June 16, 2025 — Source
The invisible killer: PM 1 pollution uncovered across America
A groundbreaking 25-year analysis using satellite technology has now mapped PM 1 levels across the U.S., uncovering how wildfires, vehicle emissions, and industrial byproducts have shaped the air we breathe. Although regulations have improved air quality over time, rising wildfire activity poses a growing challenge. This new dataset gives scientists and regulators a vital tool for targeting the most harmful pollutants and protecting public health.
June 16, 2025 — Source
Trade in a mythical fish is threatening real species of rays that are rare and at risk
Some people are so fascinated with mythical creatures that they create their own, either working from pure fantasy or by modifying real animals. In a newly published study, we show that in countries such as Mexico, people are catching, drying and shaping guitarfishes—members of the rhino ray family, one of the most threatened groups of marine fishes—to create mythical specimens called "pez diablo," or devil fish.
June 16, 2025 — Source
Two Suns, One City: Karachi's Dueling Realities in a Warming World
As another punishing summer edges into Karachi, a Stanford researcher and a former climate minister confront the same crisis—extreme heat—from opposite ends of Pakistan's most populous city.
June 16, 2025 — Source
What tiny molecules in ants and naked mole-rats can tell us about societal roles
From the bright lights of cities that don't sleep—where people hustle and bustle through the night to keep subways, servers, and supply chains alive—to the whisper-dark understory of tropical forests where ants hum in syncopated lines, the planet's most intricate societies hinge on round-the-clock cooperation and finely tuned roles.
June 16, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — June 13th, 2025
Alaska Just Issued Its First-Ever Heat Advisory—and It Won't Be the Last
As Alaska warms nearly twice as fast as the Lower 48 states, two of its National Weather Service (NWS) offices are stepping up their messaging.
June 13, 2025 — Source
Australia's largest pharmaceutical companies need to do more to reduce their carbon footprint
The pharmaceutical industry is vital to human health, but it also has a significant environmental impact.
June 13, 2025 — Source
Bay Area nonprofit provides fresh veggies, cooking classes to people living in a food desert
Urban Tilth, a Richmond, California-based organization, distributes free produce to primarily Black and Latino neighborhoods.
June 13, 2025 — Source
Biofuels Policy, a Mainstay of American Agriculture, Has Been a Failure for the Climate, a New Report Claims
A longtime critic of U.S. biofuels says an expansion of biofuels policy under President Donald Trump would lead to more greenhouse gas emissions and fewer food crops.
June 13, 2025 — Source
How the disappearance of mastodons still threatens native South American forests
Ten thousand years ago, mastodons vanished from South America. With them, an ecologically vital function also disappeared: the dispersal of seeds from large-fruited plants. A new study led by the University of O'Higgins, Chile, with key contributions from IPHES-CERCA, demonstrates for the first time—based on direct fossil evidence—that these extinct elephant relatives regularly consumed fruit and were essential allies of many tree species.
June 13, 2025 — Source
Increased forest fires due to climate change could alter oceanic CO2 absorption
Forest fires are a fundamental force in Earth's dynamics with a direct impact on human health, food security, and biodiversity. From air quality to landscape configuration and resource availability, the consequences of fire have influenced the development of society throughout history. Their effects on the oceans, though less known, are equally significant.
June 13, 2025 — Source
Investigating population density and habitat use of the introduced Japanese weasel
A research team led by Professor Eiji Inoue from the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University have conducted a study on the Japanese weasel (Mustela itatsi). The Japanese weasel is an endemic species to Japan, but it was intentionally introduced to a number of non-native islands and its naturalization on some islands has resulted in severe negative consequences to the local ecosystems.
June 13, 2025 — Source
Musical cicadas brought back to UK from France
Cicadas, whose musical courtship calls once echoed around an ancient forest in southern England, have been reintroduced from France by conservationists hoping to re-establish the insect's UK population.
June 13, 2025 — Source
New approach models potential and trade-offs of floating solar
Floating solar, the practice of placing solar panels on bodies of water, can generate even more electricity per square foot than terrestrial solar. But researchers are just starting to understand the impacts of floating solar on biodiversity and climate—so how should the new technology be implemented? At what pace, extent and at what costs?
June 13, 2025 — Source
New ocean mapping technology helps ships cut fuel use and CO2 emissions
A UNSW academic's innovative research uses ocean currents to optimize shipping routes and reduce the environmental impact of sea transport.
June 13, 2025 — Source
Novel Hydrogel Composites Tackle Harmful Algal Blooms by Recovering Wastewater Nutrients
Engineers from Washington University in St. Louis's McKelvey School of Engineering have developed a composite nanotechnology that extracts and recovers nutrients from wastewater. These nutrients can then be reused as feedstock for biorefineries or agricultural fertilizers. The process also helps lower the risk of toxic algal blooms.
June 13, 2025 — Source
Optimal design could unlock the potential of bladeless wind turbines
Insights from a new study could help unlock the full potential of a developing form of smaller-scale wind power generation, researchers say.
June 13, 2025 — Source
Pacific Ocean life at risk from noisy deep-sea mining
Noise pollution from deep-sea mining carries an invisible risk for sea life, warn researchers, urging greater transparency from the industry to help mitigate the harms.
June 13, 2025 — Source
Pennsylvania Bill Would Create a State Board to Oversee New Energy Projects
Critics say it's an unwarranted centralization of power that sidelines local officials, and they worry it will increase new fossil-fuel power plants.
June 13, 2025 — Source
Predicting post-disaster waste disposal times to improve resilience to tsunamis and earthquakes
Tsunamis and earthquakes pose devastating threats to coastal communities worldwide. However, beyond the immediate destructive power of these events, the negative impact of the disaster waste they produce is sometimes overlooked.
June 13, 2025 — Source
Restoring seascapes: New study calls for urgent habitat reconnection to meet climate and biodiversity goals
Restoring seascapes: New study calls for urgent habitat reconnection to meet climate and biodiversity goals
June 13, 2025 — Source
Rethinking AI: Researchers propose a more effective, human-like approach
New research from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) could help shape the future of artificial intelligence by making AI systems less resource-intensive, higher performing, and designed to emulate the human brain.
June 13, 2025 — Source
Some plants make their own pesticide—but at what cost to the atmosphere?
A natural alternative to pesticides may be hiding in a misunderstood plant compound—but it could come at an environmental cost.
June 13, 2025 — Source
Time to prepare for better floodwater monitoring at Murray Mouth
Extended drought and warm weather are damaging South Australia's marine ecosystems, and periodic flooding of the River Murray poses another major risk.
June 13, 2025 — Source
U.S. government climate website axes staff, may shut down
Climate.gov aims to "provide science and information for a climate-smart nation."
June 13, 2025 — Source
Ultra-Black Paint May Solve Satellite Pollution Crisis
A new ultra-black paint may offer a practical solution to the growing problem of light pollution caused by satellites.
June 13, 2025 — Source
You did it! Our 2025 extreme weather coverage is funded
This is what people-powered journalism looks like.
June 13, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — June 9th, 2025
A Call for Liberation
From a very young age, I knew the gender I was assigned at birth didn't make a lot of sense to what I felt internally.
June 9, 2025 — Source
AMOC decline linked to increased dry season rainfall in parts of the Amazon rainforest
New research led by IIASA reveals a surprising link between two major climate-tipping elements: the Southern Amazon rainforest and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). While the study finds that a weakening AMOC may buffer dry season rainfall loss in the Amazon, it also highlights the urgent need to reduce emissions as broader climate risks continue to escalate.
June 9, 2025 — Source
Building climate resilience in the island nation of Dominica
In September 2017, Hurricane Maria ripped through the Caribbean, devastating the small island nation of Dominica in the Lesser Antilles, between Guadeloupe and Martinique. Universite de Montreal professor Patrick Cloos saw the destruction first-hand when he traveled to Dominica with Doctors Without Borders after the disaster.
June 9, 2025 — Source
Charting Climate Finance Reform to Spur Accountability and Action
Climate finance is undergoing a fundamental shift. With the multilateral system facing rising debt, limited fiscal space, and fragmented global coordination, countries are turning to regional and domestic solutions to bridge their climate finance gaps. This shift reflects the need, and opportunity, for stronger local capital markets and financial institutions in emerging economies that can scale a resilient, just, and effective climate finance architecture that is fit-for-purpose to local contexts.
June 9, 2025 — Source
Coral reefs face an uncertain recovery from the fourth global mass bleaching event—can climate refuges help?
Tropical reefs might look like inanimate rock, but these colorful seascapes are built by tiny jellyfish-like animals called corals. While adult corals build solid structures that are firmly attached to the sea floor, baby corals are not confined to their reefs. They can drift with ocean currents over great distances to new locations that might give them a better chance of survival.
June 9, 2025 — Source
Coral reefs migrating poleward too slowly to escape rapid ocean warming, simulation study shows
In a study published today in Science Advances, researchers at UH Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) Marine Ecological Theory Lab reveal that coral reefs are creeping toward the poles in response to warming oceans, but the pace is too slow to beat the heat and escape impacts of climate change. The study also offers a hopeful alternative: immediate actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can significantly improve the future outlook for coral reefs globally.
June 9, 2025 — Source
Emerging pollutants are aggravating water crisis in developing countries, say researchers
As the population grows and urbanization and agro-industrial activity increase, the demand for freshwater is expected to rise by 55% by 2050. Experts project that this increase in demand will strongly impact a scenario already characterized by scarce and unequally distributed water resources, the privatization of an essential public asset, and deteriorating water quality, especially in developing countries.
June 9, 2025 — Source
Goldilocks conditions for wildfires: Twenty years of data show which areas are most at risk
As the global climate continues to warm, fire seasons have intensified, and large-scale wildfires have become more frequent in many parts of the world. Factors such as vegetation type, land use patterns, and human activity all affect the likelihood of ignition, but wildfire proliferation ultimately depends on two factors: climate and fuel availability.
June 9, 2025 — Source
How social media is shifting the spread of hurricane information
The Tampa Bay region is still recovering from the 2024 hurricane season when it was battered by Hurricanes Milton and Helene. The state of Florida had it even worse in 2004 when it was pummeled by four, back-to-back storms—Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne.
June 9, 2025 — Source
Lawn story: Turfgrass data may improve urban greenhouse gas emission estimates
Data that has been lost in the weeds—or more accurately the turfgrass—could help improve estimates of carbon dioxide emissions from urban areas, according to a team led by scientists at Penn State.
June 9, 2025 — Source
Mussel power: How an offshore shellfish farm is boosting marine life
Mussel power: How an offshore shellfish farm is boosting marine life
June 9, 2025 — Source
New machine learning model improves early tsunami warnings
History has a way of repeating itself. But unlike science, built on general principles and testable theories about the natural world, history examines past events and human actions using evidence and interpretation. This delineation is critical when predicting earthquakes and tsunami waves for Canada's west coast, as researchers just don't have the scientific data required to make communities safe—at least not yet—so current calculations are informed by historic natural disasters in faraway places like Japan and Indonesia.
June 9, 2025 — Source
New report offers critical strategies to protect public health and safe drinking water amid climate change
The American Academy of Microbiology, the honorific leadership group and think tank within the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), and the American Geophysical Union (AGU) have released a new report, Water, Waterborne Pathogens and Public Health: Environmental Drivers.
June 9, 2025 — Source
Ocean mud locks up much of the planet's carbon—we're digging deep to map these ancient stores
Mud is messy. For some, it's a plaything. To many, it can mean real hardship. Mud, though, is often overlooked, particularly when it lies out of sight. Deep down at the bottom of the sea, it is one of the most important natural archives of Earth's past—holding clues of shifting climates, coastlines, ocean conditions and carbon storage.
June 9, 2025 — Source
Out of the string theory swampland: New models may resolve problem that conflicts with dark energy
String theory has long been touted as physicists' best candidate for describing the fundamental nature of the universe, with elementary particles and forces described as vibrations of tiny threads of energy. But in the early 21st century, it was realized that most of the versions of reality described by string theory's equations cannot match up with observations of our own universe.
June 9, 2025 — Source
Protecting peppers from devastating viral diseases through gene pyramiding
Even with today's advanced agricultural technologies, plant diseases can still be extremely devastating to crops, causing billions of dollars in losses worldwide every year. Begomoviruses represent a prominent example of this threat—these whitefly-transmitted pathogens cause yellow leaf curl disease in peppers and can destroy up to 100% of fruit yield in affected fields across Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
June 9, 2025 — Source
Q&A: Leveraging the power of open source data to map the world's oceans
June 8 was UN World Oceans Day, and this year's theme is "Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us." One researcher who has spent years exploring these wonders is Vicki Ferrini, a marine geophysicist and a senior research scientist and geoinformatics expert at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, which is part of the Columbia Climate School.
June 9, 2025 — Source
Rings of time: Unearthing climate secrets from ancient trees
Deep in the swamps of the American Southeast stands a quiet giant: the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum). These majestic trees, with their knobby "knees" and towering trunks, are more than just swamp dwellers—they're some of the oldest living organisms in Eastern North America. Some have been around for more than 2,500 years, quietly thriving in nutrient-poor, flooded forests where most other trees would wither.
June 9, 2025 — Source
Shine On: Illinois Hopes to Continue Solar Boom Despite Federal Headwinds
Renewable energy advocates point to a 2021 law and state dollars as reasons for optimism in a challenging time.
June 9, 2025 — Source
Soil enzyme could make nitrogen more accessible to crops and curb fertilizer runoff
A microscopic enzyme could be the key to helping nitrogen fertilizers stick better to the soil and prevent runoff that causes harmful algal blooms, according to a new review article published by a Michigan State University research team.
June 9, 2025 — Source
Soil models may improve safety of wheat amid cadmium contamination
Cadmium (Cd), a toxic heavy metal, poses a growing threat to food safety through its accumulation in crops. Wheat, in particular, tends to absorb more cadmium than rice due to its higher internal transport efficiency. In China's rice--wheat rotation systems, wheat grains often exceed cadmium safety limits, despite adherence to national soil quality standards.
June 9, 2025 — Source
That Swiss glacier collapse? It wasn't a one-off
Climate change is greasing the skids for glacier detachments that can lead to rock-ice avalanches.
June 9, 2025 — Source
The Race to Engineer Coral Reef Solutions in the U.S. Virgin Islands
As world leaders gather to address a global marine crisis at the UN Ocean Conference, scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution demonstrate promising tech to monitor and restore dying reefs.
June 9, 2025 — Source
Trees can be flood-prevention heroes
Leaves and branches slow the rate of rain hitting the ground, and roots help prevent soil erosion.
June 9, 2025 — Source
UN Ocean Conference Opens With a Call to Defend the Deep Sea
Marine experts say governments must protect fragile ecosystems from destructive practices such as bottom trawling and deep sea mining to combat the climate crisis.
June 9, 2025 — Source
Wasps thought to be asexual could support chemical-free pest control enhancements
Scientists have shed new light on the evolution of an important species of wasp—and believe that the findings could help improve the effectiveness of natural pest control.
June 9, 2025 — Source
When antibiotics backfire: How a bacterial energy crisis fuels rapid resistance
Antibiotics are supposed to wipe out bacteria, yet the drugs can sometimes hand microbes an unexpected advantage. A new study from Rutgers Health shows that ciprofloxacin, a staple treatment for urinary tract infections, throws Escherichia coli (E. coli) into an energy crisis that saves many cells from death and speeds the evolution of full-blown resistance.
June 9, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — June 6th, 2025
Aged dust particles act as 'chemical reactors in sky' to drive air pollution, study finds
Dust particles thrown up from deserts such as the Sahara and Gobi are playing a previously unknown role in air pollution, a new study has found.
June 6, 2025 — Source
Book warns of potential harms of lithium boom in Southern California
The region is home to vast amounts of lithium, a mineral critical for battery manufacturing.
June 6, 2025 — Source
Clean energy is generating hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs. So why are Republicans undermining it?
Congress may soon repeal popular clean energy incentives that are boosting rural economies. Learn why in this recording of Dana Nuccitelli and Pearl Marvell's live conversation.
June 6, 2025 — Source
Construction emerges as major source of black carbon in central London
New research has revealed that construction activity is now a dominant source of black carbon emissions in central London. The research, published in the journal Environmental Sciences: Atmospheres, is the first of its kind in Europe.
June 6, 2025 — Source
Coral art: Drawing out the secrets of coral reef resilience to high ocean temperatures
When Victoria Glynn came to Panama to study the effects of extreme ocean temperatures on coral reefs at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) as a pre-doctoral fellow in professor Rowan Barrett's lab at McGill University, she drew corals to explain her work to kids. Now, her illustrations help broader audiences reach an "Ah ha!" moment as she explains how corals from more variable ocean environments may be better equipped to survive rising ocean temperatures than corals from more stable environments—in a paper published in Current Biology.
June 6, 2025 — Source
Discovering the rich biodiversity of coral reefs using a new cutting-edge eDNA system
Just a few meters beneath the clear, blue waters of Okinawa, reef-building corals known as Scleractinia have quietly lived for centuries. Slowly, layer by layer, they have constructed intricate, rigid structures made of calcium carbonate to form the vibrant coral reefs of today.
June 6, 2025 — Source
First-ever airborne toxic chemical detected in Western Hemisphere
Once in a while, scientific research resembles detective work. Researchers head into the field with a hypothesis and high hopes of finding specific results, but sometimes, there's a twist in the story that requires a deeper dive into the data.
June 6, 2025 — Source
Hen breeds vary in their ability to adapt to cage-free environments
Cage-free eggs have become a popular grocery purchase due to growing concerns about animal welfare. In early 2024, they accounted for roughly 40% of eggs sold.
June 6, 2025 — Source
How Nantucket Is Preparing for Rising Seas
The Massachusetts island anticipates damages of $3.4 billion through 2070 if nothing is done.
June 6, 2025 — Source
It's in the bag: Biodegradable plastic idea takes top prize in student startup pitch competition
A team of students creating a biodegradable plastic bag took first place in the finals of the TiE Young Entrepreneur (TYE) Seattle chapter finals competition last week.
June 6, 2025 — Source
Lighting a new way to predict earthquakes: Laboratory model links fault contact area to earthquake occurrences
Researchers have developed a laboratory earthquake model that connects the microscopic real contact area between fault surfaces to the possibility of earthquake occurrences. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, this breakthrough demonstrates the connection between microscopic friction and earthquakes, offering new insights into earthquake mechanics and potential prediction.
June 6, 2025 — Source
New class of SrHfSe3 chalcogenide perovskite solar cells with diverse HTMs may make more efficient solar tech
The photovoltaic industry has witnessed a remarkable breakthrough with the advent of lead halide perovskite solar cells (LHPSCs), which have achieved outstanding power conversion efficiencies (PCEs); 25% in single-junction and 29% in monolithic tandem configurations. Despite this progress, challenges such as poor long-term stability, phase degradation under light, heat, and moisture, and the toxicity of lead (Pb) remain significant obstacles to commercial scalability and environmental safety.
June 6, 2025 — Source
New technologies help wood-burning stoves burn more efficiently, produce less smoke
Oregon State University researchers are gaining a more detailed understanding of emissions from wood-burning stoves and developing technologies that allow stoves to operate much more cleanly and safely, potentially limiting particulate matter pollution by 95%.
June 6, 2025 — Source
'No doubt' Canadian firm will be first to extract deep sea minerals: CEO
The head of submarine mining pioneer The Metals Company told AFP he had "no doubt" the Canadian firm would be the first to extract coveted minerals from the deep seas, with help from Donald Trump.
June 6, 2025 — Source
Plymouth Fish Finger project uses by-catch fish to produce food for local school meals
A pilot community project to create a new locally sourced fish finger for school lunches is making waves across Plymouth and beyond.
June 6, 2025 — Source
The world's first robotic vertical farm resembles a Rubik's CubeIt's not just cool tech — the vertical farm can help with food security in drought-struck areas.
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June 6, 2025 — Source
Trump Hastens 'Drumbeat' of Deferred Coal Plant Retirements
The administration is leaning into fossil fuel solutions for growing power demand, with support from grid operators.
June 6, 2025 — Source
What are runnels, the man-made channels that help restore salt marshes?
The salt marshes that are vitally important in protecting shorelines from erosion are increasingly threatened with death by drowning, scientists say.
June 6, 2025 — Source
What can ancient climate tell us about modern droughts?
Climate change is reshaping the global water cycle, disrupting rainfall patterns and putting growing pressure on cities and ecosystems. Some regions are grappling with heavier rainfall and flooding, while others face prolonged droughts that threaten public health, disrupt economies and increase the risk of political instability. In one recent example, a years-long drought between 2015 and 2020 brought Cape Town, South Africa, to the brink of running out of water—a moment officials dubbed "Day Zero."
June 6, 2025 — Source
When stressors converge, how will our forests fare?
As global temperatures rise, ecosystems face new pressures and often multiple challenges simultaneously. This was the case in 2016 in areas of the northeast that experienced a one-two punch of extreme drought and an onslaught of spongy moth caterpillars that feasted on a massive portion of the region's oak leaves.
June 6, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — June 3rd, 2025
As flood risks rise, Latino landscapers and residents learn to fight back with green infrastructure
A D.C.-based nonprofit trains people in stormwater management techniques to build healthier, flood-resilient neighborhoods.
June 3, 2025 — Source
As Summer Approaches, New Jersey's Shore Towns Confront an Unrelenting Foe: Sea Level Rise
"Sunny day" flooding is now a thing down the shore, where the tides have risen at twice the global average. Sooner or later, "we're not going to be able to protect everything everywhere," one state official says.
June 3, 2025 — Source
Coral-rich Greek archipelago hopes to gain from trawler ban
As a reddish dawn broke over the tiny, coral-rich Greek archipelago of Fournoi, Manolis Mytikas's wooden fishing boat slowly glided home, his nets almost empty.
June 3, 2025 — Source
Enhancing levee inspections with advanced technology
In the United States, earthen levees are an integral part of flood control systems, protecting around 23 million Americans and crucial infrastructure. Recently, the American Society of Civil Engineers' 2025 Report Card for America's Infrastructure rated the nation's levees a D+, with an estimated $70 billion needed for maintenance to bring them into a state of good repair.
June 3, 2025 — Source
Ethanol for clean fuel, stronger economy: Expert Q&A
Ethanol has become a major part of America's energy landscape. It was first used in cars, and is now mixed into most gasoline sold in the U.S. This rise has been driven by environmental concerns, energy security and advances in technology. Today, ethanol helps reduce carbon emissions while creating jobs and supporting rural economies.
June 3, 2025 — Source
Fearing Radioactive Waste, a Western Pennsylvania Community Fights to Stop a Landfill's Re-Opening
Grove City residents are concerned that the landfill will accept oil and gas waste and further pollute nearby waterways.
June 3, 2025 — Source
Greenland's mega tsunamis: First direct observation of the trapped waves that shook the world
In September 2023, a bizarre global seismic signal was observed which appeared every 90 seconds over nine days—and was then repeated a month later. Almost a year later, two scientific studies proposed that the cause of these seismic anomalies were two mega tsunamis which were triggered in a remote East Greenland fjord by two major landslides which occurred due to warming of an unnamed glacier.
June 3, 2025 — Source
How a remote Antarctic base clean-up protected one of Earth's clearest lakes
The study found that while tons of contaminated materials were removed from the former Vanda field station, some residual contamination still remained. However, the remediation of the site in Antarctica's Dry Valleys, which had served as a research base for a quarter of a century, didn't affect measurably the water quality of the area's largest and deepest lake or the biological communities that colonized the station footprint.
June 3, 2025 — Source
How medieval lessons for managing floods could help those facing them
Northern Italy has been hit by a series of devastating floods in recent years. In March 2025 and the previous autumn, heavy rainfall hammered the region, swamping fields, farms and towns. More than 3,000 had to leave their homes in Emilia-Romagna, between Bologna and Ravenna.
June 3, 2025 — Source
In Canada lake, robot learns to mine without disrupting marine life
Three robotic arms extended under the water in a Canadian lake, delicately selecting pebbles from the bed, before storing them back inside the machine.
June 3, 2025 — Source
Nanodomains hold the key to next-generation solar cells
New study reveals how dynamic nanodomains in lead halide perovskites impact charge transport, offering a path to more efficient and stable solar cells.
June 3, 2025 — Source
New method for sustainable recycling of rare earths from electrolysers
Researchers are exploring how to recover rare earth metals from used hydrogen electrolysis cells to reuse the materials directly in new cell production.
June 3, 2025 — Source
Puerto Rican municipalities take on Big Oil in court using a law made for the mob
Lawyer Melissa Sims breaks down how she and a team of lawyers are trying to hold gas and oil companies accountable for the damages caused by climate-change-fueled storms like Hurricane Maria.
June 3, 2025 — Source
Researchers use new mobile sensors to track pollution
The demand for accurate chemical monitoring sensors is rising globally, as industries continue to grapple with the legacy of manufacturing waste.
June 3, 2025 — Source
The best sex and dating apps for hooking up
Looking for no strings attached sex? These are the best apps for hooking up.
June 3, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — May 28th, 2025
A Transco Pipeline Plan to Boost Gas in Five States Would Sharply Increase Air Pollution in N.C. Towns
The 42-inch pipeline has a blast zone that includes hundreds of homes, businesses, schools, day cares, parks and recreation centers.
May 28, 2025 — Source
Agroforestry, silvopasture combine forests and fields to restore, protect land
Peckham Farm looked like more field than forest during a tour early Tuesday morning.
May 28, 2025 — Source
Carbon pollution isn't just changing Earth -- it could cause crowding in space
MIT scientists have found that changes to the atmosphere are enabling space junk to stay in orbit longer.
May 28, 2025 — Source
Crop diversification is crucial to Canadian resilience in a changing world
The recent threats of tariffs and deteriorating relations with the United States have led to increasing interest from Canadian governments and the public in boosting the country's self-reliance.
May 28, 2025 — Source
Earth Is Pushing Its Inner Stash of Rare Metals Toward the Surface
Gold is among those metals, as are ruthenium, platinum, and iridium.
May 28, 2025 — Source
German Court Rejects Peruvian's Claim of Climate Harms
A 10-year legal battle involving melting glaciers, overflowing lakes and greenhouse gas emissions from a German utility is over, but the decision doesn't rule out future claims.
May 28, 2025 — Source
How Do Solar Cells Work?
Find out how solar cells power a good portion of homes today—and how they might power almost everything in the future.
May 28, 2025 — Source
How ongoing deforestation is rooted in colonialism and its management practices
Half of the world's forests were destroyed during the 20th century, with three regions mainly affected: South America, West Africa and Southeast Asia. The situation has worsened to the point that, in 2023, the European Parliament voted to ban the import of chocolate, coffee, palm oil and rubber linked to deforestation.
May 28, 2025 — Source
Hurricane season is upon us, but NOAA and FEMA are not ready
The turmoil at key U.S. agencies threatens everything from forecast quality to storm recovery.
May 28, 2025 — Source
Nearly 5 million seized seahorses just 'tip of the iceberg' in global wildlife smuggling
Close to 5 million smuggled seahorses worth an estimated CAD$29 million were seized by authorities over a 10-year span, according to a new study that warns the scale of the trade is far larger than current data suggest.
May 28, 2025 — Source
Raining one week, dusty the next—how did a dust storm make it all the way to rainy Sydney?
Satellite images reveal the dust storm formed in the Mid-North region of South Australia, east of Spencer Gulf, at around 11am on Monday. It then traveled through western Victoria into New South Wales, reaching Sydney approximately 18 hours later.
May 28, 2025 — Source
Rapid simulations of toxic particles could aid air pollution fight
A pioneering method to simulate how nanoparticles move through the air could boost efforts to combat air pollution, a study suggests.
May 28, 2025 — Source
Slowly dying trees impact forest recovery post-wildfires, according to study of 2020 fires
Across the western U.S., wildfires are becoming larger and more severe—and even trees that initially survive are dying in subsequent years, making it harder for forests to regenerate, according to new research from Portland State University.
May 28, 2025 — Source
Solitonic superfluorescence paves way for high-temperature quantum materials
A study in Nature describes both the mechanism and the material conditions necessary for superfluorescence at room temperature. The work could serve as a blueprint for designing materials that allow exotic quantum states—such as superconductivity, superfluidity or superfluorescence—at high temperatures, paving the way for applications such as quantum computers that don't require extremely low temperatures to operate.
May 28, 2025 — Source
Synthetic molecular rings re-create energy flow found in plants
Plants mastered the art of harvesting sunlight billions of years ago, using elegant rings of pigments in their leaves. Now, researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University have taken a major step toward mimicking that leafy architecture with human-made molecules that self-assemble into stacked rings where charge and energy can circulate freely—just like in photosynthesis.
May 28, 2025 — Source or Source
UK records sunniest spring in over a century
The UK had its sunniest spring since records began, the Met Office said on Wednesday after weeks of above-average temperatures and dry weather in the country known for its rainy days.
May 28, 2025 — Source
Why slower-sinking microorganisms are bad news for the climate
Organic particles that settle on the seabed ensure CO2 stays locked. However, natural gel-like substances slow down this process. Such microscale mechanisms play a crucial role in enhancing climate predictions.
May 28, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — May 27th, 2025
A free store helps hurricane survivors go solar in western North Carolina
The store connects people with equipment donated by solar companies in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
May 27, 2025 — Source
Changing crop variety could extend biopesticide effectiveness
Changes to a pest's diet could slow the evolution of resistance to biopesticides, according to research from University of Stirling scientists.
May 27, 2025 — Source
Do goats lend a helping hoof? Study provides evidence of prosocial behavior in farm animals
Can goats help each other? A new study by the Research Institute of Farm Animal Biology (FBN) in Dummerstorf in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna suggests that goats exhibit prosocial behavior—i.e. they are willing to help others without direct self-benefit. This could make an important contribution to understanding social cognition in farm animals.
May 27, 2025 — Source
Gridcare thinks more than 100 GW of data center capacity is hiding in the grid
Hyperscalers and data center developers are in a pickle: They all want to add computing power tomorrow, but utilities frequently play hard to get, citing years-long waits for grid connections.
May 27, 2025 — Source
Nordic studies show the significance of old-growth forests for biodiversity
Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland conducted a systematic review of 99 scientific publications that compared the flora or fauna of old-growth forests, managed forests and clearcut sites in boreal Europe. The reviewed studies showed large differences in the species communities inhabiting these forest types.
May 27, 2025 — Source
Nuclear option: Indonesia seeks to grow energy, cut emissions
Indonesia is hoping going nuclear can help it meet soaring energy demand while taming emissions, but faces serious challenges to its goal of the first small modular reactor by 2032.
May 27, 2025 — Source
Rising soil nitrous acid emissions driven by climate change and fertilization accelerate global ozone pollution: Study
Ozone pollution is a global environmental concern that not only threatens human health and crop production, but also worsens global warming. While the formation of ozone is often attributed to anthropogenic pollutants, soil emissions are revealed to be another important source.
May 27, 2025 — Source
We need your help to cover hurricanes this summer
Season after season, readers like you have shown us that you value our coverage of hurricanes and other extreme weather. You've used it to stay informed and keep your loved ones safe. Now we need your help.
May 27, 2025 — Source
With Clean Energy Stalled, Can New Jersey Bet on Nuclear and Win?
The state recently took the first step to potentially becoming a leader in next-generation nuclear energy.
May 27, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — May 23rd, 2025
A Double Whammy for Scientists: Big Budget Cuts, Big Climate Consequences
The Trump administration is pulling NASA scientists from a historic research facility amid broader budget cuts.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Antarctica has its own 'shield' against warm water—but this could now be under threat
A little-known ocean current surrounds Antarctica, shielding it from warm water farther north. But our new research published in Geophysical Research Letters shows Antarctica's melting ice is disrupting this current, putting the continent's last line of defense at risk.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Balancing wind power and marine life: New method evaluates ecological impact of offshore activities
A study from the University of Aberdeen has revealed a new approach to evaluating the ecological impacts of offshore activities. The paper is published in the journal Ecological Solutions and Evidence.
May 23, 2025 — Source
California prepares to sue feds after Senate revokes the state's EV rule
California is preparing to sue the federal government to recover its right to set vehicle emissions standards, Rob Bonta, the state's attorney general, told TechCrunch in a statement.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Different phases of evolution during ice age
Cold-adapted animals started to evolve 2.6 million years ago when the permanent ice at the poles became more prevalent. There followed a time when the continental ice sheets expanded and contracted and around 700,000 years ago the cold periods doubled in length. This is when many of the current cold-adapted species, as well as extinct ones like mammoths, evolved.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Discovery may flip the genetic script on fungal threat in wheat
Researchers from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have discovered a breakthrough in the fight against Fusarium Head Blight, which is a major disease affecting U.S. wheat and other cereal crops.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Drone startup surveying power lines to prevent fires wins top prize at prestigious UW competition
The grand prize in a prestigious contest for young Pacific Northwest entrepreneurs came down to four technologies Thursday night: wildfire-preventing drones, AI analysis for animal research, a plastic-saving tech for 3D printing, and high-performing devices for gynecological exams.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Earth's Core Is Leaking Gold Into Volcanoes, Scientists Say
Traces of ruthenium in volcanic rock point to a hidden geological highway.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Extreme weather could cause more disruptions to Chicago public transit
To address flooded train stations and unshaded hot bus stops, public transit will need infrastructure investments to keep up with climate change.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Fears for crops as drought hits northern Europe
Parts of northern Europe have seen their worst drought in decades in recent weeks, with farmers from Scotland to the Netherlands fearing the dry spell will dent harvests if it continues
May 23, 2025 — Source
Groundbreaking fusion: Helion eyes rural Wash. for world's first plant despite unproven tech
Nearly a century after construction began on Rock Island Dam — the first hydroelectric power plant on the Columbia River — a new and vastly different energy technology could take shape at the same site.
May 23, 2025 — Source
How El Niño and La Niña climate swings threaten mangroves worldwide
A new international study led by researchers at Tulane University shows that the El Niño and La Niña climate patterns affect nearly half of the world's mangrove forests, underscoring the vulnerability of these vital coastal ecosystems to climatic shifts. Mangroves are shrubs or trees that grow in dense thickets mainly in coastal saline or brackish water.
May 23, 2025 — Source
How long do the toxic effects of cadmium last?
A biologist at the University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences advises consumers to think twice when deciding which chocolate bar they want to eat. That's because a heavy metal often found in chocolate might not just affect their health, but also the health of their future children.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Hurricane Season Will Be Even Riskier for Undocumented People This Year
The Trump administration's anti-immigrant actions will leave undocumented people more vulnerable during and after extreme weather events, experts say.
May 23, 2025 — Source
In 2025, tornado alley has become almost everything east of the Rockies, and it's been a violent year
Violent tornado outbreaks, like the storms that tore through parts of St. Louis and London, Kentucky, on May 16, have made 2025 seem like an especially active, deadly and destructive year for tornadoes.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Liquid metal tin is the key to sustainable desalination
Researchers have developed a solar-powered method that uses liquid tin to purify water and recover valuable metals from seawater brine.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Marine heat waves pose problems for coastal plankton
Temperatures around the world continue to rise—and the North Sea is no exception. Yet, in addition to this gradual warming, increasingly frequent and intense heat events also have consequences for marine organisms.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Microsoft says its Aurora AI can accurately predict air quality, typhoons, and more
One of Microsoft's latest AI models can accurately predict air quality, hurricanes, typhoons, and other weather-related phenomena, the company claims.
May 23, 2025 — Source or Source
Mighty mite defense systems: More mites, more protection for plants
The humble mite, a tiny invertebrate that typically lives in small chambers on the underside of leaves, plays a mighty role in defending its host plant from invaders.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Monitoring select bird species benefits other species within same regions, study shows
A new study led by Cornell Lab of Ornithology researchers at the K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics shows that monitoring and managing select bird species can provide benefits for other species within specific regions.
May 23, 2025 — Source
NOAA Predicts Above-Average Hurricane Activity This Year
Uncertainty swirls around the federal government, including NOAA and FEMA, ahead of the start of Atlantic hurricane season on June 1.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Portable chemodosimeter array detects hypochlorite in seconds, boosting safety and environmental checks
Hypochlorite (ClO-) is widely used for sterilization, disinfection, and bleaching due to its strong oxidative properties. However, prolonged exposure to ClO- can pose health risks, and excessive discharge can lead to environmental pollution.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Rare earth production outside China 'major milestone'
An Australian firm's production of a heavy rare earth, a first outside of China, is a "major milestone" in diversifying a critical supply chain dominated by Beijing, experts say.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Scientists develop model for tracking agricultural impact on lake ecosystems
A recent study has introduced a novel data-driven model that distinguishes between human-induced and natural water consumption in croplands, providing valuable insights into the sustainability of arid lake ecosystems.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Simplicity may be the key to understanding soil moisture
Soil moisture is a key regulator of temperature and humidity, one that's positioned to be affected substantially by climate change. But despite the importance of soil moisture, efforts to model it involve dozens of poorly constrained parameters, and different models tend to disagree about how soil moisture levels will change in a warming world.
May 23, 2025 — Source
States, Environmentalists Sue Trump Over Billions in Funding Freezes for EV Charging
Congress appropriated funds in the 2021 infrastructure bill for a national network of electric vehicle charging stations. The administration, which opposes EVs in favor of gasoline-power vehicles, has frozen the money.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Subsidies to key economic sectors threaten the planet's biodiversity
Nature is fundamental to human life and well-being: it enables food production, regulates the climate, maintains the water and carbon cycles, and directly contributes to health. More than half of the global economy depends, to a greater or lesser extent, on the services provided by nature. However, human actions are causing an accelerated and widespread deterioration of the planet and all life forms that inhabit it.
May 23, 2025 — Source
The Surprising Link Between Penguin Poop and Cloud Formation
A new study confirms that penguin guano kicks off a chemical reaction that causes clouds to form.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Tropical cyclones increase infant mortality in developing countries
Tropical cyclones, including storms below hurricane and typhoon strength, were associated with a sharp rise in infant mortality in low- and middle-income countries during the first two decades of this century, according to new research published in Science Advances. The findings point to a critical need for stronger disaster response and child health protections in vulnerable regions, especially as climate change increases the frequency and severity of these storms.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Trump signs orders to boost US nuclear energy
President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders Friday to boost nuclear energy in the United States, including by rolling back regulatory processes on a still divisive technology.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Unique chemistry discovered in critical lithium deposits
Much of the world's lithium occurs in salty waters with fundamentally different chemistry than other naturally saline waters like the ocean, according to a study published on May 23 in Science Advances. The finding has implications for lithium mining technologies and wastewater assessment and management.
May 23, 2025 — Source
US solar keeps surging, generating more power than hydro in 2025
Continued rising demand still outpacing growth of renewables in the US.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Vermont's Governor Delays Electric Car Mandates, Part of State's Climate Plan
In an executive order, Gov. Phil Scott paused enforcement of EV supply mandates. The stated reasons defy the administration's prior messaging about zero-emission vehicle goals.
May 23, 2025 — Source
When the sea moves inland: A global climate wake-up call from Bangladesh's Delta
As sea levels climb and weather grows more extreme, coastal regions everywhere are facing a creeping threat: salt.
May 23, 2025 — Source
Why The Titanic Shipwreck Could Disappear In Your Lifetime
Considered the most immense and opulent passenger vessel of its time, the Titanic boasted 10 decks, a length of 852.5 feet, and a variety of amenities such as a swimming pool (the first ship to offer one), a luxurious bath house, and even an in-house barber. Sadly, as most are aware, while the Titanic excelled in size and lavishness, it equally lacked emergency preparedness.
May 23, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — May 22nd, 2025
A new approach could fractionate crude oil using much less energy
Separating crude oil into products such as gasoline, diesel, and heating oil is an energy-intensive process that accounts for about 6% of the world's CO2 emissions. Most of that energy goes into the heat needed to separate the components by their boiling point.
May 22, 2025 — Source or Source
Bain launches datacenter biz for Euros worried about climate change and Trump
Data sovereignty fears fuel pitch to hyperscalers
May 22, 2025 — Source
Climate change may make it harder to reduce smog in some regions
Global warming will likely hinder our future ability to control ground-level ozone, a harmful air pollutant that is a primary component of smog, according to a new MIT study.
May 22, 2025 — Source
Climate change poses severe threat to bowhead whale habitat
New research examining 11,700 years of bowhead whale persistence throughout the Arctic projects that sea ice loss due to climate change will cause their habitat to severely contract by up to 75%.
May 22, 2025 — Source or Source
Conservation sweet spots: How protecting nature helps both birds and humans in the US
In a new study published in the journal Ecosystem Services, researchers from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, and the Wildlife Conservation Society examined how protecting areas valuable for human needs—like clean water, flood control, and carbon storage—could simultaneously benefit bird populations across the United States.
May 22, 2025 — Source
Diversity is key to ecosystem stability, says 20-year study
Alongside climate change, biodiversity loss caused by human activity is one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time. A study conducted at the Research Center for Ecological Change, University of Helsinki investigated how the diversity of natural communities affects their stability amid rapid environmental change.
May 22, 2025 — DeWalt DWS779 versus DWS780: What's The Difference Between These Miter Saws?
The DWS779 and DWS780 are two of DeWalt's most popular miter saws. Both are great tools for woodworking, both are 12-inch dual-bevel sliding compound miter saws, and both look almost identical. Same motor, same blade size, and same cutting capacity — but there are a few subtle differences.
May 22, 2025 — Source
Drones with AI help farmers optimize nitrogen fertilizer use
A new University of Florida study published in HortScience shows how drones can do more than just take aerial pictures and videos—they can help farmers grow better hemp by seeing the health of their crops with some artificial intelligence assistance.
May 22, 2025 — Source
Flower strips planted with at least two flower species provide 70% more natural enemies of pests
Planting flower strips in a field with at least two species can increase the number of natural enemies of pests by 70%. The more flower species, the better the effect, according to a new meta-analysis from the University of Copenhagen.
May 22, 2025 — Source
Flowers unfold with surprising precision, despite unruly genes
Flowers grow stems, leaves and petals in a perfect pattern again and again. A new Cornell study shows that even in this precise, patterned formation in plants, gene activity inside individual cells is far more chaotic than it appears from the outside.
May 22, 2025 — Source
Fully protected marine areas in Brazil are contaminated by microplastics
Despite being considered sanctuaries for biodiversity, Brazil's marine protected areas (MPAs) are not immune to microplastic contamination.
May 22, 2025 — Source
Get ready for another busy Atlantic hurricane season, but maybe not as crazy as 2024
With warmer than normal ocean waters, forecasters are expecting yet another unusually busy hurricane season for the Atlantic. But they don't think it will be as chaotic as 2024, the third-costliest season on record as it spawned killer storms Beryl, Helene and Milton.
May 22, 2025 — Source
House GOP moves to slash renewable energy tax breaks
The House passed a giant spending bill that would roll back tax credits that boosted wind and solar projects across the US, particularly in Republican districts.
May 22, 2025 — Source
House Republicans Have Passed a Bill to Gut the IRA. What Happened to All the Supposed Holdouts?
In the end, none of the House Republicans who had voiced concerns about ending energy tax credits were willing to go against party leadership.
May 22, 2025 — Source
How Did This 1,300-Ton Boulder Travel Up a Cliff? Scientists Just Figured It Out
A seemingly out-of-place boulder in Tonga hints at a massive tsunami that hit the region 7,000 years ago.
May 22, 2025 — Source
How long-duration batteries can power a cleaner, more reliable, and sustainable renewable energy future
As the world moves toward cleaner energy sources, a major challenge remains: how do we store renewable energy for when we need it most?
May 22, 2025 — Source
How outdoor sports can support youth as they navigate climate change
As climate change continues to impact the way we interact with our planet, it's critical to consider ways we can encourage youth to participate in climate action initiatives.
May 22, 2025 — Source
Lake sediment analysis Holocene warming trend, decoding 10,400 years of tropical Australasia's climate
Understanding how Earth's climate has naturally fluctuated during the Holocene—the current geological epoch spanning the last 11,700 years—is crucial for contextualizing modern human-driven warming and improving future climate projections. However, the climate history of tropical Australasia has remained unclear, with scientists often divided over interpretations of paleoclimate records.
May 22, 2025 — Source
Massive floods strand over 50,000 in eastern Australia
Record floods stranded more than 50,000 people in eastern Australia on Thursday, killing three as a muddy tide swept through towns and swollen rivers cut off roads.
May 22, 2025 — Source
One big, beautiful, climate-killing bill
The massive tax bill just passed by House Republicans would gut clean energy tax credits for individuals and businesses. It now heads to the Senate.
May 22, 2025 — Source
Penguin guano may help reduce effects of climate change in Antarctica
Ammonia released from penguin guano may help to reduce the effects of climate change in Antarctica by contributing to increased cloud formation, according to an analysis published in Communications Earth & Environment. The conclusion is the result of measurements taken downwind of a colony of Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae).
May 22, 2025 — Source or Source
Push to make big oil pay for climate damage losing steam in California legislature
After climate-driven L.A. fires, "rancid" politics and fear of job loss, gas prices, slows momentum to confront industry.
May 22, 2025 — Source
Reciprocity between humans and nature: Key to safeguarding planetary health
Practicing reciprocity between humans and nature—namely caring relationships between people and nature when they perceive benefits from nature—can contribute positively to both the planet and societies. This is the main conclusion of a comprehensive international study that explores the different ways in which this concept is understood and enacted worldwide, providing evidence of its impact on sustainability and social well-being.
May 22, 2025 — Source
Scientists develop automated system to monitor methane absorption in forest soils
Scientists from the Institute of Applied Ecology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed an automated monitoring system to continuously track methane absorption by forest soils. A four-year study at a temperate forest site revealed a strong correlation between soil temperature, moisture, and methane uptake rates, enhancing understanding of methane oxidation dynamics.
May 22, 2025 — Source
Sound recordings from healthy reefs boost coral settlement on artificial structures
Coral reefs are vital to marine biodiversity, but their livelihood is under threat due to climate instability and the impacts of human activities.
May 22, 2025 — Source
Where Switzerland's power will come from in 2050
By 2050, the aim is for Switzerland's energy system to be decarbonized and no longer reliant on nuclear power. How this can be achieved and the costs of doing so are set out in a new report by a Swiss research consortium involving researchers from ETH Zurich, the universities of Geneva and Bern, EPFL, WSL, and ZHAW.
May 22, 2025 — Source
Why Europe's fisheries management needs an overhaul
As legally required by the European Union, sustainable fisheries may not extract more fish than can regrow each year. Yet about 70% of commercially targeted fish stocks in northern EU waters are either overfished, have shrunken population sizes or have collapsed entirely.
May 22, 2025 — Source
Wind-related hurricane losses for homeowners in the southeastern U.S. could be nearly 76 percent higher by 2060
New research finds that homeowners in Texas are predicted to be the hardest hit -- along with those in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama
May 22, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — May 13th, 2025
#WeArePlay: How My Lovely Planet is making environmental preservation fun through games
In our latest #WeArePlay film, which celebrates the people behind apps and games on Google Play, we meet Clement, the founder of Imagine Games. His game, My Lovely Planet, turns casual mobile gaming into tangible environmental action, planting real trees and supporting reforestation projects worldwide. Discover the inspiration behind My Lovely Planet and the impact it's had so far.
