With China taking bold steps towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, the decarbonization of the China Southern Power Grid will undoubtedly have consequences, some of which may not be immediately apparent. As Stefano Galelli, an associate professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cornell Engineering, points out, the negative impacts on river
Earth
The impact of human activities on Earth’s surface has been extensively studied, but what about the deep subsurface? Researchers from the University of Arizona have delved into how activities such as oil and gas production, geothermal energy extraction, and lithium mining are affecting the hidden depths of our planet. In a study led by Jennifer
The Nile River has long been a source of contention among the 11 countries it flows through in East Africa. The competition for water resources has often led to conflicts rather than cooperation. However, a recent study by The University of Manchester and regional organizations offers a new perspective on resolving the Nile water conflict
Meandering rivers are constantly on the move, carving out landscapes and shaping the environment. A study conducted by UC Santa Barbara sheds light on the factors influencing the migration rates of these waterways. The research, published in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters, challenges previous assumptions regarding the impact of sediment load and vegetation
As wildfires in Siberia continue to increase in frequency, researchers are warning of significant global impacts on climate, air quality, health, and economies in East Asia and across the northern hemisphere. Recent studies have shown that the effects of escalating wildfires in Siberia could have far-reaching consequences that go beyond just the immediate region. A
Recent research has unveiled a critical piece of information regarding the West Antarctic Ice Sheet melt. The collapse of this ice sheet in the Ross Sea region can potentially be prevented by adhering to a low-emissions pathway. The implications of this study are significant as over 5 meters of potential global sea-level rise is stored
The extraction of natural gas from shale formations has revolutionized the energy industry by providing a plentiful and lower-carbon alternative to traditional fossil fuels. However, this process comes with its own set of challenges, particularly concerning methane emissions. Methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, can significantly contribute to global warming. As such, it is crucial to
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in weather prediction has shown significant advancements in predicting the path and intensity of major storms. In a recent study conducted by the University of Reading, researchers found that AI models can produce weather forecasts with similar accuracy to traditional methods but in a faster, cheaper, and more efficient
Oases are critical habitats that provide water and sustenance for dryland regions across the globe. Despite occupying only about 1.5% of the land area, these oases support 10% of the world’s population. The existence of oases is threatened by climate change and human activities, making it crucial to understand their distribution and changes over time.
Megaslides, massive underwater landslides triggered by earthquakes, volcanic activity, and sediment flux, can have significant consequences on the formation of tsunamis. These extreme events, such as the sixth-largest recorded megaslide in the Surveyor Fan in the Gulf of Alaska around 1.2 million years ago, can result in catastrophic tsunamis on the surface. With an area
Recent research has uncovered a feedback loop that may be accelerating the melting of the floating portions of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, thereby pushing up global sea levels. The study, titled “Antarctic Slope Undercurrent and onshore heat transport driven by ice shelf melting” and published in Science Advances, sheds new light on the mechanisms
The recent study published in the journal Nature Geoscience sheds light on the weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) deep water limb in the North Atlantic. The research, led by scientists at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, along with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Atlantic
Recent research has uncovered alarming findings regarding the absorption of cancer-causing flame retardants through the skin. These dangerous chemicals, known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), are commonly found in plastics, furniture, fabrics, and electronics, posing a significant risk to human health. The study, published in the journal Environment International, utilized a state-of-the-art 3D-printed skin model
The recent data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service has revealed some alarming trends in global weather patterns. While February 2024 has been recorded as the warmest February on a global scale, regions in North America, Asia, and parts of Europe have experienced extreme cold temperatures. The stark contrast between increasing temperatures globally and record-breaking
The severity and frequency of wildfires have been on the rise globally in recent years, with many attributing this trend to the effects of climate change. However, a study conducted by UC Riverside points to another significant factor – the increase in carbon dioxide levels. The study revealed that the rising levels of CO2 in