Hacker-City
Hacker-City
Get the brief

Earth

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

US has caused $10tn worth of climate damage since 1990, research finds

A new study reveals the US has caused approximately $10 trillion in climate damage globally since 1990, attributing significant responsibility to its fossil fuel emissions.

March 26, 20263 min
climate changeUS emissionsglobal warming

Seismic activity in California varies with the seasons

A new study from Caltech reveals that seasonal changes in groundwater impact seismic activity in California, leading to a notable increase in earthquakes during wetter periods.

March 26, 20264 min
Seismic ActivityCaliforniaGroundwater Levels

Plastic washing at recycling plants can spike phthalates in wastewater, study suggests

Iowa State University researchers found that certain plastic-washing methods at recycling plants can contaminate water with harmful phthalates, chemicals linked to cancer risks and hormone disruptions, particularly affecting children's reproductive and developmental health.

March 25, 20264 min
plastic recyclingwater contaminationphthalates

If the Laschamps geomagnetic excursion happened today, aviation radiation exposure would be radically altered

A new study examines how the Laschamps geomagnetic excursion, which occurred 41,000 years ago and weakened Earth's magnetic field to 5% of current strength, would affect modern aviation radiation exposure on routes like Helsinki-Dubai and Helsinki-New York.

March 25, 20264 min
magnetic fieldcosmic radiationaviation safety

Past CO₂ emissions may drive far bigger future economic losses

New Stanford University study reveals that U.S. emissions since 1990 have caused more than $10 trillion in global economic damages, with developing economies bearing significant costs. The research shows that economic damage from decades-old carbon dioxide emissions far exceeds harm seen so far.

March 25, 20265 min
climate changecarbon dioxideemissions

Low snow water content tied to higher wildfire burn severity, analysis finds

New research from Western Colorado University finds that declining snowpack not only extends the fire season but also increases the severity of forest fires, with low snow water content linked to more severe fires leading to higher tree mortality and greater ecosystem impacts.

March 25, 20263 min
wildfiresnowpackclimate change

Dirty diapers born again in Japan recycling breakthrough

A world-first pilot project in Japan is recycling used diapers to make new ones, addressing growing landfill concerns and meeting increasing demand for adult diapers in the aging nation.

March 25, 20264 min
recyclingwaste managementJapan

Global study identifies urgent blue carbon priorities in the fight against climate change

An international study warns that critical scientific and practical gaps are slowing the use of blue carbon ecosystems in global efforts to tackle climate change. Led by researchers including Professor William Austin from the University of St Andrews, the research identifies urgent questions that must be addressed to scale up blue carbon conservation and restoration worldwide.

March 25, 20264 min
climate changeblue carboncarbon sequestration

Satellite-driven model provides 'more realistic and reliable' predictions of sand and dust storm emissions

New satellite-driven model dEARTH dynamically tracks changing soil surfaces, revealing that existing sand and dust storm prediction models have overestimated sediment transport by 45% globally for decades.

March 25, 20264 min
satellite technologydust stormsclimate modeling

Warming coastal waters emerge as primary driver of large-scale humid heat waves

Rising sea surface temperatures in coastal waters are driving 50 to 64 percent of the increase in large-scale humid heat waves, according to new research from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Princeton University and Sun Yat-sen University.

March 25, 20262 min
climate changeheat wavesocean warming

Satellite-driven model provides 'more realistic and reliable' predictions of sand and dust storm emissions

A new satellite-driven model called dEARTH dynamically tracks how soil surfaces change over time, providing more accurate predictions of sand and dust storms by incorporating real-world conditions like crusting, roughness, and vegetation shielding.

March 24, 20264 min
satellite technologydust stormsclimate modeling

Warming coastal waters emerge as primary driver of large-scale humid heat waves

Rising sea surface temperatures in coastal waters are driving 50 to 64 percent of the increase in large-scale humid heat waves, according to new research from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Princeton University and Sun Yat-sen University.

March 24, 20262 min
climate changeheat wavesocean warming

UK to Require Solar Panels and Heat Pumps in All New Homes

The UK government has announced that developers must install solar panels and heat pumps in all new homes in England from 2028, alongside plans to make plug-in solar panels available in supermarkets to help existing homeowners access renewable energy.

March 24, 20265 min
solar-panelsheat-pumpsrenewable-energy
PreviousPage 5 of 5