May 13, 2025 — Source or Watch Video
A plant called beetleweed has three different chromosome complements within its geographical range
About 3.7 billion years ago, a string of naturally occurring amino—the same kind that astronomers have found in meteorites and just recently in a stellar nursery near the center of the Milky Way—reacted with a naturally occurring catalyst and began the fateful process of self-assembled replication.
May 13, 2025 — Source
AI can scan vast numbers of social media posts during disasters to guide first responders
In recent years, researchers have explored how artificial intelligence can use social media to help during emergencies. These programs can scan millions of posts on sites such as X, Facebook and Instagram. However, most existing systems look for simple patterns like keywords or images of damage.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Atmospheric water harvesting: Optimization of a hygroscopic hydrogel device improves efficiency
A small team of engineers from the U.S., Chile and Ireland has found a way to extract more water from drier air, allowing for water production in arid places like the Atacama Desert.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Civil defense units must invest in professionalization and resources to prepare for climate risks, warn experts
As the effects of climate change intensify in urban areas, it is essential to strengthen the organizational capacity of civil defense units to implement disaster risk management, including prevention and mitigation.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Designing enzymes from scratch: New workflow paves way for more powerful and environmentally benign chemistry
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara, UCSF and the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new workflow for designing enzymes from scratch, paving the way toward more efficient, powerful and environmentally benign chemistry. The new method allows designers to combine a variety of desirable properties into new-to-nature catalysts for an array of applications, from drug development to materials design.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Documenting local shellfish harvesting trends, changes
By studying the Damariscotta and Medomak River estuaries, University of Maine researchers have formally documented shifts in shellfish populations, from soft shell clams to oysters. Because Maine's intertidal mudflats, such as those found in these estuaries, are difficult to study, this work filled an important gap in information about shellfish harvesting.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Dutch Environmental Group Launches New Climate Case Against Shell to Stop All Investment in New Oil and Gas Fields
The NGO previously sued Shell to reduce its carbon emissions. The oil major has 700 extraction assets that have yet to be developed with potential CO2 emissions of 36 times those of the Netherlands' annually.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Ending poverty without compromising climate goals is possible, say researchers
With climate change intensifying and billions of people still lacking basic necessities, addressing both challenges simultaneously is not only possible but essential. New research highlights that meeting global climate targets while ensuring decent living standards for all can be achieved, provided that emissions reductions are implemented quickly and decisively.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Europe backs generative AI to drive clean energy transformation
As Europe's energy system faces new challenges and accelerates green and digital transitions, generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is emerging as a transformative enabler for critical infrastructure—and is already unlocking "quick wins" across Europe's energy landscape, optimizing operational efficiency, workforce resilience, planning of large-scale infrastructures, and system flexibility.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Feeding cows seaweed reduces methane emissions, but does it make economic sense?
As they digest grass and hay, cows produce significant amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas. In the quest to identify an alternative livestock feed, seaweed has emerged as a promising contender.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Glaciers are melting faster than ever, threatening biodiversity and ecosystem stability worldwide
The retreat of the planet's glaciers is one of the most visible and dramatic indicators of the far-reaching impact of climate change on the world's ecosystems.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Groundwater loss causes Earth's surface to rise in South Africa
Satellite and GPS data reveal surprising drivers of ground movement
May 13, 2025 — Source
Growth before photosynthesis: How trees regulate their water balance
Plants have small pores on the underside of their leaves, known as stomata. When the sun rises, these pores open and the plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which they need, in addition to sunlight and water, for photosynthesis. At the same time, water evaporates through the open stomata; for a tree, this may be several hundred liters per day.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Growth in informal lead mining is contributing to widespread poisoning, study finds
Artisanal lead mining in Nigeria is responsible for airborne lead exposures that are 10 times the U.S. Permissible Exposure Limit according to a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.
May 13, 2025 — Source
How the weather got 'stuck' over the UK—and produced an unusually dry and warm spring
A "blocking" weather system lingering high above the UK has produced one of the driest, warmest and brightest starts to spring on record.
May 13, 2025 — Source
In a Landmark PFAS Payout, 3M to Pay New Jersey $450 Million
The deal will send hundreds of millions toward cleaning up water polluted by "forever chemicals," checking on people's health and fixing damage to land and rivers.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Methane: Where it comes from and why we're running out of time
Emissions and atmospheric concentrations of methane continue to increase, making it the second most important human-influenced greenhouse gas in terms of climate forcing after carbon dioxide. In fact, methane concentrations have risen faster over the past five-year period than in any period since record-keeping began, and yet research suggests that reducing methane emissions may be cheaper than carbon dioxide mitigation for a comparable climate benefit.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Mitigating the effect of urban heat release on local rainfall
Stifling heat and sticky air often make summertime in the city uncomfortable. Due to the heat island effect, urban areas are significantly warmer than nearby rural areas, even at night. This, combined with more frequent extreme weather events caused by climate change, often render the city an unpleasant environment in the summer.
May 13, 2025 — Source
New manual for cultivating algae in the laboratory provides important tool for life sciences researchers
A team of biophysicists has published a step-by-step guide for the reliable cultivation of the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The guide will support researchers worldwide in the fields of life sciences, biophysics, and bioengineering in their investigations of biological, biophysical, and biotechnological principles.
May 13, 2025 — Source
New opportunities for Arctic fishing 'must be carefully managed'
New opportunities for fishing off the west coast of Greenland are being opened up by climate change, University of Strathclyde research has found—but they bring risks to the region's ecosystem.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Nighttime Eruption of Kanlaon Volcano in Philipines Caught on Thermal Camera
A thermal camera has captured the moment a volcano in the Philippines erupted, sending ash almost two miles (three kilometers) into the air.
May 13, 2025 — Source
One of the tech industry's sources of carbon credits is in conflict with Kenyan herders
The grazing method the conservation program requires runs counter to traditional farming methods.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Oyster fossils shatter myth of weak seasonality in greenhouse climate
An international research team studying fossilized oyster shells has revealed substantial annual temperature variation in sea water during the Early Cretaceous. The finding overturns the assumption that Earth's greenhouse periods are marked by universally warmer and uniformly stable temperatures.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Pharmaceutical Pollution Is Widespread Across the World's Waterways
Antibiotics, antidepressants and other drugs frequently leach into the environment, where they can impact ecosystems and human health.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Scientists track climate change on a remote Andes mountain peak
What they learn could help communities that depend on mountain snowmelt.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Sponge-like pellets show promise for capturing carbon dioxide from industrial sources
Capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial processes is a necessary step to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and minimize the severe impacts of climate change. A new report from the University of Nottingham explains that sponge-like pellets may hold the key to preventing CO₂ from entering the atmosphere, supporting future net zero ambitions.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Study gauges what affects professional women soccer players' social media brands
Women's professional soccer has grown in popularity over the last decade, while social media has simultaneously given athletes an accessible way to promote their personal brands. A new study from the University of Kansas analyzed how professional women soccer players in Europe use social media to promote their personal brand and how factors like their team's social media use influence their popularity.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Swamp Coolers' Ability to Beat the Heat is Evaporating in Record Southwestern Temperatures
The evaporative coolers are a popular and climate-friendly cooling option in arid regions, but temperatures in New Mexico are rising beyond what the home appliances can manage.
May 13, 2025 — Source
The real cost of achieving net-zero emissions in Australia's livestock sector
A conversation between a Tasmanian farmer and a researcher at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) about the real cost of achieving net-zero emissions led to a multi-year study.
May 13, 2025 — Source
The USDA will republish climate change information online following farmer lawsuit
Restoration is underway and should finish in about two weeks.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Treating wastewater with alkaline minerals can improve CO2 removal and storage
Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategies use a wide range of techniques to capture CO2 from the air and store it durably, offering a frontier solution for counteracting the increasing levels of the greenhouse gas in our environment. Increasing the alkalinity of wastewater by treating it with alkaline minerals can substantially boost the CO2 sequestration abilities, finds a study appearing in Science Advances.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Understanding carbon traps: Physical probing of a promising material shows exactly how it locks CO2 into place
As industries seek innovative solutions for carbon capture, scientists have turned to advanced materials that efficiently trap and store carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial emissions.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Upgraded perovskite design sets solar cells on path to stability
In solar science, a little structural harmony goes a long way. By finding the atomic equivalent of a perfect handshake between two types of perovskite—a class of crystalline materials prized for their ability to convert sunlight into electricity—researchers at Cornell have built solar cells that are not only high-performing, but exceptionally durable.
May 13, 2025 — Source
User-friendly programming language helps spot hidden pollutants in massive chemical datasets
Biologists and chemists have a new programming language to uncover previously unknown environmental pollutants at breakneck speed—without requiring them to code. By making it easier to search massive chemical datasets, the tool has already identified toxic compounds hidden in plain sight.
May 13, 2025 — Source
With AI, researchers predict the location of virtually any protein within a human cell
A protein located in the wrong part of a cell can contribute to several diseases, such as Alzheimer's, cystic fibrosis, and cancer. But there are about 70,000 different proteins and protein variants in a single human cell, and since scientists can typically only test for a handful in one experiment, it is extremely costly and time-consuming to identify proteins' locations manually.
May 13, 2025 — Source
Why protecting wildland is crucial to American freedom and identity
As summer approaches, millions of Americans begin planning or taking trips to state and national parks, seeking to explore the wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities across the nation. A lot of them will head toward the nation's wilderness areas—110 million acres, mostly in the West, that are protected by the strictest federal conservation rules.
May 13, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — May 9th, 2025
After Spain's blackout, questions about renewable energy are back
The massive power outage that hit the Iberian peninsula on April 28 has reignited a debate in Spain over the country's plan to phase out its nuclear reactors as it generates more power with renewable energy.
May 9, 2025 — Source
All 28 of the U.S.'s Largest Cities Are Sinking, Study Finds
A new study reveals that uneven land subsidence could impact 29,000 buildings across the America's most populated metropolises.
May 9, 2025 — Source
Bacterium produces 'organic dishwashing liquid' to degrade oil
The marine bacterium Alcanivorax borkumensis feeds on oil, multiplying rapidly in the wake of oil spills, and thereby accelerating the elimination of pollution, in many cases. It does this by producing an "organic dishwashing liquid" which it uses to attach itself to oil droplets.
May 9, 2025 — Source or Source or Source
Bringing the outdoors in: Architecture that nurtures our connection with nature
EU researchers are exploring the role of architecture in designing living spaces that harness the healing power of nature to improve the health and well-being of urban populations.
May 9, 2025 — Source
Captive-Bred Axolotls Were Successfully Introduced to the Wild. Can This Work for Other Species?
Captive breeding programs can help build back populations for certain species. But it's key to remove stressors that led to the animal's decline in the first place, experts say.
May 9, 2025 — Source
German satellite measures CO2 and NO2 simultaneously from power plant emissions for the first time
A research team from the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz and Heidelberg University has, for the first time, used the German environmental satellite EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program) to simultaneously detect the two key air pollutants carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in emission plumes from power plants—with an unprecedented spatial resolution of just 30 meters.
May 9, 2025 — Source or Source or Source
Generalist pests cause more damage, specialists kill more trees: Classifying pests by tree damage and mortality
A study in the journal Forests highlights the critical need for understanding and managing nonnative forest specialist and generalist pests.
May 9, 2025 — Source
Google inks deal to develop 1.8 GW of advanced nuclear power
Google and nuclear site developer Elementl Power announced this week that they will work together on three sites for advanced nuclear reactors.
May 9, 2025 — Source
How to cook, clean, and heat your home without fossil fuels
Electric appliances can reduce climate emissions and indoor air pollution.
May 9, 2025 — Source
Machine learning powers new approach to detecting soil contaminants
A team of researchers at Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine has developed a new strategy for identifying hazardous pollutants in soil, even ones that have never been isolated or studied in a lab.
May 9, 2025 — Source or Source
Maryland's Sustainability Chief Reflects on a 'Difficult' Year of Legislative Setbacks
Chief sustainability officer Meghan Conklin defended the state's mixed climate record—but admitted this was "one of the more challenging sessions" she's experienced.
May 9, 2025 — Source
Metals and hormone-disrupting substances threaten sustainable agriculture, water management
Metals and hormone-disrupting substances such as estrogens present a genuine risk to the sustainability of agriculture and water management in Europe. This is the conclusion of doctoral research conducted by Chinese environmental scientist Yuwei Jia at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). Her research provides new insights into the distribution, availability, and risks associated with these pollutants, while also highlighting shortcomings in current regulations.
May 9, 2025 — Source
Microsoft wants us to believe AI will crack practical fusion power, driving future AI
This BS ends at some point, right?
May 9, 2025 — Source
New PacifiCorp Forecast Sees More Fossil-Fueled Electricity. How Will That Affect Western Energy Jobs?
The utility may keep coal and gas plants online longer than previously planned and reduce renewable investments. But new reports show energy communities could lose jobs with the slowed energy transition.
May 9, 2025 — Source
Ontario begins construction of 1st small reactor as it aims to lead in new nuclear technology
Ontario has begun building the first of four new, small nuclear reactors, as Canada seeks to lead the Group of Seven industrialized nations in developing next-generation nuclear technology.
May 9, 2025 — Source
Study investigates air pollution exposure across South Korea
A new study from POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology), led by Professor Hyung Joo Lee and integrated Ph.D. student Na Rae Kim, evaluated how well ground monitoring networks represent nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure and how the exposure varies by socioeconomic status across South Korea.
May 9, 2025 — Source
Study of Turkish gold mine landslide highlights need for future monitoring
A new analysis of a fatal landslide that occurred on 13 February 2024 at the Çöpler Gold Mine in Turkey reveals that the site of the landslide had been slowly moving for at least four years prior to the failure.
May 9, 2025 — Source
Study says green consumers focus on brands and fashionability
Researchers examined the consumer profiles of green and non-green consumers in Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom and the interconnections of green attitudes and consumers' background factors, such as income level.
May 9, 2025 — Source
Trump's plan to eliminate Energy Star could raise utility bills for American families, experts say
Make America's appliances inefficient again?
May 9, 2025 — Source
Two Latina moms who are standing up for climate justice
Meet the moms who are defending their children and the planet.
May 9, 2025 — Source
Urine-powered electrolysis systems offer energy-efficient green hydrogen production
by Jason Major, ARC Centre of Excellence for Carbon Science and Innovation
May 9, 2025 — Source or Source or Source
US will stop tracking the costs of extreme weather fueled by climate change
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will no longer track the cost of climate change-fueled weather disasters, including floods, heat waves, wildfires and more. It is the latest example of changes to the agency and the Trump administration limiting federal government resources on climate change.
May 9, 2025 — Source
Using byproducts from agricultural and food production to create sustainable feed for livestock
Imagine if agricultural and food byproducts could be transformed into an effective and holistic feed for livestock while also helping to combat climate change. Milad Parchami, Ph.D. in Resource Recovery at the University of Borås in Sweden, explored a promising way to do just that in his doctoral thesis.
May 9, 2025 — Source
Vanishing vultures could have hidden costs for the planet
Falling vulture numbers in the Americas could have serious implications for public health and ecosystems, new research has found.
May 9, 2025 — Source
Youngkin Vetoes Clean Energy Bills That Garnered Support From Dominion, Environmental Groups
The bills would have increased small-scale solar projects and energy storage.
May 9, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — May 6th, 2025
2024 sea level 'report cards' map futures of US coastal communities
William & Mary's Batten School & VIMS have released their 2024 U.S. sea level "report cards," providing updated analyses of sea level trends and projections for 36 coastal communities. Encompassing 55 years of historical data, the report cards aid planning and adaptation efforts by analyzing rates of sea level rise and acceleration at each locality and forecasting 2050 water levels.
May 6, 2025 — Source or Source
A new method for remote sensing-based assessment of cotton Verticillium wilt
Scientists from the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with Shihezi University, have developed a new method for grading cotton Verticillium wilt (VW). This method correlates with yield loss and is suitable for remote sensing monitoring to assess the severity of VW.
May 6, 2025 — Source
Bio-concrete from urine: Researchers develop sustainable building material
Researchers at the University of Stuttgart have used microbial processes to produce environmentally friendly bio-concrete from urine as part of a "wastewater-bio-concrete-fertilizer" value chain. With the project extension granted by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts, the focus now shifts to product optimization and practical testing.
May 6, 2025 — Source
CNaught wants to make carbon credits easy for businesses small and large
In 2020, Mark Chen's son sent his relatives a brief and unusual Christmas list: In lieu of presents, he wanted carbon credits.
May 6, 2025 — Source
Coastal megacities expose wildlife to 'relentless' boat traffic
Coastal megacities expose ocean wildlife and habitats to "relentless" boat traffic, new research shows.
May 6, 2025 — Source
Cutting greenhouse gases will reduce number of deaths from poor air quality
Up to 250,000 deaths from poor air quality could be prevented annually in central and western Europe by 2050 if greenhouse gas emissions are drastically reduced, say researchers.
May 6, 2025 — Source
Data centers say Trump's crackdown on renewables bad for business, AI
Without renewables, it's nearly impossible to meet growing power demand from AI.
May 6, 2025 — Source
Development, agriculture present risks for drinking water quality
Converting forest land to urban development or agricultural use can present risks to water quality when done near streams or river sources. This study examined data from 15 water treatment plants in the Middle Chattahoochee watershed to model the impacts of four potential land use scenarios several decades into the future.
May 6, 2025 — Source
Fruit and microbes boost biogas production and fermentation
A new study shows that adding fruit and microbes to alfalfa, a protein-rich feed for livestock, improves fermentation and biogas production.
May 6, 2025 — Source
Forest loss to farms and cities linked to declining drinking water quality
A new study from North Carolina State University researchers finds that conversion of forests to urban development or agriculture near streams can have harmful effects on water quality downstream, presenting both health concerns and raising the cost of water treatment.
May 6, 2025 — Source
Global science faces persistent geographic disparities
There is an increasing awareness and understanding in global science about a troubling and persistent research imbalance, where studies overwhelmingly originate from economically developed countries, particularly those in Europe and North America.
May 6, 2025 — Source
Heat and drought are quietly hurting global crop yields
More frequent hot weather and droughts have dealt a significant blow to crop yields, especially for key grains like wheat, barley, and maize, according to a Stanford study published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
May 6, 2025 — Source
How a community-focused vision for net zero can revive local economies
Across the world, the transition to a green economy is under threat. Growing antipathy towards the costs of tackling climate change, stoked especially by right-wing populists, undermines ambitions to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
May 6, 2025 — Source
How the US can mine its own critical minerals, without digging new holes
Every time you use your phone, open your computer or listen to your favorite music on AirPods, you are relying on critical minerals.
May 6, 2025 — Source
Lianas are taking over the rainforests, and it's visible from space
A pandemic of lianas is sweeping through tropical forests, reducing their ability to store carbon and limiting their role in mitigating climate change. Two recent studies from Leiden University highlight the issue. "We now understand why lianas are visible in satellite imagery," say the researchers.
May 6, 2025 — Source
Mapping the ocean floor with ancient tides
In shallow coastal waters around the world, mud and other fine-grained sediments such as clay and silt form critical blue carbon sinks. Offshore infrastructure such as wind turbines and oil platforms, as well as fishing practices such as bottom trawling, can have major effects on the seafloor. So knowing the locations of these mud-rich sedimentary deposits is key to making coastal management decisions.
May 6, 2025 — Source
Michigan Researcher's Work on Air Pollution and Racial Inequities Caught in Funding Freeze at National Science Foundation
A doctoral candidate examining air pollution effects in mostly Black and Latino neighborhoods in Detroit was among the wave of researchers who have had federal funds halted.
May 6, 2025 — Source
Okra and fenugreek extracts remove most microplastics from water, finds research
The substances behind the slimy strings from okra and the gel from fenugreek seeds could trap microplastics better than a commonly used synthetic polymer. Previously, researchers proposed using these sticky natural polymers to clean up water.
May 6, 2025 — Source or Source
Scientists discover a new way to convert corn waste into low-cost sugar for biofuel
Scientists at Washington State University have found a new way to produce sugar from corn stalks and other crop waste, potentially opening a new pathway to sustainable biofuels.
May 6, 2025 — Source or Source
Smoke from climate-fueled wildfires contributed to thousands of US deaths over 15 years, study says
Wildfires driven by climate change contribute to as many as thousands of annual deaths and billions of dollars in economic costs from wildfire smoke in the United States, according to a new study.
May 6, 2025 — Source
Soundwave recycling technology turns 'forever chemicals' into renewable resources
A new technique that uses soundwaves to separate materials for recycling could help prevent potentially harmful chemicals leaching into the environment.
May 6, 2025 — Source
States Sue Trump Over His War Against Wind
Trump has spent years swinging at "wind mills," now states are swinging back.
May 6, 2025 — Source
Sustainability often used as a buzzword in agricultural genomics
Claims about sustainability are increasing in agricultural genomics research, but the term is often not well-defined, leading to potential concerns about the impact and credibility of the research, according to a recent study.
May 6, 2025 — Source
The climate-friendly way to heat your shower
Heat pump water heaters are efficient and they run on electricity.
May 6, 2025 — Source
The UK is falling behind in tackling microplastic pollution. Here are three ways the government can catch up
Microplastics—fragments of plastic smaller than 5mm—are accumulating in the environment. They're found in soil, water, food, even in human lungs, placentas and blood. These plastic particles shed from items we use daily, such as synthetic clothes, tires, plastic packaging and paint.
May 6, 2025 — Source
Tire additives found deposited on fruits and vegetables
A study by EPFL and the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) has found that tire additives enter into and pass through the food chain. Further research is needed to establish the implications for human health.
May 6, 2025 — Source
Upcycled grape pomace in chicken feed may improve their gut health
New York state's grape industry produces 30,000 pounds of grape pomace waste each year. Nationally, that number is roughly 1 million pounds.
May 6, 2025 — Source
World's Researchers Say They Will Resist Attacks on Science and Support Beleaguered U.S. Colleagues
More than 800 American scientists attended the European Geosciences Union's conference in Austria to present new research on climate change, pollution and other urgent environmental topics.
May 6, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — May 5th, 2025
Biological particles may be crucial for inducing heavy rain, climate scientists suggest
Clouds form upon existing particles in the atmosphere and extreme weather events like flooding and snowstorms are related to the production of large amounts of ice in clouds.
May 5, 2025 — Source
Democratic senators press Trump administration on how it will protect endangered species
Three Democratic U.S. senators are asking the Trump administration to explain how it analyzed a proposed rule to eliminate habitat protections for endangered and threatened species and whether industry had a hand in drafting it.
May 5, 2025 — Source
Discovery suggests that red algae use colors for inter-species communication
Some red algae exhibit structural color that gives their growth tips a blue hue and the rest of their bodies, including their fruiting structures, a white hue. Moreover, since the color-producing structures are located together with anti-herbivory chemicals, the Kobe University discovery is the first to suggest that red algae use colors for inter-species communication.
May 5, 2025 — Source
Elm trees return to Rockport, Massachusetts
Resident Nathan Ives remembers the elms of his childhood -- and he's determined to bring them back.
May 5, 2025 — Source
From Blight to Bright: Michigan Explores Solar Power on Brownfield Sites
Renewable energy supporters see massive untapped potential for solar technology at former industrial locations.
May 5, 2025 — Source
Glitter's sparkle hides a darker side—it can change the chemistry of our oceans
Glitter is festive and fun—a favorite for decorations, makeup and art projects. But while it may look harmless, beautiful even, glitter's sparkle hides a darker side. Those shimmering specks often end up far from party tables and greeting cards. You can even spot them glinting on beaches, washed in with the tide.
May 5, 2025 — Source
Mixing fungicides and herbicides alters butterfly survival and reproductive success in farmlands
Intensive farming is one of the biggest factors contributing to biodiversity loss. While prior research has focused primarily on the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation, intensive farming also has other environmental effects, including the use of pesticides in agricultural environments.
May 5, 2025 — Source
No fish, whales, or plankton: An ocean without life will absorb less carbon emissions and accelerate climate change
Have you ever thought about what would happen if all life in the ocean disappeared? A recent study explores this extreme scenario to understand how ocean biology shapes the past, present, and future climate.
May 5, 2025 — Source
On cusp of storm season, NOAA funding cuts put hurricane forecasting at risk
Tropical cyclone track forecasts are 75 percent more accurate than they were in 1990.
May 5, 2025 — Source
Plants you can wear: Hydrogel material weaves seeds into textiles
Humans' relationships with plants is largely utilitarian, serving our needs. We generally either eat them or make things out of them.
May 5, 2025 — Source
Rapid urbanization and shrinking green spaces drive urban heat island effects in lower income countries
Cities in low- and middle-income countries are experiencing a surge in urban heat island effects, driven by unplanned urban expansion, shrinking green spaces, and poor infrastructure, according to new analysis.
May 5, 2025 — Source
Recycling gets smarter: AI robots from Amazon-backed startup are sorting waste in Seattle
Entering Recology's recycling facility in South Seattle stuns your senses. The din from heavy machinery is continuous. While recycled goods are meant to be clean from food waste, your nose quickly knows that's not happening. Crisscrossing the massive space is a highway of conveyor belts snaking in and out of devices that grind, toss and sort the plastic from paper from glass from cans.
May 5, 2025 — Source
Spain's blackout highlights renewables' grid challenge
The cause of last week's massive power outage in Spain and Portugal remains unclear but it has shone a spotlight on solar and wind energy, which critics accuse of straining electricity grids.
May 5, 2025 — Source
The coolest new energy storage technologies
Renewable energy needs backup storage. From rust to sand to gravity, new techniques are making it happen.
May 5, 2025 — Source
What is a 'smart city' and why should we care? It's not just a buzzword
More than half of the world's population currently lives in cities and this share is expected to rise to nearly 70% by 2050.
May 5, 2025 — Source
Wildfire smoke, extreme heat can occur together: Preparing for combined health effects of a hot, smoky future
In recent years, Canadians have been subjected to both severe wildfire smoke and extreme heat events, as evidenced by the record-breaking 2023 wildfire season and the 2021 heat dome. Western Canada in particular has a long history of wildfires and heat waves, and with climate change, communities have experienced an increasing number of days per year affected by wildfire smoke or extreme temperatures.
May 5, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — May 2nd, 2025
California Toxic Algal Bloom Blamed for Months-long Marine Life Poisoning
Wildlife rescuers are struggling to keep up with the demand to help stranded and sick marine life along the West Coast.
May 2, 2025 — Source
Droughts and heat waves reduce plants' ability to absorb CO2, study finds
Frequent heat and drought events in southwestern Europe are reducing ecosystems' capacity to absorb CO2, according to a recent study by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB).
May 2, 2025 — Source
Dust in the system—how Saharan storms threaten Europe's solar power future
As Europe increases its reliance on solar energy to meet climate and energy security targets, a growing atmospheric phenomenon is complicating the path forward: Saharan dust. New research presented at the European Geosciences Union General Assembly (EGU25) shows that mineral dust carried on the wind from North Africa is not only reducing photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation across Europe but also making it harder to predict.
May 2, 2025 — Source
Eco-friendly kilns help Malawi's fish curers cut losses
Closing his eyes as he battled smoke wafting from fish-smoking kilns in front of him, Issah Amin put more wood into one of seven ovens at Chikombe beach, a fish-landing site on Lake Malawi.
May 2, 2025 — Source
How will 13 million farmers fight back against sea level rise?
Researchers from the Institute for Environmental Sciences (IVM) at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam have unveiled DYNAMO-M, a global agent-based model that projects how farmers across the world's coasts may respond to the growing threat of coastal flooding and salt intrusion due to sea level rise (SLR). The model, which will be presented at the EGU General Assembly 2025 in Vienna (EGU25), offers new insights into the challenges faced by 13 million farming households globally.
May 2, 2025 — Source
How to reduce microplastic exposure and protect your health
Microplastics are everywhere and impossible to completely avoid, but small changes can make a difference for your health.
May 2, 2025 — Source
Inside Climate News Series Is a Scripps Howard Finalist
"Cashing Out" investigated a system that lets companies win multimillion or even billion-dollar penalties against countries trying to protect the environment and public.
May 2, 2025 — Source
Inspired by laminate: 'Three-ply' microstructure gives perovskite solar cells a powerful efficiency lift
A collaborative research team from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed an innovative laminated interface microstructure that enhances the stability and photoelectric conversion efficiency of inverted perovskite solar cells.
May 2, 2025 — Source
Loss of sea ice alters the colors of light in the ocean
The disappearance of sea ice in polar regions due to global warming not only increases the amount of light entering the ocean, but also changes its color. These changes have far-reaching consequences for photosynthetic organisms such as ice algae and phytoplankton.
May 2, 2025 — Source
New children's book helps kids explain climate science to adults
'How to Explain Climate Science to a Grown-Up' breaks down global warming in a kid-friendly way.
May 2, 2025 — Source
Paragliders invade Orlando Wetlands: Birds spooked, birders aghast
Most weekends, the Facebook pages dedicated to the Orlando Wetlands focus on spectacular pictures of nature in action—huge, hungry gators, mischievous otters and a flamboyant array of nesting birds.
May 2, 2025 — Source
Report details the widespread impacts of dust on California Scientists discover key to taming earthquake risk at Italy's Campi Flegrei caldera Study gauges public's willingness on microplastic interventions Vegetation changes accelerated climate shifts during the late Miocene, study finds General — Environment — April 28th, 2025 50 years later, Vietnam's environment still bears the scars of war All-organic solar cells achieve record efficiency by doubling previous performance As a competitive grain for malting, rice may open the door to increase domestic demand Atmospheric reaction between Criegee intermediates and water found to be unexpectedly fast Can a home wind turbine replace my solar panels? My results after weeks of testing Climate change and lack of sustainable policies may fuel rise in superbugs Climate change drives more overlapping wildfire seasons in Australia and North America, study finds Dangerous synthetic opioids and animal sedatives found in Australian wastewater First atomic map of potato pathogen reveals potential infection mechanism Geoengineering technique could cool planet using existing aircraft Greener digital infrastructure: Study suggests how to make sustainable data centers in climate-vulnerable regions High-resolution climate models reveal how Tasman Sea temperatures may influence Antarctic peninsula warming Hotter and drier climate in Colorado's San Luis Valley contributes to kidney disease in agriculture workers How Developers Can Eliminate Software Waste and Reduce Climate Impact In Montana, Republican State Legislators Fight Back After Successful Youth Climate Lawsuit Industrial waste is turning to rock in just decades, research reveals Inside Amazon's sustainability lab: Grueling tests forge the future of planet-friendly plastics Less intensive management works best for agricultural soil, study finds Mayflies retain more mercury as adults when selenium is added to highly contaminated water New tool helps protect corn farmers and insurers from future climate extremes Newly developed framework incorporates human aspect of supply chain flow Opinion: As net zero climate coalitions pivot, independent data providers must step up transparency efforts Scientists develop climate-friendlier rice Tornadoes, Giant Hail, and Damaging Winds Set to Rip Through the Upper Midwest Today Tropical mountain ice cores help decipher climate riddles in Earth's history World's cargo ships to pay more for dirty fuel under new rules General — Environment — April 25th, 2025 'Cryosphere meltdown' will impact Arctic marine carbon cycles and ecosystems, new study warns Fiber-sensing technology can provide early warning for volcanic eruptions Geoengineering experiments to dim sunlight may soon begin in the fight against climate change Ghana's first genetically modified crop: Why we created a new cowpea variety, how we tested it and what we found How human connections shaped the spread of farming among ancient communities How Will Trump's Effort to Revitalize Coal Play Out in the Nation's Most Productive Coal Fields? More power grid connectivity in Western US could supercharge clean energy NASA tracks snowmelt to improve water management Scientists knew about global warming in the 1950s Study shows 90% metal pollution drop in Adirondack waters five decades after the clean air act Surface reconstruction strategy can enable affordable hydrogen fuel production 'We Are Nature': Indigenous Women Come Together at the United Nations General — Environment — April 22nd, 2025 Antibiotic pollution in rivers follows 65% increase in human consumption, study shows As plastic use soars, researchers examine biodegradable solutions California wolves are on the comeback and eating cattle: Ranchers say, 'Enough!' Fishing bans can help kelp forests withstand marine heat waves Fossil fuel companies 'poisoned the well' of public debate with climate disinformation How Green is Green: LLMs to Understand Climate Disclosure at Scale How New Jersey self-storage facilities generate solar energy for the community Insects are disappearing due to agriculture—and many other drivers, research reveals Neolithic agricultural revolution linked to climate-driven wildfires and soil erosion New analysis identifies 13,000 genes found in all grasses New geology text mining method enhances automated extraction of geological information New technology helping fight against illegal logging of Peru's valuable rainforest News on climate change is more persuasive than expected Novel study calculates the cost to cattle ranchers of an expanding wolf population Oil cleanup agents do not impede natural biodegradation, research reveals Pace of Green Job Growth in New York City Is Slow Skipping the drive: Telemedicine visits in 2023 linked to significant monthly drop in carbon emissions Soaring insurance costs top concern for Floridians, survey finds Sunlight and sugarcane waste power hydrogen production at rate four times higher than commercialization benchmark Trading some corn-ethanol land for solar can triple US solar energy production Transgene-free genome editing in poplar trees: A step toward sustainable forestry What De-Extinction Means for the Living World Why Free-Market Republicans Are Embracing a Surprisingly Green Cause General — Environment — April 20th, 2025 Ghost forests are growing as sea levels rise Western Digital and Microsoft launch HDD recycling program to recover rare earths from e-waste World's first drone system for fighting lightning protects cities and infrastructure
Researchers from several University of California campuses have collaborated to create a report on dust in California, a characteristic that defines the desert climate zone that encompasses most of the
Swarms of earthquakes have been jolting southern Italy with increasing intensity since 2022, threatening hundreds of thousands of people living atop a volcanic area known as Campi Flegrei, where the land experiences slow vertical movements.
May 2, 2025 — Source
Laundry is a major source of microplastic pollution into the environment, and in-line washing machine filters are one potential solution for preventing fibers from entering waterways. But how likely would people be willing to pay for them?
May 2, 2025 — Source
New research reveals that shifts in plant life played a key role in speeding up major climate changes during the late Miocene, a period spanning 11.6 to 5.3 million years ago.
May 2, 2025 — Source
Degraded ecosystems and dioxin-contaminated soils and waters reflect the long-term ecological impact.
April 28, 2025 — Source
As global efforts to combat climate change continue, demand for solar energy is growing. However, since the current most-used silicon-based solar panels include a variety of hazardous substances, their disposal or recycling causes environmental impact and incurs substantial costs.
April 28, 2025 — Source
A new economics study shows the potential for an ancient process to develop new domestic demand for rice and offset declining exports.
April 28, 2025 — Source
Criegee intermediates (CIs)—highly reactive species formed when ozone reacts with alkenes in the atmosphere—play a crucial role in generating hydroxyl radicals (the atmosphere's "cleansing agents") and aerosols that impact climate and air quality. The syn-CH3CHOO is particularly important among these intermediates, accounting for 25%--79% of all CIs depending on the season.
April 28, 2025 — Source
Solar panels and generators are great until clouds hide the sun. Shine Turbine's home wind power generators are a worthy alternative - and they're on sale.
April 28, 2025 — Source
Current climate change trajectories and failing to meet sustainable development strategies could contribute to an increase in the global burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by 2050, according to a study published in Nature Medicine. The authors project that AMR could increase by up to 2.4% globally by 2050, and call for urgent action to address broader socioeconomic and environmental factors beyond simply reducing antibiotic use to mitigate the global AMR burden.
April 28, 2025 — Source
Climate change is increasing the risk of wildfires in many regions of the world. This is due partly to specific weather conditions—known as fire weather—that facilitate the spread of wildfires.
April 28, 2025 — Source
University of South Australia scientists have developed a highly sensitive method to detect illegal opioids and a veterinary sedative in Australia's wastewater system, providing a vital early warning tool to public health authorities.
April 28, 2025 — Source
Plants are susceptible to a wide range of pathogens. For the common potato plant, one such threat is Pectobacterium atrosepticum, a bacterium that causes stems to blacken, tissues to decay, and often leads to plant death, resulting in significant agricultural losses each year.
April 28, 2025 — Source
A technique to cool the planet, in which particles are added to the atmosphere to reflect sunlight, would not require developing special aircraft but could be achieved using existing large planes, according to a new modeling study led by UCL (University College London) researchers.
April 28, 2025 — Source
Durham University has contributed to new international research that critically assesses the intricate relationship between urban digitization and sustainability, focusing on the significant environmental impact of data centers.
April 28, 2025 — Source
The Antarctic Peninsula, one of the fastest-warming regions on Earth, has seen temperatures rise five times faster than the global average in recent decades. Extreme heat events, such as the record-breaking 20.8° C recorded at Seymour Island in February 2020, have raised urgent questions about the drivers behind these dramatic changes.
April 28, 2025 — Source
Heat and humidity contributed to kidney damage and disease in the San Luis Valley in Colorado between 1984 and 1998, according to our recently published work in the peer-reviewed journal Weather, Climate, and Society.
April 28, 2025 — Source
High performance and sustainability correlate; making software go faster by improving the efficiency of algorithms can reduce energy requirements, Holly Cummins said at QCon London. She suggested switching systems off when not in use to reduce the environmental footprint. Developers can achieve more by doing less, improving productivity, she said.
April 28, 2025 — Source
When the state's Supreme Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in the nation's most successful youth climate suit, it sparked a Republican backlash that could lead to fundamental changes in Montana's courts and environmental laws.
April 28, 2025 — Source
An aluminum tab from a drinks can found encased in a new form of rock on the Cumbrian coastline has helped provide scientists with a shocking new insight into the impact of human activity on Earth's natural processes and materials.
April 28, 2025 — Source
In its pursuit of planet-friendly plastics, Amazon is putting candidate materials through a series of devices that recall medieval torture methods. Plastic films are slowly stretched to the point of breaking. They're sliced with a blade on a tiny pendulum, and poked until they puncture.
April 28, 2025 — Source
The less intensively you manage the soil, the better the soil can function; for example, not plowing as often or using more grass-clover mixtures as cover crops. These are the conclusions of a research team led by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW).
April 28, 2025 — Source
What if counteracting mercury contamination in waterways could be as simple as adding selenium? That proposition has gained traction among some scientists and governments, but new research from Cornell and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) suggests the idea is likely too good to be true.
April 28, 2025 — Source
Today DSE and the University of Arkansas published a study in the Journal of Data Science, Statistics, and Visualization and an open source tool that show the need for changes to federal crop insurance programs that could benefit farmers, companies, and the climate.
April 28, 2025 — Source
Whether it's empty shelves at the grocery store or delayed holiday packages, disruptions in the flow of goods impact everyday life. But when shelves go bare, it's not just goods that are missing—it can also signal a shortage of truck drivers, grounded aircrafts, or broken processes behind the scenes. What if our understanding of what "flows" through a supply chain has been too narrow all along?
April 28, 2025 — Source
The global coalitions for financial institution net zero efforts are on the defensive in response to the shifting policy landscape. Recent media reports suggest that the Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) is considering loosening or even removing some of its accountability processes as part of a wider overhaul. The Net Zero Asset Managers initiative (NZAMi) removed its commitment statement, list of signatories, and targets from its website in January.
April 28, 2025 — Source
Rice fields are a major source of planet-warming methane, but a new variety could help change that.
April 28, 2025 — Source
A regional severe weather outbreak is on the table, with strong tornadoes and very large hail possible across parts of Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
April 28, 2025 — Source
Scientists are working to shed new light on an enduring climate mystery—one that, if solved, could help them make more accurate predictions about the planet's future.
April 28, 2025 — Source
Despite opposition from the U.S. and other major fossil-fuel producers, a binding agreement will impose fees on carbon-intensive vessels.
April 28, 2025 — Source
A new study led by Jochen Knies from the iC3 Polar Research Hub has found worrying signs that climate change may be undermining the capacity of Arctic fjords to serve as effective carbon sinks. The findings suggest that the capacity of polar oceans to remove carbon from the atmosphere may be reduced as the world continues to heat up.
April 25, 2025 — Source
The Reykjanes Peninsula at Iceland's southwestern edge is one of the country's most populated regions, and it is also one of the most volcanically active. In 2024, sensing technology developed at Caltech was deployed in the region to study the motion of subsurface magma and its eruption into lava on the surface.
April 25, 2025 — Source
Aerosols can theoretically brighten clouds and reflect more sunlight, cooling the Earth
April 25, 2025 — Source
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is an indigenous and staple crop in sub-Saharan Africa, but it has an enemy: an insect called the legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata). This pest can cause yield losses of more than 80%. The pod borer, originally from south-east Asia, attacks the flowers, pods and seeds.
April 25, 2025 — Source
If you've ever wondered how farming spread far and wide, our research on past human societies offers one explanation: contact between different groups often drives change.
April 25, 2025 — Source
Western tribal groups and environmentalists want to defend the recent ban on permitting of new coal mines in the Powder River Basin, but Trump and Wyoming covet a coal comeback.
April 25, 2025 — Source
A new study led by researchers at the University of California San Diego offers a first-of-its-kind look at how deeper coordination among Western U.S. states could lower the cost of decarbonizing the electric grid—and speed up the clean energy transition.
April 25, 2025 — Source
As part of a science mission tracking one of Earth's most precious resources—water—NASA's C-20A aircraft conducted a series of seven research flights in March that can help researchers track the process and timeline as snow melts and transforms into a freshwater resource. The agency's Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) installed on the aircraft collected measurements of seasonal snow cover and estimated the freshwater contained in it.
April 25, 2025 — Source
The climate change consensus dates back decades.
April 25, 2025 — Source
A study published by researchers at the University at Albany has presented the first documented evidence that Adirondack surface waters have made a near full recovery from metal pollution since the enactment of the Clean Air Act.
April 25, 2025 — Source
The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a remarkable process that can create clean hydrogen fuel—a potential part of a solution to our climate change crisis. The problem lies in scaling up this reaction from a lab experiment to large-scale commercial production, while keeping costs down.
April 25, 2025 — Source
Indigenous women from across the world discuss their struggles against the pollution of their ancestral lands and the displacement of their communities.
April 25, 2025 — Source
Human consumption of antibiotics increased by 65% between 2000 and 2015. These drugs are not completely metabolized while passing through the body, nor completely destroyed or removed by most wastewater treatment facilities.
April 22, 2025 — Source
While biodegradable plastics currently account for 0.5% of the hundreds of millions of tons of plastic produced annually, a growing demand for the alternative reflects consumer awareness and corporate response.
April 22, 2025 — Source
In far Northern California, beneath a towering mountain ridge still covered in April snow, one of the state's last cowboys stood in the tall green grass of a pasture he tends, describing what he sees as the one blight on this otherwise perfect landscape: wolves.
April 22, 2025 — Source
Marine heat waves that seemed extreme just a decade ago will become commonplace by the end of this century in waters favored by giant kelp, researchers have found.
April 22, 2025 — Source
President Donald Trump has issued an executive order that would block state laws seeking to tackle greenhouse gas emissions—the latest salvo in his administration's campaign to roll back the United States' climate action.
April 22, 2025 — Source
Leo Browning explains the journey of developing a RAG system at a climate-focused startup. He shares insights on overcoming challenges in applying LLMs to a complex domain, focusing on accuracy, auditability, and scalability. He covers the evolution of search techniques, the role of human-in-the-loop workflows, and strategies for optimizing RAG systems for real-world financial applications.
April 22, 2025 — Source
The rooftops are covered in solar panels.
April 22, 2025 — Source
Insects are disappearing at an alarming rate worldwide, but why? Agricultural intensification tops the list of proposed reasons, but there are many other, interconnected drivers that have an impact, according to new research led by Binghamton University, State University of New York.
April 22, 2025 — Source
A study led by Prof. Amos Frumkin from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem sheds new light on one of humanity's most significant turning points: the Neolithic Revolution. Published in the Journal of Soils and Sediments, the study presents compelling evidence that catastrophic wildfires and soil erosion—driven by natural climate shifts—may have sparked the first widespread transition from hunting and gathering to farming in the southern Levant over 8,000 years ago.
April 22, 2025 — Source
A new computational biology pipeline has mapped out more than 13,000 groups of protein-coding genes conserved across grasses, offering a powerful tool for researchers investigating gene function in these economically and ecologically vital species. The paper is published in the journal Bioinformatics Advances.
April 22, 2025 — Source
A study led by Prof. Zhang Nannan from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has introduced an innovative geological knowledge-constrained method for extracting entities and relationships from textual data.
April 22, 2025 — Source
New technology is helping Peru fight against the illegal logging of its 68 million hectares of valuable tropical rainforest.
April 22, 2025 — Source
Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, demanding urgent and effective action to mitigate its severe impacts. One barrier to effective climate change action is its polarizing nature, largely driven by the media, as people prefer to consume news that aligns with their political beliefs. This tendency is especially strong among climate skeptics, who are more inclined to seek information that reinforces their views on climate change.
April 22, 2025 — Source
Motion-activated field cameras, GPS collars, wolf scat analysis and cattle tail hair samples are helping University of California, Davis, researchers shed new light on how an expanding and protected gray wolf population is affecting cattle operations, leading to millions of dollars in losses.
April 22, 2025 — Source
Using spill-treating agents to clean up oil spills does not significantly hinder naturally occurring oil biodegradation, according to a new study. The research, published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, provides information that will be useful in future oil spills.
April 22, 2025 — Source
Green job training programs are popular across the city, but will there be jobs for the New Yorkers who graduate from them?
April 22, 2025 — Source
Telemedicine use in 2023 reduced monthly carbon dioxide emissions by the equivalent of up to 130,000 gas-operated vehicles, suggesting it could have a positive effect on climate change, new UCLA-led research finds.
April 22, 2025 — Source
More than two-thirds of Floridians are moderately or extremely concerned about hurricanes increasing in strength and frequency, according to a new Florida Atlantic University survey.
April 22, 2025 — Source
A technology for hydrogen (H2) production has been developed by a team of researchers led by Professors Seungho Cho and Kwanyong Seo from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering at UNIST, in collaboration with Professor Ji-Wook Jang's team from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at UNIST.
April 22, 2025 — Source
In the U.S., 12 million hectares of land—an area about the size of New York state—are currently used to grow corn for ethanol. But strategically converting a small portion of that to solar facilities could vastly increase energy production per hectare, as well as provide ecological benefits and financial resiliency for farmers.
April 22, 2025 — Source
Scientists at the VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology and VIVES University College have developed a new method to genetically improve poplar trees without introducing foreign DNA into its genome.
April 22, 2025 — Source
With much controversy swirling around Colossal's proxy dire wolves, we spoke with the company's CEO to find out how these animals were created and what so-called de-extinction technology could mean for endangered species.
April 22, 2025 — Source
The right to repair can reduce emissions and pollution. But for conservatives, it's "a freedom and liberty issue."
April 22, 2025 — Source
As trees choked by saltwater die along low-lying coasts, marshes may move in.
April 20, 2025 — Source
The recycling initiative recovers 90% of rare earths from data center hard drives
April 20, 2025 — Source
NTT's drones flew in lightning-resistant cages and hope to, some day, tap and store the power of thunderclouds.
April 20, 2025 — Western Digital and Microsoft launch HDD recycling program to recover rare earths from e-waste
The recycling initiative recovers 90% of rare earths from data center hard drives
April 20, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — April 11th, 2025
A Byproduct of Manure Runoff Is Polluting Drinking Water in Thousands of US Communities, According to a New Report
The analysis, from the Environmental Working Group, takes a first-of-its-kind look at trihalomethanes, a contaminant linked to cancers and stillbirth.
