Category: Environment

Summer officially kicks off this Friday with the occurrence of the Summer Solstice, the astronomical event that marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. At precisely 10:42 p.m. EDT on June 20 (or 0242 GMT on June 21), the sun will reach its highest point north of the celestial equator. This moment signifies the sun appearing directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer, located at 23.5 degrees north latitude. That spot lies in the western Pacific Ocean, approximately 1,400 miles south of Tokyo, Japan.

In regions situated at mid-northern latitudes, the sun is never seen directly overhead. Yet, it does reach its annual peak altitude in the sky on this day. For instance, in Philadelphia, at 1:02 p.m. EDT during the solstice, the sun will reach its zenith for the year—soaring to 73 degrees above the southern horizon. To visualize this height, one can use a simple hand trick: a clenched fist held at arm’s length equals about 10 degrees. Using this method, Philadelphians would see the sun climb more than seven fists above the southern horizon. Because of this high arc across the sky, the city will experience the year’s longest span of daylight, precisely 15 hours.

However, this does not imply a full 9-hour window for stargazing after sunset. Twilight plays a crucial role in reducing the hours of true darkness. Around the June solstice at 40 degrees north latitude, both morning and evening twilight extend slightly over two hours each. As a result, there are only about five hours of complete darkness.

The higher the latitude, the longer twilight endures. At 45 degrees north, twilight stretches for two and a half hours. At 50 degrees, it persists all night, meaning the sky never becomes entirely dark. In contrast, further south, twilight is briefer. At 30 degrees latitude, twilight lasts 96 minutes, and in San Juan, Puerto Rico, it’s only 80 minutes. This phenomenon often surprises tourists from the northern United States when they notice how rapidly night falls in the Caribbean compared to their hometowns.

Interestingly, the solstice does not align with the year’s earliest sunrise or latest sunset. The earliest sunrise already happened on June 14, while the latest sunset will occur on June 27.

A common misconception is that Earth is closest to the sun during the summer solstice. In reality, the opposite is true. On July 3 at 3:55 p.m. EDT (19:55 Universal Time), Earth will reach aphelion, its farthest point from the sun in its elliptical orbit. At that time, our planet will be 94,502,939 miles (152,087,738 km) away from the sun.

Conversely, Earth reached perihelion, the closest point to the sun, on January 4. The difference between aphelion and perihelion is about 3,096,946 miles (4,984,051 km), roughly 3.277 percent. This variation translates into an approximate 7 percent difference in the solar energy received by Earth. In theory, this should mean milder summers and warmer winters in the Northern Hemisphere. However, the abundance of landmass in the Northern Hemisphere produces the opposite effect, generally resulting in colder winters and hotter summers compared to the Southern Hemisphere.

Following the solstice, the sun will begin its gradual migration southward, causing daylight hours in the Northern Hemisphere to slowly decline. Remarkably, after June 21, the days won’t begin to grow longer again until December 22, just three days before Christmas. Nonetheless, the sun has already been tracing a high path through the sky since mid-May, so the shortening of daylight immediately following the solstice will be quite subtle.

Some calendars mark August 1 as Lammas Day, a holiday derived from the Old English “loaf-mass.” Traditionally, this day celebrated the beginning of the harvest and was once considered the midpoint of summer. However, from a purely astronomical perspective, the actual midpoint of the summer season in 2024 lands on August 6 at 6:30 p.m. EDT. On that date in Philadelphia, the sun will set at 8:08 p.m., and the city will have lost just 56 minutes of daylight since June 20.

But the real effects of the sun’s southward shift begin to show more prominently during the latter half of summer. By the time autumn officially arrives on September 22, the sunset in Philadelphia will occur at 6:57 p.m., nearly an hour and ten minutes earlier than on August 6. The total loss of daylight from that midpoint of summer to the fall equinox will amount to 1 hour and 55 minutes.

This seasonal decline in sunlight even had practical implications for legendary New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra during his Hall of Fame career. When he occasionally played in left field during late summer, he noted the difficulty of spotting fly balls due to the lengthening shadows as the sun sank lower in the sky. Berra, known for his quirky and memorable sayings, once summed up this natural shift with a unique phrase: “It’s getting late early out there.”

While Berra may not have known the specific astronomical mechanics behind the sun’s apparent movement and the waning daylight, his words captured the essence of late summer’s changing light in a way that was both poetic and accurate.

Thus, as the Summer Solstice ushers in the official start of the season, it also sets in motion the gradual reduction of daylight. While the change is barely noticeable in the days immediately following June 21, the shift becomes more prominent as summer progresses, affecting everything from sunset times to the colors of the sky—and even how Hall of Famers see baseballs in flight.

The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, concluded in Nice with a powerful message urging world leaders to move beyond pledges and start implementing real change to protect the planet’s oceans. Over the course of 11 days, the conference brought together more than 15,000 participants, including 50 heads of state and government, scientists, civil society organizations, Indigenous leaders, and youth activists. The event was widely hailed as a major moment for ocean diplomacy, testing how serious the international community is about delivering on ocean conservation.

“This conference has been a resounding success,” declared Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, France’s Special Envoy for the Ocean. “We close not just with hope, but with concrete commitments, clear direction, and undeniable momentum.”

Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister Arnoldo André Tinoco echoed this optimism, praising the inclusive nature of the summit. “Together with France, we worked toward an action-oriented conference where all actors are represented and where finance and science go hand in hand,” he said.

Under-Secretary-General Li Chunhua, the Secretary-General of the conference, provided a reality check by reminding attendees that actions must follow words. “The real test is not what we said here but what we do next. The wave of change has formed. Now, it is our collective responsibility to propel it forward.”

Among the most significant developments at UNOC3 was progress toward ratifying the High Seas Treaty, formally called the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. With 51 countries having now ratified the treaty, the number required to bring it into force is just nine short of the 60 needed. Once active, the treaty would pave the way for the creation of marine protected areas in international waters, advancing the goal of protecting 30 percent of the ocean by 2030.

In addition to this progress, over 800 new voluntary commitments were announced through 10 multi-stakeholder Ocean Action Panels. These initiatives covered a wide range of issues including marine pollution, safeguarding deep-sea ecosystems, financing ocean protection, and honoring the role of Indigenous peoples in ocean stewardship.

Several major initiatives launched during the summit included:

• The One Ocean Finance Facility, designed to address the large funding shortfall in ocean conservation.
• The European Ocean Pact, aimed at enhancing cooperation for sustainable ocean management across European nations.
• The Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Coalition, which seeks to support communities most vulnerable to sea-level rise.

The conference also saw growing global resistance to deep-sea mining. Four more countries joined the call for a moratorium, bringing the total to 37. “More and more countries are listening to science and the demands of youth for their common heritage over commercial interests,” said Tinoco.

However, while the commitments were numerous, not everyone was satisfied. Environmental groups expressed disappointment that the conference didn’t deliver stronger, legally binding decisions, especially regarding deep-sea mining. Megan Randles, who led the Greenpeace delegation, voiced this concern bluntly: “We’ve heard lots of fine words here in Nice, but these need to turn into tangible action. Countries must be brave and make history by committing to a moratorium on deep-sea mining at next month’s International Seabed Authority (ISA) meeting.”

Randles acknowledged the progress on the High Seas Treaty but felt it was still insufficient. “The deep sea should not become the wild west,” she warned, referencing a recent remark made by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Activists also highlighted the importance of the upcoming negotiations in Geneva this August for a Global Plastics Treaty. Ninety-five governments signed the “Nice Call for an Ambitious Plastics Treaty,” but there are serious concerns that industry lobbying, particularly from oil and petrochemical sectors, could weaken the agreement.

“The world cannot afford a weak treaty dictated by oil-soaked obstructionists,” said John Hocevar, Oceans Campaign Director at Greenpeace USA. “Governments need to show that multilateralism still works for people and the planet, not the profits of a greedy few.”

Indigenous and coastal communities played a visible and vocal role at UNOC3. Their presence was especially prominent in the “Green Zone” located in La Valette, which hosted over 100,000 visitors and featured events ranging from grassroots panels to art exhibitions and youth forums.

Nichanan Thantanwit, Project Leader at the Ocean Justice Project, underscored the vital role of Indigenous voices in ocean protection. “There is no ocean protection without the people who have protected it all along. Governments must recognize small-scale fishers and Indigenous peoples as rights-holders and secure their role in ocean governance,” she said. She also condemned environmentally harmful practices such as bottom trawling and industrial aquaculture, noting that these “drive ecological collapse and human rights violations.”

While the French government hosted the event and President Emmanuel Macron reiterated his backing of a deep-sea mining moratorium—describing it as “an international necessity”—some conservationists felt France had not fully lived up to its leadership role. Enric Sala, National Geographic Explorer in Residence and founder of Pristine Seas, expressed disappointment with France’s performance. “This was France’s moment, but instead of making a splash, its impact was more of a ripple,” he said.

Sala acknowledged the positive actions of countries that announced new marine protected areas but added that the overall tone of the conference leaned heavily toward talk rather than decisive action. “We heard many policymakers speak about what needs to be done—yet few took the bold steps necessary to protect the ocean,” he said, adding that the event was “heavy on rhetoric, light on resolve.”

Looking ahead, a political declaration known as the “Nice Ocean Action Plan” is expected to be released soon. Though non-binding, it could play a significant role in shaping decisions at the ISA meeting in July and the plastics treaty negotiations in August.

Under-Secretary-General Chunhua shared that both South Korea and Chile have expressed interest in hosting the next United Nations Ocean Conference. “We want the positive momentum generated in Nice to amplify even further in UNOC4,” he stated.

As the curtain falls on UNOC3, there is a sense of optimism, but the question remains: Will this gathering result in meaningful change? Greenpeace’s Randles offered a closing reflection that captured the spirit of many attendees: “This must not be where it ends. It must be where it truly begins.”

In a rare and unexpected shift, scientists have recently documented a significant increase in the Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS), suggesting a temporary reversal in the continent’s long-term ice loss trend. While this development brings a glimmer of optimism, researchers are urging the public not to mistake it for a long-term climate recovery. Instead, they caution that this uptick in ice mass is likely a short-lived result of unusual weather patterns and does not negate the larger threats posed by global climate change.

According to a newly published study in Science China Earth Sciences, the AIS gained mass at an unprecedented rate between 2021 and 2023. As reported by KTVU, this represents a dramatic shift from the preceding decade, during which the Antarctic was steadily losing ice. “The study found that between 2011 and 2020, the AIS was losing ice at a rate of 142 gigatons per year,” KTVU reported. “But between 2021 and 2023, the trend reversed, with the ice sheet gaining approximately 108 gigatons per year — a historic turnaround.”

The regions that experienced the most noticeable recovery were primarily located in East Antarctica. Areas such as Wilkes Land and Queen Mary Land, including important glacier basins like Totten, Denman, Moscow University, and Vincennes Bay, showed signs of partial recovery. These zones had previously been major contributors to ice loss, with the Denman Glacier, in particular, being a focal point of concern due to its deep grounding line and vulnerability to melting.

This unexpected mass gain provided a short-term benefit in global sea-level trends. KTVU noted that the added ice “helped temporarily offset rising global sea levels by 0.3 millimeters per year during that two-year span.” While this might seem like a small amount, any delay in sea-level rise offers valuable time for adaptation strategies in vulnerable coastal regions.

However, experts emphasize that this development should not lead to complacency regarding the climate emergency. The AIS, which stores 90% of the planet’s freshwater, has the potential to dramatically reshape coastlines if it were to melt significantly. The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition has previously warned that a substantial melt would result in massive rises in sea levels, displacing populations, damaging infrastructure, and triggering broad ecological disruptions.

Despite the promising news, scientists point out that the ice gains are likely the result of increased snowfall driven by unusual weather patterns rather than a cooling trend. As KTVU explained, “scientists stressed that the climate crisis is far from over and that the gains could likely be attributed to unusual precipitation patterns, something that is also a sign of rising temperatures.”

This paradox — that increased snowfall can be a byproduct of warming — is a key concept in understanding the complex dynamics of climate systems. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has explained this phenomenon: as global ocean temperatures rise, more water evaporates into the atmosphere. This excess moisture eventually returns to the surface in the form of heavier rainfall or snowfall when it collides with storm systems. So, while snow accumulation in Antarctica might suggest colder conditions at first glance, it can actually be a symptom of a warming world.

Another concern raised by climate researchers involves the role of subglacial water, an often overlooked factor in ice dynamics. In May 2025, scientists warned that current models might be underestimating the contribution of meltwater beneath the ice sheet. This subglacial water forms either from the pressure of the overlying ice or from geothermal heat emanating from the Earth’s bedrock. When this water accumulates, it can act as a lubricant, allowing glaciers to move more quickly toward the ocean.

The implications of this overlooked element are troubling. Researchers have projected that the presence of subglacial meltwater could significantly boost the AIS’s contribution to sea-level rise over the coming centuries. “They predicted the effects of subglacial water could contribute 2.2 meters (about 7.2 feet) to sea-level rise by 2300,” KTVU stated. Such a dramatic increase would have catastrophic consequences for millions of people living in low-lying coastal regions around the world.

Therefore, while the AIS’s temporary recovery is certainly worth noting, it should not be misinterpreted as evidence that global warming is reversing. In fact, the very mechanisms that caused the ice sheet to gain mass could themselves be driven by a climate system that is growing more unstable.

The broader scientific consensus remains unchanged: human-driven climate change continues to pose severe risks to the planet’s ecosystems and societies. The AIS’s recent gains should be seen as a complex and nuanced event — a product of transient climate variability, not a permanent shift in direction.

In conclusion, the observed growth of the Antarctic Ice Sheet between 2021 and 2023 is both a surprising and noteworthy phenomenon. It demonstrates that short-term climate events can temporarily alter long-term trends, offering brief respite from some of the dire projections surrounding sea-level rise. However, this recovery is not a sign that the climate crisis is easing. Rather, it highlights the unpredictable nature of a warming world and the importance of continued vigilance, research, and action to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. As one key finding in the study illustrates, even a temporary gain in Antarctic ice does not erase the long-term losses or the growing influence of warming-related feedback loops.

A new international study has revealed that nearly 40 percent of the world’s existing glaciers are already at risk of disappearing, even if global temperatures were to stabilize at today’s levels. This stark assessment suggests that the world’s glaciers are far more vulnerable to climate change than previously believed.

Published in the journal Science, the research highlights that glaciers are more reactive to rising temperatures than earlier estimates had indicated. The findings raise serious concerns for regions dependent on glacier-fed water sources, as well as for global sea-level rise and long-term climate stability.

If the Earth continues on its current trajectory, with temperatures rising toward 2.7°C based on existing climate policies, more than 75 percent of the total glacier mass could be lost. This alarming projection underscores how critical it is to halt further global warming.

Dr. Harry Zekollari, a co-author of the study and Associate Professor at Vrije Universiteit in Brussels, emphasized the importance of even the smallest efforts to reduce warming. “Our study makes it painfully clear that every fraction of a degree matters,” he said. “The choices we make today will resonate for centuries, determining how much of our glaciers can be preserved.”

Glaciers have long been viewed as sensitive indicators of climate change, and their retreat has helped scientists track global warming trends. However, Dr. Lilian Schuster, co-lead author of the research, warned that the real situation is far worse than what is currently visible. “But the situation for glaciers is actually far worse than visible in the mountains today,” she noted.

One key finding is that smaller glaciers, especially those most critical to local human communities, are disproportionately affected. The presence of massive ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland tends to obscure the vulnerability of these smaller glaciers in global analyses. But the study found that some of the world’s most important glacier regions are nearing critical thresholds.

In regions like the European Alps, the Rocky Mountains in the western U.S. and Canada, and Iceland, the impact of a 2°C rise in temperature could be devastating. At that level, these areas could lose between 85 and 90 percent of their glacier ice compared to 2020 levels. Scandinavia’s glaciers are even more fragile, with predictions indicating that glacier ice there may disappear entirely at 2°C warming.

The consequences are especially troubling for the Hindu Kush Himalaya region, where glaciers feed major rivers relied on by around 2 billion people. If temperatures rise by 2°C, this region could see a 75 percent reduction in glacier ice compared to 2020. That would have major repercussions for water supply, agriculture, and regional ecosystems.

However, there is still some hope. If global temperature rise is kept within the Paris Agreement target of 1.5°C, many glaciers could be partially preserved. In this more optimistic scenario, even Scandinavia would retain 20 to 30 percent of its glacier ice, while regions like the Himalayas and the Caucasus might retain as much as 40 to 45 percent. This demonstrates the importance of pursuing aggressive decarbonization strategies and highlights how critical it is to remain within the 1.5°C target.

“This report reiterates the growing urgency of the 1.5°C temperature goal and rapid decarbonization to achieve it,” the researchers emphasized in their publication.

The conclusions are based on a detailed modeling effort led by 21 scientists from 10 different countries. The team used eight glacier models to simulate future ice loss for over 200,000 glaciers around the world. For each modeled scenario, they assumed that global temperatures would remain stable for thousands of years, providing a clear picture of how today’s decisions could echo far into the future.

Their findings show that glaciers will continue to shrink quickly over the next few decades, even in the absence of additional warming. This is because glaciers take a long time to adjust to new temperature conditions. As a result, even without further increases in global temperature, glaciers will keep retreating for centuries, moving to higher altitudes and establishing new, smaller equilibrium states.

Interestingly, glaciers in tropical regions may fare slightly better in terms of retaining ice, but not for hopeful reasons. The central Andes in countries like Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, as well as glacier regions in East Africa and Indonesia, are expected to retain more ice simply because they have already lost most of it.

Some recent examples illustrate how fast this process is occurring. Venezuela’s last glacier, Humboldt, lost its official glacier status in 2024. In Indonesia, the ironically named “Infinity Glacier” is also expected to vanish within the next two years. Similarly, Germany saw one of its last five glaciers disappear during a 2022 heatwave, and Slovenia is believed to have lost its final actual glacier decades ago.

These examples reflect a broader pattern of irreversible loss. Once glaciers shrink past a certain threshold, they can no longer maintain their mass balance, and their decline accelerates. In many parts of the world, this means that future generations will grow up without ever seeing the ice that once defined their landscapes.

Despite the grim projections, the study’s authors remain hopeful that swift and meaningful action can still change the outcome. “The decisions made by political leaders and societies today will define the fate of glaciers for generations to come,” the team wrote.

Their message is clear: the fate of glaciers is not entirely sealed, but time is running out. With the climate crisis intensifying, each fraction of a degree of warming avoided could mean the difference between preserving a vital water source and watching it disappear.

While the situation for glaciers is dire, it is not hopeless. The study provides a compelling call to action for policymakers, industries, and individuals alike to pursue immediate and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The science has spoken — now it is a matter of will and urgency.

Deep within the South Pacific Ocean lies a massive stretch of land that has largely remained concealed beneath the waves. Known as Zealandia, this vast underwater expanse covers nearly two million square miles, or about five million square kilometers, and is now being considered by many geologists as Earth’s newest continent. Only a small portion of it—roughly five percent—rises above sea level in places like New Zealand. Scientists believe Zealandia broke off from ancient supercontinents millions of years ago, making it a significant geological discovery.

Zealandia’s Ancient Origins

Geologist Nick Mortimer of GNS Science has led efforts to unravel Zealandia’s past. He and fellow researchers traced its history back more than 100 million years, to the era when a supercontinent called Gondwana dominated the southern hemisphere. Gondwana once included what are now South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, and parts of Asia.

Over time, Gondwana began to break apart, with different land masses drifting in various directions. One of these drifting sections eventually formed Zealandia. The landmass, once above sea level, began to submerge due to changes in tectonic pressures.

Around 85 million years ago, Zealandia started to separate from West Antarctica. It later detached from Australia, becoming an isolated landmass. As time passed, the continental crust in the region became thinner and cooler, eventually sinking beneath the ocean. Today, Zealandia remains mostly submerged, yet it carries tremendous scientific importance.

Clues from Geological Exploration

Although geologists had long speculated that this submerged region had continental characteristics, it wasn’t widely acknowledged as a separate continent. For years, underwater ridges and plateaus were thought to be disjointed fragments rather than parts of a unified landmass.

However, recent scientific advances have shifted that view. Researchers utilized geochronology, a technique that determines the age of rocks by analyzing the decay of radioactive elements, to build a timeline of Zealandia’s formation.

“By dating these rocks and studying the magnetic anomalies they presented, we were able to map the major geological units across North Zealandia,” the researchers explained. This helped demonstrate that the submerged terrain shares core traits with other continents.

Rock samples gathered from Zealandia’s northern areas revealed a diverse collection of sandstone, volcanic stones, and basaltic lava, dating from the Early Cretaceous to the Eocene epoch. These findings confirmed the region’s geological consistency and ancient origins.

Magnetic Evidence Strengthens the Case

Magnetic analysis also provided compelling support for Zealandia’s classification as a continent. By examining magnetic anomalies—variations in the Earth’s magnetic field caused by geological features—researchers identified clear patterns related to past volcanic events. These anomalies matched the ages of the rocks obtained from undersea dredging, aligning with known volcanic pulses from the Cretaceous and Eocene periods.

The researchers discovered intraplate basalt formations, which typically form within a tectonic plate rather than along its edges. These consistent magnetic and geological signals suggested that Zealandia was not merely random pieces of ocean crust but a structured and cohesive landmass.

