Environment Archives - Page 39 of 45

Jun282024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Iceland’s Ongoing Volcanic Eruptions Pose Long Term Threats, Researchers Warn

Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula is facing ongoing volcanic eruptions that could persist for years to decades, jeopardizing the region's densely populated areas and critical infrastructure, according to researchers studying local earthquake and geochemical data. The series of eight eruptions since 2021 have prompted authorities to declare a state of emergency in this southwestern region, which houses 70 percent of Iceland's population, its sole international airport, and multiple geothermal power plants. The latest eruptions in May and June forced evacuations, including from the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, highlighting the volatility of the situation. Despite Iceland's volcanic activity being linked to its location atop a hot spot, the Reykjanes Peninsula had remained dormant fo...

Jun272024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Sahara Dust Storm Heads for Gulf of Mexico Could Impact Hurricane Formation

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

The biggest dust storm ever seen from the Sahara this hurricane season is heading across the Atlantic Ocean. The dust giant is expected to reach the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Florida by the end of the week, and experts say it could play a key role in the formation of the storm. The dry and dusty air associated with the Saharan air layer (SAL) absorbs moisture, an important element for tropical storms and hurricanes. Experts believe that this particular plume will block the development of storms as they travel from Africa to the Caribbean and reach Florida. While this may be good news for those expecting a hurricane season, meteorologists warn that the SAL's effects are temporary. This dust is most common in the Atlantic Basin in late June and early July, and its effect diminishe...

Jun242024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

NASA Sued After Space Junk Projectile Crashes Into Florida Home

Breaking News, Environment, Space

An American family is seeking over $80,000 in damages from NASA after a piece of space debris crashed through the roof of their Florida home. The incident has spotlighted the growing issue of space junk as spatial traffic increases, potentially setting a precedent for future claims against space agencies. On March 8, Alejandro Otero's home in Naples, Florida, was struck by an object weighing 700 grams, creating a hole in the roof. NASA later confirmed that the debris was part of a cargo pallet of used batteries, released as waste from the International Space Station (ISS) in 2021. Contrary to expectations, the pallet did not fully disintegrate during reentry and a section remained intact, impacting the Otero residence. Incident and Legal Action Alejandro Otero's son was home at the ti...

Jun232024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

India Approves New Inter-State Transmission System to Boost Renewable Energy Evacuation from Rajasthan and Karnataka

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

In a significant move to bolster its renewable energy infrastructure, the Government of India has greenlit the implementation of a new Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) designed to evacuate a substantial 9 GW of electricity from the states of Rajasthan and Karnataka. This ambitious project, which falls under the Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) regime, is a crucial part of India's overarching goal to establish 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, with 200 GW already operational. The approved scheme aims to enhance the country's renewable energy capabilities by facilitating the efficient transfer of power from areas rich in renewable resources to regions with high demand. The initiative underscores India's commitment to sustainable development and its efforts to mitig...

Jun222024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

AI to Forecast Toxic “Blue-Green Tides”: A Breakthrough in Battling Harmful Algal Blooms

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A team of scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory is leveraging artificial intelligence to forecast toxic algal blooms, known as harmful algal blooms (HABs), which have become increasingly common due to climate change and rising water temperatures. These blooms, which have now been reported in all 50 U.S. states, pose a significant threat to water bodies by closing beaches and lakes, killing aquatic life, and causing billions in economic damage. "Harmful algal blooms are appearing in areas where, historically, they were never present," said Babetta Marrone, the project's lead scientist. The complexity of the ecosystems causing these blooms, combined with dispersed data across various databases, presents a unique opportunity for AI to aid in understanding and predicting these events...

Jun202024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate Change Poses Significant Risks to Wind Power, Threatening Global Energy Security

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Climate change is set to have profound effects on wind power, a crucial component of the global energy mix. With around 1 terawatt of installed wind power capacity worldwide, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of the Netherlands, this figure is expected to double by 2030. Despite this growth, it still falls short of net-zero targets. Wind power already plays a significant role in many regions, with the UK deriving 29% of its electricity from wind in 2023 and the EU 18%. However, the future of wind power is uncertain as climate change alters wind patterns, intensifies storms, increases lightning strikes, and subjects equipment to extreme heat, potentially shortening the lifespan of turbines and increasing downtime. In the second half of 2021, Northwestern Europe experien...

Jun202024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Sixty-Eight Indian Pilgrims Among Over 900 Dead During Scorching Haj Pilgrimage

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Sixty-eight Indian nationals were among more than 900 pilgrims from around the world who died during this year’s Haj pilgrimage, marked by searing heat and extreme temperatures, according to sources on Wednesday. The deaths of the Indians occurred over several weeks, with six fatalities reported on the final day of the pilgrimage. Causes included natural factors such as old age, along with the intense weather conditions, the sources said anonymously. There has been no official statement from the Indian government. A total of 175,000 Indian pilgrims traveled to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Haj. Reports indicate that 550 deaths were recorded during the pilgrimage, as stated by two unnamed Arab diplomats, and an AFP tally put the total at 645. This includes 323 Egyptians and 60 Jordania...

Jun192024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Warns Internet Satellites Like Starlink Could Destroy Earth’s Ozone Layer

Breaking News, Environment, Space

There are currently more than 8,000 internet satellites in low Earth orbit. Internet satellite systems like Elon Musk's Starlink could destroy Earth's ozone layer, according to University of Southern California researchers. A study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research Letters stated that SpaceX's Starlink released large amounts of aluminum oxide gas into the atmosphere that could destroy the ozone layer. The ozone layer is vital to our survival. It absorbs the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays, which can cause skin cancer and even damage crops and food production. "Only in recent years have people started to think this could be a problem. One of the first groups to see what this fact means," said Joseph Wan, an Astronaut researcher at the University of Southern California, i...

Jun172024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Crores of Premature Deaths Linked to Air Pollution in India Over Four Decades

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

A comprehensive study led by researchers from Singapore's Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has revealed that air pollution from fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been linked to approximately 2.61 crore premature deaths in India between 1980 and 2020. This makes it one of the most extensive studies on air quality and climate, utilizing 40 years of data to assess the health impacts of PM2.5. According to the study, the average life expectancy in India has been significantly reduced due to conditions caused by PM2.5 pollution, such as strokes, heart and lung diseases, and cancer. The study also noted that weather patterns have exacerbated the impact of pollution, increasing the death toll by 14%. “Asia was estimated to have the largest number of PM2.5-attributable premature deat...

Jun152024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Microplastics Detected in Human Semen: Scientists Sound Alarm Over Pervasive Pollution’s Potential Reproductive Impact

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Scientists are finding microplastics in virtually every nook and cranny they inspect in the human body. The alarming discoveries are now stacking up with such speed, there's barely any time to let the news sink in before another part of our anatomy joins the list of contaminated sites. Shortly after researchers in the US confirmed that microplastics had infiltrated the tissue in human testicles, researchers in China have now detected the pollutants in sperm as well. The team found microscopic fragments of plastic in every sample of seminal fluid supplied by 36 male participants from inland China. Polystyrene (PS) particles were the most abundant type found, making up nearly a third of the plastic identified in the average sample. Researchers aren't sure, but they suspect that the ...