April 11, 2025 — Source
A scalable graphene membrane for CO2 capture
Scientists have developed a scalable method to produce porous graphene membranes that efficiently separate carbon dioxide. The breakthrough could significantly reduce the cost and footprint of carbon capture technology.
April 11, 2025 — Source
A Year After a Fatal Explosion, Alabama Extends Deadline for Coal Companies to Monitor Methane Gas Above Mines
Following federal intervention last year, state officials had given coal operators 90 days to submit methane monitoring plans. At the request of the Alabama Mining Association, regulators have now given them six more months.
April 11, 2025 — Source
Añana Saltern microorganisms help to clarify the groundwater flow pattern
The MicroIker group of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) has explored the diversity and distribution of unicellular organisms in the springs of the Añana Salt Valley.
April 11, 2025 — Source
Climate warming increases flood risks from rain-on-snow events in high mountain Asia, study finds
A recent study led by Prof. Chen Yaning from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has found that climate warming is increasing flood risks from rain-on-snow (ROS) events in High Mountain Asia. The study, published in npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, analyzed the distribution, causes, and flood risks of ROS events.
April 11, 2025 — Source
CO2 removal and storage: Which options are feasible and desirable?
As climate change increases, so does the pressure on humanity to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere—possibly with the help of the oceans. But which of the proposed marine CO2 removal and storage options should be used?
April 11, 2025 — Source
Deeper understanding of plant cell transformation could pave way for controlling fruit growth
A research team has uncovered the mechanism and underlying reason behind the transformation of residual cells into epidermal cells during the abscission process, where plants naturally shed flowers, leaves, and fruits. This study not only provides valuable insights into plant survival strategies and growth mechanisms but is also expected to contribute to advancements in agricultural and food production technologies.
April 11, 2025 — Source
Drug pollution alters salmon migration
Study reveals commonly detected environmental levels of clobazam -- a medication often prescribed for sleep disorders -- increased the river-to-sea migration success of juvenile salmon in the wild. The research team employed slow-release pharmaceutical implants and animal-tracking transmitters to monitor how exposure to clobazam and the opioid painkiller tramadol -- another common pharmaceutical pollutant -- affected the behaviour and migration of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in Sweden's River Dal as they migrated to the Baltic Sea.
April 11, 2025 — Source
Engineered bacteria emit signals that can be spotted from a distance
These bacteria, which could be designed to detect pollution or nutrients, could act as sensors to help farmers monitor their crops.
April 11, 2025 — Source or Source
Extinctions of Australian mammals have long been blamed on foxes and cats—but where's the evidence?
In 1938, zoologist Ellis Le Geyt Troughton mourned that Australia's "gentle and specialized creatures" were "unable to cope with changed conditions and introduced enemies."
April 11, 2025 — Source
For climate and livelihoods, Africa bets big on solar mini-grids
Nigeria is pioneering the development of small, off-grid solar panel installations to bring reliable electricity to remote communities — setting a model for other African countries
April 11, 2025 — Source
Hundred-year storm tides to hit Bangladesh every decade as climate change intensifies, scientists report
Tropical cyclones are hurricanes that brew over the tropical ocean and can travel over land, inundating coastal regions. The most extreme cyclones can generate devastating storm tides—seawater that is heightened by the tides and swells onto land, causing catastrophic flood events in coastal regions.
April 11, 2025 — Source
Industrial carbon producers contribute significantly to sea level rise, modeling study finds
Research led by the Union of Concerned Scientists reports that emissions from the world's largest fossil fuel and cement companies have contributed significantly to both present-day and long-term sea level rise. Products from 122 major producers have contributed up to 37% of the rise in global sea level observed through 2022 and may account for an additional 0.26 to 0.55 meters by 2300.
April 11, 2025 — Source
'Internet of nature' helps researchers explore the web of life
by German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
April 11, 2025 — Source
Microsoft and B.C. startup ink massive carbon removal deal targeting pulp and paper mills
Microsoft and CO280, a Vancouver, B.C.-based startup, today announced a 12-year deal to capture and store carbon emitted from a U.S. pulp and paper mill. The tech company will pay for the removal of 3.685 million metric tons of carbon, marking one of the largest deals of its kind.
April 11, 2025 — Source
Missing nitrogen: A dramatic game of cosmic hide-and-seek deep within our planet
For decades, this "missing nitrogen" problem has puzzled researchers. A new studye published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters might finally have the answer: a dramatic game of cosmic hide-and-seek deep within our planet.
April 11, 2025 — Source
Nonprofit 'Out in Climate' connects queer people working in climate and sustainability
'Radical imagination and creativity and reinvention is something that queer people have to bring to the climate movement.'
April 11, 2025 — Source
Novel photothermal material directly converts sunlight into heat with unprecedented efficiency
Scientists developed a plasma-based process for the synthesis of photothermal materials for water purification, and desalination.
April 11, 2025 — Source
O'ahu's shores could see heavy erosion by 2030, study finds
O'ahu's sandy beaches are at risk. New research from the Coastal Research Collaborative (CRC) at the University of Hawai'i (UH) at Mānoa determined that 81% of O'ahu's coastline could experience erosion by 2100, with 40% of this loss happening by 2030. Importantly, these forecasts of shoreline erosion are more extreme than previous studies indicated for Oʻahu.
April 11, 2025 — Source
Plasma-synthesized photothermal material could enable efficient solar-powered water purification
Technology for converting solar energy into thermal energy is ever evolving and has numerous applications. A breakthrough in the laboratory of Professor My Ali El Khakani at Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) has made a significant contribution to the field.
April 11, 2025 — Source
Protective film on perovskite solar cells offers 1,000-hour durability in extreme heat and humidity
A new perovskite solar cell (PSC) demonstrates remarkable resilience even in high heat conditions, thanks to an innovative protective film. The research team suggests that these findings represent a significant step toward commercialization by addressing thermal stability issues.
April 11, 2025 — Source
Researchers make breakthrough in cleaning up the 'forever chemicals' used in chip manufacturing
The semiconductor industry is among the worst offenders in PFAS use and pollution.
April 11, 2025 — Source
Scalable graphene membranes could supercharge carbon capture
Capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial emissions is crucial in the fight against climate change. But current methods, like chemical absorption, are expensive and energy-intensive. Scientists have long eyed graphene—an atom-thin, ultra-strong material—as a promising alternative for gas separation, but making large-area, efficient graphene membranes has been a challenge.
April 11, 2025 — Source
Strain 'trick' improves perovskite solar cells' efficiency
Researchers have found a way to dramatically reducing energy loss and boosting efficiency perovskite solar cells by incorporating rubidium using lattice strain - a slight deformation in the atomic structure that helps keep rubidium in place.
April 11, 2025 — Source
Taking the heat off: Smarter cooling technology tackles climate challenge
EU researchers are developing a smarter system of sustainable cooling, replacing toxic refrigerants with safer, more efficient, and recyclable metals.
April 11, 2025 — Source
Trump Guts Agency Critical to Worker Safety as Temperatures Rise
On the heels of the hottest year on record, the Trump administration eviscerated programs and staff vital to keeping American workers safe from extreme heat and other workplace hazards.
April 11, 2025 — Source
War worsens climate and environmental challenges in Ukraine
While Ukraine has made significant progress in climate action since the 2010s, and undertaken efforts to align its environmental strategy with EU standards, Russia's invasion in 2022 has contributed to environmental devastation due to the release of potentially toxic elements resulting from military activities. The war has also hampered the country's ability to monitor and respond to changes in the environment, according to a new JRC report.
April 11, 2025 — Source
What's contaminating Tampa Bay's fish? These scientists are angling for answers
In a hidden pocket of Tampa Bay mangrove forest, Steve Murawski's team of scientists caught a Centropomus undecimalis, the common snook. At 22 inches and with a jet-black line running horizontally across its body, the snook was the 681st fish caught by the Tampa Bay Surveillance Project, a sweeping research initiative that aims to study contaminants found in the bay's most coveted fish species: spotted seatrout, redfish, sheepshead and snook. Fish No. 682 came minutes later, also a snook.
April 11, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — April 7th, 2025
Air pockets found in bones of Alvarezsauridae skeleton for the first time
A team of archaeologists and paleontologists from Argentina, the U.S. and China has unearthed the first known example of a fossilized Alvarezsauridae skeleton with evidence of air pockets in its bones. In their paper published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, the group describes where they found the fossil, its condition, and their surprise at finding evidence of pneumaticity in most of its bones.
April 7, 2025 — Source
Brit telcos ask suppliers to clean up emissions mess -- politely, with no teeth
Digital Connectivity Forum lays out climate goals, but enforcement is strictly optional
April 7, 2025 — Source
Chemical pollution increases more than 100-fold after sewage discharges in South Coast waters
A worryingly wide range of chemical pollutants has been found by researchers studying two of the U.K.'s south-coast harbors, raising concerns about the impact on wildlife and the human activities responsible for this contamination.
April 7, 2025 — Source
Climate and health litigation mounting in Australia as exposure to heat waves grows
Australia's exposure to extreme heat continues to grow while the country has emerged as a global hotspot for climate change litigation, according to the latest MJA--Lancet Countdown report, published in the Medical Journal of Australia.
April 7, 2025 — Source
Climate consulting firm Earth Finance acquires Google-backed environmental data startup
Earth Finance, a Seattle-area company that helps businesses reduce their climate impacts, acquired Climate Engine, a startup that provides analysis and visualizations of satellite, meteorological and other climate data. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
April 7, 2025 — Source
Here's what to know about nations considering the 1st global tax on emissions for shipping
Nations are trying to reach an agreement to charge commercial vessels a fee for their emissions in what would effectively be the world's first global carbon tax.
April 7, 2025 — Source
High-res insights into NZ's sinking coastal sites
Coastal sites subsiding at rates of up to 10 mm/year, making them more vulnerable to sea-level rise, have been pinpointed in new high-resolution maps of five major urban centers.
April 7, 2025 — Source
New season of The Last of Us has a chance at realism—scientists discuss 'zombie fungus'
The trailer for the hit HBO series appears to show the "zombie fungus" cordyceps infecting humans by releasing airborne spores, instead of through tentacles—closer to scientific reality.
April 7, 2025 — Source
One-third of Australia's coastal terrestrial aquaculture at risk from sea level rise by 2100
New research led by Griffith University has determined that more than 43% of Queensland's current productive aquaculture sites are expected to be impacted by sea level rise.
April 7, 2025 — Source
Our elected officials have known about climate change for decades
The science has been settled for longer than many of us have been alive. So why do some still claim it's uncertain?
April 7, 2025 — Source
Recycled water helps a California community adapt to worsening droughts
Orange County purifies wastewater to replenish its critical aquifer.
April 7, 2025 — Source
Researchers make important breakthrough in unlocking the power of epigenetic variation in crop breeding
Epigenetic variation, like genetic variation, can be inherited and influence traits across generations. However, epigenetic variation does not involve changes to the genetic sequence that makes up DNA.
April 7, 2025 — Source
Rural Human Rights Defenders Face Serious and Growing Risks, UN Report Reveals
"They're doing this work very bravely, without any support." For the people defending human rights and the environment in rural places, the isolation of their communities makes violence, surveillance and harassment more likely.
April 7, 2025 — Source
Scientists blame climate change for spread of infectious diseases and unleashing of ice-locked microbes in Arctic
Climate change is creating new pathways for the spread of infectious diseases like brucellosis, tularemia, or E. coli in the Arctic, according to a broad international consortium of scientists with a wide range of expertise in human, animal, and environmental health in the North Pole.
April 7, 2025 — Source
Shop smarter, not harder. How gentle messaging can help the planet more than tough talk
Fast fashion is booming, but so is its environmental toll. With up to 10% of global carbon emissions linked to the industry, the over-consumption of cheap clothing has made sustainability campaigns more vital than ever. Yet, even as awareness of fast fashion's environmental harm grows, many consumers remain resistant to changing their shopping habits.
April 7, 2025 — Source
Trump is gutting the nation's environmental programs: What will it cost Americans?
The Trump administration's slash-and-burn approach to federal programs has delivered a considerable hit to the nation's environment, but experts say its plans to repeal hard-won protections for clean air and water will also directly jeopardize Americans' health—and their wallets.
April 7, 2025 — Source
Unappreciated Rhabdophane is the forgotten host of rich rare-earth elements
Prodigious siblings can be annoying. All too often, they steal the spotlight and cast behind them an infuriating shadow of achievement and high expectation. The same is true in mineralogy, where some minerals have long existed in the shadow of their illustrious kin.
April 7, 2025 — Source
US storms, 'devastating' flooding death toll climbs to 17
Violent storms battering the central-eastern United States have killed at least 17 people, officials said Sunday, with the National Weather Service warning of "devastating" flash flooding.
April 7, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — April 4th, 2025
A faster, greener way to build homes
Automated modular construction can create better-sealed, more efficient apartment buildings.
April 4, 2025 — Source
Air pollution and extreme heat increase mortality in India
A new study from the Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet reveals that days with both high air pollution and extreme heat substantially raise the risk of death in Indian cities more than either factor alone.
April 4, 2025 — Source
American Farmers and the USDA Had Finally Embraced Their Role in the Climate Crisis. Then Came the Federal Funding Freeze
Critics say the Trump administration's halt to billions in conservation spending could cause long-term damage and slow hard-won progress.
April 4, 2025 — Source
Ancient lakes and rivers unearthed in Arabia's vast desert
The desert that we see today in Arabia was once a region that repeatedly underwent "green" periods in the past, as a result of periods of high rainfall, resulting in the formation of lakes and rivers about 9,000 years ago.
April 4, 2025 — Source
Beyond photorespiration: A systematic approach to unlocking enhanced plant productivity
A study published in Science Advances has revealed promising strategies to significantly improve crop yields by addressing photorespiration, a metabolic process that can reduce productivity by up to 36% in some crops. Researchers from the University of Groningen and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, working as part of the GAIN4CROPS project, have evaluated several alternative pathways that could help overcome this major agricultural bottleneck.
April 4, 2025 — Source
Black Residents of Altadena Struggle to Hang on to Their Community After LA Fires
In the historic African American enclave, residents face rising costs, delayed aid and tough choices about rebuilding—or leaving.
April 4, 2025 — Source
Certain sunflower strains can be induced to form seeds without pollination
Syngenta Biotechnology China-led research, with partners in the U.S., France, the UK, Chile, the Netherlands, Argentina, and across China, has discovered that sunflowers can form viable haploid seeds through parthenogenesis in the absence of pollination. This discovery opens the possibility of a scalable doubled haploid system in sunflowers, a technique that could reduce the time needed to produce fully inbred lines from six years to ~10 months.
April 4, 2025 — Source
Cuba looks to sun to solve its energy crisis
Not far from the ruins of an unfinished nuclear power plant in the Cuban province of Cienfuegos, hundreds of workers are hastily installing 44,000 solar panels as the island seeks once again to reduce its reliance on oil to escape an energy crisis.
April 4, 2025 — Source
Drone and camera combo offers affordable drought-tolerance selection for corn
A method using free software and a drone with a low-cost camera has made it possible to select drought-tolerant corn plants. The tool contributes to the selection of plants that can better withstand water stress, one of the impacts of climate change on agriculture.
April 4, 2025 — Source
How do diverse plants get sick in the wild? Researchers head outdoors to answer a blue-sky question
The life of a plant scientist involves long hours in the lab, thinking up, designing, and monitoring experiments that might tell us something new about how life works. But sometimes it helps to log off the computer, hang up the lab coats, and seek inspiration in nature.
April 4, 2025 — Source
Long-term studies at Jasper Ridge yield insights into oak ecosystems
Sitting atop the land of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, located on the eastern hills of the Santa Cruz Mountains and about five miles southwest of Stanford University's main campus, is one of its most beautiful classrooms: Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve ('Ootchamin 'Ooyakma). Since 1965, this site, a part of the School of Humanities and Sciences (H&S), has been the center of long-term scientific studies that aim to understand the intricacies of the natural world.
April 4, 2025 — Source
Nations divided ahead of decisive week for shipping emissions
Members of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) are divided over whether to approve a carbon tax on international shipping, ahead of a meeting starting on Monday to finalize emissions-reduction measures.
April 4, 2025 — Source
Oxygen is running low in inland waters—and human activities are to blame
Rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs aren't just scenic parts of our landscape—they're also vital engines for life on Earth. These inland waters "breathe" oxygen, just like we do. But a new study led by Utrecht University researchers shows that we've been suffocating them during the last century, an era also known as the Anthropocene.
April 4, 2025 — Source
Report: Energy leaders present six big ideas to help avoid US electricity crisis
After about 20 years of scant growth, U.S. electricity demand is expected to grow about 15-20% in the next decade and double by 2050, according to the Department of Energy. In light of these predictions, more than 80 U.S. energy experts met at Stanford in February to discuss how to avoid the U.S. electricity grid being overwhelmed by rising demand. This meeting, which was organized by the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability's Precourt Institute for Energy, has resulted in a report focused on six big ideas for federal and state energy policymakers to consider.
April 4, 2025 — Source
Scientists discover deep-sea microplastic hotspots driven by fast-moving underwater avalanches
Fast-moving underwater avalanches, known as turbidity currents, are responsible for transporting vast quantities of microplastics into the deep sea, according to new research published today.
April 4, 2025 — Source
Self-charging drones for power line inspections land top prize at UW enviro innovation contest
A team of students from the University of Washington is developing self-charging drones that use AI to survey electrical lines to look for potential threats that could knock out power or spark a fire.
April 4, 2025 — Source
Single-atom catalysts transform hydrogenation, improving food and fuel production
A chemical reaction that's vital to a range of commercial and industrial goods may soon be initiated more effectively and less expensively thanks to a collaboration that included Oregon State University College of Engineering researchers.
April 4, 2025 — Source
Soil conditions significantly increase rainfall in world's megastorm hotspots, study shows
Storm forecasting is traditionally based on studying atmospheric conditions, but research that also looks at land surface conditions is set to transform early warning systems in tropical regions. This will enable communities to better adapt to the destructive impacts of climate change.
April 4, 2025 — Source or Source
Southern Ocean warming may affect tropical drought and rainfall more than Arctic warming
Southern Ocean warming may have a greater impact than Arctic warming in some regions, particularly affecting tropical rainfall patterns, according to a study published in Nature Communications. These effects could exacerbate weather and climate extremes in vulnerable regions.
April 4, 2025 — Source
The Trump Administration Issues Its Next Assault on the Nation's Public Forests
The Department of Agriculture issued an "Emergency Situation Determination" that environmental groups say will speed the cutting of old-growth trees.
April 4, 2025 — Source
The world's most powerful ocean current could slow by 2050
The ocean is a vital part of our planet's climate system. Through its global circulation patterns, the ocean draws vast quantities of our planet's heat and carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
April 4, 2025 — Source
Three ways American cities can become more flood-resilient and beautiful
Green spaces and smart design choices can help cities prepare for more weather extremes. And studies find that the investment is well worth the cost.
April 4, 2025 — Source
USDA cuts could cause long-term damage, reverse hard-won progress
Yield-increasing conservation measures now branded as "far left climate activities."
April 4, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — April 2nd, 2025
Australians want nature protected—these three environmental problems should be top of the next government's to-do list
Australia is a place of great natural beauty, home to many species found nowhere else on Earth. But it's also particularly vulnerable to introduced animals, diseases, and weeds. Habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change make matters worse. To conserve what's special, we need far greater care.
April 2, 2025 — Source
Bringing back the mammoth won't fix the future
De-extinction is a techno-fantasy that distracts from the real work of protecting our planet.
April 2, 2025 — Source
Drought shrinks breeding range for California's wild salmon
An international team of researchers has found that climate change is negatively impacting the Californian wild salmon population, which should serve as a warning to Australia.
April 2, 2025 — Source
Early Earth's first crust composition discovery rewrites geological timeline
Researchers have made a new discovery that changes our understanding of Earth's early geological history, challenging beliefs about how our continents formed and when plate tectonics began.
April 2, 2025 — Source
Evolution of Business Models to Support Zero-Emission Truck Adoption
Trucks are the backbone of India's logistics industry and supply chain. Although trucks account for less than 3% of the total vehicle population, they generate approximately 45% of road transport emissions, significantly impacting the country's carbon footprint.
April 2, 2025 — Source
First ancient genomes from the Green Sahara deciphered
An international team led by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, has sequenced the first ancient genomes from the so-called Green Sahara, a period when the largest desert in the world temporarily turned into a humid savanna-like environment.
April 2, 2025 — Source
Fourier is making hydrogen electrolyzers inspired by data centers
Despite being the most abundant element in the universe, making cheap, clean hydrogen here on Earth has been a surprisingly tough nut to crack.
April 2, 2025 — Source
Improving productivity is key to reducing antibiotic use in livestock, study finds
A new study led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and research partners highlights that improving livestock productivity is key to achieving substantial reductions in global antibiotic use.
April 2, 2025 — Source
Migrating flies vital for people and nature
Buzzing insects may be seen as pests—but globally, hundreds of fly species migrate over long distances, with major benefits for people and nature, new research shows.
April 2, 2025 — Source
New Poll Shows Americans View Water That's Safe to Drink and Reliably Supplied as Top Issues
The US Water Alliance's Value of Water Campaign found the majority of respondents support additional investments to improve water infrastructure, even if it means higher bills.
April 2, 2025 — Source
People Who Depend on Public Lands Say Firing National Park and Forest Workers Stresses Nearby Communities
Mass layoffs of the federal employees who manage public lands could deal a major blow to the rural economies that rely on them.
April 2, 2025 — Source
Potentially devastating multiday flood brewing for mid-Mississippi Valley
Some areas are at high risk for flooding on Thursday.
April 2, 2025 — Source
Simulating the origin and evolution of the North Atlantic Oscillation shows how it helped shape Earth
A simulation on the origin and evolution of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) has been conducted by a PKU research team led by Nie Ji, Associate Professor of the School of Physics; and Hu Yongyun, Dean of the Institute of Ocean Research, along with a research team from National Natural Science Foundation of China.
April 2, 2025 — Source
Southern Ocean warming could lead to wetter Pacific coasts for centuries to come
People along the densely populated Pacific coasts are exposed to strongly fluctuating rainfall patterns: In East Asia, heavy rain falls in summer, and flooding is already one of the climate risks in this region today. The western U.S., on the other hand, is often hit by extreme drought in summer, and the question of how much precipitation the winter will bring is fundamental to appropriate preventive measures.
April 2, 2025 — Source
Study finds Rocky Mountain snow contamination from mines
Mountain snowpacks accumulate snow throughout the winter, building up stores of water that will supply communities across the American West throughout the long dry season.
April 2, 2025 — Source
Study reveals chromium's role in molten salt reactor corrosion
High temperatures and ionizing radiation create extremely corrosive environments inside a nuclear reactor. To design long-lasting reactors, scientists must understand how radiation-induced chemical reactions impact structural materials.
April 2, 2025 — Source
What Are the Rights of Nature?
Here's what you need to know about one of the fastest-growing environmental and social movements worldwide—to secure legal rights for ecosystems and other parts of the natural world.
April 2, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — March 31st, 2025
Bioengineered red yeast turns wood waste into a valuable fatty acid
Forestry waste can be turned into a high-value fatty acid, thanks to a bright red yeast engineered by University of Alberta researchers.
March 31, 2025 — Source
California suspends environmental laws to speed rebuilding of utilities after LA fires
In a continued effort to expedite rebuilding after Los Angeles' devastating firestorms, Gov. Gavin Newsom this week suspended California environmental laws for utility providers working to reinstall key infrastructure.
March 31, 2025 — Source
Carbon Robotics unveils 'AutoTractor,' a self-driving platform to boost productivity on farms
Long gone are the days on the farm where getting up at the crack of dawn to run a tractor through fields might have been just the start of a long day's work. Now, the tractor could very well have been running all night — by itself.
March 31, 2025 — Source
City trees respond to higher temperatures differently than those in forests, potentially masking climate impacts
It's tricky to predict precisely what the impacts of climate change will be, given the many variables involved. To predict the impacts of a warmer world on plant life, some researchers look at urban "heat islands," where, because of the effects of urban structures, temperatures consistently run a few degrees higher than those of the surrounding rural areas. This enables side-by-side comparisons of plant responses.
March 31, 2025 — Source
Creepy New Sunflower Discovered in Texas National Park
With furry white leaves and maroon-streaked florets, the newly identified plant has been dubbed "wooly devil."
March 31, 2025 — Source
Curing fashion's reliance on leather with an eco-friendly plant-based alternative
As the material left the curing oven, the Alt. Leather team knew it had worked—what they held in their hands looked and felt just like leather.
March 31, 2025 — Source
Dead trees keep surprisingly large amounts of carbon out of atmosphere
Living trees absorb carbon, aiding climate change mitigation. But what role do dead trees play in carbon storage? UVM researchers found that large, downed trees in streams tie up tremendous stores of carbon—and this pool of carbon storage is growing over time. Moreover, large trees in streamside forests proved important for recruiting carbon into streams over time—reflecting the environmental value of big, old trees.
March 31, 2025 — Source
Earthquake devastation in Myanmar underscores regional lag in construction standards, regulations, says expert
The 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar Friday and could leave a death toll over 1,000 further underscores a regional lag in building codes and construction standards, according to Daniel Aldrich, a Northeastern professor, director of the university's Resilience Studies Program and co-director at the Global Resilience Institute.
March 31, 2025 — Source
Eye in the sky: California spending $100M to track methane emissions with satellites
California will soon start using satellite technology to track down methane and other greenhouse gas emissions that may otherwise go undetected from sites around the state, such as oil and gas operations, landfills and livestock facilities.
March 31, 2025 — Source
Faith Leaders Push Back After EPA Head Disparages Climate Action as 'Religion'
Jewish and Christian faith leaders responded to Lee Zeldin's comments with "righteous anger" and called for policies that support a more just, livable world.
March 31, 2025 — Source
Fossil fuels drive climate, health and biodiversity crises, scientists warn
The review synthesizes the extensive scientific evidence showing that fossil fuels and the fossil fuel industry are fueling not only the climate crisis but also public health harms, environmental injustice, biodiversity loss, and the plastics and agrochemical pollution crises.
March 31, 2025 — Source
Japan-Australia flagship hydrogen project stumbles
Japan wants to become a hydrogen fuel leader to meet its net-zero goals, but one blockbuster project is hanging in the balance over questions about its climate credentials.
March 31, 2025 — Source
Mind the seismic gap: Understanding earthquake types in Guerrero, Mexico
Plate temperature and water release can explain the occurrence of different types of earthquakes in Guerrera, Mexico. A Kobe University simulation study has also shown that the shape of the Cocos Plate is responsible for a gap where earthquakes haven't occurred for more than a century. The results are important for accurate earthquake prediction models in the region.
March 31, 2025 — Source
Mounting Habitat Pressures Prompt New Conservation Program for Ailing Florida Bird
The Cape Sable seaside sparrow is threatened by some of the most complex water management infrastructure on Earth in the Everglades, and now sea level rise.
March 31, 2025 — Source
New simulation of life on Earth reveals hidden diversity of undiscovered species
In a study published in Systematic Biology, researchers from Imperial College London, UCL, Dalhousie University and the United Nations Environment Program World Conservation Monitoring Center described how their new simulation methods improve understanding of how patterns of biodiversity emerge across the globe.
March 31, 2025 — Source
Oceanographers investigate southern Brazil's catastrophic flooding
Devastating floods reshaped southern Brazil's landscape in May 2024. Rio Grande do Sul—the fifth most populous state in Brazil—was hit with unprecedented rainfall, affecting 2.3 million people. A new study led by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) published in Geophysical Research Letters uses satellite data to help uncover what caused the deluges and examine how it impacted some of the state's most vulnerable residents.
March 31, 2025 — Source
Purification method removes PFAS from water while transforming waste into high-value graphene
Rice University researchers have developed an innovative solution to a pressing environmental challenge: removing and destroying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly called "forever chemicals."
March 31, 2025 — Source
Seeping groundwater can be a hidden source of greenhouse gases
Scientists know that streams and rivers can contribute significant quantities of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. One way these bodies of water come to contain greenhouse gases is via groundwater, which picks up carbon and nitrogen as it seeps and flows through rock and sediment near rivers.
March 31, 2025 — Source
Simulation shows trawling and dredging impact the processes behind natural ocean alkalinity production
A pair of marine scientists at the University of Antwerp, in Belgium, working with a colleague from the University of Otago, in New Zealand, have found that simulations they created showed that trawling and dredging impact the processes behind natural ocean alkalinity production.
March 31, 2025 — Source
The silent collapse of an American urban tree canopy
In his new book, 'The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue,' journalist, author, and climate activist Mike Tidwell documents the deaths of big trees on his block -- and why that matters for us all.
March 31, 2025 — Source
Thinner Arctic sea ice may affect the AMOC, say scientists
One of the ocean currents in the Arctic Ocean is at risk of disappearing this century because of climate change, according to a new joint study from the University of Gothenburg and the German Alfred Wegener Institute. As a result, the North Atlantic could be flooded with freshwater, which would weaken the global ocean circulation.
March 31, 2025 — Source
Vermont Might Change How It Accounts for Climate-Damaging Emissions. Here's What's at Stake
The governor's proposal to include forests and farms in the state greenhouse gas inventory holds both promise and peril, say advocates and researchers.
March 31, 2025 — Source
Wasted energy could be costing you thousands
An HVAC expert says an energy audit can show homeowners which upgrades will help the most.
March 31, 2025 — Source
'Water Is the New Oil' as Texas Cities Square Off Over Aquifers
Two cities and the Texas A&M University System are suing to stop a project that would pump up to 89 million gallons per day of groundwater 80 miles away to other boomtowns in Central Texas.
March 31, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — March 28th, 2025
After 7,000 years without light and oxygen in Baltic Sea mud, researchers bring prehistoric algae back to life
A research team led by the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW) was able to revive dormant stages of algae that sank to the bottom of the Baltic Sea almost 7,000 years ago. Despite thousands of years of inactivity in the sediment without light and oxygen, the investigated diatom species regained full viability.
March 28, 2025 — Source
Amid Attacks on Endangered Species Act, Trump's Pick to Lead Wildlife Conservation Faces Confirmation Hearing
Brian Nesvik, the former director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, stand
March 28, 2025 — Source
An AI-based drone that speeds up the detection and monitoring of wildfires is presented in Germany
A company that specializes in early wildfire detection has developed a new, AI-based drone it says will help speed up the detection, location and monitoring of fires.
March 28, 2025 — Source
Arctic sea ice hits record low for its usual peak growth period
Arctic sea ice had its weakest winter buildup since record-keeping began 47 years ago, a symptom of climate change that will have repercussions globally, scientists said Thursday.
March 28, 2025 — Source
Clean energy giant Goldwind leads China's global sector push
China has rushed ahead in recent years as the world's forerunner in wind energy, propelled by explosive local demand as Beijing aggressively pursues strategic and environmental targets.
March 28, 2025 — Source
Clouds and conspiracies: concerns over push to make rain
Can countries control the clouds? And should they? As climate change drives floods and drought, rainmaking is in fashion across the world, despite mixed evidence that it works and concerns it can stoke cross-border tensions.
March 28, 2025 — Source
Discovery of compounds that delay flowering could boost crop yields
In an era where climate change threatens food security, scientists worldwide are searching for reliable ways to improve crop production. Extreme weather and shifting seasonal patterns can disrupt traditional agricultural cycles, making technologies that regulate the timing of plant growth invaluable for farmers worldwide.
March 28, 2025 — Source
Goodbye gas, hello sustainability
A California couple ditched natural gas, converting their home to run entirely on clean electricity.
March 28, 2025 — Source
How Nature Enabled Freedom for Groundbreaking American Women
From Harriet Tubman to Louisa May Alcott, the natural world was a catalyst to slipping their bonds.
March 28, 2025 — Source
How Should You Clean Your House After It's Engulfed in Wildfire Smoke?
Research shows harmful chemicals released by burning vegetation and homes can return to the air months after the blazes are out, but some common cleaning methods can reduce the harm.
March 28, 2025 — Source
NOAA's GOES-19 satellite releases new coronagraph data to public
Near real-time preliminary data from NOAA's first Compact Coronagraph (CCOR-1), a powerful solar telescope onboard the GOES-19 satellite, are now publicly accessible. GOES-19, launched in June 2024, began providing the new data through the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) website as of February 25, 2025, and from the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) archive starting March 7, 2025.
March 28, 2025 — Source
Reducing seafood waste: Discarded fish parts hold untapped nutritional potential
Up to two-thirds of the fish caught never reach the dinner table. SINTEF researcher Line Skontorp Meidell wants to fix that.
March 28, 2025 — Source
Regional climate signals pose new challenges for climate science
Climate science has correctly predicted many aspects of the climate system and its response to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. Recently, discrepancies between the real world and our expectations of regional climate changes have emerged, as have disruptive new computational approaches.
March 28, 2025 — Source
Scientists reveal evolutionary dynamics of centromeres in octoploid strawberries
The modern cultivated strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) originates from interspecific hybridization between two octoploid wild species: F. virginiana and F. chiloensis. However, the differences in centromere characteristics and evolutionary patterns between wild and cultivated octoploids have remained poorly understood.
March 28, 2025 — Source
Solar-powered system converts waste to ammonia and glycolic acid
A team of researchers from UNIST has developed a new technology that uses solar energy to produce ammonia and glycolic acid—an essential component in cosmetics—while eliminating carbon dioxide emissions.
March 28, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — March 24th, 2025
3D nanotech blankets offer new path to clean drinking water
Researchers have developed a new material that, by harnessing the power of sunlight, can clear water of dangerous pollutants. Created through a combination of soft chemistry gels and electrospinning—a technique where electrical force is applied to liquid to craft small fibers—the team constructed thin fiber-like strips of titanium dioxide (TiO₂), a compound often utilized in solar cells, gas sensors and various self-cleaning technologies.
March 24, 2025 — Source or Source
5,700-year storm archive shows rise in tropical storms and hurricanes in the Caribbean
30-meter sediment core from the 'Great Blue Hole' in Belize provides longest recorded storm frequency data for the Atlantic
March 24, 2025 — Source
Are Starlink's Satellites Depleting the Ozone?
Elon Musk's satellite internet company has been a game-changer for rural internet, but there could be dire consequences for Earth's stratosphere.
March 24, 2025 — Source
Climate warming and heat waves are accelerating global lake deoxygenation, study finds
Freshwater ecosystems require adequate oxygen levels to sustain aerobic life and maintain healthy biological communities. However, both long-term climate warming and the increasing frequency and intensity of short-term heat waves are significantly reducing surface dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in lakes worldwide, according to a study published in Science Advances.
March 24, 2025 — Source
Congress Is Searching for Trillions of Dollars in Cuts. Will the Oil Industry's Tax Breaks Skate By?
With a $4.5 trillion fight over tax cuts looming, the oil and gas industry wants to protect billions of dollars in tax benefits it enjoys and get new ones, too.
March 24, 2025 — Source
Despite Staff and Budget Cuts, NOAA Issues Critical Drought Warnings in Its Spring Climate Outlook
The embattled agency continues to disseminate crucial updates in a hostile political environment, while scientists warn that cutting climate intelligence is folly at a time of escalating climate extremes.
March 24, 2025 — Source
Faced with soaring landslide costs, Palos Verdes considers toll on iconic coastal road
Motorists love it for its rugged cliffs and stunning coastal vistas, but this Southern California highway is also a critical evacuation route for thousands of Palos Verdes Peninsula residents—not to mention a key artery for commuters and emergency vehicles.
March 24, 2025 — Source
From deluges to drought: Climate change speeds up water cycle, triggers more extreme weather
Prolonged droughts, wildfires and water shortages. Torrential downpours that overwhelm dams and cause catastrophic flooding.
March 24, 2025 — Source
Higher ozone levels tied to heart attack risk
For young adults, air pollution may increase risks of some kinds of heart attacks more than others.
March 24, 2025 — Source
How a solar job training program changed one woman's life
Today, Jacinta Goggles is working to expand solar access on the Wind River Reservation.
March 24, 2025 — Source
Introduced Pacific oysters provide biodiversity benefits in Australia's Port River
The study—led by Brad Martin, a Flinders University Ph.D. candidate, with colleagues from Flinders' College of Science and Engineering—assessed the effects of introduced, reef-forming Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas), within a temperate Australian mangrove-dominated estuary (the Port River-Barker Inlet Estuary) and how they influenced both intertidal fish and invertebrate communities, and fish foraging behavior.
March 24, 2025 — Source
Modeling the past and future of Antarctica's Aurora Subglacial Basin water flow
A pair of researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada, working with a colleague from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in the U.S., have created a model to visualize how water flows in Antarctica's Aurora Subglacial Basin and how it might flow in coming decades.
March 24, 2025 — Source
Nature's time machine: How long-term studies unlock evolution's secrets
Georgia Tech scientists are revealing how decades-long research programs have transformed our understanding of evolution, from laboratory petri dishes to tropical islands—along the way uncovering secrets that would remain hidden in shorter studies.
March 24, 2025 — Source
New hi-tech buoys improve south coast scientific surveillance
The introduction of new Spotter buoys to measure wave height and direction, and temperature in the sea off Victor Harbor in South Australia, provides a timely new resource to monitor fluctuating sea conditions and their effect on coastal environments.
March 24, 2025 — Source
Treating Texas' Oilfield Wastewater Could Require More Energy Than Most US States
One company wants small nuclear reactors to power the energy-intensive process of purifying vast volumes of toxic "produced water" for use in agriculture and industry.
March 24, 2025 — Source
Trump admin directs DOE officials to shield DOGE documents from disclosure
The Department of Energy (DOE) has told employees that documents used by DOGE to assess the agency's grants and contracts should be marked with "legal privilege" to prevent them from being disclosed under Freedom of Information Act requests.
March 24, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — March 21st, 2025
Bills Increasing Small-Scale Solar Requirements in Virginia Awaiting Action by Youngkin
The governor, a Trump ally, has highlighted the low cost of solar but also voiced intermittent concerns over efforts to develop renewable energy.
March 21, 2025 — Source
Engineered yeast boosts D-lactic acid production, advancing eco-friendly biomanufacturing
Great recipes require the perfect combination of ingredients—biotechnology recipes are no exception. Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University have discovered the ideal genetic "recipe" to turn yeast into a tiny yet powerful eco-friendly factory that converts methanol into D-lactic acid, a key compound used in biodegradable plastics and pharmaceuticals.
March 21, 2025 — Source
Heat pump water heater: climate hero?
Western utilities are testing the potential of heat pump water heaters to heat up water during times when solar energy is abundant.
March 21, 2025 — Source
Glacier melt puts unique microbial ecosystems under threat
Climate change is causing the world's glaciers to disappear at an alarming rate. Scientists have been studying and modeling this process for years, but until now, no research group has specifically examined how glacier melt will affect glacier-fed streams and their ecosystems.
March 21, 2025 — Source
In US Northwest, South Cascade is where glacier science grew up
For nearly 70 years scientists have been probing, measuring, drilling and generally getting to know South Cascade Glacier in the US Northwest, developing and honing skills now used worldwide.
March 21, 2025 — Source
Japan panel drafts response plan for Mount Fuji eruption
A Japanese panel of experts issued guidance to greater Tokyo residents on Friday in the event Mount Fuji erupts, telling them to stay indoors unless the ashfall becomes severe.
March 21, 2025 — Source
Massive, long-lived trees discovered in the Tanzanian rainforest are a new species
A team of botanists with members from Muse--Museo delle Scienze, Udzungwa Corridor LTD, Via Grazia Deledda and the National Museum of Kenya has discovered a new species of tree growing in the mountainous rain forests of Tanzania. In their paper published in the journal Phytotaxa, the group describes how and where the tree was found and its characteristics.
March 21, 2025 — Source
Nanotech-induced cooling found to improve crop yields in arid climates
Scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have developed and combined a new nanoplastic and biodegradable mulch to passively cool greenhouses in hot, arid climates like those in the Middle East.
March 21, 2025 — Source
Natural gatekeeper: How plants use root barriers to maintain healthy relationships
Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, the University of Cologne, and the University of Copenhagen have uncovered a hidden talent of the Casparian strip—a root structure best known for acting like a plant's security guard. It turns out this natural barrier also plays a key role in making sure legumes get the right amount of nitrogen from their bacterial partners.
March 21, 2025 — Source
Ocean dumping—or a climate solution? A growing industry bets on the ocean to capture carbon
From the grounds of a gas-fired power plant on the eastern shores of Canada, a little-known company is pumping a slurry of minerals into the ocean in the name of stopping climate change.
March 21, 2025 — Source
Preparing for catastrophic fire danger days a challenge for many older Australians, survey indicates
Most older Australians recently surveyed by Flinders University would not follow the Country Fire Services' advice regarding catastrophic fire danger days.
March 21, 2025 — Source
Samsung Electronics' Water Conservation Efforts for World Water Day
March 22 marks World Water Day, designated by the United Nations (UN) to underscore the vital importance of water and promote global collaboration in addressing water-related challenges. In observance of this day, Samsung Electronics carried out a variety of water conservation initiatives across 26 domestic and international worksites, engaging approximately 36,200 participants, including employees, local governments, NGOs and members of the community. Beyond these activities, Samsung Electronics remains dedicated to responsible water stewardship by enhancing its initiatives focused on water reuse and replenishment, strengthening worksite management systems, and deepening partnerships with key stakeholders.
March 21, 2025 — Source
Shrinking Andean glaciers threaten water supply of 90 million people, scientists warn
Scientists from the University of Sheffield will warn policymakers that the shrinking glaciers of the Andes threaten the water supply of 90 million people on the South American continent at the first-ever World Day for Glaciers hosted by UNESCO in Paris.
March 21, 2025 — Source
Slovakia reports first foot-and-mouth cases in 50 years
Slovakia has confirmed its first foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in 50 years at three farms near the border with Hungary, the government said on Friday, following cases there and in Germany.
March 21, 2025 — Source
Solar-powered reactor shows potential for creating jet fuel with net-zero carbon emissions
Increasing energy demands and problems associated with burning fossil fuels have heightened interest in more sustainable energy sources, such as sunlight. But there are still areas where carbon-based fuel remains the standard, such as in the aviation industry. To address this need, scientists have been working to devise a way to use sunlight to generate solar-thermal heating that could then drive the chemical reactions that are needed to make jet fuel with net-zero carbon emissions.
March 21, 2025 — Source
Study sheds light on risks from residential heat and energy burdens in Miami
Many residents in Miami-Dade County and across the country face the dual challenge of dangerously hot homes and unaffordable cooling costs, which together drive-up intensifying risks to household health and well-being.
March 21, 2025 — Source
What Is Photosynthesis? Nature's Fundamental Process, Explained
All about the way plants turn sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into food.
March 21, 2025 — Source
World's glacier mass shrank again in 2024, UN says
All 19 of the world's glacier regions experienced a net loss of mass in 2024 for the third consecutive year, the United Nations said Friday, warning that saving the planet's glaciers was now a matter of "survival."
March 21, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — March 17th, 2025
Eco-friendly method converts methane to ethanol with 80% selectivity
In advancing sustainable energy solutions, an international collaborative team of scientists has achieved a significant milestone in low-carbon chemical conversion. In their recent publication in Nature, the team has discovered a photocatalytic approach to converting methane to ethanol with high selectivity of about 80% and a methane conversion rate of 2.3% in a single run using a packed-bed flow reactor.
March 17, 2025 — Source
Far-flung outbreak of extreme weather kills at least 39
The culprits ranged from dust storms and fires in the Southern Plains to tornadoes in the Mississippi Valley and the South.
March 17, 2025 — Source
Global study identifies top sites for ocean current energy
As global electricity demand grows, traditional energy sources are under strain. Oceans, which cover more than 70% of Earth's surface, offer vast potential for clean energy from renewable resources such as ocean currents and waves.
March 17, 2025 — Source
How the EPA's environmental about-face could upend California's climate efforts
The Environmental Protection Agency's plan to repeal or weaken more than two dozen regulations could deliver a direct blow to California policies on air and water quality standards, electric vehicle initiatives and efforts to curb planet-harming greenhouse gas emissions.
March 17, 2025 — Source
Palmetto wants software developers to electrify America using its AI building models
For someone who wants solar panels, the question is often: "How many?" And for a heat pump, it's "how big?" Answering those questions typically requires a contractor to set foot on your property.
March 17, 2025 — Source
Microplastics Lurk in Freshwater Environments Across Pennsylvania
Penn State scientists found microplastics dating back to the 1950s buried in the sediments of a river, two creeks and a lake.
March 17, 2025 — Source
'More and faster': UN calls to shrink buildings' carbon footprint
Countries must move rapidly to slash CO2 emissions from homes, offices, shops and other buildings—a sector that accounts for a third of global greenhouse gas pollution, the United Nations said Monday.
March 17, 2025 — Source
More support needed for disaster survivors who speak little English
A law requires federal relief efforts to try to reach people with limited English skills, but gaps remain.
March 17, 2025 — Source
Race to name creatures of the deep as mining interest grows
In the cold, lightless Pacific Ocean deep, the seabed is scattered with metal-rich rocks coveted by miners—and huge numbers of strange and rare animals almost entirely unknown to science.
March 17, 2025 — Source
Scrutiny for Florida Agencies Charged with Managing Treasured Waters Sparks Unease
The proposed legislation comes as Gov. Ron DeSantis initiates a DOGE-like cost-cutting effort and suggests Florida should take over Everglades restoration from the federal government.
March 17, 2025 — Source
Sewage sludge microbiota can help clean up toxic tetrachloroethene pollution
A pair of environmental engineers at the National University of Singapore has found that many bacteria in common sewer water are able to detoxify tetrachloroethene. In their study published in the journal ACS ES&T Engineering, Guofang Xu and Jianzhong He explored whether microbes in sewage might be able to break down chlorinated solvents, which could make detoxifying such water easier.
March 17, 2025 — Source
Spider mite discovery in plant--pest warfare could lead to sustainable farming solutions
As global food demand continues to increase, effective pest control remains one of agriculture's most pressing challenges. Worldwide, farmers apply nearly 4 million tons of chemical pesticides annually to protect their crops, representing a $60 billion industry.
March 17, 2025 — Source
Spring Cleaning: How to Recycle Your Computers and Printers for Free
If you've got an old mammoth of a PC tower sitting around, don't throw it out. You can recycle it for free, and in some cases even get store credit.
March 17, 2025 — Source
There's plenty of pork on Chinese forks, but the environment is paying a price: Iron nanoparticles offer a solution
Pork accounts for at least 60% of all meat eaten in China, but its popularity exacts a heavy toll on the environment that has proven tricky to resolve until now.
March 17, 2025 — Source
Toll from US weekend tornadoes rises to at least 40
The death toll from tornadoes and violent storms that ravaged the central and southern United States over the weekend has risen to at least 40 people, with dozens more injured, local authorities said.
March 17, 2025 — Source
Toxic Waste Cleanups Take Longer in Marginalized San Francisco Communities
Even simple remediations lag at Bay Area sites in socially vulnerable areas, a San Francisco Public Press analysis shows.