Tectonic Forces Behind the Submersion

The sinking of Zealandia was largely driven by tectonic plate movements. These massive plates constantly shift over geological time. In some places, they collide, causing one plate to be forced under another—a process called subduction.

As Zealandia’s crust stretched and thinned, seawater eventually covered most of the land. Only a few islands remain above sea level today. These changes were caused by the gradual stretching and shifting of tectonic plates beneath the Pacific region.

Why Zealandia Matters

Understanding Zealandia helps scientists better comprehend how continents evolve under different tectonic forces. The sunken landmass holds valuable clues about Earth’s distant past, including its climate history and plate tectonic dynamics.

“Zealandia’s underwater status in no way diminishes its geological significance,” said a researcher from GNS Science. Despite being submerged, the continent retains features that offer insights into how land masses change shape and move over millions of years.

Sedimentary rocks found across Zealandia indicate that some regions remained above water even after its separation from other continents. Meanwhile, basalt samples point to newer volcanic activity triggered by shifting plate boundaries.

Combining rock dating techniques, magnetic readings, and tectonic models allowed scientists to accurately map Zealandia’s boundaries and internal zones. This growing body of evidence supports its recognition as a true continent.

Unexplored Regions Await Discovery

Large parts of Zealandia still remain unexplored. Advanced technologies such as deep-sea drilling and seismic imaging are expected to uncover more about the region’s geological structure and history.

Researchers hope to use this data to understand how drifting continents impact sea levels, climate systems, and biodiversity over time. Each new discovery has the potential to reshape our understanding of how Earth’s surface evolves.

While other submerged land fragments, called microcontinents, exist around the world, Zealandia stands out because of its sheer size and completeness. It represents not only a vast archive of Earth’s geological history but also a reminder that much of our planet remains hidden from view.

Future international research efforts will likely refine the current knowledge of Zealandia’s role in global tectonics. New studies may also contribute to broader discussions on what qualifies as a continent in modern geological terms.

In short, Zealandia’s discovery adds a new chapter to Earth science, illustrating the dynamic nature of our planet’s crust. It challenges existing definitions and highlights the need for continued exploration beneath the oceans. As research continues, this submerged giant may take its place alongside the seven recognized continents, forever changing the way we see the world.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac has just unveiled its long-range weather forecast for the summer of 2025, and it promises a dramatic season across much of the United States. This trusted annual publication, which has been around since 1792, is relied upon for its insights into weather, farming, gardening, and even recipes. As vacationers, gardeners, and event planners look toward summer travel, beach days, and key holidays like the Fourth of July and Labor Day, the latest forecast offers plenty to think about.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac bases its predictions on three key scientific principles: solar science, climatology, and meteorology. Thanks to this unique combination, it has guided generations of farmers, gardeners, outdoors enthusiasts, and travelers for over two centuries. The publication boasts an impressive 80% accuracy rate for its weather forecasts, making it a widely trusted source.

The outlook for the summer months of June, July, and August in 2025 can be summed up in one word: hot. According to the Almanac, Americans should prepare for “a scorcher of a summer.” Much of the country is expected to experience hot and dry conditions, with a few regional exceptions. The forecast warns that the extreme heat experienced during the summer of 2024 could return and possibly be matched—or even surpassed—in 2025.

The highest temperatures are expected to occur gradually as the summer progresses, with the most intense heat likely to arrive in July and August. As for precipitation, most of the western half of the U.S. is expected to see slightly below-average rainfall, although the country overall should experience typical precipitation levels.

Given the vastness of the United States, the Almanac divides the country into 18 separate regions for a more precise weather outlook. For areas not specifically mentioned, a hot and dry summer is the general expectation. However, several regions will face unique weather challenges that differ from the national trend.

In the Northeast, which includes Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, western Massachusetts, and eastern New York, the summer is expected to be especially humid due to higher-than-average precipitation levels. This combination of heat and moisture is likely to result in a muggy season for the region.

Southern Florida is one of the rare areas expecting cooler and wetter conditions. Region 5, which covers this part of the state, is forecasted to experience a “cool, rainy summer with hurricane potential from mid-July to late August.” The possibility of hurricanes adds an extra layer of concern for residents and travelers alike.

The Lower Lakes region, comprising Michigan, eastern Illinois, northern Indiana, and northern Ohio, is anticipated to receive more rain than usual this summer. This increase in precipitation is expected to keep the area somewhat cooler and wetter than other parts of the country.

Similarly, the Ohio Valley—including southern Illinois, southern Indiana, southern Ohio, Kentucky, and the western half of West Virginia—is forecasted to see above-average rainfall. This pattern suggests a wetter summer for Region 7, despite the rising temperatures across the rest of the country.

The Deep South, encompassing Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, is expected to face some of the most intense heat of the season. According to the forecast, this area will see “extreme, record-breaking heat” throughout the summer, which could put strain on energy systems and health resources.

The Heartland, made up of Iowa, Missouri, eastern Kansas, and eastern Nebraska, is also predicted to have a sweltering summer. The Almanac reports that this area will experience temperatures “averaging four degrees higher than usual and rainfall totals lower than normal.” This could result in drought-like conditions if the heat persists over an extended period.

Even more intense conditions are expected in Region 11, which includes Texas and Oklahoma. The Almanac states this will be “the hottest region in the country this summer,” with temperatures forecasted to reach four degrees above normal and limited rainfall. The most concerning period will be early August, which is identified as the peak risk time for hurricanes in the area.

While many areas will be suffering under extreme heat, the northern Intermountain region—covering eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, Idaho, western Montana, and western Colorado—is forecasted to experience cooler-than-average temperatures along with average rainfall. This might come as a welcome relief for residents accustomed to hotter, drier summers.

Meanwhile, the Desert Southwest, which stretches from southern California to western Texas, is bracing for much hotter than usual conditions. The Almanac notes that this region is “anticipated to experience significantly warmer temperatures than usual, ushering in opportunities for record-breaking heat.” Given the arid nature of the region, this prediction could have serious implications for water conservation and wildfire risks.

In contrast to much of the country, the Pacific Northwest—which includes western Washington and Oregon—is expected to be cooler than average. However, like the rest of the nation, this region is also forecasted to receive less rainfall than usual, potentially increasing wildfire risk despite the milder temperatures.

Alaska’s weather will vary significantly by region. The northern half is forecasted to be drier than usual, while the southern half is likely to see more rainfall. Still, overall, the state is expected to be cooler than average this summer, which may help counterbalance some of the climate extremes seen elsewhere.

Finally, Hawaii is predicted to have a wet, rainy summer. The smaller islands are expected to experience cooler-than-normal conditions, whereas the Big Island is forecasted to be hotter. This contrast within the same state highlights how varied the summer of 2025 may be, even in tropical regions.

In summary, while some parts of the country may escape the worst of the summer heat, the general consensus from the Old Farmer’s Almanac is that Americans should brace themselves for another intense season. With phrases like “a scorcher of a summer,” “record-breaking heat,” and “hurricane potential,” the 2025 forecast is a reminder of the increasing variability and extremity of seasonal weather patterns. Whether you’re planning a summer vacation, working outdoors, or just trying to stay cool at home, these predictions provide a valuable tool for preparation.

The world’s richest 10 percent are playing an outsized role in fueling global warming, significantly more than the poorest half of the population, according to a recent study published in the journal Nature Climate Change. The international research reveals that this affluent segment is responsible for nearly two-thirds of the warming experienced globally since 1990. This climate impact has contributed to intensifying extreme weather events such as prolonged heat waves and severe droughts across the globe.

The study was conducted by scientists from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Australia and aimed to understand the extent to which wealthy individuals are accelerating climate change. By analyzing emissions patterns and their consequences, the researchers found that a small segment of high-income earners are disproportionately contributing to environmental degradation. According to the findings, the top 1 percent of global earners alone have contributed 26 times more to the rise in rare, high-temperature events than the average person. Their influence on drought conditions is also substantial, having contributed 17 times more to droughts in sensitive regions like the Amazon.

Lead author Sarah Schongart of ETH Zurich in Switzerland emphasized that the causes of extreme climate phenomena are not distant or vague but are tied directly to the behavior of individuals, especially those with significant financial means. “Our study shows that extreme climate impacts are not just the result of abstract global emissions. We can directly link them to our lifestyle and investment choices, which in turn are linked to wealth,” she explained.

This perspective challenges the traditional view that climate change is simply a collective outcome of industrial activity or national policies. Instead, it points to specific socioeconomic groups whose personal and financial decisions have far-reaching consequences for the planet. The study underlines how the consumption habits and investment patterns of wealthy individuals exacerbate climate injustice, particularly in tropical and economically disadvantaged regions.

The implications of the research are most stark in areas such as Southeast Asia, the Amazon basin, and southern Africa. These regions have historically contributed the least to global carbon emissions yet are bearing the brunt of climate-induced suffering. Whether through deforestation, reduced rainfall, or intense heat events, the consequences are disproportionately severe in these parts of the world.

“If everyone on Earth had emitted like the bottom 50 percent of the global population, the world would have experienced minimal additional warming since 1990,” said co-author Carl-Friedrich Schleussner, who heads the Integrated Climate Impacts Research Group at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Austria. His comment points to the stark contrast in environmental impact between income groups and the potential benefits of equitable emission behavior.

Importantly, the research goes beyond analyzing personal consumption such as air travel, diet, and vehicle use. It highlights the role of financial investments made by wealthy individuals as a major source of carbon emissions. These investments often support high-emission sectors like fossil fuel production, heavy industry, and large-scale agriculture—activities that contribute significantly to climate change but remain indirectly linked to the lifestyles of investors.

This distinction is crucial. While everyday choices like energy use and transportation matter, the carbon footprint associated with wealth-related financial portfolios is often much larger and less visible. For instance, investment in oil companies or high-carbon industries effectively extends a person’s climate impact beyond their personal lifestyle.

According to the researchers, focusing solely on personal behavior without addressing the systemic and financial underpinnings of emissions will fail to produce meaningful change. They argue for targeted climate policies that regulate the financial actions of the wealthy. By shifting capital away from polluting industries and encouraging sustainable investments, policymakers could significantly reduce global emissions and help close the environmental equity gap.

Redirecting financial resources is not only a moral imperative but a strategic one. If investment portfolios were aligned with climate goals—such as those set by the Paris Agreement—major emission reductions could be achieved without solely relying on public spending or mass behavioral change. Wealthy individuals and institutions have the financial leverage to steer entire sectors toward greener practices, provided they are held accountable or incentivized to do so.

The study’s findings also feed into a broader debate around climate justice. As discussions around environmental responsibility evolve, there is growing recognition that emissions are not just a technical issue but also a social and economic one. Wealth disparity is increasingly viewed as a driver of environmental harm, with climate policies needing to reflect this reality to be effective.

This emerging consensus calls for more than carbon taxes or green subsidies. It suggests the need for structural reforms in global finance and investment regulations. High-income countries and individuals must consider not only their direct emissions but also the ripple effects of their financial choices across borders and ecosystems.

The research team insists that their work should inform international climate negotiations and national strategies moving forward. By incorporating income-based emission data and targeting high-emission individuals and their financial activities, governments could better design fair and effective climate policies.

Schongart and her colleagues conclude that understanding the unequal distribution of emissions is key to developing just climate solutions. The emissions of the world’s wealthiest are not just a statistical outlier—they are a central element in the current climate crisis. Without addressing the role of wealth and financial influence, the world risks continuing a pattern where the vulnerable pay the highest price for a problem they did little to create.

The study ultimately raises urgent questions about who holds responsibility for the planet’s warming and what changes are necessary to prevent further damage. As the climate emergency deepens, the role of the rich—and their investments—has become an unavoidable part of the conversation.

The global climate responds sensitively to major oceanic shifts, especially changes in ocean temperature and wind circulation. These fluctuations are tracked closely because they play a crucial role in shaping seasonal weather across continents. A detailed look at the Pacific Ocean reveals significant changes as the La Niña phase concludes, prompting atmospheric transitions that could influence summer conditions in the U.S. and Canada and offer hints about the upcoming winter.

The La Niña phenomenon, part of the broader El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), marks the colder phase of a recurring cycle in the tropical Pacific Ocean. ENSO shifts between cold and warm phases every one to three years, often beginning in late summer or early fall and persisting through the spring. Some instances, however, have extended up to two or three years.

In this context, La Niña refers to cooler-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific, while El Niño represents the opposite—warmer-than-average conditions. These phases bring about notable differences in atmospheric pressure. As described, “During an El Niño, the pressure over the tropical Pacific is lower, with more rainfall and storms in this region. But during a La Niña, the pressure rises over the region, creating stable conditions and fewer storms over the equatorial Pacific.”

These shifts in pressure eventually impact global atmospheric circulation, affecting weather patterns across both hemispheres. Analyzing anomaly data from early 2024 shows a temperature decline starting in December and bottoming out in January, with La Niña fading by March. “As you can see, they were all typically coldest around January,” noted the study. Historical comparisons show that several past La Niña events transitioned into El Niño phases before the following winter, while others saw a return of La Niña.

Recent ocean analyses highlight weakening cold anomalies in ENSO zones, signaling the end of the 2024/2025 La Niña. “You can also see that warmer anomalies are emerging in the ENSO area. This has raised the overall temperature in the region, officially ending the weak La Niña phase of the 2024/2025 season.” A video based on monthly ocean data confirms this trend, documenting the retreat of cold anomalies and the rise of warmer waters.

Beyond surface-level temperatures, wind and subsurface ocean patterns play a vital role. A graph of temperature anomalies in the ENSO 3.4 region illustrates a post-January warming trend that reached neutral levels by March. Meanwhile, surface anomaly graphics from a broader region reveal cooling from November to February, followed by neutral conditions emerging in April.

Examining subsurface temperatures shows that although cold water masses still exist at depths of up to 150 meters in the central Pacific, the surface layer has warmed, especially in the east. “The cold pool of the La Niña is still visible… But its surface features have been eroded, with warmer waters also rising in the eastern regions.”

With La Niña concluded and its winter evolution understood, historical analogs help predict what might come next. La Niña typically leaves atmospheric imprints during winter and spring, but these fade as ENSO conditions stabilize. The transition from cold to neutral ENSO is expected to spark notable atmospheric changes.

Comparing current data with years that followed similar La Niña-to-neutral transitions reveals valuable insights. Compiled weather patterns from those years show distinct features, such as “a high-pressure area over Canada, also covering the northern and western United States and eastern Canada,” with “a weak indication of a low-pressure area” over the southern and eastern U.S.

Interestingly, current summer pressure forecasts display similar traits, including high-pressure zones over western and eastern Canada and signs of low pressure over the eastern U.S. “This shows us that some atmospheric features can result from having similar oceanic conditions.”

Looking at temperature patterns during similar transitions, historical records show warmer-than-average conditions in the western and northern U.S. and Canada, while some regions like the eastern U.S. and Pacific Northwest recorded cooler temperatures. Current forecasts align with this to some extent. “We do not see any below normal temperatures forecast over the eastern United States, we do see an area of near normal temperatures.”

The cooler temperature anomaly over the eastern U.S. is attributed to a corresponding low-pressure zone, which moderates temperatures compared to the western half of the continent. While extreme heat may not dominate the entire continent this summer, signs point to a milder or more typical summer for the eastern U.S.

As attention shifts toward the longer-term outlook, forecasts for ENSO into autumn and winter 2025/2026 become vital. The latest data from ECMWF projects no strong anomalies, suggesting continued neutral conditions through autumn. “It shows a lack of any significant anomalies, either warm or cold. This indicates a continuation of a neutral phase into Autumn, and likely towards Winter 2025/2026.”

Long-range ensemble forecasts reinforce this idea, placing most projections within the warm-neutral phase. While there’s still a possibility of another La Niña, it’s currently seen as unlikely. As mentioned, “There is also a chance for a new La Niña event, but based on the past years, that scenario is at the present time less likely.” Instead, there’s a growing possibility of a new El Niño arriving in 2026.

To understand what a stable neutral ENSO might mean for winter, analog years once again offer insight. Examining the November to March timeframe reveals a trend of low pressure over Canada and high pressure over the North Pacific following La Niña events. Though far-off forecasts are often unreliable, CanSIPS modeling data echoes this historical pattern: “A low-pressure zone over Canada and a high-pressure zone in the North Pacific.”

These patterns often create cold-air reserves in western Canada, driven by low-pressure systems that generate strong northerly winds. “That northerly flow brings colder air down from the polar regions, and creates a broad area of cold air reserve.”

This stored cold air can move into the United States when pressure patterns shift, bringing cold spells. CanSIPS projections—used more for trend analysis than precise forecasting—support this possibility by showing a large cold-air mass extending into the U.S.

Ultimately, examining past winters suggests that when oceanic and atmospheric setups align, they can lead to recurring seasonal patterns. As the report concluded, “Just like 1+1 equals 2, we can also see in the weather how a combination of certain global factors can produce a similar winter season more than once.”

Thus, with La Niña officially behind us and a neutral ENSO state prevailing, North America is poised for a relatively typical summer in the east and a potentially cooler, variable winter ahead—depending on how ENSO conditions evolve into 2026.

Nestled in the heart of Crete, where myth converges with natural splendor, stands the legendary olive tree of Vouves. This ancient marvel, estimated to be at least 2,000 years old, has silently borne witness to the rise and fall of civilizations, outlasting even some of Greece’s most renowned historical figures.

For centuries, olive trees have been revered not only for their fruit and oil but also for their remarkable resilience. These trees symbolize endurance, wisdom, and continuity, standing as nature’s unwavering sentinels. In a world where time erodes most living things, the olive tree of Vouves serves as a powerful reminder that life can persist against all odds.

Scientists, historians, and nature enthusiasts alike have been captivated by the tree’s storied past, which offers rare insight into the evolutionary processes that allow certain organisms to survive for millennia. With its gnarled trunk and sprawling branches, the tree stands as a living testament to a lineage that defies time.

A Living Relic of History

The olive tree of Vouves is among the oldest living olive trees in the world, with estimates of its age ranging from 2,000 to as many as 4,000 years. If it is indeed closer to the upper end of this estimate, the tree may have existed before the time of Alexander the Great and Pythagoras.

Unlike younger olive trees, this ancient specimen possesses extraordinary adaptations that have allowed it to endure the passage of time. Its robust, weathered trunk and intricate root network have enabled it to survive harsh droughts, climate fluctuations, fires, and human activity—all while continuing to produce fruit.

The tree’s structural composition is a direct result of both genetic inheritance and the tumultuous environment in which it has thrived. Its resilience has made it a focal point for botanists and biologists who study longevity and adaptation in long-lived species.

Beyond its scientific significance, the olive tree of Vouves carries profound cultural meaning. Older than even the Parthenon, it is woven into the fabric of Greek heritage. Archaeologists and historians have unearthed ancient myths and legends that elevate the significance of olive trees as sacred entities, fueling discussions about the true age and importance of the Vouves tree.

The Secrets Behind Its Longevity

One of the key reasons behind the olive tree of Vouves’ extraordinary lifespan is its ability to regenerate through vegetative or clonal reproduction. At the core of this process is the “root mother,” an underground network that stabilizes the tree while enabling new growth to emerge even as the visible structure above ground ages.

This regenerative capacity acts as a biological time capsule, allowing the tree to withstand environmental challenges that would prove fatal to less adaptable species. Even if the tree were to be burned, cut down, or severely damaged, the root mother would continue to generate new shoots, ensuring its survival.

Over the centuries, the olive tree of Vouves has successfully utilized this genetic blueprint to produce genetically identical offshoots. This form of clonal propagation is one of nature’s most effective survival strategies in an ever-changing climate.

At a cellular level, olive trees possess unique biochemical mechanisms that repair damaged tissues and protect against pathogens. These processes involve antioxidants and stress-response proteins, which maintain cellular integrity over centuries.

Additionally, the oil produced by these trees offers benefits beyond human consumption. It contains antimicrobial and antifungal properties that serve as a natural defense mechanism, further contributing to the tree’s biological “immortality.”

A Versatile and Essential Tree

Olive trees are not merely ancient relics; they play an essential role in environmental sustainability and human well-being. The olives they bear are rich in polyphenols, vitamins, and healthy fats—compounds that have been extensively researched for their health benefits. Studies suggest that olive consumption contributes to cardiovascular health, reduces inflammation, and even holds potential anticancer properties.

The production of olive oil remains a vital industry, supporting sustainable agricultural practices and providing livelihoods for communities across southern Europe and beyond. The transformation of olives into oil has been central to Mediterranean economies and culinary traditions since antiquity. Large-scale cultivation, while a more recent development in modern history, continues to reinforce the significance of this ancient tree.

Beyond culinary uses, olive oil has long held a place in cosmetics, medicine, and religious rituals. Its presence in both ancient ceremonies and modern kitchens underscores the deep-rooted cultural and practical importance of the olive tree.

The groves where olive trees grow serve a critical role in maintaining ecological balance. These landscapes contribute to biodiversity, prevent soil erosion, and enhance water retention. Olive groves also provide habitats for various species, reinforcing their value beyond the scope of botanical study.

The Symbolism of Olive Trees in Culture

Throughout history, olive trees have been deeply ingrained in cultural and spiritual traditions. In ancient Greece, they were considered sacred and were associated with Athena, the goddess of wisdom. According to legend, the first olive tree was a divine gift from Athena to the people of Athens, symbolizing peace and prosperity.

