Governments and businesses have been putting excessive faith in the future removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, rather than focusing on urgently reducing emissions and transitioning away from fossil fuels. New research published in Science highlights the dangers of this approach, revealing an incomplete understanding of the detrimental consequences of carbon dioxide removal
Earth
Geoscientists have recently made a groundbreaking discovery that challenges the conventional explanation for how continents formed. According to a study published in Nature Communications, these researchers propose a new origin story that does not involve plate tectonics or any external factors. Instead, they argue that the continents developed solely through internal geological forces within oceanic
The 1972 Clean Water Act has long been in place to protect the “waters of the United States.” However, due to its lack of a concise definition of which streams and wetlands fall under its jurisdiction, determining the exact coverage of the Act has been a challenge. This has left it up to presidential administrations,
Last year, the Amazon rainforest experienced a severe drought, resulting in record-low river levels, food and water shortages, and the death of numerous endangered dolphins. Researchers have now determined that human-induced global warming, rather than El Niño, was the main factor behind this calamity. While both climate change and El Niño contributed equally to reduced
Efficient cookstoves in developing countries have become a popular type of offset on the global carbon market, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, a study conducted by researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, reveals that these credits significantly overestimate the carbon savings associated with cookstoves. In fact, the overestimation is found to be
In recent years, global temperatures have soared, making 2023 the hottest year on record. Alongside rising temperatures, humidity levels have also increased. This combination of heat and humidity poses a significant threat to all aspects of our lives. As climate change accelerates, the upper limits of what humans can endure in terms of humid heat
Deglaciation during the Holocene period has undeniably shaped the mountainous landscapes we see today. As glaciers retreated, they left behind distinct landforms such as debris ridges and moraines. However, a recent study published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters suggests that erosion rates in these mountainous environments may be declining in more recent decades compared
A recent study conducted by a team of scientists led by a Tulane University oceanographer has shed light on the connection between ocean oxygen levels and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth’s atmosphere. This research, published in Science Advances, not only provides valuable insights into the last ice age but also has significant implications for
The issue of waste has long plagued human societies, with its detrimental effects on the environment becoming more apparent as the global population continues to grow. Despite the existence of natural waste management processes in ecosystems, the waste generated by human activities poses a significant challenge. In a world where two-thirds of the population will
Prescribed burns, a practice often used in fire-prone landscapes, have gained traction as a means to prevent larger and more destructive wildfires. While these controlled fires help keep forests healthy by reducing fuel buildup, they also pose health risks due to the smoke they generate. Forest managers are faced with the challenge of determining the
Climate change has become an urgent global concern, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions is crucial in mitigating its impact. Methane, a highly potent greenhouse gas, is a major contributor to global warming. To effectively manage and reduce methane emissions, accurate and precise monitoring is essential. Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Climate change is reshaping forests across the United States in varying ways, as demonstrated by a recent analysis of U.S. Forest Service data. With the escalating impact of rising temperatures, droughts, wildfires, and disease outbreaks, forests in the American West are particularly vulnerable to these consequences. The analysis, conducted by researchers J. Aaron Hogan and