March 17, 2025 — Source
Upgrading keratin to make a biodegradable plastic
A team of materials scientists from Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, the University of Milano-Bicocca, and Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia via Morego, all in Italy, has found a way to use keratin to make a type of biodegradable plastic. In their paper published in the journal Matter, the group describes how they combined two well-known keratin processing techniques to make a new kind of bioplastic and outline possible uses for the result.
March 17, 2025 — Source
Will climate change lead to more fungal infections?
Fungi can keep us healthy or cause disease. As climate change drives fungi to adapt, their impact on our health is changing. Learn about the increasing risk of fungal infections and how to tackle the threat.
March 17, 2025 — Source
Wind-powered mast to cut emissions sets sail to Canada
A pioneering rigid shipping mast has set off on its first journey, harnessing the wind to propel a cargo ship from England to Canada and using less fuel to help reduce emissions.
March 17, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — March 14th, 2025
Climate disasters hit harder when you don't have a bank account
People without bank accounts can face difficulty receiving aid.
March 14, 2025 — Source
Microclimate report finds a divide in how City of Sydney feels the heat
A new microclimate report reveals suburbs near the harbor are up to 15 degrees cooler than those in the City of Sydney's south, during extreme heat.
March 14, 2025 — Source
Potent March storm to deliver a dangerous, multi-pronged extreme weather onslaught
As the 100th anniversary of the nation's deadliest tornado nears, a major tornado outbreak looms from the mid-Mississippi Valley into the South, with extreme fire weather in the Southern Plains.
March 14, 2025 — Source
Remote work helps the environment. Here's how.
Five years after COVID accelerated the remote work revolution, its effect on the air is clear.
March 14, 2025 — Source
School Disruptions from the LA Fires Hit Latino, Disadvantaged and English-Language Learners Hardest, Experts Find
California fires' disparate impacts on students offer lessons for how schools should prepare for climate disasters across the nation.
March 14, 2025 — Source
Tapuy rice wine fermentation yields possible anti-aging superfood
Filipino researchers have found a way to optimize the traditional procedure for making Philippine rice wine or "tapuy" to produce a potential superfood rich in anti-aging compounds and antioxidants.
March 14, 2025 — Source
The American Beef Industry Understood Its Climate Impact Decades Ago
New research finds the industry's campaigns to confuse the public about beef's climate impact go back longer than previously recognized.
March 14, 2025 — Source
Threatened by warming waters, brook trout may be able to adapt to hotter weather
Brook trout may have a genetic trick up their scales when it comes to adapting, with limitations, to heat waves that threaten their existence. Scientists have known for years that brook trout—an iconic coldwater fish species native to streams and lakes in the eastern United States and Canada—are extremely vulnerable to warming temperatures, with Sourcemore than half of their habitats characterized as highly sensitive and highly vulnerable to such changes by the U.S. Forest Service researchers in 2010.
March 14, 2025 — Source
Water at war: The long-term environmental consequences of the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine
Water is misused as a weapon when infrastructure and water resources are deliberately destroyed in armed conflicts. Water resources and infrastructure are also affected by the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine: In June 2023, the Kakhovka Dam, which held water from one of Europe's largest reservoirs, collapsed as a result of military damage.
March 14, 2025 — Source
Wild barley genomics research paves the way for climate-resilient crops
An international team of scientists from Australia and China has unveiled the first chromosome-scale genome of a wild barley species. Their findings offer the potential for more sustainable agriculture and significant yield improvements for Australian grain production.
March 14, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — March 13th, 2025
A 'surprising' cause of sargassum blooms in Caribbean: Study pinpoints changes in circulation and wind patterns
The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt has puzzled researchers since 2011. A recent study published in Nature Communications may have identified what drove a tipping point that established the phenomenon in the tropical Atlantic Ocean.
March 13, 2025 — Source
Clean air rules boost US health and the economy—charts show what EPA's new deregulation plans ignore
The Trump administration announced on March 12, 2025, that it is "reconsidering" more than 30 air pollution regulations in a series of moves that could impact air quality across the United States.
March 13, 2025 — Source
Colorado Will Require Oil and Gas Companies to Increase Water Recycling for Fracking
Billions of gallons of freshwater are used for fracking every year in Colorado. Companies will now have to gradually increase the amount of recycled water they use.
March 13, 2025 — Source
Corn rootworm's secret weapon: How a genetic 'pause' helps a billion-dollar pest survive winter
A study from the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment offers fresh insights into a billion-dollar problem for U.S. corn producers each year. New research shows how two notorious pests, western and northern corn rootworms, survive cold winters and return the following year to wreak havoc on corn yields.
March 13, 2025 — Source
EPA Freezes, Then Terminates, Multi-Billion Dollar Climate Grants, Scuttling Projects and Triggering Lawsuits
The lawsuits could take months, if not years, to resolve, experts say, leaving green banks, clean energy startups and low-income communities in financial limbo.
March 13, 2025 — Source
Frack to the future? Geothermal energy pitched as datacenter savior
If operators are willing to cough up a 'green premium' and tax credits are not repealed
March 13, 2025 — Source
High-frequency monitoring reveals complex infiltration-preferential flow processes in karst hillslopes
A study led by Prof. Chen Hongsong from the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has unveiled the mechanistic influence of soil thickness (as a representative litho-structural factor) on water movement dynamics.
March 13, 2025 — Source
How Does Your State Produce Its Electricity? The Variations are Wild and Weird
Take a tour of the country in terms of how each state produces power.
March 13, 2025 — Source
Illegal mining reaches Venezuela's famed Angel Falls, threatens treasured national park
Deep in the Amazon, Canaima National Park in Venezuela is a green wonderland. Home to Angel Falls, the tallest uninterrupted waterfall in the world at more than 3,200 feet, it serves as a source of national pride, a showcase of the country's uniqueness and natural beauty, the Venezuelan equivalent of the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Niagara Falls all rolled into one.
March 13, 2025 — Source
In Providence, Trump's EPA Freeze Leaves People's Port Authority in Limbo
The nonprofit advocacy organization has worked to stop polluting industries around the Port of Providence and is now seeking an environmental justice act for the state.
March 13, 2025 — Source
Luxury hiking developments look picture-perfect but could stop Australians from accessing national parks
While many opt for these deluxe alternatives to a backpack and tent, they can also stop independent hikers with smaller budgets from accessing national parks if not carefully planned.
March 13, 2025 — Source
Microsoft tempted to hit the gas as renewables can't keep up with AI
So much for 'carbon negative by 2030'
March 13, 2025 — Source
New map of landscape beneath Antarctica unveiled
The most detailed map yet of the landscape beneath Antarctica's ice sheet has been assembled by a team of international scientists led from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
March 13, 2025 — Source
Overfishing urchins: A paradoxical path to marine sustainability
In our warming oceans, marine species are moving into new areas and "re-engineering" or often destroying those ecosystems, but scientists say the paradox of overfishing sustainably can help.
March 13, 2025 — Source
Physicists develop energy filter technology to stabilize single-electron qubits
The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) has developed a technology that controls the energy of single electrons in the desired form. This technology reduces the instability of electrons caused by external environments and enables stable quantum state implementation, making it a foundational technology to enhance the performance of single-electron qubits.
March 13, 2025 — Source
Social media can help track species as climate changes
Social media can help scientists track animal species as they relocate in response to climate change, new research shows.
March 13, 2025 — Source
Study shows widespread H5N1 bird flu infection in cattle
Scientists are sounding alarms about a genetic mutation that was recently identified in four dairy cow herds, nearly one year after H5N1 bird flu was first reported in Texas dairy cattle.
March 13, 2025 — Source
Superweed in New York state found resistant to widely used herbicide
It can grow an inch or two a day, produce nearly a million seeds and emerge at almost any point in the growing season. Waterhemp is among the most destructive weeds U.S. growers contend with, and new research has confirmed that populations in New York state are resistant to one of the most common herbicides.
March 13, 2025 — Source
'Sustainable intensification' on the farm reduces soil nitrate losses, maintains crop yields
A nine-year study comparing a typical two-year corn and soybean rotation with a more intensive three-year rotation involving corn, cereal rye, soybean and winter wheat, found that the three-year system can dramatically reduce nitrogen—an important crop nutrient—in farm runoff without compromising yield.
March 13, 2025 — Source
Taking the seagrass taxi: How foraminifera move from the coast to the depths of the Red Sea
Foraminifera are single-celled marine organisms with a calcareous shell. They not only provide evidence of past habitats, but also play an important role in sediment formation.
March 13, 2025 — Source
Tons of microplastics infiltrate Australia's agricultural soils each year, study shows
Compost applied to agricultural soils in Australia each year contains tons of microplastics, our research has revealed. These microplastics can harm soil and plant health and eventually enter food crops, potentially posing a risk to humans.
March 13, 2025 — Source
Trump's EPA clearly shows it doesn't understand the assignment
31 separate actions roll back restrictions on air and water pollution.
March 13, 2025 — Source
Unoccupied housing in China's urban areas emitting massive amounts of carbon, study finds
A group of construction managers and real estate specialists at Tsinghua University, in China, has found that the unusually high number of unoccupied residential units in China's cities is responsible for releasing massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere.
March 13, 2025 — Source
Warming climate disrupts food prices in northern Ontario
Shorter ice seasons make transportation and hunting more difficult.
March 13, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — March 12th, 2025
A record year for solar in Illinois and nationwide: 'Customers want it'
Illinois had a record year for solar growth in 2024 and can now draw enough energy from the sun to power 930,000 homes, according to a new report from the Solar Energy Industries Association and Wood Mackenzie.
March 12, 2025 — Source
Brazil Clears 8 Miles of Amazon Rainforest to Make Space for UN Climate Conference
Brazil ruins the environment to make it easier to host a conference about solving climate change.
March 12, 2025 — Source
Can wind power generators actually work for home use? I tested one - Here's the truth
Solar generators are trending, but what happens when the sky turns gray? This device keeps your power running.
March 12, 2025 — Source
Hand pollination helps cocoa farmers offset climate harm
Exploring ways for cocoa farmers to hand pollinate their crops could help offset crop losses resulting from climate changes, researchers suggest.
March 12, 2025 — Source
Hawaii volcano again puts tall lava fountains on display in latest eruption episode
An erupting Hawaii volcano once again began shooting fountains of lava that reached hundreds of feet high on Tuesday.
March 12, 2025 — Source
Here's What Happens To Disposable Batteries After You're Done With Them
Despite the impressive advancements in the field of rechargeable batteries over the last few decades, there's still plenty of need for disposable batteries in our daily lives. We use them to power TV remotes, small toys, and, in an emergency, they're excellent to have for powering vital equipment like radios and lights. No matter how convenient rechargeable batteries are, the simple longevity and efficiency of a disposable battery cannot be overlooked.
March 12, 2025 — Source
How Climate Change Exacerbates 'Weathering,' the Physical Toll of Racism
"Healthy aging is a measure not of how well we take care of ourselves but rather how well society treats and takes care of us," says Prof. Arline Geronimus, who pioneered research on weathering.
March 12, 2025 — Source
Incorporating Gd into Fe-doped nickel oxide markedly enhances oxygen evolution reaction activity
Producing clean hydrogen energy usually involves the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which has the unfortunate drawback of being sluggish and inefficient. Catalysts can fast-track this process, but it is no easy task finding the ideal candidate for the job.
March 12, 2025 — Source
Landscape scale pesticide pollution detected in the Upper Rhine region, from agricultural lowlands to remote areas
A recent study by the RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau shows extensive pesticide contamination in the landscape of the Upper Rhine Region. The research team led by Carsten Brühl shows for the first time that synthetic chemical pesticides from conventional agriculture do not remain on the cultivated areas, but spread from the lowlands to the Black Forest and the Palatinate Forest.
March 12, 2025 — Source
Lithium-ion batteries are remaking Google's data centers
Sometimes the smallest of news items can point to bigger trends lurking beneath the surface. Case in point: Google announced late last month that it has installed 100 million lithium-ion cells across its data centers to provide backup power to its servers.
March 12, 2025 — Source
Mexico City's local geology could amplify damage from moderate earthquakes
A recent swarm of small shallow earthquakes in Mexico City in 2019 and 2023 caused surprisingly strong ground shaking, prompting researchers to wonder how shaking from a moderate-sized earthquake might impact buildings across the city.
March 12, 2025 — Source
Mongolia's children choke in toxic pollution
As she watched her five-month-old son lying in intensive care, wires and tubes crisscrossing his tiny body, Uyanga cursed her hometown Ulaanbaatar and its chronic pollution.
March 12, 2025 — Source
Powering the future: America's perceptions on critical minerals
Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt and copper are essential for an energy transition away from fossil fuels—but America's perception of their importance isn't fully understood, which can slow progress.
March 12, 2025 — Source
Q&A: Do women leaders drive better environmental outcomes?
How do we provide energy to poor, rural communities in a sustainable way? What would incentivize policymakers in developing countries to create policies that provide more electricity while not further contributing to climate change? Are these policymakers concerned about climate change or more interested in just furthering their electoral gains?
March 12, 2025 — Source
Researchers use unique approaches to study plants in future climate conditions
As major changes continue for our planet's climate, scientists are concerned about how plants will grow and adapt. Researchers in the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, or PRL, Sharkey lab are studying changes in plant metabolism that occur when plants are grown in high light, high CO2 (HLHC) conditions.
March 12, 2025 — Source
Samsung Expands Global HVAC Reach With Custom B2B Climate Solutions
With the growing global focus on thermal efficiency management — driven by energy regulations, climate change, urbanization and population growth — demand for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is surging. In response, major home appliance companies worldwide are ramping up efforts to enter this expanding market.
March 12, 2025 — Source
Scientists find structural variation that boosts grain number in sorghum
Chinese scientists have uncovered two major genes responsible for sorghum's double-grain spikelet that dramatically enhance grain number and crop yield. A substantial 35.7-kilobase intrachromosomal inversion at the DG1 (Double-Grain 1) promoter drives the upregulation of DG1 expression, leading to the development of double-grain spikelets that remarkably increase sorghum grain number while illustrating the critical role of genomic structural variation in plant evolution.
March 12, 2025 — Source
Unprecedented changes to North Atlantic winds could have major impacts on UK weather
A new study, published in Nature Climate Change, reveals that the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) could reach unprecedented magnitudes by the end of the century, leading to severe impacts such as increased flooding and storm damage in northern Europe.
March 12, 2025 — Source
Want to preserve biodiversity? Go big, researchers say
Large, undisturbed forests are better for harboring biodiversity than fragmented landscapes, according to University of Michigan research. Ecologists agree that habitat loss and the fragmentation of forests reduces biodiversity in the remaining fragments. But ecologists don't agree whether it's better to focus on preserving many smaller, fragmented tracts of land or larger, continuous landscapes.
March 12, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — March 11th, 2025
A pioneering project reveals the risks of nanoplastics to human health
A four-year study reveals how micro- and nanoplastics interact with human cells, animals, and exposed individuals, uncovering risks and biological impacts.
March 11, 2025 — Source
Climate change made severe UK fires in 2022 six times more likely
New research shows that the damaging fires during the U.K.'s record-breaking 2022 heatwave were made at least six times more likely due to human-caused climate change.
March 11, 2025 — Source
Despite Arctic air outbreaks, US had warm, dry winter on average
A near-average February wrapped up a relatively warm and dry winter for the U.S., according to experts from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).
March 11, 2025 — Source
'Fishial' recognition: Neural network deciphers coral reef sounds for species identification
Coral reefs are some of the world's most diverse ecosystems. Despite making up less than 1% of the world's oceans, one quarter of all marine species spend some portion of their life on a reef. With so much life in one spot, researchers can struggle to gain a clear understanding of which species are present and in what numbers.
March 11, 2025 — Source
Framework to help scientists choose impactful place-based research locations
Faced with more extreme weather events, communities may need to adapt to heightened risks from sea-level rise, flooding or wildfires. And while scientific research can help inform adaptations, the process requires an alignment of academic resources and real-world needs and partnerships that can be challenging for scientists to navigate.
March 11, 2025 — Source
Future of Funding for Military's Climate Change Plans Caught Up in Fury of Trump Cuts
The money deals with flooding and sea level rise, and could help cope with electricity demand.
March 11, 2025 — Source
How nature organizes itself, from brain cells to ecosystems
Look around, and you'll see it everywhere: the way trees form branches, the way cities divide into neighborhoods, the way the brain organizes into regions. Nature loves modularity—a limited number of self-contained units that combine in different ways to perform many functions. But how does this organization arise? Does it follow a detailed genetic blueprint, or can these structures emerge on their own?
March 11, 2025 — Source
Hungry little crabs may help control coral-eating starfish numbers
Small, hidden crabs may be the missing link influencing coral-eating starfish populations, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
March 11, 2025 — Source
Microplastics could be fueling antibiotic resistance
Microplastics—tiny shards of plastic debris—are all over the planet. They have made their way up food chains, accumulated in oceans, clustered in clouds and on mountains, and been found inside human bodies at alarming rates. Scientists have been racing to uncover the unforeseen impacts of so much plastic in and around us.
March 11, 2025 — Source
Microplastics may threaten global food supply by disrupting photosynthesis
A team of environmental researchers, Earth scientists and pollution specialists at Nanjing University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and colleagues from Germany and the U.S. has found evidence that microplastics have a negative impact on photosynthesis in terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ecosystems.
March 11, 2025 — Source
Nitrogen for nothing and your protein for free
More than half of the protein within our body can be directly traced to a process invented more than 100 years ago by two German chemists, Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch. The Haber-Bosch process artificially fixes nitrogen by breaking the inert triple bond of nitrogen gas into ammonia fertilizer.
March 11, 2025 — Source
NOAA's uncertain future brings tsunami of worry for wildlife, ocean
When the Palisades fire raged and winds whipped ash and debris into the Pacific Ocean, scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—already out in boats doing water-quality surveys—quickly gathered tainted saltwater samples, knowing the data would be vital to understanding the impacts the wildfires would have on the ocean.
March 11, 2025 — Source
Plastic trash in bird nests documents the Anthropocene epoch
What if expiration dates could tell us more than when something goes bad? Scientists have found that dates on plastic food and beverage packaging can serve as markers of the Anthropocene, a period in Earth's history marked by the widespread impact of human activities on nature.
March 11, 2025 — Source
Reshape Energy is using an acquisition playbook to drive energy upgrades for commercial real estate
Reshape Energy is betting on a more integrated approach to accelerate the decarbonization of the built environment. Founded in Munich, Germany, back in May 2024, the startup is led by a team with expertise scaling energy businesses, including the German division of Octopus energy and energy price comparison platform Verivox. It's focusing on selling energy system upgrades to commercial real estate, targeting property owners with portfolios of buildings.
March 11, 2025 — Source
Roads less traveled multiply deforestation in the Amazon and beyond
James Cook University-led research has revealed secondary roads branching from major highways in tropical forests linked to extensive deforestation across the Brazilian Amazon, the Congo Basin, and New Guinea. Findings demonstrate that first-cut roads, initially constructed in undisturbed forests, lead to a proliferation of secondary roads, significantly increasing access to remote areas and accelerating forest degradation.
March 11, 2025 — Source
Salt influx from land and sea spells 'double trouble' for drinking water
An influx of salt from both land and sea and a warming world are condemning the world's rivers, streams and estuaries to a "saltier future," according to a new study led by University of Maryland Geology Professor Sujay Kaushal in collaboration with researchers from other institutions.
March 11, 2025 — Source
Self-optimizing catalysts facilitate water-splitting for the green production of hydrogen
Hydrogen is a much-debated option in terms of CO2-neutral energy production. Electrolyzer units that split water into its constituent oxygen and storable hydrogen are supplied with electricity from renewable resources, mainly generated by wind and solar energy. However, catalysts are necessary to facilitate this process. To date, noble metal oxides such as ruthenium dioxide and iridium dioxide are being used as benchmark catalysts. These metals, however, are expensive, rare, and unstable in both acidic and alkaline environments.
March 11, 2025 — Source
What's Causing Birmingham's Code Red Air Quality Alert?
A prescribed burn is harming air quality. Here's what Jefferson and Shelby County residents should do to protect their health.
March 11, 2025 — Source
When the power went out, an electric car kept the AC running
A Georgia man used his EV to stay cool for days after Hurricane Helene.
March 11, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — March 10th, 2025
AI made its way to vineyards. Here's how the technology is helping make your wine
AI made its way to vineyards. Here's how the technology is helping make your wine
March 10, 2025 — Source
Climate change may reduce the number of satellites that can safely orbit in space
MIT aerospace engineers have found that greenhouse gas emissions are changing the environment of near-Earth space in ways that, over time, will reduce the number of satellites that can sustainably operate there.
March 10, 2025 — Source
Earth's orbital rhythms link timing of giant eruptions and climate change
An international team of scientists has synchronized key climate records from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans to unravel the sequence of events during the last million years before the extinction of the dinosaurs at the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary. For the first time, these new high-resolution geochemical records reveal when and how two major eruption phases of gigantic flood basalt volcanism had an impact on climate and biota in the late Maastrichtian era 66 to 67 million years ago.
March 10, 2025 — Source
Energy-efficient housing doesn't have to be as expensive as you might think
Boston's Kenzi project blends cutting-edge energy efficiency with affordability.
March 10, 2025 — Source
Floods hit eastern Australia, 190,000 properties blacked out
Torrential rain from the remnants of Cyclone Alfred flooded swathes of Australia's east coast on Monday, as workers battled to restore power to more than 190,000 homes and businesses.
March 10, 2025 — Source
Fossil evidence found of humans domesticating avocados 7,500 years ago
A team of anthropologists and evolutionary biologists affiliated with several academic institutions in the U.S., working with a colleague from the Smithsonian Institution, has found evidence of humans domesticating avocados as far back as 7,500 years ago in what is now Honduras.
March 10, 2025 — Source
Growing consumption of the American eel may lead to it being critically endangered, study finds
High demand for eel combined with a decline in stock have resulted in soaring prices for this food item, which, in many cultures, is considered a delicacy. This has fueled concern globally as the prized food item is now being illegally traded from Europe to Asia.
March 10, 2025 — Source
Hazel Johnson Launched an Environmental Movement in Chicago That Trump Is Trying to End
Cheryl Johnson, who took charge of People for Community Recovery in 2010, just before her mother's death, says MAGA can't end a decadeslong fight that affects poor white communities as well as communities of color.
March 10, 2025 — Source
In Florida, State Rules Concentrate Toxic Smoke in Underserved Communities
Growing research suggests that "black snow," a byproduct of the sugarcane harvest, is harming residents' health. The politically powerful sugar growers say the air quality meets standards.
March 10, 2025 — Source
Mariana Trench expedition discovers new lifeforms flourishing in deep-sea environment
Shanghai Jiao Tong University along with multiple collaborating institutions including the University of Copenhagen and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, have conducted an extensive investigation into microbial ecosystems in the deep ocean hadal zone.
March 10, 2025 — Source
Shells of their former selves: How sea snails have adapted to invasive predators
Over the past two decades, the Gulf of Maine has become a popular landing spot for invasive species from across the world, says Geoffrey Trussell, an evolutionary biologist and professor at Northeastern University's Marine Science Center in Nahant, Massachusetts.
March 10, 2025 — Source
Vertical farming research sheds light on producing medicinal compounds
New research on using controlled environment agriculture (CEA) to grow plants with medicinal properties could lead to production methods that will increase one anti-cancer compound naturally produced by certain species of plants.
March 10, 2025 — Source
Widespread Rooftop Solar Panel Usage Could Mitigate Global Climate Change: Study
Covering the world's 110,000 square miles of rooftops with solar panels would reduce Earth's surface temperature by 0.13 degrees, researchers found.
March 10, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — March 9th, 2025
Argentina port city 'destroyed' by massive rainstorm, 13 dead
Argentina's port city of Bahia Blanca has been "destroyed" after being pummeled by a year's worth of rain in a matter of hours, killing 13 and driving hundreds from their homes, authorities said Saturday.
March 9, 2025 — Source
Colossal CEO Ben Lamm says humanity has a 'moral obligation' to pursue de-extinction tech
The CEO of Colossal, a startup that aims to use genetic editing techniques to bring back extinct species, including the wooly mammoth, assured audiences at SXSW that the company has no plans to create a real-life Jurassic Park — lest there was any doubt.
March 9, 2025 — Source
Feeding Cows Seaweed Could Cut Methane Emissions and Diversify Maine's Coastal Economy, but Can It Scale?
There are still hurdles to overcome, but growing the seaweed industry in a state known for lobster could be a win for local fishermen, dairy and cattle operations, and the planet.
March 9, 2025 — Source
First national analysis finds America's butterflies are disappearing at 'catastrophic' rate
America's butterflies are disappearing because of insecticides, climate change and habitat loss, with the number of the winged beauties down 22% since 2000, a new study finds.
March 9, 2025 — Source
Floods, mass power cuts as wild weather bashes eastern Australia
Gusts and torrential rain have blacked out more than a quarter of a million properties and swamped parts of Australia's east coast, officials said Sunday, with one driver confirmed dead and a dozen troops injured in the wild weather.
March 9, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — March 8th, 2025
How New York's $75 Billion Climate Superfund Will Work
And why other states might soon follow suit.
March 8, 2025 — Source
Just 36 companies account for 50% of global CO2 emissions, report reveals
Despite climate warnings, emissions from major companies keeps increasing
March 8, 2025 — Source
New technique expands plant cells for better microscopic imaging
The way we study plant cells is expanding—literally—thanks to new research from Kevin Cox, an assistant professor of biology in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis and an assistant member of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. In a new study published in The Plant Journal, Cox and his team describe how they have developed ExPOSE (Expansion Microscopy in Plant Protoplast Systems), a technique that brings expansion microscopy to plants.
March 8, 2025 — Source
Ten dead, hundreds evacuated in Argentina floods
At least ten people were killed and more than a thousand evacuated in the Argentine port city of Bahia Blanca on Friday as torrential rains flooded homes and hospitals, destroyed roads and forced officials to cut power.
March 8, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — February 28th, 2025
12 books to help you create a just and sustainable future
These titles range from memoirs of climate justice leaders to Afrofuturist stories.
February 28, 2025 — Source
A Nuclear Power Resurgence Is Coming to Michigan. What Are the Potential Health Impacts?
Michiganders who reside near the Palisades nuclear plant had increased thyroid cancer rates, study shows. As the plant prepares to reopen this year, residents want updated safety and health protocols.
February 28, 2025 — Source
Aluminum is essential to many everyday products -- but at what environmental cost?
Demand for many of those products is growing rapidly.
February 28, 2025 — Source
An eco-friendly, inexpensive system for storing high-power energy from pine biomass
The Solid State and Materials Research Group has come up with a lithium-ion capacitor using electrodes produced from wood particles that are discarded as waste in sawmills. This biomass is very easily available across the Basque Country, and sustainable, inexpensive processes have been used to produce electrodes. The results reveal that the materials derived from biomass have excellent properties for obtaining eco-friendly, cost-effective systems designed to store high-power energy.
February 28, 2025 — Source
Apple accused of misleading consumers with Apple Watch 'carbon neutral' claims
The company faces a class action lawsuit from customers who say they wouldn't have bought the watch had they known more about Apple's 'carbon neutral' claim.
February 28, 2025 — Source
Birds That Live Long and Slow May Be More Vulnerable to Climate Change, Research Finds
A new study shows non-migratory birds with long lifespans may be slower to adapt to climate change.
February 28, 2025 — Source
Boosting seawater battery performance with wood waste-derived catalysts
Seawater batteries represent the next generation of energy storage devices, capable of efficiently storing and discharging electricity derived from seawater. Key to their commercialization is the advancement of cost-effective catalyst materials, a challenge successfully addressed by researchers at UNIST.
February 28, 2025 — Source
China's forests are absorbing carbon—but for how long?
China's natural forests play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide and fighting climate change. But how much more carbon can they store? A new study in Forest Ecosystems provides a detailed estimate, revealing that while China's natural forests will continue to capture carbon, their ability to do so is slowing down.
February 28, 2025 — Source
Deep learning model boosts plasma predictions in nuclear fusion by 1,000 times
A research team, led by Professor Jimin Lee and Professor Eisung Yoon in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at UNIST, has unveiled a deep learning--based approach that significantly accelerates the computation of a nonlinear Fokker--Planck--Landau (FPL) collision operator for fusion plasma.
February 28, 2025 — Source
England allows wild beaver releases in 'milestone' for UK nature
Beavers will soon be released into waterways in England under a new scheme launched on Friday, signaling a return to the wild for an animal once hunted to extinction.
February 28, 2025 — Source
From coral to lab: Understanding biflorane synthase for bioactive compound production
Bifloranes, also known as serrulatanes, feature a distinct 6,6-bicyclic framework and a prenyl side chain, showcasing a wide range of biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, and antitumor effects. These compounds are commonly found in marine corals, sponges, and plants.
February 28, 2025 — Source
Hot springs bubble up insights into microbe communities
Boiling hot water bubbles up into pools of vibrant teal and blue. The steam rises, burning anyone who gets too close. The water is acidic—sometimes as acidic as stomach acid. Microbes in a hot spring in Yellowstone National Park have evolved to live in such extreme circumstances.
February 28, 2025 — Source
Ion Transport in MXenes: Advancements in Energy Storage
MXenes are layered materials synthesized by selectively etching MAX phases, leading to a range of compositions and properties. Their surface terminations can be modified to enhance electrochemical performance, which is critical for energy storage and conversion applications.
February 28, 2025 — Source
Italy breaks 'taboo' with push to revive nuclear
Italy's cabinet opened the door Friday to a return to nuclear power, aiming to overturn nearly 40 years of opposition—though experts say any revival is at least a decade away.
February 28, 2025 — Source
Scientists reveal evolutionary history of continent-sized regions in the deep mantle
A new study has revealed that two continent-sized regions in Earth's deep mantle have distinctive histories and resulting chemical composition, in contrast to the common assumption that they are the same. The findings are available to read in the journal Scientific Reports. The study was led by researchers at Cardiff University, the University of Oxford, the University of Bristol, and the University of Michigan.
February 28, 2025 — Source
Toxic chemical pollutants detected in lichens and mosses in Irati forest
A study by the IBeA research group of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) revealed relatively high concentrations of three groups of organic pollutants. The study concluded that some of these pollutants come from nearby urban areas; others originate from combustion processes currently taking place in agriculture; and finally the ones corresponding to pollution caused by pesticides and some electrical insulators before they were banned several years ago.
February 28, 2025 — Source
Two dead as cyclone Garance batters French island
Cyclone Garance barrelled across La Reunion island on Friday killing at least two people as fierce winds left destruction across the French Indian Ocean territory, authorities said.
February 28, 2025 — Source
US Antarctic Program disrupted by DOGE-induced chaos
Long-term impacts will affect not only research but also geopolitics.
February 28, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — February 18th, 2025
3D map of exoplanet atmosphere shows wacky climate
"This planet's atmosphere behaves in ways that challenge our understanding of how weather works."
February 18, 2025 — Source or Source
5 ways to improve security governance and prevent future illegal mining tragedies from happening
After six months trapped underground, roughly 246 illegal miners were rescued at Buffelsfontein gold mine in Stilfontein, South Africa, in mid-January following a court order and intense public outcry.
February 18, 2025 — Source
A road map to expanding the study of algae
Algae don't get the credit or attention they deserve. They are responsible for much of the oxygen we breathe, play pivotal roles in the habitats in which they live and are culturally important in coastal communities worldwide, yet there are still many things that we don't understand about these seemingly simple organisms.
February 18, 2025 — Source
Amazon, Microsoft, and Exxon want to make scandal-plagued carbon markets more trustworthy
Amazon, Exxon, and Microsoft have joined a new task force to burnish the image of scandal-plagued voluntary carbon markets.
February 18, 2025 — Source
Antarctic expedition confirms the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in the Weddell Sea
The CSIC-UNESPA scientific expedition has been underway since last January with the aim of monitoring the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI H5N1) in Antarctica. The first results of the campaign, led by Antonio Alcamí, a CSIC research professor at the Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center (CBMSO-CSIC-UAM), have confirmed the presence of the virus in all species detected on six islands in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica.
February 18, 2025 — Source
As Activists Mobilize Against Drilling, Oil and Gas Operators Sour on Colorado
Emboldened residents organize to halt Big Oil's march toward the Rocky Mountain suburbs.
February 18, 2025 — Source
Australian houses are getting larger: For a more sustainable future, houses can't be the space for everything
The way we live in our homes—our habits and daily routines—is also growing and changing with our housing, and the way we want to live can shape the size of our homes.
February 18, 2025 — Source
Autonomous robots track plankton in the Arctic Ocean
It's spring, the sun is shining and something is about to happen with the plankton in the cold waters of the Arctic Ocean. Long bright days and rising temperatures have awakened the phytoplankton. The spring bloom has begun, and populations of these tiny plankton are growing explosively beneath the surface.
February 18, 2025 — Source
Biomedicine shows the way to future food crops
Scientists have for the first time introduced genetic material into plants via their roots via nanoparticles, opening a potential pathway for rapid crop improvement.
February 18, 2025 — Source
Bold policy action required as Australia falls behind on social, economic and environmental well-being
Bold policy shifts are needed to get Australia's falling social, economic and environmental well-being back on track, new modeling from Monash University shows.
February 18, 2025 — Source
Burning plastic for cooking and heating: An emerging environmental crisis
A Curtin University-led paper, "The Use of Plastic as a Household Fuel among the Urban Poor in the Global South" published in Nature Cities, has called for action to reduce the burning of plastics for heating and cooking, a common yet hazardous practice emerging in millions of households in developing nations due to a lack of traditional energy sources.
February 18, 2025 — Source
Businesses can cut energy waste by creating a workplace where saving power feels encouraged, not enforced
Do you ever take the stairs instead of the elevator, or print double-sided—not for fitness, or to stretch the last few sheets of paper, but to save energy?
February 18, 2025 — Source
China Turns Decommissioned Wind Turbine Blades Into Roads
A new process turns what was once a bulky, burdensome material into a valuable resource.
February 18, 2025 — Source
Colorado and Connecticut saved residents hundreds of thousands of dollars on their utility bills
Other states may soon follow suit.
February 18, 2025 — Source
Could the Northeast Burn Again?
After the region's worst wildfires in decades, key state fire managers reevaluate a future climate defined by volatility.
February 18, 2025 — Source
Daisyworld model highlights how quick environmental shifts can doom ecosystems
Imagine a world filled only with daisies. Light-colored daisies reflect sunlight, cooling down the planet, while darker daisies absorb sunlight, warming it up. Together, these two types of daisies work to regulate the planet's temperature, making the world more habitable for all of them.
February 18, 2025 — Source
Deep-Sea Creatures Are Crafting Their Own Worlds Beneath the Ocean Floor, Study Finds
Organisms in the deep sea rely on gravity flows to lay down sediment and then make burrows beneath the seafloor, according to a new study.
February 18, 2025 — Source or Source
Electricity demand surges for the world's two biggest polluters
China and the US face similar challenges — rising electricity demand from data centers and manufacturing.
February 18, 2025 — Source
Fossils reveal rapid land recovery after end-Permian extinction around 252 million years ago
Tropical riparian ecosystems—those found along rivers and wetlands—recovered much faster than expected following the end-Permian mass extinction around 252 million years ago, according to new research.
February 18, 2025 — Source
Flood risk on the rise: Climate change models point to more persistent heavy rainfall
Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent as a result of climate change. River floods such as those along the Ahr and Meuse valleys in 2021, the Central European floods of last September and the recent floods in Valencia, Spain, are caused by so-called cut-off lows. The Wegener Center at the University of Graz has now for the first time investigated how these storms could change with climate change.
February 18, 2025 — Source
Geoengineering is politically off-limits—could a Trump presidency change that?
Donald Trump's second presidential term is likely to mean big changes for those of us interested in geoengineering. The term refers to deliberate large-scale manipulation of the climate, perhaps by blocking out some sunlight or directly removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
February 18, 2025 — Source
Great Unconformity protection efforts stalled, but advocates hopeful
Las Vegas locals began a project in the 1990s to protect a geological marvel at the edge of town. They made educational signs and were joined by politicians including late Sen. Harry Reid and then-Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, but the area was vandalized soon after.
February 18, 2025 — Source
High-entropy MOF enables efficient deuterium separation for clean energy
A research team affiliated with UNIST has successfully developed a new porous material for the efficient separation of deuterium, a primary fuel for nuclear fusion. The team, jointly led by Professors Wonyoung Cho and Hyunchul Oh in the Department of Chemistry at UNIST, published the results in Angewandte Chemie International Edition.
February 18, 2025 — Source
How's U.S. winter weather changing in a warming world?
Cold extremes are indeed waning over most of the midlatitude Northern Hemisphere, but a decade-plus debate on the Arctic's role continues.
February 18, 2025 — Source
Kahramanmaraş earthquake study showcases potential slip rate errors
Accurate assessment of the land surface damage (such as small-scale fracturing and inelastic deformation) from two major earthquakes in 2023 can help scientists assess future earthquake hazards and therefore minimize risk to people and infrastructure. However, attaining precise extensive measurements in earthquake zones remains challenging.
February 18, 2025 — Source
New model maps animal farms to tackle environmental challenges
Understanding where farm animals are raised is crucial for managing their environmental impacts and developing technological solutions, but gaps in data often make it challenging to get the full picture.
February 18, 2025 — Source
New treatment improves bovine IVF
Up until the 1950s, scientists were scratching their heads trying to figure out why their experiments using perfectly healthy eggs and sperm to develop in-vitro fertilization (IVF) were unsuccessful.
February 18, 2025 — Source
People Brace for Impacts on Land, Water and Wildlife After Feds Fire Thousands Over Holiday Weekend
Career employees told HCN they were unsettled by the termination email sent by HR, which cited 'performance issues.'
February 18, 2025 — Source
Peptides to clean up microplastics
Researchers have identified peptides that can help remove microplastics from the environment by combining biophysical modeling, molecular dynamics, quantum computing, and reinforcement learning.
February 18, 2025 — Source
Rapid environmental change can threaten even a peaceful Daisyworld
A basic model highlights the hidden potential vulnerability of our ecosystems
February 18, 2025 — Source
Report on climate-smart agriculture opportunities and challenges issued
A new report issued by the Purdue Applied Research Institute's Digital Innovation in Agri-Food Systems Laboratory, the research arm of DIAL Ventures, offers multiple strategies to help the agrifood sector navigate climate change-related challenges throughout the agricultural value chain.
February 18, 2025 — Source
Selective combustion provides energy-efficient alternative to remove pollutants from industrial processes
Understanding this process could help improve production of plastics, medications, and fuels
February 18, 2025 — Source
Study reveals extent of ecological damage from Niger Delta oil spills
Scientists go from science fiction to science fact to analyse scale of devastation to mangroves using satellite imagery, AI and healthcare techniques
February 18, 2025 — Source
Why is it so cold outside when the climate is warming?
An answer to a perennial question.
February 18, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — February 17th, 2025
A century of extra carbon dioxide boosts photosynthesis in tropical trees
The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is rising rapidly, with numerous negative consequences for the climate. However, there is also a positive effect, as scientists from WUR have discovered: for the past century, the extra CO2 has led to more efficient photosynthesis in tropical trees.
February 17, 2025 — Source
A Third Generation Driller Transitions from Oil and Gas to Geothermal
Brock Yordy, a co-founder of the Geothermal Drillers Association, says the industry needs more drillers for geothermal heating and cooling to take off.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Animals as architects of the Earth: First global study reveals their surprising impact
Animals are not just inhabitants of the natural world—they are its architects. A new study led by Professor Gemma Harvey from Queen Mary University of London has revealed how hundreds of species shape the landscapes we depend on, from vast termite mounds visible from space to hippos carving drainage systems and beavers creating entire wetlands.
February 17, 2025 — Source
California banned polystyrene: Has the plastic industry spooked the governor into silence?
On Jan. 1, polystyrene packaging became illegal to sell, distribute or import into California—the result of a landmark waste law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2022, and heralded by lawmakers and environmentalists as a game-changer in the fight against single-use plastics and pollution.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Cell atlas reveals parallels between horse and human pregnancies
New research has resulted in the first high-resolution molecular picture of the equine endometrium—the inner lining of the uterus—before and after embryo implantation. This picture, or cell atlas, highlights key similarities in immune cells between early human and horse pregnancy, a surprise given the vastly different placentas.
February 17, 2025 — Source
CO2 Pipeline Company Draws $2.4m Fine for Menacing Federal Inspectors
Workers were manufacturing pipeline to replace a ruptured section of carbon dioxide line that sent 45 people to the hospital in Mississippi.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Combining software tools creates higher standards in species distribution modeling
In an effort to monitor biodiversity trends, greater efforts are being made worldwide to assess biodiversity patterns over large scales. To do this, scientists rely on species distribution models (SDMs), which make predictions of species' geographical ranges based on species data and environmental variables. With these models, scientists can make predictions of habitat suitability under different global change scenarios and tailor management and conservation efforts accordingly.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Despite court orders, climate and energy programs stalled by Trump freeze
Chief of the EPA is also trying to claw back $20 billion, citing alleged wrongdoing.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Efforts to archive climate data intensify as government limits access
Information on the internet might seem like it's there forever, but it's only as permanent as people choose to make it.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Future of offshore wind on West Coast is murky under Trump
Companies and public officials in the Northwest had high hopes that the offshore wind industry could inject great quantities of cash and jobs here.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Gap between water supply and demand will increase as climate shifts, analysis finds
Robust water-management strategies will be necessary to overcome discrepancies between water supply and demand in a warming world, according to a new analysis by Carnegie Science's Lorenzo Rosa and Matteo Sangiorgio of the Polytechnic University of Milan.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Green skills to help nature repair itself are scarce: What we're doing to train more experts in South Africa and Senegal
Africa's population is growing. This means more landscape change and development of supporting infrastructure. Ecosystems are under pressure, made worse by natural disasters induced by climate change.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Green staghorn coral may be more likely to survive ocean warming if crabs are around
A team of environmental scientists at Duke University, working with colleagues from the University of New South Wales, the University of Queensland and the University of California, has found that green staghorn coral around Heron Island (part of the Great Barrier Reef) are more likely to survive warming water temperatures if hoof-clawed crabs live in the near vicinity.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Heat pumps have a coziness problem
How we keep warm at home accounts for 17% of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions. The UK cannot reach net zero emissions, and end its contribution to climate change, without ending its reliance on natural gas as the dominant source of heating.
February 17, 2025 — Source
High levels of microplastic particles—Great Lakes watchdog calls for Canada and US to act
Scientists advising a cross-border organization that reports on Great Lakes water quality are calling on the U.S. and Canadian governments to designate microplastics a Chemical of Mutual Concern under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, and improve monitoring and risk assessment for them.
February 17, 2025 — Source
How to build resilience in hard times
Difficult periods can reveal your inner reservoirs of strength.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Joy and anger and hope: youth climate activism
Friends, we are in the midst of a coup. The things happening in Washington D.C. these days are unconstitutional and illustrate how little our elected officials actually understand the complexities of our federal administrations. It is terrifying on many levels.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Mangroves thrive in harsh coastal zones with unique adaptations
Few trees can find a way to survive in the liminal space where dry land meets the sea. Mangroves are the exception.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Maugean skate return to levels not seen for a decade, but not out of the woods yet
Scientists have seen a recent upward trend in the relative abundance of Maugean skate in Macquarie Harbor and it's a potential sign that the wild population of this iconic endangered species has improved, with research catch rates returning to levels last seen in 2014.
February 17, 2025 — Source
New remote sensing method to continuously monitor primary forest loss
Primary forests, or old-growth forests as they are sometimes called, are epicenters of rich biodiversity, are more resilient than younger forests, and store significantly more carbon than their younger counterparts, to name just a few of the vital roles of these essential and irreplaceable ecosystems. The preservation of primary forests is the focus of global conservation efforts.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Scientists identify key gene that's critical for parasitic weed resistance and tomato yield
A recent breakthrough by researchers led by Prof. Li Jiayang from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (IGDB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences offers new hope in the battle against parasitic weeds that cause global agricultural losses exceeding $10 billion annually.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Should Washington state test human waste fertilizer for PFAS?
Farmers across Washington already spread thousands of tons of fertilizer from human waste on their crops each year, but there's a major blind spot when it comes to potential contaminants.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Solving a marine mystery: How anemonefish avoid stings from their sea anemone hosts
The clownfish-anemone living arrangement is one of the most widely recognized examples of symbiosis. Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding how anemonefish can live safely among sea anemones without being stung by their venomous tentacles, solving a century-long mystery.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Some fish adapt faster than others to changes in water temperature
When exposed to an increase in the water temperature of their habitat, zebrafish, three-spined stickleback and flounder adapt more quickly than goldsinny wrasse, which dwells in deeper waters.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Special microscope system can measure how individual phytoplankton cells are using energy
Phytoplankton, tiny plant-like organisms in the ocean, are incredibly important for life on Earth. They're a major food source for many sea creatures and produce almost half the oxygen we breathe. They also help control the climate by soaking up a lot of carbon dioxide, a gas that contributes to global warming.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Study reveals extent of ecological damage from Niger Delta oil spills
An international research team led by the University of Galway has used Earth observation radar data to map oil pipeline networks covering a 9,000 km2 region in the Niger Delta and pinpoint where crude oil spills have caused the most acute damage to the delicate mangrove ecosystem.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Study reveals rainforest tree tactics for different climates
A University of Queensland-led team has completed one of the most comprehensive surveys of Australia's subtropical rainforests to document how climate dictates what species thrive in different locations.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Study unveils dust patterns over time in the North Pacific
Dust blown from the Earth's continents falls into the oceans and fertilizes them with nutrients needed for plants, such as phytoplankton, to grow. This dust, rich with iron and other nutritious minerals, is critically important to ocean food chains and helps regulate the planet's climate.
February 17, 2025 — Source
The science of sourdough—how citizens are helping shape the future of fermented foods
Citizen scientists are drawing on personal experience to help researchers create new plant-based fermented foods and maximize their health benefits.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Trees can cool cities, but only with a little help
Because trees can cool cities by providing shade and evaporating water into the atmosphere, greening city streets is an often-touted strategy for climate change adaptation. But trees provide benefits only if they're healthy, and physical variations in urban environments mean that not all trees have the same chance to thrive.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Why is there so much gold in west Africa?
Militaries that have taken power in Africa's Sahel region—notably Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger—have put pressure on western mining firms for a fairer distribution of revenue from the lucrative mining sector.
February 17, 2025 — Source
Ultrasounds could help process edible flowers as food ingredients
Many of the flowers lining store shelves for Valentine's Day have been gifted at romantic dinners. But what happens to the flowers that went unsold?
February 17, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — February 14th, 2025
After Trump Administration Closes DOJ's Office of Environmental Justice, Advocates Worry About Future Enforcement
Set up in 2022, the office teamed up with federal prosecutors to coordinate work in vulnerable communities. The Trump administration shut the office and placed its staff on leave earlier this month.
February 14, 2025 — Source
Atmospheric rivers explain atypical El Niño and La Niña years
El Niño and La Niña are climate phenomena that are generally associated with wetter and drier winter conditions in the Southwestern United States, respectively. In 2023, however, a La Niña year proved extremely wet in the Southwest instead of dry.