Olive branches have also been used as symbols of victory, peace, and endurance. Victors in ancient Olympic Games were crowned with olive wreaths, and the olive branch continues to be a global emblem of harmony and reconciliation.

The tree’s significance extends beyond Greece, as olive cultivation has shaped societies across the Mediterranean. From religious ceremonies in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam to traditional medicinal applications in various cultures, olive trees remain an enduring symbol of human civilization.

The Future of the Olive Tree of Vouves

As climate change threatens ecosystems worldwide, the longevity of ancient trees like the olive tree of Vouves offers valuable lessons in resilience. Scientists continue to study these trees in the hope of understanding how their genetic makeup and adaptive strategies could inform conservation efforts and sustainable agricultural practices.

Efforts to preserve the olive tree of Vouves are ongoing, with conservationists and local authorities working to protect its legacy. The tree has become a major attraction, drawing visitors from around the world who come to marvel at its extraordinary history.

Given its unique ability to withstand adversity, the tree serves as both a scientific curiosity and an inspiration for future generations. It stands as a testament to nature’s enduring strength and the intricate balance that allows life to persist for millennia.

A Legacy Rooted in Time

The olive tree of Vouves is more than just a botanical marvel; it is a living bridge between the past, present, and future. Its ancient roots intertwine with the history of civilizations, while its ongoing survival provides insight into the resilience of nature.

Whether admired for its historical significance, scientific intrigue, or cultural symbolism, the olive tree of Vouvesremains a remarkable example of nature’s ability to endure. As researchers continue to explore its secrets, and visitors pay homage to its lasting presence, one thing is certain—the story of this ancient tree is far from over.

A total lunar eclipse, commonly referred to as the Blood Moon, is set to occur on March 14, 2025, and will be visible across the Americas. Unfortunately, this celestial event will not be visible from India.

The next total lunar eclipse that can be seen in India will take place later in the year, on September 7-8, 2025.

During the March 14 eclipse, the Moon will take on a reddish hue as it passes through Earth’s shadow. This phenomenon occurs when the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, filtering out shorter wavelengths of light and casting a deep red glow on the lunar surface.

Although this event promises to be visually stunning, it will not be visible in India due to its timing, which coincides with daylight hours in the country.

The eclipse will start at 9:27 am IST, reach its peak at 12:28 pm IST, and conclude by 3:30 pm IST. Since the Moon will be below the horizon during this period, observers in India will not be able to witness the event directly.

However, astronomy enthusiasts in India can still experience the lunar eclipse through live streams available on various social media platforms, which will broadcast the event in real time.

For those in the Americas, the eclipse will be particularly prominent. The total phase will last over 65 minutes, offering a spectacular sight to sky-watchers.

The event will begin at 11:57 pm EDT on March 13, 2025, and end at 6:00 am EDT on March 14. As reported by the Times of India, the total eclipse phase will take place between 2:26 am and 3:31 am EDT (06:26 to 07:31 UTC).

During this time, the Moon will take on its characteristic red tint, making it a remarkable celestial display.

Apart from North and South America, certain regions of Europe will witness the eclipse at moonset, while parts of East Asia will observe it at moonrise.

Australia and some areas of Africa will also have an opportunity to see the eclipse.

While this particular event will not be visible in India, sky-watchers in the country can look forward to the next total lunar eclipse on September 7-8, 2025, which will be observable nationwide without the limitations of daylight.

This upcoming total lunar eclipse is part of a series known as a tetrad, which consists of four consecutive total lunar eclipses. The subsequent eclipses after March 14, 2025, are scheduled for September 8, 2025, March 3, 2026, and August 28, 2026.

With more such astronomical events lined up, stargazers will have ample opportunities to witness these breathtaking celestial phenomena in the coming years.

The world’s largest iceberg has become stuck in shallow waters near the remote British island of South Georgia, a habitat for millions of seals and penguins.

This massive iceberg, approximately twice the size of Greater London, appears to have lodged itself near the island’s southwestern shores. As it remains in place, it is expected to begin breaking apart.

Fishermen are concerned about navigating through large chunks of ice, while some macaroni penguins that rely on feeding in the area may be affected. However, Antarctic scientists suggest that as the iceberg melts, it will release significant nutrients into the ocean, potentially fostering a surge of marine life.

“It’s like dropping a nutrient bomb into the middle of an empty desert,” said Prof. Nadine Johnston of the British Antarctic Survey.

Mark Belchier, an ecologist who advises South Georgia’s government, warned of potential risks. “If it breaks up, the resulting icebergs are likely to present a hazard to vessels as they move in the local currents and could restrict vessels’ access to local fishing grounds,” he said.

This event is the latest chapter in a nearly 40-year-long journey that began when the iceberg calved from the Filchner–Ronne Ice Shelf in 1986. Scientists have been tracking its movement through satellite imagery, particularly since December when it finally escaped an ocean vortex that had trapped it for years.

As the iceberg drifted northward through warmer waters known as “iceberg alley,” it largely retained its structure. At one point, it seemed to rotate in place before accelerating in mid-February, moving about 20 miles (30 km) per day.

“The future of all icebergs is that they will die. It’s very surprising to see that A23a has lasted this long and only lost about a quarter of its area,” said Prof. Huw Griffiths, who spoke to BBC News from the Sir David Attenborough polar research vessel currently stationed in Antarctica.

On Saturday, the towering 300-meter ice mass struck the shallow continental shelf roughly 50 miles (80 km) from the island and now appears to be firmly grounded.

“It’s probably going to stay more or less where it is until chunks break off,” said Prof. Andrew Meijers of the British Antarctic Survey.

The iceberg is displaying clear signs of deterioration. Initially covering an area of 3,900 square kilometers (1,500 square miles), it has steadily decreased in size, shedding significant amounts of water as it has traveled through warmer seas. Its current estimated size is 3,234 square kilometers.

“Instead of a big, sheer, pristine box of ice, you can see caverns under the edges,” Prof. Meijers noted.

As the tides lift and lower the iceberg, the friction against the continental shelf will cause it to grind back and forth, eroding both ice and rock.

“If the ice underneath is rotten—eroded by salt—it’ll crumble away under stress and maybe drift somewhere more shallow,” Prof. Meijers explained.

Beneath the iceberg, an entire ecosystem of small marine creatures, including corals, sponges, and sea slugs, faces destruction.

“Their entire universe is being bulldozed by a massive slab of ice scraping along the sea floor,” said Prof. Griffiths.

Although this is devastating in the short term, he pointed out that such events are a natural part of the region’s ecological cycle.

“Where it is destroying something in one place, it’s providing nutrients and food in other places,” he added.

Concerns had initially been raised regarding the impact on the island’s larger wildlife. A similar event in 2004, when an iceberg lodged in the Ross Sea, negatively affected penguin breeding and resulted in increased mortality.

However, experts now believe that most of South Georgia’s wildlife will not face the same fate.

Peter Fretwell from the British Antarctic Survey noted that some macaroni penguins that forage on the continental shelf where the iceberg is grounded may experience disruption.

As the iceberg releases freshwater into the surrounding saltwater, it could decrease the availability of krill, a primary food source for penguins.

While the penguins might relocate to other feeding areas, doing so would place them in competition with other marine species.

The iceberg could also pose logistical challenges when the fishing season begins in April, potentially obstructing harbors and complicating navigation.

“This will be the most ice from an iceberg we will have ever dealt with in a fishing season, but we are well-prepared and resourced,” said Andrew Newman of Argos Froyanes.

Despite the challenges, researchers in Antarctica are also uncovering the critical role icebergs play in sustaining marine ecosystems.

Prof. Griffiths and Prof. Johnston, aboard the Sir David Attenborough research vessel, are studying how nutrients from Antarctic ice circulate across the planet.

They explain that various particles and minerals become trapped in ice and are gradually released into the ocean as the iceberg melts.

“Without ice, we wouldn’t have these ecosystems. They are some of the most productive in the world, and support huge numbers of species and individual animals, and feed the biggest animals in the world like the blue whale,” said Prof. Griffiths.

One indicator that the nutrient release from iceberg A23a has begun will be the emergence of vast phytoplankton blooms around it. If this occurs, satellite images should capture a massive green halo surrounding the iceberg in the coming weeks and months.

The natural cycle of iceberg formation and melting is crucial to marine life. However, climate change is expected to accelerate the process, leading to increased instability in Antarctica’s ice sheets.

As temperatures rise, more icebergs could break away, melt at faster rates, and further disrupt wildlife and fishing industries in the region.

The coldest Arctic blast of the season is set to engulf much of the United States, marking yet another intense polar vortex event in what has already been a winter of repeated frigid invasions, meteorologists warn. The icy grip is expected to persist throughout next week.

Unusual weather patterns in the Arctic are causing the typically confined frigid air near the North Pole to spill southward, affecting both the U.S. and parts of Europe, according to meteorologists interviewed by The Associated Press.

This marks the 10th time this winter that the polar vortex—a system that normally contains the coldest Arctic air—has stretched southward, said Judah Cohen, seasonal forecast director at Atmospheric and Environmental Research. By contrast, a typical winter sees only two or three such events.

From record snowfall in New Orleans to drought and devastating wildfires in Southern California, this winter has been anything but ordinary.

Bitter Cold to Dominate the Central and Eastern U.S.

The impending Arctic outbreak is expected to first hit the northern Rockies and northern Plains by Saturday, lingering throughout the week. The cold will be most intense east of the Rockies, sparing only the far western U.S. and parts of central and southern Florida.

On Tuesday, temperatures across the Lower 48 states are forecasted to average 16.6 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 8.6 Celsius), dropping further to 14 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 10 Celsius) by Wednesday, according to calculations by private meteorologist Ryan Maue, a former chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

By next week, about 89% of the contiguous U.S. will experience freezing temperatures, with 27% of the Lower 48 seeing subzero conditions (minus 18 degrees Celsius), per National Weather Service projections.

Adding to the misery, strong winds will make the cold even more punishing. Every U.S. state—except Hawaii, California, and Florida—will likely experience wind chills of 20 degrees or lower at some point, the National Weather Service predicts.

Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Iowa will bear the brunt of the Arctic chill, with temperatures plummeting as much as 35 degrees Fahrenheit (19 degrees Celsius) below normal, said Zack Taylor, a meteorologist at the Weather Prediction Center. NOAA models forecast subzero lows in Oklahoma, Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan by Wednesday.

Potential for Storms and Nor’easter

The extended period of extreme cold may also bring storms, including heavy snowfall, flooding, or possibly a nor’easter, though exact details remain uncertain, Taylor noted.

“All the stars align—all the wind directions in the atmosphere are dragging the cold polar air out of the Canadian Arctic,” Maue said. “It’s the depths of winter. Everything signals extreme, biting winter cold. This isn’t the first polar vortex event of the season, but it looks to be the most severe.”

Unusual Polar Vortex Behavior Under Scrutiny

Unlike traditional polar vortex disruptions—where sudden warming weakens the vortex and allows cold air to escape south—this event involves stretching rather than breaking. According to Cohen, the vortex remains strong but elongates and bends, resulting in outbreaks that, while extreme, are generally less severe than full vortex collapses. Stretch events like this tend to impact the U.S. more than Europe.

Meteorologists are analyzing why this type of stretching is occurring so frequently this year. It could simply be a result of natural climate variability, said Laura Ciasto, a NOAA meteorologist specializing in the polar vortex.

“What we’re observing right now is interesting, but not unprecedented,” said Martin Stendel, a scientist at Denmark’s National Center for Climate Research.

A contributing factor is a high-pressure system over Greenland, which is shifting westward and altering the jet stream. This change is creating a pattern that allows Arctic air to surge southward and linger, Cohen explained.

Some scientists, including Stendel, suggest that human-induced climate change may be making the jet stream more erratic, increasing the likelihood of these prolonged, wavy weather patterns.

Cold Winter Amid Global Warming

Despite the frigid conditions in much of the U.S., the planet continues to experience a broader warming trend. January set another global temperature record, marking the 18th time in the past 19 months that the Earth exceeded the internationally recognized warming threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels.

With an unprecedented number of polar vortex disruptions this winter, meteorologists remain uncertain about when this extreme cold pattern will finally break.

The past month has officially been the warmest January ever recorded, raising fresh concerns among scientists about the pace of climate change, according to a BBC report.

January 2025 was initially expected to be slightly cooler than the previous year due to a shift in the Pacific’s natural weather cycle away from El Niño. However, contrary to expectations, it surpassed the January 2024 record by nearly 0.1°C, as reported by the European Copernicus climate service.

The ongoing rise in global temperatures is primarily attributed to greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels. Despite this, scientists acknowledge they are still unable to fully explain why January 2025 experienced such an intense spike in heat.

This continues a trend of unexpected temperature surges observed since mid-2023, with temperatures exceeding previous projections by approximately 0.2°C.

“The basic reason we’re having records being broken, and we’ve had this decades-long warming trend, is because we’re increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere,” said Gavin Schmidt, director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, in a statement to BBC News.

He further explained that while the overall warming trend is well understood, the specifics behind why 2023, 2024, and now the beginning of 2025 have been exceptionally warm remain unclear. “The specifics of exactly why 2023, and 2024, and [the start of] 2025, were so warm, there are other elements involved there. We’re trying to pin those down,” Schmidt added.

Data from the European Copernicus climate service illustrates this trend through a bar chart showing global average January temperatures from 1940 to 2025. The chart reveals a clear upward trajectory, with January 2025 registering the highest global average temperature of 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels, marginally surpassing the 2024 record. The visual representation also indicates that as the years have gotten hotter, the color of the bars has progressively darkened to deeper shades of red.

In absolute terms, January 2025 ended up 1.75°C warmer than the late 19th century, a period before human activities had a significant impact on the climate.

The warming trend early last year was partially influenced by the El Niño phenomenon, a natural climate pattern where abnormally warm ocean surface waters spread across the eastern tropical Pacific. This event releases excess heat into the atmosphere, further elevating global temperatures.

In contrast, La Niña conditions, which tend to have a cooling effect, are now developing, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Scientists expected this shift to lead to a slight drop in temperatures.

Currently, La Niña remains weak, and its full impact on global temperatures can take a few months to manifest. Even with this transition underway, experts anticipated that January 2025 would be cooler than January 2024.

“If you’d asked me a few months ago what January 2025 would look like relative to January 2024, my best shot would have been it would be cooler,” said Adam Scaife, head of monthly to decadal predictions at the UK Met Office.

He admitted that the reality has proven otherwise, and researchers are still struggling to understand the reasons behind this unexpected warmth. “We now know it isn’t, and we don’t really know why that is,” Scaife acknowledged.

An endangered plant renowned for its pungent odor, nicknamed the “corpse flower,” is currently in bloom at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, Australia. The rare event has drawn global attention, with thousands of people tuning in to a livestream to witness the phenomenon.

The titan arum, scientifically known as Amorphophallus titanum, is native to the rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia. The plant blooms only once every few years, with the flowering process lasting a mere 24 hours. This short-lived spectacle has made the corpse flower a botanical marvel, celebrated for its massive structure and the distinct stench it emits.

The Sydney specimen, affectionately named Putricia, has become an online sensation. Descriptions of its scent range from “wet socks” and “hot cat food” to “rotting possum flesh.” The event’s popularity has even inspired unique language among viewers, who have coined phrases like “WWTF” (We Watch the Flower) in the livestream’s chat.

On Thursday, more than 8,000 people were watching the livestream simultaneously, a number that doubled as the flower began to show noticeable changes. The anticipation was palpable as the plant, cordoned off behind a red velvet rope, slowly revealed its vibrant maroon spathe—a petal-like structure that surrounds the spadix, the towering central spike.

The excitement surrounding Putricia’s bloom is unprecedented at the Royal Botanic Gardens. “This specimen is around 10 years old,” said John Siemon, director of horticulture and living collections at the gardens. “We acquired it from our colleagues in LA Botanic Garden at the age of three, and we’ve been nurturing it for the last seven years. We’re incredibly excited to have our first bloom in 15 years.”

Siemon likened the public interest in the bloom to Sydney’s 2000 Olympics, noting, “We’ve had 15,000 people come through the gates before it [the flower] even opened.”

The livestream has become a platform for humor and camaraderie among viewers. One commenter wrote, “I’m back again to see how Putricia is going, and I can see she’s still taking her time like the queen she is, fair play.” Another quipped, “This is the slowest burlesque ever.” A particularly devoted fan shared, “Overnight I watched, fell asleep, awoke, watched, fell asleep. I am weak, but Putricia is strong. WWTF.”

Other acronyms created by viewers include WDNRP (We Do Not Rush Putricia) and BBTB (Blessed Be The Bloom), reflecting the playful yet reverent tone of the online community.

The corpse flower’s unique characteristics make it one of nature’s wonders. When in bloom, the spadix emits a strong odor resembling decaying flesh, which lures pollinators like flies and beetles. These insects, mistaking the plant for rotten meat, assist in transferring pollen between male and female flowers.

The titan arum holds the distinction of having the largest flowering structure in the world, capable of reaching heights of up to 3 meters (10 feet) and weighing as much as 150 kilograms (330 pounds). Its spadix contains hundreds of flowers at its base, further emphasizing its extraordinary biology.

Despite its grandeur, the titan arum is endangered in the wild due to deforestation and habitat degradation in Sumatra. Efforts to cultivate the plant in botanical gardens worldwide aim to preserve its existence while also educating the public about its ecological significance.

Putricia is one of several titan arums housed at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney. The last bloom there occurred 15 years ago, making this event a rare and cherished occasion. However, other Australian cities have hosted similar blooms in recent years. Botanic gardens in Melbourne and Adelaide have also showcased the corpse flower, each time drawing thousands of visitors eager to experience its notorious odor.

The fascination with the titan arum extends beyond Australia. London’s Kew Gardens, a pioneer in cultivating the plant outside its native habitat, saw a corpse flower bloom as recently as June last year. The first recorded bloom outside Sumatra occurred at Kew Gardens in 1889, marking a historic milestone in botanical history.

As Putricia continues her fleeting bloom, she serves as a reminder of the delicate balance required to protect endangered species. The thousands of people captivated by her appearance, both in person and online, underscore the enduring appeal of nature’s rare and unusual phenomena.

With her maroon skirt unfurled and her infamous stench filling the air, Putricia has cemented her status as a true botanical queen, inspiring awe, laughter, and a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the natural world. WWTF indeed.

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.1 struck a remote region of Tibet on Tuesday morning, leaving at least 126 people dead and 188 others injured, according to China Central Television (CCTV). The quake, recorded at 9:05 a.m. local time at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), caused widespread destruction across the Himalayan region, with tremors reverberating in neighboring Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of northern India.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the quake’s epicenter in Tingri county on the Tibetan plateau, about 50 miles north of Mount Everest and near the border with Nepal. The seismic energy toppled homes in remote villages, shook the Tibetan holy city of Shigatse, and startled visitors at a Mount Everest base camp.

Impact and Casualties

The earthquake severely affected sparsely populated areas close to the epicenter, with more than 3,600 houses damaged, according to CCTV. The China Earthquake Networks Center reported at least 150 aftershocks, including 19 measuring 3.0 or higher. Xinhua news agency estimated about 6,900 people live in 27 villages within a 20-kilometer (12-mile) radius of the epicenter.

The tremors reached Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, causing panic. Bishal Nath Upreti of the Nepal Centre for Disaster Management described the scene: “It was very strong. People came running out of their houses. You could see the wires from poles shaken loose.”

Rescue efforts are underway in affected areas, with emergency teams, medical personnel, and supplies being transported by Tibet Airlines and Air China. Social media footage showed extensive damage in Lhatse county, 53 miles from the epicenter, with debris littering streets, damaged vehicles, and collapsed shopfronts.

Shigatse: A City Shaken

Shigatse, the nearest major city to the epicenter, lies about 180 kilometers (111 miles) away. Known as the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, the city is home to approximately 800,000 residents. Surveillance footage from a local supermarket captured the chaos as the quake struck, with customers fleeing and goods toppling from shelves.

Despite the strong tremors, reports of significant damage in Shigatse were limited. The Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in India, expressed his sorrow, stating, “I am deeply saddened to learn of the earthquake. I offer my prayers for those who have lost their lives and extend my wishes for a swift recovery to all who have been injured.”

Eyewitness Accounts

In Bainang County, 200 kilometers (125 miles) from Tingri, 24-year-old Pu Chi described her fear as she experienced her first earthquake. “I was lying in bed when I felt the room shake and saw the ceiling light sway. I quickly threw on some clothes and ran outside,” she told CNN.

Anna Guo, an 18-year-old college student visiting Shigatse, was preparing to travel to Mount Everest when the quake struck. “We have never felt an earthquake that strong before,” she said, recounting how the windows shook violently.

At a Mount Everest base camp, where winter tourism is less common, about 30 visitors were evacuated. Ba Luo, a staff member, reported feeling tremors but noted no structural damage.

Nepal’s Reaction

In Nepal, the quake reignited memories of the catastrophic 2015 earthquake that killed about 9,000 people. Rupesh Vishwakarmi, an official from Solukhumbu district near the Nepal-China border, said, “The tremors were very strong. Definitely, everyone is panicked.”

Nepali police reported 13 injuries, with several homes damaged, including one completely destroyed. The Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed the tremors had shaken buildings and left many fearful.

