Environment Archives - Page 38 of 45

Aug82024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Venus and Earth A Tale of Twin Planets with Divergent Destinies: Study Says

Venus and Earth often referred to as planetary twins, have evolved into starkly contrasting worlds. While Earth is lush and life-sustaining, Venus is a hostile environment with toxic clouds, acid rain, crushing atmospheric pressure, and searing temperatures. Despite their superficial similarities, these differences run deep. Unlike Earth, Venus lacks tectonic plates the shifting, grinding sections of Earth's crust that play a crucial role in maintaining its climate and fostering the continents. This absence of tectonic activity on Venus has been a significant factor in the divergence between the two planets. However, the geological past of Venus remains a mystery, particularly the formation of its oldest surface regions, known as tesserae. Recent research by scientists, including geo...

Aug12024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Exploring Iceland’s Volcanic Activity and Its Scientific Insights on Volcanic Wonderland

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Iceland, known as "the land of ice and fire," offers a dramatic display of nature's raw power through its volcanic activity. Since 2021, the Reykjanes Peninsula, close to Reykjavík, has witnessed seven eruptions, providing a unique opportunity for scientists to study volcanic behavior. The resurgence of volcanic activity began with the Fagradalsfjall volcano's eruption on March 19, 2021. This was followed by two more eruptions at Fagradalsfjall in 2022 and 2023, and four additional eruptions at the Sundhnúkur fissure system in 2023 and 2024. These eruptions, while spectacular, have also posed threats to local communities, including the fishing town of Grindavík, the Svartsengi geothermal power plant, and the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. Why So Much Volcanic Activity? Iceland's loca...

Jul302024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

New Study Reveals 2022 Hunga Tonga Volcano Eruption Cooled Earth’s Climate

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Recent research from a team including Dr. Andrew Dessler, an atmospheric scientist at Texas A&M University, is challenging the widely held belief that the 2022 Hunga Tonga volcano eruption contributed to Earth's recent extreme warmth. Contrary to initial assumptions, their findings indicate that the eruption actually had a cooling effect on the global climate. The Hunga Tonga eruption, occurring over two days in mid-January 2022, was a significant event, releasing vast amounts of volcanic aerosols and water vapor into the atmosphere. Unlike past volcanic eruptions, such as Tambora in 1815 and Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, which led to global cooling by blocking sunlight with aerosols, Hunga Tonga's underwater eruption added an unprecedented amount of water vapor to the stratosphere, increas...

Jul162024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate Crisis and the Lengthening of Days: The Impact of Melting Polar Ice Caps

Breaking News, Environment

A recent study highlights a lesser-known consequence of the climate crisis: the melting of polar ice caps is causing Earth to spin more slowly, increasing the length of days at an unprecedented rate. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the paper reveals how water flowing from Greenland and Antarctica is resulting in more mass around the equator, a phenomenon co-author Surendra Adhikari of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory likens to a figure skater extending their arms during a spin, slowing down their rotation. While Earth is often thought of as a sphere, it is more accurately described as an "oblate spheroid," bulging around the equator much like a satsuma. This shape is constantly changing due to various factors such as daily tides, tectonic plate movement...

Jul152024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Shenzhen’s Mangroves: A Beacon of Conservation Amidst Rapid Urbanization

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Each spring, as Shenzhen's mangroves burst into life, the region becomes a prime spot for birdwatchers observing the endangered black-faced spoonbill. Known as the "giant panda of birds," this species winters in Shenzhen Bay from October to April, preparing for its northbound migration. Shenzhen Bay, located in southern China and part of the Pearl River Delta expanding into Hong Kong, is a crucial stop-off point for migratory birds using the East Asian-Australasian flyway. The mangroves support over 200 species of birds and host 100,000 migratory birds each winter, drawing enthusiasts and scientists alike to witness these natural spectacles against the backdrop of one of China's most bustling urban settings. Amid the rapid urbanization that defines modern China, Shenzhen stands out n...

Jul112024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Less than a Month into Summer 2024 Vast Majority of U.S. Population Experiences Extreme Heat Wave

Breaking News, Environment

Less than a month into summer 2024, an extreme heat wave has already gripped the vast majority of the U.S. population. Millions found themselves under heat warnings across the western U.S. in early July, while the eastern regions suffered through oppressive, humid conditions. On July 7, Death Valley hit a perilous 129 degrees Fahrenheit (53.9 C), a day after a motorcyclist succumbed to heat exposure there. Las Vegas shattered its all-time heat record with a scorching 120 F (48.9 C). In California, a series of over-100-degree days parched the landscape, igniting wildfires, while Oregon reported multiple suspected heat-related deaths. Heat Waves Sweeping the Globe Extreme heat is not confined to the U.S. In 2024, countries around the world have experienced unprecedented temperatures...

Jul102024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Rare Tree Cactus Goes Extinct in Florida a Grim First for Sea Level Rise

Breaking News, Environment

In a heartbreaking first for the United States, a rare species of tree cactus has gone extinct in Florida due to rising sea levels. The Key Largo tree cactus (Pilosocereus millspaughii), which was confined to a single population in the Florida Keys, is now lost. The Key Largo tree cactus was first discovered in 1992 in the Florida Keys, a chain of islands off the southern tip of the state. Since its discovery, researchers have monitored its population intermittently. However, saltwater intrusion from rising seas, soil erosion from storms and high tides, and herbivory by mammals put immense pressure on this delicate species. Once thriving with around 150 stems in an isolated mangrove forest, the population had dwindled to just six fragile fragments by 2021. Researchers made a last-dit...

Jul92024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Afghan Communities Strengthen Resilience Against Climate Change Induced Disasters

Breaking News, Environment

Afghan people continue to face increasingly severe impacts from climate change-induced disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and droughts. Afghanistan ranks as the world's seventh most vulnerable country to climate change despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions. Flash floods, in particular, have wreaked havoc, causing loss of life, displacement, and extensive damage to infrastructure in Jalalabad, Nangarhar. Recognizing the urgent need for sustainable and durable solutions, UNDP, with funding from the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA)'s joint regional program, has implemented several projects aimed at increasing the resilience of local communities, particularly those with high concentrations of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees. These i...

Jul42024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Air Pollution in India Linked to Nearly 33,000 Annual Deaths, Study Finds

Breaking News, Environment

Nearly 33,000 deaths each year across 10 major Indian cities can be attributed to air pollution levels that exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, despite being below India's national clean air threshold. This alarming statistic comes from a report published in The Lancet Planetary Health, underscoring the urgent need for India to revise its air quality standards. The study, which examined data from 2008 to 2019, focused on PM2.5 exposure a fine particulate matter considered highly harmful to human health. It analyzed mortality rates across Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Shimla, and Varanasi. Significant Statistics: Delhi: Recorded the highest number of air pollution-related deaths, with 12,000 deaths annually, representin...

Jun292024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

FDA Approves First Non-Tobacco Flavored E-Cigarettes, Raises Concerns for Youth

Breaking News, Environment

US Food and Drug Administration authorized the first non-tobacco flavored electronic cigarettes to be sold in the US. Two of the four newly licensed products are sealed, pre-filled containers of menthol-flavored nicotine liquid that can be used in various types of e-cigarettes. The other two are disposable nicotine e-cigarettes meaning the device cannot be reused after the pre-filled menthol liquid has been used. In an interview, Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, a smoking and e-cigarette health policy expert, was asked to explain the downsides of FDA licensing and what it means for vulnerable populations. What does the new announcement from the FDA mean? An electronic cigarette, also known as a vape, is a hand-operated, battery-powered device that heats a liquid to create a vapor that can be...