February 14, 2025 — Source
Carbon capture more costly than switching to renewables, researchers find
For most countries around the world, sourcing energy entirely from wind, solar, geothermal, and hydropower by 2050 would reduce their energy needs and costs, improve air quality, and help slow climate change, according to a study in Environmental Science & Technology.
February 14, 2025 — Source
Cat 4 Cyclone Zelia hits Western Australia
Record-warm ocean temperatures helped Zelia intensify.
February 14, 2025 — Source
Char made from cigarette butts may help mitigate pollution in waterways
Environmentally hazardous cigarette butts may ironically hold the answer to cleansing Australia's waterways of major metal contaminants, according to a new James Cook University-led study published in the journal Chemical Engineering Science.
February 14, 2025 — Source
Climate change outpaces tree migration, human intervention may be needed: Study
A new Colorado State University study of the interior U.S. West has found that tree ranges are generally contracting in response to climate change but not expanding into cooler, wetter climates—suggesting that forests are not regenerating fast enough to keep pace with climate change, wildfire, insects and disease.
February 14, 2025 — Source
Climate change threatens global cocoa production: New study highlights pollination-based solutions
This Valentine's Day, millions of pounds worth of chocolate will be exchanged as gifts, but climate change and biodiversity loss imperil future global supplies of this treat. A new research study demonstrates that sustainable agricultural practices that both protect pollinator populations and mitigate climate risks could help secure -- and even improve -- global cocoa yields.
February 14, 2025 — Source
Climate group that called for 'free Palestine' stripped of federal funding
The Environmental Protection Agency canceled funding for the Climate Justice Alliance, which faced a barrage of attacks after supporting a ceasefire in Gaza.
February 14, 2025 — Source
Global electricity demand expected to grow 4% annually through 2027
Industry, data centers, and air conditioning are all expected to drive some of the fastest growth in electricity demand in years, according to International Energy Agency forecasts.
February 14, 2025 — Source
Inconsistent reporting by companies leads to underestimation of methane's climate impact, study finds
Companies around the world are underestimating their total greenhouse gas footprints because of inconsistent accounting standards for methane emissions, finds a new study by researchers from UCL and Imperial College London.
February 14, 2025 — Source
Innovative porous organic crystal structure offers superior CO2 separation
Porous organic crystals with superior properties as CO2 adsorbents were created by researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo. Owing to the novel 2.5-dimensional skeleton, the materials feature ultrahigh-density amines. The covalently-bonded microporous skeleton and high crystallinity realize fast CO2 adsorption and high thermal stability. Their low adsorption heat, only one-fourth of the current amine scrubbing method, and their light-elemental nature can reduce the cost for CO2 separation from flue gases.
February 14, 2025 — Source
NASA tests drones to provide localized forecasting and aid in fire response
In Aug. 2024, a team of NASA researchers and partners gathered in Missoula, to test new drone-based technology for localized forecasting, or micrometeorology. Researchers attached wind sensors to a drone, NASA's Alta X quadcopter, aiming to provide precise and sustainable meteorological data to help predict fire behavior.
February 14, 2025 — Source
Novel catalyst enhances oxygen evolution reaction in acidic conditions to boost green hydrogen production
In a significant advancement for renewable energy technologies, a new catalyst has been developed that dramatically improves the efficiency and stability of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in acidic media, a critical process for water splitting and hydrogen production.
February 14, 2025 — Source
Our world faces 'unprecedented' spike in electricity demand
And it's not just datacenters driving the need for 3,500 TWh of new energy generation by 2027
February 14, 2025 — Source
Peatlands store more carbon than forests but face protection shortfall
A new study reveals that peatlands—a vital carbon store that many people have never heard of—are dangerously under-protected, putting the global climate at risk. Covering just 3% of Earth's surface, these terrestrial wetlands store 600 billion tons of carbon—more than all the world's fores
February 14, 2025 — Source
Perfect storm: Megafires set the stage for debris flows
Storms now pounding Southern California are raising the specter of more danger for residents—debris flows in areas already reeling from devastating fires. Debris flows are like mudslides, except much faster and more destructive, as they contain a mix of rock, plants and even boulders or trees in addition to mud.
February 14, 2025 — Source
Record-Breaking Thermal Lake Discovered Over 400 Feet Underground
Researchers discovered the body of water—now the largest known underground thermal lake in the world—while investigating a column of steam rising from limestone.
February 14, 2025 — Source
Replacing trial and error: Molecular methods clear the way for faster and more cost-effective separations
The process of separating useful molecules from mixtures of other substances accounts for 15% of the nation's energy, emits 100 million tons of carbon dioxide and costs $4 billion annually.
February 14, 2025 — Source
Research reveals how Earth got its ice caps
The cool conditions which have allowed ice caps to form on Earth are rare events in the planet's history and require many complex processes working at once, according to new research.
February 14, 2025 — Source
Scientists use distant sensor to monitor American Samoa earthquake swarm
From late July to October 2022, residents of the Manu'a Islands in American Samoa felt the earth shake several times a day, raising concerns of an imminent volcanic eruption or tsunami.
February 14, 2025 — Source
Sound recordings can lure wildlife to newly restored habitats
Recordings of songs, calls, and chirps can encourage animals to return after a disaster.
February 14, 2025 — Source
The U.S. Imported Billions of Animals in Recent Decades, Fueling Global Wildlife Trade
Federal data only tells part of the story of how the global wildlife trade is fueling nature loss, a new study shows.
February 14, 2025 — Source
Trump Executive Order Takes Back Funds to Help Low-Income Alabama Residents Pay Electric Bills
Many of the 2,000 Alabama households impacted had already seen the funds credited to their accounts and will have to pay the money back on their next bill.
February 14, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — February 10th, 2025
A climate change signal in the Tropical Pacific: Research reveals models' blind spot
Throughout the world, extreme weather is driving a growing death toll, exacting billions in damage, threatening food and water security and escalating forced migration. Yet some of the most sophisticated climate models—computer simulations of the Earth's vast, complex climate system, based upon the laws of physics—are missing crucial signals.
February 10, 2025 — Source
Anomaly in the deep sea: Accumulation of rare atoms could improve geological dating methods
Beryllium-10, a rare radioactive isotope produced by cosmic rays in the atmosphere, provides valuable insights into the Earth's geological history. A research team from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), in collaboration with the TUD Dresden University of Technology and the Australian National University (ANU), has discovered an unexpected accumulation of this isotope in samples taken from the Pacific seabed.
February 10, 2025 — Source
Carbon Robotics releases new line of laser weed-zappers for more types of farms and budgets
Carbon Robotics wants to zap more weeds among more types of crops on farms of all sizes, and to get there the Seattle-based startup released a new line of its signature LaserWeeder AI-powered robot.
February 10, 2025 — Source
Clean cooking fuels have great potential to reduce income inequality, researchers find
Imagine a world where access to clean energy not only powers homes but also lifts millions out of poverty and reduces inequality.
February 10, 2025 — Source
During fires, LA burn centers braced for crisis that never came
When the fires erupted Jan. 7, burn centers across the Los Angeles region braced for an influx of patients, updating one another on the beds and staff available for critically injured people.
February 10, 2025 — Source
Earth's inner core is less solid than previously thought: Study reveals structural transformation
The changes of the inner core have long been a topic of debate for scientists. However, most research has been focused on assessing rotation. John Vidale, Dean's Professor of Earth Sciences at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and principal investigator of the study, said the researchers "didn't set out to define the physical nature of the inner core."
February 10, 2025 — Source
Genetic insights reveal plant adaptation to climate change
As climate change accelerates, plants face mounting pressure to adapt to shifting ecosystems and environmental conditions. This challenge is especially urgent for crops—plants resilient to drought and heat are essential to secure food supply in an unpredictable future. Fortunately, plants can adapt remarkably well to diverse environments and climates: Arabidopsis thaliana, for example, thrives in regions as climatically distinct as Sweden and Italy.
February 10, 2025 — Source
More Solar and Battery Storage Were Added to Texas' Grid Than Any Other Power Source Last Year
Texas has become one of the nation's frontrunners in developing renewable energy. In recent years, the state's reign came from wind power coupled with utility-scale solar.
February 10, 2025 — Source
Nanotech reveals how harmful microplastics stick to coral reefs
University of Waterloo researchers have pinpointed for the first time how microplastics accumulate in coral reefs, a key step to understanding how to protect vulnerable ecosystems.
February 10, 2025 — Source
Opting for Coexistence: Some Wisconsin Landowners Learn To Live With Beavers
Beavers can cause property damage, but research shows they positively impact the environment. Some landowners are ditching traps and dynamite to peacefully manage the nuisance.
February 10, 2025 — Source
Pair of rare black wolves caught on camera in Polish forest by wildlife researchers
Two rare black wolves, likely siblings, were spotted on camera crossing a stream in a Polish forest, a conservation organization said Sunday.
February 10, 2025 — Source
Satellite data analysis reveals warning signs that foreshadowed a volcanic eruption and tsunami
In 2018, the side of the Anak Krakatau volcano collapsed in a powerful eruption and produced a tsunami that killed hundreds and injured thousands on nearby Java and Sumatra in Indonesia. A new analysis of satellite data showed the mountainside was slipping for years and accelerated before the eruption—information that could have potentially offered a warning of the collapse.
February 10, 2025 — Source
Shallow-water mussels show rapid adaptation to deep-sea life in 10 days
Researchers from the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT) and the Institute of Oceanology, both under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, have discovered new insights into how marine organisms adapt to extreme deep-sea environments.
February 10, 2025 — Source
Teddy Roosevelt is getting a climate-friendly presidential library
A North Dakota building honoring the Republican president will include native grasses planted on the roof, geothermal wells, and solar panels.
February 10, 2025 — Source
This Bacteria Eats Toxic 'Forever Chemicals'
L. portucalensis F11 is hungry for PFAS, but its mealtimes take a little longer than scientists would like.
February 10, 2025 — Source
Unraveling a paradox: Study explores why extreme cold events persist despite global warming
Despite 2023 and 2024 being the warmest years on record, extreme cold events are still affecting regions across China, Europe, and North America. A recent study published in npj Climate and Atmospheric Science examines this paradox and evaluates future risks associated with ongoing climate change.
February 10, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — February 7th, 2025
20 years on, biodiversity struggles to take root in restored wetlands across Denmark
While the restoration of natural areas is high on political agendas, a comprehensive new study from the University of Copenhagen shows that—after more than two decades—biodiversity growth has stalled in restored Danish wetlands. The results also suggest that time alone will not heal things because the areas are too small and dry, and nitrogen inputs from agriculture continue. According to the researchers, we need to learn from the past.
February 7, 2025 — Source
A stream turns blood red in Argentina, residents blame pollution
People living in Avellaneda, a town six miles (10 kilometers) from the center of the Argentine capital, described being woken by a stench emanating from the river.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Air pollution's dual threat: Health and economic impacts on aging societies
Air pollution is a growing health issue worldwide, and its impacts are often underestimated in aging societies like Japan. A new study led by researchers from the University of Tokyo highlights how fine particulate pollution, or PM2.5, not only worsens health outcomes, but also creates significant socioeconomic challenges in regions with aging populations and limited medical resources.
February 7, 2025 — Source
An Arctic meltdown is accelerating global warming: How will we adapt?
In 2016, nearly 200 world leaders pledged to do everything possible to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Since then, policymakers across the globe have designed countless laws around the assumption that warming would never cross that threshold.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Antarctic snow harbors microplastics: New technique uncovers hidden pollution
Scientists have discovered microplastics in the snow near some of Antarctica's deep field camps, revealing how far-reaching plastic pollution has become. While not new, it's the first time these tiny pieces of plastic have been found in remote locations
February 7, 2025 — Source
Bison, not prison: Activists buy a prison site to rewild the land
A coal mine was the first to wreck the land. Now activists want to keep another extractive industry from taking root there: prisons.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Boosting Tin Halide Perovskite Solar Cells with UiO-66 Integration
A recent study published in Small highlights how incorporating the metal-organic framework (MOF) UiO-66 can significantly enhance both the efficiency and stability of tin halide perovskite solar cells (TPSCs). Researchers detail the structural and chemical benefits of UiO-66 that contribute to these improvements.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Consumer awareness boosts demand for low-methane beef, study reveals
Cattle produce more methane than any other livestock. Methane, a greenhouse gas, traps heat, which warms the Earth. It is far more powerful than its more common counterpart, carbon dioxide.
February 7, 2025 — Source
COP30 president urges most 'ambitious' emissions targets possible
Countries must aim as high as possible when setting new goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Andre Correa do Lago, the president of the COP30 climate conference to be hosted by Brazil in November, told AFP in an interview.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Creating international testing standards for large outdoor fires
Large-scale fire events are on the rise, from the flames that raged for days across LA, to the widespread devastation seen in Greece in 2023 and 2024. The blurred line between urban and wildland areas means these events will continue to proliferate.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Decoupling of water storage and rainfall in drylands highlights human impact
Drylands, characterized by an aridity index (AI) below 0.65, cover about 45% of the Earth's land and support more than 3 billion people. Severe water scarcity in these areas poses significant risks to human well-being and ecosystems. However, our understanding of long-term changes in surface water storage and their causes is limited due to insufficient high-quality data with adequate coverage and resolution.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Enhanced weathering could transform US agriculture for atmospheric CO2 removal
A new study reveals that implementing enhanced weathering (EW), the practice of adding crushed basalt to soils, with U.S. agriculture could remove between 160 and 300 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually by 2050, rising to 250 to 490 million tons of CO2 removal by 2070.
February 7, 2025 — Source
First detection of viral pathogens in chickpea in Germany
A research team led by plant virus expert Dr. Björn Krenz from the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH in Braunschweig, Germany has investigated chickpeas grown in Germany for plant virus infections. For the first time, researchers have confirmed that this superfood is infected with various plant viruses.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Heavy metal toxicity found in Chinese port poses risk to seafood safety
Heavy metals naturally occur in the Earth's crust, but human activities can increase their concentration in the environment, including domestic sewage and waste disposal, fumes from vehicle exhausts, fertilizer runoff, mining and fuel leaks from ships. These elements, such as arsenic, lead and mercury, can be highly toxic even in small amounts and bioaccumulate persistently, proving harmful to humans and wildlife.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Hong Kong scientists fight to save fragrant incense trees
Geneticist Zhang Huarong walks through the forest near his Hong Kong research lab, gesturing towards a rotting incense tree stump that is one of over a dozen illegally felled for the valuable wood inside.
February 7, 2025 — Source
How climate extremes fuel droughts and heavy rains
Millions of people are already experiencing the impacts of climate change in everyday life. A few tenths of a degree warmer and the life we know becomes increasingly at risk due to climate extremes such as heat waves, droughts, and heavy rainfall typically associated with flooding.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Initiative calls for global collaboration to reconstruct climate of past 100 million years
TIMES is the title of the international team's project, which is an acronym for "Time Integrated Matrix for Earth Sciences." The idea behind it is to launch a global program with the aim of synchronizing age models for particularly important geological climate records from the past 100 million years.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Nature's pest control workers are in peril
Bats devour insects, but many species are in trouble because of climate change and disease.
February 7, 2025 — Source
New material advances green hydrogen by boosting efficiency and cutting costs
Green hydrogen, produced through water electrolysis, is a next-generation eco-friendly energy source as it does not generate pollutants like carbon dioxide during production. Catalysts play a crucial role in the water electrolysis process, splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. The efficiency of green hydrogen production largely depends on the performance of these catalysts. Therefore, the commercialization of green hydrogen hinges on the development of cost-effective catalysts capable of maintaining high performance over extended periods.
February 7, 2025 — Source
New measure identifies Australia's healthiest places to live
A new measure of what's needed to maintain health has identified Australia's healthiest areas to live based on a range of environmental and socioeconomic factors.
February 7, 2025 — Source
New method maps marine species connectivity for better park design
Well-designed marine parks can conserve marine life and their habitats, allow fish populations to recover, educate the public and support local economies.
February 7, 2025 — Source
On the Front Lines Against Bird Flu, Egg Farmers Say They're Losing the Battle
Greg Herbruck knew 6.5 million of his birds needed to die, and fast.
February 7, 2025 — Source
One step closer to the green hydrogen era: New material boosts production efficiency and reduces costs
Researchers in Korea have successfully developed a new material that significantly enhances the efficiency of green hydrogen production while reducing costs.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Pennsylvania's New Energy Plan a 'Betrayal' to Those on the Front Lines, Critics Say
Environmentalists are split on the merits of the governor's "all of the above" plan. Critics worry about the impact of yet more fossil fuel use.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Perovskite solar cells achieve 24% efficiency with novel iodine technique
A team led by Professor Zhou Huanping from Peking University has published two papers in the field of perovskite solar cells in Science.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Project 2025 Advisor Takes the Reins at EPA Region 6
Scott Mason IV is the new administrator for the EPA region covering Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and 66 Tribal Nations.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Research highlights governance and ecological challenges of mangroves in small islands
Research by Dr. Meenakshi Shankar Poti (Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Universite libre de Bruxelles) delves into the environmental policies and governance structures in small islands, with further emphasis on the mangrove ecosystems of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Her study underscores the challenges posed by top-down governance and the pressing need for tailored environmental policies that consider local ecological and socio-cultural conditions.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Scientists elucidate molecular mechanisms behind dinoflagellate cyst dormancy
Dinoflagellates play crucial roles in aquatic ecosystems, particularly as major contributors to harmful algal blooms. They can enter a dormant stage, known as the resting cyst stage, that allows them to survive for extended periods—up to 150 years—in marine sediments. This dormancy is essential for their annual population dynamics, blooming cycles, and geographic expansion.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Smaller fields and organic crops can boost pollinator diversity in grasslands
Biodiversity is under threat worldwide. While the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) estimated in 2019 that 1 million out of 8 million species are threatened with extinction, more recent studies put the figure at twice as high: 2 million animal and plant species are therefore on the brink of extinction unless something is done quickly to change their living conditions.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Spatial prediction problems: Validation technique could help scientists make more accurate forecasts
Should you grab your umbrella before you walk out the door? Checking the weather forecast beforehand will only be helpful if that forecast is accurate.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Study finds wildfires can raise rates of heart attacks, deaths
With Los Angeles still reeling from the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires, a new report on California blazes from earlier years finds the toll on survivors' hearts can be severe.
February 7, 2025 — Source
'The Devil Will Bite You,' Environmentalists Tell Japan's Prime Minister on Eve of Trump Summit
Gulf Coast advocates traveled to Japan to warn lawmakers and financiers about the environmental impact of U.S. LNG.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Total synthesis of ibogaine creates new opportunities for studying a psychoactive plant derivative
Ibogaine—a psychoactive plant derivative—has attracted attention for its anti-addictive and anti-depressant properties. But ibogaine is a finite resource, extracted from plants native to Africa like the iboga shrub (Tabernanthe iboga) and the small-fruited voacanga tree (Voacanga africana). Further, its use can lead to irregular heartbeats, introducing safety risks and an overall need to better understand how its molecular structure leads to its biological effects.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Tracking algae species interactions to help predict harmful algae blooms
Because of climate change, harmful algal blooms are increasing in frequency and intensity. New science helps demystify the frequent harmful algal blooms in the Pacific off the coast of Chile by studying how algae species interact with each other and their environment.
February 7, 2025 — Source
UK govt bans 'bird gatherings' as avian flu outbreak worsens
The UK government announced Friday an imminent ban in England on "bird gatherings" such as fairs, markets and shows, seeking to stop the spread of a highly contagious avian influenza.
February 7, 2025 — Source
What caused the Gulf Coast's incredible January snowstorm?
It broke century-plus records for cold and snow in some spots -- even as much of the nation had a less-than-brutal month.
February 7, 2025 — Source
Why Trump Keeps Blaming the Delta Smelt for California's Water Woes—and What It Could Mean for Endangered Species
A small endangered fish is at the heart of a controversy over California water management.
February 7, 2025 — Source
X-ray study sheds light on cost-effective fuel cell material that could rival platinum
Cornell researchers have captured an unprecedented, real-time view of how a promising catalyst material transforms during operation, providing new insights that could lead to replacement of expensive precious metals in clean-energy technologies.
February 7, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — February 5th, 2025
Asteroid impact simulation reveals climate and ecological disruptions
A new climate modeling study published in the journal Science Advances by researchers from the IBS Center for Climate Physics (ICCP) at Pusan National University in South Korea presents a new scenario of how climate and life on our planet would change in response to a potential future strike of a medium-sized (~500 m) asteroid.
February 5th, 2025 — Source
Cellular concrete may be a viable low-carbon alternative to traditional concrete for earthquake-resistant structures
Investigators have found that a product called cellular concrete may be an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional concrete for constructing earthquake-resistant buildings.
February 5th, 2025 — Source
Clean air policies having unintended impact driving up wetland methane emissions by up to 34 million tons
Impact of cleaner air means that human-emitted methane needs to fall more sharply to hit globally agreed targets
February 5th, 2025 — Source or Source
Cows eat seaweed, planet breathes easier
A dash of seaweed in a cow's diet slashes the climate-warming methane usually released in their burps.
February 5th, 2025 — Source
Cutting emissions in buildings and transport is already achievable with existing technologies, says study
A study published in Nature Energy reveals that a combination of electrification, improved energy efficiency, and smarter energy use can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in buildings and transport—two sectors that together account for 58% of global energy consumption and 26% of global emissions.
February 5th, 2025 — Source
Directive From New Interior Secretary Weakens Public Land Protections to Push Fossil Fuels
Doug Burgum's order would hobble clean energy development, hinder protections for migratory birds and endangered species and open significant landscapes to resource extraction.
February 5th, 2025 — Source
Gender equality is crucial for a climate resilient future, say researchers
A new IIASA study shows why gender equality trends should be central when planning how societies adapt to and mitigate climate change. A society where women have little access to decision-making or finance or have less education, will be ill-equipped to find and implement solutions, ranging from concrete measures like irrigation or crop rotation, to behavior shifts and engineering the energy transition.
February 5th, 2025 — Source
'How can ordinary people push the government of Mexico to follow the Paris Agreement?'
For citizens, climate action can require thinking small, acting locally, and growing collectively. In one Mexican tourism town, this strategy sparked a national move toward sustainability and climate resilience.
February 5th, 2025 — Source
How light affects citrus fruit coloration and the timing of peel and flesh ripening
Citrus fruit rind color has long been used as an indicator of ripeness, but for some fruits such as mandarin fruit in the Chongqing region of China, the peel and flesh do not ripen synchronously, with the flesh usually reaching maturity while the peel is still green.
February 5th, 2025 — Source
'Koji flour' product can help reduce reliance on cocoa in popular foods
A collaboration between Abertay University and a food biotechnology company has led to the development of an innovative solution to address the ongoing global cocoa shortage.
February 5th, 2025 — Source
No-tillage farming shown to enhance soil carbon in sandy agroecosystems
A new study published in Ecological Processes by researchers at the Institute of Applied Ecology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences reveals that no-tillage (NT) farming could play a pivotal role in combating soil degradation and enhancing carbon sequestration in arid and semi-arid regions.
February 5th, 2025 — Source
Q&A: Report urges global leaders to address interconnected environmental, social and economic crises
Pamela McElwee, a professor in the Department of Human Ecology at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, has spent the last 25 years studying human adaptation to global environmental change.
February 5th, 2025 — Source
Recognizing Indigenous rights in environmental data
Every day across the globe, environmental scientists are collecting approximately 274 terabytes of data, a number that is growing thanks to advancements in science and technology.
February 5th, 2025 — Source
Sahara rainfall historically driven by tropical plumes not monsoons, study finds
Africa is often synonymous with its drylands that cover two-thirds of the continent. Relief is brought through rainfall during the monsoon season, which is vital to help replenish water reserves for communities and wildlife alike. Now, the West Africa monsoon season runs from June through to September, while those in the east occur during March to May and October to December.
February 5th, 2025 — Source
Scientists spot tiny sun jets driving fast and slow solar wind
In 2023, the European Space Agency reported on Solar Orbiter's discovery of tiny jets near the sun's south pole that could be powering the solar wind. The team behind this research has now used even more data from the European Space Agency's prolific solar mission to confirm that these jets exist all over dark patches in the sun's atmosphere, and that they really are a source of not only fast but also slow solar wind.
February 5th, 2025 — Source
Specialized sponge can suck up stormwater pollution
As more waterways contend with algae blooms and pollution caused by minerals from agricultural runoff and industrial manufacturing processes, new methods to remove pollutants like phosphate, copper and zinc are emerging across fields.
February 5th, 2025 — Source
Top yet contested climate scientist declares 2C climate goal 'dead'
Holding long-term global warming to two degrees Celsius—the fallback target of the Paris climate accord—is now "impossible," according to a stark though hotly debated new analysis published by leading scientists.
February 5th, 2025 — Source
Timing matters: Early planting benefits soybean in unfertilized, low-fertility fields
Unfertilized soybean fields with lower soil fertility should be planted earlier than high fertility fields, according to a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign study that re-evaluates longtime soil testing.
February 5th, 2025 — Source
Water is the other US-Mexico border crisis, and the supply crunch is getting worse
Immigration and border security will be the likely focus of U.S.-Mexico relations under the new Trump administration. But there also is a growing water crisis along the U.S.--Mexico border that affects tens of millions of people on both sides, and it can only be managed if the two governments work together.
February 5th, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — February 3rd, 2025
A new method to model how plants move water globally
Earth systems models are an important tool for studying complex processes occurring around the planet, such as those in and between the atmosphere and biosphere, and they help researchers and policymakers better understand phenomena like climate change. Incorporating more data into these simulations can improve modeling accuracy; however, sometimes, this requires the arduous task of gathering millions of data points.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Acting on Trump's order, federal officials opened up two California dams
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has dramatically increased the amount of water flowing from two dams in California's Tulare County, sending massive flows down a river channel toward farmlands in the San Joaquin Valley.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
American bald eagles are having a moment, ecologically and culturally
Along the long road from American icon to endangered species and back again, the bald eagle—the national bird of the United States, often seen against a clear blue sky—is having a moment.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
As Miami-Dade cools on burning its garbage, is it finally composting's big moment?
With the construction of a massive new garbage incinerator in Miami-Dade County now in serious doubt, environmentalists and climate activists hope it will open the door for a waste disposal method they've been pushing for decades.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Burkina Faso's nature reserves are worth protecting—but people have to be part of the plan
Burkina Faso is a west African dryland country known for its diverse ecosystems, including savannas, forests and wetlands. Large herbivores like elephants, giraffes and hippopotamuses, and predators like lions, leopards and the African lynx, roam the country's savannas. Many bird species use the country as a stopover or wintering ground (PDF), making it an important migratory route between Europe and Africa.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Climate change puts African cocoa production under pressure
Climate change is having a significant impact on cocoa production in West and Central Africa, according to a study by Wageningen University & Research (WUR). The region accounts for more than 70% of global cocoa production. Changes in temperature and rainfall are making some areas less suitable for cocoa cultivation, while others may benefit from the shifting climate.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Climate effects of new particles in urban areas are significantly underestimated, study suggests
Particles play a crucial role in climate regulation, influencing processes such as cloud formation and radiation balance. Traditionally, research in urban environments has focused largely on primary particles—those directly emitted from sources like vehicle exhaust and industrial activities—while new particles, which are formed through atmospheric reactions, have often been overlooked in discussions about their climatic impacts.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Climate warming leads to more frequent tree reproduction at expense of growth, long-term study suggests
A new long-term study reveals alarming insights into the impact of climate change on the European beech (Fagus sylvatica), one of Europe's most widespread and ecologically important tree species.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Complex model of molecular 'wear-and-tear' shines light on how proteins age
Chromatin, the mix of DNA and protein that houses each cell's genome, is more resilient to aging than previously thought, suggests a study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society by researchers at King's College London.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Copper 'nanoflowers' bloom on artificial leaves for clean fuel production
Tiny copper 'nano-flowers' have been attached to an artificial leaf to produce clean fuels and chemicals that are the backbone of modern energy and manufacturing.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Corpse flower's rare bloom aids forensic chemistry research
A corpse flower, aptly named Putricia, recently bloomed at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney for the first time in 15 years. For forensic scientist Bridget Thurn, it was a unique opportunity to investigate the intersection of botany and forensic chemistry.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Cracks in Greenland Ice Sheet grow more rapidly in response to climate change, study warns
The Greenland Ice Sheet is cracking open more rapidly as it responds to climate change. The warning comes in a new large-scale study of crevasses on the world's second largest body of ice.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Drought can hit almost anywhere: How five cities that nearly ran dry got water use under control
Water scarcity is often viewed as an issue for the arid American West, but the U.S. Northeast's experience in 2024 shows how severe droughts can occur in just about any part of the country.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Education in Zimbabwe has lost its value: Study asks young people how they feel about that
Education, especially higher education, is a step toward adulthood and a foundation for the future.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Electricity prices across Europe will stabilize if 2030 targets for renewable energy are met, study suggests
Hitting the current national 2030 quotas for solar and wind energy could reduce the volatility of electricity markets by an average of 20% across 29 European countries, according to a new study from the University of Cambridge.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Emergency crews deployed on Santorini as an earthquake swarm worries Greek experts
Schools were closed and emergency crews deployed on the volcanic Greek island of Santorini on Monday after a spike in seismic activity raised concerns about a potentially powerful earthquake.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Encoding many properties in one material via 3D printing
A class of synthetic soft materials called liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) can change shape in response to heat, similar to how muscles contract and relax in response to signals from the nervous system. 3D printing these materials opens new avenues to applications, ranging from soft robots and prosthetics to compression textiles.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Footprints Reveal Ancient Escape From Vesuvius—1,800 Years Before Pompeii's Destruction
The Bronze Age footprints stand as a dark omen of the Roman-era disaster—one that clearly went unnoticed through centuries of human activity.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Ghana cocoa cultivation study finds sustainability certificates boost income but not biodiversity
Sustainability certificates such as Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and Cocoa Life promise to improve the livelihoods of small-scale cocoa producers while preserving the biodiversity on their plantations. Together with the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, researchers from the University of Göttingen have investigated whether sustainability certificates actually achieve both these goals.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Global internet grid could better detect earthquakes with new algorithm
Early detection of earthquakes could be vastly improved by tapping into the world's internet network with a groundbreaking new algorithm, researchers say. Fiber optic cables used for cable television, telephone systems and the global web matrix now have the potential to help measure seismic rumblings thanks to recent technological advances, but harnessing this breakthrough has proved problematic. A new paper seeks to address these challenges by adapting a simple physics-based algorithm to include fiber optic data that can then be used hand-in-hand with traditional seismometer measurements.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Global warming makes French reservoir a winter resort for migrating cranes
The Lac du Der was once just a passing glimpse for hundreds of thousands of cranes flying from Scandinavia in search of sunshine, but with global warming the French reservoir has become an attractive winter retreat.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Good immune functions could enhance cow milk quality and health
Researchers have identified various distinctive immune cells in cow's milk, creating potential avenues for enhancing animal health and milk production—as detailed in a study in Animal Nutriomics.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Graphene Oxide Coating Boosts Maize Seedling Growth
A recent study published in Scientific Reports explores using graphene oxide (GO) as a seed coating to enhance maize seedling growth. With the growing demand for increased food production, particularly in the face of challenging climatic conditions, researchers are investigating innovative methods to improve crop yields. Maize, a key staple crop, is highly influenced by seed quality and environmental factors, making advancements like GO-based treatments particularly relevant.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Green is the new black: Study sheds light on reforestation and post-fire recovery
Post-fire tree planting significantly accelerates forest recovery in burned areas, increasing regrowth rates by 25.7%.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
High-resolution global groundwater sulfate distribution map uncovers public health risks
A recent study by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has revealed a startling public health threat: About 17 million people are at risk of gastrointestinal problems due to excessive sulfate levels in groundwater. This alarming finding emerged from the world's first high-resolution global groundwater sulfate distribution map, launched by the university's School of Engineering.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
High-yield rice breed emits up to 70% less methane
Rice cultivation is responsible for around 12% of global methane emissions, and these emissions are expected to increase with global warming and as the human population continues to grow.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
How dengue virus infections hijack human plasmin
Biological scientists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have uncovered how the dengue virus uses its envelope protein to capture human plasmin from a blood meal to enhance the permeability of the mosquito midgut for infection.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
How digital marketing has boosted business in Laos
A study in the International Journal of Business Performance Management has looked closely at how digital marketing strategies have influenced business performance in Laos, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The research focuses on tools such as online advertising, social media marketing, content marketing, and mobile marketing.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source or Source
How flooding soybeans in early reproductive stages impacts yield and seed composition
With an increasing frequency and intensity of flooding events and an eye to capitalize on a common rice production technique, soybean breeders are on a quest to develop varieties with flood tolerance at any stage in the plant's development.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
How political polarization informed Mexico's protests against femicide
These crimes are referred to as femicides and, unlike homicides, are not the consequence of private or personal disputes. Instead, they are the result of a culture of oppression and domination that historically has targeted women and perpetuated a patriarchal society.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
How psychologists kick-started AI by studying the human mind
Many people think of psychology as being primarily about mental health, but its story goes far beyond that.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Illuminating the elements under our feet: Laser tool offers insights into plant growth and soil health
A vast field of tall, skinny trees sways in a light breeze. In the future, poplar trees in a scene like this could be a source of sustainable fuel to power aircraft or heavy vehicles. They could also help us store more carbon in the soil. Both bioenergy and carbon storage are important strategies for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere that causes climate change.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Mapping the yerba mate genome reveals surprising facts about the evolution of caffeine
Yerba mate, along with tea and coffee, is one of the world's most popular caffeinated beverages. Widely consumed in South America, this remarkable plant is rich in diverse, bioactive compounds that contribute many health benefits.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Metal alloy shows practically no thermal expansion over extremely large temperature interval
Most metals expand when their temperature rises. The Eiffel Tower, for example, is about 10 to 15 centimeters taller in summer than in winter due to its thermal expansion. However, this effect is extremely undesirable for many technical applications.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Mo-doped Ni2P nanorings boost seawater electrolysis for hydrogen production
Burning fossil fuels has led to a global energy crisis, worsening pollution and climate change. To tackle this problem, we must explore cleaner energy alternatives. One promising solution is the use of water electrolysis technology (electrolyzer) powered by renewable electricity to produce high-purity hydrogen (H2) fuel.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Multiple earthquakes are rattling Greece's volcanic island of Santorini. Here's what we know
Multiple earthquakes are rattling Santorini, a volcanic island in Greece, prompting authorities to dispatch rescuers with tents, a sniffer dog and drones, and to shut schools on four islands.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Most crossbred beef-dairy calves display heartier constitutions than purebreds, study finds
Many modern dairy farm operations have developed an additional revenue stream by breeding dairy cows with Black Angus beef bulls using artificial insemination to produce crossbred calves, which typically have improved meat quality and higher market value compared to purebred dairy calves. But these valuable hybrid calves often are beset with pneumonia, which was thought to limit their growth performance after they recover.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
New 3-D Study of the Greenland Ice Sheet Shows Glaciers Falling Apart Faster Than Expected
Crevasses are widening faster as meltwater drives fissures deeper into the ice and lubricates the base of glaciers, increasing concerns about how quickly their melting will raise sea levels.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Norfolk Southern Rail Bridges in Western Pennsylvania in Disrepair, Study Warns
The company dismissed the findings of a new report on 20 rail bridges in the Pittsburgh area. Thousands of gallons of a toxic chemical burned after its 2023 derailment in Ohio.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Radioactive dust from March 2022 Saharan dust storm was not of French origin, study finds
An international team of climate scientists has found that dust brought to parts of Europe in 2022 from the Saharan desert was slightly radioactive, but its source was not from French nuclear bomb testing back in the 1960s. In their study, published in the journal Science Advances, the group tested dust samples from multiple sites in Europe.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Puerto Rico must not be left in the dark
Since Hurricane Fiona in 2022, residents have endured more than 230 power outages, disrupting daily life, education, and health care.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Research identifies migration, housing quality as risk factors in earthquake deaths
The vast majority of earthquakes strike inside the Ring of Fire, a string of volcanoes and tectonic activity that wraps around the coastlines of the Pacific Ocean. But when an earthquake hits, the areas that experience the strongest shaking aren't always the places that suffer the greatest damage.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Rising floodwaters force evacuations in eastern Australia
Fast-moving floodwaters rose Monday in northeastern Australia after forcing many to flee, blacking out homes, and sweeping away a chunk of a critical bridge.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Robots to the rescue: Automated disassembly for e-waste recycling
A new UN report finds that more and more electronic waste, or e-waste, is being produced worldwide—recycling efforts are not keeping pace, though. Valuable raw materials are not being recovered and recycled.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Satellite data analysis uncovers top 10 persistent methane sources
A list of the top 10 global regions where natural or anthropogenic sources emit methane on a continuous, "persistent" basis was recently published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Scientists discover how cyst nematodes attack sugar beet crops
People love the taste of sugar beets' primary byproduct: white sugar. Soilborne cyst nematodes—parasitic, microscopic worms—enjoy the root vegetable, too, but as their sole food source. It's an obstinate, expensive problem for farmers that researchers at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) are working to solve.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Short and sweet: Supportive texts give partners a boost
An hour before an important exam, a college student's mood is tense when their phone buzzes with a new text. "I'm so proud of everything you've worked for. Good luck today babe <3," reads the message from their significant other.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Temperature, rainfall and tides speed glacier flow on a daily basis
Even though "glacial" is commonly used to describe extremely slow, steady movement, a new study has found that glaciers speed up and slow down on a daily—even hourly—basis in response to changes in air temperature, rainfall and the tides.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Tips: How to save on gas money and reduce pollution
Here's how to make your car more fuel-efficient.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Unlocking the secrets of textile recycling: A closer look at mechanical methods
Today, only a fraction of all textiles are recycled. Katarina Lindström wants to change that. Her doctoral thesis in Textile Technology at the Swedish School of Textiles contributed unique knowledge about mechanical recycling: which processes and materials give the best results.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
Vulnerable communities face compounded environmental hazards, study shows
Environmental disasters disrupt lives across entire regions, layering disproportionate burdens faced by communities that already face social and economic hardship. Extreme events like the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene in Tennessee and North Carolina illustrate this phenomenon in real time.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
What's driving north Queensland's deadly, record-breaking floods?
Over the 48 hours to Sunday, there were reports of up to 1 meter of rainfall in parts of northeast Queensland. The torrential rain continues, particularly in the Herbert Coast region and north to around Tully.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
While plastic dominates human consumption, the global economy will remain hooked on fossil fuels
In early December 2024, hopes for a landmark global treaty to curb plastic pollution were dashed as negotiations in South Korea stalled. Leading the campaign against the deal were major oil-producing nations, especially Saudi Arabia and Russia, who argued for a more flexible approach to any legally binding limits on plastic manufacturing.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — January 24th, 2025
242 mn children's schooling disrupted by climate shocks in 2024: UNICEF
Extreme weather disrupted the schooling of about 242 million children in 85 countries last year—roughly one in seven students, the UN children's agency reported Thursday, deploring an "overlooked" aspect of the climate crisis.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
A Novelist Imagined a Climate-Driven Wildfire Burning LA, Then Watched It Happen
“‘The Deluge’ is a realist novel,” says author Stephen Markley of his 2023 epic. “It was about what we are going to live through, and now it's just about what we are living through.”
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Algae-based method purifies chemically polluted water effectively, study finds
Europe's water bodies are in poor condition: more than half of them are heavily polluted with chemicals. This is hardly surprising—every day, up to 70,000 different chemicals are used in Europe's industries and agriculture. Researchers at the University of Duisburg-Essen have now developed a new method for purifying polluted water. Their recent study published in Advanced Sustainable Systems demonstrates that the fossil remains of diatoms (a type of algae) can efficiently remove contaminants from water after being chemically modified.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Combining machine learning with a climate system model enhances flood season rainfall predictions
As climate change leads to more frequent and intense extreme precipitation events, accurately predicting rainfall during the flood season has become increasingly critical.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Conservation Won Big Under Biden. Environmentalists and Tribal Leaders Fear Trump Will Undo Those Gains
While public lands protections are widely popular with the American public, the Trump administration has signaled it will again look to reduce the size of national monuments and roll back conservation measures.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Do or die: How soybeans tackle nematode invaders
"Fight-or-flight" is not an option for plants, unfortunately, when it comes to pathogen attacks. Instead, plants opt for "do-or-die." A deeper insight into the genetic mechanisms that enable plants to resist pathogen infections has equipped researchers with tools to tackle the most devastating pathogens in agriculture.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Farmworkers and Allies Stage Die-in at California Pesticide Hearing
Frustrated by regulators ignoring their pleas for protection from a cancer-causing fumigant, farmworkers and their supporters gave a dramatic display of the lethal consequences of inaction.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Finally, a smart air purifier that effectively replaces allergy medicine for me
The Coway Airmega IconS is a dust-busting, retro-looking air purifier that gets the job done during winter times.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Great Barrier Reef Sees Unprecedented Coral Bleaching
Researchers are urging policymakers to take action in light of 'catastrophic' damage to the world's largest coral reef system.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
How cities are weathering the climate crisis
Several years ago, the residents of a manufactured-home neighborhood in southeast suburban Houston, not far from the Buffalo Bayou, took a major step in dealing with climate problems: They bought the land under their homes. Then they installed better drainage and developed strategies to share expertise and tools for home repairs. The result? The neighborhood made it through Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and a winter freeze in 2021 without major damage.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
How good old mud can lower building costs
Buildings cost a lot these days. But when concrete buildings are being constructed, there's another material that can make them less expensive: mud.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
How human activity has shaped Brazil Nut forests' past and future
Genomic analyses reveal the vital role of human activity in the Amazonian species' genetic makeup
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Ice in the sky: Thailand's fight against air pollution
Flying through Bangkok's cloudless blue skies, a small aircraft sprays a white mist over a thick haze of pea soup smog below.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Intel Makes The Case For Modular PC Design For Easier Repairs And Less E-Waste
Whatever your stance on environmental conservation as a whole, you have to agree that generating millions of tons of e-waste due to obsolescent hardware is sub-optimal. There are a lot of reasons to want to reduce this number, both ecological and economical. Intel has an idea to help, and interestingly, it aligns with right-to-repair advocates' goals.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Just how cold did Texas get during recent winter blast? Alligators froze in solid ice
In steamy Texas summers, alligators glide through swamps and lakes, occasionally frightening suburban Dallas dwellers.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Krill vertical migration may have smaller impact on carbon export than previously thought
Antarctic krill swimming between the Southern Ocean's surface and seafloor depths, make a "surprisingly small" contribution to the carbon export "highway" compared to their fast-sinking feces, according to research published in Science.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Mega-iceberg drifts towards Antarctic penguin island
The world's biggest iceberg—more than twice the size of London—could drift towards a remote island where a scientist warns it risks disrupting feeding for baby penguins and seals.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
New research shows many UK homes can adopt heat pumps with minimal upgrades
A group of energy specialists from University College London, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Loughborough University and the University of Birmingham has found that more homes in the U.K. could switch from boiler-heat to heat pumps without major upgrades.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
New research unlocks subsurface secrets in Avon River Critical Zone
A study led by The University of Western Australia has revealed new insights into the landscape profile of the Avon River Critical Zone Observatory in Western Australia.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
NOAA Withdraws Proposal to Expand Speed Limit Zones for Endangered Whales
Shortly before Trump’s inauguration, a federal agency withdrew a proposal to protect North Atlantic right whales from vessel strikes.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Nonprofit works to support crops grown in the Mississippi Delta
Delta Harvest is partnering with the World Wildlife Fund to create a network of women and Black-owned specialty rice farms.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Power cuts and transport chaos as Storm Eowyn hits Ireland and UK
Storm Eowyn caused havoc Friday as it battered Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland, killing one person and leaving hundreds of thousands of homes without power, flights grounded and schools shut, officials said.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Reaction pathways of carbon dioxide in supercritical water revealed
A research team has made significant discoveries regarding the complex reaction mechanisms of carbon dioxide (CO2) in supercritical water. These findings are crucial for understanding the molecular mechanisms of CO₂ mineralization and sequestration in nature and engineering, as well as the deep carbon cycle within the Earth's interior. This understanding will help pave the way for new directions in future carbon sequestration technologies.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Reforestation stands out among plant-based climate-mitigation strategies as most beneficial for wildlife biodiversity
In the global effort to combat climate change, large-scale, plant-based strategies such as planting forests and cultivating biofuels are an increasingly important part of countries' plans to reduce their overall carbon emissions, but a study in the journal Science finds that well-intended strategies could have unforeseen impacts on biodiversity and that, in general, restoring forests has the most beneficial effect on wildlife.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Researcher unveiling the uncharted reaction pathways of carbon dioxide in supercritical water
A research team has made significant discoveries regarding the complex reaction mechanisms of carbon dioxide (CO2) in supercritical water. These findings are crucial for understanding the molecular mechanisms of CO2 mineralization and sequestration in nature and engineering, as well as the deep carbon cycle within the Earth's interior. This understanding will help pave the way for new directions in future carbon sequestration technologies.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Scientists predict what will be top of the crops in the UK by 2080 due to climate change
While climate change is likely to present significant challenges to agriculture in coming decades, it could also mean that crops such as chickpeas, soybeans and oranges are widely grown across the UK, and home-produced hummus, tofu and marmalade are a common sight on our supermarket shelves by 2080.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Seaweed farms show potential for carbon storage that gets better with age
A large international team of researchers with a wide variety of backgrounds has found evidence that carbon storage below seaweed farms can accumulate as much carbon as some Blue Carbon habitats.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Storm Eowyn brings hurricane-level destruction to Ireland
With hurricane-force winds of 84 mph, gusting to 114 mph, Éowyn was the strongest storm on record for Ireland.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Study points to South America—not Mexico—as birthplace of Irish potato famine pathogen
North Carolina State University researchers firmly point the finger at the South American Andes Mountains as the place where the Irish potato famine pathogen, Phytophthora infestans, originated.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
The cost of ignoring the biodiversity crisis: Research highlights 'invisible' wildlife benefits that people could lose
New WWF-led research reveals that the vital benefits wildlife provides to people's everyday lives are vastly underrepresented across science and policy discussions. This oversight could have detrimental consequences for achieving global conservation targets, explain the researchers.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
The planet had 58 billion-dollar weather disasters in 2024, the second-highest on record
The world endured three of its top-20 costliest disasters on record in 2024, its fifth-deadliest wildfire, and a record three heat waves that caused more than 1,000 deaths.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
’This is a moment in time to name names’: Writer Karin Kirk and your editors discuss oil and gas contributions to newly elected leaders
Fossil fuel contributions to political campaigns are more partisan than ever. What does that mean for policy and climate action?
January 24th, 2025 — Source
Stargate will use solar and batteries to power $100B AI venture
The massive $100 billion Stargate joint venture will reportedly be powered, at least in part, by solar and batteries.