Rescue Operations

China deployed extensive resources to the affected regions. CCTV reported the arrival of more than 200 Chinese military soldiers in Tingri county, with 1,500 additional personnel on standby. Three villages experienced a complete communication blackout, complicating rescue efforts.

Social media videos released by China’s National Immigration Administration showed officers digging through rubble with their bare hands in search of survivors. In one village, collapsed houses and crumpled walls left residents seeking warmth by sipping hot water while sitting on roadside blankets.

President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for urgent action, directing officials to prioritize rescue operations, minimize casualties, and ensure the safety and comfort of affected residents in the harsh winter conditions.

Preparing for Winter Challenges

With temperatures expected to drop below 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius), China’s meteorological administration urged residents to seek shelter. Local authorities dispatched thousands of tents, beds, and coats to assist survivors in Shigatse and nearby regions.

Everest Base Camp and Tourism

Although winter is not the peak season for Mount Everest climbers, the scenic area still attracts visitors. Authorities temporarily closed the Everest base camp following the quake. Nearly 500 tourists visited the area a day before the earthquake, according to Ba Luo.

Broader Implications

The quake serves as a stark reminder of the Himalayan region’s seismic vulnerability. Tibet, in particular, is an earthquake-prone zone due to the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates’ collision. The region’s isolation and rugged terrain pose additional challenges for rescue and recovery efforts.

Historical and Political Context

Tibet remains one of China’s most politically sensitive regions, with foreign access tightly controlled. Beijing has maintained strict authority over the region since the Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

This earthquake, while a natural disaster, brings renewed attention to the area’s geopolitical complexities and humanitarian challenges. As rescue teams continue to work tirelessly, the international community watches closely, offering support and solidarity to those affected.

The upcoming year is set to dazzle stargazers with an array of celestial events, though a total solar eclipse like the one that captivated North America last spring will be absent. While enthusiasts must wait until 2026 for the next such event, 2025 offers plenty of other cosmic phenomena worth anticipating. From eclipses to supermoons and meteor showers, the skies will deliver a series of awe-inspiring moments.

Eclipses to Watch For

Two lunar eclipses will dominate the celestial calendar in 2025. The first occurs on March 14, when the moon will disappear for over an hour, visible across North and South America. Just two weeks later, a partial solar eclipse will grace skies in Maine, eastern Canada, Greenland, Europe, Siberia, and northwestern Africa.

The spectacle will repeat in September with a total lunar eclipse lasting even longer, visible over Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Another partial solar eclipse will follow, this time visible in the southernmost parts of the globe.

Supermoons Take Center Stage

Three supermoons are on the horizon, slated for October, November, and December. These full moons will appear larger and brighter due to the moon’s closer-than-usual orbit around Earth. November’s supermoon will be the most impressive, coming as close as 221,817 miles (356,980 kilometers) to our planet.

Last year, four supermoons lit up the night sky, with the final one appearing in November. This year’s trio promises to be equally enchanting.

Planet Parade Promises a Show

A stunning planetary lineup will greet skywatchers in January 2025. Six planets—excluding Neptune and Uranus—will form a long arc visible just after sunset. For those with clear skies and a sharp eye, this parade will extend for weeks, providing a spectacular opportunity to view planets like Jupiter and Saturn without special equipment.

By February, Mercury will briefly join the show, creating a seven-planet lineup. As Bruce Betts, the chief scientist at The Planetary Society, remarked, “People should go out and see them sometime during the next many weeks. I certainly will.” Over time, these planets will exit the stage one by one, concluding the display in spring.

Auroras Expected to Impress

Last year’s solar activity gave rise to vivid auroras, lighting up skies in regions unaccustomed to such sights. With the sun reaching its solar maximum—an 11-year peak in activity—more geomagnetic storms are expected, potentially producing more dazzling displays of the northern and southern lights.

Shawn Dahl from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends staying informed about space weather updates. “Don’t miss any pop-up, razzle-dazzle shows,” Dahl advised, emphasizing the unpredictability of these natural light spectacles.

Meteor Showers for All

The Perseids in August and the Geminids in December remain annual favorites for meteor enthusiasts, but smaller meteor showers will also shine this year. The Lyrids in April, the Orionids in October, and the Leonids in November provide additional opportunities to witness streaking meteors across the night sky.

For optimal viewing, seek out darker areas with minimal light pollution and a dim moon. Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through debris trails left by comets or asteroids, with each event named for the constellation from which the meteors appear to radiate.

A Year of Cosmic Wonders

2025 is shaping up to be a remarkable year for astronomy fans and casual observers alike. With an array of events including eclipses, supermoons, auroras, and planetary alignments, the year promises to be filled with moments of celestial wonder. Whether gazing at the moon’s disappearance, marveling at a seven-planet lineup, or catching a streak of meteors, the night sky will provide plenty of reasons to look up and be amazed.

The African continent is undergoing a remarkable transformation driven by tectonic forces, which are rapidly altering its geographical and ecological landscape. At the heart of this change lies the East African Rift System, a vast network of faults stretching from Mozambique to the Red Sea. Recent studies show that the tectonic plates in the region are separating at an accelerated rate, potentially leading to the formation of a new ocean. What was once thought to be a process spanning millions of years is now projected to unfold in the next million years or even sooner.

This dramatic geological shift is reshaping Africa’s geography, with the African and Somali plates moving apart at a rate of around 0.8 centimeters per year. The rift, located in the Ethiopian desert, stretches 60 kilometers and reaches depths of 10 meters, marking the early stages of a significant geological event—the birth of a new ocean basin. While this process is slow from a human perspective, it signals the beginning of a transformation that will redefine Africa’s landscape over time.

Cynthia Ebinger, a geoscientist from Tulane University, underscores the accelerated pace of this change, noting that the timeframe for the rift’s development has been shortened considerably. “We’ve reduced the timeframe to about 1 million years, possibly even half that,” Ebinger explains. Although she acknowledges that a major seismic event, such as an earthquake, could further hasten the process, she also points out that predicting such occurrences with precision remains a challenge.

The evolution of the East African Rift mirrors the historical formation of the Atlantic Ocean millions of years ago. It is a unique occurrence, as it is the only place on Earth where continental crust is transitioning into oceanic crust in real time. This rare opportunity allows scientists to closely observe the processes that drive tectonic movement and the formation of new geological features.

In 2005, a significant event in Ethiopia highlighted the rift’s dynamic nature. Over a short period, more than 420 earthquakes triggered the creation of a large fissure in the Afar region, an area known for its extreme heat and arid conditions. What typically occurs over the course of centuries unfolded in just a few days, challenging long-standing assumptions about geological timescales and further emphasizing the rapidly changing nature of the region.

The formation of a new ocean in East Africa could drastically alter the continent’s geography, with far-reaching consequences. Countries that are currently landlocked, such as Zambia and Uganda, may find themselves with new coastlines, which could significantly impact their economies and ecosystems. This shift underscores the dynamic nature of Earth’s surface, where natural forces constantly redefine the landscape.

The potential creation of a new ocean brings with it several key implications for Africa’s future. Geographically, the new coastlines and the splitting of the continent will bring about significant changes. For countries that are landlocked, the emergence of new coastlines could offer new opportunities for trade and access to maritime resources. This transformation could alter not only the economic landscape but also the ecosystems of the region, creating marine habitats where none existed before. At the same time, this shift will require adjustments in land management and coastal infrastructure, posing challenges for planners and governments.

The scientific community faces numerous challenges in studying and predicting these changes. Developing accurate models to forecast the rift’s progress, along with effective techniques for monitoring seismic and tectonic activity, will require collaboration across multiple disciplines. Understanding the environmental impacts of the new ocean basin and its potential effects on the surrounding ecosystems will also demand innovative research and international cooperation.

Ebinger and her colleagues are actively working to refine their models of plate movement, seismic activity, and the transformation of Earth’s crust. Their work is critical not only for unraveling the mysteries of the East African Rift but also for preparing the scientific community and the world for the broader implications of this extraordinary geological event. As the rift continues to evolve, scientists will be better equipped to predict and understand the long-term consequences of this tectonic activity.

The East African Rift serves as a reminder of the planet’s ever-changing nature and the powerful forces that continue to shape it. The accelerated timeline for the formation of a new ocean basin in East Africa underscores the dynamic processes that drive the movement of tectonic plates and the formation of new geological features. As research into this process continues, it offers a unique opportunity to observe and study these changes as they happen.

Ebinger’s statement that “we’ve reduced the timeframe to about 1 million years, possibly even half that” highlights the urgency with which scientists must adapt their research methods to keep pace with this accelerated process. The ongoing shifts in Africa’s geography will not only alter the continent’s physical features but also its political and economic landscape, especially for those countries currently without access to the sea.

The East African Rift’s development is a rare geological event that provides a glimpse into the processes that drive the formation of oceans. As tectonic forces continue to shape the region, scientists will have the opportunity to observe the transformation of continental crust into oceanic crust in real time, offering valuable insights into Earth’s geological history and the forces that have shaped the planet over millions of years.

The implications for Africa’s future are vast. The creation of new coastlines and the reshaping of ecosystems could bring about significant changes in the distribution of resources, economic opportunities, and even the political dynamics of the region. Researchers, policymakers, and environmentalists will need to work together to understand and address the challenges posed by these changes. The accelerated pace of the rift’s development calls for innovative approaches to studying tectonic activity and its impact on the environment.

In conclusion, the ongoing tectonic activity in East Africa represents a transformative moment for the continent. As the East African Rift continues to evolve, the creation of a new ocean basin could drastically alter Africa’s geography, bringing with it new opportunities and challenges. The work of scientists like Cynthia Ebinger and others is crucial in understanding and preparing for these changes, as the continent navigates this dramatic geological upheaval.

The East African Rift’s emergence as a site of tectonic activity offers a unique chance to study the processes that shape Earth’s crust and the formation of new oceans. As researchers continue their work, they are not only unraveling the mysteries of this geological event but also preparing for the broader implications it will have on Africa’s future.

The world’s largest iceberg, A23a, has begun drifting again through the Southern Ocean, after spending several months spinning in place, according to scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). Spanning 3,672 square kilometers (1,418 square miles) as of August, the iceberg is slightly larger than Rhode Island. Since its calving from the Filchner-Ronne ice shelf in 1986, A23a has been under close observation by researchers.

For more than three decades, A23a remained grounded on the Weddell Sea floor in Antarctica. Scientists believe that the iceberg remained stuck due to its size, but it eventually shrank enough to loosen its hold on the seafloor. Once free, ocean currents carried it away, but it became trapped once again in a Taylor column, a phenomenon where ocean currents create a vortex around an underwater mountain. This swirling vortex held A23a in place until recently.

Now that the iceberg has broken free, scientists expect it will continue drifting toward warmer waters and the remote South Georgia Island. There, A23a is expected to eventually break up and melt. BAS explained in a statement on Friday that the iceberg’s movement will be monitored as it continues its journey through the Southern Ocean.

Since the 1980s, A23a has been the largest current iceberg several times, although other larger icebergs such as A68 in 2017 and A76 in 2021 have temporarily surpassed it in size. However, these larger icebergs had shorter lifespans, and A23a reclaimed its title as the largest iceberg again after their breakup.

While the calving of A23a was likely a part of the natural cycle of the ice shelf’s growth and won’t directly contribute to rising sea levels, climate change is accelerating changes in Antarctica. These shifts have the potential to lead to significant increases in global sea levels. Scientists have pointed out that, in addition to its size, A23a’s journey has been an important opportunity to study the ways in which sea ice affects oceanic processes and the Earth’s carbon balance.

Over the years, researchers have closely examined the iceberg’s erosion and the impact it has on local ecosystems. Laura Taylor, a biogeochemist from BAS, highlighted that large icebergs like A23a can influence ocean ecosystems by introducing nutrients to waters they pass through, which can support thriving ecosystems in otherwise low-productivity regions.

“We know that these giant icebergs can provide nutrients to the waters they pass through, creating thriving ecosystems in otherwise less productive areas,” Taylor said in the BAS statement. However, she also pointed out that scientists do not yet fully understand the influence that specific icebergs, including their size and origins, have on these processes.

During A23a’s journey, scientists have taken samples from the ocean at different points along its path. These samples, which were collected from the surface waters both behind and ahead of the iceberg, will help researchers understand the role the iceberg plays in stimulating life in the surrounding waters and its effect on the ocean’s carbon dynamics. The samples will also offer insights into how the iceberg might influence the balance of carbon between the ocean and the atmosphere.

“What we don’t know is what difference particular icebergs, their scale, and their origins can make to that process,” Taylor added. The ongoing study of A23a’s journey will continue to provide valuable data on how large icebergs contribute to global ocean cycles of carbon and nutrients.

In the broader context of climate change, A23a’s movement through the Southern Ocean serves as a reminder of the rapidly changing dynamics in Antarctica and the potential long-term impacts on sea level rise. Scientists remain vigilant in tracking the iceberg’s path, as it moves closer to warmer waters, where it is likely to break up and eventually melt.

The movement of icebergs like A23a provides an opportunity to study the broader environmental effects of melting ice in the Southern Ocean. As researchers continue to monitor the iceberg’s journey, the findings could offer crucial insights into the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems and global carbon cycles.

While A23a’s natural detachment from the Filchner-Ronne ice shelf was part of the expected growth cycle of the ice shelf, the acceleration of such events due to climate change raises important concerns. Rising temperatures in the region could lead to more frequent calving events, contributing to higher sea levels and more significant disruptions to ecosystems.

Scientists will continue to analyze the data collected from the area around A23a, especially as it approaches warmer waters. As the iceberg breaks apart and melts, researchers hope to gain a clearer understanding of how these giant ice structures interact with the environment and influence the world’s oceans. These studies could ultimately help improve predictions about the future of Antarctica’s ice shelves and their contribution to global sea level rise.

The A23a iceberg’s current journey through the Southern Ocean offers an opportunity to learn more about the complex interactions between large icebergs, ocean ecosystems, and the global climate system. As A23a drifts toward warmer waters and eventually melts, scientists will continue to monitor the iceberg’s impact on the surrounding environment, providing critical information about the potential consequences of climate change for both local and global ecosystems.

Over four million people across five states remained under winter storm alerts on Sunday as intense lake-effect snow blanketed the Great Lakes region, prompting emergency declarations and the deployment of National Guard troops to assist stranded motorists.

The snowfall, which began on Thursday, has been relentless, especially in western New York. The region, which has already been buried under more than 40 inches of snow, is bracing for an additional 24 inches from Sunday into Monday. States under winter alerts include New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

Buffalo Faces Heavy Snowfall

A lake-effect snow warning persisted from Cleveland, Ohio, to Buffalo, New York, on Sunday. New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for 11 counties, including Erie County, home to Buffalo.

“More heavy snowfall is expected across western and central New York through Sunday night and into Monday, with rates reaching up to 4 inches per hour,” Hochul stated on Sunday.

The snowstorm has left parts of the state buried under significant accumulations. By Sunday morning, Barns Corner in Lewis County recorded 45 inches of snow, while Perrysburg in Cattaraugus County and Copenhagen in Lewis County measured 37.6 inches and 36.5 inches, respectively.

Hochul warned that an additional 1 to 2 feet of snow could accumulate in western New York, with the heaviest deposits anticipated in northern Chautauqua and south-central Erie counties. The North Country region could see 2 to 3 feet of additional snow, particularly from northern Tug Hill to Watertown.

The Science Behind Lake-Effect Snow

Lake-effect snow, a common phenomenon during this time of year, occurs when cold air passes over relatively warmer lake waters, producing narrow, intense bands of snowfall.

According to the National Weather Service in Buffalo, “An intense lake-effect band across Watertown and Jefferson County will continue to produce snowfall rates of 3-4 inches per hour today.”

Efforts to Clear Snow at Highmark Stadium

In Orchard Park, a Buffalo suburb, the Buffalo Bills prepared to face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night amid a challenging snow cleanup effort at Highmark Stadium. Over 18 inches of snow had already fallen at the stadium, with more expected before the 8:20 p.m. kickoff.

The snow was so overwhelming that the Bills sought volunteers to help with removal, offering $20 an hour along with food and hot beverages.

Governor Hochul praised the efforts of first responders, saying, “As New Yorkers face the ongoing impacts of lake-effect snow, first responders are working around the clock to ensure the safety of our communities. With tonight’s kickoff in our sights, we are doing everything we can to clear roads, assess damage, and provide resources to state and local partners.”

Travel advisories were issued for Jefferson, Lewis, and portions of Erie County. Additionally, lake-effect snow was predicted to reach central New York and parts of the Mohawk Valley region by Sunday afternoon, bringing 4 to 10 inches of snow to central New York and 3 to 5 inches to the Mohawk Valley.

The New York Department of Transportation also restricted certain commercial vehicles. Empty and tandem trucks were banned on I-86 between the Pennsylvania state line and I-390, as well as on State Route 219 from the Pennsylvania state line to I-90.

To address potential road and power emergencies, Hochul announced the deployment of additional personnel alongside National Guard members.

Pennsylvania Mobilizes National Guard

In Pennsylvania, Governor Josh Shapiro declared a disaster emergency and dispatched National Guard troops to Erie County to rescue stranded motorists.

“At the county’s request, I’ve called in the Pennsylvania National Guard—who are now on the ground—to help any stranded drivers and ensure emergency responders can reach those in need,” Shapiro said.

Between Friday and Saturday, Pennsylvania State Police responded to over 200 traffic incidents. Erie County Executive Brenton Davis said the local disaster emergency would remain in effect until midweek.

Davis added that county buildings, including courthouses, would remain closed on Monday and Tuesday, with officials advising school districts to do the same. He also urged residents to limit travel during the storm.

Record-Breaking Snowfall Across the Region

The heavy snow has shattered records across the region. Gaylord, Michigan, experienced its snowiest day on record on Friday, with 24.8 inches falling. This surpassed its previous record of 17 inches, set on March 9, 1942.

In an image shared by the New York Department of Transportation, a snowplow worked to clear a heavily blanketed road, underscoring the severity of the storm’s impact on infrastructure.

Counties in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have similarly reported substantial snowfall totals, as the Arctic blast continues to wreak havoc.

The combined efforts of state and local authorities, first responders, and volunteers remain focused on minimizing the storm’s disruption and ensuring public safety as the region braces for additional snowfall in the coming days.

The 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) commenced in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Monday, bringing together a broad array of delegates from nearly 200 countries. Business leaders, climate scientists, Indigenous Peoples, journalists, and other stakeholders are attending the conference, which will run until November 22.

The primary aim of COP29 is to unite countries in developing a collective strategy to address global warming. The summit is also expected to focus on enhancing climate finance to assist developing nations in mitigating the impacts of climate change.

What is COP?

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is an annual meeting of members of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), an international agreement signed in 1992. The UNFCCC has provided the foundation for climate negotiations, committing its members to work together to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations to a level that prevents dangerous human-induced interference with the climate system. Presently, there are 198 parties to the UNFCCC, which includes 197 countries and the European Union, making it nearly universal in its membership.

Since 1995, except for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the parties have gathered each year to discuss international climate policies. A key responsibility of COP is to review the national communications and emission inventories submitted by member states. As outlined by the UNFCCC, “Based on this information, the COP assesses the effects of the measures taken by Parties and the progress made in achieving the ultimate objective of the Convention.”

Key Milestones of COP

COP has seen several significant milestones over the years. A major breakthrough occurred at COP3 in Kyoto in 1997, where the Kyoto Protocol was adopted. This international treaty set emission reduction targets for rich and industrialized nations, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gases by 4.2% by 2012, based on 1990 levels, as reported by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

However, the protocol faced significant challenges. Many wealthy nations, including the United States, which signed the protocol but never ratified it, expressed dissatisfaction with its provisions. At COP15 in Copenhagen in 2009, efforts to establish a successor treaty fell short.

A more successful attempt came at COP21 in Paris in 2015, where the landmark Paris Agreement was forged. This legally binding international treaty aims to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius, ideally keeping it under 1.5 degrees Celsius. As part of the agreement, parties committed to submitting their climate action plans, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), by 2020.

Another significant development came at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, with the adoption of the Glasgow Pact. This agreement included a commitment to “phase down” coal use (though the language was watered down from “phase out” during negotiations) and to phase out “inefficient fossil fuel subsidies.” This was the first time a UN climate agreement specifically addressed coal.

At COP28 in Dubai last year, the establishment of a Loss and Damage fund was a key highlight. This fund is designed to provide financial assistance to nations impacted by climate-related disasters.

Criticism of COP’s Effectiveness

Despite these milestones, COP has faced substantial criticism for its lack of progress in significantly reducing emissions and achieving climate goals. One of the most significant concerns is that COP has failed to implement sufficient emission cuts to meet the targets of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 or 2 degrees Celsius. Studies have shown that the world must reduce emissions by at least 43% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels to keep the 1.5-degree target within reach. However, by 2023, emissions were still rising and had not yet peaked. Even in the most optimistic scenarios, global emissions are projected to be only 2% below 2019 levels by 2030, far from the required 43% reduction.

COP has also been criticized for its failure to fulfill promises regarding climate finance for developing nations. In 2009, wealthier countries, which are disproportionately responsible for the climate crisis, committed to raising $100 billion annually to help developing nations mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. However, they have not met this commitment, prompting frustration from poorer nations.

