Earth

Natural gas flaring is a common practice in many parts of the United States as a means to dispose of gas byproducts during oil extraction. This process involves burning the gas, converting hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water. While this helps reduce the climate impact and the safety concerns associated with natural gas on site,

A recent study conducted by Dr. Armineh Barkhordarian from Universität Hamburg’s Cluster of Excellence for climate research CLICCS has revealed alarming findings about the future of the Arctic. The study suggests that marine heat waves, a phenomenon directly linked to higher anthropogenic greenhouse-gas emissions, will become a regular occurrence in the region. Since 2007, there

The origins of the Antarctic ice sheet have long been attributed to the formation of the Circumpolar Current around 34 million years ago. However, a groundbreaking study led by the University of Barcelona, the Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (CSIC), and the Imperial College London challenges this long-held belief, revolutionizing our understanding of

Subduction zones, where tectonic plates collide, have always been of great interest to scientists due to their association with some of the world’s most powerful earthquakes. These earthquakes occur when stress builds up between the plates and is suddenly released, causing the plates to slide past each other. However, the behavior of subduction zones between

Governments and businesses have been placing their hopes on future carbon dioxide (CO2) removal from the atmosphere rather than actively reducing emissions and transitioning away from fossil fuels. However, new research published in Science reveals that this reliance on carbon dioxide removal is misguided and fails to recognize the potential harms to people, food security,

Geoscientists have made a groundbreaking discovery that offers a fresh perspective on how continents developed. Unlike previous theories that relied on external factors or plate tectonics, this revised origin story focuses on internal geological forces within oceanic plateaus. The findings, published in Nature Communications, shed light on the complex process of crust formation during the

The 1972 Clean Water Act has played a crucial role in protecting the “waters of the United States,” but the specific streams and wetlands covered by this legislation have often been subject to interpretation. The lack of precise definition has resulted in the responsibility of determining coverage falling on presidential administrations, regulators, and courts. Consequently,

The severe drought in the Amazon last year, which had detrimental effects on the region’s rivers, wildlife, and communities, was primarily driven by human-induced global warming, according to a recent study. The El Niño phenomenon and climate change both played a role in reducing rainfall, but the rise in global temperatures was identified as the

The distribution of efficient cookstoves in developing countries as a means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is the fastest growing type of offset on the global carbon market. However, a recent study has uncovered a major flaw in this approach, revealing that the credits overestimate the carbon savings of the stoves by a factor of

The year 2023 marked the hottest year on record, and the rising levels of humidity have further exacerbated the impact of heat on our lives and livelihoods. The dangerous combination of heat and humidity has pushed us dangerously close to the upper limits of what human beings can endure. However, the underestimation of heat stress

Mountainous environments have been shaped by deglaciation during the Holocene, leaving distinct landforms such as moraines. However, recent research suggests that erosion rates in these regions may be declining compared to earlier periods. Dr. Daniel Draebing and his team from Utrecht University conducted a study in the European Alps to investigate the role of climate

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 in the Earth’s atmosphere during the last ice age. The findings, published in Science Advances, provide valuable insights into the role of the Southern Ocean in past

Waste is an undeniable by-product of human activities and the natural processes of life on Earth. While living systems have evolved to tackle waste and reintegrate it into the ecosystem, human systems struggle to effectively manage waste. With the global population projected to continue growing and urbanization on the rise, waste has become a pressing

The management of fire-prone landscapes in the American West has seen a significant shift towards the use of prescribed burning, a technique that involves setting small fires to mitigate the risk of larger, more destructive wildfires. This practice aims to maintain forest health by reducing the accumulation of combustible materials such as grasses, leaves, branches,

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has made significant advancements in their technology to monitor methane emissions and trace gases. This upgraded technology has the ability to accurately measure emissions even in harsh field conditions. The monitoring and identification of methane sources are crucial steps in reducing emissions, which aligns with the objectives