January 24th, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — January 22nd, 2025
A controversial Idaho wind farm was OK'd last month: Now it's on hold
President Donald Trump signed dozens of executive orders shortly after his inauguration, including one that rolled back the recent approval of a controversial wind farm in south-central Idaho.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
A novel k-mer analysis tool based on next-generation sequencing for foreign DNA detection in genome-edited products
Genetic changes have the ability to alter crop characteristics, and some crop breeding techniques take advantage of this. Conventionally, genetic engineering has relied on natural or artificial mutations.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Aftershock analysis challenges world's deepest earthquake claim
The magnitude 7.9 Bonin Islands earthquake sequence in May 2015, which ruptured deep within the earth near the base of the upper mantle, did not include an aftershock that extended to record depths into the lower mantle, according to a study appearing in The Seismic Record.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
AI enables innovation in glacier modeling and offers simulation of last Alpine glaciation
Scientists at the University of Lausanne (UNIL) have used AI to massively speed up computer calculations and simulate the last ice cover in the Alps. Much more in line with field observations, the new results show that the ice was thinner than in previous models. This innovative method opens the door to countless new simulations and predictions linked to climate upheavals.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
AI helps scientists detect top pollutants threatening biodiversity in UK's lakes
Scientists can now identify the most harmful pollutants present in UK waters that are having the biggest impact on biodiversity thanks to pioneering AI technology developed at the University of Birmingham, a new study published in Environmental DNA has revealed.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Anti-climate action groups tend to arise in countries with stronger climate change efforts, study suggests
A new study suggests that countries with stronger commitments to protect the natural environment—regardless of national oil dependence or other economic interests—are more likely to see the establishment of counter climate change groups that aim to obstruct climate change action.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Brazil saw 79% jump in area burned by fires in 2024: monitor
Wildfires in Brazil last year consumed a total area larger than all of Italy, a monitor reported Wednesday, as the country continues to battle blazes often set by farmers and ranchers illegally expanding their territory.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Can our climate be saved by vacuuming carbon out of the skies?
Direct Air Capture is a goldmine to some, a fool’s errand to others.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Did the Polar Vortex Cause the Recent Snow in Florida? We Ask the Experts
Extreme cold and snow smacked the Gulf Coast states this week, but the polar vortex may not be to blame.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Efficient solid oxide fuel cell system could power ships with ammonia-derived hydrogen
In the global quest for sustainable maritime solutions, a study led by researchers from the China–UK Low Carbon College at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, in collaboration with the Energy Institute at University College London and the School of Mechanical Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, has unveiled an innovative solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system powered by ammonia (NH3) for all-electric ships.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Executive Orders on Energy and Climate Have Advocates Across the Nation on Edge
Orders pulled back approval of new wind leases, lifted restrictions on resource extraction and cut off money dedicated to electric vehicle charging. Their legality may be challenged, but climate advocates are preparing for the worst.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Exploring how halide perovskites could transform light-powered energy technology
(Nanowerk News) University of Missouri scientists are unlocking the secrets of halide perovskites — a material that’s poised to reshape our future by bringing us closer to a new age of energy-efficient optoelectronics.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Extreme heat, flooding, wildfires: Colorado's formerly incarcerated people on the hazards they faced behind bars
Incarcerated people in Colorado are exposed to climate-related extreme heat and cold, plus flooding and wildfires. Because they're unable to escape these hazards, their health suffers and some die.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Florida snow looks otherworldly. See the wildest photos on social media from the winter storm
That gator might be as surprised as we are.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
From soot particle filters to renewable fuels: Examining carbon nanoparticle oxidation
Carbon particles are present in many aspects of our daily lives. Soot, which consists of tiny carbon particles, is generated when energy sources such as oil or wood are not completely burned. Soot particle filters, in turn, remove the nanometer- to micrometer-sized particles from car exhaust fumes with the help of chemical surface reactions.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Here's what's causing the Great Salt Lake to shrink, according to study
The Great Salt Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere, reached historic low levels in 2022, raising economic, ecological and public health concerns for Utah.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
How Canadian cities could be leaders in the fight against waste
Most of what we consume in Canada is neither recycled nor reused.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
How engineers are working to solve the renewable energy storage problem
When the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow, humanity still needs power. Researchers are designing new technologies, from reinvented batteries to compressed air and spinning wheels, to keep energy in reserve for the lean times.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Human use of fire has produced an era of uncontrolled burning: Welcome to the Pyrocene
Los Angeles is burning, but it isn't alone. In recent years, fires have blasted through cities in Colorado, the southern Appalachians and the island of Maui, along with Canada, Australia, Portugal and Greece. What wasn't burned was smoked in.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Informal mining persists in South Africa despite police crackdowns
In mid-January 2024, over 1,000 hunger-weakened miners exited two abandoned mine shafts in Stilfontein, near Johannesburg in South Africa. They had been starved out by the police in Operation Vala Umgodi—meaning "plug the hole"—which had cut off food and water in an effort to "smoke out" a shadow workforce.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
It's science, not fiction: High-tech drones may soon be fighting bushfires in Australia
Picture this. It's a summer evening in Australia. A dry lightning storm is about to sweep across remote, tinder-dry bushland. The next day is forecast to be hot and windy. A lightning strike tonight could spark a fire that grows into a catastrophic blaze tomorrow.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Lobbying in 'forever chemicals' industry is rife across Europe—the inside story of our investigation
A team of academic researchers, lawyers and journalists from 16 European countries has exposed a huge lobbying campaign aimed at gutting a proposed EU-wide restriction on the use of "forever chemicals." This campaign saw significant increases in the lobbying expenditure of major producers of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as forever chemicals for their persistence in the environment.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Microsoft throws more cash at its carbon guilt by replanting Brazilian rainforest
Meanwhile, datacenter emissions continue to soar
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
New research uncovers exotic electron crystal in graphene
Researchers from the University of British Columbia, the University of Washington, and Johns Hopkins University have identified a new class of quantum states in a custom-engineered graphene structure.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Offshore wind farms could cause significant ecosystem, economic and human health risks
The materials used to protect wind turbines from corrosion leach into the surrounding water, which could pose risks to ecosystems, seafood safety and human health, new research from the University of Portsmouth has found.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Overlooking a low-hanging fruit in climate mitigation: Biochar has been underestimated, say researchers
A new study shows biochar to be far more effective at long-term carbon storage than previously thought. The study reveals critical flaws in the models used by the IPCC and European climate policymakers.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Plants more likely to be 'eavesdroppers' than altruists when tapping into underground networks, study finds
A new study led by the University of Oxford has used a modeling approach to show that it is unlikely that plants would evolve to warn other plants of impending attack. Instead of using their communication networks to transmit warning signals, the findings suggest it is more likely that plants "eavesdrop" on their neighbors. The study has been published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Rare snow socks New Orleans as Arctic blast chills much of US
Bitter Arctic air plunged more than half the United States into a deep freeze Tuesday, including New Orleans, where the heaviest snow in decades brought dangerous conditions to the famously festive Gulf Coast city.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Real datacenter emissions are a dirty secret
Amazon doesn't break out figures, but then again neither do Microsoft nor Google
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Report highlights potential of sustainable fuels in Latin American aviation
According to the International Energy Agency, aviation accounts for about 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions, and aviation emissions are expected to double by mid-century as demand for domestic and international air travel rises. To sharply reduce emissions in alignment with the Paris Agreement's long-term goal to keep global warming below 1.5°C, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has set a goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Rethinking capitalism: Can it adapt to the Anthropocene's demands?
The Anthropocene is a relatively recent term, coined to define the epoch in which human activity is increasingly dictating environmental and biological change on Earth as previous periods driven by natural occurrences did in pre-history; during the Pleistocene, for instance. Technically, the current epoch is the Holocene, but human activity has altered the world so significantly, that, with our usual species-centric perspective, we have shunned hubris and given the current epoch this new name in a fit of unaccustomed self-awareness.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Sarajevo among world's most polluted cities, again
The region of Sarajevo on Wednesday declared a state of alert, as the Bosnian capital once again ranked among the world's most polluted cities.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Scientists reveal new defensive strategy of seeds in Fagaceae species
From dust-like orchid seeds to the massive double coconuts, the variation in seed size is one of nature's most striking features. Large seeds, such as those from oak trees, contain a wealth of resources essential for starting their growth. However, this abundance also makes them appealing targets for animals looking for a convenient snack. But what happens when animals eat part of the seed? Does losing some of their nutrient reserves affect the seed's chances of survival?
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Scientists synthesize biodegradable nylon precursor through artificial photosynthesis
Nylon, the durable and elastic material, is like other plastics made from chemicals found in fossil fuels. Biodegradable plastics based on biomass-derived compounds are attracting attention as an alternative to conventional plastics, and Osaka Metropolitan University scientists have now synthesized biodegradable nylon precursors.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Sleeping on beaches and staying social: How Australians kept cool in heat waves before modern technology
The Black Friday bushfires which swept across southeastern Australia in January 1939 have been remembered as a deadly and traumatic event.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Turning water into electricity while detecting fires: Researchers create dual purpose fire sensor
Various clean energy technologies have been developed to meet the rapidly intensifying energy demand and dwindling fossil fuel reserves. However, many of these technologies are hindered by low efficiency and high costs.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
Thawing permafrost helped trigger ancient Icelandic landslides, new research shows
When glaciers and ice sheets melt, they can destabilize slopes and reactivate faults, which in turn can trigger landslides and reshape the surface of Earth over long periods of time. Researchers can monitor some locations in real time to determine which combinations of factors lead to landslides, but understanding what triggered landslides thousands of years ago is more difficult.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — January 20th, 2025
A key to protecting apples from climate change might be hiding in Michigan's forests
In the quest to make apple trees more resilient in a warming climate, some Michigan researchers are looking for a late bloomer.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
A self-assembled bilayer could enhance the thermal stability of perovskite solar cells
Over the past few years, photovoltaic (PV) technologies have become increasingly widespread, contributing to the ongoing quest to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While most solar cells on the market today are made of silicon, other materials are emerging as promising alternatives for developing PV solutions.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Activists slam 'destructive' Indonesia forest conversion plan
Indonesia's plan to convert millions of hectares of forests for food and energy use is "environmentally illogical and destructive," and risks irreversible environmental and biodiversity loss, activists warned Monday.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Book explores the ecology and management of invasive Prosopis trees in Eastern Africa
CABI has published a new book which explores the ecology and management of invasive Prosopis juliflora trees which have severely impacted landscapes and the livelihoods of pastoral communities in Eastern Africa.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Buckle Up for a 'Weird Moment' in the U.S. Electric Vehicle Market, Even as Global Sales Have Soared
EV sales slowed in the United States in 2024 and Donald Trump may further disrupt the industry by cutting incentives.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Climate misinformation is rife on social media—and poised to get worse
The decision by Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to end its fact-checking program and otherwise reduce content moderation raises the question of what content on those social media platforms will look like going forward.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Coding for a greener internet: Researchers find way to reduce data center energy
Researchers from the University of Waterloo have found a way to reduce the energy use of some data centers by as much as 30%.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Deep beneath California's Sierra Nevada, Earth's lithosphere may be peeling away
The processes that form continental crust from the denser basaltic rocks of the upper mantle may make the lower lithosphere denser than the underlying mantle. One theory holds that the lower lithosphere splits away and sinks into the mantle in a process called foundering. Conclusive evidence of foundering, however, has been hard to come by.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Different public opinions could slow down use of natural methods to protect the UK's coasts
Scientists have warned efforts to protect and restore marine habitats along the UK's coastline could be hindered by a lack of public knowledge about these initiatives.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Ethiopian earthquakes and volcanic eruptions: Earth scientist explains the link
Ethiopia's Afar and Oromia regions have been hit by several earthquakes and tremors since the beginning of 2025. The strongest, with a magnitude of 5.7, struck on 4 January. The US Geological Survey and the German Research Centre for Geosciences reported that its epicenter was 142km east of the capital, Addis Ababa, which is in the Oromia region.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Exploring how the increase in extreme precipitation events is causing more flooding
A senior thesis published in the journal Hydrological Processes explores how the increase in extreme precipitation events is causing more flooding—but only in certain areas, and not at the usual times.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Fermenting seaweed could boost consumption
Fermented seaweed? Those who have tried it think it is much tastier than it sounds, and researchers at Lund University in Sweden are now hoping that acidified seaweed, rather than today's dried version, will signify a major breakthrough for seaweed as a food source.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Heat waves could worsen as soil moisture changes, climate models reveal
Eastern North America and Central Europe could see their most extreme heat waves become twice as intense as previously projected due to variations in soil moisture, according to a new study.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
How a pervasive microorganism generates a greenhouse gas
Cornell researchers have discovered a way for ammonia oxidizing archaea (AOA), one of the most abundant types of microorganisms on Earth, to produce nitrous oxide, a potent and long-lasting greenhouse gas.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
How lift-net fisheries affect cetacean ecology in Kaimana, Indonesia
Cetaceans—marine mammals that include dolphins, porpoises, and whales—are crucial to coastal ecology. Their presence fosters carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling and redistribution, and control of certain prey species. Moreover, they serve as bioindicators of overall ocean health.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Hydroelectric Dams in Oregon Kill Salmon. Congress Says It's Time to Consider Shutting Them Down.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wanted to use gigantic mechanical traps to haul baby fish downstream in tanker trucks.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Indonesia launches international carbon exchange
Indonesia opened its carbon exchange to international buyers on Monday, aiming to raise funds to help meet ambitious domestic climate goals.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Kenya's farmers have lots of digital tools to help boost productivity. How they can be made more effective?
Digital agriculture is often hailed as an almost magical trigger for promoting successful farming, even among smallholder farmers in the developing world.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Life after logging: Tracking the recovery of forest bird communities after protected area establishment in Amazonia
Tropical forests host an estimated 62% of global terrestrial vertebrate species on less than 20% of the Earth's land area and provide resources that directly benefit ~1.5 billion people throughout the world.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Life is thriving in the subsurface depths of Earth
Different species thrive beneath the oceans than under the land.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Moose versus ticks: a battle of giants and bloodsuckers
Winter ticks are tiny, but their impact on moose is massive -- and climate change is worsening the threat.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Mountaineers help scientists find nanoplastics in remote glaciers
Imagine a glacier. Are you thinking "glittering snow" or "plastic pollution?" A new study underscores the pervasive nature of plastic pollution, even in such remote and apparently pristine areas.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
New EPA rule means local governments must check more pipes for lead
Metro Atlanta's largest water utilities, in response to a federal deadline, reported this fall that there were no lead pipes in their drinking water systems that they knew of.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
People pulled together to help LA fire survivors—60 years of research shows these unsung heroes are crucial
As wildfires swept through neighborhoods on the outskirts of Los Angeles in January 2025, stories about residents there helping their neighbors and total strangers began trickling out on social media.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Q&A: Causes, spread and solutions for California's wildfire crisis
As wildfires relentlessly sweep across Southern California and other parts of the world, Manzhu Yu, an assistant professor of geography at Penn State, offered insights into the ongoing crisis in Los Angeles (LA). Her expertise lies in atmospheric modeling, environmental analytics, big data and cloud computing—fields that intersect closely with wildfire behavior, smoke prediction and exposure analysis.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Reads to help you make sense of the climate-changed insurance market
For many homeowners, extreme weather is leading to rising rates and denied coverage.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Satellite monitors offshore gas flaring in South China Sea
A study published in the International Journal of Digital Earth presents a novel application of the Sustainable Development Science Satellite-1 (SDGSAT-1) for observing offshore oil and gas platforms. Researchers from the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences leveraged the advanced capabilities of SDGSAT-1's Glimmer Imager (GLI) and Thermal Infrared Spectrometer (TIS) to monitor gas flaring activities in the South China Sea.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Study highlights the vital role of coastal wetlands
New research has revealed the unique ecological role of coastal wetlands in the face of rising sea levels, capturing carbon, adjusting their soil elevation and protecting the coastline.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Texas Regulators Finalize Oilfield Waste Rule
The new rule modernizes some aspects of commercial oilfield waste disposal and recycling. But rules for burying oilfield waste on private property remain limited.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
The energy industry is using a "net-zero hero" narrative shifting blame to consumers
The energy sector uses over a third of the world's fuel supply
January 20th, 2025 — Source
The use of drones during wildfires can disrupt response operations
Unauthorized and irresponsible use of drones in wildfire zones can create problems for firefighting aircraft, as seen in a recent collision during the Los Angeles wildfires. A Canadian Super Scooper aircraft assisting with the wildfire suppression was grounded after being hit by a drone.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Three ways to assess how Liverpool's tidal energy plan will affect the environment
A proposed tidal energy scheme on Liverpool's River Mersey is entering an early assessment and consultation phase. This multi-billion pound infrastructure project, which could span several miles across the river and power up to a million homes, exemplifies the complex challenge of planning large-scale renewable energy projects.
January 20th, 2025 — 'Turn on the lights': DAVD display helps divers navigate undersea conditions
A favorite childhood memory for Dr. Sandra Chapman was visiting the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor with her father. So it's appropriate that Chapman—a program officer in the Office of Naval Research's (ONR) Warfighter Performance Department—is passionate about her involvement in the development of an innovative technology recently applied to efforts to preserve the area around the USS Arizona Memorial.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Tropical cyclones and internal tides contribute to deep near-inertial kinetic energy, researchers discover
Near-inertial internal waves (NIWs) are crucial energy sources for deep-sea mixing, but the origins of deep NIWs have remained largely unknown. A research team led by Prof. Wang Fan from the Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS) has made advancements in understanding the generation mechanisms of deep near-inertial kinetic energy (NIKE).
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Trump declares a 'national energy emergency'
Trump took sweeping action to roll back environmental protections and boost fossil fuels on his first day in office.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Unlocking auxin: The tiny hormone with big implications for crops
How does a tiny molecule help shape the future of global food security? Researchers from the University of Tasmania have provided new insights into auxin, a master plant hormone, and its vital role in starch production—the powerhouse of the world's most important crops.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Uranium fever collides with industry's dark past in Navajo country
A few miles south of the Grand Canyon, thousands of tons of uranium ore, reddish-gray, blue and radioactive, are piled up high in a clearing in the forest.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
US to withdraw from Paris agreement, expand drilling
President Donald Trump on Monday announced the United States would withdraw from the Paris climate accord for a second time, a defiant rejection of global efforts to combat planetary warming as catastrophic weather events intensify worldwide.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Washable smart floor technology generates power from footsteps
Imagine floors that could light your path during a power outage or alert you to an intruder - all powered by your footsteps. While this concept has appealed to architects and engineers, creating practical smart floors has proven challenging.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Weary LA firefighters brace for 'last' dangerous winds
Exhausted Los Angeles firefighters on Sunday braced for the return of yet more dangerously strong gusts, as California's governor slammed "hurricane-force winds of misinformation" surrounding blazes that have killed 27 people.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
What Does PSPS Mean & How Should You Prepare For One In Your Area?
If you're in an area with a severe weather condition, it can be really scary when the power shuts completely off. Sometimes, this is done on purpose to protect nearby communities when there's an elevated risk of a fire, low humidity, or high winds. When this happens, it's called a PSPS, or a Public Safety Power Shutoff. According to California's Public Utilities Commission, the state started implementing PSPS due to the increase in intense wildfires over the past decade.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Why Africa's young scientists should help check the quality of climate change research
Scientific research is essential for addressing the climate crisis. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a United Nations body, assesses the science on climate change through its regular assessment reports. These reports reflect scientific consensus on the causes and impacts of and possible solutions to climate change.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Wildfire Rebuilds Are an Opportunity to Build More Resilient and Sustainable Homes. But That Comes With Controversy
As LA looks to rebuild from its most destructive conflagration, Colorado communities impacted by the 2021 Marshall Fire offer insights into how to rebuild with climate and wildfire in mind, and how to reduce concerns over costs and delays.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
Wildfire hazards don't stop when the fire goes out
Fires sweeping through Los Angeles have left a massive path of destruction. At the time of posting, they have reduced more than 10,000 homes to rubble. At least 27 people have died so far.
January 20th, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — January 17th, 2025
A giant battery power plant is on fire in California
An enormous battery power plant went up in flames in Central California.
January 17th, 2025 — Source
Alexa, should voice assistants have a gender?
Studies have long shown that men are more likely to interrupt, particularly when speaking with women. New research by Johns Hopkins engineers reveals that this behavior also extends to AI-powered voice assistants like Alexa and Siri, with men interrupting them almost twice as often as women do.
January 17th, 2025 — Source
Amazon bought more renewable power last year than any other company
Amazon bought renewable power at a rapid clip last year, adding around 100 new projects and bumping its portfolio to over 33 gigawatts of generating capacity. That's over 10 gigawatts more than its nearest competitor, Apple.
January 17th, 2025 — Source
Big-eyed conch snails use vision to jump away from predators
Snails have a reputation for being slow, with poor eyes that can barely see the world around them.
January 17th, 2025 — Source
Big Tech expands its reach with new startup acquisitions and investments
This week's newsletter is about startups, but it is also about Big Tech companies expanding their reach, both through acquisitions and through investments.
January 17th, 2025 — Source
Biologists shed light on the physiology and behavior of cormorants and anhingas
They are two of Florida's most iconic waterbirds, who look and behave similarly, but it turns out the anhinga and the double-crested cormorant are quite different, new research from the University of Miami indicates.
January 17th, 2025 — Source
Direct measurements can reduce uncertainty in soil carbon credit markets
Directly measuring soil carbon rather than relying on predictive models can provide hard evidence of how much carbon is being stored, allowing for better assessments of confidence in carbon markets for croplands, according to a study co-authored by Yale School of the Environment scientists and recently published in Environmental Research Letters.
January 17th, 2025 — Source
Do offshore wind farms harm whales? Experts weigh in as Trump labels them 'dangerous'
In recent months, President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly said offshore wind turbines are harming, and perhaps killing, whales.
January 17th, 2025 — Source
EU watchdog approves new vaccines against bluetongue
The EU's medicines watchdog on Friday gave the thumbs up to two new vaccines against the bluetongue virus which struck parts of Europe from late 2023, infecting thousands of sheep, goats and cattle.
January 17th, 2025 — Source
Groundwater threatened by droughts and heavy rainfalls, long-term analyses find
Extreme climate events endanger groundwater quality and stability when rain water evades natural purification processes in the soil. This was demonstrated in long-term groundwater analyses using new analytical methods, as described in a recent study in Nature Communications. As billions of people rely on sufficient and clean groundwater for drinking, understanding the impacts of climate extremes on future water security is crucial.
January 17th, 2025 — Source
Long-term contributions from pre-formed leaves in cycad seeds
The most vulnerable phase of a plant's life is the short time period that follows germination. During this phase, the newly emerged seedling relies on the maternal parent to provision the food that is required for initial growth.
January 17th, 2025 — Source
Not only cereals: Revealing the menu of farmers 5,000 years ago
The so-called Funnel Beaker Culture (4000--2800 BCE) represents the first phase in Southern Scandinavia/northern Germany in which people were agriculturalists and kept livestock. The lifestyle of these farmers has been a subject of research for decades. However, up to now, a mystery has remained regarding the preferred plant food ingredients, especially those beyond cereals, and which product was made from cereal grain.
January 17th, 2025 — Source
Polymer editing can upcycle waste into higher-performance plastics
By editing the polymers of discarded plastics, chemists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have found a way to generate new macromolecules with more valuable properties than those of the starting material. Upcycling may help remedy the roughly 450 million tons of plastic discarded worldwide annually, of which only 9% gets recycled; the rest is incinerated or winds up in landfills, oceans or elsewhere.
January 17th, 2025 — Source
Reinventing the South Florida seawall to help marine life, buffer rising seas
At the back of a million-dollar mansion under construction in Miami Beach, contractors are installing what may be the future first line of coastal defense from erosion and climate-driven sea-rise.
January 17th, 2025 — Source
Researchers combine citizens' help and cutting-edge tech to track biodiversity
Researchers are using new technologies, including AI, as well as contributions from citizen scientists, to improve how we monitor and protect increasingly threatened habitats and species across Europe.
January 17th, 2025 — Source
Sewer sludge is dangerous to health, EPA says of biosolids and PFAS
Sewer sludge from wastewater treatment plants appears to expose farmers and nearby neighbors to toxic "forever" chemicals, a new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) draft risk assessment says.
January 17th, 2025 — Source
Underwater exploration boosted with image enhancer
The search for long-lost shipwrecks, downed aircraft and even rare species of coral and fish could become easier thanks to an image enhancement technology developed by James Cook University researchers.
January 17th, 2025 — Source
Young people are losing interest in sustainable investing, survey shows
Facing economic uncertainty, Millennial and Gen Z investors say they're prioritizing profits over environmental and social priorities.
January 17th, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — January 13th, 2025
Advocates Warn of Climate, Cancer Risks From a Potential Trump Rollback on Electric Big Rigs and Buses
From eliminating $40,000 incentives for electric school buses to going to war with California regulators, experts say there's a lot the second Trump administration can do to pump the brakes on efforts to decarbonize one of the country's most polluting sectors.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Amplification trick makes water toxin detection 10 times more sensitive
An unplugged electric instrument may function, but it sounds much better when it is connected to an amplifier. Similarly, toxins and other small molecules at low concentrations in the environment or human body may emit quiet signals that are undetectable without specialized lab technology.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Amsterdam experiment shows how households can cut energy costs by about 50%
Many people around the globe are living in energy poverty, meaning they spend at least 8% of their annual household income on energy. Addressing this problem is not simple, but an experiment by MIT researchers shows that giving people better data about their energy use, plus some coaching on the subject, can lead them to substantially reduce their consumption and costs.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Ash tree variability may offer restoration path post-beetle decimation
Researchers found that genetic diversity is key to breeding ash trees resistant to emerald ash borers and rising temperatures
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Before and After Satellite Photos Show Damage Done by LA Wildfires
Satellite images have laid bare the terrible damage done by the Los Angeles wildfires which have devastated the city and claimed the lives of at least 24 people.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Biophotovoltaics: A step forward in sustainable energy technology
In a study published in Environmental Science and Ecotechnology, researchers have advanced our understanding of biophotovoltaic (BPV) systems—innovative devices that merge photosynthetic microbes with electrochemical systems to convert sunlight into electricity. Using the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, the study provides critical insights into the molecular mechanisms driving this green energy technology.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Burning waste is a dirty way to generate power, but it's the least bad alternative to England's broken recycling system
Burning waste to generate heat and electricity was deemed the UK's "dirtiest form of power" in a BBC investigation in October 2024, after the country's last coal plant closed the month before.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Car use habits foster negative views on carbon taxes—even among environmentalists
The habit of driving influences even environmentally conscious individuals to view carbon taxation more negatively. This is suggested by a new study published in Ambio, the first of its kind to investigate how habitual behaviors affect attitudes toward carbon taxes.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Chemical engineers devise efficient way to pull carbon directly from atmosphere
Until now, carbon capture has focused largely on removing greenhouse gases at their source, such as the emissions of power plants, refineries, concrete plants and other industries.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Driving chemical transformations through the power of solar energy
Sunlight is a powerful energy source that scientists can leverage to unlock important chemical conversions. In a recent study, researchers used solar energy with a two-step process to convert carbon dioxide (CO2), a potent greenhouse gas, into a valuable chemical commodity.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
From microplastics to macro-impact: Expert explains plastic recycling challenges
"Microplastic particles are currently found almost everywhere—in water, food, fish, and even breast milk," says Artūras Torkelis, a Ph.D. student at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU). He emphasizes that proper waste management is essential for reducing these risks.
January 13th, 2025 — Source or Source
Germany races to contain foot-and-mouth outbreak amid export fears
Germany took further steps Monday to limit the potential spread of foot-and-mouth disease, as an outbreak of the virus threatened to hit the country's agricultural exports.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Giant freshwater aquifer in southern Africa is under threat from mining
A huge underground water resource the size of Austria, the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System, stretches for 87,000km² across Namibia, South Africa and Botswana. It supplies 50,000 people in several towns with water pure enough to drink, and is their only source of water. But the Namibian government has awarded uranium prospecting licenses to several mining companies across the aquifer system.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Great Barrier Reef fish evidence suggests shifts in major global biodiversity patterns
Life on the Great Barrier Reef is undergoing big changes in the face of climate change and other human-caused pressures, a new study reveals.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
How the EPA administrator protects public health, air, water and the environment
From the time you get up in the morning until you go to bed at night, and even while you are asleep, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency affects your life. The air you breathe, the water you drink, the chemicals under your sink, the car you drive, products you buy, food you eat and a host of daily routines depend on actions of the agency and the EPA administrator—the equivalent of a Cabinet secretary.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Hybrid cascade process selectively converts CO2 into methanol
In a hybrid cascade, climate-damaging CO2 is turned back into valuable methanol. An international research team has shown how this works.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Maryland's Climate Goals Under Strain as Budget Gaps and Looming Federal Cuts Threaten Progress
As a new legislative session opens, advocates question whether climate pledges can be upheld without cash to back them. Lawmakers are facing pressure to deliver.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Much of Australia enjoys the same Mediterranean climate as L.A.—for bushfires, that doesn't bode well
The world has watched in horror as fires continue to raze parts of Los Angeles, California. For those of us living in Australia, one of the world's most fire-prone continents, the L.A. experience feels all too familiar.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
New technique enables rapid evaluation of fuel cell catalyst durability, identification of degradation mechanisms
Researchers at the College of Engineering at Seoul National University have developed an innovative technology for rapid durability assessment and identification of degradation mechanisms of hydrogen fuel cell catalysts.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Open-access Daphnia atlas provides detailed view of sentinel species for environmental research
A unique web-based resource of Daphnia, a sentinel species for environmental pollution, commonly used to help us detect and understand the potential toxic effects of chemicals in the environment, has just been established by Penn State researchers.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Oregon Cascades hide a huge buried aquifer
Oregon's Cascade Range mountains might not hold gold, but they store another precious resource in abundance: water. Scientists from the University of Oregon and their partners have mapped the amount of water stored beneath volcanic rocks at the crest of the central Oregon Cascades and found an aquifer many times larger than previously estimated—at least 81 cubic kilometers.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Planting soybean green proves effective for waterhemp and Palmer amaranth suppression
Recently published research in the journal Weed Science shows that planting soybeans in a green, living cover crop provides effective control for some of the nation's most troublesome weeds when integrated with pre-emergence (PRE) herbicides. More specifically, planting soybean over a cereal rye cover crop demonstrates an effective practice to both produce soybean and to suppress two problematic Amaranthus weed species: waterhemp and Palmer amaranth.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Prairie dogs are in trouble as the climate warms
The animals are critical to ecosystems in the Great Plains.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Q&A: Expert explains where he sees the greatest need for action to further develop wind energy
In an overview study, a team of researchers led by Russell McKenna identified 14 key impact categories of wind energy. The review paper, published in the journal Joule, provides guidance for future studies and policy decisions.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Researchers develop novel reverse osmosis membrane to reduce biofouling
A research team led by Prof. Wan Yinhua from the Institute of Process Engineering (IPE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a dual-functional reverse osmosis (RO) membrane with enhanced antibacterial and antiadhesion properties.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Study investigates how digital platforms are transforming the agricultural sector
Digitalization is ushering in far-reaching change in all areas of our lives, not least in the agricultural sector. Researchers from the University of Bonn have now published a study in Big Data & Society on how international agricultural corporations and Big Tech firms are using digital platforms to transform the agriculture industry.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
Team makes sustainable aviation fuel additive from recycled polystyrene
A new study overcomes a key challenge to switching commercial aircraft in the U.S. from their near-total reliance on fossil fuels to more sustainable aviation fuels. The study details a cost-effective method for producing ethylbenzene—an additive that improves the functional characteristics of sustainable aviation fuels—from polystyrene, a hard plastic used in many consumer goods.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
The new age of infrastructure maintenance using data from space
The concentration of the population in cities is accelerating, and difficulties in maintaining various infrastructures are arising due to extreme weather. Extensive infrastructures like waste landfill facilities face significant challenges due to the difficulty for managers to stay on-site or access them. These maintenance issues are resulting in various problems, including environmental pollution.
January 13th, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — January 10th, 2025
2024 warmest year on record for mainland US: agency
Last year set a record for high temperatures across the mainland United States, with the nation also pummeled by a barrage of tornadoes and destructive hurricanes, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in a report Friday.
January 10th, 2025 — Source or Source
Acid dissolution of mining waste—a new eco-friendly method for extracting metals
New research shows that magnesium and other metals in mine waste can be solubilized and recovered thanks to acid-producing bacteria. Researcher Nathan van Wyk believes that the method has great potential for reducing environmental pollution, extending the life of mines and providing raw materials for industry.
January 10th, 2025 — Source
Another Polar Vortex Is Blasting the U.S. With Harsh Winter Weather. So How Is Climate Change Involved?
A recent study explains how warmer temperatures at the top of the planet destabilize the jet stream and allow colder air to travel south.
January 10th, 2025 — Source
As Wildfires Threaten Urban Areas Like Los Angeles, 'Planning for the Unprecedented' Is Crucial, Experts Say
As fires rage on in Los Angeles County, communities struggle to evacuate. Here's what everyone should know as fire risks worsen nationwide.
January 10th, 2025 — Source
Carrier Donates $2.5M in Air Purifiers for Wildfire Relief
Carrier Global Corporation, a leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions, is stepping up to support communities devastated by the wildfires in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. The company announced a donation of over $2.5 million in indoor air purifiers to provide much-needed relief to those most affected, including essential service workers such as firefighters, local schools, and hospitals.
January 10th, 2025 — Source
Climate Change in 2024 Hit a Warming Mark Scientists Hoped We Would Avoid
During the hottest year on Earth since records began in 1850, temperatures crossed a key threshold, rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels.
January 10th, 2025 — Source or Source
Climate change, not endangered species protection, is a big culprit in Los Angeles fires
Recent drought has left the state vulnerable to wildfires.
January 10th, 2025 — Source
Climate fee on food could effectively cut greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture while ensuring a social balance
Greenhouse gas emissions in German agriculture could be significantly reduced in a socially equitable way through a climate fee on food, combined with climate dividends. This is the key finding of a study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).
January 10th, 2025 — Source or Source
Earth roasts through its second consecutive hottest year on record
The total number of people killed in extreme weather events intensified by climate change in 2024 is likely in the tens or hundreds of thousands, said the World Weather Attribution group.
January 10th, 2025 — Source
Estimating the impact of the EPA's changing power plant greenhouse gas standards
A large team of renewable energy researchers, natural resource analysts and energy specialists affiliated with a large number of institutions across the U.S. has attempted to assess the impact of the latest and final standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the Biden Administration winds down and new rules loom with the arrival of the Trump administration.
January 10th, 2025 — Source
Exploring quinone-based carbon capture: A promising path to safer CO2 removal
Carbon capture, or the isolation and removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during industrial processes like cement mixing or steel production, is widely regarded as a key component of fighting climate change. Existing carbon capture technologies, such as amine scrubbing, are hard to deploy because they require significant energy to operate and involve corrosive compounds.
January 10th, 2025 — Source
Light, flexible and radiation-resistant: Organic solar cells for space
Radiation testing suggests that solar cells made from carbon-based, or organic, materials could outperform conventional silicon and gallium arsenide for generating electricity in the final frontier, a study from the University of Michigan suggests.
January 10th, 2025 — Source
Low-cost spectrometers prove effective for plant health monitoring
Nanjing University researchers have confirmed the efficiency of budget-friendly low-configuration spectrometers in retrieving solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF)—the red glow that plants emit during photosynthesis and a critical marker of plant health and productivity. This research serves to democratize ecosystem and agricultural monitoring by leveraging cost-effective technologies.
January 10th, 2025 — Source
Magma composition may drive volcanic tremor
Daily ashfall sampling at Cumbre Vieja volcano in the Canary Islands demonstrates potential for near-real-time eruption monitoring and forecasting tool
January 10th, 2025 — Source
Misinformation Spreads Like Wildfire Online While LA Neighborhoods Burn
Misleading claims and falsehoods about water and firefighting resources distracted from the unprecedented conditions that left Los Angeles primed for the most destructive fire in its history.
January 10th, 2025 — Source
Plant hormones that help roots reach deeper water provide potential strategy for drought-resistant crops
Scientists have discovered how plants adapt their root systems in drought conditions to grow steeper into the soil to access deeper water reserves.
January 10th, 2025 — Source
Sustainable ZnO Nanoparticles for Methylene Blue Cleanup
In a recent article published in Scientific Reports, researchers explored the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using the extract of Padina pavonica, a brown algae. They evaluated their effectiveness in removing methylene blue dye from aqueous solutions.
January 10th, 2025 — Source
This Island in the Caspian Sea Is Almost Gone
After nearly two years of existence, the landmass has nearly vanished beneath the waves.
January 10th, 2025 — Source
Two of history's most damaging earthquakes struck on January 17
Two of the ten most damaging earthquakes in recorded history happened on January 17th. This year is the thirtieth anniversary of Japan's Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. The Northridge Earthquake in Southern California happened just one year earlier, in 1994. The two events killed 6,400 people, injured 45,000, and left a half million people homeless.
January 10th, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — January 9th, 2025
3D-printed fungal fuel cell offers biodegradable power solution
A battery that needs feeding instead of charging? This is exactly what Empa researchers have achieved with their 3D-printed, biodegradable fungal battery. The living battery could supply power to sensors for agriculture or research in remote regions. Once the work is done, it digests itself from the inside.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
2024's extreme ocean heat leaves 2 mysteries to solve
This past year, 2024, was the warmest ever measured for the global ocean, following a record-breaking 2023. In fact, every decade since 1984, when satellite recordkeeping of ocean temperatures started, has been warmer than the previous one.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
AI categorizes 700 million aurora images for better geomagnetic storm forecasting
The aurora borealis, or northern lights, is known for a stunning spectacle of light in the night sky, but this near-Earth manifestation, which is caused by explosive activity on the sun and carried by the solar wind, can also interrupt vital communications and security infrastructure on Earth. Using artificial intelligence, researchers at the University of New Hampshire have categorized and labeled the largest-ever database of aurora images that could help scientists better understand and forecast the disruptive geomagnetic storms.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Antarctic Ice Core Unlocks 1.2 Million Years of Unbroken Climate History, Setting New Record
The achievement represents the longest continuous record of Earth’s climate from an ice core.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Aptera shows off its solar-powered car at CES 2025
CES is usually a great time for companies to show off things they are working on. This includes products that will actually make it to the market and products that are futuristic concepts. At CES 2025, Aptera is definitely turning heads with its brand-new solar-powered car.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Arsenic's atmospheric journey: New methods reveal environmental toxin's transport pathways
On the Pic du Midi in the Pyrenees, ETH researchers have analyzed particulate matter, clouds and rainwater for traces of arsenic. Using newly developed measurement methods, they have elucidated the transport pathways of the environmental toxin in the atmosphere.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Canadian career center helps connect young people with environmental careers
Thousands have already used the center’s resources.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Caught in a Climate Bind, New York State Is Reconsidering Nuclear Power
A new generation of reactor technologies could eventually help, experts say. But there are big hurdles to clear.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Five climate change stories to keep an eye on this year
This year will be one of the hottest ever. It'll probably feature horrendous extreme weather, crop failures and a further crackdown on climate activism.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Elimination of newly discovered loss mechanism enhances organic solar cell efficiency and stability
Researchers at Åbo Akademi University in Finland have identified and eliminated a previously unknown loss mechanism in organic solar cells that makes them more efficient and gives them a longer lifetime. The results provide new insight into how efficiency and stability can be increased in the future.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Enhanced tandem solar modules promise lower costs and higher efficiency
Increasing module efficiency and expanding manufacturing capacity play complementary roles in reducing costs of metal halide perovskite/silicon tandem solar modules, according to researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Each cost lever can play a similar role depending on a manufacturer's ability to scale up and improve module performance.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Extreme weather, suburban sprawl fuel LA's wildfires
A prolonged dry spell combined with strong winds has created the "perfect conditions" for Los Angeles wildfires to rage out of control, even though experts say it's too soon to pinpoint exactly how much climate change contributed.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Floods, droughts, then fires: Hydroclimate whiplash is speeding up globally
New research links intensifying wet and dry swings to the atmosphere's sponge-like ability to drop and absorb water
January 9th, 2025 — Source
'Killer' fungal gene could provide key to control of plant diseases
A critical gene that leads to the synthesis of a protein known as Knr4 could be the key to what makes some fungal pathogens so virulent. Focusing prevention strategies on disabling or modifying this gene or the protein it encodes for, could provide new pathways for disease control.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Logging and conversion of tropical forests to oil palm plantations have wide effects on ecosystems, study shows
A research team led by the University of Oxford has carried out the most comprehensive assessment to date of how logging and conversion to oil palm plantations affect tropical forest ecosystems. The results demonstrate that logging and conversion have significantly different and cumulative environmental impacts.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Natural products from soil fungus could replace harmful pesticides in agriculture
The soil fungus Mortierella alpina has the potential to make agriculture greener and more sustainable: The fungus produces bioactive molecules called malpinins, which could protect plants from destructive worms. A research team from Jena has now been able to understand and describe their mode of action for the first time.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Qualitative research highlights community-driven strategies for cleaner air
In Boyle Heights, a predominantly Hispanic/Latino neighborhood, residents face disproportionate exposure to toxic air pollution, which is linked to chronic illnesses like asthma and heightened mortality risks.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Removing microplastics with engineered bacteria
Microplastics can go right through wastewater treatment plants, and researchers have engineered bacteria commonly found in there to break down this pollution before it can persist in the environment.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Research links intensifying wet and dry swings to the atmosphere's sponge-like ability to drop and absorb water
Los Angeles is burning, and accelerating hydroclimate whiplash is the key climate connection. After years of severe drought, dozens of atmospheric rivers deluged California with record-breaking precipitation in the winter of 2022--23, burying mountain towns in snow, flooding valleys with rain and snow melt, and setting off hundreds of landslides.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Researchers test genetically edited citrus tree that controls insects responsible for greening
Scientists at the University of Florida are testing a new type of citrus tree that can fight off the tiny insects responsible for citrus greening.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Researchers use lab data to rewrite equation for deformation, flow of watery glacier ice
Laboratory experiments designed to deform ice at its pressure-melting temperature were like grabbing a bagel at the top and the bottom, then twisting the two halves to smear the cream cheese in the middle, according to new research. The resulting data could lead to more accurate models of temperate glacier ice and better predictions of glacier flow and sea-level rise.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Rewriting the equation for deformation and flow of watery glacier ice
Rewriting the equation for deformation and flow of watery glacier ice
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Rubber tappers forge sustainable future in Amazon
As the sun rises over the Amazonian island of Marajo, Renato Cordeiro laces up his boots, grabs his knife, and heads out to tap his rubber trees.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Scientists drill nearly 2 miles down to pull 1.2 million-year-old ice core from Antarctic
An international team of scientists announced Thursday they've successfully drilled one of the oldest ice cores yet, penetrating nearly 2 miles (2.8 kilometers) to Antarctic bedrock to reach ice they say is at least 1.2 million years old.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Shade plants in the spotlight: New method measures how plants in shade receive light
Plants in the shade of other plants receive more light than scientists had previously believed. A team of researchers from Utrecht University and Wageningen University & Research (WUR) describe how, in a recent article in the journal Plant Cell & Environment. Their conclusions not only advance research into the functioning of photosynthesis in shady conditions, but may also benefit greenhouse horticulture.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Shared heat tolerance leaves ecosystems at risk of sudden climate-driven collapse
Last year, much of the world's largest coral reef system was transformed into a white boneyard, featuring ghostly silhouettes of horns, brains and lettuces. The threat of sudden biodiversity loss from climate change had been realized through what's known as a mass bleaching event.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
States struggle to curb food waste despite policies
The United States generates more food waste than all but two countries. To address this, the federal government set a goal to cut food waste in half by 2030 compared to 2016 levels, to about 164 pounds per person annually. But a study published in Nature Food and led by University of California, Davis, reveals that current state policies are falling short. Since 2016, per capita food waste has increased instead of decreasing.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Storing carbon in buildings could help address climate change
Construction materials such as concrete and plastic have the potential to lock away billions of tons of carbon dioxide, according to a new study by civil engineers and earth systems scientists. The study shows that combined with steps to decarbonize the economy, storing CO2 in buildings could help the world achieve goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
The role of climate change in the catastrophic 2025 Los Angeles fires
Summer dry seasons are extending into winter, intensifying the impacts of Santa Ana winds.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Two-in-one root armor protects plants from environmental stressors and fights climate change
New single-cell analysis provides detailed first look at plant roots' protective outer layer and carbon-capturing cells
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Untapped potential: Construction materials could store billions of tons of CO2 annually
Construction materials such as concrete and plastic have the potential to lock away billions of tons of carbon dioxide, according to a new study by civil engineers and Earth systems scientists at the University of California, Davis and Stanford University.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
US emissions stagnated in 2024, challenging climate goals: Study
US greenhouse gas emissions barely decreased in 2024, leaving the world's largest economy off track to achieve its climate goals, according to an analysis released Thursday, as the incoming Trump administration looks set to double down on fossil fuels.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
What to Expect from State Governments on Renewable Energy Policy in 2025
As states focus on carrying out existing laws, don’t hold your breath waiting for big moves.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Where have all the species gone? Understanding climate change’s toll on nature
Why land protection and climate action are both vital to the future of plants and animals.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
Yellowstone's Standing Dead Trees Are a Wildfire Disaster Waiting to Happen, Scientists Warn
A spatial analysis of the park's trees revealed its vulnerability to wildfires, especially near infrastructure.
January 9th, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — January 8th, 2025
A Nickel Rush Threatens Indonesia's Last Nomadic Tribes and Its Forests, Fishermen and Farmers
The country holds nearly half of the world's known deposits of a metal critical to the energy transition, but digging and smelting it is leading to deforestation, flooding and contamination.
January 8th, 2025 — Source
A quarter of freshwater species face extinction: Study
A quarter of freshwater animals, including fish, insects and crustaceans, are at high risk of extinction due to threats including pollution, dams and farming, according to a new study published on Wednesday.
January 8th, 2025 — Source
Advanced membrane technology offers superior treatment for high-salinity wastewater
A research team led by Prof. Wan Yinhua at the Institute of Process Engineering (IPE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed an innovative mix-charged nanofiltration (NF) membrane featuring horizontal charge distribution, designed specifically for wastewater treatment.
January 8th, 2025 — Source
Ash tree variability may offer restoration path post-beetle decimation
The invasive emerald ash borer, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was first found in the United States in southeast Michigan in 2002. In the decades since, the wood-boring beetle has spread east and west across the U.S. and Canada, killing tens of millions of ash trees, causing one of the costliest forest insect invasions to date.
January 8th, 2025 — Source
Bluetti has two new flagship energy storage kits for the home and beyond
The Apex 300 is a portable DIY solution, while the EnergyPro 6K requires professional installation.
January 8th, 2025 — Source
Best Cooling Comforters of 2025
Stay wrapped up without getting too warm with the best cooling comforters.
January 8th, 2025 — Source
Blueberry industry at risk as powdery mildew spreads worldwide
A new North Carolina State University study pinpoints the worldwide spread of a fungus that taints blueberry plants with powdery mildew, a disease that reduces blueberry yield and encourages the use of fungicides to combat disease spread.
January 8th, 2025 — Source
Climate Change Threatens the Mental Well-Being of Youths. Here's How To Help Them Cope.
We've all read the stories and seen the images: The life-threatening heat waves. The wildfires of unprecedented ferocity. The record-breaking storms washing away entire neighborhoods. The melting glaciers, the rising sea levels, the coastal flooding.
January 8th, 2025 — Source
Devices inspired by a moth could help protect bats from wind turbine strikes
They use high-frequency sounds to deter bats.