Expectations for COP29

At COP29, the issue of climate finance remains a central topic. Delegates are negotiating the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), which outlines the amount of money developed countries must raise annually from 2025 onward to finance climate action in developing nations. This amount must exceed the $100 billion previously promised.

However, discussions surrounding the NCQG have been marked by deep divisions. As reported by Carbon Brief, parties are at odds over several aspects of the fund, including “the amount of money that needs to be raised, who should contribute, what types of finance should feed into it, what it should fund, and what period of time it should cover.” As such, it remains uncertain how member states will finalize the NCQG.

Looking Forward

As COP29 continues, the global community will be watching closely to see whether meaningful progress can be made on these critical issues. The ability of wealthy nations to fulfill their climate finance promises and take more decisive action on emission reductions will play a pivotal role in determining whether the world can meet its climate goals in the years to come. With the stakes higher than ever, the outcome of COP29 will be crucial for shaping the future of global climate policy.

In conclusion, while COP has played a central role in advancing international climate dialogue, the persistent challenges, including insufficient emission reductions and unmet finance commitments, point to the need for more robust and immediate actions. As the summit unfolds, all eyes will be on the discussions and decisions that emerge from Baku.

In an unexpected climate event, parts of Saudi Arabia are witnessing snowfall and heavy rain for the first time on record. Recent weather in the Al-Jawf region brought about a rare sight of heavy snow, which has transformed the landscape in a country typically associated with heat and arid deserts. This snowfall follows a series of heavy rains and hail that swept across the region, creating a unique winter spectacle.

Residents of Al-Jawf awoke to an almost surreal scene with snow-covered mountains, as pristine white snow blanketed the area. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the weather not only brought snowfall but also revived the area’s natural water systems, forming waterfalls and revitalizing the region’s valleys. This winter transformation presents a welcome shift as the country transitions to the colder season. This season also serves as a prelude to the anticipated spring in Al-Jawf, known for blooming wildflowers. As spring progresses, vibrant flowers like lavender, chrysanthemum, and various aromatic plants color the landscape, creating a captivating seasonal display.

However, the Saudi weather department has advised residents to prepare for continued severe weather, forecasting thunderstorms across much of Al-Jawf. The department’s warnings include expectations for heavy rains, hail, and strong winds, which are anticipated to decrease visibility. Residents have been urged to remain cautious under these conditions.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is not alone in facing unusual weather; the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has also been experiencing similar conditions. On October 14, the UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) issued warnings of anticipated rain, thunderstorms, and possible hail across several areas. According to the NCM, these unusual weather patterns are attributed to low-pressure systems originating in the Arabian Sea and stretching toward Oman, impacting conditions throughout the region.

The snowfall in Al-Jawf is a sign of the changing climate patterns in the Middle East. In an area known for its dry climate, such weather is unprecedented and offers residents and visitors a rare chance to experience a winter landscape. As more rain is expected, the region eagerly awaits the vibrant spring blooms that usually follow, adding a sense of beauty and anticipation to this extraordinary weather event.

The Indian Express is set to bring back its renowned SCREEN magazine after an 11-year hiatus. The highly anticipated relaunch will take place in Mumbai on Friday, with a dazzling event that marks SCREEN’s first-ever digital cover, featuring Shraddha Kapoor, the star of the hit film Stree 2. This grand return of SCREEN will not only celebrate its illustrious history but also introduce a contemporary flair that resonates with today’s entertainment landscape.

SCREEN, a well-known name in Indian cinema journalism, has been a prominent voice in the entertainment industry since its inception in 1951. Over the decades, it has chronicled the ups and downs, trends, and transitions of the Indian film industry, making it a go-to publication for both fans and professionals. Now, after more than a decade, SCREEN is returning in a new and vibrant digital form.

The highlight of the event will be the unveiling of the digital cover, graced by Shraddha Kapoor, whose career has skyrocketed following her performance in Stree 2, a horror-comedy that achieved massive success at the box office. Kapoor’s presence is set to be a significant draw for the event, not just because of her star power, but also for her wide appeal across audiences.

The digital cover launch will be followed by a series of engaging and insightful panel discussions. The first major session, titled ‘SCREEN Live,’ will spotlight Shraddha Kapoor as she opens up about her career, personal life, and the immense fame she has garnered, especially after the success of Stree 2. She will share the stage with Jyoti Sharma Bawa, Entertainment Editor of The Indian Express, in a conversation that promises to give fans a deeper look into the life of one of Bollywood’s brightest stars. The session will also feature a special segment led by Anant Goenka, Executive Director of The Indian Express Group, and will conclude with a Q&A session, giving the audience a chance to interact directly with the actress.

In addition to the focus on Kapoor, the event will include a dynamic conversation between acclaimed director Rajkumar Hirani and talented actor Vijay Varma. Hirani is known for his work on some of Bollywood’s most beloved films, including *Munnabhai MBBS*, *3 Idiots*, and Dunki, starring Shah Rukh Khan. His films are not just box office hits but have also garnered critical acclaim for their storytelling, humor, and social relevance. Meanwhile, Vijay Varma, who has been making waves with his powerful performances, was recently seen in Netflix’s IC 814.

The discussion between Hirani and Varma, moderated by Shubhra Gupta, Film Critic for The Indian Express, is expected to delve deep into their artistic processes, personal philosophies, and the challenges and triumphs they’ve experienced in their respective careers. This session, titled ‘Creator x Creator,’ is poised to be a highlight of the event, offering a rare glimpse into the minds of two highly respected figures in the film industry. Fans of both cinema and storytelling are sure to appreciate the insights shared during this conversation.

The relaunch of SCREEN magazine is part of a broader rebranding of The Indian Express’s entertainment section, which has already established a substantial online presence. Attracting between 20 million and 45 million unique users monthly, the entertainment coverage by The Indian Express has been a trusted source for news, interviews, reviews, and insights from the world of cinema and television. With the relaunch of SCREEN, the section is expected to become even more dynamic, continuing to offer cutting-edge content about the Indian film industry.

The event is supported by various partners, including Ixigo, the official presenter, and e-Tail as the e-commerce partner. Other contributors include Smaaash as the entertainment partner, HEXO as the AI partner, Innate Essentials as the beauty partner, Pack TEK as the packaging partner, Stranger & Sons as the liquor partner, and Stehlen utensils for life as the dining partner. The wide array of sponsorships underscores the significance of SCREEN’s relaunch and its impact on the entertainment industry.

As SCREEN re-enters the media landscape, it is clear that its influence and legacy are still very much alive. Fans of Indian cinema, as well as industry insiders, are eagerly awaiting the magazine’s return and the fresh content it will offer in its new digital format. For decades, SCREEN has been synonymous with high-quality journalism in entertainment, and its relaunch marks a new chapter that blends the rich history of Indian cinema with the evolving digital age.

Shraddha Kapoor’s presence on the first digital cover represents both the magazine’s past and future—a nod to the golden era of Indian cinema while embracing the future of entertainment. Kapoor’s role in Stree 2 is a perfect reflection of this balance, as the film itself is a blend of traditional Bollywood storytelling with modern, genre-blending elements that appeal to today’s audiences.

As Stree 2 continues to break records and Shraddha Kapoor solidifies her place among Bollywood’s elite, the conversation at the SCREEN relaunch event is expected to offer fans a chance to hear directly from the star about her experience, her approach to acting, and the future of her career.

Meanwhile, the discussion between Rajkumar Hirani and Vijay Varma will bring together two distinct yet complementary voices from Indian cinema. Hirani’s thoughtful, socially conscious films and Varma’s edgy, diverse roles offer different perspectives on what it means to be a creator in today’s entertainment world.

The relaunch of SCREEN, with its combination of insightful discussions, star-studded appearances, and exciting digital content, is shaping up to be one of the most significant media events of the year. By embracing its rich heritage while also looking forward to the future of entertainment, SCREEN is poised to reclaim its place as a leading voice in Indian cinema journalism.

The mass bleaching of coral reefs that began in February 2023 has now become the most widespread on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). As of now, 77% of the world’s coral reef areas, spanning the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, have been subjected to bleaching-level heat stress. This alarming trend is driven by climate change, which has caused ocean temperatures to soar to record and near-record levels worldwide.

“This event is still increasing in spatial extent and we’ve broken the previous record by more than 11% in about half the amount of time,” NOAA Coral Reef Watch coordinator Derek Manzello told Reuters. “This could potentially have serious ramifications for the ultimate response of these reefs to these bleaching events.”

The NOAA officially declared the global bleaching event in April 2024, marking the fourth such occurrence since 1998. The last record-breaking bleaching event, which occurred from 2014 to 2017, affected nearly 66% of the world’s reef areas. However, this latest event has already surpassed that figure.

Coral bleaching is triggered by the heat stress of warm ocean waters. When exposed to excessive heat, corals expel the algae living in their tissues, which are responsible for their vibrant colors. Without these algae, corals lose their color, becoming pale and vulnerable to starvation and disease. Though bleached corals are not immediately dead, they require cooler ocean temperatures for any chance of recovery.

Previous bleaching events have had devastating consequences. It is estimated that at least 14% of the world’s remaining corals died during the last two global bleaching events. Despite this current mass bleaching being the most widespread on record, affecting reefs in 74 countries and territories, NOAA has not yet declared it the “worst” event in terms of overall impact. The full extent of the damage will not be known until scientists conduct underwater assessments in the coming months and years to count the number of dead corals.

“It seems likely that it is going to be record-breaking in terms of impacts,” said Manzello. “We’ve never had a coral bleaching event this big before.”

The effects of this bleaching event have already been confirmed in several regions over the past six weeks, including Palau, Guam, and Israel. Heat stress also remains dangerously high in the Caribbean and South China Sea. As ocean temperatures remain elevated, there are concerns about the future of the world’s coral reefs.

In response to the growing crisis, scientists have organized a special emergency session on coral reefs. The meeting will be held at the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) summit in Colombia later this month. During this session, world leaders and scientists will discuss strategies to prevent the functional extinction of corals. These discussions will include potential new protections and increased funding for coral conservation efforts.

“The meeting will bring together the global funding community to say we’re still in the fourth bleaching event, these are happening back to back …. What are we going to do about it?” said Emily Darling, who leads the Wildlife Conservation Society’s global coral reef conservation program.

In the past, scientists have projected that coral reefs would be in danger once global warming reached 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. At this point, they predicted that up to 90% of reefs could be lost. However, the latest bleaching records suggest that coral reefs may have already passed this tipping point, even though the planet has only warmed by 1.3 degrees Celsius so far. If true, this could have severe consequences for ocean ecosystems, subsistence fisheries, and tourism, as coral reefs play a vital role in the global economy.

According to a 2020 estimate by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, coral reefs contribute approximately $2.7 trillion in goods and services each year. This includes their role in protecting coastlines from storms, supporting marine biodiversity, and sustaining fisheries that millions of people rely on for food.

The current bleaching event has been exacerbated by El Niño, a natural climate pattern that can temporarily increase ocean temperatures. El Niño officially ended in May, but its effects have lingered, adding to the heat stress that coral reefs are enduring. Scientists are now watching for the potential onset of La Niña, a climate pattern that typically brings cooler ocean temperatures. Many hope that La Niña could provide a temporary reprieve for coral reefs, allowing them a chance to recover.

However, there are concerns that even La Niña may not be enough to reverse the damage. The year 2024 is on track to be the warmest year ever recorded, and some experts fear that high ocean temperatures may now be the new normal. If this is the case, coral reefs could be facing a future where they are in a near-constant state of bleaching.

Derek Manzello expressed this concern, warning that the world might be entering a period “where we’re more or less in a state of chronic global bleaching.”

As the world grapples with the consequences of climate change, coral reefs are emerging as one of the ecosystems most vulnerable to its effects. The unprecedented scale of this bleaching event highlights the urgent need for action to protect these critical ecosystems. The upcoming emergency session at COP16 will provide an opportunity for world leaders to address the crisis and take concrete steps to prevent further damage to coral reefs. Whether through increased funding, stronger protections, or global cooperation, the future of the world’s coral reefs may depend on the decisions made in the coming months.

In the meantime, scientists will continue to monitor the situation closely, gathering data and assessing the damage caused by the ongoing bleaching. As more regions report the effects of heat stress on their coral reefs, the scale of this crisis is becoming increasingly clear. It is now up to the global community to respond and work together to ensure that coral reefs do not disappear altogether from our oceans.

A recent study has revealed a surprising development in one of the coldest regions on Earth – a significant increase in vegetation cover across the Antarctic Peninsula. This unexpected greening is a direct result of global warming, according to scientists, and it marks a dramatic change in the region’s ecology. Over the past 40 years, the amount of plant life in this icy landscape has grown more than tenfold.

“The landscape is still almost entirely dominated by snow, ice, and rock, with only a tiny fraction colonized by plant life,” explained Thomas Roland, one of the study’s co-authors from the University of Exeter in the U.K. in a statement. “But that tiny fraction has grown dramatically – showing that even this vast and isolated ‘wilderness’ is being affected by anthropogenic (human-caused) climate change.”

Rising Temperatures and Frequent Heat Events

The researchers found that rising temperatures are at the heart of this transformation. The Antarctic Peninsula, in particular, has seen dramatic warming over the last 60 years. This increase has been most pronounced in the western regions of the Antarctic and along the peninsula itself. According to the study, the rate of warming in these areas is happening much faster than the global average.

Since 1950, temperatures on the Antarctic Peninsula have increased by more than 5 degrees Fahrenheit. This significant rise stands in stark contrast to temperature changes in other parts of the world. The study, which was published in *Nature Geoscience*, emphasizes that the Antarctic Peninsula is warming at a rate that far exceeds the global average. The frequency of extreme heat events in the region has also become more common, further contributing to the shift in the environment.

Greening Trends Likely to Persist

The study’s authors suggest that this greening trend is unlikely to slow down and will probably continue in the coming years. The growing presence of plant life on the Antarctic Peninsula is altering the physical makeup of the region.

“Soil in Antarctica is mostly poor or non-existent, but this increase in plant life will add organic matter and facilitate soil formation – potentially paving the way for other plants to grow,” said study co-author Olly Bartlett from the University of Hertfordshire. This process could open the door for non-native and invasive plant species to take root in the region. Bartlett highlighted a potential concern that these species might be introduced by visitors to Antarctica, such as tourists or scientists, who could inadvertently carry seeds or other organic material with them.

Satellite Technology Reveals the Full Picture

The research team used advanced satellite imagery to track and measure the extent of the greening across the Antarctic Peninsula. These satellite images allowed the scientists to observe changes over a broad area and establish a clear trend of increasing vegetation.

Jasmine Lee, a conservation scientist from the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge, U.K., commented on the significance of the research. Speaking to *Nature*, she said, “This research is really important.” While earlier studies have indicated that plant life in the region was responding to climate change, Lee noted that this is the first large-scale study to assess the entire area comprehensively.

The findings, according to Lee, provide a detailed understanding of how the region is transforming in response to rising global temperatures. Roland echoed these concerns, noting that the rapid expansion of greenery underscores the “unprecedented changes that humans are imposing on Earth’s climate.”

Long-Term Implications of a Greener Antarctica

The implications of the greening of Antarctica are still being studied, but researchers agree that the changes could have significant and far-reaching effects on the region’s ecology. The introduction of more organic matter, soil formation, and the potential for new plant species could fundamentally alter the balance of life in this fragile ecosystem.

At present, Antarctica remains predominantly covered by ice, snow, and rock, with only a small portion of its landscape supporting plant life. However, as climate change continues to reshape the continent, that fraction is likely to grow, bringing with it a host of ecological changes. One of the most concerning risks highlighted by the study is the possibility of invasive species establishing a foothold on the continent. Non-native plants and animals could potentially outcompete the region’s existing species, leading to unforeseen ecological consequences.

The study also raises concerns about the broader implications of global warming and how it is altering some of the most remote and previously untouched areas of the planet. Antarctica, long considered a frozen and isolated wilderness, is now undergoing profound changes as a result of human activities. The rapid greening of the region serves as a visible reminder of the impact of climate change on the Earth’s ecosystems, even in places once thought to be immune from such shifts.

The greening of the Antarctic Peninsula represents a significant and surprising development in the ongoing story of global climate change. The study’s findings highlight how even the coldest, most remote regions of the planet are being transformed by rising temperatures. As plant life continues to expand across the Antarctic landscape, scientists will continue to monitor the long-term ecological effects of this change and the potential risks posed by invasive species. While much of the continent remains frozen, the dramatic increase in vegetation serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of human-induced climate change.

As fall unfolds, it’s already time to prepare for the upcoming winter, which promises to be quite different from last year’s El Niño-dominated season. This year, meteorologists predict the arrival of a weak La Niña, which could affect temperatures, precipitation, and snowfall across the United States.

La Niña is a natural climate phenomenon characterized by cooler-than-average ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific. Its effects are more pronounced during winter in the Northern Hemisphere, while its summer impact is less significant. This upcoming winter’s La Niña pattern is expected to shape weather trends across the country.

Looking Back: The Impact of Last Year’s Winter

Last year’s winter was the warmest on record for the Lower 48 states, largely due to the influence of El Niño, La Niña’s counterpart, combined with the effects of global warming driven by fossil fuel emissions. The warmth of last winter led to fewer heavy snow events in regions like the Northeast and Midwest, causing a snow drought, with snowfall totals missing by several feet in some areas.

As of now, La Niña hasn’t fully developed, but the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) gives it a 60% chance of materializing by November. Once in place, La Niña is expected to linger throughout the winter and could last into early spring of the following year.

It’s important to note that while La Niña and El Niño play significant roles in shaping seasonal weather patterns, they are not the sole factors at play. However, they tend to have an outsized influence, especially when they are strong. This winter’s La Niña is forecasted to be relatively weak, which could lead to less predictable weather outcomes.

What to Expect: La Niña’s Potential Impact on Winter Weather

No two La Niña winters are exactly alike, but they often share similar temperature and precipitation trends. One of the key ways La Niña affects winter weather is through the jet stream, a fast-flowing river of air in the atmosphere that directs storms. During a La Niña winter, the jet stream tends to shift northward, moving stormy weather away from the southern United States and bringing it to the northern parts.

This is reflected in the CPC’s winter forecast for December through February, which suggests that the northern tier of the U.S. is likely to see wetter-than-normal conditions. This includes areas like the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, and parts of the interior Northeast. The Midwest, in particular, could benefit from this wet weather, as it would help alleviate ongoing drought conditions.

This winter’s pattern stands in stark contrast to last year’s, which saw wetter conditions in the South and drier weather in the North.

Snow Outlook: Will There Be More Snow This Year?

While an increase in precipitation is likely, more precipitation does not necessarily mean more snow. For snowfall to occur, temperatures both at the surface and in the atmosphere must be cold enough. Weak La Niña events, like the one predicted for this year, often allow for increased snowfall in the Northeast. In contrast, stronger La Niña events tend to limit snowfall due to warmer temperatures creeping up the East Coast.

The CPC’s latest winter temperature outlook isn’t promising for snow enthusiasts in the Northeast. It predicts warmer-than-normal temperatures across much of the southern U.S. and the East, which could result in more rain than snow in some winter storms in the East. Additionally, drier and warmer conditions are forecasted for the South, which could worsen drought conditions throughout the season.

In contrast, parts of the Midwest, the Plains, and the Rockies are expected to see temperatures closer to normal, while cooler-than-normal conditions are forecasted for the Pacific Northwest and parts of the Dakotas. The combination of cooler temperatures and increased precipitation could mean a significant snowpack in the Pacific Northwest, an area where snow is vital for both tourism in the winter and water supply during the warmer months.

California’s Forecast: Wet North, Dry South

La Niña winters typically bring wetter conditions to Northern California. However, the CPC’s forecast suggests that Northern California might see near-normal precipitation levels this season. La Niña has played a role in the extremely wet winters that have affected much of the state in the past, including the December 2022 to February 2023 period.

Southern California, on the other hand, is expected to be drier and warmer than usual, which is typical for La Niña winters. This region is in critical need of rain in the coming months to help shut down wildfire season. Wildfires could continue to be a major threat if the area doesn’t receive enough rainfall, as there is an abundance of dry fire fuels like grasses and brush that could sustain fires.

What’s at Stake This Winter

A weaker La Niña event, like the one currently forecasted, means that other weather and climate factors could interfere with La Niña’s typical patterns. As Emily Becker, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Miami, explained, “A weaker event makes it more likely that other weather and climate phenomena could play the role of spoiler.”

La Niña’s strength is a critical factor in determining how much influence it will have on the weather. Stronger La Niña events tend to create more consistent and predictable weather patterns, while weaker events lead to more variability. As Becker pointed out in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) latest La Niña/El Niño blog, a weaker La Niña could result in a wider range of weather outcomes.

The Bottom Line: Expect a Different Winter

In summary, the coming winter will likely be wetter in the northern U.S. and warmer in the South. Snowfall could be more frequent in the Pacific Northwest, the Rockies, and the Northeast, depending on how cold temperatures get. Southern regions, including California, may experience warmer and drier conditions, which could exacerbate wildfire risks if sufficient rain doesn’t arrive early in the season.

While La Niña is expected to be the dominant weather pattern this winter, its weak nature means that other climate forces could also shape the season’s weather. So, while some regions might see more snow than last year, others might experience continued dryness and warmth. As the season progresses, we’ll gain a clearer picture of how La Niña will influence the U.S. this winter, but for now, the focus is on cooler and wetter conditions in the North and warmer, drier weather in the South.

