For centuries, the phenomenon of winter monsoons has plagued scientists and meteorologists with its unpredictability. While we have gained a significant understanding of summer monsoons, winter monsoons have remained a mystery, especially during periods where no weather station data was available. These heavy autumn and winter rainfalls are notorious for causing floods and landslides across
Earth
Ice cores extracted from glaciers provide valuable information about past climate changes. By analyzing the composition of these ice cores, scientists can reconstruct temperature profiles and understand climate variations over long periods of time. However, current methods have limitations in their depth-resolution and ability to preserve critical isotopes. In a breakthrough study, researchers from the
Marine heat waves are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, and researchers have found that these extreme events may last longer and be more intense in deeper waters. This poses a significant threat to sensitive species that are unable to migrate to escape intolerably warm waters. The impacts of marine heat waves
Air pollution is a pressing global issue that contributes to numerous premature deaths each year. One of the primary culprits is particulate matter known as PM2.5, which consists of airborne particles with a diameter smaller than 2.5 micrometers. Among the various constituents of PM2.5, organic aerosols stand out as the dominant component. These organic aerosols
A recent study led by Penn State researchers reveals the distressing reality of rivers around the world. Contrary to common belief, rivers are warming and losing oxygen faster than oceans, as indicated by the study published in the journal Nature Climate Change. This comprehensive study, which examined nearly 800 rivers, found that 87% experienced warming,
A recently published study has revealed that human activities are increasingly affecting the stability of the planet and raising the risk of triggering drastic changes in Earth’s overall conditions. The interaction between life (represented by the planetary boundary, Biosphere Integrity) and climate has controlled the environmental conditions on Earth for over 3 billion years. However,
The alarming consequences of climate change are becoming increasingly evident as our planet experiences extreme weather events. However, not everyone perceives this threat in the same way. A recent study published in PLOS ONE revealed a contrast in the perception of climate change between urban and rural areas. While cities face unique challenges due to
A Canterbury climate modeler, Dr. Abhijith Ulayottil Venugopal, has been collaborating with an international team of scientists on an exciting project that involves studying a 764-meter ice core from Roosevelt Island. This ice core contains an astonishing 80,000 years of global climate data, providing valuable insights into our planet’s evolving climate. The project, known as
The infiltration of beavers into the Arctic tundra has raised concerns about the intensified release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. Beavers are well-known for their dam-building activities, which lead to flooding and the transformation of Arctic streams into ponds. Consequently, these beaver ponds, accompanied by the inundation of vegetation, create an
In 2020, the west coast of Florida experienced devastating algal blooms that resulted in the death of thousands of tons of marine life and significant economic losses. These blooms also had severe human costs, including increased asthma cases and detrimental effects on various industries. Traditionally, detecting algal blooms from space has been limited to clear
The Tibetan Empire, once the highest elevation empire in the world, flourished from 618 to 877 CE in the challenging conditions of the Tibetan Plateau. With its population of 10 million people spread across a vast area of East and Central Asia, including parts of northern India, it is remarkable that the empire thrived in
The consumption of textiles has skyrocketed in recent decades, largely driven by the rise of fast fashion. This has led to a significant increase in the environmental impacts associated with clothing production and usage. Environmental scientist Laura Scherer, known for her research on the environmental impacts of food, recognized the need to address the sustainability