January 8th, 2025 — Source
Engineered bacteria break down microplastics in wastewater
Microplastics can go right through wastewater treatment plants, and researchers have engineered bacteria commonly found there to break down this pollution before it can persist in the environment.
January 8th, 2025 — Source
Enhanced dataset connects composition and structure of a complex mineral for carbon storage
Minerals underground may be part of the solution to global climate change. The most famous greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO2), can react with some minerals found deep underground to form stable carbonates—permanently storing the CO2. This storage mechanism has helped naturally regulate CO2 throughout Earth's history.
January 8th, 2025 — Source
New explorations of wheat stem sawfly management
Two graduate students in Montana State University's College of Agriculture have published new research on two aspects of management for one of the region's most damaging agricultural pests.
January 8th, 2025 — Source
Novel mix-charged nanofiltration membrane developed for high-salinity wastewater treatment
A research team led by Prof. WAN Yinhua at the Institute of Process Engineering (IPE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has recently developed an innovative mix-charged nanofiltration (NF) membrane featuring horizontal charge distribution, designed specifically for wastewater treatment. This novel membrane exhibits remarkable salt permeation and organic matter retention capabilities as well as antifouling properties, making it particularly effective for treating high-salinity organic wastewater.
January 8th, 2025 — Source
Steep Lodging Rates Price Some Visitors Out of National Parks
The privatization of park lodges—occurring since the National Park Service's inception—has made stays inside the parks unaffordable for many visitors.
January 8th, 2025 — Source
The AC Future drivable, self-sustaining home transforms to be larger than your first apartment
At CES 2025, I toured a smart home on wheels that generates its own water and power.
January 8th, 2025 — Source
The difference between ecotypes and sourced plants in aquatic restoration
A study released by the University of Florida explores the nuanced differences between ecotypes and locally sourced plants for use in aquatic habitat restoration and enhancement projects, offering critical insights into plant selection strategies that promote ecological success.
January 8th, 2025 — Source
The Unusually Strong Force Behind the Apocalyptic Fires in Los Angeles
"This is not a typical Santa Ana."
January 8th, 2025 — Source
US solar power generation holds steady even during extreme fire seasons
New research from Colorado State University shows that while wildfire smoke increasingly covers large parts of the U.S. it does not have much of an impact on overall, long-term solar power generation activity.
January 8th, 2025 — Source
Visualizing the Air Quality Index (AQI) Across Punjab, Pakistan, and India
Learn how to use IQAir data for visualizing air quality in Punjab to gain insight into the widespread impact of air pollution across the region.
January 8th, 2025 — Source
Warm seawater encroaches on major Antarctic ice shelf, raising sea level concerns
The vast Antarctic Ice Sheet holds more than half of Earth's freshwater. In several places around the continent, the ice extends over the ocean, where it forms large floating shelves. Observations suggest many of these ice shelves are thinning as they melt from below, with implications for ocean dynamics, global sea level, and Earth's climate.
January 8th, 2025 — Source
Whole streets burn as fires rage around Los Angeles
Rampaging wildfires around Los Angeles have killed at least two people, officials said Wednesday as terrifying blazes leveled whole streets, torching cars and houses in minutes.
January 8th, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — January 7th, 2025
A company's quest to make EV charging stations more reliable
If the charging network grows more dependable, more drivers are likely to go electric.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
A lack of wastewater testing is blinding the Central Valley to its bird flu problem
As the H5N1 bird flu virus continues to rip throughout California's dairy herds and commercial poultry flocks, a Central Valley state official is raising concerns about the lack of wastewater surveillance in the region.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Agrivoltaics paired with sheep production makes nearly 100% of land grazable
While herding sheep is an age-old adage for leadership, breeding and raising sheep is where the money is, according to a new study led by Western University.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Alta Resource breaks down e-waste for rare earth metals that electronics need
Rare earth metals are largely unknown to the general public, but are used in a huge variety of products. The elements, including neodymium, praseodymium, and cerium, themselves aren't rare. But they're concentrated in certain parts of the globe and are very challenging to refine into anything useful. Their unique electric and magnetic properties make them essential for electronics like hard drives and headphones, and some are used as contrast agents for MRI and CT scans.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Building resilience: Risk perception and hurricane preparedness in Florida
When I first delved into the study on hurricane preparedness among communities in Florida, I was struck by a paradox. Here we have a group of individuals living in one of the most hurricane-prone regions of the United States, yet their preparedness often leaves much to be desired.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Carbon dioxide has been regulating Earth's climate for hundreds of millions of years—new study
Around 370 million years ago, Earth gradually descended into the longest lived and probably the most intense ice age witnessed by complex life: the Late Paleozoic ice age. At its peak, huge continental ice sheets spread across much of the globe and the sea level fell by more than 100 meters. In all, this ice age lasted around 100 million years.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Clean energy tax credit safeguards could save taxpayers $1 trillion
A study published in Environmental Research: Energy shows why new safeguards adopted by the U.S. Treasury Department are necessary to avoid substantial climate impacts and wasted taxpayer resources from a generous hydrogen production tax credit.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Climate-Focused Foreign Aid Advances U.S. Interests Abroad, Outgoing USAID Official Says
Gillian Caldwell, who led humanitarian climate efforts during the Biden administration, argues that continued investment can address bipartisan concerns like migration.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Earth's air war: Explaining the delayed rise of plants, animals on land
If you like the smell of spring roses, the sounds of summer birdsong, and the colors of fall foliage, you have the stabilization of the ozone layer to thank for it. Located in the stratosphere, where it shields the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation, the ozone layer plays a key role in preserving the planet's biodiversity.
January 7th, 2025 — Source or Source
Electrokinetic rare earth mining technique gets upscaled to industrial levels
A team of metallurgists and geochemists at Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, working with a mechanical engineer from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has improved their previous electrokinetic mining technique by scaling it up to industrial levels.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Feathered fortunes: Bird diversity soars in China's Yangtze River Basin
A recent study reveals a significant rise in bird diversity across China's Yangtze River Basin (YRB) over the past decade, driven by large-scale ecological restoration efforts. While the overall diversity of avian species has increased, challenges persist in downstream regions, where wetland degradation has led to a decline in bird populations. These findings highlight the success of restoration programs but also emphasize the urgent need for more targeted conservation strategies, particularly in vulnerable wetland areas.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
'Forever chemicals' in wastewater far more widespread than previously known, study reveals
The "forever chemicals" flowing from U.S. wastewater treatment plants are not only more abundant than previously thought, but also largely consist of pharmaceuticals that have received little scientific or regulatory attention, a new multi-university study reveals.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
From Snow to Heat, Extreme Weather Events Pose Outsized Risks for Food Delivery Workers
As climate change worsens, the people delivering your food are increasingly exposed to heat, wildfire smoke and other dangerous weather events.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Experimental membrane captures more than 99% of aluminum ions from waste
Used in everything from soda cans and foil wrap to circuit boards and rocket boosters, aluminum is the second-most-produced metal in the world after steel. By the end of this decade, demand is projected to drive up aluminum production by 40% worldwide. This steep rise will magnify aluminum's environmental impacts, including any pollutants that are released with its manufacturing waste.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Eyeing green legacy, Biden declares new US national monuments
Joe Biden is set to designate two new US national monuments—sprawling parks—in California as he looks to secure his environmental legacy in the waning days of his presidency.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
How do you extinguish a coal fire that's burned under Boulder County for a century?
How do you extinguish a coal fire that's burned under Boulder County for a century?
January 7th, 2025 — Source
John Deere boasts driverless fleet - who needs operators, anyway?
Lots of new ways to cut labor costs, no mention of repairability
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Integrating historic data stands to improve climate models in the Global South
Researchers showed how records from missionaries and early explorers in 19th century Tanzania could be used to mitigate a legacy of scientific neglect
January 7th, 2025 — Source or Source
La Niña back this summer? Not likely—and unofficial declarations are jumping the gun
It's the height of summer and many Australians have already experienced heat waves, heavy rains and even significant bushfires over the Christmas and New Year period. But could we be in for something different as summer draws to a close?
January 7th, 2025 — Source
'Living school gate' and green infrastructure deliver major health and environmental benefits, study finds
A pioneering study at Guildford town center's Sandfield Primary School highlights the benefits to schoolchildren's health delivered by protective green infrastructure, demonstrating a nearly one-third reduction in harmful particle pollution levels—together with the added benefit of a 5-decibel reduction in disruptive and distracting traffic noise.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Method can detect harmful salts forming in nuclear waste melters
A new way to identify salts in nuclear waste melters could help improve clean-up technology, including at the Hanford Site, one of the largest, most complex nuclear waste clean-up sites in the world.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Models predict climate change will lead to increase in invasive spongy moth outbreaks
Computer models developed by the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory predict that hotter, drier conditions in North America will limit the growth of a fungus that normally curbs the spread of the spongy moth, an invasive species that has caused millions of dollars in damage to forests.
January 7th, 2025 — Source or Source
New research reveals groundwater pathways across continent
Researchers have created a simulation that maps underground water on a continental scale. The result of three years' work studying groundwater from coast to coast, the findings plot the unseen path that each raindrop or melted snowflake takes before reemerging in freshwater streams, following water from land surface to depths far below and back up again, emerging up to 100 miles away, after spending from 10 to 100,000 years underground.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
New research reveals why some Australian dairy farmers are considering leaving the industry
You might think dairy farmers would be enjoying boom times. The dairy industry has been expanding worldwide in response to increasing demand, mainly in the emerging markets of Asia.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Ocean sand is in demand, but mining it comes at a cost
Sand is among the most used natural resources on Earth, second only to water.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Ramping up the scale of climate and energy technology: Experts recommend technical risk assessment strategies
One of the biggest challenges in implementing energy and climate technologies is actually scaling them up to deploy. While scale-up has largely been the domain of industrial R&D teams, advances in modeling and experimental techniques increasingly allow early-stage researchers like those at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to contribute to the process.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Recycling planning: New approach improves predictions for solid waste management
A new approach for predicting the contents of municipal solid waste can help improve the efficiency of recycling and landfill operations. The new method applies a conventional approach to forecasting how many total tons of solid waste will be generated at the county level and incorporates a separate, complimentary model that predicts the makeup of the waste with an unprecedented level of detail.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Reducing irrigation for livestock feed crops is needed to save Great Salt Lake, study argues
The Great Salt Lake has lost more than 15 billion cubic yards of water over the past three decades, is getting shallower at the rate of 4 inches a year, and an analysis of its water budget suggests reducing irrigation is necessary for saving it.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Research reveals cost to recover Australia's threatened species
The full cost of recovering all of Australia's threatened animals and plants has been calculated for the first time.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Researchers develop novel biochar material for CO2 capture
In the ongoing battle against climate change, reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions remains a critical challenge. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Energy presents an advance in CO2 capture technology through the development of a novel biochar material.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Researchers introduce new 'filament channel' function to predict solar eruptions triggered by emerging flux
A study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, introduces a newly defined "filament channel" function. This new function provides a novel theoretical foundation for predicting solar eruptions by determining whether new emerging flux (NEF) can trigger instability in solar filaments. The study was led by Prof. Lin Jun from the Yunnan Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Snail darter revisited: Famous fish that halted a dam's construction is not endangered after all
A team of ecologists, evolutionary biologists and resource managers affiliated with several institutions across the U.S. has found that the snail darter, which was famously used by environmentalists in the 1970s to block construction of a dam, is not actually a distinct fish species.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
South Africa's rare succulent plants are threatened by illegal trade—how to stop it
South Africa's succulents—small, fleshy, green plants sometimes shaped like roses or stars, and often found peeping out between rocks in dry areas—are sought after by an increasingly international collector market.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Sunken worlds under the Pacific? High-res models reveal workings of Earth's mantle
Geophysicists at ETH Zurich are using models of the lower mantle to identify areas where earthquake waves behave differently than previously assumed. This indicates the presence of zones of rocks that are colder, or have a different composition, than the surrounding rocks. This finding challenges our current understanding of the Earth's plate tectonics—and presents the researchers with a major mystery.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
'The international legal system has collapsed, and journalism is collapsing with it': 2024 was deadly for reporters
The past year has been the deadliest for journalists since the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) began tracking fatalities in 1992. Since 7 October 2023, at least 146 journalists have been killed in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, and Lebanon, though the actual numbers are likely much higher, as the CPJ is investigating numerous unconfirmed reports of other journalists being killed, missing or detained.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
To Save the Great Salt Lake, Farmers Will Have to Grow Less Alfalfa
New research found that the crop used to feed dairy and beef cows uses the vast majority of agricultural water that would otherwise replenish the largest saline lake in the nation.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
TP-Link unveils the Tapo HybridCam Duo
TP-Link, a global brand dealing in network devices and smart home products, has also announced a few new products at the ongoing CES 2025 in Las Vegas. All the announced products emphasize smart living, thanks to their seamless integration into TP-Link's existing ecosystem.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Trash to treasure: Leveraging industrial waste to store energy
Researchers introduce new players in the field of green batteries
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Sunlight's power: Predicting global lake pollution reduction through photochemistry
A study explores how natural photochemical reactions can help degrade emerging contaminants in freshwater systems, specifically focusing on clofibric acid and diclofenac. The research highlights the contrasting effects of triplet sensitization and direct photolysis, providing new insights into how these processes can mitigate pollutant levels in lakes. The findings underscore the potential of photochemical reactions in supporting global efforts for water management and pollution control.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Smart food drying techniques with AI enhance product quality and efficiency
Food drying is a common process for preserving many types of food, including fruits and meat; however, drying can alter the food's quality and nutritional value. In recent years, researchers have developed precision techniques that use optical sensors and AI to facilitate more efficient drying. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign discusses three emerging smart drying techniques, providing practical information for the food industry.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Unraveling the physics behind severe flash floods in Indonesia's new capital
Since the establishment of Indonesia's new capital, Nusantara (IKN), hydroclimate extremes have emerged as a significant environmental concern. One of the most notable events was the devastating flash flood on March 15--16, 2022, which was triggered by 4--6 hours of prolonged heavy rainfall, causing severe damage and substantial economic loss.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
Unveiling hidden climate dynamics: Using mathematics of optimal transport to decode 21st-century climate change
What happens when experts from vastly different disciplines—climate science, mathematics, and meteorology—join forces to tackle the same pressing question? A method called Wasserstein Stability Analysis (WSA) emerges, offering fresh insights into the subtle dynamics of climate change.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
We Found the Ultimate Gadget for Deadbeat Plant Parents
Say goodbye to ficus funerals with the genius LeafyPod smart planter.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
What is biomimicry? The tech lessons we can learn from plants and animals
Even termites can teach us about how to take care of buildings.
January 7th, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — January 6th, 2025
A new tax credit for hydrogen helps out nuclear energy
Struggling nuclear power plants might benefit from a new tax credit for hydrogen.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
A third of Americans don't drive. So why is our transportation so car-centric?
Anna Zivarts explains how reimagining transportation could benefit non-drivers and the climate.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Antarctic ice melt may fuel eruptions of hidden volcanoes
A slow climate feedback loop may be bubbling beneath Antarctica's vast ice sheet. The continent, divided east to west by the Transantarctic Mountains, includes volcanic giants such as Mount Erebus and its iconic lava lake. But at least 100 less conspicuous volcanoes dot Antarctica, with many clustered along its western coast. Some of those volcanoes peak above the surface, but others sit several kilometers beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Are South Florida waterways really clean enough for swimming?
Florida's beaches draw thousands of tourists each year, in addition to residents who swim or surf in the ocean. Yet more often than the public realizes, fecal bacteria is present at high levels in some swimming areas.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Climate extremes in 2024 'wreaking havoc' on the global water cycle
2024 was another year of record-breaking temperatures, driving the global water cycle to new climate extremes and contributing to ferocious floods and crippling droughts, a new report shows. The report found rising temperatures are changing the way water moves around the planet, 'wreaking havoc' on the water cycle.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Do natural fabrics really keep us cooler in summer? Here's the science
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned Australia is facing one of the hottest summers on record. As the weather warms, many of us reach for light-colored clothes in natural fabrics, such as cotton and linen.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Drought and farming: How women in South Africa are using Indigenous knowledge to cope
Africa's small-scale farmers make up nearly 80% of all farms in the agriculture sector. In South Africa, there are about 2 million small-scale farmers, predominantly Black and based in the eastern summer rainfall region of the country.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Fourth global detection of protozoan parasite in pigs hints at wider scope of infection
The National Veterinary Research Institute in Poland reports the first molecular detection of Sarcocystis miescheriana in a condemned pig carcass in that country. The research confirms only the fourth known occurrence of visible cystic lesions caused by sarcocystosis in domestic pigs worldwide.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Frozen forest discovery hints at future alpine ecosystem changes
Montana State University scientists say the frozen remnants of an ancient forest discovered 600 feet above the modern tree line on the Beartooth Plateau may portend possible changes for the alpine ecosystem if the climate continues to warm.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Full Nature Farms launches smart irrigation system at CES 2025 to reduce agricultural water waste
Agriculture, which consumes about 70% of global freshwater, is grappling with increased water scarcity and inefficient irrigation systems. Traditional methods of irrigation not only lead to wasted water and nutrients, but also contribute to lower crop yields, food insecurity, and unnecessary carbon emissions.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
How we classify flood risk may give developers and home buyers a false sense of security
Common methods of communicating flood risk may create a false sense of security, leading to increased development in areas threatened by flooding.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
How weather disasters strain animal shelters
Humans aren't the only ones who need help when the worst happens.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Land use and irrigation yield a change in the weather in the Corn Belt
The sweeping land use changes and irrigation of the U.S. Corn Belt, along with the influence of the area's shallow groundwater, have significantly altered precipitation patterns in that vital agricultural region, new research shows.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Looming energy crunch makes future uncertain for datacenters
But investors still betting big on bit barns thanks to AI and cloud demand
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Machine learning and climate data offer new insights into dengue forecasting
Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease which infects about 390 million people globally each year. Case numbers have grown steadily in recent years, with the most severe outbreaks occurring in tropical regions of South America. To better predict how the disease spreads, it will be vital for researchers to fully understand how dengue case numbers are linked to different aspects of tropical climates.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Marked decrease in Arctic pressure ridges
Analysis of three decades of aerial survey data reveals major changes
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Meta's Quest Pro headset now no longer available
Meta began phasing out its Pro system in September
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Microplastics are widespread in seafood that people eat, study suggests
The tiny particles that are shed from clothing, packaging and other plastic products are winding up in the fish that people eat, according to a new study from Portland State researchers, highlighting a need for technologies and strategies to reduce microfiber pollution entering the environment.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Near-complete ban on agricultural burning finally takes effect in California's San Joaquin Valley
Starting this week, farmers in California's San Joaquin Valley are banned from burning agricultural waste in the field, a legislative mandate aimed at improving air quality that has been decades in the making.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
New quantum sensing technology reveals sub-atomic signals
Detection of individual nuclei opens doors in drug development, protein folding
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Nutrient enrichment: Study finds emerging threat to tropical forests
Tropical forests, often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth," are essential for sustaining life on our planet. They provide clean air, water, and unparalleled biodiversity. While deforestation due to slash-and-burn agriculture, mining, and logging remain the most recognized threats, less visible but equally dangerous forces are at work. A new study reveals that nutrient enrichment—driven by human activities such as agriculture and fossil fuel combustion—poses a significant risk to the delicate dynamics of tropical forests.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Past climate shifts altered Southern Ocean currents and carbon exchange: Study warns it may be happening again
Human-induced climate change is causing shifts in the world's largest ocean current and westerly wind systems also seen during periods of ice age and warmer intervals in Earth's history, researchers claim.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Prime apple growing areas in US face increasing climate risks
Some of the most productive apple regions in America are facing big challenges from a changing climate, according to a Washington State University study.
January 6th, 2025 — Source or Source
Professor discusses whether AI and sustainability can co-exist
You might think that my work is self-contradictory. As Professor of Data Science for Sustainability and the Environment at Queen Mary University of London, I use artificial intelligence (AI) to address environment-related challenges. Yet a picture is emerging of the negative environmental impacts of AI, as people all over the world incorporate it into their daily lives. So how do I justify using technology which is harming the environment to undo environmental harm?
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Protected areas provide habitat for threatened lynx, but wildfire poses risks
Canada lynx are specialized hunters, able to travel in deep snow and spot prey in the darkness from 250 feet away. Keen hearing and vision make them excellent trackers, but what do we learn by turning the tables and tracking them? Scientists are using GPS data and advanced modeling to refine maps and identify important habitat characteristics, particularly in the forests of western Colorado, southern Wyoming, and northern New Mexico, the southernmost extent of its range.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Scientists develop technology to control cyborg insect swarms
Scientists have developed an advanced swarm navigation algorithm for cyborg insects that prevents them from becoming stuck while navigating challenging terrain.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Scientists identify low-cost adsorbents for removing impurities from landfill gas
Landfill gas, a mixture of gases produced when garbage breaks down within landfills, contains unwanted traces of siloxane compounds, which are chemical structures containing silicon and oxygen bonds and are found in various products like cosmetics and cleaning agents. These compounds can damage the equipment used to generate energy from landfill gas.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Scientists reveal CO2's fundamental role in ancient climate shifts
Researchers from the University of St Andrews have shed new light on the fundamental role played by carbon dioxide (CO2) in Earth's geological warming and cooling.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
The Future of AI: Essential Skills You Can't Ignore by 2025
Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to transform industries at an accelerating pace, reshaping how businesses operate and innovate. In 2025, thriving in this dynamic environment will demand more than surface-level familiarity with tools or frameworks. Instead, the emphasis will shift toward mastering foundational, transferable skills that transcend specific technologies. This guide by Cole Medin explores the critical AI competencies you need to remain competitive and adaptable in an evolving landscape.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
The Renewable Energy Transition Has Residents of a Small Arizona Town on Edge
A plan to mine for vital minerals in the Patagonia Mountains will release millions of gallons of groundwater—and could impact the community's consumable water.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Tiny plants reveal big potential for boosting crop efficiency
Scientists have long sought ways to help plants turn more carbon dioxide (CO2) into biomass, which could boost crop yields and even combat climate change. Recent research suggests that a group of unique, often overlooked plants called hornworts may hold the key.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Ultra-deep drilling reveals mysteries of Japan tsunami
An international marine research team guided by Cornell expertise has successfully completed an ambitious drilling project to investigate the plate boundary fault that ruptured during the Tohoku earthquake that devastated Japan in 2011.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Ultrathin polymer layer boosts perovskite solar cell efficiency to 26.39%A team of solar engineers at Huaqiao University, working with a pair of chemists from the City University of Hong Kong and another colleague from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has developed an improved perovskite solar cell with 26.39% efficiency. In their study, published in Nature Communications, the group used a hole-selective interlayer that inhibits ion diffusion to improve the device's stability.
#2693
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Unlocking plant resilience: Shared genes offer hope for climate-ready crops
A team at the University of Calgary is making scientific advances in understanding plant adaptation, which could ultimately be used to find ways to make agricultural crops more resilient to heat, drought and climate change.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Unraveling how meteorological conditions cause changes in atmospheric fine-particle concentration
New research published in the journal Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters reports significant progress in studying the relationship between meteorological conditions and atmospheric fine-particle (PM2.5) concentrations.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
Why anger, anxiety and anguish are understandable psychological reactions to the climate crisis
You may have read news reports of life threatening and devastating floods, hurricanes and heat waves, all driven by human-induced climate change. Perhaps you have heard that 2024 is due to be ruled the warmest on record.
January 6th, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — January 3rd, 2025
2024 was Earth's hottest year, continuing the global warming trend
The service found that last year was the first to exceed the 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 F) limit above the pre-industrial average set by the 2015 Paris Agreement, an international treaty that aims to reduce and roll back climate change.
January 3rd, 2025 — Source
Growing divide: Agricultural climate policies affect food prices differently in poor and wealthy countries
Farmers are receiving less of what consumers spend on food, as modern food systems increasingly direct costs toward value-added components like processing, transport, and marketing. A new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research PIK shows that this effect shapes how food prices respond to agricultural climate policies: While value-added components buffer consumer price changes in wealthier countries, low-income countries—where farming costs dominate—face greater challenges in managing food price increases due to climate policies.
January 3rd, 2025 — Source
How bamboo could help lock in carbon and slow climate change
This fast-growing plant absorbs carbon quickly and can be used to manufacture flooring, furniture, and more.
January 3rd, 2025 — Source
How to Help Your Garden (or Even Some Fish) With Your Dried-Out Christmas Tree
As people dispose of their Christmas trees, farmers and scientists are working to secure the long-term future of these conifers in the face of climate change.
January 3rd, 2025 — Source
Lake bacteria evolve like clockwork with the seasons, study reveals
Like Bill Murray in the movie "Groundhog Day," bacteria species in a Wisconsin lake are in a kind of endless loop that they can't seem to shake. Except in this case, it's more like Groundhog Year.
January 3rd, 2025 — Source
New method turns e-waste to gold
A Cornell University-led research team has developed a method for extracting gold from electronics waste, then using the recovered precious metal as a catalyst for converting carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas, to organic materials.
January 3rd, 2025 — Source
Plastic crystals could replace greenhouse gases used in refrigerators
A team of chemical engineers at Deakin University, working with colleagues from the University of Western Australia, the University of Sydney and Monash University, all in Australia, has found that a type of plastic crystal can be used as a refrigerant, possibly replacing the greenhouse gas currently used in most refrigerators.
January 3rd, 2025 — Source
Scientists reveal overlooked ocean processes crucial for carbon storage
A new study has unveiled the key mechanisms that preserve organic carbon in the ocean—a poorly understood but vital process that influences the Earth's climate, carbon cycles, and formation of fossil fuels.
January 3rd, 2025 — Source
The fossil fuel industry spent $219 million to elect the new U.S. government
Most of that money went to Republicans.
January 3rd, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — January 2nd, 2025
2025 will be the year climate tech learns to love AI
A lot can change in a few months.
January 2nd, 2025 — Source
Climate news to watch in 2025
It was Earth's hottest year on record by a wide margin, breaking the previous record that was set just last year by an even larger margin. Human-caused climate-warming pollution and atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations reached new heights. But the record deployment of clean technology solutions in 2024 prevented emissions from rising even higher yet.
January 2nd, 2025 — Source
Elevated Levels of Radium Found in Western Pennsylvania's Freshwater Mussels
Researchers detected increased radioactivity in mussels downstream of oil and gas wastewater discharge points, raising concerns about effects up the food chain.
January 2nd, 2025 — Source
From e-waste to gold: A pathway to CO2 sustainability
A Cornell-led research team has developed a method for extracting gold from electronics waste, then using the recovered precious metal as a catalyst for converting carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas, to organic materials.
January 2nd, 2025 — Source
How a California demolition project kept 15,000 tons of waste out of the landfill
A work crew in Martinez salvaged marble, granite, and more to reuse in a new county building and plaza.
January 2nd, 2025 — Source
Hundreds of Footprints Found in Jurassic 'Dinosaur Highway'
At least five trackways were found in Oxfordshire, revealing a dynamic environment from about 166 million years ago.
January 2nd, 2025 — Source
In the Arctic, planting more trees actually makes the world warmer
Across much of the world, planting more trees means more carbon is stored, and global warming is reduced. That's the thinking behind recent proposals to plant more trees in Alaska, Greenland and Iceland.
January 2nd, 2025 — Source
New study highlights overlap of solar energy potential and critical habitats in the Southwest
As the climate crisis accelerates, the urgent transition to renewable energy sources is at the forefront of global sustainability efforts. However, a new study by Kylee Fleckenstein, published in PeerJ, reveals a critical challenge in balancing renewable energy development with biodiversity conservation in the arid Southwest United States.
January 2nd, 2025 — Source
Opinion: In 2025, let's make it game on—not game over—for the natural world
It's just past midnight in the cool, ancient forests of Tasmania. We've spent a long day and night surveying endangered Tasmanian devils. All around, small animals scurry through bushes. A devil calls in the darkness. Microbats swoop and swirl as a spotted-tailed quoll slips through the shadows. Working here is spine-tingling and electric.
January 2nd, 2025 — Source
Passive radar breaks new ground in avalanche detection
In winter, avalanches pose the biggest danger in the mountains. Avalanche monitoring is therefore of critical importance to ensure the safety of people and infrastructure. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques FHR are breaking new ground in avalanche detection.
January 2nd, 2025 — Source
Ready to take the plunge? Expert has advice for entering icy waters
As you prepare for that annual icy plunge into a lake, river or ocean, Dr. Chris McMullen has this advice: Enjoy the water for a few minutes, with as many people as possible. Then get out. Warm up.
January 2nd, 2025 — Source
Simulation tool advances climate-friendly district heating management
District heating networks are growing increasingly complex as a result of feeding in renewable energy and the trend toward decentralization. In the AD Net Heat project, Fraunhofer researchers are simulating heat flows throughout the entire network, predicting load peaks and helping to plan new grids.
January 2nd, 2025 — Source
Social and environmental cues can lead to the overconsumption of high-calorie, nutrient-poor foods
Social and environmental cues, like the sight of other animals eating or the scent of a tasty meal, can trigger overeating in animals—even when they're not hungry.
January 2nd, 2025 — Source
The US government announced a 'historic' nuclear energy deal
A major federal contract to purchase nuclear energy comes on the heels of similar deals made by Big Tech companies. The Biden administration wants to preempt price hikes as government agencies compete with energy-hungry data centers.
January 2nd, 2025 — Source
To Combat Phoenix's Extreme Heat, a New Program Provides Sustainable Shade
Arizona State University is leading an effort to create neighborhood shade plans for Phoenix communities and train the workforce needed to support green infrastructure across the metropolitan area.
January 2nd, 2025 — Source
Wildfire activity surged during Ice Age's abrupt climate shifts, study suggests
A new study investigating ancient methane trapped in Antarctic ice suggests that global increases in wildfire activity likely occurred during periods of abrupt climate change throughout the last Ice Age.
January 2nd, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — January 1st, 2025
Heat Is Claiming Mexico's Young People
Elderly people are at high risk from extreme heat. But in one of the fastest-warming countries in the Americas, the worst rates of heat deaths are hitting young adults and children.
January 1st, 2025 — Source
General — Environment — December 31st, 2024
Do wind power generators actually work at home? I tested one, and here's how it fared
Do wind power generators actually work at home? I tested one, and here's how it fared
December 31st, 2024 — Source
Federal Grant Complexity Stymies the Energy Transition in Wyoming Coal Country, New Report Finds
Stakeholders are recognizing the need to adapt to changing energy markets, but complicated applications make it harder for them to earn federal funding.
December 31st, 2024 — Source
How a diet lowers risk of early death while benefiting the Earth
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found the Planetary Health Diet, which emphasizes nonprocessed, plant-based food with a modest amount of meat and dairy, can lower risk of premature death by 30%. It can also substantially decrease the average person's environmental impact, according to CBS News.
December 31st, 2024 — Source
Jimmy Carter, Visionary
As president, he peered over the horizon, especially on energy and the environment.
December 31st, 2024 — Source
Microplastics disrupt terrestrial ecosystems, affecting plants and food webs
Micro/nanoplastics (MNPs), plastic particles and fibers with sizes ranging from nanometers (≥ 1 nm) to micrometers (≤ 5 mm) have become emerging environmental pollutants and are widely distributed across various ecosystems worldwide. These tiny plastic particles not only pose a threat to marine ecosystems, but also present new challenges to terrestrial ecosystems. However, research on terrestrial MNPs lagged behind marine studies.
December 31st, 2024 — Source
Monitor air quality on the go with the Raspberry Pi Pico 2
Get real-time data about the air you're breathing no matter where you are.
December 31st, 2024 — Source
More than 100,000 oysters were grown in Virginia this year: Why it matters
More than 110,000 oysters were planted and raised through oyster gardening in Virginia in 2024, a near-record, environmentalists said.
December 31st, 2024 — Source
One family’s New Year’s climate resolutions help tackle global warming
The Laine family of Binghamton, New York, has switched to solar power, electric vehicles, and mostly plant-based diets.
December 31st, 2024 — Source
Portraits of catastrophe and courage in 2024
The year included travails that were intensified by human-caused climate change and tackled with resilience and determination.
December 31st, 2024 — Source
The future lifespan of plants just got extended
For now, the future of life on Earth is in human hands. But after the anthropocentric era, the situation starts to get dicey. The sun's luminosity is increasing over time, about 1% every 110 million years, so the Earth's surface will gradually get warmer (but at a vastly slower rate than today's global warming).
December 31st, 2024 — Source
General — Environment — December 30th, 2024
A better weather forecast: Microsoft vets lead startup outperforming traditional sources
Working on Aurora, Microsoft’s AI foundation model of the Earth’s atmosphere, Cristian Bodnar and Jayesh Gupta could see that large scale machine learning was primed to drive a sea change in weather forecasting
December 30th, 2024 — Source
As waters rise and cities grow, this furry little Floridian may have nowhere to go
The endangered silver rice rat lives in Florida Keys marshes and swamps, which are getting inundated by sea level rise.
December 30th, 2024 — Source
Investigating soil, nutrient impact on organic leafy greens in unheated, greenhouse-like high tunnel system
A recent study by scientists at the University of Florida sheds light on how soil and nutrient management practices significantly influence the productivity and quality of leafy green crops grown in high tunnel organic systems. The research provides valuable insights for organic farmers seeking to optimize crop yields while maintaining soil health and meeting market demands for high-quality produce.
December 30th, 2024 — Source
Microsoft develops GreenSKU framework to limit environmental cost of server hardware
Leveraging memory pooling and RAID arrays
December 30th, 2024 — Source
Northern lights could be visible in upper fringes of the US this New Year's Eve
There's a chance solar storms may bring northern lights to several northern U.S states just in time for the new year.
December 30th, 2024 — Source
The Year in Climate: Record Heat, an Election, a Push for Justice and Reasons for Hope
2024 was a year that might as well have been a decade. Here’s what happened, as documented by Inside Climate News reporters.
December 30th, 2024 — Source
What if every pet was vegan? Here's how much it would help the planet
At least a quarter of all human-generated greenhouse gas emissions to date can be traced to the livestock industry. Vast tracts are used to grow feed crops and to graze the world's 92 billion cows, pigs, chickens and other animals slaughtered each year. This hunger for land means livestock farming is a leading cause of deforestation, as well as a significant drain on freshwater.
December 30th, 2024 — Source
General — Environment — December 29th, 2024
Climate change added 41 days of dangerous heat around world in 2024
People around the world suffered an average of 41 extra days of dangerous heat this year because of human-caused climate change, according to a group of scientists who also said that climate change worsened much of the world's damaging weather throughout 2024.
December 29th, 2024 — Source
North Carolina's Climate Activists Brace for Trump's Return
After battling the state's massive fossil fuel buildout throughout 2024, they worry about what the incoming president's unbridled support for oil and gas will mean for North Carolina. But a new governor and state attorney general, both progressive Democrats, could help push for renewables.
December 29th, 2024 — Source
Not Living Fast and Dying Young: Why Older, Bigger Animals Matter
New research finds that protecting longer-lived species in the face of climate change is critical for animal populations.
December 29th, 2024 — Source
The secret world of plants living in our limestone pavements
Anyone out winter walking in the Yorkshire dales will probably be familiar with the dramatic scenery of limestone pavements. Distinctive and beautiful, they can also be found elsewhere in Britain, as well as in mainland Europe and Canada—not to mention in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, where Harry and Hermione set up camp in a rocky clifftop.
December 29th, 2024 — Source
These Graphics Help Explain What Climate Change Looked Like in 2024
Plus, a few more that tell environmental stories in a fraught year.
December 29th, 2024 — Source
General — Environment — December 28th, 2024
In Tennessee, Climbing Utility Rates and More Than 140,000 Household Cut-Offs in 2023
Utility rates have increased nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as more states enact legislation suspending disconnections during heat waves, Tennessee remains an outlier.
December 28th, 2024 — Source
The war on wildfires is going high tech
Last December, a farmer was burning dry grapevines in his vineyard in Deir Mar Moussa, a hill town a dozen miles east of Beirut known for its 18th-century monastery and stands of pine forest. Usually this would be dangerous, given that Lebanon's hot and dry climate can quickly turn a spark into a conflagration.
December 28th, 2024 — Source
General — Environment — December 27th, 2024
Boardroom diversity affects carbon emissions—but not in the way you think
Extreme weather and record-breaking heat waves are becoming the new normal. Most people have begun to accept the seriousness of grim reports from the UN's climate panel and that climate change is a result of human activity.
December 27th, 2024 — Source
Colorado stops water testing at state lab amid investigation into manipulated data
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has suspended a second chemist and stopped water testing at the state laboratory amid a state investigation into manipulated data.
December 27th, 2024 — Source
How land use changes could boost China's carbon sequestration potential
A team of researchers led by Professor Piao Shilong at the Institute of Carbon Neutrality of Peking University (PKU) has made significant advances in understanding how China's land-use changes—such as forest planting—can contribute to the country's efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
December 27th, 2024 — Source
Mayotte faces environment, biodiversity crisis after cyclone
Mayotte has changed beyond recognition since a cyclone devastated the Indian Ocean territory, sparking an environment and biodiversity crisis that could last for a decade or more, scientists say.
December 27th, 2024 — Source
New Mexico Lawmakers to Decide Whether Oil and Gas Wastewater Could Be Reused on Wide Scale
If new rules are approved, treated “produced water” could be used for agriculture, growing trees and manufacturing.
December 27th, 2024 — Source
Rising temperatures threaten reefs—study pinpoints where conservation efforts are most needed
New science from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has mapped coral reefs across the Western Indian Ocean, uncovering unexpected pockets of climate-resilience that could offer hope for conservation efforts in the region.
December 27th, 2024 — Source
Researchers discover role of absorptive aerosols in wintertime haze formation
Aerosol light absorption plays a crucial role in regulating the heat balance between the atmosphere and Earth's surface. This happens through two main mechanisms: the aerosol direct effect, where aerosols absorb solar radiation, and the aerosol indirect effect, which involves aerosols acting as cloud condensation nuclei and ice nuclei.
December 27th, 2024 — Source
Roasting chestnuts, recycling walnuts: turning festive treats into sustainable new materials
EU researchers are exploring how to make strong and sustainable new materials from hard-to-crack nutshells.
December 27th, 2024 — Source
Tips for helping a loved one after a disaster
When friends or family are affected by a traumatic experience like a hurricane, the first thing you can do is listen.
December 27th, 2024 — Source
General — Environment — December 26th, 2024
A gold rush for 'green finance' risks changing our relationship to nature
To combat climate change and help nature to recover, a lot more investment is urgently needed. The UN's State of Finance for Nature report claims that if the world is to meet climate, biodiversity and land degradation targets, it needs to invest an extra US$4.1 trillion (£3.2 trillion) by 2050.
December 26th, 2024 — Source
Climate change could create millions of climate migrants by 2050
Droughts, floods, sea level rise, and other climate change impacts are uprooting people from their homes.
December 26th, 2024 — Source
Five Years After Philadelphia Refinery's Closure, Pollution Concerns Persist
"There is still an incredibly large amount of polluting industrial facilities in South and Southwest Philly," Clean Air Council warns.
December 26th, 2024 — Source
Fossil treasure chest: How to preserve the geoheritage of South Africa's Cape coast
I am standing on a dune looking out to sea. It's 2024, but I'm thinking about a very different time. Hundreds of thousands of years ago, this 350 km stretch of southern African coast looked very different. It was home to giant zebra, bird species that are now extinct, giant tortoises and crocodiles. Our hominin ancestors roamed the area.
December 26th, 2024 — Source
Fujifilm in 2024: 6 Cameras and 4 Lenses Propel Fujifilm to Superb Year
Fujifilm was prolific this year, launching four new digital cameras, including the hyper-popular X100VI, a pair of new Instax instant cameras, and four new lenses (although it's more like three).
December 26th, 2024 — Source or Watch Video
Nikon Z9 II with 61 Mp Sensor Real or Fake ? Nikon Z5 II Coming Next...
According to the latest famous source from the website nikoneye, the upcoming Nikon Z92 camera is expected to carry a 61-megapixel stacked CMOS sensor from Sony, which is currently being used inside the Sony A7R5 camera.
December 26th, 2024 — Source
Nikon's Wild New Lens Isn't for Your Camera, It's for Your Car
Nikon's latest innovation breaks the mold. It's not a lens you can hold but a new in-vehicle system making its debut inside a truck at the upcoming CES 2025 event in Las Vegas.
December 26th, 2024 — Source
The deep sea footage scientists filmed in 2024 is jaw-dropping
"It was just one thing after another."
December 26th, 2024 — Source
These Brooklyn Homeowners Couldn't Afford to Go Green. Then Help Arrived
EnergyFit, a collective run by three borough-based organizations, aims to repair and retrofit dozens of two- and three-family properties in the span of two years.
December 26th, 2024 — Source
This is how much the Sony E-mount camera design changed in 11 years
The first Sony A7 camera was announced in October 2013. In 11 years, the body has grown in size and compared with the new Sony a1II it is now:
December 26th, 2024 — Source
Three years after the Marshall Fire: Wildfire smoke's health risks can linger long-term in homes that escape burning
Three years ago, on Dec. 30, 2021, a wind-driven wildfire raced through two communities just outside Boulder, Colorado. In the span of about eight hours, more than 1,000 homes and businesses burned.
December 26th, 2024 — Source
General — Environment — December 25th, 2024
Climate, migration and conflict mix to create 'deadly' intense tropical storms like Chido
Cyclone Chido was an "intense tropical cyclone", equivalent to a category 4 hurricane in the Atlantic. It made landfall in Mayotte, a small island lying to the north-west of Madagascar on December 14, generating wind gusts approaching 155mph (250km/hr). Later on, it hit Mozambique, East Africa, with the same ferocity.
December 25th, 2024 — Source
Grief, Hope, Joy: Faith in the Time of Climate Change
Leaders from different spiritual traditions share their unique approaches to wrestling with existential climate fears.
December 25th, 2024 — Source
In Mobile Bay, the Oysters’ Tale of Woe
Academics, conservationists, nonprofits, government agencies—and one passionate, retired scientist—are working to rebuild reefs, reduce the carbon imprint and educate the public about the importance of restoring the oyster population.
December 25th, 2024 — Source
Repression of climate and environmental protest is intensifying across the world
Climate and environmental protest is being criminalized and repressed around the world. The criminalization of such protests has received a lot of attention in certain countries, including the UK and Australia. But there have not been any attempts to capture the global trend—until now.
December 25th, 2024 — Source
Two populations of dark comets in the solar system could tell researchers where the Earth got its oceans
The water that makes up the oceans acted as a key ingredient for the development of life on Earth. However, scientists still do not know where the water here on Earth came from in the first place.
December 25th, 2024 — Source
‘What if this is the beginning?’ Singer-songwriter debuts climate album
Massachusetts-based musician Seth Glier wants to use the power of music to inspire people to take action.
December 25th, 2024 — Source
General — Environment — December 20th, 2024
Agricultural Poisons Tell a Tale of Two Californias
The Golden Rule doesn’t apply in the Golden State when it comes to protecting Latino and Indigenous farmworker communities from toxic pesticides.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
AI-driven approach reveals hidden hazards of chemical mixtures in rivers
Artificial intelligence can provide critical insights into how complex mixtures of chemicals in rivers affect aquatic life—paving the way for better environmental protection.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
Behind the Scenes: How a Burgeoning Industry in Kazakhstan Is Trying to Kickstart ‘Climate-Smart Beef’
The central Asian country is working to scale up its livestock industry without adding to global emissions. Experts are skeptical.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
Cyanobacteria research unlocks potential for renewable plastics from carbon dioxide
Scientists at The University of Manchester have achieved a significant breakthrough in using cyanobacteria—commonly known as "blue-green algae"—to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable bio-based materials.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
Dripstones from Romanian cave offer insights into climate dynamics in Europe
Investigations into precipitation patterns in eastern Central Europe since the end of the last ice age, conducted by an international research team led by Dr. Sophie Warken of Heidelberg University, have shown that dynamic processes in atmospheric circulation, such as the North Atlantic jet stream, influence regional changes in precipitation.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
Ferns' ancient resilience aids modern ecosystem recovery after disasters
Scientists have suggested an updated framework for the role of ferns in environmental recovery from disaster. Instead of competing with other organisms, ferns may act as facilitators that ease the way for other plants and animals to re-establish themselves in a damaged landscape.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
Geothermal aquifers offer green potential but quality checks required
The aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) system, which uses geothermal heat as a renewable energy source, is one of the solutions to reducing fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emission. This system stores heat underground in aquifers, using groundwater as a heat medium. The heat is then extracted as needed according to the season to efficiently heat and cool buildings.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
Global study reveals phenological divergence between plants and animals under climate change
A collaborative study reveals the distinct mechanisms by which plants and animals respond to climate change in their life-cycle phenology. This research, led by Piao Shilong's team and Zhang Yao's team from the Institute of Carbon Neutrality at Peking University, provides comprehensive global-scale evidence on the asynchronous phenological changes between plants and animals.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
Growing safer spuds: Removing toxins from potatoes
Scientists have discovered a way to remove toxic compounds from potatoes, making them safer to eat and easier to store. The breakthrough could cut food waste and enhance crop farming in space and other extreme environments.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
How grocery stores can help protect the climate
Fridges, freezers, and cooling cases at most supermarkets rely on HFCs, which are potent global warming gases. But there’s an alternative.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
Intense ribbons of rain also bring the heat, scientists say
The environmental threat posed by atmospheric rivers—long, narrow ribbons of water vapor in the sky—doesn't come only in the form of concentrated, torrential downpours and severe flooding characteristic of these natural phenomena. According to a new Yale study, they also cause extreme warm temperatures and moist heat waves.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
Neural networks unlock potential of high-entropy carbonitrides in extreme environments
The melting point is one of the most important measurements of material properties, which informs potential applications of materials in various fields. Experimental measurement of the melting point is complex and expensive, but computational methods could help achieve an equally accurate result more quickly and easily.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
Our favorite Eye on the Storm stories of 2024
A look back at some deep dives and reflective takes from our regular and special contributors.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
Russia-Ukraine War's unexpected casualties: Hungry people in distant nations
The war in Ukraine is causing hunger thousands of miles from the battlefields, according to a study in Communications Earth & Environment. Nearly three years of war in the "breadbasket of the world" has left croplands destroyed and forced laborers who grow, harvest and process a bounty of wheat, barley and oats to flee. Combined with export bans from other countries, ripple effects resonated through global trade and upended food supply systems.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
Shedding light on snow's crucial role in Earth's climate system
EU researchers are braving extreme Arctic conditions to shed light on snow's crucial role in Earth's climate system.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
Strategic Roadmap for Modernizing Digital Operations: Transitioning from Legacy Development Models to Agile-Driven Integrated Frameworks
This case study outlines how a beauty e-commerce brand transitioned from Waterfall to Agile by establishing modular architectures, CI/CD pipelines, and functional pods.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
The Vergecast Matter Holiday Spec-tacularOn The Vergecast: a (possibly unnecessarily) deep dive into the state and future of our favorite smart home standard.