A groundbreaking study of Earth’s climate over the past 485 million years has revealed an extraordinary history of drastic temperature fluctuations, with hotter temperatures than scientists had previously recognized. This timeline offers an important perspective on the vast climate changes Earth has already endured and provides a stark warning about the unprecedented rate of warming driven by human activity today.

Published in the journal *Science* on Thursday, this comprehensive study is the most thorough reconstruction of Earth’s past temperatures ever produced. According to the researchers, the findings were made possible by combining over 150,000 fossil records with sophisticated climate models. This data highlights the close link between carbon dioxide levels and global temperatures, showing that for much of Earth’s history, the planet has been in a significantly warmer state.

At its most extreme, the Earth’s average temperature is thought to have reached 96.8 degrees Fahrenheit (36 degrees Celsius), a figure much higher than the 58.96 F (14.98 C) recorded in 2023. This new understanding of Earth’s climate history raises fresh concerns about modern climate change, said Emily Judd, a University of Arizona researcher and lead author of the study.

Judd explained that the timeline illustrates how rapid temperature changes were linked to many of Earth’s worst extinction events, including a mass extinction that wiped out nearly 90% of species, as well as the asteroid strike that wiped out the dinosaurs. “We know that these catastrophic events shift the landscape of what life looks like,” Judd said, adding that such drastic temperature changes have devastating consequences for life on Earth.

One of the most significant extinction events occurred 250 million years ago, when volcanic eruptions spewed carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere, causing the Earth’s temperature to rise by more than 18 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) over approximately 50,000 years. This event wiped out 90% of species. “When the environment warms that fast, animals and plants can’t keep pace with it,” Judd explained.

Yet, no point in the last 485 million years has seen Earth’s climate shift as rapidly as it is now. “In the same way as a massive asteroid hitting the Earth, what we’re doing now is unprecedented,” she emphasized.

485 Million Years of Climate Volatility

The study spans nearly the entire Phanerozoic eon, a period beginning with the appearance of multicellular organisms and continuing to the present day. This era includes significant climate swings, from hot to cold and back again, with some periods witnessing rapid spikes in temperature. Jess Tierney, a co-author of the study and a climate scientist at the University of Arizona, said that past models have generally depicted more gradual shifts in climate, but the new research reveals more abrupt and extreme changes.

Like previous research, the new timeline highlights the key role of carbon dioxide in driving temperature changes. “Carbon dioxide is really that master dial,” Tierney said, adding that the findings underscore the importance of addressing modern emissions from fossil fuels.

At the beginning of the timeline, 485 million years ago, Earth was in a “hothouse” state with no polar ice caps and average temperatures exceeding 86 F (30 C). Over time, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels dropped, and temperatures gradually declined. Around 444 million years ago, the planet experienced a “coldhouse” state, marked by ice sheets at the poles and global temperatures plummeting by more than 18 F (10 C). This abrupt cooling triggered Earth’s first major extinction, with roughly 85% of marine species disappearing as sea levels fell and ocean chemistry changed.

A more drastic shift took place 251 million years ago, near the end of the Permian period. Volcanic eruptions unleashed huge quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, leading to a sudden rise in temperatures by about 18 F (10 C). The oceans became dangerously hot and lost oxygen, causing marine ecosystems to collapse. “We know it to be the worst extinction in the Phanerozoic,” Tierney noted. “By analogy, we should be worried about human warming because it’s so fast.”

A Sobering Reminder for Today’s Climate Crisis

The study’s findings also make clear that the relatively mild climate humans have experienced throughout history is an exception rather than the norm. For most of the Phanerozoic, Earth’s average temperatures exceeded 71.6 F (22 C), with little or no ice present at the poles. Coldhouse conditions like the present day have occurred only about 13% of the time during this period.

This is a sobering revelation, Judd noted. Although life has survived in much hotter climates than what humans are currently creating, humans evolved during one of the coldest periods in Earth’s history, with global temperatures averaging around 51.8 F (11 C). As a result, many aspects of modern life are tied to the relatively cool climate we’ve known. Without drastic action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, scientists predict that global temperatures could rise to 62.6 F (17 C) by the end of this century — temperatures not seen since the Miocene epoch, over 5 million years ago.

“We built our civilization around those geologic landscapes of an icehouse,” Judd explained. “So even though climate has been warmer, humans haven’t lived in a warmer climate, and there are a lot of consequences that humans face during this time.”

Reconstructing Earth’s Climate: A Decade of Research

The researchers’ work began almost ten years ago when curators at the Smithsonian were designing a new fossil exhibit for the National Museum of Natural History. The exhibit aimed to connect ancient climate shifts with those happening today, but the scientists quickly realized that a comprehensive timeline of Earth’s temperatures during the Phanerozoic didn’t exist.

Scott Wing, a co-author of the study and a Smithsonian curator, explained that the team wanted to create a more scientifically rigorous temperature record for this period. The researchers began by compiling a database of climate proxies — fossil evidence that indicates past temperatures. For instance, the chemical makeup of extinct creatures’ teeth and ancient algae fats can provide clues about ocean temperatures at different times.

Despite collecting over 150,000 data points, the team still faced challenges. Most of the evidence came from marine environments, which cover only 70% of Earth’s surface, and the data offered only snapshots of temperatures at specific points in time. Even with this vast dataset, Judd said the process was akin to “trying to assemble a jigsaw puzzle with only 1 percent of the pieces.”

To fill in the gaps, the team used climate models and a technique called data assimilation, which merges real-world evidence with simulations to generate more accurate predictions. “It’s a way of mathematically integrating those handful of puzzle pieces with those possible pictures and finding out, what’s the picture those pieces belong to?” Judd said.

A Warning for the Future

While the new temperature timeline offers unprecedented insights into Earth’s past, it also raises questions. If average global temperatures exceeded 35 degrees Celsius during some periods, certain regions could have been much hotter. Wing pointed out that even the most heat-tolerant modern species might struggle to survive in such conditions. “It’s an indication of all the things we don’t know about how greenhouse climates work,” he said.

Michael Mann, a prominent climate scientist at the University of Pennsylvania, praised the study for its ambition but expressed caution about some of its findings. “I am skeptical about the specific, quantitative conclusions,” Mann said, suggesting that the study might overestimate future warming.

Wing acknowledged that more research is needed. The team hopes to refine their timeline by adding more land-based data and to use their findings to improve models of future climate change. For now, Judd hopes the research will serve as a wake-up call, reminding humanity of the urgent need to act before climate change wreaks havoc on ecosystems and societies.

“My concern is what human life looks like. What it means to survive,” Judd concluded.

A recent study published in Nature reveals that India is responsible fora significant portion of global plastic pollution, contributing to about 9.3 million tonnes (mt) annually. This figure highlights India’s outsized role in the plastic pollution crisis, with the country burning 5.8 mt of plastic and releasing 3.5 mt into the environment each year. India’s contribution surpasses that of other major polluters, such as Nigeria (3.5 mt), Indonesia (3.4 mt), and China (2.8 mt).

Unmanaged Plastic Waste and Its Impact

The research was conducted by scientists from the University of Leeds, including Joshua W. Cottom, Ed Cook, and Costas A. Velis. It estimates that about 251 mt of plastic waste is generated globally each year, enough to fill 200,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Approximately one-fifth of this plastic waste, 52.1 mt, is emitted into the environment. The authors differentiate between “managed” and “unmanaged” waste. Managed waste is collected by municipal bodies and either recycled or disposed of in landfills, though most of it ends up in the latter.

Unmanaged waste, on the other hand, poses a more severe threat. This waste is either burned in uncontrolled fires or left as debris, polluting various parts of the world, including remote locations like Mount Everest and the Mariana Trench. Open burning of plastic releases toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, which have been linked to heart disease, respiratory problems, cancer, and neurological disorders.

According to the study, about 43% of unmanaged waste, or 22.2 mt, takes the form of unburned debris, while the remaining 29.9 mt is burned either in dumpsites or locally. This means that a significant portion of plastic pollution involves open burning, which exacerbates the global pollution crisis by releasing harmful pollutants into the air.

Global Divide in Plastic Pollution

A key finding of the study is the disparity between plastic pollution in the Global North and the Global South. The researchers noted that plastic waste emissions are highest in countries located in Southern Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeastern Asia. The study points out that approximately 69% of global plastic pollution, about 35.7 mt per year, is produced by 20 nations, none of which are classified as High-Income Countries (HICs).

Despite the fact that HICs, mostly in the Global North, generate more plastic waste than their Southern counterparts, they are not among the top 90 polluters. This is because these nations have near-total collection coverage and controlled disposal systems in place. In contrast, open burning is the predominant method of waste management in the Global South, with the exception of Sub-Saharan Africa, where a larger share of pollution comes from unmanaged debris.

However, researcher Costas Velis cautions against blaming the Global South for the plastic pollution crisis. He explained, “We shouldn’t put the blame, any blame, on the Global South… [or] praise ourselves about what we do in the Global North in any way,” adding that waste disposal capabilities largely depend on government infrastructure and resources. The lack of adequate public infrastructure for waste management in many developing countries results in higher rates of open burning and debris pollution.

Ongoing Debate Over Plastic Pollution

This study is released at a critical time, as negotiations for the world’s first legally binding international treaty on plastic pollution are ongoing. In 2022, the UN Environmental Assembly agreed to create such a treaty, which many experts believe could be the most significant environmental agreement since the Paris Climate Accord of 2015. The treaty is expected to be finalized by the end of 2024, but reaching a consensus on its contents has proven challenging.

There are two main factions in the debate over the treaty. On one side are fossil fuel-producing nations and industry groups, which see plastic pollution primarily as a waste management problem. These countries argue that improving waste management infrastructure, particularly in the Global South, is the key to mitigating pollution. On the other side are countries in the European Union and Africa, which advocate for stronger measures, including phasing out single-use plastics and curbing production.

The so-called “High Ambition Coalition,” comprising countries from the EU and Africa, contends that managing plastic waste alone is not a viable solution. Given the immense volume of plastic waste being generated, the complexity of recycling, and the economics involved, they argue that limiting production is essential. A study published in *Science Advances* in April 2024 backs this position, demonstrating a direct relationship between plastic production and pollution levels. The study found that a 1% increase in plastic production results in a corresponding 1% increase in plastic pollution.

Criticism of the Study

While the recent research has garnered praise from certain industry groups, it has also faced criticism. Some environmental advocates argue that focusing too much on waste management risks ignoring the root cause of the problem: the unchecked production of plastics.

Neil Tangri, senior director of science and policy at GAIA, a global advocacy network working toward zero waste and environmental justice, told The Associated Press, “It risks us losing our focus on the upstream and saying, hey now all we need to do is manage the waste better. It’s necessary but it’s not the whole story.” Tangri and others argue that without addressing the issue of plastic production, any efforts to improve waste management will fall short.

Despite these criticisms, the plastics industry has responded positively to the study. Chris Jahn, council secretary of the International Council of Chemical Associations, emphasized the importance of improving waste collection and management. In a statement, he said, “This study underscores that uncollected and unmanaged plastic waste is the largest contributor to plastic pollution.”

Conclusion

The study sheds light on the growing issue of plastic pollution and its global distribution, showing that countries in the Global South are bearing the brunt of the crisis, despite generating less plastic waste than wealthier nations. While improving waste management systems is essential, critics argue that this alone will not solve the problem. As treaty negotiations continue, the world is faced with the challenge of balancing production limits with waste management to effectively combat the escalating plastic pollution crisis.

Struggling at Sea: The Plight of Indian Fisher workers Amid Climate Change and Government Policies

Warming seas from climate change means that Indian fisher workers often travel illegally into international territorial waters in search of a good catch and find themselves jailed and their boats confiscated, driving their families into poverty.

NEW DELHI, Aug 28 2024 (IPS) – Climate change forces millions of India’s fishworkers to venture beyond the country’s exclusive economic zone into the perilous high seas.

In their search for a better catch, approximately 4 million of India’s 28 million fishworkers often face increased risks of capture by neighboring countries.

“Earlier, fish used to come close to the shore, but now we have to go farther out to find them. Our fishing season lasts about a month, and it takes several days just to reach our fishing spot. This time keeps increasing with each season, and lately, the number of days we spend at sea has doubled,” Jivan R. Jungi, a fishworker leader from Gujarat, India, told IPS.

It has not only made the lives of fishworkers challenging, but it also affects their families, accounting for about 16 million people, according to official data.

India, a South Asian country with a 7,500-kilometer coastline, relies on aquatic products such as fish and shrimp for its national income.

According to a recent report by the Indian Express, India exported about 17,81,602 metric tons (MT) of seafood, generating a substantial revenue of ₹60,523.89 crore (USD 7.38 billion) in FY 2023–24.

“The government does not take care of us at all, despite the high profit margins in the fishing industry. They fail to provide even the basic benefits that the government can do, like fire safety,” Jungi told IPS. “Our boats are made of wood and run on diesel, which increases the risk of fire. We’ve been requesting safety measures or compensation for years, but nothing has been done, even as we face the growing challenges of climate change.”

Their plight is exacerbated by the Indian government’s policies, including a recent provision in the National Fisheries Policy 2020, which promotes “deep-sea fishing and fishing in areas beyond the national jurisdiction to tap under-exploited resources.” This policy aims to generate more revenue for the nation but does so at the expense of the fishworkers.

Temperature Rises Compare With Hiroshima Bomb

A report by Down to Earth, quoting a study by Science Direct, indicates that the Indian Ocean could experience a temperature rise of 1.7–3.8 degrees Celsius between 2020 and 2100.

To illustrate the severity, Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, is quoted as saying: “The projected increase in heat content is comparable to adding the energy of one Hiroshima atomic bomb explosion every second, continuously, for an entire decade.”

Fishworkers along the entire Indian coastline face mounting challenges, leading to conflicts with neighboring countries such as Pakistan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Saudi Arabia.

According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, between 2020 and 2022, more than 2,600 Indian fishworkers were imprisoned in ten countries across the Indian Ocean for maritime border incursions. The highest number of arrests occurred in Pakistan (1,060), followed by Saudi Arabia (564) and Sri Lanka (501).

At Sea, In Danger

The issue of maritime boundaries and fishing rights goes deeper, often causing conflicts among fishworkers from different countries. When fishworkers cross into another country’s waters and catch fish, the local fishworkers claim ownership of the catch, leading to disputes.

This tension among fishworkers can have severe consequences. Moreover, after the arrest, instead of being treated as civilian prisoners, they sometimes face dire conditions, including the risk of death in foreign prisons.

As reported by the Ministry of External Affairs, nine Indian fishermen died in Pakistani jails over the past five years. In 2022, an Indian fisherman named Maria Jesind reportedly had been killed in an Indonesian prison.

This situation is too familiar to fishworkers, particularly those from India and Pakistan, who have long been caught in the political crossfire between their governments.

Historically, the lack of a clear demarcation line has forced fishworkers deeper into the sea without adequate security. As a result, both countries have been arresting fishworkers from each other’s territories for years now.

Last year, 499 fishworkers were released by Pakistan on July 3, 2023, after numerous attempts at their release by civil society organizations. These fishworkers, charged with violating the Passport Act for trespassing on water borders, are imprisoned after court trials, usually receiving sentences of a few months. The official sentence is typically six months, but the release of these fishworkers is rarely prompt, with many spending more than five years.

“But several have died. Balo Jetah Lal died in a Pakistani prison in May 2023; Bichan Kumar alias Vipan Kumar (died April 4, 2023); Soma Deva (died May 8, 2023); and Zulfiqar from Kerala (died May 6, 2023) in Karachi prison,” Jungi says, adding, “Vinod Laxman Kol died on March 17 in Karachi and his mortal remains were brought to his village in Maharashtra on May 1, 2024.”

While the arrests and deaths affect the families of the fishworkers, they also have a broader impact on the community, challenging their way of life and livelihood.

Fishworkers now demand that they not be arrested or shot at, but rather pushed back if they cross maritime boundaries.

After their release, the fishworkers struggle to make ends meet because the arresting government rarely returns their boats, resulting in a lifelong debt of around Rs. 50–60 lakhs (USD 5–6 million) per boat. As a result, the workers now demand that their boats be returned and that the government ensure that the families of arrested fishworkers receive support through policies and schemes, including educational opportunities for their children, to prevent them from falling into extreme poverty.

IPS UN Bureau Report

The preliminary forecast for the Winter of 2024/2025 is influenced significantly by a weak La Niña phase. This phase is expected to alter the typical jet stream patterns over North America and the Pacific Ocean, affecting weather conditions across the globe. A potentially weaker-than-normal Polar Vortex is also being closely monitored for the early part of the winter season.

Global weather systems are driven by a combination of large-scale and small-scale factors, with the weak La Niña event in the Pacific being the primary driver this year. The Polar Vortex, which typically becomes more active during winter, will also play a significant role in determining weather patterns.

In previous La Niña winters, a blocking high-pressure system over Greenland and the North Pacific has been observed, with low pressure and colder air extending from western Canada into the United States. In Europe, a cutoff low-pressure area often brings cold and snowy conditions to central regions.

Emergence of a Weak La Niña

La Niña, characterized by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, is the cold phase of the ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) cycle. The ENSO cycle oscillates between La Niña and El Niño, the latter being the warm phase.

Recent data from NASA’s mid-August ocean anomaly analysis reveals colder-than-normal surface waters in the central and eastern ENSO regions. These cold anomalies, shaped by strong easterly trade winds, are indicative of the early development of a La Niña phase.

Forecasts from the NMME (North American Multi-Model Ensemble) suggest that these cooler anomalies will persist through the autumn and winter of 2024/2025. The forecasted cooling remains within the La Niña threshold, though it appears weaker than earlier predictions.

Despite a relatively weak La Niña event, this oceanic condition will still influence the positioning of the jet stream during winter, affecting weather patterns across North America and beyond.

Winter and the Polar Jet Stream

Historical data from past La Niña winters provides valuable insights into how such conditions might affect the upcoming winter. Each ENSO phase exerts a substantial influence on tropical rainfall, pressure patterns, and the energy exchange between the ocean and atmosphere. The interaction between these factors drives global weather patterns, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere during winter.

The circulation pattern during La Niña typically features a strong high-pressure system in the North Pacific and low-pressure systems over Canada and the northern United States. A similar low-pressure area is often observed over southwestern Europe. This pattern tends to push the jet stream southward, bringing colder air and winter storms from the polar regions into the northern and northwestern United States.

As the jet stream shifts, colder and wetter conditions become more frequent in the northern United States, while the southern states often experience warmer and drier weather. The cold air is more accessible to the northern regions, increasing snowfall potential when moisture is present.

Analysis of the average temperature and snowfall patterns during weak La Niña years suggests that this winter could see increased snowfall in the northwestern United States, the Midwest, and parts of northeastern United States and eastern Canada.

Winter 2024/2025 – ECMWF First Forecast

The first look at the winter forecast for 2024/2025 involves three key seasonal models: the ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts), the CanSIPS (Canadian Seasonal and Interannual Prediction System), and the NMME. These models provide an average picture of weather patterns over the three meteorological winter months (December, January, and February).

The ECMWF model indicates a prominent La Niña high-pressure system over the North Pacific and a low-pressure area over Canada. This configuration pushes the jet stream into the northern and northwestern United States, while in Europe, the jet stream is nudged further north due to the high-pressure system.

The ECMWF model also shows a broad high-pressure area covering the tropical Pacific, confirming La Niña’s influence on surface-level circulation and atmospheric conditions. As a result, Europe is expected to experience warmer-than-normal temperatures, particularly in regions influenced by the high-pressure system.

In terms of precipitation, Europe is likely to see drier conditions in the west due to the high-pressure anomaly, while the rest of the continent may experience above-average precipitation. Over North America, the ECMWF forecast predicts colder surface temperatures in western Canada and warmer-than-normal conditions in the southern United States.

A closer look at the January 2025 forecast reveals a potential break in the above-average temperature anomalies, indicating a possible route for cold air outbreaks in the central and Midwest regions of the United States.

ECMWF Winter 2024/2025 Snowfall Forecast

The ECMWF snowfall forecast for the winter of 2024/2025 shows below-average snowfall across much of Europe, with the exception of Scandinavia, where increased snowfall is expected due to the influence of a local low-pressure system.

In North America, the forecast indicates below-average snowfall for most of the United States, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast, regions that typically receive more snow during weak La Niña winters. However, more snowfall is anticipated in the western and northwestern United States and parts of central and eastern Canada. It’s important to note that this forecast does not yet include data for February, which could alter the overall snowfall outlook.

CanSIPS Winter Season Forecast

The CanSIPS model, developed by the Canadian Meteorological Centre, supports the weak La Niña pattern, with a high-pressure zone over the North Pacific and a low-pressure area over Canada. Additionally, a high-pressure area is forecast over northwestern Europe.

The temperature forecast for Europe suggests warm anomalies across much of the continent, with a belt of normal to colder temperatures in central regions due to easterly flows outside the high-pressure zone. In North America, the CanSIPS model predicts above-normal temperatures across the southern United States and colder-than-normal conditions in southern Canada and parts of the northern United States.

For February 2025, the CanSIPS model shows cold air anomalies extending further south into the northern United States, suggesting a slower start to winter across the central and eastern regions, with more snowfall potential in the latter part of the season.

