Earth

The Yukon River, winding through the majestic landscapes of Alaska, is not just a natural wonder but a harbinger of a looming environmental crisis. As climate change accelerates the warming of the Arctic—an alarming rate estimated at four times faster than the global average—it unlocks a hidden menace: mercury, a neurotoxic element long buried in

In 2017, the Minamata Convention on Mercury marked a significant international effort to address the widespread issue of mercury contamination. Designed to mitigate mercury emissions globally and limit exposure to this hazardous metal, the treaty aimed to protect public health and the environment from the detrimental effects of mercury pollution. However, recent findings challenge the

For decades, the narrative surrounding the so-called “4.2 kiloyear event” (4.2 ka) has been steeped in the belief that this megadrought triggered widespread collapse among early civilizations and fundamentally altered Earth’s climate. New research emerging from Northern Arizona University has cast significant doubt on this widely accepted theory, suggesting that the impacts of this event

In a groundbreaking study published in *Science Advances*, an international collaboration of scientists has unveiled an extensive 627-year coral record from Fiji that elucidates remarkable insights about ocean temperatures and climatic variations across the Pacific Ocean since 1370. Led by Dr. Juan Pablo D’Olivo from the National Autonomous University of Mexico and supported by climate

Recent research conducted by a collaborative team of environmental scientists has revealed a disquieting reality regarding the state of global water accessibility. Utilizing sophisticated computer simulation methods, the researchers found that a staggering 4.4 billion people, or over half of the world’s population, lack reliable access to safe drinking water. This study, published in the

The Colorado River is an essential resource that provides water for millions of residents across seven U.S. states and Mexico, serving as a critical source for hydropower, agriculture, and drinking water. The flow of this river relies heavily on the seasonal buildup of snowpack, which accumulates during the winter months and melts in the spring.

In the tumultuous realm of energy extraction, hydraulic fracturing—commonly known as fracking—has become a focal point of debate, not only due to its environmental toll but also because of the ethical lines being crossed in negotiations with landowners. A recent study by a research team from Binghamton University and UNLV brings to light the intense

Montane forests, characterized by their rich biodiversity and unique ecological functions, have long been critical to the health of ecosystems and the livelihoods of millions across Africa. These high-altitude forests, often cloaked in mist and fog, serve dual roles as natural water towers and biodiversity hotspots. They capture moisture from clouds and fog, converting it

The nitrogen cycle is a fundamental ecological process that sustains life by supporting the growth of plants and the overall health of ecosystems. However, human activities, primarily through agricultural production and fossil fuel combustion, have drastically exceeded the natural limits of this cycle, leading to unprecedented levels of nitrogen pollution. The release of nitrogen compounds

Understanding the long-term cycling of carbon on Earth has been a fundamental challenge in environmental sciences. A pivotal aspect of this cycling lies in the preservation of organic carbon found in marine sediments. Recent investigations led by Prof. Fengping Wang’s team at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, in collaboration with Prof. Kai-Uwe Hinrichs from MARUM—Center for

Recent research has illuminated a troubling connection between air pollution and the intensity of thunderstorms during the summer months. Conducted by researchers at James Madison University (JMU), this study featured the insights of professor Mace Bentley as the lead author. The findings, which were published in the journal *Atmospheric Research*, suggest that atmospheric pollution could

Volcanic eruptions represent one of nature’s most dynamic and powerful phenomena, characterized by the dramatic release of magma, gases, and ash that can reshape landscapes and influence global weather patterns. From the gentle oozing of lava flows to cataclysmic explosions, the range of eruptive styles is vast and complex. Understanding the factors that determine these

In recent years, many corporations have taken ambitious steps towards carbon neutrality, a pledge that has garnered both attention and skepticism. Companies from diverse industries like oil, aviation, automotive, and logistics have claimed to offset their carbon footprints predominantly through the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM). However, these claims often do not withstand rigorous scrutiny, bringing

In a significant advance for climate science, researchers from Stanford University and Colorado State University have unveiled a novel low-cost methodology designed to assess the influence of global warming on extreme weather events. This groundbreaking effort leverages machine learning to provide insights into how climate change has exacerbated heat waves across the globe. Released on

Recent findings from the University of Liverpool have emphasized the tremendous power and scope of underwater avalanches, phenomena that remain largely overlooked in public discourse despite their potential to shape marine landscapes and infrastructure. A detailed investigation into an underwater avalanche that occurred nearly 60,000 years ago in the Agadir Canyon off the North West