#2693
December 20th, 2024 — Source
This Biodegradable Sponge Collects Loose Microplastics—But There's a Catch
The materials used to make the sponge could trigger a host of additional environmental and ethical problems.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
US Forest Service Hiring Freeze Could Have Long-Term Impacts
Conservationists worry that the USFS’s inability to bring on more seasonal workers will hurt wildfire mitigation, watersheds, woodland species and climate resilience.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
Warming exacerbates oxygen depletion in the Baltic Sea, undermining nutrient reduction efforts
Eutrophication and rising water temperatures are taking an increasing toll on the Baltic Sea, leading to dangerous oxygen depletion in deeper water layers and threatening many marine organisms. Despite successful efforts to reduce nutrient inputs, rising temperatures are preventing the ecosystem from recovering.
December 20th, 2024 — Source
General — Environment — December 16th, 2024
500-year simulations reveal natural drivers of North Atlantic Oscillation shift
There are still many unknowns about the causes leading to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) shift—a critical climate phenomenon in the Northern Hemisphere—to the east and west of Iceland. To date, some hypotheses suggest that this process known to the international scientific community might be related to the impact of greenhouse gases on the planet.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
AmeriCorps program aims to grow and diversify energy workforce
The North Minneapolis program trains people in energy efficiency and weatherization.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Ammonia production goes green: Biomethane approach offers net-zero emissions
Using biomethane to produce ammonia, a crucial chemical in agriculture, could drastically reduce the climate impact of the process. In a study published in One Earth, researcher Robert Istrate shows it's even possible to make ammonia production net-zero or carbon negative.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Building with earth could transform sustainable construction
Imagine you are standing in front of a multimillion-pound building in the center of the French city, Lyon. It radiates warmth and history with its rammed earth structural walls. Two hundred miles away, a small house in the Beaucastel winery, Provence, shares a similar texture and aesthetic.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Carbon capture in fish farms can address climate change while removing toxic sulfide
Scientists are exploring a new model for carbon capture in low-oxygen aquatic environments, such as fisheries, that will help address rising global temperatures and could potentially be cost-effective, according to a recent study published in Nature Food.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Collaborative power of AI and citizen science can advance Sustainable Development Goals
Citizen science and artificial intelligence (AI) offer immense potential for tackling urgent sustainability challenges, from health to climate change. Combined, they offer innovative solutions to accelerate progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Community Solar Buying Programs Provide Discounts and Protections to Homeowners, but Worry Some Companies
Some solar installers say bulk markdowns will negatively affect employee pay and company stability; others believe group-purchasing arrangements will encourage competition.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Decades After It Disappeared, Wild Rice Is Booming Again on the Upper Mississippi River
Better water quality could be driving the increase.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Dynamic model reveals best policies for clean energy adoption
How can we ensure that as many households as possible adopt not only solar panels, but also their own battery to store solar energy, a heat pump, and an electric car? Researchers at the Universities of Basel and Geneva have looked into just this question.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Geologists uncover how tectonic shifts reshaped prehistoric China's climate
Geologists have for the first time determined how coastal mountains in eastern Asia formed, resulting in significant changes to the continent's climate more than 100 million years ago.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
How to help a loved one who has experienced a disaster
Disaster survivors can experience emotional distress. The most important thing you can do for them is listen.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Hurricane Helene Killed 49 in South Carolina’s Upstate Region as Costs of Damage and Response Exceed $370 Million
High winds devastated trees and homes and, possibly, stirred some residents’ complacency about climate change.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Microfibers in India's open-air laundries a 'silent disaster'
India's traditional open-air laundries, known as dhobi ghats, hold cultural significance and have provided livelihoods to thousands of washers for generations.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Model suggests Earth's subsurface may hold up to 5.6 × 106 million metric tons of natural hydrogen
A pair of geologists with the U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, has created a model that shows Earth's subsurface may hold up to 5.6 × 106 million metric tons of natural hydrogen. In their study, published in the journal Science Advances, Geoffrey Ellis and Sarah Gelman added factors to a geological model to produce estimates regarding the likely amount of hydrogen in parts of the Earth.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
New data from 'the last ice area' may help long-term conservation efforts in the Arctic
Earlier this year our international team of scientists from the Refuge Arctic consortium departed Iqaluit, Nvt. on a 56-day research expedition in the far north. We were sailing aboard the icebreaker CCGS Amundsen and our main objective was to study the high latitudes of the Arctic Ocean.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Q&A with archaeologist: Are climate-related calamities erasing Illinois' cultural history?
In a new report, scientists with the Illinois State Archaeological Survey describe how increased flooding, erosion and other effects of human-induced climate change are degrading many of the state's cultural sites. ISAS research archaeologist Andrew White, a co-author of the report, spoke with News Bureau life sciences editor Diana Yates about the scope of the problem.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Rapid evolution: African clawed frog sex determination challenges prevailing theory
Researchers at McMaster University have uncovered unexpected diversity in the genetic processes that determine the sex of the African clawed frog, a significant discovery in what was already one of the most widely studied amphibians in the world.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Rising drought frequency poses new threats to US wildlife, study finds
People around the world are dealing with drought, so it's not shocking that it affects wildlife, too: lack of moisture contributes to habitat loss, affects how animals compete for resources, and leads to dehydration and heat stress. The surprising part? The extreme degree to which many animals may need to adapt.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Scientists can now predict how climate change will alter plant growth cyclesa
On February 2, 1887, residents of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, consulted a large rodent regarding the arrival of spring, marking the first official celebration of Groundhog Day. According to Rob Guralnick, curator of biodiversity informatics at the Florida Museum of Natural History, our ability to predict the timing of seasons hasn't improved much since then.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Scientists develop 3D concrete printing method that captures carbon dioxide
Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a 3D concrete printing method that captures carbon, demonstrating a new pathway to reduce the environmental impact of the construction industry.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Scientists propose strategy for increasing rice yield while reducing fertilizer use
Researchers from the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences (RCEES) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a sustainable technology to selectively reduce nitrate to ammonium. This innovation delivers three benefits: It increases rice yield, reduces fertilizer usage, and mitigates nitrate pollution in groundwater.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Scientists struggle to explain record surge in global heat
The world has been getting hotter for decades but a sudden and extraordinary surge in heat has sent the climate deeper into uncharted territory—and scientists are still trying to figure out why.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Sea sponge-inspired microlenses offer new possibilities in optics
Beneath the ocean's surface, simple marine animals called sea sponges grow delicate glass skeletons that are as intricate as they are strong. These natural structures are made of a material called silica—also known as bioglass—that is both lightweight and incredibly durable, allowing the sea sponges to thrive in harsh marine environments.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Stem cell transplants could save the world's corals, say researchers
Climate change is bleaching and killing off vast amounts of the world's coral due to rising sea temperatures. Dr. Benyamin Rosental of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and his colleagues have proposed an out of the box potential solution: transplanting stem cells from resilient individuals to revive them.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Texas Regulators Report More Than 250 New Cases of Groundwater Contamination
An annual report documents 2,870 active cases of groundwater contamination around the state. Groundwater provides more than half of the state’s water supply.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Theorists propose new approach to electroluminescent cooling that works like inverted solar photovoltaic cells
In a study appearing in PRX Energy, researchers propose a way to improve the performance of electroluminescent cooling by using multilayer semiconductors. The approach, called a multijunction configuration, is already used in some special photovoltaic solar cells.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Unlocking the journey of gold through magmatic fluids
When one tectonic plate sinks beneath another, it generates magmas rich in volatiles such as water, sulfur and chlorine. As these magmas ascend, they release magmatic fluids, in which sulfur and chlorine bind to metals such as gold and copper, and transport these metals towards the surface of the Earth.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
We developed a way to use light to dismantle PFAS 'forever chemicals'
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, have earned the nickname of forever chemicals from their extraordinary ability to stick around in the environment long after they've been used.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
What 92 years of data say about ice cover
Warming air temperatures are changing ice cover in seasonally frozen lakes worldwide. The timing of ice formation and melting, called ice phenology, affects lake temperatures, seasonal stratification, and lake ecology, though much about these dynamics remains unknown.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
Why Scottish salmon's rebrand may end up harming the integrity of a top export and hurting producers
Scottish farmed salmon was the UK's top food export last year, ending up in restaurants and on dinner tables all over the world. But also in 2023, the industry trade body Salmon Scotland sought to drop the word "farmed" from its protected geographical indication of "Scottish farmed salmon" after two successive years of falling production.
December 16th, 2024 — Source
General — Environment — December 13th, 2024
AI tool enhances wildlife image analysis for climate change insights
A new AI image tool could aid the development of algorithms to analyze wildlife images to help improve understanding of how species around the world are responding to climate change, a study suggests.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
AI-driven satellite analysis helps protect rice farming in climate-vulnerable regions
A new North Carolina State University study combines satellite imagery with machine learning technology to help model rice crop productivity faster and more accurately. The tool could help decision-makers around the world better assess how and where to plant rice, which is the primary source of energy for more than half of the world's population.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Are wind power generators actually viable at home? I tried one, and the findings blew me away
Solar generators have gotten all the buzz, but what do you do when the clouds roll in? This gadget can keep your power running.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
As Demand for Electricity Soars, a Key Part of the Power Grid Is In Short Supply
Transformers keep everything running and the power industry can’t make them fast enough.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Buried landforms reveal North Sea's ancient glacial past
An international team of researchers, including a glaciologist at Newcastle University, UK, has discovered remarkably well-preserved glacial landforms buried almost 1 km beneath the North Sea.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Carbon Dioxide to 3D Printed Carbon Nanocomposites: A Sustainable Innovation
A recent study published in Nature Communications introduced a new method that combines the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) with the production of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). These nanotubes are then used to create advanced 3D-printed carbon nanocomposites.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Climate change and land use practices threaten traditional food sources in Russia's Far East
Climate change and land-use practices could significantly alter the make-up and availability of wild traditional foods in the vast Russian Far East, a region that is home to many Indigenous Peoples who depend on those native foods.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Climate Science Legal Defense Fund gears up for a busy four years
The nonprofit, which provides free legal and educational support to researchers facing harassment and intimidation for their work, is preparing for a protracted struggle to defend climate scientists during the coming Trump presidency.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Exposure to remote wildfire smoke linked to increased medical visits for heart and lung problems
Wildfire smoke has long been known to exacerbate health problems like heart disease, lung conditions, and asthma, but now a new study finds that smoke from these fires can lead to poor health thousands of miles away.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Farm women's well-being: The unseen 'triple burden'
Mental health challenges are a significant and growing concern for the nation's farmers, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). As much as farming is often a family affair, programs and resources to support mental health in agriculture have focused on the primary producers, of whom nearly 64% are men. Women have always played a crucial role in agriculture, yet, Penn State Associate Professor Florence Becot said, their mental health and well-being—much like their essential contributions to agriculture—largely have been overlooked.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Federal Regulators Say An Alabama Coal Mine’s Plans May Violate Law, Leaving Citizens At Risk
A “ten-day notice” issued to Alabama officials aims to mitigate risks to citizens living above Oak Grove Mine. It comes after months of state inaction and community outrage.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Fight Over Alabama Electricity Fuel Costs Heads to Court
Energy Alabama is challenging the position of the Alabama Public Service Commission that adjusting the rate customers pay Alabama Power for fuel costs does not constitute a “proceeding” of the commission.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
How an iconic desert tree survives extreme heat—and the unique risk it's facing now
New research has found that the punishing summer temperatures and persistent drought conditions in much of Arizona and the Southwest are dealing a double whammy to trees attempting to regulate their own temperature, putting a critical part of the desert ecosystem at risk.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
How Australia's ancient forests became an arid zone
I didn't plan to become a botanist, I just pursued activities that made me happy. Studying subjects that make you light up can guide you towards a career that doesn't really feel like work because you find it fascinating.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
In Houston, a City Council Member Questions ‘Advanced’ Recycling of Plastic and a City Collaboration with ExxonMobil
Councilmember Letitia Plummer said pyrolysis perpetuates fossil fuel extraction and pollution. Her conclusion: The most effective way to reduce plastic waste is to limit its production in the first place.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Infrared quantum ghost imaging illuminates—but doesn't disturb—living plants
A study published in the journal Optica demonstrates live plant imaging of several representative plant samples, including the biofuel crop sorghum. By employing a novel detector, researchers obtained clear images of living sorghum plants with a light far dimmer than starlight. This advance enables imaging of delicate, light-sensitive samples, such as biofuel crops, without disturbing or damaging the plants.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Land use in tropical regions: Biodiversity loss due to agricultural trade three times higher than thought
Exporting agricultural products from tropical regions to China, the U.S., the Middle East, and Europe is three times more harmful to biodiversity than previously assumed.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Low adoption of solar tech in the Philippines is not just due to cost, study finds
Despite the immense potential for solar energy in urban areas of the Philippines, the technology's upfront cost and a lack of public awareness of its benefits remain major hurdles to its widespread use. Government subsidies and promotional campaigns are seen to help boost its adoption.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Oxidation in glacial rivers and lakes could help mitigate methane emissions
A new study offers a rare glimmer of hope in the face of climate change, suggesting glacial rivers and lakes may play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of methane—a powerful greenhouse gas that recent studies have shown emerges as glaciers melt in warming global temperatures.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Prototype device produces critical fertilizer ingredient from thin air, cutting carbon emissions
The air around us contains a powerful solution for making agriculture more sustainable. Researchers at Stanford University and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia have developed a prototype device that can produce ammonia—a key fertilizer ingredient—using wind energy to draw air through a mesh.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Redefining wealth and embracing technological innovation for a more sustainable future
As the global climate crisis intensifies, the demands for innovative and scalable solutions grow increasingly urgent. In a recent article published in Frontiers in Energy, Nobel laureate Dr. Steven Chu, from Stanford University, and Qi Wang of the U.S.–China Green Energy Council outline key technological advancements and the pressing need for a paradigm shift in how societies define progress and "wealth."
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Satellites capture dramatic increase in HFC-125, a potent greenhouse gas
HFC-125 is a greenhouse gas becoming a major contributor to global warming, and in the first study to use satellites to measure its concentration in the atmosphere, researchers found it has increased exponentially in the past 20 years.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Scientists innovate breeding strategies to create climate-smart crops
A recent study has reported a novel breeding strategy to rapidly create climate-smart crops that show higher yield under normal conditions and greatly rescue yield losses under heat stress both in staple grain and vegetable crops.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Solar-powered plasma technology offers a sustainable solution for seed germination challenges
Seed aging is a critical challenge for seed banks and agricultural industries, significantly reducing germination rates and seedling vigor. This decline not only leads to economic losses but also undermines efforts to preserve genetic diversity.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Study suggests our sun could unleash a long-overdue catastrophic superflare this century
These could fry electronics and wipe data servers
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Teaching a robot its limits to complete open-ended tasks safely
If someone advises you to "know your limits," they're likely suggesting you do things like exercise in moderation. To a robot, though, the motto represents learning constraints, or limitations of a specific task within the machine's environment, to do chores safely and correctly.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
Unique copper nanocluster design boosts CO2 reduction selectivity
While humble copper (Cu) may not boast the allure of gold or silver, its remarkable versatility makes it invaluable in cutting-edge research. A collaborative effort by scientists from Tohoku University, the Tokyo University of Science, and the University of Adelaide has unveiled a method to enhance the selectivity and sustainability of electrochemical CO2 reduction processes.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
What are living shorelines?
They can provide critical wildlife habitats while reducing the risk of flooding and erosion.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
What Natural Disasters Occur in Hawaii
Hawaii is truly a harmonious blend of stunning beaches, volcanic wonders, lush rainforests, majestic cliffs, and vibrant marine life. But there’s a flip side, too – one that involves Mother Nature’s fury. Let’s take a look at the natural disasters that occur in Hawaii.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
With deadlines looming, Chesapeake Bay environmental agreement will be revised
The Chesapeake Bay Executive Council, a group of governors and other environmental leaders, announced plans to revise the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.
December 13th, 2024 — Source
General — Environment — December 10th, 2024
A Carbon Capture Project Faces a New Delay in a Year of Slow Progress for Coal Power Plants Looking for Retrofits
Project Tundra has lost its lead contractor, which pushes back the timetable for a high-profile and controversial plan.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
AI predicts Earth's peak warming
Artificial intelligence provides new evidence that rapid decarbonization will not prevent warming beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius
December 10th, 2024 — Source
AI Model Indicates Global Temperatures Will Rise Faster Than Expected
Ten climate models and a machine learning approach offer an alarming new timeline for the rate of climate change.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
AI's power demands driving toxic air pollution, study finds
Computer processing demands for artificial intelligence, or AI, are spurring increasing levels of deadly air pollution from power plants and backup diesel generators that continuously supply electricity to the fast-growing number of computer processing centers.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Adapting winter sports to climate change: Challenges and solutions
Climate change is beginning to make early-season cancellations a regular part of winter sport competitions.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Aerosols emissions over major cities may offer a temporary reprieve from rising heat
A trio of atmospheric and climate specialists at the University of Melbourne, has found evidence showing that the high amount of smog over some mega-cities may be temporarily protecting them from feeling the threat of global warming.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Alabama's Public Service Commission Shuts the Public Out While Setting Utility Fuel Cost Rates
Alabama law allows public participation in "any proceeding" before the PSC, but the commission says determining how electricity fuel costs affect consumers' bills does not constitute a "proceeding." Alabama's last official fuel cost "proceeding" was in 2008.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Antarctica's irregular rhythms show signs of rapid melting, say geoscientists
Periods of sudden melting in the Antarctic ice sheet have been unearthed in a new climate record from over 20 million years ago by geoscientists led by the University of Leicester and the University of Southampton.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Atlantic circulation collapse? New clues on the fate of a crucial conveyor belt
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, which includes the Gulf Stream, is vital to Earth's climate. Its weakening could spell disaster.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Baobab is a superfood with growing global demand—that's bad news for the sacred African tree
Baobab trees grow in arid and semi-arid parts of Africa, and have deep cultural and ecological significance. Some of these trees are thousands of years old. Global demand for baobab products has surged in recent years, driven by the fruit's nutritional and health benefits.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Bighorn sheep face death by avalanche in Sierra Nevada range
Snow cover in the Sierra Nevada is expected to shrink overall as the climate warms, but avalanche frequency could remain the same or even increase at high elevations. That's bad news for bighorn sheep that live there, according to new research to be presented at AGU's 2024 Annual Meeting.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Chalcogenide perovskites: The next frontier in solar technology?
Chalcogenide perovskites: The next frontier in solar technology?
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Clay dust method turns CO2 into food that zooplankton expel into the deep sea
A Dartmouth-led study proposes a new method for recruiting trillions of microscopic sea creatures called zooplankton in the fight against climate change by converting carbon into food the animals would eat, digest, and send deep into the ocean as carbon-filled feces.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Cosmic rays' vast energy traced to magnetic turbulence
Ultra-high energy cosmic rays, which emerge in extreme astrophysical environments—like the roiling environments near black holes and neutron stars—have far more energy than the energetic particles that emerge from our sun. In fact, the particles that make up these streams of energy have around 10 million times the energy of particles accelerated in the most extreme particle environment on earth, the human-made Large Hadron Collider.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Dual-branch model enables better crop-type mapping in scattered farmlands
In many Asian regions, especially in China, agricultural fields are typically small, scattered, and lack clear boundaries, which complicates effective crop distribution and agricultural analysis using remote sensing technology.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Fine particle pollution blamed for nearly 240,000 EU deaths in 2022
Fine particle air pollution killed nearly 240,000 people in the European Union in 2022, a five percent fall on the previous year, the European Environment Agency said in a report published Tuesday.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Google kicks off $20B renewable energy building spree to power AI
Nuclear power may have received the lion's share of attention from energy hungry tech companies over the past few months, with Google among them. But it appears that those new reactors won't be enough for their AI ambitions: Google is now working with partners to build gigawatts of renewable power, battery storage, and grid upgrades to power its data centers.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Long-distance friendships enhance trust in conservation efforts
While sustaining friendships from afar can be challenging, they may offer unexpected benefits for environmental conservation.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Longer Snowball Earth deglaciation could have driven multiple phases of sea level rise and fall
Longer Snowball Earth deglaciation could have driven multiple phases of sea level rise and fall
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Mountain permafrost is warming across Europe, study shows
Permafrost temperatures in Europe's mountain regions are rising steadily, in some cases by more than 1°C over the last decade. The results of a new study show larger and faster changes than before.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Novel green solvent could help scale up fabrication of perovskite-based tandem solar cells
In recent years, engineers have been trying to develop alternative photovoltaic (PV) technologies that could be more affordable and scalable than silicon-based solar cells, while also exhibiting good power-conversion efficiencies and retaining these efficiencies over time.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Optimizing network topology for safer, high-performance batteries
With rising greenhouse gas emissions, the urgency of addressing global warming and climate change has intensified, prompting a global shift towards renewable energy. The development of rechargeable batteries is essential for this effort.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Ozone recovery delayed 17 years by feedstock emissions, old gear
A new study published in the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics reveals a 17-year delay in the projected recovery of the ozone layer since 2006, underscoring the need for enhanced global environmental policies and enforcement.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Ravaged jungle: Just 25% of the world's surviving tropical rainforests are in good condition
We are now in the middle of the sixth mass extinction, caused by our emergence as a planet-shaping force. Species are going extinct far faster than the average natural rate of loss.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Social Media Is a Growing Vehicle for Climate Misinformation
Research shows that social media influencers can shape climate denialism around the world.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
Students in Illinois get paid to learn skills for jobs in energy efficiency
'They're starting to see themselves as a part of the solution.'
December 10th, 2024 — Source
With $800,000 in New Grants, Inside Climate News to Expand Local Environmental Journalism
Grants from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, The Meadows Foundation and Knight Foundation will support ICN's efforts to bring high quality climate journalism to local communities across the U.S.
December 10th, 2024 — Source
General — Environment — December 6th, 2024
A nature conservation paradox: Invasive species are often threatened in their native habitat
Non-native species introduced by humans are among the main causes of global species decline—they were partly responsible for 60% of the species that have become extinct worldwide in recent decades. Non-native mammals in Central Europe include species such as the brown rat, the mouflon and the mink.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
A greener, cleaner way to extract cobalt from 'junk' materials
Siddarth Kara's bestseller, "Cobalt Red: How the Blood of Congo Powers Our Lives," focuses on problems surrounding the sourcing of cobalt, a critical component of lithium-ion batteries that power many technologies central to modern life, from mobile phones and pacemakers to electric vehicles.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Algorithm improves prediction of sunny days for solar energy applications
Directly benefiting the Philippines' solar power, agriculture, and other industries, an international team of researchers led by the Ateneo de Manila University and the Manila Observatory has pioneered a way to improve sunny weather forecasts by as much as 94%.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Ancient Life Discovered in Ice-Covered Antarctic Lake
Scientists thought the lake, buried deep beneath the ice, was frozen. They were wrong.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
California's tsunami alert was a mess for many. Here's why
After a California quake, confusion threatens to increase digital distrust in times of disaster.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Climate change is making Canada's ice roads hard to navigate
Walking on the ice of the Great Bear Lake in the N.W.T. is a truly unforgettable experience. It is simply one of Canada's most breathtaking (and also largest) lakes. However, it is also facing challenges.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Copenhagen takes on its biggest climate threat—water
In low-lying Copenhagen where rising sea levels, groundwater and rainfall pose a risk to infrastructure, the Danish capital is trying to adapt and protect urban areas from climate change.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Developing AI to supercharge smart irrigation for farmers
A smart irrigation system powered by artificial intelligence can tell sugarcane farmers when and where to water their crops in an advance that could one day revolutionize agriculture—and help preserve the health of the Great Barrier Reef.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Diamond Battery Breakthrough Can Power Devices For Thousands Of Years
If you read that headline and thought "okay, what's the catch," we'll spoil it for you: the "catch" is that the battery can only provide a very small amount of power, on the order of milliwatts. It's still very exciting, though, because the new diamond battery technology can provide this power for, without exaggeration, thousands of years.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Digital twin model enables precise simulation of forest landscapes, depicting a forest in 100 years
Forest ecosystems of the future will have to cope with very different conditions to those of today. For this reason, researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) state that a strategic approach to forest management is crucial. To this end, the research team has developed iLand: a simulation model that can compute long-term developments of large forest landscapes, right down to the individual tree—including disturbances from bark beetles to wildfires.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Discovery of diverse daphnane diterpenoids in Daphne pontica
A research group led by Professor Wei Li from the Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University in collaboration with the Faculty of Pharmacy at Ankara University and Ankara Medipol University in Turkey revealed the presence of diverse daphnane diterpenoids in Daphne pontica (Thymelaeaceae).
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Emissions from four Punjab district shows stubble burning leads to poorer health
Punjab is the epicenter of stubble burning in India. Although the majority of residents are aware of the harmful effects of burning crop waste, it is still a widespread practice, with serious consequences for health, household expenditures and the environment.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Extensive antimicrobial usage sparks warning over increased resistance in locations across Australia
University of Queensland research has found antimicrobial usage is significantly higher in affluent communities in Australia. Samples have been collected from 50 wastewater treatment plants in locations across Australia servicing about 11.3 million people.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
From chip shop to pit stop—scientists make cooking oil biofuel as efficient as diesel
A new way to produce fuels made from leftover fat can create biofuel as effective as diesel and 1000-times more efficiently than current methods, a new study has suggested.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Genomic conservation in Thailand's mangroves
Thailand's coastal ecosystems, particularly its mangroves, are rich in biodiversity and play critical roles in coastal protection, carbon storage, and marine productivity. However, these ecosystems face severe threats from climate change, pollution, and habitat degradation. Genomic conservation in Thailand seeks to protect the genetic diversity of mangroves by using modern techniques such as DNA sequencing and genetic monitoring.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
High heat is preferentially killing the young, not the old, research finds
Many recent studies assume that elderly people are at particular risk of dying from extreme heat as the planet warms. A new study of mortality in Mexico turns this assumption on its head: it shows that 75% of heat-related deaths are occurring among people under 35―a large percentage of them ages 18 to 35, or the very group that one might expect to be most resistant to heat.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
How to give climate-friendly gifts this holiday season
Yale Climate Connections editors talk about buying sustainable new products, shopping secondhand, and choosing experiences over things.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Interdisciplinary research reveals impressive adaptation mechanisms of microscopic algae
Researchers from the University of Jena and the Leibniz Institutes in Jena have published new findings on the adaptability of the microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The interdisciplinary study, largely carried out by scientists from the Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, shows how the tiny green alga can adapt its shape and metabolism under natural conditions without changing its genome.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Is a Solar Water Heater Worth It?
Solar water heaters can be expensive, but they can get you a tax credit and help you save money on energy.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
It's Do or Die Time for Philly Hydrogen Hub, and Some Green Groups Are Rooting for Death
The U.S. Department of Energy is dangling $750 million for the buildout of a hydrogen hub around Philadelphia. But the looming Trump presidency and strong economic headwinds endanger its prospects.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Lab Alumni share insights on scaling climate finance
The Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance (the Lab) hosted a panel during the Lab Summit at the 2024 New York Climate Week, featuring three alumni from diverse sectors, regions, and instrument types. They shared their experiences and insights from their time with the Lab program developing innovative climate finance solutions.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Meta-analysis of current global warming impacts suggests a third of all species could be extinct by 2100
A biologist at the University of Connecticut has found evidence that up to a third of all species alive today could go extinct by 2100 if greenhouse gas emissions are not slowed or stopped. In his study published in the journal Science, Mark Urban conducted an analysis of 485 studies carried out over the past 30 years on the ability of species to adapt to climate change.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
New biodegradable material to replace certain microplastics
Chemical engineers designed an environmentally friendly alternative to the microbeads used in some health and beauty products
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Plankton study investigates how marine food webs respond to increasing alkalinity
The ocean naturally absorbs a quarter to a third of man-made CO2 emissions, but this process also leads to the acidification of seawater. By increasing the alkalinity of seawater through the addition of certain minerals (e.g., carbonates and silicates), the ocean can chemically bind more CO2 without further acidification.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Poll measures support for revenue-sharing plan on renewable energy
Democrats and Republicans don't see eye-to-eye on much. And they often don't agree on various aspects of renewable energy. But a recent report finds there is one area in which they're pretty much in sync: how certain national proceeds should be divvied up.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Quake prompts brief tsunami warning on the West Coast. Here's what to know about tsunamis
The powerful earthquake that struck in Northern California on Thursday prompted a brief tsunami warning affecting about 5 million people along a stretch of the West Coast—from Northern California to Oregon—before being canceled. Here are some things to know about tsunamis:
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Record-low Antarctic sea ice can be explained and forecast months out by patterns in winds
Amid all the changes in Earth's climate, sea ice in the stormy Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica was, for a long time, an odd exception. The maximum winter sea ice cover remained steady or even increased slightly from the late 1970s through 2015, despite rising global temperatures.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Recovering rare earth metals from waste permanent magnets
Korea imports 95% of its core minerals such as lithium, nickel, and rare earths. Rare earths, in particular, are characterized by chemical, electrical, magnetic, and luminescent properties that can be achieved by adding only a small amount, and their use has recently increased significantly as core materials in the eco-friendly automobile and renewable energy industries.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Robots give scientists unprecedented access to study coral reef biodiversity
Mesophotic coral ecosystems have some of the highest diversity of stony corals (Scleractinia) in the world, making them particularly important for researchers. These ecosystems are also unique because they host more native species compared to shallow-water coral ecosystems. However, they are difficult to monitor because they are often located at deeper depths of 30 to 150 meters.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Scientists urged to pull the plug on 'bathtub modeling' of flood risk
Recent decades have seen a rapid surge in damages and disruptions caused by flooding. In a commentary article published in the journal Earth's Future, researchers at the University of California, Irvine and the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom—the latter also executives of U.K. flood risk intelligence firm Fathom—call on scientists to more accurately model these risks and caution against overly dramatized reporting of future risks in the news media.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
So you want to build a solar or wind farm? Engineers show how to decide where
Deciding where to build new solar or wind installations is often left up to individual developers or utilities, with limited overall coordination. But a new study shows that regional-level planning using fine-grained weather data, information about energy use, and energy system modeling can make a big difference in the design of such renewable power installations. This also leads to more efficient and economically viable operations.
December 6th, 2024 — Source or Source
Study reveals presence of fentanyl in Gulf of Mexico dolphins
A team of faculty and student researchers at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC), in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Precision Toxicological Consultancy, have detected traces of human pharmaceuticals in the blubber of live, free-swimming common bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico. Dolphins, like humans, consume fish and shrimp, suggesting potential human health impacts.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Superhot rock energy could power geothermal systems anywhere
Geothermal energy holds the potential to provide abundant renewable energy at equivalent cost to fossil fuels, and targeted investments could quickly speed its development, according to a new report from Cornell researchers and the nonprofit Clean Air Task Force (CATF).
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Utah's Quixotic Bid To Wrest Millions Of Acres From The Federal Government
State politicians have been striving for decades to take control of BLM lands in Utah. They maintain that the state could better manage the landscape.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
Vicious cycle: Wildfires are making climate change worse
As climate change makes wildfires larger and more intense, they're putting more carbon pollution into the atmosphere.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
What to Know About Google's Breakthrough Weather Prediction Model
The latest forecast tool out of DeepMind shows how artificial intelligence could revolutionize the way we predict the weather.
December 6th, 2024 — Source
General — Environment — December 2nd, 2024
Ancient maize samples in Brazilian caves suggest the crop's domestication may have been completed in South America
Brazilian scientists have determined that ancient specimens of partially domesticated maize (Zea mays, also known as corn) originally from Peruaçu Valley in Minas Gerais state (Brazil) were the farthest from Mexico, the plant's historic center of origin, of any finds made so far.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Artificial photosynthesis learned from nature: New solar hydrogen production technology developed
Researchers have successfully developed a supramolecular fluorophore nanocomposite fabrication technology using nanomaterials and constructed a sustainable solar organic biohydrogen production system.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Avira Prime review: Comprehensive, user-friendly antivirus
Dig into this dead-simple antivirus suite and you'll find a sophisticated set of PC utilities.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Canada must turn its impressive biodiversity protection goals into real actions
With biodiversity declining at unprecedented rates worldwide, Canada stands at an important crossroads.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Climate change could bring more severe bacterial infections, including in corals
Could the fungal apocalypse of The Last of Us have roots in reality? A new UBC study Sourceublished in the journal PLOS Biology shows that climate warming can potentially make bacterial and fungal infections deadlier for cold-blooded animals like corals, insects, and fish, raising questions about the broader risks warming temperatures pose to ecosystems and biodiversity—and potentially humans.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Climate-friendly farming: Scientists find feeding grazing cattle seaweed cuts methane emissions by almost 40%
Seaweed is once again showing promise for making cattle farming more sustainable. A study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, found that feeding grazing beef cattle a seaweed supplement in pellet form reduced their methane emissions by almost 40% without affecting their health or weight.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Climate model combines generative AI and physics data to predict patterns 25 times faster than current methods
The algorithms behind generative AI tools like DallE, when combined with physics-based data, can be used to develop better ways to model the Earth's climate. Computer scientists in Seattle and San Diego have now used this combination to create a model that is capable of predicting climate patterns over 100 years 25 times faster than the state of the art.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Climate solution: Sails make a comeback in shipping, to dent its huge carbon footprint
Had he continued working aboard fuel-powered cargo ships, Yann Jourdan reckons he'd be earning perhaps four times what he now gets as captain of a sailboat that instead uses the wind's clean energy to transport goods across the Atlantic.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Cool water from the deep could protect pockets of the Great Barrier Reef into the 2080s
For coral reefs, climate change is an existential threat. Australia's Great Barrier Reef has endured seven mass bleaching events over the past 25 years. Five have occurred in the past eight years.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Creating biohydrogen from wood waste
Up to now, wood waste has had to be disposed of at great expense and, at best, has been used to generate energy in incineration plants. Fraunhofer researchers are now using this valuable resource to produce biohydrogen in the Black Forest region of Germany.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Deep-sea marvels: How anglerfish defy evolutionary expectations
A Rice University study sheds light on the extraordinary evolution of anglerfish, a group of deep-sea dwellers whose bizarre adaptations have captivated scientists and the public alike. The research, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, uncovers how these enigmatic creatures defied the odds to diversify in the harsh, resource-poor environment of the bathypelagic zone—part of the open ocean that extends from 3,300 to 13,000 feet below the ocean's surface.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Digital technologies help increase productivity and reduce agricultural impacts, researchers find
Growers of peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) and sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) face the challenge of estimating the best time to harvest and the quality and yield of their crops. This is because these crops are subterranean, meaning the fruit develops below ground and is not visible until harvest time.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Digital twins of the Earth: Researchers are critical of the term
The term "digital twin of the Earth" creates the idea of the availability of a highly accurate virtual copy of our planet, enabling researchers to predict the most complex future climate developments and extreme natural events.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Disadvantaged urban populations are subject to greater heat stress, poor air quality
Researchers at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) have employed a NASA open-source program to reveal that disadvantaged populations may be subject to greater heat stress and poor air quality.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Exploring the ecological role of deep-sea viruses
The significance of deep-sea virology and its impact on global climate and biogeochemical structures is not unknown, though its importance might be understated.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Getting to the bottom of Cenozoic deep-ocean temperatures
Understanding ancient ocean temperatures—particularly from the Cenozoic era (the past 66 million years), in which Earth experienced dramatic climate shifts—helps scientists reveal more about the planet's past climates.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Giving coral reefs a fighting chance for survival with coral reef restoration
Scientists are sounding the alarm: coral reef restoration is not a distraction, but a crucial weapon in the battle against climate change and other threats to these vital ecosystems. While some critics question the effectiveness of restoration efforts, a recent paper published in Nature Climate Change argues that dismissing restoration undermines a key component of coral reef conservation.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Global teabag study shows warming temperatures may shrink wetland carbon sinks
A major global study using teabags as a measuring device shows warming temperatures may reduce the amount of carbon stored in wetlands.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Harvard University Doubles Down on Emissions Reductions
Will new clean energy funding on and off campus be enough to meet its ambitious climate goals?
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
How a middle schooler found a new compound in a piece of goose poop
A group of young students became bonafide biomedical scientists before they even started high school. Through a partnership with a nearby university, the middle schoolers collected and analyzed environmental samples to find new antibiotic candidates. One unique sample, goose poop collected at a local park, had a bacterium that showed antibiotic activity and contained a novel compound that slowed the growth of human melanoma and ovarian cancer cells in lab tests.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
How hedges on the ski slopes could save Alps resorts
Ski resorts faced with falling visitor numbers due to climate change should hedge their income by taking out separate weather derivatives (insurance-like financial products) for each month of the season, academics suggest.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Impact of changes in gut environment on bacteria may help explain why we react differently to the same food
A new study from the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports at the University of Copenhagen increases our knowledge about the gut and the life of gut bacteria. The study shows, among other things, that changes in the gut environment have an impact on the composition and activity of gut bacteria. Ultimately, this may help explain why we all have different gut bacteria and probably also why we react differently to the same food.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Kids in Portland, Oregon, take a ‘bike bus’ to school
They pedal with their parents in a parade of bikes.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Landmark study reveals stark failure to halt Murray-Darling River decline
Some A$13 billion in taxpayer dollars and 30 years of policy reform have failed to arrest the devastating decline in the health of Australia's most important river system, the Murray-Darling Basin, new research shows.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Largest oxygen-poor region of ocean is more variable than previously thought
Analysis of nitrogen isotope ratio in coral skeletons shows strong decadal oscillations in the size of the world's largest oxygen-deficient zone (ODZ) over the last 80 years. These findings imply that this ODZ is more dynamic than previously thought and could respond quickly to climate changes in the coming decades, with important consequences for marine ecosystems.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Marine conservation law and policy: Research investigates effectiveness of UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
A decade ago, a Singapore Management University academic took in the sights of colorful, healthy corals playing host and habitat to myriad marine creatures at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Mechanistic model validated for rice paddy methane reduction
Rice paddies, responsible for approximately 10% of global anthropogenic methane (CH₄) emissions, are increasingly recognized as a key contributor to global warming. Reducing emissions from rice cultivation is essential to achieving international climate goals, especially in light of commitments to carbon neutrality and peak emissions targets.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
People will share misinformation that sparks “moral outrage”
People can tell it's not true, but if they're outraged by it, they'll share anyway.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Rare whitefly fossils found in New Zealand shed light on ancient forest life
Newly discovered insect fossils are so small they can barely be seen by the human eye but have been preserved in an extraordinary way.Published in the journal Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments, a study reveals rare whitefly insect fossils have been found in Miocene age crater lake sediments at Hindon Maar, near Dunedin.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Scientists predict bright future for fly ash in water treatment
The world has the potential today to sustainably manage nearly one billion tons of ash waste it produces every year and turn it into a useful material for water treatment applications, according to a study by scientists from the University of Sharjah published in the journal Separation and Purification Technology.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Simulation software boosts climate resilience in buildings
torms, hail, rising floodwaters—extreme weather events have caused billions of euros in damage in recent years. In the ResCentric project, researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for High-Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach-Institut, EMI have developed a simulation software that can identify risks associated with construction infrastructure, calculate the likelihood and costs of damage and pinpoint measures to protect property against climate-related risks. The focus is on the resilience of buildings.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Solar-powered cookers improving the daily lives of communities in Rwanda
Coventry University researchers are easing access to cooked food in Rwanda by introducing solar-powered cookers to households with limited energy access.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Study introduces new approaches to engineer stable and robust perovskite solar cells
Perovskites are materials with advantageous optoelectronic properties that could be used to develop more affordable photovoltaics (PVs). While in recent years engineers were able to significantly improve the power-conversion efficiencies of perovskite solar cells, these devices remain less stable and scalable than conventional silicon-based solar cells.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Paul Bodnar: ‘Ten years ago, we could never have predicted the level of impact the Lab has achieved’
During the Lab Summit at New York Climate Week, Barbara Buchner, Global Managing Director of Climate Policy Initiative, and Paul Bodnar, Director of Sustainable Finance, Industry, and Diplomacy at the Bezos Earth Fund, reflected on the Lab’s journey over the past decade. Established to bridge public and private finance to tackle climate change, the Lab has grown from pioneering into a transformative network.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Peatlands urgently need to be restored for UK to meet emissions targets
The headline goal of the UK's peatland strategy—a framework published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) that sets out how to improve UK peatlands—is simple, yet ambitious. The aim is for 20,000km2 (2 million hectares) of UK peatland to be kept in good condition, restored or sustainably managed by 2040.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Peroxisomal protein boosts plant immunity to thrive under environmental stress
Salicylic acid is vital for protecting plants from pathogens, but its synthesis remains unclear. A team of Shinshu University researchers has discovered that the protein HSR201 is key to its production. They found that HSR201 localizes to specific organelles called peroxisomes through a unique targeting signal.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Research offers insights into Permian Basin earthquake hazards
A new collection of published papers offers the most detailed and comprehensive breakdown yet of how water injected into the Permian Basin during oil and gas operations is changing subsurface pressures and causing earthquakes.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Researchers cultivate new variety of edible lily
Recently, a new variety of edible lily, the "Zhongbai No. 1," bred by the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources (NIEER) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was granted plant variety rights by China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
The 'wood wide web': Research questions tree-to-tree nutrient sharing via fungi
The idea of trees "talking" to one another through underground fungal networks—the so-called "wood wide web"—has captured the imagination of the public. This concept, where trees supposedly share nutrients with each other via these networks, has been popularized by books and documentaries.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Ultrahigh pressure generation in Walker-type press could help with understanding Earth's interior
In a study published in Engineering, researchers from Jilin University have achieved a significant breakthrough in high-temperature ultrahigh pressure generation using a Walker-type large-volume press (LVP). This advancement has opened new avenues for exploring novel materials and understanding Earth's interior.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Unlocking nickel's potential: New study reveals how to use single atoms to turn CO2 into valuable chemical resources
Nickel and nitrogen co-doped carbon (Ni-N-C) catalysts have shown exceptional performance in converting CO2 into CO, a valuable chemical feedstock. However, the exact working mechanism of these catalysts has remained elusive—until now.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Unveiling a century of stress and deformation: Insights from Kīlauea Volcano's 1975 earthquake
Researchers from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Department of Earth Sciences assessed an unprecedented 120 years of data from Kīlauea Volcano on Hawai'i Island, uncovering, for the first time, century-spanning patterns of deformation and stress changes. They had a particular focus on the transformative 1975 magnitude 7.7 Kalapana earthquake, which also resulted in a 20-foot high tsunami.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
Waste oil to wonder material: Transforming trash into supercapacitor gold
Amid an escalating global energy crisis, the need for high-performance energy storage solutions is more pressing than ever. Supercapacitors, known for their fast charge/discharge rates and longer cycle life compared to traditional batteries, have emerged as a critical component in future energy systems.
December 2nd, 2024 — Source
General — Environment — December 1st, 2024
3D ocean model shows ocean acidification moving deeper as atmospheric emissions increase
A pair of environmental physicists at the Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zurich, has built a 3D model of the world's oceans and their currents to learn more about the depths that ocean acidification has reached due to increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
December 1st, 2024 — Source
Aspiring Applicants Worry EPA Environmental Justice Grant Funding Will Be Rescinded Before It's Awarded
President-elect Donald Trump and his allies plan to cut money in the Inflation Reduction Act allocated for climate efforts. Hundreds of millions of dollars have yet to reach EJ organizations.
December 1st, 2024 — Source
Calls for extension as plastic treaty negotiations falter
Delegates seeking the world's first deal to curb plastic pollution began openly advocating for an extension of talks on Sunday, accusing a handful of nations of obstructing an ambitious agreement.
December 1st, 2024 — Source
Glittering dreams: India's big push for solar power
Vast lines of solar panels reflect the blazing sun in India's western deserts, a dazzling ocean broken only by bristling wind turbines.
December 1st, 2024 — Source
Is John Deere Building More Electric Tractors? Here's What We Know
For many, John Deere is the definitive tractor and lawn mower brand, and has been for decades. The image of a green piece of equipment emblazoned with that signature yellow deer logo is synonymous with farming, landscaping, and general outdoor work in the eyes of countless folks.
December 1st, 2024 — Source
Mining must become more responsible and sustainable: Where hi-tech solutions fit in
If you visit a commercial mining operation anywhere in the world today, some sights and sounds—workers descending in elevators to underground shafts, the roar of truck engines—will be much the same as they have been for decades.
December 1st, 2024 — Source
The farm fires helping to fuel India's deadly air
Blazing flames light the sky as Indian farmer Ali Sher burns his fields to clear them for new crops, a common but illegal practice that is fueling deadly pollution killing millions.
December 1st, 2024 — Source
These Climate Advocates Are Tapping Their Spiritual Reservoirs to Continue Their Cause
Donald Trump promises a new assault on climate policy and environmental regulations when he returns to the White House. Faith leaders say their beliefs compel a response.
December 1st, 2024 — Source
Uranium Mining Revival Portends Nuclear Renaissance in Texas and Beyond
State leaders want nuclear reactors to provide consistent, low-carbon power to large industrial facilities. But in South Texas, locals worry what a uranium boom means for their groundwater.
December 1st, 2024 — Source
Why is a global treaty on plastic pollution dividing the world?
What on earth to do about all the plastic polluting the oceans, the food supply, even our bodies?
December 1st, 2024 — Source
Environmental- Agriculture
Agribuild
offers personal coaching and strategic planning advice to farmers and agricultural contractors.
Provides Information — Source
Brakke Consulting
offers services to the animal health, agricultural, veterinary, pet, and specialty chemical product industries including executive search, market studies, and professional management services.
Provides a Service — Source
Denzil Phillips International Ltd.
introduce, conserve, propagate, cultivate, harvest, process, evaluate, and market useful plants from around the world.
Provides Information — Source
Five-G Consulting
custom design of livestock handling facilities.
Provides a Service — Source
Mason, Bruce & Girard, Inc. Consulting Foresters.
specializing in timberland management, forest inventories, timber harvest planning, appraisals, forest economics and policy analysis, and special studies.
Provides a Service — Source
Middle East Breeders and Technologies Ltd
offers livestock breeding consultancy services to government organisations, private sector, and individual breeders.
Provides Information — Source
Zwicker Consulting
source of information on Illinois agriculture featuring sections on commodities, crop conditions and weather reports.
Provides a Service — Source
Environmental — Miscellaneous
Fujino Spirals
Specializing in the field of pollution control dealing in Fujino spirals, Media based sewage treatment plants, Manufacturers of spirals media, industrial wastewater treatment india.
Provides Information — Source
Ore Systems Consulting
geological consulting firm specializing in VMS deposits.
Provides a Service — Source
Progressive Consulting Engineers, Inc
specializing in the water supply area and providing services to public and private agencies.
Provides a Service — Source
Q&Amp;A: Professor Phil Jones
Phil Jones is director of the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) at the University of East Anglia (UEA), which has been at the centre of the row over hacked e-mails.
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TreeHugger.com
The Future is Green. Find it here.
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World Natural Hazards Website — Natural Disaster Management — Disaster Agency Hawaii
The Pacific Disaster Center's mission provides information about research and analysis support for the development of effective policies, institutions, programs and the information products for the disaster management and humanitarian assistance communities of the Asia Pacific region.
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Yale Climate Connections
Yale Climate Connections is a news service that aims to help you understand the reality of climate change and what you can do about it. Through our website, YouTube channel, and national radio program, which airs each day on hundreds of stations, we reach millions of people like you each year.
Provides Information — Source