The precipitation forecast from CanSIPS mirrors that of the ECMWF, with drier-than-normal conditions expected in much of Europe and the southern United States, while more precipitation is forecast for the northwestern United States.

NMME Winter 2024/2025 Weather Forecast

The NMME forecast, which combines multiple North American models, reinforces the expected weak La Niña pattern with a strong high-pressure system in the North Pacific and a low-pressure system over Canada. This pattern pushes the jet stream down over the northern United States, resulting in normal to colder temperatures in these regions, while warmer temperatures are forecast for central, eastern, and southern parts of the United States.

The NMME precipitation forecast indicates wetter conditions in the northwestern United States and the Midwest, while drier conditions are expected in the southern United States. Canada and the northern United States may also see increased precipitation, in line with a typical weak La Niña winter.

Overall, the Winter of 2024/2025 is expected to feature a “double character” across the United States, with colder conditions in the north and warmer weather in the south, as influenced by the weak La Niña phase.

Hundreds of California sea lions have taken over San Carlos Beach in Monterey, California, leading local officials to close the area to the public. In response to the unexpected influx of marine mammals, caution tape has been set up around the beach, although this has not deterred crowds from gathering to witness the unusual spectacle. Visitors continue to flock to the beach, snapping photos of the sea lions as they rest on the sand and frolic in the water.

Sea lions, which are a type of eared seal, are a common sight along various beaches up and down the California coast. However, local residents have noted that they have never seen such a large number of these animals congregating in Monterey before. This gathering has sparked both curiosity and concern among locals and experts alike.

Lisa Uttal, a marine biologist affiliated with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, explained that the reason behind the sea lions’ choice of San Carlos Beach is not entirely clear. However, she speculated that the rich diversity of food available in the area’s ecosystem might be a key factor in attracting the animals. She also pointed out that nearly all the sea lions currently on the beach are male.

“They migrate up here down from Ventura and the Channel Islands … They are incredibly mobile. They’re usually chasing the food, and because Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is so productive out here, the productivity is really rich,” Uttal stated. She added that the sea lions are expected to remain at San Carlos Beach for about three to four weeks.

The presence of these marine mammals at San Carlos Beach has brought attention to the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, which provides protections for sea lions and other marine species. According to Marge Brigadier, a volunteer with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary’s Bay Net program, this law prohibits any actions that would alter the sea lions’ natural behavior. This means that getting too close to the animals or doing anything that might scare them away is against the law.

“People just need to think about how they would feel if they were resting on their bed taking a nap and something big kept coming and chasing them out of the house,” Brigadier commented, drawing a parallel between human and animal behavior to emphasize the importance of respecting the sea lions’ space.

With their arrival in such large numbers, the sea lions have created a unique situation at San Carlos Beach. The community, while intrigued by the rare event, is also being reminded of the importance of maintaining a respectful distance to avoid disturbing these marine animals. As these sea lions take a temporary residence at the beach, both officials and wildlife experts are closely monitoring the situation, ensuring that the necessary precautions are in place to protect both the animals and the public.

On Sunday, July 21, the global temperature soared to unprecedented levels, marking it as the hottest day ever recorded. According to preliminary data from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, the global average surface air temperature hit 17.09 degrees Celsius (62.76 degrees Fahrenheit). This slight increase surpassed the previous record of 17.08 degrees Celsius (62.74 degrees Fahrenheit) set last July.

The past week has seen intense heatwaves affecting vast regions of the United States, Europe, and Russia. The Copernicus Climate Change Service confirmed to Reuters that the new record set on Sunday breaks the daily temperature record documented last year, with their records tracing back to 1940.

In 2022, there were four consecutive days from July 3 through July 6 where the global temperature records were broken. This phenomenon was largely attributed to climate change fueled by the relentless burning of fossil fuels, which caused extreme heat across the Northern Hemisphere.

Notably, every month since June 2023 has been the hottest on record for that month compared to previous years, according to Copernicus. This streak now extends to 13 consecutive months.

Looking ahead, some scientists predict that 2024 might surpass 2023 as the hottest year on record. This speculation is based on the ongoing impact of climate change and the El Nino natural weather phenomenon, which concluded in April but had already contributed to the escalating temperatures this year.

The global temperature milestone reached on July 21 underscores the pressing issue of climate change and its role in driving extreme weather conditions. The consistent trend of rising temperatures over the past year, coupled with the end of the El Nino event, points to the likelihood of even hotter years ahead.

Human-caused climate change is having profound impacts on the planet, including altering the length of a day, according to recent research. This effect is due to polar ice melt caused by global warming, which changes Earth’s rotation speed, increasing each day’s length. This trend is expected to accelerate throughout the century as humans continue to emit planet-heating pollution, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The changes in day length are minute, amounting to milliseconds each day, but they have significant implications for the high-tech, interconnected systems we depend on, such as GPS. “This is a testament to the gravity of ongoing climate change,” said Surendra Adhikari, a geophysicist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and one of the report’s authors.

The length of a day on Earth is determined by the speed of Earth’s rotation, influenced by numerous factors including processes in the planet’s fluid core, the melting of massive glaciers since the last ice age, and the current melting of polar ice due to climate change. Historically, the moon has been the primary factor, gradually lengthening the day by a few milliseconds per century by exerting a gravitational pull that causes ocean bulges, slowing Earth’s rotation.

Previous research has linked polar ice melt to longer days, but this new study indicates that global warming is a more significant factor than previously thought. “In the past, the impact of climate change on time has not been so dramatic,” said Benedikt Soja, a study author and assistant professor of space geodesy at ETH Zurich. However, he notes that this is changing, with climate change potentially becoming the dominant factor over the moon if current pollution levels persist.

As humans warm the planet, glaciers and ice sheets melt, and the resulting meltwater flows from the poles toward the equator. This redistribution of mass changes Earth’s shape, flattening it at the poles and causing it to bulge at the equator, which in turn slows its rotation. This process is akin to a spinning ice skater extending their arms to slow their spin.

The international team of scientists examined a 200-year period from 1900 to 2100, using observational data and climate models to assess how climate change has influenced day length in the past and to predict future impacts. They found that climate change’s impact on day length has significantly increased. In the 20th century, sea level rise caused by climate change altered the length of a day by 0.3 to 1 millisecond. In the past two decades, the increase has been 1.33 milliseconds per century, a rate significantly higher than any time in the previous century.

If emissions continue to rise, warming the oceans and accelerating ice loss in Greenland and Antarctica, the rate of change is expected to increase dramatically. The report predicts that if emissions are not curbed, climate change could lengthen the day by 2.62 milliseconds by the end of the century, surpassing the natural effects of the moon.

“In barely 200 years, we will have altered the Earth’s climate system so much that we are witnessing its impact on the very way Earth spins,” Adhikari told CNN. While a few extra milliseconds per day might go unnoticed by humans, it affects technology. Accurate timekeeping is crucial for GPS and other communication and navigation systems, which rely on highly precise atomic time.

Since the late 1960s, the world has used coordinated universal time (UTC) to set time zones, relying on atomic clocks but keeping pace with Earth’s rotation. This means “leap seconds” must occasionally be added or subtracted to maintain alignment with Earth’s rotation.

Some studies have suggested a link between increased day length and an uptick in earthquakes, according to Mostafa Kiani Shahvandi, a study author and geoscientist at ETH Zurich. However, this connection remains speculative, requiring much more research to establish any definitive link.

A paper on the same topic published in March found that while climate change was increasingly slowing Earth’s rotation, processes in Earth’s core could counteract this by speeding it up, thus shortening day length. “What we have done is to go a little bit further and re-estimate these trends,” said Shahvandi, noting that their study found the influence of the molten core was outweighed by that of climate change.

Duncan Agnew, a professor of geophysics at the University of California San Diego and author of the March study, stated that the new study aligns with his research, extending its results further into the future and considering more climate scenarios. Jacqueline McCleary, an assistant professor of physics at Northeastern University not involved in the study, said the research contributes to a longstanding debate about the role of climate change in altering day length.

While there is now general consensus that climate change will have a “net lengthening effect on the day,” McCleary told CNN, there has been uncertainty about which processes will dominate this century. This study concludes that climate change is now the second most dominant factor. “We have to consider that we are now influencing Earth’s orientation in space so much that we are dominating effects that have been in action for billions of years,” said Soja.

The profound impacts of human activity on the planet are increasingly evident, not only in the environment but in the fundamental mechanisms of Earth’s rotation. This research underscores the far-reaching consequences of climate change, emphasizing the urgent need to address the root causes of global warming.

The Juneau Icefield in Alaska, encompassing over 1,000 glaciers, is experiencing an accelerated melt. A recent study reveals that the icefield’s snow-covered areas are shrinking 4.6 times faster than in the 1980s. Researchers have meticulously tracked snow levels since 1948, extending data back to the 18th century. The icefield has been steadily shrinking since its peak after the Little Ice Age around 1850, but the melting rate significantly increased about a decade ago, according to the study published in Nature Communications.

Bethan Davies, a glaciologist at Newcastle University and the study’s lead author, explained, “What’s happening is that as the climate is changing, we’re getting shorter winters and longer summers. We’re having more melt, longer melt season.” This accelerated melting is contributing to a substantial flow of ice into the water, averaging about 50,000 gallons per second, according to study co-author Mauri Pelto, a professor of environmental science at Nichols College.

“In fact, glacier shrinkage in Alaska from the year 2000 to the year 2020, we’re losing more ice in Alaska than anywhere else,” Davies added. The study highlights a stark increase in the number of glaciers disappearing: only four Juneau Icefield glaciers vanished between 1948 and 2005, but 64 disappeared between 2005 and 2019. Many of these glaciers were unnamed due to their small size, but notable larger glaciers like Antler Glacier have completely vanished.

Alaska climatologist Brian Brettschneider, not involved in the study, emphasized the alarming acceleration, warning of a “death spiral” for the thinning icefield. An icefield, different from an ice sheet, is a collection of glaciers. Ice sheets cover entire continents, with only two remaining in Greenland and Antarctica. The Mendenhall Glacier, a prominent glacier in the Juneau Icefield, is a popular tourist destination. The Arctic, including Alaska, is warming four times faster than the global average, with Alaska warming by 2.6 degrees (1.5 degrees Celsius) since 1980, according to federal weather data.

Pelto, who first visited the Juneau Icefield in 1981 aiming to join the U.S. ski team, has studied it ever since, forsaking competitive skiing for research. Reflecting on the changes, he said, “When you go there the changes from year-to-year are so dramatic that it just hits you over the head.” He noted the ease of accessing the glaciers back in 1981, “In 1981, it wasn’t too hard to get on and off the glaciers. You just hike up and you could ski to the bottom or hike right off the end of these glaciers.” Nowadays, melted snow forms lakes at the edges, and crevasses make skiing difficult.

The icefield now resembles a staircase of bare rocks. White snow and ice reflect sunlight, but dark rocks absorb it, warming the ground and accelerating the melting in a feedback loop. The critical factor is the snow elevation line; below this line, summer can melt the snow, while above it, snow remains year-round. Pelto explained that this snow line keeps moving upward, increasing the areas prone to melting.

Juneau’s flat icefield shape makes it particularly vulnerable to tipping points. Davies noted, “The shape of Juneau’s icefield, which is rather flat, makes it vulnerable to particular tipping points because once the snow line moves up, large areas are suddenly more prone to melt.” Pelto emphasized, “The tipping point is when that snow line goes above your entire icefield, ice sheet, ice glacier, whichever one. And so for the Juneau icefield, 2019, 2018, showed that you are not that far away from that tipping point.”

Despite the significant melting, the Juneau Icefield’s complete melt wouldn’t drastically affect global sea levels, though it remains a crucial tourist and cultural site. Julienne Stroeve, an ice scientist at the University of Manitoba, not part of the study, remarked, “It is worrisome because in the future the Arctic is going to be transformed beyond contemporary recognition. It’s just another sign of a large transformation in all the ice components (permafrost, sea ice, land ice) that communities depend on.”

The study team compiled their findings using satellite images, airplane overflights, archived photographs, and historical local measurements, creating a detailed long-term picture of the icefield’s melting. Michael Zemp, head of the World Glacier Monitoring Service, and five other outside experts affirmed the study’s findings, with Zemp stating, “We need urgent and tangible actions to save at least some of the remaining ice.”

Pelto, reflecting on his decades of study, pondered, “We’re 40 years from when I first saw the glacier. And so, 40 years from now, what is it going to look like? I do think by then the Juneau icefield will be past the tipping point.” The future of the Juneau Icefield appears bleak, with accelerated melting trends posing significant environmental challenges.

Global temperatures continue to break records month after month, prompting concerns from scientists and climate policymakers about surpassing the warming target established during the historic Paris 2015 climate talks.

The Copernicus agency of the European Union recently announced that May had been the hottest on record, marking the 12th consecutive month of record highs. Similarly, the World Meteorological Organization has projected a nearly 50% chance that average global temperatures between 2024 and 2028 will exceed the desired warming limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius agreed upon in the Paris accords.

Moreover, a group of 57 scientists reported in the journal Earth System Science Data that the Earth warmed at a slightly faster rate in 2023 compared to 2022.

Climate scientists, however, are not surprised by these developments, as they align with their long-standing predictions based on the accumulation of carbon dioxide resulting from increased fossil fuel usage. In 2023, atmospheric levels of heat-trapping gases, particularly carbon dioxide, reached historic highs, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with the third-highest increase in 65 years of recordkeeping.

The repercussions of these shattered records translate into heightened human suffering. Climate change induced by human activity has led to erratic weather patterns, more frequent and unpredictable storms, and prolonged heatwaves. For instance, an intense heatwave in Asia this spring led to school closures in the Philippines, fatalities in Thailand, and record temperatures in several countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Maldives, and Myanmar. In India, weeks of scorching heatwaves last month resulted in school closures and loss of life.

While exceeding the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold may not spell immediate catastrophe, scientists warn of worsening conditions. Previous United Nations assessments indicate that significant ecological changes are more likely to occur between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius of warming, including the eventual disappearance of coral reefs, Arctic sea ice, and certain plant and animal species. Additionally, extreme weather events are expected to intensify, resulting in more casualties and infrastructure damage.

Jennifer Francis, a scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center in Massachusetts, emphasized that reaching the Paris threshold does not signify a sudden surge in the impacts already being observed.

Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort to phase out fossil fuel usage, according to climate scientists. The combustion of fossil fuels—such as oil, gas, and coal—remains the primary driver of human-induced global warming. Francis stressed the need for greenhouse gas concentrations to stabilize to prevent further temperature records from being broken and to mitigate the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

While renewable energy sources have seen significant growth, there is a pressing need for accelerated expansion. Efforts to improve efficiency are underway across various sectors, including household heating, cooking methods, and cement production. However, scientists emphasize the urgency of adapting to these changes.

A 4.8 magnitude earthquake struck New Jersey on Friday morning, causing ripples of concern from Baltimore to New York City. This seismic event, rare for the area, left residents shaken but also prompted experts to reassure the public about the likelihood of future earthquakes in the eastern U.S.

Angie Lux, a seismologist at the University of California Berkeley Seismology Lab, stated to TIME, “There’s no clear trend that there are more earthquakes happening.” Data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reveals that since 1950, roughly 40 earthquakes with magnitudes of 3 or higher have occurred within 500 km of Friday’s earthquake epicenter near Whitehouse Station, N.J. The last earthquake of comparable magnitude in the region struck in 2011, causing widespread tremors across the East Coast.

Lingsen Meng, an associate professor of geophysics at the University of California Los Angeles, emphasized that earthquakes are infrequent along the East Coast and advised people to remain calm. He noted, “Small earthquakes occur much more often than big ones.” The most significant earthquakes historically recorded on the East Coast were the 1755 Cape Ann earthquake in Boston and a 7.2 quake in Charleston, S.C. in 1886, which Meng described as “much bigger than the ones we have today.”

Sarah McBride, a research social scientist at USGS, mentioned in a press briefing that at least two aftershocks related to Friday’s earthquake had been recorded. However, she added that the likelihood of an aftershock with a magnitude of five or greater in the coming weeks was only 3%.

Regarding the cause of the earthquake, USGS clarified that it did not occur at an active fault. A spokesperson explained, “There are dozens of older inactive faults that formed millions of years ago. And under the current stresses from tectonic plates moving, those faults can be intermittently reactivated.” Further research is required to fully understand the event’s origin.

Meng reassured the public about potential infrastructure damage, stating, “Building damage usually doesn’t happen until [magnitude] six or seven. So [today’s earthquake] is not going to cause any significant damage unless the building is really inadequate.” He did, however, acknowledge a potential concern regarding seismic waves traveling across the East Coast, which can be felt more widely due to differences in the Earth’s crust. Meng explained, “East Coast seismic waves tend to travel much longer distances. They don’t attenuate or decay as fast.” Nonetheless, he emphasized that significant earthquakes are rare in the East Coast, thus the likelihood of severe damage or building collapse remains low.

How fortunate are the inhabitants of Carbondale, Illinois? According to celestial mechanics, a total solar eclipse should occur at any given location on Earth’s surface roughly once every 375 years on average. However, the 30,000 residents of this Midwestern city might find this statistic amusing, as they are gearing up to witness the Moon obscure the Sun’s disk for the second time in just seven years.

Moreover, the upcoming eclipse on April 8th promises to surpass the spectacle of the 2017 event. Lasting for an impressive 4 minutes and 9 seconds, the sky will plunge into darkness, nearly doubling the duration of the previous eclipse.

Anticipation is building as up to 200,000 people are expected to converge on prime viewing spots in southern Illinois for what has been dubbed “The Great American Eclipse, Part II.” However, the excitement extends beyond Illinois, as the eclipse’s path stretches from Mexico’s Pacific coast to Canada’s Atlantic seaboard, promising a blockbuster event.

In contrast to the 2017 eclipse, which traversed sparsely populated regions, the 2024 event will pass over major urban areas in the United States such as Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, and Buffalo. Dr. Kelly Korreck, the eclipse program manager at NASA, highlighted the significance, stating, “This is going to be the most populated eclipse in the US, with 31.5 million people able to just walk outside of their homes to experience it.”

NASA is gearing up for the event with a series of experiments, including launching rockets into the Moon’s shadow to study its effects on the Earth’s atmosphere and deploying instrumented jet planes to chase the shadow. Dr. Amir Caspi from the Southwest Research Institute explained the rationale behind the aerial pursuits, emphasizing the unique perspective they provide.

The journey of the 2024 total solar eclipse will commence over the Pacific Ocean, with the residents of Penrhyn Atoll in the Cook Islands witnessing a darkened Sun at dawn. From there, the Moon’s shadow will race across the Earth’s surface at speeds exceeding 2,500 km/h, crossing the Mexican coast and the US-Mexico border before traversing 13 states and skimming the Canadian border.

Unfortunately for Europe, the eclipse will only offer a partial view low on the horizon at sunset. However, enthusiasts around the world have been meticulously planning their viewing strategies, considering transportation, accommodation, and historical weather patterns. While Mexico and Texas offer the best chances of clear skies, weather unpredictability adds an element of uncertainty to eclipse viewing, even in locations like Carbondale.

Despite the abundance of space telescopes monitoring the Sun, total eclipses remain invaluable for studying the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona. This magnetized, superheated region plays a crucial role in generating the solar wind, which can disrupt satellites, communications, and electricity grids. Total eclipses provide a unique opportunity to study the corona’s elusive properties, as the Moon’s disk perfectly aligns with the Sun, allowing for unobstructed observations.

Collaborating with NASA, British scientists plan to deploy instruments in Dallas to study the corona’s directional qualities and the behavior of excited iron atoms using polarimeters and spectrometers. Dr. Huw Morgan from Aberystwyth University emphasized the importance of eclipse observations in understanding the Sun-solar wind connection.

In addition to professional research, citizen scientists can contribute to eclipse science through various projects. Initiatives like Sunsketcher, Eclipse Soundscapes, Globe Observer, and Eclipse Megamovie engage enthusiasts in measuring the Sun’s shape, recording environmental changes during eclipses, and capturing extended views of the event using DSLR cameras.

Dr. Liz MacDonald from NASA highlighted the value of citizen science in enhancing eclipse observations, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the endeavor. However, she also stressed the importance of safety precautions, advising against looking at the exposed Sun with the naked eye.

As excitement builds for the 2024 total solar eclipse, Dr. Korreck reminded enthusiasts of its uniqueness and encouraged everyone to experience it firsthand. While Montana and North Dakota will witness a partial eclipse in 2044, the next total solar eclipse spanning a broad swath of the US won’t occur until the following year.

The fundamental principles of survival are straightforward: humans can endure weeks without food, days without water, but only moments without air. Air stands as the cornerstone of human existence, yet what much of the global populace inhales daily is tainted.

In the 2023 World Air Quality Report, issued on Tuesday by IQAir, a Swiss company monitoring real-time air quality worldwide and issuing annual assessments since 2018, merely 10 nations or territories in the past year maintained air quality meeting the World Health Organization’s cleanliness benchmark.

IQAir relied on the average concentration of PM2.5, or particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, across cities with publicly available data as the primary indicator of air quality for each country or territory. PM2.5, a harmful constituent of air pollution stemming from various sources such as emissions from coal and oil combustion, as well as dust storms and wildfires, can infiltrate the body through the lungs and bloodstream, impacting major organs. The WHO has outlined that exposure to PM2.5 can result in cardiovascular and respiratory health issues, including strokes or lung cancer, contributing to an estimated 7 million premature deaths annually.

