The changing climate has ushered in an era where severe wildfire events are becoming alarmingly frequent and rampant. These fires not only devastate ecosystems but also release significant amounts of particulate matter that can have profound effects on air quality across large distances. Research from Rutgers University has shed light on such an event that
Earth
The escalating climate crisis is inextricably linked to greenhouse gas emissions from various sectors, among which the global food supply chain stands out as a significant contributor. Recent research underscores a compelling correlation between our dietary choices and the emission levels associated with food production. Specifically, a groundbreaking study published in *Nature Climate Change* has
The year 2023 marked a turning point in the ongoing narrative of global warming, presenting itself as the warmest year on record. A troubling study led by researchers from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory of the Department of Energy unveiled a surprising contributor to this heating phenomenon: the significant reduction of sulfur emissions from the
Recent research has unveiled critical insights into the dynamics of the Atlantic Ocean and its profound influence on global climate patterns. The study, conducted by a team led by Dr. Balaji Senapati at the University of Reading, emphasizes the significance of the upper ocean’s mixed layer in the tropics. This mixed layer—the uppermost section of
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