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Latest stories, analysis, and insights from the world of earth.

How can science support and enable the High Seas Treaty?

A new study provides a solutions-based roadmap for implementing the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement, highlighting how scientific advances including autonomous vessels and AI could help protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

April 2, 20265 min
High Seas TreatyBBNJmarine biodiversity

Bigger storms, more often: New study projects likely future rainfall impacts on NZ

A recent study indicates that extreme rainfall events in New Zealand are expected to become more intense and frequent due to climate change.

April 2, 20263 min
climate changeNew Zealandrainfall

Storm Dave threatens severe gales and blizzards over Easter weekend

Storm Dave has been named by the Met Office, bringing severe gales and blizzards to northern UK over the Easter weekend, alongside a mixed forecast of rain and sunshine.

April 2, 20264 min
stormweathereaster

Why thousands of New Yorkers swap gas for induction stoves in clean energy push: ‘It makes sense’

Induction stoves are gaining popularity among New Yorkers as part of a clean energy initiative that promotes health, climate benefits, and cost savings.

April 2, 20264 min
induction stovesclean energyNew York

Earthquake off Indonesia topples buildings, kills 1 person and sets off small tsunami

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck northern Indonesia, resulting in one reported death, damaged buildings, and a small tsunami.

April 2, 20262 min
earthquakeIndonesiatsunami

‘On a whole other level’: rapid snow melt-off in American west stuns scientists

Experts warn of record-low snowpack levels in the American West due to brutal March temperatures, raising concerns about water supplies for the upcoming dry season.

April 2, 20262 min
snowpackclimate changedrought

Reducing aircraft soot might not actually reduce the climate effects of contrails

A new study reveals that reducing soot emissions from aircraft may not lessen the climate-warming impacts of contrails, indicating more research is needed.

April 2, 20262 min
aviationclimate changecontrails

Lakes Forming Next to Greenland's Melting Ice Sheet Are Speeding Up Glacier Flow

A study has found that meltwater lakes at the edge of the Greenland ice sheet are accelerating glacier flow, contributing to global sea-level rise.

April 1, 20263 min
Greenlandice sheetglacier flow

What's driving Salt Lake City's downward emissions trends?

A new study reveals declining emissions of pollutants in Salt Lake City over two decades, indicating improvements in air quality driven by emission standards and vehicle technology.

April 1, 20264 min
Salt Lake Cityemissionsair quality

Phosphorus spikes linked to ancient marine mass extinctions

Researchers have uncovered evidence that spikes in ocean phosphorus may have significantly contributed to two major marine extinctions in Earth's history.

April 1, 20263 min
phosphorusmarine extinctionclimate change

Conflict-driven farmland abandonment in Syria leads to land uplift, study finds

A new study reveals that farmland abandonment due to the Syrian civil war has unexpectedly allowed groundwater aquifers to recover, causing the land to uplift.

April 1, 20264 min
Syriafarmland abandonmentgroundwater recovery

Warming winters lead to more nitrate pollution in the drinking water near farms

Climate change is causing more nitrate pollution in drinking water near farms, particularly affecting Iowa's largest city.

April 1, 20263 min
nitrate pollutionclimate changedrinking water

Wisconsin-sized chunk of Alaskan permafrost is thawing: Geoscientists say climate may never be the same

A new study reveals that a Wisconsin-sized area of Alaskan permafrost is thawing, significantly impacting Arctic rivers and global climate.

April 1, 20264 min
Alaskapermafrostclimate change

‘On a whole other level’: rapid snow melt-off in American west stuns scientists

Experts warn that unprecedented March heat has left snowpack levels at record lows across the American west, posing significant risks for water supplies.

April 1, 20264 min
snowpackclimate changewater supply

‘God squad’ waives endangered species law to allow US drilling in Gulf of Mexico

The US government panel has exempted oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from the Endangered Species Act, raising concerns for endangered species like the Rice’s whale.

April 1, 20265 min
endangered speciesGulf of MexicoRice’s whale

Demand for hydropower surges as Trump clamps down on clean energy

The Great Lakes region is set to host next-generation hydroelectric generators amid rising electricity demand and costs in the U.S.

April 1, 20264 min
hydropowerGreat Lakesclean energy

Reservoirs are changing: What Landsat data reveal about water loss and gain

Recent studies using Landsat data uncover significant changes in water levels of global reservoirs, raising concerns about freshwater resource management.

April 1, 20264 min
reservoirsLandsatwater loss

Reservoirs are changing: What Landsat data reveal about water loss and gain

Recent studies using Landsat data reveal significant global changes in reservoirs, tracking water loss and gain from 1984 to 2022.

March 31, 20264 min
Landsatwater resourcesreservoirs

By 2100, climate change could make unhealthy air routine for 100 million Americans

A new study predicts that climate change could lead to nearly one in three Americans living in areas with routinely unhealthy air by 2100, affecting around 100 million people.

March 31, 20263 min
climate changeair qualityhealth impacts

Federal ‘God squad’ exempts oil and gas drilling in Gulf of Mexico from endangered species rules

A US government panel has exempted oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from endangered species protections, prompting fears for the endangered Rice's whale and other marine life.

March 31, 20265 min
Gulf of Mexicooil drillingendangered species
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