WHO guidelines suggest an annual mean PM2.5 concentration of no more than 5 micrograms per cubic meter (5 µg/m3). Among the 134 countries and territories assessed by IQAir, only Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Puerto Rico, Australia, New Zealand, Bermuda, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, and French Polynesia met this standard in 2023.

IQAir’s 2023 World Air Quality Report offers significant insights into various regions.

Asia:

Asia emerges as the most polluted region globally, with all but one of the 100 cities with the most polluted air situated there, with 83 of them located in India. These cities exceeded the WHO’s standard by at least 10 times. The Indian city of Begusarai, with over half a million inhabitants in Bihar, recorded PM2.5 levels at 118.9 µg/m3 last year, surpassing the WHO standard by 23 times.

Central and South Asia are home to the top four most polluted countries—Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and Tajikistan—where 31% of cities reported PM2.5 levels exceeding the WHO standard by over 10 times, a proportion far surpassing any other region in the report. IQAir attributes Asia’s air pollution to various factors, including significant greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants and peat bog burning, exacerbated by weather phenomena like El Niño delaying the onset of rainy seasons, which could have mitigated PM2.5 levels.

Oceania:

Oceania, comprising Australia, New Zealand, and French Polynesia, maintained the cleanest air in 2023, with each country and territory meeting the WHO standard. The region also boasts the highest proportion, 55%, of cities adhering to the WHO standard.

Europe:

Europe witnessed the most improvement among regions, with PM2.5 levels decreasing in 36 out of 43 monitored nations. Bosnia Herzegovina remains the most polluted country in the region, although its PM2.5 levels decreased by 18% from 2022. Croatia exhibited the most significant improvement, with PM2.5 levels dropping by over 40% compared to 2022. While 39% of European cities met the WHO standard in 2022, 54% achieved this threshold in 2023.

The Americas:

North America leads as the most-monitored region, with 3,242 cities analyzed, representing 40% of the total cities in the report. Latin America and the Caribbean are expanding their air-quality monitoring network significantly, with new monitoring stations emerging in various cities and countries. In North America, Canada surpassed the U.S. in air pollution due to extensive wildfires from May to October last year. The U.S. also experienced an increase in air pollution, partly due to southward-drifting smoke from Canadian wildfires. Columbus, Ohio, ranked as the most polluted major U.S. city for the second consecutive year, while Las Vegas, Nev., claimed the title of the least polluted major U.S. city.

Africa:

Africa faces air pollution challenges compounded by a lack of data. While Benoni, South Africa, emerged as the only non-Asian city among the 100 most polluted cities globally, the continent struggles with insufficient air quality data. Despite a rapidly growing urban population, only 24 out of 54 African countries, representing 66% of the population, have adequate air quality data for inclusion in IQAir’s report. Chad, the most polluted country in IQAir’s 2022 report, was excluded due to a lack of publicly available monitoring data.

Frank Hammes, IQAir’s global CEO, emphasizes the critical role of air quality data in saving lives and prompting action. He underscores that where air quality is reported, action is taken, leading to improved air quality.

The expanse of ice vanishing in Greenland over the last thirty years equates to roughly 36 times the size of New York City, a new study reveals. This area is swiftly transitioning into wetlands and shrubbery, as indicated by satellite analysis.

Between the mid-1980s and the mid-2010s, Greenland witnessed a twofold increase in vegetation. Previously glaciated regions now exhibit barren landscapes, wetlands, or shrub-covered terrains. Notably, wetlands expanded fourfold during this period.

Satellite imagery analysis unveiled a loss of 28,707 square kilometers (about 11,000 square miles) of ice across Greenland during the examined three decades. The researchers caution about a chain reaction of consequences with profound implications for climate change and rising sea levels.

Rising air temperatures have spurred ice loss, consequently elevating land temperatures. This has led to permafrost thawing, releasing greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, amplifying global warming. Moreover, permafrost melt induces land destabilization, potentially jeopardizing infrastructure.

Jonathan Carrivick, one of the study’s authors, highlights secondary effects stemming from ice loss, such as the proliferation of vegetation in previously ice-covered areas. He explains, “We have seen signs that the loss of ice is triggering other reactions which will result in further loss of ice and further ‘greening’ of Greenland, where shrinking ice exposes bare rock that is then colonized by tundra and eventually shrub.”

The disappearance of ice initiates a feedback loop. With less ice to reflect solar energy, more heat is absorbed, escalating land temperatures and exacerbating the cycle of melting. Moreover, increased water from ice melt in lakes absorbs more heat than snow, further raising land temperatures.

Greenland has experienced double the global average rate of warming since the 1970s, suggesting more extreme temperatures in the future. As the world’s largest island, mostly covered in ice and glaciers, Greenland sustains approximately 57,000 inhabitants, predominantly indigenous peoples reliant on natural ecosystems for sustenance.

Lead author Michael Grimes emphasizes the adverse effects of sediment and nutrient runoff into coastal waters, particularly for indigenous communities dependent on fishing and hunters in other regions of the island. He states, “These changes are critical, particularly for the indigenous populations whose traditional subsistence hunting practices rely on the stability of these delicate ecosystems.”

Furthermore, the loss of ice mass in Greenland significantly contributes to global sea level rise, posing substantial challenges presently and in the future.

Frequent landslides, the Kedarnath tragedy, a sinking Joshimath and the most recent Silkyara tunnel collapse are among the disasters that have kept the spotlight on the Himalayan region and the debate about the dangers of construction in this fragile mountain terrain. The Himalayas are young and still under the mountain forming process or orogeny, resulting in stability issues and complex geological conditions. A situation which in this case is also aggravated by earthquake occurrences as it is an active seismic zone. These have led to the question repeatedly being asked, “how safe is it” to construct here.

It is a situation and a question that India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan, countries located around these mountains, are constantly confronting. However, balanced with the need for roadways, tunnels, hydropower projects to harness the continuous water supply from perennial snow-fed rivers, there is no let-up in construction here.

Drawing attention to the hazards involved is the latest event, Silkyara. The Silkyara Bend–Barkot tunnel was being constructed as part of the Char Dham project, which is intended to connect the Char Dham pilgrimage sites with two-lane, all-weather paved roads. The tunnel located on the Yamunotri end of NH134, connects Dharasu with Yamunotri.

“The construction of this tunnel will provide all weather connectivity to Yamunotri, one of the dham on the Chardham Yatra, encouraging regional socio-economic development, trade and tourism within the country,” said a Press Information Bureau release announcing clearance of the Silkyara Bend-Barkot tunnel by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister in February 2018.  The tunnel was approved as part of the Chardham Mahamarg Paryojana, the PIB release said. The little over 4.5km long tunnel shortens the route by about 20 kilometres and travel time by about an hour. On November 12 while work was in progress a section of the Silkyara Bend–Barkot tunnel collapsed trapping 41 construction workers inside. As everybody now knows, after a rescue operation that lasted 17 days and drew global attention, all 41 workers were safely rescued.

Multiple questions on tunnel cave-in

The tunnel cave-in has raised multiple questions about the reasons for the collapse. There have been many media reports on the collapse and often a recapitulation of earlier events. But most of them have made vague and generalised statements about the Himalayas being a ‘young’ and ‘fragile’ mountain chain and the terrain being ‘unsuitable’ for large infrastructure projects. Many media reports have also blamed ‘tectonic faults’ for the collapse.

However, these are generalisations and such reports do not provide a good understanding of the geological setup which is extremely important in comprehending the reasons for such mishaps. An understanding of geology would offer an insight into what went wrong and help prevent such occurrences in future. So, in cases like the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel, a better approach is to look at the local geological picture rather than making general remarks about the fragility of the Himalayan-mountain chain, which doesn’t really convey anything significant.

The tunnel passes through the Garhwal Himalaya, west of Uttarkashi. This region is characterised by multiple superimposed thrust faults. The most important among them is North Almora Thrust, which is known for neotectonic activity and earthquakes.  The North Almora Thrust itself is displaced by two steeply inclined, near vertical tear faults known as Koteshwar and Barkot Faults which are close to Barkot.

The broad lithology (general type of rocks) of this area consists mainly of metamorphic rocks such as phyllites and metavolcanic rocks. These rocks are known as the Chandpur Group in stratigraphy which is the branch of geology concerned with the order and relative position of strata and their relationship to the geological timescale. According to geologists, these metamorphic rocks are tightly folded, cut by faults at places, foliated and the foliation has a steep dip (38 to 550). It is not known for sure, whether the tunnel cuts across a major fault, but it probably passes through the tightly folded and deformed metamorphic rocks.

A geological report before the commencement of the Silkyara tunnel project has shown that the proposed tunnel could encounter weak rocks and adequate support structure would be needed to prop up the weak rocks. According to the report, the “rock type to be encountered along the diversion tunnels would be 20% good (Class 2), 50% fair (Class 3), 15% poor (Class 4) and 15% very poor (Class 4)”. The report has also highlighted possibility of wedge failure or rotational failure in the tunnel. When rotational failure occurs, the failed surface will begin to move outwards and downwards. It occurs when rotation by a slip surface causes the slope surface to curve.

Need for geological mapping

This draws attention to the need and extreme importance of detailed geological investigations in such situations. A detailed geological mapping followed by several exploratory drill holes and detailed core-logs help in deciphering the lithology and structure of the location and safety/precautionary measures, if any, can be put in place. This is followed by RMR (Rock Mass Rating) classification of the rock types which assigns ratings to the rock mass based on properties such as the number of discontinuities (such as fractures) in the rock, spacing between discontinuities, nature of the fractures, groundwater, and rock quality designation (RQD) index. RMR classifications help in understanding the possible behaviour of the rock and then engineers can decide the kind of construction and precautionary measures that need to be put in place.

Speaking about the tunnel project, in an interview to a newspaper, Prof. Navin Juyal, a prominent and respected geologist, has said “First of all if the 4.5 km road tunnel project in the sensitive Himalayas region was taken up based on this geological report, it is insufficient. One cannot know the type of rocks by just three exploratory drillings. Further, the report clearly says there was no very good quality rock in the area where the tunnel was being built. Only 20% of rock is of good quality, the rest is fair and poor and very poor. The report admits that the area was not geologically stable.”

This statement clearly points out and highlights the need for a meticulous geological survey, besides geological investigations, before undertaking any construction project in terra infirma like the Himalayan-mountain chain. A number of such disasters could have been avoided if local geology was understood or warnings from experts had been heeded.

(The author is a noted geologist. Views are personal. By special arrangement with The Billion Press)

Read more at: https://www.southasiamonitor.org/index.php/perspective/avoiding-himalayan-disasters-need-heed-geological-warnings

Glaciers in the Himalayas are rapidly melting, but a recent report reveals a remarkable phenomenon in the world’s tallest mountain range that might be mitigating the impacts of the global climate crisis.

In a study published on December 4 in the journal Nature Geoscience, researchers discovered that when warming temperatures affect high-altitude ice masses, it triggers an unexpected reaction—powerful cold winds that cascade down the slopes, providing a cooling effect in the lower areas of the glaciers and adjacent ecosystems.

Francesca Pellicciotti, a professor of glaciology at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria and lead author of the study, explained, “This leads to an increase in turbulent heat exchange at the glacier’s surface and stronger cooling of the surface air mass.”

As the cool, dry surface air becomes denser, it sinks and flows down the slopes into the valleys, creating a cooling effect in the lower regions of the glaciers. Given that the ice and snow from the Himalayan range feed into 12 rivers, supplying fresh water to nearly 2 billion people across 16 countries, understanding the sustainability of this self-preserving cooling effect is crucial in the face of anticipated temperature increases in the coming decades.

The alarming rate of glacier melt in the Himalayas was highlighted in a June report, indicating a 65% faster melt in the 2010s compared to the previous decade. Fanny Brun, a research scientist at the Institut des Géosciences de l’Environnement in Grenoble, France, emphasized, “The main impact of rising temperature on glaciers is an increase of ice losses, due to melt increase.”

The lengthening and intensification of the melt season lead to glacier thinning and retreat, resulting in deglaciated landscapes that contribute to further temperature increases due to the albedo effect. Brun explained, “Light or ‘white’ surfaces such as clean snow and ice will reflect more sunlight (high albedo) compared with ‘dark’ surfaces such as the land that is exposed as glaciers retreat, soil, and oceans (low albedo).”

Surprisingly, at the base of Mount Everest, overall temperature averages appeared stable despite the region experiencing glacier melt. Franco Salerno, coauthor of the report and researcher for the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), noted, “While the minimum temperatures have been steadily on the rise, the surface temperature maxima in summer were consistently dropping.”

However, the cooling winds are insufficient to fully counteract the impact of increasing temperatures and glacier melt. Thomas Shaw from the ISTA research group with Pellicciotti commented, “The cooling is local, but perhaps still not sufficient to overcome the larger impact of climatic warming and fully preserve the glaciers.”

The scarcity of data in high-elevation areas globally prompted the study team to focus on using ground observation records from a climate station located at 5,050 meters (16,568 feet) on the southern slopes of Mount Everest—the Pyramid International Laboratory/Observatory. The station has recorded detailed meteorological data for almost 30 years.

Pellicciotti emphasized the global relevance of the process highlighted in the study, stating, “The process we highlighted in the paper is potentially of global relevance and may occur on any glacier worldwide where conditions are met.”

The study underscores the importance of collecting more high-elevation, long-term data to substantiate these findings and assess their broader impacts. Pellicciotti urged, “The new study provides a compelling motivation to collect more high-elevation, long-term data that are strongly needed to prove the new findings and their broader impacts.”

The Pyramid International Laboratory/Observatory climate station, located at a glacierized elevation of 5,050 meters, played a pivotal role in the research. Pellicciotti, Salerno, and their team utilized detailed meteorological observations from the station to conclude that warming temperatures trigger katabatic winds—a phenomenon where cold winds flow downhill, common in mountainous regions, including the Himalayas.

“Katabatic winds are a common feature of Himalayan glaciers and their valleys, and have likely always occurred,” Pellicciotti said. “What we observe, however, is a significant increase in intensity and duration of katabatic winds, and this is due to the fact that the surrounding air temperatures have increased in a warming world.”

The team also observed higher ground-level ozone concentrations correlated with lower temperatures, indicating that katabatic winds act as a pump transporting cold air from higher elevations down to the valley.

Comparing glacier loss in the Central Himalaya to Europe, Brun highlighted that, on average, glaciers in the Central Himalaya have thinned about 9 meters over the past two decades—a significantly lower rate than glaciers in Europe, which have thinned about 20 meters over the same period. Understanding how long these glaciers can locally counteract global warming is crucial for addressing climate change effectively.

Study coauthor Nicolas Guyennon, a researcher at the National Research Council of Italy, expressed optimism, stating, “We believe that the katabatic winds are the response of healthy glaciers to rising global temperatures and that this phenomenon could help preserve the permafrost and surrounding vegetation.”

However, further analysis is needed, and the research team aims to identify the glacial characteristics favoring the cooling effect. Pellicciotti emphasized the need for more long-term ground stations, stating, “Even if the glaciers can’t preserve themselves forever, they might still preserve the environment around them for some time. Thus, we call for more multidisciplinary research approaches to converge efforts toward explaining the effects of global warming.”

The surprising discovery of katabatic winds in the Himalayas provides a potential ally in the fight against climate change. While the glaciers are still under threat from rising temperatures, this natural cooling mechanism offers hope for the preservation of the delicate ecosystems and water sources dependent on the Himalayan ice and snow. The study underscores the need for continued research and data collection to fully understand the broader implications of this phenomenon and to develop effective strategies for addressing the challenges posed by a changing climate.

As leaders and delegates converge in Dubai for the annual UN climate summit, an analysis by Climate Central, a nonprofit climate research group, reveals the vulnerability of host cities from past summits to rising ocean waters. The escalating levels of planet-warming pollution have led to severe droughts, deadly floods, and the rapid melting of glaciers and ice worldwide. The analysis employs peer-reviewed sea level rise projections and local elevation data to visually depict a stark contrast between the present and a potential high-tide future if global temperatures rise to 3 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

“Decisions made at COP28 will shape the long-term future of Earth’s coast cities, including Dubai,” emphasizes Benjamin Strauss, Chief Scientist, and CEO of Climate Central. This urgency stems from the recent UN report indicating that the world is on track to warm up to 2.9 degrees. Climate scientists underscore the critical threshold of 1.5 degrees beyond which both humans and ecosystems will face challenges in adaptation.

Although the Paris Agreement, established in 2015 at COP21, aimed to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, with a preferable target of 1.5 degrees, the current trajectory risks making coastal communities, low-lying nations, and small islands uninhabitable. Strauss highlights the dependence of these places on swift and substantial carbon pollution reductions to cap global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius.

A report from the World Meteorological Organization predicts 2023 to be the hottest year on record. Monthly temperatures from June to October have consistently set new global records, accompanied by unprecedented ocean temperatures. This global warming contributes to accelerated melting of glaciers and ice sheets, even in Antarctica, with potentially devastating implications for global sea level rise.

Climate Central estimates that approximately 385 million people reside in areas prone to eventual inundation by ocean water at high tide, even with substantial reductions in planet-warming pollution. Restricting warming to 1.5 degrees would still affect land inhabited by 510 million people today. However, if global temperatures breach 3 degrees, more than 800 million people could find themselves living in areas threatened by high-tide encroachment, as per a recent study.

While these scenarios may unfold over centuries, scientists emphasize that every fraction of a degree of warming exacerbates the consequences of climate change. The upcoming COP28 discussions will center on strategies to curtail fossil fuel use to avert the escalating risk of an underwater future. This year’s climate talks introduce a new scorecard, revealing countries’ progress on their climate targets and underscoring the urgency of addressing climate pollution, as the window for action is “rapidly narrowing.”

As authorities in the field of climate change, we are frequently questioned about the state of our planet, and surprisingly, our response leans more towards optimism than despair. There is a crucial but often overlooked energy transition in progress, coupled with increasing investments in adaptation measures to enhance resilience against extreme weather events. While global efforts to meet climate goals are falling short, recent developments indicate a potential for substantial change and lay the groundwork for broader initiatives.

In the midst of escalating climate-related disasters, there is a noteworthy achievement in the United States, where greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 17 percent between 2005 and 2021, despite the economy doubling in size. The costs of solar and wind energy have plummeted by 70 percent and 90 percent, respectively, in the last decade, constituting 80 percent of new electricity generating capacity this year. The sale of electric vehicles is also on the rise, with over 1 million units sold in 2023, marking a 50 percent increase from the previous year and accounting for one in every ten new vehicle purchases.

These positive trends are further supported by favorable public policies at the state level and the federal level’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA aims to reduce the costs of renewables, electric vehicles, heat pumps, and other low-emission technologies, with projections indicating a potential halving of U.S. emissions by 2035, accompanied by significant cost savings for households.

The combined effect of declining clean energy costs and additional climate policies is contributing to a reduction in the anticipated global warming from 3.5 degrees Celsius to 2.4 degrees this century. While this progress falls short of meeting the Paris Agreement target, it reflects a significant step forward in making climate action more economically viable worldwide.

However, acknowledging these advancements does not diminish the alarming impacts of climate change. The consequences of historical emissions are increasingly evident, with climate-fueled events occurring more frequently and with greater severity. Records for global surface temperatures, Antarctic sea ice loss, ocean temperatures, extreme flooding, heatwaves, and wildfires have been shattered, causing substantial adverse effects on individuals, assets, ecosystems, and institutions.

In the U.S., households are grappling with climate-related increases in medical expenses, food prices, insurance premiums, and home repair costs. Research has also shed light on less-appreciated impacts on mental health, school performance, and crime. Government resources are stretched thin by spending on disaster response and wildfire suppression, further compounded by decreased tax revenue.

The magnitude of these impacts hinges on uncertainties related to climate variability, technological advancements, behavioral responses, and differential vulnerability, posing an economic burden on a generally risk-averse society. Additionally, there are stark disparities in the distribution of harm and benefit concerning climate change responses, with marginalized communities facing increased risks due to unequal exposure and fewer resources for adaptation.

Effectively mitigating climate impacts requires an accelerated transition of energy and food systems, coupled with investments in infrastructure and nature-based solutions that promote resilience. Despite emissions reduction efforts, adaptation remains essential, especially as the U.S. warms 60 percent faster than the global average. Adaptation initiatives hold the potential to safeguard lives, improve quality of life, and restore vital natural ecosystems.

Engaging affected communities through participatory processes can advance more equitable adaptation decision-making. Climate-informed markets may further support these efforts, emphasizing the importance of accurate risk information to protect homeowners and municipalities from equity loss and price deflation due to climate-driven housing bubble risks.

While incremental adaptation measures are underway, addressing severe impacts may necessitate transformative actions such as redesigning buildings and updating infrastructure standards. In 2020, global spending on adaptation efforts amounted to only one-tenth of what was allocated for emission reductions. Thoughtful investments in public infrastructure, community resilience, and adaptation serve as crucial complements to decarbonization efforts.

The future of our climate is in our hands. We are in a narrow window where the severity of the problem is known, yet there is still time to act. The reason for optimism lies in our ability to collaboratively work towards reducing emissions, strengthening resilience, motivating adaptation, and advancing equity.