September 2024 - Page 2 of 6

Sep252024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Slowing Down for a Greener Future: Scientists Propose 15% Reduction in Flight Speeds to Combat Climate Change

In an unexpected turn of events for the aviation industry, scientists from the University of Cambridge have put forth a compelling argument suggesting that reducing flight speeds by 15% could significantly mitigate the environmental impact of air travel. This proposal, detailed in a recent report, indicates that such a change could lead to a reduction in fuel consumption by 5% to 7%, contributing to a greener aviation sector while potentially adding up to 50 minutes to transatlantic flights. The aviation industry is responsible for approximately 2.5% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. When accounting for non-CO2 effects, this figure rises to around 4%, highlighting the need for immediate action as air travel becomes increasingly accessible. Currently, only about 10% of the global...

Sep252024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Research Uncovers Heat Tolerance Variability in Corals Offering Hope for Reef Survival

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A new study has revealed surprising variations in heat tolerance among coral colonies, offering new insights into their potential survival as global ocean temperatures rise. Even corals of the same species, living side by side, exhibit significantly different responses to heat stress, highlighting the complexity of coral resilience. The findings, published today, come as the world grapples with the impact of climate change on coral reefs. With the fourth global mass bleaching event recently declared and the Great Barrier Reef suffering five mass bleachings since 2016, these discoveries are crucial for future conservation efforts. Variable Heat Tolerance in Coral colonies The research focused on the tabular coral Acropora hyacinthus, a species highly vulnerable to heat waves but es...

Sep242024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Nuclear Detonation Above Asteroids Could Be Earth’s Best Defense Against Space Rocks

Breaking News, Disasters, Space

A new laboratory experiment conducted by an international team of researchers has reinforced the idea that a nuclear detonation above an incoming asteroid could effectively prevent a catastrophic impact on Earth. The study confirmed that X-rays emitted by a suitably-sized nuclear blast could deflect asteroids as large as 3 to 5 kilometers (around 2 to 3 miles) wide, potentially steering them off a collision course with our planet. While there is no immediate threat from hazardous near-Earth asteroids, the catastrophic potential of an unexpected impact makes it crucial to develop reliable strategies for planetary defense. Nuclear Option: Our Best Bet for Large Asteroids Recent success in asteroid deflection was demonstrated by NASA’s DART mission, which successfully altered the orb...

Sep242024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Cities on the Frontlines: Global Push for Resilient and Net-Zero Urban Development

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

As cities around the world face mounting challenges like extreme weather, housing crises, and climate change, urban resilience has become a central focus for ensuring long-term viability and quality of life. With 70% of global CO2 emissions stemming from urban areas, cities are now at the forefront of climate action. The urgency is only set to grow, as nearly 70% of the world’s population is projected to live in cities by 2050, putting further stress on infrastructure, housing, water, and energy systems. At the World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development Impact Meetings (SDIM), experts discussed the need for bolder, integrated strategies that prioritize a net-zero, nature-positive transition. The Urban Blueprint Session explored new business models and joint approaches to tackle both...

Sep232024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Wildfire Activity in Siberia Has Doubled Driven by Climate Change and Feedback Loops

Breaking News, Disasters

Wildfire activity in central Siberia has doubled over the past two decades, with vast areas of forest scorched and massive amounts of carbon released from rich soils and permafrost. While Arctic warming is known to exacerbate wildfires, the specific factors driving these events have been difficult to pinpoint, complicating future predictions. New research by Huang et al. sheds light on the key mechanisms behind this surge in wildfire activity. The team found that the increase in Siberian fires is strongly linked to drought, drying soils, and decreased rainfall all symptoms of Arctic climate change. More worryingly, they identified a feedback loop in which wildfires further suppress precipitation, worsening drought conditions and making the region even more fire-prone. How Wildfires S...

Sep232024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Researchers Develop Advanced Imaging Method to Probe Volcanoes

Breaking News, Disasters

A team of researchers from the CNRS and the Paris Institute of Planetary Physics has developed an innovative method for creating high-resolution, deep imaging of volcanoes' internal structures. This breakthrough technique leverages a network of geophones devices that detect seismic waves to capture not only the strong movements caused by earthquakes but also the subtle seismic noise from wind, ocean waves, and human activities. The researchers applied this method to La Soufrière volcano in Guadeloupe, providing an unprecedented 3D view of the volcano’s internal structure to a depth of 10 kilometers with a resolution of around 100 meters. This new imaging technique confirmed the existence of a large magma storage zone, organized as a network of interconnected magma pockets beneath the vo...

Sep222024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Finds Droughts Could Last 10 Days Longer by Century’s End

Breaking News, Disasters

A new study published in Nature reveals that the average duration of the longest annual drought periods could be 10 days longer by the end of this century than previously predicted. This new estimate, based on improved climate modeling techniques, indicates that the risks posed by droughts to societies and ecosystems may be more severe than previously thought. Researchers led by Irina Petrova and Diego Miralles examined drought projections from multiple climate models under moderate and high-emissions scenarios (IPCC's SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5). They calibrated these projections using historical data from 1998 to 2018, focusing on the longest annual dry spells the number of consecutive dry days each year. Key Findings The study suggests that drought periods could extend by 42–44% on ...

Sep212024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Reveals U.S. Cities Successfully Limit Floodplain Development Using Existing Tools

Breaking News, Disasters

Contrary to common belief, most U.S. cities are effectively managing floodplain development, preventing costly disasters by utilizing established ordinances, plans, and programs rather than relying on novel strategies. This is the central finding of a new study titled "How local governments avoid floodplain development through consistent implementation of routine municipal ordinances, plans, and programs," published in Oxford Open Climate Change. Despite significant investments in flood mitigation, the cost of disasters in the United States has continued to rise, with floods being the most frequent and expensive disaster. The main driver behind these increasing costs is not just climate change, but also the growing concentration of people and infrastructure in flood-prone areas. A no...

Sep212024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Summer of 2024 Breaks Heat Records as New Research Unveils Human-Caused Disruption in Earth’s Air Circulation Systems

Breaking News, Climate Actions

The summer of 2024 has officially become the hottest on record, marking a worrying milestone in a trend that scientists had long predicted. The intensifying heat and dryness, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere, have fueled severe droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, and crop failures across North America and Europe. These escalating conditions are increasingly threatening societies worldwide. A major contributor to these extreme weather patterns is the weakening of Earth's air circulation systems, a phenomenon that scientists now attribute directly to human activities. Two groundbreaking studies led by Dr. Rei Chemke of the Weizmann Institute of Science have uncovered the underlying cause of this weakening. Published in leading scientific journals, these studies reveal that manmade emis...

Sep202024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Heat Waves on the Rise: How Jet Stream Changes Create Dangerous Heat Domes

Breaking News, Climate Actions

Recent meteorological diagrams reveal the alarming rise of heat domes over the continental United States, raising concerns as climate patterns shift. According to NOAA, these heat domes form when high pressure in the mid-atmosphere acts like a cap, trapping heat at the Earth’s surface. The longevity of these heat domes is closely tied to the behavior of the jet stream, a fast-moving band of winds located about 30,000 feet above sea level. The jet stream typically flows from west to east, influenced by temperature differences between warm tropical air and cold polar air. However, its meandering path can significantly affect weather patterns. Jet Stream's Impact on Weather As the jet stream meanders, it creates areas of high (H) and low (L) pressure, influencing weather across the U...